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bmattingly@earthlink.net
The Outside World by Tova Mirvis. 4 stars.
Very quick read. A very young, ultra orthodox Jewish couple question not their faith but the insular qualities of it. They are Jewish but could be any fundamentalist couple or any young immature couple finding their place in society.
geobarb@sccoast.net
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
Really interesting and thought-provoking, makes you stop and think about the people in your own life. Are you seeing them? listening to them? I would recommend this book to anyone.
jefrob@earthlink.net
I have just read two of my favorite authors with somewhat disappointing results!
London Bridges by James Patterson. 3 stars.
I love Alex Cross and the love he has for his family and his job. I was intrigued by his search for his arch nemesis, the Wolf. I was on the edge of my seat for 350+ pages, sweaty palms and all. And then...utter disappointment that Mr. Patterson unceremoniously gave us only five pages to wrap things up with absolutely no detail or explanation!
Trace by Patricia Cornwell. 3 stars.
Ms. Cornwell is an author I have followed from the beginning. I have eagerly and impatiently anticipated her next volume. While I have been let down with her last couple of novels, I was sure she would be back on track with Trace. Back on track she was, for the first 3/4 of the book. Kay Scarpetta is back and better than ever. However, the last 1/4 of the adventure left a lot to be desired. Like James Patterson's London Bridges, the ending was a letdown due to the quick and unexplained wrap-up.
I am going to break my pattern of favorite authors (like Patterson and Cornwell) and search out new, fresh authors who haven't fallen into the routine of writing movie scripts instead of novels!
Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts. 4 stars.
Ms. Roberts has created interesting characters in this romantic novel that includes a mysterious ghost story. This book is the first in the Garden Trilogy series. I was immediately caught up in the mystery of the ghost and the lives of those trying to find out who she is. I was pleasantly surprised and eagerly await the next installment of the Garden Trilogy.
tfranzen2124@comcast.net
I did it again...stayed up too late reading! This time, it was State of Fear by Michael Crichton. I'm giving it 5 stars. I think it created the same stir in me that The Da Vinci Code did. It's entertaining, thought-provoking, unsettling, disturbing and somewhat mind bending. It was favorably reviewed here not too long ago, and I add my thumbs up.
bmailward@gmail.com
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell. 5 stars.
Well I would say that it got on The Da Vinci Code hype, but overall it was a really great read. I recommend reading both of the books, they deserve all the sales they get.
tacdill@fuse.net
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. 4 stars.
I am a big mystery reader and thought I would try one of the classics. Raymond Chandler writes a very gritty story well worth picking up at the bookstore if you can find it.
sgrooke@cogeco.ca
I just finished The Da Vinci Code: Special Illustrated Edition. Excellent reading. I couldn't put it down!
Sandn2shoes@aol.com
I have just finished two books. The first was The Gift of Peace by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin. This was a very peace-filled loving reflection by the Cardinal on the last three years of his life, when he was falsely accused of misconduct and then his diagnosis, remission and recurrence of his cancer. His peace with his life exuded through the pages. Definitely 5 stars.
The second book was Brother and Sister by Joanna Trollope. While the story line had potential --- that of an adopted brother and sister who find their natural mothers --- the writing, to me, lacked dimension. I had read Marrying the Mistress by the same author and found that a bit better written.
I may start The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman next.
Heringbess@aol.com
I'm currently reading Elizabeth Costello by J. M. Coetze. This is very different, intellectual and slow doing --- but the writing is worth it!
I read The Stranger by Albert Cumus. I got so much more out of this short book as an adult!
Eileen, Virginia
The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun.
I finished this book last week. If you are expecting there to be a mystery, there is none. I do enjoy getting back together with Qwill and all his friends. The book is filled with all the town gossip about a new actor who has come to town and how he affects the residents there. The book like all her others is very cute and cozy.
Vikkivand@aol.com
Memories Are Made of This by Deanna Martin. 5 stars.
This is a loving tribute to Dean Martin written by his daughter, Deanna. She details her life growing up as Dean Martin's daughter. It also includes Dean's favorite recipe for Pasta Fagioli that we will definitely be making soon.
On the Run: A Mafia Childhood by Gregg and Gina Hill. 5 stars.
This story is about two kids who are in the witness protection program because their Mafia father was testifying against a big crime boss. A sad story because the father was selfish and didn't lay low, and the family had to keep moving and changing their names.
buckeye14@ij.net
I just finished reading Between Friends by Debbie Macomber. At first I didn't think I was going to like it but found it to be one of the best books I have read. This is about the lives of two women who remained friends for life, during the bad times as well as the good. I give it a 5-star rating.
Cat03l@aol.com
I have just read House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. I loved this book! I give it a 4-star rating. It's the Blair Witch Project plus! It's a book about a photographer who moves into a haunted house. The house changes its physical form INSIDE, and this photographer is making a documentary about it. A man finds the transcripts of a review that another man has written. Sound confusing? LOL. It really isn't. A very quick read. It's 700 pages, but I read it in less then 6 hours. It is very creepy, and unnerving. If you like psychological horror, then get this book. But keep your lights on, you might not like the dark after you finish this book.
Marric77@aol.com
I'm reading my first book by Karen Rose, Don't Tell. It's a suspense and at this point I would rate it 4 stars.
Haddow@aol.com
Burr by Gore Vidal. 4 stars.
Originally published in 1973 during the peak of the Watergate crisis, this is a deliciously sardonic look at the myths surrounding the birth of America and the all-too-human Founding Fathers. If you're a bit fed up with all the fawning in the bios that have come out over the past couple of years, this is a welcome breath of foul air.
Ginnylazar@aol.com
I'm enjoying three books concurrently. The least complex is Mary and Carol Higgins Clark's The Christmas Thief. Though I've found Mary's books challenging and interesting, this is probably the last I'll buy with Carol's byline. The situation is too contrived and I am having to push myself to finish it, thinking there has to be more than I've experienced so far.
The second is Nelson DeMille's Night Fall. With the exception of The Gold Coast, I can't recall a book by this author that didn't grab me from the beginning and hold tight. This one was a little more challenging to get into, but his delving into the downing of Flight 800 on the Long Island coast is something I've been interested in for years, and, though fictionalized, I can see "real" cover-up and authority at work and it's holding my interest.
The final and my favorite of the group is I Am Charlotte Simmons, Tom Wolfe's newest. This look into how our society slowly eats away at individual value systems is eye-opening. We all know that outside pressure change us, if just subtly, but to see Charlotte being absorbed into the campus social culture is upsetting. I'm 3/4ths of the way through this one, and I'm rooting for the real Charlotte to survive. I wonder if Wolfe will let her.
Mlauerba@aol.com
Shoulder the Sky by Anne Perry
The Fabulist by Stephen Glass
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
kerin0874@yahoo.com
Doctors by Erich Segal. 4 stars.
Although somewhat predictable, this book was a very captivating read. The 600+ page book just flew by. It is about two childhood friends, Barney Livingston and Laura Castellano, who enter Medical School in the late 1950s.
Until the Real Thing Comes Along by Elizabeth Berg. 2 stars.
I read this book because I had enjoyed other books by the author in the past. To me the book seemed overly dramatic and unrealistic. I was disappointed.
Aileen Maria-Cruz in Methuen, MA
I just finished The Marriage of Sticks by Jonathan Carroll. It is a different genre for me (fantasy/supernatural) so I was a little hesitant to give it a try, but I couldn't help giving it a go because it sounded so interesting (past reviews also influenced me a bit). It was such a different book for me that I loved it. It started out as a normal story, then about halfway into the book "weird things" start happening. It does get weird, so it's not a book that I would recommend to everyone. I thought it was weird, but interesting and still loved it because it was different.
I'm currently reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Whoa, now here's a different type of narrating that I'm certainly not used to, but loving it! The author narrates the novel from the standpoint of an autistic 15-year-old boy. It almost made me think that maybe the author was autistic! (which he isn't). It's a fun, hilarious novel that anyone can enjoy.
sknapp@stny.rr.com
Well, I was wrong!! I was reading The Shadow of the Wind when I answered last issue's Word of Mouth. First, I thought I had made a mistake, then it captured me. However, the book bogged down, and it got very tough to slog through it. On page 281, I closed the book and returned it to the library unread, something I can't remember when I last did that!! I immediately went to some lighter reading, and checked out a Suzanne Brockmann book, Gone Too Far, and started enjoying reading again!!
Pfimaj@aol.com
I recently read Black Wind by Clive Cussler. I would rate it 5 stars because it follows his usual excellent plot and likeable character formulation. He has written many, many Dirk Pitt novels and he keeps it fresh by evolving their characters and coming up with an interesting backdrop.
Particularly fascinating is his inclusion of WWII biological weapons testing and preparation for possible use against Japan's enemies. Although the Japanese used these biological weapons against the Chinese, I am not sure whether they used them against the Americans or British. I don't think so.
In any event, Clive Cussler delivers. His vast knowledge of the sea again makes for persuasive and interesting description of sea exploration, research, etc. This is an excellent read.
Mimi Klein
I just finished reading Shanda by Neal Karlen, and was fascinated by this true story. "Shanda" is a Yiddish word meaning "shame." I liked this book so much that I emailed Neal, and received a lovely response from him.
scrybe@rogers.com
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. 4 stars.
A classic immigrant story that shows how leaving India to live in America affects the lives of several generations of the Ganguli family. Excellent exploration of the challenges faced by the first generation immigrant and the struggles to belong experienced by the second generation. Jhumpa Lahiri won the Pulitzer Prize for her first book, Interpreter of Maladies.
GerryD8784@aol.com
War Trash by Ha Jin. 5 stars.
A novel written in the form of a memoir, War Trash is the story of a Chinese POW held captive in the Korean War. The main character, Yu Yuan, is an apolitical but educated man who is uncomfortable with both and uncommitted to either the Nationalists or Communists who struggled for control of the Chinese POWs' minds and hearts. His only desire is to survive captivity and return home to his elderly mother and his fiancée, but even that wish is thwarted by the cruel circumstances of his country after the war. A beautifully written, moving portrayal of the cost of war to an individual soldier.
Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bojhalian. 5 stars.
An accidental shooting wounds a man severely, but in the end causes less visible family wounds to be brought into the open and ultimately healed. Bojhalian's characters are so realistically drawn, I didn't want the book to end.
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson. 4 stars.
Private detective Jackson Brodie discovers unexpected connections among cases he is investigating: the disappearance (and presumed murder) of a three-year-old girl in 1970, the murder of a nineteen-year-old girl in 1994, and the killing of a young father in 1979. Nothing is exactly as it seems. As the investigations proceed, readers are drawn into the lives of some fascinating and quirky characters in this consistently engrossing novel.
American Woman by Susan Choi. 4 stars.
In a fictionalized account of the kidnapping and radicalization of Patty Hearst, Choi focuses on a young woman who helped Hearst survive as a fugitive, on the bond that developed between the two, and on the life histories and experiences that brought each of them to the point where their paths crossed. Though a little slow early on, Choi's narrative builds to a touching and memorable resolution.
Nancy from Wisconsin
I just finished The Hour Game by David Baldacci and give it 4 out of 5 stars. Very thrilling and kept me reading, but never did understand why some of the victims were chosen. I much prefer Jodi Picoult's Salem Falls, which so far I am giving 5 stars, as I haven't finished it yet. Her writing is always riveting.
Pfzlady@aol.com
Currently I am reading American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America's Back Roads by Pascale Le Draoulec. It is about a journalist's road trip from coast to coast in search of the best pie. It is utterly delightful. It is entertaining and well-written, and includes recipes from her trip! I give it 5 stars.
The last book I read was Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I give it 4 stars only because the first quarter of the book made it so hard to get INTO the rest of the book.
fochler@erols.com
The Girlfriend Curse by Valerie Frankel. 4 stars. Very, very funny book.
A Changed Man by Francine Prose. 3 stars.
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews. 4 stars. Very funny/interesting read.
Bad Cat by Jim Edgar. 4 stars. A must for cat lovers.
The Family Tree by Carole Cadwalladr. 3 stars.
PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. 4 stars. Sad, but gives hope that love endures.
Witness by Amber Frey. 4 stars. Insight into her relationship with Scott Peterson.
yourstrulee@sasktel.net
I am reading Exposed by Katherine Garbera. 1 successful TV reporter + 1 exclusive interview with a Navy SEAL hostage = exposing a scandal and running for her life. Great action adventure; I give it 4 stars.
NFrazelle@aol.com
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett. 5 stars.
Got to love the Mayor of Margaritaville!
Death in the Holy Orders by P.D. James. 4 stars.
I also read Devices and Desires and The Murder Room --- both excellent!
The Body of David Hayes by Ridley Pearson. 5 stars.
I've read the Lou Boldt series from the beginning! Great mysteries!
The last three books in the Alexander McCall Smith series. 4 stars.
Interesting stories and information about that part of the world.
The last book in the Jasper Fforde series about Thursday Next. 4 stars.
Begin with The Eyre Affair.
London Bridges by James Patterson. 5 stars.
Alex Cross conflicted in love but convincing in crime!
newcrain@aol.com
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. 5 stars.
Fascinating story of young girl who becomes a holy fool to Queen Mary in England during the 1500s. The Inquisition is going on; she is a Jew but hiding as a Christian. Lots of court intrigue and politics.
JDDistef@aol.com
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 4 1/2 stars.
The language is beautiful and the imagery is fantastic, but I found the plot slow at times.
revdrkathryn@yahoo.com
I just finished an advanced copy of Luncheonette by Steve Sorrentino, a memoir. It was absolutely fantastic, and will be published in February. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I am currently reading Welcome to the World, Baby Girl by Fannie Flagg. I read A Redbird Christmas and loved it, so I decided to read all her works.
I also just finished A Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini, which was so good that it caused me to learn how to quilt!
bookworm5199@yahoo.com
I just finished The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. I had the good fortune of meeting Ron at a local Barnes and Noble book signing a few weeks back. It is an excellent read and very poignant. I am just about to finish Almost There, a memoir by the Irish writer Nuala O'Faolain. Another wonderful read and I look forward to reading her other books.
lisaavila2000@yahoo.com
The Search by Christiane Heggan. Great book, believable storyline.
AUGER77777@aol.com
After I finished reading Mine by Robert McCammon, all I could think of was how much I wished I was a rich Hollywood producer so I could make a movie out of this gripping novel of pure suspense. If the movie was as good as the book, it would surely win an Oscar. 5 stars.
I am currently reading Black Wind by Clive Cussler. This is a classic Dirk Pitt novel, except that the new hero is Dirk Pitt, Jr. His dad is now head of NUMA, but young Dirk is just as much the daring, swashbuckling, womanizing daredevil as Dirk Sr. This book promises to be just as riveting as all the other Dirk Pitt novels. 5 stars.
mbunting@sbcglobal.net
Spilling Clarence by Anne Ursu. 4 stars.
An engrossing and often surprising tale of what happens in the town of Clarence, Minnesota when the pharmaceutical factory has a spill, flooding the townspeople with detailed memories they have forgotten about --- or tried to forget.
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. 5 stars.
A poetically written story of a young boy with congenital lung problems and his family who leaves home to find the boy's older brother, who has inadvertently killed a troublemaker who threatened his sister. Full of rich description and true emotion, this book will convince you that miracles really can happen.
Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke. 4 stars.
The latest in Fluke's series of cozy mysteries featuring a small-town baker and including some enticing dessert recipes. Always satisfying.
Anniesdragon@aol.com
To Die For by Linda Howard. 5 stars.
Not since Janet Evanovich came out with her Stephanie Plum series have I laughed so often and so thoroughly enjoyed a book. I was surprised at the first person viewpoint when I started the book, but was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked for this particular story. As a not-so-dumb blonde, the lead character Blair matches her wits with a police detective (with whom she has a past) after she witnesses a murder. I would recommend this book to any fan of romantic suspense.
Gail from Philadelphia
The Center of Winter by Marya Hornbacher.
In a small town in Minnesota, a man commits suicide, leaving a guilt-ridden wife, a 6-year-old daughter and a mentally ill son. The story is told alternately by the widow, Claire, and the two children. This year, I suffered my own center of winter --- I lost my 27-year-old son. I wondered if I should be reading this story at this time of my life. But start it I did, and I found I could not stop reading. I cared about the characters, I wanted to know how they found their way out of their center of grief. The back cover promises that "you will be ultimately inspired" --- and I was. I will be getting a copy of Marya Hornbacher's first book, Wasted.
MarshaNee@adelphia.net
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
All of his books are fascinating. This one leaves you pondering the role of our government in matters of national crises. Certainly gives you food for thought.
The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader. 4 stars.
Van Lustbader has taken the character of Jason Bourne from the novels of Robert Ludlum. It's a stretch of the imagination how one human could endure so much but the plot moves quickly and keeps your interest. He also introduces a personal history of Bourne. Always fun to read about a superhuman. We need more of them protecting our interests.
prwamsley@adelphia.net
Kings, Book 4 of the Prodigal Project series, by Ken Abraham and Daniel Hart. 3 stars.
This is a series that has the same premise as the Left Behind series. In book one, the Christians were all taken up to heaven leaving the non-Christians to figure out what is happening. It's not quite as good as the Left Behind series but it's worth reading. The cast of characters are very different. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in this type of book.
Allania@aol.com
I would like to recommend the book, Pulse Points of a Woman's World, written by author Sylvia LaVon Parsons-Ramsey to be added to your list of poetry books because it is not only a walk through time, it is also romantic and very "inspirational." This book of poetry is divided into sections that are very much like our walk through life and it reminds us that we all share many of the same fears, hopes and dreams. Something about this book is also powerfully healing. Perhaps it is the expression or evocation of emotions that most of us were taught to ignore and deny. Perhaps it is the absence of vengeance. It is a beautiful book in words and illustrations. I have already purchased 10 copies of this book and given to friends.
Andi from Detroit
My book choice is The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty.
The Pickup by Nadine Gordimer. 4 stars.
Interesting love story of an upper-class South African white girl finding her place in her lover's third-world Islamic culture. The writing style offers a challenging read.
The Human Stain by Philip Roth. 4 stars.
Interesing presentation of race relations, academia and politics. Some elements of the story line seemed a stretch. The language tended to be so long-winded that they required re-reading, however worth the read.
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy. 5 stars.
The setting is the end of the Nazi occupation of Poland. Two Jewish children are abandoned by their father and stepmother to find safety in the forest. To protect themselves they take the names of Hansel and Gretel, and are found by a village "witch." The plot is captivating from the onset as it tells the story of the Holocaust, the evil of the Nazis and the people who lived through it. The language is poetic and the story compelling despite the horrific tale. A worthy read.
John1rosie@aol.com
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 4 stars.
Truth to tell, it is an awesome first novel. At times you may wonder why the author did not study more so as to better portray the development of the deviant personality. At times you will know that the author has been studying so as to write about the treatment of a rape victim. You will be struck by the parallels in the structure of the book. You will respect and you will disrespect the plotting. You will make judgments on the author's wisdom in deciding what social, political, and emotional roads to travel and what to leave untouched. You will wonder if the author makes his decisions on plot through knowing his own limitations or through his own cowardliness. Whatever your choice you will respect the thought and insight and hard work the author gave his creation. Will you like the book?
The Kite Runner is about betrayal and cowardliness. Of course betrayal and cowardliness can be dismissed if you don't care about the victim. But can betrayal and cowardliness be forgiven if you do care about the victim? The novel has so many discussion topics to choose from that some important ones can be overlooked. As a book about politics it is arguably a statement against immature, self-serving liberalism and a plea for concern from us for those who trust immature liberalism for protection.
A 1960-born liberal (Amir) fails to intervene against the forces of brutality (the too-conveniently blue-eyed blond Assef born to an Afghan father and, even more conveniently, a German mom), and the symbolically real Afghanistan, Hassan (Amir's servant? Amir's friend? Amir's younger half-brother?) is raped. Amir turns against Hassan (a further discussion topic on the treatment of victims and especially rape victims) and creates, he thinks, an ultimate separation and an ultimate denial of Hassan. How separate are we from that which is our nation or our culture? Another discussion question: Can a first-generation immigrant escape his homeland or his heritage? From the safety of America and years gone by, Amir is called back to Afghanistan by Rahim Khan. The son of Hassan, Sorhab, the new "real Afghanistan" now existing under the Taliban rule, suffers overwhelming degradation. Can Amir help? Finally it is Amir who placed Sorhab, via rejection, the same weapon he used against Hassan, at the brink of successful self-annihilation. You will note that both times it was the victim (Hassan and then Sorhab) who saved the ineffectual liberal "protector" (Amir) only to suffer greater pain for the bravery.
On some level it is a message of the book that courage and bravery without organization and political power are useless against the evil forces of brutality and of immature self-serving liberalism. The Kite Runner might be seen as a plea for the common man to seek humane justice, his rights, and the political power necessary to protect them through force. As a book of interaction between its characters The Kite Runner is surely a book examining the effects of repeated communication failure. This novel is emotionally involving for its readers on a personal level. You may be reminded that somewhere in your background you may have done some interpersonal thing of which you are ashamed. That may allow you to forgive Amir time and again and allow the author the escapes he needed to have kept you involved in the story and to have moved the story to a conclusion.
pboylecharley@hotmail.com
I have just finished reading Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres. A tale of a stray dog in Australia who becomes everybody's dog. A happy tale and a sad tale but a true story and one that everybody would enjoy. Just another example of the fine work of de Bernieres.
sonianh@comcast.net
Tool & Die by Sarah Graves. 3 stars.
This was the first book I've read by Sarah Graves and I enjoyed it very much. Ms. Graves has written a good whodunit (I kept the review to 3 stars because some was predictable), along with a love story about small-town Maine such that although I'd never considered it before, I found myself wanting to live in the town (and be friends with Jake and Ellie). I plan to read more by her.
I'm just starting For Love and Money by Leslie Glass. I'll send in a review as soon as I'm done.
FalseMillennium@aol.com
Narcissism: Denial of the True Self by Alexander Lowen, M.D. (1985).
One of those real "physician heal thyself" books. The author's self-revelations diminish the scholarly quality of the text. Lowen feels narcissism forms in childhood through feelings of powerlessness brought on by the parent, followed by a seduction in the parent making the child feel special in conforming to the parent's needs. The promise of specialness is the seductive lure put forth by the parent's efforts to mold the child into their own image of what is appropriate behavior. What was of most interest is Lowen's summation on how our current American culture emphasizes this narcissistic quality, and written 20 years ago, I would add it would seem even more so today.
Once Upon a Time by Slim Aarons (2003).
Photographs of the world's rich. Aarons had been a photographer during WWII. He left the war thinking he was done with the world's realism, as a photographer, and only wanted to see the pretty, the beautiful, the rich...and so he did; photographing these subjects for magazines like Town and Country, Holiday, Travel & Leisure, and Life. This is such a hidden world that the masses never see, but Aarons did. Money guards its gates and entrances well.
The Roads That Built America: The Incredible Story of the U.S. Interstate System by Dan McNichol (2003).
The history of America's roads, its engineering feats, its bridges. Good, interesting text and fascinating pictorials. I wasn't aware that President Eisenhower was so instrumental in seeing that America had a cohesive highway system.
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson (1981).
In Housekeeping, lives change drastically and tear from their moorings while the characters go through the mundane aspects of the day to day. Robinson uses strong poetic sentences that brought to mind James Joyce. I'm still mixed on the sentence structure. You could study a sentence for days, but at the same time you tend to get so burrowed you lose the narrative thread and flow. Reviewer Doris Lessing said that Robinson forces you to read slowly, and then even more slowly. I had to laugh at the accuracy of that, because we certainly don't live in an era that wants slow anything.
Rickimc@aol.com
The Flaming Luau of Death by Jerrilyn Farmer. 3 stars.
This was a very fun mystery. However, nothing very unique about it.
realbencann@yahoo.com
Something Dangerous by Penny Vincenzi. 5 stars.
Family saga set in England from 1928 until after World War II. Excellent character description, friction, drama and interrelationships within families. Captures the essence of the times with vivid characterization of the times, the people, and their trials and tribulations.
MichelleM819@aol.com
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 4 stars.
A young woman struggles through the first year after her husband's death from cancer. She becomes a magnet for strange characters as she finds her new niche in life. Strangely fun.
catslady5@aol.com
The Eight by Katherine Neville. 4 1/2 stars.
A fascinating read. Lots of history mingled with lots of mystery and intrigue, it alternates between the 1790s and the 1970s. Just as you get wrapped up in one century, they pull you into another. I still have a little more than 100 pages out of 600 to read, and it will probably go to 5 stars.
melody_62801@hotmail.com
I am currently reading the newest Carly Phillips book, The Heartbreaker. It is on the New York Times Bestseller list. I think it is a good book. It is the first time for me reading a book written by Carly Phillips. It is very well written, and I would recommend this book to anyone. I would give it 4 stars. I am not usually a romance reader, but this book has the mystery element that I like. My last read was by my favorite female author, Patricia Cornwell. I read Point Of Origin. I had the book for a while, and just got around to reading it. She is so good. I would give this book 5 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
The Noise of Infinite Longing: A Memoir of a Family...and an Island by Luisita Lopez Torregrosa. Nonfiction. Published in 2004 with 286 pages. 3 stars.
A memoir of the author reminiscing about the days of her youth and up to the time of her mother's and then her father's death in Puerto Rico and many other places including Texas and the rest of the world. The children were quite close to each other while young, but as adulthood matured so did the closeness decrease in intensity and by the time everyone attended their father's funeral, they had not all been together for 15 years.
There is really no noise in this story unless you wish to call it the noise of yearnings, as this is a pleasant rundown of a family's life beginning in Puerto Rico and traveling to the U.S., the Philippines and places beyond.
rgombert@yahoo.com
Newton's Cannon by J. Gregory Keyes. 4 stars.
Idlewild by Nick Sagan. 4 stars.
Edenborn by Nick Sagan. 3 stars.
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. 3 stars.
The Positronic Man by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg. 3 stars.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
A wonderful story that puts a face to the plight of Afghanistan.
Kim23thomas@aol.com
I just finished reading The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks and now am reading A Very Long Engagement by Sebastien Japrisot.
The Rescue was wonderful and my sister is now reading it and LOVES it.
My husband and I saw A Very Long Engagement last weekend and am now reading the book. It is excellent. So far, the book and movie are very similar. It is well worth reading.
NRenek@brooklyn.cuny.edu
I just finished reading Jean Harris' debut novel, Diffidence. It's a beautifully written novel that takes place in the pause between making changes in your life and actually beginning that new life. The book is entrancing and reveals the intimacies of two strong yet struggling characters.
Fifi, Goshen, KY
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
Jeanette from Kitchener, Ontario
I'm reading The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It is definitely 5 stars. It has me hooked. I like how she goes back and forth between the two main characters. It's one of the books that I'm trying not to read too quickly because I want to enjoy it for longer.
Mystic0386@aol.com
I am reading Brimstone by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. As always they have done an amazing job. This story centers on FBI agent Pendergast as he once again tries to uncover the truth behind a supernatural murder. A fast read with an intriguing mystery and many plot turns. This book was extremely worthy of 5 stars.
Clogwoman@aol.com
The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost.
Very well written and laugh-out-loud hysterical. I look forward to reading more by him!
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille.
Fast-paced with terrific dialogue. I couldn't put it down and loved the ending.
The Pat Conroy Cookbook. Anything he writes is perfect!
Alize55@aol.com
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 4 stars.
I am only about halfway through this book but it is so good already. It seems so heartfelt and looks like it will have lifelong lessons to be learned. I am quite intrigued by it and sometimes I find it hard to find the words to explain why.
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner. 4 stars.
I just finished this book. It was VERY good. It was the first book by Gardner that I have read. I am definitely going to get her next one (The Next Accident). This is a must read for Patterson fans and for murder mystery fans, as well as for anyone who loves a great detective.
noel_x99@yahoo.com
Return of the King by JRR Tolkien. Our book club is finishing the trilogy this month. The Lord of the Rings is one of my all-time favorites.
The E-myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber talks about why many small businesses fail and how to make sure your business grows.
I just finished and thoroughly enjoyed Katherine Kurtz's Deryni novel, In The King's Service.
Suzanne Anderson, London, Ontario
I am reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I think I'm the last person on earth to read it but now that I am, I wonder what took me so long. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Its a page-turner.
Dani420@aol.com
I just finished reading Stolen by Kelley Armstrong, the second in her Werewolf series. Wow! I loved its predecessor Bitten but I think Stolen was a little bit better. There was more action and descriptive characters in Stolen and I read it so fast it surprised even me! 5 plus stars.
I am currently reading The Effects of Light by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore (as an advance reader copy) and so far, so good. It's an engrossing story --- very mysterious with just enough clues to keep my interest. I'm going to anticipate the remainder of the story is as good as the portion I've already read and give it 4 stars.
waltsmom
Haven by Bobbi Smith (writing as Julie Marshall). 5 stars.
This inspirational romance is an uplifting change of pace from New York Times bestselling romance writer Bobbi Smith. In Haven, Smith shows how the lives of a group of people intersect at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church. Haven is an upbeat tale of faith, hope and redemption.
mittens0831@aol.com
The Killing Game by Iris Johansen. 5 stars.
This thriller holds the suspense until the very surprising ending!
VirginiaMyhouse@aol.com
I am currently reading Morgan's Run by bestselling author Colleen McCullough. As with her novel The Thorn Birds, in my case, they are books with slow starts.
Morgan's Run is set in 17th Century England when citizens were tried, found guilty with no evidence and sentenced to "goal" prison. Prisons were intolerable, but some convicts survived the incarceration such as one Richard Morgan.
Morgan spent time in two prisons, both of which house males and females, before being shipped for a 12-month cruise to a deserted island, except for the native Indians. From there he was shipped to another island where he is right now in my reading.
With a variety of skills, Morgan is able to live quite comfortably. I am on page 632 of this intriguing 832-page epic tale of one man who managed to survive, regardless of the hardship and loss he suffered.
I rate this book 4 stars.
moxeyh@mjsc.com
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. 4 1/2 stars.
I'm only a third of the way through this first novel in a series for older children, but I'm enjoying the book and would recommend it. The comparisons to Harry Potter are obvious, with the main character being a boy in an alternate-reality London who is being trained as a wizard. But the book is a lot darker, and the main character has several character flaws that require the reader to be more discerning and perhaps less emotionally connected to him. Stroud has a dry humor and makes unusual (and usually humorous) use of footnotes throughout the novel --- something I've never seen before. I'm looking forward to finishing the book and starting the next one in the series.
jackandnicksmom@comcast.net
I just finished A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. I had read it once before and loved it so much that I chose it for my book club. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. I would give it way more than 5 stars!! The characters in this book are so well-developed and amazing. You grow to love them and care about them and pray that they can strike a fine balance between hope and despair. I followed this up with a lighter read, The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble. (So far about 3 stars). I thought it seemed a bit like Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons by Lorna Landvik (5 stars).
Last month I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. I didn't care for it (1 star), though I know other people loved it. I also loved The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (way more than 5 stars).
Donna from Northampton, PA
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. 4 1/2 stars.
The Northampton Public Library book discussion group, "6:30 and a Book," just finished this classic novel. What a fun read! Many of the characters are so full of themselves they cannot see what fools they are. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy do a fascinating dance and finally find that you really cannot "judge a book by its cover." We are often afraid to jump into a classic because of the formal culture and strange customs of days gone by. As you read this book, remember that it is meant to be a little over the top. Jane Austen not only had a sense of humor but also a timeless sense of the silliness of humans in general. Enjoy!
PFLucas@aol.com
Two Sides of the Moon by David Scott and Alexei Leonov. 5 stars.
This book describes in great detail all that was important in the Cold War space race. The book begins by paralleling Scott and Leonov's childhood, education, and the influences that put them in the pursuit of space travel. Although at times the book is very technical in description, it is very enlightening in how both countries are represented. Neil Armstrong writes the forward and Tom Hanks the introduction.
French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. 5 stars.
One of the news shows recently presented Mireille Guiliano discussing her new book and I had to rush out and buy it. The book does not present a specific diet but does describe how the French women eat for pleasure. Apparently the author went to America as an exchange student and upon returning to France, her family noticed her weight gain. Her family physician along with some of the local women shared their tricks to restore her shape with an understanding of food, drink, and living. The book also includes an abundance of recipes. Mireille Guiliano is the president and CEO of Clicquot Corp., with headquarters in NYC where she lives, but she does make several trips to France each year.
John1rosie@aol.com
Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman. From a Tony Hillerman fan, 3 stars.
A reader new to Mr. H. might well rate it higher. I found this book is an improvement on Mr. Hillerman's last novel, The Sinister Pig. I find it reason to hope that the great (as attested to by his earlier work) Tony Hillerman is on his way back. I liked the plot twist that exposed the two "types" who are after the same prize for very different reasons. I liked the blurring of the definition of that which is criminal. I liked that Tony continues to know better than to write about the sexual act but may well be setting the stage for some comparison between the needs for "partners of the opposite sex" between Leaphorn and Chee. Yes, there could be more of the Indian culture, more of the sights and sounds and smells and feel of the great American southwest, more veneration for the world in which we are placed. But maybe after having done that so well for so long, Tony is just tired of it? Maybe he doesn't realize how much his audience loves that and expects it of him? Maybe something else? Whatever, I continue to be an avid Hillerman reader.
bradylee@myway.com
Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett. Nonfiction. Published 2004 with 394 pages [Large Print] 5 stars.
This is an autobiography plus a biography of the author's best friend Lucy Grealy where these two met while attending college. The book is dedicated to Lucy who contracted cancer of the face while a child and had a multitude of operations to attempt to correct a damaged face. Lucy was always the life of the party and the leader of any social function, yet constantly worried about not being loved and being alone. She also worried about not getting male attention, though she had far more encounters than most of her friends/acquaintenances.
This is a well-written, interesting book about living a life with a friend from two obscure, budding authors (Lucy was a poet) who eventually hit it big and how their lives changed for the better, yet did not change Lucy's insecurities. A good read! Ms. Patchett also wrote Bel Canto.
susanreading@tds.net
I just finished (for the second time) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. I would give it 5 stars. It is a mystery, written in the voice of a 15-year-old autistic boy. It is funny, and poignant, and extremely interesting to listen to and really hear what a person with this kind of disability is thinking. I really love this book!
tmac2_2@swbell.net
I just finished Wolves Eat Dogs by Martin Cruz Smith. I would give the book 2 stars and I am being particularly kind with the rating. I struggled with this book. I never could get in rhythm with the writer. During his investigation the main character (Arkady Renko) was as confused and lost as I was. I was disappointed with the book, not one of this writer's best efforts.
Sharon in Ohio
I'm reading The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks, only because my dear friend wanted me to read it, and I don't want to disappoint her. I'm finding the writing style and story line to be just as predictable as The Notebook. I find myself scanning through the pages as quickly as possible trying to find something of substance in the writing. It is an extremely easy read, just a glorified romance novel. I would give it 1 star.
marefitzy@hotmail.com
Howard Hughes: The Untold Story by Peter Brown. 4 stars.
I saw The Aviator and wanted to find out more about Hughes. This book is great. It reads like a soap opera, you don't want to put it down.
Stichigh@aol.com
Two in the Far North by Margaret E. Murie. 5 stars.
This is a delightful memoir of a woman and her naturalist husband who spent their honeymoon in Arctic Alaska in the early 1900s. She is positive and loving toward the people and places she describes.
FalseMillennium@aol.com
The Complete Stories of Truman Capote by Truman Capote. 3 stars.
Most readers know Truman Capote as the author of Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood; or they remember his social exploits living on the fringes of the outré and rich, and the verbal duels with Gore Vidal and Tennessee Williams. But he was also the author of superb short tales that were heartfelt and compassionate. I've enjoyed going back to study his early craft and remembering the talent.
American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies by Michael W. Kauffman. 5 stars.
I've been recommending this book to everyone that crosses my path. A scholarly work, well researched, using new software methods in organizing past material making it more chronologically cohesive in tracing John Wilkes Booth's acts prior to, during and following Lincoln's assassination. Detailed coverage on the mishmash of conspirators Booth gathered and baffled around himself, the confusion and destruction of evidence and the post-Civil War judicial system. Kauffman notes that every stopping point of Booth's escape route still exists. In a world where we constantly tear down our architecture, that fact alone amazed me.
Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Small Book About the Big Issues in Life by Alexandra Stoddard. 2 stars.
A rather sweet book of reflective essays on essential principles worth living by. Stoddard urges the unplugging of technology to encourage "people time." She also writes amusingly about the importance of knowing how to "style your own hair." A nice book for a snowy day in January when most wish to plot our their own resolutions, growth and changes for the coming year.
Wyndwvr@aol.com
Every time there is a new Harry Bosch book, I am out of contact with the world for a while! I am presently reading one of Michael Connelly's associated books, Void Moon. It is entirely too easy to get pulled into a Connelly novel --- they are immediate, fast-paced, intelligent, and host well-rounded characters. This one begins with the theft of a briefcase full of money from a Las Vegas hotel --- a very professional and thrilling theft --- and then... 4 stars.
The Magician's Wife by Brian Moore. 3 stars.
It was a pleasant, light read --- predictable, but I enjoyed the read. I enjoyed the descriptions of the scenes and the magician's art. But I found the characters a bit cardboard.
The Bride's Kimono by Sujata Massey. 4 stars.
This book is the fourth or fifth in a series and I desperately want to get hold of the other books. The main characters are bright and personable, the background and settings are unusual (an American woman of half-Japanese extraction), lots of history and detail. This book concerns a stolen kimono, and the information on kimono and the people who owned them is fascinating.
peggyprobus@netscape.net
I'm in the middle of Michael Crichton's State of Fear. It's a long book but is getting very interesting. It's a little hard to get into because there are so many locations and characters.
I just finished David Baldacci's newest book, The Hour Game, and it was also a long book but very good and worth reading.
I read A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffet. No great mystery but enjoyable reading.
charris@pctelecom.us
Melancholy Baby by Robert B. Parker. 3 stars.
A Sunny Randall novel about her. She is an artist and also a Detective. She helps a young woman find her birth parents.
Open Season by C. J. Box. 4 stars.
A story about a Game Warden in Wyoming. Joe Pickett is the warden and he and his family live in a Government house a distance from town. He eventually catches the bad guys.
Blow Out by Catherine Coulter. 4 stars.
An FBI thriller about the murder of Supreme Court judge, then the others murdered who worked for him. Also, a 30-year-old mystery was solved.
Crsntmoon3@aol.com
I'm still working my way through The People's Business: Controlling Corporations and Restoring Democracy by Lee Drutman and Charlie Cray, which gets 5 stars. I'm also just beginning Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, which I hope will grab ahold of me soon. It's too soon to be able to assign it a rating. I've nearly finished listening to Tom Wolfe's I Am Charlotte Simmons and would give it a mediocre 2 1/2 stars as in not nearly as revealing or engaging as it could've been.
newcrain@aol.com
The Murder Room by P.D. James. 5 stars.
I'm am avid mystery reader and had always heard of P.D. James, but this is the first book of hers that I have read. The characterization is GREAT. And the British setting is interesting.
Deb1teach@aol.com
White Out by Ken Follett is a great read. The character development is such that you really get involved with them and the suspense in the story keeps you reading and reading. I give this book 5 stars. It's one of the best books I've read this winter.
Sally B., San Antonio, TX
I'm currently re-reading (my first re-read ever!) Duncton Wood by William Horwood. It's a lengthy tale of the trials and tribulations of moles, ala Watership Down. I had initially read it in 1981 (published in 1980). Nothing in the book is jogging my memory though (perhaps a few names, but that's it). I kind of wonder what mindset I was in when I first read it. I know I had started a new job that year (and am still working for them now after 24 years!). Currently, 3 1/2 stars.
I'm listening to Patricia Cornwell's Black Notice. Intriguing, but this abridged edition has had too much cutting and I don't really care for the reader. 3 stars.
K. Wayne Wincey, San Antonio, TX
Here is this week's rundown:
The Lover by Marguerite Duras. 3 stars.
A seemingly autobiographical tale of the author's youth in Indochina, her dysfunctional family, and a forbidden affair. Probably reads best for those familiar with her earlier work.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. 4 stars.
Contact with European religion and institutions leads to the disintegration of an African tribal culture.
Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen. 4 stars.
Passion, religious fervor, and jealousy in a turn-of-the-century American convent. A postulant's faith and ability to understand her Savior's ultimate values are tested.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. 3 stars.
More environmental miscreants are taken to task. A mostly endearing cast of characters, unlike Sick Puppy. The governor makes another cameo appearance.
gmetz@westco.net
Bloody Mary by J. A. Konrath. 5 stars.
I just finished an Advance Reading Copy of Bloody Mary, which is the 2nd in the Jacqueline (Jack) Daniels series that began with Whiskey Sour. It was an excellent and very fast read, and a great follow-up to Whiskey Sour. Jack and her partner, Herb, are after a psychopath who is leaving women's body parts around town with personal items that belong to Jack. Herb is going through a midlife crisis and we find out more about Jack's chaotic personal life.
Be Mine by Rick Mofina. 5 stars.
Be Mine is the story of a man's obsession with crime reporter Molly Wilson. He will do anything to have her, beginning with killing her homicide detective boyfriend. My first Mofina book but definitely not my last. This was a good, fast-paced read with characters who were well fleshed out to the point that you felt like you knew them.
shwinner33@hotmail.com
I just finished reading Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. It was interesting to read about someone's true life experiences but not really surprising to find how hard it is for minimum wage earners to survive
I am now reading Sidney Sheldon's latest book, Are You Afraid of the Dark, for some light reading.
mittens0831@aol.com
The Alibi by Sandra Brown. 5 stars.
This was a very good murder mystery with a surprising ending. It was hard to put down!
Grigoro@aol.com
I am in the middle of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and I am loving it. 5 stars.
Haddow@aol.com
Conquest by Hugh Thomas. 5 Stars.
A BIG, rousing history of the conquest of Mexico by master historian Hugh Thomas. Most of us know something about this moment in history, but of course our schoolbooks left out the really good stuff. It's all here, told in consistently engaging prose. A mega page-turner.
PPFQP@aol.com
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. 3 1/2 stars.
A sweet holiday tale about a small town and finding a new lease on life. I only wish that I'd had access to it in December so that I could have read it during the holiday season. Even in the off-season, it brought a bit of sunshine to the dreary days of January. I'm ready to hop a plane and visit the citizens of Lost River, AL. A fun detail: the inclusion of recipes from various characters in the story.
A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind. 4 stars.
An award-winning journalist documents the story of an inner-city high school student's quest to gain acceptance at an Ivy League university. Not only does he have to be accepted for admission, but he also has to find acceptance among his student peers once he arrives. Told with honesty and poignancy, this is a must-read.
Hit Reply by Rocki St. Claire. 3 1/2 stars.
Pure fun. It's the story of two friends, and the ups and downs of their careers, families and romances, told entirely through IMs and emails.
ygrisafi@adelphia.net
I am currently reading A Black Englishman by Carolyn Slaughter. I haven't gotten good or bad feelings as yet, but it is interesting with information on India. I believe it will turn into a love affair. Will continue.
I just finished Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. While it is fiction, as you read you believe you're living it. Recommended.
I'm looking forward to reading The Broker by John Grisham.
hyjean@shaw.ca
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss.
This is a wonderful treatise on the shattering of our grammar and language as we knew it. Truss writes with a wry sense of humour; her topic, although it could be dry, is definitely not pedantic. She spices up her discourse with low-key humourous anecdotes. I can thoroughly recommend this small volume as an "I couldn't put it down."
jberger@salud.unm.edu
Forever by Pete Hamill.
An interesting and fascinating novel about a young man's journey. Enthralling and vivid with wonderful descriptive passages.
OcalaRose@aol.com
No More Bobs by Cynthia Borris is a must-read for anyone who enjoys light humorous reading. How many Bobs can one woman date, without being able to laugh at the world and herself!!!
This story is about a single mother who is a budding new writer, and tells her story of all the Bobs in her zany life. Her life is paved with good intentions that somehow always go haywire, and her friends and relatives are just as nutty. This is a 5-star book.
bradylee@myway.com
I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and the Inside Story of the Mafia, the Teamsters, and the Final Ride of Jimmy Hoffa by Charles Brandt. Nonfiction. Published 2004 with 588 pages (large print) + notes. 5 stars.
A picture of the workings of the mafia and a crime-infested labor union where the top executives more or less did as they pleased and lived off of the dues and the pension fund for privileges they felt they deserved.
It does appear that Jimmy Hoffa was most interested in getting benefits for his members, but using any means possible including murder. This is a detailed rundown of the earlier years of the Teamsters Union and an eye-opener to say the least. A wild read for sure!
Kama from Illinois
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. 3 stars.
The first two books in this series (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood) are both fun, quick reads for young adults. I anxiously waited for this third installment of Brashares' tale of the four high school friends. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a letdown. The Pants --- always before a character in and of themselves --- seemed to be forgotten in this installment. And the ending left me … wondering.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. 4 stars.
I'm wondering how I missed this in high school?! I picked it up because one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner (Good in Bed, In Her Shoes), had it on her list of favorite books. Now I know why. This book shared a slice of life pre-World War I. It was very engaging and very real.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
I'm currently slogging through this. It's not a "quick" read. But it is engrossing. I am very attached to Owen, although I found him annoying at first. I could do without the political soapbox, although I think that's what the book is really all about. I'm only about a third of the way through it.
JoyZoo@aol.com
Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman. 4 stars.
Dusty dry desert winds, rusted out cars, mysterious symbols from unfamiliar lore, a more leisurely pace of life that is no less intense --- it's all in the most recent Hillerman book. I'm only giving it four stars rather than five because I'm reading my e-mail rather than finishing it.
dashofbasenji@charter.net
Club Dead by Charlaine Harris is the third book in the Southern Vampire series. Thanks to her involvement with the vampire Bill, she often finds herself in danger over her head and this time around is no different. A fun reading experience for those lighter moments. Rating: 3 stars.
The Magicians' Guild by Trudi Canavan is the first book in the Black Magician Trilogy. A young girl discovers her magical powers by accident and goes into hiding to get away from the very magicians who want to help her learn to control her powers. I enjoyed this fantasy novel, although found it predictable. Rating: 3 stars.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is a historical novel set in the 12th century during a time of unrest as the crown is in question and civil war erupts. The book opens with a man being hung for thievery and a vengeful woman cursing the men who had made the accusations: a priest, a monk and a knight. The lives of several characters are intertwined as the tale unfolds. Ken Follett crafted an intriguing novel involving politics, faith, rivalry and ambition. Rating: 4 stars.
War by Candlelight by Daniel Alarcón is a collection of short stories that touch upon such subjects as war, poverty, political strife, family, love, and death set in Peru and New York. A moving and memorable reading experience. Rating: 3 stars.
White Oleander by Janet Fitch is the story of a young girl who spends the last few years of her childhood in the foster care system after her mother murders a former lover. This is a poignant novel that touches the heart. Rating: 4 stars.
Sleeping Beauty by Phillip Margolin is a suspenseful novel full of twists and turns. A serial murderer attacked seventeen-year-old Ashley Spencer, her father and a close friend one night, brutally killing her father and the friend. In his true crime book, author and attorney Miles Van Meter outlines the crime and the subsequent events, including the attack on his twin sister, which left her in a coma; the murder of Ashley's mother; and the trial to follow. An enjoyable read. Rating: 3 stars.
Megan.Battaglia@RoswellPark.org
I just finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It was a haunting story of a man's development during a turbulent time in Afghanistan. The characters are richly drawn, heroic in some ways and flawed in many other ways. It touches upon issues of family, friendship, bravery, loyalty and the triumph over extreme adversity. Some of the passages depicting cruelty and violence are difficult to read but ultimately it is inspiring and unforgettable. I give this book 5 stars!
Qoesls@aol.com
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. 4 stars.
I missed this one back in my college days, and am grateful to Oprah for putting it on my radar screen. A beautifully told story set on the cusp of the Chinese revolution. An essential, must-read classic.
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. 4 stars.
A delightful memoir, recounting the story of a young, small-town girl whose childhood was --- imagine --- not at all traumatic but actually quite happy.
Joyce in Winchester, TN
As a member of a local book club "Bookies," I am currently reading Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. Having previously seen the movie, I did have some reservations about whether I would really enjoy reading the book as much as I liked the movie. Well, I salute Laura Hillenbrand! She obviously loved doing the research and writing this wonderful book. Added to the fact that this could not have been an easy book to research and write, the author has chronic fatigue syndrome, which can be a very difficult illness to treat and endure. The book is exciting and so well-written that I could hardly put it down. I give it five bright, shining stars!
Cobblestonedrive@aol.com
I am re-reading Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani. I enjoyed this book because I find the people believable, and it's a great description of real life for immigrants in Central Pennsylvania. 4 stars.
I am also reading David Sedaris's book Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. I did not expect to like this book, so I was surprised to find myself laughing out loud. 4 stars.
GLev@aol.com
I just finished The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. I loved the story of Smity and his ride across the country. The stories of the people he met and the flashbacks to his childhood kept the pace moving and the story interesting. The ending was a bit of a disappointment, but the ride, just like Smity's, was terrific.
Linda29ddm@hotmail.com
I just finished James Patterson's 3rd Degree and I loved It! I found I enjoy various authors, but currently I want to read some of John Grisham's books.
cam163@amnet.net.au
As it is the school summer holidays here in Australia, I haven't been reading as much as usual. I have three children and only one is a bookworm like me, so outings had to be organized to keep the non-readers happy.
I have managed to finish and rate the following:
Past Mortem by Ben Elton. 4 1/2 stars.
This was about a murder but it was written as a black comedy, which is Ben's style. It was also an excellent whodunit and kept me guessing until the end as to who the murderer was.
Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. 4 stars.
This book was very interesting as it posed a very interesting hypothesis about what might happen if God decided to take His chosen ones from Earth and leave behind others who didn't have God in their lives. I found myself wondering who amongst my friends and relatives might be taken to God.
vanderhoosj@yahoo.com
The Bark of the Dogwood by Jackson McCrae. 5 stars.
I'm often disappointed by books --- something, either the premise, pacing, or character development is always lacking. Dogwood is one of the few books that doesn't disappoint. I was amazed at the author's ability to pull all the elements of the story together throughout the book and at the end, especially. The writing is superb --- some of the best I've come across in decades. While the story deals with child abuse, many elements are extremely funny. I was reminded of David Sedaris in the humorous parts, and more of Flannery O'Connor in the serious ones. If you're not put off by some of the more graphic scenes, this book is sure to stay in your imagination for a while. A great, great, novel.
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
In 1996, on a deserted beach on the East coast, an explosion comes out of nowhere. This is the story of TWA Flight 800, which crashed shortly after takeoff, off the coast of Long Island. Many will remember the hypothesis surrounding this incident, and DeMille gives us some good background on this tragic incident. While I did enjoy this, I liked his other books better.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. 5 stars.
Five stars really aren't enough for this stellar novel. I initially read it in high school, then college, and now again, many years later. It holds up as well today as it did those many decades ago. Probably one of the best books around and certainly Steinbeck's greatest achievement.
Kathy from Maryland
Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich. 1 1/2 stars.
After reading this column's readers' comments about this book, I got it out of the library to read. The book is easy reading, but is so unrealistic that I found myself wondering, about three-quarters through, why I was even bothering to read it, when there is so much other, better stuff out there to read. The main characters are developed and presented well enough. I did question some of the author's characters, however. I really saw no reason why the author included the Nascar figure, except for a car chase/race scene, which could easily have been handled in other ways, and for the finale when all the Nascar devotees come to assist (which also could easily have been handled in another way). How anyone could ever believe that the main characters could, with little or no formal training and absolutely no experience, bring down the (expected) quite experienced, dangerous bad guys or rescue the unknown explosive device (let alone hide it) without killing themselves or others who just happened to be in the way is beyond me. Get real! The author made some very poor attempts to be humorous, resulting in a book that leaves a lot to be desired.
amusingjoy@sbcglobal.net
Sacred Time by Ursula Hegi. 4 stars.
What constitutes "sacred time" for us? For Hegi's characters: opera, cooking. Also included is the reminder to the reader to reclaim the absence of fear (in the aftermath of terror attacks) and keep a vision of hope in the face of despair.
Good Grief by Lolly Winston. 4 stars.
A first novel for this author that portrays the first-year struggles of Sophie Stanton, a 36-year-old childless widow. It's filled (surprisingly) with laugh-out-loud humor, struggles (of course), and triumphs. I'll watch for other novels by Winston.
Just One Look by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
A real page-turner! A Wife/mom picks up her roll of pictures from a photo developer. Mixed in with her kids' pictures is one that she didn't take --- her husband in a 20-year old snapshot. All the other people in that picture have been murdered: Is her spouse the murderer or will he be next? How well do we know each other? Interesting.
Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan. 5 stars.
Patience, observation and experience...overcoming life's struggles to discover that living well is the best revenge. A positive outlook continues after negative/trying life experiences.
tiedyelime81@yahoo.com
The Killing Hour by Lisa Gardner
Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger
Grave Endings by Rochelle Krich
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
SEEDCAKEANDJOE@aol.com
Your Oasis on Flame Lake by Lorna Landvik. 3 1/2 stars.
I didn't like this as well as other Landvik books I've read, but it was a nice, easy read, which is good to do occasionally.
lisaavila2000@yahoo.com
Dead by Dusk, another great book by Shannon Drake. If you like quirky and sexy, you'll love this book.
CorinnaBonk@westat.com
Chris-Anthem by Mona Telor. 4 stars (so far).
This story is a short one … actually called a novella. The author writes a lovely story of two lifelong friends and the changes they go through while remaining good friends all the while. It's a short book --- about 120 pages --- and is an uplifting read. I am only midway through it but love it so far. It's easy to relate to the book because it's so realistic. I encourage people to read this book. It makes you appreciate your friendships.
Cloish049@aol.com
The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson. 4 stars.
This was an engaging novel about two sisters and the happy and difficult times they share.
metalfiend11@yahoo.com
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King. 4 stars.
The first book in the Dark Tower series. I wasn't sure I'd like this book. The title make me think it was too western. Don't get me wrong, I like westerns...but I have to be in the mood for them. Well this was definitely not your typical western. The characters range from gunslingers to sorcerers. I can't wait to read the rest in this series.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
After hearing so much about this book I finally had the opportunity to read it this month. My friends Sylvia and Bobby had a copy that they lent to me and told me I just had to read it. Oh my gosh!!!! Dan Brown definitely broke the mold with this book. Lots of twists and turns that kept the pages turning. Lots of historical information as well, some I was not aware of. This one kept me up way past my bedtime. Thanks Sylvia & Bobby.
rdess24@yahoo.com
I just finished reading Shopaholic Ties the Knot, the third book in Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series. I can't wait to read the next one. 5 stars.
storm8810@yahoo.com
I am currently reading The Plot Against America by Phillip Roth. This book is a fictional account of what the world would have been like if Charles Lindbergh, a Nazi sympathizer, became president instead of FDR and the impact it has on a Jewish family from Newark, NJ. A great read so far --- very intriguing. 4 stars.
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