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March 3, 2017 - March 17, 2017

This contest period's winners were Karen M., Kathy S. and Leslee B., who each received a copy of THE CONFESSIONS OF YOUNG NERO by Margaret George and IN THIS GRAVE HOUR: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear.

 

Donna
Child of the River by Irma Joubert

5
Persomi grew up a white daughter of sharecroppers in South Africa just prior to WWII. Her world was limited to the farm. She was a bright young girl who learned about the world through books and newspapers she got from the main house. Her closest friends is an older brother and an heir to a nearby farm and fortune. The war opens her world and desire for an education and profession. She becomes a lawyer and fights for justice and equality as apartheid separates the families in her community.

Judy O.
The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff

4
This book was set in Europe about a traveling circus during WWII. Noa and Astrid are two stars of the circus in the "flying trapeze". Sixteen-year-old Noa had been kicked out of her home by her parents when she became pregnant by a Nazi SS Officer. Astrid is a fugitive of the war and needs a job and a home. These two women become friends as they travel around France and Germany with the circus. It is a great depiction of life in a circus, and it is an exciting story.

Jane
Treasure Creek Dad by Terri Reed

5
A story of love, overcoming hurts, and a tour through Alaska Chilkoot Trail. Casey is a twin. Her sis Amelia is totally different from her. Casey has been hurt in a relationship so finds it hard to overcome. Jake's ex-wife left him and his daughter before she died. So Jake has issues too. Jake plans a tour hoping to get his daughter to fall in love with Alaska where he grew up. Adventure with a mountain lion showing up on trail. Casey knows how to run lion off without anyone getting hurt. She also saves a bat in story. She is a tomboy and loves the outdoors. She doesn't like dressing up. A magazine writes a review calling her one of the guys and it upsets her. The way people judge her is unfair. People can be so cruel.

Lori
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

5
This book turned out to be quite a departure from Backman's others, all of which I've loved; it's a much more serious and intense story. I must admit that I didn’t enjoy the beginning of the book. I am not at all interested in hockey or team dynamics, and I found it hard to relate to a town so obsessed with it or any sport. I wouldn’t have chosen to read about the subject matters of the book, but I’m so glad that I did. I thoroughly appreciated the second half of the book and couldn’t put it down. As always, Backman brought to life many interesting characters, and there were many thought-provoking issues. I highly recommend the book and think it would be a great choice for book discussion groups.

Lori
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

5
I found this a fascinating book, especially since I know very little about sleepwalking. The book was suspenseful and had interesting characters. There are unique ethical issues that would be great topics for a book discussion group. I highly recommend this unusual story.

Lori
The Whistler by John Grisham

5
Although this book was harder for me to get into than Grisham's previous books, ultimately I became engrossed in the book and flew through the end of it. I found it interesting to read about Indian casinos and the pros and cons for the community. It was very disheartening to learn about the potential for massive corruption by the judicial system. As always, an entertaining read.

Lori
Almost Missed You by Jessica Strawser

5
I'm so glad I took a chance on a new author to read an advance copy of ALMOST MISSED YOU. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I found the premise original and intriguing. It was interesting to see what was below the surface of an apparently great relationship and the results of secrets and bad decisions. I also liked seeing what would happen when someone doesn't plan ahead and gets himself in a situation he didn't intend and from which he can't extricate himself.

Diane
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

5
Fascinating new perspective on old friends!

Margaret
The Girls by Emma Cline

3
The setting for this coming-of-age novel is summer of 1969, California. I didn't like the plot - it brought back unpleasant memories from that insane time in our nation's history. You will read about cults, drugs, sex, and other aspects of the late 1960s which is not enjoyable to me. The protagonist is Evie, a lonely, bored, impressionable teen who meets girls who are on the wrong path in life. They become her new circle of friends, introduce her to their leader & "group" & use her because she is generous with money. While Evie feels understood & accepted, things are happening & Evie is not wise enough to know what is actually going on. Pacing was slow, I didn't like or connect with the characters. Author used too many takes on past history

Janet
On My Own by Diane Rehm

3
A thought-provoking book that shares an experience that many of us will one day face.

Ron
A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion by Ron Hansen

5
A novel based on a real life murder in 1927. It brings to mind the movie "The Postman Always Rings Twice." Ruth is a beautiful young lady married and with a young daughter by her much older husband, but erotically involved with a man her own age. She uses this man to help her kill her husband. Told from the different viewpoints of both killers, this story is fascinating. Did this man love her so much that he believed he could get away with murder? Did she feel any love?

Frances
Setting Free the Kites by Alex George

5
So good! A story of friendship and coming of age.

barbara
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

3
As many of us resided in New Jersey, we remembered the events and places referred to by the author. The novel was fair and very familiar in its characters. Our group did not have much to discuss after reading the book.

Sandra
The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen

4
This is a book intended for a teen audience. I enjoyed the inventive plot and especially the character Ani Mells. She is a great role model for young girls.

Sharon
Resort to Murder by Carolyn Hart

3
Set in Bermuda, the descriptions of the island, ocean, sky and flowers is wonderful. The mystery focuses on a ghostly apparition that is obviously intended to scare the bride to be and perhaps others of the group who have assembled to celebrate the nuptials of Conner Bailey and Lloyd Drake. It takes most of the book to have a murder and Henrie O. must work rapidly to bring the local constabulary around to her way of thinking.

Maryanne
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

3
Interesting but sort of scattered. Very light reading.

Beverlee Abell
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny

4
Always love visiting with the citizens of Three Pines and this one did not disappoint.

Myrna
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

4
Are our lives determined by the Fates of Greek mythology or by the Furies? Within the scope of a married couple, Groff presents both possibilities, and the result is a remarkable novel. A must-read that will leave you wondering if we can ever know the true essence of even those we think we know most intimately.

Lee
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

4
Very clever suspense novel that is definitely not putdownable!! One of the best I've read in a long time.

Pamela
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

5
Novel is built upon a famous painting by Andrew Wyeth showing Christina in front of the old house that becomes her prison. This is a heart-rending story of a young girl with a degenerative disease whose life becomes one of loneliness and deprivation of love. Somehow, though, the novel snares the reader without depressing.

Linda
The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

4
A grandmother tells her life story to her granddaughter in this compelling, journal-like novel set in early 20th century Boston.

Dorothy
The Young Widower's Handbook by Tom McAllister

4
Funny, sad -- what married life is.

Nancy
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

3
This was just another dysfunctional family novel. I listen to books as I quilt and probably would not have finished the book if I was actually reading the book. It was an okay book but not on my "Loved It" list.

Allison
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

3
Interesting story but hard to follow the dialect.

Richard N B
C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

3
Kinsey Millhone is smart, determined, hard-working, loyal to her friends, and strong in mind and body. I like that Grafton occasionally gives us a little humor to ease the tension of some very dark situations. It’s an entertaining series, and I’ll keep reading it.

Kate
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

5
A fictional walk with an aging woman through NYC over a lifetime. It is historical, cultural and very New York. I would like to be Lillian. Just finished.

Alina
Inheritance by Lan Samantha Chang

4
Multi-generational perspective of 20th century Chinese history through the lives of a family. The novel is well written and engaging. It covers the Japanese occupation, as well as the communist victory and the adaptations that a relatively financially comfortable family has to make to adapt to changing conditions. Themes of family conflict, such as love and betrayal, are also explored.

Lynn W
Room by Emma Donoghue

3
Another book I would not have read, but it was chosen for book club. It was not as creepy as I anticipated, better than I expected, but oddly, didn't affect me one way or another, given it's wow reviews.

Dorothy Gordon
Lady Cop Makes Trouble by Amy Stewart

5
First-rate follow-up to her wonderful book GIRL WAITS WITH A GUN, this continues the saga of Constance Kopp, an independent young woman who has a penchant for detective work. She aspires to be a deputy for Sheriff Heath, and he so admires her brains and spunk he has given her the job of Hackensack women's jail matron. Fighting all the prejudice of the early 20th century against women who work, she is devastated when a prisoner escapes on her watch. She works tirelessly to bring him back to jail and help the women in her charge as well. This is loosely based on newspaper accounts of the real Constance Kopp. Very well written and a great read.

Elizasbeth
The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra

3
TSAR isn’t a novel; it is a collection of short stories, which I usually avoid because they necessarily lack character development. Also, while short stories may be interesting, they are not able to grab the reader, pull her in so the book becomes unputdownable like a novel can. TSAR’s short stories seem to try to have these qualities of a novel. The stories are interconnected; the book has a cast of characters who may appear in more than one story, and the places and certain objects remain the same. Therefore, some character development happens, but it’s not enough and left me disappointed.

Linda
It's Classified by Nicolle Wallace

3
Easy read. I work in state government and have been a public information officer, aka, press secretary. That angle of this book appealed to me. The author's own experience helped deliver a realistic story on the press and political side. The personal side of the story was a little weak, I thought, but helped pull all the characters together. Given the ending, I could imagine a sequel.

MaryEllen
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

5
This page-turner is the epitome of truth being stranger than fiction. Hunter does a fabulous job of interweaving the family members' separate lives as they all struggle to survive WWII and live to be reunited. A must-read!

Nina Morse
Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

4
Love, marriage, history, loyalty and mystery are the major themes in this engrossing novel. Many ethical and moral issues are presented to the reader. I respected the main characters, Jane and Ivy. Their compassion for one another and trying to survive in a very unforgiving world made this one of the better reads this year.

Linda
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

5
If you do not cry at the scene with the tulips, I'll be amazed. Willow Chance is a 12-year-old girl who is a genius obsessed with diagnosing other people's ailments and diseases, botany and counting by 7s. One day her world come crashing down as both her parents are killed in a car accident. She and her one new friend go to inventive lengths to keep her out of a group home for foster children. Along the way she is blown much like the tree she is named after from hurt to healing. She needs only for some one to give her a chance so that everyone can see she is not a weirdo.

Theresa
Senseless Acts of Beauty by Lisa Verge Higgins

5
I enjoyed this book because it explored adoption from the perspective of both child and the mother who gave up the child. It made me think about how childhood experiences shape the adult as well as the unique complexities inherent in any adoption. It also depicted women, young, old and in the middle, dealing with major events with realistic negative emotions, but ultimately with strength and grace. The characters draw you in and involve you in their sadness and joys as they navigate tough situations and find goodness and support in unexpected places.

helen brady
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

4
A riveting account of Teddy Roosevelt's journey to the Amazon.

Kara
Night by Elie Wiesel

5
Riveting story of the author's survival after being imprisoned in concentration camps.

Mary Bushnell
The Golden Son by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

5
Her characters and sense of place give you a real feeling of empathy with the problems they face. Really makes you visualize what life in rural India is like.

Elizabeth
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

3
Frankel herself is the mother of a young MTF transgender child, which may be why the first half of the book has such a strong voice. Claude/Poppy's dynamics with various family members (especially the family's four sons) are compelling, and it's heartening to see Rosie and Penn's marriage remain strong. The book starts to falter for me as Poppy gets older, with the Rosie/Penn dialogues sounding increasingly stilted and various characters' motivations less convincing. The Thailand segment is what really knocked down the star rating for me. Not only did it feel unrealistic, it had that whole "ethnic person of color shows up solely to teach rich, confused white person about life and tolerance, and is never heard from again" trope. Yikes!

Kelley
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle

5
Great read! Keeps you guessing!

Kay
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

4
An interesting tale of a young girl who comes from Ireland as an indentured servant. This book is a saga about the relationships between this girl, slaves and members of the household. The book holds your attention as you see how their lives are connected.

Sandy
My Husband's Wife by Jane Corry

4
Really enjoyed this book while the snow was falling at the end of winter and beginning of spring.

Linda
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

5
This was my book club's selection of books to movies. It was my second reading of the novel. It portrays a very disturbing, insider view of a shabby traveling circus during the Depression because of the cruel treatment of both the circus employees and the animals as remembered by an aged vet. The main storyline is about a star-crossed love that has a happy ending, finally. The characters are so well done that you want to find out what happens to each one.

Shirley
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

5
This historical fiction delves into the world of Christina Olson - the subject of Andrew Wieth's painting, "Christina's World". The story developed the character of Christina through age 4 until the painting was completed. The author developed this character so beautifully, with examples of her life and why she became the person who was the subject of this painting. It is a sad story but perfectly executed.

Nancy
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

5
First suspecting an A MAN CALLED OVE copycat, I was delightfully surprised by the "charm"-ing story and the awakening of a grieving widower.

Cari Poweziak
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

4
This book was creepy and creepy and, oh, did I say creepy? As I read I continually asked myself, "Is she crazy or evil?" Whoo! Wild ride, great ending!

Marilyn
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan

5
A novel you will not be able to put down. Charming characters, mystery, romance and not everything seems as it appears. As a singer myself, I know how music can heal, sooth, and draw the best out of oneself at difficult times. These brave women continued on despite living in a village where all the men were at war or had returned with issues themselves. They carried on through their own struggles and developed a united front. A must-read!!

Betty
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan

4
Told in letters and journal entries, this is a heartwarming story set in a small English village during World War II. A delight to read.

Helen Wright
Racing the Devil by Charles Todd

5
The latest Charles Todd mystery is one of the best. A very complex murder mystery with layers and layers of intrigue. As usual, well written and beautifully plotted. A post WWI mystery involving a car race to Nice and the small villages where Todd's writing really shines. Local characters and wonderful dialogue. A winner.

Sandi
The Weight of This World by David Joy

3
3.5 stars. High on the mountain, lost to the world. In the back woods of North Carolina, people feel lost to the world. They fight the outside - they fight each other. Crime is a way of life. Two young boys are cast aside to make their own way, anyway they can. Through death, drugs and violence Aiden McCall and Thad Broom grow into violent men. The author David Joy put forth a story with a vividly aggressive plot line. This is a story in the reading world that takes place on the "other side of the tracks". It is an easy read that moves right along, however the verbiage, violence and sex will not be everyone's choice.

shelly
If Not for You by Debbie Macomber

4
Beth is thrilled to finally be living an independent life at twenty-five years of age. Her mother is not happy she left Chicago and living in the same city as her aunt, Sunshine, who lives in Portland, Oregon. She has a job teaching music in a high school and enjoys her work and her freedom. One of the teachers, Nicole, has asked Beth to dinner; she wants her to meet a friend of Rocco, her husband. Sam Carney is a good friend to both Nicole and Rocco and Nicole feels they have a lot in common. Unfortunately, the evening did not go as planned and they both seemed awkward with each other. Sam had long hair and a beard and Beth seemed so prim and proper definitely not a match. Both thanked their host and hostess and decided to leave.

Cat
The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry

5
In a time where diversity is openly discussed and openly maligned, this book really made me consider my own ability to understand and accept. I am an herbalist, botanist and believer in my own thoughts of my future. This book reminded me we all could be considered different by someone and persecuted by others if acceptance of difference is lost.

Shelia
Frog Music by Emma Donoghue

4
Historical fiction, which I normally don't read, but I won this book. I prefer fiction or nonfiction history. That said, Donoghue has given a plausible scenario of this unfortunate unsolved murder set in San Francisco in the 1800s.

Shelia
The Test Book by Michael Krogerus and Roman Tschappeler

4
A deceptive little book with 64 professional tests covering everything under the sun, which you think you can zip through. But not if you actually read and indulge in a few of them, even for a few minutes.

Shelia
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and It's All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson, PhD

4
Who hasn't read this one! Had to take it in small bites though. Just too overwhelming to try to internalize all the good bits at one time.

Carol
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

3
A simplified version of the script used for the miniseries. A bit thin.

Debbie
12th of Never by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

3
James Patterson's stories compel a reader to continue to the next chapter, therefore, the book ends quickly. The Women's Murder Club series displays feminine friendship and the men circle around this elite society, but never enter. Lindsay Boxer dominates the story, as baby Julie makes her entrance on a stormy night with the assistance of the EMTs. The story balances life, love, and death as a high-profile corpse disappears from the morgue and a situation of a football player and his clingy girlfriend emerges. Patterson's four females embellish a career-driven woman who must sometimes sacrifice normality for a job. Patterson reminds me of Sidney Sheldon, but Sheldon presents women with a gentler personality.

Debbie
Unlucky 13 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

3
Yes, I am on a roll with James Patterson and trying to catch up on specific series. Lindsay Boxer had seen serial killer Randy die from injuries of a car wreck, but his girlfriend, Mackie Morales, escapes and plans havoc on Lindsay. A hamburger chain begins killing customers with internal exploding bombs and Yuki and Brady get married and take a honeymoon cruise that turns gruesome. Fast-paces action dominates the story, as the reader decides to forego hamburger chain food and cancel any cruise trips. I love the friendship and loyalty of the four women of the Murder Club. Four strong women who bond and thrive in their attempt to excel in a career and in life.

Mary Lou
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

4
This book is a mystery set in beautiful Vermont, based on an unusual topic - sleepwalking. It starts off slowly, and the plot unfolds in a way that my interest was captured and sustained. There is an element of suspense and danger throughout the story, giving the book a compelling edge. At only 284 pages the book is a quick read, with excellent writing and character development. This author is reliable in that he always delivers quality writing, interesting plots and well-developed characters. I did think the wrap up could have gone a little slower, as the resolution took the characters rather quickly to their conclusion, with an outcome for Paige, the younger sister, that did not quite ring true.

Bev
Cop Town by Karin Slaughter

4
A good, suspenseful and thrilling read. Karin Slaughter is very graphic, so not for the faint of heart. I really liked this one.

zarah
An Unseen Attraction by K. J. Charles

4
I've not come across a K.J. Charles book that I haven't enjoyed. I just love her writing. AN UNSEEN ATTRACTION is no exception. I liked both the characters. I appreciated the diverse cast and non-standard romantic leads. The setting is rich and well described. The plot is engaging. This is a book well worth reading. I think a reader will find it's not so much a mystery as a romantic suspense, maybe. The reader knows very early who the villain is. It's really not mysterious. The tension comes from Clem's refusal to accept it and what will happen when he doesn't.

Phyllis
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

4
Bohjalian has written 19 books and this latest is a wonderful introduction to all pauses of parasomnia. He just keeps coming up with unusual, but timely, storylines! This plot involves a family in which three members are or have been sleepwalkers. It keeps you guessing "who done it" right up to the very end. Easy read and recommended!

Fran
Shades by Geoff Cooper and Brian Keene

3
A 100 page short story with a twist of macabre and magic. The authors kept the pages turning so I could see how it would come to an end.

Elaine
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney

4
A mystery with a very interesting premise. Two women living in a house that captures their every move. The second girl wants to learn what happened to "the girl before".

Karen
Winter Storms by Erin Hilderbrand

4
This was a fast read about the trials and tribulations of life within a family on Nantucket.

LEE
Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

4
Great story with beautiful descriptions of the southwest and the Native American people. Lots of suspense in finding out the whys and wherefores of characters and plot. Slow reading at first, but became more interesting as chapters were read. Great reflection for the environmental protections we need to KEEP!

LINDA BASS
Desert Chimera by Leigh Podgorski

4
I freely chose to review this ARC and what a complicated tale it was! I was stunned by the abuse that Luke Stone endured from his doped up abusive parents. Every time Luke ran away, his dad found him and his punishment was a far greater than the last beating, until a year he later, he finally made a run for it to New York City where he couldn't be found again, but he thought he'd run from the frying pan and into the fire as Armand Jacobi saved him from the streets. But at what cost?

Jan
Therapy by Sebastian Fitzek

1
If you want to use your time reading about an insane psychiatrist who thinks his pre-teen daughter has disappeared and then rambles around with a woman who comes to him for therapy and an island mayor who may or may not be real and a private detective who may or may not be real, this may be the book for you. I do not understand how this book is rated so highly - I have to give it a 1. If I could remember who urged me to read this book, I would send him or her some used baby diapers. What a waste of time.

Karen
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

5
This was a great read. It is a story about WWII. A family of Jews living in Germany and what happens to each of them.

Judy
Game of Secrets by Dawn Tripp

3
A multigenerational story of love and loss and how they affect how the storytellers view their lives. A girl whose dad disappears mysteriously, the boy who lives with the knowledge of how it happened, a mother and daughter who struggle with their relationship, a woman and her elderly friend who strategize on a Scrabble board, and loves, old and new, that thrive or don't thrive. While the storyline is a bit fractured, it is a book worth reading.

Debbie
The Lady in Red an Eighteenth Century Tale of Sex, Scandel and Divorce by Hallie Rubenhold

4
The title says it all! I enjoyed the intrigue of this book. Finished it over a weekend.

Marjorie
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

5
I generally read nonfiction and love to seek out the intersection of society and science, which this book certainly reflects. Ms. Shetterly delivers the science with simplicity and draws deep social conclusions based thereon. I read the book in December and chose it for my Readers Group at The Gatherings in Surry, Maine in March. Some of us are going to the movie tomorrow night at The Grand in Ellsworth, Maine.

Ilene S Harris
Nick of Time by John Gilstrap

5
Could not stop reading! Nicki is on a waiting list for a heart-lung transplant. Frustrated with waiting, she escapes from the hospital and goes on what appears to be a crime spree with Brad, an escapee from prison. Now, that's a combination! They stole cars and got caught up in a murder investigation, and always seem to be around when bad things happen.

Sandy
Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax

5
I could hardly put it down. At 41, Vivian Armstrong Gray has spent most of her life fighting to make it in investigative journalism, only to have it crumble after a bullet lodges in her backside during an expose. As if the humiliation of being the butt of everyone's jokes isn't enough, Vivi learns that she's pregnant, jobless and very hormonal. Maybe that explains why she actually says "yes" to a dreadful job covering suburban living back home in Georgia, a column she can only bear to write incognito. Anyone who is a fan of Karen White will love this one.

Patricia
Fall to Grace by Kerry Casey

5
An overall, feel-good story. The storyline captures the lives of two 13-year-old boys having parallel connections. They eventually meet and their background unites them to their future. Tragic at times, but moves on to the lives of the other characters. Very well written.

Jud
Until Thy Wrath Be Past by Asa Larsson

4
This is my first read by this author and I enjoyed it. It's set in Sweden, so there's a little lost in translation from Swedish to English, but Larsson has created interesting characters that blend well together. As this is #4, I will be going back to read books #1-3 in the series.

maureen seccombe
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

5
This is by far one of the best books I have read in months! Ms. Frankel's writing is superb and the story draws you in from the very first page. It is the story of Claude, the youngest of five brothers, who is transgender, and becomes Poppy. It is the story of a family who loves, accepts and does their very best to teach their community the very same. You will laugh out loud, roll your eyes, and maybe even shed a tear or two. You will wonder if you could handle their life with such kindness and love. An amazing story. Wish I could give more than 5 stars!

Mary Lou
The Twenty-Three by Linwood Barclay

4
This is a fun, easy read. The story, set in Promise Falls, NY over the Memorial Day weekend, moves along easily. The characters are engaging. Although this book is the third in a trilogy, it worked as a stand-alone. I have not read this author before, and will definitely pursue his earlier work. I am looking forward to the backstories of all the characters. There are two major plot lines, one involving contamination of the town drinking water, killing over 100 people, and one involving a serial killer. Other minor plots involve domestic violence and also a cop with weight issues. Sounds grim, but it all really works. Recommended.

Rosemary
Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner

4
A page-turner!

Susan
The Whole Town Talking by Fannie Flagg

5
One of Fannie's best.

Kristen Stewart
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

5
What a tearjerker this was for me, at least at the end. Our book club just discussed it last night and what a great discussion it was! We were a bit late to the Ove party, but worth the wait.

Barbara
Police by Jo Nesbo

5
Fantastic! I discovered this author a couple of years ago and have been reading through all the books. The title character is a rough, curmudgeonly, flawed man but is just amazing to follow through the highs and lows of his life. The books have always been difficult to put down. I have had many sleepy days from staying up too late to read "just one more chapter."

Dorothy
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston

5
True adventure in Honduras rainforest to uncover an ancient civilization.

Marie B Ledin
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

5
I won this book from Bookreporter.com. Thank you for the opportunity to read this amazing book. All the glitz, glamour, fame, and wealth does not make life all that it could be. So much competition, lies, cheating and does anyone ever really have a one true friend? Great read.

Laurie
The Fortunate Ones by Ellen Umansky

4
I am a dedicated fan of fictional history from the World War II period, my favorite genre, especially one with an art theme. Ellen Umansky's THE FORTUNATE ONES took me on a "virtual journey" from war-torn Vienna and London to present day Los Angeles, California. This multi-generational novel was an art history college class for me filled with mystery as well as a love story, which I found memorable and a most worthwhile read that I have already recommended to others. Brava!

Cindy
The Drifter by Christine Lennon

4
THE DRIFTER is inspired by author Christine Lennon's own experience attending the University of Florida, Gainesville in the early 1990s. Serial killer, Danny Rollin terrorized the campus, eventually murdering five students. Lennon creates a group of young women dealing with the murder of their friend.

Cindy
The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy

4
"The first time I meet Patrick Braddock, I'm wearing his wife's lipstick." In Sara Flannery Murphy's debut novel, THE POSSESSIONS, Edie, is a "body" for the Elysian Society, which allows grieving clients to connect with loved ones who have passed. Life is pretty routine for Edie until she meets Patrick Braddock who wants to connect with his dead wife, Sylvia. Edie is attracted to their glamorous life, but the more she learns about the circumstances surrounding Sylvia's drowning death, she begins breaks her won rules at staying detached. THE POSSESSIONS is an absorbing page-turner and will have you hooked until the last page.

Dani
Little Deaths by Emma Flint

5
This book was fantastic. Set in the 1960s about a woman who "loses" her children. The twist at the end was great. I could not put this book down.

Kathryn
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

4
Enjoyed the writing; the house/setting is also a character. Christina's character comes through and we feel her life's pain. I also enjoyed the Afterword and picture panel inclusion, as we need to see it to understand how Wyeth understood her.

Karen
Racing the Devil by Charles Todd

5
In 1916, seven English officers meet at a makeshift officers mess for a last drink before they return to the fighting. They agree to meet after the war in Paris and race their cars from Paris to Nice. In 1919, the five survivors meet and begin the journey from Paris to Nice. The journey is not smooth. The weather is inclement, the road is winding and at least two of the cars are bumped by another car. One of the cars goes off the road, and the young man is badly injured. The other is able to evade the car that bumped him and drive on to Nice. The incidents seem like accidents. Then Rector Wright dies while driving the car of Capt. Standish, one of the five. Is it an accident? It is Inspector Rutledge's job to investigate.

Kim Weller
My Husband's Wife by Jane Corry

4
Nicely spun tale involving different points of view, fairly gripping suspense. Recommend this one.

Judy O.
Always by Sarah Jio

4
Kailey Crane's fiancé Ryan is rich, handsome, and loves her completely. They are going to be married in a few months, but one day she comes eye-to-eye with a homeless man outside a restaurant. She immediately recognizes him as her long lost love, Cade McAlister. He had abruptly disappeared about 10 years before, and nobody knew where he had gone. Kailey becomes torn between Ryan and Cade, as she feels a great responsibility in getting Cade back on his feet. This book was a quick read and kind of schmaltzy, but I enjoyed it. I have read other books by Jio.

Marion
News of the World by Paulette Jiles

4
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author took you back to the world of the Old West in Texas. A young girl of ten, who was captured by the Indians when she was six, has to be returned to her family. An elderly gentleman says he will bring her back. Their relationship grows. The story is charming.

Donna
All the King's Soldiers by John Anthony Miller

5
Lisbon Embassy, 1940. A British agent has the Nazi plans for the invasion of Britain. He is murdered before he can take the plans to London and expose a double agent. Simon Cole, a London analyst, is sent to Lisbon to try to recover the plans. Murder, double agents, secrets, spies, blackmail and a love story keep you guessing throughout the book.

Marilyn
Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister

5
Excellent historical fiction based upon the adventures of a real person -- Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective. It is a fun and interesting read!

michelle
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

4
It was a good read of a time and place in recent history that I was curious to know more about.

Amy Leffew
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

4
I found this book rather interesting. I enjoyed the colorful characters and drawn out suspense of the ending. I did not, however, like the way it jumped around in time. I would recommend this book.

Jan
Yeah Baby! by Jillian Michaels

4
I received this book as a preview copy, and it almost makes me want to be pregnant - I am only 73 years young. This is focused on a youthful lifestyle for the mother, baby and family. The author is famous for her exercises and her healthy body. During this book, she picks up help and helpful hints from three doctors, a dietitian, and a pregnancy fitness specialist. There are exercises for all stages of the pregnancy and good recipes throughout. But the book is also fun. There is no author attribution for the "Poop Glossary." The topics are The Blowout, The Nuclear Nugget, The Poo-Mergency, and The A-Poo-Calypse. (You will have to get the book to read the definitions.) A great gift book.

Bonnie
Crossing the Bamboo Bridge by Mai Donahue

4
Compelling memoir of the author's early life in war-torn Viet Nam. Forced into marriage at 13 and giving birth soon after, she had an extremely harsh life. Women protesting how tough they have it in the U.S. should read this book for perspective.

Andra
Troublemaker by Leah Remini

4
The story of growing up and realizing that what you believed was good is not. Well-written story of disillusionment and the strength to break free.

Diane
This Was a Man by Jeffery Archer

5
I really enjoyed the final book in the Clifton Chronicles. Although I haven't read the whole series, I am now going to go back and read them in order. The characters are real people about whom you care. Enough intrigue and real-life experiences to keep one reading. I rarely rate books this highly, but felt it was deserved this time.

Sandy
The Whistler by John Grisham

5
THE WHISTLER centers on an elaborate conspiracy involving an Indian reservation, organized crime and a "bought" judge skimming from the tribal casino. Fast-paced and can't put it down.

Jan
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan

5
This charming debut novel is light reading and fun. There are many topics for a book club discussion. When all the men are off to World War II, the local Vicar announces there will be no more choir since there are no male voices left. Obviously, to him and others, there can be no choir if there are no males. A spirited music teacher who is new to the community decides to organize an all-female choir and she does it. The book revolves around choir members and is told by choir members. The town takes in refugees, there is a handsome new male artist in town. Why is he not in the military? There are loves, deaths, gossips, and births. We see most of the possible stereotypes in a small village. This is just a fun and fast book to read.

Rosemary
The Whistler by John Grishan

3
A little slow-moving.

WALTER KRETZMANN
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

3
This is a brilliant book. It provides a bird's-eye view into the slums of Kingston, Jamaica, in the mid-1970s. You're sucked right into the violence, political tension, hopelessness and utter despair of the times. It's easy to see why it won the Man Booker Prize. The violence disturbed me a lot. The language was very crude. Yes, I know that the slum dwellers speak like that, but it still made me depressed. Even weighing the sociological value of the book, it wasn't worth me getting upset by spending time in its pages. This saddened me, because I had been looking forward to this book a lot, and saved it for a special treat.

WALTER KRETZMANN
Jack of Spies by David Downing

3
Interesting book. Slow beginning but the story eventually takes shape and the author does a good job developing the characters. How much of the story is tied to facts is another matter, but it was an enjoyable read.

WALTER KRETZMANN
Cuba Straits by Randy Wayne White

3
I used to love reading his books and would've given this a five-star several years ago. However, I think this series is beginning to play out and Randy needs to develop some new characters or different plot lines to continue to make this a successful series. I'd like what John Sanford has done with his books to make his characters and plot lines more interesting. And yes, I will buy Randy's next book and read it as well.

Nancy
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

5
This book was interesting, informative and had some laugh-out-loud moments. Our book club really had a lot to talk about with this book.

WALTER KRETZMANN
The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

3
I found this book frustrating and maddening. Lagercrantz clearly pored over Larsson's books and repeats characters and relationships from those books, but sometimes in inappropriate ways. The book is draggy and cliche-ridden until it gets to the 2/3 point, at which point it becomes fairly fast-paced. But it's a product. It's a commissioned work by Larsson's father and brother and a publishing company, hoping to milk as much money as possible out of Larsson's work. It doesn't have the heart or passion of Larsson's work. It doesn't have the respect for women that made Larsson's work very special. I recommend reading Larsson's books over again, rather than this one.

WALTER KRETZMANN
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

4
Anthony Doerr's latest work is one that I feel should be read by anyone who is interested in the second world war, and those fond of literature in general. Doerr has crafted a beautiful world surrounding his blind protagonist and the equal and opposite German officer. There is more than enough detail in the description of the environment and in the character's feelings. At its heart, this is a story about the goodness of humankind, and at the same time an effigy to the evil.

WALTER KRETZMANN
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

5
Get your box of tissues out for this stellar novel! What a heartfelt moving novel. I was brought to tears as I read this wonderful story of two sisters who's lives got turned upside down when World War II erupted in their small town in France. The all too real pain that these people endured split my heart in two. The strength of these woman and men during this horrible atrocity is remarkable. I give THE NIGHTINGALE 5 stars for its meaningful and memorable story. I would recommend this story to everyone.

Liz
Sister by Rosamund Lupton

2
Beatrice, living in NY gets a phone call stating her sister Tess, living in London, has disappeared. She gets on a flight and begins her quest to find out what really happened. Did Tess commit suicide or was she murdered. I found the writing to drone on and on in this novel. I just wanted the author to "get to the point already". I did recommend this book to my book club, which meets next week and so far the feedback has been unlike mine - positive.

Martha
News of the World by Paulette Jiles

5
Expecting this book to be just a historical Western of gun fights, Indians, and ne'er-do-wells, I was surprised by the depth of meaning worked into this story of the old "Wild West." Captain Kidd, age 70+ takes on the task of returning a young girl of ten to to her Texas-Germany relatives after she has been rescued from the Kiowas. The problem is that after four years with the Kiowas, she is more Kiowa than Texan. The journey is dangerous in many ways and the family paying for her return aren't warm and loving, creating a moral dilemma for the Captain. I want to read this book again to find all of the beautiful statements about life, values, family, and honor. Looking for a different read? This is it!

Richard N B
Honolulu by Alan Brennert

3
Very interesting story of a Korean girl who goes to Hawaii in 1914 as a mail-order bride. Not everything is as she expected. The Japanese and native Hawaiians don't accept the Koreans. And then there are the American colonists.

Yvonne Palagano
Conclave by Robert Harris

5
This book kept me at the end of my seat and I actually got through it in 4 hours. Could not put it down. Interesting to see how things are and how the Vatican runs during the time of picking a new Pope. This book is fiction written based on facts and truths but with plot twists and a surprise ending. It was a great start to my Lent!

Lynn W
Every Day in Tuscany by Frances Mayes

3
Since I won't be living in a foreign country at this late date, reading other people's adventures is a treat to myself. This 3rd book of the series is wonderful. I was smiling -- and laughing -- the whole time. Really enjoyed reading about Mayes' grandson's visits. Willie doesn't ever want to go home. I wouldn't want to leave either.

Sandy
When We Were Strangers by Pamela Schoenewaldt

4
Too poor and too plain to marry and unwilling to burden what family she has left, 24-year-old Irma Vitale sees no choice but to leave her Italian mountain village. Risking rough passage across the Atlantic and the dangers facing a single woman in an unfamiliar land, Irma boldly pursues a new life sewing dresses for rich ladies. Swept up in the crowded streets of America, Irma finds not only workshop servitude and miserable wages but also seeds of friendship with other immigrants. The ending of this novel will surprise you and is not at all what I expected.

Mary Pat
The One in a Million Boy by Monica Wood

5
This book, which I had not heard anything about prior to starting it, was very enjoyable. The character and plot development was engaging and original.

Marcia
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

5
I am the age of many of the men who went to Vietnam. The story is told in such a way as to make one feel that they are part of the platoon and know the soldiers personally. War is horrible, and this book reveals what those young soldiers went through. Although fiction, the author fought in Nam so the book is very realistic. The writing is powerful and compelling. This is a wonderful book. It should be noted that it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. I highly recommend it.

Linda
An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963 by Robert Dallek

3
I own the physical book, but found the audio available on the Ohio e-book project, so I thought, let's do this. I should have guessed when it was only 10 sections that this was an abridged version. They must have "bridged" this across a pond because the book is a heck of a lot longer. The narration was good, by an actor who I recognize, but didn't know his name. I'm not sure I learned anything new, but it was still a good read.

Linda
The Children Act by Ian McEwan

4
Most remarkable to me was the different ways I could understand the title of this book. A decent character study hingeing on oft debated touchstone. Recommend.

Linda
Liar by Rob Roberge

3
I read this book on a flight to Phoenix. It is a memoir of a man who battles both addiction (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes) and bi-polar disorder. The book does NOT have a chronology that made any sense to me. Almost as if, he just wrote whatever popped into his head that day and then published as he wrote them rather than as he lived them. Some of the chronology didn't have to do with him, but were people who died (often committing suicide). I got lost with the number of girls he slept with. Who was who? Even though this was HIS memoir, he included worry over an undiagnosed illness of his wife. I sure would like to know how that played out. For me, just telling me you went to bed with someone is enough. I don't need a blow by blow account.

Phyllis
The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

4
Read it in two sittings! Loved the format of letters, diaries, and inquest reports to tell the story set in Civil War, 1864. Life was hard for Placidia Hockaday after two days of marriage before her husband was called back to the Confederate Army leaving her to keep the farm going as he was fighting and imprisoned. Fast-paced and recommended historical fiction.

Heidi
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley

5
The most recent in the Flavia de Luce series finds Flavia once more on her home turf with yet another corpse. As in all of these books, the precocious and brilliant Flavia not only works out the solution to the crime, but finds ways to connect to adults in her world who help keep her afloat in her unconventional and sometimes lonely life in post-war England.

Penelope
Jabbok by Kee Sloan

5
I reserve 5 stars only to books that have changed my life in some way. This book is about the relationship between a boy, starting at age 8 through manhood, and an ex-con, homeless, ex-tent-preacher that crosses all social barriers. The two form a friendship that endures trials, joys and everything in between. One of the quotes from the book is, "Every time I learn this, the truer it gets: We can only live our lives looking ahead, and we can only understand them looking back."

Lisa Nekich
The Bertie Project by Alexander McCall Smith

4
Another delightful addition to this entertaining series. Charming setting and characters. Can't wait for the next book to come out.

Dorothy Flood
Tis by Frank McCourt

1
I finished this 600 page book because I kept waiting for something to happen. Very disappointing. He shows the Irish as a bunch of drunks. I grew up in an Irish family. We entertained a lot. They played cards in the kitchen and would have a drink, but never too much, and I doubt that they or any of their friends ever went into a bar. When I went to Ireland with my Irish husband I wanted to go into a pub. He said you wouldn't go into a bar in America, why here.

Mary Lou
Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay

4
This is Book 1 of the Promise Falls series. I liked this book very much - easy to read, good plot line, interesting characters with a great villain, such a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. I inadvertently started with Book 3 of the series, and am now having fun reading the first two books and finding out everyone’s back stories. Lots of “aha” moments as puzzling events and conversations in Book 3 start to be explained. If you are snowed in and looking for a fun week-end of reading, this series will fill the bill.

Kelley
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

4
Great read if you love historical fiction. I connected with Christina on a level I didn't expect. I don't want to reveal too much and spoil it for those who would like to read it.

Emily
The Confessions of Young Nero by Margaret George

4
I've always been a fan of Margaret George, and this book just continued to impress me! She does an amazing job portraying historical figures, Now she is going to Rome and the early life of a future emperor. I'm really looking forward to the second book! (And would LOVE a hard copy of the first!!)

Kara
Night by Elie Wiesel

5
Inspiring tale of survival.

Debbie
Rita Moreno: A Memoir by Rita Moreno

3
Rita Moreno's grasp of the English language amazes this reader. Description of setting and characters vibrate on the page. The problem rests with the memoir, which spends half the book explaining an idyll childhood in Puerto Rico, that is quickly interrupted by migration to New York. The chapters on Rita's men and family drop a hint or two of the situation and then the story turns to another topic. Rita praises many of her friends, lovers, and co-workers, but in the end, Rita stands as the brilliant star around lesser folk must revolve. The ultimate praise for Rita rests in her determination to succeed and to never give up the battle. Rita wins by sheer forbearance an Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony, and two Emmys.

Elizabeth Streit
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

4
Loved the story of Joe's life and the descriptions of the rowing competitions. The author created great tension even when you know the result! The juxtaposition of the Washington team's work to against what was going on in Nazi Germany was fascinating and horrifying, particularly in the current political climate.

Janet
Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Benn

3
This story takes place on the back roads of Jamaica far from the tourists. Margo hustles to send her sister, Thandi, to school but school is a lonely place for Thandi. Where do the sisters belong and will either ever be happy?

Liza
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

4
Great debut novel, will be looking to read his next book. This was a story of a college-aged student tasked with interviewing someone for an English paper. He chooses an elderly man he meets in the local nursing home, figuring he must have some interesting life stories. What he doesn't expect to learn is that the terminally ill elderly man has been released from a life sentence to live out his remaining days at the nursing home. And that he was innocent. A great read. Recommended.

Tessa B C
Summer by Edith Wharton

3
3.5 stars. Wharton’s novel of a young woman’s awakening sexuality shocked readers when it was first published in 1917. Wharton knew the social makeup of turn-of-the century America, and used her novels to explore the nuances of the “rules” – spoken and unspoken – by which people, especially women, had to live. It’s a slim novel, and a great introduction to Wharton’s writing.

Linda
The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje

4
A little meandering, but a good book club book. Think there would be lots of discussion options.

Judy O.
Karolina's Twins by Ronald Balson

5
I just read this wonderful story for the second time as I wanted it fresh in my mind for the book club discussion later this week. I was horrified all over again with the treatment that Jews received in the WWII era. The ending is so uplifting!

Margaret
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly

4
I won this novel in a Bookreporter.com Word of Mouth Contest. Michael Connelly's latest novel in the PI Harry Bosch crime fiction series is definitely a winner. It's a thriller that held my attention throughout. It's carefully plotted, the characters are well-developed, and you'll even find out a bit about Harry's time in Vietnam. He is involved in two investigations: (1) find an heir for an aging billionaire, and (2) clear up a cold case involving a serial rapist. There are plenty of twists and turns as Harry uses his skill, intelligence, & instincts to solve these cases. There is lots of action. Connelly is at his masterful best in tying the two cases together. The scenes in Los Angeles and its suburbs are vividly set. Very enjoyable.

Lynn W
Footnotes* from the World's Greatest Bookstores by Bob Eckstein

4
True Tales and Lost Moments from Book Buyers, Booksellers, and Book Lovers. I love my Christmas present to myself! It's beautifully covered, beautifully illustrated, and full of wonderful store descriptions, anecdotes, and tales. City Lights, San Francisco - her father's ashes?????!!!!!

Lynn W
Root of All Evil? by Ray Keating

3
Money, in the form of foreign aid, the church, politics, drug traffickers, CIA, FBI, assassins...hold on to your seat. This is one roller-coaster of a read. I love that this author's endings are complete. Nothing is left hanging for the next book.

Sandy
After the Leaves Fall by Nicole Baart

4
This is the first book I have read by this author and now I have to find out the name of the sequel so I can get it! I didn't care much for the book in the beginning, but I am very glad that I stuck with it. I finished it in two days and now I wish I had read a little slower. I can't tell you too much about the plot or I would give away the ending but it is about the life of Julia DeSmit. Her mother leaves her and her father dies when she is 16 and she is raised by her grandmother. It is a delightful story.

Jean
Besieged by A. J. Tata

5
EXCELLENT...First of his books that I have read, but now I'm getting the other 6 books. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a 'black-ops'-type story.

Jean
Revenants - The Odyssey Home by Scott Kauffman

3
The story itself is good. However, it seems somewhat disjointed/not quite put cohesively together. (Small sidenote: could have used an additional proofreading.)

Jan
Death on Blackheath by Anne Perry

2
This was my first book by Anne Perry. I love mysteries and she certainly created a mystery in this book. This was my last book by Anne Perry. It was so heavy and lugubrious that I thought I would never finish it. This is a writing style that I can hardly tolerate. We learn of every little mole on the shoulder, every bump in the road, whether it is raining - hard or gently. There is so much extraneous information that it is difficult to realize when something relevant occurs. Many people like this style. I do not.

Linda
Master of Ceremonies by Joel Grey

4
A brief synopsis of Joel Grey's life and coming to terms with who he is as a person. If you thought he was only the emcee in Cabaret, you would be wrong. He's been a working actor for over 50 years. Interesting read.

Liza
Once We Were Brothers by Ronald Balson

5
Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and wealthy philanthropist, is accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser, Ben Solomon, is convinced he is right. He asks attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice, telling her that Piatek was an abandoned child raised by Solomon's family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has he accused the right man? Highly recommended debut novel.

Maryrita Dunlavey
Red Notice by Bill Browder

3
A fascinating account of the author's experience as a venture capitalist in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Marilyn
The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel

4
An amazing account of the North Pond hermit who lived on his own in the woods of Maine with almost no human contact for 27 years! Christopher Knight, the hermit, was finally apprehended and charged with stealing from cabins and a camp to sustain himself. Finkel was the only reporter to get live interviews with Knight. It's a very fascinating and compelling story!

Marguerite
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

4
My new obsession: witches! This is Book #1 in the O'Dwyer trilogy. Iona Sheehan moves to Ireland to live with family. She is one of three witches and they're coming together to fulfill their destiny to combat an evil witch. Loved the book!

Marsha
The Spy by Paul Coelho

4
The story of Mata Hari is not what I expected. She was most understood and led a rather sad life. Well written and documented.

Marsha
A Separation by Katie Kitamura

4
When a couple decides to separate but not tell anyone, the wife receives a phone call from her mother-in-law asking her to go the Greece from London to find the husband who seems to be out of touch. When she arrives in a small town in Greece she is shocked at what transpires. Very good writing with much to consider when you read the last page.

Dotty
America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

5
Wonderful book.

Lynn W
Women Who Read Are Dangerous by Stefan Bollman

4
Gorgeous book of paintings -- all of women reading with short texts about artists and models. The final two images are photographs. The last is Marilyn Monroe reading ULYSSES!

Karen
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

5
Daring use of information gleaned from personal interviews that Picoult uses to show racism in a new and authentic light.

Liz
Taming a Rake into a Lord: Taming the Heart Series by Tammy Andresen

4
I received this in exchange for an honest review. Chris and Lizzie are thrown together by her father's dying wish. Chris must find her a suitable husband within six months in order for him to inherit a title and the wealth that goes with it. But lo and behold, Chris falls in love with Lizzie himself, but he does not believe he is husband material. She too falls for him. Even though this is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is a quick, easy and entertaining and enjoyable story. There is love, passion, kidnapping and strong friendship bonds in this delightful story.

Janet
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

5
In the beginning I could only read the book in short spurts because I found it unsettling. So good, yet so creepy. What bothered me was how real the story could be. I just had to know how it would end. Can't wait to read Steven's next book NEVER LET YOU GO.

Kathy
The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck

5
Subtle propaganda during WWII, still relevant today. Everyone should read this, including young adults.

Bonnie
Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble by Dan Lyons

3
Entertaining non-fiction about Lyons entering the tech workforce as a 50-something when his co-workers are mostly 20-something. The entire "Silicon Valley" world is skewered by the author who was a writer for Newsweek and eventually a writer for the TV comedy, Silicon Valley. He seems honestly befuddled by how it all works. How this industry is such a house of cards. I thought often of The Emperor's New Clothes while reading it. Worth a read if you're at all interested in the topic, and even if you aren't.

Toni
He Counts Their Tears by Mary Ann D 'Alto

4
My daughter wrote this book. I am an avid reader who belongs to three book discussion groups comprised of diverse women who dissect each book with a "scalpel". We have been graced with author visits numerous times. This book is well written, with a powerful storyline and a compelling plot. I cannot give this book 5 stars due to some repetition. However, the author does get her point across quite well, and I came away from the book with an understanding of the dangers of a psychopath. The author gives warning to the many females out there who think Mr. Right has come their way. My book group and I agree that it is well worth reading and, as I am the author's worst critic, the fact that I like it says volumes.

Sandy
Dare Me by Megan Abbott

4
I wish I could have given this book 5 stars, but it just wasn't quite there. It did keep me interested to see who done it and that is very important. It wasn't who I thought it would be. A little too much cheerleading for me.

Debbie
Racing the Devil by Charles Todd

3
Ian Rutledge races against the devil in a daring mystery set after WWI. Seven English soldiers vow to race from Paris to Nice a year after the war, if they survive the bloody battles. The war ends, and five men speedily engage in the adventurous journey, but soon disaster pursues the men. The mother and son team named Charles Todd beautifully lavish scenes of the English countryside and the hardships of the common folk. The small villages display the caliber of everyday life and the sense of community. Rich characters illustrate all levels of society, from the tenant farmer to the lord of the manor. RACING THE DEVIL catches the despair and uncertainty of the men returning from war.

Karen
The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

4
A funny, lighthearted read in the form of a Fanny Flagg-type.

Lucy
The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

5
Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing in this book about the unlikely friendship that develops between a rent collector and a tenant at Stung Meanchey, the largest municipal waste dump in Cambodia.

Lucy
Letters for Emily by Camron Wright

4
A grandfather leaves his granddaughter letters, which have to be unraveled from hidden messages and clues. Each story is filled with wisdom, secrets, or lessons. The beginning starts slowly with the unraveling of a relationship, but once the letters are found, it's hard to put down.

Brittany Kelley
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

5
This book was absolutely gorgeous! A standout book and guaranteed to be a favorite read of 2017! I loved the characters, their stories, and the writing style and I cannot wait to read more novellas in this series.

Leslee
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

5
Confined to a dingy attic room, Count Alexander Rostov expands his horizons even while a prisoner during a calamitous period of Russian history.

Bonnie
Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

4
This slight (63 pages) book would make a great baby shower gift for parents of boys or girls. It's a logical group of ideas on how to raise a self-aware, independent girl-child in today's world. Boys need this information too. While I don't necessarily agree with every statement in the book, it's worth reading.

Elizasbeth
Ill Will by Dan Chaon

3
ILL WILL is a detailed psychological study of four characters, in particular, of Dustin, the psychologist. How ironic that the character with the greatest psychological problems treats patients with psychological problems. This is an overly long book. It doesn't get good until around page 300, which is about halfway. That's too many pages of details to call this a good book. Until that point, about page 300, ILL WILL is, essentially, a setup of what will happen after that point. But if you can get past that setup, the book truly does redeem itself. Probably this is why a book that is only half good gets so many high ratings.

Prudence
Good Omens by Neil Gaimon and Terry Pratchett

4
Laugh-out-loud funny. The English narrator is charming and is perfect for this wry, cheeky tale of the coming of the end of the world. Who knew the apocalypse could be such a delightful diversion!

Shelley
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

3
It was a quick read. It was hard to feel sorry for these characters. I felt like they created their own misery - except for the children of course. The main character Wavy is a very strong-willed girl and I found myself rooting for her. The sad thing about this book is that there are people living this way for real and I think that made me like the book less. It is hard to read about such horrible people and think that there are actually people in the world that are this horrible to others. All in all it was a good book, but kind of depressing.

Helen
The Black Calhouns by Gail Lumet Buckley

4
A family story that reveals race relations in the U.S. over the years. Much of it is shocking, but certainly important to know. Tells Lena Hornes story -- also very interesting. Well written.

Richard N B
Money, Money, Money by Ed McBain

4
This is the first book by McBain that I’ve read, and it will not be the last! Fast-paced, intricate plotting and colorful characters make for a quick and enjoyable read, despite the high body count. It may be Christmas but the criminals are busy, and so are the police. I was interested from page one to the very end.

Francisca E B
Long Man by Amy Greene

4
Greene delivers a riveting story that explores the question: What cost, progress? The Dodson’s loss of their home is representative of the hundreds of families displaced by such projects. The novel is peopled with strong characters, with tangled relationships. Their competing loyalties are what made the decisions so difficult: to stay or to go, to delay or to embrace change.

Carol
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict

2
This book certainly got a lot of press time. Not sure why. An indifferent story based upon few facts.

Melanie S.
Karolina's Twins by Ronald Balson

5
I can't remember the last time I read a book that I couldn't put down. When I would awaken in the middle of the night, instead of trying to go back to sleep I would reach for this book! This was a Holocaust story but also a current-day mystery. I really enjoyed Mr. Balson's book ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS. That book was also unputdownable. This was very much written in the same non-stop style and I truly enjoyed it. Highly recommend.

Mary Lou
Far From True by Linwood Barclay

4
This is book two of the Promise Falls series. As I said when reviewing book one of the series, BROKEN PROMISE, I liked FAR FROM TRUE very much --- easy to read, good plot line, interesting characters with a great villain, such a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. I inadvertently started with book three of the series, and am now having fun reading the first two books and finding out everyone’s back stories. Lots of “aha” moments as puzzling events and conversations in book three are explained. If you are snowed in and looking for a fun weekend of reading, this series will fill the bill.