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BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
DREAMCATCHER by Stephen King, 3 1/2 stars
I didn't like this as well as some of King's other works (my favorite of his is THE GIRL
WHO LOVED TOM GORDON), but it was an enjoyable read. This seemed a lot more like his
earlier books. It was admirable, though, if only for the fact that he wrote it in longhand
after his accident which is mind-boggling!
VALAITISH@aol.com
BASIC ECONOMICS: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy by Thomas Sowell, 5 stars
Don't let the title scare you. This is an easy-to-understand explanation of how the
economy works and how the best intentions can have the opposite effect. You'll never look
at the economy or politics the same after reading this book!
diamondlightfoot2@yahoo.com
DREAMCATCHER by Stephen King, 4 stars
He's getting back to his old brand of horror. It kept me turning the pages but didn't
scare me witless. Still, it's well worth the read!
books4mel@yahoo.com
LOSING JULIA by Jonathan Hull, 3 stars
Fictional account of a World War I vet who fell in love with the girlfriend of his best
war buddy. Travels back and forth between the war and 1981, where the vet is living in a
nursing home at age 81.
MURDER ON ASTOR PLACE by Victoria Thompson, 3 stars
First in the Gaslight Mystery series where midwife Sarah Brandt becomes an unusual
investigator in a related murder. Set in turn of the century 1900 New York City.
DEAD IN THE WATER by Connie Feddersen, 3 stars
First in the Amanda Hazard series set in Vamoose, Oklahoma where Hazard, the local
accountant, finds a dead body and helps Nick Thorn, the attractive police detective, find
the killer.
A P Lutz@aol.com
PRODIGAL SUMMER by Barbara Kingsolver
Run, don't walk, and find a copy of Barbara Kingsolver's novel. In her usual manner, the
author places her readers with people that they soon feel that they know. Her settings of
the mountains, farms, and small town life are so real you can hear the thunder rolling and
smell the wild honeysuckle.
Bjglu@aol.com
THE BROKE DIARIES by Angela Nissel, 3 stars
Cute, clever "diary" of a college student (non-fiction) who is truly broke and
how she makes do on next to nothing. Let your college-age student read it to prove he
isn't so bad off!
Suyme1@aol.com
P IS FOR PERIL by Sue Grafton, 3 stars
Although it is nice to visit Kinsey each year, this book was not nearly as enjoyable as
her previous ones. I kept waiting for the pleasure I always feel when reading her to come,
but it never happened.
7-UP by Janet Evanovich, 5 stars
This series is my favorite! You will always find yourself laughing out loud at the
characters and their antics. Everyone I recommend these books to, immediately reads all of
them. The best escape in forgetting life's troubles and worries.
GAP CREEK by Robert Morgan, 4 stars
A lovely, quiet read.
BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER by Amy Tan, 4 stars
An enjoyable, thought provoking look into mothers, daughters, and the hurts that they
unknowingly inflict on each other. Makes you want to sit down with your own mother and get
to know her from childhood on, so that you can understand and appreciate her for a woman
in her own right.
jbrown@wisdommedia.com
FAR APPALACHIA by Noah Adams
Far Appalachia draws on two things I think I know something about, but admit that I need
to know more - the New River and Noah Adams. Having listened to Adams on NPR's "All
Things Considered" for years, I was fascinated to read this travelogue of his journey
up the New River from North Carolina into West Virginia. Having lived in Southern West
Virginia most of my adult life, I have always found myself drawn to the same communities
that Adams stopped at on his journey. The folksy qualities of the book do not demean the
genuine people you meet in the book. Adams paints a landscape of one of the most beautiful
parts of the country and fills in the space with real live people.
INNER PEACE FOR BUSY PEOPLE by Dr. Joan Borysenko
I am lucky enough to have just finished reading an advance copy of Dr. Joan Borysenko's
new book INNER PEACE FOR BUSY PEOPLE: 52 Simple Strategies for Changing Your Life. While
it may seem contrived to use the "new simple strategy for each week of the year"
technique, it gives the book focus and allows the reader the freedom to grow into inner
peace. While being the big name dropper throughout the book, the joy you find in the pages
come from Borysenko's weakness and struggle to continue finding inner peace herself. While
I'm not giving anything way, Borysenko gives these simplest of tips to find daily, real
world peace - breathe, take time for a walk, take care of yourself, be a good listener,
practice gratitude, forgive, search for meaning, learn to manage your mind, keep things
simple, practice a few random acts of kindness, and Repeat.
JSkold4728@aol.com
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE by Mary Higgins Clark, 5 stars
When I started reading this I had a little trouble sorting out characters for the first
few chapters as there was names from the present and names from 110 years in the past all
revolving around murders now and then which are closely linked. I had a hard time putting
this book down as I couldn't wait to see what was ahead. The ending is a little suprising
but very good. I didn't mind the twist as it was very reasonable to understand. This is a
new character. Leave time to read where you won't be interrupted.
GDurisin@aol.com
A MOTHER'S GIFT by Britney & Lynne Spears, 2 stars
Another Mother-Daughter Book Club selection, and one that was better than I’d
anticipated (who’d have thought Britney could write??). A fourteen-year-old girl from
a small Mississippi town wins a scholarship to a prestigious music school, and begins to
see her hometown and family from the perspective of her wealthy classmates.
CRANBERRY QUEEN by Kathleen DeMarco, 3 1/2 stars
From a local (South Jersey) writer, a first novel about a young single woman whose life is
turned upside down when her parents and only brother are killed in a car accident. DeMarco
captured beautifully the sense of futility and despair that overwhelmed her protagonist,
sending her driving aimlessly south from NYC to end up in the Pine Barrens. Her
descriptions make me want to be sure I don’t miss this year’s Cranberry
Festival!
EMPIRE FALLS by Richard Russo
Russo tried to cram too much into one book, and would have done better to omit at least
the odd subplot involving an abused and ultimately psychotic teenager. Interesting and
likeable characters stuck in a dying small town in Maine, and also in a plot that never
quite gels.
CANE RIVER by Lalita Tademy, 5 stars
Although written as fiction, Tademy’s book is based on her extensive research into
her family’s history and centers on four generations of strong women, beginning with
Tademy’s great, great, great, great grandmother Elizabeth, who held the family
together from slavery days in Louisiana to the early years of the twentieth century. Very
well written and fascinating account.
PNormart@aol.com
THE BRIDE OF ANGUISHED ENGLISH by Richard Lederer, 5 stars
If you haven't read the books in this series, including "Anguished English" and
"More Anguished English," you've missed out on some of the funniest books about
our language ever published. "Bride" is subtitled "A Bonus of Bloopers,
Blunders, Botches, and Boo-Boos." It's a language version of "America's Funniest
Home Videos." We've all noticed misspellings, mis-wordings and double entendres in
our reading materials. Well, Lederer has put them all together in these books, and then
some. My favorite parts are the submissions from teachers on behalf of their students. For
example, one youngster penned "The soothsayer warned Julius Caesar to beware the Eyes
of March. Brutus killed Caesar because he was an ego testicle man. Caesar's last sentence
was ' Eat you, Brutus!' " The whole book is hilarious!
AIN'T NOBODY'S BUSINESS IF YOU DO: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in Our Free
Country by Peter McWilliams, 5 stars
Be forewarned: "Ain't Nobody's Business" takes a bold (some would say extreme)
political stand on issues of a very divisive nature. But if you are undecided about the
legalization of drugs, medical marijuana, or the legalization of prostitution, read this
book (it's available to read for free at www.mcwilliams.com, along with his other
excellent books). The author contends that if we are ever to get a handle on crimes such
as rape and murder, really help addicts get and stay clean, and direct America's limited
resources to problems that money can solve, then we have to stop prosecuting victimless
crimes. His arguments are clearly made and supported by polls, studies, experts, and
anecdotal evidence. He even injects humor into these heavy topics, making it much easier
to injest.
Lucky4750@aol.com
WEEP NO MORE MY LADY by Mary Higgins Clark, 5 stars
COLD PARADISE by Stuart Woods, 5 stars
A great read about cops, lawyers, private investigators and insurance fraud thrown in with
romance, sex and wealth.
MusesKiss@aol.com
SUICIDE PUMPKINS: A Love Story by L.B. Sedlacek, 5 stars
I've just read this unusual and interesting fiction novel about an actress who runs into
her "Prince Charming" on the Bay Bridge in San Diego. It's cerebral, poetical
fiction at its best. It reminds me of works by Dani Shapiro or Bret Easton Ellis, --
anything that's GenX related. It's not really a love story but that's the subtitle. It's a
modern day romance with a little bit of reality thrown in. It's something that would
appeal to men and women.
falbo@villa.edu
THE WOODEN LEG OF INSPECTOR ANDERS by Marshall Browne, 4 stars
Anyone with an eye for thoughtful detective stories will appreciate this debut mystery.
The author is Australian, but his protagonist is an Italian detective. On the verge of
retirement, Inspector Anders wrestles with his conscience and the power of the Mafia.
toythomas@home.com
IDA MAE TUTWEILER AND THE TRAVELING TEA PARTY by Ginnie Siena Bivona, 5 stars
Ms. Bivona has written a wonderful story about friendship that lasts over a lifetime. It
is a short read but thoroughly enjoyable.
PATRICIART@aol.com
LUST FOR LIFE by Irving Stone, 5 stars
I recently visited a local used book store looking for a copy of THE GOOD EARTH for my
daughter who was taking a backpacking trip to China. I didn't find THE GOOD EARTH but
stumbled upon an old copy of LUST FOR LIFE, by Irving Stone. I thought I already knew
about the life of Van Gogh through the usual books and movies but this book opened up a
whole new world of art for me. His life, his pain, his search for some sort of acceptance
and normalcy made my heart break for him. I have always liked his paintings, now I love
them dearly. I am an artist by profession and after reading a little each night would rush
to my studio the next morning eager to paint. This book takes you through life with
Vincent. You get to starve with him in the mines and paint with him in his fields. You
will sip absinthe with Gauguin in street cafes in Paris and suffer from the intense heat
of Arles. A heartbreaking look at the life of one of the greatest and most misunderstood
painters of all time. 5 huge stars for a book written in 1930 and still great today.
karen4191@home.com
THE GIRL IN THE PICTURE: The Story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War
by Denise Chong, 5 Stars
Part biography, part history lesson, very well written. I'm learning so much about events
that happened in my lifetime, that I didn't fully understand. Kim Phuc is only two years
older then I. She has had some extraordinary things happen in her life.
TinkrbellT@aol.com
DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD by Rebecca Wells, 5 stars
A timeless classic about what it is like to have true girlfriends who you can confide in.
Cairo1953@aol.com
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE by J.K. Rowling, 5 stars
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS by J.K. Rowling, 4.5 stars
AFTER THE FIRE by Belva Plain, 4 stars
ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell, 4 stars
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT GOD by Ann Kienel Anderson, 4.5 stars
WINDOW ON THE SQUARE by Phyliss Whitney, 4 stars
FAREWELL TO ARMS by Ernest Hemingway, 3.5 stars
JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte, 5 stars
The best book that I've ever read!!
THE AWAKENING HEART by Betty Eadie, 2 stars
Note: Her first book, Embraced by the Light (4 stars), was far more believable. Book # 2
definitely leaves room for "doubt." Throughout the book I had to remind myself
that I was in fact reading a non-ficitional story.
MOTHER THERESA by Navin Chawla, 4.5 stars
Beautiful story written about such an extraordinary woman.
Bjglu@aol.com
GHOST SOLDIERS by Hampton Sides, 5 stars
One of the best books I've read in years. Tells the true story of the US Rangers who
rescued the POWs who survived the Bataan death march from a Japanese Prisoner of War camp.
A story of REAL heroes that should be required reading for all young people today -- so
they know that heroes are not high-priced athletes or drug-addled rock stars. These are
heroes.
petrole@netway.com
A THEORY OF RELATIVITY by Jacqueline Mitchard, 4 stars
A touching yet captivating story of adoption, love, family, struggle for custody, and
forgiveness. It has a lot of the same tugging subject matter of "Deep End of the
Ocean". A very enjoyable read.
MARYA: A LIFE by Joyce Carol Oates, 3 stars
Gripping, evocative Oates... very well written, yet I felt somewhat removed from Marya's
motivations. I was also eluded by the ending, but definitely worth examining if you're an
Oates fan.
cleas@earthlink.net
MUSIC AND SILENCE by Rose Tremain, 5 stars
Like her marvelous RESTORATION which was made into a truly lousy flick, this historical
fiction plays with timeless questions of love, self, and --- yes, music and silence. Just
a great, romantic read, with enough philosophical searching to exercise the brain as well.
HOW TO BE GOOD by Nick Hornby, 3 1/2 stars
Hornby's third takes on commitment (the real subject of his first two, HIGH FIDELITY and
ABOUT A BOY) from a new angle. The new protagonist is female and already married. That
said, while it's nice to see a writer stretching out, this is a little strained... the
situation a bit artificial... and it shows. A good library borrowing book!
THE MYTH OF THE GODDESS by Anne Baring and Jules Cashford, 5 stars
I'm a nonfiction author so I've got to put some nonfiction on this list. This fat, fun
tome is the ultimate in readable scholarly investigation -- follows the idea of a great
mother goddess from paleolithic times up to the present. Really, really readable -- don't
be put off by the size!
WAITING FOR MY CATS TO DIE by Stacy Horn, 3 1/2 stars
A little light on the writing and detail side, but still a fun book that a lot of us will
relate to -- funny and heartening.
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