The Week of February 9th

Nrs Kim@aol.com
YOUNG WIVES by Olivia Goldsmith
A story of three women whose lives intertwine as they each face a personal crisis. It is an intriguing and touching story that is written well. It is an excellent female-bonding book that describes how three ordinary women become strong.

Lizdav3@aol.com
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE J. K. Rowling, 3 stars
My 10-year-old son and I just finished sharing this book --- his second reading --- my first. We took turns reading aloud while snuggling in bed at night and I have to say I never enjoyed a children's book more. After reading several reviews, I was not anticipating the discovery of a great new addition to children's literature, but I was delighted by what I found in this adventure story. The key may be to see it through a child's eyes. My son's excitement was contagious and the ending warmed my heart.
THE FEAST OF LOVE by Charles Baxter, 4 stars
The plot appealed to me, as an insomniac, an affliction shared by the main character whose night roaming both help to relax him and introduce the main idea for the novel. It's clever and witty. The character's relationships --- and the twists and turns of their lives --- keeps the reader hooked.

Galtsgultch@aol.com
IN FIDELITY by M.J. Rose, 5 stars.
If you like opening a book and getting lost in the story, I recommend this book. It's a real pager turner. Part mystery, psychological suspense, love story, and just damn good writing. The author really gets inside her characters. The best thing I can say about this book - is that I took it into the tub with me and 200 pages later I was still there. And I found out about this book here - so thanks folks.

TwistyLane@aol.com
A TEST OF WILLS by Charles Todd, 4 1/2 stars
WINGS OF FIRE by Charles Todd, 4 1/2 stars
I bought these books as gifts for my dear husband at Christmas. He is a WW1 buff and enjoys mysteries. I thought he'd enjoy them and he did and passed them on to me. Not sure which one of us is the bigger fan now. We have the third and I found a signed copy of #4 at Murder By The Book. We are happy campers. Both of the mysteries have been unique. Ian Rutledge and Hamish are quite a pair.
A PERMANENT TWILIGHT by Chuck Freadhoff, 3 1/2 stars
This is the second book in the Johnny Rose series. Rose is an investigative reporter for one of the smaller newspapers in LA. In TWILIGHT, Rose's niece is killed in an arson fire. More than anything, this is a story about kids living on the streets. A difficult subject well done.
FOUNTAIN OF DEATH by Jane Haddam, 3 stars
A Gregor Demarkian mystery. Set during the new year so I thought I should read it in January! My first Haddam.
THIRTEENTH NIGHT by Alan Gordon, 3 1/2 stars
The first in a series. Set in Italy in 1200. An agent (Feste) of the Fools Guild is sent to uncover the cause of Orsino's death. Play on Twelfth Night by Shakespeare.
THE CRIME OF OLGA ARBYELINA by Andrei Makine, 2 1/2 stars
Difficult book to read. Incest plays a large part. Can be found at your local bookstore under literature and comes with a reading guide.

Bvin1999@aol.com
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman, 4 stars
The first in a trilogy of His Dark Materials series.

Jspurtrigr@aol.com
EYE OF THE STORM by Private Robert Knox Sneden, 5 stars
This Civil War odyssey is a first person account of Private Sneden's life and struggle for existance during his captivity in the Confederate prisons of Andersonville and others. This book was put together from original drawings,sketches and notes Sneden had secreted in his clothes while a prisoner and from a type of shorthand he scribbled in his Bible. The book was edited by Charles E. Bryan, Jr. and Nelson D. Lankford from four volumes of notes and sketches from Sneden that came to light after much research in 1994. This book is a must read for the Civil War or U.S. history buff. Hard to put down once you start reading.

JJMMcCann@aol.com
OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon, 5 stars
This book is absolutely fantastic! It's a time travel tale that's part romance/part fantasy/part adventure. The first 50 pages are a bit slow, but once the main character, Claire, travels back in time, I guarantee you will not be able to put it down. It's definitely NOT your typical romance. The hero, Jamie Fraser, is arguably the best male character I've ever had the pleasure to read about.

Fatcat8885@aol.com
THE SCARLET LETTER by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 3 stars
The book is an excellent example of American Romanticism by the inclusion of myths, legends, and the love of the picturesque, but its fairly basic vocabulary detracts from the book.

GloryFrost@aol.com
GODS AND GENERALS by Jeff Shaara
A novel about the Civil War and a prequel to The Killer Angels, written by Jeff's father. An excellent Civil War novel, with a human twist that allows the reader to become a character and be transported back to the 1800s. I really enjoyed this book and I believe that you will too.

FinanclGod@aol.com
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE by J. K. Rowling, 5 stars
An absolutely wonderful and imaginative book. A must read for any age.

UKHRH@aol.com
RICHARD THE THIRD by Paul Murray Kendall
The definitive biography of a much maligned English monarch.
MERRICK by Anne Rice
Merrick, finds Rice going back to her roots, a huge improvement over her last few outings, especially with the reintroduction of some favorite characters.

QUEENVAMP28@aol.com
MERRICK by Anne Rice, 3 stars
It is a great book, and those of you who loved the Vampire Chronicles will surely love this book.

PokeMikeShklyar@aol.com
SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.


Nicholasjf5@aol.com
HANNIBAL by Thomas Harris, 4 stars
Suspenseful thriller full of fun twists and turns leading up to an unexpected ending.

ReginaMNFaith@aol.com
IN THE FALL by Jeffrey Lent
Rarely do you find writing that uses the English language so beautifully as Mr. Lent. I do not have the command of our language to describe how his words grab you, mesmerize you, and transport you to the next page, and the next chapter. The story is an incredible one, with so much strength of character and characters as I have never read before. The Civil War and its aftermath have never been a favorite period of mine as a historian, but this story changed that.

DOWELLIA@aol.com
THE FIRST TIME by Joy Fielding, 5 Stars
Omigoodness. I saw this book suggested on the website from someone last week, and thought I'd like to read it. It is your typical romance novel at first but I have never had a book make me cry so much! I hated for this book to end! Extremely worth the slow parts in the beginning!

GRed1967@aol.com
THINNER by Stephen King
THE DRAWING OF THE THREE by Stephen King

Bayou MZ@aol.com
TARA ROAD by Maeve Binchy, 5 stars
Without a doubt, the best book I have read over the past year is TARA ROAD by Maeve Binchy. The author is well known for her ability to weave an engrossing tale and this work lives up to her reputation. In this intricate tale, the characters are real, likeable, despicable, lovable, and unforgettable. The reader will find himself captivated instantly and unable to put down this good, old-fashioned page-turner. It's the kind of story that you don't want to end; I'm hoping for a sequel.

Danzma1@aol.com
MEDICINE RIVER by Thomas King, 5 Stars
I fell under Tom King's spell by accident. I was in the library taking out a Stephen King novel and happened upon the story of the small town of Medicine River and oh, I'm so glad I did. This is his first novel and it is by turns hiliarious and tear-jerking. Richly drawn characters, in a warm and gentle tale. I can't recommend this enough! Enjoy!
GREEN GRASS, RUNNING WATER by Thomas King, 5 Stars
More ambitious than his first novel, MEDICINE RIVER, this one delves a bit more deeply into Native American lore. Again, the characters are so vivid and Mr. King is such a wonder at writing of the human experience, that you will not want this book to end!
TRUTH AND BRIGHT WATER by Thomas King, 4 Stars
Tom King's latest novel is a little more hard-edged than the previous two, but is still charming and entertaining. I frequently went from belly laughs to a lump in my throat, in a matter of a page or two. You're 3 for 3, Tom King!

AADAngle@aol.com
EXCLUSIVE by Sandra Brown, 5 stars
It is a book you cannot put down once you start. This story could be on the headline news tonight. It's about human desire and politics in the White House.

CoffeeDrinker856@aol.com
DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD by Rebecca Wells
This book is about the complex relationship between a Southern woman and her daughter. It is about lasting friendship, love, secrets and dysfunctional family issues. It is sweet, funny and sad and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

CarolCommanderM@aol.com
PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf, 4 stars
Just finished reading this National Book Award Finalist and now know why it was awarded this prestige position. Several people -- all different and unique -- their lives are interwoven into this heartwarming and lovely story that takes us to small town America. Loved it and am going to buy his previously written books.

Nancstet@aol.com
MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL by John Berendt, 5 stars
My Daughter in college sent me this. She loved it and so do I. A wonderful true murder with funny characters.
THE BRETHREN by John Grisham, 5 stars
His dry wit really comes through in this one. A must read, Grisham fan or not.
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG by Andre Dubus III, 5 stars
I learned about this book on the "Oprah Show". Set in Northern California, Mr. Dubus brings the characters so alive, you either love or hate them.
AN HOUR BEFORE DAYLIGHT by Jimmy Carter, 4 stars
Carter's tales of his childhood during the depression makes one truly believe that any young person can become President.
LOST AND FOUND by Jayne Ann Krentz, 4 stars
Jayne does it again with another laughter-filled book of her beloved heroine.