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tomjac0850@charter.net
I just finished reading Postmortem, the first of the Kay Scarpetta novels by Patricia Cornwell. It was a good, suspenseful whodunit that left the reader guessing as to the identity of the serial killer right to the end. Now I look forward to reading all of the Kay Scarpetta books. Cornwell is a fine writer. 5 stars.
leprachauns_gold@yahoo.com
Blind Run and Out of Reach by Patricia Lewin.
I was a huge creature of habit and didn't stray too far from my normal reads, and then someone recommended one of Pat’s books to me as it is the genre that I so enjoy. I haven't regretted it a day since. Her books grab you in the very first paragraph and holds on tight right to the very end. It’s not just an enjoyable read, but rather a porthole to another dimension full of adventure and suspense with each gripping page.
joswood@msn.com
Skyward by Mary Alice Monroe. 4 stars.
I liked Monroe's new book, Sweetgrass, so much that I wanted to read other works by her. This book takes place at the South Carolina Birds of Prey Center --- a place that rescues and rehabilitates raptors in the SC area. There is a love story interwoven with the day-by-day accounts of the work of the center. I found it extremely interesting and the love story was heartwarming.
Case of Lies by Perri O'Shaughnessy. 3 stars.
I'm only halfway done with this book, but I'm having a hard time really getting into it. It's just okay. I've liked most of their other books, but this one gets bogged down with theories about prime numbers and other complicated matters that may or may not have much to do with the main plot. I'm not sure yet. Not one of these authors' best.
MarshaNee@adelphia.net
Resistance by Anita Shreve. 4 stars.
A simple story in the terrible times of WWII tells of a plane crash in a Nazi-occupied Belgian Village and explores the emotions of the resistant members and the downed injured pilot.
The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve. 2 stars.
Not her best effort. Somewhat hard to follow.
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra. 4 stars.
A scathing indictment of Afghan society in the City of Kabul under the Taliban. To avoid the oversight of his manuscript by the military censors, author and Algerian army officer Mohammed Moulessehoul used the pseudonym of his wife's name.
Dead Philadelphians by Frank Frost.
GerryD8784@aol.com
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. 3 stars.
Three essays (originally addresses given by Lewis, an Oxford literature professor, on the BBC in the early 1940s) are compiled in one book in which Lewis explains the core beliefs common to all branches of Christianity, and why he returned to Christianity after years of professing atheism. Interesting reading, in an easy, conversational style.
The Map of Bones by James Rollins. 4 stars.
A terrifying attack on a German church leaves most of the congregation dead, but the only thing stolen is a reliquary holding the bones of the Magi who visited the infant Jesus. A novel that will appeal to the many readers who enjoyed The Da Vinci Code and Rule of Four.
The Third Secret by Steve Berry. 4 stars.
Berry weaves historical events and political trends in the Roman Catholic Church into a compelling story centered on the mysterious Third Secret told to the children of Fatima when the Virgin Mary appeared to them.
The Innocent by Harlan Coben. 4 stars.
Matt Hunter is released after serving his sentence for manslaughter, a crime stemming from the only fight he’d ever been involved in and one in which he had attempted to play the peacemaker. His life is finally back on track --- he’s working at his brother’s law firm, married to the love of his life, about to buy a new home, and expecting his first child. Suddenly a bizarre message on his cell phone, followed by incredible photos, turns the safe haven he thought he’d found into a life spinning out of control.
My Life So Far by Jane Fonda. 4 stars.
The Atlantic Monthly reviewer would say I’m a sucker, but I found this account of sixty-plus years in the life of a controversial actress/activist fascinating and quite sympathetic. Very well written, though some sections, particularly in the last few chapters, left me wishing for more detailed explanations of her thinking and feelings.
Saturday by Ian McEwan. 3 stars.
A Saturday in the life of a middle-aged British neurosurgeon begins with a presumed terrorist attack, and ends with a far more personal attack, leading him to ponder the nature of his interactions with others and the interdependence of all people.
The Inside Ring by Michael Lawson. 3 stars.
A Secret Service agent is the target of an unofficial investigation after the attempted assassination of the president he was guarding.
Goodbye, Earl by Jo-Ann Mapson. 1 star.
The third novel in Mapson’s Bad Girl Creek series couldn't hold my interest consistently. Beryl is now in Alaska where her romance with Earl has cooled, and she’s too embarrassed to share that bad news with her friends. They too are each dealing with their own tragedies and traumas, as Mapson hammers home her point that girlfriends are forever.
The Twelfth Card by Jeffrey Deaver. 4 stars.
Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs team up to solve an unusual cold case from over 100 years ago that seems to be related to the recent stalking and attempted murder of a teenaged girl.
debruks@nu.com
I just came back from vacation and during that week read:
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 4 stars.
I have not read The Secret Life of Bees yet, but was drawn in to this novel, some of which seems too easy and not believable: i.e, such a forgiving husband. But the act of her mother keeping the secret of her father's death is sometimes so typical of families. We keep secrets for our own reasons and then later learn how someone's life is changed by never knowing the truth.
The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand. 5 stars.
Wonderful descriptions of characters and food to make you want to work at the Bistro too.
LMJRocko@aol.com
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett is a 5-star book --- the characters are very real and likable, the story is like reading a very long song. I felt like I was there. I couldn't put this book down and I was sad when it ended. It's been a long time since an author has moved me so. If you feel like a vacation but can't get away, read this book.
A Reader in Virginia
Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn. 4 1/2 stars.
Book #1 of the Mitch Rapp series (CIA operative)
The Third Option by Vince Flynn. 4 stars.
Book #2 of the Mitch Rapp series (CIA operative)
Action, Political Intrigue and Interagency Backstabbing.
Everything someone who lives within the Washington, D.C. beltway can relate to.
The Mitch Rapp series has been compared to Jack Bauer and the "24" series.
YES, I plan on reading the rest of the Mitch Rapp books.
hagarrpt@earthlink.net
Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland. 4 stars.
This book begins in the present and, through several short stories, traces a certain painting back to its inception. Along the way, the reader is able to see what the painting has meant to different characters in different situations and how/why the painting changed hands. Is it truly a Vermeer?
The Three Miss Margarets by Louise Shaffer. 4 1/2 stars.
Set in Charles Valley, Georgia, the story is about three old friends, pillars of the community, who have hidden an extraordinary crime for the past 30 years. Now that crime is about to be revealed, and the book bounces back and forth between the past and the present, telling the story of their lives.
Ery222@aol.com
The Dark Tower VII by Stephen King. 5 stars and more.
ginawjax@comcast.net
The Third Secret by Steve Berry. 3 1/2 stars.
It was an engrossing page-turner but I found the plot a bit confusing and kept thinking, "Why is our hero doing this?"
JFWisherd@aol.com
Just finished reading The Tenth Justice by Brad Meltzer. I rate it 5 stars. If you like the kind of suspense book that you can't put down, this one is for you. As well as his other books --- The Millionaires, The First Counsel and The Zero Game. For pure reading enjoyment you can't go wrong with a Meltzer book.
Karen from Florida
Final Payments by Mary Gordon. 5 stars.
I read this book in 1978 when it was first published and I found it to be extraordinary then. I just reread the book since it is my book group's present selection. I was as taken with it now as I was then. The depiction of the main character is so real that she resonates within the reader. The book is out of print but used copies can be obtained online.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
The Power of Three by Laura Lippman. 3 stars.
I wanted the ending to be more lurid and darker than what it was. I was disappointed in the book. I like her Tess PI series much better. I met Laura two weeks ago at a book signing, and she is the nicest person ever!
GerryD8784@aol.com
Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon. 1 star.
When their husbands, who both worked for the same think tank, are killed, two women are thrown together in a race to solve the mystery of why the men were murdered, while they try to keep from being killed themselves. Sheldon’s latest book is trite and silly, even for a light beach read, as these two manage to outwit and escape repeatedly from professional hit men.
Sarah: A Novel by Marek Halter. 4 stars.
This first novel in Halter’s planned trilogy about Biblical women made for enjoyable reading, with well-developed characters and a plot that fleshed out the traditional Biblical story without seeming to stray too far from familiar themes. The ending seemed hurried, with the story of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac covered in a few short paragraphs, but the book was otherwise interesting --- enough that I’ll certainly plan to read the next book in the series.
The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah. 3 stars.
Moving back to her hometown after a divorce, Angie finds an outlet for her maternal instincts in a needy teenaged girl she hires to work in the family restaurant.
The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips. 2 stars.
Telling his story through letters from an Australian private investigator, alternating with journal entries written decades earlier by an archaeologist who’d been one target of his investigation, Phillips constructs a complicated mystery and builds to a surprising ending.
72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell. 5 stars.
Compelling novel about a mother’s struggle to help her young adult daughter cope with bipolar disorder. Campbell writes powerfully, with a detailed knowledge that suggests she’s writing from experience, either her own or that of someone close to her. Highly recommended.
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. 4 stars.
Hard to summarize, or even describe, Murakami’s latest tells the surrealistic story of a teenaged runaway who hides out in a private library while searching for something to help him understand his desertion by his mother and his distance from his father. Always interesting, even as the story meanders through increasingly bizarre settings and events.
The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan. 4 stars.
McMillan’s latest is worth the long wait! As usual, she quickly draws her reader into a story populated by characters it’s hard not to care about, despite their flaws and foibles. Marilyn will be familiar to every woman of a certain age and era, when self-sacrifice on the altar of husband and children left so many of us wondering what’s left of “me.”
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. 5 stars.
This is a beautifully written and very touching story of two women in a remote province of nineteenth century China who are joined as young girls in a “laotong” emotional pairing and pledge their lifelong fidelity to one another. See’s descriptions of the physical and emotional trials of these and other Chinese women, and of the culture they developed behind the restrictive walls of their chauvinistic society, provide a fascinating and inspirational exploration of friendship between women.
SEEDCAKEANDJOE@aol.com
The House on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. 4 stars.
Nothing deep here, but a pleasant read.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. 4 stars.
I always enjoy seeing what Kinsey is up to. This book seemed better to me than the past couple --- more like the earlier in the series.
Pam from Florence, MS
I love to find an author I haven't read before and read all of his or her books! I did that with Emilie Richards, and now I look forward to any new book by her.
Currently I am reading Black Rose by Nora Roberts. She is a fun, light read, and it is always a treat when she is writing series because I have the opportunity to keep up with favorite characters. Black Rose is the second book in her current series. I just finished the first one, Blue Dahlia, but I will have to wait because the third book in the series hasn't yet been written.
Cali_LB@msn.com
I am currently reading three books actually. First I have Trace Evidence by Elizabeth Becka, which BookReporter recommended. A first-time writer and certainly a worthy competitor with Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell. You couldn't ask for a hotter plot. Forensic scientist with a teenage daughter and ex-boyfriend who is now the Mayor. Young girls are being killed and the case takes priority when the Mayor's daughter is murdered.
Then there is Double Tap by Steve Martini. I look forward always to Mr. Martini's books and I had this one on request a full year before it "finally" came out. It is another Paul Madriani book and a real page-turner. It is also something that is very high on the list these days for most Americans. How much information do we really want our government to have about us?
Last but not least I am listening to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. Harry is so grown up now and yet very much a teenager with all the emotions going up and down the scale. Fantastic. Like most readers of Rowling I really don't want this series to end. One special tip to add for readers: any time you can also listen to a book like this on tape, go for it because it simply brings the book even more alive.
myrtleme@sbcglobal.net
Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz. 3 stars.
Not my favorite, but wanted to read a book by this author. The story line breaks up too many times to be easy to follow.
Endorra@aol.com
I've gone back to a classic, The Man Who Would Be Thursday by G. K. Chesterton. In parts, laugh out loud hilarious, in other parts quite serious. Savor it. It will be time well spent.
I am now reading Trent's Last Case by E. C. Bentley. This book is dedicated to G. K. Chesterton because as Bentley states, "I owe you a book in return for The Man Who Would Be Thursday. It has been called "one of the best detective stories" by none other than Agatha Christie. It is set at turn-of-the-century England.
wurdplay@earthlink.net
My current reading list is:
Until I Find You by John Irving
Velocity by Dean Koontz
nunu@cogeco.ca
I read Killing Time by Linda Howard and would give it 4 stars. It was an easy read and a fast-paced story line. Time travel was incorporated into the story to give it a futuristic element.
KATHLAU@aol.com
Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy. 3 1/2 stars.
This one's not set in Ireland, but has two Irish characters. A tragedy in a little Greek fishing village brings together five tourists from very diverse backgrounds. They all have a lot more than clothing in their "baggage." In the span of a week and with the help of a local, who's own history is slowly revealed, each individual's travel plans get set on the right course.
mbennett32003@earthlink.net
Deafening by Frances Itani. 4 1/2 stars.
About a deaf woman in Canada.
All That Matters by Jan Goldstein. 4 1/2 stars.
A grandmother helps save her granddaughter who has tried to commit suicide and the bond that they develop.
Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray. 4 stars.
A middle-aged coming-of-age story.
Bjglu@aol.com
Take Big Bites by Linda Ellerbee. 5 stars.
A terrific book --- part memoir, part cookbook, part travelogue and all inspiring and fascinating.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac. 3 stars.
This is an interesting period piece.
TCarrico@aol.com
I am currently enjoying Articles of War by Nick Arvin, which so far is great. I just finished Michael Connelly's The Narrows, which did not disappoint either. I'm in the middle of The 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America, which is mildly humorous and very cynical.
kathleenigo@adelphia.net
The Alphabet Sisters by Monica McInerney. 3+ stars.
A family saga sort of story set in Australia about three sisters who grew up as a singing group, became estranged as adults, and were forced to reunite by their lovable, eccentric, meddling grandmother. A fun summer time read.
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. 3+ stars.
I chose this book because her other books The Sparrow and Children of God are among some of my all-time favorites. This is very different type of novel, but still full of rich characters (although there are a lot of characters). The novel is historical fiction set in Italy during World War II about the many Italian soldiers and locals who took great risks to shelter and protect Jews on the run from Nazi persecution. A very interesting look at a different side of these events. I love the way this author writes, but must say I didn’t enjoy this book as much as her others. Although it’s definitely worth the read.
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Urrea. 5 stars.
I am not even finished with this book yet, but am comfortable giving it a 5-star rating! The author’s prose is beautiful, lyrical, often very funny, and other times brutally frank. The setting is Mexico in the late 1800s, which lends a little sense of magical realism although this book is not really of that genre.
The story is about a young girl, Teresita, the illegitimate daughter of ranch patron Don Tomas Urrea. Teresita grows into a natural healer under the guidance of the extremely vivid and robust old Huila, the resident medicine woman. Pilgrims begin flocking to the ranch for Teresita’s healing powers. The landscape is sweeping, there are cowboys and Indians, and a large cast of colorful characters. I am really enjoying reading this book and have slowed down my pace because I don’t want the story to end. Head to your local bookstore and buy this book!
FRANCES732@aol.com
Fleshtones by M. J. Rose. 4 stars.
The world of art where desire, happiness, lust and pain are painted by the artist, his lover Genny, and Genny parents. A sensuous story, as well as a feast for the senses. Sometimes it seems as if Ms. Rose is taking the reader into the paintings and letting them view the hidden wonders behind each and every brush stroke. A wonderful read.
Lost Daughters by J. M. Redmann. 4 stars.
Micky Knight is hired by one client to find his mother and by another client to find her daughter. While she is searching for the lost daughter and mother for others, Micky decides to use her skills as a PI to find her mother. This is a wonderful fourth book in the Micky Knight mystery series because we are all searching for something or someone. In this book folks are seeking to find the ties that bind us.
hawkes@citlink.net
I just finished reading Suspicious by Heather Graham. She always delivers a fun and fast read with murder, mystery and romance. 4 1/2 stars.
Lgluhani@aol.com
Pope Joan by Donna W. Cross. 4 stars.
Fascinating historical novel based on the story of the female pope of the dark ages.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. 4 1/2 stars.
Who ever thought that physics and other sciences could be fun?! Bryson does a terrific job of making science entertaining, educational, and, often, funny. A great read.
Catslady5@aol.com
Bridal Reconnaissance by Lisa Childs. 4 stars.
A fast-reading romantic suspense that keeps you wondering until the very end. Amnesia, death, romance --- not necessarily in that order.
JASSCS@aol.com
This week I read The Twelfth Card by Jeffery Deaver, and although I always enjoy Lincoln Rhyme, this was not one of my favorite. I just could not get interested in the subject and was left wanting more Lincoln Rhyme.
However, Broken Prey by John Sandford left me wanting for nothing. Lucas Davenport was at the top of his game in this book. Sandford never lets his readers down and he really comes through in this book as Lucas gets in over his head.
For a change from fiction, I am reading Objection by Nancy Grace. This is a book you cannot put down. Nancy has a way with words, sometimes too many words, but very interesting. She truly understands our criminal justice system and can explain it so everyone can understand. I do recommend it for all.
And that's all for this week.
Mittens0831@aol.com
1st to Die by James Patterson. 5 stars.
Newlyweds are being murdered! Four women who are friends join together to solve the mystery. It helps that they are a homicide inspector, a medical examiner, an assistant D.A., and a crime reporter! There are many twists in this novel with a very surprise ending. It is one of his best books!
ronlavon@wave.net
New Mercies by Sandra Dallas.
I am a big fan of Sandra Dallas and this book, like all her others, are 5-star entries. Whether she is dealing with a modern-day situation or going back further in the development of the midwest, she has researched her period and brought it to us; the history, local color and a very good story, all at the same time. A good read!
Marric77@aol.com
Cold Truth by Mariah Stewart is the first of a new trilogy and it was a great suspense. I rated it 4 1/2 stars.
bradylee@myway.com
Dragon Bones by Lisa See. A novel published in 2003 with 343 pages + notes. 3 stars.
I read this author's memoir, On Gold Mountain, and it was wonderful. Dragon Bones was the pick for my local book club this month and I was disappointed. I enjoy reading about China, as their society is so different from ours, but this mystery did not do much for me. The story centered on the Three Gorges Dam area and a little Chinese geography and history were included, but overall I could not really recommend this story.
mcain4567@sbcglobal.net
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper. 4 1/2 stars.
Master of the Moon by Angela Knight. 5 stars.
Always Time to Die by Elizabeth Lowell. 4 stars.
Origin of Death by J. D. Robb. 5 stars.
I am currently reading Always Time to Die by Elizabeth Lowell and it has caught my interest so far.
I recently finished Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper. I have read and loved all of Kay Hooper's books about Bishop and the FBI Special Crimes Unit. I love the fact that the same characters you know appear in most books along with new characters. I have been waiting for Quentin's story.
I love Angela Knight's books, both the mainstream and the erotica. Master of the Moon is the second in her series about the Magekind (Master of the Night is the first book). The Magekind have been guiding and protecting humanity. Her books are populated with werewolves, vampires, witches, shape shifters, and plain old human beings.
In Origin of Death, as usual, J. D. Robb's Lt. Eve Dallas, her husband Roarke, Peabody, McNab, and Dr. Mira have made an excellent book. I am anxiously awaiting the next Death book.
BlindlyBookish@aol.com
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling. 5 stars. Fantastic! Maybe my favorite of the series or at least ties for first!
A Crack in the Line by Michael Lawrence. 5 stars.
I just reread this and loved it just as much as the first time. Excellent science fiction story.
Rickimc@aol.com
A Graveyard for Lunatics by Ray Bradbury. 3 stars.
Much different from his older works. Took the characters a little too long to figure out the answer to their mystery since it was obvious.
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle. 3 stars.
Much better than the first two books in L'Engle's Time Quartet. The parts in the past were very enjoyable.
Denise in Atlanta
I just finished The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi. It is the story of a young girl's descent into madness. Jessamy Harrison is the daughter of a Nigerian mother and an English father. Throughout the novel, she battles with seemingly three sides of her personality. I would give it 2 stars out of 5, because there is no plausible reconciliation between the internal and external forces that torment Jessamy.
GandmaRI@aol.com
This week I'm reading Black Wind by Clive Cussler. So far I'd rate it a 5. This is one of the books about Dirk Pitt's son and daughter. So far the suspense has been great. Love his books!
Tracee from Turtle Creek, PA
I just finished 'Til Death Do Us Part by Kate White. The story started out ok but was a little hard to get into. The evidence was all circumstantial and the ending was clumsy and amateurish. When the author must use the hackneyed ending of a solution presenting itself because the killer is bragging to the protagonist just before attempting murder...well...what a disappointing ending. 2 stars.
Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris.
FUNNY!! The protagonist is a blond, high school-educated cocktail waitress. Is she dumb? No. She just doesn't do well in school because she can read minds --- even when she doesn't want to. In this book (4th? in the series), she is coming home from work and sees a half-naked white (not caucasian --- white) man running alongside the road. Why is he white? He is a VAMPIRE! hee hee hee. Why is he running around half naked? He is under a spell because he refused to cave in to extortionist witches! Sound weird? It is! But very funny!
Have I mentioned the shape shifters and werewolves yet? No? Well... One is out to get her (RIP)... One is her boss... One wants to marry her because his village is inbred... One is dating her bro (he doesnt know it though)... One.... 5 stars.
spartanjohn@comcast.net
Crusader's Cross by James Lee Burke. 4 stars.
The bayou country comes alive with the perspicacious pronouncements only James Lee Burke can create. Most Vietnam vets feel a special connection with Dave Robicheaux.
3 Nights in August by Buzz Bissinger. 4 stars.
A classic baseball book for the ages. Baseball is truly a thinking person's game as evidenced in this portrayal of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry.
WBtrez@aol.com
I have been reading Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston. Thunderhead, Relic, and Reliquary are all 5's. I like the fact that some of the story is based on fact and the story could possibly be true. The ability to keep you guessing is outstanding and the two of them together write some fantastic tales. I truly enjoy their books and cannot wait for the next one to come out. Dance of Death was really good but some of the older ones are better still.
dani@newvisiontechnologies.net
I just finished listening to the audio of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. In the beginning I thought that this book was way too young for me. But then I got involved into each character's issues and extremely wrapped up in the story and ended up loving it! 5 stars.
Currently I'm in the middle of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling and of course I love it! Don't tell me the ending --- I've been avoiding any possible interaction with people who may inadvertently tell me who dies at the end. I am savoring every page. 5 stars.
Cloish049@aol.com
The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer. 3 stars.
Good vacation read with an emphasis on Hollywood.
Cover the Butter by Carrie Kabak. 4 stars.
Beautifully written. We can all see a bit of Kate Cadogan in our lives.
muggsm@earthlink.net
I just finished Dead Man Docking by Mary Daheim. It is the latest in the bed and breakfast mystery series featuring Judith McConigle Flynn. The author played around with introducing a forties theme into this contemporary series and it worked. Judith and Cousin Renie stumbled into yet another mystery with good characters, humor, and a good plot all brought together.
dglg@telus.net
Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh tells the story of a family living in a small coal town in the 1940s just after WWII. It's an easy read and I would give it 4 stars.
Hicks.TM@forces.gc.ca
I have just finished reading John Sandford's Broken Prey and as usual it was a great read. You didn't know what was happening until the end and then it was an action-packed ending as well. Well-written.
I have just started reading Chuck Hogan's Homefront and all of his books grab you and make you want to keep reading until it's finished.
tfranzen2124@comcast.net
Two very different books:
Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden. 5 stars.
This book was recommended on the "Today Show" and selected by Isabel Allende. This is not a typical selection for me, but I am so glad I read it. It is a powerful story, perfectly written, and although set during WWI, very timely. A great read.
Ursula Hegi, author of Stones in the River (5 stars from years ago), has a nonfiction book called Tearing the Silence (4 stars). This is a book with interviews with adults who were children born in Germany at the close of the war. The effect of Hitler's Germany on the next generation has always been a question of interest to me, and this book added information and understanding.
tfarrand@comcast.net
I have just finished the most powerful book, Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. This is the true story of a remarkable doctor, Harvard professor and infectious-disease specialist Paul Farmer, whose passion for curing TB in Haiti is moving and inspirational. This book describes, in a wonderfully personal style (even the medical parts are interesting), an epic struggle that goes from Boston and Harvard Medical School to Haiti, slums of Cuba and Peru, prisons of Moscow, and back again. Clearly, Paul Farmer wants to change the world, and not just medically as he fights "the establishment" on a global scale. He enlists the help of the Gates Foundation, George Soros, the U.N.’s World Health Organization, and others as he and his charity, Partners In Health, fight to diagnose and cure infectious diseases and bring modern medicine to those who need them most. This is a remarkable book and a remarkable subject.
Bimerz88@aol.com
I just started to read The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I really and literally just started it last night --- so I have not gotten too far into it as of yet. However, I am already hooked! So, although it is quite early, I am giving it 4 stars --- and it may very well earn 5!
Happy reading all.
rwsuttle@sbcglobal.net
Nelson DeMille's The Lion's Game and Up Country, 5 stars each. The
Lion's Game kept me asking myself "what if" and how safe are we. Up Country let me be the investigator.
Sue from St. Charles, MO
I know this book is several years old but so many people have told me to read it. I have started Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible and just cannot put it down. You are in the Congo with a missionary family that is truly dysfunctional. The Reverend (rarely Father) refuses to leave the country when it votes for independence and his family suffers in various ways. His wife struggles to hold the family together in some sort of familiarity while his daughters dream about milkshakes, boys and real Betty Crocker cakes. I haven't finished it yet but I can't wait to get back to it. I rate this book a very high 5 stars.
maedwar79@hotmail.com
Breakfast with Tiffany by Edwin John Wintle. 4 stars.
A great book about Wintle's experience living with his troubled niece.
kim.rayner@wamu.net
I recently read The Murder Artist by John Case (4 stars). It was an interesting thriller with a unique perspective. Another entertaining little book is The Undomestic Goddess (3 1/2 stars) by Sophie Kinsella --- it is a great beach read. My current favorite book is My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I love her fearlessness in tackling unpleasant topics and her willingness to make me love her characters even though I see all of their flaws.
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Savage Garden by Denise Hamilton. 4 1/2 stars.
Another in the Eve Diamond series, the Los Angeles Times reporter becomes unwillingly involved in the investigation of a missing actress. The case is far too close to home when her lover's best friend is moved to the head of the suspect list and she's forced to examine many facets of their relationship.
Mystery by Peter Straub. 4 stars.
This novel takes place in the Carribbean island of Mill Walk and deals with an investigation of political corruption by the rich class. It delves into murder, theft, and family loyalty. While it's a bit on the dark side (Peter Straub is generally associated with horror themes) and was a bit sci-fi at times, it kept my interest throughout the book.
joseph.bloch@sympatico.ca
Just finished Marker by Robin Cook. It was pretty good for the sort of book it is. I would give it 3 stars.
hill536@msn.com
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.
Oh, to be carefree and 24 again!! I loved the main character in this book Rebecca Bloomwood --- she's very witty. I plan on reading the others in the series.
carol.hoyer@us.army.mil
I am reading The Comfort Trap (or What If You're Riding a Dead Horse?) by Judith Sills. It is a book about how we get stuck in our comfort zones and as uncomfortable as we are, we are afraid to take the risk and make changes, so we stay where we are unhappy. I give it 4 stars --- it has practical tips and some humor in it but gets the point across.
Tigersmama43213@aol.com
Currently I am reading The Canterbury Papers --- excellent mystery.
I just finished Frankenstein by Dean Koontz. I read book 1 and immediately started book 2. I'm not sure if I can wait until next summer for book 3.
This summer I have read: Alibi by Joseph Kanon, Lucia, Lucia and Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani, The Third Secret by Steve Berry, Wideacre by Philippa Gregory, The Bright Forever by Lee Martin, Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson, and Blow Back by Brad Thor.
This is just a partial list of my reading for this summer.
Myrnapen@aol.com
I recently finished reading Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. I consider it my summer's biggest accomplishment so far! 5 stars - when you want a deep read! I fit in a lighter read, The Alphabet Sisters by Monica McInerney (3 stars) before picking up my next read, Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (to be rated shortly).
SeattleSnoops@aol.com
I just finished Roxanne St. Claire's October release, the first in The Bullet Catcher series. It's 5 stars and more.
It's set in Miami with the most incredibly sexy, talented and hot bodyguard you will ever come to know, Alex. He is hired to protect a Miami newscaster who is about to launch a very powerful story that will also put her at the top of her news anchor career. However, Jessica goes undercover for her story and asks her twin, Jazz, to fill in for her while she's gone. Jessica is now missing, and Alex and Jazz begin a search and journey that will knock your socks off.
I'm sincerely looking forward to the next two books in the series.
NFrazelle@aol.com
I just read Whiskey Sour and Bloody Mary by J. A. Konrath, a Jack Daniels Series. 4 stars. Thanks for the recommendation!
Kathy from Lake Oswego, OR
I just finished reading Spice. It is a fascinating history of the Spice Trade and how it served as the impetus for world exploration. The history is rich with details. The descriptions of the many different spices and how they are used is almost mouthwatering. Not being an avid nonfiction reader I was surprised at how totally engrossed I was reading the book. I rate it a 4 out of 5.
JASSCS@aol.com
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the best book of the summer. I give it 5 stars!
pjablonski@ev1.net
Zorro by Isabel Allende. 5 stars.
Such a good book...it was so entertaining and brought me such enjoyment! Definitely 5 stars.
mahaffey@library.ucsb.edu
Here are the latest books that I have read:
Sins of the Night: A Dark-Hunter Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon. 5 stars.
I love the Dark-Hunter series by this author. This book tells how/why
the dark hunters were "made." This should not be the first dark-hunter book you should read --- otherwise you may not understand or be confused about this "other" dark-hunter. Read Fantasy Lover first if you want to start in order. The whole series is excellent. Note that these books are somewhat sensual...
The Year's Best Science Fiction Twenty-Second Annual Collection, edited by Gardner Dozois. 5 stars.
I think this is a terrific series, as it helps me keep pace with the
sci-fi world as I always discover a new writer that I want to read
more of. Great intro by Gardner Dozois.
Year's Best Fantasy 5, edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer. 5 stars.
This collection of stories is another series that I look forward to each
year to read. This year was WOW! A definite must read if you like
fantasy.
bradylee@myway.com
A Country Practice by Douglas Whynott. Nonfiction. Published 2004 with 286 pages + notes. 4 stars.
This is a story of a veterinarian and his daily challenge of caring for animals, growing his business with help just out of college, and keeping financially afloat with the monthly fluctuations of business. Very hard labor is involved working with large animals (cows, horses, etc.) along with taking the time to train another.
You will enjoy this book if you like to read about animals and the rural setting without the stress of big business. There is stress on the job for sure, but a different type from the big city. I don't believe I have read a book about vets I did not like. This is a good one.
herpulserunsriot@hotmail.com
My One-Night Stand With Cancer by Tania Katan. Definitely gets 5 stars! This is the most amazing, raw, funny, cancer memoir ever written! This is the story of how Tania Katan, who battled breast cancer twice, once at 21 years old and the second time at 31 years old, not only beat the odds, but endured two toxic relationships, 11 rounds of chemotherapy, an idiosyncratic Jewish family, and now runs topless 10k's proudly displaying her scars to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Tania's story is inspirational, hilarious, absurd, and real. This book is a must for anyone who feels, endures and triumphs!
Julie from Deatsville
August must be mystery/murder month for me...here's what's been on my nightstand:
The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson. 5 stars.
Lou Ford will haunt your sleep...what a creep...
Blossom by Andrew Vachss. 4 stars.
Get yourself some vicarious vigilante vengeance from Vachss.
The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly. 4 stars.
Connelly "cements" his blockbuster thriller series status with Harry Bosch.
Bombingham by Anthony Grooms. 4 stars.
Marvelous depiction of life in Birmingham during the Civil Rights movement.
joswood@msn.com
Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay. 4 stars.
Dexter is a serial murderer, but he only kills people who are serial murderers themselves. Dexter is also a blood-spatter specialist for the local police department. It sounds like a grim plot, but Lindsay manages to infuse a great deal of humor into such a storyline. I believe it would be called "black humor." This is the second in a series of books about Dexter. I'm sure it will not be the last.
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin. 5 stars.
The author has written his memoirs of his life as a peasant in China during the 1960s. He was selected to attend ballet school at the Beijing Dance Academy. He tells about his training in ballet and about his very successful career in dance. He finally defected in 1981 to the United States. This is a fascinating look into life in China for a peasant boy and an equally fascinating look into the training of a dancer. It is written in a very straightforward style, and it is hard to put down.
ABamaBecky@aol.com
I have recently finished 4 books:
Hope's Highway by Dorothy Garlock. 5+ stars.
This story is set in Depression-era America. It is a very entertaining story about the fabled Route 66 that so many people took looking for a better life in California.
Best Kept Secrets by Sandra Brown. 5 stars.
This also is a good read, especially for those fans of romantic suspense. I have read several books by Sandra Brown and have not been disappointed yet.
Outer Banks by Anne Rivers Siddons. 3 1/2 stars.
This book is a little heavy for summer reading. It has a good plot, believable characters, and is very well written. But I often found myself looking back over chapters that I had already read trying to figure out what was going on. I prefer something a little lighter in the summer.
Finders Keepers by Fern Michaels. 5+ stars.
Another great one from one of my favorite authors.
Jennifer from Portage, IN
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. 5 stars.
I was not completely prepared for this book. Some of the language and scenes are definitely not PG. If you don't already know, this book is about a prostitute named Sugar living in Victorian London. You follow her around and along the way are sidetracked by the people she meets. It's extremely funny at times yet it possesses the qualities that make it not only amusing but witty, perverse (it's about a prostitute), touching, horrifying and unforgettable. A scathing pseudo-memoir of what your life can become given the right and wrong circumstances.
Jessica from South Dakota
I am currently reading The Hunter by Gennita Low. Ms. Low is a great romantic suspense writer. I love her books mainly for the strong heroines who, although capable of solving their own problems, realize the power of having a strong man beside them. The world of espionage she shows along with the timely subject matter (each of her books have plots that could have come from page one headlines) make her books definite keepers. I recommend all her books, but this latest series that started with The Protector and now The Hunter are favorites.
jbessel@cogeco.ca
I just finished reading London Bridges by James Patterson. I found I'm addicted to the Alex Cross series. Can't wait to read the next one. I give it 4 stars, very suspensful!
bradylee@myway.com
Yeh Yeh's House by Evelina Chao. 5 stars. Published 2004 with 287 pages.
I have read a lot about "old" China, but very little under the Communist regime. This is written by an American Chinese who travels to China in the '80s with her mother who lived there as a youth and many members of her family still reside there. This memoir is a grand one as it talks of American ways and give you insight about life in China in the '80s and how it is most primitive in many ways. Just the fact of large numbers of people make life hectic. The Chinese way of life is so different from the American that it is always interesting to learn the differences. Recommended highly.
gregc2@bellsouth.net
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. 4 stars.
Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri. 2 stars.
4th of July by James Patterson. 3 stars.
A Widow for One Year by John Irving. 5 stars.
FRoybiskie@aol.com
Currently reading And Then Came You by Maureen Child, the first in her Marconi Sisters series. Awesome. 4 stars.
I had high hopes for The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, but stopped midway. I do plan to pick it up again, but I don't know when. So far, it rates 2 1/2 stars. Hoping to have a higher rating once I finish the book.
ginawjax@comcast.net
This Just In...What I Couldn't Tell You on TV by Bob Schieffer. 5 stars. Wonderfully written --- like being with an interesting friend telling you about history as it was made. Mr. Schieffer writes with wit and humility and wisdom.
Heringbess@aol.com
Geraldine Brooks's Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague. 5 stars. I have lent this to close reader friends, and they loved it!
Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham. 4 stars.
It is written in 3 parts --- past, present and future --- and is unrelated, but finding the thread of commonality is the fun!
Trans-sister Radio by Chris Bohjalian. 4 stars.
A unique look at a transgender, and a surprise ending. Compassionate without being sentimental. 4 stars.
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts. 3 1/2 stars.
A man discovers he had been adopted, searches for his family, and uncovers his mother's brutal murder --- and he solves it within a week. Aside from a weak ending, a good read.
The Genesis Code by John Case. 4 stars.
A great story that involves Washington, D.C., a mystery, the Catholic Church, and a surprise ending.
Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. 4 stars.
Revealing piece of WWII --- underground resistance, escaped Jews in Italy, 3 generations trying to cope --- that makes this a read equal to her writing. Great.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 3 stars.
A woman who has been married 20 years finds something missing and has an affair (with a monk!). Predictable end. She did much better with the unique story of The Secret Life of Bees. Yet it's a good summer read. 3 stars.
Marric77@aol.com
Heat Wave by Jill Marie Landis. 4 1/2 stars.
The second in a series set in Twilight Cove, California. A great read and now I am anxious to read the third in this series.
MarshaNee@adelphia.net
Meet Jack Reacher in novels by Lee Child. He's a mixture of the Lone Ranger, Robin Hood and Shane. What a hero. He will keep you fascinated.
Tripwire. 4 stars.
Running Blind. 4 stars.
Persuader. 3 stars (Quite violent).
Donna from South Carolina
I just finished reading:
Over Her Dead Body by Kate White. I would give it 5 stars and only because that's the highest rating allowed. It's a must read, a couldn't-put-it-down, a real page-turner, and a can't-go-to-bed-because-I-want- to-finish-it type of book. Yes, I loved it. This book grabs you from the first page. It's a whodunit mystery from the beginning and believe me, you will never guess. The main character, Bailey, is very likable and I feel as if she would be a friend in real life. Her friends would also be pals of mine. This is just one great read. I'll be buying the rest of Kate White's books too.
Ery222@aol.com
The Ice Limit by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 4 stars.
A real page-turner.
patoct@yahoo.com
Must Reads this Month:
Turn My World Upside Down by Maureen Child
Hot Stuff by Carly Phillips
Summer Lovin' by Carly Phillips
Completely Yours by Sheridon Smythe
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Philliips
These books all had great plots, strong sexy heroes and heroines, and humor. I definitely recommend them all.
ke4yyj@gmail.com
I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Luanne Rice this
summer, and I recently finished Dream Country, which is a wonderful family saga of love lost and found again. I love the way Luanne incorporates the miracle of nature in her stories.
amysmith98@yahoo.com
Superstition by Karen Robards. 5 stars.
This is a very good book. Karen Robards is an automatic buy for me. She is one of my favorite authors. This book has got it all, from an unsolved murder to a seance in a haunted house and another murder.
tconerly@adelphia.net
Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss. 5 stars.
This is the third time I have read this book over the years. It is a fabulous book, and one that I have given many copies of to others. is a story of reincarnation, a true story written by a psychiatrist about one of his patients.
Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs. 5 stars.
I always enjoy reading Susan Wiggs. It's light reading, perfect for sitting around on a rainy day.
Dark Sky by Carla Neggers. 5 stars.
I can't help it, I love romantic suspense. Carla Neggers is great at it.
Sanctuary by Mercedes Lackey. 3 stars.
I love Mercedes Lackey. I love fantasy and sci-fi. I have read all of Lackey's books and will read them all again. This particular story is the third in the trilogy, and was a bit disappointing. It just didn't live up to the standards of her previous books.
Michelle from Lebanon
4th of July by James Patterson. 4 stars.
Hard Truth by Nevada Barr. 3 stars.
Countdown by Iris Johansen. 4 stars.
Origin in Death by J.D. Robb. 5 stars.
Envy by Sandra Brown. 5 stars.
Nancy10107@aol.com
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. 4 stars.
Very interesting story about two girls in China. The story talks about foot binding, arranged marriages, and life in China. The story was fascinating and well worth the read.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 5 stars.
The story is told by Christopher who is autistic. It is a fantastic read into the mind of an autistic person as well as an interesting story. I hope I can get my book group to read this as it would make for a fantastic discussion.
hyjean@shaw.ca
I am currently reading Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. It is not an easy read, but it's very provocative. Diamond presents his views on the evolution of the diversity of humans, how different cultures evolved, and why. Although I have disparate opinions on the same topic, I find that his arguments are more acceptable to me than that of others. I can highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in human development and anthropology. I would rate this as 5 stars.
Michelle from Indianapolis, IN
I am currently reading Origin in Death by J.D. Robb. It is the best. I give it the most stars. It is a very funny murder mystery.
I just read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was very good
too. I would give it 5 stars. It was good but sad.
I read a bunch of different stuff. James Patterson's book, Maximum Ride, was good too. 5 stars.
I also enjoyed Summer of Roses by Luanne Rice. Her books seem so real. 5 stars too. I can't wait to read Tess Gerritsen's and Sandra Brown's new books.
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Blood of Angels by Reed Arvin. 4 stars.
The book had a good storyline but sometimes the writing gets a tad boring.
Brokey Prey by John Sanford. 3 1/2 stars.
I just got lost during the ending.
The House in Amalfi by Elizabeth Adler. 4 stars.
I felt like I was back in Italy! I could taste the gelatos!
Poision Heart by Mary Logue. 4 stars.
A quick read.
Shannon in Mission Hills
Right now I am reading Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich and can't wait to start Eleven on Top by the same author.
I read "One" through "Nine" in the series and found myself laughing over them, then I would feel embarrassed and have to look around to see if anyone heard me.
The books are about a young woman in Trenton, New Jersey who lost her job and started working for her cousin Vinny, who happens to be a bail bondsmen. She becomes a bungling Bounty Hunter. I would give them 4 stars for humor and adventure.
Jo from Brooklyn
I'm currently reading Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts. She is a favorite author of mine, and I particularly enjoy her trilogies. Blue Dahlia is the first book in the In the Garden trilogy. Her books are well written and are great to read when you just want to relax. I recommend anything by Nora Roberts.
JONIVERSON@aol.com
I am reading Howard Bahr's The Year of Jubilo. Taking place during and after the American Civil War, this novel successfully examines the challenges and tragedies of war's cruel aftermath.
Sesame705@aol.com
The Lake House by James Patterson. 4 stars.
A good, easy summer read. The science fiction combined with
conspiracy, ruthless characters, and of course heroes, had me glued. An interesting tale for anyone who has ever imagined what it would be like to have wings and fly.
dsalanitro1967@yahoo.com
Plantation by Dorothea Benton Frank.
An emotional and wise tale of family dynamics and life in the Low Country. As Caroline says in the book, "it's a short trip but millions of miles away" from the hustle and bustle of NYC that she and her son are used to, when they return to Tall Pine Plantation to regroup after her impending divorce.
At times I cry with them, and at times I laugh out loud at some of the antics of Miss Lavinia and crew.
Like the South, Plantation is a long, languishing read that makes you feel good for visiting.
Dorothy from AZ
4 stars for Diana Palmer's Lawless. She knows how to keep the reader interested --- love, hate, and murder will keep you reading to find out what happens.
pureevil@sympatico.ca
I have just finished reading Faithless by Karin Slaughter. I would rate it 4 stars. Faithless was a "can't put it down book" and I really enjoyed it!
s.clift@comcast.net
This is my summer of reading what everybody else has already read! I finished The Da Vinci Code (4 stars) by Dan Brown, am almost done with Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince (4 stars) by J.K. Rowling, and I'm just a tiny bit of the way into Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Maybe that last doesn't count since I'm not far enough into it to rate it.
I also LOVED The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (5 stars!). That was an odd little book, and such a good story that I will read whatever she writes forever. What style!
I've also read What Do Jews Believe by David Ariel (4 stars), and it's very helpful, very educational, and written in a way that's easy to grasp quickly.
miroberts@columbus.rr.com
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. 3 stars.
I enjoyed reading this book, but I don’t think she has come close to the fun I had with the original Shopaholic.
The Doctor’s Wife by Elizabeth Brundage. 1 star.
This book came highly recommended and reviewed and I just hated it.
Unnecessarily violent, confusing to read, and completely unredeeming
for me.
lekeene52@msn.com
I am rereading The Chronicles of Narnia, since it has been years since I first read it, in preparation for the forthcoming movie! A must read for
ALL ages!
dfowler1@insight.rr.com
I just finished The Broker by John Grisham. I loved his earlier books but have not been crazy about his more recent stuff. I thought this was better than some, but took a long time to develop. I would give it 3 stars out of 5.
NRNMG@aol.com
I just finished reading Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich. Like her Stephanie Plum series, this stand-alone book is a funny, light mystery read. I enjoyed the story and wonder if this will become a series as well. I give it 4 stars.
chicki@flash.net
I'm in the middle of Terry McMillan's The Interruption of Everything and I'm loving it! I give it a solid 4 out of 5.
Autumn in Newtown, PA
Finished Skinny Dipping by Carl Hiaasen last Sunday for my book club. Definitely planning on reading his other novels. 4 of 5 stars.
Just finished Lake in the Clouds by Sara Donati. Her third installment of the trials and tribulations in the lives of the Bonner family and friends in a sleepy town of early New York state. 5 of 5 stars.
Planning to begin the advance copy of The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch tomorrow morning.
Endorra@aol.com
Two books I've just finished and would highly recommend are: Cab At My Door and Midnight Oil, which come in one volume and is the author V. S. Pritchett's autobiography. I really did not know very much about Pritchett before and I am looking forward to reading his essays and short stories.
The other book is Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh. Good development of characters and a portion of history about life in a Pennsylvania mining town during the '50s and '60s.
Suzanne from Danbury, CT
I've been a busy reader these past few weeks. I first read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. This was a wonderful read --- with Lisa See's words, I easily drifted into a world I knew very little about, 19th century China, and into a small remote county where women used the secret code nu shu to communicate among themselves. This fictional story is about 2 little girls who begin their lifelong friendship at the tender age of 7, and what transpires through their many years together. I literally could not put the book down (except to grab a tissue now and then) and I would give this book 5 stars!!!
The next book I read was Empire Falls by Richard Russo. This book was a joy to read. The characters just jump off the page and Russo does such a great job of describing Empire Falls you almost feel like you are walking down the street seeing all the familiar places you just read about. I would give this book 4 stars.
Lee from Kewanee, IL
I just finished the last two Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books. I had read the first one a couple of years ago and a friend just loaned me the last two. I would rate all three at 4 stars. The Second Summer and Girls in Pants were almost gut-wrenching (if teenage angst can be to a grownup, heck, yes it can).
I just started The Jane Austen Book Club and The Amber Room.
Mce1011@aol.com
I have just read Nora Roberts's Northern Lights and give it 5 stars. It was a wonderful story about a policeman who was divorced, lost his partner, sank into depression, and then takes a job in Alaska to just to lose himself. I've never been to Alaska but felt as if I were there with this book.
Debby236@aol.com
I just finished up Code of Honor by Catherine Mann. This was excellent, using current military happenings as the background. Fantastic Story. I give it 4 1/2 stars.
newcrain@charter.net
I just discovered a great new series by Jonathon King. 5 stars to the first two: The Blue Edge of Midnight (which won him a well-deserved Edgar Award) and A Visible Darkness. Now I’m starting the 3rd: Shadow Men. Great mysteries. Great hero with a past that haunts him. Florida Everglades setting similar to Randy Wayne White.
tmzemke@hotmail.com
The books that I just read:
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. 3 stars.
In a tale spanning twenty-five years, a doctor delivers his newborn twins during a snowstorm and, rashly deciding to protect his wife from their baby daughter's affliction with Down Syndrome, turns her over to a nurse, who secretly raises the child. (from PW)
A Wild Ride Up the Cupboards by Anne Bauer. 4 stars.
Tale of a mother's attempt to raise her son Edward, who is "different" from her other two children. Based somewhat on the author's life.
They Poured Fire On Us From The Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan by Benson Deng. 4 stars.
Raised by Sudan's Dinka tribe, the Deng brothers and their cousin Benjamin were all under the age of seven when they left their homes after terrifying attacks on their villages during the Sudanese civil war. In 2001, the three were relocated to the U.S. from Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp as part of an international refugee relief program.
Love With Noodles by Harry Freund. 4++++ stars.
I read an advance copy of this hilarious book and couldn't stop laughing. A Jewish widower is pursued by an array of women who all want him, in more ways than one. Ask your library to order a copy or go buy a copy; either way, it's a must read for those who want to laugh!
Ginger.Louden@sendit.nodak.edu
Missing Persons by Stephen White. I just finished reading this book. It is the first time I have read this author's works. He keeps the pace
going fast, but it's also a book that I could put down and pick up a
couple days later and know what's happening. It starts with finding the
body of a co-worker, has an unstated reference to the JonBenet Ramsey case, and ends with a somewhat interesting twist, not what I had expected. I give this book 3 stars. It wasn't one that was a non-stop reader, but he is definitely an interesting author and I would read his works again.
mmfergie@shaw.ca
Just finished reading Until I Find You by John Irving. The book starts off a bit bizarre and pretty much follows that same route all along. I learned more about young boys than I cared to know!! I think I only really finished the book because I was really curious how it ended and it did have a good ending. I was a large John Irving fans years ago, but his last couple of books have left me a little disappointed. Of course, saying all that, I'll be the first one out to see if his next book is better.
rogersglor@charter.net
I am reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It is actually four separate stories brilliantly woven together and involving the search for Dracula. The stories take you through ancient areas in Europe and details interesting facts of historical significance. It is so good that I have difficulty putting the book down. I am almost at the end and am anxious to read the outcome.
blythespirit@sbcglobal.net
This week I read and loved:
To the Edge by Cindy Gerard (St. Martin's Paperbacks, May 2005).
I highly recommend it to everyone. It is a mystery/thriller/romance. I finished reading it a more than a week ago, but my husband is enjoying having me read it to him until he falls asleep every evening. Yeah, its that good.
This is the first book in a series about the adventures of the bodyguards of E.D.E.N. Securities, Inc. E.D.E.N. is run by Ethan, Dallas, Nolan, and Eve Garrett --- three gorgeous alpha-male brothers, all ex-special forces, and their super hot, tough as nails sister, ex-secret service.
To the Edge features the story of Nolan Garrett, the youngest by 10 minutes, of the Garrett siblings. Nolan just left the Rangers three months ago because of guilt that he can't handle. He lives life through a whiskey haze until he's tapped to protect society princess, Jillian Kincaid. Jillian grew up with a bodyguard and hated it. She refuses to accept one now, even though she is receiving death threats. As far as Nolan is concerned, she'll just have to "get over it" because he has a job to do and he is going to make sure she stays safe, like it or not. Unless he strangles her himself.
To the Edge is very well written with a seamless, believable plot. The heroine is strong and sassy with just the right amount of vulnerability. The hero is to die for. I can't wait until the rest of the books are released.
To the Limit - September 2005
To the Brink - January 2006
guinn1248@bellsouth.net
I am reading Naked Prey by John Sandford and I give this 5 stars. This novel isn't set in St. Paul/Minneapolis like his other novels. Set in a rural town in Minnesota where you meet interesting characters and you won't be able to put this book down.
Rose from Connecticut
One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Todd by Jim Fergus. 4 stars.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 4+ stars.
Should be required reading.
The Distant Land of My Father by Bo Mitchell. 4 stars.
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. 4 stars.
100 People That are Screwing Up America by Bernard Goldberg. 4 stars.
Some interesting insight and often comical. Read with an open mind.
booklover25729@hotmail.com
Killer Takes All by Erica Spindler. 5 stars.
After reading a few recommendations and the back of her books, I finally picked one up for myself. I was not disappointed. I found this book to be very suspenseful and it kept me guessing. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more by this author.
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
As a fan of the Stephanie Plum series, this newest in the series definitely didn't disappoint.
Puppet by Joy Fielding. 5 stars.
A fast-paced, suspenseful thriller. I had a really hard time putting it down and read it in record time. Highly recommended.
Miracle by Danielle Steel. 4 stars.
I have been reading Danielle Steel since my early teens when I started looking through my mother's books. Predictable, as most of her books are, but still an enjoyable, fast read.
Catslady5@aol.com
A Breath of Heather by Barbara Clark. 4 1/2 stars.
An easy read with suspense, romance and just a touch of the paranormal. First of a 6-book series (the prequel really, even though it is listed as book II). Quite enjoyable.
adia@elifewisdom.com
Eternity’s Generals by Paula A. Price, Ph.D. 4 stars.
An amazing illustration of the current battle between gods, nations, and the modern-day apostle. An excellent read for people of power in any sphere or walk of life.
Carol from Hoyer, VA
I'm currently reading Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi. Malika Oufkir is the eldest daughter of General Oufkir, the King of Morocco's closest aide. She spent most of her childhood in a harem in the King's house, secluded from the outside world.
Her father was arrested and executed in 1972; she, her mother and five siblings were imprisoned. She and her siblings dug a tunnel with their bare hands and escaped only to be caught again. This is a true story, which discusses courage, extreme dangers for women in Morocco, and arranged marriages. I give this 4 stars.
hawkes@citlink.net
I just finished reading my ARC of Eye of the Wolf by Margaret Coel. I loved it...couldn't put it down. I was instantly drawn into the homicide mystery, the history of the Arapahos and Shoshone peoples, and the lives of Father John and Attorney Vicky Holden. 5 stars.
I read Arda: The Sailkeeper's Bride (Book 2 in the Arda series) by Annie Windsor. It's another futuristic, erotic fantasy with the second Tul'Mar brother. Fun and fast-paced. 4 stars.
I just finished the suspenseful mystery read Rip Tide by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston, and I'm still gasping for breath. There is $2 billion in gold of 17th Century pirate treasure hidden on an island off the coast of Maine. For years, treasure hunters have been trying to find the key to discovering it within the tunnels and shafts of the Water Pit. Lots of twists and turns (literally). 5 stars.
jlmartin7@cfl.rr.com
I have just finished reading Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book Two: City of Night. 5 stars. The tale kept me riveted the entire time and I'm so anxious to read Book Three. I'm bummed that I have to wait a year for Book Three. Koontz tells the story of Frankenstein in a totally interesting way. I enjoy the sci-fi approach to this telling of Frankenstein. I've become interested in the main characters' lives and am rooting for them, and Deucalion!
I am in the process of reading Patricia Cornwell's Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper Case Closed. I'm reading the paperback version with the updated material. I am only halfway through the book but give it 4 of 5 stars. It is so full of information. I especially enjoy the juxtaposition of crime investigation and forensics during Ripper's time and today's modern techniques.
Tigersmama43213@aol.com
Adriana Trigiani's Rococo, Lucia, Lucia, The Queen of the Big Time, and Big Stone Mountain trilogy.
Posie Graeham Evans's The Innocent and The Exiled
Jean Plaidy's The Tudor Princesses and Queens series.
Cloish049@aol.com
Julie and Romeo Get Lucky by Jeanne Ray. 4 stars.
Entertaining, but predictable story.
shariharldson@hotmail.com
Two really great books that I've recently read are The Known World by Edward P. Jones (4 stars) and Katzenjammer: Soon To Be a Major Motion Picture by Jackson McCrae (5 stars).
The Known World is unique among fiction books I have read in the last twenty years or so. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would not call it an easy read, because it was some work to keep track of all of the different characters, but nevertheless, so very well worth it. Despite the work, it was entertaining. Like other reviewers, it kept me up at night, and kept me reading.
Katzenjammer was another thing altogether. This is really an inside look at what it takes to get published and live in New York, and it has to be one of the funniest books I've ever read. It's a bit "on edge" but then that's what makes it unique. Really hysterical with short chapters. The book just flies along and you'll read it in one or two sittings. I highly recommend it!
Heather from Louisville, KY
The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene. 4 stars.
Revisiting a novel that still resonates today in war-torn lands, corruption, and questions of faith. This one is not my favorite Greene, but gets 4 stars.
So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson. 5 stars.
For the first time, I started keeping a list of the books I am reading, and this book chronicles Nelson's own journey into an avid reader's constant quest for the book of the moment. I also picked up some good recommendations to add to my list and could compare notes with some books that we both had read. An easy and enjoyable little reference for a recommendation of 5.
Renee from New Caney, TX
Unspoken by Lisa Jackson!
It's a wonderful book. I have about 20 pages left to read and I have to make myself put the book down. You have to read it.
madonna.pomroy@sdc-dsc.gc.ca
Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag. 5 stars.
A really good thriller.
bencanada1@yahoo.com
The Velvet Jungle by Julie Ellis. 5 stars.
Sensitively written novel about a young woman's trials and tribulations through the years. Beautiful and heartwarming.
Sismilli@aol.com
I got a great little surprise a few weeks ago when I came across a new Janet Evanovich book at a local bookstore. Apparently, before the Stephanie Plum series, Janet wrote twelve short romance novels --- nine of which were published by the Loveswept line. These nine are being re-released by HarperCollins and this was the first of those: Back to the Bedroom. This book was a hoot and you can definitely see the tone, style and characterization developing for the Plum series. The best part of this story was the neighbor, Elsie Hawks, who according to Janet was the prototype for Grandma Mazur. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can't get enough of Janet. I am obsessively scanning the bookstore shelves for the next of these to be released. 5 stars.
The other surprisingly great book I have read lately was Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band. This was recommended by a reader on this site and I am so glad I picked it up. I am not a fan of the band and actually knew very little about them prior to reading this. This book is at times funny, tragic, and very graphic about the band members' adventures in sex and drugs. But what I loved about it was that it was told by all four members with a lot of introspection and vulnerability. There is a lot of raw emotion here that I am always drawn to. I definitely give it 5 stars, and to be honest, it knocked The Glass Castle out of first place as my favorite memoir this year.
bab@tennis.com
Isabel's Daughter by Judith Ryan Hendricks. 5 stars.
Warm and enjoyable novel about a young woman's search for her birth mother. Set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with vivid descriptions of the locale and the characters who we meet up with.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. This is the best one yet in the series. A must read that keeps your attention throughout.
pinkheart4455@yahoo.com
I would like to recommend Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz. 5 stars. This one was different from what he usually writes. But just as good. A baby was born and the grandfather predicted 5 "terrible" things would happen to him on certain days and years. A real page-turner...
itsmeandyoubrent8@yahoo.com
This is my first time to write about a book anytime, anywhere, but I felt I had to say something about this great, new, and exciting novel that I just finished, The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens by Jackson McCrae. I've never read anything like it. 5 stars are not enough for this literary masterpiece.
Set in the South and in New York City, it details the story of a writer who has been trying to escape his past for 40 years. Well, it finally catches up with him, and boy, in a big way! Hilarious scenes worthy of David Sedaris alternate with shocking, jaw-dropping flashbacks, until the entire novel comes crashing around you in an unforgettable climax. This one will stay with you long, long, long after you've closed the covers of the book. It contains some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. I was reminded at times of the way Charles Dickens weaves people and places together --- it's just that classic and that good!
A Reader in Virginia
Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn. 4 1/2 stars.
The Third Option by Vince Flynn. 4 stars.
Dean Koontz's Frankenstein Book #2: City of Night. 4 1/2 stars.
onegt4me@excite.com
I'm currently reading Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About by Kevin Trudeau. This book is great! It claims to have cures to about 50 different diseases. I love reading self-help books and there are a few remedies in it that I'm going to try. I'll give this book. 4 stars!
KKbarash@aol.com
I am reading Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear. It is the third Maisie Dobbs novel. Maisie is a very unique private investigator who employs psychology, meditation, and parapsychology in her investigations. For this genre, the book is definitely a 4 if not 5 star book.
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