kwmallet@sympatico.ca
I'm currently reading Testament by Nino Ricci and it is an outstanding read. A definite 5 stars. Though I'm not sure I agree with everything in the book, I am amazed at the insights I've gained by reading it. A must read!
I recently finished reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and it was another fabulous novel. Although I found the ending a bit contrived, the book had me considering things I had never given any thought to before and would make an excellent Book Club Selection (especially for mom's). Another 5 stars!
EGWGOMA@aol.com
Love in the Driest Season by Neely Tucker. 5 stars.
A foreign correspondent and his wife arrive in Zimbabwe in 1997. After witnessing firsthand the devastating consequences of AIDS on the population, especially the children, the couple begins volunteering at an orphanage that was desperately underfunded and short-staffed. One afternoon, a critically ill infant was brought to the orphanage from a village outside the city. She'd been left to die in a field on the day she was born, abandoned in the tall brown grass that covers the highlands of Zimbabwe in the dry season. She is brought to the orphanage where the foreign correspondent and his wife volunteer. The foreign correspondent picks her up one day. Her tiny stomach was bloated and distended, her arms and legs withered. She developed pneumonia. She could scarcely hold her milk. She had never smiled. Her weight dropped below four pounds, three ounces.
And when he picks her up … she regards him with worried eyes and a whimper, and then … she closed her left hand around his little finger.
This is a remarkable story of fierce love and overcoming enormous odds.
Pat from Nebraska
I have just finished Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. I had started it unsuccessfully several times. This time I was able to spend more quiet time absorbing all the atmosphere. Once I got into the sections that were more episodic, I fell in love with it. I have to agree with the reviewers that considered it a great American epic. In some ways it reminded me of a Michener book. I had not considered viewing the DVD before, but now I know I will. I would give it at least 4 stars.
amigo1@comcast.net
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason. 4 stars.
Codex by Lev Grossman. 4 stars.
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. 4 stars.
Catslady5@aol.com
Mulligan Stew by Deb Stover by 4 1/2 stars.
This is a great book. It keeps you wondering. Some romance and a lot of mystery.
Debby236@aol.com
I just finished Heart Duel by Robin D. Owens. This is her third book set in the world Celta. Most of the people have a talent that is enhanced and there is magic everywhere. This is a story based on the classic theme of loss through warring. I give it 5 stars.
Wilma, Calmar
I'm currently reading Kristin Hannah's The Things We Do For Love, and I give it 5 stars. I'm also reading Debbie Macomber's Changing Habits, and I give it 4 stars.
IREFAILTE@aol.com
I picked up Phillip Margolin's newest book, Sleeping Beauty, and thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so that now I had to read all of his books, which were just as enjoyable. Mr. Margolin, please keep those books coming...they are great!
HARLEYSRME@aol.com
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
Adam Cassidy is 26 and a low level employee at a high tech corporation who hates his job. When he manipulates the system to do something nice for a friend, he finds himself charged with a crime. Corporate Security gives him a choice --- prison, or become a spy in the headquarters of their chief competitor, Trion Systems.
They train him. They feed him inside information. Now, at Trion, he's a star, skyrocketing to the top. He finds he has talents he never knew he possessed. He becomes rich, drives a Porsche, lives in a fabulous apartment, and works directly for the CEO. He's dating the girl of his dreams. His life is perfect. And all he has to do to keep it that way is betray everyone he cares about and everything he believes in.
Rachel in Selbyville
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is a remarkable book. I couldn't put it down. The story is written in the voice of a young adolescent boy with autism and gives a wonderful glimpse into the workings of the mind of someone with that disability. I would rate it 5 stars.
I am also reading The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason. It has grabbed me from the first page and so far I'd give it high marks (5) as well.
Peggy Long Beach, CA.
I just finished reading two terrific books, each one totally different in style but both thrillers.
The first was Dale Brown's Plan of Attack. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering if the U.S. is going to survive a nuclear attack aimed at bringing it to its knees. War is hell but what is at stake here for the characters in Brown's book and the citizens of the U.S. is nothing short of survival as human beings and Americans. Mr. Brown knows his military and this is heart-pounding action all the way.
Second, I read Jack Kerley's first mystery, The Hundredth Man. This book was recommended by Bookreporter and other online book reviewers. Carson Ryder is a younger Harry Bosch. You won't forget him or Mobile, Alabama, soon.
This book has it all --- mystery, romance, terror --- and what a ride it is: bodies piling up, missing parts and a detective with a secret few can guess. This is an original all the way and I can't wait for the next installment.
Ginnylazar@aol.com
I just began the new Stephanie Plum novel, Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. As usual Stephanie and Lula are rocking and rolling and finding trouble wherever they go. No matter whom I have recommended the Plum novels to, they always enjoy them. Evanovich is a treasure.
magykal22@msn.com
The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan. 3 1/2 stars.
Bestselling novelist Kate Drake is one of seven sisters gifted with amazing powers of witchcraft. Returning home in time for her northern California town's annual Christmas pageant, Kate catches the spirit of the season and decides to open a bookstore in a charming but run-down historic mill. Decorated former U.S. Army Ranger Matt Granite, now a local contractor, doesn't mind working in the undeniably eerie house --- not if it means getting closer to Kate. There's something about the quiet, sensual woman that powerfully attracts him. When an earthquake cracks the mill's foundation and reveals a burial crypt, Kate senses that a centuries-old evil has been unleashed --- and that it's coming after her. Though Matt vows to guard her from dusk till dawn, Kate knows she will have to summon all of her and her sisters' powers to battle the darkness threatening to destroy both Christmas and the gift of soul-searing passion her hometown hero wants her to keep forever....
FtLicky@aol.com
I'm currently reading Winchell Mink by Steve Young, which is a delightful time-travel journey written by an award-winning television and film writer. 5 stars.
I just finished reading Emergency Room by Caroline B. Cooney, which is an exhilarating joy ride following the duties of two eighteen-year-old volunteers in the ER.
mbunting@sbcglobal.net
'Tis Herself by Maureen O'Hara. 4 stars.
I gained a new appreciation for O'Hara's talent, beauty and feistiness after reading her memoir, although I couldn't understand why she tolerated all the grief she got from director John Ford.
The Body in the Attic by Katherine Hall Page. 4 stars.
The latest in Page's "The Body . . ." series, this one is short and left me wanting more, but it is up to Page's high standards. A quick, fun read.
Killer Smile by Lisa Scottoline. 4 stars.
I'm originally from Philadelphia, and I love Scottoline's references to that city. I also like the way Scottoline features different members of the Bennie Rosato law firm in each of her novels.
Bury the Lead by David Rosenfelt. 5 stars.
Rosenfelt gets better and better (this is his third Andy Carpenter book). His witty style, interesting characters, short chapters and surprising twists keep me engrossed to the last page. Nouveau-riche Andy, his golden retriever Tara, and his girlfriend Laurie are fresh, likeable characters.
MoM3g2b@aol.com
I am flying through the Mitch Rapp series of CIA novels by Vince Flynn. The most current is Memorial Day. Flynn must have an inside into the government. Books written before the Sept. 11th travesty are very insightful. Both men and women will enjoy.
GerryD8784@aol.com
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad. 5 stars.
A fascinating and informative account of one family's life in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban. Definitely worth reading --- we all need to develop more understanding of our neighbors in other parts of the world.
The Enemy by Lee Child. 4 stars.
Set in 1990 at the time of the collapse of Communism, this well-plotted mystery features Jack Reacher as an MP who finds himself suddenly transferred from Panama to a North Carolina base where, within days of his arrival, he's investigating the death of an officer, the murder of the officer's wife, and the murder of an enlisted man.
Breach of Trust by D. W. Buffa. 4 stars.
Attorney Joseph Antonelli is known as one of the top defense attorneys in the country, so he is a logical choice when an old Harvard classmate needs a defense against a charge of murder. The case isn't simple, though, since a potential eyewitness is the Vice President of the United States.
The Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness by Karen Armstrong. 3 stars.
A memoir covering the period from Armstrong's decision to leave the convent through her transition into secular life. Despite her efforts to put God and religion behind her, Armstrong ultimately made these themes the focal point of her study, writing, and living, coming to understand that while a religion based on a personal relationship with God was not possible for her, she was most fulfilled by a life based on compassionate caring, the theme common to all major world religions.
Killer Smile by Lisa Scottoline. 3 stars.
Associate Mary DiNunzio is featured in this story of an Italian-born fisherman, interned during World War II, whose son's estate hires her to sue for reparations. An enjoyable, fast read, set, as always, in Philadelphia with plenty of local color.
judy@encounterbooks.com
I'm reading Damn Senators: My Grandfather and the Story of Washington's Only World Series Championship by Mark Judge. I'm anxiously awaiting word from the baseball commissioner that DC will get another crack at the World Series when he announces this month what cities get new teams.
TeresaLoney@msn.com
I am currently reading Quentins by Maeve Binchy. As usual, her books are an escape into a slower, more relaxing world. I give this book 5 stars.
Tsbrown62@aol.com
Although it's not a new book, I'm reading Try To Remember by Zane Kotker. A daughter, after visiting a therapist, believes that her father has molested her. It's a good read. 4 stars.
Cobblestonedrive@aol.com
I am reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel and Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. I am just starting East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
BDB530@aol.com
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg. 3 stars.
She gets you into the characters and we begin to care for them and wonder about their future. But her habit of prattling on and on begins to pall on the reader after a while.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. 5 stars.
I LOVED this book. It follows the friendships and lives of five women over a thirty-year period.
nbnelson@sunline.net
I would highly recommend The Narrows by Michael Connelly. It is a sequel to The Poet of a few years ago. The Poet returns in this exciting mystery and Harry Bosch is the private investigator looking for clues. He finds himself in all the wrong places, but ends up cooperating with the FBI to track down the killer. 4 stars.
bab@tennis.com
The Ghost of Hannah Mendes by Naomi Ragen. 5 stars.
Wonderful historical fiction, a family saga that traces a family's roots and gives depth to the lives of their descendents. Fabulous.
jberger@salud.unm.edu
Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah. 5 stars.
A beautifully written story about two sisters who grow apart and then miraculously reunite. Loved it.
Sandn2shoes@aol.com
I'm currently reading three books, which is uncommon for me. Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund, which I appropriately bought on the Cape two weeks ago. Coyotes (1987) by Ted Conover, which is a true account of the smuggling of illegal aliens across the border. And, lastly, A Walk on the Beach by Joan Anderson, which is the third book by the woman who chose to live by herself on the Cape instead of moving with her husband (her other two books are A Year by the Sea and An Unfinished Marriage.) All are good summer reading.
Rickimc@aol.com
Whirlwind by Joseph R. Garber. 3 stars.
A decent spy thriller. The romance was a little confusing, though.
The Spellcoats by Diana Wynne Jones. 3 stars.
The most confusing book I have read by Jones yet. I did like the first person narrative, though.
maestraw@msn.com
I just read The Memoir Club by Laura Kalpakian. It is about a group of women who meet in a class to learn how to write their memoirs. The class ends, and they form a club, each working on her memoir.
I really liked the way the stories were told in the voices of the authors. It is a novel that is easy to read but still fairly deep with meaning. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
themiers@bellsouth.net
My book club read Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray this month. I enjoyed it so much, I just finished Julie and Romeo and am now going to read Step, Ball Change. I thoroughly enjoy this author.
As a favor to an old friend who was born in Germany and immigrated to this country in the 1950s, I am reading a very old book titled Hansi: The Girl Who Loved the Swastika by Maria Anne Hirschmann. I have enjoyed this book very much and gained insight into my friend's early life.
bradylee@myway.com
Four Trials by John Edwards, U.S. Senator, N.C. with John Auchard. 4 stars.
Court trials written by a good author, which Mr. Edwards is, is one of my favorite types of reading. In each trial the plaintiff is an individual rather than a company and there is a lot of personal tragedy along with a little glory as regards winning each case. Each trial is about "E.G.," "Jennifer," "Josh" and "Valerie." All are interesting, but Valerie is suing a corporation and it is hard to believe the callousness of that company. A fast read and well worth your time.
NGroves@aol.com
Caucasia by Danzy Senna. 4 stars.
Birdie Cole is the product of a biracial marriage and is growing up in racially tense 1970s Boston. When her parents' volatile marriage finally breaks up, her black father takes her older sister to Brazil, hoping to find a climate of true racial equality, while her white mother is convinced that the FBI is on her trail because of her involvement in radical politics, and goes on the run with Birdie. Already uncertain about her identity because of her mixed heritage, Birdie enters adolescence forced to assume the role of "Jesse Goldman," a Jewish girl, because her mother believes they need to hide from the authorities. Passing as white, Birdie/Jesse is unable to respond to the racial slurs she hears from her new acquaintances and ultimately runs away from her mother to try to find her father and sister, whom she hasn't heard from in years, and find a world where she can belong. A terrific and moving story by an author who is biracial herself.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 5 stars.
One of the quintessential "great American novels," it's the story of the gilded lives of the wealthy in 1920s America, particularly self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby, who has never gotten over his love for Daisy Buchanan, who ultimately married someone else. Narrated by Gatsby's neighbor, a level-headed young man who comes to despise the shallow, careless lives of the Buchanans and their circle, the novel describes the tragic outcome of Gatsby's obsession with Daisy.
Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte. 5 stars.
The author's best so far, the story of Teresa Mendoza is gripping from start to finish. Teresa could be a great role model, given her rise from a cashier's job in her native Mexico to a powerful position as the head of a lucrative international business based on the Spanish coast. The only problem is that her job occasionally involves killing people, as well as the constant risk of being killed, since her business is transporting illegal drugs: cocaine, heroin, hashish, only the highest quality. An interesting look at a powerful woman and probably a realistic look as well at the drug trade --- and the many law enforcement officers, lawyers, judges and politicians who look the other way at the doings of people like Teresa because they don't want to jeopardize their payoffs.
The World According to Garp by John Irving. 4 stars.
A modern American classic replete with vivid characters and weird events, it's the story of T.S. Garp, a writer of "minor importance," his proto-feminist mother Jenny Fields, Garp's wife and children, and various friends and lovers (plus a few others, such as a unicycling bear and a transsexual football player). Irving manages to mix horrifying events such as rape, mutilation and murder with a bizarre humor, managing to be both funny and sad.
slippert123@adelphia.net
I have recently read The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. The author gives a real feel for Indian culture and weaves a tale of curiously authentic yet surreal characters and events. 4 stars.
I am currently reading The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. The plot is dark yet compelling. I am about halfway through and would probably give it 3 1/2 stars at this point in the book.
I have also just read Tess Gerritsen's The Apprentice, a sequel to The Surgeon. What a page-turner! 5 stars.
I agree with other readers who are identifying Angels & Demons by Dan Brown a better read than The Da Vinci Code. I'd give it 5 stars for sure.
Dianna from Dayton
My only regret having read Wonder When You'll Miss Me by Amanda Davis is that, due to the author's tragic death, I shall not be able to read any other novel by such a superb writer. With a clear understanding of teenage angst, fear, daring and coming to terms with one's self, it was a definite 5-star read. I do not understand why Wonder When You'll Miss Me was promoted to a teen audience, instead of like The Lovely Bones to a general audience. If you find your daughter, niece or granddaughter reading this book, you might ask to borrow a book so mispromoted. I am glad I stumbled onto this book.
hushpup@optonline.net
I am reading The Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. It is the story of an Amish teenager who becomes pregnant and "kills" her newborn. Her attorney in the case has to live with Katie and adapt to her ways. I give this book 4 1/2 stars.
I also read When Your Body Gets the Blues by Marie-Annette Brown and Jo Robinson. This is a self-help book that is supposed to help with depression and feeling overtired. I did not think that it was full of very good information, I thought it left some things out. I give it 2 1/2 stars.
Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause by Anne Louise Gittleman. This book is great, and I recommend it to any woman over 40. There are things written in here about Perimenopause that you didn't even know was happening.
I kept on a roll with this author and read Your Body Knows Best: The Revolutionary Eating Plan That Helps You Achieve Your Optimal Weight and Energy Level for Life by Anne Louise Gittleman and I really liked this book. This was also to the point and it provided a lot of useful information. I give this one 5 stars.
djspoon@comcast.net
I'm only listing the best. I can't go wrong with any of these:
Killing Floor by Lee Child. 5 stars.
Life Sentence by David Ellis. 5 stars.
A Time to Kill by John Grisham. 5 stars.
The Price of Power by James Huston. 5 stars.
Self-Defense by Jonathan Kellerman. 5 stars.
Criminal Intent by Sheldon Siegel. 5 stars.
A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson. 5 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
I was checking out Book of the Month selections on the 'net and I found Name All the Animals by Alison Smith being recommended. 3 stars for me. I did read it and don't know where the author got the title of this book as it has nothing to do with the content. An animal is a minor part for sure. This memoir is primarily about a young girl up to her college years and you discover: 1) she is close to her brother, 2) she is deeply, deeply Catholic and her family's life revolves around that fact, and 3) she is a budding lesbian. Her brother is killed in an accident at a young age and she is so devistated that it ruins her life and she is totally unable to overcome the shock all during the book. That burden becomes tedious at times. She has many friends and teachers that give her special consideration and attention, but it does not help her at all. The interaction of all people in this story is interesting, but it was a little too much for me.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Bubbles A Broad by Sarah Strohmeyer. 5 stars.
I just love Sarah's writing! As an official bubblehead, I tell everyone to read this series. Bubbles Yablonsky is a hoot! When it ends, I was a bit depressed, because it means I have to wait another year for the next one to come out. Write fast Sarah :)
DIANWILLY@aol.com
Duty by Bob Greene. 4 stars.
Bob Greene reflects on the mannerisms of WWII veterans (his father and Paul Tibbets, the pilot who dropped the bomb). You can see the dedication and respect for duty people from that era had. It also explains how Baby Boomers need to understand and maybe even adapt some of these mannerisms; however, Baby Boomers are "Free Spirited."
msmorganna@hotmail.com
I just finished The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. I enjoy their debut novel, but it wasn't as suspenseful as The Da Vinci Code. The pacing and dialogue were much slower. 3 stars.
I just started The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader. I'm hoping it lives up to the hype. A potential 5 stars.
Kathy from Appleton
I read The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne for a book Club that I belong to, and I HATED it.
I am reading We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates and LOVE it.
The next book on my list is Life of Pi.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
I LOVVVVVVVVVED this book! Each one gets better and better. I never fail to laugh out loud at all the characters' mishaps. I met Janet six years ago, and she is such a wonderful lady. It seems though that the printing got bigger and less on pages. Maybe its my eyes???
newcrain@aol.com
Therapy by Jonathan Kellerman. 5 stars.
A great Alex Delaware series story, with an intriguing cast of bad guys.
khetrick@golelaw.com
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 5 stars.
I picked up this book because it had a sci-fi edge to it, and I adore science fiction. However, at the heart of The Time Traveler's Wife is a love story. Two people so in love, whose lives are so entwined, that even the husband's constant travels through time can't destroy them. This book made me wonder if my own marriage could survive such a "malady." Highly recommended.
B. Raeuber, Mill Valley, CA
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. 5 stars.
There are not enough superlatives for this book. It has multiple layers (the book title is one of them, but the main story is something else). The writing is exquisite. The story and characters are fascinating. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Superb!
mparke@shaw.ca
I'm currently reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's not at all what I expected, but so far (I'm only a few chapters in) it's very interesting.
The last book I read was Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. This was the first book of Sedaris's that I read. It was fabulous. I'll be looking for more books by him. 5 stars.
lgettle@iserv.net
Cold Zero by Christopher Whitcomb. 5 stars.
An interesting and well-written account of the life of an FBI agent.
The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. 3 stars.
Four ladies of diverse backgrounds learn more about themselves while also learning to knit.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
Highly amusing story of Stephanie Plum's latest adventures as a bounty hunter.
Lavenderdew12472@aol.com
I am currently reading The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and loving it! It is just a fun read and perfect for summer! I plan to continue reading the series.
Loveajoy@aol.com
I've just finished reading five (5) of Patricia Gaffney's books and they are wonderful. I highly recommend them.
Debby236@aol.com
I am reading Stolen by Kelley Armstrong. It is a book about a werewolf. I like her take on the werewolf community. I give this book 5 stars.
Anonymous
I am currently reading Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. It is a Midwestern YA YA book. Five women form a book club that becomes much more in their lives. It takes you from the 60's through the 90's with all the humor and pathos of women during these times --- kids, husbands, divorce, abuse. You name it. Fun to read!
cdonovan@peoplepc.com
Currently I'm reading Pearl Cove by Elizabeth Lowell and Evil Empire: The Irish and the Assassination of Journalist Veronica Guerin by Paul Williams.
RJMD@aol.com
I have recently read and loved Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and Three Junes by Julia Glass.
Tsbrown62@aol.com
Embers by Sandor Marai. 5 stars.
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading a nonfiction book, North Star Over My Shoulder by Bob Buck. It chronicles his lifelong love of flight. He began flying at age 14, soon after the advent of aviation. It tells his story of advancement to becoming a pilot for T&WA and his wonderful life and the history of air travel. Quite interesting. A bit too technical in spots, but skip a few paragraphs and you're right back with the storyline. Told with great humor and knowledge. 4 stars.
For my fiction fix, I'm reading Cold Case Squad by Edna Buchanan. Good story line, a bit of humor and lots of suspense. 4 stars.
FtLicky@aol.com
I am currently reading the book Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, which is the fantastical story of book characters escaping their pages and creating adventure in the real world. 5 stars.
I just finished reading the book Gossip by Wendy Corsi Staub, which is a novel about the intriguing yet deadly world of gossip on the NYU college campus. 5 stars.
Nytrane@aol.com
My current reading recommendations are richly steeped with women and their compassion, empathy and unending, unconditional love. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult has such a dramatic ending, have your tissue nearby and feel the beat of your heart in your ears with each choice along the way. Truth & Beauty by Anne Patchett reveals an honest friendship with its spirit and life breathing love, beauty and pain. This book brought me to read Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy, describing the pain and apparent triumph of a woman over the ravages of cancer on a beautiful face and life.4 stars.
LUCKYLM1@aol.com
I just started reading Janet Evanovich's newest book Ten Big Ones. Sitting in the wings to be read next is Lisa Scottoline's newest book, Killer Smile. I will be picking up Perri O'Shaughnessey's book Unlucky in Law, Sue Grafton's new book R is for Ricochet and Kay Hooper's newest Hunting Fear as soon as they are available. I have read and recommend to everyone all the books by these authors.
Anonymous
I am re-reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. During this summer, I am enjoying being lost in the familiarity of an old friend, which I truly consider this book. I give it 5 stars.
Polishpen@aol.com
I just finished reading M.J. Rose's new book, The Halo Effect, and loved it. This is my first reading experience with Rose and I found her latest book to be fast-paced and well-written. The plot was well developed as were her characters. I could easily imagine this story on the big screen.
I've also read Becoming Finola by Suzanne Strempek Shea. Shea has written four other novels and two nonfiction books, all of which I have read. This latest book deviates from her Polish roots but still captures her wry sense of humor, albeit in Ireland. The story is captivating and has a few twists. Shea is so descriptive I could imagine myself in the little Irish village. I highly recommend this book.
Rn2327@aol.com
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks. 5 stars.
Right now I just finished this novel, the first one I've read from this author and I have to rate it at 5 stars. The plot was excellent and Mr. Sparks really digs deep and allows you to really know the characters in the book. They are everyday people with just a little more excitement going on then the rest of us, which of course makes a great book. I enjoyed this book very much and only bought it because I saw that he had written The Notebook, which I cannot wait to read, and my daughters picked up on the fact that he was the author of a movie they both love, A Walk to Remember. A definite 5 stars from me and the fact that my daughters, 18 and 13, want to read the book gives it an extra star.
Marty from Southern California
I just finished Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan. It was a delightful book in the spirit of the traditional English Chick Lit writers: Austen, Bronte, and, more recently, Brookner.
Anonymous
I have just finished Kiss Her Goodbye by Wendy Corsi Staub. I give it 5 stars for its suspense, drama and just plain terrific reading. I am now in the middle of Blow Out by Catherine Coulter. I would also give this one 5 stars, but then I have never been disappointed with one of her Dillon and Sherlock Savitch suspenses.
lslott@optonline.net
Killing Floor by Lee Child is a very fast-paced action book featuring Jack Reacher, a retired military policeman who stumbles into a mystery where he becomes the prime suspect. This is the first book in a series. The story was very complex and rather violent, but very well-written with an enjoyable cast of characters. If you are a fan of Coben or Lehane, this is a good book for you.
Jputtoff@aol.com
"The Sisterhood" book club read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides last month. We took two months to read and discuss this book because we loved the way Eugenides told the story of a hermaphrodite, his life and history. Our feelings for this book were comparable to the ones we had when we read To Kill a Mockingbird --- every page contained something you would like to see needlepointed on a pillow. This month we're reading The Three Junes by Julia Glass. It's proving to be a good one to think and then talk about.
robertajaffe@comcast.net
Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger.
Two months ago, my cousin told me that Last Days of Summer was a great read and that I really must put it on my to-read list. Well, I picked it up and couldn't put it down! I ran around and told all my friends what a great find it was. When I got the email that informed me that I was selected to receive Almost Like Being in Love, I was THRILLED! This meant I did not have to wait two more months to get my hands on this book!
I was not disappointed! I devoured the book and found myself getting miffed at life's duties that took me away from it (sleeping, driving kids, making meals, etc.) I would have read it all in one sitting had I only been able to.
Steve Kluger can take baseball and flagrant, in-your-face gayness (two subjects that probably wouldn't jump off the bookshelf at me) and make me beg for more. Kluger's ability to use nonconventional ways to portray his characters is uncanny. His characters are intriguingly developed and brought to life through diary entries, faxes, memos, emails, menus, and even court documents. His ability to create a cohesive story with only a minuscule amount of narrative is wondrous. Very few authors could have made this strategy work, and Kluger was clearly successful!
Kluger's affection for his characters is clear and contagious. He makes them all very human and deals with their foibles with endearing warmth and humor. He also demonstrates to us that this conglomeration of varied characters is a family in the true sense of the word. The amount of caring and compassion and acceptance illustrated in this book could easily be a lesson to all of us, no matter what orientation, preference, gender, religion, or politics we follow. Although it doesn't initially look or sound like it, this is a book about family values, friendship, support, and loyalty.
This book rates 5 stars.
micheleserrani@carolina.rr.com
Envy by Sandra Brown. 4 stars.
A great summer-by-the-pool book. Fast paced with suspense and romance. Not my usual fare, but perfect for the poolside.
bookldy@penn.com
I'm currently reading The Master, a fictionalized biography of author Henry James, written by Irish author Colm Toibin, also author of The Blackwater Lightship, which I also read and thoroughly enjoyed. Afterward I viewed the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of that book in February.
rjdaringer@gulftel.com
Second Glance by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
This book takes place in Vermont and is a story of supernatural forces and lost love. An ancient burial ground, a ghost hunter, and a mysterious girl make up a mystery, and the history of eugenics makes for an interesting part of the story. I don't particularly care for the supernatural so I give it 4 stars. I would recommend any of her books if you like relationships between people and subjects to make you think and wonder at.
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. 5 stars.
On a cold, icy, winter night, a midwife tries to save a baby's life, thinking the mother had died after a long and hard labor. She then has to face up to accusations from the young midwife who helped with the birth, the husband, the law, doctors, and herself for her actions. Had the mother died, or did she kill her? A book you don't like to put down. 5 stars.
JWells7908@aol.com
A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami. 4 stars.
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 4 stars.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. 4 stars.
Brightness Falls by Jay McInerney. 3 stars.
Half a Life by V.S. Naipaul. 5 stars.
Matters of Fact & Fiction: Essays from 1973-1976 by Gore Vidal. 5 stars (a hoot!)
bab@tennis.com
Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman. 5 stars.
An excellent suspenseful, unique novel with great character portrayal, unbelievable plot and non-stop questions until the climax. I could not stop reading this great story.
AUGER77777@aol.com
I just finished reading The Taking by Dean Koontz. This was an exciting read with the theme being a good old-fashioned alien invasion, complete with body snatchers, shape changers, evil, spore-possessed corpses, etc. 4 1/2 stars.
GerryD8784@aol.com
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. 4 stars.
Readers who enjoyed Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code will find a great deal to like in The Rule of Four. The mysteries and riddles of the Hypnerotomachia are as complex and fascinating as those in Da Vinci, and the characters, Princeton students in 1999, are more realistic than Brown's. Recommended reading for both the engrossing historical mystery and also the story of friendship, young love, and coming of age.
Deep Pockets by Linda Barnes. 3 1/2 stars.
A problem week at home made me eager to escape for a bit into reading, and this was a great escape read. Set in Boston, the story centers on a Harvard professor who hires a private investigator to find out who is blackmailing him and put a stop to it. When the blackmailer is killed in what appears to be an intentional hit-and-run, both the target of the blackmail and the PI are suspects, and suddenly a fairly routine investigation takes on more ominous overtones.
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khandra. 4 1/2 stars.
Khandra, an Algerian soldier writing under a pseudonym to avoid military censorship, has written a frighteningly dismal portrayal of life in Kabul, Afghanistan, under Taliban rule. Two couples' lives intersect as they struggle to find reasons to keep on living in the fundamentalist prison that their country has become. For me this was a very meaningful July 4th read highlighting the tremendous contrast between democracy and despotism.
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. 5 stars.
Truss writes with such wit and style that even a book on punctuation, in her hands, is completely absorbing and very enjoyable. Detailing the history of how English punctuation rules developed, she bemoans the ever-more-frequent disregard of such conventions resulting from the popularity of email and text-messaging, and calls on other "sticklers" to come to punctuation's rescue: "Proper punctuation is both a sign and a cause of clear thinking. If it goes, the degree of intellectual impoverishment we face is unimaginable."
MarciaDeMille@aol.com
I am reading Therapy by Jonathan Kellerman. It is very good so far.
joswood@adiis.net
The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage. 5 stars.
This is a compelling story of marital infidelity, mental psychoses, and dark happenings. It still manages to be a very readable and exciting story, and the ending was satisfying.
Conch Shell Murder by Dorothy Francis. 5 stars.
Private Detective Katie Hasworth is given the job of finding out who murdered Alexa Chitting with a conch shell before she had time to change her will --- leaving her fortune to The Key West Preservation Society. This story took place in Key West, FL, and there was lots of local color to make if even more exciting reading.
lilsusan2@cox.net
I just read One For the Money by Janet Evanovich. This is a fast-paced, fun book, very different from my usual choices. It was entertaining and really held my interest. I give it 4 stars!
I also read recently Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. This was a great story filled with humor and an engaging heroine. 4 stars!
Tell No One by Harlan Coben was a fantastic read! I stayed up all night --- couldn't put it down. If you like a story that combines romance, mystery and suspense, try this one --- you won't be disappointed. 5+ stars!
susanrjensen@yahoo.com
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this one.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
This thriller finds American symbologist Robert Langdon in Europe investigating the murder of a scientist who was branded by the ancient Illuminati organization. Soon, Langdon finds himself in the Vatican racing against time to find a dangerous weapon. An excellent mystery.
The River Between Us by Richard Peck. 4 stars.
An excellent historical novel by one of my favorite young adult writers. This book takes place in small-town Illinois at the brink of the outbreak of the Civil War. Tilly Pruitt is a country girl whose life is changed when two exotic strangers step off a boat and into her life. Tilly is fascinated by the women from New Orleans, who help her family throughout the war. However, the women are harboring a secret that will open Tilly's eyes to the reality of Southern life.
bradylee@myway.com
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. 3 stars.
My book club has this selection for the month of July and it won the 2002 PEN/Faulkner award, the richest annual U.S. literary prize. Many WOMs (word-of-mouthers) like this book a lot, yet this reader was not that impressed and I say that is why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream, to please various tastes. I apparently am not attuned to refined, medal-winning books as it is rare I agree with the judges' selections.
This well-written story takes in a period of about 4 1/2 months, all within a house that is having a birthday party where the president of the country is supposed to be (he wasn't) and a group of terrorists hold the partygoers hostage with demands and protocol too many to mention. A female soprano is the star of the group as she sings ethereally, and this is where the book title comes from. The story is interesting but just didn't catch my fancy as it did for others.
Kathryn
I just finished The Narrows by Michael Connelly and could not put the book down until I finished it. Harry Bosch is retired but back investigating the death of Terry McCaleb, who was the leading character in The Poet and later the movie. The book ties in Bosch's past as a detective and "father" and several of the other characters of his previous books and is a definite cliffhanger. I highly recommend it and give it 5 big stars.
Carole Spearin McCauley, Greenwich, CT
I am reading two novels, each of which I rate 4 stars:
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler.
Excellent portrait of the last 60 years of white U.S. culture, poor folks straining upward. Excellent portrait of an all-too-common situation in contemporary marriage --- the feeling that one has simply married the wrong person ever to get along painlessly. I would give it 5 stars if it had stayed with one viewpoint character instead of spreading its energy among so many.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
Fascinating novel with unusual characters --- a woman married to a husband with an unusual genetic disease that involves memory travel. Sounds like SF, but it isn't. Lyrical prose from both viewpoints.
I am also reading the nonfiction Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, which I rate 5 stars. A woman professor's meditation and narration on trying to teach banned Western novels in Iran during the 1980s as her veiled female students must meet at her apartment after she's prevented from teaching at the university. Excellent commentary on how the most "foreign" books, like Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, can speak to readers in a totally different society, helping them nurture their own dreams for escape, honesty, and achievement of all kinds. Excellent experience for the reader of what it's like to live in a society where books are banned, people can be killed for ideas, and women are totally repressed in a society where a nine-year-old girl is considered marriageable. Unforgettable lines that sadly mimic Jane Austen: "It's a truth universally acknowledged that a Muslim man in possession of a living must be in want of a nine-year-old virgin wife."
Theodoretpmj@aol.com
I just finished Twenty-Seven Bones by Jonathan Nasaw. I read this on the train to NY and couldn't put it down. The characters are very frightening but appear to be your average person on the street --- not so. I recommend it and give it 4 stars out of a possible 5-star rating. I did purchase it in hardcover and it was worth every penny.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Blood is the Sky by Steve Hamilton. 4 1/2 stars.
Another book in the Alex McKnight series. I really enjoy this series, especially since I used to work with the author at IBM Kingston.
Yodasmommy@woh.rr.com
I have just started reading Swimming Naked by Stacy Sims and I can tell that it is going to be a great one. I will probably finish it in a couple of days and to heck with the housework!!!
Tara
I have recently been on a Mystery kick:
Dearly Beloved by Wendy Corsi Staub.
Pure mind candy.
Sleeping Beauty by Phillip Margolin.
Very good. Kept me guessing until the end. His writing style is very similar to Tami Hoag's (Night Sins and Guilty as Sin). This book got me out of my doldrums of reading. Great summer read.
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements.
Surprisingly deep read for Young Adults. A true think piece.
Tell No One by Harlan Coben.
Very well written. A page turner. This author had me guessing until the end. I thought I had it all figured out and BLAMO! I was given another twist. Great, Great read. Try this author.
I'm currently reading PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. This book is making me cry. This may run neck and neck with Love Story for the best romances out there. Love beyond all means.
charris@pctelecom.us
Broken Dishes by Earlene Fowler. 4 stars.
This is about quilting and the people who work and live for it. It is a series and I always enjoy these books.
The Master Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini. 4 stars.
Another series about quilting. They're both easy, but fun reading.
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg. 5 stars.
Her books are always funny and easy to read, but they have depth.
Kiss of the Bees by J. A. Jance. 4 stars.
This is one of my favorite authors. She has 3 series she writes. This one is not my favorite, but she does know how to write. A good mystery.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty. 5 stars.
I loved this book. Great Chick Lit. The book tells the story of a set of triplet sisters. Once you start to read, you dont want to put it down. Lots of twists and turns. I wish it was in paperback, so more people would be able to read it.
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. 2 stars.
This book was hard to read, you had to go slowly to understand it. It was recommended if you liked The Da Vinci Code. This is no where near it. It starts slow and picks up toward the end. The authors needed to put the story in a more flowing read.
mbmartin@prodigy.net
I am currently reading the classic My Antonia by Willa Cather. It is widely recognized as her greatest novel. H. L. Mencken said "No romantic novel ever written in America...is one half so beautiful as My Antonia." I give it 5 stars --- the writing is descriptive and flows beautifully. Hard to put down.
bev208@bellsouth.net
I have just finished Bleachers by John Grisham. I would rate it 4 stars. It is easy reading but it does keep you interested, even though it is very different from his other books. It is not a deep reading book. I do like John Grisham. He is a very good writer.
I am now reading The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin. I would rate it 3 stars. I had read it a very long time ago, and since they have made a movie of it I wanted to refresh my mind regarding the book. It is a very easy reading book, which is a big change for me as I really like more involved books. I am not sure yet what book I will read next.
WATERLEO@aol.com
I just finished Watermelon by Marian Keyes. A delightful and witty fictionalized story about a young mother whose husband tells her he is leaving her while she is giving birth. She returns to her family to recover from both the birth and the betrayal, and must cope with diverse family members as well. Parts of this book made me laugh out loud. And it revealed the female propensity for taking all the blame for men's actions. A good read. 4 stars
harrises@bayou.com
The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage. 4 stars.
Not my usual choice of reading but kept me very interested until the end. A great read for vacation time.
Names Will Never Hurt Me by Jaime Adoff. 4 stars.
A young adult novel about a day in Rockville High School. For high school only...lots of bad language. I gave it to my 16-year-old son and I am sure he will love it. In the tradition of the Choc Wars.
I just started Night Swimming by Robin Schwarz. So far 4 stars. Light reading for summer.
maestraw@msn.com
I read both The Salaryman's Wife and Zen Attitude by Sujata Massey. Both were about Rei, a Japanese-American living in Japan. She is independent and funny, first teaching English and now selling Japanese antiques. Both of these books are 3 1/2 stars.
I also read The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. Although it is somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed it. It is about a young woman, a cancer survivor, who open a yarn store and gives knitting lessons to a diverse group of women with personal difficulties. I rate it 3 1/2 stars.
The Memoir Club by Laura Kalpakian is about a group of women who come together to take a memoir writing class. They continue to meet after the session ends, and discover much about themselves and the others as they write. I would rate it 4 stars.
James Patterson's Sam's Letters to Jennifer was predictable but good. It was easy reading, and would be great to take to the beach. I rate it 3 stars.
The Botox Diaries by Janice Kaplan and Lynn Schnurnberger was much better than I had expected. There were many laugh-out-loud parts, probably because the protagonists and I are about the same age, experiencing the same aging difficulties. I rate it 4 stars.
Justin Cronin has a new book out, so I wanted to read his first one, Mary and O'Neil. It is a group of short stories, linked together to tell a story about love and loss in relationships and families. I give it 4 stars.
I just finished The Fractal Murders by Mark Cohen. It was well written and easy to understand. (I am no mathematician but found myself enjoying the mathematical references throughout.) This is Cohen's first novel, and I rate it 4 stars. PI Pepper Keane will return in additional novels, as he has some unfinished business to attend to.
cburns1010@hotmail.com
Falling in the Garden by Walter Klimczak. 5 stars.
A friend of mine raved about this book so much that I went ahead and ordered a copy through a local bookstore. I grew up in New York and this story brought me back to my own childhood: hopes, dreams, heartache and all! I gave my copy to my sister and picked up another to keep. It's a neat mix of several different genres, too!
YOLANDAMONTALVO@aol.com
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Harlequin Temptation Series (Some Like It Hot)
The Last Juror by John Grisham
Soon by Jerry Jenkins
Glorious Appearing by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, M.D.
Holy Bible, Woman Thou Art Loosed Edition, General Editor T.D. Jakes
Eros Defiled: The Christian and Sexual Sin by John White
Armageddon by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Silenced by Jerry Jenkins
Whew! That's just for starters!
Bill75605@aol.com
After reading the advance copy of Perri O'Shaughnessy's Unlucky in Law, I liked it so much that I looked up some of her earlier works. I am about one quarter of the way through Invasion of Privacy. As with the first book of her's that I read, this one has many possibilities before it reaches the final conclusion. About the time I think that I may have it figured out, it jumps off in a new direction. Definitely one that I can't wait to get back to...
alacombe@belfastlibrary.org
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 4 stars.
This is very well written and a great story. The author does a fantastic job at keeping everything chronologically understandable!
Circle of Grace by Penelope Stokes. 4 1/2 stars.
The story is a well-written, easy paced story. I like Stokes's other books. This one deviates a bit from her tried and true foundation by adding in a bit of language and character choice. Overall it's a good story, but for those who are used to a more traditional Christian message, this "all-roads-lead-to-heaven" message might be a bit disconcerting.
Maureen from Middletown, CT
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
Edge of your seat reading.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 5 stars
Again, edge of your seat reading, I couldn't put it down.
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 5 stars.
Excellent storytelling. I didn't want the book to end.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. No stars.
Long, boring, perverted. I only made it through half of the book.
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 4 stars.
A nice light reading book, a very humorous approach to someone dealing with grief.
Happy135@aol.com
The Narrows by Michael Connelly. 4 stars.
This is a sequel to The Poet, and while it can stand alone, I wish I'd read The Poet first; I think it would have made this book even better. Here's the story. Mean-spirited Harry Bosch teams up with FBI Agent Rachel Walling to try to catch a serial killer. This book is about putting clues together in order to capture a criminal rather than a serial killer and his victims. Shocker ending! This is the first I've read of Michael Connelly; now I know why he has so many fans.
The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America by Mike McIntyre. 4 stars.
Mike McIntyre hitchhikes his way across the country, sans money, depending on strangers for food and shelter as well as transportation. While he did encounter a few uneasy situations, this was a mostly positive experience and he was struck by the generosity of others, especially the poor.
Eddie's Bastard by William Kowalski. 3 stars.
Grandpa Mann (who lost the family fortune and now drinks way too much) raises his deceased son's illegitimate child in their neglected country manor in Mannville, NY.
DELSTATE83@aol.com
I just finished Bad Girl by Michele Jaffe, a very enjoyable romantic suspense novel that I hated to put down. I am going to rush out and purchase another book by her, Loverboy. I am waiting for Linda Howard's new book to be released.
JGruz@aol.com
I just finished reading The Murder Room by P.D. James. This is the first of her books that I have read, and I will definitely read more of her books. Lovely prose and wonderful characters. 5 stars.
I am currently reading Paranoia by Joseph Finder. A wonderful, easy read. Funny and keeps your interest at all times. 4 stars.
Vikkivand@aol.com
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 5 stars.
A widow goes through the various stages of grief during the first year after her husband dies of cancer. Very sad at first, but then becomes truly funny as she builds a life of her own and moves on to acceptance.
jamille.krupa@ROCHE.COM
I have read The Last Juror by John Grisham. I thoroughly enjoy his books, although he dragged the middle out a bit. 5 stars.
I have also finished the Kinship and Courage Series by Jane Kirkpatrick, which I found through Word of Mouth. She turned me on to the wagon train era. 5 stars.
The Glorious Appearing was great, I hope there is a sequel. 5 stars.
I am now reading Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews, another book I found through Word of Mouth. 5 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
April Fool's Day by Bryce Courtenay. 5 stars.
Chapter 16 titled "Mothra the Hoon, Sam the Drip and Roger the Lodger." An excerpt early on: "Bath had started as abandoned kittens and were the umpteenth litter of an old cat named Pandora. Celeste (the son's girlfriend], in a fair-minded gesture, had taken Sam the runt and Mothra the spunk and carted them in a string bag to the cottage in Woollahra. They'd immediately rewarded her by starting a flea colony which bred in the fertile dust of the ancient front room carpet into Ghengis Khan-like hordes that invaded everything and seemed to be resistant to every known form of chemical warfare."
This is a bit of the flavor of this book that will pull your heartstrings, and if you don't shed a few tears at the end, you are most unusual. The thrust of this whole story is the power of love, and you will discover that if you read this book. Parental love unceasing, love of your mate almost overpowering, and love of friends uplifting. A long, sad story of an optimistic young man who dies at age 24 from the complication of AIDS due to transfusions as he was a hemophiliac. The author, his father, uses specific chapters written by his wife, son and his son's partner, yet the majority is written by a masterful author. This is a reading experience you will carry with you always as proof of the value of books with a compelling story --- and all is true.
MONTALVOBronx@aol.com
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. 5 stars.
Dean Koontz is excellent at building up suspense in his storylines. A must summer read. Clairvoyance at its best!!
Britadon@aol.com
Sarah by Marek Halter. 5 stars
This is a fiction book about Sarah, the wife of Abraham, from the Old Testament. It grabs your interest right from the beginning and you will easily and happily follow Sarah in her difficulties, desires and travels throughout her life. If you liked The Red Tent, you will also like this book.
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. 5 stars.
This was another excellent book by this author and follows up very nicely on The Other Boleyn Girl, though she does not find it necessary to refer to her former book at all. It is very good historical fiction and I read the last 2/3 of the book at one sitting without moving from my chair! Wonderful characters and a wonderful call for women's independence!
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. 2 stars.
I think this is a generous rating as I just could not get into this book at all. I tried for about 70 pages but it seemed sophomoric at best and very contrived. I know it is supposed to be the book of the summer, but for me it was the yawn of the summer.
White Elephant Dead by Carolyn Hart. 1 star.
This was not just a yawn but deadly boring. It seems the author was on a mission to mention every mystery writer and their book that she had ever read in what I would say was a Nancy Drew style, but Nancy was better. If she was not mentioning book titles, she was culling her recipe book for another food for her characters to enjoy. Why not just write a cookbook or a bibliography?
baxtergr@msn.com
In the Pacific NW, good weather means being outside more, so there is less time than usual for reading. That said, here are some books I've enjoyed recently:
Sarah by Marek Halter. 4 stars.
This fictional account of Sarah, of Biblical fame, was done with much poetic license, but very well written. Reminded me somewhat of The Red Tent.
The Shifting Tide by Anne Perry. 3 1/2 stars.
The latest Monk and Hester mystery, this one dealing with thievery, murder and the bubonic plague. Interesting.
Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God by Joe Coomer. 5 stars.
This book, written by a man but from a woman's point of view, was very well done. It tells of a young woman whose husband is killed in an auto accident. Nine weeks after that event, she flees to the coast of New Hampshire in an attempt to come to terms with her life. She ends up living on a boat with the elderly female owner and a teenaged girl. As we follow the turns of the lives of these three women, we become entangled in their stories. Very well written.
In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming. 5 stars.
A mystery set in the winter in upstate New York where a newborn baby is left on the doorstep of an Episcopal church where the female priest finds him. She becomes caught up in the quest to first find the baby's mother, along with the small town's Chief of Police, and then whoever murdered two persons, including the baby's mother. No gore, no sex; just a rousing good story.
CindyS2449@aol.com
Therapy by Jonathan Kellerman. 4 1/2 stars.
It was nice to be back at home with Alex Delaware and Milo once again. They seem like old friends. There was plenty of twisting and turning as they put obscure clues together to find the answers to a mysterious murder.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and The Full Cupboard of Life, by Alexander McCall Smith. 5 stars.
I have loved each of these simple books for the language and visual imagery of life in Botswana, the understanding of human nature, and the pleasing way that problems are solved so that everyone comes out a winner!
LA
I recommend The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This coming of age saga was an excellent read and one that I'd highly recommend. 5 stars.
birdie@wgn.net
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. 5 stars.
Crsntmoon3@aol.com
Ahhh, summer vacation; I'm working my way through the stack of books that accumulated through the LONG school year.
Luna by Julie Anne Peters is an amazing work told from the viewpoint of the younger sister of a transgender teen. No matter where you fall on the ideological spectrum this book fills the recipe of "walking a mile in another's shoes." 5 stars.
Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute was a quick read that raised interesting points about how we sabotage ourselves. It mostly detailed the problem as I guess in order to get to practical steps for solving the problems you have to attend their institutes. 3 1/2 stars.
The Disapparition of James by Anne Ursu is a fascinating tale about what a family must endure when their 4-year-old son actually disappears during a circus magician's act. A VERY GOOD READ. 5 stars.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd finally got off my "must read" list and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4 1/2 stars.
Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz was also a good read with the added bonus that I recognized a lot of locales from my teenage years in Wisconsin. 4 stars.
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs made me realize how grateful I should be for my relatively normal, boring upbringing. 4 stars.
Indigo by Alice Hoffman is a sweet, brief children's chapter book about self-discovery and acceptance. 4 stars.
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason had an interesting premise but tended to get bogged down in technical explanations at the expense of the story line. 3 1/2 stars.
Now I'm back to working my way through The Twentieth Century by Howard Zinn, which I think should be required reading for every American. 5 stars.
Donna, St. Peters, MO.
Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 4 stars.
Scary, scary stuff. What kept me from giving it 5 stars was the mention that one of the characters in this novel was reading an exciting thriller with a very similar title to one of their earlier books. I found that bit of self-promotion distracting. Very well written, except for the overuse of the adverb "gingerly." Other than those minor hiccups, I couldn't put the book down. Still Life with Crows gave me goosebumps and kept me up late reading, in part because I was afraid to turn off the lights.
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
Funny, wisecracking Stephanie Plum is at it again, with a bit of sex for good measure.
Skarakozia@aol.com
I just picked up Schott's Food and Drink Miscellany by Ben Schott (brand new in stores) and go back and forth between that and Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani and A Kiss From Maddalena by Christopher Castellani. Also, I work at a bookstore and have wonderful experience hand-selling Steve Martin's Pure Drivel, Brady Udall's The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint, and Bread Alone by Judith Ryan Hendricks. And if you're a verbivore, then don't miss Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynn Truss. The CD of the same title is actually her renowned British radio show and a nice companion to the book. I could go on and on, but I'll wait for the next contest opportunity.
Stichigh@aol.com
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. 5 stars.
I was very afraid to tackle this book so far past college, but I am thrilled at how timely and appropriate it is for our modern life. I would read it again.
tbhmwalker@cableone.net
The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans (never saw the movie). 4 stars so far.
It seems a little uneven, but I'm very involved.
The Rainmaker by John Grisham (my first Grisham). 5 stars so far.
All the hype I never wanted to believe about him must be true.
Skarakozia@aol.com
The Good Soldier Svejk and His Fortunes in the World War by Jaroslav Hasek is a wonderfully witty story about an earnest Czech soldier and his exploits, fumbles, etc. during World War I. I would describe it as a Czech version of Catch 22, "Hogan's Heroes," and "M*A*S*H"!! The Penguin Modern Classics edition is good because it includes a guide to the pronunciation of Czech names.
lls0114@msohio.net
I just finished Linda Howard's latest hardcover romantic suspense, Kiss Me While I Sleep. She's still writing the strong, determined female heroine and the ultra Alpha Male, but this time there was a difference in the guy --- he had a sense of humor, which went a long way toward helping me believe in the romance element. As usual, in these types of books that feature such a strong adventure plot, the romance element can get short shrift. But this was believable. And it had her trademark hot sensuality, too. 5 stars.
I'm finishing up a paperback copy of Nancy Bartholomew's Stand By Your Man. I LOVE this author and will be looking for more books by her. I could have picked out her southern voice if she'd whispered to me over the phone with marbles in her mouth. And a GOOD mystery. I'm almost done and I STILL don't know "whodunit" --- JUST the kind of mystery I love...one that keeps me guessing!
User116712@aol.com
Double Exposure by Susan Ford. 2 stars.
A very light and simple mystery revolving around the daughter of the President of the United States. Susan Ford, as Gerald Ford's daughter, experienced the role of President's daughter herself. However, the story is quite simple --- not much depth but a light summer read. There are hints at the level of constraints due to the requirements of the Secret Service throughout the book. I would imagine that living in the White House and dealing with the necessary rules could be a bit much for a young, single person as is expressed by Ms. Ford's heroine, Eve Cooper.
The African Quest by Lyn Hamilton. 4 stars.
Lyn Hamilton writes a series of archaeological mysteries. The lead character in the series is the Toronto owner of an antiques store, Lara McClintock. I have just begun reading this one but have enjoyed her others. They are all packed with lots of information about exotic locales and rare antiquities, plus Ms. Hamilton is very good at establishing a sense of time and place for her readers. The plots move along well and usually contain enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested.
Some of the other books by this author that I have read and have found well worth the time were The Xibalba Murders, set in the jungles of Mexico, The Maltese Goddess and The Moche Warrior, set in Peru. They are all fun, informative and interesting reads. I always look forward to a new Lyn Hamilton mystery. I give all her books 4 stars for the entertainment and educational value.
Just One Look by Harlan Coben.
I got this from the library this afternoon. I am looking forward to starting it as well. I have never read anything by him, but I read an interesting review by Steve Forbes of all people and was pleasantly surprised to find it at the library today. I hope this is the 5-star book that the review indicated it would be.
KATHLAU@aol.com
Islands by Anne Rivers Siddons. 3 stars.
Not my favorite of her works but I'm glad that as I age, so do her characters. Set in one of my favorite places, the low country islands and Charleston, SC, the story follows the "Scrubs," most of whom have been friends since childhood. The narrator is the last to join, rather late, when she marries into the group at age 37. The aging process begins to take its toll with both joys and sorrows. The ending was a real surprise.
bradylee@myway.com
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. 3 stars.
Most people likes this writer a lot and this is my first experience reading her story. This is light, pleasant reading that does not tax the mind and would be a good book to take to the beach. It is about a young girl who goes out on her own and lands up in Arizona, makes friends, gets a job, and tends to a baby who is foisted on her while traveling to Arizona. Enough happens to keep you interested and the setting of Arizona gives you a good feeling of what the area is like. The book title was a little weak as far as describing the content. Possibly something like "Child Awaiting in the Lost and Found."
KThowto@aol.com
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson. 4 stars.
A compelling story of survival and human courage in the most treacherous circumstances.
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 3 stars.
I haven't completed it yet, but it is true to Grisham's style.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I just finished reading Cold Case Squad by Edna Buchannan. The writing and story gave a lot of detail into the characters that manned the Cold Case Squad in Miami. It was interesting enough to keep the pages turning, but the last 3 or 4 chapters were excellent. They tied all of the loose ends together. I'd give the first part a 4 and the ending a 5.
I also read Jeffery Deaver's The Vanished Man. It definitely was a 5-star page turner, especially if you don't mind a bit (quite a bit!) of violence and blood and guts.
smleonetti@yahoo.com
Father Joe by Tony Hendra. The best!
JONIVERSON@aol.com
The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin
Bettys1870@aol.com
Star Witness by D.W. Buffa. 4 stars.
A legal thriller. Though this book is a bit long (409 pages) it keeps the readers' interest until the end. Joseph Antonelli, a famed criminal attorney, has been asked by Stanley Roth, a prominent movie producer who will probably soon be arrested, to defend him for the murder of his wife, the sweetheart of America and a film actress. Antonelli is reluctant, but agrees. The book details the trial, the conversations between Roth and Antonelli, Roth's partners and others in his social group. Roth declares his innocence and later reveals that he knows who the real killer is --- but refuses to let anyone know what he has figured out. He is writing a movie; to reveal the actual killer would ruin the end of the movie.
The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva. 4 stars.
This is the second book in a series by Silva with the same protagonist, Gabriel Allon. Allon is an Israeli agent who masquerades as an art restorer in Europe. The other books in the series are The English Assassin, The Confessor, and A Death in Vienna. If Allon had a choice, he would rather be the art restorer, not an assassin. He reluctantly takes on the assignment given him by the "old man," Shamron, because the target is the man who had killed Allon's son and put his wife into a mental hospital. This assassin vs. assassin novel is exciting and has a satisfactory ending for the reader, if not for Gabriel Allon. I found all four of the books listed well worth reading.
Starselma@aol.com
I just finished Dan Brown's Deception Point. Science, politics, back-stabbing, lies, deception, naivete, and assassins all contribute to a fascinating book that moves at a fast pace once the major characters have been established. The major elements of the story are a Presidential election, the survival of NASA by any means available, and a hoax that goes horribly awry. There is a lot of scientific detail and some very gory deaths. All in all, a compelling read. I give it 4 stars.
geobarb@sccoast.net
The Narrows by Michael Connelly. 5 stars. I can't say anything bad about Michael Connelly. I enjoy reading all his books.
Also, I just read Deep Pockets by Linda Barnes. 3 stars. An easy, quick read book. Not too deep.
bookmark@sc.rr.com
I just finished The Chosen by Chaim Potok, which is great. I give it 4 stars. I am reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, which is great so far. I can't wait to start where I left off.
kbest10@msn.com
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
This is one of the best books I have ever read in my reading obsessed life.
Chrisacarroll@wmconnect.com
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. 5 stars.
Sharp dialogue and a mystery with a great surprise ending.
Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 4 stars.
Another Agent Pendergast novel, and I would say better than The Cabinet of Curiosities.
maestraw@msn.com
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is an excellent novel about Daniel Sempere, who is the son of a widowed bookstore owner. Daniel is 10 when he discovers a novel, The Shadow of the Wind, by Julian Carax. The novel is rare, the author obscure, and rumors tell of a horribly disfigured man who has been burning every copy he can find of Carax's novels. The man calls himself Lain Coubert, the name of the devil in one of Carax's novels.
This novel has romance, suspense, corruption, war, and murder, all wrapped up in a great read. The setting is Barcelona in 1945, but the novel shifts into the past and back to the present seamlessly. I would rate it 4 1/2 stars.
EZREADER1265@aol.com
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 4 stars.
What a fun read for the summer. The family is as crazy as ever, and the story moves quickly. I love it.
R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 4 stars.
Welcome back, Kinsey. The wait was worth it...fast-paced.
tfranzen2124@comcast.net
Jim the Boy by Tony Earley. 4 stars.
A gentle yet stirring read. Not loud, not flashy, just real.
Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris. 3 stars.
A dark but well crafted story of children caught in internal family wars and society. A good addition for anyone who likes to read about the social aspects of war.
SalbyC@aol.com
I have just finished reading a stunning book called The Gardens of Kyoto by Kate Walbert. This book definitely merits a 5+. It is beautifully written, and the story is revealed in pieces throughout the book. I will recommend this book to all my book-loving friends.
DancingGram7@aol.com
Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark. 4 stars.
I just finished this book and found it light reading. It's about a 22-year-old crime that gets coverage as the killer of the victim is getting out of jail. The sister of the victim is now an investigative reporter who is assigned to get the story and to make sure the killer does not go free. I enjoyed the book.
Bones by Jan Burke. 5 stars.
This is another Irene Ryan mystery. There are four or more in the series. She is also a reporter on the trail of a story of a serial killer. They go to the mountain site where the bones of a victim are buried. From there the story has its twists and turns but keeps the reader interested. I recommend any of her books!
Warning Signs by Stephen White. 5 stars.
This is a story of a psychotherapist and his lawyer wife who are caught up in an explosive secret that the psychotherapist discovers while treating a patient. He is backed into the ethical dilemma of his career, thrust into a desperate manhunt for a killer whose identity no one could have guessed. I haven't finished the book but it is good!
NRNMG@aol.com
I am currently reading Dan Brown's Angels & Demons. So far I am thoroughly enjoying it and give it 5 stars.
rojosho@hotmail.com
At Home in Covington by Joan Medlicott. 5 stars.
Heartwarming and sensitive story about three mature women and their daily travails and the interrelationships, dramas and everyday lives that affect each of them. I loved this series and the portrayal, which is vivid and beautiful.
jberger@salud.unm.edu
The Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond. 5 stars.
Interesting and profound book regarding the human species. How we have evolved and the background and knowledge we obtain and how we use it to better ourselves. Worthwhile and challenging reading that raises excellent questions.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
The Family Moskat by Isaac Bashevis Singer. 5 stars.
Wonderful family saga set in Poland before the pogroms. Humor, depth, human interest and a fabulous story about the family and their trials and tribulations that befall them and their future.
bradylee@myway.com
Not Fade Away: A Short Life Well Lived by Laurence Shames and Peter Barton.
This small book (200 pages in large print) is large in its importance. It is about Peter Barton, and he has written half of it, and the biography part is by Laurence Shames. My personal philosophy is pretty well set in stone, but for a younger person, this book should be a good primer in how to live...well. His serious occupation (and marriage) did not develop until his early 40s and the story of how he arrived there is very interesting. He was responsible for much of what you see on cable television today and his ideas of what to look for in finding a job for yourself is enlightening. His attitude of life is superb and you should get a lot out of reading about his stairway to the stars.
bgertzog@deloitte.com
I am currently reading There is Room for You by Charlotte Bacon. It follows a woman on her trip to India, where she goes to find out more about her mother's past. Her mother grew up there, the daughter of a British scientist. Interesting from the self-exploration side, as well as a wonderful picture of life in India.
Autumn from Newtown, PA
Currently, I'm reading The Witching Hour by Anne Rice. I'm not too far into it yet but would give it 4 stars. I'm only just starting to read Anne Rice, and am anxious to get to the Vampire Chronicles.
Earlier in the month I read Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner for a new book club some ladies have started in my office. Personally, I'm not interested in "Chick Lit," which is how I would characterize this pick, so I would give it 2 stars.
Jeanie Griggs
Right now I am reading The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl. It was very slow and hard to get into to start. I'm finally getting into it. I give it 4 stars.
I just finished The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. Fabulous book. 5 stars.
Ginnylazar@aol.com
I'm halfway through The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, and I'm thoroughly enjoying this unusual suspense story. Great read!
pboylecharley@hotmail.com
The Mummy Congress: Science, Obsession, and the Living Dead by Heather Pringle.
What first appears to be a textbook soon reveals itself to be a well-written story. Ms. Pringle has managed to combine fact with good storytelling to bring ancient Egypt to modern readers. As the title states, this is a story about mummies --- in fact, about a group of people who meet at far-flung conventions to present the newest findings about the world of the "ancient dead."
If you are drawn to the mummy exhibit in museums, this is the book for you. It will help you understand the history behind the mummies and the vast wealth of knowledge buried with them so many years ago. Scientists are using these ancient peoples to trace the origin of disease in hopes of understanding how to deal with the disease in today's world. It is also a story of greed, disrespect, and pure ignorance as the world plundered and destroyed thousands of mummies over the years for trivial things such as "ground-up mummy" to make paint for artists.
There are many color photographs that illustrate the most important topics in the story.
This is a fascinating book for me because I have always loved the Egyptian exhibits and especially the quiet dignity of these "ancient people."
DPanzy@aol.com
I just finished Footsteps in the Night by Lee Karr, which is a 4-star romantic suspense book. I also finished reading an old Oprah club one, A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons, which I would give 2 stars. At the moment I'm reading Asking for Trouble by Elizabeth Young, a fun romance read that so far seems good, and The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, which is a heavier read and is also good.
Presl58@aol.com
I just finished reading David Sedaris's Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and thought it was one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. Not just funny, it was witty, original and his observations about his family were so malicious yet dead-on. I loved it and wished I could be so clever. 4 stars.
Marilyn in Irmo
The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver. 4 1/2 stars.
I love murder suspense books, but this one had me gritting my teeth as time was running out to catch the bad guy! If you like them fast and furious, this is for you!
PFLucas @aol.com
Dreadfulwater Shows Up by Hartley Goodweather. 4 stars.
Written in a style somewhat like Sherman Alexie, a murder takes place on an Indian owned resort/casino. Dreadfulwater, a former policeman from Los Angeles and now professional photographer, helps to solve the crime.
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 5 stars.
A woman married for a mere three months helps take care of her husband as he dies of cancer. She then relocates to Ashland, Oregon and opens a bakery, makes new friends, and continues on with a new life.
Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. 5 stars.
A great book about an eleven-year-old girl who competes in a school spelling bee, advancing on to advanced competition. Not only was the spelling competition intense, but also the relationships among her own family.
ebusby@optonline.net
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
As usual, Jodi Picoult has written a wonderful book about a compelling subject. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. You need a lot of tissues for this book, but it's worth it.
KCity@nbyprod.com
I finished The Monastery by Seeth Miko Trimpert, which was a very unusual book. A woman in present day times, unhappy with her life, goes to sleep and wakes up in the Middle Ages among 10 monks in an out-of-the-way monastery. 4 stars.
I just finished Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag, which I would give 5 stars. I loved the characters and hope to read another book about Det. Kev Parker.
lindaanselmo@hotmail.com
The Lobster Chronicles: Life on a Very Small Island by Linda Greenlaw. 4 stars.
It was an enjoyable read…my first of Linda's books.
bradylee@myway.com
A Fist in the Hornet's Nest: On the Ground in Baghdad Before, During & After the War by Richard Engel. 4 stars.
This book is part memoir, part many religious factors of the country, part war reporting, and finally assessment of Iraq's future. All are interesting and you learn a reason for what is happening there at this moment and what happened under Hussein. The Shiites are the power now through the religious government named the hawza; "the hawza being the most powerful and influential body in Iraq." The merja is the working part of the hawza. Confusing? The complexity of this country is mind boggling. Religion is the backbone and how events are going to unfold to stabilize the nation is anybody's guess. An interesting book for up-to-date information.
Sismilli@aol.com
I recently finished several good books:
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. 4 stars.
I took me a while to finish this one. I actually put it aside for quite a while. I ended up really enjoying it; at the end the action really picks up and it has a the finish that really leaves you thinking. At times I found the dialogue a little hard to follow, but maybe that's just me.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
I so look forward to her new books coming out and am never disappointed. These are ones I really hate to see come to an end; they are such sweet book candy you can almost feel your teeth rot while you read them. This installment includes all the old lovable characters at their zany best. 5 stars always for Janet.
I also just finished a set of three books by a local author from Phoenix, Janet Notaro: The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club, Autobiography of a Fat Bride, and I Love Everybody (and other Atrocious Lies). The first one she published was The Idiot Girls' and I did not love this one. All are written in the first person and are humorous stories based on her life. She is relatively young in the first book and going through that immature, wild partying stage that I am so over. I was a little impatient with all the tales of how drunk and stupid one could be at the bar. The two that follow however, are highly recommended. Notaro begins to develop the characters around her and really seems to find her voice, the result being that Bride and I Love Everybody are both laugh-out-loud funny and charming. I recommend reading all three but definitely don't miss the last two. 3 stars for Idiot Girls, 4 stars for Bride and I Love Everybody.
harrises@bayou.com
The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd. 5 stars.
This was published in 1977, and I have just discovered it. I loved this one and will give it 5 stars. It takes place in China and Japan.
Spizzyone@aol.com
Shout Down the Moon by Lisa Tucker. 4 stars.
The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman. 4 stars.
A story about a social misfit of sorts as she blunders through medical school and life.
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. 5 stars.
I couldn't put it down. A must-read by the author of The Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown is here to stay!
KINDLEELF@aol.com
My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
Anna, healthy in every way, was conceived to keep her sister Kate alive. Kate has leukemia. A good read, many ethical questions asked but are almost impossible to answer.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 5 stars.
A classic, worthwhile read.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
A story of unbreachable loyalty, betrayal and the bond between fathers and sons.
The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. 5 stars.
The age old push-pull of Indian belief torn asunder by the missionaries
The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper. 4 stars.
After writing a tell-all book, Joe Goffman returns to his home town to face the wrath of his neighbors of old.
High Country by Nevada Barr. 5 stars.
Anna Pigeon is hot on another case.
Power in the Blood by Greg Matthews. 5 stars.
Clay, Zoe and Drew are orphaned and put on a train to find homes in the towns along the way. They are separated and each are finding their niche in the world.
eslater@twcny.rr.com
I am reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. This book is a page-turner with everything you could want, from history to romance. 5 stars.
stephejl@stclair.k12.il.us
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 4 1/2 stars.
What I expected - a thriller. What I got - multiple love stories with colorful characters and a monumental literary mystery. Slow going in many segments, but I was sorry when it ended. I already feel the need to reread.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars
It's all been said before, but I'll say it again. A wonderfully worthy read.
jpaventy@twcny.rr.com
The Living Blood by Tananarive Due. 4 1/2 stars. (Supernatural suspense).
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I must read the others. It is the story of a woman grieving the loss of her first child, while coping with her strangely gifted 2nd daughter, and of her husband who is a member of an ancient secret group called the "Life Brothers," who are immortal. The writing is wonderful and draws you into its supernatural realm with characters who are so believable and real you can almost touch them.
Dcher
The Hundredth Man by Jack Kerley.
This book reminded me of an early Patricia Cornwell or John Sanford book. It was really fantastic and I would encourage all thriller/mystery readers to read it. I picked it up because it received several starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, etc. and I'm sure glad I did!
KennethRMartin@aol.com
I'm currently reading The Halo Effect by M.J. Rose. This is a thriller that I rate 5 stars.
MHaury@da2nd.state.nm.us
I just finished The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, and I would give it 3 stars. Like some of the other readers here, I was decidedly underwhelmed by this book. I thought Codex by Lev Grossman was better.
Jodi Compton's The 37th Hour was just a terrific thriller with an actual believable yet surprising ending. I am looking forward to following more of Sarah Pribek and her complicated life. I would give this 4 stars.
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler has been reviewed very favorably of late. I thought it was a quiet book that started out rather slowly, but grows on you to an amazing extent. I was inspired to read more Jane Austen and even re-read this little gem. 4 1/2 stars.
maestraw@msn.com
I just completed The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani. It reminded me of her Stone Gap trilogy, and was an easy read. I agree with the Bookreporter reviewer who said that the ending seemed too rushed. I think since it was billed as a book spanning three generations, more character development should have been made. I would rate this 3 stars.
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