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OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Sit, Stay, Slay: A Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery by Linda O. Johnston. 4 stars.
I love cozy mysteries, and especially when they involve my favorite animals: DOGS!!!!!!!!! Good writing, and the story moves quickly. I'm ready for her next book.
Retribution by Jilliane P. Hoffman. 5 stars!!!!!!
This and A Season for the Dead are my two favorites of the year 2005 that I have read so far. This is her very first book, and when you read it, you can't believe that she has never written before. The story captures you, and you just can't wait to get to the end to find out what happens. I emailed the author and she wrote me back. Very nice lady! Everyone needs to go read this book!
Aphrodite by Russell Andrews. 4 stars.
Good storyline, writing could flow better at times.
bradylee@myway.com
Smashed by Koren Zailckas. Nonfiction. Published 2005 with 339 pages. 4 stars.
The author talks about her love for and effects of booze for about 330 pages and does so in a very well-written book. The time period is from age 14 to about 22 or 23 with a passion for alcohol that is unnerving, yet she claims over 50% of all college students binge on alcohol and that is their most important activity...getting drunk. It is so pervasive I don't understand how they accomplish their studies, but Koren certainly does...and she graduates after four years. By reading this, parents might learn something to watch out for concerning their daughters. I don't know how she remembers such details, but she does so in a most effective way.
amusingjoy@sbcglobal.net
Hedwig and Berti by Frieda Arkin. 4 stars.
Organizing Plain & Simple by Donna Smallin. 5 stars.
Who couldn't use a few pointers now and then?
Heir to the Glimmering World by Cynthia Ozick. 4 stars.
It's a book that's been on my "to read" pile for awhile. Interesting, almost Dickens-like tale of an immigrant family and their nanny/caretaker/secretary.
Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. 2 stars.
Not one of Patterson's best works.
Broken for You by Stephanie Kallos. 4 stars.
A wonderfully told tale of unlikely friendships that form. I was captivated.
Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh. 3 stars.
Just ok story of the Novak family's daily life (of coal mining) in Bakerton. If you're looking for a happily-ever-after, this isn't really the one.
realbencann@yahoo.com
Honeymoon by James Patterson. 5 stars.
Thrilling and suspenseful with well drawn characters and plot. Entertaining and well written story that is quick and totally riveting.
b.nolan@insightbb.com
I'm currently reading The Heartbreaker by Carly Phillips. I'd give it 4 stars so far. Lots of mystery, romance and sex.
rojosho@hotmail.com
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. 5 stars.
Wonderfully written novel about the Nazi regime in Italy and the consequences. We are riveted by this heartfelt and beautifully written novel. Pathos, empathy and memorable characters whose lives are destroyed and whose bravery is never rewarded. A masterpiece of an author who created this unbelievable book.
MysteryNut19@aol.com
The Brethren by John Grisham. 2 stars.
Snorefest about crooked judges running a blackmail scheme from inside prison.
Bobbewig@aol.com
Books I would recommend are:
Blood Memory by Greg Iles. 5 stars.
An excellent thriller in terms of quality of writing, character development and, in particular, suspense.
Offer of Proof by Robert Heilbrun. 4 stars.
A fast-paced legal thriller with an interesting main character and lots of twists and turns.
A book I would not recommend is Too Far by Mike Lupica. 2 stars. It has an interesting concept (hazing on a high school sports team that leads to murder) but is weak in execution. The plot is mostly predictable and characters are one-dimensional.
catslady5@aol.com
Bounty Hunter Ransom by Kara Lennox. 4 stars.
If you like romantic suspense this is a good one. A little bit of both to keep you interested.
Haddow@aol.com
Selected Stories by Alice Munro. 5 stars.
If you're a composer, and you listen to Beethoven, you almost feel the physical pain of hearing a level of musical achievement you can never even aspire to. If you are a writer and read the short stories of Alice Munro, you walk forlornly in the company of Chekhov, Hemingway, and Isak Dinesen and think, what great good fortune that this extraordinary talent is available to us just by opening a book.
Kahoho@aol.com
I just finished reading Fire Point by John Smolens. This book was chosen by my book club and we are fortunate that we will have the author, who is a professor at Northern Michigan University, as a guest at our club meeting when we discuss the book. The book is a suspense story set in the fictional town of Whitefish Harbor in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which is where I live. I did like the story and of all the characters in the book "Pearly" was my favorite. However, the spare prose style wasn't my favorite and I generally prefer books where the setting and characters are a little more developed. 3 stars just because of Pearly.
I am currently reading Louisiana Hotshot by Julie Smith. I read several of Ms. Smith's Skip Langdon mysteries a few years back and enjoyed them and I usually enjoy most books set in the south or books by southern writers. I am going to be traveling to New Orleans so I think this book will get me in the right frame of mind for my trip. So far, 3 stars.
Anne-Marie Chandler
I am currently reading two books:
Holy Guacamole by Nancy Fairbanks. Only 150 pages into it.
Men in Kilts by Katie McAllister. Halfway through the book.
I recommend the latter highly.
moondancer89@hotmail.com
I have just finished 2 great mystery series (4 books each) with a similar theme. The first is Deborah Morgan's An Antique Lover's Mystery series and the other is Sharon Fiffer's "Stuff" series. Both main characters are antique pickers who stumble upon murder scenes. If you love flea markets, antique malls and garage sales...and mysteries (of course!), you will love these books. Interesting characters, and clever dialogue.
Rickimc@aol.com
Ruby Tuesday by Jennifer Anne Kogler. 3 stars.
An interesting story for teens. However, some parts did not seem to fit correctly.
melody_62801@yahoo.com
This week I am reading two books at one time. One at home and one while I am sitting at doctor appointments.
Bandit Queen Boogie by Sparkle Hayter. This book is witty and I found myself liking it after only a few minutes. The story flows well, and is a fast read. Easy to keep up with. I would give it 4 stars!
Mother of Prevention by Lori Copeland. This book started out so sad. It picked up and became a very touching story. I was surprised that I liked this book. I am not really into emotional books. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to have a good cry now and then. I give it 3 stars! Now I am on to a mystery.
Lisa Kunz
Generation Kill by Evan Wright. 5 stars.
I had never before read an account of a war that wasn't forced upon me in school. I'm glad that this is the one I read. It's eye-opening, riveting, and much more believable than any of the other coverage of the war.
The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman. 4 stars.
This historical novel starts oddly, but quickly revs up to offer a perspective on old-time England that is new and entertaining.
tomjac0850@charter.net
I am currently reading The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev. This is an account of the ill-fated expedition of several commercial mountain climbing organizations to reach the summit of Mt. Everest in May 1996. A combination of bad weather, too many climbers, breakdown in communication, and other factors led to the deaths of many of the climbers, including experienced lead guides who had summited Everest in the past. This is an excellent account of the same tragedy related in Jon Krakauer's book, Into Thin Air. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has the lofty (no pun intended) ambition to conquer Mt. Everest. Sadly, Boukreev died in an avalanche in 1997. 5 stars.
Coral Harrison
Winterkill by C. J. Box. 5 stars.
A continuing story about a game warden Joe Pickett in the mountains of Wyoming. It is a good mystery about his family and corrupt Government people. Good description of the mountainous area.
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. 4 stars.
A story of the healing of a small town. Written as only Fannie Flagg can do. Makes one believe in Christmas.
Kaleidoscope by Dorothy Gilman. 5 stars.
The author has a relaxed style and an easy way of telling a story. Madame Karpitoka gives a reading and it makes for a good story.
Kiss Me, Kill Me by Ann Rule. 4 stars.
Crime Files, Vol. 9. True crime cases of horrible murders and how they were. Rule is a good criminal investigative reporter.
Carosp@aol.com
Murder on a Kibbutz by Batya Gur. 3 1/2 stars.
A detective story, 3rd in a series with the same detective (but the first I've read) about a murder on a kibbutz in Israel. Since it is only the second murder ever to happen on a kibbutz, all the people who live there are in denial and not very helpful to the detective trying to solve the case. I liked it quite a bit, and plan to try another in the series.
Joy Comes in the Morning by Jonathan Rosen. 3 stars.
The story is about a female rabbi who feels alone and, at the beginning of the book, wonders if she'll ever find someone. She becomes involved with the family of a man who had a stroke and then tried to commit suicide. It's her story, but also the story of the man and his family. It definitely held my interest, as I was listening to CDs, and found the 8th of 11 CDs was missing...so I found a hard copy and finished it that way!
gwatts@attica.net
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux. This is an absolute must read for all you romantic readers out there! Definitely rates a "5" on my scale.
bkwia@aol.com
I am reading Dean Koontz's Frankenstein. I give it 5 stars as it is a real page-turner and a "stay up all night just for one more chapter" type of book.
Audrey Larson
Despite the System: Orson Welles Versus the Hollywood Studios by Clinton Heylin. 3 stars.
The book jacket cover photo of Orson Welles is stunning. There are other good photos inside. Orson Welles was a genius who never had it easy, always had people working against him, opposing everything he did. Nevertheless, his films stand the test of time. Citizen Kane is a classic example. The Third Man's haunting music is explained. Clinton Heylin goes behind the scenes in great detail, giving some insights into Orson Welles's despite-all-odds career.
GerryD8784@aol.com
Missing Persons by Stephen White. 4 1/2 stars.
White's latest is his best yet. Psychologist Alan Gregory discovers a colleague's dead body in her partner's office. Natural death or murder? Autopsy results are equivocal. Meanwhile, a young girl is missing from the same neighborhood where Jon Benet Ramsey was killed eight years previously, a patient of Alan's talks mysteriously about his connection to the missing girl and then disappears himself, and soon Alan's friend and partner Diane is also missing. Fast-paced, well-plotted, with smart, realistic dialogue --- a combination that results in a great read!
The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. 2 stars.
Predictable and syrupy sweet story of four women, ranging in age from teens to middle age, who become acquainted at a weekly knitting class.
The Family Tree by Carole Cadwalladr. 4 stars.
A book I discovered while browsing Authors on the Web. Set in England and moving back and forth between the late 1940s and the present, Cadwalladr's novel of three generations of family relationships and secrets is well-written and consistently held my interest.
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. 4 1/2 stars.
Doria Russell moves from science fiction to historical fiction in a novel that was extensively researched over a period of several years, and readers of her previous two books, The Sparrow and Children of God, should not be disappointed with the results. "No matter how dark a tapestry God weaves for us, there's always a thread of grace." In this case, that thread is the goodwill of Northern Italians who hid and protected thousands of Jews, preventing them from being transported out of Italy to Nazi death camps. Doria Russell sheds light on this little-known slice of WWII history with a narrative peopled with realistic and sympathetic characters.
preid939@earthlink.net
Still Life With Crows by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston. 5 stars.
Cold Service by Robert B. Parker. 3 stars.
I Right the Wrongs by Dylan Schaffer. 4 stars.
GandmaRI@aol.com
I'm in a Catherine Coulter reading binge at the present. I recently read Blowout. Next I found a copy of The Maze tucked back on my bookcase. A friend enlightened me to the fact that I'd just read the first and the last of the Sherlock and Savich books. So I have just finished reading Hemlock Bay and am currently reading The Target. Although I'm not reading the series of FBI novels in order, I'm enjoying them and reading them cover to cover in short order. Great suspense reading. Enjoy!
wimer52@infonline.net
Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. 3 stars.
It was somewhat depressing and I didn't like the ending.
cariandmichaelsoma
My grandchildren and I are reading Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo. Definitely 5 stars. It's warm, funny, and at times sad --- but a wonderful book to read with your children or grandchildren, or just to read because you like a good story told with a unique voice.
Donna of New Berlin
I just finished reading Mr. Lucky by James Swain and loved it. 5 stars. It was exciting --- filled with danger, a lot about casino life and gambling scams and how they're caught, twists and turns you don't expect and even love. Is Ricky Smith of Slippery Rock the luckiest man alive? Check it out, you won't regret it.
tsslug7@yahoo.com
I am just finishing London Bridges by James Patterson on cassettes. 5 stars.
It's really great with all of the sound effects added and the story is thrilling!
Along Came A Spider by James Patterson. 3 stars.
Suspect by Michael Robotham. 2 stars.
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger. 3 stars.
mcgillrmcgill@charter.net
I just finished Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy. 4 stars, but I'm predisposed to love Ms Binchy's books! If you haven't read her before, it's good to know she has a large catalog of books just waiting to be discovered. She has great insight into people and how they think and interact with one another. Several of her books are drenched in Irish culture (which was not much different from the way I was raised, so I found it particularly fascinating).
RubyBegonia820@aol.com
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. 5 stars.
Within one week, Smithy Ide, an overweight, chain smoking, hard drinking, quality control toy inspector, becomes an orphan and finds out that his long lost psychotic sister is dead in California. He does find his old Raleigh bicycle and goes on a cross-country quest, finding friends and his old self in the process. What a ride! Best book I have read in years.
Janis S. Hahn
Shoulder the Sky by Anne Perry is part of her series of World War I novels. Her descriptions of war and the impact on the lives of the soldiers, their families and the world left behind are convincing. More important to me is the struggle her characters have with the moral imperatives and consequences of war. She presents both sides, and for me it was thought-provoking.
Natalie
Sword Across Time by Catherine Anne Collins. 5 stars.
My book club chose this award-winning fantasy and I loved it. It's a wonderful tale featuring Merlin, Lady Nimue, Morganna and King Arthur. I wasn't a King Arthur or fantasy fan before reading Sword Across Time but I certainly am now. If any of you enjoy reading fantasy or a good Arthurian book, you'll love this one. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Collins books in the future.
RTowson880@aol.com
Islands by Anne Rivers Siddons. 4 stars.
The author makes the South come alive on the pages of this book. You can feel the heat and humidity of the low country in the summer. Her characters are very well drawn. This book drew me in from the first page and when it was over I felt like I had lost a good friend.
Bjglu@aol.com
The News from Paraguay by Lily Tuck. 5 stars.
Award-winning novel, beautifully written with a wonderful sense of place and time.
Luncheonette by Steven Sorrentino. 4 stars.
Wry, tender memoir full of love and humor.
The Conspiracy Club by Jonathan Kellerman. 3 stars.
Another in a long line of fascinating mysteries by Kellerman.
justme@xmission.com
I am reading a delightful book by Patty Friedmann called The Exact Image of Mother. I've read three other books by this author and this book is right up there with all the others! FOUR big stars!
FIVE Huge stars for Finding Fish by Antwone Fisher. A moving and sensitive memoir!!
lisaavila2000@yahoo.com
5 stars for Daniel's Veil by R.H. Stavis. This is a fantastic book about a cop, Daniel, who has a big guilt trip over the loss of a child while on duty. He has a car accident and finds himself in a strange town with an old house that is seemingly haunted. The first part of the book is his story and the second part is the story of the person from the other side of the veil. What they discover shocks both of them. This is one book I'll definitely pass on.
Britadon@aol.com
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss. 5 stars.
This is a really delightful little nonfiction book about punctuation. I have shared pieces of it with fellow workers and others have decided to read it. Who knew that punctuation was so interesting?
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
This is a very touching story about loyalty, honor, grief, fear and love set in Afhganistan. This would make an excellent book club selection.
A Certain Malice by Jake Page. 4 stars.
I do enjoy these Southwestern mysteries featuring Mo Bowdrie, a blind sculptor. I did catch a couple of instances of weak factual statements, however.
niener987@jam.rr.com
I have just returned from helping my daughter with our brand new first grandbaby. While there over the last month, I was privileged to discover Adriana Trigiani from her bookshelves. I was able to read Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler. I can't wait to run to the library now that I am home and check out Milk Glass Moon.
jreimold@cox.net
I've just finished reading Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. I don't feel it was as "edge of your seat" that others by James Patterson have been but it was a fast moving read splashed with a sexy main character that keeps several men happy sexually while planning their death. I think I would only rate it a 3 1/2, which is a little above average to me. It was entertaining, but it seemed more mystery than suspenseful or thriller. I didn't have the heart racing hurry up attitude to get this person caught that a suspense/thriller label would need for me.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. 4 stars.
Good storyline with great writing style. I enjoyed it very much.
Vikkivand@aol.com
Speak Softly, She Can Hear by Pam Lewis. 4 stars.
Two high school friends are involved in murder while on a weekend trip to Stowe, Vermont.
Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman. 5 stars.
A collection of the author's true stories from her childhood to the present. I really enjoyed this. Funny.
Strange Fits of Passion by Anita Shreve. 5 stars.
This is one of the author's earlier novels. Well written.
bradylee@myway.com
Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse: My Life in Comedy by Phyllis Diller. Nonfiction. Published 2005 with 266 pages. 5 stars.
Whatta book; whatta person Phyllis Diller is. It is so interesting to read about a multi-talented person who is supremely successful where they reveal the downside parts of their life and wonder why they did what they did...but they did it. Like Phyllis Diller, I read a most wonderful book, The Magic of Believing by Claude Bristol when I was in my early 20s that did change my life, but not to the extent that she transformed herself because of that book!
Many miserable things happened to her traveling through her life journey, but she was always optimistic and overcame the adversities. This book has funny parts, but it is really an autobiography that details the life of the author. A marvelous read and a story that should get more than 5 stars!
Maureen from Middletown
The Drowning Tree by Carol Goodman. 4 stars
An easy read and very interesting reading, re. mythology and art. Learned a little about stained glass too.
karenperrin@hotmail.com
Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village by Sarah Erdman. 4 stars.
A peace corps worker with no real experience as a health care worker goes to live in a small African village that has no electricity. In the 2 years she spends learning and bonding with the African people she learns about their conceptions and misconceptions about AIDS, superstitions, and healthcare, as she works to find a way to help the villagers in a way that combines their cultural beliefs with preventative care practices. A charming book about culture and a pleasure to read because the author doesnt sugarcoat her experience or pretend she has found a way to "save the world" --- just an honest true account of her experiences in Africa.
Anonymous
Reap What You Sow by Daniel Cronley. 5 stars.
A great read, I really enjoyed it.
Jeanette T.
My most recent reads aren't all that "recently" released ... I seem to be falling more and more behind! But definitely the best book I've read in the past two months has been The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, a fictional, first-person account of a teenage boy with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. Autism is now classified by the CDC as an "epidemic" in this country, which is only one reason why folks should pick up this dead-on peak into how individuals with this condition process the world around them. The other and better reason to read this book? It's a wonderful story about how intellectual curiosity and personal courage combine to help a boy learn to cope with the sorts of challenges that face us all as teenagers --- understanding the "grown up" world, deciphering the "half truths" that constitute the bulk of social interaction, and taking the first steps towards maturity and independence. A wonderful read as well as a wonderful accomplishment -- 5 stars!
toythomas@comcast.net
Recent reads:
Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie by Barbara Goldsmith. 4 stars.
Although I did not understand all of the science, I still found it to be a fascinating read.
Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman. 4 stars.
A sad but compelling read.
Survivor in Death by J. D. Robb. 5 stars.
I have read every book in this series and always look forward to the next one.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff. 4 stars.
This is a young adult novel that is very well written and keeps the reader's interest. I would recommend it to anyone YA and above.
I just started Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay and I am not yet ready to rate it. Reviews I have read have been good and I am anxious to get back to it.
jillolso@execpc.com
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 3 stars.
Some parts that go into mathematical detail are slow, but the description of
Aspergers/Autism is fascinating.
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. 4 stars.
This one is nothing like The Sparrow. I enjoyed it MORE!
Wallingford, CT
Honeymoon by James Patterson. 5 stars.
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. 5 stars.
ragsk2743@aol.com
I am reading Alone by Lisa Gardner and it is definitely 5 stars!!! I am almost finished with it and still have not been able to predict how it is going to end. My house is somewhat of a mess because I keep reading when I should be cleaning! This is one not to miss!
jennifer_ann@bellsouth.net
I have recently read Dan Brown's Angels & Demons. 5 stars without a doubt.
I have also read Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl's Story by Pegi Deitz Shea. 3 stars. This was a very good book, but there were a few unrealistic scenes in the book.
bookldy@penn.com
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
TereseRose
On a scale of 1 to 5, Towelhead is a 10!!!!!! Alicia Erian introduces us to a young girl, Jasira. Her father is Lebanese; her mother is Irish. They are divorced. When her mother's boyfriend starts noticing Jasira, her mother sends her off to live with her father. This is a story of growing up alone, struggling with rules, emotions, and a budding sexuality not fully understood. How can this be a humorous novel? Trust me. Erian transcends the pain and this story will leave you caring deeply about a young girl and a world that often disappoints. Great book!!!!
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner is a terrific 5! It is not to be missed! You will come away with a new look at San Francisco and a deep appreciation for these beautiful birds and the relationship between them and Bittner.
Grigoro@aol.com
I just finished Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer, a collection of short stories. I give it only 3 stars even though the book has gotten wonderful press and I was anxious to read it. Every story is interesting, and the stories seem to get better towards the end of the book. But I was left with a negative feeling after each one...the characters are either angry, bitter or lost in the world. Interesting reading, but a bit of a downer.
Ginger.Louden@sendit.nodak.edu
I just finished a wonderful book, After Anne by Roxanne Henke. I give it 5 stars! It is one of those books that is hard to put down. I finished it in two good nights of reading. It is about two people who become unlikely friends. The whole book is written in their dialogue and thoughts. It covers the emotional ups and downs of friendship, life, sickness, and anything else you would deal with if you have a family or best friend. It is a definite must read. It has some religion in it, mainly from Anne's point of view. There are two other books that I will read now written by the same author. She is great!
susanrjensen@yahoo.com
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. 3 stars.
I think I'm the only person on this web site who didn't care for this book. I found it negative, depressing and filled with way too much feminism for me to handle. It was well-written, and I enjoyed reading about the daily life of women of the Bible. For those who haven't read it: The Red Tent is the story of Dinah, whose life is briefly discussed in the Bible. Dinah loves life in her village, especially the time she spends with her mother and "sister-aunties" in the red tent. When she falls in love with a prince, her life becomes complicated and tragic. Eventually, she triumphs over her scarring past, but it is a long journey.
clineberry@aol.com
I am nearing the end of The Little Friend by Donna Tartt, which involves Harriet Dufresnes, whose brother was found hanging from a black-tupelo tree in their own Mississippi yard. This story moves from Harriet trying to find her brother's killer to the earlier lives of Harriet's family, when life was easier. I like to read about characters who say what they want to say, by using very few words. I am a sucker for a southern tale and give this novel 4 stars, only because I have not gotten to the end just yet. I plan to read The Secret History, also by Donna Tartt.
I purchased the novel Emma Brown by Charlotte Bronte' for my next read. This nineteenth century Victorian novel was a "Books We Love" choice at Books A Million.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Dating is Murder by Harley Jane Kozak. 5 stars.
I just love this book!!!!!! I used to watch Harley on "Guiding Light" when she played Annabelle Simms, I was just a little kid. And now I'm reading her books. They are excellent mysteries that pull you right into the story. I love all the characters. I love the main character Wollie, although I don't like her name. But that's the only thing I didn't like about this book!
marcher08@hotmail.com
I recently read Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. You will find it in the kid's section but it's quite satisfying for adults who want to fill in the gaps of the original Peter Pan story and of course for those of us who never grow up. I'm not a Dave Barry fan and this is not your typical Dave Barry book. It was light and fun and kept me reading.
Mimiklein43@aol.com
I just finished reading Like a Lampshade in a Whore House by Phyllis Diller, which had me laughing out loud, with tears running down my cheeks! I give it 4 stars. I am also reading Kiss Me Like a Stranger by Gene Wilder. (You can see that I'm on a bio kick)!! This autobiography is one of the most honest I've read in a very long time. I also give this book 4 stars.
Mary Mullin
This week I've read Ireland by Frank Delaney (OUTSTANDING!) and Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult (VERY GOOD).
Alars11@aol.com
I am currently reading The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout, Ph.D. This book is a real eye-opener about sociopaths and gives some great insights into human behavior. It also gives you information about dealing with people who have no conscience or feelings of guilt about what they do. It is a must-read! 5 stars!!!
stephejl@stclair.k12.il.us
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shor. 4 stars.
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. 5 stars.
What I thought was a "mystery" or "police procedural" had the most intriguing and unbelievable ending I've ever read. After passing it on to my son, we still can't agree on the ending, and he won't discuss it with me anymore. Will someone out there who's read it please email me and give me your take on it?
Love in the Driest Season by Neely Tucker. 5 stars.
A memoir about one couple's struggle to nurture and eventually adopt Chipo, a female Zimbabwean orphan. In addition to the "red-tape" they endured, I found the back stories --- Southern tradition, interracial marriage, African AIDS epidemic and the reporter's world experiences amidst war tragedies and political unrest --- made this a most worthwhile read.
simecka@comcast.net
I just finished reading Singing in a Strange Land by Nick Salvatore. I found it an excellent book. Beyond it being a fine biography of the life of CL Franklin (the first complete one written), it also is an excellent history of the move to freedom of the black Americans and the evolution of the combination and similarities of religion and blues music --- moreover how all this combined to climax the evolution of equality and the growth of our nation. Nick Salvatore did an excellent job in both researching and writing this moving biography. 5 stars.
MarshaNee@adelphia.net
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory. 4 stars.
In 1553, pursued by the Spanish Inquisition, Hannah Green, a 14-year-old Jewish girl, flees with her bookseller father to London. She has the gift of "seeing" and is sent to court as a "holy fool" for Queen Mary and ultimately Queen Elizabeth. The dangerous intrigues of the royal family as they maneuver for position is central to the novel. The horror of the Inquisition is part of her struggle to survive and be true to herself and her religion. The struggles of the Jews who have adopted the Catholic faith to survive the Inquisition is deftly portrayed.
GliJ9@aol.com
I am reading all of Richard Russo's books and am currently reading Nobody's Fool. He is very masterful in drawing the reader in with his array of small town characters, who he creates with compassion and humor. I love his books. Last week I read Empire Falls. When I like a book, I like to read all of the author's work. I can't put his books down and hate to see them end.
ggartrel@mts.net
The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates. 4 stars.
The Bookman's Promise by John Dunning. 4 stars.
Wendy McMorine
Expecting Adam by Martha Beck. Outstanding. My favorite read of 2004.
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. Superb ability at coalescing lots of data into an understandable format.
Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston. Great storyteller.
shirlsintulsa@webtv.net
Cruel & Unusual by Patricia Cornwell. 5 stars.
KARLWG@aol.com
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. 5 stars.
Without a doubt buy it and read it!!
nlcampbell@comcast.net
Dating is Murder by Harley Jane Kozak. 5 stars.
This is the second book by this author, and I'm going to try finding her first book, Dating Dead Men. I loved Dating is Murder. It was easy to identify with the characters. The story moved along at a quick pace, and I never would have guessed who the villain was --- didn't find out until the very end.
b.nolan@insightbb.com
I'm reading Trace by Patricia Cornwell. It's written in the same interesting style as her other books. Scarpetta takes a trip back to Richmond to help with a case. Marino, Lucy and Benton play large parts in this story as well. I give it 5 stars.
DPanzy@aol.com
At the moment I'm reading Honeymoon by James Patterson & Howard Roughan. I'm enjoying the book and know it will be 5 stars. I've read Patterson books in the past and have enjoyed them all. I just finished Hot Target by Suzanne Brockmann, which is one of the books from her Navy Seals series. It's mystery and romance. I would give it a 5-star rating also.
clee@dppl.org
I have recently read Blood Memory by Greg Iles and Detour by James Siegel. I have always been a fan of Greg Iles and enjoyed everything he has written with the exception of Footprints of God --- just couldn't get into that one. Blood Memory, however, was a great example of superb writing and plotting. I could not put this book down.
Detour by James Siegel was the first of his I have read. I read the book in 4 hours --- meaning I obviously could NOT put this one down either! Fabulous plot twists and quick pacing. Good character development of the protagonist. I will definitely read more by this author.
Kahoho@aol.com
I'm currently reading Live Bait, the second thriller written by the mother-daughter team who call themselves P.J. Tracy. Set in Minneapolis, Live Bait is about a series of murders all involving senior citizens and it falls on detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth to solve them. Also making an appearance are the computer wizards Grace, Harley Davidson and Roadrunner with their cold-case-solving software who were at the center of the Tracys' first thriller Monkeewrench. Well-developed characters, fast moving plot and just enough quirkiness and humor. 4 stars.
quilterofwords@bonbon.net
Dear Zoe by Philip Beard. 5 stars.
This book shows the life of a little girl trying to discover the meaning of what it is to be a woman, the occurrences of the age and the emotions that she goes through. Mixed in with a tragic loss and dealing with her own grief. I recommend this to adults and teenagers, especially teenaged girls.
Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile. 5 stars.
This book will not be put down once its pages are started to be read. If you begin this book, be prepared to read it until its very last page without stopping for anything else.
Endorra@aol.com
Downtown: My Manhattan by Pete Hamill. I have read almost everything including newspaper essays by Mr. Hamill and I have never been disappointed. And so it continues with his new book. If you love Manhattan, if you are thinking of visiting or just want to spend some wonderful hours with a guy who absolutely and completely loves this town, then you must read Downtown: My Manhattan. 5 stars.
In conjunction with the above book, I also read Meyer Berger's New York. Meyer Berger was a reporter and columnist for the New York Times for thirty years. His "About New York" column appeared regularly in the paper. These columns are from 1953 through 1959. It is a wonderful collection and finally back in print. 5 stars.
T. Shaw
I am reading and loving Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith by O(prah) Magazine columnist and life coach Martha Beck. I would rate it a 4-star account of one woman's journey through life and faith. It's an incredible story that I'm sure took more than incredible strength and courage to tell. Beck exposes every aspect of her life and the memoir reads easily like a cross between fiction and self-help. Practicing Mormons probably won't like this book.
ti07@yahoo.com
Fourth Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders. 4 stars.
Very entertaining. It provided just enough clues to figure out the killer's identity but not immediately.
tfranzen2124@comcast.net
I am in the midst of The Egypologist by Arthur Phillips. To date I'll go with a 5-star rating. This book is written in such unique style I read both for the story and because I am fascinated with the format. I will now seek out Prague, his first novel...off to the library!
Sally in Mendham
Forests of the Night by James W. Hall. 5 stars.
Mr. Hall is one author whose books are guaranteed to catch and hold my interest from beginning to end. The pages seem to turn themselves. This stand-alone, not part of his Thorn series, is no exception as it follows a woman and her family who are caught up in a centuries-old Cherokee feud.
Island of Bones by P. J. Parrish. 5 stars.
This book once again features Louis Kincaid as he tries to solve the puzzle behind a baby's skull that has washed up on the beach. The plot is complex and gripping, as Kincaid comes up against a mysterious group of people who are hiding a dark secret.
Claire Laskowski
Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile. 4 stars.
Very tightly written suspense. When Dr. Davis Moore's 17-year-old daughter is brutally raped and murdered, he is faced with the moral dilemma of whether or not to clone her murderer. What follows is a tale of intrigue and suspense.
FalseMillennium@aol.com
Cooking for Mr. Latte: A Food Lover's Courtship, with Recipes by Amanda Hesser (W.W. Norton, 2003). 3 stars.
Written by a food critic for the New York Times, Hesser's diary-like book follows the dating and subsequent marriage to "Mr. Latte," so named because he orders a latte at the end of the meal on their first date…a faux pas in the foodie's world. A latte contains milk that one does not consume after dinner, but rather an espresso as a digestif. Interspersed with tales of dating and the evolution of the relationship are other stories of family and friends, wonderful dinners at famous restaurants, shared family treasures and memories. Written in the style of a latter-day Clementine Paddleford or M.F.K. Fisher. Her future father-in-law's recipe for a Red Lion Cocktail is the following: one part Grand Marnier, two parts Pusser's Rum, four parts orange juice and 1/2 part Torani's coconut syrup.
Who The Hell's In It: Portraits and Conversations by Peter Bogdanovich (Knopf, 2004). 5 stars.
I really enjoy Bogdanovich's books on Hollywood's history. He has a wonderful, chatty, informal style with his interview subjects and always gleans nuggets out of them with many interesting insights. Arthur Miller, talking about fame and Marilyn Monroe, said to Bogdanovich that the achievement (of being a movie star) she had earned on her own but that "it helped to kill her --- the movie star disease. They are not looking out. They are looking at what other people see [in them] and that's a crippling burden." A lengthy interview with Jerry Lewis is truly insightful and Lewis shows himself profound in expounding on the development of an act and the nature of humor. At one point, in an essay on Cary Grant, Bogdanovich tells of how directing a young actor in the present, he stated "play it like Cary Grant," and the actor said "Who?" Bogdanovich senses this prevailing attitude in the world (and even in the film community,) of having no desire to understand film's history beyond what occurred twenty years ago, and he mourns that loss. By republishing and building on these interviews and memoirs, he hopes to encourage us to go back and reexplore acting and directing of films prior to 1980 to enrich our own lives.
Downtown: My Manhattan by Pete Hamill (Little, Brown and Company, 2004). 5 stars.
A loving tribute to the city of his life. Hamill transverses the city and writes of its history, its notable figures, his own life in those areas, its changing nature, and what he loves. I liked hearing his stories about his early days as a reporter for the New York Post, being on the city beat and being out on the streets, looking for the action. Hamill talks about how it was always good news to have a homicide for his column, especially if it was located at a "good address." Some things are timeless about human nature. He makes you remember, if you live in a city, the changing nature of things: how so much disappears and is never to be seen again --- buildings that held vital, vivid memories for you. Also he discusses the changing nature of a building: what once housed Customs' Clearance then becomes a bank, then becomes a private club and now has a Banana Republic on its bottom floor. Being a city dweller myself, I see many structures of grandeur reduced this way. I also loved his writing on the loss of the old Penn Station: he was in Europe at the time, during its destruction, and how he never got to go back into it one last time, touch its columns, study its light patterns and say a proper memorializing goodbye. After I read that passage, I thought "but you just did."
The Family Tree by Carole Cadwalladr (Dutton, 2005). 4 stars.
Set in late-20th-century Britain, the novel is narrated by Rebecca Monroe, a pop culture researcher who tells of her marriage to Alistair, a behavioral geneticist; her childhood leading up to her mother's suicide; and her grandmother's doomed biracial romance with Cecil, a Jamaican immigrant. Cadwalladr provides a slew of definitions, scientific charts and graphs, detailed family anatomies, examples of deductive fallacies and footnotes expounding on pop culture references and how they infiltrate our lives. Cadwalladr is very effective in taking us through this emotionally charged sociological journey of family dynamics.
Coral Harrison
Up Country by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
An investigative mystery about an officer being shot by a fellow officer in Vietnam Feb. 5, 1968. Paul Brenner was in Vietnam at that time and for another tour in 1972. This is his first time back since the War. His experiences than and now are very interesting.
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
This is probably the best book yet that Picoult has written. This is a story about a girl kidnapped by her father when she was 4. He changed their names and tells her that her mother died. She has some flashbacks she doesn't understand.
Double Homicide by Jonathan and Faye Kellerman. 4 stars.
Two mysteries written by both of them. Very good reading and a clever concept.
Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez. 4 stars.
A true story about a Mexican boy who came to the USA. He worked hard as did all of his family. He got scholarships and went to college. He now has his Master's Degree and PhD from Columbia University and is a Professor at Santa Clara University. This book has won many awards.
SalbyC@aol.com
I have recently finished Death Match by Lincoln Child. The first half of this thriller is especially interesting, as it concerns a fictional company that matches couples using advanced computer methodology. The parts about psychological testing were very interesting. Along the way, the mystery became somewhat predictable. However, it remained a fun read. 4 stars.
Berntone@aol.com
The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout, Ph.D.
This is a well written, insightful book written by a psychologist who counseled sociopaths for over 25 years in her practice. She provides case studies and very well detailed descriptions and analysis of sociopaths and why they are so difficult and in some cases impossible to treat. They are often misunderstood by the lay person. This book is a bit clinical at first, but well worth the read. I was mesmerized by the clinical studies. They were very compelling. She brings out the fact that most of us will have encountered sociopaths in our lives either in our families, in the workplace or in our social circles. It was highly informative. I give this book 4 stars.
TereseRose
4 stars for The Good Wife by Stewart O'Nan. This is an important book about the choices we make and the paths they can lead us on. When the husband of a young pregnant woman goes to jail, she is faced with decisions that will impact the future of her family for the rest of their lives. It is an unsentimental look at the most sentimental of subjects.
cindywoo44@hotmail.com
My top three 5-star recommendations are:
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.
This was some of the most lyrical writing I have ever read with characters that I did not want to leave.
The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
I can't believe more people are not talking about this book. Aside from the science fiction angle, it is a beautiful love story.
Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver.
This may be the least talked about of her novels, but it remains my favorite. It has it all: love, loss, family.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
The Rosary Girls by Richard Montanari. 4 1/2 stars.
I loved this book. It takes place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, so it's quite timely. The suspense was great, and a great storyline. The person who did it sort of disappointed me. That's why it got the half. IF not for that, I would have given it a 5.
schot@cox.net
Suspect by Michael Robotham. 3 stars.
I found it slow moving in the beginning but an interesting concept. The pace picked up later.
nll9017@earthlink.net
Entombed by Linda Fairstein. 5 stars.
Alexandra Cooper is an Assistant District Attorney and Sex Crimes Prosecutor for the city of New York. You get treated to an insider's look to the sights and sounds of New York and its outer boroughs. Alex Cooper is determined to capture the Silk Stocking Rapist once he appears again after four years of inactivity. At the same time, she and her colleagues get involved in a macabre murder that took place 25 years ago at the former home of Edgar Allan Poe. All of the murders in Entombed manage to emulate a famous murder from literature. Alex Cooper is tough, smart, and does not give up on her cases, with the help of her colleagues and friends, Mercer and Chapman. She shows her vulnerability with her loved ones and friends but nothing gets by her trial lawyer toughness. This was my first Linda Fairstein novel, it will not be my last.
The Other Woman by Jane Green. 4 stars.
Ellie Black is a single and successful marketing director for a famous Hotel line. She met Dan Cooper four years ago while she was involved with someone else. Fast forward to the present day, and she knows right away Dan is her one true love. Ellie has never been close to her Dad, her Mom died when she was in grade school. She always dreamed of being a part of a big family, so of course she is nervous when she goes to meet Dan's family. Ellie is at first enraptured by the attention of her future mother-in-law Linda. But once Linda starts taking over the planning of their wedding, Ellie begins to wonder. Friends play a big role in Ellie and Dan's life. It's notable to see how their friends change when they are single, as compared to when they are married. Ellie discovers she's pregnant. Linda is elated over the prospect of her first grandchild. Ellie can hardly take the relentless phone calls and the increasing number of unannounced drop-in visits. When Linda buys clothes for the baby, Ellie says wait a moment! Dan refuses to get involved with his wife and mother. Ellie and Dan realize how miserable they have become and separate. Separated, Ellie and Dan come to realize how much they mean to one another. Fortunately, Ellie and Linda come to an understanding in their rocky relationship. A well written, fun, emotion-filled, enjoyable read!
Otherwise Engaged by Eileen Goude. 4 stars.
Erin Delahanty and Jessie Holland have been best friends since grade school. Jessie is single and wants desperately to get married and have children. She is a successful magazine writer living in New York City. Erin and her husband Skip, run the Darby Inn in Willow Creek, Arizona, where she and Jessie grew up. Jessie actually left Skip's brother Mike at the altar years ago. Jessie is struggling with her relationship with her current beau Jonathon, a recently divorced father of two. Jessie calls Erin one night to discover that Erin and Skip have separated. Worrying about her best friend, and her own situation, Jessie and her editor of Savvy magazine come up with the idea of Erin and Jessie "switching places" for six months. Erin becomes the single career woman without a family or a business to constantly worry over. Jessie goes home to Willow Creek to run the inn, be a mother to Erin's daughter Kayla, and re-establish a relationship with her own mother. Jessie and Erin both discover what is truly important to them. The flashbacks sometimes are confusing. However, you laugh and cry with many of the characters and understand their struggles to find happiness.
joswood@msn.com
Detour by James Siegel. 5 stars.
I didn't think anything could match the suspense of Siegel's earlier book, Derailed, but he has done it again. A young couple goes to Colombia to adopt a baby girl, but shortly after they receive the baby, they are kidnapped. The kidnappers make the husband go back to the US with smuggled cocaine, and the wife and baby have to stay in Colombia until the coke is delivered. When he arrives in the states, terrible problems beset him, and he finds that he can't trust anyone. This plot is very much filled with twists and turns, and at times it is hard to keep it all straight. It will keep you reading on into the night.
Lost Lake by Phillip Margolin. 4 stars.
Is Dan Morelli really just Ami Vergano's furniture-making tenant, or is he a vicious assassin named Carl Price? This is what Ami has to figure out. This is a fast-paced, compelling book.
justinrobertz@yahoo.com
Clearly THE most clever book within the last several years!!!
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing American Culture by Kenneth Frawley (5 stars) is a VERY funny look at the cultural devolution in the US and how a very sub-par educational system, a highly corrupt corporate entity and an Animal Farm-like political system is driving the country straight back to the dark ages and only Holmes (yes he's back!) can save America.
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant stuff!!!
montereywriter@comcast.net
America (The Book) by Jon Stewart.
If you want to laugh and learn a little bit (even though some of it is complete nonsense), then this book is for you!
Fleshmarket Alley by Ian Rankin (an Inspector Rebus novel).
It's really amazing that Mr. Rankin can consistently churn out quality stories like this. He blows away most other genre writers out there, in my humble opinion.
Monterey Shorts 2 by Fiction Writers of the Monterey Peninsula.
When I heard that Thomas Steinbeck, the son of John Steinbeck, had praised this collection, I knew I had to check it out. It really is incredible. Twenty short stories by ten different authors, and the genres range from historical fiction to the supernatural. Great read.
jfmill@verizon.net
The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill.
I selected this book based on a review in my local newspaper and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this book. What I really liked is that I was wrong about the ending of the book.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, books 1-4 by Alexander McCall Smith. These books are fun!!! I really enjoy the main characters and learning a lot about Botswana and its culture. I actually have fallen in love with Botswana and its culture. I sympathize with the characters who are in pain to see the changes in their country culture and its old ways and I feel their pain. The author has managed to make Botswana an important part of the story along with his main characters. His description of the county and its culture is very vivid and beautiful. His main characters are people we like to know and wish we were. Each book in the series leaves you with something to think about and eagerly awaiting the next book. This is a great series!!!
TereseRose
While I had eagerly awaited Dear Zoe by Philip Beard, I would have to give that book a score of 3. The narrator simply did not sound like the young girl she was supposed to be and that made it difficult to believe in her and become engaged with her story. The rambling left me restless and I found it hard to even finish the novel. The character of the lost Zoe needed to have been explored in a more interactive and memorable way.
dorsetville@snet.net
With a world growing increasingly more complex, I love to escape into Katherine Valentine's novels. Reminiscent of Fannie Flagg's endearing stories of a small town and its characters, Katherine Valentine's books are to be read again and again, especially when you want to renew your faith in caring neighbors and good-hearted people. 5 stars.
PFLucas@aol.com
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. 4 stars.
Oswald Campbell receives a startling diagnosis from his doctor. He decides to leave the cold winter Chicago weather to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas. There he meets many people of a charming town and also a special bird.
The Law of Similars by Chris Bohjalian. 4 stars.
By the author of Midwives, The Law of Similars is a medical thriller about a homeopath, a lawyer, and a tragic death.
metalfiend11@yahoo.com
Christine by Stephen King. 5 stars.
One of his older books...but what a book. Nothing at all like the movie. 100 times better!!!! I just started the book Hostage by Robert Crais. So far so good.
bradylee@myway.com
It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir by Gloria Vanderbilt. Published 2004 with 161 pages. 3 stars.
This is the author who designed ladies jeans and the only brand name my wife will buy for this type of pants. This is really a book for the ladies as this memoir describes many (though not all by any means) men she has met in her life and how they fit into what she was doing at the time. She likes men a lot and has developed a positive attitude as to love lost making room for the next exciting adventure. She has certainly been with many renown men starting out with Howard Hughes at a very young age going from New York to L.A. and back again many times. She names names and talks about a terrible tragedy in her life that was the springboard for her losing much of her fortune because she trusted others and did not check up on what was happening. This is worth reading about all by itself. I believe this book is meant particularly for the female market.
DHotetz@artelinc.com
Double Homicide by Jonathan Kellerman. 1 star.
I was very disappointed in this Kellerman book. Usually he is entertaining, but this book was really a struggle to get through mainly because none of the characters had any personality or were someone you cared about. Forget this one.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
I am a huge fan of this series. I find myself laughing out loud at least once a page --- maybe it helps that I grew up near where the storyline is based. You do not have to read this series from the beginning, each book is its own story, although some historical references may confuse you at times. A great book and definitely worthwhile.
Black Wind by Clive Cussler. 4 stars.
This book had a very interesting concept --- at times the book seemed to go on, ad finitum, on the smallest of details, but overall this was an entertaining and worthwhile read.
Maureen from Middletown, CT
My most recent book was The Lost Mother by Mary McGarry Morris. It is rare that a book brings me to tears, but this one did. What a great story. 5 stars.
I also finished The Drowning Tree by Carol Goodman. Good story, some parts dragged, but not a bad book. 3 stars.
kerry-c@cox.net
I just finished reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. The first person narration is by a 15-year-old autistic savant named Christopher who has an amazing aptitude for math but cannot handle any deviation from his rigid routine. When his neighbor's dog is murdered, he decides to use the techniques of Sherlock Holmes to discover who the killer is and to write a book about his investigation. Along the way, Christopher ends up making even more shocking discoveries than just who killed Wellesley (which by itself is quite a shock).
Christopher's thought processes at times can be very funny and cute, but when he is forced out of his comfort zone, we feel his pain and agonize with him as he tries to make logical sense out of a very messy world. This is one of those precious books that I know will stay with me forever. 5 stars!
KINDLEELF@aol.com
A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena De Blasi. 5 stars.
True and touching.
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. 5 stars.
Oldie but goody
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. 4 stars.
Interesting.
The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd. 5 stars.
A tearjerker and well written
Winter House by Carol O'Connell. 4 stars. What a plot.
Cloish049@aol.com
I've just read The Position by Meg Wolitzer. The book is about a family, and the effect the sexual revolution had on them. A winner. 4 stars.
ngroves@charter.net
The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips. 4 stars.
This imaginative, blackly comic novel is set in Egypt in the 1920s, at the time of the actual discovery of King Tut's tomb. Fictional Egyptologist Ralph Trilipush crosses paths with the real discover of Tut while in pursuit of another pharaoh, Atum-hadu, who many experts believe did not exist, with his search motivated solely by a few fragments of erotic poetry supposedly written by this mysterious king. It's clear from early on that Trilipush is extremely egotistical and we soon begin to suspect he's delusional as well. Meanwhile, an Australian detective working on a missing persons case uncovers a connection to Trilipush, and through a series of his letters we begin to suspect that his version of events is as unreliable as Trilipush's accounts of his "discoveries" in his journal and letters to his fiancee. It's quite a clever construction, with a surprise ending, the extent of which depends on how astutely you've been following along.
The Last Girls by Lee Smith. 4 stars.
In 1965, a group of classmates from a private women's college made a trip down the Mississippi on a raft, inspired by a literature class reading of Huckleberry Finn. Nearly 35 years later, four of them reunite on a Mississippi steamboat to scatter the ashes of a recently deceased fifth friend, Baby, the charismatic but apparently self-destructive ringleader of their original trip. Along the way, flashbacks reveal the stories of the five women, their childhoods, college years, marriages, families, triumphs, and tragedies. Smith manages to avoid stereotypes in presenting the different journeys these women have taken from the pre-feminist era (at the time of their trip, these 20-something women had no objection to being called "girls," thus
the title "Last Girls") to the complex present. Very entertaining.
I Should Be Extremely Happy in Your Company by Brian Hall. 3 stars.
Hall has produced a historical novel about the Lewis and Clark expedition using four narrative voices: Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea, and her husband, the French trader Charbonneau. Rather than an "adventure" story about courageous explorers and a noble native woman, it's more of a character study as well as a glimpse of the inevitable and significant cultural changes in store once the Americans and Europeans started penetrating Indian lands west of the Mississippi. The novel also continues well past the triumphant return of Lewis and Clark to "civilization," where Lewis battles depression and the bureaucracy of his new government post. This is not your "history book" account of the expedition but, although fictional, is in all likelihood closer to reality. It is not an easy read, especially the chapters written from Sacagawea's perspective, but hang in there if you're interested in this slice of American history.
When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago. 4 stars.
A memoir of the author's childhood in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, centering on the off-again, on-again relationship between her unmarried parents (a relationship that still managed to produce a baby roughly once a year) and with her siblings and extended family. For various reasons, her mother eventually takes Esmeralda and some of her other children to New York City, where they trade the lush, tropical surroundings on their island home for a crowded apartment in the concrete jungle, and Esmeralda has to deal with both the changes of her teen years and the adjustments to her new home. The writing is evocative even though there's nothing really extraordinary about her life. This book ends rather abruptly with her acceptance to a performing arts school, and a sequel, Almost a Woman, apparently covers the later years. I plan to read it soon, curious to find out how she embarked on her writing career and dealt with her dual cultural influences.
schot@cox.net
Impossible by Danielle Steel. 3 stars.
It was not as good as her last one, Echoes, but enjoyable just the same. The young lover was a spoiled brat, so it was hard to accept that the heroine would keep taking him back or even want to.
Sue07647@aol.com
Metropolis by Elizabeth Gaffney. 3 stars.
Interesting historical fiction but could have been much more. The writing was wooden and choppy, so what should have been compelling scenes in the novel read like a textbook. The romance between Beatrice and Frank should have and could have been explosive reading, but it was all rather anti-climatic. 3 stars though, for the author obviously having done her research and for introducing me to a period of time I know little about.
tcarrico@aol.com
I am currently reading T. C. Boyle's The Inner Circle and find it wonderful. It is cleverly written with great characters and the usual humor associated with this author. I would rate it 5 stars.
I finished Anne Lamott's Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith and found it as laugh-out-loud funny as I found it profound. Ms. Lamott has an uncanny ability to make religion and faith so simple. I wore out a highlighter marking quotes and sections I want to find easily in the future. This book deserves a 5-star rating in my opinion as well --- lucky me!! Two books in a row that I have really enjoyed!
Aileen in MA
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. 4 stars.
I'm a huge Picoult fan and she did not disappoint with her new one. Hard to put down!
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver. 4+ stars.
Read this after reading its prequel The Bean Trees. Great story!
jamie_engle@comcast.net
The Meq by Steve Cash. 5 stars.
Fascinating, very readable fantasy saga. Read it slow to absorb the story.
Frankenstein, Book One: Prodigal Son by Dean Koontz. 2 stars.
I didn't connect with many of the characters.
Burn by Sean Doolittle. 4 stars.
Engaging murder mystery, hard to put down.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Louisiana Lament by Julie Smith. 4 1/2 stars.
This Talba Wallis novel is a great read even though I must confess that I prefer her Skip Langdon series. Set in New Orleans during the hurricane season, Julie Smith presents a riveting story featuring Talba (an aspiring poet and fledgeling detective) and her escapades into the Southern literary scene. It is interesting, humorous, and portrays rather complex characters and their family connections. Now I remember why I like Julie Smith's books so much.
catslady5@aol.com
Get Bunny Love by Kathleen Long. 5 stars .
This was a great lighthearted romance that made me laugh out loud and also cry. What else can you ask of a good book?
PoPoPoSsUm@aol.com
The Boy in the Lake by Eric Swanson. 3 stars.
Christian Fowler returns home to take care of his grandmother's home following her death. When he returns home he finds that he needs to deal with and apologize to Reis, his childhood pal, who was brutalized by some bullies. Christian recounts his youth and his friendship with Reis leading up to the attack.
Shade by Neil Jordan. 4 stars.
Nina Hardy is killed by her childhood friend. As a ghost she recounts her life. Her half-brother Gregory returns to the house that they grew up in and he also recounts the history of their childhood. Well worth the read.
The Autobiography of God by Julius Lester. 3 1/2 stars.
This is Lester's first adult title in a decade and deals with Rebecca, a failed Rabbi, who has come into possession of a Torah that was put into storage by the Nazis. While I don't understand some things of Judaism, it is an enjoyable read.
myrtleme@sbcglobal.net
I'm reading and enjoying Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. This is a very strange but terribly entertaining book. I just can't put it down. I give it 2 thumbs up and 4 stars. (I also loved The Virgin Suicides by the same author.)
KeizerFire@aol.com
Casse Histories by Kate Atkinson. 4 stars.
Candyfreak by Steve Almond. 5 stars.
Keepsake Crimes by Laura Childs. 4 stars.
theaerie@skybest.com
Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough. 4 stars.
I'm about halfway through this biography. Very readable with interesting details about this complex man and his family.
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakaur. 2 ½ stars.
I had looked forward to reading this acclaimed book, but was a little disappointed. If it had been shortened by about 1/3, I would have enjoyed it more. There were "way" too many details. However, I did learn lots about the Mormon Church.
Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss. 4 stars.
This book tells the story of a highly regarded psychiatrist whose patient reveals her past lives through hypnosis. I did not want to put it down. It does make me ponder the possibility of reincarnation.
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg. 4 stars.
Somehow I had not expected much of this little book a friend passed on to me. I was pleasantly surprised. It explored the areas of family relationships and how siblings can interpret their pasts in such different ways.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 5 stars.
This book gets my vote for the best I've read in some time. Set in Afghanistan and the US, it tells us the story of relationships, redemption, and so much more.
My Life by Bill Clinton. 3 1/2 stars.
I'm glad I read this "tome," but it was just too long. It does give lots of insight into how political campaigns work and the many facets of this man. I was favorably impressed with his writing.
Deb1teach@aol.com
I highly recommend The Rosary Girls by Richard Montanari. It's a great suspense novel that gets you into the book quickly, keeps your attention and has you guessing the entire way. I give this book 4 1/2 stars. A must read for suspense fans.
wimer52@infonline.net
A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King. 3 1/2 stars.
It is the 3rd in the Sherlock Holmes series starting with The Beekeeper's Apprentice. A good series that is very detailed and realistic. Not candy coated mystery solving.
jscady@efieldguide.com
Reading how authors develop their craft, find ideas and their writing habits has always interested me, so I picked up Wodehouse by Robert McCrum. I had read several books by P.C. Wodehouse and seen the television series of "Bertie and Jeeves" so I was primed for a funny book. Not so! It seems the author was not so funny in person. However, it was a fascinating look at his life, that time in history and the many areas of art he touched.
Also I am reading Dave King's The Ha Ha. Wow! For a first novel, it rates highly for me, in character development and insight and plot movement (don't know these technical terms). Can't put it down.
rscalise@lmxac.org
I am currently reading Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen and Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi. 4 stars for both.
lfaus@wi.rr.com
I am reading Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn by Kris Radish. This is an inspiring story of a woman who, after getting slammed in the face by life's uncertainty, picks herself up and discovers something beautiful, creative, alive and worthwhile --- herself. Filled with gorgeous prose, gut-wrenching laughter and luscious imagery, this book makes you think about CHOICES and how delicious they truly are. 5 stars.
newcrain@aol.com
Hard Truth by Nevada Barr. 5 stars.
Set in Rocky Mountain National Park, Ranger Anna Pigeon gets into her usual physical dilemmas as she's solving a crime in the park. This one has a really creepy bad guy.
JL from New York
My current favorite "you have *got* to read this" 5-star book is The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break by Steven Sherrill. The Minotaur (yes, the half man, half bull creature from Greek mythology) is alive and well in the Deep South in the 1990s, working as a cook at a local steakhouse and living in a trailer park. It's a wonderful story; magical and heartwarming but not in the least bit cloying.
britadon@aol.com
The Mammoth Cheese by Sheri Holman. 4 stars.
I wasn't quite as impressed as I was by her first novel, The Dress Lodger, but I really did like it. The story concerns a small farmer (lady) who makes a mammoth cheese to send to the new president of the United States as a reenactment of an event that occurred when Thomas Jefferson was elected president. This was an interesting anecdote of history, but the story really is one of relationships.
The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore. 2 stars
Perhaps I am just too old but I cannot get into Christopher Moore's humor. This is the second one that I have tried and they are just not my type of book.
AZNikkiD@aol.com
I'm just starting Firewing by Kenneth Oppel. It is a companion book to Silverwing and Sunwing, both of which I just finished. If you liked Watership Down by Richard Adams or any of the Redwall books by Brian Jacques, then you will want to read this series. The main character is Shade, a newborn Silverwing bat who was the runt of the colony. He bravely survives many adventures as he searches for his father and seeks an end to the war with the owls. Highly recommended! 4 stars.
Karl in Denver
The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block. 4 stars.
The Burglar books are such a fun read, great spring reading.
carolyn333@juno.com
The book I'm currently reading is The Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille. It has everything that I like in a book: good characters and a complex plot (I love intrigue).
prizewinner@hotmail.com
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 4 stars.
I enjoyed learning about Vatican City, and certainly feel informed about conclave and other things now that Pope John Paul II has passed away. A fun and enjoyable read.
newcrain@aol.com
Night of Many Dreams by Gail Tsukiyama. 5 stars.
Chinese sisters grow up during the World War II timeframe. One becomes a Chinese film star, the other goes to America to study. Interesting look at Chinese family relationships.
Kahoho@aol.com
I just finished reading Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio. I looked at this book several times and I know it was one of Oprah's picks, which is usually an indication of a pretty decent book, but for some reason I just never picked it up until now. I'm sorry I didn't read it sooner because I loved the character Icy. She was so spunky and sweet despite her disorder, and I could hardly put this book down. I once worked with someone with Tourette's, and experiencing Tourette's through the sufferer (even though it was fiction) gave me even more compassion for my co-worker. Definitely 4 stars.
I just started reading James W. Hall's Forests of the Night. I'll read anything by Hall, and though I was mildly disappointed that this book does not continue the Thorne/Sugarman saga, I am intrigued with his character Charlotte Monroe and his departure from the Florida Keys for Coral Gables and the mountains of North Carolina. So far, 3 stars.
cspataro@optonline.net
Drama City by George Pelecanos
Chasing the Dragon by Domenic Stansberry
Fleshmarket Close by Ian Rankin
Detour by James Siegel
The Sign of the Book by John Dunning
Tijuana Straits by Kem Nunn
pcalabre@tampabay.rr.com
I just have to recommend The Sweet Potato Queens' Field Guide to Men by Jill Conner Browne! A tongue-in-cheek guide to all the men she and the other queens meet, date and marry, this is LOL funny. I chose it because I am lucky enough to be part of the crowd control at a fund raising book signing this month and I wanted to know what I was getting into. I am hooked. I'm going to buy the rest of her books: The Sweet Potato Queens' Big-Ass Cookbook and Financial Planner and The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love. If you are a Southerner, have ever known a Southerner, or just love to laugh, try one of these books.
Sismilli@aol.com
One book I read recently that I dearly loved was The Rock Orchard by Paula Wall. I love books set in the South and this one had great eccentric characters abound. Not since Rebecca Wells and the Ya-Ya books and Fannie Flagg have I read anything quite so satisfying. I hope there are many more to come from Paula Wall. 5 big stars.
I also read (finally) The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Since this book came out I have heard very mixed reviews but some close to me raved about it, so I finally gave it a try. I thought it was average. Not spiritually uplifting enough to satisfy in that capacity and the story wasn't good enough to satisfy on that level either. Actually maybe a little less than average 2 1/2 stars.
I finished the second book in the Traveling Pants series, The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. I really enjoyed the first book but for some reason I put this one down a lot. I may have enjoyed it more if I had not read it in such a chopped up manner. I think I started it in January. Once I was able to get a good chunk of it going at once I actually stayed up rather late one night to finish it. I think these books have a lot of merit and they make me long for my childhood and those close ties of friendship. I respect the honest exploration of issues and the way they don't sugar coat things. 3 1/2 stars.
I have the third in the series and will read that at some point I'm sure, but right now I am anxiously awaiting my copies of The Mermaid Chair and Ya-Yas in Bloom, so whatever I start will no doubt have to take a back seat when they get here.
jbayley@hotmail.com
The Know-It-All by AJ Jacobs. 4 stars.
Ever stared at the line of encyclopedias stoic on the bookcase and wondered what was inside? AJ Jacobs actually read every blasted volume of the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Just how much did he learn? Well, he lost on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"...
French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. 3 stars.
French women don't get fat, but they sure do drink a lot of wine! My goodness. And bottled water. But no soda. And nothing with "chemicals." Pass the Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi please.
Eat Fat, Look Thin by Bruce Fife. 2 stars.
The secret ingredient for weight loss? Coconut. Coconut meat, coconut oil, coconut milk. Americans don't eat enough coconut to raise their basal body temperature and their ensuing sluggish metabolism makes them fat. Yeah. That's what did it.
Night Visions by Ariana Dupre. 3 stars.
The book is fast-paced and full of suspense and drama. The detailed descriptions make the setting come alive as more of a character than a backdrop. Being part one in a trilogy, there is an abundance of characters and back stories that don't seem to connect. Readers will have to download the next two installments of The Visions Trilogy to see if Dupre can bring it all together.
mia@jacobsracing.com
I am currently enjoying reading a memoir by Franz Wisner called Honeymoon With My Brother. It is an interesting, often funny story of a man jilted days before his wedding day and his decision to take his brother with him on his prepaid honeymoon to Costa Rica.
They then decide to quit their jobs, sell a home and take a year-long trip around the world. I haven't finished this book yet but am looking forward to reading about more of their adventures. I would give this book 4 1/2 stars.
Debby236@aol.com
I am currently reading Tiger Eye by Marjorie M. Liu. She is a new author and could bear watching. This one is a paranormal. I give it 4 stars. If you enjoy books similar to Christine Feehan, you may enjoy this one.
Anonymous
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. 4 stars.
This book is truly a classic. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It started out a bit slow, but got really exciting around the middle.
Lioness Rampant (Book 4 in the Song of the Lioness series) by Tamora Pierce. 5 stars.
I've really enjoyed this series and am sad for it to end! Lioness Rampant has been a page-turner, exciting from the very beginning. I look forward to reading more by Tamora Pierce. I would definitely recommend this series.
carolinekolb@bellsouth.net
Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne. It is an excellent book, but not for pleasure reading.
lgettle@iserv.net
Summer Moon by Jill Marie Landis. 4 stars.
A rancher seeks a mail-order bride.
Found Wanting by Joyce Lamb. 5 stars.
Mitch Kane is hired to catch kidnapper Alaina Chancellor. But is she really the villain, or is she a heroine? Excellent.
Pat Nichols
I am reading Sight Hound by Pam Houston (4 stars) and Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (5 stars+).
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading The Edge by Catherine Coulter. I'd rate it 5 stars. It is one of the "FBI series" with Sherlock and Savich. A good read. The suspense keeps you reading "just one more chapter before bed."
Pat Impens - Indian Head Park, IL
I strongly recommend The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich.
mccoy_bonnie@mchsi.com
I have read The Broker by John Grisham. It was not one of his best novels, but still very good. It was different from normal I think. I had to really pay attention to what was going on to keep up with the book. The ending had much to be desired. There was no closure to it. I guess you just had to imagine what came next.
Anonymous
Then Comes Marriage by Kasey Michaels. 5 stars.
The Most Unsuitable Husband by Caroline Clemmons. 5 stars.
Kiss Me Once, Kiss Me Twice by Kimberly Raye. 3 stars.
The Love Match by Deborah Simmons, Deborah Hale, Nicola Cornick. 5 stars
Sticks & Scones by Diane Mott Davidson. 3 stars.
The Heartbreaker by Carly Phillips. 5 stars.
Total Package by Cait London. 5 stars.
Last Dance by Cait London. 5 stars.
Blackhawk Legacy by Barbara McCauley. 5 stars.
Wild For You by Suzanne Gray. 5 stars.
Campaign for Love by Celya Bowers. 5 stars.
Shari R, Soquel, CA
The Secret Life of The Lonely Doll: The Search for Dare Wright by Jean Nathan. 4 stars.
I was fascinated as a child with The Lonely Doll books. The photos of Edith, the doll, Mr. Bear and Little Bear made me wonder what my own dolls were doing when I wasn't around. This is the biography of Dare Wright, the author and photographer of The Lonely Doll books. Her own life was sad and lonely because of the loss of her father and brother, after her parents divorced, and because of her larger-than-life mother with whom she had a strangely intense relationship. A gifted artist, she dabbled in painting, modeling and finally photography, which allowed her to express herself through Edith, her alter-ego.
Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton. 3 1/2 stars.
Enjoyable mystery that is more "what happened" than "whodunit." Fairy tale quality of "poor girl gets adventure" builds anticipation.
loritg99@yahoo.com
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.
I finished this book a few days ago and haven't been able to get it out of my head since. I went through so many stages of liking it, not liking it, loving it, frustrated with it, crying at it... and in the end, that's what makes a great book. This was my first experience reading McMurtry and I was not disappointed --- would recommend this one as a must read for anyone. Someone mentioned to me that they were jealous of me for getting to experience him for the first time, and how he wished he could do it again, and it really stuck with me. Now I can see what he meant. It was brilliant.
kelley899@yahoo.com
I'm currently reading If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl (4 stars). I also read Exes and Ohs by Beth Kendrick (5 stars) and The Next Big Thing by Johanna Edwards (5 stars).
bmailward@gmail.com
Runaway Jury by John Grisham. 4 stars.
I think this book is one of his best. It's about a trial between a tobacco company and a widow of a lung cancer victim who died. It gives really good insight to the world of jury consultants. It's a real page-turner but I still give The Last Juror the nod as his best work.
DebDesk9@aol.com
Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers
PFLucas@aol.com
The Deadly Dance: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M.C. Beaton. 5 stars.
This is the latest installment in a series that features a middle-aged insecure woman who has had success in solving local murders, but now decides to open her own detective agency. Like the other books, it is simplistic in plot, but very entertaining. The author seems to have a few favorite adjectives that are repeated profusely, and the English customs and manners are found throughout.
The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman. 5 stars.
I have just begun reading Hoffman's latest book, and so far I find it excellent!
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