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Dasras50@aol.com
I recently finished Multiple Choice by Claire Cook. It was an easy, pleasant read. 4 stars
I also finally got around to reading Wake-Up Calls by Joan Lunden. 4 stars.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Bitch Creek by William Tapply. 4 1/2 stars.
I was reluctant to start this novel because I've been a fan of Tapply's Brady Coyne series for many years. In Bitch Creek, we're introduced to a new series and a new protagonist, Stoney Calhoun. Stoney is a man of mystery (to himself as well since he can only remember flashes of his previous existence after being struck by lightning). He is an expert fishing guide and outdoorsman. Those who are into fishing might even get a lot more out of this book than I did. I enjoyed the mystery plot a lot but especially loved Tapply's descriptions of rural Maine. His words are magic; they bring up all sorts of wonderful scenes for me.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. 5 stars.
This is my second time around; the first was when the book was first published in 1997. This wonderful little paperbook is loaded with Toltec wisdom and much common sense. It describes the pacts we've made (with ourselves and others) in the process of domestication and how they poison our lives. With the awareness of our addiction and practice, we can alleviate our suffering.
bradylee@myway.com
Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss, M.D. Published 1988 with 217 pages. 5 stars.
I have believed in reincarnation for many years and I feel this book is a good beginners’ primer in proving the reality of eternal life without any religious overtones. Dr. Weiss is a psychiatrist and how he happened to develop this reality was by mere happenstance; he was not searching for any particular meanings of life but they were presented to him point blank, and it is a fascinating story. If you want to know why you are on this earth, I assure you that this book will get you started in finding the answer to that idea. There are many books on this subject and this is a good starter.
jberger@salud.unm.edu
The Good Neighbor by William Kowalski.
Great novel about a young couple and their impulsive idea to buy a country home, which causes a great deal of problems. Drama and entertaining reading make this a fabulous story.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
In a Dark House by Deborah Crombie. 5 stars.
Suspenseful, thrilling and excellent weaver of a tale. This author has the best mysteries around and always keeps you enthralled. This is the best. Characters who are real and plots that never end.
realbencann@yahoo.com
Hour Game by David Baldacci. 4 stars.
Suspense and a plot that blend seamlessly together in this thriller. Action and unexpected diversions make this a total success.
John1rosie@aol.com
There Are Jews in My House by Lara Vapnyar. 2 Gold Stars.
Here is an author seeking readers who are interested in stories written by a young Jewish Russian émigré whose writing is decidedly European and whose time frame is not "today." Her writing is psychological. Her interest in children is decided. This is a book of six stories. The role of the children unite the stories together into a tidy volume. In both "Ovrashki's Train" and "A Question for Vera," a young girl is confronted with a feature of the harsh reality into which she has been born. Absent are both God and the overprotective American Jewish mother. In the moment of confrontation, and adjustment, the child reacts through her own personality and emotional resources. Simply, what is is. We readers are exposed to the challenging view of a child "growing herself."
In "Love Lessons - Monday, 9 A.M." we are shown a young female teacher in the act of becoming a more sufficient person and a more sufficient teacher. In "Mistress," a more complex story in its implications, a young grandson witnessing Grandpa's secret, the receipt of positive regard from a neighborhood lady, frees the grandson from castration anxiety. In "Lydia's Grove" a young girl witnesses factors in an adult world that, we may hope, will have ramifications in a subsequent story.
Yes, I would read more of Ms. Vapnyar. Her writing can become rather stiff as opposed to flowing. One wonders if she writes in Russian and then translates. Each sentence seems independent of the one in front of and behind it in line. But the psychological nature of the stories and the author's investigation into the inner life of the characters carries the day. Lastly, in the order in which I read them is the story that entitles the collection. It is the longest, one-third of the book, and the most complex of the stories.
So what does our Ms. Vapnyar, a young Russian, Jewish émigré bring to the table? Prose that is clear but not yet powerful. Problems with transitions that will be fixed. A focus on children that Ms. Vapnyar may help to repopularize. Comedy, which peeks its head out too rarely. A dash of sexual tension, which she uses exceedingly well to enhance but never overpower the basic flavor. Courage. A focus on the 1940s that she will outgrow. The ability to arouse curiosity in the reader about the writing of other young Russian and Jewish writers. Ms. Vapnyar may be at the beginning of a bright career. It is rewarding to discover her.
Cindy Sheets
Hour Game by David Baldacci. 4 stars.
Baldacci's short chapters keep you hungry for more and the pages turning. This one has an intricate plot with lots of characters from rich to poor, and the twists and turns keep you wondering who the murderer (or murderers) really is.
JEPHANY@aol.com
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffet.
I just started reading this book last night. So far it's a great adventure! Buffet's writing is conversational and the book goes fast. A must read for any Parrothead!
joanne@goes.com
Currently I am trapped in the re-release of Irving Wallace's The Word. I read it many years ago in its original release and was entranced. I am more gripped in its story now than I was then. An awesome and most thought provoking read.
Unfortunately, the Holiday season has as much a hold on me, so at the moment, rather than its pile of four or five, my stack contains just the one volume --- this fabulous book from the past.
sherri5@pa.net
I am currently reading At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols, and it is definitely 5 stars at this point. Very engaging right off the bat. Very sad story, but one of redemption and love unending.
I just finished At Risk by Kit Ehrman. It's a mystery about a young man who is a barn manager at a horse farm in Maryland. He has to solve the case before he ends up dead. I give it 4 stars; it's a debut novel and the author could have fleshed out a bit more, but it’s a good mystery.
t_bergba@bellsouth.net
I just finished Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi. 5 stars!! All three of her books are terrific reads. Serving Crazy with Curry is of a family ultimately coming together to support each other after one of their own tries to commit suicide. There is Indian culture, humor, sadness, and even recipes that make your tastebuds sizzle! I am looking forward to her next novel!!
babsdesign@att.net
I just finished Pig in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver. This sequel to The Bean Trees was not quite as satisfying a story as its partner, but Ms. Kingsolver has a lovely narrative style that makes this book worth the time. 3 stars.
zandercage2003@yahoo.com
I'm currently reading Santa Baby by Laura Marie Altom. A young sociologist is headed to Alaska for her latest assignment. Due to an ice storm, the plane goes down. The handsome pilot and the woman know the best way to keep warm in the freezing temperatures, and much to their surprise...a santa baby is on the way!
myrtleme@sbcglobal.net
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. 5 stars.
Although this book has been around a while, I just got my copy. I love it and will probably finish it as soon as I get off the 'puter. Shame I can't read books and play on 'puter at the same time. From the very first page (To the two who gave me life and the one who made me free), this book grabs your heart, your brain and your interest. No wonder it won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Vikkivand@aol.com
The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates. 4 stars.
As always with this author, it was written well. I liked the way the tragic events in the story all related to Niagra Falls.
Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs. 4 stars.
This is a collection of true stories by the author. I liked the one of the evil maid the best and how they caught her eating food out of the refrigerator.
ginawjax@comcast.net
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 2 stars.
I eagerly awaited the latest novel from one of my favorite authors but was disappointed. The book investigates the investigation of a TWA flight that mysteriously exploded off Long Island. What caused the plane to explode and crash with no survivors? Was it really mechanical failure (the government's explanation) or a missile or some geothermal anomaly?
The protagonist, John Corey, was not as wise cracking as in Plum Island and the story line never gripped me. I am sure the crash remains much talked about on Long Island with so many eyewitnesses. That interest may not translate to the rest of the country.
wendysheltie@netscape.net
The News from Paraguay by Lily Tuck. 5 stars.
sears@lsol.net
I am rereading William Gibson's classic cyberpunk SF novel, Neuromancer. It's complex, plot-driven, and thought provoking --- well worth 5 stars. I'm also reading Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair. Much lighter than Gibson, but witty and well-worth reading. 4 stars. For something completely different, I'm also reading Frances Burney's Evelina, a wonderful, very funny novel in the Jane Austen mode. Absolutely 5 stars.
Deb1teach@aol.com
Midnight Mass by F. Paul Wilson is a 4-star book about vampires that try to take over the world. A very interesting and thoughtful read!
Haddow@aol.com
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. 3 stars.
Philip Roth had a great idea. What if Lindbergh had been elected president in 1940 instead of FDR? If ever an idea needed an omniscient narrator, this one does. Unfortunately, Roth tells his story through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy. As a result we only get glimpses of the bigger picture that we really want to see. Also, given the boldness of the concept, the author is quite timid in his speculations. Up until the time Lindbergh cinches the nomination, the narrative has some real power, but once the alternative history begins, the story becomes too careful, too nervous about going too far. Ultimately, this is a disappointing work by a very good writer.
tfranzen2124@comcast.net
I have to go light and breezy this time of year: Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich fills the bill nicely (4 stars). I hope we see more of her. And The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson (3 stars). Christian fiction is coming along...
Evelyn in Toronto
Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble. 4 stars.
Excellent writing consistent with her earlier works. Drabble tells the story of a sixtyish, newly-divorced woman who moves from a sheltered married life to the discovery of a whole new life in small and painful steps. As her connections with the world and a wide range of people develop, she becomes more self aware and caring of others. The ending is one of the most optimistic of Drabble’s books. Although I first found the narrator’s personality to be a bit hard to take, as she changed, she became someone I would want to know.
The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory. 3 1/2 stars.
Although a fictional account of the progress of Hannah Green, a young Jewish woman living at the time of King Edward, Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth, this book gives a realistic picture of the life and people of the times. Gregory has created dialogue and events based on historical events that are completely plausible. We experience the history of the time through the eyes of an ordinary woman living in extraordinary times and interacting with people of both high and low status. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
Ellen
I recently read:
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. 4 stars.
Very interesting to read a book from high school again, and now to really UNDERSTAND what it actually said and meant. Wang Lung, the main character, actually had a conscience in a time where men were superior to women. I liked it again!
Christmas Vows: $5.00 Extra by Lori Copeland. 3 stars.
The book is about an ex-con down on his luck with three small children. His wife died right after he got out of prison. He is traveling to his mother's house for Christmas and to start a new life, but then the car breaks down at a wedding parlor. It is a heartwarming story about Christmas and how one life helps another.
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson. 2 stars.
This books was way too sappy for me! Sam is in a coma and the doctor calls Jennifer, her granddaughter, to come to the hospital to see her. The letters are the Grandmother writing to Jennifer about her life. The book gets a little depressing and then it just ends! Finished just like that! Not great --- very disappointing.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. If I could give 10 out of 5 stars without sounding a little strange I would!
This was by far the best book that I read all year and probably last year as well. It was a great story about two boys who grew up in Afghanistan before and after the Russian occupation and eventually present day with the Taliban.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 5 stars.
This is a great book also! WOW, two back to back! This book is a little It's a Wonderful Life plus Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The book is thought provoking in a way that you wonder who will be your five people that you will meet in heaven and what lives have you touched upon while you are on earth.
The Diary of a Mad Bride by Laura Wolf. 4 stars.
This book was entertaining. I was a bride 20 years ago and I remember some of the calamity that went with planning a wedding. This author wrote a "diary" with all her thoughts in it, and her ups and downs during the year that led up to her wedding. It was a fast read, and cute, and I did enjoy it.
Vanishing Point by David Markson. 3 stars.
This was not your average novel or book; it contained all sorts of bits and pieces of interesting information that he wrote on index cards and kept them in a box in his desk.
I am currently reading The Whitney Chronicles by Judy Baer. So far so good!
Makcf@aol.com
I try to have three books "going" at the same time. Here are my choices of the moment.
The Plot Against America By Philip Roth.
Heavy, often depressing read, but there are so many similarities to today's world here that it was hard to put the book down.
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
An antidote for the time with The Plot Against America.
What's the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank
A treatise on the current political situation in the US --- but with a bit of humor thrown in!
GerryD8784@aol.com
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. 5 stars.
Writing in the first person from the viewpoint of himself as a small boy growing up in Newark, NJ, Roth develops a revised version of history based on the premise that FDR was defeated for a third term in office by Charles Lindbergh, an admirer of Hitler and his fascist policies. His story of the events that follow Lindbergh’s election is chilling but realistic in most aspects, though an unexpected twist near the end regarding the reasons for Lindbergh’s anti-Semitic beliefs and actions felt unsatisfying to me. Despite this, the book was very well written, interesting, and quite informative; I recommend it highly.
How to Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward. 4 1/2 stars.
Ward’s second novel is even better than her first (Sleep Toward Heaven). This time, the story focuses on a family with three daughters, a family that disintegrated when the youngest daughter disappeared in childhood, failing to arrive home from school. Years later, one surviving sister is trying to achieve closure by having Ellie declared dead against their mother’s wishes, and the oldest, Caroline, sets off on a journey to find Ellie, believing strongly she is still alive.
kelley899@iowadsl.net
I recently read Elphame's Choice by P.C. Cast. 4 1/2 stars. It's a wonderful fantasy about accepting yourself and finding love in unexpected places. Very enjoyable! I'm also starting Through Violet Eyes by Stephen Woodworth. So far it's a 4-star book. Fascinating; deals with people with violet eyes who can channel the dead. Someone is killing them and they must find out.
Nelson, BC Canada
A Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright. 5 stars.
The most recent of the CBC Massey Lecture Series. Takes up the question, "Where are we going?" Our future as a civilization and a species. A must read. Very short and sweet.
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. 4 stars.
A fun read even for a vegetarian. He hates vegetarians.
The System of the World by Neal Stephenson. 5 stars.
The last of The Baroque Cycle trilogy. Not really SF or fantasy, but more of a speculative historical novel. Very long, but written at one time then split into three. May not be your cup of tea, but I loved it.
dvolkenannt@charter.net
Ahead of the Game by Suzann Ledbetter. 5 stars.
The Missouri Ozarks is the backdrop for another of Ledbetter's high-spirited and down-home mysteries.
The Moon Pool by Max McCoy. 5 stars.
An underwater thriller set in the world of cave divers, full moons, and serial killers.
Ebookjunky@aol.com
I just finished a book titled Unicorn Mountain by Michael Bishop. An independent divorced woman by the name of Libby Quarrels meets her ex-husband in a grocery store. He talks her into meeting with her in a bar. He tells her of his cousin Bo. It seems the family has disowned Bo after finding out he is sick with the AIDS virus. Ex-husband Gary sort of hints to Libby that he wants her to go to Atlanta and get Bo to bring him to her cattle ranch for his last days.
For some reason she does. So Libby, her hired ranch hand Sam Coldpony, and Bo live on the Tipsy Q. But the Tipsy Q is not a normal cattle ranch. It has unicorns. And the unicorns are sick.
This book weaves the mythical creatures and their journey from another world, Native American rituals and Shamanism, and the journey of Bo's last days into an unforgettable tale.
This is a book I highly recommend.
Anonymous
I just finished reading Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. What a delightful, poignant story! I highly recommend it for a lighthearted, funny and quick read. I give it 5 stars.
mxwms@msn.com
I am currently reading an advance copy of Unexpected Blessings by Barbara Taylor Bradford. This is a continuation of the Harte family saga started in Woman of Substance. Great book! There will be another one in 2005 and I cannot wait for it.
I recently read Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich. A good book but the character is not as interesting and Stephanie Plum. Maybe this character will be developed more in the next book. It's a good book but not as funny as the Plum books.
Sharon Albert
I am currently reading Why Courage Matters by John McCain and am enjoying this book. A nice alternate to Danielle Steel.
KendraPT@aol.com
I've recently read two Christmas-themed books, A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg and The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. Both were entertaining, though I find the Higgins’s to have lost some of the energy behind their stories. It's more about the characters showing up than doing anything really "sleuthy." I loved A Redbird Christmas. It was so entertaining, the story engrossing, and the characters so much fun with all their idiosyncrasies. I love Fannie Flagg's stuff; you get so engrossed in the lives of the characters because they seem so real and alive.
I also just finished Flashback by Nevada Barr. I've been a bit ambivalent about her books (I'll read anything) before this, but this book was awesome! An exciting story, great characters, and some great detective work and reasoning on the part of Anna Pigeon.
I'm in the process of reading Northern Lights by Nora Roberts and have to say it's one of her best recent works. The romance part is downplayed to focus on the mystery of the murders in Lunacy. I think Nora does a great job writing from the viewpoint of male characters, something some female "romance" writers don't or can't do. It's a great book and I look forward to sitting down with it any time I can.
Just for kicks, I'll share what's on my "waiting to be read" table: Tad Williams's Shadowmarch, Hawkes Harbor by S. E. Hinton, The Pacific and Other Tales by Mark Helprin, The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket, and the last two Dark Tower books by Stephen King...plus a few others...
newcrain@aol.com
Bitter Sweet by Lavyle Spencer. 4 stars.
A light romantic read for anyone who's ever wanted to chuck the work-a-day world to open up a bed and breakfast and fall in love enroute.
frankmarcello@hotmail.com
The Children's Corner by Jackson McCrae. 5 stars.
A great collection of short stories, each one completely different. Not a long book, this group of tales will definitely take you places you haven't been. A lot of emotional and psychological territory gets covered in these little gems. The book is really a treasure of insight into the human condition.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
Sometimes a bit overly graphic for me, this story really kept me turning the pages. About two friends and an incident that breaks them apart, it is a coming-of-age story that covers more than forty years. Highly recommended.
Pudgypb@aol.com
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve. 5 stars.
If you read and enjoyed Pilot's Wife, this book is for you. A man and his 12-year-old daughter move to a secluded area trying to get over the loss of wife/mother and infant baby two years prior and find a baby in the remote area where they live.
The Gift by Nora Roberts. 4 stars.
This is a nice light read for this time of the year. Tragedy hits a close-knit family and relates how things turn out.
Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber. 4 stars.
This is another nice light read for this time of the year. No need to concentrate. This is set in Alaska. Girl decides to seek out love in Alaska...girl gets kidnapped by another man...girls hates this man...girl falls in love with this same man. No brainer but entertaining.
tolltaker55@yahoo.com
Blind Run by Patricia Lewin. 4 stars.
Blind Run is a delightful diversion from first page to the last by a truly talented suspense writer.
Ery222@aol.com
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. 3 stars.
Donna Jacobs
I'm reading Richard Stark's latest, Nobody Runs Forever. Very Good. Also I like that the print is a little bigger. I just finished the last two books of John Grisham. I received them as a gift but I would have purchased them myself. His books are always the very best.
mpicc@verizon.net
London Bridges by James Patterson. 5 stars.
I have never been disappointed in any book by James Patterson, particularly when the main character is Alex Cross. Once again, this book is great! Don't make any other plans when you start reading it!
JFWisherd
Coyote Dream by Jessica Davis Stein is an interesting love story between a Native American Indian living in the West and the dynamic young Jewish girl from New York who sells jewelry and sculptures in her family's furniture store. I have enjoyed the way that Miss Stein writes. I give it a 5-star review.
Rosalie Tidwell Oliver
I just finished Defying Gravity: A Celebration of Late-Blooming Women by Prill Boyle. It is a must read!! I loved every word. Prill Boyle interviewed wonderful women who actually did bloom later in life than one would think possible. I was captured by the way the author presented the women. I laughed, I cried, and I was given go power by her presentation of the fact that it is never too late to pursue your dream. Intertwined in the women's stories is Ms. Boyle's journal of her growth while writing the book. I just cannot stress it enough. READ THIS BOOK!! You will be so glad you did.
Bjglu@aol.com
Purple Hibiscus by C. Adiche. 4 stars.
Lovely novel that takes place in Africa. Reminiscent of The Poisonwood Bible.
The Outside of August by Joanna Hershon. 4 stars.
Lgluhani@aol.com
Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia. 4 stars.
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra.
Rickimc@aol.com
Love & Sk8 by Nancy Krulik. 3 stars.
Typical teen romance where a girl from one side of the tracks falls for a guy from the other.
Babs48rn@cs.com
I'm just about finished with Cashelmara by Susan Howatch. It's an old novel, which takes place in late 19th century Ireland. It's a family saga of betrayal and revenge. A perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter's day in front of the fire. 4 stars.
robertajaffe@comcast.net
Standing Alone in Mecca by Asra Q. Nomani. 4 stars.
Excellent info as well as engaging reading. Controversial content, but lots of food for thought.
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. 4 stars.
Definitely a fun read. Our book club selection for this month.
prwamsley@adelphia.net
Blow Fly by Patricia Cornwell. 4 stars.
I've read almost all of the books in the Kay Scarpetta series. This one is a little different as she is no longer working as the chief medical examiner in Richmond, VA. In this book, I discovered that something that I believed to be true in an earlier book isn't true and it was quite a shock. I'm almost done with the book and I can hardly wait to finish it and read the next one in the series.
Tsbrown62@aol.com
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. 5 stars.
I finished the book last night and watched the movie tonight...the book is better.
Laura Crews, Florida
Currently, I'm reading Patricia Cornwell's Blow Fly. Very fast-paced and excellent subplot. She is one of my favorite authors. 5 stars.
Carly Bohach
An Instance of the Fingerpost by Ian Pears. 3 stars.
Historical ficition. A huge read but worth it. Just be prepared to go slow.
Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. 4 stars.
I just started it but so far I'd give it 4 stars.
vickikondovski@yahoo.com
I'm currently reading In All the Wrong Places by Donna Anders. It keeps me page turning. Very interesting suspense book. 4 stars.
Bonnie Waliezer, Brush Prairie, Wa.
I just recently finished reading Light on Snow by Anita Sheve, author of The Pilot’s Wife. Again she writes a moving story that keeps you turning pages. I very much enjoyed. I would give it 4 stars.
I also read Mimosa Grove by Dinah McCall. This is my first reading of her work and I really enjoyed it. I have several more on order from the library. At least 4 stars.
Right now I am about halfway through with Brimstone by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. As usual a 5-star read. It is a book that is hard to put down. As soon as I see something new out by them, I have to have it. They are great.
melissabrackney@hotmail.com
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. 5 stars!
Beautifully written story of history, art, religion and the Renaissance.
War Trash by Ha Jin. 4 stars.
I haven't finished this yet, but it's a captivating story of a Chinese POW during the Korean War.
Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis. 2 1/2 stars.
Rich with history, but I think it's better suited for the real history buff. Not light reading.
Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34 by Bryan Burrough. 3 stars.
I started listening to this on CD. The topic was interesting, but the narrator didn't keep my attention. I gave up after the first disk. Because I'm a fan of true crime, I'm going to give it a second chance and read it in print.
abromber@optonline.net
Trace by Patrica Cornwell. 4 stars.
Much better than Blow Fly.
The Children’s War by Monque Charlesworth. 5 stars.
A different view of WWII. The story is told via a German youth and a half Jewish girl. He is in Germany and she is in occupied France.
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
I think all his books are great. This one, based on a true incident, gives you a lot to think about.
Wake Up, Sir by Jonathan Ames. So far, 5 stars.
I have just started to read this. It is a laugh out loud book.
Gina from Cranberry, PA
Pushing 30 by Whitney Gaskell. 3 stars.
Humorous tale of a 29-year-old attorney who is interested in a man 20 years older than her. Not much of a plot but a nice light read.
Comella2729@aol.com
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. 5 stars.
This is the best book I've read all year. The book is a love letter written by 76-year-old Pastor John Ames to his 7-year-old son. Ames is dying. In this "letter" he reflects on his life and the lives of those around him, including his best friend's son, Jack Boughton. The plot takes an intriguing turn as Ames goes on in his ramblings. The writing is rich and complex. The subjects range from philosophical and spiritual reflections to observations about daily things like baseball and fried egg sandwiches. This is a wonderful book. I highly recommend it.
Elizabeth Gerdts
I'm almost finished with Ruth Rendell's latest novel, The Rottweiler. The only problem I have with this book is its title, which is unfortunate (as several characters note throughout the book), and I do wonder why it wasn't changed. Other than that one small quibble, Ms. Rendell's writing is as strong as ever, perhaps stronger, and she shows a sly, droll and sometimes laugh-out-loud humor not previously evident in her other psychological novels, at least not that I can remember.
This is a fascinating book, once again delving into the mind of a murderer, while also fleshing out the other characters in the book, so that we feel we know just what they'll do at any given moment. As I said, I'm coming to the end of the book, and I feel a great reluctance the closer I get, since that means that it'll be difficult, if not impossible, to find another book as good as this one. Now that I feel I know all the characters, I'll miss them, reprehensible as some of them are. However, Ruth Rendell has always been prolific, so perhaps it won't be too long a wait until her next book.
I'd rate The Rottweiler 5 stars and recommend it to all Rendell fans especially, but also to anyone who isn't familiar with her work. Trust me, you're in the hands of one of the best writers around today, and, if you're anything like I am, this book will make you run out to get everything else she's written. Her books are well-written, intelligent, witty and well worth reading. Ms. Rendell also uses the pseudonym Barbara Vine, and also writes the Inspector Wexford series, under her own name. As she is extremely prolific, you have a lot of good reading to look forward to.
OcalaRose@aol.com
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 4 stars.
This book has a lot of light humor. I find myself wondering how I would react if my husband died at a young age and the problems that can occur. I'm only halfway through the book, and my co-workers eagerly await the next story episode. Wonderful story about life and death, sad and funny emotions. A must-read for all.
miriama59@yahoo.com
Chosen Prey by John Sandford.
I have read several of the Prey books and have always enjoyed John Sandford's style of writing as well as the recurring characters, including, of course, Lucas Davenport. I enjoy how Sandford flicks back and forth between Lucas's personal life and the characters he goes up against in the Prey books. This one ranks up there with the rest of them, and I give it 4 stars.
damanbradleywallace686@yahoo.com
Two collections of short stories that I've recently run across. The first is titled Runaway and is by Alice Munro. Highly evocative stories, each dealing with something different. 4 stars.
The second collection is titled The Children's Corner by Jackson Tippett McCrae. One of the best collections I've ever read. His prose and plots are guaranteed to be like nothing else! 5 stars.
E. Whitney
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
An intriguing look at TWA Flight 800 in 1996. A novel full of thought provoking points of truth. Did 200 eyewitnesses see a rocket or an "optical illusion"??
J.P. Feingold
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. 4 stars.
Several people recommended this book to me and their support was justified. Charming and entertaining.
danitaj@charter.net
I am currently reading The Return of Little Big Man by Thomas Berger. This is the long-awaited sequel to Little Big Man. Once again, Jack Crabb tells the stories of how he met just about every famous Western legend and was present when most famous events took place. 4 stars.
ebrong@nfdc.net
Matthew Reilly: Ice Station, Temple, Contest, Area 7 --- all rated 5 stars.
Very fast moving and full of non-stop action.
James Rollins: Excavation, Subterranean, Ice Hunt, Amazonia. All 5 stars.
Excellent adventure stories.
Greg Rucka: Keeper, Finder, Critical Space. All 5 stars.
Bonnie Ramthun: Earthquake Games, Ground Zero. 4 1/2 stars.
Cloish049@aol.com
I've just finished reading Light on Snow by Anita Shreve. It was a wonderful read! 5 stars.
Kmscolletta@aol.com
How to Attain Enlightenment on the Major Deegan Expressway by Stewart Bitkoff, Ed.D.
Offers a lighthearted and frank view of the drudgery of commuting everyday. Provides techniques to reduce stress while commuting, which can be applied to all aspects of your life. Not over-the-top at all --- truly something you can relate to and feel enlightened in a very practical way.
Skarakozia@aol.com
The Twelve Little Cakes by Dominika Dery. 5 stars.
The memoir of a young girl coming of age in post-Communist Prague.
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall. 5 stars.
A Native American boy comes of age in this hilarious and bittersweet tale of finding home and angels where you least expect them.
The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore. 4 stars.
Perfect for anyone who likes to take an irreverent poke at the holidays, with a real story, plot and all, thrown in!!
AUGER77777@aol.com
I am currently reading The Return of Little Big Man by Thomas Berger. This is the long-awaited sequel to Little Big Man, the story of 111-year-old Jack Crabb, the fictional hero who was the only white survivor of The Battle of Little Bighorn. His story spans many decades and his encounters with legendary (and real) Western characters such as Wild Bill Hickock and General Custer make for enjoyable reading. 4 stars
marychambers@yahoo.com
Father Melancholy’s Daughter by Gail Godwin. 5 stars.
I think I'll read all of her books. One of my book clubs chose this one.
Going to Bend by Diane Hammond. 4 stars.
Debut novel especially of interest to those living in Oregon state. One of my book clubs chose this one.
Famine by Liam Flaherty. 4 stars.
A novel about the famine in Ireland. It may be out of print.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. 5 stars.
He writes such moving and heartwarming novels. They are well recommended.
MECUSTER@aol.com
Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. 4 stars.
This is an enjoyable read by the author of the "Big Stone Gap" trilogy about an Italian girl in the 1950s.
Donna from New Berlin
I just finished two books on tape:
Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie. 5 stars.
It was a wonderful murder mystery with great sound effects!
Someone in the House by Barbara Michaels. 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this mystery but did not expect the ending it had.
Felmini@aol.com
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Definitely a must-read, timely and a page turner. This is a fictional look at Afghanistan from the imperial time through the Russian invasion, the horrors of the Taliban, and what it might be like today. All is witnessed by two young boys as they mature in a world of revelation, revolution and sometimes revulsion. This is an excellent book for discussion.
cam163@wiredcity.com.au
Some of my reading has included the following:
The Vanished Man by Jeffery Deaver. 5 stars.
I loved this book so much and I learned about magic along the way. Jeffery sure makes illusions and magic interesting, and Lincoln Rhyme is now one of my all time favourite characters. I wasn’t ready for this book to end so I went out and bought another Deaver book to read --- The Devil’s Teardrop, which I haven’t finished yet.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. 4 1/2 stars.
I know this is meant to be a kid’s book but I really enjoyed it --- probably as much as my 10-year-old son. We read this together and had a great time with Harry, Hermione, Ron and Hagrid. We are now plowing through Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Dead Famous by Ben Elton. 4 1/2 stars.
I read this a while ago when it first came out. It’s a different look at the Big Brother phenomenon and is both funny in places and shocking in others as a murder occurs on the Big Brother set while the show is on air. Ben Elton is an adopted Aussie by marriage and was previously known as a comedian in Britain and Australia. I hope to read his next book soon, Past Mortem.
Tim by Colleen McCullough. 4 stars.
This is another book I read a while ago. It’s about Tim, who is mentally challenged and how he meets, falls in love with and marries an older woman. This book was made into a movie in the ’70s in Australia and starred Mel Gibson as Tim in possibly his first movie with Piper Laurie as the older woman.
On Sunday I watched a program on our ABC about Australia’s favourite book. They had asked for suggestions from people around Australia and came up with The Lord of the Rings as Australia’s favourite book. As I have never read it, I may have to now see whether I agree. The second favourite was Pride and Prejudice with The Holy Bible coming third.
Anonymous in CT
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. 4 stars.
Very interesting. I found the Chinese culture back in that time very intriguing and learned a lot.
Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris. 5 stars.
It was a great read. The story kept me intrigued until the end. I also enjoyed Joanne Harris's Chocolat.
Sharron Egypt
The True History of Paradise: A Novel by Margaret Cezair-Thompson. 5 stars.
Historical fiction about a woman's need to leave her home, the island of Jamaica. It weaves her story, her ancestors' story, and the history of Jamaica into a tale a reader must not put down.
The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan. 3 stars.
A long science essay of the relationship between plants and people's desires. The author tries to make it readable to everyone. He misses the mark and the reader gets lost, but is humored by some of his off the beaten path experiences.
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. 5 stars.
This is a nice magnifying glass of an African American man's life that does not fit into society's stereotypes of Black Men in America. His story is told as if he were talking to you over dinner. The reader sees and feels Obama's image of his father. And I am glad he chose the reader to be with him when he faces his father and father's life. One does not feel that Obama wrote this in Law School.
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. 5 stars.
Wendell Berry's stories are like watching a movie. You are pulled into the fictional town and you become one of the residents. Jaybrow, who is a barber, is one the main characters in this story. Through this barber's perspective the reader learns about this virtual rural town and watches how the American rural life slowly dwindles. Like Barbara Kingslover, his stories also have an environmental awareness tone.
The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat. 5 stars.
Although I am still reading it, I highly recommend it. The story is set in the Dominican Republic, 1937, when many Haitians were killed. It is about a woman falling in love, haunted by the killings and her survival.
SalbyC@aol.com
I finally have had a chance to read Dan Brown's first Robert Langdon adventure, Angels & Demons. I found it contained fascinating information about a variety of subjects, including Vatican City. It probably rates 4+ stars.
SEEDCAKEANDJOE@aol.com
Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown. 4 stars.
Sandra Brown has gone from writing romance novels to coming out with some pretty good thrillers!
dbhalv@comnett.net
I love Reading Guides. I look forward to each email and share them with friends.
I’m currently reading Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. It is a great read, but every Landvik book I've read has been good.
Before the Landvik book I read Ramses I by Christian Jacq. This is the first in a series of five volumes on Ramses.
Judyal7@aol.com
Right now I'm about halfway through Tom Wolfe's I Am Charlotte Simmons and liking it a lot. His sense of irony make his books so much fun to read. 4 stars.
I recently finished Three Junes by Julia Glass, and while I liked it, it didn't live up to its hype. 3 stars.
Next on my list is Patricia Cornwell's Trace.
mtc350@hotmail.com
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark. 3 stars.
A fun fantasy, but somewhat hard to follow.
Bonnie Waliezer, Brush Prairie, Wa.
I just finished reading The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig Albert. This is the author who has given up all the wonderful China Bayles mysteries and the information on Herbs. This book is the story of Beatrix Potter and is full of her unusual pets who help solve mysteries and problems, and have wonderful conversations with each other. Definitely a 5-star book. A quick, easy read and a nice escape.
vltrnjd@yahoo.com
So Help Me God by Larry Thompson. 5 stars.
This is a great read! You don't want to miss this ride as it is a thrilling one with surprises in and out of the courtroom. So Help Me God is a combination of the O.J. Simpson and Scopes Monkey trials. I predict So Help Me God will become a modern-day classic courtroom tale.
Aileen in Methuen, MA
I recently finished Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. 4 1/2 stars. Beautiful writing by this author throughout the whole book. Takes place in rural Canada, which she depicts wonderfully. You feel like you're actually there.
I’m almost finished with A Breath of Fresh Air by Amulya Malladi. So far it is 5+ stars!! Wonderfull!! Definitely not my last Malladi book!
Jane from Owensboro, KY
I just finished Tales from the Bed by Jenifer Estess, a true story of three sisters and how they coped when one was diagnosed with ALS. Very moving. I would give it 4 stars.
I also just finished The Godfather Returns by Mark Winegardner. I truthfully approached this book with very low expectations but was pleasantly surprised at how it captured my interest. The writer was actually much more readable than Puzo and the story was very entertaining. The ending left a wide opening for sequels so we haven't seen the end of these characters. I for one am glad as I have loved The Godfather characters and am glad to see them back. I would give this book 4 stars also.
lopsided@socal.rr.com
I just finished the latest installment of John Sanford's Prey series, Hidden Prey. 5 stars!
Nancy10107@aol.com
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
A powerful story about the life of Amir, the narrator, beginning in Afghanistan, then in the U.S. Wonderful character development, a glimpse of life in Afghanistan before and after the Russians and under the Taliban. A book I didn't want to put down.
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler. 4 stars.
Story of a marriage and the family. Anne Tyler makes the characters come alive. The family dynamics were intriguing and heartbreaking. The wife who talked too much, the husband who didn't say enough.
DANNALAMB@aol.com
I just completed Indelible, the last of a series by Karen Slaughter. Her series is spellbinding and her writing flows. I highly recommend her to anyone.
Angela, Queensland, Australia
I am currently reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. This is a most amazing book that, through the revolving stories of a Baptist Minister's four daughters, recounts the effects of westernisation on Africa, particularly the Congo. It is also the story of growing up and the changing relationships between the siblings and their parents and the siblings themselves. This book sees beauty in the stark realities of life in Africa, leads to many interesting religious questions, and will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
I became a fan of Barbara Kingsolver since reading The Prodigal Summer, but this surpasses her work there.
mbmartin@prodigy.net
I just finished reading When in Rome by Ngaio Marsh and give it 4 stars. If you like a good British mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie or Dorothy Sayers, you will enjoy Ngaio Marsh. The mystery occurs in an underground crypt in Rome and was a great read. It kept me guessing until the end.
anitagraham@comcast.net
I am reading Jasper Fforde's The Well of Lost Plots and loving it. It's kind of science fiction for the book fanatic. After that I intend to pick up Tom Wolfe's new book, I Am Charlotte Simmons. It will be my first Wolfe novel, but I want to see what a guy who wears strange suits has to say.
pboylecharley@hotmail.com
Currently I am reading The Cases That Haunt Us by John Douglas.
I also recommend the following books that I just finished reading:
Opium Dreams by Margaret Gibson
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
sears@lsol.net
I just finished Sara Paretsky's Blacklist, which I enjoyed. Some mystery series have grown tedious, but this one was quite engaging with a thought-provoking socially conscious message. 4 1/2 stars.
I also just finished The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, which I had read a few years ago. It's still quite witty, but I'm not sure it's worth a second read. 4 stars.
Now I'm halfway through Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Quite excellent. 5 stars.
pcantrel@mrtc.com
I am reading Remember Me by Sharon Sala. 3 stars.
An intriguing mystery, I can't wait to get to the end.
MaryAllred@aol.com
I am currently reading Shirley Hazard's The Great Fire. It is a period book, during the occupation of Japan. It is very contemporary. There are many issues of that time that we are currently facing now: imperialism, wars, discrimination, just to name a few. It is beautifully and descriptively written. I would rate it 5 stars.
Angi Hoagland, Louisville, KY
I just finished Northern Lights by Nora Roberts. What a great book. She is one of my favorite authors. It is about a police officer who moves to Alaska to become Chief of Police from Baltimore after his partner is shot and killed.
I am now reading Angel: Redemption by Mel Odom. If you like Joss Whedon's TV shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," you'll love the Angel novels.
RLIBERATORE@Rochester.rr.com
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. 5 stars!
A spellbinding book that I found to be filled with many of life’s lessons. Excellent! Certainly not for just young adults!!
lisaavila2000@yahoo.com
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. 4 stars. A great book.
william.wall.01@snet.net
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
Twisted by Jonathan Kellerman. 4 stars.
Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz. 3 stars (so far).
lowthera@swbell.net
Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen. 5 enthusiastic stars!
If you like historical pieces and great character development, this is for you. It takes place in England during the 1700s. The author did a lot of research for this book. The book was written in the late ’80s, and I read it then, and just recently re-read it. Now I remember why I liked it so much.
wimer52@infonline.net
Quite a Year for Plums by Bailey White. 4 stars.
It's her first book, I loved it. It was somewhat like A Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver.
thomabbott@hotmail.com
The Children's Corner by Jackson Tippett McCrae. 5 stars.
Probably the best thing I've read in the last two years. This tightly constructed collection of stories is about different types of loss. They range from Stephen King disturbing to David Sedaris funny, and everything in between. Highly charged, expertly crafted and full of life, this is one book that is a must for anyone interested in great literature that is also fun and entertaining.
Grigoro@aol.com
Stiff by Mary Roach. 4 stars.
Fascinating information about the "lives" of cadavers that are donated to science.
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus.
Quick entertaining read, not much content.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. 4 stars.
Unique idea, interesting format (each chapter is told alternating between husband and wife).
JHIDEY@aol.com
The Last Juror by John Grisham. 4 stars.
The Wide Window, Book 3 in the Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket. 3 stars.
P is for Peril by Sue Grafton. 5 stars.
JDDistef@aol.com
Sydney Sheldon's Are You Afraid of the Dark? 3 stars.
Suspenseful, yet predictable. Unsatisfying ending.
The Final Solution by Michael Chabon. 4 stars.
Chabon has a wonderful writing style, but this is not one of my favorites. Hard to beat Kavalier & Clay.
Catslady5@aol.com
Tommy's Mom by Linda Johnston. 4 stars.
A great romantic suspense. I was pleasantly surprised because I wasn’t thrilled by the title, so it goes to show not to judge a book by its title or cover.
Deb1teach@aol.com
Murder List by Julie Garwood. 2 stars.
I found the characters to be so trite that I had a hard time getting though the book. There was a good murder plot, but I didn't finish it.
bradylee@myway.com
Electric Dreams by Caroline Kettlewell. Published 2004 with 290 pages. 5 stars.
With outstanding quality of writing, this book should tickle the cockles of your heart as it did mine as this is all about the underdog achieving the impossible. You will become part of the team to create an electric car from absolutely nothing using the expertise of a few noble men who had to learn while on the job. This is done by a handful of teachers in a high school located in Northampton County, North Carolina, noted for its majority of "poor people." The students are the drivers and the teachers the guiders in a story that makes you feel good all over with a group of young people that overcome being made fun of and do accomplish the impossible.
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
By far the worst book I have read in years is the new Sidney Sheldon, Are You Afraid of the Dark? It is less than 1 star. Ridiculous in every aspect from character development, to plot, to climax. Do not waste your time or money.
Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich. 3 stars.
This is a Miami version of Stephanie Plum. Wild and on the loose with a NASCAR driver, Alex is looking for her brother who is probably mixed up in something seedy. Totally escapist.
Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi. 5 stars.
See my review on Amazon.com
slippert123@adelphia.net
To every woman who has ever known the support and love of another woman friend, I want to highly recommend The Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish. This is a heartwarming tale of a group of women friends who unexpectedly embark on a walking pilgrimage across the countryside of Wisconsin. Their trek not only reveals each of their life stories, but inspires women all around the country. Upon finishing the book, I immediately bought copies for each of my close friends. If 5 stars wasn’t the highest rating, I would give this book a 10!
Another heartwarming story is told by Kristin Hannah in The Things We Do for Love. Although predictable, the story is told in an entertaining and charming way. 4 stars.
Gaye McGill from St Peters, MO.
I am currently reading Buried Evidence by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. I really enjoy legal thrillers and Rosenberg writes excellent ones. This book shares insight into the fact that even very intelligent people sometimes are guilty of poor judgement.
I just finished Karin Slaughter's Blindsighted (another suspense thriller for "light reading" leading up to the holidays). This is Slaughter's first novel and I picked it up after reading some of her later books, which I enjoyed very much. If you haven't read her before, this is a good one to start with.
Megan from Buffalo, NY
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars!!!
I couldn't put this book down and want everyone I know to read it so I can discuss it with them. It explores the ethical dilemma of a child born to help her terminally ill sister. Each chapter represents a different character's voice so you can look at the situation from everyone's point of view. I highly recommend this book --- but read it with a friend so you can discuss it afterwards!
Joyce in Winchester, TN
This week I have been reading Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum. For the suspense/thriller/spy readers, I recommend it. For those readers who prefer less action and bloody killings, I recommend you make a different choice. As the finale for the Bourne trilogy created by Mr. Ludlum, it works.
Dallas, TX
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
Fast-paced novel based on fact (the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800). The book will really make you think about what happened on that tragic day in July. You WON'T be able to put it down!!
MarshaNee@adelphia.net
The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard. 3 stars.
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. 4 stars.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. 4 stars.
kathrynpatton@earthlink.net
lost boy lost girl by Peter Straub. 5 stars.
An excellent mystery with a twist or hint of the supernatural. The last 100 pages kept me up late into the night to finish the book.
loritg99@yahoo.com
Blind Run by Patricia Lewin.
This is a brilliant suspense book that had me hooked from the very first page. Patricia Lewin's character and plot development bring you into the story from the start, but keeps the twists and turns coming and the plot developing so that you can't seem to find a good place to stop and put the book down. It's a story of revenge, mystery, crime, a little bit of love, a little bit of everything. This is a must read for suspense fans --- it will keep you guessing till the very end and even a little bit after that!
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
I can't put into good enough words my feelings for this book. This is one that should be read by all women, and men could learn a lot from it too! Kidd's characters in this novel are so endearing, so loveable that they become like family to you. A strong cast of remarkable women who open their hearts and their home to strangers in need and wind up forming a wonderful relationship, even though their strangers are struggling with the unpleasantness they run from. This novel made me want to move to their town and live with these women myself! Beautiful lessons of love, relationships, family, spirituality and life...
PFLucas@aol.com
Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl. 5 stars.
Ruth Reichl (Editor-in-Chief of Gourmet Magazine) discovered early in life that food is a way of making sense of the world. She said that if you watched people eat, you could find out about them with some understanding. Reichl writes passionately about food, family, and other people in her life in unforgettable tales. It is a collection of recipes of people as well as food. There are recipes for favorites such as Aunt Birdie's Potato Salad and Seven Minute Frosting. I plan to give this book as a gift to several of my friends.
joswood@msn.com
Whiteout by Ken Follett. 4 stars.
This book was not as good as some of Follett's earlier ones, but it was a compelling read nevertheless. There is a missing canister of a deadly virus, and all the players converge on a remote family house in the middle of a Christmas blizzard. If the virus is released in a crowded area, there will be many deaths. Will the authorities find the canister in time to prevent calamity? There is lots of suspense and excitement to hold your interest. The plot is a little far-fetched, but the ending is satisfactory. I would definitely recommend it for those of you who like thrillers.
Laz from New York City
Voices of a People's History of the United States, edited by Howard Zinn and
Anthony Arnove. 5 stars.
This is one of the most powerful books I've read in ages. It takes us through American history in a way that most history books do not: through republished speeches, ballads, poetry and dialogue as expressed by the famous, the forsaken, as well as the forgotten of our times. These folks describe their versions of history as it was being made.
bradylee@myway.com
Two Souls Indivisible: The Friendship That Saved Two POW's in Vietnam by James S. Hirsch. Published 2004 with 332 pages + notes. 5 stars.
This is a war story that belongs right up there as being one of the best. During the Vietnam conflict, two of our planes are shot down and two men survive, but one is badly injured. Locals capture them and are given to their military where they are eventually transported to the ZOO, a POW camp that has many locations. This is a story of survival and how two men probably would not have survived without each other. This is a story of how important we are to each other when love and respect are involved. Both men are beaten unmercifully and each helps the other after these terrible times. Details of this book point out the folly of war and you wonder why mankind can never get it right as to human relations between and within countries. A good read.
Alize55@aol.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 3 stars.
This book was a quick read. It’s very interesting to see how one who is autistic thinks; how different their mind works from others. I found that part of the book wonderful. However, if you want a book that has a good plot and one that somewhat flows nicely, this is not it. I would still recommend it but know what to expect when picking it up.
Mercy by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
I am currently reading this book. I do not want to give it 5 stars since I am not through with it yet. So far its very good. As with all her books, it is pretty sad and includes many real-life issues. She has this way of sucking you into the story. I also find myself thinking about her books throughout the day, no matter what I am doing. I really recommend her as an author, if not this particular book.
Jackie Katzenstein, Woburn, Ma.
The best book I've read lately is Journey from the Land of No by Roya Hakakian. It is a lyrical memoir by a young woman who grew up in Tehran when the regime changed in 1979. Her family and friends are beautifully described; her transition from childhood to young woman in unforeseen circumstances draws the reader into a part of the world unknown to most of us.
In nonfiction the best I've read in this political season is What Happened to Kansas? by Thomas Frank, especially insightful in the wake of the November election results.
And just for fun, Tepper Isn't Going Out by Calvin Trillin, a comic novel set in the New York he knows so well.
SnugglBuns2@aol.com
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.
This book is absolutely incredible. I read this before they even showed the movie on television and it is so much better. When reading it I actually felt like I was there with characters seeing it all firsthand. I have never read a book that made me feel more emotions or that provoked more thought as to if it is true or not.
Cynthia from New York
I am currently reading American Pastoral by Philip Roth. I give it 5 stars. This masterfully crafted novel presents a stunningly vivid picture of post-World War II America as seen through the eyes of Seymour "Swede" Levov, a handsome high school athlete who marries a former Miss New Jersey and moves to an idyllic, residential town in suburban New Jersey to run his family’s glove factory and live the "American Dream." He and his family live a life of comfort until their world is rocked and their comfort is shattered by horrifying, violent acts of political terrorism committed by his daughter, Merry Levov, who rejects Seymour’s "American Pastoral" as a false and unattainable ideal. This is a truly outstanding work of fiction. I would highly recommend it.
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