bb5153@yahoo.com
I read The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. 5 stars.
michelle_washington@msn.com
My Manufactured English: A Book of Poetry by Mikaylah Simone. 5 stars.
Mikaylah is a New York poet and she uses cultural identity and Swahili roots with modern issues concerning politics, life, love and community. I'm really enjoying it!
JDDistef@aol.com
I received an advance reader copy of Wild Animus by Rich Shapero. If I could give it negative stars, I would. This pretentious, pointless novel about a man on LSD driven to transform into a Ram to commune with "the molten heart" was clearly the worst book I have ever read. If you see it, avoid it at all costs.
On the other hand, Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss is a 5-star book. The zero tolerance approach to punctuation is an informative yet hilarious look at how punctuation affects all of us. And it finally clears up the age old question, Is it "its or it's"?
Catslady5@aol.com
Marylebone by Janet Elaine Smith. 3 stars.
I'm only halfway through but it's a nice romantic mystery.
bookworm1957@adelphia.net
No Second Chance by Harlan Coben
View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason
fishrs@mchsi.com
I just recently picked up The Poet by Michael Connelly --- wow!! I should have found this author a long time ago. He is able to really hold your interest and keep the pages turning. I am now looking forward to picking up his newest book, The Narrows, and then going back and reading all his other books
Skarakozia@aol.com
These aren't new on the market, but worth spending time with:
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall. 5+ stars.
The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster. 5 stars.
Bread Alone by Judith Hendricks. 4 stars.
A Game For the Living by Patricia Highsmith. 4 stars.
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. 4 stars.
I'm just starting Good Grief by Lolly Winston and My Fractured Life by Rikki Lee Travolta.
ginita@adelphia.net
I have just finished reading an ARC of Burro Genius, a biography by Victor Villasenor. I loved this book! It was wonderful and humorous and horrible. Mr. Villasenor talks openly about his extreme dyslexia and the prejudice he dealt with growing up Mexican-American in the '40s. I laughed and I cried. I was angry and appalled at the way he was treated. The book really drew me in and got me involved.
MGSMITH261@aol.com
The Narrows by Michael Connelly. 5 stars.
The wait is finally over. When I finished Lost Light last year, I couldn't wait to read Connelly's next book. I have never been disappointed by Michael Connelly (except that he doesn't write fast enough). Harry Bosch is like an old friend that I feel honored to know. I have just started The Narrows, but I'm almost finished. I need to slow myself so that I don't finish it too quickly. I'm enjoying it immensely. Someone in this column said The Narrows is not as good as The Poet, but I will only say that they are different. It's been a couple of years since I read The Poet, but Connelly has refreshed my memory in subtle ways that have brought most of it back. I'm a huge fan of Michael Connelly. (P.S. Don't see the movie Blood Work; read the book --- it's fabulous.)
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
This was actually a very good read, but it doesn't measure up to Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly. I found myself reading it very quickly because it was intriguing, and I enjoyed the coded messages and figuring out the clues. Somehow, I felt it was "light reading." A far better book that I read a couple of years ago was Day of Confession by Allan Folsom. The setting of the book was the Vatican, and I was totally absorbed by it.
tmzemke@hotmail.com
I just finished one of the best nonfiction books that I've read in a long time. It's Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival by Dean King. It's a superbly written account of Captain James Riley and the crew of the trading ship, the Commerce. In 1815, they left port in Connecticut for an ordinary trading voyage. They became shipwrecked off the coast of Africa and that's where the horror begins. They were eventually captured by Bedouins (desert nomads) and sold into slavery. Riley and his men were dragged along on an insane journey through the bone-dry heart of the Sahara. Along the way the Americans would encounter everything that could possibly test them: barbarism, murder, starvation, plagues of locusts, death, sandstorms that lasted for days, dehydration, and hostile tribes that roamed the desert on armies of camels. This is a MUST read --- you will simply be blown away by this book. Forget the TV series "Survivor" and/or "Fear Factor." This is the real thing. Simply amazing. 5 stars.
On a lighter vein, I read Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. I laughed out loud while reading this book about punctuation and the lack or misuse of it. If you always notice misspelled words, then this is the book for you. It's been a bestseller in England and is now a bestseller in the U.S. (and you know it has to be a good read if a book on punctuation is a bestseller!) 4 stars.
I just started The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It's the story of two boys who are raised in the same household in Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir is the son of the wealthy homeowner, while his friend Hassan is the son of the house servant who happens to be Hazara, a member of a shunned ethnic minority. The author is a doctor who was raised in Afghanistan, which lends to the rich language of this book. Great reviews on this book. 4 stars.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
What Was She Thinking? by Zoe Heller. 1 star.
From reviews I read in People magazine, this book sounded like an interesting read. The magazine was wrong. The book pretty much talked about nothing, and did not really get into the teacher/student affair with much gusto. Maybe since the writer is from England this gave the book a different spin. But the book jacket said she lives in NYC now. Once I start a book, I alway finish. But I was disappointed.
FtLicky@aol.com
I'm currently reading Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, which is the hilarious joy ride about a British woman who works for a Financial Newspaper but is in constant debt and can't stop spending. 5 stars.
I just finished reading Murder by Manicure by Nancy J. Cohen, which is the third mystery in the Bad Hair Day series. 5 stars.
Ginnylazar@aol.com
I've begun John Sanford's Hidden Prey, and for the first time I am having trouble getting into one of his books, so I've also begun Michael Connelly's The Narrows and am enjoying that very much.
lslott@optonline.net
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. 4 stars.
Excellent take on the Elizabeth I/Mary Tudor story. I loved The Other Boleyn Girl by this author, and this book did not disappoint. Full of historical characters with a bit of a mystical twist. Hannah Verde has fled the Inquisition in Spain and is living with her father as a Marrano Jew in England. After she crosses paths with Robert Dudley she becomes a "holy" fool to Queen Mary, a fool who has The Sight. Through the years of Mary's reign Hannah falls in love, becomes a spy at various times for Mary, Elizabeth and Dudley, and is involved in many court intrigues. A very rich and satisfying read.
Pottsplit@aol.com
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 4 stars.
I call this kind of book a "literary mystery," one much more literary than The Da Vinci Code. This book, indeed, could be called a "literary, literary mystery" because the plot is about an obscure book a boy obtains; the boy tries to find out more than was wise to do about the author. The setting is Barcelona in 1945 and progresses through the years as the boy grows into young manhood. A few parts were slow-going but overall I enjoyed it. I look forward to the author's next book.
The Hamilton Case by Michelle de Kretser. 2 stars.
After having read very positive reviews of this book, I was quite disappointed. The title is misleading as only a small portion of the book is devoted to the actual case. Most of the book consists of biographical sketches of the narrator and his family. The plot is set in Ceylon (before it was renamed Sri Lanka), under British rule in the first half of the 20th century. The narrator is a Ceylonese lawyer. If you're looking for a fictional account of how the relatively wealthy natives of Ceylon lived at that time, you may well enjoy this book. Again, I was disappointed.
Defending Baltimore Against Enemy Attack: A Boyhood Year During World War II by Charles Osgood. 4 stars.
This is a short memoir by the CBS newsman of his life as an 11-year-old growing up in Baltimore in 1942. For those of his generation it will bring back fond memories. For others it offers a hint of how things were then.
Rickimc@aol.com
Murder with Puffins by Donna Andrews. 4 stars.
A great cozy for summer reading. Very descriptive.
The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart. 2 stars.
It did not get suspenseful until the end, and the twist was obvious.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan by Nancy Reagan. 5 stars!
This was a sweet, touching book to read. During this time of mourning of President Reagan, this shows the soft side of the man, one all women like to see. The book is written well and is a fast read. I finished it in one day.
MAP5402@aol.com
The Narrows by Michael Connelly. 5 stars.
Connelly is one of my favorite authors and this new book is wonderful.
Just One Look by Harlan Coben. 5 stars.
This is another favorite author of mine. I think this is his best book so far. He seems to get better and better with each book.
Reckless Abandon by Stuart Woods. 3 stars.
I enjoy Woods but this one just didn't grab me.
bradylee@myway.com
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason.
I wasn't going to send in my opinion of this book, as I only went to page 100 and quit. I usually don't bother discussing books I don't care for. However, this book is on the bestseller list and a number of Word of Mouthers is giving it 4 or 5 stars. In the June 11th issue one reader wondered what all the hullabaloo was about as he/she didn't care for it. I just have to second this motion. There was nothing memorable for me nor particularly interesting, so I need not say anything further.
wanda39@charter.net
I just finished reading The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs. I would rate it 4 stars.
I read Nighttime is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark. I would rate it 4 1/2 stars. It kept you on the edge until the very end.
User116712@aol.com
I am currently reading The Colonel by Patrick Davis. His previous books --- The Passenger and The General --- are page turners just as this one is. The Colonel is the story of a former Air Force officer who now consults as a special investigator specializing in homicide. He has been called back to investigate the case of a female officer and her children who have been savagely murdered, and it looks like a coverup, up to and including the highest levels involving the safety of a particular aircraft. By the way, the flight info rings true since Patrick Davis is an American Airlines pilot as well as a graduate of the USAF Academy and former Air Force pilot.
The Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille involves a Middle Eastern terrorist. I was in the beginning of the book when 9-11 happened and have not been able to pick it up since. However, since I never miss a DeMille book, I'm getting ready to resume.
House of Bush, House of Saud. A fascinating look by Craig Unger at the 30-year connection and relationship between the Bushes and the ruling family of Saudi Arabia. It really is thought-provoking, well-documented and well-written. A very timely and interesting read, it sheds a lot of light on some of the whys and wherefores of recent US policy.
Perfectly Legal: The Covert Campaign to Rig our Tax System to Benefit the Super Rich - and Cheat Everyone Else by David Cay Johnston
If you pick up this book and flip through the pages, you will not be able to put it down, I promise. You WILL purchase it or check it out of your library. Be prepared. Take your blood pressure medicine or you may find yourself in the emergency room. This book is the work of a Pulitzer-winning investigative reporter and the research is incredible. As the booknotes suggest, if you make between $30,000 and $300,000 a year, you are being robbed because of the IRS and others that have been corrupted to serve the needs of those who make millions. You will be outraged for sure. This book took Johnston over 9 years to compile. I read somewhere that John Kerry took a couple of days off from campaigning at one point to read this book. I certainly hope so. This should be read by everyone who plays by the rules, works hard and pays their taxes.
I am eagerly awaiting Janet Evanovich's 10th in the Stephanie Plum series, and it will be on my bedside table very soon.
b.nolan@insightbb.com
I'm reading Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson. It's an unforgettable love story. I give it 5 stars.
Crsntmoon3@aol.com
I'm about 160 pages into My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, and it is gripping! It's so good that I'm tempted to give my 5th graders all A's so I can spend my day reading instead of doing report cards! 5 stars!
hushpup@optonline.net
I am currently reading Erica Spindler's See Jane Die. So far it is excellent and I give it 5 stars just like the rest of Erica Spindler's books.
kchiocca@msn.com
I just finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The writing and descriptions were wonderful and vivid. The story was amazing, the characters so lifelike. I found myself running with Amir and Hassan through the streets in Afghanistan. I sobbed my way through this powerful novel, amazed that it is the first by this author. This is truly one of the best books I have read in the past 10 years.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. 4 stars.
Usually, I can figure out mysteries before they end, but this page-turning thriller had me saying, WHAAAAT??????
CEHarnp@aol.com
I am reading the five-book series about Botswana by Alexander McCall Smith. The first is The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Tears of the Giraffe, and Morality for Beautiful Girls. I have read these three and have been so charmed by them. I ran right out to buy the fourth and fifth books, The Kalahari Typing School for Men and The Full Cupboard of Life. These are vignettes of life, recounted as in detective stories of old. I would give these books 4-5 stars.
ILuvCats91T@netscape.net
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. 5 stars.
The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne. 3 stars.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 4 stars.
Sharon Cerasoli
Lily's Ghosts by Laura Ruby.
This first-time novelist has written a fun and intriguing book, a bit spooky at times, set in the scenic seaside town of Cape May, NJ. Lily is forced to move into her great-uncle's home after her mother breaks up with yet another boyfriend. It becomes clear to Ruby that the old Victorian is unusual in many respects. With the help of local boy Vaz, Ruby discovers the ghosts that reside in and around the home, and helps solve the mystery in this book. A great read for young adults, 5th grade and up.
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliou.
I just started this children's book. It has received great reviews, and I can't put it down. Awesome book.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
2nd Chance by James Patterson. 4 stars.
I never read James Patterson before but find that I am really enjoying this trilogy. While sometimes rather predictable (the tough gals win in the end), there are certainly enough twists and turns to make it interesting, right to the very last page.
3rd Degree by James Patterson. 4 1/2 stars.
Again, I enjoyed the twists and turns right up to the end. I look forward to the next release in this series (if there is one).
Fatal Flaw by William Lashner. 4 1/2 stars.
While previewing Past Due recently, I became a Lashner fan. Now I am enjoying going backward in Victor Carl's life/experience to learn what helped make him the man he is in his latest novel. I enjoy his wit and comprehension of the human condition. The way Lashner describes places, events and people intrigues me. Victor's struggles to do the right things are understandable and thought-provoking. One can sympathize with his trials and errors. And again, there are enough twists and turns to make things really interesting. It is a pleasure to backtrack through this series.
bradylee@myway.com
The Blood of Strangers: Stories from Emergency Medicine by Frank Huyler. 4 stars.
This slim volume has many anecdotes of what happens in a hospital Emergency Room...unlike what you see on TV. All are interesting and all but one are from one to six pages long. A couple of them are pertaining to physician errors, and you have chapter titles like "Burn," "A Good Scar" and "An Engineer in the Desert." Any aspiring doctor would get an inkling of what an M.D. goes through and the diversity of problems. A very fast read.
Kathryn Drew
I have recently enjoyed reading Stuart Woods's current books, and since finishing Dirty Work I have been looking for back copies and reading his early works. I am captivated by his ability to take totally different characters like Will Lee and Stone Barrington and tie their books into Delano, GA by using some of the same characters and locales and then to write totally different plots and include different characters yet sort of tie the books together. I read Palindrome several years ago and enjoyed reading it as much the second time as the first.
foxridge03@hotmail.com
I am currently re-reading the Janet Evanovich books. I just finished Hot Six. I also read Robert Parker's Family Honor and Stone Cold recently. I listened to Jennifer Cruisie's Welcome to Temptation on tape.
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
You must all read these:
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde
Excellent, witty satire and spoof, these novels will leave you rolling on the floor in laughter --- but only if you are as clever to pick up on the little subtle funnies as the author was to write them. Each is 5 stars plus!! I can't wait for the next one, The Well of Lost Plots.
GerryD8784@aol.com
Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum. 4 1/2 stars.
I'm finding lately that I enjoy mysteries involving realistic, even mundane characters more than the thrillers that more often populate the bestseller list. This one, like those by Val McDermid, whose writing I've also discovered recently, takes place in a small Norwegian town where the search for a missing six-year old child leads to the discovery of a body, that of a teenaged girl apparently known and loved by everyone in her village.
The Goodbye Summer by Patricia Gaffney. 3 stars.
A sweet story about a thirty-two year old unmarried music teacher, living with the elderly grandmother who raised her, coming to terms with who she is and what she wants out of life. Lovely characters who tug at the heart made this an enjoyable read.
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. 4 stars
With more character study than plot, this is nevertheless a delightful novel that introduces five members of a book club many of us would like to join!
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 3 stars.
Interesting for its history of the museum-like collections gathered by wealthy travelers/explorers in the late 1800s and early 1900s, The Cabinet of Curiosities also includes a good mystery with elements of magic and pseudo-science. Characters from Relic return to solve a series of brutal murders starting around the turn of the century and continuing, apparently, even up to the present.
Past Due by William Lashner. 4 stars.
This well-plotted mystery, though a bit gritty and noir for my taste, has a down-on-his-luck lawyer investigating the murder of a client who owed him money. In the process, he uncovers a lot more than he'd anticipated and stirs up old secrets that may jeopardize a political career and endanger him.
jlmartin7@cfl.rr.com
I'm currently reading Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag.
lindaharriet@netzeronet
Drop City by T.C. Boyle was the last book I read, and it gave me a deeper insight into the shallowness of the hippie culture. 2 stars.
Tsbrown62@aol.com
I've just started The Hazards of Good Breeding by Jessica Shattuck. I'm only on page 47 and possibly haven't given myself a chance to get into it, but so far I have to give it 2 stars.
SalbyC@aol.com
Currently I am rereading on audio tape, Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler. I would give it about 4 stars. Actually, although not quite as compelling as her earlier works, it does lend itself to audio.
NRNMG@aol.com
I picked up Laura Van Wormer's Just for the Summer and am enjoying it tremendously. Although it is one of her older books the story is timely. What a great poolside read! I will definitely read her other books ASAP.
Fbower444@aol.com
I am currently reading The Winner by David Baldacci. So far I rate it 5 stars. I have never been disappointed with stories by Baldacci.
bradylee@myway.com
Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman by Cathy Scott. 3 stars.
There is a lot of history here about Las Vegas and how it got started with the criminal element and the casino industry. The allowance of gambling in 1932 in Nevada opened the door, initially, of well-run casinos owned and operated by the Jewish Mafia. As time went on changes were made until there was no criminal element to speak of. The author dotes on Susan Berman a little too much, even though the story is about her. Susan could never accept poverty, but she went through money so fast that she never had enough and always owed the world. Her demise has never been officially solved, but it appears the culprit was probably her best friend.
mcq.bmcq@verizon.net
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. 4 stars.
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason. 5 stars.
Anonymous
I am currently reading Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Like a Charm by Karin Slaughter. 2 stars.
I really love her books, but this series wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought it would be more like a serial novel, where each author wrote a chapter and sent it to the next one and so on. Some of the stories were really good, but seemed choppy and cut up.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I'm currently reading Stone Monkey by Jeffery Deaver. So far I'd rate it 4+ stars. It is the story of immigrants smuggled into the US from China. Also, Lincoln Rhyme is the forensic detective. Quite interesting.
I'm also reading The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. This is about a lady named Precious who used her cognitive thinking to solve problems for people in Botswana. So far, I'd rate it 4 stars.
BDORM@aol.com
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
The best book I have read this year, this is the story of two Afghani boys growing up in pre-Soviet Kabul, and the plot twists and turns that ensue.
Dancing Arabs by Sayed Kashua. 3 stars.
An Israeli Arab is going to a Jewish school on scholarship, torn between two cultures.
Dreaming of Palestine by Randa Ghazy. 4 stars.
An amazing first novel by a 15-year-old Egyptian girl.
grits813@msn.com
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. 4 1/2 stars.
A book about a women's book group that continues to meet for over 30 years. There are some tears and laughter in those years and you are made to feel like one of the group. I loved the feeling of friendship and loyalty written in the story.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 3 stars.
This was a very light read. Taking place in the low country of South Carolina, I enjoyed the bond between the women in this story. Although from different backgrounds they found a true and unconditional friendship.
DIANWILLY@aol.com
1945 by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen. 4 stars.
A WWII novel with a different plot than the actual happenings. A What If! kept me interested until the end. The story plot is that the US did not enter WWII in 1941 but stayed out initially. I enjoyed this novel.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare. 5 stars.
Everyone loves to read about the stars, and this book is a behind-the-scenes look of the Hollywood life. The characters in the book you like right away. This was a fast and fun read!
fochler@erols.com
The last couple of weeks I have read the following:
Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho. 4 stars
A wonderful read with very memorable characters.
The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodrigues. 5 stars.
Wonderfully written and one you don't want to put down.
The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah. 5 stars.
Absolutely wonderful!
The Wedding of the Two-Headed Woman by Alice Mattison. 5 stars.
This wont be out until August but I have an advance reading copy to review. This is hysterically funny --- all women over 30 will fall in love with it and understand the humor.
KINDLEELF@aol.com
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson. 4 stars.
Alex Cross's first case after joining the FBI.
Resolved by Robert Tanenbaum. 4 stars.
Butch Karp must deal with the jailbreak of a psycho.
Echoes by Maeve Binchy. I believe this is Maeve Binchy's first novel. I have read her subsequent works such as Tara Road, Scarlet Feather, Quentins, Light a Penny Candle. Excellent, all 5 stars.
The Man in My Basement by Walter Mosley. 4+ stars.
The premise is chilling, and the story is a thought-provoking, worthwhile read.
The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer. 4 stars.
At his birth Max has the appearance of an old dying creature. As time goes on, his appearance grows younger.
A Hole in the Universe by Mary McGarry Morris. 5 stars.
After spending 25 years in prison Gordon is afraid to live.
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith. 3 stars.
I picked this up because I had heard so much praise of his earlier works. It was just OK.
Preachers of Hate by Kenneth Timmerman. 5 stars.
If you would like to know more about how hate for America by radical Muslims was fostered, this is the book for you.
The English Assassin by Daniel Silva. 4 stars.
Two Old Women by Velma Wallis.
A simple fable, telling a large truth.
The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka. 5+ stars.
An eastern novel of myth, magic and unforgettable characters.
Bad Men by John Connolly. 4+ stars.
Buddha Da by Anne Donovan. 5 stars.
Written in Scottish dialect, this is the story of a man searching for truth and contentment. Excellent.
Josephine Anna Kaszuba Locke
Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox. 5 stars and more.
Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton in 1961. Residing in Burnaby, British Columbia, while his father was in the Royal Canadian Army Signal Corps, he recounts growing up with parents, siblings, Nana, and friends. Describing himself in the toddler years, Michael says, "… a handful, a whirlwind… precociously funny in a what-spaceship-dropped-off-this-alien kind of way." Michael's early love of music, specifically the guitar (self-taught), was fruitful as a member of the "Halex" band. His love of drama and art was realized at age sixteen when he made his debut as a twelve-year old in the Canadian Broadcasting Company's production of the series "Leo and Me."
Fox's American career was launched with Disney in Midnight Madness. Career credits include the theater screen with Back to the Future, Teen Wolf and Doc Hollywood; and popular television series, "Family Ties" (on the set, Michael met actress/wife Tracy Pollan), and "Spin City." With humor Michael describes success, "…those who got, get" --- i.e., if famous and with fortune, free offers abound. Just the mention of his favorite beer in a conversation brought a truckload of the beverage to his front door…with a promise of more anytime he wanted it!
Fox's emotional journey in facing the reality of the diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) began in 1990 with the twitching of a finger. In Lucky Man, Fox approaches his story with wit, positive attitude and honesty, emotions, and the trials in the continuation of his career. The diagnosis of PD was understandably kept from the public for seven years…shared only with his inner circle of family and trusted associates. Michael experienced the ritual commonly traversed with diagnosis of debilitating diseases, including anger, denial and acceptance. Candidly, Fox tells his faults, ups and downs, the highs and lows of life and show biz, his philosophy, and the thrill of playing hockey against Bobby Orr. In admitting his problem with alcohol and the existence of PD, Michael is led to a therapist and engages a permanent neurologist for treatment of his illness.
As an advocate for PD research funding, Fox has testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing. His campaigning efforts, continued to this day, have had a definite effect on raising awareness of PD in the public and private sectors. Specifically, the acknowledgment that PD is prevalent in earlier ages vs. the medical textbooks' statement that PD is diagnosed in later ages of 50-65 years. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease Research has become a passion in his life. To this date, the exact cause of PD is unknown.
Lucky Man is not only biographical, it is also highly informational writing with regard to the progression and research of PD. Medications associated with treatment are described, differing in results with each person. Fox says of his release of the diagnosed illness to the public, "Disclosure had allowed me to rearrange life so that I could get more from it."
Michael J. Fox possesses an obvious penchant for writing. His exceptional narrative in Lucky Man is philosophical, uplifting and insightful. While reading it, I laughed and I cried. I am in awe of Michael J. Fox for his honesty, humility, compassion, and courage (that includes wife/actress Tracy Pollan and his four children).
[Note: The author's profits from the sale of Lucky Man are donated by the author to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Please visit the author's website: michaeljfox.com]
Connected books recommended are: Life Lessons by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, The Wheel of Life: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Shaking Up Parkinson Disease: Fighting Like a Tiger, Thinking Like a Fox by Abraham Lieberman, M.D.
BKSNOB@aol.com
Here are a few recommendations for the best summer reading of 2004:
England, England by Julian Barnes.
In England, England, his latest "social novel" and Booker Prize nominee, Barnes courageously unleashes his talents to create a third millennium dystopia, populated by mega-cynics who hide behind many masks. In newly formed, financially depleted England, Sir Jack Pitman, an entrepreneurial icon, tops off his career by buying the Isle of Wight and transforming it into a theme park "England, England," a recreation of England's historic landmarks, peopled with actors in the roles of historic figures. This fake world exists so that tourists can "do" England in one weekend and also fill the coffers of Pitman's corporation. "England, England" is the embodiment of what Barnes sees as the worst of British nationalism and pride: pretense of pretense, façade of façade. The inventive plot, panoply of characters and vivid narrative combine with Barnes's rage against a world he sees as fraudulent and hypocritical, corrupted by anomie and disengagement. This is a tragi-comedy not to be missed.
The Sabbathday River by Jean Hanff Korelitz.
"The first [dead] baby was found [in] September"... the second was found not long after. Naomi Roth found them both. Infanticide is barely comprehendible. An act, a subject we barely whisper about. Nevertheless, Jean Hanff Korelitz's novel, The Sabbathday River, is a compelling, introspective, revealing tale wrapped around two murdered newborn babies. With her figurative prose and chillingly sharp details, she recreates the claustrophobic atmosphere shrouding the small rural town of Goddard, NH...the scene of the crimes.
Duane's Depressed by Larry McMurtry.
This final installment in McMurtry's Texas Trilogy deals with the vagaries of life and the path one man chooses to assess how he has lived his. Duane has carried the burdens of his family and friends, and has spent most of his adult life driving his pickup truck. He is struck by the fact that his vision of the world is limited to what he sees from the windows in the cab. So he parks it in his driveway, hides the keys and starts walking. He needs to be unencumbered by obligations. His wife, children, friends and the residents of Thalia are appalled and frightened by his behavior. After all, no one ever walks in Thalia. This is a probing, insightful, witty and thoroughly enjoyable new novel.
Antosi8@aol.com
I am presently reading Summer Island by Kristin Hannah and give it 5 stars! This is a story mostly about mother and daughter relationships. Years ago Nora Bridge walked out on her marriage and left two daughters behind. She has since become a famous radio talk-show host and newspaper columnist. Her youngest daughter Ruby is a struggling comedienne who hates her famous mother. The tabloids discovered a scandalous secret from Nora's past that threatens to ruin Nora's life. She has an auto accident and Ruby volunteers to care for her in their old home on Summer Island so she can write a tell-all article for a glossy magazine and make a big amount of money. Ruby writes the article but finds that Nora is not the woman she hated for so many years.
I have a problem putting the book down as the writing is so good. I recommend it. I would also comment that this is probably a "woman's" book.
msmorganna@hotmail.com
I just finished Charlaine Harris's mystery/sci-fi crossover, Dead to the World, the third and I think the best of the series. Sookie must help Eric (her vampire boyfriend's boss) recover his memory after a coven of witches hex him. This is slapstick comedy with characters who are well drawn. Charlaine describes Louisiana perfectly. A must-read for vampire fans. Charlaine does the genre just as well if not better than Laurell Hamilton or Anne Rice. 4+ stars.
linda.shou@towersperrin.com
Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon. 5 stars.
Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon. 4 stars.
Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon. 4 stars.
Kiss of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon. 5 stars.
These are the first four installments of Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series, which I highly recommend. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.
blueunicorn1974@yahoo.com
I am reading A Widow for One Year by John Irving. This is a very interesting story. I can't wait to see how this story progresses!
jandjross@cox.net
I have recently finished reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This book is bound to be a classic. I give it 5+ stars. It has been on the bestseller list in Spain for over a year and one can see why. This is a classic tale of tragic love, adventure, mystery and the occasional comic relief thrown in for good measure. Don't miss this book! It's one of those books that you hate to finish. I already miss the characters. A most enjoyable novel for summer reading!
bradylee@myway.com
Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief by Bill Mason, with Lee Gruenfeld. 5 stars.
The writing is superb, the details are most exciting, and the aftermath is a wrenching experience. This all adds up to one wonderful read that you will not want to put down 'til finished...and it is all true. You will not find out why a person turns to crime to make a living excepting for the adrenaline rush that seems to accompany a successful hit. You will read many details of each theft that is most interesting and, later in the story, what is done to try to keep out of jail/prison and the special relationship Mr. Mason had with his two attorneys. Each situation is different, and early on you may think that crime really pays well; later you realize the price he paid for his actions.
Anonymous
Divided in Death by Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, is set in a futuristic time of 2059. Although a computer worm is involved in this story, it remains the story of a brave woman, damaged by adults in her childhood, who has made her life over, only to find that what was, still is important in how she sees herself and the world.
This book moves fast and steadily. J.D. Robb knows her characters' deepest, darkest secrets and exposes them carefully. You could skip ahead but it would not make sense to skip the explanations and twists and turns that drive the character to a solution of a crime. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. 4 stars.
Bjglu@aol.com
The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin. 3 stars.
A charming, quirky novel by the consummate comedian/actor.
Little Children by Tom Perrotta. 4 stars.
Snarky novel of suburbia that's both funny and wise.
Americana by Hampton Sides. 4 stars.
Essays on a variety of topics by the author of Ghost Soldiers.
Lgluhani@aol.com
An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary. 4 stars.
Funny, touching recollections by comedian Denis Leary's wife about the birth of their very premature son in England and everything that ensued.
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Topper. 3 1/2 stars.
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 3 stars.
Bill75605@aol.com
I just finished reading Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson. I give it 4 stars. I enjoyed its many twists and turns. The ending was a surprise and makes me wonder what the future holds for some of the characters in his book. It was not as gory as the synopsis on the jacket made me think it would be. It is the first one of his that I have read, but I will definitely look for more.
For a change of pace, I'm starting Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood today.
Starselma@aol.com
I just finished Dark Horse by Tami Hoag. The main character, an ex-cop who starts out with zero self-esteem and no real interest in life, finds a life-altering challenge as she attempts to solve the mystery of a young woman's disappearance. Set primarily around the world of horses, their owners, trainers, and sellers, most of whom are unsavory, the book gallops and jumps from one possible suspect to another, keeping the reader guessing. This is an intriguing story with wonderfully drawn characters and lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed Dark Horse and look forward to reading Ms. Hoag's other novels. I give it 5 stars.
Starselma@aol.com
I just finished Canone Inverso by Paolo Maurensig. It was a great discussion book. I give it 5 stars. The end is like doing a double take; you'll want to read it twice to get it right.
Red Water by Judith Freeman also gets 5 stars. It gives you insight into the Mormon women of the 1800s.
Norbles@aol.com
I just finished The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. 4 stars.
I am currently re-reading Beach Music by Pat Conroy. This is a beautifully written story about a man coming to terms with the death of his wife. He is forced to confront his past and make a better future for his daughter. I am brought back to the years I spent living in SC. I can almost hear the beach music and smell the tidal flats. Pat Conroy is a wonderful writer. 5 stars.
Catslady5@aol.com
Mulligan Stew by Deb Stover. 4 1/2 stars.
I really just started this book but I can tell it's going to be a great one.
lindaharriet@netzero.net
Plainsong by Kent Haruf manages to achieve a novel of grace and eloquence from a few interconnected elements. The novel grows in power and emotion until the climax has you ineluctably engrossed in the outcome. 5 stars.
Giunbones@aol.com
Our group is currently reading Reading Lolita in Tehran. This nonfiction is slow to draw the reader in but is an excellent work that addresses questions, such as why do people even read fiction in the first place. A "retired" teacher in Iran continues a group of women reading western novels and enjoying them for their beauty as well as applicability to their lives and development.
EGWGOMA@aol.com
Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs. 5 stars.
Reichs seems to be giving forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan much more romance in this latest book. Her wit is sharper, too. This is a tale of lost young women, lots of twists and turns, and is not for the squeamish.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I just finished reading Lost Light by Michael Connelly. This was another excellent read starring LAPD homicide cop (now retired) Harry Bosch, complete with all the twists and turns and complications he seems to encounter. This time Harry gets under the skin of some unpleasant FBI characters who make life both difficult and frightening for him (as well as for the reader, if you believe that absolute power corrupts absolutely). 5 stars.
Carosp@aol.com
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. 5 stars.
I like Michael Chabon's books, and this is the best of the ones I've read. It's about two very young men in the 1930s who create comic book heroes, and the rest of their lives, including a woman who also ends up illustrating comics and marrying one of them. Kavalier has sneaked out of Eastern Europe just ahead of the Nazis beginning to execute their "final solution," and does everything he can to get his family out in time. Clay is his cousin, who is the story man, and gets Kavalier involved in comics. A great read.
The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block. 3 1/2 stars.
A much lighter read, but very entertaining. This is the latest in the series Block writes about Bernie Rhodenbarr, bookstore owner and burglar. Amusing and fun. Bernie is always drawn into solving crimes, either because he knows people who are involved or because the police suspect him. And of course, he always solves them.
Heather from Victoria, BC
I recommend Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. It is an adventure story about a boy working on an airship that is taken over by pirates. He must save his ship, which he loves as much as his own life, and help a girl prove the existence of a previously undiscovered and strange species of flying mammal. It has an exciting plot and a really creative setting, a world where airships travel the world like oceanliners. 4 stars!
Crsntmoon3@aol.com
I just finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. What an amazing book that gives the reader a taste of living in a family consumed by one child's fight against a fatal disease. Very well-told and gripping! 4 1/2 stars.
I'm tickled pink that summer vacation has arrived so I can dive headfirst into the mountain of books I've been accumulating all year. I recently started Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo, a book I was enjoying on audio with my 5th graders when the school year wound down. I highly recommend her books for 4th-8th graders. Time Twister is a sequel to Midnight for Charlie Bone (5 stars), and my students have been emailing me to fill me in on the third book in the series, hot off the presses.
myraberry@earthlink.net
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler. 4 stars.
Tyler takes ordinary people who meet and marry during WWII. How she makes the story of their life together is compelling and gives one much food for thought about relationships --- especially marriage.
FtLicky@aol.com
I'm currently reading Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede, which is the first book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, about a teenage princess who rebels against her parents and runs away to live with a dragon. 5 stars.
I just finished reading Tell it to Naomi by Daniel Ehrenhaft, which is a book about a teenage boy who begins writing an advice column for his high school under his older sister's name. 4 stars.
Trisher2@aol.com
I just finished reading Cassandra, Lost by Joanna Catherine Scott and would give it 5 stars. The book is historical fiction and the scenes are in America and France. The characters are real people, and I especially was grateful for the last chapter, which tells you what happened to them and where many of them are buried. The chapters about the French Revolution and the hardships the people faced actually made you feel as if you were there. I am glad that I found this book.
Babsdesign@aol.com
Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki. 4 stars.
I love the book, but it was bound, so you turn the pages starting back to front and this was tricky to get used to.
An Imperfect God by Henry Wiencek. So far (I am only halfway through it) 4 stars.
Great details, but a bit slow in parts.
Pat4CSKK@aol.com
The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. 4 stars.
I was given this book as a gift by someone who knew I loved knitting. It doesn't interfere with my knitting --- I can do both at the same time. This book is about a cancer survivor who opens a yarn shop, the people who join her knitting class and how their lives change because their different backgrounds are intertwined almost like the yarn on their needles. Their struggles with learning this ancient art, and the bonds that are formed, leave an indelible imprint. Macomber really brings her characters to life.
Linda Slott
I finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult this week and rate it 5 stars.
Wow! That's about all I can say about this book. Jodi Picoult delivers one of the most heartwrenching stories I have read in a very long time.
Anna Fitzgerald was conceived by her parents in an effort to save their daughter Kate, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Now she is 13 and is tired of being a walking medical donor. So she sues her parents for medical emancipation. What follows is a tragic and controversial tale that will leave you questioning what you would do if you were faced with these decisions. The ending was a complete jaw dropper.
Very highly recommended.
CarolEBergs@aol.com
Good Morning, Midnight by Reginald Hill. 4 stars.
Hill is back to his "superb mystery writer" status in this book with less of the word games that he played in his previous two novels. It was a great read.
Live Bait by P.J. Tracy. 2 stars.
While this was a somewhat entertaining book, I did not think it had the same quality as their previous book, Monkeewrench. Not to give too much away as a spoiler, in some areas the premise almost stretched to incredulity. Would I buy their next book? Perhaps, but not in hardcover.
dmilburn@alltel.net
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 4 stars.
I could hardly put this book down from the very first page. A real saga of a Greek family from when they immigrated until modern times. I knew from the beginning there couldn't be a happy ending and I was right. I really had to plow to finish the last 100 pages or so because the action was very depressing. Still, all in all, a very good book.
Jrnrbownh@aol.com
I have just finished reading Blue Blood by Edward Conlon. He is a NYC police detective in real life and this book is wonderful. A whole different look at the police.
Ellen of Berlin
The Thomas Berryman Number by James Patterson. 2 stars.
Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler. 4 stars.
The Dream of Scipio by Iain Pears. 4 stars.
JEANISRAEL@aol.com
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
Strange, I have finished it but still don't know if I liked it a week later.
NOCLUE3457@aol.com
I just finished The Pact by Jodi Picoult. I give it 5 stars…I could not put it down. This book is incredibly sad and disturbing, but I loved because it made me think.
askinsjp@earthlink.net
I've just started Brick Lane by Monica Ali. A good read that's been highly recommended. It's a little slow right now. I am hoping it starts to pick up the pace. 3 stars.
Ginnylazar@aol.com
I find myself becoming very frustrated with Tami Hoag. Some of her books are dynamite, and others that really have a good story line are buried in stereotypical romance heroes and heroines who are so artificial they ruin the book for me. Still Waters is such a book. The female lead could be so strong, but her intelligence and drive are undermined by an adolescent reaction to the stereotypical tough guy. Other characters in the book are well constructed. I think 2 stars would do for this one. I also finished Michael Connelly's The Narrows and, as always, enjoyed his work thoroughly. I indicated earlier that I was having a hard time getting into Silent Prey. I don't know what I was having trouble with. Concentration, perhaps. I started it again and jumped right in. Excellent read.
jjfarris@bellsouth.net
The latest book I have read is not really a new book. I happened to find a Robin Cook novel that I had not read: Fatal Cure. Having worked in the medical field, I have enjoyed Cook's novels. I thought it was a little different from other books by Robin Cook, but equally as intriguing, suspenseful and action-filled. I felt that the story line was not as realistic as his other novels that I have read. In a 1 to 5 rating, I guess I would give it a 4.
clschomer@dmci.net
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 5 stars.
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. 4 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
On a Street Called Easy, in a Cottage Called Joye by Gregory White Smith and Steven Naifeh. 4 stars.
This is subtitled "A Restoration Comedy" and that it is. This is the true story of two men (authors) who are living in New York City and discover a house they want (after looking throughout the U.S.) that is on the market in Aiken, South Carolina, but the sales price is over a million dollars and they don't have a million pennies. You must read this to find out how in the world they finally bought the house that was so run down it was almost hopeless. The story of the reconstruction is written in a hilarious manner and you get the flavor of a small town and its inhabitants. Reading this book gives you that warm comfortable feeling of how nice --- and hectic --- life can be.
Rachel from Selbyville, DE
I recently finished reading and loved The Bark of the Dogwood (5 stars) by Jackson Tippett McCrae. I am currently reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger; at present I'd rate it 4 stars.
jlmartin7@cfl.rr.com
I just started reading Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag. So far, I give it 3 3/4 stars.
Newcrain@aol.com
A Cold Heart by Jonathan Kellerman. 5 stars.
A good Alex Delaware series story with Milo and new woman detective, Petra. Twists and turns. A good mystery.
stephejl@stclair.k12.il.us
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. 3 stars.
Vivid descriptive writing about the mundane events of daily living as experienced by an Indian family transplanted in America. I felt no empathy for the characters; what may have worked as a short story was a so-so novel.
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
Hard to put down!! A compelling story of the discovery of a dead newborn on an Amish farm, the arrest and subsequent trial of the 18-year-old mother who refuses to admit she even gave birth.
Random Family by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc. 5 stars.
A fascinating portrait of the value system that leads the poverty stricken to repeat the cycle from generation to generation. This would be an excellent compendium to Ruby Payne's Framework for Understanding Poverty. A MUST READ for every educator, sociologist and psychologist working with impoverished families.
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 4 stars.
It was less about a trial than the narration of life as it occurred during the 70s, including the Vietnam War, school desegregation, religious fundamentalism, and the demise of small town businesses when "Bargain City" (a thinly veiled Wal Mart) builds a local store. Easy read and entertaining!
Britadon@aol.com
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
One has to give 5 stars to a book that kept one reading all night long. It was 5:30 A.M. when I finished and I had to get up and go to work! Well, it was worth it! This suspenseful tale spins around Vatican City and the College of Cardinals and a maniac. Mr. Brown is a wonderfully talented writer and I think this one was maybe better than his latest, The Da Vinci Code, which was not at all bad!
Jessica - Talent, Oregon
The 37th Hour by Jodi Compton. 5 stars.
This is a first novel by an author I will absolutely want to read again. This book was totally engrossing and demanded a late night of reading in order to reach the conclusion. I highly recommend this book.
The Business of Dying by Simon Kernick. 5 stars.
I grabbed this book off the shelf on impulse at my local library and was very pleasantly surprised. This book is for all those who love Ian Rankin and the Rebus series. The main character (a corrupt cop) and style of writing (gritty and portentous) are very similar to Rankin, but Kernick is able to find his own voice. This is a good way to bide your time while waiting for Rebus to make his next appearance.
The Awakening by Shannon Drake. 3 stars.
I have actually read all five books in this series now and have the gist of all of them down pat. Storyline: The prerequisite gorgeous, headstrong, yet financially independent girl suddenly finds herself in a tangle of demon/vampire trouble. Enter the enigmatic, tall, handsome stud-muffin who not only has all the answers, but is interested in a long-term, committed relationship. Complications ensue because…Surprise! He/She has a secret. He's a demon/werewolf/vampire. Or possibly, the headstrong girl is the demon/werewolf/vampire. It doesn't really matter because it always works out in the end and they all live happily ever after. All that being said, I have to confess that I will read the next book in the series because a little triviality now and again keeps one humble. Plus, reading A Tale of Two Cities at the pool is no fun.
Harm's Way by Stephen White. 4 stars.
I like White's psychotherapist/super crime solver Alan Gregory. He is clever, brave and very human. I can always count on Stephen White for an intelligent, sophisticated storyline and a good read.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. 5 stars.
Okay. I admit it. I am addicted to Harry Potter. I resisted the tide as long as I could and now have succumbed to J.K. Rowling's incredible writing and imagination. I had read the first book in the series when it first came out and deemed it too dark for my children, but now they are older and loving the series as much as I do. A 10-year old boy reading a 724-page book is a wonderful thing to see.
Cdlavalon@aol.com
My Ex-Best Friend: A Novel of Suburbia by Beth Brophy. 3 1/2 stars.
This first novel by Beth Brophy was thoroughly enjoyable. It's funny, smart and totally engrossing. Written in the first person by Claire Newman --- wife, mother of three (including a pair of four year old twins) and an award-winning journalist in a major news magazine --- the reader is lured along on her compulsive mission to discover whether or not her former "best friend" committed suicide or was murdered.
jeffers64@sbcglobal.net
I am currently reading the following novels:
The League of Night and Fog by David Morrell
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
The Curve of the World by Marcus Stevens
The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
blueunicorn1974@yahoo.com
I just wanted to tell you about a great book I am reading right now. It is called The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah. The character development in this book is wonderful. The author really knows how to make a reader feel like he/she knows the characters in the book. The story is true to life, although there are a few minor details that I found hard to believe. I would highly recommend this book to all female readers who enjoy a great read!
NGroves@aol.com
The Adventures of Miles and Isabel by Tom Gilling. 4 stars.
Miles and Isabel are destined for each other after being born on the same night in 1856. Miles's mother, an actress in a touring company, goes into labor on stage, while Isabel's mother, a "respectable" wife and mother, simultaneously goes into labor in the audience. It takes a while for their paths to cross, while Miles travels around Australia with his mother and works as an assistant to a levitator and Isabelle gives her mother headaches by refusing to lead the conventional life of a proper young lady. Eventually, mutual fascination with flight brings them together in this delightfully quirky love story.
Messenger by Lois Lowry. 4 stars.
This new young adult novel combines characters from two of Lowry's most memorable earlier books, The Giver and Gathering Blue. Something is causing people in "the village," a haven for refugees, misfits and the disabled, to harden their hearts and turn away newcomers. Even the landscape is becoming vicious, jeopardizing a young boy's efforts to bring the daughter of his foster father through a forest to the village before the gates are closed forever. The boy has recently discovered that he has the power to heal, but will it be enough to restore this utopia?
Getting Mother's Body by Suzan-Lori Parks. 3 stars.
Many voices tell this unusual story, centering on the efforts of pregnant, unmarried, jilted teenager Billy Beede to recover a fortune in diamonds and pearls supposedly buried with her mother, whose grave site is about to be paved over for a supermarket parking lot. Billy steals a truck from her late mother's female (but often passing as male) lover and, with help from various relatives, heads from Texas to Arizona to get the jewelry. Dill, the lover, is equally determined to stop her and get the truck back. The writing style is very unusual, and the memorable characters each have a distinctive voice.
Monkey Hunting by Cristina Garcia. 4 stars.
A beautifully written novel about a 19th century Chinese farm boy tricked into going to Cuba, only to find himself a slave working in the sugar cane fields. He eventually escapes and marries, and the story follows his life while also dipping into the lives of his descendants in the New World as well as those of the family he left behind in China. Beautifully written.
SN from El Sobrante, CA
Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox. 4 stars.
Incredible memoir of a woman who faced physical and sometimes political challenges to swim the English Channel, Bering Strait, Cape of Good Hope ... without a wet suit! Inspirational beach reading!
Summer of the Big Bachiby Naomi Hirahara. 3 stars.
Interesting mystery about retribution and past actions coming back to haunt a Japanese-American gardener currently living in Los Angeles, but who was in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped during WWII.
Why I'm Like This: True Stories by Cynthia Kaplan. 2 1/2 stars.
One of the reviews likens the author to David Sedaris, but I found the stories uneven, with only a few real standouts.
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler). 4 stars.
I don't read that many children's books (the last being Holes by Louis Sachar) but found this an entertaining and fast read. I will have to read the others while browsing in local bookstores!
The Garden Flamingo
I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It is a five-star book that brought wonderful new thoughts to my mind. It asked questions without right answers.
I am also reading The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. At this time I would give it 3 stars (maybe because it is making me ask questions about myself?).
stays@olypen.com
After reading Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter, I immediately ordered Kisscut, her next thriller. Blindsighted was short listed for the CWA John Creasey Dagger Award for best first crime novel of 2001, and I can understand why. The opening scene will knock your socks off. It is a story about rape and murder. But unlike one set in LA or NY, Slaughter allows you to become intimately involved with not just the people, but a town in Georgia. The story takes place over the space of one week. A whirlwind read. It is a fast-paced, heart-stopping, character-driven roller coaster ride. You really should take it. This is not for the faint of heart, but if you made it through a Thomas Harris book, you'll do just fine. 5 stars.
Another short listed mystery for the CWA John Creasey Dagger Award 2002 is The Water Clock by Jim Kelly. The author is a British journalist and so is his protagonist, Philip Dryden, who works for a local newspaper in the Fens. It all begins with a car being discovered under the ice in River Lark, along with a dead body. And then another body is found, or what is left of it after thirty years. There are moments of hilarity and tenderness. If you love Colin Dexter, P.D. James or Val McDermid, you will love this. It is beautifully paced, but with phrasing you will want to stop and savor. I ordered his next book, The Fire Baby. 5 stars.
Bone Harvest is the first police procedural I've read by Mary Logue. A flashback to 1952 opens the story in Pepin County, Wisconsin, a farming community where most of the folks living there in 1952 are either still living there or dead. A burglary of toxic pesticides and some pranks, followed by a serious poisoning on the Fourth of July, connect today's crimes with elements of the 1952 slaughter of the entire Schuler family. Deputy Claire Watkins is the only detective for the sheriff's department. The author makes it very easy for the reader to slip in beside Watkins while she is trying to deal with her personal life as a widowed mom of an eleven-year-old and figuring out whodunit. The strength in this is the author's quality writing, dialogue that makes all of this feel authentic, and the ability to bring her characters to life full blown. I found one glaring error that should have been noticed, so for that I will deduct one star. 4 stars.
spy_girl7@hotmail.com
I have been reading through a series called Adventures of a Country Vet. There are three titles in the series: Don't Turn Your Back in the Barn, Dr. Dave's Stallside Manner, and Where Does It Hurt? written by a self-published author, Dr. David Perrin, and they're AWESOME. I grew up in the country and his books just light up memories. He has a wonderful way with words.
Don't Turn Your Back in the Barn (5 stars) is his first book, and it is absolutely hilarious! It is his first year as a vet on a budget, and he writes about his encounter with a horny billy goat and how he amputated a leg from a cat. He offers enough detail to satisfy my curiosity, and it's great for aspiring vet students.
The second book, Stallside Manner (5 stars), is filled with even better and juicier stories. Perrin has a sense of humor that comes out and I like his honesty. Perrin shows his admiration and respect for his helper Doris, and his genuine goodness depicts him as truly human.
The third book Where Does It Hurt? is great so far but i haven't finished it. 4 out of 5 stars. It's a definite good read if you like animals and enjoy the country.
MoxeyH@mjsc.com
The Buffalo Soldier by Chris Bohjalian. 5 stars.
I previously read (and loved) Bohjalian's Midwives and am now reading The Buffalo Soldier for my reading group's book selection this month. It's an interesting story, and there is good character development with each chapter switching the point of view between the various main characters.
travelingpeggy@yahoo.com
The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. 4 stars
I listen to the unabridged audio of this book. It was narrated with two voices --- one was the author himself and I have to assume his wife (Fontaine Dollas Dubus). The two narrations were excellent. I can't image enjoying this book as much if I had read the hard copy version, especially since the characters were so very flawed. Hearing their "voices" made it much easier to care about them and get an understanding of motivation.
The Full Cupboard of Life: More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. 3 stars.
Again an Unabridged Audio choice. Great narration by Lisette Lecat. But I had looked forward to this book so much and it turned out to be my least favorite of this now 5-book series. Very, very slim detecting in the plot and the characters did not seem to be as engaging as in the other books. Too easy to put down, too hard to pick up again.
richardmitchell@mindspring.com
I just finished The Narrows by Michael Connelly. Fantastic. More of
the great Harry Bosch series. 5 stars.
I also recently read Paranoia by Joseph Finder. 2 stars at most. Don't believe the hype.
bradylee@myway.com
The Oath: A Surgeon Under Fire by Khassan Baiev, with Ruth and Nicholas Daniloff. 5 stars.
I was never concerned about the war in Chechnya as I didn't understand it and Chechnya's place in the world. After reading this, my understanding and outlook is completely changed. This is a story of a man who becomes a surgeon and lives in Chechnya. He tells you a lot about his country, Russia, and his Islam religion, as well as the reason for the difficulties and war in that region (hard to be believed). The animosity between Russia and Chechnya is horrible and deeply felt. There is a lot of war in this book as well as high adventure when the author is almost killed at least 3 or 4 times because of his philanthropic ways; you wonder how he ever survived. This book is enlightening and is a page-turner.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
To Have and To Hold by Jane Green. 5 stars.
I have all of Jane's books in my collection, and this was the latest one that just came out. It was great as all her others were! She writes in a pace that makes you feel like you are in the book. I'm looking forward to her next one!!!
mereference@delco.lib.pa.us
I have just read some Young Adult novels.
Luna by Julie Anne Peters is about a transgendered high-school student who yearns to set his true identity free. It was an excellent look at a scarce topic of gender identity. I would give it 5 stars.
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers was written entirely in forms (investigative reports, interview transcripts, etc.). It simply states the facts according to the characters' viewpoints with no narrative interpretation. This really leaves the readers to draw their own conclusion. I give it 4 stars.
I just finished the advanced reader copy of Dizzy by Cathy Cassidy, which is about an 11-year-old girl whose mother abandoned her and her father when she was four. Her hippie, traveling mother shows up on Dizzy's 12th birthday and whisks her up into a whirlwind of the festival lifestyle. I would give it 4 stars.
jberger@salud.unm.edu
The Amber Room by Steve Berry. 5 stars.
Thrilling adventure and nonstop suspense in this novel set in Germany dealing with the World War II artifact, The Amber Room. Excellent character portrayal as well as action and vivid descriptions. Thoroughly gripping.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva. 5 stars.
Fabulous, action, suspense, as well as interesting characters who are so intrinsic to this special novel. I just love all of Daniel Silva's great books, which depict such realistic and alive people who shine through the pages with their strengths and abilities.
harrises@bayou.com
I am reading The Known World by Edward P. Jones. A fascinating story of slavery. 5 stars.
Also, I am currently reading Bayou Farewell by Mike Tidwell. A must-read for every American, but as a lifelong resident of Louisiana we just voted it as our River Reads in Ouachita Parish. Mike Tidwell is a fabulous writer. 5 stars.
bfjohnston@mpamacs.org
I just finished The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage and give it 5+ stars. It was well-written and suspenseful. It opens with a punch, and unlike some books that grab you in the beginning but can't follow through, this one holds you to the end.
I also recently read The Secret Smile by Nicci French, another 5-star book for her --- she has the "London woman in trouble and nobody understands" down to a science.
Take Me, Take Me With You by Lauren Kelly (a pseudonym for Joyce Carol Oates) gets 4 stars --- a good book but it let me down at the end.
The Body of Jonah Boyd by David Leavitt is an interesting read, but the hype led me to expect better. 4 stars
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is one of my favorite books so far this year. 5+ stars;
And don't miss the 5-star winner that is Eventide by Ken Haruf.
bbaggins@bedford.heartland.net
Judas Child by Carol O'Connell. 5 stars.
A departure from her Mallory series. I could not put this book down.
The Bookman's Promise by John Dunning. 4 stars.
I've only read the first 3 chapters and I'm ready to get my hands on the first and second books in this series.
Ery222@aol.com
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 5 stars.
Intriguing and scary. A good read.
Fbower444@aol.com
The Winner by David Baldacci. 5 stars.
Baldacci spins a great story about LuAnn, a dirt-poor southern girl who is given the chance to win the national lottery --- and she finally accepts. Murder, intrigue and twists in the plot lead to an exciting story. Baldacci is one of my favorite authors and The Winner is one of his better stories. Don't miss it.
ginita@adelphia.net
I just finished an ARC of John Searle's Strange But True. What a marvelous book!!! I absolutely loved it and know that when it is released everyone else will love it as well. Wonderful, well written, intricate piece.
Marlynn in Cayon Country
I just finished David Baldacci's The Winner and Saving Faith. I give them both 4 stars. David is also the author of Absolute Power, a movie with Clint Eastwood. The characters in The Winner are still with me and I find it hard to move on with another book. However, I went to the library today and found another D.B. book, The Simple Truth, so I might be on my way to another great read!
Tiggi47@aol.com
The Lake House by James Patterson. 5 stars.
This is a sequel to When the Wind Blows. Many of us have either thought about flying or have dreamed about it. This book is about a girl named Tinkerbell who is being hunted by a doctor who is into genetic cloning. Several children were cloned and were made with wings. They must be killed to make sure they don't tell about the Resurrection at the hospital. "You tell you die" is what she was told. Her trust is with no one until she meets a vet and a former FBI agent. This is one of those books you don't want to put down.
Pudgypb@aol.com
Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman.
This is one scary book, but one you can't put down. I read it in one day. It really held my interest.
Tara - Kutztown, PA
I have had an interesting month. I've accomplished three books and only one was worth the paper it was written on.
By a Spider's Thread by Laura Lippman.
I was not impressed by this author's work. It was not suspenseful and I really didn't have any attachment to the characters.
Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs.
I wanted to write this author and ask for my time back. It was well written but it lacked the serial killer's view. I did learn a lot about bone but I won't pick up her books again.
Sleeping Beauty by Phillip Margolin.
After being let down twice I was afraid of attacking another mystery, but I needed a good thrill. This book fit the bill. It grabbed me from the beginning and kept me going until the end. I read this book within 5 days. If you are a fan of Tami Hoag's books, try this one. It reminded me of Night Sins and Guilty as Sin.
Walt's Mom
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
A well-written and suspenseful novel, but the premise of the story suspends disbelief to the breaking point.
lindaharriet@comcast.net
I'm reading Truth & Beauty by Ann Patchett. It is, indeed, a story of a friendship filled with truth and beauty and ineluctable tenderness. I love the nicknames Lucy called Ann and the way Ann called Lucy, Pet. This is a friendship that will break your heart. 5 stars.
bakerhaddy@earthlink.net
I am currently reading Dearest Friend by Lynne Withey. Dearest Friend is the biography of Abigail Adams, the wife of President John Adams, an unschooled minister's daughter who became the most influential woman in Revolutionary America. Dearest Friend is the salutation Abigail would use in the letters she wrote to her husband when they lived apart for more than a decade while he traveled in America and abroad to help begin a new country.
This book is an easy read, and the author's writing style is straightforward and easy to follow, which allows the reader to form a mental picture of the events described.
I'd rate this book 4 stars.
BERNTONE@aol.com
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. 5 stars.
I am thoroughly engrossed in this book. I must admit I was reluctant to read it after being so moved and inspired by Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven. However, I am finding this book to be just as thought-provoking and inspiring. Both are highly recommended. I give them both 5 stars.
Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts. 4 stars.
This is a very informative and interesting book about the mothers of some of our most prominent presidents. Its appeal may be mostly to history buffs. However, there are some delightful human and family stories in this book that may be of interest to everyone.
mbennett32003@earthlink.net
I recently finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith and Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. Both were labeled as mysteries, but there wasn't a lot of mystery involved in either. The strength of both was more in the setting. Since both of these are the first of a series, though, it could be that the authors were just trying to get the set-up for future books. They were enjoyable reads. I would give both 4 stars.
Kathryn E. Drew
I have read several of Stuart Woods's newer books, the latest being Reckless Abandon (5 stars), and enjoyed them so much I went on a search at the library to find some of his older ones. At present time I am reading Run Before the Wind and just finished Deep Lie, which I have to give a least 4 stars, but it keeps me so interested that I could hardly lay it down (maybe it is worth 5 stars). Sometimes if I like a new book by an author, I become interested in reading some of their old books. They are sometimes hard to find. Thanks to the libraries that are so helpful in finding copies for me.
PFLucas@aol.com
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg. 5 stars.
As a fan of Elizabeth Berg's work, I am always amazed at her ability to create such varied stories with rich and developed characters. The Art of Mending begins with the anticipation of a yearly traditional family reunion and then spirals in to the dark aspects of family secrets and relationships. It is quite a contrast from her previous novel, Open House.
One Giant Leap: Neil Armstrong's Stellar American Journey by Leon Wagener. 5 stars.
A well-documented story of Neil Armstrong's life and entrance into the space and Apollo program. Wagener has provided interesting details relating to Armstrong's achievement as the first man on the moon.
magykal22@msn.com
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
What can be said about a Plum novel other than "Hooray it's here!" and man it was too short. Stephanie is at it again, being at the wrong place at the wrong time, then finding the best place to end up. There was too little of Grandma Mazur and not enough of the boys, but hey, she's becoming a crafty little one.
s.bucher@insightbb.com
I'm currently reading Hard Eight, the eighth in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. These books make me want to laugh out loud; the predicaments Stephanie gets into are sometimes hilarious! The language and situations are often crude, but I suppose that's because she's a Jersey girl. 5 stars.
ARomano895@aol.com
Plan of Attack by Bob Woodward.
WOW! Bush is going to be TOAST in NOVEMBER! GREAT BOOK.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I'm currently reading The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Interesting regardless of your religious beliefs. Much food for thought. I'd rate it 4+ stars.
bwyatt@bright.net
Liars and Thieves by Stephen Coonts. 4 1/2 stars.
Tommy Carmellini is not one of my favorite characters in Coonts's lineup, but this book is up to the author's previous high standards and worth reading if you are a Coonts fan. (I am)
Escaping Tornado Season by Julie Williams. 4 stars.
When I contemplated an entire book in blank verse "written" by a young girl, I was skeptical, to say the least. I was wrong. This is an engrossing story of a young girl's attempts at adjusting to a life that is difficult, to say the least, and a very rewarding read. And the verse does NOT get in the way.
A Place Called Bliss: The Saskatchewan Saga by Ruth Glover. 4 stars.
The first in the saga. I went back after reading the latest book. While the writing is somewhat basic, the characters and situations are very interesting, reflecting as they do a way of life that is long past.
Mission Compromised by Oliver North. 2 stars.
I read this out of curiosity. It was worth it, but just barely. It's an awfully long book.
Britadon@aol.com
Columbo by William Harrington. 4 stars.
This may not be the deepest book that I have ever read but it was so enjoyable. The description of Columbo was so true to the TV character and I simply laughed out loud when the police officer just really wanted to pull the hanging thread off his raincoat. A real Columbo mystery and fun summer reading.
Plainsong by Kent Haruf. 4 stars.
I have been wanting to get to this book for a long time and finally did. What a touching love story! But not the conventional love --- just deep, kind, human love. And I loved it.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I just finished a James Bond book, Die Another Day by Raymond Benson. Typical Bond. I'd rate it 3 stars. Interesting enough to keep me reading, but nothing too deep.
dashofbasenji@charter.net
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich. 4 1/2 stars.
What is there to say about Janet Evanovich's bounty hunter series? Losing myself in one of these books is a fantastic and funny experience every time.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
Another excellent job by Ms. Evanovich. I laughed out loud as I read this book. Grandma Mazur is as charming and witty as ever in her own sort of way. Sally Sweet is back. And the sexual tension between Stephanie, Joe and Ranger is smoldering. Stephanie Plum, the lead character, is as stubborn as usual as she risks life and limb to continue with her work despite there being a contract out for her life by a dangerous Trenton gang. I especially liked the ending of this one --- it was true to form for Stephanie Plum and her crazy friends and family!
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. 4 stars.
This humorous and intriguing tale is hard to describe. It is mystery, romance, science fiction and humor all rolled into one book. The Eyre Affair is the first in the Thursday Next series. Thursday is an agent of the literary detective agency and she takes the readers along with her on an adventure that won't be quickly forgotten. This is a great light read.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
Written from the perspective of a 15-year-old autistic boy, this book is not just the story of a boy who sets out to investigate the murder of his neighbor's dog. It is a story about betrayal, family and courage. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly.
Denial by Keith Ablow. 4 stars.
I put off reading this book, although it came highly recommended. I was warned up front that I probably would not like the main character right off the bat but advised that I should stick with it because I would really like the book by the end. And how true that was! This was a very suspenseful and intriguing story about a forensic psychiatrist who is battling with a drug addiction, a gambling habit, his philandering ways, a dying relationship, and is on the hunt for a serial killer who is striking very close to home.
A Cold Heart by Jonathan Kellerman. 4 stars.
Many people I know who read A Cold Heart expressed disappointment, and while I do agree that this particular book lacked some of the intensity that Mr. Kellerman's other books had, I enjoyed this suspenseful novel quite a bit. Alex Delaware, psychologist, joins forces with LAPD homicide detectives to track down the killer of artists on the verge of peaking careers.
Therapy by Jonathan Kellerman. 3 1/2 stars.
Alex Delaware is at it again. In this installment, Milo Sturgis, LAPD's finest homicide detective, asks psychologist Alex Delaware for his help in solving the murder of two young people. When the murdered young man's therapist turns up dead as well, the search for the killer intensifies. I was a tad bit disappointed with this book. It had a promising start, but I felt it got off track a bit at the very end. Mr. Kellerman threw in an extra curve ball that just did not fit in with the story, I felt.
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival by Louise Murphy. 3 1/2 stars.
Louise Murphy rewrites the old fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. In this novel, two Jewish children are abandoned by their father and stepmother in the forest during the last months of the Nazi Occupation of Poland. They are taken in by a gypsy woman who is known as the village witch. This was a heartwrenching book that covered a lot of ground: the resistance movement, the sacrifices parents made for their children in order to protect them, the end of the war, and the perseverance of love.
Death Warmed Over . . . Coming Soon by Cindy Daniel. 2 1/2 stars.
In her debut novel, Ms. Daniel introduces the reader to Hannah Fogarty, a divorced mother who is reinventing her life after a terrible marriage. When her sister is the main suspect in a murder investigation, Hannah jumps right in to try to clear her sister's name. This particular book held a lot of promise, but I expected a mystery and felt this book was much more a romance novel, as the love story took center stage throughout the book.
lowthera@swbell.net
I just finished Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George. Ms. George did extensive research on the time of Jesus and it shows in this wonderful book. 4 stars.
I'm almost done with The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, a charming, fast read --- the main character is very likeable. 4 stars.
amylou1961@yahoo.com
I am reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. It is a very long book, yet I am getting through it quickly, as it is the most exciting in the series that I have read so far. The main characters in the book --- Harry, Ron and Hermione --- are growing up and their adventures are getting even more interesting!
Bberrycrk@aol.com
A widow, a Chihuahua, and Harry Truman by Mary Beth Crain. 4 stars.
A newly widowed woman is comforted with the wisdom of Harry Truman and the love of a small dog.
Cloish049@aol.com
I am currently reading Islands by Anne Rivers Siddons. It is a novel, again set in the South, about the surprising courtship and marriage of a 35-year-old woman who took care of her family and worked very hard at her occupation, and the town Doctor, 15 years her senior. His friends, the Scrubs, becomes her family.
charris@pctelecom.us
Shifting Calder Wind by Janet Dailey. 3 stars.
If you like this series you don't want to miss this. But it's not too good if you haven't read Daily before.
The Arrangement by Steve Martini. 4 stars.
Good mystery as usual for him
The Short Forever by Stuart Woods. 4 stars.
Another good mystery of his usual caliber.
Shadowbrook by Beverly Swerling. 4 stars.
This author writes about Revolutionary and before times in our country. She writes so you can see and understand lots that happened and hope it really wasn't that gruesome.
Politicchic91@aol.com
I just finished reading A Painted House by John Grisham and I must say that it is my all-time favorite book. It is one of those books that you never want to end because you are so wrapped up in the characters' lives. This book may be set in the past, but when you read it you feel like the entire story is revolving around you. I would definitely give this book 5 stars.
maestraw@msn.com
Although The Wedding of the Two-Headed Woman by Alice Mattison held my interest, I did not care much for it. I felt it jumped around too much. I did not have much empathy for Daisy. The character was not very nice. I felt compassion for her husband Pekko and her client Ellen. This is not one I would recommend to others. I rate it 2 out of 5 stars.
Theodoretpmj@aol.com
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane is excellent. I have read everything he has written, and he is a wonderful author. I give this book 5 stars because I cannot put it down. I went to work bleary-eyed this morning --- that always signifies I have a great read. It is an original thriller that keeps you guessing.
bradylee@myway.com
Tandia by Bryce Courtenay. 5 stars.
This novel is a sequel to The Power of One and of equal quality. I compare this long story (900 pages) to a banana split: the main part, the heart of the story, is good vs. evil; the many parts to make up the whole concerns loyalty, love, importance of place, and unique and most interesting place names. A dastardly villain, Geldenhuis, is evil beyond all measure. Peekay, the boxer, is beholden with so much talent that he carries his own in many different ways throughout the story...but not until about page 235. This book will keep you involved and you will discover an important and wonderful author! As in The Power of One, the first fifth of the book is most important in laying the groundwork for the entire story.
bkatz@spe.org
I just finished reading Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald. It was wonderful reading, with great characters, a book that makes you think. I then read a couple by Dennis Lehane, Shutter Island and A Drink Before the War. He's great at creating an atmosphere and those were good, light reading. My favorite recent book was Prince of Tides by Kathy Hepinstall. What a wonderful book! The end had my mouth open and led to a lot of discussion. Definitely a "hug to you" book.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Fractal Murders by Mark Cohen. 4 stars.
This is the first mystery written by Mark Cohen featuring PI Pepper Keane. I enjoyed this book; it moved quickly and had some twists and turns. I did like how the main character was addicted to soda fountains just like me. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
joswood@adiis.net
A Hole in the Universe by Mary McGarry Morris. 4 stars.
Gordon Loomis was released from prison after spending 25 years for a murder when he was a teenager. He is trying very hard to develop a new life, and along the way he meets a most interesting cast of characters. It is very hard for him to trust anybody, but the people he meets won't give up on him. I really liked this book because it was a great character study, and it had a very satisfying plot as well.
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn. 5 stars.
Two nuclear bombs have been smuggled into the United States, and a terrorist group is getting ready to set them off in Washington, D.C. and New York City. It is up to CIA operative Mitch Rapp to stop this from happening. This was a very exciting and suspenseful book. The timeliness of the plot makes it very gripping reading.
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