maestraw@msn.com
I just completed Invisible Eden by Maria Flook. Flook spent a long time telling and re-telling the sad and lonely life of Christa Worthington. Worthington was murdered in Truro, and the case remains unsolved. There are no photos, and no real depth. I was very disappointed with this book, but kept plugging along, thinking it would get better. It didn't. I give it no stars.

OLTLFREAK@aol.com
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
As always, a funny and great read! She needs to write faster so we get more! Go Janet :)

joswood@adiis.net
Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. 5 stars.
A wonderful story of triumph. I liked the movie but loved the book --- so much more fascinating detail.

Derailed by James Siegel. 5 stars.
This was a fast read, but that's a good thing because you won't be able to put it down once you start. I loved it.

Ghost Riders by Sharyn McCrumb.
I'm just getting into this book, but it is very good so far. She has an interesting way of weaving the past and the present together in her books. Good historical fiction about The Civil War.

Pat76273@aol.com
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
This is his first book and you can see his talent is being honed to the latest book The Da Vinci Code, which is tight and spellbinding (5 stars).

Sea Legs: Tales of a Woman Oceanographer by Kathleen Crane. 4 stars.
The true story of a young woman trying to make it as an oceanographer when women were not normally included in this career. She had to deal with women not being allowed on a U.S. Naval ship --- even after the Equal Rights Amendment. At age 50 with an established career, she spoke of this in front of the appropriate audience. Soon afterwards, many restrictions changed.

Lily Dale by Christine Wicker. 3 stars.
Wicker, a journalist in this true story, goes to Lily Dale, NY, known to be inhabited by spiritual mediums to see if she can get at the truths and if there are any. A large influx of visitors go each summer hoping to receive a message from a deceased loved one.

AUGER77777@aol.com
I am currently reading The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. After reading Still Life with Crows, I was intrigued by the mysterious Agent Pendergast and wanted to read the book that introduces him. This is a very exciting read that boasts a villain who Edgar Allen Poe would be proud of. I give it 5 stars.

RMccl89569@aol.com
I'm currently reading The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. An instant classic on the battle of good versus evil. 5 stars.

Lovebooks@cox.net
I'm reading The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard. This book is really hard to put down. It's about a young girl who must come to terms with the death of her mother in the World Trade Center collapse. She also deals with a father who never really was in her life, until her mothers death. She ends up having to leave her stepfather, whom she really cares about and her half-brother Louie. I would really recommend this book to others; if you liked The Lovely Bones, you will like this book. Although the little girl in this book is alive, the author has the same sort of writing style as Alice Sebold. 5 stars.

PandoraO5@aol.com
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
This is an absolutely amazing book. Dan Brown keeps you wowed throughout the entire book by putting in pieces of knowledge that will make you read as fast as possible just so you can know why the Olympic games were every 4 years, or where the superstition of Friday the 13th came from. Facts that nobody realizes they don't know. But that's really just one element of the book. Also, the plot is intriguing and the characters are interesting and understandable; you can really get inside their heads and understand why they do something or what they are thinking. This book is definitely a must read. I haven't read anything this "wow" worthy all summer.

Rickimc@aol.com
Cold Pursuit by T. Jefferson Parker. 4 stars.
I usually do not read this type of mystery, but since I won a copy of it in a raffle, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. 4 stars.
I think Rowling's writing is getting better with each book. I hope the 5th one is even better.

mtc350@hotmail.com
For our book group I read Alice Hoffman's Blue Diary (5 stars) last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was the first of Hoffman's books that I've read but I am planning to read a couple more in the next month or so. I am also 2/3 through with a 3-book series by Irish author Eoin Colfer --- the Artemis Fowl books (4 stars). These are generally listed under juvenile fiction, but are fun to read if you enjoy Harry Potter et al --- a little magic, a little mystery and some adventure. My list of books to read also includes Memoirs of a Geisha, since I missed reading it when my book group did.

KTBug931@aol.com
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. 5 stars.
This is one of my most favorite movies, but I am just now reading the book. I knew that the book would be much better than the movie, as books always are. I was worried that I would lose interest, though, because I know the story so well. Fortunately, the book is just different enough from the movie to make reading it enjoyable. Not that I have ever found reading anything by Alice Hoffman unenjoyable.

lindaharriet@hotmail.com
The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman. 5 stars.
Her best novel yet. It's smart, sassy, intellectual, funny and sensitive. I couldn't put it down and kept laughing out loud. Alice Thrift graduated second in her class at Harvard and is now an intern on probation. She has no interpersonal skills, and is purely scientific, yet she wants to do plastic surgery on patients in Third World nations. She has no personality and no bedside manner. Luckily, her friends take her to heart and help her achieve happiness.

NGroves@aol.com
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. 5 stars.
A slim but compelling novel that portrays the shameful era in American history when citizens of Japanese descent were shipped off to camps under suspicion as enemy aliens. The story follows a woman and her two children, sent from their California home to a crude camp in the Utah desert. Even after the war is over and the family returns home, prejudice lingers and the scars remain. This is especially true for the husband and father, who was kept in a separate, harsher camp and suffers even more than the rest of the family. A moving book and a timely reminder of what can happen when patriotic fervor gets mixed up with racial prejudice.

The River King by Alice Hoffman. 4 stars.
This novel is set in a New England town, where the locals and the rich kids at a boarding school have an uneasy coexistence. After the body of a gifted but "misfit" boy is found in the river, a local police officer suspects foul play but is discouraged from pursuing the case by both school officials and department higher-ups who don't want to rock the boat. It's not really a mystery, though, since the story also focuses on the struggles of the boy's one friend at school, a scholarship girl who also doesn't quite fit in, and on a budding relationship between the police officer and an art teacher who is engaged to another faculty member.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel. 5 stars.
A terrific novel that I plan to reread. It's the improbable story of a teenage boy who survives a shipwreck and finds himself on a life raft with a tiger as his only companion. The two come to terms and survive for nearly a year before a rescue. There's much more to the story than that, and I think the book deserves all the praise it has received.

The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. 4 stars.
One reviewer called this "Nancy Drew meets Harper Lee." Not a bad description, since it's the story of a girl in small-town Mississippi who decides to solve a murder that was pivotal in the disintegration of her family. The extremely naive 12-year-old decides, based only on an offhand remark from the family housekeeper, that the man who murdered her brother years ago was a classmate who came from a family with a history of petty crime, drug dealing, and violence. She and a buddy stalk this man and his even rougher brothers, completely ignorant of the danger they might be in and with apparently no grasp of the fact that there is zero evidence against him. This is more of a coming-of-age story than a mystery and is very descriptive, but I felt that the author left too many loose ends unresolved.

Ray in Reverse by Daniel Wallace. 3 stars.
This book follows the life of a middle-aged man, starting when the recently deceased Ray is in a "discussion group" in heaven and skipping back through some of the prominent episodes in his life. It's funny and sad, for we see Ray's failures as a husband and father as well as some of the happier moments of his life. It's not a book for everyone, but give it a try if you're looking for something different.

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn. 4 stars.
This is the first in what I believe is to be a trilogy of novels set in a society based on feudal Japan. Amidst a plot full of samurais, ninjas, and Shoguns is plenty of adventure as well as love stories and suspense. I'll be looking for the next volume.

Mystrytx@aol.com
Winterkill by C.J. Box. 5 stars.
The third novel by the award-winning author. His hero is different ... more just an every day guy trying to do his job and raise his family well. The stories are excellent, low-keyed, yet very, very readable. I don't know how to explain the easy flow of his writing but he sure has my recommendation!!

bookmark@sc.rr.com
I loved The Three Miss Margarets by Louise Shaffer. This book was something like Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, but it's also a mystery. I just loved it. 5 stars.

CLeaf77@aol.com
Sutter's Cross by W. Dale Cramer. 5 stars.
I think this was his first novel, and I hope it is not his last. It has mystery, suspense and morals.

SheilaD@aol.com
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller. 5 stars.
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 5 stars.
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. 3 1/2 stars.
Naked by David Sedaris. 4 stars.
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. 4 1/2 stars.
The Three Junes by Julia Glass. 4 1/2 stars.
Child of My Heart by Alice McDermott. 4 stars.
Coastliners by Joanne Harris. 3 stars.
The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. 4 stars.

Iluvcats26@aol.com
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.
A series of four books dealing with Precious (as a lady detective in Botswana), it is a delightful, non-stop read that makes you wish for a fifth, sixth, and seventh book. I give it 5 stars.

Kelly7BR@cs.com
I just finished reading Beyond Conception by L.J. Sellers in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. And now I can't get the characters out of my head. It's an amazing suspense story that takes a deep look at the many different ways people view God and procreation. I highly recommend it. I give it 5 stars.

ritchiel@sprint.ca
I have just finished reading The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to his White Mother by James McBride. What a wonderful read. 5 +++ stars.

LaQueenB@aol.com
Life of Pi is a wonderful and non-stop read. This is truly a book that demands discussion.

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I just finished the latest novel by Adriana Trigiani, Lucia, Lucia. She is a wonderful storyteller and Lucia, Lucia is full of humor, romance, wisdom, and drama. I give it 5 stars, just like her other novels.

liznadin@yahoo.com
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. 5 stars
The bizarre, but true, story of the behind-the-scenes intrigue of the 1896 Chicago World's Fair. This is a true page-turner that switches back and forth between the monumental attempt to stage the fair and the machinations of a serial killer who is luring young girls who travel to Chicago for the fair into his lair and murdering them.

The American Axis: Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh and the Rise of the Third Reich by Max Wallace. 5 stars.
A wonderful piece of historical detective work that reveals two American "heroes" as pro-Nazi pawns who used their pedestals to champion the cause of the Third Reich. A very objective book, it doesn't say that Lindbergh and Ford were actual Nazis but it shows they were definitely not heroes either. The author dug up a lot of shocking new evidence in FBI and Military Intelligence files about their nefarious activities as
well as the corporate treason of the Ford Motor Company during the war. A much better book than Scott Berg's biography, which tended to apologize for Lindbergh's shortcomings, and made excuses for his racism and hatred of the Jews.

The Water-Method Man by John Irving. 2 stars.
Irving is one of my favorite authors, so I was looking forward to reading this old book of his, which I had never heard of before. I was very disappointed. He definitely improved in later years. This book shows no sign of his later brilliance.

susanrjensen@yahoo.com
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. 5 stars.
Although this book features a very different Harry (he's angrier, tougher and interested in girls!), it is as wonderful as the others. Thoroughly enjoyable.

ibkulguy99@yahoo.com
I am currently reading:
Last Man Standing by David Baldacci. 5 stars.
This book delves into the psychology of the FBI's HRT. A page-turner thus far.

I just finished:
The King of Torts by John Grisham. 2 stars.
Like many have stated before, this story starts well but drags on and ends disappointingly. Try The Firm or The Street Lawyer instead.

WRKGRK@aol.com
The last three books I finished were:

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
It was great.

Unless by Carol Shields. 3 stars.
It's intriguing.

Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews. 4 stars.
A beach read, enjoyable and quick.

These were for a book group. My next read will be John Grisham's The King of Torts, a book after my own heart!

bradylee@myway.com
My Anecdotal Life: A Memoir by Carl Reiner. 3 1/2 stars.
I have followed this author in his whole career and think he is one of the entertainment treasures of our society. He talks of his life and how he started in show biz and many turning points of various phases of his career. He came from humble beginnings where his father made just enough money to get by. Carl seemed to get into show biz while still in high school by doing nothing special but by being himself. A mimic and creator of funny stuff, he elevated from one successful project to another. He was and is a natural comedian and able to entertain us all. This is very light reading and interesting to boot.

LDribinsky@osc.gov
I just finished reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Modern version of the biblical story of Cain and Abel in Salinas Valley, CA. Strong characterizations and vivid settings. This is the first Steinbeck I've read and I'm surprised at how readable it was. 5 stars.

I'm currently reading The Fencing Master by Arturo Perez-Reverte. So far it too gets 5 stars. In Spain during a time of political upheaval, Maestro Don Jaime teaches fencing to interesting and diverse students and then the mystery: a woman fencing master with a mysterious past.

I also read The Flanders Panel and The Club Dumas by Perez-Reverte and both were excellent. The Flanders Panel puts me in mind of Dan Brown's current book.

MISSOURIGIRL62@aol.com
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. It's average.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Excellent.
In Full Bloom by Caroline Hwang. 3 stars.
Curves by Gary Heavin and Carol Colman. 3 stars.
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena De Blasi. 4 stars.
Travelers' Tales Turkey by James Villers, Jr. 4 stars.

rhutchinson@usa.com
I just finished reading the recently released novel Heirs of Fortune by first-time author T.G. Boyes, and it was a wonderful piece of historical fiction. This work was incredible and certainly deserves a 5-star rating in my mind. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes superbly crafted fiction.

TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
Rowing Against the Current by Barry Strauss. 2 1/2 stars.
Subtitled "On Learning to Scull at Forty," I expected to read more about Strauss's midlife decision to take up rowing (while "in the midst of a standard midlife crisis," according to only the dust jacket) and less about good rowing technique. Strauss dedicates lots of time, for example, to how he designed an effective training regimen using an ergometer. Certainly useful information for other rowing "master athletes" (those zealously pursuing a sport in middle age), but not very interesting reading. Strauss is a classics professor at Cornell, so his chapter on ancient Greek rowing kept my attention; so did his affection for the heyday of professional rowing "before the ascent of major league baseball." But Rowing Against the Current focuses no attention at all on the pressures his decision to begin to row at forty must have put on his career and family. I would have liked to learn less about the mechanics of rowing and more about this particular rower.

Sandn2shoes@aol.com
I just finished All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve and think that she has reached new heights. This is a story of love and/or obsession (depending on the reader's perspective) at the turn of the century. Interestingly enough it is told from a man's point of view, as written by a woman. Somehow this "feels" like literature to me. I would give it a 5-star rating!

Qoesls@aol.com
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. 3 stars.
A cautionary tale of the dangers of illiteracy.

Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott. I picked this up based on the power of Bird by Bird.

lgettle@iserv.net
Johnny Angel by Danielle Steel. 5 stars.
Johnny dies on prom night, then returns to help his family deal with his death. A nice story.

To the Nines by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
This is another delightful Stephanie Plum book.

Amazonia by James Rollins. 4 stars.
Evil doings in the Amazon. Not my favorite genre, but not bad. Lots of action.

BookstoreJunky@aol.com
I am reading The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst, and then The Tattooed Girl by Joyce Carol Oates, a fabulous author.

Norbles@aol.com
Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand. 4 1/2 stars.
Well researched and well written.

zippety4@yahoo.com
The book I am currently reading is Dreamer of Dune by Brian Herbert.
The book is a biography of Frank Herbert by his son, Brian. It's extremely fascinating to see the trends and threads of Dune and its sequels begin in the life and times of Frank Herbert. So far, it's a very good read

DebMillinFla@aol.com
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 4 stars.
Slow starting, but once introduced to Ruby I couldn't put it down.

Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. 5 stars.
Different from her Stone Gap trilogy, this story takes you to an Italian family that is looking out for the eldest daughter. I laughed out loud.

Burnt Offerings by Laurell K. Hamilton. 2 stars.
I loved her first two vampire stories but this one turned me off. Too gory to enjoy the storyline. UGH!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. 5 stars.
I enjoyed this one better that the last. Harry is growing up and shows more emotional upheaval. I can see a little farther into the mystery yet to be solved.

Just the Way You Are by Christina Dodd. 3 stars.
Pretty good romance. Just an easy read.

SalbyC@aol.com
I am continuing to read novels by Elizabeth Berg. She has such a wonderful grasp of writing about relationships. I would give Say When 3 1/2 stars and The Pull of the Moon 3 stars. These are interesting, quick reads, though not great literary works.

faeryartist@hotmail.com
Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk. 4 1/2 stars.
This book is so fun to read, yet it is so serious and multi-layered. An African culling song is the source of death, and it is found at various death scenes. The book becomes the focus of a reporter who uncovers the link of the song who just so happens to memorize it and becomes a serial killer. He links up with a real estate agent who lost a child years earlier to the song, her Wiccan secretary and the secretary's eco-terrorist beau named Oyster. They become a team traveling around and destroying all the books that contain this culling (lullaby) song in the hopes to save lives. A very cool read. I would recommend it to just about anyone. I love how Mr. Palahniuk writes and his style is like no one else.

bradylee@myway.com
Double Deal: The Inside Story of Murder, Unbridled Corruption, and the Cop Who was a Mobster by Michael Corbitt with Sam Giancana. 5 stars.
This is an autobiography of a man who started his young life by yearning to be like a friend of his who was aligned with Chicago gangsters. Many times you get what you ask for and Michael Corbitt became heavily involved with Chicago gangsters. He eventually became a cop and was able to help the criminal element in many ways. Because of this he became more powerful in his city (a suburb of Chicago) and did many good things also. This story names names and how huge sums of money are distributed and where they come from. The story is fascinating and recommended to all true crime readers.

Rosie1john@aol.com
American Scoundrel by Thomas Keneally. 1 star.
My book club chose it and we had a good discussion on the facts and facets of the historical background necessarily brought forward in the telling of this story. But in the main the book is, for me, a superficial biography of a self-indulgent, narcissistic, sociopathic victimizer and as such badly needed the viewpoint of a psycho-history or at least much more factual detail on how Dan Sickles got to be Dan Sickles in order for it to be special.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. 4 stars.
I came to the novel already liking and respecting the author and the characters. It was a treat for me to learn more of their history. Indeed I felt that a thin film of dust from Botswana had settled on my shoes after each reading. If there is a fault in this novel, it is perhaps that the novel contains material that is not suitable for young readers. That said, the novel enhanced my respect for the author and the good people of Botswana.

yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I just finished reading Dead For Life by Ethan Black. I think this is the first book I have read by this author and it will not be the last. I give it 5 stars. The birthday gift is a dead stranger. The card reads, "Three more by tonight. Your fault." For Detective Conrad Voort, what begins as a day of celebration turns into a nightmare, as he tries to stop a killer and figure out if he could somehow be responsible for a series of deaths. Very thrilling and fast-paced.

bcornett@tellico.net
I want to encourage everyone to read author Tim Winton who is from Australia. I had never read any of his books and picked up a copy of Dirt Music on sale. I am so glad that I did! Winton is a wonderful writer and I recommend that everyone find his books and discover him as I did.

BookstoreJunky@aol.com
The Hills at Home by Nancy Clark is engrossing, with all the eccentricities of the 'Hills' clan. I felt I was part of the scene --- so good are her descriptive powers. I've read that she will continue this and I look very forward to the next installment. 4 1/2 stars.

Also:
The Lake House by James Patterson. 5 stars.
The Lamplighter. 2 stars.
The Three Miss Margarets by Louise Shaffer. 4 stars.

cfurgason@adesa.com
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
ATCBN@aol.com
The Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy.
Tom Clancy, where are you? This is not the story line I have grown fond of. Please tell me you will return with a real Jack Ryan book.

KLOZIER40@aol.com
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 5 stars.
A man's wife dies with only one witness: their Rodesian Ridgeback. The husband goes through some bizarre ordeals trying to find out from the dog if it was a suicide or an accident.

Carosp@aol.com
The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman. 3 1/2 stars.
I listened to this one, and liked it a lot, although sometimes the protagonist was a little too naive to be believed.

The Dearly Departed by Elinor Lipman. 3 stars.
After reading Alice Thrift, I decided to try another by the same author. I liked it quite a bit, too, but the ending was unsatisfying. I wanted to know more about what happened to the main characters, and the author left me hanging.

The Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith. 4 1/2 stars.
This is a sequel to The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, which I found very appealing, and the main characters are just as interesting and the story just as good, if not better, this time.

bencanada1@yahoo.com
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. 4 stars.
Excellent, wonderful novel, multi-generational saga, vivid description of the country and great character portrayal.

JBrowne107@aol.com
I decided to accept it as an opportunity to do some things I never had time for. What I'm talking about of course is retirement.

I started my new freedom this summer with a month's holiday, and my companions were three books given to me by three friends.

#1 A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. 5 stars.
My son Derek has a great sense of humor and we enjoy each other's company. He will often argue a point, and end it by telling me that I had told him that when he was 12 or 15. This book was to clarify many of the things we had discussed --- and indeed it does. It covers every scientific discovery from the original Big Bang, to what could be the final Big Bang to come. How the Earth came to be, and the who, what, how, and why of everything that has brought us to where we are today. If I had this book when I was 12 or 14, I am sure I would have been greatly motivated to study. First, I enjoyed the book. It was an easy read and not too technical. It covers the great discoveries and is as current as achievements of 2003. This should be available in every school.

#2 Quentins by Maeve Binchy. 4 stars.
This was given to me by a friend who was well aware of my Irish youth spent in Ireland. She had read her copy and felt that I would appreciate the story and the Irishness of the characters. Ms. Binchy has many prize-winning books to her credit, and some I have read and enjoyed. The stories were not always great, but the characters --- their accent, their sense of humor in every kind of situation, be it fear, joy or sadness --- sometimes made you want to cry. I enjoyed her writing and expect I will again.

#3 To Cut a Long Story Short by Jeffrey Archer. 3 stars.
I picked up this book before I had received the other two, just in case. Mr. Archer is an old reliable friend to this reader. I picked this because it contains 14 short stories. Nine of them are based on true incidents. I felt I could organize some of my activities around each story. I must admit that some of my plans got the old heave-ho. I find that when I start a large book, I expect to find a quantity of filler in direct proportion to the weight of the book, and that in short stories there are not enough details. Well I misjudged Archer on this one. Most of the stories were good, and if I started it I finished it. You cannot read 14 stories without making some comparisons. Some were excellent and some were not. The odds though were in Archer's favor.

Vikkivand@aol.com
The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka. 5 stars.
The story of a Malaysian family that spans several generations. I enjoyed it.

martyph@charter.net
I just finished Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews, a great disappointment after her Savannah Blues, which I raved about last year. It was entirely too serious and the humor just didn't come through to me.

Steve Hamilton's fifth book in the Alex McKnight series, Blood in the Sky, did not disappoint! Great summer reading ... what messes Alex gets himself into!

Currently I'm reading Anita Shreve's All He Ever Wanted. I can't put it down. What a pompous a-- Nicholaas VanTassel is! His beloved Etna Bliss reminds me of Irene in The Forsyte Saga. Come to think of it, Nicholaas reminds me of Soames Forsyte, another pompous a-- from that book.

FPlastini@cfl.rr.com
The book I just finished reading was Running in Heels by Anna Maxted.
I would definitely rate it a 4 out of a possible 5. It was a great book and once you got into it, it was hard to put down.

tiffani_ba@hotmail.com
I just finished reading The Lake House by James Patterson. This is the sequel to When the Wind Blows. It is a sci-fi, suspense novel full of surprises and an all too realistic plot. The story of six bird-children, the couple who wants to care for them, and an evil doctor trying to imprison them, who is working on his own Frankenstein-esque experiments, is enjoyable to read, although I disliked the writing style, which I found overly simplistic, and the format of very short chapters was unusual. All in all I give it 3 stars.

lindaharriet@msn.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is the story of Christopher, a bright, autistic fifteen-year old who solves a mystery. He finds out who killed Wellington, the dog next door and, in so doing, has to learn to deal with the crisis in his own family. Mark Haddon, the author, takes you into Christopher's find and you can see the way someone with autism acts and feels. It's one of the best books I've read this summer. 5 stars.

VJ293@aol.com
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
This particular book in the Stephanie Plum saga is very enjoyable. Lots of action, laughs, and a touch of romance. It leaves you waiting for the next book.

To The Nines by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
The Stephanie Plum saga is always enjoyable to read. I thoroughly enjoy this series. This book, however, was not my favorite out of the series as it was short in length and character adventures. Still a good book and worth reading, and as always, looking forward to the next book!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling. 5 stars.
The Harry Potter series is quite enjoyable. This book was on the long side and did have a few parts that dragged on. But it leaves you ready for the next book. All things in this year of Harry's life do not go so smoothly. There are some sad parts and the ending is very sad.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. 5 stars.
Intense. The games are fierce and exciting. A must read sci-fi book.

Bubbles Unbound by Sarah Stohmeyer. 3 stars.
A take-off of the Stephanie Plum saga. Bubbles is not as much fun or exciting as Stephanie. The book lacks the excitement and intensity of Janet Evanovich's writing.

jbloom52@comcast.net
A Recipe for Bees by Gail Anderson-Dargatz. 5 stars.
This book was a page-turner for me as the author took us through the life of a woman while recounting stories of her friendships, affairs, sorrows and triumphs. She intrinsically weaves her tales back and forth as the characters age and mature and live rather plain lives over coming and triumphing over obstacles that would bring lesser beings to their knees. All the while as she tells her stories, she tells us about beekeeping and the behavior of bees, something she has done since she was a young child with her mother, and then later on as an adult on her own, and finally passing it on to another family member. It's a good read.

Britadon@aol.com
Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward. 4 stars.
Another first novel that is very good, especially in eliciting your sympathies with a young woman on death row. This novel does concern several women on death row in Texas and the application of the death penalty to women.

Wild Ginger by Anchee Min. 4 stars.
Wonderful, fast read about two girls in the cultural revolution in China in the 1970's. It's very well written and makes me want to read more by this author. Although the subject may seem somewhat difficult, it gives a very real picture of the brainwashing of children.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 5 stars
Of course, everyone knows about this book; it is even the question of the week. But I did enjoy it immensely and know that others will, also.

Sea Glass by Anita Shreve. 5 stars.
What a poignant story and such an insight into the depression years. I was particularly impressed by the list of reference books that Ms. Shreve used. She has a truly wonderful writing style.

GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I've been on vacation and had a bit more time to read. I finished Whisper of Evil by Kay Hooper and would give it a 4-star rating. I also read Stealing Shadows also by Kay Hooper and would give it a 5-star rating. The psychic phenomenon in the book is hair-raising and you never seem to know who the evil one is until the end. And as soon as the mystery is solved there's still another 30 pages to another climax!

I tried to start Always a Thief and Finding Laura also by Kay Hooper but they weren't of the "psychic variety" and I couldn't follow through with them on the heels of the psychic thrillers. Maybe I'll try them at a later time.

I also read White Death by Clive Cussler. I'd rate this book a 4 also. Quite readable. It is a Kurt Austin NUMA file book. Suspenseful. In mid-book, I had a bit of a problem with tying things together, but at the end it all came together quite nicely.

Perpend311@aol.com
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. 5 stars.
This is a great book. Precious Ramotswe is as real and human a leading lady as there is or has ever been in any fiction that I have ever read. Mr. Smith makes his corner of Africa as real a setting as has ever graced the pages of a novel. This book may seem simple at first but by its last pages you will find it splendid. It is a book that you may never forget.

dmilburn@alltel.net
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 5 stars.
I loved this book. You really feel the grief throughout this book and yet it is upbeat at the same time. I know dogs can't talk and I kept wondering where we were going but I just couldn't put it down. Read it. You won't regret it.

Pjcassell@aol.com
The best book I have read this year is The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.

This book about the experience in Vietnam from a soldier's perspective is incredible. It deals with not only the equipment each soldier carries into war, but also their own strengths and frailties they carry in dealing with probably the most difficult circumstances a human would ever face.

I absolutely loved this book and will never see a soldier who protects my freedom in the same "unconscious" way. This is a must read for every man and woman who walks in freedom --- not just because of the soldiers who die in war, but also to see those who fight and come home in a different and incredibly respectful light.

Newcrain@aol.com
I just finished Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Very unique setting and plot. An unusual love story. My Book Club discussion is next week, and I'm sure everyone will give this one a thumbs up and that we'll have a great discussion. 5 stars.

vic17vint@aol.com
The Stephanie Townsend Story by Danielle Kukrus. 5 stars.
A fictional story about a rock star who grew up in a ghetto. It's very fascinating, I finished reading it in just one day. I love how she describes the ghetto life, mob fighting, etc.

bradylee@myway.com
Ask Me Again Tomorrow: A Life in Progress by Olympia Dukakis. 4 stars.
This autobiography, a fast read, is most interesting as Olympia talks about the many hurdles in her life and how she has overcome them. In the early part she describes how she secured the Oscar she received for Moonstruck, and that is very interesting. She excelled in school and talks about that and why she did so. She was not a celebrity for 30 years, and does appreciate her renown now. She has certainly earned her place in life and looks forward to many more challenges.

opalab@hotmail.com
I recently completed All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy. It was an assignment for an honors class that I signed up for in the fall, but the book was an absolute delight. The pages fly from beneath a reader's fingertips. McCarthy's description of the landscapes and events leave the reader not only with a verbal picture, but with a mental one as well. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone seeking an escape from the everyday American concept of the West. 4 stars.

One Door Away from Heaven by Dean Koontz. 3 stars.
The characters were the full package in this particular novel. Described extremely well, they seemed to wander through the plot aimlessly. Eventually in the end, everything fell into place, but the novel is drawn out and slightly dry; if you're looking for something slightly abnormal, One Door Away from Heaven is the novel for you.

smleonetti@msn.com
I read East of Eden thanks to Oprah's book group. This is one of the best books ever, especially great for a summer read --- a family saga, gripping yet classic and well-written. I didn't have to cover it up with a book jacket, like I normally do with my beach reads!

FATDADMKT@aol.com
I just finished reading Greg Iles new book, The Footprints of God. Being a Greg Iles fan I couldn't wait to start and I wasn't disappointed. The Footprints of God is a 5- star book. For those of you who already know Greg Iles's work, you're going to love it and for those of you who don't, this is a great one to start with!

apatten@sesd.com
The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux. 5 stars.
Tim Gautreaux succeeds with skillful writing and gifted insight: he manages to create a setting you can almost feel, see, and breath: the swamps of Nimbus, Louisiana. The characters in this superior work of fiction are memorable for their fortitude, courage, and human frailty. One of the most memorable sentences I have ever read and will never forget is from The Clearing: "The news is like fish --- it loses its value with time." Words profoundly true and timely --- perhaps this is why the media keeps beating subjects around long after the public cares. So that we can be reminded that they gave us the news in the first place. The Clearing is not for the fainthearted, nor is it light reading --- but it is superbly written and, for me,
quite memorable.

The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 4 stars.
On a lighter yet bittersweet note, if you do pick up The Dogs of Babel, don't be put off by the silly premise (teaching the dog to talk). This book is more about coming to terms with the depression and death of someone you love, and moving on.

EZREADER1265@aol.com
Mean Woman Blues by Julie Smith. 4 stars
I love the New Orleans setting and Skip Landgon. An interesting city and great characters make this a good read.

The Quilter's Legacy by Jennifer Chiaverini. 4 stars.
A nice summer read with good characters, and she weaves a nice story. The latest in a series of books.

McNally's Dare by Vincent Lardo. 3 stars.
I have read the whole series and find myself losing interest in the very shallow and vain Mr. Archey McNally. Not up to the usual standards.

The Wishing Jar by Penelope J. Stokes. 4 stars.
A good story about three generations of women who, because of health, death and feeling alone, pull away from each other and how the Wishing Jar and other circumstances bring them close again.

Comella2729@aol.com
Again I recommend a book by Francine Rivers called Leota's Garden. The writing is outstanding. The characters are beautifully drawn, particularly those of Leota and her 18-year-old granddaughter. The plot involves an elderly woman (Leota) and her children, who have been estranged from her for years. When her 18-year old granddaughter reenters Leota's life, the dynamics between all of the family members are forever altered. Excellent read!! 5 stars, without a doubt.

Hon2724@aol.com
The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
Plum Island by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
Word of Honor by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
Spencerville by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.

In rediscovering this writer, I went from one book to the next. In each one I was astounded at the research he must have done for these stories. They are fiction, but they contain facts that teach you something as well as provide you with a wonderful read. It's hard to put down, yet I hated getting through with any one of them. A good book is hard to find and these are great.

lgettle@iserv.net
Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength, all written by C.S. Lewis.
A trilogy about a man who is kidnapped and taken to other planets. 4 stars for the first two books and 2 stars for That Hideous Strength.

Mother Road by Dorothy Garlock. 5 stars.
A mysterious man appears just in time to help Leona Dawson out of a jam.

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis. 4 stars.
A plain woman becomes a queen and must deal with her own failings.

Horde of Fools by James David Buchanan. 5 stars.
Callie Fisk is sent to the Klondike gold fields in Alaska by her congregation and discovers she is stronger than she ever suspected.

Honey1126@aol.com
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 4 stars.
I read it in high school. A great re-read!!!

DIANWILLY@aol.com
More than Courage by Harold Coyle.
A good modern war novel about a recon team in Syria and the interactions between those back in Washington and the effects on their families when missing in action.

bradylee@myway.com
The Gulf Between Us: Love and Terror in Desert Storm by Cynthia B. Acree with Col. Cliff Acree, USMC. 5 stars.
This is an autobiography and a great war story and a POW rundown with nail biting consequences. I have read many POW stories since WWII and this is one of the best, as it details what happened after Col. Acree returned home, which I have not read before. POW stories are always dirty as extreme measures are usually taken to extract information from the prisoner. This book gives much detail and is broken into two: Col. Acree writes about his ordeal and then his wife at home, Cynthia, talks about what she is doing to try to help her husband. She goes into how their 19 years knowing each other finally results in marriage and home life and, of course, he talks about his capture. An engrossing story indeed!

PFLucas@aol.com
Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton. 4 stars.
This book was given to me as a gift. Hillary Rodham Clinton explains many of the controversial aspects that occurred during her husband's presidency. Although Hillary Rodham Clinton is known by millions, few know about her background and experiences prior to her Washington years. It is a good review of the politics and social issues that took place during the Clinton term.

Greenwolf@collegeclub.com
I've been very busy with work and haven't managed to read too much. But I did read eXistenZ, a novelization by Christopher Priest, based on the original screenplay by David Cronenberg. The writing is pretty good, though a few passive sentences were in there. I give it 2 stars. To say why I didn't like it would give away the ending. Let me just say that I don't really care very much for VR stories.

Nasirsrevenge@aol.com
Unnatural Fire by Fidelis Morgan. 5 stars!
An interesting book about the development of alchymy in London, it includes famous people such as Sir Isaac Newton. The plot thickens when a young man is murdered in cold blood and a poor countess and her loyal maid Alpiew search for clues to find the killer and free the victim's wife from the gallows. Exquisitely written.

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