This contest period's winners were Jill P., Lory S. and Matt D., who each received a copy of BOOKS FOR LIVING by Will Schwalbe and THE LOST CITY OF THE MONKEY GOD: A True Story by Douglas Preston.
Linda
Slade House by David Mitchell
This is my first David Mitchell. I doubt it will be my last. You need to pay attention. Proof? Try this quote from the book: “Tonight feels like a board game co-designed by M.C. Escher on a bender and Stephen King in a fever.” I've always loved board games and Escher. I guess I'm going to like King, too. Enter at your own risk!
Linda
White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg
Huh. Imagine...we've been classifying people since at least the time the Pilgrims arrived - who were trying to get away from this exact thing, only to start it anew in the New World. I thought this book was very interesting, especially when it progressed into my own lifetime and the number of cultural references (Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Honey Boo-Boo, etc.) that seemed to fascinate so many. And the synonyms for White Trash - almost as many as for sitting on your derriere, gluteus maximus, tush (that people think White Trash sit upon!)
Jan
It Takes One by Kate Kessler
This is a true romance novel disguised as a mystery. There is no mystery after the first chapter. The rest is filler. The writing is adequate but overwhelmed me with throbbing hearts, wistful thinking, memories, etc. If you are a true romance fan, this one's for you.
LINDA
Unspoken: Shadow Falls: After Dark by C. C. Hunter
I freely chose to review this book as I wanted to see what Della would do when she found out her dad had been arrested for killing her aunt, and it was after her meddling she found out who was responsible! For nine months her dad treated her life a monster, even though it wasn't her choice to become a Vampire, and now her whole family was in danger so she had to go back home...
Emiy
The Handmaid's Tale by Margarett Atwood
This was a re-read. My thoughts on this book have changed drastically over the last five years.
Maureen
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
An engaging, dramatic, intriguing novel embracing "amnesia" and a family with marital problems and all the quirky dynamics of the characters. A snapshot of how easily events can evolve into major conflicts. Much does not meet the eye in this thriller.
Marsha
Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline
This is a great book. It is a real page-turner. There are many twists and turns.
Sandra
Copper River by William Kent Krueger
I have read a number of books in this mystery series set on the shores of Lake Superior, and this is one of the best.
Kimiko
The Vanishing Year by Kate Moretti
Interesting book that reads like a Cinderella story with an ugly twist. However, I did figure out the ending before the ending of the book, but it is a good read anyway.
Cynthia
Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Great Christmas book.
Mary
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I just read this a second time, this time for a book club, and I love it even more than I did the first time around! Ove is a cantankerous, elderly Swedish man, bitter from his wife's long struggle with disability and finally, terminal cancer. He decides it's time to join her, but every time he tries, his bothersome neighbors get in the way! Before long, he finds himself part of the local community in spite of himself. Charming, poignant, and hilarious.
Sheree
The Sport of Kings by C. E. Morgan
I expected the book to be more about horse racing than the about the one family. It was a dark, dreary book but it did lead to a lively discussion at our book group. It wasn't an uplifting book.
Bertha
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
LOVE THAT DOG, as well as HATE THAT CAT, are beautiful books, for kids and adults alike. You can truly feel this kid's feelings and he just melts your heart.
Marcia
Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile
This book has left me pondering its story for the two weeks since I read it. I also gained some understanding of Black culture. The main character, Charley Bordelon, inherits a sugar farm from her father and returns to the south to make a go of it. The odds are certainly against her. The family relationships add much to the story. The most troubling relationship is that of Charley and her brother, Ralph Angel. Could Charley have done more? Did she turn her back on him? Was it his own fault? What price did he pay? Read the book and find out.
Linda
American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst by Jeffrey Toobin
I'm old enough to remember when Patty Hearst was kidnapped. It took a many months and some unbelievable (at the time) headlines before she was returned to her family, but, Patty had changed in the meantime. Or did she? I'm not sure that I'm any clearer about whether she should have been convicted of crimes, but this was an interesting read and reminder of the events from so long ago.
cj
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
As usual, Jodi made me think. Once I got past feeling angry ( How dare she write a black woman's story being as white as she is? ), I loved her book. She really knows how to incite strong emotions. I read it in less than two days and I am hungrily waiting for her next book.
Jayme
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
I always have problems when I read a historical fiction novel about a real person. The main problem is that they are not here to defend themselves. And second is the wrestle while you are reading, is this part real or fiction? Most of this book is fiction, which is okay. It is still a very good read, just know that going in.
Sylvie
How to Have a Good Day by Caroline Webb
It shows how behavioral science techniques can be used to plan a good day and deal with all the unexpected that comes along with quiet calm. I especially enjoyed the section on dealing with people.
Lisa Nekich
The Lost Boy by Camilla Lackberg
Great read that holds your attention to the end. Combines characters that you can relate to and a well-told story. Not generally a crime genre fan, but I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Camilla Lackberg's books and this book is no exception.
Marylyn
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
I won twelve copies of this book for my book club, Pageturners. The book was discussed at our October meeting. The club members were skeptical when the book was handed out as a 'freebie' from an author not familiar to many in our group of twelve. Everyone in the group loved the book and we had a wonderful discussion about this history of the artist Camille Pissarro and his mother.
Marilyn
The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa
A well-written novel inspired by the voyage of the SS St. Louis, a transatlantic liner offering safe passage for Jews out of Germany at the brink of WWII and Hitler's cleansing. The liner is headed for Cuba where the refugees have been promised safety, only to find that governmental changes have occurred and most are refused. The liner heads back to Europe where only a few survive the war. Seventy years later a young woman receives an unexpected package from an unknown relative in Cuba. She and her mother travel to visit the relative and unravel the story of their family's tragic past.
helen brady
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
A great read, exploring the friendship between Babe Paley and Truman Capote.
Gerriann
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
Great fairy tale for grade school readers.
Doris
This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor by Susan Wicklund
This book was totally not what I was expecting. I am a picketer of our local Planned Parenthood and very pro-life, but I learned much from reading this book and will have to rethink some original concepts. I would suggest this book for both sides of the abortion fence.
Richard N B
The Pacific by Hugh Ambrose
A very good book that relies heavily on the real stories of men who served in the Pacific theater during WW II. I was expecting more of a novelized treatment and less history. But I really enjoyed this book.
Liz
I'm Still Here by Clelie Avit
This is a beautiful, if unusual love story. The characters are well written and engaging. Elsa has been in a coma for five months. Unbeknownst to anyone, she can hear. A young man, Thibault, accidentally enters her room and over the next several weeks they fall in love. Elsa's parents have made a decision that Thibault does not agree with. He has a limited amount of time to try and get Elsa to come back.
Gerry
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
Interesting novel (based on numerous real occurrences in the 16th through 20th centuries) about a young girl who has stopped eating, and is believed by her family and the villagers in her Irish community to be a saint, able to live without food because of her holiness.
Gerry
The Ice Child by Camilla Lackberg
This is the ninth book I've read in the Patrik Hedstrom series, and the first that has disappointed. Too many improbable coincidences and complications made the conclusion unsatisfying. I would definitely recommend the series, which is best read in order, starting with THE ICE PRINCESS. I've been reading them for the last two years, and until now, loved every one of them!
Gerry
Oxygen by Carol Cassella
Liked it, didn't love it. I found it too clinical in some parts as the author explained a bit more than I needed to know about her thinking process as an anaesthesiologist. Interesting characters and situations. My disappointment with this book as a whole may be due to an unfair comparison with Picoult's SMALL GREAT THINGS, which I read recently. Both books involve a medical malpractice suit, though from very different perspectives.
Gerry
The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis
Well-written crime novel by a pair of Danish writers who are new to me, though I anticipate enjoying more books in this series.
Gerry
On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life by John O'Leary
Recommended by a friend of my daughter's, and well worth reading. A lot of wisdom packed into one short book.
Gerry
The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa
This novel started slowly but soon captured my interest. Narrated mostly in the voice of a twelve year old girl, it is based on the true story of the German ship St. Louis, which carried over 900 passengers, most of them Jewish, from Hamburg to Cuba in 1939. All but about 30 were denied entrance, despite having paid for special visas that the Cuban government subsequently declared invalid. For those who did disembark, like the characters in this story, Cuba became a place of waiting - for family, for freedom, for forgiveness.
Gerry
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
This novel started out slowly, and I considered putting it aside. But the characters and the story grew on me, and the final two chapters were just marvelous. Interesting how a book can progress from just okay, to pretty good, to one I liked a lot and would recommend, especially to readers in my age group. Patchett captured beautifully the moments of joy and pain that that connect family members as life unfolds. And she made me add a visit to Switzerland to my bucket list!
Gerry
The Color War by Jodi Picoult
A short story written for young adults or teens, mentioned by Jodi Picoult when I heard her talk about her latest novel, SMALL GREAT THINGS (which was amazing, by the way) at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Like SMALL GREAT THINGS, THE COLOR WAR deals with issues of race and white privilege. A favorite quote: “Skin color doesn’t make you different,” Melody said. “We’re all the same on the inside.” “The only people who ever say that,” Raymond replied, “are white.”
Gerry
Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn
Wonderful! A painful story, but beautifully written, and populated with memorable, realistic characters. FIVE SMOOTH STONES tells a tale of the battle for civil rights in the American South from the 1930s through the 1960s. Highly recommended reading for all Americans!
Gerry
Landfall by Ellen Urbani
Excellent story about mothers and daughters -- and especially mothers who, despite their faults, care for their daughters as best they can -- all set in the chaos during and after Hurricane Katrina. Well-researched and vividly narrated, LANDFALL gives a powerful glimpse of the severe challenges faced by residents of New Orleans during that crisis.
Gerry
The Unseen World by Liz Moore
A new novel by a local (Philadelphia) writer, THE UNSEEN WORLD tells the story of Ada, who discovers only after her father has been silenced by Alzheimer's that he was not who she believed him to be. Very interesting!
Gerry
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Such a powerful novel! I loved it and recommend it highly. Picoult has once again created characters and scenarios that will remain with me for a long time to come.
Lynn W
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
Charming story of a young Swedish woman coming to Iowa to visit her pen pal, only to find that Amy has died. Predictably, the townspeople take Sara under their wings, spread the love around, and save their dying small town. Oh, and Sara opens a bookstore with Amy's books and gets the whole community reading...sort of. Lots of books mentioned; some will go on my to-be-read list.
Gerry
Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey
This book SO resonated with me. Although my mom did not suffer from a specific dementia, she did have times of confusion and disorientation in her later years, before passing away at 93. Healey portrayed Maud's struggles with memory so vividly, I couldn't help but recognize my mother in her to some extent. Maud's confusion of past and more recent events, and her struggles to make her family understand her fears and worries, were heartbreaking, but the end of the novel, when mysteries were resolved, was perfect.
Gerry
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
This is a very enjoyable story of a suave, erudite Russian aristocrat sentenced in 1922 to lifelong house arrest within the central Moscow hotel that was his residence. His admirable determination to create a meaningful life despite his confinement, and the relationships he develops with other residents and hotel employees form a fascinating thread of a storyline that also covers a half-century of Soviet Russian history.
Gerry
The Edge of Lost by Kristina McMorris
Well-structured and engaging story about an Irish immigrant in Depression-era America.
Gerry
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
A wonderful story made even better by gorgeous illustrations. Connor's mother is seriously ill, and medications don't seem to be making her better. He retreats more and more into himself, trying to avoid the pitying looks, the whispered comments, and the bullying he encounters in school. Nightmares morph into waking dreams, and his feelings of sadness, anger, and isolation increase. Ness's descriptions of Connor's feelings and reactions are just pitch-perfect. The sad ending is beautifully, though painfully, described and illustrated.
Shelley Thompson
Called for Life by Kent and Amber Brantley
CALLED FOR LIFE is about a medical missionary family caring for people in Liberia. While there, Kent gets ebola. The story is heartfelt and touching. Told from both Kent and his wife, Amber's, perspectives with an honest voice. It brought tears to my eyes during the intense and emotional times when Ken almost died. A bonus is that you can look up YouTube footage of some of the happenings in the book. Great read!
Barbara Heller
The Girls by Emma Cline
Interesting focus on the females in a Manson-esque cult and how psychologically and physically they are prepped for their roles.
Peggy Stillman
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Awesome, excellent book.
Marsha
The Jealous Kind by James Lee Burke
There are few authors today that can hold a candle to the poetic language of Burke. Every sentence is so well written that you want to savor every page. This book takes us back to a coming-of-age story in the 50s in Houston. It has all the angst and trepidation that is part of the young man's journey into adulthood. What a privilege to be reading such a talented author.
Jan
Less Medicine More Health by H. Gilbert Welch
Wow! This is a great book for any of us at any age. It is so easy to fall into old assumptions that are not valid. Dr. Welch is a physician on the faculty of Dartmouth Medical School. He counters some ideas that most of us have such as the sooner you are treated, the better. This is not to say that you should ignore physical or emotional problems, but you do not always have to rush to get some things "healed." Best of all, like a good academic professor, Dr. Welch provides the source of all he asserts. There is a lengthy listing of references articles and books at the end of the book so non-believers can read the research and results for him or her self. A lengthy list of academic reviewers is also included.
Jud
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu by Joshua Hammer
Outstanding telling of the story of the library of Timbuktu and how a group of brave souls saved it from Al Queda and ISIS, who would have destroyed the library.
Margaret
Nine Island by Jane Alison
No names, only initials were used in this novel about middle-aged J, the protagonist. She's trying to decide whether to give up on love/relationships and live the solitary life on Nine Island near Miami Beach. She has had her share of disastrous relationships, is devoted to Ovid, and spends time translating his poems. She appreciates the Florida lifestyle and takes advantage of all the amenities offered at her aging high-rise apt. bldg. She watches (w/binoculars) people living in the apt. bldg. across the way from her and imagines their lives based on what they are doing. Ms. Alison writes with such depth/humor and made the settings seem real. This book got off to a slow start but once it began moving, I enjoyed it. Has short chapters.
Phyllis
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
Four siblings are looking forward to inheriting the nest-egg fund from the trust their father set up for them years before, which has grown substantially. The oldest sibling, Leo, has had to draw deeply on it unbeknownst to the others. Thus the problem. They are all desperate for the money and in debt. It is difficult to know which person to empathize with the most. They are all needy.
Charries
I'll Take You There by Wally Lamb
A local Connecticut movie theater that is rumored to be haunted becomes the stage (in both senses of the word!) for one of the most unexpected and wonderful characters Wally Lamb has written: the ghost of Lois Weber, a legendary Hollywood director and producer from the silent film era. As with Charles Dickens' ghosts in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, we readers immediately grasp that Lois' role is to broaden the perspective of a living character who has grown somewhat jaded by life. It will make you laugh at times, cry at times, but mostly leave you with the belief that with love anything can be overcome, and a warm sense of hope for the future.
Thomas
The Mistletoe Murder by P. D. James
It was a very good book to read.
Tessa B C
Help, I Am Being Held Prisoner by Donald E. Westlake
Harry Künt (WITH an umlaut, and pronounced KOONT) finds himself in prison after pulling one practical joke too many. Westlake excelled at writing comic crime capers, where something always goes wrong, but no one is shot or seriously injured. There are plenty of escapades herein and some were laugh-out-loud funny.
Sandy
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her book-loving pen pal. When she arrives, however, she finds Amy's funeral guests just leaving. The residents of Broken Wheel are happy to look after their bewildered visitor - there's not much else to do in a dying small town that's almost beyond repair. You certainly wouldn't open a bookstore. The bookstore might be a little quirky. Then again, so is Sara. But Broken Wheel's own story might be more eccentric and surprising than she thought. A heartwarming reminder of why we are book lovers, this is a sweet smart story about how books find us, change us, and connect us. I really loved this book.
Betty
Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller
Took a little while to get into, but when I did, I was completely hooked. And the ending really gobsmacked me.
Ellyn Von Wald
The Twenty-Three by Linwood Barclay
Are we sure this is the last in the trilogy? I detect an opening for #4.
Lynn
A Most Dangerous Book by Christopher B. Krebs
Excellent account of the effect that the ancient Roman manuscript, Germania, by Tacitus, had on the myth of the Aryan/Germanic race and how the Nazis used it as a means of propaganda.
Linda
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
I'm probably the only person in the world who has not seen a single episode of either "Malcolm in the Middle" or "Breaking Bad". My admiration of Bryan Cranston started when I saw him perform as LBJ and then as Trumbo. He's got range. The range does not stop with his acting. This book is a marvelous recall of his life and most of all a look into his methods for acting. This book only increases my admiration for the actor as a husband, father, brother, and son.
Deb
Land of the Afternoon Sun by Barbara Wood
The variety of characters - from Native Americans indigenous to the area to the townsfolk settlers and then to the interlopers who eventually changed the area of Palm Springs - were richly developed. The back history of the area, the vibrant descriptions of the natural settings, and the connectedness to the land by both Native Americans and townspeople who helped delay encroachment offered a rich sense of place, making one fall in love with the American Southwest without ever seeing it. In addition to the historical perspective of the changing of the America West, and in this book the Palm Springs area in particular, I especially enjoyed reading about the beginnings of the early women’s movement in that area.
Marilyn
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
Just finished an ARC of this wonderful book. It's set at the end of WWII where three refugee women and their children gather in an old castle to share resources and begin making lives for themselves after their families have been devastated by the war. Each of the women comes from very different circumstances. Shattuck deftly develops the characters and explores their situations.
Jane
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
YA that older folks can enjoy too. Captivating story of first love.
Judy O.
Sorrow Road by Julia Keller
I found out after I was into this book that it is the 5th book in a series about prosecuting attorney, Belfa Elkins. Belfa is asked by a friend to look into her father's death in an alzheimer's unit at the nursing home where he lives. Also, Bell's daughter Carla suddenly moves home, and it is easy to tell that she is hiding a secret, because she is very preoccupied and weepy. The book came to a good resolution. I particularly enjoyed the author's descriptions because she used frequent similes and other metaphors. For example: "His face was severely elongated, as if it had been left too long on a hanger." The setting of the story is West Virginia in the middle of horrendous snow and cold weather. I will look for her other books.
LINDA
The Children's Home by Charles Lambert
I freely chose to review this book and I truly enjoyed it. Charles Lambert is unknown to me and I am glad for the chance. THE CHILDREN'S HOME is a dark and eerie story where children appear on a disfigured recluse's door step out of the blue. He and his housekeeper can't turn them in as the children nestled into their hearts. Morgan Fletcher hides from the children as he fears his scarred face would scare them, but the boy called David is wise enough to make him see that love comes in all ways.
LaDonna
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
A wonderful book about a young girl growing up in Brooklyn in the early 1900s whose family is in poverty and her experiences growing into adolescence and an adult.
Jacquie Dick
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
Quirky.
Sean Penrose
100 Things Buckeyes Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die by Andrew Buchanan
So, in this Wikipedia era a book like this has to be well done. This isn't. Of the "100" things, only about 40 are unique. The book was soooooo repetitive and as a Buckeye fan I would say I learned next to nothing new. There wasn't any actual writing, just copy and pasting from programs and media guides. I was hoping for insights, quotes, and anecdotes not readily known, but that wasn't the case here. Overall, it reads like a sad Wikipedia entry and was a waste of money.
Kelly
Filthy Rich by James Patterson and John Connolly
Captivating and unbelievable.
Judy
Georgia by Dawn Tripp
Loved this book from the beginning as I have loved Georgia O'Keefe's flowers. Her relationship with Stieglitz is wonderful but poses the question, "Can love really conquer all?"
Mary Lou
The One-Way Bridge by Cathie Pelletier
This is a great quick and enjoyable read -- something to lighten your mood. The eccentric characters and quirky storyline all shape the entertainment. And haven't we all had neighbors that are like some of these?
Linda
The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter
A first-class thriller that surrounds the conspiracy theories that sprouted from JFK's assassination. It has a few technical passages on possible weapons and shooting angles, but this should deter no one. I found it was not necessary to understand this to enjoy the story. It has action, intrigue and to set this story apart, a memoir from JFK's killer. This memoir has a completely different writing style than other parts of the book. This switch truly shows off the skill of the author.
Jan
Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow and Nathan Whitaker
I have always been a Tim Tebow fan but this book does not measure up. He comes across as a privileged young man who has no insight about what others believe or endure. There is no depth. There is only superficial praise for himself and others who believe the way he does. The real sticking point for me was his total focus on Jesus Christ. He does not acknowledge that other religions are possible or the "right way" for others. He wants everyone to be a Christian. There is no depth here, no actual relating of difficult times. Maybe when he matures a little more, I will read another Tebow book, but it will take a long time.
Margaret
Rushing Waters by Danielle Steele
It's been a long time since I've read a Danielle Steele novel. After reading RUSHING WATERS, I don't think I'll be reading another one for a while. There were so many characters and side stories that I had a hard time tying it all together. The theme is that a hurricane is going to hit New York City. In order to have a plot, lots of dumb decisions regarding whether or not to evacuate were made by many of the characters. After that, it was predictable and easy to figure out how the side stories would materialize. Some parts of this novel were mildly entertaining, but not enough for me to give it more than 3 stars.
Karen
British Manor Murder by Leslie Meier
A Lucy Stone Mystery is a fun read. Lucy, a reporter, is an ordinary person so she is easy to relate to. What sets her apart is her adventures, which usually involve a murder. In this book, Lucy is feeling down partly because she really misses her grandson who has gone to Alaska with his parents. She goes to England with her friend, Sue, to the Earl of Wickham's Manor for the "Heads Up" hat exhibition. Life at the manor is not what they expected. The manor is a museum with a bad smell, the family lives in the servants wing, and the grounds are beautiful except for the dead man in the maze. The police investigate, and after some heirlooms go missing, Lucy investigates. The mysteries are solved.
jeff
Uncle Tom The President by DJ
The title is deceptive, this book is not political. It will totally fulfill the self-proclaimed mentally insatiable reader. Humor, inspiration, useful information, love, intrigue, compassion and so much more abound in this book. Of all of the books that I have read this year, this is the only one that I would recommend to the world.
Marion
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Probably one of the very BEST books that she has written. As always, Ms. Picoult provides us with a real-life drama and although we always want to choose sides in these issues, she makes us step back and think about who we are and what we believe.
Julie
The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner
Disfigured in a wreck as a child, Ruth Saunders lives with her grandmother and often falls for someone at work. She writes a television show that gets picked up and her misadventures ensue, including more office romance. This is one of my favorite Jennifer Weiner books because I loved all the characters and the situations. I would react the same as Ruth when she learns her grandmother is getting married or when she is pressured to change her script. It's a good read and illustrates the feel good parts of life as well as the embarrassing low lights.
D
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Really enjoyed reading it. Hard to put down.
Linda
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance
This one made me think. A lot. Perhaps because I live very close to the area discussed in the book. I've noticed major differences between the people from there and my native northern Ohio. I need to digest this book. I will probably re-read it.
Kara
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews
A delightful romp through a small southern Georgia town. Rich in detail. If you have ever dreamed of restoring an old southern mansion, you will love this story.
Lynn W
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Elegant, sophisticated, absorbing, evocative...this book goes to the top of the list (120+) as the best I've read this year. What a wonderful way to end a year of reading!
Jessica
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Realistic portrayal of a family's secret struggles.
Bonnie
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian
Another wonderful novel from this author who never fails to find new, interesting topics. This one kept me guessing all the way. A keeper.
Bonnie
Avid Reader by Robert Gottlieb
Wonderful memoir for those interested in books, authors, and the publishing world. Gottlieb was an editor at Simon and Schuster and Knopf for decades and also editor at The New Yorker magazine. He tells of his dealings with various people in the world of books and magazines including many, many authors. Bonus is he mentions lots of terrific books that have only added to my queue!
Sandy
Faithful by Alice Hoffman
Growing up on Long Island, Shelby Richmond is an ordinary girl, until one night an extraordinary tragedy changes her fate. Her best friend's future is destroyed in an accident, while Shelby walks away with the burden of guilt. I love Alice Hoffman and this is her best book yet.
Linda
Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart
I sure like these books and hope that there is another in Amy Stewart's and my future. This is the second story of the Kopp sisters. The middle one, Constance, became the first female deputy sheriff in the U.S. (in NJ) in 1915. The people and events are true, but conversations and some details have been shuffled to make a good story. Ms. Stewart does her research and has a list of notes at the end of the book to explain where she got her information. These are slightly humorous quick reads that still inform about times past. (The first was GIRL WAITS WITH GUN.)
Linda
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
This is by the same author who did BOXERS & SAINTS. Yang intertwines an ancient Chinese fable of the monkey king with two other stories about Chinese who are trying to fit in and stereotypes. A strong tale. My only quibble was what seemed an abrupt ending.
Julie
2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino
This is a quirky tale with a mixed cast of characters, and for most of the book, I was on board with the action -- a 9-year-old girl with a recently deceased mother and a barely-there father, and her looking-for-love teacher, thrown together with a nightclub owner about to lose his club -- but the ending really was a confusing mess.
Chris
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
A true page-turner, the sentence structure is short, quick. Paragraphs are even quicker. The whole book reads like a frantic person trying to figure out what happened to them, how to connect the dots, how to fix the wrongs and save himself. As such, the book is very un-put-downable. The worlds are richly imagined, the concepts unique, and overall, a feeling of being caught up in the story along for the ride with Jason supplants any notion that this is a sci-fi thriller, or a love story, or any other genre book. It bends everything and at its heart, it reads like a plausible story, one in which we all hope we never have to experience.
Lory
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be about bickering children and all about money. This book was so much more. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the "lesson", if you will. Definitely a recommended read.
Lory
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Although the book did lose me along the way, with the introduction and sometimes needless information of many characters, I enjoyed the story of these step-siblings and the lives they were handed. It was interesting to see the differing parenting style and self focus of the 70s and how it greatly influenced the lives of these children.
Lory
Crossing the Horizon by Laurie Notary
I'm always impressed with the time and research some authors dedicate to their developing a story. It is apparent that Notaro did just that, digging up many historical facts about these lesser to unknown individuals and and then molding characters and stories relevant to that period of time. Learning while being entertained. I was worried upon beginning the book, finding it a little slow to start and thinking it was just going to recount facts and instances of these women throughout history. However, the drab quickly evolved to characters that I cheered for, growled in disgust about, and felt shocked and saddened for. The anticipation, although I guess I knew who it would be all along...lol, who would win the race for "queen of the air."
Lori
This Was a Man by Jeffrey Archer
It was nice to finally finish up the Clifton Chronicles. I was frustrated by all the previous books ending with a cliffhanger and having to wait a long time until I learned what happened. This one wrapped up a lot of loose ends, but I found it a little less interesting than its predecessors. I did enjoy the series as a whole and would recommend them. They must be read it order to appreciate them.
Francisca E B
By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Book number five in the Little House Series has the Ingalls family moving to Dakota Territory. Wilder gives the reader a good picture of the joys and sorrows of pioneer life – the harshness of weather, the bounty of a good crop and plenty of game to hunt, the dangers of the wilderness, the joy and comfort of family. These books are just a joy to read.
Richard N B
The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
This is a fascinating micro history of the men and women – many women – who worked to extract the key ingredient that would fuel the bombs the U.S. dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasacki, thereby ending the war. Kiernan did much research and was able to interview a few surviving women to get their own stories. Using the personal stories of a handful of women made the history personal and engaging.
Marsha
Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich
If you are looking for a fun escape read over the holidays this is the book for you. Stephanie Plum and her gang of bail bonding girls are out to solve the mystery of an ice cream war. If you don't laugh out loud at these escapades, you aren't paying attention.
Melanie S.
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
4.5 stars. I really loved this book. The reviews were very mixed, but as chic lit goes, I truly enjoyed this! I have to admit that I did not read Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and apparently this book is an homage to that story, so I had nothing to compare it to; I just took it on its own merit. Maybe that's what made it better for me. The story is about a family of five girls, all are single adults, and the parents wish they would find their mates. The stories of each as they go through their various relationship dramas was so much fun to read. Very engaging and a great light book to get lost in during the busy holiday season!
Melanie S.
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
This book got good reviews but I did not care for it. I found myself annoyed with the main character at many points in the book. One part stands out - after being held captive and threatened multiple times, her captor holds a car door open for her, and she says something to the effect of, “Wow, if he wasn’t so diabolical, he has very good manners and is a gentleman.” Really? Would someone really think that of their captor? Did not like this one but read through to the end hoping for the plot to redeem itself. The resolution was somewhat satisfying, but I would have liked more information about her captor's reaction at the end. I’m not a big thriller reader, but others I’ve read are much better than this one.
LINDA
Quest for Kriya by Rahul Deokar
I freely chose to review this ARC for an author unknown to me. Shakti lost her whole family in an earthquake that destroyed her village in 1993. At first she helped the injured an stayed with her neighbor since her home was a tumbled pile of ruin. Unknown to her, her neighbor had dubious plans for her, and she ran to get her pitiful things and took a bus to her soul sister. Ten years later, she became a flight hostess for the same airliner that Kriya worked for. Their schedules rarely afforded them to be off at the same time and she didn't think twice about not seeing her for days, but she discovered when the police came to inform her that no one had seen her, and they thought that she was taking over her identity.
Tessa B C
As the Waltz Was Ending by Emma MacAlik Butterworth
This memoir is written for a young adult audience. It is very interesting to see how the historic events unfold through the eyes of a child and how seductive the opportunities promised by the Nazis were to the young students they recruited. The book is rated as being for age 12 and older; there are some horrific experiences related here, so it may not be the best book for particularly sensitive youngsters.
Ilene
The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham
THE RAZOR'S EDGE is a classic by Somerset Maugham. It is set in the 1920s before the depression and then into the 1930s. The main character is Larry Darrell who is not influenced by material things, but is in search of "the truth." In so doing, he travels widely, most notably India, and is impressed greatly by the wise men there. Other characters in the story are in search of riches and standing in society.
Lynn W
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Getting cozy with this book and a cup of tea is my Christmas treat to myself. I've read it at least five times and will continue the tradition every year or two for as long as I can.
Linda
Smoke by Dan Vyleta
Oh, my did I enjoy this ride! Some people smoke. I don't mean with cigarettes. I mean smoke emanates from people's body signifying sin. But not everyone smokes. What gives? Vyleta wrote an exciting story for me. Not everyone bought the fantasy. I'm going to look up his previous novels.
Jane
From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling
An adventure in the growth of Blessing. Town hospital so large needs an administrator. Deaf school needs a new teacher and new building. Men working around clock to build it. Deborah wonders if Toby will ever ask her to marry him She has waited a long time. Women agree to help her. The hospital is understaffed. Deborah starts to date the new teacher. But then she goes for training to be an administrator. Will Toby see the light?
Linda
The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay
Yes, I took more than 6 months to read this book. It was not because I didn't like it. It was too rich for me to digest in a short sitting. I easily got lost in this book (not in a bad way). I was involved in the multiple stories this book relates. The language! Rich, foreign, new! My kind of book.Thank you, Martin Seay!
Judy
Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay
David finds himself, as a single father, not seeing his son enough working at The Boston Globe. He returns to his hometown newspaper only to have it closed down on him. Living with his parents, he sets out to investigate why his cousin has a baby that she claims was left at her house by "an angel". Keeps you guessing to almost the end as to how and why this happened. Good read!
Emily
Dictator by Robert Harris
Great writing. Excellent research. A novel about the last years of Cicero, the great Roman orator and politician. Covers the collapse of the Roman Empire, the murder of Pompey, and the assassination of Julius Caesar. If you are a fan of historical novels, you'll love this one.
Tessa B C
A Rocky Mountain Christmas by William W. Johnstone with J. A. Johnstone
The characters were all stereotypes and the message was heavy-handed. I don’t think I’m spoiling much by saying that the bad guys get what’s coming to them and the good guys win. It wouldn’t be a Western romantic Christmas story otherwise. At least it was a fast read.
LINDA
Just One Damn Thing After Another, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor
I won this book and agreed to post an honest review, and now I want to read the next book! Doctor Madeline Maxwell received a e-mail out of the blue from her old teacher ten years after she left Thrisk University offering her a chance at a position in St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research that would require her returning to the States. At first she considered rejecting the job as she preferred to stay abroad, but her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to go to the interview. She just never expected to be plunged neck deep in an unbelievable secret that had her fighting for her life!
Linda
Truevine: Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother's Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South by Beth Macy
Beth Macy was born in the town where I live in Ohio, but I went to a book luncheon in NYC where I met her and first heard about this book. Macy is an investigative reporter who spent years researching and trying to get the story of the Muse brothers. They were albino negroes who were stolen from working in the tobacco field in 1899 and spent decades as sideshow curiosities with Barnum and Bailey and Ringling Brother's circuses. Their mother and other relatives spent a lot of time trying to get them home and paid for their time with the circus. Very well researched. The book is more about the family and author's journeys than the circus time of the boys.
Francisca E B
Life Studies by Susan Vreeland
Vreeland is best known for her historical novels focusing on various artists. This is a collection of short stories that focus on art, but more on the people around the artist, rather than on the artist him/herself. The first half of the book is set in an historical time frame, the second half is contemporary. I really liked some of these stories, and others left me feeling ‘meh.’
Sean Penrose
The Girl from Venice by Martin Cruz Smith
I love Martin Cruz Smith's work and here's another reason why. He expertly adds history, love, family, and intrigue, and humor to craft another great novel. The main protagonist, Cenzo, is a simple fisherman who gets into a situation anything but simple at the tail end of World War II. Cruz Smith's characters are always well developed and Cenzo, his family, village, and more are well fleshed out. While the book was a very fast read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Alex Rivers
We Thought You Would Be Prettier by Laurie Notaro
As a long-time fan of Ms. Notaro's books I should start by saying I love her self-deprecating humor. That said, this one gets more raunchy than most and not everyone is going to love her or the book. Funny in ways that most of us don't say out loud, Laurie Notaro is an everywoman who doesn't hesitate to tell intimate details of her marriage, Italian-American family life, and pets. What I found surprising in this book was how touching her stories of her beloved Nana and Pop Pop were. Ms. Notaro has a gift for getting to the heart of people and conversely at nailing exactly why a person can be a total ass or a wonderful human being.
Phyllis
The Shimmering Road by Hester Young
Even though I had not read the first book in the series, I was able to enjoy this one as a stand-alone. Following Charlotte Cates and her dark visions of harm to her unborn child was suspenseful and intriguing. The characters are well developed, there are many twists to the plot and the narrative flows smoothly. I received an advance reader's copy through Penguin's First to Read program.
Margaret
Before We Met by Lucie Whitehouse
Lucie Whitehouse is a new author for me. I had read some reviews about BEFORE WE MET and a blurb that compared it to GONE GIRL so that piqued my interest. The only comparison I saw was that it's about a married couple who have some secrets from each other which resulted in trust issues. This is another British psychological suspense novel which I felt was a good read but it didn't blow me away. For one thing, the pacing was too slow. I had a hard time caring about the protagonist, Hannah, but there were enough twists/turns to keep me reading.
Marcia
Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
I'm reviewing an advanced proof copy that I won. I was fascinated by the story of the illegal immigrant Solimar who arrives in the U.S. pregnant and unmarried. Kavya Reddy and her husband want a child more than anything and turn to the foster system with the intention to adopt. This is a book of the determination of Solimar and the horrors she's faced. It's also the story of a little boy loved by his biological mother and the people who want to adopt him. What rights does Solimar have? Who can be the better choice for Ignacious (the child)? How does fate come into play? The book is well written and holds one's interest. I gave it a three instead of a four because I question what the conditions of the detention camp really were.
Allison
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright
Great story.
Susan
The Liberator by Alex Kershaw
I really liked THE LIBERATOR as it is WWII non-fiction. Alax Kershaw does an excellent job of making non-fiction come alive. He does a lot of research, based on his footnotes, and he makes you feel like you are there. I highly recommend THE LIBERATOR.
Shelley K Hitt
Swing Time by Zadie Smith
Wonderful story and great writing.
Linda Asmussen
Moby Dick or The Whale by Herman Melville
Finally reading this book in my effort to read all the classics as part of completing my incomplete formal education.
Gladys
A Royal Christmas by Shana Galen
The book contains two complete stories: Waiting For A Duke Like You and A Prince in Her Stocking. A terrible tragedy is referred to in both stories and leads to the meetings of the pairs of lead couples. In the first story the hero rescues the female. In the second story the heroine works to attract the hero. The stories are well written and entertaining. This book is not just for holiday reading.
Fran
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
After seeing every version of this movie, I decided to read the classic that inspired so many over the years. I loved it.
Robin
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
Settling in with a Louise Penny book and her family of characters is always interesting and rewarding. I didn't have this one figured out until almost the very end. The Gamaches and their friends and neighbors in Three Pines are always up to something that adds not only to the mystery but also often adds a bit of humor. With the humor, the intriguing mystery, the social and political comment on Quebec and Canada, and some philosophizing, Penny's books have much to offer a reader who wants an engaging police procedural with a twist or two.
Linda
West with the Night by Beryl Markham
What a life this woman led: pilot, horse trainer, author, a woman who wasn't bound by convention. Very interesting. Well read by Julie Harris. This is why I read. So I can share in the adventure.
Jill
The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro
The book is a fascinating look at the world of artists, art collectors, museum/gallery curators, and art forgers. Claire makes a pact with the "devil" when she agrees to create a forgery of a famous Degas painting. After she takes possession of the "supposed" real Degas painting, Claire realizes that this painting is, in fact, a forgery. The implications of this and of her resulting forged painting work play out in the novel. The book asks how we see things and people, as we wish them to be or what they really are. Methodology of creating a forgery is detailed in a way a layperson can understand. Gets a 4/5 because the story's pacing is uneven; it was slower at the beginning than I liked, then picked up as I kept reading. Very good.
Linda
Three Christmas Wishes by Sheila Roberts
This was a great book where you find yourself laughing at some of the characters’ antics. Jo, Riley, and Noel were three friends who went to the mall to see Santa. Although now grown, they all remembered their annual visit to Santa when they were small and decided to recreate this annual pilgrimage and to ask Santa for what they truly wanted. As the days sped closer to Christmas, each was surprised to find their wish coming true. Maybe there was a real Santa after all.
Linda
The Season of Us by Holly Chamberlin
When Virginia receives a call from her brother telling her he is concerned about their mother, she decides to make a surprise visit to her mother. She is shocked to see that her mother has lost weight and her once spotless house is unclean. There is mutual misunderstanding between mother and daughter, and Virginia is reminded many times of her father telling her to remember to be kind. It takes a Christmas miracle for Virginia and her mother to realize the depth of feelings they have for each other.
Linda
Defender by Diana Palmer
Paul Fiore went against his family’s wishes when he joined the FBI. He put away a major crime boss, but the man got revenge from prison when he had Paul’s wife and daughter killed. Blaming himself for their deaths, Paul left the FBI and New Jersey, and headed out west where he got a job as bodyguard to the two daughters of Darwin Grayling, a wealthy man who was involved with shady characters. When he became too attracted to one of the daughters, he resigned and returned to the FBI but never forgot Isabel Grayling. She now works for the District Attorney’s office and that office works with the FBI, so Isabel and Paul have to confront each other and find the attraction is still there.
Linda
The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
A young woman is attracted to a sexy man visiting her shop and their friendship develops into something more serious. She has been burned in the past and is afraid to trust any man. He has never been serious about any woman until this one and he is not sure how to handle his feelings. I am rating the book 3 stars because the character of Willa is too wishy-washy for me. First she didn’t trust Keane over something that happened in high school. Then she fell for him but did not want to so she started pushing him away. The story would have been better if Willa’s character was a little stronger and listened to her heart. I'm a big fan of Shalvis but was disappointed in this book.
Linda
No Man's Land by David Baldacci
John Puller’s mother disappeared thirty years ago, and now one of his mother’s friends has written a letter accusing John’s father of killing her. John’s father has early stages of dementia and is in a facility. John is determined to put this rumor at rest and find out what actually happened to his mother. He searched for similar disappearances around the time his mother disappeared and found that four women were murdered in the same general vicinity and the murderer has never been caught. In fact, all investigations by local police as well as the FBI were called off. This raises several flags in the CID investigator’s mind and he can’t let it rest no matter who is politely telling him to let it go. Baldacci's books never disappoint.
Linda
Neighbor Dearest by Penelope Ward
Chelsea’s neighbor has two dogs that bark and keep her awake. Going to the manager’s office, she finds that the neighbor is also the manager and owns the complex. He is a spray-painting artist and has decorated the walls of the complex with his art. At first, she thinks he is rude but the more she is around him, a friendship develops. Damien tells her he will not get serious about any woman but Chelsea hopes she can change his mind. She wants more out of their relationship and wonders why he doesn’t. She knows he is attracted to her so what is the problem?
Linda
Wicked for You by Shayla Black
Axel Dillon was hired by Marshall Mullins to find his daughter Mystery, who was kidnapped outside a nightclub. He found Mystery and took out the man who had taken her, and together Axel and Mystery escaped through the desert to a small town and help. The person behind the actual kidnapping was never found. Mystery moved with her father to London and thought the past was behind her, everything except her desire for Axel. She traced him to a small bar in Dallas and propositioned him. He took her up on her offer. The unknown kidnapper has kept tabs on Mystery and has left a warning in her hotel room. She contacted Axel and knew he would keep her safe.
Linda
One True Heart by Jodi Thomas
This is the 9th book in the Harmony, Texas series and brings back many of the characters. Millanie McAllen returns home after suffering wounds in Afghanistan and being discharged from the Army. She meets Drew Cunningham at the airport and correctly guesses he is a professor. They are attracted to each other but each feels the other is hiding something so trust is not truly there. Beau Yates has finally made it big in country music and returns to Harmony for his father’s death. He finds his old friend Lark Powers working at one of her father’s banks. Most of Beau’s songs center around Lark and he wants to rekindle their relationship into something permanent.
Linda
Deep Dark by Laura Griffin
A suspenseful book as a police detective teams up with a computer hacker to try and find a killer of young women before he strikes again. Laney Knox, the hacker, was almost a victim herself and still recalls the horror she experienced before she got away from the masked man. Detective Reed Novak uses her help when they come up against someone who is also good at hacking.
Linda
Dirty Little Lies by Lora Leigh
Grace Maddox has been in love with Zack Richards for years, but he just teased her and goes on his merry way. Now Grace’s life is in danger and Zack becomes her bodyguard. She feels safe with Zack but knows that he will leave her when the danger is past and her heart will once again be in tatters. She needs to hold herself apart and not fall more in love with Zack, but she can’t. Zack soon realizes that if anything happened to Grace, his world will end. They have to find the traitor who has put Grace’s life in danger. This book was confusing and I highly recommend that WICKED LIES (Book #1) be read first.
Linda
The Obsidian Chamber by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Lots of action in this one as Aloysius Pendergast’s butler Proctor chases Diogenes Pendergast when he kidnaps Constance Greene. He chases them to Newfoundland and Ireland and ends up in Africa where his rental car mysteriously becomes disabled in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. As he starts walking toward the nearest African village, Aloysius is freeing himself from the clutches of drug runners in the waters off the coast of Massachusetts. Returning to New York, he finds an empty mansion. With the assistance of the FBI, Aloysius learns about the various aliases used by Diogenes. Under one of these aliases, he owns an island in the Florida Keys. Aloysius finds it and goes after Constance and Diogenes.
Linda
A Dash of Scandal by Amelia Grey
A young girl leaves her country home and arrives in London to help her aunt who has suffered a fall. The aunt writes a gossip column for the daily newspaper under the name of Lord Truefitt. Since her injury prevents her from attending the balls and soirees to learn the latest gossip, her niece has been recruited to take her place. She was warned about the Terrible Threesomes, a trio of young men who attended school together and now have reputations as hellraisers. Millicent Blair meets the Earl of Dunraven at a dance and both are attracted to each other. Millicent has been warned, but there is something about the gleam in his eyes and the smile on his face.
Linda
Extreme Prey by John Sandford
Lucas Davenport has been asked by Governor Elmer Henderson to look into rumors of a threat made against Michaela Bowden. Bowden is running for president, and Henderson is also running but mainly as a vice presidential candidate. As Lucas investigates the rumors, he comes up against fanatical cults who are anti-government and he thinks some members might have been involved in a bombing several years ago that killed three people. Bowden is determined to be seen at the Iowa State Fair where Lucas is afraid the fanatics might strike.
Linda
Only a Kiss by Mary Balogh
Percival Hayes, Earl of Hardford, inherited the title and estate but stayed away from Cornwall for two years. He arrived at the mansion thinking it would be in disrepair but found it well kept up and home to three women. One was Imogen, Lady Barclay, the widow of his predecessor’s son. At first, he thought her to resemble a marble statue but soon changed his mind. Then when smugglers threatened Imogen’s life, he realized he had fallen in love with her but how did she feel about him? Was she still mourning the death of her husband? Would there be a future for them? This was a great love story where a London rake came to know his potential in life and the woman who would be by his side.
Linda
The Last Chance Christmas Ball by Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, and Nicola Cornick, et al.
The book has eight short stories centering around a Christmas ball being given by Dowager Countess of Holbourne. This ball will be her fiftieth and she will consider it as a last chance ball for the spinsters to find their husbands. She has invited relatives and friends as well as local gentry and has plans to find husbands for some of her favorite godchildren. The eight stories are by Mary Jo Putney, Joanna Bourne, Susan King, Patricia Rice, Cara Elliott, Nicola Cornick, Jo Beverley, and Anne Gracie.
Marsha
The Innocent by Harlan Coben
Good thriller that keeps you puzzled until the end. Plus, a short story featuring Marvin Bolitar, one of his most interesting characters.
Linda
Donny's Brain by Rona Munro
This one had 4 stars until the very end when I believe I was thrown a curve I didn't see coming and just stood there and thought: Is that really what I think it is? This is a play about a man who is in a car accident and suffers traumatic brain injury. His memory is retrograded to 2009. That's bad enough, but in the ensuing years, he divorced and remarried. It's short and not sweet and left me curious about DONNY'S BRAIN.
Pauline
Lawyer for the Cat by Lee Robinson
In Charleston, South Carolina, lawyer Sally Baynard, whose ex-husband is a judge in family court, generally defended the worst offenders. Her ex-husband appoints her to represent the dog in a custody battle. That case is solved and she is next assigned to represent Beatrice, a black cat, whose beneficiary is a multi-million dollar trust and a plantation. She has to choose among three caregivers for the cat. It is a delightful quick read in a lovely setting.
Matt
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
I think most of you already know about this book. If you read it or have read it, keep in mind that this is a novel. It is not history and may or may not contain a lot of truth. I read it as a study of women in a man's world.
Mary Lou
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
This was an engrossing account of the author's formative years growing up in Middletown, Ohio, and also in Kentucky's Appalachia region. J. D.'s mom was an addict who struggled to stay clean, and struggled to keep a man. J. D. lived with five different "fathers" growing up, and credits his Mamaw and Papaw, his maternal grandparents, and his older sister Lindsey, with saving him from a marginal life, a life so many of his peers live. Vance made it out, after four years in the marines, graduating from Ohio State and attending Yale law school. His story is well worth reading, and is a real eye-opener. No solutions to the social problems but a definite examination of the hillbilly culture, told through the voice of the author.
Darci
Words Are My Matter by Ursula K. Le Guin
I enjoyed this more than her fiction. Love her fearlessness in sharing her thoughts.
Darci
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
Just a nice, simple, moving tale of someone facing life head-on.
Darci
A Season with the Witch by J. W. Ocker
Informative and immersively written as the author lived there.
Kayla Gonzalez
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
I think this is a book that everyone should read or listen to. I was a little unsure with how it started that I would enjoy it but that changed fast. Susan Cain has executed this book perfectly and had good things that would help an extroverted person understand how introverted people think and what they need and, while not the main point, she does well at explaining the extroverted needs as well. She covers everything from personal life, relationships, friends and the workplace. If I had to pick one book this year that I wanted everyone to read it would be this. So many times while I was reading this I found myself thinking "that's exactly it!" Please pick this up if you are even slightly curious.
Carol R. Clark
The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis
Having heard of the Barbizon Hotel, I wanted to learn more. I found it interesting to read about women in the 1940 and 1950s who left their homes for the glamour and success of a big city like New York. How naive and unprepared they were for living in NYC. Reminded me of the women who came to Chicago in the 1890s during the World's Fair and the book THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY.
Phyllis
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
The War is World War I, which I did not know much about. There is a plethora of novels about WWII (LILAC GIRLS, THE NIGHTINGALE, etc.) so this was very educational! The author of MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND is British and did her research in the life and times of that summer before the war. The main character was Beatrice Nash who accepts a teaching position in Rye, England and must overcome challenges with gypsies, gay people, and a pregnant girl from rape of a German Tommy. Highly recommended for those who like historical fiction.
Liza Grigoropoulos
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
I loved this book. Part historical novel, part mystery, part thriller. The story takes place in the Irish countryside during the 1800s. A nurse is requested to travel from England to Ireland to witness an 8-year old girl whose family claims has not eaten for 4 months, and the townsfolk consider a religious saint. It is her job to disprove or acknowledge the "wonder" of the young girl.
Becky
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
This book about books is also a romance, but not THAT kind of romance. A whole town conspires and the result is delightful. Many twists and turns, surprises and sorrows make this an entrancing read. Well-developed characters (one unfortunately dead), a plot that can carry the many characters, a sense of place and time, a tempo just fast enough to keep the reader reading and a clear author’s voice (surprisingly true for a first time author) all combine for a pleasing book. Kudos also must be given to the translator.
Book groups will love this book. Discussions can concern books, personalities, laws on immigration, marriage, relationships between friends, lovers and family members, translated books and many others.
5 of 5 stars
Shelley
Best. State. Ever.: A Florida Man Defends His Homeland by Dave Barry
While expecting hilarity based on the ridiculous things that come out of Florida, I found Dave Barry's newest book to have major ups and downs on the funny scale. Some lines I found myself saying, "so true", but others were flat and boring. The narrator's voice on the audio version is unique, or some might say annoying.
Debbie
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
ORDINARY GRACE did not plummet me into the story of a boy struggling through life in the 1960s in Minnesota. The story leaves too many unanswered questions concerning the many deaths that happened that summer of 1961. The language of the story beautifully presents the world of Frank and his family, but too many events cloud the narrative. Like many other authors, Krueger builds a descriptive narrative during the first half of the novel and then realizes that the story needs to end and the last half makes a mad dash for completion. The female characters in the novel appear dreamlike and not made of bones and blood. A safe, unmoving final chapter makes a feeble attempt to tie all loose ends.
Debbie
Wings of Fire by Charles Todd
Ian Rutledge stumbles upon a triple murder of members of one family. Who would want all these relatives dead, and who stands to profit from their deaths? Ian and Hamish, his inner voice, dig into the deaths and the stories of the Cornwall family. Charles Todd, a mother and son team, delve into the English countryside uncovering the price of revenge. The story brings out the devastation of WWI, but also points to the glorious English countryside, and to the grudges that demand restitution.
Debbie
A Catered Mother's Day by Isis Crawford
I have enjoyed this mystery series in the past, but the format reeks of the same story, just using a different holiday and food. The two sisters always become involved in a murder and then enlist the assistance of their retired, policeman father. The chase to find the killer sandwiches between creating delicious food. The author kindly adds recipes at the end of the book, but not for the food mentioned in the story. Bernie and Libby never seem to sleep, and after starting their day very early in the morning I guess all the sugar keeps the two sisters high throughout the day. Maybe I am too critical of the book. This is a warm, cozy mystery abundant in the mention of food.
Marsha
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
You think you know all the angles on this book but you will be surprised. Special-Ops pilot, Maya, is home from the war and sees a photo of her deceased husband on her nanny cam. While she tries to solve this mystery she is flung into her in-laws business dealings and isn't sure who she can trust. Quite thrilling.
LINDA
Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl
I freely chose to review this ARC from an unknown author to me and I'm glad I did. Now I want to read the whole series! To kids at her high school Gemma Hart was called a freak, but little did they know that she was hardly human and she had special powers that no one was to know about. She was friendless and avoided her classmates until a persistent Harrison Granger wouldn't take no for answer. Harrison never expected a brief conversation with Gemma and when their hands brushed, it was like fire creeping throughout his body! Since that moment he couldn't stop thinking about her. He was supposed to meet his friends at the movies, but he spotted Gemma ahead of him in the ticket line and he hoped to talk to her again.
Linda
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson
Despite the title, this book is a novel originally written anonymously in 1912. It was reissued in 1927 by Alfred Knopf at which time the author was identified as James Weldon Johnson. This book is very well written and poignantly tells the story of an accomplished mulatto man who is light-skinned enough to pass. There are times he questions his choice but is encouraged to continue the deception by others who would do the same. Unbelievable aspects of early 20th century life for blacks. Much to digest. I will read this again.
Brady
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
I had never watched Breaking Bad and did not know Bryan Cranston, however, I heard a book review and it sounded good. This is one of the best theatrical memoirs I have ever read. Full of interesting personal experiences from youth to adult, and for the aspiring actor or actress a fine text book on how to become good in your art. This story is not about adulation, but craft.
LINDA
Ella Dethroned by Brandon Barr
I freely chose to review this ARC from an unknown to me author and I'm very glad I did. I can't wait to see what happens next! Lady Ella took the throne after the death of her father and she was the Luminess of the Blue Mountain, at least until an old seer warned her that her throne would be taken the next day, then he gave her an odd relic and made her promise to put it in the hands of a man called Quanthum that lived in Tilmar. The next night, Rathan, her sworn protector, entered her room and said to come with him as Braniteh not only wanted her throne but her dead as well! Now riding through a blizzard on horses, they had to flee for their lives as guards chased after them. Rathan had looked at Lady Ella since he protected her.
Kay
Diary of a Waitress: The Not So Glamorous Life of a Harvey Girl by Carolyn Meyer
This is a good light read and was fun to read about that time.
Loretta
Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky
This complex tale of lives touched by love, pain, loss and fear captures the warmth of community, friendship and family. Well-researched facets of the Maine coast, farm-to-table movement and emerging cures for neurological disease add amazing reality. The author had an amazing ability to weave heavy subjects lightly and sexuality tenderly. Very well worth the read.
Lynn W
Warrior Monk (A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, Book 1) by Ray Keating
Pastor Grant is a former Navy SEAL and CIA "analyst" now serving a Lutheran parish at the east end of Long Island. When the Pope Augustine comes to New York for the first meetings about his controversial proposal, Grant has the skills to protect the Pope and work through several personal challenges. Keating winds politics, national security, and faith into a pretty good first novel. Good enough that I've ordered the second in the series.
Dianne
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
Interesting perspective on Boston in the 20th century. Heart-wrenching with well-developed characters.
Lynn W
Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb
"I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota." And so begins a tender, warm story of love, women's friendships and, of course, excellent chocolate.
Liz
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The is a beautifully written historical novel set in France during World War II. It is about two very different sisters and the choice they must make in order to survive. It is also a story about love, not only between a man and a woman, but also between a mother and her children. While we are all aware of this period in history, Kristin Hannah's writing puts you right into the story with her vivid descriptions and details.
Karen
Soulmates by Jessica Grose
It is about a woman named Dana who wanted find out what happened to her ex-husband Ethan, who was found dead with his lover Amaya. It was an interesting read and made you think about cults and how people get involved in them.
LINDA
Illegally Blonde, Book 2 by Anna Snow
I freely chose to review this ARC as I'm a huge mystery fan! Book 2 is about Barb's friend, an employee, is charged with the murder of her rock star and all-time jerk, Mark Reynolds. No one could understand why she put up with him as he chased anything in a skirt and he bragged about it! Three years ago, Bard started Jackson's Investigations and she, her two friends and her aunt Mona were good at doing their best at pulling her business together. There was no way in hell that Barb would let her friend be charged with the murder of the jerk and she wasn't sad to see him go. The only thing against Kelly is she was caught with blood on her hands and shirt, and the fact that she couldn't remember leaving Mark's apartment and how she got home.
LINDA
The Prince's Christmas Vow by Jennifer Faye
THE PRINCE'S VOW is the first of the series by an author that I'm a HUGE fan of. Prince Demetrius Canstavo had been a playboy most of his life, but as a man he secretly eloped with an American woman named Zoe Sarris, but things didn't turn out right as she left and he thought his father was to blame for her running away because his father thought that she wasn't good enough. He had sent annulment papers for Zoe to sign months ago and he thought she'd be glad to be done with him since she refused the money he had sent, but there had been no reply so he concentrated on one of his pet projects to restore a mansion in his country to house assisted living people. Zoe was his choice, but he was unaware that he had feelings for his ex wife.
Fran
The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall
With four wives and 28 children and a failing construction business, Golden is a pretty busy guy. Brady writes this character in a way that the reader cannot help but climb into his world and offer a little sympathy for the guy surrounded by people seeking to balance family and business demands, all while trying to find a minute to himself. Brady Udall gives us a birds-eye view into this rather unique family with the love, strife, humor and tragedies they face. I am a fan of Udall's writing and this one did not disappoint.
Cheryl Olivera
Miss Kane's Christmas by Caroline Mickelson
I loved this book. It was a quick, easy Christmas read with a bit comedy thrown in. Just what I needed in December.
Francisca E B
A Few Fair Days by Jane Gardam
Lucy is a young girl living in a small, seaside town in Yorkshire, in the years between the wars. This is a charming collection of stories about childhood, and reminds this reader of our greatest and most valuable plaything – imagination. I loved how they played pirates, explored the abandoned estate next door, or searched the seashore for “treasure.” At least one of their escapades had me laughing aloud. Just a lovely book.
shelly
The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer
Mr. Archer had done it again with Volume 2 of the Clifton Chronicles. Harry is on his way to America and even though most of the people aboard the ship have died, he has not. When he arrives in America he has changed his name to Thomas Bradshaw. What Harry realizes upon his entrance is that Thomas Bradshaw is wanted for the murder of his brother. So begins another chapter in Harry's life, one that is exciting with surprises to come. Since Emma is determined to find out if Harry is still alive, she embarks on an adventure to NY, leaving her son behind. What she uncovers are some startling surprises and she will do everything in her power to find out the truth. Massie has been working since the fire and is starting to rebuild her life.
Barbara
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
Amazing! This was one of those rare books that I didn't want to put down and when I did, I kept thinking about the characters. I didn't really like the ending and a key item doesn't ever get explained. But I think the book was supposed to be more about the journey.
Linda
Ciao Bella by Gina Buonaguro and Janice Kirk
The story was pleasant, but from the beginning I felt the foreshadowing in this book registered high on the Richter scale. What I foresaw is exactly what happened. The ending tied up a lot of loose ends but did leave one question unanswered. I felt the authors did a lot more "telling" than "showing."
Linda
The Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd
Marvelous! I had never read Jean Shepherd. I've barely SEEN the movie A Christmas Story. I knew it involved a BB gun, a leg lamp, and "shooting your eye out." This is actually a series of short stories about Shepherd's childhood with his gruff father, stay-at-home mom, and younger brother.
Shepherd's writing is so rich with description. I loved this. Maybe I'll start a new Christmas tradition of listening to these delightful stories.
Lory
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
This book shares all the the thoughts and actions that no one ever sees when a family is faced with a tragedy. Ng details all that can fall apart and the history that we review, regret, and reconsider when a loved one mysteriously and suddenly dies.
Lory
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley
This is a story of a man grieving over the illness and imminent death of his beloved pet. There is a lot to absorb with this indirect tale. Rowley uses the metaphor of an octopus to a tumor and Ted, the main character, seems mentally ill with his delusions, relationships, and actions. Although the unconditional love of a pet is therapeutic and more needed by those who are lonely and isolated, I didn't get why the author chose this way to tell this story; it seemed to veer off in strange directions, losing me from time to time.
Lynn
The Year of Voting Dangerously by Maureen Dowd
A collection of articles -- some recent, some from as long ago as the 90s -- that Dowd wrote about the 2016 Presidential election and some of those (mainly Trump and Clinton) running. Dowd is a very good writer and political reporter, but I could've done without the satirical "interludes" she added; as Queen V would've put it in reference to the 2016 Presidential election, "We are not amused."
Thomas
Ray & Joan by Lisa Napoli
I enjoyed reading the book very much.
Lauren Laass
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
I am rereading this after four years. I had forgotten about this series until I saw a trailer for the movie. It reminded me of how much I loved the books when I was 13 and I wanted to read them again because why not?! I have forgotten quite a lot of the book...
Tessa B C
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
In Book Two of this series, the Chinese demand the return of the dragon known as Temeraire. Novik does a great job imagining a fantasy scenario where dragons are part of the Air Corps, while also keeping the reader in a (circa) 1801 time frame. The battle scenes are exciting, and the intrigue builds suspense. I really like the growing relationship between Temeraire and Capt Laurence. This is not my preferred genre, but I think I’m hooked on the series.
Karen
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
This beautifully written book tracked the harrowing life of a runaway slave named Cora. Cora's life began on a plantation in Georgia, where cotton was the "golden" crop, that needed a large slave population to plant and harvest the crop. The slave masters, two brothers, on the plantation, were cruel and brutal toward their slaves. Cora's escape with Caesar, a male slave, introduces the reader to the brave stationmasters of the Underground Railroad that transport the runaways to free states, to the relentless, brutal slave trackers, to the people who harbored runaways until the next train was to depart and their barbarous fate if caught, and to Cora's recaptures. She was a strong, gritty character whose desire to escape was relentless.
Lynn W
A Kind of Grief (The Highland Gazette Mystery Series Book #6) by A. D. Scott
Love this series and this was the best of the bunch!
Tollie
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
I have enjoyed many of Ann Patchett's books and this one is as enjoyable as her other books. I would recommend this to anyone interested in a very interesting family story.
Thomas
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
A very good book that I enjoyed reading.
LINDA
Alaska Wild by Helena Newbury
I freely chose to review this ARC as I'm a huge fan of this author! FBI agent Kate Lydecker took her vacation to connect the dots on a suspected serial criminal, and she travels to Alaska to find his first victim so she can positively identify him. She learns the woman had transferred days ago. She raced toward the small airport to get the next flight only to learn she had to wait until the next day. Ex-SEAL Mason Boone couldn't get the tiny woman that bumped into him out of his mind. It was just his bad luck to be caught in a brawl after he'd stayed off the grid for four years from a crime that he never committed but the military court had found him guilty for anyway.
Linda
Love Warrior: A Memoir by Glennon Doyle Melton
I was not familiar with this author. I only became aware of it due to Oprah's stamp of approval. I saw it was available as an audio through the Ohio Digital Library and no one had it reserved. So, I decided to try it. I liked it. I liked it a lot. This woman bears her soul explaining her marriage and trying to keep it together. It wasn't easy. Both partners had "issues" that complicated their family. They had work to do. She was unbelievably honest and I truly appreciated the effort the partners took to keep the family together. It does seem many in a similar situation nowadays would just say, "Chuck it." Much of what Ms. Melton reflects on pertains to her own sense of self and when does a woman get to feel she matters.
Francisca E B
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
This Newbery Award winner tells the story of Caddie Woodlawn, age about 12, in 1864 Wisconsin. Caddie is a courageous, intelligent and resourceful girl. The story reminds me a bit of Laura Ingalls Wilders’ “Little House” books, and that is definitely a good comparison.
LINDA
Storm Crazy by Livia Quinn
I freely chose to review this book and I was hooked by the story as I love paranormal. Tempest Pomeroy is a paramortal like her family, and she delivers mail to humans in the town of Destiny. Tempest has only a few talents and if not for them she would have thought she was adopted. With two weeks to go until Mardi Gras and she was having a bad day with humans. Now her brother was missing and she discovered a dead body in the club house! She'd denied her heritage for way too long. Now, her ex-lover and her new man, the hunky new sheriff, are in a contest staking their claim! Was it any wonder that she was having the worst MALE day?
Jan
The Professionals by Owen Laukkanen
An interesting new mystery author. Four young college graduates decided to embark on a kidnapping, not for a lot of money, just 50 or 60 thousand dollars. One of them is a computer whiz and he searches for rich people, and the four plan the kidnap and then phone the wife and ask for the ransom. They insist that the police not be notified. The scam has been working for 4 years when they kidnap the wrong man - they don't know it but his wife is connected with the mob and she sends the mobsters after them. They accidentally kill her husband so the police and the FBI go after them, too. They lose their cool, bad things happen, but this is fast reading and fun reading.
Linda
Redwall by Brian Jacques
I did not realize this book existed in graphic form until I specifically perused the card catalog for my library. REDWALL was a favorite book of my son and mine when he was much younger. This is a story of anthropomorphic animals who live in an Abbey. Brian Jacques was the original author. He knew how to spin a yarn - or several since there are 21 books in the series. I loved the revisit to Mossflower Woods. The graphics are in black and white, which was an initial disappointment to me, but I was quickly drawn in and didn't really notice after that.
Ann
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Knowing this is the author's final book and was written with such discipline, an hour a day, and the comment by his wife that this book was so dear to her added to my book group's discussion. This is a book of love and needs in later years and how family members can play a huge role, not always positively. There is tragedy, and we see how various characters live their lives through and beyond it. I loved this book. It is beautiful. I am a new widow and could understand the emotions well. I'm not ready to move forward as the main character did, but.... Some of my acquaintances were shocked. It shows differences in older people.
