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tomjac0850@charter.net
I just finished reading Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. This was another real page-turner by Patterson, who seems to write a book each week. In this one, beautiful and deadly Nora Sinclair makes a living --- and a hobby --- out of getting wealthy men to fall in love with her. Then she murders them, having sent their millions to her own private, numbered accounts. There are a couple of plot twists that are a little confusing, but it is still an excellent read. 5 stars.
Cynderma@aol.com
Master of Pleasure by Jessica Trapp. 5 stars.
Lord of Desire by Paula Quinn. 5 stars.
Touch Me by Lucy Monroe. 4 stars.
Passion by Lisa Valdez. 5 stars.
Fragile Trust by Helen Kirkman. 4 stars.
gregc2@bellsouth.net
Lifeguard by James Patterson. 3 stars.
A typical Patterson murder mystery that keeps you guessing.
The Cruelest Miles by Gay Salisbury.
The true story of the original sled dog relay in Alaska carrying the vaccine to control a cholera epidemic.
joswood@msn.com
The Innocent by Harlan Coben. 3 stars.
I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book, but then it got ridiculously complicated. There were so many twists and turns that you needed a flow chart to keep track. Not my cup of tea.
Shadows by Edna Buchanan. 3 stars.
There were two parallel mysteries running through this book. The Cold Case Squad was responsible for solving them both. One involved seven dead infants found in a basement of an old abandoned plantation home; the other one involved the long-dead parents of one of the squad's detectives. I would rather have concentrated on one or the other, as neither seemed satisfying to me in the details presented.
Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear. 3 stars.
This story takes place after WWI in 1930 in England and France. Here, again, there were several mysteries running parallel to each other. To me, the story was just okay.
soneme87eue@hotmail.com
Two books to recommend:
Naked by David Sedaris. 5 stars.
Very funny collection of stories dealing with his family, gay issues, race, etc. Can't recommend this book enough!
Katzenjammer by J. T. McCrae. 4 stars.
Bought this because I'm interested in getting my work published one day. Harrowing and hilarious account of what one man went through to get his book in print --- and the price he paid emotionally and physically.
ABamaBecky@aol.com
My current reading list:
Out of the Mist by JoAnn Ross. 3 stars.
Typical romance, nothing extraordinary.
The Book Club by Mary Alice Monroe. 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a wonderful story of the friendship between five women and how they help each other through the struggles of their lives.
311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber. 5 stars.
Great easy reading. This book is the 3rd in a series. I have not read the books before and after this one, but plan to add them to my reading list.
American Idle by Alesia Holliday. 5+ stars.
Wonderful! Definite Chick Lit. I found myself laughing out loud at this one.
The Third Secret by Steve Berry. 5+ stars.
This is a very intriguing book. It is a suspense novel centered on the Catholic Church, specifically the happenings at the Vatican. The author does a wonderful job of combining actual events and his own brand of fiction. I will never look at the Catholic Church in the same light!!
Maureen from Middletown
The books I have read recently are:
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. 5 stars.
A gripping, page-turner. I truly enjoyed this book. She is fast becoming a favorite author.
The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas. 2 stars.
Too many characters and not that exciting of a story. Just an ok read.
BREEZYWRITER@aol.com
Circle of Three by Patricia Gaffney. 4 stars.
Very good book from the author of Saving Graces
Debby236@aol.com
I just Survivor in Death by JD Robb. It was excellent, 5+ stars. She has been writing this series for some time now and it just keeps getting better. She develops the relationship between the main couple and the secondary couples beautifully. In addition, there is always a plot to follow that is involved and interesting and always involves murder.
Pfzlady@aol.com
I am reading and enjoying The Sound of Us by Sarah Willis. It opens with a loner 40-something receiving a random call in the middle of the night from a 6-year-old-girl who is by herself. The call is supposed to go to her aunt, but reached Alice instead, a sign-language interpreter for the deaf who lives alone with her cat. I can't wait to see how this unravels as she becomes close to this scared child.
Rickimc@aol.com
MirrorMask by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. 5 stars.
Beautiful book of the screenplay. I cannot wait to see the movie.
dani@newvisiontechnologies.net
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. 5++ stars.
I can't believe I have to wait so long for the next book! I loved this one and cannot stand the suspense. Rowling delivered another great novel to the series and I loved every minute of it!
nudell@pop.ctctel.com
The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman.
I don't like it at all, but our book club is very eclectic in selections, and someone wanted to read this one! We just finished Anna Karenina, so this book is quite a change....
bookwormoakes@yahoo.com
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. 5 stars.
I am reading this NOT because the movie is coming out, but because I have read it before and loved every word. This book is a journey, one that everyone should take. The passages within it truly solidify the fact that words can become an artform. This book is a work of art.
prwamsley@adelphia.net
I just finished Trace by Patricia Cornwell. I give it 4 stars. I just love reading about Kay Scarpetta and her niece, Lucy. I have read most of the series and I feel like I know these people. Trace lives up to the previous books with a very good story. Kay has gone back to her old town to help the man who now holds the job she was fired from, solve the mystery of a young girl's death. Of course, there are the usual twists and turns. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery.
charris@pctelecom.us
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. 5 stars.
We read this for our book club. It made a good discussion. I don't think I had read it before so especially enjoyed it. Mark Twain is a good author.
Cape Perdido by Marcia Muller. 5 stars.
Cape Perdido is a place in Soledad County in California. It is a story about Big Business wanting to take water from this river to lower more populated places in California. The story is how the Bad Guys are foiled. A good mystery and easy reading.
The Lost Bird by Margaret Coel. 5 stars.
To quote Tony Hillerman, "Coel's mysteries shouldn't be missed by anyone interested in new trends in my story or contemporary Indian Culture. She is a master of both." I agree. It is a very easy read but has depth.
Oh, My Stars by Lorna Landvik. 5 stars.
A wonderful story of a tall, homely (she thought) girl and the good life she finally had. It is easy to read but deep too. It leaves you with a smile on your face and happy you are alive.
Patty from Red Deer, Alberta
Currently, I'm reading Stuart McLean's Stories From the Vinyl Cafe 10th Anniversary Edition. Penned in what seems to define the Canadian literary tradition of books compiled of short stories developed with the same characters, McLean has revisited an early work and polished his humorous accounts of life with Dave, Morley, Stephanie, and Sam. As usual, McLean's accounts center on identifiable situations with merely a thread of plausibility woven throughout his embellishments. Nevertheless, always the master of humor, McLean's stories succeed in bringing smiles to our faces, and sometimes raucous laughter from our mouths. The only way to surpass one's pleasure of reading a Vinyl Cafe book is to listen to McLean read his stories on his weekly Canadian radio show (Sundays on CBC radio). Once again, McLean's efforts earn him 5 stars.
by.my11@verizon.net
Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry. Wonderful --- humorous, brash, and honest.
laurieblum@hotmail.com
The Woodsman's Daughter by Gwyn Hyman Rubio and The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant
Ptclayton2@aol.com
I am just finishing Dance With Me by Luanne Rice. This is definitely a 4-star book. She has the gift of writing stories that you don't want to put down until you reach the end. Every book of hers is a fantastic read.
Barbara from Afton, NY
I am currently reading:
Now Is the Time To Open Your Heart by Alice Walker. 3 1/2 stars.
Most of my book group did not like it. There is an unfinished and somewhat arrogant quality to it. Perhaps too autobiographical. About a black female author's journey to the next stage of her life, crone or "Grandmother."
Tabula Rasa by Shelly Reuben. 4 stars.
This is Reuben's fifth novel. She is a licensed private detective and certified fire investigator who has been investigating arson for over twenty years. And the investigation of fire is the theme of this book. I picked this up because the author will be speaking at my local library next week.
Discovering Kwan Yin, Buddhist Goddess of Compassion by Sandy Boucher. 4 stars.
Recently, at a flea market, I purchased a small Kwan Yin statue to add to my collection and I wanted to know more about her history. Boucher describes the historical and religious development of this goddess and also how contemporary women describe the influence and place of this goddess in their lives including their art and meditations.
More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl. A definite 5 stars.
I do love to read about reading and Pearl has read enough for over a dozen people and shares it well. A librarian, a teacher, and an NPR commentator, her book recommendations are varied and inspirational.
REWren@aol.com
I have recently read and highly recommend Fear Itself by Walter Mosley, Look Homeward Angel by Thomas Wolfe and West of Rehoboth by Alexs Pate.
bjohnson-att@comcast.net
Dreamland: Deep Black Biowar by Stephen Coonts. 3 stars.
Pretty good thriller but Coonts has done better.
Coyote by Linda Barnes. 3 stars.
Good read.
evelyn5@houston.rr.com
I am reading Iris Johansen's Face of Deception and LOVING IT!! This book was written seven years ago, but it is new to me author and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
BookMomma@aol.com
Belle Ruin by Martha Grimes. 4 stars.
This is the third in a series. It helps if one has read the first two, but isn't absolutely necessary. The protagonist is a 12-year-old girl, who is curious and wise beyond her years. The characterizations are first-rate and the atmosphere is wonderful.
Rituals of the Season by Margaret Maron. 4 stars.
The rituals in the title refer to Judge Deborah Knott's upcoming wedding. This is a wonderful mystery series set in North Carolina. Deborah's family is enormous, and the sense of family feeling is heartwarming. I recommend all the books in this series, starting with The Bootlegger's Daughter.
The Birdcage by Marcia Willett. 5 stars.
This takes place in England. It is a saga of a family that is estranged, and is brought back together by a set of coincidences. I really like all of Marcia Willett's novels. She makes me feel like I'm right in the middle of the scenes.
TXROSE101@aol.com
I just finished reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I am so glad I read this book. It is one of the best books I have read in years. Walls writes her story in a way that captures your heart from the beginning. I experienced anger at times, but by the end of the book I had gained an understanding of what she and her family experienced, and how they came out on the other side with love and compassion that few would have. It touched my heart in a way few books have. It brought back memories that I had forgotten I had. 5 stars.
avdeane@sympatico.ca
Lifeguard by James Patterson. 5 stars!!!
Jillian from Denver, CO
What I am reading:
I just finished The Innocent by Harlan Coben. If you have never read this author before, and you like suspense and a good get-lost-in-the-book read, give him a try. Well-developed characters and interesting twists and turns.
I also just finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. A lovely book, a light read and some interesting tidbits about Africa. I will read more of this series. Definitely an easy-to-take-along-anywhere-you-travel book. 4 stars.
ggartrel@mts.net
Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is skillfully written and a fascinating read. The suspense builds from the first page and was emotionally encompassing. 5 stars.
I twice read Burned Alive by Souad, written in collaboration with Marie-Therese Cuny. Because it was captured in pieces of memory from the West Bank victim of torture, and transcribed by another, it is rather disjointed and poorly written. However, it does picture for the reader a culture that is otherwise unfathomable. 2 stars.
SeattleSnoops@aol.com
5 stars and more:
Living on the Edge is just another spectacular story by Susan Mallery. The author weaves a romantic and suspenseful tale about a "tough" bodyguard and naïve sweet socialite who survives a kidnapping and an abusive marriage.
Tanner Keane is hired by Madison's ex-husband and father to find and bring her home as she's been kidnapped and being held for ransom. When the rescue goes bad, Tanner is forced to take Madison into hiding at a safe house. Tanner doesn't trust her, but eventually gets to know her and believes she's not only been abused by her ex and neither understood nor appreciated by her father, but that her ex-husband is the source of the kidnapping.
There is nothing soft about Tanner, and as he learns more about Madison and her husband's involvement in the kidnapping, he begins to trust her and realizes that when the end comes, he won't want her to go. As for Madison, she's a sensitive, beautiful woman and is afraid to trust Tanner. However, as the few weeks go by, she realizes she will never forget him --- that he has changed her for the better and that he has touched her heart.
This book is very fast-paced, full of intrigue, action, suspense, and a lovely story of two people who emerge from the "shadows and come out into the light." I highly recommend Living on the Edge.
Kate Walker's The Twelve Month Mistress (Alcolar Family series). 5 stars.
Harlequin September Release
The Twelve Month Mistress is an incredible love story --- passionate, sensual, and emotional, one I couldn't put down. It is one of Kate's finest! Her characters come to life in a way not to be missed. It will touch the heart of every woman who reads this truly amazing story of Joaquin and Cassie. I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy, Ramon's Story.
Joaquin Alcolar is the oldest and only legitimate son of Juan Alcolar, a Spanish aristocrat. He has spent most of his life mistrusting relationships destroyed by his father's unfaithfulness. Joaquin is a "Lone Wolf" --- being in charge of his vineyard business has taught him how to wear a mask, not allowing him to show his true emotions. Love is not in his vocabulary and he's never kept a mistress for more than a year.
Cassie is his current mistress and deeply loves Joaquin. However, she is afraid she will be sent packing and questions whether to stay or leave. She is quoted saying, "is it worth staying in a situation that is just not making you happy?" She has a "hungry need for this man" and is vulnerable where he is concerned. Cassie loves and adores him and is putty in his hands. She has trouble being honest with Joaquin about her feelings and what she wants from the relationship. She's fearful of being cast out and rejected. So when the end of the year approaches, she decides to leave, to keep hold of her pride.
Upon Cassie's leaving, Joaquin has an accident and Cassie is forced to return home to take care of him. From there, one complication after another and she is now back where she started, more confused and emotional...
Throughout the book, both characters explore their feelings concerning their relationship. Joaquin doesn't understand not always being in control, not knowing where he is headed nor why he feels so different about Cassie over his past mistresses. His emotions are out of control where she is concerned. He feels she is "his woman," what he owns he controls. He runs his life with discipline and nothing happens without his approval. This story is highly "charged" and one you won't be able to put down!
geobarb@sccoast.net
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars.
Since I live in South Carolina, I could relate to the locations mentioned. I like that in a book. The story was very entertaining and believable.
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen. 5 stars.
I'm a big fan of mysteries and thrillers, so I thought this was one of Tess Gerritsen's best. She is another one of my favorite authors.
Juanita from Phoenix, AZ
I have just finished a very good book by Sandra Brown called Unspeakable. This is a very good mystery about small a town in Texas. It will keep you reading for hours on end. It has a very surprising ending, and has suspense, action, and romance all in one. 5 stars.
BlondeFairy1975@aol.com
I am currently reading Bangkok Tattoo by John Burdett.
Also on my reading list is War Trash by Ha Jin, Zorro by Isabel Allende, and We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver, the winner of the Orange Prize.
mbennett32003@earthlink.net
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 5 stars.
Wonderful Pulitzer Prize winner; beautifully written story about a Greek family, their immigration to America, a hermaphrodite raised as a girl who later becomes a boy, and a great historical look at Grosse Point Michigan. Although I will admit this description really doesn't do the book justice!
Saturday by Ian McEwan. 4 1/2 stars.
Another well-written story by Ian McEwan about a day in his life that turns into a day of unexpected events. I don't want to say too much more without giving away some of the surprise.
esklokis@gmail.com
I am currently reading Welcome to My Planet by Shannon Olson. 5 stars. This is a fantastic book about the confusing life of a girl who is in need of, and is receiving, counseling. Hilarious, and hard to put down.
Nancy from Webster NY
Currently I am reading:
The Lemon Jelly Cake by Madeline Babcock Smith. 3 stars.
A lighthearted look at life in a small town in Central Illinois (Tory) at the turn of the 20th century. Written from the perspective of eleven-year-old Helene Bradford, daughter of the town doctor, who aspires to be "in the know" as to all things going on not only in the town, but also in society outside those immediate surroundings.
The Inn at Lake Devine by Eleanor Lipman. 5 stars.
A sometimes humorous, sometimes somber look at the effects of anti-semitism on young Natalie Marx and it's unexpected effects on her social life and love life as she enters her twenties.
dvolkenannt@charter.net
Bought a copy of Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance and have finished about 1/3 of the book. Some of the scenes are so graphic and disturbing, I had to stop reading. I doubt that I'll finish it. 2 stars.
Just began reading The Constant Gardener after one of my sisters recommended it to me. I like what I've read so far. 4 stars.
hagarrpt@earthlink.net
Branded Woman by Wade Miller. 3 1/2 stars.
Cay Morgan, smuggler by trade, arrives in Mazatlán, gun in her purse and revenge in her heart. The Trader, once her rival, is there to make a deal with the Chinese for fencing once-buried gold ingots, and Cay has followed him there to exact revenge for the 'T' he had a henchman brand on her forehead five years before. Her one problem is discovering his identity, and therein lies the twist.
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. 4.8 stars.
This book is one of Atwood's best, with a complex plot --- really a story within a story within a story --- and wonderful characterization.
mbunting@sbcglobal.net
The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. 4 1/2 stars.
Berg is consistently the best writer I've read. Her words and situations really resonate with me.
Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons. 4.25 stars.
Siddons never seems to disappoint.
Field of Blood by Denise Mina. 4 stars.
All of Mina's books are different (no recurring characters). I had a hard time getting into this one, as it seemed confusing, but in no time I found myself involved in it.
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan. 4 stars.
One of my hobbies is entering sweeps and contests, so it was fun to read about a real-life woman in the 1950s and 1960s who basically supported her family of 10 children by winning contests with her writing skills. This will be made into a movie with Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelsen.
The Body in the Snowdrift by Katherine Hall Page. 3.75 stars.
I have read all of Page's "body" books, and although this one was quite entertaining, I didn't buy some of the situations and thought at least one of the characters wasn't fleshed out enough to be believable.
Goofier1@wmconnect.com
Currently, I'm reading The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl, a murder mystery set in America in 1865, shortly after the Civil War. I give it 5 out of 5 stars --- a high rating. It's an excellent novel.
The Dante Club is made up of four of America's most esteemed authors at the time, with Longfellow at the head of it. The club got its name since Longfellow is translating the first edition of Dante ever published in America, and all of the members share his love of Dante and enthusiasm to see him published and read here. Unfortunately, the Harvard Corporation doesn't share this desire with them, and their vary professorships are threatened if the work continues.
The four investigate murders taking place in Boston based on the different punishments that Dante has written about that are set aside for people condemned to Hell. Pearl has done a good job of developing the novel's characters, including a mullato cop named Nicholas Rey, who is also trying to solve the crimes, though not permitted to carry a gun nor to arrest any white person. I highly recommend The Dante Club to those who enjoy mysteries and lovers of Dante!
Nunu in Niagara
I read The House in Almalfi by Elizabeth Adler. I would rate it a 4 stars. A young woman goes back to Italy where she lived as a child with her Father for a time. Her Father dies a mysterious death and she is trying to find answers. She reunites with people she knew 30 years previous, and secrets are unraveled.
RBailleu@aol.com
I am in the middle of The Jane Austen Book Club and can definitely say I don't know what I think about it yet.
My book club chose Refined By Fire by the Birdwells, and although I am only in the second third of the book, it is a very uplifting read. But I do end up crying with them, so if you don't care to cry, don't pick this one up. 3 stars.
Mipalew@aol.com
Although written for young adults, Silverfin by Charlie Higson is a fun romp through part of the early life of fictional James Bond. It will be loved and appreciated by Bond aficionados. I'd give it 4 stars.
SalbyC@aol.com
Dexter is quite a lovable serial murderer who only kills "those who deserve it." You can't help but like him in the first of a new series by Jeff Lindsay, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. An entertaining read and actually quite funny in many places. I'd give it 4 stars. He actually helps find murderers quite worse than him --- who better to understand the way they think?
evelyn5@houston.rr.com
I am reading Iris Johansen's Body of Lies. This is a new series to me and I am enjoying it extremely!!
toythomas@comcast.net
The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism by Megan Marshall. 4 stars.
This is an interesting and scholarly work about the three Peabody sisters.
kingmiller@tcsn.net
Last week I read the latest Scott Peterson book by Keith Ablow: Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson. As probably most people do, I considered him a sociopathic monster. After reading this book, I still see him that way, but there were extenuating circumstances in his childhood life that forced him to become that kind of person. After reading this, I was forced to sympathize with him, and felt his parents should have shared his sentence. 5 stars.
Recently, I discovered the books of Michael McGarrity. Right now I'm reading The Big Gamble, and before that, Slow Kill. The books are about Chief of Police of Santa Fe, NM, Kevin Kerney. Plots take place in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Lincoln County, and since I lived in Albuquerque, and visited Ruidoso, NM, they are of particular interest. Slow Kill also had him visiting Central CA, which is where I now live. 4 stars.
David Roosevelt has written a book about his grandmother, Eleanor, in a book titled Grandmere. I found it a fascinating, human insight into a very great woman. It's a picture of a woman who was not only a figure in politics and the public eye, but was also a mother, and grandmother, daughter and wife. 5 stars.
MelJPrincess@aol.com
Justice Served by R. Barri Flowers. 5 stars.
Bachelorette #1 by Jennifer O'Connell. 4 stars.
Body Double by Tess Gerritsen. 5 stars.
Reflected Pleasures by Linda Conrad. 5 stars.
gwenstevens@msn.com
The Dead Don't Dance was sent to my group as a preview. It was one of those books you read and you know that you'll never forget. The inspiring moments and language make it a memorable read. Charles Martin is in tune with the soul.
atlasworldseewallace@hotmail.com
Dry by Augusten Burroughs. 4 stars.
After reading Running with Scissors, I was eager to tackle this next book by Burroughs. The guy may not be the best writer in the world, but he sure has lived an interesting life.
Katzenjammer by Jackson McCrae. 5 stars.
The main character is named Max Perkins in this novel. Some may know that he's named after the famous editor of Hemingway, Wolfe, and Fitzgerald. The book is loaded with hilarious scenes and is well-plotted.
jreimold@cox.net
I've just finished Grand Ambition by Lisa Michaels. It was the best adventure I've been on in some time. A young married couple in 1928 decides to take the Colorado River down through the Grand Canyon on their honeymoon. This is fiction based on real events, and Glen and Bessie Hyde are the principal characters and are historical figures, which made the story so much more interesting. I live in AZ and could mind travel along the river with them. It was by far a 5-star read.
Lynn from Camp Hill, PA
I just finished The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoyed the vampire series by Anne Rice. She interweaves the lives of several historians along with the story of Vlad Dracula. Highly recommended.
I also read The Constant Gardener by John le Carre before I saw the movie. The movie was very good, but the book is so much better. The author has made the transition from the Cold War thrillers to current-day threats to humanity. Read it before, or after, you see the movie.
kerin0874@yahoo.com
Abduction by Robin Cook. 4 stars.
If you have never read Robin Cook before, this is one of his books that I recommend giving a try! Very original, engrossing and suspenseful!
The Breathtaker by Alice Blanchard. 5 stars.
This is an incredible book by a great author! It was also a Today Show book club selection. Very suspenseful and will have you guessing until the end!
OLTLFREAK@aol.com
Perfect Nightmare by John Saul. 4 stars.
I haven't read a John Saul book in a long time, and I'm so glad I picked this one up. This is how I remember the earlier books, keeps you reading so you can find out who did it. New twist on something you never think twice about.
Bloody Mary by JA Konrath. 5 stars.
Loved it! I read Whiskey Sour in a day, and same with this. Intriguing characters, and this book is a bit darker then the first. Can't wait to read the next one!
Trishajr@aol.com
I just completed reading Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha and I enjoyed it. The details let the reader see how life was for a geisha and what became of one of them. This remarkable woman now resides in the United States. Her story was difficult to read at times because it is hard to read about cruelty and deception, especially when directed at a character you are liking. The author makes you feel empathy. It is a great and marvelously detailed picture of Japanese life before and during World War ll.
Another book I really enjoyed was Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. It is fiction yet based on a true story of an English town in 1666 that decided to quarantine itself so as not to spread the plague to neighboring villages. This was done by placing a list of needed items on a rock outside the village where the neighboring village would leave the necessary items and so the area survived without a staggering number of dead. The surprising aspect of this book was the hope that kept the main character (who tells the story) alive and sane. The bravery under such distress and pain is inspiring. This is an excellent first novel and I want Geraldine Brooks to write more books.
JCAMP2020@aol.com
Eldest by Christopher Paolini. 5 stars.
After waiting a long time since Paolini wrote Eragon, we finally got Book Two of his Inheritance series. It is just as good as his first novel. Hard to believe how young this author is and how much talent!!
If you like books like The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series, read these!
bmwhokie@yahoo.com
I just finished Rita Mae Brown's new fox hunting mystery, The Hunt Ball. What an awesome mixture of mystery, laughter and education! I really think that this is the best one yet in this series. I read it at a pace that made me feel as if I were sitting on the back of one of the horses flying through the woods! There is so much to learn in this novel, and not just about fox hunting. The characterization is excellent. The plot is, as always, very fast-paced and the mystery is not solved until the very last pages --- always a pleasant "plus" with any mystery. Rita Mae has done it again! Cannot wait for the next one!
Dotteez@aol.com
I just finished Twilight at Mac's Place by Ross Thomas. He has written another clever story with great characters and deftly skewers Washington types and the CIA in particular. His books are always entertaining with a mix of intrigue and humor. 4 stars
I also just finished Lawrence Block's Burglar on the Prowl. His protagonist, Bernie Rhodenbarr, is a bookstore owner/burglar who is, as usual, in hot water and over his head. It's full of funny situations and a very good read. 5 stars.
seboldthefourth@yahoo.com
My latest recommendations for Bookreporter are as follows:
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. 5 stars.
Mr. P has a way of creating really grotesque characters that somehow seem more human than ordinary people. This book charts the trials of a group of aspiring writers, brought together for a three-month writer's retreat. That alone is enough loaded material for anyone. Segue into the following:
Katzenjammer by Jackson McCrae. 5 stars.
Again, the writing theme. This time, a writer, struggling in New York, does anything and everything to get published. The result is funny and, at the same time, disturbing. With inside information on how the publishing industry works, how things get on the bestseller list, and what it takes to get your book in the right hands, this is a must for anyone who can read.
Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood. 4 stars.
Breaking my pattern here. The musical Cabaret was based on this book. That said, I was a little disappointed in how much it wasn't like the movie/play. Even so, it was interesting in its own way.
iliana@book-girl.info
Four books that I've recently read are:
Affinity by Sarah Waters. 5 stars.
Beautiful prose and amazing storytelling.
Murder on a Girl's Night Out by Anne George. 2 stars.
Funny at times, but the mystery was too simplistic.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. 4 stars.
Interesting premise.
A Venetian Reckoning by Donna Leon. 5 stars.
A great atmospheric read.
amy.gross@cingular.com
Faithless by Karin Slaughter. 4 stars.
The Truth About Hillary by Edward Klein. 5 stars.
California Girl by T. Jefferson Parker. 3 stars.
Lifeguard by James Patterson. 5 stars. (anything by James Patterson is worth 5 stars)
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich. 5 stars.
Sharon in Ohio
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. 5 stars!
Author Sue Monk Kidd tells the story of Lily, a teenager who struggles to learn more about her dead mother and finds herself in the company of a beekeeper's family and friends --- the first warm and loving environment Lily has ever known. As with any well-written book, I came to know the characters and felt transported into their lives each time I picked up the book. A wonderful story!
Megan from Buffalo, NY
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. 4 stars.
Reminiscent of Memoirs of a Geisha. Beautifully written and a wonderful insight into the Chinese culture.
Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons. 3 stars.
Great story and wonderful characters --- a bit overly melodramatic, though.
Prep: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld. 3 stars.
Hard to describe --- I didn't like the main character but I couldn't stop reading the book. It was not the typical poor girl in the snobby rich school. All characters had flaws and strengths.
JASSCS@aol.com
The best book of the summer is Tyrannosaur Canyon by Douglas Preston. If you are looking for a different book, one filled with mystery, adventure, science and history, this is a 5-star book. It is about space and dinosaurs and more and more! I recommend this book for all ages, male and female. The best to date for Mr. Preston.
lindakt@gra.midco.net
Thirteen Steps Down by Ruth Rendell. 5 stars.
Half Broken Things by Morag Joss. 5 stars.
These two upcoming novels of psychological suspense will keep fans of this genre tense and happy. Rendell is of course unbeatable in this story of a strange relationship between an elderly homeowner and her younger tenant --- a relationship that goes very and creakingly wrong.
If one scare isn't enough, grab up Half Broken Things, which is a close contender. Three needy people end up living together in a secluded country home where their dreary lives evolve into a disastrous fantasy.
Anonymous
Just read Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag. Definitely a good read. 5 stars.
dfowler1@insight.rr.com
I just finished Touching Evil by Kay Hooper. It was awesome. It made me laugh and it made me cry at the ending, Kay Hooper at her best. 5 stars.
I am currently rereading Karin Slaughter's Blindsighted. I am about to buy her new book and I wanted to refamiliarize myself with her characters. She's definitely one of my favorite authors.
lntmolitor@sbcglobal.net
I am currently reading Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews. I have only read about 100 pages, but I am enjoying it. I have done a lot of laughing which is good for the soul.
kiuki@cox.net
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. 5 stars.
Beautiful, heartbreaking story of female friendship in China. The two girls sworn to lifelong friendship (laotong) write each other in the secret language (nu shu). The story spans the life of Lily, the narrator, starting with childhood foot binding, marriage, birth, death, war. The life of a woman in early 20th century China was difficult at best, and the friendship gave them something wonderful at times and heartbreaking at others. Life differs greatly for each depending on arranged marriages, in-laws, and life's trials.
The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier. 4 stars.
The story of two women born centuries apart who are bonded by family legacy. Sixteenth-century Isabelle du Moulin, a midwife, and twenty-first century Ella Turner, a midwife, share a profession, a familial legacy concerning the Virgin Mary, the color blue, and red hair. The parallel stories of their lives are intriguing and entertaining. Ella is drawn to her familial past and begins a journey that is part detective story, part historical fiction. This is the debut novel for Tracy Chevalier, and although it is not quite up to her subsequent, Girl with a Pearl Earring, it is indeed worthy to be read and enjoyed.
harrises@bayou.com
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks. I'm just starting so I will give it 3 stars and will update later. I am on page 92.
kimberlyd@gmail.com
Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way by Bruce Campbell. 2 1/2 stars.
Bruce is a B movie actor of whom I happen to be a big fan. I eagerly read his last book, If Chins Could Kill, which detailed the trials and tribulations, as well as the hilarity, that goes with being a B movie actor. I loved that book. So I was excited when his new book came out. But this is nothing like the first --- this is a fictional account of him landing a big movie role. I'm very sad to admit that I find the entire thing to be silly and unentertaining. He's so much more fun when he's writing about the truth of his life than when making up a story about himself. I still love the guy and will continue to watch his movies, but I don't recommend this book.
Jessieface@aol.com
In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner. 4 stars.
I read her first book as well. They are both good.
Black Creek Crossing by John Saul. 5 stars.
It was awesome! I also read Nightshade by John Saul as well. Both were great.
Secret Smile by Nicci French. 5 stars.
I have read all her books and loved them all.
Those are my recommendations. They were all great books.
phdkrameredu@hotmail.com
Children's Corner by Jackson McCrae. 5 stars.
Brilliant collection of short stories about loss. They range from heartbreaking to morbid, and from hilarious to shocking. Really well-done tales with a beginning, middle, and end. One novella in the collection "Crook" is about a woman with Alzheimer's. The funniest of the bunch is a takeoff on those "Christmas letters" we all get, titled "Christmas Comes But Once a Year." Hysterical.
nll9017@earthlink.net
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen. 5 stars.
Jane Rizzoli, a homicide detective with the Boston Police Department, apprehends a criminal in court when she's nine months pregnant and about to give birth. She ends up at the hospital. In the meantime Dr. Maura Isles, the medical examiner, has made a gruesome discovery. One of the dead bodies in her refrigerator is actually alive. Dr. Isles helps revive the person, who ends up taking her hostage. Dr. Isles escapes, but Olena takes on more hostages. Gabriel Dean, Jane's husband and an FBI agent, is beside himself with worry when he discovers his wife is one of the hostages. There is a lot going on, as Olena and Milla's story is interwoven with the hostage taking, and Gabriel's and Jane's post-investigation of the case. By the end, it is a good case of who do you trust? It is a distressing story of young women who vanish without any questions. At the same time, the love Gabriel and Jane have for one another helps sustain the story as they welcome their new baby home. A great read that you do not want to put down until finished.
Double Tap by Steve Martini. 5 stars.
Madelyn Chapman is the CEO of Isotenics, Inc., a computer software company. When Madelyn wants something --- a new car, a glass sculpture, or a government contract --- she does not hesitate to name her price. After a recent shopping expedition, she is mercilessly gunned down in her home. The police quickly track down her killer, Emiliano Ruiz, her former bodyguard and a career soldier. All the evidence seemingly points to him as the killer. However, Paul Madriani and his partner Harry Hinds slowly unravel the threads surrounding the charges. Paul is haunted by thoughts of his uncle, a soldier in Korea during the 1950s, throughout the trial. Double Tap is a well-written thriller that shows Paul Madriani's legal genius, as well as his love for family. Double Tap keeps you guessing until the very end. Terrific read!
Third Girl from the Left by Martha Southgate. 4 stars.
Angela Edwards escapes stifling Tulsa, Oklahoma in the early 1970s to try to make it as an actress in Los Angeles. No one told her that it would be easy, and it's nothing like the movies Angela saw growing up. Angela meets Sheila Jenkins, who invites her to room with her. She acts as a mentor to Angela, even helping to get her a job as playboy bunny. Angela is torn between her love for Sheila and for Rafe Madigan, a somewhat successful actor. Angela forgets her birth control and ends up having his baby in the mid-1970s. Estranged from her family, she tries going home, but realizes her home is with Sheila. Her mother Mildred and her daughter Tamara's stories are put side by side with that of Angela's. The chapters follow the three women in chasing their dreams, falling in love, making mistakes, and realizing how important family is to them. A delightfully well-written story that makes you think.
KINDLEELF@aol.com
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 5 stars. Exceptional.
stephaniekrantz@sbcglobal.net
I just finished reading Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure. I give it a rating of 5 --- I thought it was outstanding. This is Ure's debut novel and I can't wait to see more of her work. It's the story of two sisters, Amaryllis (Amy) and Calla. Amy survived a brutal rape, but was not able to cope with the after-effects. She tries to commit suicide and ends up in a coma. Her sister, Calla, works as a jury consultant to support Amy and cares for her deeply. But she has after-effects of the attack too and her life has been forever changed as well. She is called on to work on the trial of an accused rapist/murderer, Raymond Cates, and sees many parallels between his case and her sister's. She begins to suspect that Cates could have been the one who attacked her sister. She sets out to prove that Cates was not involved with her sister so that she can objectively work on his jury selection. Well, it's so much better than I have made it sound --- take a chance on this one, you won't be sorry.
Jeananne from Whittier, CA
I began reading Tony Hillerman books only four years ago or so and have recently gone back to fill in by reading the first books of his Navajo mysteries. I have just finished The Blessing Way and have The Ghostway waiting.
Reading a series out of order has always been interesting to me, both discovering details of the backstory and noticing the author's evolution. In this case, although there is a formula, Hillerman has expanded the stories and developed a greater number of recurring characters as the series unfolds.
Personally, I prefer other kinds of fiction to thrillers, but have been captured by the anthropological explanations, landscape descriptives and character development. The Blessing Way is a typical Hillerman story with clues, both applicable and not, spelled out for the reader. The characters are somewhat less developed than in later books and side characters, such as Leaphorn's wife, are barely mentioned. Connections between characters are logical and well explained. Perhaps what Hillerman does best, after entertaining the reader, is to provide a culmination for the plot action and couple it with a sense of the future --- an indication that life goes on. This is one of the things I enjoy about this series.
bradylee@myway.com
Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer. 5 stars. Published 1953 with 456 pages (large print).
If you wish to know what the country Tibet was like before the Chinese took it over, you will get many details by reading this book. The author covers the years 1944 through 1951 when he and a friend escape a POW camp in India and escape to Tibet. Little did they know the suffering they would endure and how wonderful their lives eventually become with the people (including the Dalai Lama) and their way of life. The accomplishments they realize and the lifelong associations they experience are wonderful to behold. This is a story of love of time, of place, and of people. Uplifting? You bet it is!
bencanada1@yahoo.com
By a Spider's Thread by Laura Lippman. 5 stars.
Interesting and suspenseful novel that enthralls and captivates the reader. Excellent character portrayal and writing that captures the story and never lets up.
mcguirebaseballhoteli8e@yahoo.com
Runaway by Alice Munro. 4 stars.
Short story collection that is well written and actually "about" something. Some of the stories are better than others. Munro is a Canadian and her style is unique.
Children's Corner by J.T. McCrae. 4 stars.
Saw a review in the New York Times and decided to buy this book. Another collection of tales, more along the lines of David Sedaris meets some other serious author. Good stuff.
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. 4 stars.
Not as good as The Secret Life of Bees but still better than most stuff; it's about a mid-life crisis and all that goes with that territory.
PFLucas@aol.com
Good Harbor by Anita Diamant. 5 stars.
The story of a friendship between two women who live in a small coastal community. It is a story of families, secrets, loss, and the power of friendship. Published in 2001 by the same author of The Red Tent, it is a compelling read.
Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton. 3 stars.
This is a first in a new series set in a small town in Colorado. The author has used a real knitting shop in Fort Collins, CO and the annual Rocky Mountain Wool Fair in Estes Park as the inspiration for the setting. A young woman, Kelly Flynn, returns to her hometown of Colorado from Washington D.C. following the murder of her only aunt and discovers that the motive and suspect don't seem to match. With the help of newfound friends at the knitting shop, she not only solves the murder, but also learns to knit. This is a quick read for those who enjoy both knitting and mysteries.
TereseRose
A first novel by Beth Goldner, The Number We End Up With, is a strong 5! It is a wonderful story with a wonderful group of characters and a message not to be forgotten. I highly recommend this book. I also read Widow of the South and give it a 4. An interesting tale of the Civil War based on an actual love story.
Mary in Wamego, KS
I just found Linda Barnes and have read three of her books in the past week. Steel Guitar kept me reading until I finished the book and hunted out the rest I had on hand. Carlotta Carlyle is a woman worth knowing. 5 stars.
A Trouble of Fools has characters that we all know but seldom see as the center of such intrigue. Well-plotted and exciting. 5 stars.
Snapshot took a completely different kind of direction from the other two books, but again had to be finished in short order. While the story line did not hold my attention as well through the middle, the end was superb. Again the characters are as important as the plot and are people you want to know better. 4 1/2 stars.
kelley899@yahoo.com
Currently reading The Pleasure of Finding Things Out by Richard P. Feynman. Very interesting reading. 4 stars.
Also recently read This Pen For Hire by Laura Levin. A very fun cozy mystery. 4 stars.
lgettle@iserv.net
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. 5 stars.
Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on an air ship who is having so many adventures that he can hardly catch his breath. Plenty of action in this imaginary world.
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. 3 stars.
Samantha Sweeting is an excellent lawyer and has been offered a partnership in her firm. But while asking directions, she is mistaken for an interviewee and offered a job as a housekeeper. She can't even boil water. Then she meets Nathaniel. An amusing story.
gladysmp@wt.net
Tell Me No Lies by Annie Solomon contains suspense, romance, human interest, foreign intrigue, a bit of everything. Annie Solomon has a distinct talent for making her characters believably real. You'll love the cop, hate the villain, enjoy every page. 5 stars.
lvalois@valornet.com
I just finished Vanish by Tess Gerritsen. I give it 5 stars. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It only took me a weekend to read it. Once you start this you don't want to put it down.
Also, I just finished Dandelions in a Jelly Jar by Tracy DePree. It is a bit lighter but a good story. It is a Christian fiction that doesn't overpower you. It gave a good look at rural Minnesota life. I give it 4 stars.
CorinnaBonk@westat.com
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling. 4 stars.
I am only midway through this book but it is so much better than the one before. I am really enjoying this one.
BlindlyBookish@aol.com
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray. 5 stars.
Lush, beautiful, rich, and absorbing. A great Victorian fantasy with words like poetry. I can't wait to read the sequel! (It is a trilogy!)
Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel. 4 stars.
This is an ARC and I haven't completely finished it yet. It is, so far, a fantastic adventure story. I am loving it. I hadn't read the book that preceded this one, but now I really want to!
Small Eternities by Michael Lawrence. 4 stars.
This is another ARC. I absolutely adored the first in the trilogy (A Crack in the Line) and I was expecting a LOT from this one. And I have to say, in a lot of ways I was disappointed. It was still really good and the shocker of an ending certainly made up for it, but in the end I was surprised at how much it lagged.
JCAMP2020@aol.com
Eldest by Christopher Paolini. 5 stars.
Worth the wait for the second in the Inheritance Trilogy by this young author. Now Eragon's cousin Roran is brought fully into the story of the Varden and its struggle against the Empire.
One Shot by Lee Child. 3 1/2 stars.
Love the Jack Reacher novels, but this left me not quite satisfied. Kind of thin on storyline and on Jack himself.
MomOMol@aol.com
I've just finished The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. 4 stars.
Reading The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs by Alexander McCall Smith. I just started it but it seems like an easy, enjoyable read, so I'll give it an advance 4.
My book club is reading One Hundred Years of Solitude but I just can't connect, so I'll have to give it a 1. I will be interested to see what the other members of my club say about it!
AudriCarr@aol.com
The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr. Best book I read this month.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Hard to get into.
Fury by Robert Tanenbaum. Very wordy and dragged out.
Polar Shift by Clive Cussler. Intriguing.
Point Blank by Catherine Coulter. Boring.
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen. An excellent, fast-moving and interesting read.
The Closers by Michael Connelly. Fast-moving and suspenseful.
Map of Bones by James Rollins. A different plot and a good read.
nortomb@webtv.net
I just finished Irish Cream by Andrew Greeley. I give it 5 stars. I have enjoyed all of the Nuala Anne books. I like the way Greeley connects the two stories going on at the same time. I couldn't put it down.
I was disappointed with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. I give it 3 stars. The last third of the book was what kept my interest.
hawkes@citlink.net
Nevada Barr's Deep South, set on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi, is the eighth in the Anna Pigeon series. Murder and mystery involving a young girl and a love interest for Anna. This is one of my favorite books in the series. 5 stars.
Blood Lure, set in Glacier/Waterton National Peace Park, is Nevada Barr's ninth book in the Anna Pigeon series. Bears, Murder and More Mystery. 3 stars.
If you couldn't tell by now --- I am a big fan of the Anna Pigeon mystery series.
Flashback by Nevada Barr is number 11 in the series and takes place on Dry Tortugas National Park with mystery and murder colliding from the past and the present. 5 stars.
gloriadei@tcei.com
Beginner's Luck and Heart's Desire by Laura Pedersen. I had never read any of her books before and found them on Booklist --- I've really enjoyed the characters and story line. 3 stars each.
Queen of Dreams by Chitra Divakaruni. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book very much; it was story-driven, but also gave great insights on what it was like to be an Indian American after 9/11. I will recommend this to my book club.
Bag of Bones by Stephen King.
Even if you usually don't enjoy Stephen King (which I do) give this book a try! It's about being haunted, marriage, the younger woman, what remains in love and dreams beyond death. Also, his version of Rebecca.
JASSCS@aol.com
This week I read Immoral by Brian Freeman. If you have not read this book, run, do not walk, to the nearest bookstore for a copy. It will keep you on the edge of your chair until the very last page. I give it at least 4 stars and maybe 5!
bradylee@myway.com
The Colonel and Little Missie by Larry McMurtry. Published 2005 with 229 pages + index. 4 stars.
This is the first book I have read by this renowned author and he does a very good job in relating a thumbnail sketch of the times and the influence of Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley in our country and throughout the world. Both stars had a personality that was ingratiating, but Buffalo Bill even more so. He was open and most gregarious and generous while Annie was very personal and controlled and a penny pincher. If you want to know more about what this country was like from the 1860s to 1914, then you will get a lot out of this book.
To Speak of Many Things: A Memoir by Matys Fox. Published 2004 with 240 pages. 4 stars. First, I must say this is a very easy and fast book to read as the contents will keep you going to the end. It is a story about a 5 year old Jewish boy, born in Germany, who has an event happen in his early age that keeps him out of the clutches of the authorities permanently. That event is life-changing and marks the real beginning of his life, which sets his future for many, many years to come. I won't tell you what it is, as his life melds into one most interesting happenstance to another under the eyes of the Gestapo. After WWII, these happenstances occur in bunches that keep the reader going to just one more chapter...'til the end.
dglg@telus.net
The House in Amalfi by Elizabeth Adler is a wonderful read with such flowing descriptions of Italy and its beauty that it makes one want to take a trip there. A great story of a young woman who goes back to Italy on the Amalfi coast where she grew up as a child with her father. She returns to try to find happiness again after the death of her husband in America, and is confronted with secrets and memories from her past. Once you start this book it is hard to put down. I would rate it 4 stars.
Anonymous
My entries are Angelhair and Until Then both written by Joseph A. Noga. Angelhair is the story of a father whose young daughter is kidnapped. All three main characters are very well described and relatable. The book is an emotional and psychological story that keeps the reader always turning the page. A good read for all ages. Until Then is a sequel to Angelhair with old characters returning and new ones entering. The suspense of the first book continues and grows, like one's attachment to the characters, into the second book.
Debby236@aol.com
I am reading an old novel by Dara Joy called Knight of a Trillion Stars. She has a very light style with a lot of humor added. I give this one a 5.
Anonymous
The Vanished Man by Jeffery Deaver. 4 stars.
This Lincoln Rhyme mystery involving a cunning magician/murderer is suspenseful and unusual.
Letters from a Nut by Ted L. Nancy. 5 stars.
My hand covering my mouth was necessary, so as not to awaken anyone with the outbursts of laughter this book caused.
One Last Time by John Edward. 5 stars.
ON MY ALL-TIME TOP 10 LIST --- Suspend your disbelief and read this book. I have recommended it to everyone who'll listen. Even if you've never watched Mr. Edward's TV show "Crossing Over," you'll enjoy this book. Here's a guy who is just as mystified as you or I would be to discover he has this amazing ability to receive messages from departed loved ones. I often read with my mouth agape. Mr. Edwards comes across as a down-to-earth everyman who just happens to have extraordinary abilities.
And for all the naysayers... if he is a phony, he and his editors should win a prize for best fiction for this collection of stories. They're more phenomenal than most of the popular fiction I've read in a long, long time.
dfowler1@insight.rr.com
Just finished Karin Slaughter's new book Faithless. She had a book signing about an hour from where I live, so I went and met her and got a signed copy. First, if you ever get a chance to, you should meet her. She was fascinating to listen to, and seemed to truly appreciate her fans. Now the book...
Any of you who thought Karin was too violent and graphic should try again. This book is not as violent, but still edge-of-your-seat. I, for one, will be very sorry when her Grant County series is over. This was not my favorite of her books but still an awesome book, and a definite 5 stars.
GerryD8784@aol.com
Sarah 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, and less than satisfying, 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 bi-polar 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.
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" ("old sames") 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.
Haneymeh@aol.com
I have just read Second Sight by Philip R. Craig and William G. Tapply. I have read all of Craig's books, but this is the first one with Tapply. It takes place on Martha's Vineyard and they both have mysteries to solve. They each take every other chapter to tell their stories. Good fun and good mystery. I give it 4 stars.
Also I have just finished James Lee Burke's Crusader's Cross --- again, his writing is exceptional and his descriptions of the bayou country and New Orleans is poetic. He never disappoints me, and is one of my favorite authors. I give it 5+ stars.
sears@lsol.net
Currently, I'm reading Andrea Levy's Small Island --- a wonderful novel told by four narrators. Great characterization! Set before and after World War II, the novel explores how the lives of two Jamaicans and two Englishmen intersect. 5+ stars.
I'm also "reading"/listening to Anne Tyler's Amateur Marriage. It's really good and VERY engaging to listen to. The characters lead lives one wants to know more about. Well worth picking up. 5 stars.
TangleOaksInfo@aol.com
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. 4 1/2 stars!!!!
Awesome book... it could happen to you or your family.
Double Tap by Steve Martini. 5 stars!!!!!
I'm in line to buy or borrow any Martini when announced; I always learn from him.
hawadenpruzhan@yahoo.com
My current reading list for this month includes the following titles:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. 4 stars.
A curious book, the story is told through the eyes of a Sherlock Holmes obsessed autistic teenager. The main character finds his neighbor's poodle impaled on a pitchfork and decides to find out the why's and how's. Very unusual, with a style that many might find hard to accept at first, it is nevertheless satisfying and a short read.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 4 stars.
Graphic and sometimes violent, this book is well-crafted and packs a punch. The story takes place over forty years or more and is a tale of friendship. But the fact that it has multiple locales and gives us an inside view into the Islamic culture is a plus.
Katzenjammer by Jackson McCra. 5 stars.
It's extremely well-crafted, as are all of McCrae's books. This look at New York, corporate America, publishing, and "how not to mess up your life" is hilarious, entertaining, and a full-out rollicking roller-coaster of a ride. Anyone who has ever been slighted, abused, mistreated, or given the short end of any stick will warm to this story.
The Notebook by Nicholas Spark. 5 stars.
Warm and touching, this tale of a couple and their remembrances is not most literary readers' cup of tea. But I thought it was well-written and the ending was quite a shock. A very good read with not a lot of violence or graphic scenes. Still, it is an emotional book.
janenoel2@gmail.com
Lies My Teacher Told Me by Dr. James W. Loewen. 4 stars.
I learned how much I don't know about American History. History classes were always a boring list of facts memorized for the next test. Dr. Loewen compared twelve commonly used American history textbooks to primary and secondary source materials and talked about many of the misleading "myths" taught in our school. For example, no one seriously thought the world was flat when Columbus crossed the Atlantic or that a plague had decimated Indian cultures along the east coast before the Pilgrims arrived. Fascinating book.
Thank You for Smoking by Christopher Buckley. 3 stars.
I'm about halfway through this amusing, cynical story of a spokesperson for the tobacco industry. Nick Naylor is a slick, savvy media professional/lobbyist that everyone loves to hate. (His friends are from the gun lobby and alcohol lobby.)
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown. 3 stars.
Pretty typical of a Dan Brown story. The government has a supercomputer that can decode any encrypted message, but someone is out to expose the secret and release an encryption code to the public that can't be decoded --- even by the supercomputer. The plot is full of twists, turns, and secret codes. Inexperienced professor himself in a heroic situation with a tall, leggy, beautiful --- and smart --- woman. (Though this time he's engaged to her). I liked it better than Angels and Demons, but not as much as The Da Vinci Code.
janrogoway@earthlink.net
The Kite Runner is a reading experience par excellence! I found it hard to believe that it was a work of fiction, and liked it so much that I ordered the CD version so my husband (who somehow doesn't have time to read much) can listen to it while driving around the city. I found it to be one of the best books I've read in years.
jrsale@verizon.net
Shadows by Edna Buchanan is my current choice to recommend. I have read all her previous books and she always pleases. If 5 is the best, then this is a 5.
Janet Evanovich's paperback, Love Overeboard, is a quick romance with the wonderful hero and the rather naive heroine. I much prefer her Trenton female. Good reading on the deck with a cool drink and not using your brain too much. It's a 3, I guess.
Beth from Sioux Falls
I just finished Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper and thoroughly enjoyed it. 4 1/2 stars. I am also reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. I am planning to re-read The Time Traveler's Wife for a book retreat --- I'd give this one 4 stars. Then, I'm hoping for a little "light" reading with a couple of "Tea Shop" mysteries.
outrunnin@centurytel.net
Currently, I am reading I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson and I am having so much fun with it. I'm over halfway done and it is laugh-out-loud funny. I'm a stay-at-home mom now but I used to be a working mom with children and so many things in this book ring true. So far it's 3 1/2 stars.
I just finished Open House by Elizabeth Berg; though it is not one of her best books, it was a fast read that made me really feel for the main character, whose husband walked out on her and she had to get her life back together and keep on. Only 2 stars from me, the sorrow was too much.
newcrain@charter.net
Rage by Jonathan Kellerman. 4 stars.
Good plotting and characterization, but what bad, bad, bad people are in the world. If you're bothered by reading too much about society's underbelly, you might not like this one!
susanrjensen@yahoo.com
Rococo by Adriana Trigiani. 2 1/2 stars.
Trigiani's newest novel focuses on Bartolomeo di Crespi, the only interior designer in his small town. "B," as he is called by friends and family, is a bachelor whose primary love is his work. His lifelong dream has been to redecorate the church he has attended faithfully since he was a boy, but when he finally lands the job, he is paralyzed by the project. As if that wasn't enough, B has to deal with his colorful Italian family, a fiancee he is not in love with, and a beautiful colleague who doesn't need him. Although the plot sounds interesting, I was very disappointed with this book. I didn't like the main character, and the endless details about interior decorating bogged down the plot, which incidentally is much more trite and predictable than it sounds. Trigiani is a fabulous writer and, frankly, I expected more from her.
Crescent by Diana Abu-Jaber. 4 stars.
Sirine, a 30-something chef who lives with her devoted Iraqi uncle in an Arab community in Los Angeles, finds herself falling in love. Han, a handsome Iraqi professor, finds Sirine irresistible, but is reluctant to reveal all of his past to her. As Sirine struggles to solve the puzzle of Han's past, she must also deal with her own issues as a person of mixed races. A fascinating, multi-layered book that I found rich and satisfying.
Lvchoclat@aol.com
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. 4 stars.
I read this while on vacation, and I couldn't put it down. A doctor delivers his own twins on a snowy night. One is born with Down Syndrome and he asks the nurse to take it to a home for retarded children. He tells his wife the twin died, but the nurse, instead, takes the baby and raises it as her own. The repercussions of this act on the entire cast of characters define their whole lives. Fabulous!!!
T. Shaw from Scottsdale, AZ
Just about everyone has experienced the end of a friendship. In The Friend Who Got Away, edited by Jenny Offill & Elissa Schappell, 20 female writers expose the myriad of situations in which a friendship can wither and die. For as many ways as there is to make a friend, there are as many ways to lose one. This is an interesting read, though kind of a downer when you think about it. There are no real happy endings, just lessons learned and friends lost.
h_golightly19@yahoo.com
Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner. 4 stars.
This funny, quick read is great for fans of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" or "Desperate Housewives."
Rosie Dunne by Cecelia Ahern. 4 stars.
A bittersweet love story revolving around childhood best friends Alex and Rosie is a fast read told through e-mails and letters.
Bjglu@aol.com
Driving from Michigan to Florida, I listened to Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men on CD. 3 stars. Kept my interest, but may not have if I hadn't been a captive audience.
PPFQP@aol.com
The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn-Beer. 4 1/2 stars.
It doesn't feel right to call a story "wonderful" when it is about such an ugly subject, but this tale from the Holocaust deserves that label. The author, a Jewish girl from Vienna, has a firsthand view of Hitler's rise to power and oppression of the Jews. Her experiences are truly remarkable, and she describes the conditions of that time with brutal honesty and clarity, helping the reader to understand the mindset of the citizens, both Jew and Gentile.
PS, I Love You by Cecilia Ahern. 3 1/2 stars.
I enjoyed this chick-lit tale of a widow's journey to overcome her grief after her young husband succumbs to brain cancer. It's witty and sweet, but it's just too long! I would have accorded it a much higher rating if it wrapped up more quickly.
Sarah's Quilt: The Continuing Story of Sarah Agnes Prine by Nancy E. Turner. 4 stars.
This sequel to These Is My Words revisits the character of Sarah Prine, now middle-aged with grown children. As in the first work, she faces calamity after calamity, always with an undying spirit of vigor and grit. I loved the chance to reconnect with this spunky character, but other readers may feel lost without knowing the history of this truly American pioneer family.
Rococo by Adriana Trigiani. 2 stars.
Yawn...Trigiani's latest is a disappointment. Although her characters are cleverly crafted, I just couldn't connect with them enough to care. I rushed through the book so that I could move on to better things.
The Last Convertible by Anton Myrer. 3 1/2 stars.
This is a coming-of-age saga about a group of college friends at Harvard on the cusp of World War II. It's rich and nostalgic, and a fun way to browse American history from the perspective of "the greatest generation."
Reitzd858@aol.com
I just read Fire Sale by Sara Paretsky, and I give the book 4 stars. It was very good --- you get wrapped up in her character and the people of Southside Chicago.
Aileen from MA
The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer. 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book, although it felt a little slow for my mood.
Gone for Good by Harlan Coben 4+ stars.
This was my first Coben book and I will definitely be reading more of them. This book is full of twists and turns that will try to keep you guessing up until the very last page!
tomjac0850@charter.net
I just finished reading American Soldier by General Tommy Franks. This was a fine autobiography by the General who was the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Central Command during the Iraq War. While much of the book could only be truly appreciated by a military person familiar with their unique terminology and acronyms, Franks has a fine story to tell of his early years, his time in Vietnam, and his elevation from an enlisted Army man to a four-star general, planning and conducting a highly successful mission. Tommy Franks is the George Patton of our time, but with a sense of humor and humility. 4 stars.
Goycrazy@aol.com
Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox. 4 1/2 stars.
This is an inspiring memoir by one of the world's most extraordinary athletes. Even if you've never given much thought to long-distance swimming, you will be in awe of Lynne, her courage and the visionary projects she's accomplished.
Curtis from Denver, CO
See a Grown Man Cry - Now Watch Him Die by Henry Rollins. 3 1/2 stars.
Rollins, a true Renaissance man, gives us a little insight into his dark world circa 1988-1992. While on tour with the Rollins Band, Rollins shares selected essays, journal entries, and thoughts. He's an artist who truly loves his craft and it's the only thing that keeps him afloat during this bleak and often depressing period in his life. This books suffers from being a little redundant, and don't expect a juicy rock star "tell all." See a Grown Man Cry and Now Watch Him Die was previously two separate volumes now compiled into one. This is one of the most intense, raw, and emotional collection of writings you will ever read.
jreimold@cox.net
I just finished The Lost German Slave Girl by John Bailey. It was interesting because the writer, who is a lawyer, includes in the story different articles from the historical trial. Having lived in the South for 21 years, I can very easily see how this story is an account of the terrible history of slavery. It is interesting that most of the news today is about the black slavery, but this book points out that there were slaves/indentured servants and other classifications of servitude who suffered as well, though not to the same degree. It shows the unbelievable arrogance of the Southern men and the backing that the Southern Government gave them in the 1800s. They had the feeling they were superior to others. I give this book a 5.
Heather Walker from Victoria
Current reading recommendations:
The Collected Works of Billy the Kid by Michael Ondaatje.
This is a constant read of mine. Its size allows me to carry it in my purse so I can flip through the pages at the bus stop or in waiting rooms --- some of the pieces are short enough to get through in a few spare minutes, while others are longer and well-suited to lounging on the porch. This book is Western poetry. It's an entirely unique and literary interpretation of masculine culture, the cowboy culture, the outlaw culture. It's my favourite.
I'm reading War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy because it's one of those staples of the literary diet. And also because Chapters has it on sale for $20 in a sexy three-piece boxset. I never managed to finish Anna Karenina because it felt so outdated, and War and Peace has a very similar feeling to it --- at least in the first few chapters. I am an avid fan of Charles Dickens, who managed to write stories that remain fascinating and new even decades later, but I suspect Tolstoy is too distant from my current reality --- time and culture --- for me to truly appreciate his work.
4 stars = it's good because it's lasted this long, but it hasn't changed my life yet.
The best "women's book" I've read to date is Cunt: A Declaration of Independence by Inga Muscio. It combines philosophy, politics, biology, theory and real-life anecdotes to present a comprehensive (although at times frighteningly direct) treatise on being a woman in Western civilisation. 5 stars.
Generation X by Douglas Coupland
I have an affinity for "voice of a generation" books, like Jack Kerouac's On the Road, so I attempted Coupland's Generation X this summer. The risk of "defining voice of a generation" books is that readers from outside that generation don't empathise with the narrator or "get" the issues. I felt like I was reading a very boring diary.
2 stars = wrong generation.
Me Talk Pretty One Day by Devid Sedaris.
I laugh out loud when I read Sedaris's books. This is my favourite one.
5 stars = I like to laugh.
bski92@zoominternet.net
Fast Women and Strange Bedpersons, both by Jennifer Crusie. 4 stars.
Perfect for light reading and a few laughs. Both books are full of interesting characters and even some mystery. Definitely an author I will keep up with.
mandy41283@yahoo.com
The Sister Circle by Vonette Bright and Nancy Moser. 3 stars.
I have recently begun working at a local library (a booklover's dream!!) and this library stocks a lot of Women's Christian Fiction. I have never before been into this genre of books, but picked up this book, the first in a series. If you are looking for a light read surrounding women and their friendship --- with a little bit of spirituality thrown in --- this series is perfect. Evelyn Peerbaugh is recently widowed and decides to open her huge Victorian house as a boarding house to women. The plot line centers on the friendships and disagreements that result.
Round the Corner by Vonette Bright and Nancy Moser. 3 stars.
This is the second installment in the Sister Circle series. A deeper look into Piper and Audra's backgrounds, with the introduction of more characters and more boardinghouse roommates!
Without a Trace by Colleen Coble. 3 1/2 stars.
This is another series-beginning book, the Rock Harbor series. This is in the same genre as the Sister Circle books, that being Women's Contemporary Christian Fiction, but this author brings the element of mystery. Bree Nicholl's husband and son were in a plane crash a year ago, their bodies never found. Bree and her search dog Samson begin following clues that lead her to wonder if her husband and son are really dead. Great read...the second book is titled Beyond a Doubt.
4th of July by James Patterson. 4 stars.
I really am a fan of series books! This is the fourth book in Patterson's series featuring Lindsay Boxer. This is definitely the best in the series so far. Lindsay is involved in a shooting, resulting in her killing another individual. An investigation is launched in order to determine if Lindsay was justified in her shooting. Lindsay goes to stay with her sister in Half Moon Bay in order to relax and becomes involved in a murder investigation there. This is an excellent book!
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. 5 stars.
I love Harry Potter! I may be a 22 years old, but I love these books. I read very quickly, but I only read a couple of chapters a night in order to make this book last. I was very impressed with the manner in which Rowling approached the teenage years with Harry and his friends. Secrets that fans have been dying to learn since book one are finally revealed, and result in the reader just wanting more! I cannot wait for the next book to come out (though sadly it will be the last).
tunaross@nc.rr.com
Subtle Energy by William Collinge. 3 1/2 stars.
This book is an overview of different types of energy practices --- supposedly where ancient wisdom and modern science meet. It was worth reading but doesn't provide much in-depth information on any one practice. It's a good introduction for a beginner.
Case of Lies by Perri O'Shaughnessy. 4 1/2 stars.
This is the 11th in the Nina Reilly series and definitely one of the best. It's filled with surprises and complicated twists. I look forward to each new installment, and this one didn't disappoint me.
The Dangerous Hour by Marcia Muller. 4 1/2 stars.
Another in the Sharon McCone series, this book kept my interest throughout. Once again, Sharon comes under personal attack and must use her wits and experience to solve the mystery.
bradylee@myway.com
My Detachment: A Memoir by Tracy Kidder. Published 2005 with 192 pages. 4 stars.
I have read most of this author's books and I always find him interesting. He attended Harvard and while there joined the ROTC and after graduation went into the army and became an Intelligence Agent after attending a special school. He was eventually sent to Vietnam and this is his story of that period of his life as a second lieutenant and the men he was in charge of as well as a few details of the job. He was never in harm's way, but he was not really a military person either, so he details a lot of the spit and polish that goes along with the military life. It is most interesting as to everyday life then and how reality is so different from published articles about life in the Army.
joswood@msn.com
Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons. 5 stars.
Much of the charm of this book is in the strong sense of place inherent in the story. I feel that I have spent much time in the low country of South Carolina, when I have actually only visited it briefly in real life. The dolphins' "dance" on the shore of the river would be awesome to watch. The strong characters of Emily and Lulu were also so important in this wonderful book.
Long Time Gone by J.A. Jance. 5 stars.
I have never read a bad book by this author. I love both of her series --- Sheriff Joanna Brady in Arizona and J.P. Beaumont in Seattle. This one placed in Seattle provides two mysteries for the price of one. It's compelling, fascinating reading.
jmblindsay@cox.net
I just read The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg. 3 1/2 stars.
Parts of it were very insightful and entertaining. Other parts were pretty predictable.
kendall@fullnet.com
I'm reading Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell to my 8-year-old daughter, and it's a book that even has values for 40-year-olds!!! I give it 5 stars!
seetha.sansha@gmail.com
The Kashmir Affair: A Novel by Sai Sankalap. 5 stars.
Someone recommended The Kashmir Affair by Sai Sankalap and I have been reading it several times since the past few weeks. I couldn't savour the ending completely. It's just very surprising. I laughed aloud and spoke to close relatives about how could the ending be so surprising. I commend the author for his innovative idea in the novel. You MUST read the book for its Kashmir saga. I loved reading it.
ginadutton@iccamerica.com
The best book I have read is Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper --- this book is a real page-turner! I simply could not put the book down once I started reading and then I was shocked by the ending! I started crying at work, my colleagues became very concerned! Our book club at work started reading the book right after that!
gayledosher@bendbroadband.com
Land that Moves, Land that Stands Still by Kent Nelson. 5 stars!
This is a tremendously moving story, astoundingly replete with great humor, grave pathos, and a community of human beings that most of us would love to join! From Dawn, one of the most courageous fictional female characters I have ever met to Elton, the twitchy fourteen-year-old Native American boy to Mattie, the ever-wise and cool matriarch, all of Nelson's characters moved right into my heart while I read this lovely book. There are passages in this book that caused me to laugh out loud, a pretty bizarre experience when one lives and reads alone! Moreover, Nelson moves, in what seems a New York minute, to passages that moved me to tears. Nelson is not afraid to include the erotic side of his characters nor does he shy away from difficult human emotions and conflicts. Nelson has not attained the fame of a Stegner or a Steinbeck, but he certainly deserves attention. This is a must read! 5 stars!
mlskillin@montlib.org
We're reading Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith. 5 stars. We're also having a local author/professor speak on Hitchcock and the movie. The book is terrific (and different in some ways from the film). MANY people are asking to join based on this book.
canterburypl@snet.net
The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman for our next book discussion. 4 stars.
A woman struck by lightning with some surprises wrapped into her great character development. Not her best book but well worth reading. Her books are so fun to read because they are so unpredictable but her characters are so real.
Killing Time by Linda Howard. 2 1/2 stars.
Not usually my type of reading. Futuristic thriller with some romance. Enjoyable.
The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. 5 stars.
A first book success. This is the author whose book was published first on tape rather than print and it was only with the instance of Stephen King that the book got published at all. Wonderful story of an adult man coming of age and fighting his demons. This is not your typical type-A personality male that makes you love him more. A must-read.
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