Dana_Cherrier@commerce.state.il.us
I am currently reading The Distant Echo by Val McDermid. I haven't finished it yet because I am trying to read it slowly and make it last because it's so good. I would definitely give it 5 stars even though I haven't yet read the ending. I really enjoyed McDermid's A Place of Execution, but this one is even better.
judithca1@yahoo.com
Been There, Done That? Do THIS! by Sam Obitz. 5 stars.
This was one of the most helpful and easy to comprehend and use books on improving your life I have read. Anyone who has had trouble dealing with stress should read this book as the tools in it are easy to use and are very helpful. I read it two months ago and it has made a significant impact on my quality of life as well as my productivity. While it focuses on overcoming a dysfunctional past, the tools are so basic that most anyone would benefit from their use. I would highly recommend it.
Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman. 3 stars.
This book was full of good and useful information, but it was a bit cumbersome at times. I downgraded it a little because it could have been more user-friendly. Still I am glad I read it.
tmzemke@comcast.net
I just tried to read the book What's Wrong With Dorfman? by John Blumenthal. I say tried because I could only read 3 chapters. Maybe I didn't stay with it long enough, but there are just too many good books out there to spend my time hoping that a book will redeem itself! I saw it recommended somewhere, so I know that others liked it. Maybe it was just me, but I think that it is a 1 star book if there ever was one.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Biker Chic by Jeya Jenson. 4 stars.
If you like highly erotic stories and dream of being rescued by your "fantasy biker," this is the book for you!
Mwesson82@aol.com
The Sunday Wife by Cassandra King.
A great story about a woman who is like a flower unfolding as she goes through a metamorphosis from weak to strong. It isn't always pretty, but being true to who you really are can be painful. Being honest with ourselves most often takes a back seat to the appearances of what the rest of our peer group views as "the norm." I laughed and I cried for the main character and was cheering for her to advance from her stagnant life to her new and creative life.
kerin0874@yahoo.com
Babyville by Jane Green. 4 stars.
This book tells the stories of three very different women: Julia, Maeve and Samantha. The common ground among all three women is that their lives have been turned upside down by motherhood or by the thought of it. Each character is so well-developed that the reader will gain a strong sense of each of the women's personalities, feelings and struggles, which makes for a novel that is very hard to put down.
Bleachers by John Grisham. 3 stars.
Focusing on a small town's love-hate relationship with a dying former football coach, this book is not typical of John Grisham's style. While I did find it somewhat interesting, it did drag in places and I much prefer Grisham's previous novels.
SUETRAVEL@aol.com
I have just finished three Dan Brown books: Deception Point, Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code. I loved all three because they were thought provoking and stimulating in every way. I am now reading Split Second by David Baldacci, hoping to finish it in time to buy the newest James Patterson.
lindaharriet@netzero.net
Toni Morrison's new novel, Love, disappointed me. I could understand the many aspects of love, but I felt that the characters and their relationships to one another were somewhat unclear. I also had difficulty understanding the compelling fascination to Bill Cosey. 2 stars.
Debby236@aol.com
I am reading the book where Nora Roberts combined with her alter ego JD Robb in Remember When. What a great imagination she has. I give this book 4 stars.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Got a Hold on You by Pat White. 5 stars.
Hilarious! Be prepared to have to read this one in one sitting!
MAP5402@aol.com
At the Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava. 5 stars.
I've read all of her books but this one was one of the best.
loumax@adelphia.net
Treehouses by John Harris.
A great coffee-table book, with fanciful structures for children and adults.
Drive I-95 by Stan Posner and Sandra Phillips-Posner.
Exit by exit info, maps, history and trivia from Boston to the Florida border and back. Great for snowbirds who go south for the winter.
Along the I-75 by Dave Hunter.
Colored maps with all services, local information, secrets and insider tips for traveling I-75 from Detroit to the Florida border. Ditto above comment for snowbirds, just a different route.
Flagstaff: Past & Present by Bruce Babbitt.
A great picture book souvenir of my recent trip to Arizona.
Catslady5@aol.com
Light in Shadow by Jayne Ann Krentz. 4 1/2 stars.
Suspenseful and a quick read.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Life is a Bowl of Toilets and I Clean Them by Ginger Simpson. 5 stars.
This is a hilarious autobiography of the author dealing with adolescence, "first times," love and marriage and raising children! If you ever liked Erma Bombeck books, you like this one!
thenson@mit.midco.net
Until You by Bertrice Small. 5 stars.
Bertrice Small has done it again with another excellent novel of love and adventure! Once you start reading this one, it is hard to stop!
thenson@mit.midco.net
Hanged Woman Gulch by Alice Blue. 5 stars.
A wonderfully exciting, action-packed fast-paced romance story about a woman in northern Nebraska in the late 1800s during the time of range wars and vigilantes. The vigilantes have been terrorizing the area and hanging innocent people, and everyone is afraid of who will be accused next. The heroine's husband had been an innocent victim and she is determined to find out who is behind it, no matter how dangerous that may be!
thenson@mit.midco.net
The Cowboy Who Came Calling by Linda Broday. 5 stars.
Glory was after the man who caused all her problems, but when she goes after him, Luke gets in the way and she shoots him instead! The problem is that Luke is a lawman. Glory loses the reward money she'd get for the outlaw, but gains something more --- love.
thenson@mit.midco.net
The Pirate Next Door by Jennifer Ashley. 5 stars.
What do you do when a handsome pirate moves in next door with his ragamuffin daughter? Why you save his life and take his daughter under your wing, of course! And that's just the start of this action-packed romance!
GerryD8784@aol.com
The Bondwoman's Narrative by Hannah Crafts. 4 stars.
Henry Louis Gates of Yale University purchased this manuscript and researched its authenticity, concluding it was indeed written by an African American woman who had escaped slavery in the South and resettled in New Jersey, where the c.1851 narrative surfaced only a few years ago. Written as romantic fiction, Crafts's story seems at least partly autobiographical, and is thoroughly fascinating in its presentation of this house slave's day-to-day life and her reflections on the cruelty and degradation of the slave system.
The Amber Room by Steve Berry. 3 1/2 stars.
Released from a Nazi-era death camp, Karöl Borya spent most of his life seeking the truth about the disappearance at the end of WWII of the famed Amber Room, commissioned by Frederick I of Prussia in the early 18th century and later given as a gift to Peter the Great of Russia. Only learning of his obsession after his death, his daughter believes his knowledge of the Amber Room may actually have caused him to be murdered, and she travels to Germany to learn more about the secret that dominated her father's life. There, she and her ex-husband, who rushes in to protect her, get caught up in a not-to-be-believed series of events pitting them against a mythic group of antiquities collectors who will stop at nothing to obtain the treasures they seek. This well-researched first novel was an enjoyable read despite the extremely far-fetched ending.
Daughter of the Eagle by Nexhmie Zaimi. 4 1/2 stars.
This autobiography of a young girl growing up in Albania in the early part of the twentieth century made for fascinating reading, in addition to enlightening me about a little-known part of my family heritage. My only complaint is that the book ended too soon --- just as she was about to depart for America around 1935. I succeeded in contacting her son, and learned that Ms. Zaimi, who died in April 2003, was active in journalism, public speaking, and international affairs throughout her life, most recently advocating for ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, and was in the process of writing another book shortly before she died. Let's hope he decides to arrange for posthumous publication.
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. 4 stars.
Very romantic novel about a couple approaching their thirtieth anniversary. The joy seems to have gone out of their marriage, until both partners find a reason and the means to rekindle their love.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
Fascinating portrait of a young autistic boy who discovers a neighbor's dog brutally killed with a gardening fork, and in his attempts to solve the mystery, discovers some upsetting truths about his own life and family.
catfish@millardmanor.com
Single Wife by Nina Solomon. 4 stars.
A freshly written, intriguing first novel. Not perfect, but darn good!
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. 5 stars.
Some serious food for thought in a well-written, entertaining package. It helps if you've read the books Nafisi's book group read, but even a passing knowledge of Lolita, Gatsby, James & Austen (Nafisi's chapter titles) will do, as this book is about so much more. A good holiday book, because it definitely makes you thankful to live in a free country (no matter what your politics are.)
Dead Famous by Carol O'Connell. 3 1/2 stars.
If you like mystery/crime novels and haven't yet discovered O'Connell's Mallory novels, you have to try them! But don't start with this one if you're an O'Connell novice --- read Mallory's Oracle and Killing Critics (at least) first.
jennjett@juno.com
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. 4 stars.
An excellent science fiction novel about the possible process and results of Mars colonization. The portrayal of the way people interact with each other and with their new surroundings seems very insightful.
Long Time No See by Susan Isaacs. 4 stars.
A clever, funny mystery about the murdered daughter-in-law of a local mobster and the widowed history professor who tries to find the killer. The same characters as in the novelist's previous book Comprising Positions, but there is no need to read the first book to enjoy Long Time No See.
carolynbright@hotmail.com
Saul and Patsy by Charles Baxter. 4 stars.
A quiet novel by one of my favorite writers. Every scene, every emotion is just pitch-perfect.
In the Bleak Midwinter and A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming. 5 stars each.
The first book, In the Bleak Midwinter, is the introduction of a mystery series, continued in the second (A Fountain Filled with Blood). The mysteries are great, but the real heart of the stories centers on the instant friendship and increasingly complicated relationship between Clare Fergusson, the new Episcopal priest in a small, upstate New York town, and Russ Van Alstyne, the town's chief of police. The characters are intriguing, the mysteries are well-plotted, and the writing is superb. What's not to like? It's hard to believe the author hasn't been at it for decades instead of only a few years.
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading Atlantis Found. I'd rate it 4 stars. Clive Cussler is a favorite author. Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino save the world yet another time with harrowing exploits. A good read.
Britadon@aol.com
The Last Nazi by Stan Pottinger. 4 stars.
I found this to be a very compelling twist on a theme about WWII that somehow never loses its punch. The horror you feel for Melissa while she is in the unknown and then the known grips of a diabolical killer is very real.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 1 star.
This was a most disappointing book. I felt it was so contrived and appeared to be trying to make one think deeply, but it did not achieve this goal for me.
The Rabbit Factory by Larry Brown. 2 stars.
I found this to be a so-so book though I somehow think that maybe I did not quite "get" it. I still cannot figure out the significance of the title. The plot was strange in many places and seemed unfinished. Perhaps this book is a "black comedy" book and I was not reading it with the right frame of mind. In other words, I think the author may have been trying to tell me something deep, but I never got below the surface.
Haddow@aol.com
Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard. 4 stars.
Yes, Hubbard. The Scientology guru. While I think his Dianetics books are total nonsense, his science fiction turns out to be a lot of fun. This is a really BIG book, but it never gets boring. Well-plotted, witty, savvy about humankind's (and alien-kind's) passions and weaknesses, a real page-turner. I would have given it 5 stars, but I subtracted one for it being such a guilty pleasure.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Quentins by Maeve Binchy. 5 stars.
I love visiting the world Maeve Binchey creates in her books. It's like visiting old friends --- and making new ones.
Rickimc@aol.com
The Enchanted Castle by Edith Nesbit. 4 stars.
A very engaging children's fantasy. Some bits were a little outdated for today's young readers, though.
The Kindaichi Case Files: The Opera House Murders by Yozaburo Kanari and Fumiya Sato. 5 stars.
An Agatha Christie-ish mystery manga style! (Just make sure you start reading from the correct end.)
If Looks Could Kill by Kate White. 4 stars.
A valiant first attempt at a mystery. Started a little slow, but really picked up.
The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1: The Field Guide by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. 5 stars.
Harry Potter fans will love this new series --- and the books are much shorter! Awesome illustrations!
The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis. 4 stars.
A little predictable, but still a solid fantasy.
Shutterbug Follies by Jason Little. 2 stars.
Very odd. Ending was wanting.
ARomano895@aol.com
John Adams by David McCullough. 4 stars.
Very well done.
The Tristan Betrayal by Robert Ludlum. 5 stars.
High Druid of Shannara by Terry Brooks. 5 stars.
You have got to like fantasy. Good reading, could NOT put it down.
Split Second by David Baldacci. 3 stars.
Dave did it again --- you won't get bored.
Ajrsls1@aol.com
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. 5 stars.
Gripping. "Oddie" was a page turner from start to finish. I will never again second guess that creepy feeling one gets about impending danger.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
Isabel's Daughter by Judith Hendricks. 5 stars.
This wonderful novel portrays a young girl's search for her birth mother. The characterization throughout the book and the vivid and colorful descriptions of Sante Fe, New Mexico are so accurate you can picture the scenes and the countryside of the Southwest. This sensitive and beautifully written novel has such depth and feeling throughout. Each individual's character shines through indelibly. So enjoyable and powerful. Excellent.
bab@tennis.com
Prospect Street by Emilie Richards. 5 stars.
This family saga has romance, mystery and depth. The characters are so well moulded and have such vivid personalities that it is so easy to see them as three-dimensional. Each person has a great deal of importance to lend to this entire novel. Written with lovely sensitivity and honesty, it is thoroughly enjoyable.
Pudgypb@aol.com
So far this month I've read Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks. I would rate this 4 stars. It's about a woman whose husband decides he doesn't want to be married anymore and how she goes on with her life.
Lost by Joy Fielding. 3 stars.
Not as good as her previous novels but was okay.
Safe Harbour by Danielle Steel. 3 stars.
A typical Danielle Steel book. Nothing to write home about.
The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deveraux. 5 stars.
Very enjoyable.
pat5v23@alltel.net
Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute. 5 stars+ (!)
You can never read all the great books that are published every year, but when you have found a winner, like Nevil Shute's On the Beach from the middle of last century, and if you live long enough (grin), you look up the author and find his/her other works. And it may be that, like this one, you find a treasure that has just been waiting for you.
The story begins with a young, handsome, wealthy English couple who intend to sail around the world to the South Pacific. (Isn't that enough to make you groan with longing?) There is no sex involved at all, but their total love for each other is demonstrated by the small courtesies, shared thoughts during the trip, and warm gestures of tenderness, affection and concern they show each other. How refreshing!
The wife has roots in the working class, and they have left their teenaged daughter in the care of her brother Keith Stewart and his wife, because they believe them to be more responsible than the rich relatives of the husband's family and their rather shallow lives. How penetrating!
Keith works at a hobby building very miniature working engines of various sorts, then selling the drawings and instructions to a magazine devoted to this kind of hobby. He is poorly paid, but solid and content in his exquisitely fashioned generators, autos, etc.
Trouble comes, and seldom will you read such a report of a sea storm that will cause your stomach to wrench and your brow to break into a sweat. Now, to fast forward: it becomes clear that Keith, in the understated determined courage of the English temperament, must somehow find the means to follow the couple, find a way to salvage an inheritance for the daughter, and then find the means to a free hop back to England. How he does this is the warmest of characterizations, and how Keith finds admirers and friends all along the way who share his hobby and have the deepest regard for his skill and help him with his quest wipes away a lot of the evils we see in the world around us today, which tends to make us greet the new day with a jaded eye.
After half a century the book is still easy to find. This book is not only a joy, it is a remedy.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. 5 stars.
One that always is great to read over and over, I love it every time! A classic romance full of action that every lover of romance novels should read!
rojosho@hotmail.com
Blues in the Night by Rochelle Krich. 5 stars.
This novel, which is a mixture of romance and suspense, is set in Los Angeles. The major character Molly Blume is a young, modern, orthodox Jewish woman who writes mystery novels and is also a newspaper journalist. This smart, charming young woman can weave spells on everyone she encounters. Solving crimes is her intent and she insinuates herself into very interesting situations, sometimes entertaining and other times rather frightening.
The novel is a wonderful blend of charismatic characters whose personalities are lively, realistic and warm. We are introduced to her large, close knit family whose presence is very important to her survival.
dspmom@yahoo.com
I've just finished reading Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown. Most definitely 5 stars.
DancingGram7@aol.com
The older readers would probably like this one: The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love by Joan Medlicott, and I give it 5 stars! This is a story about three ladies, all past 60 years old, who are roommates in a boarding house run by a disagreeable woman. When opportunity calls, the three ladies surprise themselves with their spunk and set off to create a place called home. To the horror of their children, they commit to friendship and dare to cast themselves adrift pooling their resources and moving to the small town of Covington, North Carolina. They find love and friendship and hope for the future. There are two other books in this series --- The Gardens of Covington and From the Heart of Covington. If you should decide to read them, start with The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love. I am enjoying reading the book as I am sure some of the "older" readers will also. Warning: there is no sex, murder, or anything gory.
KLOZIER40@aol.com
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 4 1/2 stars.
I realize this is a "classic," but I found some of the descriptions rather tedious. All in all, the story was good, but could have been said with fewer words.
Mrskrisr@aol.com
My recommendation is The Red Heart by James Alexander Thom. This was recently assigned by a book discussion group here in Indianapolis. It is the story of Frances Slocum, a young Quaker girl who was kidnapped from her Pennsylvania home by Delaware Indians in the late 1700s. Based on a true story, it begins slowly, building the story of Frances's gradual assimilation into the tribe. We watch over time as she begins to forget her original family and to love her Delaware family and friends. She marries, loses several children, divorces her husband for his drunkenness, marries again and has two daughters. All the while her birth family searches for her, just a step or two behind. We see the ravages of the French and Indian Wars and the War of 1812 through her eyes. This book is at once exciting and tender, glorious and sad. After I turned the last page I wanted to start it all over again. 5 stars.
Carosp@aol.com
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. 4 stars.
Not great literature, but a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I plan to read more of her books, and this one is on my list to give for presents. It is about 5 women who are in a book club together for 30 years --- you learn about their lives and relationships, and watch them grow and help each other through life.
This Just In by Bob Schieffer. 4 1/2 stars.
Bob Schieffer is the host of Face the Nation, and this is the story of his career with CBS, starting in 1963 when he was just starting out and was involved in covering the Kennedy assassination (in a small way, of course!). He also talks a little about his own life. A very interesting book, and a reminder of all the things that have happened over the last 40 or so years, from JFK to Nixon's resignation, to the Vietnam War and 9/11/01. A good, interesting read.
yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I stayed up late last night finishing Derailed by James Siegel. It was great!!! I'd give it 5 stars for sure! It might be a little rough for some people with the rape in it, but it is very essential to the story and I could see this one becoming a movie someday. Now who would play Charles? It has to be someone who is not extremely good-looking. Maybe somebody like Tom Hanks would be good. It is about a man whose marriage has gone lukewarm and he meets a beautiful woman on the subway and she starts paying attention to him, and you can guess where this leads. Lots of twists and turns.
bradylee@myway.com
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. 3 stars.
Personal friends and Word of Mouth contributors enjoyed this story so I had to read it also. For me it would rate a so-so classification and I thought the story quite bland. The best part of it is the great cover. I have read enough books about China where this novel is quite predictable as to the story. I believe I am in the minority for this title, but that is why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream --- to satisfy the variety of people.
TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
The Ordinary White Boy by Brock Clarke. 3 1/2 stars.
Twenty-seven-year-old Everyman-boy Lamar Kelly, Jr. is the son of an upstate New York small-town newspaper editor. Lamar has a college degree, but absolutely no ambition in life. The murder of a Puerto Rican high school classmate who married a non-Hispanic girl sort of prompts Lamar to reassess his life as Lamar sort of investigates the case for his father. Lamar's passage into full-fledged adulthood is aided by his friend Andrew's abrupt midlife crisis: the two of them embark on an "adventure," a weeklong fishing trip north into the Adirondacks. After this comic journey, things are somehow "different."
The Ordinary White Boy is a breezy, easy read, written entirely in the first person present tense. Lamar is immensely likeable, even though he is clueless about being a "responsible adult." Clarke sets his novel in the real world community of Little Falls, New York, and deftly captures the Rust Belt fatalism that plagues this dying mill town. The murder is not the focus of the book at all; it is just the event that gets Lamar off his butt. Watching Lamar "grow up" a bit makes The Ordinary White Boy an entertaining read.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Journey of the Eagle by Priscilla Maine. 5 stars.
The first book I've read by this author, but it was so well written, interesting and captivating that it won't be my last! If you love stories with homesteaders, Indians and the hardships suffered by all, this is an excellent choice!
yoteach24@comcast.net
I am currently reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It deserves 5 stars. It is currently on the bestseller list and I can see why. It is a tale about a teenage girl who accidentally shot her mother, it is about the power of women to heal, it is about the Civil Rights Movement in the South and the Black Madonna, and it is about bees and honey. This is a book that is good for the soul and while you are reading it you just might find yourself adding a little bit more honey into your life and on your toast.
BKissling@aol.com
Good Faith by Jane Smiley. 4 1/2 stars.
A small town loses its innocence in the S&L scandals of the Reagan years. The story is compelling, and the characters are very realistic. What I like about this book is the suspense, the sense of foreboding, the description of homes from a Real Estate point of view. The only thing I dislike is the sexual detail of the extramarital behavior of Joe and Felicity. Anyone who suffered through the shallow selfish "Me" decade will enjoy a well deserved "I told you so" as this story progresses.
LABASSIST@aol.com
I am finishing up Patricia Cornwell's Blow Fly. I have always loved the Kay Scarpetta series. This one moves quickly, but jumps from character to character and situation to situation and is a little harder to follow than the rest in the series, but it is still a good read. I give it 4 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter by Sherwin B. Nuland. 5 stars.
I would call this book profound as it holds information that should be interesting to everyone. It points out that of the hundreds of known diseases, some 85 percent will eventually succumb due to complications of one of only seven major entities: atherosclerosis, hypertension, and five more. The author goes into the history of humans' demise and what happens as the body breaks down. After all, everyone will die; isn't it prudent to find out some of the details to possibly understand the why and wherefores? I find this book fascinating. Three telling chapter titles: Alzheimer's Disease, A Story of AIDS, and The Malevolence of Cancer.
JThomp1546@aol.com
Four Blind Mice by James Patterson.
The back of the book indicates that Alex Cross took the job with John Sampson, despite a devastating loss. I read the entire book in one day waiting to find out what or whom the loss was. Nothing...Nothing...Nothing. I hoped it was not Nana-Mama. It wasn't...it was nothing. I buy books after reading what they are about. I am very disappointed in my favorite author.
Alanh2062@aol.com
I am reading:
Night Blooming by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. 3 stars.
Her vampire, Saint-Germain, finds himself in the court of Charlemagne during Charlemagne's struggles to solidify his rule and be declared emperor of the West (the Holy Roman Empire). St. Germain's love interest is an albino woman who has the stigmata and is feared by powers in the Church to be the Anti-Christ. A fitting companion to St. Germain, but the relationship between them is not as well developed as could be expected. Once again, Yarbro's research and ability to evoke the spirit of the age is top notch, though the story line is not as strong as her other novels.
The Singing Sword by Jack Whyte. 4 stars.
The second in his series about the creation of Great Britain and the myth of King Arthur. The book reads as historical fiction, more so than fantasy, with well developed characters and plot lines. An excellent addition to the Arthurian literature.
Marric77@aol.com
The Price by Joan Johnston is another in the Creed and Blackthorne series. What a wonderful story that involved romance and suspense. Ms. Johnston has done it again. I have enjoyed this series. Now the question is whether or not we will visit this family saga again. I rate this book 5 stars.
ljonessan@aol.com
The books I am reading are Face the Fire by Nora Roberts (5 stars) and Once upon a Midnight by Nora Roberts, Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan and Marianne Willman (3 stars).
Goghbot@aol.com
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 2 stars.
I thought the story of Florentino Ariza, a man who waits for over fifty years for Fermina Daza, the woman who ended their engagement in order to marry a more affluent man, would be interesting reading. I was wrong. It took me well over a month to read this short novel because it just didn't hold my attention. I'm giving it 2 stars because the book did have some moments of hilarity and genuine bits of tenderness, particularly in the last twenty pages.
Bberrycrk@aol.com
I just finished A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel and I loved it! It is a memoir of a young girl growing up in a small town. It is well written and very entertaining. 4 1/2 stars.
Trishajr@aol.com
Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint. 4 stars.
This book is fantasy, but not in another time period or in outer space. It has an idea on which it is based that is intriguing plus having romance, mystery, terror, etc. It grabs you at the beginning and does what I find fun to read. It starts now, then goes back to explain how "now" happened, and lastly returns to "now" and finishes the story. You end up caring about what happens to the characters, and what could be better than having satisfactory endings for them?
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. 4 stars.
I have recommended this book to anyone who reads. The idea that starts the novel just boggles your mind. The geek is the sideshow freak who tears the heads off chickens with his or her teeth. The family the novel centers on has a most outrageous reason for being, but in a way you can see the sense of it. I don't want to give the reason away, but trust me, you will enjoy the story, be appalled in places, and end up feeling for the characters. It is a surprising find. Take a chance. I took one because the title intrigued me. I'd seen the old black and white movie classic Freaks and this book was on the same subject. Once you've seen that movie, you'll not forget it and neither will you forget the book. Both are about people who were the sideshow acts with traveling circuses of years gone by.
KINDLEELF@aol.com
Winterkill by C.J. Box. 3 stars.
An average adventure mystery.
Absolute Rage and Falsely Accused by Robert K. Tanenbaum. 3 stars each.
Two books in the Butch Karp series…two more average reads
The Virgin in the Garden by A.S. Byatt. 5 stars.
This novel is the first of a trilogy. I am currently reading Still Life, which has all the same characters. There is much philosophy in these novels and certainly makes you spruce up on your vocabulary skills. I found it difficult to stick with the first novel, The Virgin in the Garden, but have been rewarded with Still Life. The next is Babel Tower. There are many references to great English literature and artists.
Executive Power by Vince Flynn. 4 stars.
Current scenerios can be found in this mystery.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Yankee Earl by Shirl Henke. 5 stars.
When a Yankee (British term for American in this instance) inherits his title, and is being forced to marry against his will, well, it makes for a thrilling story. Especially when the prospective bride is plotting with him to foil their fathers' plans!
WmsWtrkt@aol.com
I just started Coraline by Neil Gaiman. I believe I read about this book on Bookreporter some time ago, and a fellow teacher had it in his classroom and recommended it. I'm also planning to read Lucky by Alice Sebold. I read and loved The Lovely Bones, thanks to Bookreporter, summer of '02, and I just got to hear her speak here in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. I still need to start the latest Harry Potter! Maybe during the December holiday break…
NorahCoyne@aol.com
Star Man: The Right-hand Man of Rock and Roll by Michael Francis.
I originally purchased for my boyfriend but picked up off the coffee table to browse through one Sunday afternoon. It took me three weeks to put it back! It was breathtakingly frank, funny, entertaining, honest and a wonderful insight into the world of Michael Francis and the ups and downs of life with the stars. He opens up his life for all to see (warts and all). The book is very charismatic and hypnotic to read and thoroughly enjoyable. He is a very talented writer and the book has been written very well indeed. We can only hope for a second installment from him! One of the best books I have read in years.
John1rosie@aol.com
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King. At least 4 stars.
This history and art appreciation book will really appeal to those of us who either have seen or plan to see the Sistine Chapel. To take full advantage of Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling you may want to have a good book of the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescos and a map of sixteenth century Italy very close at hand. Ah, then the journey will really begin. At the conclusion of this outstanding book I felt that I almost knew the principals who became this history. Thanks to Mr. King I have a new appreciation of the Italian Renaissance and the world that it nurtured. If you read this book I think that you will have the same feelings. In Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, Ross King has again (Brunelleschi's Dome) given us an engaging, engrossing and outstanding history. I am very much looking forward to his future work. Definitely at least 4 stars.
donnawilliams@att.net
Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
A River Sutra by Gita Mehta
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
gg2tara@alltel.net
I have just finished Deafening by Frances Itani. She takes you into the world of being deaf in such a beautiful, meaningful way.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
No Angel by Penny Vincenzi. 5 stars.
This family saga takes place in the early twentieth century in England. This wonderful story of passion, family politics, and business has drama, strong and believable characters as well as vivid descriptions of the life and the countryside. This engrossing plot has you enthralled until the climax.
bab@tennis.com
Unseen Companion by Denise Gosliner Orenstein. 5 stars.
This first person novel takes place in Bethel, Alaska. The story is written with compassion and understanding of the people and their lives. Heartwarming and also tragic, this novel portrays the lives of the individuals in this harsh community environment. What comes through is despair, sadness and glimpses of humor. Very touching and beautiful.
realbencann@yahoo.com
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 5 stars.
Written in a brilliant manner, this story told through the voice of a 14-year-old from heaven is touching, tragic yet heartbreaking. The sensitivity of the subject manner is treated in a soft natured manner. So many are affected by the disappearance and subsequent death of the young girl that we are witnesses to the changes in the family. Hard to take but a must-read.
glt71951@yahoo.com
I'm currently reading Patricia Cornwell's Blow Fly, which is a continuance of the Kay Scarpetta (Chief Medical Examiner) series. I rate this series of stories 4 stars.
I also just finished Iris Johansen's Fatal Tide. Ms. Johansen is another great author who I would rate in the 4-star category.
MelJPrincess@aol.com
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
Laugh out loud funny! Puts you in the holiday spirit.
Deception Point by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
Anything by Dan Brown is absolutely thrilling and brilliant. If you enjoyed Angels & Demons, you're sure to enjoy this one.
The Seducer by Madeline Hunter. 5 stars.
Historical romance at its best!
DFSn180@aol.com
I have just discovered Alison G. Taylor. Her first novel, Simeon's Bride, hooked me. Her work reminds me of Elizabeth George, but her characters are not of the "upper class." I rate all of her novels to date as 4 stars.
maestraw@msn.com
I just finished Facing the Wind by Julie Salamon. It is a true story of Bob Rowe, a successful attorney with a family, whose mental illness causes him to kill his wife and children. The book goes into great detail about Rowe's hospitalization and release, as well as his attempt to rebuild a life for himself. I would rate it 3 stars.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Bride on the Run by Elizabeth Lane. 5 stars.
An enchanting, titillating and heartwarming novel by this author, I recommend it to anyone who loves to read about love and the rocky path to it!
lag110@mchsi.com
Void Moon by Michael Connelly. 3 stars.
Beyond Suspicion by James Grippando. 4 stars.
The Vendetta Defense by Lisa Scottoline. 2 stars.
Flight Lessons by Patricia Gaffney. 3 stars.
The Mulberry Tree by Jude Deveraux. 3 stars.
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading Terrorist Hunter, a nonfiction book by Anonymous. I'd give it a 3+ stars. It's the story of an Iranian Jewish woman and her defection from Iraq to Iran as a child, and her eventual move to Israel and with her family to the United States, and how she stumbled into a job that gathered intelligence for the United States against terrorists groups operating within their borders.
Hon2724@aol.com
Sweet Caroline by Christopher Anderson. 4 stars.
As number 2 in my biographer readings, I enjoyed this book very much. Poignant, telling, sweet, sad and the story of an obviously strong, good human being. Caroline has inherited some of both of her parents and from this book's perspective, she is living a good and productive life and dealing with her heritage of grief. It is a story of a magic time in our history.
Reflections by Barbara Bush is my last of the biographies. Barbara Bush is one of my favorite people in public life. I admire her and enjoy her frank, happy approach to life. However, Reflections just wore me out --- even reading it. It is an activities journal from beginning to end. Where she gets the energy and vitality for the schedule is little short of miraculous. But I grew weary of the constant movement and engagements and houseguests, etc. It is obvious she loves her family very much and I would much rather have her on my side than on the other! 3 1/2 stars.
Fbower444@aol.com
I am presently reading Reversible Errors by Scott Turow. I will list it as 5 stars. Turow always captivates me to the point where I don't want to put the book down. Same with this one.
dvolkenannt@charter.net
The Art of Deception by Ridley Pearson.
Pearson's masterfully plotted thriller, set in Seattle's underground, shows why he's one of the best.
In Hot Pursuit by Suzann Ledbetter.
Ledbetter writes with humor and grace about Liz Rivas, a former New York City police officer who assumes a new identity in the Missouri Ozarks as part of the witness protection program.
s.bucher@insightbb.com
I'm currently reading Foul Matter by Martha Grimes, and I'm not sure if I like it or not. It's such a departure from her Jury/Plant series. It seems like she's airing grudges with the publishing world.
lindaharriet@netzero.net
The Triangle Waistcoat Factory of 1911 has always interested me. This year a nonfiction book was published on that subject: Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by David Von Drehle. 146 people were killed in that fire, 125 of them women. All the doors to the factory were locked except one, the one where the workers entered and left and were checked to see if they had stolen something. The fire escape was flimsy and crashed down right away. In no more than 15 minutes the whole factory was ablaze. Working conditions at that time, 1911 and before, even after, were intolerable, but gradually new laws came into effect, thus making sure that nothing like this would happen again. The book intrigued me and also gave me insight into the plights of the newly arrived immigrants. 5 stars.
NGroves@aol.com
The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton. 4 stars.
The story of a very dysfunctional family. Ruth describes her everyday life, starting in childhood with a mother who seems to take delight in telling her how stupid she is and through her marriage to an emotionally disturbed man who, while he loves her, isn't much of a provider. This forces the young couple to live with her mother, who is even more abusive toward her not-too-bright son-in-law than to her daughter and uses their baby to continue driving a wedge between them. As the tension around her escalates, Ruth longs for a way out of this dead-end life. I'm not quite finished with the book and don't know the ending, but it's definitely not going to "everyone lived happily ever after," although I think there's some hope for Ruth.
A Noble Radiance by Donna Leon. 5 stars.
When the body of a young man from a wealthy Venetian family is found buried in a shallow grave a year after he was kidnapped, police officer Guido Brunetti is disturbed to discover that the evidence points more to the family than to a group of unknown criminals as the culprits. Would a father order the death of his only son? Was it his cousin, trying to get him out of the way to become the heir to the family's extensive, profitable business network? A very intelligently written mystery.
Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters. 4 stars.
Another in the series of mysteries set in a family of English archeologists conducting excavations in Egypt, this time with World War I as the background and a factor in the plot.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini. 3 stars.
This book knocked several of the Harry Potter novels off of the kids' bestseller lists. It's a fantasy story about a young boy who discovers a dragon egg, learns he's a wizard, sets off to right ancient wrongs, etc. The author, who is all of 19, began it when he was 15, and it's the first of a trilogy. Perhaps I was biased by knowing that the author was so young and reading about all of the books that influenced him, but I found the plot rather derivative of many other fantasy series. Still, it's a remarkable accomplishment, and I'll probably read the others when they're published just to see what else the whiz kid can produce.
Cloish049@aol.com
I am currently reading Trading Up by Candace Bushnell, a novel about a Victoria's Secret model, Janie Wilcox, who is bent on achieving more power, more money, and more fame, and will stop at nothing to achieve her goal. Fun, light reading. I would give it 3 stars.
KLOZIER40@aol.com
Milk Glass Moon by Adriana Trigiani. 4 stars.
The last in the series of Ave Maria, her family, and her life in Big Stone Gap. A fitting end to the series with her daughter growing up and marrying.
jerseygirl604@earthlink.net
Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken. 4 stars.
This book is amazing due to the fact that I can laugh, get frustrated, and be surprised by what Mr. Franken has to say about the media, other authors, newspapers, talk show hosts, etc. I am glad I did not take it on my last plane trip. People would have wondered who the woman was laughing out loud!!! I have not finished it yet, but I know the rest of the book will be as interesting as what I have read. Definitely worth the read, unless your name is Bush!!
I also just finished A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes for my book club. It was supposed to be a classic. Written 70 years ago, I do not even think this would be published now. The story was written well sporadically. It is about a group of children taken aboard a pirate ship and their adventures. It's more like a book a teacher would make you read. 2 stars.
ery222@aol.com
Wizard and Glass: The Dark Tower IV by Stephen King. 5 stars.
Cool5476@aol.com
The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw. 5 stars.
Written by an amazing woman who was the Captain of a Swordfishing boat...that was the second boat in the book/movie The Perfect Storm.
AUGER77777@aol.com
Having recently completed J. K. Rowling's second and third Harry Potter books (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), I have now begun Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I wanted to wait until I had copies of all the Harry Potter books so I could read them as one continuous story. I have found that they are all very entertaining. Ms. Rowling certainly has an active imagination, as well as a sense of humor. I just hope it won't be TOO long before the sixth installment comes out. 5 stars for all of them.
shawnnaag@yahoo.com
I have just started reading the Alex Cross books by James Patterson. I have read Along Came a Spider (5 stars), Kiss the Girls (5 stars), Jack and Jill (5 stars), Cat and Mouse (5 stars), Pop Goes the Weasel (5 stars), Roses Are Red (5 stars), Violets Are Blue (5 stars), and I am currently reading Four Blind Mice. It also is great. I can't put it down. I haven't found a bad James Patterson book yet.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Prairie Bride by Julianne MacLean. 5 stars.
The first book by this author, and very definitely a great start! Even if it's not the first one you've read by her, it is well worth reading next!
Auntgoogie@aol.com
I am currently reading Love by Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison is my favorite author and I could not wait to get a copy of her new book. I like it and recommend any of Toni's books to people who like to think.
It had been said that Toni Morrison's books are difficult to read and that she leaves a lot unsaid. I happen to like that challenge. I do not want everything disclosed. I like to think. Her books are like puzzles and well worth the effort it takes to get through them. I find Love true to form and I recommend it to the thinkers.
caliauds66@aol.com
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. 5 stars.
I'm sure most everyone has read this already, but I like to read books that I find inspirational during the holidays. If you haven't read it, you really must.
ttimmsen@mchsi.com
I'm reading Patricia Cornwell's newest book, Blow Fly, and I have always loved her spin on characters! Of course I would give it 5 stars.
BDB530@aol.com
Three Junes by Julia Glass. 5 stars.
Told from 3 points of view, it is the story of a family of 3 boys and the changes in their fortunes. Although not a comedy, it does end on a high note.
billiegirl20@hotmail.com
I'm currently in the middle of Thank You For the Music by Jane McCafferty, and am truly enjoying it. I received a reader's advance copy and am reviewing it for one of the publishers. The book is a collection of short stories about love and loss all tied together by the author's love of music. A truly wonderful collection of stories.
DDorjath@liquidcontainer.com
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 2 1/2 stars.
Nowhere near as captivating as Tuesdays With Morrie.
Bleachers by John Grisham. 4 stars.
An interesting story that is outside of the norm again for Grisham. High school football stars return home to await the death of their legendary coach, and each relives both the good and bad times of their past.
The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College by Jacques Steinberg. 5 stars.
A kind of documentary look behind the scenes of how college admissions counselors determine who gets in and who does not. It follows the story of a number of applicants and gives you a bird's eye view of the entire process from both perspectives, the student and the college admissions office. Excellent. Well written.
dtoews@bogardconst.com
I am currently devouring the 4th book in the Outlander series, The Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon. I've tremendously enjoyed each book in the series. 5 stars.
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. 5 stars.
Donnaleggate@aol.com
I just finished Lake House by James Patterson. It's the first book I have read of his. What an imagination. Children with wings, a mad doctor, a secret medical project that will really surprise you and happiness in the end. It was really good and I will now read more of his books. 5 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
The Oriental Casebook of Sherlock Holmes: Nine Adventures From the Lost Years by Ted Riccardi. 4 stars.
This book tastes of Sir Arthur, even the author's afterward. These tales feel like a typical Sherlock Holmes story, but I thought too many exotic place names were used --- both personal names and cities/towns. After a while, I ignored many of the names given and stopped looking in the dictionary. It has been many decades since I have read Sherlock Holmes, but the pleasant flavor remains.
Debby236@aol.com
I am reading Not So Innocent by Laura Lee Guhrke. So far it is very good but too early to rate.
Greenwolf@collegeclub.com
Timeline by Michael Crichton. 5+ stars.
I got a little tired of the history lessons but it was still a great read. The ending made me cry. I can't wait to see the movie! EXCELLENT BOOK!!!
vanderhoosj@yahoo.com
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 1 star.
We all know about this one. The premise is great but the execution is lacking. I read somewhere that this was Sebold's thesis in school. Sounds about right.
The Bark of the Dogwood by Jackson Tippett McCrae. 5 stars.
One of the best page-turners I've read in a while. Great writing, great idea, great execution. Not for the faint-hearted, though!
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
Better than I expected. I like almost all of Brown's books, and this one is his best by far.
A Can of Peas by Traci DePree. 4 stars.
Pleasant enough, this one appears to have fallen through the cracks when it comes to good reads. A little on the religious side, but then we all need that from time to time.
krasselkoff@yahoo.com
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 4 stars.
I liked this one almost as much as Tuesdays With Morrie. An interesting story --- sort of a cross between It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. Easy reading, short book.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel. 4 stars.
Pleasant enough story with just the right amount of angst thrown in for good measure. I read this on a dare--glad I did.
The Bark of the Dogwood by Jackson Tippett McCrae. 4 stars.
Well-written and engaging. One of the funniest books I've read, and also one of the most horrifying, if that makes sense.
afindei675@aol.com
A Question of Honor by Lynne Olson and Stanley Cloud.
For history and aviation buffs, this book hits both right on the mark. It is immensely readable, and insightful and informative in terms of being a close up, unblinking retelling of the true nature of the communications between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin towards the end of the war. It raises the very timely question of how well a U.S. President is really informed and aware of the nature and agenda of so-called friendly states and the heads of state he has to deal with. Surrounded as most Presidents are by "yes men" (and women of course), does the President run the risk of overrating his own personal diplomatic skills? This book is also a great read about the Battle of Britain, how close the Brits came to losing it, and the generally underappreciated role of young Polish air pilots who, having already lost their country, were more prone to risk their lives to score kills against German fighter planes.
EZREADER1265@aol.com
Losing My Mind: An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's by Thomas DeBaggio. 4 Stars.
Last Car to Elysian Fields by James Lee Burke. 4 stars.
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson. 5 stars. WOW!
JDDistef@aol.com
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. 4 stars.
An interesting story of a linguist trying to reconstruct the events leading to the mysterious death of his wife, witnessed only by their dog.
Diary by Chuck Palahniuk. 4 stars.
This book is a diary being written by a wife who is recording information for her husband who is in a coma after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. All is not what it seems as this story turns from drama to horror.
PFLucas@aol.com
I just finished reading The Brass Wall: The Betrayal of Undercover Detective #4126. I would rate it 4 stars. This was written by a police reporter and became his first novel. It is quite well written and has an interesting cast: cops, bureaucrats, FBI agents, and colorful citizens. It isn't a book in which the ending fully satisfies and the good guy wins, but it is a worthwhile read.
Currently I am reading In This Mountain by Jan Karon. I am enjoying the continuation of characters in this series. 4 stars.
Rashellaw@hotmail.com
I just finished Life of Pi by Yann Martel for my book club selection this month. Absolutely, without a doubt, 5 stars!
azlady777@yahoo.com
The Physician by Noah Gordon. 4 1/2 stars!
Gordon makes the Middle Ages come so alive, so vibrant, and I love all the different locales. I especially enjoyed the history of medicine, and reading about the different religions in the world: Christianity, Judaism, Islam. The only reason I took away half a star is because the main character seems a little too perfect, and his wife was ONLY concerned with things "womanly" --- the color of her dress, etc. (So many men don't know how to write about women.) But besides this, the book, despite its many pages, was a very enjoyable read!
fochler@erols.com
I have recently been reading several books.The best by far have been:
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Definitely 5 stars.
One of the best books I have ever read. Couldn't stop reading.
Understudy by Carole Bellacera was given to me as a proof before it was published --- it is definitely worth the time --- another 5 stars. Though I normally don't read too much romance, this one is different. Very different.
The Breathtaker by Alice Blanchard is very interesting. 4 stars.
Lots of really good books out there.
liebes@nvdpl.ca
I'm almost through The Speckled People by Hugo Hamilton, a really different memoir about a family in post-war Dublin: the mother is German, the father Irish, and the children are "speckled people" who are allowed to speak only German at home and Irish (Gaelic) outside, as their father is vehemently anti-British. Like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, it is told from the young boy's point of view throughout, without the benefit of future justification for the father's actions. Very moving!
pureevil25@yahoo.com
Right now I am reading Dead Run by Erica Spindler. I picked it up on a whim and I'm glad I did. I would rate this book 4 stars.
sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com
I am reading 2 books right now that I am enjoying:
Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot. This is an advance reading copy, a really light funny book that is just enjoyable to read.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
Suespanel@aol.com
I'm reading The Da Vinci Code and Arrogance of Power: The Secret Life of Richard Nixon.
thenson@mit.midco.net
The Duchess by Bertrice Small. 5 stars.
This re-release by Ms. Small is definitely worth reading. She has a way of captivating a reader and spiraling them back in time to join her characters!
jmathis1@san.rr.com
The Last Noel by Michael Malone. 4 stars.
Velma Still Cooks in Leeway by Vinita Hampton Wright. 4 stars.
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci. 3 stars.
Losing Julia by Jonathan Hull. 4 stars.
The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris. 2 stars.
Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler. 2 stars.
hcarter@begamlaw.com
I am reading Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong. It is a mystery set in China (Shanghai). It is very good, with lots of vivid descriptions of China and its food. The detective also writes poetry, so there is a lot of beautiful poetry in the book too.
jf@danbury.lib.ct.us
What a Difference a Year Makes by Bob Guiney.
This is an uplifting memoir. Most of us remember Bob from The Bachelor on primetime TV where he won the hearts of several bachelorettes and many viewers as well. Way to go, Bob! Congratulations and all the best to Bob and Estella, who was given the final rose.
Old School by Tobias Wolff.
Wolff's memoir about his childhood, This Boy's Life, was made into a major motion picture starring Robert DeNiro as the cold patriarch and a youthful Leonardo DiCaprio as his defiant stepson. Old School is proof that Wolff is a master storyteller who weaves another masterful tale about a New England prep school student grappling with literary ambition and the throes of young adulthood.
bradylee@myway.com
Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time by Michael Perry. 4 stars.
This is a memoir and a darned good one. You become part of a small town named New Auburn, WI as Mr. Perry invites you into his world ... and you want to come. He returns to his childhood homeland after leaving for a number of years and gets involved by becoming a volunteer fireman as well as a paramedic. There are many wonderful tales of small town life and touching words by the author. The whole book is great, but the last 3 chapters are the best: Oops, Penultimate, and Sarah. The last chapter is sad and winds the story up in a satisfying manner.
maestraw@msn.com
The Breathtaker by Alice Blanchard is a mystery with an interesting plot. The main theme is storm chasers, and a murderer on the loose during tornadoes. Although I figured it out before the end of the book (unusual for me), it was still a good read. I would rate it 4 stars.
alacombe@belfastlibrary.org
I just finished Soon by Jerry Jenkins. I'd give it 4 stars. It is an interesting read, but the main character moves into a "new role" too quickly. It's a bit much to believe, but once you get into it, it's a good story.
joswood@adiis.net
Judgment Ridge by Dick Lehr and Mitchell Zuckoff. 4 stars.
This is the true story of the Dartmouth murders. Half and Susanne Zantop, Dartmouth professors, were found murdered in their home. The murderers left a clue that led the police to their doors. They were two teenage boys from Chelsea, VT. They seemed to have no motive. This was a fascinating account, made more so because I remember when it was in all the newspapers. A little too much minutae in the story, but compelling reading nevertheless.
A Distant Echo by Val McDermid. 4 stars.
Not as good as her book, A Place of Execution, but fascinating reading anyway. A young girl is found murdered by four young students, and pretty soon they are under suspicion by the police. The murder is never solved, and twenty-five years later, these now grown-up students start dying one by one. The original murder has to be solved before all of the men are gone.
Catslady5@aol.com
The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald. 3 stars.
I just started this book so I really don't know how to rate it yet but I think it has great potential after the first chapter.
lindaharriet@netzero.net
I started reading The Tattooed Girl by Joyce Carol Oates, and I found it so boring that I had to put it down and pick another book. I didn't care at all about the characters; they were unlikable. 1 star.
I'm also reading The World According to Mr. Rogers by Fred Rogers. I only read a few pages a day, and then I intend to start all over again. He is so wise and full of common sense. 5 stars.
lavaughn@worldnet.att.net
Cry No More by Linda Howard.
This is one of those books you can't put down. Right from the start you know it's going to be a good story. The main character "Milla" has her baby stolen from her, ripped from her arms right in the middle of the outdoor market. Milla fights for her baby and then ends up fighting for her own life after being stabbed by the kidnapper. Milla survives and begins the search for her child and a new life. 4 stars.
Dirty Work by Stuart Woods.
If you haven't read Stuart Woods you're missing out on some good stories. The main character Stone Barrington is quite a character. He's an ex-cop turned lawyer but more like a detective always getting involved in murder mysteries and beautiful women along the way. In this story he and the women he is seeing are both involved in searching for a woman who has never had a picture taken of her and travels around the world murdering people. Leave it to Stone and his ex-partner Dino to find the woman and set up negotiations with her. You won't be able to put this book down. You'll no doubt want to read the earlier books written by Woods about Stone, especially those about Stone Barrington and his girlfriend Arrington. Can you tell this is one of my favorite authors? 5 stars.
craven386@hotmail.com
The Bark of the Dogwood by Jackson Tippett McCrae. 5 stars.
Thankfully a book that doesn't disappoint! Well-written and full of symbols, puzzles, and metaphors. One of the best things I've come across in a long time.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 4 stars.
I didn't like it as much as Tuesdays with Morrie, but it was still a good read. Simple and to the point.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
On the same par with all of Brown's books. Terrorists, Vatican City, and his usual over-the-top thrilling plot.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
I loved this book. Different and thought-provoking.
bethfranzen@yahoo.com
This is my reading list as of 11/27/03. I have read these books recently or am still reading them:
Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg
Welcome to the World by Fannie Flagg
The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens by Jackson McCrae
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
janiekress@hotmail.com
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. 4 stars.
I wasn't optimistic about this book after having read the premise, but the author actually carried it off quite well.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
I was initially put off by the hype but now I think it's great! I am about halfway through and I love it!
The Bark of the Dogwood by Jackson Tippett McCrae. 5 stars.
By far, the best thing out there. It's like a cross between Brown's The Da Vinci Code, Fried Green Tomatoes, and a Truman Capote book. Very unusual.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Amy's Heart by Marion Marshall. 5 stars.
The fourth book of hers I have read, and I have to say they keep getting better and better! This one deals with Amy, who is desperate to join a wagon train west to join her husband, Brandon. She was kicked out by her father and is pregnant. Impulsive, she puts herself in danger many times with the party's scout, Trevor, having to rescue her every time.
shruthisays@hotmail.com
Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. 4 stars.
This is a beautiful, brilliant book by a U.S-settled Indian writer, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Sister of My Heart speaks of the enduring and unconditional love between two cousins, Anju and Sudha. Born on the same tragic night when both their fathers disappear mysteriously, the cousins have little in common. Sudha, the more beautiful of the two, is quiet and submissive while Anju is the rebellious one. Sudha is the dreamer while Anju questions traditions and customs and sees things from the practical point of view. Sudha is diligent while Anju is clever. But they have one thing in common, and that is their love for each other. Anju and Sudha teach us that to love is to sacrifice.
Abha Pishi, Anju's widowed aunt, tells Sudha a dreadful tale of her past and in her heart, Sudha bears an unglamorous secret of treachery and betrayal. And all her life, she tries hard to compensate for what her father had done to Anju's father. In the due course of time, they get married and have lives of their own. Sudha settles in rural Bengal while Anju flies to California. Though trained to be perfect wives, they cannot live without each other.Their sacrifice for each other is tear-jerking and beautiful. An unexpected ending and a twist in the tale surprise the reader.
Set against the backdrop of rich Bengali culture and tradition, Sister of My Heart shines like the ruby that is so often mentioned in the book. It weaves magic, mystery and suspense all along with love being the predominant emotion that rules the cousins' hearts. Nalini, Sudha's beautiful yet senseless mother, Abha Pishi, who loves Anju and Sudha alike, Gouri Ma, the strong backbone of the Chatterjee household and Singhji, the disfigured driver, are characters who capture our emotions.
Chitra Banerjee's style of narration is fabulous. In fact, the book has two parts --- The Princess in the Palace of Snakes and the Queen of Swords. The way these stories of their childhood are entwined in the cousin's lives is amazing! Rich in both narration and content, Sister of My Heart is one of the best books I've read recently.
harrises@bayou.com
The Girl who Played Go by Shan Sa. 4 stars.
I am on page 130 and really like it.
The Goats by Brock Cole. 4 stars.
This should be a must read for every middle schooler. With this, an educator could include Loser and Crash both by Jerry Spinelli. As a mom of 4 boys, they just want to find a place to fit in.
Gilbert and Sullivan: Set Me Free by Kathleen Karr. 4 stars.
A young adult novel about women in prison in Massachusetts. As part of their rehabilitation, they work on a performance of the Pirates of Penzance.
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
I am currently entrenched reading the "Death" series by J.D. Robb. I am now on #6 --- Vengeance in Death, and would give the series about 4 stars. They do all start to sound the same after a while, but I enjoy the interplay between the characters and the futuristic setting. I don't care all that much for the extensive "romance" scenes, so I just skim those! I like reading about the new technology and gadgets --- I love the descriptions of Roark's house!!
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver. I'd rate it 4+ stars. It's another Rhyme and Sachs novel based in New York City. Quite a page-turner, even though it's a bit gruesome. Enjoy!
clschomer@dmci.net
Pompeii by Robert Harris. 4 stars.
Anyone who has visited this historic site can see in their mind the spaces Harris is describing.
Living to Tell the Tale by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 4 stars.
So much fun to read the "facts" that his stories are extrapolated from.
Vikkivand@aol.com
Heart Full of Lies by Ann Rule. 4 stars.
I prefer not to give convicted murderers the attention that they seek, but Ann Rule once again did a great job putting together the facts of this murder case.
Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard. 2 stars.
I was disappointed with this book. A little far-fetched.
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. 4 stars.
Sad story. Excellent writing.
Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. 4 stars.
A nice little story of an Italian family.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
Great story. I was intrigued with the theories about Mary Magdelene and the Catholic Church.
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. 5 stars.
Excellent. A woman writes letters to her husband after their son massacres students and a teacher at his high school. I won't reveal the ending, but I was absolutely stunned. I thought this author developed the characters extremely well. I'm not sure how I found this book, but it is definitely a must-read.
jalocke@comcast.net
Legal Briefs, edited by William Bernhardt, gives the avid reader's mind a change of pace, a slow down to the senses of deep concentration into a longer story or novel.
Advantage number two is the introduction to writers one may not necessarily "pick off the shelf." The short stories in Legal Briefs introduced me to William Bernhardt himself, an author (his short story in the book is "What We're Here For," a delightful story with a twist and a pat on the back to the attorneys in the story for their humanity).
Sharing the spotlight are the familiar great writers Phillip M. Margolin, Richard North Patterson, and John Grisham. And we have an introduction to authors Grif Stockley, Jay Brandon, Michael A. Kahn, Jeremiah Healy, Philip Friedman, and Lisa Scottoline.
My favorite short story in Legal Briefs, "Poetic Justice" by Steve Martini, is a story that has that "zing" in the end and a "gotcha" to the culprit.
Kelly636@aol.com
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 5 stars.
This book was great and so amazing. I've always been fascinated with any stories about the afterlife and death, and this one is good and very interesting. I read it in one day and am recommending it to all my friends. The only other book I've read with roughly this subject matter that I enjoyed more was The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
SophieRos@aol.com
I'm currently re-reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, our book group choice for December. This book is full of miracles, tragedy, hope, and most of all love. 5 BIG stars!!
VABryden@aol.com
I just finished Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown --- 4 stars worth of good gripping suspense and characters to like and dislike. I felt this was one of her better written books, revealing the warped and/or criminal minds of the various suspects.
Carosp@aol.com
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. 2 stars.
I listened to the book on tape, so maybe it would have been better had I read a hard copy, but I was very disappointed. I've always wanted to read this science fiction classic, and just didn't think it was that interesting, or even that it had much to say.
Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik. 3 1/2 stars.
I did like this one --- interesting story of two sisters who are very close, and their loves, losses, and lives. After each loses her first love in a tragedy, they open a beauty salon together, where one does hair and starts classes on all subjects, and the other plays the harp and has "dance interludes." I was a little disappointed in that I didn't think it was as good as Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, by the same author, which I really loved.
SOblender@aol.com
I am reading The Da Vinci Code and would definitely give it 5 stars. I hope to finish it tonight, hopefully at a reasonable hour. It's so hard to put down!!
patty@bemyfriend-fdc.com
Here Come The Blobbies by Jorge. 5 stars.
This is a fun and educational hardcover picture book and CD-ROM set that introduces us to the colorful Blobbies.
The Blobbies are friendly, shape-changing creatures that live in the far corners of space and like to "blobbiemorph" into simple geometrical shapes such as spheres, cubes and pyramids. When their world is attacked by the evil "Hexacones" they must escape to a forgotten world known as Earth where they must learn to "blobbiemorph" into new shapes to become stronger and defeat the invaders.
This book not only contains an exciting science fiction tale for children, but also features additional educational content. There are two pages introducing children to geometrical shapes, and two pages with a fun personality chart based on the colors of the rainbow (for example: "Blobbie Red" is The Warrior and its personality is "Athletic, Energetic, Passionate, Self-Loving, Spontaneous, Instinctive and Courageous.")
The book also comes with a bonus CD-ROM that is worth the price of the book in itself. It contains games, songs, educational trivia, movies and more. The CD-ROM doubles as a 10 track Audio CD that includes the catchy "Blobbiesong."
I am a daycare provider and my kids absolutely LOVE this book. Even my two-year-old has somehow managed to navigate the CD-ROM and loves playing the "Blobbiesong" over and over.
thenson@mit.midco.net
Becky's Rebel by Sherry Derr-Wille. 5 stars.
Becky helps nurse Union patients in her parents home during the Civil War. When a Confederate man is moved from where he is being held prisoner, she helps to care for him, realizing he is just a young man her age and develops forbidden feelings for him. A great interesting romance!
DKRnj@aol.com
The Cat Who Went Underground by Lilian Jackson Braun. 4 stars.
As usual, a delightful story about Jim Qwilleran and his two cats.
The Crossword Murder by Nero Blanc. 4 stars.
Especially interesting to anyone who is interested in crosswords (as I am), and it does make an interesting story.
bradylee@myway.com
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: My Life with Carlos Castaneda by Amy Wallace. 4 stars.
If you are a fan of Mr. Castaneda and the wonderful books he has written, you should be interested in this book. He lived the subject matter of his books on a daily basis 24 hours a day. His followers were in the thousands (if not millions) worldwide, but what Amy Wallace (and those she includes) went through is almost beyond comprehension. What the close followers did was completely surrender their lives to the control of Carlos, which included cutting up any and all clothing of which Carlos did not approve. He demanded his followers disavow their family and separate from them completely. I personally cannot imagine letting anyone take over my life with their individual rules and regulations, but a large number of men and women did so. This book tells their story. The amazing part is, even after Carlos died of cancer, his control and memory is revered and missed.
linlar20@bellsouth.net
The Hanged Man's Song by John Sandford. 4 stars.
Very good. Sandford still keeps up the suspense in his Kidd novels. I am also a big fan of his Prey books but these a very good detour from his usual Davenport "detective" stories.
Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon. 4 stars.
I love her Outlander series and am anxiously awaiting the next installment. This book just keeps the interest burning.
Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King. 5 stars.
This is also the book that I will be giving as a Christmas present. Like the Gabaldon books, I have been waiting a long time for the next installment and was not disappointed.
Greenwolf@collegeclub.com
evi1 by Evil Dave. Kinda funny, kinda disturbing. Very different!
osager@swbell.net
Monstrum by Donald James
Monstrum is a first novel about a serial killer in Russia (2015). The novel follows the investigation of homicide inspector Constantin Vadim amidst war torn Russia following a civil war that has torn Russia apart. The story began very slowly for me, but as I persevered I found the book very absorbing and first-rate as a mystery.
baxtergr@msn.com
My reading is slowing down a bit with the holiday season upon us, but I have read some books that are worth passing along.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson tells of the building of the 1892-93 Chicago World Exposition, plus the parallel tale of the mass murder that haunts the edges of the event. I found the account of the massive planning and the execution of the fair to be fascinating, but I also thought the mass murder tale was better left as a separate book rather than the distraction it was for me of the main tale. 4 stars.
Bleachers by John Grisham was interesting to me as I followed my son's football playing days as a young man from elementary through high school. His older son recently completed 15 years of playing football with his last college game. He now plans to be a high school teacher and coach so football has been a big part of my life for many, many years. While the coach in Bleachers was certainly not an "ideal" the book was true, IMO, to the devotion many men especially have to the sport. I've purchased it for my son for Christmas. 4 stars.
Femme Fatale by Carole Nelson Douglas. 3 1/2 stars.
This is the most recent of the Irene Adler/Sherlock Holmes mysteries that I so enjoy by this author. Holmes played a much more minor part in this book than in some of the others, but his presence was still be an important part of the story, if only by past influence. These books are a quick, fun read, if not "great literature."
Forgotten Fire by Adam Badasarian. 5 stars.
The story begins in 1915 Turkey and follows the then 12-year-old boy for 3 years as his family is destroyed and he seeks to escape the genocide of the Armenian peoples by the Turks. This book is spare and true, being based on the firsthand account of the young boy as told by his great-nephew, the author. We read and discussed this book at a book discussion group and there was a very lively discussion with each of us learning, from the others as well as from the book, new things about world history.
ahollin272@cox.net
I'm currently reading Day of Infamy by Walter Lord. It's a fascinating look at the attack on Pearl Harbor, from the viewpoints of the people on both sides that were involved. A very good read.
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