The Week of May 11th

SKEETERBUG60@aol.com
TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS by Randy Wayne White, 5 stars
This exciting story takes place on the west coast of Florida and also deals with ancient Indian history. For a whirlwind type story in a tropical locale, this is the book for you.

LEECJH@aol.com
THE BRETHREN by John Grisham, 4 stars
For those who wait for paperback like I do, this is a treat to read. It is amazing to me to see what twists and turns Grisham takes in his quest to entertain. A total encyclopedia of legal and political knowledge. Highly recommend.

Bettys1870@aol.com
FUGITIVE PIECES by Anne Michaels, 5 stars
THE LAST JEW by Noah Gordon, 5 stars
MARTYRS' CROSSING by Amy Wilentz, 4 stars

Schramie@aol.com
FLIGHT: My Life in Mission Control by Chris Kraft, 5 stars.
An insider view of the early space efforts. Growing up in the era of the first attempts to go into space, I have found the details fascinating! We watched each successive mission with little appreciation of how complicated this part of history really was. Today, the shuttles are launched with easy familiarity. FLIGHT reminds us of how we arrived at this door.

dbelk105@adelphia.net
DISOBEDIENCE by Jane Hamilton, 1 star
THE LAST TIME THEY MET by Anita Shreve, 1 star
I can't remember the last time I couldn't finish reading a book, but this week, after reading at least 75 pages of each, I gave up. Both books were too wordy, didn't seem to be saying anything or going anywhere. Both of these authors I have enjoyed in the past.

WBtrez@aol.com
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant, no rating given.
Excellent book. I read it very quickly. Easy to read and lots of things to think about.

Bjcmcn@aol.com
WISH YOU WELL by David Baldacci, 3 stars
Very interesting. Complete opposite from his usual works. Enjoyable.
ICE BOUND by Dr. Jerri Nielsen, 4 stars
Reading now and finding it very hard to put down. So far, very good!!
DESERT SOJOURN by Debi Holmes-Binney, 5 stars
A beautiful true story of a woman alone in the desert finding out just what she was capable of doing. I will enjoy this book many times. If possible it would earn more than the 5 stars allotted.

JKVENTON@aol.com
THE BLIND ASSASSIN by Margaret Atwood, 4 stars.
Many-layered story of 2 sisters and the men they loved and/or married. As always, wonderful writing by Ms. Atwood.
THE WOOD WIFE by Terri Windling, 4 1/2 stars.
My favorite fantasy novel of all time. Southwest desert setting, describes the beauty of the desert and the mountains near Tucson. A story of a woman who inherits a writer's house and moves to the desert, the "spirits" and secrets that she discovers there.

Yetidieagian@aol.com
PRISONERS OF LOVE by T.K. Cyan-Brock, 5 stars
A guide for anyone wanting to cultivate, maintain and strengthen relationships with loved ones during times of incarceration. This book is a manual to keeping in touch with those incarcerated. I give it 5 stars because the author writes with alot of heart. You can feel her words pulsating through you. Also it has alot of stories written by the inmates as well. Also activities for the reader to do just in case you get bored of reading. It is a book that promotes group participation. This is a must read for anyone that knows someone incarcerated and is good reading for those who don't as well.

aldunphy@aol.com
VALENTINE by Tom Savage, 5 stars.
This selection keeps you in suspense, without your even knowing it, from page one. It took me only two days to read this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a little bit of suspense in their library.

Tiggi47@aol.com
DESPERATE MEASURES by Fern Michaels, 5 stars

THAT CAMDEN SUMMER by LaVyrle Spencer, no rating given
Just started this book. Its about a divorced woman who moves back to her hometown in Maine. She is looked down upon by the people so she has to prove herself.

Whimsey03@aol.com
MY SOUL TO KEEP by Tananarive Due, 4 1/2 stars
"Are there any good monsters, Mommy?" Take a happy couple, their little girl, beloved dog and cat, add a couple ghosts, a few Immortals, Living Blood, murder, life, death, love and betrayal and you get part of the mix that makes Tananarive Due's suspense novel such an enjoyable read. A fast-paced journey, innovative and satisfying. You will look forward to the sequel.

GDurisin@aol.com
AFTER YOU'D GONE by Maggie O'Farrell, 4 1/2 stars
Alice impulsively decides to take the train from London home to the small town she grew up in to visit her sisters. At the train station, after greeting her sisters, she sees something, just what remains unclear until much later in the story, that makes her return immediately to her own home in the city. But walking from the London station, she steps out in front of a car --- accidentally? intentionally? --- and lapses into a coma. The rest of the book intersperses her own memories with the anguish of her family as they keep vigil, waiting for her to awaken --- some hopefully, others more fearfully. It took some effort to get into this one, but it was well worth it. The ending, though it was just as it had to be, still left me feeling dissatisfied, wanting the story to continue --- one sign of a really good read!
PLAIN JANE by Fern Michaels, 0 stars
Bkpage Carol commented once that based on submissions to Word of Mouth, there seemed to be no bad books out there. Well here's a truly bad one -- as in poorly written, boring, and a complete waste of time.

camurray@webtv.net
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE by Mary Higgins Clark, 5 stars
Right now I am half way through it, and can't put it down.

BFischer74@aol.com
NATURAL BLONDE by Liz Smith, 5 stars
Liz Smith can certainly tell a story, particularly when she's the main character. Aside from being a well crafted book, it is a fascinating study of a strong woman, living ahead of the curve in a time and place when men's and women's roles were strictly defined.

EPaton@aol.com
FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE by Dean Koontz, 3-4 stars
Its' interesting because Koontz has the ability to hold your attention and keep you reading, but I honestly have to say this is one of his weirdest books ever. I'm almost finished and I keep looking to end because I want to be done with it. There is the usual gore (every Koontz book has this element), but his premise (the interconnectedness of all things and peoples --- Six Degrees of Separation?) keeps you interested. Ignore the gore if you will and there is an interesting story, but it is long and tedious.

Netteatym@aol.com
BAGGAGE CHECK by Curtis Bunn, no rating given
It is a fast read and even though you anticipate the ending it is refreshing to get an upclose and personal glimpse into the life, love and lust of three men as they grow up and learn how to check the baggage that inhibits them from obtaining good women.

Lucky4750@aol.com
FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE by Dean Koontz, 5 stars
This was an excellent read. Very complicated if you aren't into Quantim Physics though. But Koontz ties it all up and brings it to a pleasant end. An amazing story line.
CONTRACT WITH AN ANGEL by Andrew M. Greeley, 5 stars
I love Greeley's storytelling. This is another book I couldn't put down. A great story of redemption. Greeley does it again!
YOUNGER THAN SPRINGTIME by Andrew M. Greeley, 5 stars
Charles (Chucky) O'Malley and the O'Malley family who we met in "A Mid Winters Tale" is back in Chicago after WWll . A little slower read then most , but has the usual mix of laughter, romance and drama. Good book.

PSAETHER@LGAMERICA.COM
THE LAST TIME THEY MET by Anita Shreve, 5 stars
THE WEIGHT OF WATER by Anita Shreve, 4 stars
It's been a very long time since I've audibly gasped on the last page of a book...as I did upon finishing THE LAST TIME THEY MET. A great book. If you haven't read THE WEIGHT OF WATER (also terrific) - DON'T - until you've first read THE LAST TIME THEY MET because you may pick up on the surprise ending. I read THE WEIGHT OF WATER so long ago, I didn't remember specific references that are presented from another point of view in THE LAST TIME THEY MET. A friend however, just read THE WEIGHT OF WATER and was able to do some on-target guessing about the new book.

Iceman in carrib@aol.com
Agatha Christie's mystery books All rated 5 stars!

Visionquest30@aol.com
GHOSTWRITTEN by David Mitchell, 5 stars
Controversial in some ways, but wow! What an incredible debut novel by an author who is sure to be around for awhile. A nice break from all the "gee, I had a rough life, but rose above it" story that has been retold a million times (yawn).

H20engine@aol.com
RIVER, CROSS MY HEART by Breena Clarke, 4 stars
This is a story about a young girl and the death of her sister. Touching and well told, the novel captures the heartache and tremendous supportive quality of a community in mourning.

TwistyLane@aol.com
SEARCH THE DARK by Charles Todd, 4 1/2 stars
The third in the mystery series and another winner. Set in England after WW1, Todd really makes the reader feel the sadness and depression of a whole country. Inspector Rutledge has returned to Scotland yard after being shell-shocked in the war. Each mystery has been unique and well written. SEARCH THE DARK is no exception. A dead woman and two missing children bring Rutledge to a lonely Dorset town. A tormented veteran, not unlike Rutledge, is the chief suspect.
SEA DRAGON HEIR by Storm Constantine, 3 1/2 stars
The land of Caradore gets its special magic from the sea until the land is defeated by the Magravandian empire. Centuries later a pair of twins discover that the Sea Dragon has only been hidden. Can it be reawakened and their land taken back? I have mixed emotions about this book (the first of a fantasy trilogy). This first book sets the stage for half of the characters. I enjoyed Constantine's writing style and the questions she poses -- just what is magic and who are the bad guys? The last half of the book is a real grabber. I must have liked it -- I dashed out and bought the second in the series (hard cover) and that says a lot!
CATERING TO NOBODY by Diane Mott Davidson, 4 stars
I had the opportunity to hear Diane Mott Davidson speak at a luncheon and what a delight she was! That made me start to read her culinary mystery series. So far I've read CATERING TO NOBODY, DEATH BY CHOCOLATE, and THE CEREAL MURDERS. All are well done, include recipes, have humorous scenes and talk about the subject of women who are abused in some way by their husbands. Goldy, the heroine and caterer of the series, was married to an abusive husband (the Jerk in the books). She's been through the hard times, not everything now is easy but she's making a success of her life. Good mysteries and good message.
A SHARE IN DEATH by Deborah Crombie, 3 3/4 stars
Another author I had the opportunity to hear, but couldn't schedule the luncheon was Deborah Crombie. I've read the first two in her police procedural series set in England. A SHARE IN DEATH (Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid goes on vacation and soon finds himself involved with a murder investigation) and ALL SHALL BE WELL (Jasmine Dent, a friend and neighbor of Duncan's is found dead. She was terminally ill. Was this a suicide or murder?). Both books read quickly and the cases were unique.
BLACK LOTUS by Laura Joh Rowland, 5 stars
This is my favorite historical mystery series. They are set in Shogun era Japan. (Remember SHOGUN by James Clavell and the t.v. mini-series based on the novel? If you do, grab one of the books in this series.) Sano Ichiro and his wife Reiko investigate arson and murder at the Black Lotus Temple. There is no one better than Rowland with descriptions of place, dress and way of life. Always an interesting look at the law in a different time and culture. BLACK LOTUS also is an interesting look at a problem that has appeared in modern times --- cults. Rowland will never write fast enough for me!

nita.cowart@gte.net
THE TRAIN TO PORT ARTHUR AND OTHER STORIES by L.M. Young, 5 stars
The descriptions of the South, especially New Orleans, will haunt you for days. Wonderful characters and you can taste the cooking of the area as L.M. Young has some of them cook.
THE TORTURER'S APPRENTICE by John Biguenet, 4 stars
For those who love the short story this collection is the high point in narrative writing. Should be used in all writing classes.

Bossu49@aol.com
DREAMCATCHER by Stephen King, 5 stars
THE HOPE by Herman Wouk, 5 stars
THE GREATEST GENERATION by Tom Brokaw, 5 stars

fblack@va.prestige.net
MARCHING THROUGH CULPEPER by Virginia Beard Morton, 5 stars
A most interesting book that takes you right back to the days of the Civil War. You live its tragedies and its triumphs. You feel as though you know the characters personally and don't want to leave their lives at the end of the book. Ms. Morton brings out good and bad of both North and South. A book you really don't want to put down once you start reading.

beachpat@ccis.net
BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM by Kate Atkinson, 5 stars
A comical yet at times heartrending book about the lives of several generations of women. Confusing at first because of the time changes but a wonderful book by this British author.
A CRIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD by Suzanne Berne, 4 stars


rsp920@juno.com
MARCHING THROUGH CULPEPER by Virginia Beard Morton, 5 stars
An account of a family's struggle to survive the Civil War. The book is very accurately researched, but better than any other books I have read, movies I have seen or history I have studied gave me a real sense of what it was like to live during this devastating time. You don't want the book to end because you become so involved with this family.