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Cipsi2@aol.com
CHANCES OF A LIFETIME by Warren Christopher, 4 stars
After hearing Christopher interviewed on CSpan-2, I ran to find his book at the library.
This book does not disappoint. It is not a blow-by-blow story of his years in government
service but rather a fine verbal photograph of major events in his long, illustrious
career. What strikes the reader is his kindness, his compassion and his genuineness.
IN HER DEFENSE by Stephen Horn, 4 stars
A stunning legal thriller, the author's first in what one hopes will be a fine writing
career, this book can stand up with the best of the present crop of legal-eagle writers.
It is a gripping but tender story, with a great ending.
THE LAST REPORT ON THE MIRACLES AT LITTLE NO HORSE by Louise Erdrich, 5 stars
Even after reading a multipage story on Erdrich in the magazine "BOOK," in which
this book was featured, I was not particularly interested in it. However, I won it in one
of The Book Report drawings, and it was my lucky day when I received the book. This lady
WRITES! The story is funny in places, magical in others, and never dull. It made me reach
down inside myself and bring up some long forgotten questions I had of religion and
spirituality. And not to go unmentioned, the story once again serves as a reminder of what
the white fathers did to the Native Americans. This has to be the best book I have read
this year, and it goes on my "keeper" shelf among a select few -- Love in the
Time of Cholera, The Poisonwood Bible, House of Sand and Fog, Cloudsplitter, The Power of
One, to name a few. I will definitely go back and read everything this dynamic lady has
written before.
MichelleM819@aol.com
FIREFLY BEACH by Luanne Rice - 4 stars
Engrossing story of three sisters and how their lives are linked to each other and another
young man through a series of tragedies set in motion by the affair of their parents. This
story has something for everyone: mystery, drama, romance, even comedy.
Lgluhani@aol.com
BLUE ANGEL by Francine Prose, 4 1/2 stars
Funny, biting, satirical, literary page-turner.
LEELANE1@aol.com
CHOSEN PREY by John Sandford, 5 stars
This book has to rate at the top of the Prey novels by Mr. Sandford. His books are filled
with people who are complete so you understand why they do the things they do, even the
bad guys. The killer in CHOSEN PREY is a master of hiding and remaining in front view of
people. Thank God for Lucas Davenport!
DREAMCATCHER by Stephen King, 5+ stars
Welcome back Mr. King. A great King book in the old King style. Once again King keeps his
readers on the edge of their seats and sleepless. Could this happen to you? You bet, it
does happen to you as you read this latest King nightmare vision. Stephen King has to be
one of the most rested, non-sleepy men in the world. He has his nightmares in the day
time. Aliens, body changers, good verus evil, believe or not, everything is in this book.
After my first King novel I have always known he knows what is under my bed.
MAP5402@aol.com
SEVEN UP by Janet Evanovich
I really enjoy this series, but I have to admit it's a little bit of "been there,
done that" with this one. I do love all the characters but really not much new. Of
course the next one might be really hot LOL. I personally love Ranger.
TELL NO ONE by Harlan Coben
I was a little sad when I heard this one wasn't a Myron book but, it is a truly great
read. I think Harlan is getting better with each book.
P IS FOR PERIL by Sue Grafton
I got this from a friend and I'm about 1/2 through. Not her best effort. I tend to wait
for paperback for these books. Enjoyable, but not worth hardback prices.
BSch195680@aol.com
ARTEMISIA by Marine Bramly, 5 stars
About the 17th century woman painter who was in a major court scandal of her time! Very
provocative and perceptive in its approach to biography and history.
JBrown2511@aol.com
BEL CANTO by Anne Patchett, 5+
The best book I've read this year...the first I'd read by Patchett. I've since read her
earlier novel.
THE PATRON SAINT OF LIARS by Anne Patchett, 5 stars
THE EVIDENCE AGAINST HER by Robb Foreman Dew, 5 stars
How in the world will I stand the wait for a sequel...I'm dying to know more about the
characters in the book!
yeowzer@yahoo.com
DRACULA: Return of Evil by Larry Mike Garmon, 4 stars
THE WOLF MAN: Blood Moon Rising by Larry Mike Garmon, 4 stars
Don't let the fact that these two books are published by Scholastic and listed as
children's books stop you from enjoying a quick, fun read. Garmon offers a new twist on
the classic tales and brings these monters into the 21st Century. Scary for children and a
camp read for the older reader.
cfc_jacob@hotmail.com
BILLY'S LOG by Dougie Brimson, 5 stars
Having read one of this authors previous novels (THE CREW) after a previous trip to the
UK, I bought this book during my latest visit and it made the flight home a joy. It is
another of the recent crop of diary format examinations of British life best represented
by Bridget Jones Diary but this time, the subject is male. Rib achingly funny, it lays
bare the trauma of single life in these confused times but it does it in a way that has
you veering from sympathy to horror at some of the situations the central character places
himself in. More worryingly I saw myself on more than one page! BILLY'S LOG should be
compulsory reading for all singletons no matter what their nationality.
ClaireKirch@aol.com
POPE JOAN by Donna Woolfolk Cross, 5 stars
I just finished, rather I "inhaled!", one of the most provocative and
intelligent historical novels I have read in years! The book is "Pope Joan" by
Donna Woolfolk Cross, it was published by Ballantine in 1997, and it is absolutely
*brilliant!* Basically, the novel is based on the extraordinary life of a 9th century
woman who, as legend would have it, disguised herself as a man, rose through the ranks of
the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, and became the first and only woman Pope. According
to "Pope Joan," as a child, the young Joan thirsts for knowledge and an
education; she rebels against the medieval restrictions on the education of women. When
her brother is killed in a Viking attack, Joan takes on his identity, enters a monastery,
and becomes a great scholar and healer: Brother John Anglicus. Eventually, she makes her
way to Rome where she becomes enmeshed in a web of love, passion, and politics, and,
unbelievably, against great odds, even attains the Papacy! "Pope Joan" is a
fast-paced read, with fierce battles, a passionate love affair, and political intrigue.
The reader is kept in a constant state of suspense, wondering when and if Joan will be
exposed as a woman. Not only does "Pope Joan" have a fascinating plot, but it
also provides a vivid record of what life was really like for women in Medieval Europe.
Donna Woolfolk Cross obviously did her homework. In fact, she includes an essay at the end
of the book, discussing the legend of Pope Joan and explaining the historical and
circumstantial evidence that led her to conclude that a Pope Joan probably really did
exist. I highly recommend "Pope Joan" to those readers who enjoy
brilliantly-crafted stories about extraordinary women who struggle against the social
restrictions their souls cannot accept. Despite the fact that this novel is set in the 9th
century this story is timeless; and its protagonist is immortal, as the essential elements
in "Pope Joan" love, sex, duplicity, and long-buried secrets are universal
themes.
BEVBOOKS@aol.com
BLOODSWORTH ISLAND by Jeff Slate and David Rearden, 4 stars
This one is kind of a cross between a medical suspense and a sci-fi. It definitely gives
you some things to think about. The very secluded scientists of Bloodsworth Island are
doing research to identify genes that carry inherited diseases...and viruses that attack
these genes. When scientist Gene Nolan realizes that the administration of the compound
wants to eliminate anyone who bears these genes, the suspense mounts. These authors have
some innovative ideas.
POSITIVELY 4TH STREET by David Hajdu, 5 stars
This book is a biographical nonfiction of the lives and times of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan,
Mimi Baez Farina and Richard Farina. This is a very good book...even if you aren't a 60's
music fan. This tells of the struggles, hopes and dreams of these four young people who
changed the music world and defined their generation. Reads like great fiction.
GATGKT@aol.com
P IS FOR PERIL by Sue Grafton, 4 stars
I always enjoy keeping up with Kinsey Millhone. I thought that the characters were quite
unique!!
SEE HOW THEY RUN by James Patterson, 5 stars
This was an older book that was re-released. It seemed quite believable for the time
period. I liked the Hitchcock type ending.
GDurisin@aol.com
THE SKULL MANTRA by Eliot Pattison, 3 stars
It’s likely I’d have enjoyed this more if I’d been more knowledgeable about
Tibet under Chinese domination. As it was, I’m sure I missed major details in the
plot, which involved a murder investigation and political and religious intrigue all
overlayed with individual greed and corruption. Still, an interesting read, and one that
may prompt me to learn more about that area.
SON OF A GRIFTER by Kent Walker, 1 star
Sounded better in the online reviews than it was. Badly written, flat recitation of
bizarre events, with little sense of the author’s perspective either as a child
living through those events or as an adult looking back. If Walker wrote this as some sort
of catharsis for his feelings about mother's and half-brother’s criminality, he
appears to have a lot of feelings yet to be dredged up and worked through.
NEVER CHANGE by Elizabeth Berg, 4.5 stars
A 51-year-old, never-married nurse is assigned a new patient --- a man who was the most
popular boy in her highschool and her secret crush, and who is now dying of a brain tumor
--- and finally learns how to open herself to the possibility of love. Very touching
without becoming maudlin or syrupy sweet.
NICKEL AND DIMED by Barbara Ehrenreich, 4 stars
An eye-opening look at the Catch-22 world of low-wage (though not minimum-wage) workers
and the impossibility of making ends meet when housing costs consistently outpace
earnings. Ehrenreich spent about a month in each of several locations, working as a
waitress, a Walmart clerk, and motel chambermaid, and concluded that the job training
programs that propose to "end the welfare cycle" are doomed to failure, because
the available jobs don't enable the former welfare recipients to support themselves, much
less to support a family.
A THEORY OF RELATIVITY by Jacqueline Mitchard, 5 stars
When the parents of a one-year-old girl are killed in an auto accident, a custody battle
ensues, pitting one side of the extended family against the other. An interesting and
moving story that examines many facets of love.
Whimsey03@aol.com
JOHN ADAMS by David McCullough, 5 stars
I never knew our short, round, bald second President of the U.S. was so sexy. Extremely
well-written biography of the second First Family. Reads like a novel with the startling
realization that this was real life at our nation's beginning. And hats off to the U.S.
Postal Service.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS by J.K. Rowling, 4 stars
The Harry Potter series is so good I'm determined to at least match all those 12-year-olds
and read all four in the series in order, and I must confess my envy of kids who are
introduced to books by Rowling's work. Harry is great fun.
Lucky4750@aol.com
A MOTHER'S GIFT by Britney and Lynne Spears, 4 stars
Story of a 14-year-old girl from Mississippi who wins a music scholarship to a very
prestigious school. How she views her family through the eyes of her very wealthy
classmates. Not bad for the Queen of Pop.
LEAP OF FAITH by Danielle Steel, 5 stars
Another great read by Steel. The story of Marie Ange who lives a Cinderella life in France
with her French mother, American father and her brother. When tragedy strikes and leaves
Marie an orphan, she is sent to live with her only relative --- a great aunt in Iowa.
Marie finds a deep friendship with her classmate Billy Parker. At 18 she finds out she is
a very wealthy woman and goes back to France, where the nightmare really begins.
TEXAS DESTINY and TEXAS GLORY by Lorraine Heath, 5 stars
Two books in the Trilogy of the Leigh family. Meet Dallas and Houston, brothers who live
in the West during the 1800s. These books I could not put down. I am now going to read the
third book, TEXAS SPLENDOR, about third brother Austin Leigh.
LandF803@cs.com
MR. MAYBE by Jane Green, 4 stars
I know it may seem like a lot of authors are jumping on the "Bridge Jones'
Diary" bandwagon of success but although similar in attitude, I would highly
recommend this book. More than just her search for the right guy, it also taught me the
value of friendship and how we really need our closest girlfriends to get us through the
ups and downs of dating. Both humourous and sometimes sad, I applauded and jeered and her
throughout the book. Ultimately, it ends with a satisfying, happy ending. If only our real
lives could always end this way!
Heringbess@aol.com
A THOUSAND WHITE WOMEN
Fair to good book about American Indians and white "brides" sent to them in the
1870s in an attempt to assimilate the Indian nations into the white culture in a unique
way. Written as a journal, it is actually credible and informative. More for women.
ANIL'S GHOST by Michael Ondaatje
Good to excellent, and has the same back and forth, dreamy quality as his English Patient.
Not a page turner kind of book, but quality.
HSuss89012@aol.com
THE COLUMNIST by Jeffrey Frank, 5 stars
A good read about newspaper reporting inside Washington and its effect on a person's life.
Once begun, I could not put this book down.
A SOLDIER'S DUTY by Thomas Ricks, 5 Stars
Seen through the eyes of both a female and male junior officer working in the Pentagon,
how senior commanders attempt to subvert operations in Afghanistan ordered by the White
House. A gripping read and a great follow-up to his book on Marine Corp basic training.
GUNMAN'S RHAPSODY by Robert B. Parker, 0 Stars
Mr. Parker should stick to his Spenser and other mysteries. He is out of his league here.
IBM AND THE HOLOCAUST by Edwin Black, 5 Stars
I always wondered how the Nazis were able to eliminate people so quickly, and this book
answers the question. If you can get through the details of problems between Watson and
his German counterpart Heidinger, this book makes a valuable contribution to history.
APRIL 1865 by Jay Winik, 5 Stars
This is a book for the ages filled with facts I hadn't known. Its thesis is well thought
out, and we should be grateful he has written it. The last month of the Civil War has
affected this country to this day. Again, a valuable contribution to the historical genre.
POSTVILLE by Steven Bloom, 5 Stars
An interesting book about the Hasidim and their Kosher packing plant(s) in Iowa and its
effect on the community life there. PBS recently did a program based on this book and it
was as interesting as the book.
PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf, 5 Stars
His writing just keeps getting better.
Joan2014@aol.com
HIGH FIDELITY by Nick Hornby
I loved the book by Nick Hornby, "High Fidelity", in addition to the film based
on his book. However, the story appeared to have the voice of a very male, verging on
macho/chauvinistic, writer. So I have been reading his newest book, "How To Be
Good" with total amazement as the protagonist is convincingly female. It's not only
very amusing, it seems incredibly sympathetic to the female perspective on life and its
woes. Caught him on a book tour and turns out he's also working on a screenplay with Emma
Thompson, again with a woman as protagonist. Cool guy, that Nick Hornby!
kaos@mato.com
OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon, 5 stars
Great beach read!
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver, 5 stars
Multiple narrators make for a very intriguing story.
VALAITISH@aol.com
BUDDHA by Karen Armstrong, 3 1/2 stars
Not your typical biography. Not much is actually known about Siddhartha Gautama's personal
life and it's impossible to separate the man from his teachings. This is a good
introduction into basics of Buddhism and how it was founded. I find Armstrong's writing
style a little dry.
ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN by Linda Howard, 3 stars
Light "beach reading." Held my interest at the time, but now a week later, I'm
having difficulty remembering the plot.
HOMEPORT by Nora Roberts, 3 stars
See comment on ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN by Linda Howard
THE DANCING WU LI MASTERS by Gary Zukav, 4 stars
Definitely NOT light beach reading. If you've ever wondered what Physics was all about,
this is a great book to start with. If you've never wondered what Physics was all about,
try Linda Howard or Nora Roberts!
Tea4g@aol.com
WE WERE THE MULVANEYS by Joyce Carol Oates, 4 stars
Interesting read--Oates makes you want to keep turning the pages to see where it all ends
up!
BIG TROUBLE by Dave Barry, 2 stars
Too mixed up for me to follow, but then I'm not a D.B. fan. Easy read and there are
definitely some funny parts!
SORTOFAWRITER@aol.com
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG by Andre DuBois III, 5 stars
This book is great! The author has done a wonderful job of making you care about these
characters who are (to me) so different from anyone I know. The reader can feel the
characters' desperation. I'm about 3/4 of the way through and can't wait to see what
happens next.
vouten@bellsouth.net
TO KILL A KING by Mary V. Welk, 5 stars
This is the 3rd book in the Caroline Rhoades series. Carolina is an ER nurse who has
returned to the Chicago hospital that she worked in before she relocated to Rhineburg, in
order to help out during a nursing shortage. Right off the bat, someone is murdered in the
ER and Caroline sets out to find the murderer. With help from old friends there at the
hospital and new friends from her newly adopted city of Rhineburg, who came to Chicago to
help in the investigation, Caroline soon uncovers the killer with hilarious moments along
the way. Ms. Welk just gets better with each new book.
leslie.robinson6@verizon.net
COMING BACK TO ME by Caroline Leavitt, 5 stars
I picked up COMING BACK TO ME per the recommendation of a friend, and after the first
page, I was hooked. I would highly recommend it to anyone who would want to read a novel
about a family dealing with a sudden and unexpected illness. The theme, about wanting to
protect your loved ones, was completely believable and well-written. Leavitt wrote a
lovely story about what it would feel like to go from an extremely happy situation to a
scary, unknown nightmare, and I was sorry to see it end. The characters stayed with me for
days after I completed the book, and it was hard to believe they weren't real. If you want
to read something that will keep you up at night, pick up COMING BACK TO ME.
carolyn_griffin@nesw.com
COLD IS THE GRAVE by Peter Robinson, 4 stars
This is the latest of Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series. This is an intelligent
mystery series that keeps you guessing. The personal life of Alan Banks allows you to know
him as a father, ex-husband, and lover. Since he's a fan of classical music, I've learned
a bit about it myself. His books are really satisfying reads and leave me waiting for the
next one. COLD IS THE GRAVE has Banks on the trail of his superior's missing teen-age
daughter. He finds her but finds much trouble is to follow.
JSkold4728@aol.com
THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET by M.C. Beaton, 4 Stars
I really enjoy her series on Agatha Raisin and Hamish Mcbeth. These books are usually a 3
or 4 star book. Her newest isn't part of any series. It is about 2 misfits who try to
solve a years old murder and train robbery. They eventually manage to not get themselves
killed even after several near misses and they stumble across the "bad guys".
This is a light read. You can just relax and enjoy.
Graham2124@aol.com
A CONSPIRACY OF PAPER by David Liss, 5 Stars
I have become enamored by murder mysteries in a historical context (e.g. Caleb Carr's THE
ALIENIST). David Liss' book brings to life eighteen century London in an interesting and
exciting story. His descriptions are vivid and his characters complete. An excellent read!
BMLRussell@aol.com
THE MUSE ASYLUM by David Czuchlewski, 5 stars
This is the best book I've read in a long time. Intelligent and enjoyable. Can't wait for
the next offering from this new author.
nlephart@shol.com
FORTUNE'S ROCKS by Anita Shreve, 5 Stars
By the author of The Pilot's Wife, FORTUNE'S ROCKS is an excellent story of a young girl
"coming of age" in the early 1900s. A 15-year-old girl is smitten with one of
her father's friends. The only problems are --- he is over 40 years of age, married, and
has four children. The good news is that he feels the same way about her. However, things
get complicated in a most difficult if not impossible love affair. I enjoyed this book
immensely and highly recommended it for a get-away read.
narci182@yahoo.com
THE JOURNEY IS THE REWARD: A Year Teaching and Traveling in Rural Hungary by Mike
Taylor,
A fun read. If you're into armchair travel or have been toying with the idea of going
abroad for a year, you'll enjoy this book. The author spent a year teaching English in a
small Hungarian town. Most of the novel has a humorous bent but it also lends itself to
thinking about life and career choices. The story follows a logical progression from
"leaving the rat race" to adjusting to a new culture, although you could
probably pick any chapter at random and read it on its own. The person who told me about
it said it could only be found on Amazon. I've looked at a couple of other sites and it
wasn't there.
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