Comella2729@aol.com
The recent snowstorm was a perfect time to curl up with some good books and many cups of tea. From those titles I read, I recommend the following:

Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles. 4 1/2 stars.
The narrator Adair Colley relates her experiences in a prison with other "enemy women" during the Civil War in supposedly neutral Missouri. Throughout her internment she keeps protesting her neutrality to her captor - a major in the Union Army. The plot thickens when the two become attracted to one another.

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. 5 stars.
Kate Morrison is one of four children who grew up in the remote northern Ontario farming community around Crow Lake. When the parents are killed in an automobile accident, Kate literally can't let go of her adored older brother Matt. The brothers Luke and Matt vow to keep the family together at any cost. The cost proves to be great for them all. But it is Kate who seems destined to carry guilt into her adult life as a university professor --- she is the one elected to leave home and make good for the family.

Dreaming Water by Gail Tsukiyama. 4 1/2 stars.
Tsukiyama (one of my favorite authors) is an Asian American of both Chinese and Japanese descent. All of her novels reflect the world of her ancestors. This novel is the story of a family --- mother Cate, Italian American; father Max, Japanese American; and their only child Hana, a beautiful combination of them both. At twelve, Hana is diagnosed with an ultimately fatal genetic disorder. The plot of the book revolves around Hana's illness. Tsukiyama speaks about the complicated and inspiring nature of heredity. I also read her novel Women of the Silk (5 stars).

JONIVERSON@aol.com
I am reading two novels now:

Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara. 3 stars.
Although episodic, and not nearly as finely edited as it should be, there are some very moving passages about people under the stress of the Civil War.

Hunter's Orange by William Dieter. 3 stars.
A good premise (three couples out on a modern day buffalo hunt confront themselves and each other), but weakened by a far too slow setting up of the dangers they face.

djspoon@attbi.com
Dixie City Jam by James Lee Burke. 5 stars.
Trunk Music by Michael Connelly. 5 stars.
Booked to Die by John Dunning. 5 stars.
Double Bluff by Michael Hawley. 5 stars.
24 Hours by Greg Iles. 5 stars.
The 13th Juror by John Lescroart. 5 stars.
No Human Involved by Barbara Seranella. 5 stars.

harrises@bayou.com
Flights of Love by Bernhard Schlink. 4 stars.
Great short stories in the same tradition of The Reader, which I loved as well (5 stars).

Sonny's War by Valerie Hobbs. 4 stars.
Young adult novel and I enjoyed the setting dealing with the Vietnam War.

charris@pcnuthut.com
Dead Midnight by Marcia Muller. 4 stars.
Good mystery.

The Cottage by Danielle Steel. 2 stars.
A bit of fluff, very easy reading.

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult. 2 stars.
Not up to her usual standard.

Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwell. 5 stars.
Good reporting about Jack the Ripper. Adds interesting things about other serial killers, etc.

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci. 5 stars.
One of the best stories I have read. Different from his other books although I liked them. Easy reading, leaves a good feeling when done.

Myrnapen@aol.com
I'm currently reading Pete Hamill's Forever. As soon as I heard about it, I was fascinated by the concept of a person being granted immortality, as Cormac O'Connor is. Although I'm still early in the novel and Cormac hasn't gotten to Manhattan yet, I'm enjoying the background on Irish history in this section, and looking forward to the history of NYC that the future sections will cover when he is granted immortality with the provision that he stay his entire life in Manhattan.

DM155@aol.com
I'm reading The Hours by Michael Cunningham. It's a little early in the book but it's a little slow on the start. Hopefully I will really start to get into it.

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I just finished reading The Jester by James Patterson and I loved it, so if I win a copy, I will give it to my mother to read, since my copy came from the library. When I picked it up the librarian told me she had heard it wasn't very good, but she was wrong. I love his books because the chapters are so short, so they are good when you just have 5 minutes to read. I hadn't read anything about the Crusades since high school, so it was very interesting. I would give it 4 stars.

Jcopek@aol.com
When the Messenger is Hot by Elizabeth Crane. 4 1/2 stars.
Compelling stories told in a great voice.

Pattern Recognition by William Gibson.
I just started reading but I'm already hooked. Gibson is a genius.

The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison.
I bought this book to read on a long trip. It was highly recommended by bookstore --- looks intriguing.

Vikkivand@aol.com
Dating Big Bird by Laura Zigman. 4 stars.
Ellen Frank is a 25 year-old marketing representative for a clothing designer in New York. When her sister gives birth to a daughter "the pickle," Ellen realizes that she wants a child more than anything else in the world. Her companion, Will, suffers from depression because of the loss of a son to leukemia years before and does not want to feel the pain of losing a child ever again. In addition, Will is on antidepressant medication, which has made him impotent. Ellen feels the biological clock ticking and feels that her hope for having a child is diminishing. Ellen finally makes the decision to become pregnant and utilizes the services of a sperm bank.

There are many interesting characters and there are funny moments in the story. Ellen's relationship with Will is loving, but complicated as they both want different things from their relationship.

DLV122273@aol.com
My husband has just introduced me to the Scots author Ian Rankin --- WOW! Makes me want to go to Edinburgh and take a John Rebus (his detective) tour. I've read The Falls, Resurrection Men and am listening to Black and Blue in the car. What a writer! The stories are complex, psychological and thrilling. The characters are real people. I just adore these books. I have also just discovered Nancy Pickard. Right now, I'm reading Twilight. The first book I read of hers was Truth Hurts. These novels are compulsive reading. So many books, so little time. Enjoy!

BOTHELBIRD@aol.com
I am currently reading Charleston by John Jakes. I just finished City of Bones by Michael Connelly.

DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
I have decided to start the Stephanie Plum series written by Janet Evanovich. As other readers have found, this is a great series and very funny. I have finished One for the Money, Two for the Dough, and almost done with Three to Get Deadly. These are "laugh out loud" funny and I am ready for number 4.

jupe77_2000@yahoo.com
Enemy of God by Bernard Cornwell. 5 stars.
I just discovered Cornwell and am really enjoying his books.

Charles Carroll of Carrollton by Scott McDermott. 4 stars.
A biography of a little known, and the only Catholic, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Britadon@aol.com
Sweet Hush by Deborah Smith. 5 stars.
I read that Disney is doing a movie on the book this year so I decided to read it. What a romantic story! I hope that Disney does not oversweeten the story and ruin it. I really recommend it for a lovely reading time.

The Legacy by Stephen Frey. 4 stars
I liked this suspense thriller much better than The Takeover. The story pulled me in although I found it a bit difficult to believe that his main character could have been so adept at self-defense when the only training he had had was as a football player and he had spent the last 3 (?) years in a brokerage house.....but, maybe stock trading keeps one in shape better than I had imagined.

The Wedding by Dorothy West. 4 stars
This is a wonderful story of an upper class black family in New England. The race issue is handled in a way that appears honest and thoughtful but not preachy. I must admit that I approached the ending with great trepidation.

Rknrobyn10@aol.com
Hello, I am reading The Trail of Thread by Linda K. Hubalek. I give it 5 stars. I picked up the book and could not put it down until I was finished. It is a collection of historical letters written by a woman's westward journey from Kentucky to Kansas. The journey takes place by covered wagon in 1854. Each chapter is a series of letters written about her daily experiences on the road with her family. It is a book about humor, despair, camping, cooking and quilting. This is a wonderful book.

Bossu49@aol.com
The Stand by Stephen King. 5 stars.
Firebreak by Richard Stark. 5 stars.

JShapspob@aol.com
I am reading Sandy Koufax by Jane Leavy. An unusually well written story of an unusual hero --- a real 'mensch'!

Bjglu@aol.com
Beginner's Luck by Laura Pederson. 5 stars (I rarely give 5 stars!)
This was a novel with the most eccentric, wonderful, fully wrought characters that I've read in a long time. Spend some time with the 16 year-old main character and her world and you won't be sorry.

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. 3 stars
Not bad but it seems like so many other recent novels. Been there, done that.

mcgillrmcgill@charter.net
I just finished reading The Alienist by Caleb Carr and found it fascinating. The story takes place in 1896 in New York City, a city of crime and mobsters, utter poverty, drugs and degradation, tremendous wealth and opulence. Theodore Roosevelt is the new Police Commissioner and has the awesome task of cleaning up the corruption in the Police Dept. There's a serial killer on the loose, preying on young boys, and the "alienist" (psychologist) is involved in utilizing new techniques (such as fingerprinting and profiling) to identify him before he can strike again.

AcornLiz@aol.com
Our book group is reading A Good Journey by Micaela Gilchrist. I am reading The Dante Club.

CandyM49@aol.com
I have recently finished reading Bruce Feiler's Abraham. I rate it 4 stars because at times it was too academic. It is a great way to learn about the Abraham of three religions.

The Language of Sisters by Amy Yurk. 4 stars.
Emotional subject matter dealt with reality and sensitivity.

Namathjetfan@webtv.net
I am currently reading Derailed by James Siegel, a non-stop, thrill-a-minute book that pulls you in from the first page! As I look around during my daily commute to work, countless others are reading it too. I think this book will make most people's top ten lists of 2003. As this is James Siegel's first book, I'm eagerly looking forward to his next release. 4 stars.

Hrselover326@aol.com
Getting to be a busy month for me. I am in 6 different book clubs and reading hard. I am reading The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett), The Forsyte Saga (John Galsworthy), One for the Money (Janet Evanovich), Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie), Boy's Life (Robert R. McCammon), and The Last Girls (Lee Smith). I just finished up Angels (Marian Keyes), Four Blind Mice (James Patterson) and Bridget Jones's Diary (Helen Fielding). I will hopefully be starting soon The Book Borrower (Alice Mattison) and Roses are Red (James Patterson).

bradylee@myway.com
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. 5 stars.
This is the first Kingsolver story I have read and, after researching her others, find that she is an exceptional author…a fine one indeed. I don't read many novels as it is difficult to find one I really like; this one I really like. The story is complete, i.e., each character is fully developed from childhood to adulthood. The main story takes place in the country of Zaire and you discover the reality of how the "natives" live day to day. After all the hardships (to us Americans) the African citizen enjoys life to the fullest. As you read you wonder how each character winds up in later life as the heart of the story is compelling. Well, Kingsolver develops the main people after what I would call the main story and gives you the "meat and potatoes" feeling of each one. I hated to see this one end!

ATENC3@AOL.COM
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux. 3 stars.
Had read another of hers and enjoyed it so thought I'd try another.

Crescent City Kill by Julie Smith. 4 stars.
Halfway through --- it's getting better.

Bairteach@aol.com
I am currently reading Grand Cove by Jim Wood. It is a funny, satirical book about city government. I enjoyed it a lot. Anyone who works in city government jobs will especially like it.

TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
The Russian Debutante's Handbook by Gary Shteyngart. 2 1/2 stars.
This book tells the comic tale of Vladimir Girshkin, a dissolute twenty-something immigrant Jew from St. Petersburg. Vladimir's parents ("alpha" immigrants) have struck it rich in America, but Vladimir cannot find his place. His fortunes change when he fakes an INS naturalization ceremony for a Russian World War II general, who rewards him with a golden introduction to Russian mob schemes in "Praha" (aka Prague). In Praha Vladimir sets about ripping off the young, rich American expatriate community in a grand Ponzi scheme. He falls for Morgan, a Shaker Heights expat with ulterior motives of her own. Yes, The Russian Debutante's Handbook is plot-rich. Unfortunately, the plot is largely unbelievable, and the characterizations, so to speak, are cartoonish to the extreme. The climax features, of all things, kielbasa-wielding babushkas and a frantic drive to the airport. I liked the third quarter of the book, when Vladimir and Morgan reveal their secrets. The rest of the book, though, was pretty preposterous.

joswood@adiis.net
The King of Torts by John Grisham. 3 stars.
It was an interesting story about mass tort lawyers, and I learned a lot about that. However, the story lacked character development and interesting dialogue. It was sure better than some of his latest books, however.

Flashback by Nevada Barr. 5 stars.
This book was compelling because it was really two stories woven together. One, a mystery that took place at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park during Civil War time. The other mystery takes place during modern times at the same fort. She
did a wonderful job of weaving them together.

The Last Detective by Robert Crais. 5 stars.
This was the latest in the PI Elvis Cole series. The book was hard to put down because it involved the kidnapping of a 10 year-old boy. Good, intensive, investigation solved the case in an exciting way.

The Best Revenge by Stephen White. 5 stars.
Another exciting story about psychologist Alan Gregory.

The Samaritan by Richard Price. 5 stars.
I'm about halfway through this one, but it's also riveting. It's a great character study of Ray Mitchell --- the Good Samaritan --- and Nerese Ammons--the black police detective who is trying to discover who brutally beat Mitchell.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. 4 stars.
A group of people has been taken hostage by a terrorist group with guns somewhere in South America. They are held that way for many months. It is fascinating to read about the group dynamics that develop among the hostages during that time.

gregc2@bellsouth.net
I just finished John Grisham's The King of Torts and enjoyed learning about the big bucks of class action lawsuits. I was also fascinated, once again, for Grisham's apparent distaste for the legal profession. He can thank his lucky stars that he can make a living as a writer! By the way, the story had a pat answer for everything until the end, and in my opinion, it fell flat.

SBrow50693@aol.com
A Lady, First by Letitia Baldrige.
This is a wonderful book --- I could not put it down! It's the story of the author's fantastic life through Europe, the Kennedy administration, women's lib and the business world. It's both very interesting and funny --- definitely 5 stars and I want to read other books she has written, too.

Avery85282@aol.com
Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon. 3 stars.
I'm such a snob that I wouldn't read any of these books for a long time, but I was depriving myself; she's pretty good, and the piles of incidental information are great fun.

Baudolino by Umberto Eco. 3 stars.
This is an intellectual challenge. I very much enjoyed The Name of the Rose, but the style of Baudolino reminds me of a Greek philosopher (which one?), and it's taking me a long time. It is full of myths, rumors, folktales and truth, and sorting them out is almost impossible.

WmsWtrkt@aol.com
I just finished The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, a YA title that won the National Book Award and just recently became her third Newbery honor winner. It was well written and thought provoking. 4 stars.

I've started Dreamcatcher by Stephen King; too soon to rate.

I've been reading an older title, Failure to Connect, by Jane Healy, a nonfiction book about children and computers. I think it's an important book that raises questions about how, when, and why computers are used with/by children, written by someone who was an avid supporter of technology when it first became a force in schools and homes, and who now takes a more concerned and conservative position. I've told three people about it.

bkhabit@yahoo.com
Great Dream of Heaven: Stories by Sam Shepard. 4 1/2 stars.
I'm not usually a fan of short stories, but in this compilation, Shepard shows a real gift for sparse yet evocative prose. This was a real find.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. 4 stars.
Hilarious, laugh-a-minute for fans of Bridget Jones.

Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
Stephie Plum is at it again, bumbling her way in pursuit of FTAs, with the usual suspects (grandma Mazur, Lula, Ranger, and Morelli) not too far behind. A riot!

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
Right now I am reading The Best Revenge by Stephen White. It is a very easy read and quite interesting. So far I give it 4 stars and maybe 5. I have a lot of housework today, so I am trying to resist picking it up until break time!!!

Saycaw@aol.com
I have just finished From Dust and Ashes by Tricia Goyer. Mrs. Goyer researched much of her book by attending the reunions of the 11th Armored Division. She has written a very factual book with excellent character development and a truly interesting storyline. I recommend it without reserve.

Lgluhani@aol.com
I'm reading an extraordinary new first novel by Jessica Shattuck, The Hazards of Good Breeding (5 stars). It's beautifully written and grabs your attention and doesn't let go. We'll be hearing more from her, I'm sure.

L4882@aol.com
I have been fortunate to be able to read an advance copy of Lynette Brasfield's debut novel Nature Lessons, published by St. Martins Press in April 2003. This is a compelling story of a forty-year-old, Kate Jensen, who returns from the States to her native South Africa to find her missing, mentally ill mother. During her trip home, she grapples with memories of a toxic childhood and discovers family secrets her relatives would prefer to have kept secret. This is a multi-layered story of perspectives. The relationship of the characters are very powerful, all is not what you might think.

It is a bit of a mystery, set against the exotic landscape of African folklore, the night sky and the beautiful wild animals. It is definitely a page-turner. I respectfully give this a 5!

FConno8899@aol.com
I have just been introduced to The Outlander and its sequels. I am reading the third sequel now and loving it very much. This is a beautiful love story AND an exciting historical fiction story. What is equally amazing is the fact that each succeeding sequel is just as well-written as the first. This is the best group of books I have read in a long time.

bradylee@myway.com
Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene.
Reading this book created a lump in my throat due to nostalgia and emotion. This is the story of the only town in America that (really) catered to the boys in uniform during WWII due to a train stop while traveling from coast to coast. I was only 12 years old when 12/7/41 happened, but I relate to everything that happened in this book. If you want to know about patriotism and love in action you should read this book. It will give you an excellent flavor of the times from 1941 through 1946 in our country. You should also note the dramatic change from then 'til now.

Catslady5@aol.com
The Plains of Passage by Jean Auel. 5 stars.
This is the 4th book in the Earth's Children Series. Although I am not finished with it, this series is my favorite of all time and I give all the books 5 stars.

lgettle@iserv.net
Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb. 5 stars.
Eve Dallas and Roarke are ever a delight.

Dark Symphony by Christine Feehan. 3 stars.
Ms. Feehan's Dark series is unique, enticing, and completely enjoyable. But her latest hero, Byron Justicano, is lame, tame, and kind of ho-hum compared to the other Carpathians. He lacks the strength of character, the confidence, charm, and the frustrating yet endearing arogancy of her previous heroes.

txmlhl@msn.com
Hanging by a Thread by Monica Ferris. 4 stars.
This is the 6th book in a series that stitchery fanatics will enjoy. Betsy inherited a stitchery store from her sister when the sister was murdered. In addition to learning how to run the store, Betsy also learned that she had a talent for solving crimes. She solved her sister's murder and now people who want help with a fatal crime come to her for assistance.

These books are in paperback so they're not costly; they are easy to carry in a purse or bag so they can be read at any time; and they provide a lot of light, entertaining reading. At the end of the book, there is a cross-stitch pattern provided for stitchers.

There are also a lot of references to patterns and designers and various types of threads that will whet a stitchers appetite.

KINDLEELF@aol.com
In His Image by James BeauSeigneur. 4+ stars.
This is the first of the Christ Clone Series --- an excellent read always keeping in mind it is pure fiction.

Bone Mountain by Eliot Pattison. 5 stars.
The setting is Tibet during the Cultural Revolution, the subject matter is fascinating.

Lake News by Barbara Delinsky. 4 stars.
Tackles the very real problem of the press being able to ruin someone who is completely innocent of their claims.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
A story full of insight and that teaches inner strength.

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci. 4 stars.
A sweet, short read with a surprise ending.

Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker. 5 stars.
This book is very graphic and violent. I found myself still avidly reading trying to figure out mob mentality.

Four Blind Mice by James Patterson. 2 stars.
I have enjoyed previous books by Patterson but found this one shallow and rather boring

The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles. 5 stars.
First copywritten in 1945, an excellent book for a book club discussion group.

BobbyP7714@aol.com
I'm nearly done reading The Glorious Cause by Jeff Shaara. This is a good book but not as good as his Civil War novels or Rise to Rebellion. However, there are some interesting portraits of the different players in the American Revolution. I would rate this 4 stars.

Myrnapen@aol.com
I recently finished Ann Patchett's Bel Canto (5 stars). The story starts abruptly with a terrorist attack in an unnamed South American country during a birthday party for a Japanese businessman who is being courted for the business his country could potentially bring to the country. Suddenly a very diverse group of people is trapped together. It seems like a far-fetched situation yet, as the story developed, I found myself completely absorbed in the evolution of the relationships among the characters, be they hostages or terrorists. It's an interesting and beautiful story. Very powerful!

afalbo49@yahoo.com
Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier. 3 stars.
The fates of two families in turn-of-the-century England are interwoven by the coincidence of their family grave plots being next to each other.

John1rosie@aol.com
The Man Who Fell into a Puddle by Igal Sarna. 3 stars.
The book cover indicates that this is a book of stories regarding Israeli lives. I found the book to be more about the lives of Holocaust survivors and their next generation, about children who suffer through the faults of their parents, or about earlier immigrants to younger and perhaps more difficult Israel. These are stories of a type of societies' outcasts and societies' victims. What this book will arouse are your preconceptions of Israel and Israeli life. To read this volume is to test your prejudices and expectations of a nation and a people. In the end you have learned something new about Israel, life, and probably yourself.

swolff146394@comcast.net
I just finished reading Lamb by Christopher Moore. A very funny, laugh out loud book.

Gradstudent63@aol.com
I'm currently reading Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers by Daniel Ellsberg. This book gives details of exactly what happened to spark Ellsberg's curiosity and his change of heart to give up secrets, risk his freedom and inform America about Vietnam and the cover-ups. 5 stars.

j_gargus@hotmail.com
Right now (courtesy of you!), I am digging into an advance reading copy of Fatal Flaw by William Lashner. I can already tell that it is going to keep me wondering what's around the next turn; things aren't always as they seem. I'll be sending a full review as soon as I finish up!

lgettle@iserv.net
Executive Privilege by Jay Brandon. 5 stars.
The First Lady of the United States wants to divorce the President, and one poor lawyer is caught in the middle. Interesting concept. Great characters.

DizeM4T@aol.com
I am currently reading The Summons by John Grisham. It tends to be a bit dry (lifeless). 2 1/2 stars.

bencanada1@yahoo.com
The Blessing Stone by Barbara Wood. 5 stars.
Excellent.

rojosho@hotmail.com
Sons of Fortune by Jeffrey Archer. 5 stars.
Brilliant.

HarleyIsis@aol.com
I am currently reading Darkest Hour by V.C. Andrews. I am only about halfway through it, but it is yet again another superb tale by Ms. Andrews. I highly recommend it to all. Definitely 5 stars!

HOKAJO2@aol.com
I'm no legal scholar and am only about 1/4 into the book, but already I'm questioning the premise of John Grisham's The King of Torts. His writing, though easy enough to read, is not drawing me in as did his previous books, even the not so good ones, so it gets 2 stars at this point, in hopes that I can up it as I get further into the story.

Halobear1@aol.com
I am currently reading The Vanished Man by Jeffery Deaver (5 stars) and have Tell No One by Harlan Coben (4 stars) on the side too. It is very unlike me to have two books going at once, but both are so suspenseful that I couldn't put either away for the other. Next up is Phillip Margolin's Gone But Not Forgotten and then I think I am going to read Forever by Pete Hamill and then Sea Glass by Anita Shreve. I have heard great things about all three of those books and am eager to see if I share the opinion.

Vikkivand@aol.com
Dating Big Bird by Laura Zigman. 4 stars.
Ellen Frank is a 25-year-old marketing representative for a clothing designer in New York. When her sister gives birth to a daughter "the pickle," Ellen realizes that she wants a child more than anything else in the world. Her companion, Will, suffers from depression because of the loss of a son to leukemia years before and does not want to feel the pain of losing a child ever again. In addition, Will is on antidepressant medication, which has made him impotent. Ellen feels the biological clock ticking and feels that her hope for having a child is diminishing. Ellen finally makes the decision to become pregnant and utilizes the services of a sperm bank.

There are many interesting characters and there are funny moments in the story. Ellen's relationship with Will is loving, but complicated as they both want different things from their relationship.

Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp. 5 stars.
An honest and insightful memoir of a writer's experience with alcoholism and courageous recovery. Well written and informative. This candid story draws you into the world of a functioning alcoholic.

rancosto@hotmail.com
The book I'd like is Russian Wife: Your Greatest Blessing Or Your Biggest
Mistake? by William and Julia Rossedahl. It is written by a Russian-American couple and addressed to single American men, mostly Christian, swept by the popular idea of marrying a Russian woman. The book covers issues like myths and truth about Russian women, Internet dating and scams, cultural differences, language barriers, adjustment, etc. While those opposed to religion may dislike the authors' strong appeal to Christianity, the information you learn is still valuable for those interested in the subject --- or simply curious about the modern-day Russian culture and international marriages. If you're a non-believer, I'd say skip the religious parts and enjoy the insight, numerous true stories, and humor.

Timpgk@aol.com
The King of Torts by John Grisham. 1 star.
The plot was predictable, the characters stereotypical, and the final resolution was just unsatisfying. I felt the book left too many important issues in the storyline unresolved. Grisham must have decided to stop writing because he either became bored with his own book or perhaps the publisher was pushing him for the manuscript.

Mccullough999@aol.com
I'm reading Morgan's Run by Colleen McCullough, which I'm enjoying very much. Instead of being boring as some historical fiction can be, this story has a twist every time the reader blinks. I was a little skeptical about this book when it was given to me, but now I find that I may be trying another McCullough when I'm through.

bradylee@myway.com
A Third Face: My Tale of Writing, Fighting, and Filmmaking by Samuel Fuller. 5 stars.
This autobiography is a winner. However, the author died before it was finished as his wife and a friend completed it. Mr. Fuller lived until age 85 and he had a swashbuckling-type life filled with adventure and a positive outlook on life. The section where he is a soldier fighting for his life during WWII is most compelling and as good as any description of war as anything else I have read. He had many ups and downs, but was never wealthy. A very good read!

Cuminalong@aol.com
My book group just read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. We all loved it. I especially liked the fact that the author didn't feel the need to "fix" things or take a "first crush" further than necsessary. I also loved learning about bees and the process of making honey.

Cberrysb@aol.com
I have recently read The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deveraux to start out the month of March. A great book for those who like to read about gardening, canning, and food recipes. Those who love gardening and cooking with what they grow themselves will enjoy this little mystery book. Great reading for early spring!

Jaedee777@aol.com
I am trying to get through Janet Evanovich's latest book, Full Tilt. Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite authors but beware --- this is not of the Stephanie Plum caliber. I give this book a meager 2 stars.

MysteryNut19@aol.com
Four Blind Mice by James Patterson. 3 stars.
I have loved the Alex Cross mysteries from the beginning, but this one doesn't get high marks from me. The family/friend dynamics are better than in his last one, but I just found myself uninvolved with the actual murder storyline. As with the last one, the storyline is just too surreal for my tastes.

ufouria@bellsouth.net
The Great Santini by Pat Conroy. 5 stars.
One of Conroy's best, if not the best. Hard to put down. If you like Pat Conroy and haven't read this one, then you must read it. If you haven't read Conroy, then this would be a good one to start with.

Sarum by Edward Rutherford. 4 stars.
A book that traces England's history through a fictional account of several families. It begins with early hunter gatherers and ends in 1985. This book is HUGE (over 1,000 pages). I read a little at a time in between my reading of other books. If you are a history nut (like me) then you should love it, since it's based on factual history.

Knatiak@aol.com
I finished reading Lucky at the beginning of this month. It was the best memoir I have read! The story of Alice Sebold's rape as a college freshmen and the effect that it had on her life and the lives of those around her was both inspiring and heartbreaking. 5 stars.

I am almost finished reading The Lovely Bones. In this book, the narrator is Susie Salmon, a fourteen-year-old girl that has been raped and murdered. She tells the story of her life, the crime that ended it, and what happens to the people who are still connected to her. Her murder fuels the story, but it is also about the connections people have with each other. It is a great read and I can't wait to see how it ends.

John1rosie@aol.com
Vanished Splendors: A Memoir by Alain Vircondelet. 1 star.
This is a memoir of the painter known as Balthus as told to Mr. Vircondelet. Or, perhaps the entire project is a con by the painter, an attempt to give his work continued meaning and to provide an ongoing income for his wife and daughter? Because a painting is in a museum, does that make it a museum quality painting? Because a painting is in a collection, does that make it worth living with or collecting or viewing? After all, aren't there varying degrees of quality and collections. Are the paintings of Balthus worthy of collection and display? Are they worthy of our time and attention? Is this book worthy of our time and attention? You will know before the halfway point.

hibar14@earthlink.net
I'm reading From A Buick 8 by Stephen King. I like it, so far! I give it 5 stars.

NGroves@aol.com
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. 5 stars.
This is an award-winning science fiction novel exploring the aftermath of a small expedition to a previously unknown planet that ended in disaster. The sole survivor, a Jesuit priest, is being interrogated by his superiors to find out what happened, since they sponsored the mission. Since a number of the characters are priests, there is as much of a theological theme to this book as a scientific theme. As is noted in the book, the explorers meant no harm, as is often the case when emissaries from one civilization enter a "new world," but sometimes even the smallest, seemingly innocuous incident can have horrific consequences. I was very moved by it and plan to read the sequel.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. 3 stars.
This was my book club's selection. Regarded as somewhat of a modern classic, this book tells the story of one day in the life of an upper class Englishwoman as she goes about preparing for a party and also briefly delves into key events in her past, such as her rejection of a suitor who re-enters her life, still in love with her despite the fact that she's long been married to someone else. In contrast, the book also looks at the suffering of a man who was shell-shocked (what we'd call post-traumatic stress disorder today) during World War I and ultimately commits suicide. Not much of a plot, but that's not the point. Woolf's stream of consciousness writing style and exploration of the psyche of several characters apparently were quite revolutionary at the time the book was written in the 1920s.

Ombria in Shadow by Patricia McKillip. 4 stars.
This short fantasy novel takes place in the two "worlds" of a city or country called Ombria: the upper world of everyday life and a mysterious underworld. The plot focuses on a succession struggle in the royal palace, where a great-aunt kept alive by dark magic plots to retain control when a child inherits the throne. Various denizens of both worlds work to free the prince from his corrupt guardian and rid Ombria of evil and corruption.

Personal Injuries by Scott Turow. 4 stars.
A legal thriller that portrays a Justice Department effort to snare several judges who are taking bribes to settle cases. The main characters are a colorful personal injury lawyer who was caught paying off judges and is persuaded to cooperate with the FBI in exchange for leniency, and a female undercover FBI agent assigned to play a paralegal in his office as a way of keeping an eye on things while the lawyer and the FBI try to get evidence against the judges. It's an in-depth look at a small and specialized world of lawyers and courts. Despite the fact that this is fiction, I have no doubt the corruption portrayed in the book is mirrored in the real world all too often.

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