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Janice Kind (KINDLEELF@AOL.COM)
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Rating: 5 Stars
A far-reaching,emotional, and educational novel. I have read it twice, as it has so many lessons to teach.
Peggy Jebavy
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
Rating: 4 Stars
Excellent, well-written book that gets the reader thinking about what he/she might do if put in the same situation (from many different angles). Great book group selection!
Wally Johnson (wendybrooks1@hotmail.com)
Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
Rating: 5 Stars
It is such a comfy read. I love all her books. Like a warm bath or a cup of soothing hot tea...
Joyce Kernan
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 5 Stars
Great story, like the other 11 books in the series. I hated for it to end because it will be so long before another one is released. I love these books!
LaDonna Carrington
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Rating: 4 Stars
This novel increased my understanding of the role of women in 19th-century China and the importance of foot binding during that time.
Lauren Watson (rhae5@comcast.net)
Fat Land by Greg Critser
Rating: 5 Stars
For a book of this style, FAT LAND: HOW AMERICANS BECAME THE FATTEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD is a light, yet in-depth read. Not exactly a book for escape, but a book everyone should read. FAT LAND takes a look at the specifc social and political choices that created the unhealthy lifestyle of most of American society. It is very interesting to look at how these choices have shaped the way Americans eat, and how what we eat has shaped our way of life. Greg Critser is an informed and witty writer, making this not only highly informative, but also a fun read. This book will change the way you see the food industry.
Diana from Ohio (dwestfa@insight.rr.com)
At Risk by Patricia Cornwell
Rating: 1 Stars
I have every one of Patricia Cornwell's books and have never been so disappointed in her until this one. There is no character development, and a very sloppy plot line. I felt like she had a deadline to meet and very quickly wrote a book. I would recommend saving your money or a trip to the library on this one.
Sandy
Cell by Stephen King
Rating: 3 Stars
I didn't really care for this book as much as some of his others, but parts of it were good.
Sandy
Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Rating: 4 Stars
I just finished listening to this one on tape and enjoyed it very much.
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
The Last Cato by Matilde Asensi
Rating: 3 Stars
THE LAST CATO is a wonderful book, once you plow through the first 100 pages or so. In fact, I put the book down many times, before I finally made myself continue. I am pleased that I plugged along. It is about the search for the True Cross of Jesus Christ, and the group who set out to steal (or take back) all the pieces of the Cross, they thought rightfully belonged to them.
A nun, a professor, and a Swiss Guard study Dante's DIVINE COMEDY to find clues to tasks that will lead them to The True Cross. The translation from Spanish is excellent. It is full of twists and intrigue. A must read. Thanks, Christy!
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
Sandcastles by Luanne Rice
Rating: 1 Stars
This is not up to the normal Rice standards. It is choppy and repeats itself.
Honor and John --- both artists --- fall in love, marry, and have three daughters. John is passionate and given to outbursts. Honor lives in fear for their marriage.
When John is accused of murder in Ireland, Honor takes the children and returns to the US. John is released from prison after 6 years, and tries to resume life with his family. (Interwoven is the story of John's sister Bernie, who is a nun with a secret.)
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
Perfect Nightmare by John Saul
Rating: 3 Stars
It has been many years since I have read a Saul novel. About half way through, I figured out who was guilty of kidnapping the two teenagers from their homes. It was still a thriller, and finding out why the girls were kidnapped was a shocker!
Darrin H.
Port of Climax by Rol Wellman
Rating: 5 Stars
This book is amazing! A true modern western saga! It touches every one of your emotions and is a must read by all!
I could only find it online through Trafford Publishing.
Trish T
Death and the Chapman by Kate Sedley
Rating: 4 Stars
This is the first of a series of murder mysteries set in the 14- and 1500s in Bristol, England, and thereabouts. My local library is having a contest (for adults, for a change) on how many mysteries set in another country you can read. I have read several historical/medieval ones set in England, and this is the best, mainly because the voice is so consistant and the details and language are very authentic (as far as I can tell, at least). I'm only giving it a 4 because I'm only halfway through.
Heather Murdock (h_owens99@hotmail.com)
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
Rating: 5 Stars
I really connected with the main characters. I went from having tears in my eyes to laughing out loud!
Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net)
At Risk by Patrica Cornwell
Rating: 2 Stars
I am still scratching my head over this one. At first, I really liked this book. I thought, "how could there be such poor reviews? This is a really good book." Then, I got to the end. I feel like a chunk of the book was ripped out. How did we get from point A to B?
The story is about Win Garano, whose boss has called him up to Boston to ask him to work on a cold case that happened in Tennesee, where he is training with the FBI. An old woman was murdered, brutally. Win is scratching his head trying to figure out why Monique Lamont had him travel all the way up there to ask him this when she could have easily done this over the phone. While he is still in Boston, he decides to see Monique at her home and walks in on a perp on the verge of murdering her, just after raping her. So Win stays in Boston and tries to figure out what's going on there. “At Risk” meant “any crime any time.” Due to DNA technology, Boston could solve “any crime any time,” including cold cases in the south. (Really lame idea, Cornwell.) Thankfully, this book was really short, though this is the reason why I think it's so bad --- there was not enough time to circle back and tie things together. This is pretty poor writing from a notable writer like Cornwell.
Judy
The Queen's Man by Sharon Kay Penman
Rating: 3 Stars
Story of secret traitors in Eleanor's court, with intrigue and mystery.
Trish T (trishthomas2@yahoo.com)
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Rating: 5 Stars
I don't know how I missed this book since it combines historical fiction, mystery, and time travel, but I am very grateful to our local children's librarian, Julie, for poiinting it out to me. (It's not a children's book, although it would be suitable for a teen.) A young man is beginning to have a bad reaction to moving about in time around the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in World War II, so he is sent to 1880s Oxford to recover --- punting on the Thames as an undergrad, teacakes, and so on.
Unfortunately, he has a lot more to do than this, or there wouldn't be any story, would there? The reason I liked this book so much is the authenticity of the period detail, as well as the narrator's voice, and the involving storyline.
Ruth
Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
Rating: 3 Stars
One of my favorite authors, but not one of my favorite books from her.
Ruth
Shopportunity! by Kate Newlin
Rating: 4 Stars
Very interesting commentary on the evolution of shopping and current trends.
Ruth
The Joys of Much Too Much by Bonnie Fuller
Rating: 3 Stars
Interesting memoir from the woman who has been in charge of several leading magazines.
Heather Murdock (h_owens99@hotmail.com)
Beach Road by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge
Rating: 5 Stars
This book keeps you guessing until the very end...
C MAJOR
The Book of Spirits by James Reese
Rating: 5 Stars
Just finished reading THE BOOK OF SPIRITS, the second book in James Reese's thrilling Herculine Saga, and simply could not put it down.
THE BOOK OF SPIRITS continues Reese's epic tale of a 19th-century French witch named Herculine, introduced in 2002's THE BOOK OF SHADOWS. With lush prose and an almost preternatural eye for historical detail, Reese delivers his mysterious witch to the shores of America in 1826. Arriving in Virginia, fate leads her to Mother-of-Venus, a mysterious old slave woman who is blessed with gifts both terrifying and strange, and to a young poet named Edgar Poe who is haunted by evils of the past. Under the mystical guidance of Mammy Venus, Herculine calls upon her powerful legacy to rescue Celia, a beautiful, damaged slave. Landing in the coastal wilds of Florida, Celia stirs passions --- and dark, otherworldly powers --- within Herculine, propelling them into an erotic obsession that only the missing witch, Sebastiana d'Azur, can break.
I can't recommend the Herculine Saga more strongly, check out both of these books before the third and final volume --- THE WITCHERY --- hits stores this fall!
Billie McHam (bmmcham@cox.net)
To Darkness and To Death by Judy Spencer-Fleming
Rating: 5 Stars
I have just finished reading all of her books. She is a fairly new writer, but her books are intriguing and very entertaining.
NMM911
Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley
Rating: 5 Stars
This book tells the story of the men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. It is so good that I limit myself to no more than 10 pages per day. As the daughter of a Marine, I thought I knew their stories, but this book is wonderful.
Cy Hilterman (cyhilterman@digitalrazor.net)
Moscow Vector by Robert Ludlum
Rating: 4 Stars
Lots of intrigue and mystery as spies travel and do thier good and bad deeds.
Cy Hilterman (cyhilterman@digitalrazor.net)
Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts
Rating: 5 Stars
Anyone who enjoys mysteries involving fire and arson would like this book tremendously.
Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net)
Three Weeks with my Brother by Nicholas Sparks
Rating: 5 Stars
This was wonderful. I am a big fan of Sparks, and I have read all but 3 of his books. This was a very emotional and personal account of Sparks's life. I was extremely impressed with how open he was about his family, his relationships with them, his thoughts and feelings about the tragedies in his life. I have come to appreciate Sparks even more as an author after reading this book. All great authors should write a book like this.
Jodi
Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
Rating: 4 Stars
This a such a cute book. Girl meets boy in college, thinks he's perfect and flies to England for a perfect vacation. It takes her 24 hours to realize he's less than perfect and she shouldn't have gone to England.....
Carolyn
The Darling by Russell Banks
Rating: 5 Stars
This is an excellent story about a woman's personal growth as she becomes part of the 60's radicalism upheavel and then later finds herself in Liberia, married to a native Liberian, living her life in this war-torn country.
Sandra-bird
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Rating: 5 Stars
This semi-autobiographical work of fiction is long, but I couldn't put it down until I finished. The main character escapes prison and ends up in Bombay, living and working with the poor and with the Bombay Mafia.
Believe it or not, it has something for everyone: adventure, thrills, romance. I loved it and you will too!
Sally B., San Antonio TX
The Portrait by Iain Pears
Rating: 1 Stars
Unabridged audiobook. Read by Simon Vance.
I just could not get into this story. It was all one sided, i.e., the narrator "spoke" for the other person. Only listened to 1 CD.
Judy (AZ)
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Rating: 4 Stars
Wow...action, mayhem and mystery galore. FBI agent Pendergast is in prison, his psycho brother is making plans, and no one is safe. With the backdrop of a NY museum, you also get a little history lesson. I'm now going to have to go back and read all the previous novels, although any could be read alone.
Sharlynda Dehnel (cac998@cox.net)
Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
Rating: 5 Stars
Cabot's QUEEN OF BABBLE was my first forray into "chick lit." I have tried to read several other "chick lit" titles in the past and have never been successful. Cabot's book was witty, light, and the perfect first book to read in the genre. I thoroughly enoyed it and immediately went to buy more. I now own all of Meg Cabot's books as well as four more by different authors.
I have always read "literary" books and felt that "chick lit" was not worth my while, but I found the need to read something that was not literary. I also found that I thoroughly enjoyed the new genre and will continue to read new authors. These books are light and just simply fun to read. A nice diversion, and a nice change of pace from the field of literary and classic novels.
I'm hooked!!!
T. Thomas
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery
Rating: 5 Stars
Wonderful story of Christopher Hogwood. He was a very fortunate pig. If I had a farm, I'd have a pig.
T. Thomas
Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters
Rating: 3 Stars
Not as good as past books in this series, but if you've read the others, you will want to read this one.
Nina Stafford
The Treasure Box by Penelope J. Stokes
Rating: 4 Stars
A very interesting book that has a very good lesson in it. Vita's sister marries her boyfriend and she lives a life without love --- or so you think. She buys a treasure box at an antique store. Somehow this gets into her computer. Great ending.
Judy (AZ)
Full of Grace by Dorothea Benton Frank
Rating: 4 Stars
When you have an NJ Italiian/Catholic family and a 32-year old unmarried daughter living "in sin" with an agnostic Irish doctor who works in stem cell research, you have the makings of interesting novel. Grace is a travel agent, so we get a little travelogue, a lapsed-Catholic so we get a lot of guilt. The family is full of love, rigid ideas, and its share of idiosyncracies. The book was uplifting, funny and sad, and ended way too quickly.
Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com)
Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
Rating: 5 Stars
This was better than THE TENDER BAR --- this family did not hide in a beer bottle, but continued to fight with the help of family. I cannot believe all the barriers Nicholas encountered and still persevered. Remarkable.
Sandra F.
A Haunt of Murder by Paul Doherty
Rating: 3 Stars
For those readers who are fond of Medieval mysteries, Paul Doherty's series of books based on Chaucer's CANTERBURY TALES is a must read. This book is "The Cerk's Tale" and is one of the best of the tales.
Nina (distefano@aol.com)
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
Rating: 5 Stars
This is the first book that I have been unable to put down since THE DA VINCI CODE. Despite the controversy over the story's embellishments, the essence of the tale is so powerful that I can easily forgive the liberties that the author took when writing this memoir (I actually heard that this was originally submitted as a work of fiction and turned down). I am so glad that I picked this book up. The author has done us a great service in giving us this first-hand account into the world of addiction and recovery. What a great addition to a High School reading List this would make!!
Thomas (tomjac0850@charter.net)
Million Dollar Baby by F. X. Toole
Rating: 5 Stars
This book, previously published as ROPE BURNS, is a collection of six stories from the world of boxing. One story, "Million Dollar Baby," was turned into an Academy Award-winning movie. Another story, "Frozen Water," was also incorporated into the film. These are great, hard-hitting stories told from the viewpoints of fighters, trainers, cut men, etc. I didn't want to put this book down once I started it.
P. Corwin (PFLucas@aol.com)
We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg
Rating: 5 Stars
A very interesting story that originated as a suggestion from a reader. The reader wanted her family story told in Elizabeth Berg style. Even though the book is not lengthy, the characters are developed, and in their own way, inspiring.
Sherri Myers
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
Rating: 5 Stars
This is a story from a master storyteller. A boy falls in love with his childhood friend, who has a heart condition. He becomes a heart surgeon in an attempt to save her when he grows up, but finds he is unable to do so years down the road, after they are married. He runs away from his life, but in doing so, ends up in a small town. He meets a small girl who has a heart condition and is selling lemonade and raising crickets to earn enough money for her own heart surgery. While the doctor wishes to remain anonymous, he finds himself torn between that and making it known who he is so he can try to save her. Will he choose his own privacy and be selfish, or will he give that up to save her life? Does he have enough confidence in himself to even try?
Have a box of tissues handy, because this is a definite tearjerker! A must-read if I have ever seen one. A keeper shelf book, but one that must be shared with others.
Maria Bongiovanni (mbongiov@ucsd.edu)
The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticate
Rating: 4 Stars
I started reading THE FARMING OF BONES, which is about Haitians who come to the Dominican Republic to work because their own country is so poor. This book is about two lovers in the late 1930s, during a real period in time when the Haitians were slaughtered. It is a beautiful book to read.
Madeline
The Grace that Keeps This World by Tom Bailey
Rating: 5 Stars
Lyrically written, this novel traces the days before what will become the most unforgettable start of hunting season the Hazen family and their friends will ever witness. Powerful and poignant.
Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com)
The Tender Bar by JR Moehringer
Rating: 4 Stars
THE TENDER BAR is about a man's floundering journey to find himself he takes a look at humanity and realizes that very few know their destiny and head straight for that goal. Too many of us are lost souls, like the lost boys in Peter Pan, blindly trying to survive.
Madeline
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Rating: 5 Stars
As an old man, Jacob Jankowski looks back on his life traveling with the circus --- the people he met, the woman he loved, and the murder he witnessed... Absolutely loved it! Even if the circus is not your thing, it's still worth the read. It's just a good story with wonderfully drawn characters.
Janice Kind (KINDLEELF@AOL.COM)
Predator by Patricia Cornwell
Rating: 4 Stars
Kay Scarpetta, her niece Lucy, Marino all now collabrate to solve crimes. Lucy, with her fortune, has a school for detectives and forenthics experts.
christy (oltlfreak@aol.com)
Too Big To Miss by Sue Ann Jaffarian
Rating: 5 Stars
A new author, great book. Loved the characters and storyline. Make sure to read this!
Christy
At Risk by Patrcia Cornwell
Rating: 5 Stars
I do love Patricia Cornwell, but her last few books have gotten bad. I feel like I want a refund for this book, and I didn't even buy it. Dont bother with it. Its more painful then the dentist.
Christy (oltlfreak@aol.com)
Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer
Rating: 5 Stars
Excellent! One of my favorite authors puts out another great book. I love the laughter, and I totally know how the characters feel and what they are going through. A must read!
Dawn (princesssaurora@aol.com)
Gone by Lisa Gardner
Rating: 4 Stars
This effort was more dark than the others, but from about 10 pages in, I was hooked. Great thriller!
Jamie Bodkins
Monkeewrench by P. J. Tracy
Rating: 5 Stars
Terrific book for mystery lovers.
Nikki
The Good Works of Ayela Linde by Charlotte Forbes
Rating: 5 Stars
Interesting premise --- these are stories told about the title character by people in the town. The title character is complex, and the writing is lovely. Very literary.
Pat Jablonski
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Rating: 4 Stars
The New York Times named this book the best fiction of the past 25 years. Although it was very good, I would not go that far!
The story takes place after the War Between the States and paints a picture of life following that devistating time.
This book is not for the faint of heart!
Kathy from Maryland
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
Rating: 4 Stars
Very well written. Good story line. It was interesting to watch two women in two dirrerent time periods weave the same tale. I will look for more from her.
Janice Kind (KINDLEELF@AOL.COM)
Prospero's Daughter by Elizabeth Nunez
Rating: 5 Stars
Peter Gardner is forced to leave England as a fugtive from the law, after he uses experimental drugs on his patients. Peter insinuates himself into a household where the parents are dead, and their son, Carlos, is taken care of by the housekeeper. Peter uses the housekeeper's daughter for his sexual needs and is horrified when he finds Virginia and Carlos are in love.
Dawn (Princesssaurora@aol.com)
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 5 Stars
Stephanie Plum made me laugh, cry and bite my nails throughout her newest adventure!
Awesome book! Thank you Janet Evanovich!
Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net)
The Copper Beech by Maeve Binchey
Rating: 4 Stars
This was a very well-written book. The Copper Beech is a tree outside of the local school in Shancarrig. Several people have carved their names in the tree throughout the years; this book is about a handful of them. Each chapter is about a different person. Throughout the book, their lives intertwine. I especially liked the stories about Maura and Eddie. Binchy is a great storyteller. I have enjoyed this and others I have read.
Marsha
Saturday by Ian McEwan
Rating: 4 Stars
This intelligent novel describes a period of one day in the life of a neurosurgeon whose contentment is shattered by events he cannot control. His interior odyssey provokes many questions, including political and moral issues.
Janice Kind (KINDLEELF@AOL.COM)
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
Rating: 5 Stars
Trixie Stone is 14 years old and in love for the first time. She is also the light of her father's life. Daniel Stone, a comic book artist, is mild mannered and devoted to Trixie and her mother, Laura. Daniel works at home and becomes a Mr. mom. Their whole world is turned upside down when Trixie acusses her newfound love of rape and Daniel learns all isn't as it should be with Laura.
Steph Elias
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Rating: 4 Stars
A good read, excellent for kids.
Sunny
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad
Rating: 5 Stars
Oh, my, heavens, it is a great read! Step into life in Afghan lifeways. I could not put the book down. It is a compelling book, well written and worth every minute.
Marsha
Tables by John Lucas
Rating: 4 Stars
This is a fascinating blend of stories entwined in the opening of a restaurant in New York. Each person has a secret (blackmailable), and secrets and hopes abound. Fun reading.
Pam Clark (PDKC123@aol.com)
The Quiet Game by Greg Isle
Rating: 5 Stars
I have just discovered this author and am having such fun reading all of his books. Being from Mississippi just makes it even better!
E. Quinn Knight
Mr. Muo's Travelling Couch by Dai Sijie
Rating: 5 Stars
This is truly a delight to read! The author has an exceptional sense of humor and such a fluid way of writing. It is similar to savoring wonderful ice cream. There are refernences to Freud, Lacan, and Valery so the reader can participate in the reading at many different levels. The story itself is delightful, but with that, the foibles of human nature are so wonderfully explicated. I read it on the airflight from Panama to Miami and didn't even realize we were landing! I finished the book in 2 and 1/2 hours. The best read in a long time. I would encourage all to plunge in!
Glenda Bogan
Crows Over the Wheatfield by Ada, Braver
Rating: 4 Stars
This holds the reader from the beginning sentence. It's an interesting combination of personal tragedy tied to art and what is "right or wrong." Who would have thought to tie Van Gogh and a painting with a tragic roadside accident? An excellent read!
Glenda Bogan
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Rating: 4 Stars
Gruen lets the reader in on life with the traveling circus through the eyes of an aging man whose body may be failing but whose memories are not! Interesting characters and an enjoyable look at this life in the l930's.
Steph Elias
Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
Rating: 5 Stars
Excellent book
Amanda
Aspects of the Novel by E. M. Forester
Rating: 4 Stars
A timeless book about the aspects of the novel. Witty and funny, this is a quick and good read for even the non-writer in you.
Marilyn Shoemaker
Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
Rating: 5 Stars
FLIRTING WITH FORTY is a must read for all women, whether single or in a relationship, as one learns though the main character’s journey to “be all that you can be.” It’s a story so profound that it will have you laughing and crying at the same time. It’s a story of dreams, hope and learning to be comfortable with one’s self.
Once I began the journey with the author, Jane Porter, I honestly couldn’t put it down. I saw so much of myself as a mother, as a wife and as a woman. Just reading the story made me want to want more for me!
As the character Jackie points out, sometimes we lose ourselves along the way. We get so caught up in life that we lose ourselves and we blindly accept fate. So, what’s wrong with taking a chance, having an adventure, discovering your self, receiving pleasure? Absolutely nothing!
This book is not just about falling in love; it’s about relationships, friendships and finding the courage to grow. As Jane points out, “growing up doesn’t have to mean growing old.” Amen.
Jane Porter, again, has outdone herself with this incredible heart- warming story. Reading it has personally given me the courage to begin anew, to explore options, and yes, and “to be all that I can be!”
Jen
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
Rating: 4 Stars
A good mystery combined with the wacky, intelligent, bored housewife is really entertaining reading.
Marion Miller (lamamil@aol.com)
The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
Rating: 3 Stars
This was interesting but I think the author should continue to write the No #I Ladies Detective Agency series that takes place in Africa.
Cindy
The Hard Way by Lee Child
Rating: 5 Stars
I love this series. Lee Child keeps getting better and better. Tension, suspense, and a super-human male hero. Child can't produce his books quickly enough for me and my husband, who are both fans.
Maryhelen Posey (helensgirlkid@aol.com)
Grave Error by Roy Lewis
Rating: 4 Stars
The newest Arthur Landon - one of my very oldest, very favourite "detectives." This is not quite the best in the series, but still great.
Maryhelen Posey (helensgirlkid@aol.com)
The Island of Seven Cities by Paul Chiasson
Rating: 5 Stars
Wonderfully easy to read despite all the complex information it puts across.
Mia (CA)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Rating: 3 Stars
I am reading this for my book club. It is a simple fable type of book and is an easy read. It has a good moral, but it's not the kind of book I'd read if it weren't for my book club list.
Lea
Blue Screen by Robert B. Parker
Rating: 4 Stars
A really good read, combining the characters from two different Parker series. Sunny Randall joins forces with Jesse Stone in a no-holds-barred, solve the murder mystery in spite of the mob whodunit/thriller. The twist at the end was great. I rated it four stars instead of 5 because some of the plot in L.A. didn't seem to be necessary. Well worth reading...check it out!
Lea
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
Rating: 5 Stars
I put off reading this book because it was adolescent fiction and I am an adult, but I saw it in paperback at the bookstore, so decided to read it. The book has been a "can't put it down even to eat or sleep" kind of book. I love it and have also purchased the sequel, SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER in hardback. James Patterson scores every time, even if it was meant for teens.
Brenda Keller
The Husband by Dean Koontz
Rating: 3 Stars
This is the first Dean Koontz book I've read. After reading excerpts, I thought it would be very good. I was somewhat disappointed. Granted, there were quite a few unexpected twists in the book, but I thought the characters left something to be desired. I didn't feel as though I really got to know them or maybe I just didn't relate to them very well. I especially thought Holly, the kidnapped wife, had a strange thought pattern. I guess being kidnapped can do that to a person, but I just didn't think some of her thoughts were very realistic, given her circumstances.
Overall, I thought the book was pretty good, but not as good as what I had expected.
Gerry Durisin
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell
Rating: 4 Stars
A coming-of-age novel narrated in the first person in a series of vignettes. The author has a marvelous grasp of the voice of his thirteen-year-old narrator.
Book Momma (Bookmomma@aol.com)
The Last Assassin by Barry Eisler
Rating: 5 Stars
The latest in a series, John Rain puts his lover and son in danger when he goes to New York to see them. We see the death of some old characters, and a deepening relationship for Rain. I was afraid this might be the end of the series, but thank heavens, it's not.
Book Momma (Bookmomma@aol.com)
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 5 Stars
I thought this series was losing some of its pep, but this installment is right up there with the author's best work. However, I fear we will never see a resolution to the Ranger/Joe situation.
Linda M. Johnson
Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by Z. Z. Packer
Rating: 4 Stars
This book has been on my reading list for a while. It did not disappoint. I'm not usually a short story reader, but I'll look for more from this author.
Debbie Koenig
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
Rating: 5 Stars
Hooked me in the first chapter! Full of humor and suspense...a perfect combo !
Cindy
Good Family by Terry Gamble
Rating: 4 Stars
Not quite as good as her first great book --- THE WATER DANCERS --- but as a descendant of the Gambles of Procter and Gambles, she's knowledgeable about the family tensions and relationships in a wealthy family and their interactions at the "Up North" Michigan summer cottage.
Brenda Keller
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Rating: 4 Stars
This book, narrated by the main character (Jacob Jankowski), vacillates between the present-day life of the main character --- who is in a nursing home --- and the 1930's, when he joined the circus after the sudden death of his parents. I'm not usually a fan of a book that switches back and forth between different time periods, but the author does a good job of creating suspense in both time periods, and the transition between them is also done well.
Overall, I thought this was a very good book.
Mario
Everyman by Philip Roth
Rating: 4 Stars
Mr. Roth loves a male and Jewish character with issues and oddities built-in, who then must play out his role in a neutral universe. Must we strive to be what popped out of the egg, if only to honor parental dedication? "Be a brave boy." Fit in. Have wives, mistresses and children. "Just don't screw it up." Don't scream. Philip Roth will show us a piece of history in America if we will see it. I found this book brave, shocking, and even genius for what it implies without screaming.
Rachael
No Second Chance by Harlan Coben
Rating: 5 Stars
Harlan Coben writes mysteries that are impossible to put down. He makes you hold your breath until you turn the last page. This heart-pounding thriller will keep you guessing and excited from the first sentence: ‘’When the first bullet hit my chest, I thought of my daughter.’’ NO SECOND CHANCE begins with Dr. Marc Seidman in the hospital with gun shot wounds. His wife has been killed and his baby is missing. He doesn’t recall what happened and he is terrified for his baby’s life. Dr. Marc Seidman must solve the mystery before it’s too late. A ransom note shows up and he must put himself in danger to save his baby. He can’t contact the police or he will never see his child again. Hold onto your seat, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Tricia Douglas (Peanutpet@aol.com)
Promise Me by Harlan Coben
Rating: 4 Stars
One of my favorite mystery authors! This book has twists and turns that keeps you reading and then wishing there was more to read! Great for summer or any time!
Marcia Pullin
Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods
Rating: 4 Stars
As with all books of the Stone Barrington series, there are no disappointments here. It's fun, exciting, and suspenseful while still comfortable to relax with. The characters are well fleshed out and the plots zip right along. I wouldn't miss a Barrington book, I enjoy them tremendously. Still, it is hard to give up that fifth star to a book that has no great surprises and doesn't really teach us anything.
Sally B., San Antonio TX
Jim the Boy by Tony Earley
Rating: 4 Stars
Unabridged, read by L.J. Ganser. A very good coming-of-age story of a boy in rural Georgia, circa 1934. His father dies just one week before he is born and he is raised by his Mother and three uncles.
Judy
The King of Lies by John Hart
Rating: 4 Stars
A debut novel by an ex-criminal defense lawyer, and a pleasant surprise of a read. "Work" Pickens is practicing, but not happy, lawyer with a passionless marriage and a troubled past. The missing patriarch, Ezra, is found with two bullets in his head, and more and more, the evidence points to Work... or is it his sister, Jean, who is mentally unstable? Add to the mix Jean's angry, unstable partner and Work's socialite and social-climbing wife, Barbara, and you have a very enjoyable book.
Coral Harrion
Clementine Churchill by Mary Soames
Rating: 5 Stars
This is a wonderfully written story about the life of Clemintine Churchill and her husband, Winston Churchill, written by their youngest daughter, Mary.
It tell of Clemintine's life with her husband and how much they loved each other. It is long but extremely interesting, and full of history. We read this for our Book Club and we all liked it, and it made for a good discussion.
Debra Guyetet (Debby236@aol.com)
Twelve Sharp by JAnet Evanovich
Rating: 5 Stars
Stephanie Plum has been lots of fun to read. Janet Evanovich's latest novel is no exception. Fans of Stepahnie will not be disappointed.
Noreen Brown
The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard
Rating: 5 Stars
Great true story of Mike Leonard's month-long RV trip with his parents...too funny.
Everyone will identify with some person, part, or incident in this book. A DVD is included too.
M. Blitz
Assassins Gallery by David L. Robbins
Rating: 5 Stars
A great book, full of history and suspense, with a lot of "I can't believe it" moments.
L. Hann
Faithless by Karin Slaughter
Rating: 5 Stars
Karin Slaughter has done it again. Right from the first word, I was hooked. Sara and Jeffrey are at it again. After taking a walk in the woods and finding out that Jeffrey's past actions are rearing their ugly head again, Sara and Jeffrey discover a dead girl. They start to investigate, only to find that where she came from is a society all its own. Read more to find out what happens!!
Helen T
A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger
Rating: 5 Stars
A deft combination of detailed journalistic narrative and good old-fashioned storytelling, A DEATH IN BELMONT is a chilling account of the lives --- including the author's --- affected by The Boston Strangler.
Julie (julietowson31@yahoo.com)
The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge
Rating: 3 Stars
This is a murder mystery that takes place in the Hamptons. It's a nice summer beach book. It's about murder, power and money. A quick read.
Linda M. Johnson
Bookwoman's Last Fling by John Dunning
Rating: 5 Stars
John Dunning is one of my must-read-as-soon-as-it's-out authors. He never disappoints me.
Judy (joswood@msn.com)
The Husband by Dean Koontz
Rating: 4 Stars
I haven't read a book by this author for years, but I really enjoyed this one. Mitch Rafferty's wife is kidnapped, and he has to pay $2 million in ransom to get her back. He is a landscaper with $11,000 in the bank. So, where can he get that kind of money? His brother, he thinks. A suspenseful story.
Gerry Durisin
Cage of Stars by Jaqueline Mitchard
Rating: 3 Stars
A twelve-year-old girl in a Mormon community witnesses the brutal murder of her two little sisters by a schizophrenic young man. The novel explores the impact of this horrific crime on the witness, on her parents, who were away from home at the time, and on the family of the killer.
Betsy
Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen
Rating: 5 Stars
This has to be one of the funniest books I've ever read.
Michele Lauer-Bader (mlauerba@aol.com)
The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg
Rating: 4 Stars
The story of Joseph and Mary --- how they met, became betrothed, married.
This is totally different for Berg, but I enjoyed it.
I read an advanced reading copy I picked up at the librarian conference last week; it won't be published until November.
Jenn S.
The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer
Rating: 4 Stars
Very fresh, often very funny chick-lit/ women's fiction hybrid. It's perfect beach reading!
Barbara
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 4 Stars
It is always a pleasure to catch up with Stephanie and company. Ranger fans will like this edition. Fun read.
Christine Harvey (ceharnp@aol.com)
An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
Rating: 5 Stars
This book is aimed at the layman but contains the most convincing science to date related to Global Warming and its importance to everyone on earth. Very well done and entertaining as well.
Donna L.
Three Days To Never by Tim Powers
Rating: 5 Stars
I was spellbound from the very first page. I’ve never read anything quite like THREE DAYS TO NEVER by Tim Powers before. What a skillfully creative and imaginative novel. It was purely enjoyable. Just imagine a strange unfolding of spies trying to uncover the hidden secrets of Albert Einstein. There are other wonderful characters too, such as Franklin Roosevelt and Charlie Chaplin. Frank Marrity and his twelve-year-old daughter, Daphne, are completely involved, to their surprise --- their lives become a fantastical adventure beyond anything anyone could imagine. Reading this novel is like being on a magic carpet ride that gets wilder with every turn. Tim Powers writes with a passion that has peaked my interest and curiosity and I feel compelled to venture deeper into his imagination. I’m currently looking for his other works of wonderment. Bravo!
Barbara
Not So Snow White by Donna Kauffman
Rating: 4 Stars
This gives an interesting, fictional, and behind-the-scenes account of the life of a young tennis star. The book has a lot of depth and layers to uncover.
Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net)
Wolf Tales II by Kate Douglas
Rating: 4 Stars
Ms. Douglas had me hooked on this series when I first read WOLF TALES and then SEXY BEACH. This continuation of the tale of the Chanku introduces us to Luc and Tia and a whole new pack and cast of characters. It also reunites us with Stefan, Xandi, Anton, and Keisha. There is a strong and interesting plot, and the sex is hot and wild. I can't wait to see what trail she will lead us down with WOLF TALES III.
Nick Miozzi (nmiozzi@videotron.ca)
The Third Secret by Steve Berry
Rating: 4 Stars
I want a story that envelops me with intrigue and suspense, and keeps me wondering from page to page.Once again Steve Berry delivers the goods and more!
Brady (bradylee@myway.com)
Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs
Rating: 5 Stars
If you enjoyed RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, then you will like this. This, again, is about the author's life; however, I would take much of what is said with a grain of salt. The joy is in the writing and the humor. Each essay is from 4 to 10 pages long and you wonder where Augusten gets his ideas, yet thank the publishing forces that be to have him in our galaxy of writers.
Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net)
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
Rating: 4 Stars
THE TENTH CIRCLE is the last and deepest level of hell. It is for those who lie to themselves. This book is a tragic story of 3 members of a family living with their own personal demons. Trixie is a 14 year old trying to deal with losing her first love and her virginity, as well as trying to loosen the grasp of the comforting guidance of her parents. Her father, Daniel, reinvented himself after leaving a place where he was a more violent, hateful person, and tried to keep that part of him hidden from the rest of the world. His wife, Laura, is not unhappy with her marriage, just unhappy with herself. The author mixes a cartoon story through out the pages of the book. The comic follows the novel in it’s own symbolic way. This novel is very thoughtful, however, and I feel like there was some development of certain characters that could have been carried out a little more (Bartholemew, Daniel and Laura). This book was full of deception, not only to oneself but to others. This was the first book I have read by Picoult. I would most likely read another.
Michele Lauer-Bader (mlauerba@aol.com)
Homefront by Doris Gwaltney
Rating: 5 Stars
This is a novel for young people (aged 11 - 15) told from the perspective of Margaret Ann Motley. Set during WWII, Margaret Ann meets a British cousin she never met when Courtney and her mother evacuate to the states. A wonderful story of what it was like for the families at home waiting for their soldiers at war.
Alabama Jack (jquick5342@aol.com)
Baby Shark by Robert Fate
Rating: 5 Stars
I understand a shark must constantly move to prevent its suffocation, and that its attention span is so short that it can learn little from experience. Kristin, the baby shark of this book, moves a lot but she has also learned a lot, and each experience leads her closer to the revenge she seeks. In October 1952, at the tender age of 17, she watched four bikers kill her pool hustler father in a Texas pool hall fight that leaves two other men dead as well. Sexually assaulted, beaten, and left for dead, she is rescued by the pool hall owner Henry Chin, a Chinese immigrant and father of one of the other murder victims. Since the local police are no help, Chin hires a private investigator to start searching for the killers. Then he hires two “tutors” for Kristin. She develops into one tough package, and also shoots a mean game of stick. At eighteen, the Baby Shark is ready to hunt for the killers as she hustles pool in west Texas. Revenge is sweeter when it is served cold, but what happens afterwards? This is the first in a projected series of novels about a teenage woman taking up the family business --- pool hustling. I wish Mr. Fate well with his plans, as I think this will become a very interesting series of reads. Available 09/06
Sheila Soloff (Sheila5199@aol.com)
Guests of the Ayatollah by Mark Bowden
Rating: 5 Stars
Although I rarely read non-fiction, I am nevertheless totally enmeshed in this book. The author presents a detailed, chronological account of the Iranian hostage crisis through the eyes of diverse participants: hostages, hostage takers, diplomats, etc. There are many well-known details presented, as well as some forgotten ones along with some events unknown at the time. Although we all know the ending, it it is very riveting, suspensful and I find I am unable to put it down.
Nyla Thompson (theclan@triotel.net)
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
Rating: 5 Stars
She has also written 5 other books in this series. A very good read.
Nikki O'Brien (nikjac@verizon.net)
Big Stone Gap by Adrianna Trigianni
Rating: 4 Stars
I made a mistake and read BIG CHERRY HOLLER first, not knowing it was part of a trilogy. This book is a hoot and I'm enjoying meeting the characters I already read about!
Maxine
Time and Again by Jack Finney
Rating: 5 Stars
This book has a cult following and I can see why. I don't want to give anything away, so just read it!!!
Ozarks reader
Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
Rating: 4 Stars
Although we all have known this story since 4th grade, I found it to be full of suspense, very fast paced. and hard to put down. Toward the end, I felt that too many characters were thrown in so that I had to keep looking back to see where this one or that fit in... thus the 4 star rating. But all in all, a fascinating look at a major event in our country's history.
M. Allen
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 5 Stars
Stephanie is at it again in all her glory. Ranger and Morelli both light her fire. Hold on for a wild ride..
Jocelyn
Mayan Equinox by Keith Jones
Rating: 3 Stars
Worth the time it took to read it. It wasn't suspenseful at all, but the stories about Central American history were interesting. I daydreamed a little, but overall, this was a decent book, but not a must-read.
Ricki (rickimc@aol.com)
The Aquarius Code by Andrew May
Rating: 3 Stars
This sci-fi novel is just fun! A great short read.
Barbara
Dark Side Of The Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Rating: 5 Stars
The Dark-Hunter books are a fantastic series, and the latest installment is top notch. Ms. Kenyon has a wonderful imagination and knows how to capture and hold her readers' attention. I anxiously await each new chapter in this series.
Christine Harvey (ceharnp@aol.com)
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
Rating: 4 Stars
An examination of the Muslim culture in the high Himilayas and the difficulties of building schools there for the remote villages. A man of modest means overcomes tremendous odds to fullfill an altruistic dream.
Michele Lauer-Bader
Summer of Roses by Luanne Rice
Rating: 5 Stars
I just love all of her books. They keep you wanting to read on to find out what happens next.
Amellia Hansen
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Rating: 5 Stars
If you have ever asked yourself, "what would I do in that situation?" then this is a book you'd enjoy. There are so many times I think I know what I would have done in this book, then I read farther and second guess myself. Eye opening. Wonderfully written. Almost to good!
Toni Savchuck (tonisandlin@aol.com)
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Rating: 5 Stars
A Victorian thriller about a con man and a young woman who try to arrange a marriage with a young, innocent heiress to swindle her out of her money and lock her in an insane asylum. Can't put it down.
K. Gold
Evil Star by Anthony Horowitz
Rating: 5 Stars
As always, Anthony Horowitz has produced another page-turner --- this time in his new Power of Five series. This is the second book after RAVEN'S GATE and I couldn't put it down.
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
Proof Positive by Phillip Margolin
Rating: 4 Stars
I am never disappointed when I read a book by Margolin, and this time is no exception. PROOF POSITIVE deals with forensic evidence, and how it can be manipulated. This is a must read.
Sandra Stevens (sstevens@hvc.rr.com)
Rusty Nail by J. A. Konrath
Rating: 4 Stars
3rd in the Jack Daniels series, this book was the best one yet. It was funny, suspenseful, and fast paced, with lots of wicked twists. I couldn't put it down.
Gale
Danse Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton
Rating: 3 Stars
Hamilton's Anita Blake series typically features imaginative stories and creative characters. Though a fun read, DANSE MACABRE's story falls short. It feels stagnant; we've been here in the last couple of Blake books...more vampire politics and struggles with her ardeur. It's time to move on --- or back --- and see Federal Marshall/Executioner/Necromancer Anita Blake once again.
LaDonna Carrington
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Rating: 5 Stars
Joan's story of her struggles and challenges dealing with both her husband's death and daughter's illness concurrently is very moving.
Marsha
Blue Screen by Robert B. Parker
Rating: 4 Stars
A delightful Sunny Randall novel --- as well as Jesse Stone. Parker combines these two in a fast-paced search for a killer.
Susan OBoyle (sueob@aol.com)
Impulse by Joann Ross
Rating: 5 Stars
If you like Nora Roberts, you'll love JoAnn Ross. Romantic suspense at its best!
Nancy H.
The Serial Killers Club by Jeff Povey
Rating: 4 Stars
The narrator of this book, "Dougie," stops a serial killer and assumes his identity to gain access to a club of serial killers who meet to share stories and make sure nobody is targeting the same victims. Full of bizarre characters, this book is inventive, humorous and a real pleasure to read. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the whacky situations the club members find themselves in. It makes killing look like a whole lot of fun.
Nancy H.
Eye Contact by Cammie McGovern
Rating: 5 Stars
I loved this book!! Two students, a young boy and girl, seem to disappear, last seen heading toward the woods near their school. Hours later only one of them, Adam, a nine-year-old boy with autism, is found alive. Apparently, he is the only witness to a horrible murder. When another child goes missing, Adam's mother Cara tries to unlock her son's silence and change in behavior to help the police catch a killer. A wonderful glance into the lives of people living with autism and those who love them.
Judy
Dance of Death by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Rating: 4 Stars
In DANCE OF DEATH, there are two brothers --- one, a top FBI agent, and one a criminal genius. Between them, there is a hatred so strong, and a perfect crime plan. To say anything else is to give too much way. The implausible becomes plausible as the suspense mounts. There is an early book (which I hadn't read) and I have the subsequent book ready to be read. A very interesting tale indeed with rich characters.
Kathy Malone (kit02aab@yahoo.com)
Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc
Rating: 5 Stars
The first fiction ever written about the Sherpas of the Everest region. I was fascinated by all I learned about them. The culture and religion are expertly woven throughout the story. It never felt heavy handed. Unlike most books about climbing, this one describes an Everest expedition from the porter's point of view. The tension between father and son is very real as the modern world invades a kingdom high in the Himalayas. Dorje wants what the foreigners bring. His father views them as trespassing on the abodes of the gods. A great love story between an American journalist and Sherpa guide also overlies the whole story. The descriptions of the area are so real that you feel like you've been there too. This feeling remained with me for weeks.
Donna Scott
The Hard Way by Lee Child
Rating: 5 Stars
I work in a library and often recommend these Lee Child books that feature Jack Reacher, "retired" MP (I describe him as kinda like MacGuyver on steroids and caution the presence of violence). Afterwards,I almost always get positive feedback and admissions of Jack Reacher addictions :) These books are GREAT (well-plotted and well-written). AND, like an earlier reviewer said, these Reacher books just keep GETTING BETTER. Try 'em, you'll love 'em (but they do contain violence).
Debby (Debby236@aol.com)
Copycat by Erica Spindler
Rating: 5 Stars
A very exciting novel to read, full of suspense and action. It will keep you attention throughout.
Nancy H.
True Crime by Andrew Klavan
Rating: 5 Stars
I've been looking for this book for a long time and finally found it in a used book store. The story is about a comdemned black man who is on death row and going to be executed for a crime he apparently did not commit. A journalist from a local newspaper wants to help him out and prove that he is innocent. Will he find the evidence before this man is executed? TRUE CRIME is a deliciously suspenseful novel.
Nancy H.
Cold Storage by Don Lasseter
Rating: 4 Stars
The true story of Denise Huber, who disappered on June 3, 1991. Her abandoned car was found on a busy stretch of highway near Newport Beach, California. Three years later, her body was found nude and handcuffed in a freezer belonging to 37- year-old John Famalaro. The book lays bare the terrifying details of Denise's final hours. Well written and creepy. A good read.
Peggy Clayton (PTCLAYTON2@AOL.COM)
Under the Boardwalk by Carly Phillips
Rating: 4 Stars
When books arrive and I am not ready to read them, I arrange them in alphabetical order by the author's last name. When I get to Carly's books, I always get excited as you can take it to the bank that you will be hooked from the first page on. With some books, you don't understand what's going on until halfway through; not with her books! You are hooked from the first page, so putting it down before you finish is one of the hardest things to do. UNDER THE BOARDWALK is the same --- you feel sorry for Zoe as her twin is missing and her family is a little psycho, but funny. I don't want to ruin the book for you, so you'll have to read the rest...
Valerie
Memories of a Cherry Blossom Tree by Fletcher Johnson Jr.
Rating: 5 Stars
This is the best book of all time. It brings about love, peace and acceptance for those who have been abused physically, emotionally, and sexually. It gives life to those who have been abandoned and had no where to turn. I cried tears of joy after reading about the love that the characters received from the lady as they entered the orphanage. Children, teens and adults would benefit from this book. It is truly a book of healing and inspiration for all who read it.
Jud Hanson
Ice Hunt by James Rollis
Rating: 4 Stars
This was an excellent book. It opens with the discovery of an abandoned station in the Arctic Circle, completely frozen in ice, by an Amercian submarine crew. They, then, discover that it appears to be a Russian reasearch station of some kind. Add a Russian admiral bent on revenge, a Delta force team, and a creature who can hibernate for centuries at a time and you have one heck of a ride to go on. I highly recommend this book.
Michelle
Final Truth by Mariah Stewart
Rating: 4 Stars
It wrapped up the loose ends from the Truth Trilogy and finished Regan's story, which was interwoven throughout the previous books. Good romantic suspense. Mariah Stewart is a terrific author and I look forward to her future books.
Susan (sprocini@aol.com)
As the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Rating: 5 Stars
A great book about overcoming adversity in life. AS THE CROW FLIES is told through the eyes of a young girl who was molested in grade school, and tells the story of a murder of a classmate. It sounds like a distrubing plot, but is was a very good story. This is a book that just flies along, and you want to know what happens next.
Nancy H.
Deviant Ways by Chris Mooney
Rating: 5 Stars
A horrifying look at a psychopath called the Sandman. Sandman is blowing up neighborhoods, and watching the mayhem unfold on a sophisticated network of surveillance cameras. Detective Jack Casey, a former top FBI profiler gets involved to try and unravel the Sandman's demented mind. Couldn't put this one down!
Cathy (Skyboxlife@aol.com)
Gone by Lisa Gardner
Rating: 5 Stars
This author grabbed my attention 7 books ago with the beginning of this series about FBI Profiler, Quincy Pierce. This is the latest in the series and each one has been a page turner. I love the characters and the realism of what happens in a kidnapping. This author is worth the investment of your reading time. Two thumbs up for Rainie and Quincy, not to mention Lisa Gardner.
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
Sweet Ruin by Cathi Hanauer
Rating: 3 Stars
Pretty heavy book about Elayna Leopold and how she begins to recover after the death of her infant son 2 years before. I found myself wanting to tell her many times not to do the things she did. She made some pretty significent errors in judgement. Worth reading.
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
Swapping Lives by Jane Green
Rating: 3 Stars
I have not read any of Green's books for a while. This one deals with a single magazine editor from England who swaps lives with an American housewife. It is a decent book about how Vicky and Amber find it is not always greener on the other side.
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery
Rating: 3 Stars
I only read this because my Word of Mouth buddy recommended it. I was pleasantly surprised. You will laugh and cry along with Sy and her family and friends as she takes you through the years with Christopher Hogwood.
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger
Rating: 3 Stars
Oh what a tangled web we weave..... When Ridley saves a little boy from death, her life as she knew it changes forever. Worth reading.
Marsha
False Impression by Jeffrey Archer
Rating: 3 Stars
This is a page-turning mystery/thriller with a little art history thrown in for good measure.
Mo (maestraw@msn.com)
Rusty Nail by J. A. Konrath
Rating: 4 Stars
I was edgy while reading this latest installment, because I have learned that Konrath can (and will) kill the good guys. If you liked the other two in the series, you will not be disappointed with the further adventures of Jack Daniels and her crew.
Sandra F.
A Metropolitan Murder by Lee Jackson
Rating: 2 Stars
A not-very-interesting murder story set in Victorian London. The main problem seems to be with the setting --- Victorian London has been done to death by other writers.
Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net)
Captive of My Desires by Johanna Lindsey
Rating: 5 Stars
I've never been disappointed with a Lindsey novel and this book was no exception. I enjoyed the romantic and humorous interaction between Drew and Gabrielle, and of course, I was thrilled to see James and Georgina from previous Malory/Anderson books. CAPTIVE OF MY DESIRES is fast-paced (I finished it in just a few hours) and a fun, passionate, and lighthearted read.
Kathy Kasten (kkasten911@yahoo.com)
The Known World by Edward P. Jones
Rating: 4 Stars
This is kind of confusing until you get used to the style. He keeps moving around in the time frame. It is a good book, though, which is about blacks who have slaves of their own, back in the 1800's.
Kathy Kasten (kkasten911@yahoo.com)
On the Run by Iris Johansen
Rating: 4 Stars
Fast paced and hard to put down. I enjoyed it a lot.
Kathy Kasten (kkasten911@yahoo.com)
Whippoorwill by Sharon Sala
Rating: 4 Stars
Apparently, this was a switch of genre for Sala from romance novels. It is a funny and sometimes sad look at the old west with a prostitute, preacher, trapper, rich widow, banker and all the other characters you would expect. I think it would make a great movie.
Kathy Kasten (kkasten911@yahoo.com)
Imitation in Death by Norah Roberts writing as J. D. Robb
Rating: 2 Stars
A futuristic mystery that was actually not too bad. It just had too many elements of a romance novel.
Christy Hawkes
Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot
Rating: 4 Stars
Another cute book by Meg Cabot. It's good chick lit, and I read it in a day.
Sandra F.
Conspiracy Theory by Jane Haddam
Rating: 4 Stars
Jane Haddam's series is excellent. I did not like this one as much as earlier books, perhaps because I am tired of hearing/reading about the terriorst threat to the US. However, the characters are great and the plots are as good as ever.
BK
A Year In The Merde by Stephen Clarke
Rating: 4 Stars
The author was a Brit working for the French press in Paris. He self-published this book, then it was picked up after it became a cult hit and is now in 11 languages.
A funny, light book about a Hugh Grant-type of guy who takes a temporary job in Paris. The language! The culture! The confusion! The French! The women!
Anyone who has lived abroad in a different culture and language, or anyone who ever dreamed of moving to Paris will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Bill (besmith@paulbunyan.net)
To The Last Man by Jeff Shaara
Rating: 4 Stars
Encyclopedic in knowledge and scope with dynamic plot and characters. I love this book.
Lori Dorman (dormanjl@yahoo.com)
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
Rating: 5 Stars
Wow! I loved this book! I'd recommend it to anyone.
Bill (besmith@paulbunyan.net)
Broken Prey by John Sandford
Rating: 4 Stars
I had trouble putting this book down. It really is a gripping tale told well.
Neka C. Trout
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Rating: 4 Stars
I don't usually read science fiction but a friend recommended this one and it is a real page turner. The story jumps back and forth from about 2015 to 2060 in a facinating tale of space travel and human fraility that is engrossing.
Nicole Andrews
The Vampire Within: The Beginning by Drew Silver
Rating: 5 Stars
Vampire writer Drew Silver is on target with her debut novel, THE VAMPIRE WITHIN: THE BEGINNING. She has brought the vampire literature world into this century and made such a realistic transition that, after reading her novel, I found myself looking back over my shoulder while walking my dog. Her amazing gift at story-telling is evident through the engaging dialogue by her characters. In fact, the book is written so effectively that I felt as though I was watching it unfold.
The brief overview --- with the competition as fierce as any war at Triton University, students will do just about anything to succeed. Dr. Travis Cohn knows this and invites students to participate in his genectics research project that promises to eradicate any ailments and enhance intelligence, athletic performance, and personal appearance that plague their being. Those who join the research project, though, are about to get a very abrupt awakening to a living nightmare.
Patricia Schrot
Shutter Island by Dennis LeHane
Rating: 5 Stars
I read this one when it first came out; this re-read was every bit as good and suspenseful as I remember, with a 'wow' ending!
Vicki Kennedy
Alector's Choice by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Rating: 4 Stars
I haven't got too far into the book, but I've enjoyed most of what I've read, even though it was a slow starter. I love Modesitt, so I've kept on reading. The book has improved and is getting better and better. By the time I'm finished, it might make it to five stars. I'm giving it four stars since it wasn't like most of his books, which capture me from the start.
Patricia Schrot
Anansi Boys by Neal Gaiman
Rating: 4 Stars
I haven't read a lot of Gaiman, but I did find this more fanciful and funny than some of his others.
Lori Dorman (dormanjl@yahoo.com)
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Rating: 5 Stars
Great! If you liked MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, you'll like this. Very well written.
Marsha
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Rating: 5 Stars
Every so often, it is a good idea to revist the classics and recall what made them so. This novel resonates better each time it is read. We are all victims of the past and need to look to the future. This is a good reminder.
Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net)
Something Wicked by Jacqueline Meadows
Rating: 5 Stars
This erotic paranormal book has it all --- action, sex and humor. I absolutely LOVED it. I found myself laughing out loud through most of the book. Desy is hilarious and Armand is just plain hot. Ms. Meadows's romantic scenes and the descriptions she weaves are wonderful. I'm off to order the sequel.
Sally B., San Antonio TX (saldragski@hotmail.com)
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
Rating: 1 Stars
1.5 stars (after all, I did finish it).
4 strangers meet on top of a building, planning to jump off. This is a stupid, crazy, and idiotic story.
Loretta Sanford (lorettasanford@hotmail.com)
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 5 Stars
I read her books with a goofy smile on my face. I will probablly immediately reread this.
lorettasanford
At Risk by Patricia Cornwell
Rating: 2 Stars
It started strong, with good characters, but just petered out to nothing.
Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net)
Peachtree Road by Anne Rivers Siddons
Rating: 5 Stars
Ann Rivers Siddons is a master at her work. This was a very long one, over 800 pages paperback. However, the story was great. Told from a man’s perspective, Gibby, it is a story of a family who grows up in Buckhead, Atlanta. In this book you see the city at its best and worst from the 50s through the 80s. Siddons gives you a history of this part of Atlanta like no one else. The story is about Gibby and Lucy (cousins) and their love for each other and how it impacts the rest of their family. Lucy arrives at Gibby’s house when she is a young girl after her father, (Gibby’s uncle) deserts her mom and siblings. Lucy is a beautiful girl with an infectious personality, but her father's abandonment torments her forever. Towards the end of the book, you really get a glimps of mental illness and how it rears its ugly head in times of stress and loss, as in Lucy’s case. Siddons does a wonderful job with detail, so much so that as a reader, you are right in the thick of things. I admit, this book took a while for me to get under it’s spell but once I got in, I never looked back.
Judy
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Rating: 4 Stars
90-year-old Jacob is now in an assisted living home, and the circus is coming to town. This event evokes memories of Jacob's years with a not-top-notch circus, and he reflects on what his life has become now. It is a rich canvas of circus life in the depression era of America, with glimpses of what it's like to grow old, but not senile. Not a book I thought I'd like so much, but it was recommended on Word of Mouth. I'm glad I did read it now.
Judy
Promise Me by Harlan Coben
Rating: 4 Stars
Myron Bolitar returns in a new plot with twists and turns aplenty. Two girls go missing: one a mobster's daughter, one the daughter of Myron's friends. Every time you think you've figured it out, something else changes your mind. Still, the ending is satisfying. You don't feel manipulated and you might be careful of your own promises from now on.
BK
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
Rating: 4 Stars
A book about WWI that stayed at the top of the UK bestseller list for a year and was compared to wartime novels like A FAREWELL TO ARMS. The story follows a young Brit falling in love with the wrong woman, going to war, and then the modern-day look backward through family eyes. A large part of the novel is about the battlefield. It reminded me of the epics that Wilbur Smith writes about South African battles through the ages. After reading it, I asked myself how can we humans continue to create wars when such horrors are in our recent past. I am touched by what the WWI soldiers endured and what those on the battlefields are enduring today.
Loretta Sanford (lorettasanford@hotmail.com)
The Darkest Place by Daniel Judson
Rating: 5 Stars
Since I know the area well, I could really relate; I can still feel the winter air. The ending was a complete surprise.
Corky Mayo (corkymayo@gmail.com)
Kingdom Come by Tim Green
Rating: 5 Stars
Fabulous thriller. This has to be Green's best! James King plans to take his self-made construction company public, cutting his long-time employees out of cushy top jobs for life. Enter greed, competition, and one wife who wants it all no matter the cost nor who pays the price, and the chase is on.
I love books
Dirty Laundry by Tori Carrington
Rating: 5 Stars
A great book and fun series by this husband-and-wife duo team. Fans of Stephanie Plum will love this book!
Marion Miller (lamamil@aol.com)
Darling by Russell Banks
Rating: 4 Stars
This book takes you into Liberia, and America's role in developing this country. It is about a woman who lived there and married an African or Liberian. She mothers 3 sons and has to leave the country when revolution erupts. It is today and yesterday, and very imformative. The author really did his homework.
Bridget
Things We Once Held Dear by Ann Tatlock
Rating: 4 Stars
A novel in which all of the elements fit together perfectly. No loose ends at the end of this book. Characters move through sorrows and resolve events that span 30 years in one summer in a believable way.
Judy (joswood@msn.com)
The Hard Way by Lee Child
Rating: 5 Stars
Another compelling read from Lee Child, starring his chief protagonist --- Jack Reacher. Reacher is trying to help a man find his kidnapped wife and step-daughter. He inadvertently creates a dangerous situation for those very people, and now he has to undo the damage. I swear, Jack Reacher is Superman without the cape and tights. He can do anything. This is a series of ten books, and each one is great.
CJ
Lost and Found by Joy Fielding
Rating: 4 Stars
Part mystery, part self-discovery, this is a pretty good read.
CC
Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier
Rating: 4 Stars
This was somewhat interesting, though not as good as GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING.
Thomas (tomjac0850@charter.net)
The Codex by Douglas Preston
Rating: 5 Stars
Three estranged sons meet at their dying father's request, thinking they will learn what portions of his vast estate they will inherit. Instead, they find that he has taken his treasures, worth $500 million, and disappeared. His instructions to the sons: find his grave somewhere in the world, and they will find the treasures, which they can divide. This is an excellent and excitng read.
Sandy (Yodasmommy@woh.rr.com)
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
Rating: 4 Stars
I just finished listening to this one, and if it wasn't for a few pages of sex, I would recommend it for all teenage girls. The subject of date rape and its consequences would keep them interested and it is always good to get teenagers to read! The mothers of teens should definately read this one!!
Linda M
When Light Breaks by Patti Callahan Henry
Rating: 4 Stars
This is the story of a young woman who meets a 96-year-old woman who tells her the story of her life and the missed chances she had. It causes Kara to rethink her own life choices.
Corky Mayo (corkymayo@gmail.com)
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
Rating: 5 Stars
Wonderful tale of two different families' views of how to assimilate their newly adopted Korean daughters to American life. The side story is the relationship between the families: one is very Iranian, and the other, very American.
Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net)
Dream Lover by Cassie Walder
Rating: 3 Stars
DREAM LOVER is a fun fantasy read with strong characters and an interesting plot. This was my first book by Ms. Walder and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Nancy
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Rating: 5 Stars
In 19th-century China, Lily and Snowflower are paired as laotongs --- lifetime friends --- who share the hardships and joys of their culture and communicate with messages in a secret language on their fans.
Nancy
The Book of Dead Birds by Gayle Brandeis
Rating: 4 Stars
The book is a story of healing as Sing Lo stuggles to come to terms with her mother's terrible past in Korea, while she searches for her own place in the world.
Nancy
The Canal House by Mark Lee
Rating: 5 Stars
Three characters' --- Daniel, a war correspondent, Nicky, a photographer, and Julia, an idealistic doctor ministering to those suffering in war zones --- lives intersect and entangle as they travel between war-torn Uganda and East Timor, and respites in England and Italy.
Linda M
The Beach House by James Patterson
Rating: 5 Stars
Great book! Couldn't put it down.
After Peter Mullen is found dead, his brother tries to find out what happened to him. Was it murder or an accident? The evidence looks like murder, but the local rich people are telling a different story.
Christy Hawkes (hawkes@citlink.net)
Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Rating: 5 Stars
In the sequel to RELIC, Pendergast and D'Agosta will take you on a white knuckled, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride with this suspenseful tale of mystery and murders.
Diana
The Skin Gods by Richard Montanari
Rating: 5 Stars
I read THE ROSARY GIRLS and was so pleased by his plot and characters that I couldn't wait to read THE SKIN GODS. I have just finished it, and can recommend to any reader of a mystery with repeating characters, that you will be on the edge of your seat. The twists and emotional turns just get deeper and deeper. His writing is crisp, and the strong dialogue will keep you anticapating the next page. You will find yourself not wanting to put the book down and racing to see how it ends. I am looking forward to his next book; he now has my full attention.
Laurie
Everyone is Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg
Rating: 4 Stars
A unique story --- thought provoking and fully developed. It is truly amazing the way this book came to be.
Jane (janebeatty92083@hotmail.com)
Jury of One by David Ellis
Rating: 5 Stars
This is a very entertaining book. David Ellis is a very good writer, and this is a book not to be missed.
Mary Ward (mamie316@sbglobal.net)
The Book Of Bright Ideas by Sandra Kring
Rating: 5 Stars
This book is so heartwarming and uplifting! It will make you cry, laugh and even make you say "ah." The characters come to life with such joy and such color.
Marsha
King of Lies by John Hart
Rating: 4 Stars
This complex mystery thriller keeps your interest until the last page. It explores the ideas of victimization, values and passionless marriage.
Cathey (dbinpgh@aol.com)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan
Rating: 4 Stars
This was my book club selection. It was a very interesting read and one I would recommend!
Sally B., San Antonio TX
London Bridges by James Patterson
Rating: 2 Stars
2.5 stars. This was an unabridged audiobook read by Peter J. Fernandez & Denis O'Hare. Alex Cross tries to find the wolf before numerous international cities are bombed. The author tried to cram too much action into one book. It would have been better as a trilogy.
Donna
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Rating: 5 Stars
Not my usual read, but I have heard all the buzz about this book and wanted to give it a try. It was a good read --- not bogged down in facts and figures, even though the book was based on a study. This book is an examination of why some businessess succeed and are recognized today, and why others fail or are not recognized by the public. The author also is very concise on his listing of the attributes of what makes a "great" company.
This book is a must read for all CEOs.
Ruby Davis
Icebound by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5 Stars
When a mission to harvest an iceberg for fresh water goes awry, the unthinkable happens. An earthquake breaks the iceberg away during a blizzard with the crew aboard. With only hours until the explosives detonate, how can these people be saved? Add in the fact that one of the group is a killer.
Leave plenty of reading time for this one, it's hard to put it down.
Kim (mammakim@aol.com)
Double Trouble by Claire Cross
Rating: 4 Stars
Great story about twins. One seems to be the troublemaker and the other is a goody two shoes, but the tables are turned when the goody-two-shoes twin abandons her husband and sons and leaves the bad twin to pick up the pieces. Secrets come out of the closet.
Laurie
Lost and Found by Carolyn Parkhurst
Rating: 3 Stars
This book captured my attention quickly --- but as the story moved on, the characters didn't develop as fully as I had hoped. LOST AND FOUND had a predictable ending, but it was a fun read.
drbrooke05
Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
Rating: 4 Stars
Very good book. What a childhood!
Audrey Burke
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Rating: 5 Stars
Actually, I'm reading this again --- you get even more out of it the second time. So read it again because I am sure you all read this wonderful book.
Donna
Killing Rain by Barry Eisler
Rating: 5 Stars
Fantastic thriller. The main character, Rain, has such depth to him that you feel as if you know him after reading this book. Even the supporting characters become well known to the reader. I especially liked the interesting settings and the descriptive fight scenes.
Mildred Bromberg
Blue Shoes And Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith
Rating: 5 Stars
I found all the books in this series charming.
drbrooke05
Glorious Appearing by Tim LaHaye
Rating: 3 Stars
A good, but drawn out, book.
poetry hound (praent@hotmail.com)
View From the Middle of the Road by Lucinda Clark
Rating: 4 Stars
This book of poetry is part of a summer promotional give away at the Small Press Center in Midtown Manhattan, N.Y.
The first 50 people to go to the center will receive a free copy.
Location: 20W 44th Street.
Nunu In Niagara
Back To Wando Passo by David Payne
Rating: 4 Stars
BACK TO WANDO PASSO is the story of a family that is trying to mend after a split. We follow the lives of the present-day family along, with the lives of their ancestors long deceased. The two stories are woven together and end as one. This is an interesting read that takes place in an old plantation home in South Carolina.
Rose Meyer
The Scent of God by Beryl Singleton Bissell
Rating: 4 Stars
The author writes a memoir of faith, love, and the choices she faces as a nun and woman in love with a priest.
Renee' Hanlin (hanlin321@revealed.net)
The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery
Rating: 5 Stars
This is one of the best books I've ever read! It is very informative and extremely well written! It brings to light the serious issue of Global Warming! It also gives solutions to try and solve the problem! I definitely recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about our climate and Global Warming!
Mildred Bromberg
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
Rating: 5 Stars
Steve Berry takes a bit of history and writes an exciting novel about it. It makes interesting reading.
Vanessa McDaniel
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg
Rating: 4 Stars
This is a wonderful book written by a talented author.
Barbara Bocan (babs48rn@cs.com)
A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris
Rating: 5 Stars
This is the book I most often recommend to other readers. Three generations of women tell their stories. It makes you appreciate each one's perspectives. A wonderful choice for a group book.
Carolyn Branch (cbranch@coin.org)
Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle
Rating: 4 Stars
I picked this book up reluctantly, thinking it would be one of those heavy-handed morality tales, and found myself so caught up in the gripping story that I stayed up half the night to finish it. It's all about two couples: one couple is very comfortable and living in a California gated communitiy; the other couple are illegal immigrants, barely hanging on to life, camping in the bottom of the canyon just below. The story is told in parallel fashion from four view points, and we get to know all four of the people intimately. We root for all four of them and hurt when they hurt. It brings all the contradictions, clashes, and ambiguities of the immigration question to blazing life. I would give it 5 stars if not for the very last page...
Robin B.
Getting Stoned with Savages by J. Maarten Troost
Rating: 5 Stars
If you like the writings of Bill Bryson, try this hilarious and informative chronicle of the author's life on Vanautu and Fiji. His first book, SEX LIVES OF THE CANNIBALS, was set on Kiribati, a south sea island close to Australia.
Carolyn Branch (cbranch@coin.org)
Bindweed by Janis Harrison
Rating: 4 Stars
This lightweight mystery is the latest in the Gardening Mystery series. It's a fun read with a good tight puzzle that keeps you guessing. Bretta Solomon, the flower shop owner/sleuth is a likable character who seems like an old friend, since I've read six books about her now. Start off with ROOTS OF MURDER --- it's the first in the series.
Robin B.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Rating: 5 Stars
Wonderful story of a young man's life in the circus during the 1930s. The story goes back and forth between his current life in an adult care facility and his experiences as the circus' veterinarian. This was a lushly romantic and sometimes brutal story, and I have to admit the ending was a little too unbelievable, but I really didn't care. It was a perfect summer read.
Coral Harrison
Killer Instinct by Joseph Finder
Rating: 4 Stars
A thriller about big business and trusting the wrong man. You hope the good guy wins and believe he must, or the book wouldn't be written. It is interesting to find out how this happens.
Vanessa McDaniel
The Mercy Room by Giles Rozier
Rating: 3 Stars
A unique twist on the horrible dust cloud that was the Holocaust. A young, rebellious woman hides a Jewish soldier.
Maureen
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Rating: 4 Stars
I loved this book. It was a great story about how secrets affect a family over the years. A real page turner.
Shirley Younger
No Time to Hide by Rob Palmer
Rating: 3 Stars
A captivating plot that keeps you reading.
Linda M. Johnson
Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by Z. Z. Packer
Rating: 4 Stars
A book of short stories. The most captivating book of short stories I've read in a long time. It's been on my list for awhile, so I'm not disappointed.
Patricia A.
The Girls by Lori Lansens
Rating: 5 Stars
A great book about conjoined twins. Sad, but humorous too. Ms. Lansens has done a great job of making you care about her characters.
Dodalodle from Beautiful British Columbia (dglg@telus.net)
The Cold Moon by Jeffery Deaver
Rating: 4 Stars
I loved this book, which was hard to put down. This is a serial murder case that has Lincoln Rhyme, a quadriplegic criminologist, and his partner/lover Amelia, a detective, working together. There are lots of twists and turns, and you won't be disappointed.
Aileen
The Innocent by Harlan Coben
Rating: 5 Stars
Wow... what a ride! Harlan Coben keeps your emotions going up and down as your read this book. Very suspenseful, with twists and turns right up to the end.
L. Gettle (lgettle@iserv.net)
Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
Rating: 4 Stars
Three unrelated women share a house.
Joanne
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Rating: 4 Stars
It took me a long time to get to this book because I didn't know what it was about. It is a great mystery story with constant puzzles to solve. I like it because it makes me think about other possibilites to facts as I know them.
Jo from Brooklyn
Day of Confession by Allan Folsom
Rating: 4 Stars
I'm halfway through DAY OF CONFESSION by Allan Folsom. This story of a Vatican conspiracy is an action-packed page-turner. It's a thriller that is not to be missed.
M. Blitz
Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
Rating: 3 Stars
Very confusing book --- you must fully concentrate on it while reading.
April Lemesh (alemesh@aol.com)
The Death of a President by William Manchester
Rating: 4 Stars
After almost 40 years, I finally got around to reading this amazing, well-researched and documented book. I believe everyone who the Kennedys and family ever knew was mentioned in some way in this book. For little-known details, it's worth the reading. Manchester believes the Kennedys were a God-like family. The book has an obvious bias, but makes the tragedy very real and relevant to American history.
Jeanne Sheats (catslady5@aol.com)
While She Was Sleeping by Suzanne Forster
Rating: 5 Stars
A romantic suspense that kept me guessing 'til the very end. I enjoyed it immensely.
Linda M. Johnson
The Devil Wears Prada by Laura Weisenburg
Rating: 3 Stars
A quick and mindless read. My cousin read the book last year while we were in Europe, then gave it to me. Since the movie is coming out, I thought I'd finally get the book off my shelf. I already know that Meryl Streep and Ann Hathaway don't match the descriptions of their characters in the book!
Betsy
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 4 Stars
This is a book for Babes. Evanovich focuses on Ranger in this one, and he and Stephanie become ever closer. However, she realizes some important things about her feelings for both of the main men in her life. Still, as usual, Stephanie stops short of having any real depth to her feelings --- a downfall in the series.
Helen
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery
Rating: 5 Stars
After reading a review of this book in the Christian Science Moniter, I purchased it from Alibris. I am not quite finished and almost hate to end it. It goes beyond the obvious story of a special and beloved porcine to comments about relationships with other humans and animals. I will be reading more of Sy Montgomery. Her description of the farm in New Hampshire makes me yearn for another way of life. If you love animals and you are open to spirituality in other forms, this would be a lovely book for you.
Maureen
Best Friends by Martha Moody
Rating: 3 Stars
Good but not great. Some parts were very good, while others were very slow.
Dani
Dating Dead Men by Harley Jane Kozak
Rating: 3 Stars
This book was enjoyable until the last 100 pages. At that point, I had no idea what was going on --- there were dozens of characters and plot changes that left me baffled.
L. Hann
1st to Die by James Patterson
Rating: 5 Stars
Excellent. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Why are these killings happening? Will they ever stop? It is amazing, and just when you think you have the answer, there is another twist. Awesome read!!
L. Hann
Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag
Rating: 4 Stars
This is a good book, but I don't think it is one of the best that Hoag has written. It keeps your interest but there is a lot of switching back and forth with the characters. There are almost too many to keep track of.
Bridget
The Girl in the Glass by Jeffrey Ford
Rating: 5 Stars
One of the best books I've read in a long time. It's about a couple of con artists in the 30s. The character development is great. THE GIRL IN THE CLASS takes an interesting look at America during the Great Depression.
Bridget
The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury
Rating: 3 Stars
A well-written action/suspense novel. The plot is totally unbelievable, but it is written well enough to keep you reading.
Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com)
Labryrinth: Libyan Odyssey by David Bloom
Rating: 3 Stars
Adventure, mystery and love are part of a young reporter's trek through the Libyan Desert.
Debbie
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen
Rating: 5 Stars
One of her best books. The suspense starts off with women being brought into the US across Mexico for the purpose of sex trade. It then has a great suspenseful plot involving Rizzo and her husband. I couldn't put the book down.
Leslie (lesliemcguinn@gmail.com)
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 5 Stars
I just love Janet's Stephanie Plum series. I got it for my birthday and just started reading it yesterday, I am 1/2 way through, and will finish it today. Her books just keep you interested and wanting to know what is going to happen next. I have read everything that Janet has written since Jan. '06 --- well, everything that is avalible. I recommend any of Janet's books to anyone who likes action and romance mixed.
Rita Cameron
Family Baggage by Monica McInerney
Rating: 5 Stars
The most enjoyable read of the summer. Delightful and thought-provoking. This was my first introduction to Monica McInerney. Now I plan to read her book, THE ALPHABET SISTERS.
L. Gettle
Hey, Good Looking by Fern Michaels
Rating: 4 Stars
This is a bittersweet story that will probably make you cry.
Bookmomma (Bookmomma@aol.com)
Maitland Under Siege by James Patrick Hunt
Rating: 4 Stars
This second in a series about a former cop turned bounty hunter and antique salesman is a non-stop, exciting ride. Maitland goes to Iowa to pick up a runaway accused killer and ends up fighting for his life.
Julie
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
Rating: 5 Stars
Wonderful story with religious imagery.
Julie (julietowson31@yahoo.com)
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
Rating: 3 Stars
Even though this was a national best seller and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, I thought it was a good read but it didn't knock my socks off.
Tonett Wojtasik
Baby Proof by Emily Griffin
Rating: 4 Stars
Another winner from Emily Griffin, this is the story of a woman who doesn't want children and how it affects her life and the lives of those around her. Great read!
Valerie Giambona
Match Made in Heaven by Bob MItchell, Robert L. Mitchell
Rating: 4 Stars
Golf? God? Not for me, I thought. However, I was intrigued enough to pick it up. Luckily, it took me 3 chapters to finish my grande mocha latte, and by that time, I was hooked. I loved seeing such familiar characters in such a unique way. It's funny, warm and reflective. I loved it!
Bookmomma (Bookmomma@aol.com)
Swapping Lives by Jane Green
Rating: 4 Stars
Two women switch places --- one is single and living in London, and the other is married with two children living near NYC. The swap is a result of a magazine contest, but both women, dissatisfied with their lives, learn that the grass isn't always greener. The depiction of life among wealthy suburbanites is truly horrifying.
Toni Savchuck (tonisandlin@aol.com)
Killer Instinct by Joseph Finder
Rating: 5 Stars
A businessman hires a new security chief, a former Special Forces member, and gets more than he bargained for.This book catches you and won't let you go!
Bonnie
Two for the Road by Jane and Michael Stern
Rating: 3 Stars
The husband and wife authors of ROAD FOOD tell the stories of their search for terrific out-of-the-way, down-home cafes and restaurants across small town America. Fun recipes included.
Jean Robbins (auntgigir@aol.com)
Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn
Rating: 5 Stars
This is about two middle-aged women off to Venice together for a trip of a lifetime. The book is funny as well as entertaining. I recommend all the Sisterchicks books.
Jenelle Hutchens (PhoenLxofDestLny@aol.com)
Calamity Jayne by Kathleen Bacus
Rating: 5 Stars
Extremely humorous!! Set in Iowa, Tressa meets as much trouble as Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's bestselling series. This is a good summer read, where you don't have to think too much and you get a really good laugh.
Shirley
Black Silk by Metsy Hingle
Rating: 5 Stars
Another great suspense story from Metsy. Fast paced and exciting. A great read!
Diane in Massachusetts
Killer Instinct by Joseph Finder
Rating: 5 Stars
Finder's done it again! When a coporate salesman befriends the wrong guy and brings him into his company, he lives to regret it. Dishonorably discharged from the Special Forces, Kurt rises through the ranks of corporate security at lighening speed. The fortunes of his "buddy" rise even more quickly. However, when Kurt's methods are questioned, his former good will turn to lethal menace. This book is hard to put down. I can't wait for Finder's next one!
Sandra F.
Hard Truth by Nevada Barr
Rating: 5 Stars
A new Nevada Barr book is always a treat. Her series set in the national parks of America is terrific. There is so much information about each of the parks and each plot fits right in with the natural background. If you have not read these books, you are missing great entertainment.
Michelle Miller (miller4plusmore@bellsouth.net)
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Rating: 5 Stars
I caught the trailer of the upcoming movie and was intrigued. I had never had an interest in reading this book before, but after seeing the trailer, I had to read it. I certainly was not disappointed. This was a thoroughly entertaining and witty book. I could not put it down, and found myself stealing moments to read it! I highly recommend it!
Eileen
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Rating: 5 Stars
This book reminds me so much of the kind of books I would read as a teen. It is full of sweet Southern imagery and is just a great story about one woman's journey in life.The characters feel like people I know.
Marsha
Camille Claudel by Alma H. Bond
Rating: 4 Stars
Pyschoanalyst Dr. Alma Bond gets inside the mind of the sculptress and mistress of Rodin. Camille Claudel's tormented life is a fascinating reminder of what challenges women artists endured during the nineteenth century. Her descent into madness is painful to watch.
Lyla W (dragonqwester@hotmail.com)
Symptoms of Withdrawal by Christopher Kennedy Lawford
Rating: 4 Stars
I have just finished reading this book and found that it was a refreshingly honest look at a person's struggle with not only two famous parents, but his dive into drug and alcohol addiction. His writing voice is warm, funny, and self deprecating. He reflects on how being part of the Kennedy clan shaped his life, and how the loss of two of his uncles to assisination changed how he looked at life and his decisions. He accepts full responsibility for his problems with drugs and alcohol, which is so refreshing, and gives credit where credit is due for his life accomplishments. All in all, a very satisfying read and one I recommend highly.
Alabama Jack (jquick5342@aol.com)
Sleeper by Gene Riehl
Rating: 4 Stars
In this second episode, Puller Monk has to match wits with a sexy, dangerous, blonde assassin, born Samantha Williamson but now named Sung Kim. She was stolen from America as a child and trained in North Korea in various martial and felonious arts. In the midst of personal problems, Monk accepts a secret assignment to find a priceless stolen painting. Riehl breaks no new ground with regard to international relations, but the book is a fast read with a nice twisty plot. I’m ready for another.
Carolyn Swinhart (unicorn91010@msn.com)
The Pillars of Creation by Terry Goodkind
Rating: 4 Stars
This is book 7 in a sci-fi series. It's very good, and keeps me interested.
Jackie
The Husband by Dean Koontz
Rating: 5 Stars
Another great one by Dean. It starts off a bit strangely but zips straight into nightmare territory to a great finish, just like all his others. I finished in one night...
Randi Odierno (rodierno@aol.com)
The Rapture by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Rating: 4 Stars
This is not as riveting as the first two in the series (LEFT BEHIND and THE TRIBULATION FORCE), which are the only ones that I've read thus far. I went to the bookstore for NICOLAE and walked out with THE RAPTURE. It's basically a recap of what you've already read in those first two, taking the minutia, the comments and some unexplained statements, and bringing them all together. Like I implied, I am not glued to the pages...
Dee McKinney
A Garden of Vipers by Jack Kerley
Rating: 5 Stars
This is Kerley's 3rd book; all of his previous titles were excellent, but I think this one will be the best, by far. He's a very talented author, and he has honed his craft. Thriller fans should definitely read his work.
Marilyn Shoemaker
Kill Me Twice by Roxanne St. Claire
Rating: 5 Stars
KILL ME TWICE, the first in Roxanne St. Claire’s
Bullet Catcher
series is set in Miami Beach with the most incredible sexy, talented, and hot Cuban-born bodyguard you will ever come to know, Alex Romero. Alex is hired to protect Jessica Adams, a Miami newscaster who is about to write a very powerful expose that will put her at the top of her field and land her in New York. Jessica asks her identical twin, Jazz --- a PI --- to fill in for her at the Miami TV station so that she can go undercover to get her story. When Jazz arrives in Miami, she finds that Alex, a bodyguard, has been hired to protect her twin, due to personal threats on her life. Now her sister is missing and not to be found. From there on, these two very capable, strong-willed and fiery people team up and begin a journey and search for Jessica that will knock your socks off.
I found this book suspenseful, powerful, intriguing, and extremely sensual. The Bullet Catcher organization is headed up by an amazing ex-CIA agent, Lucy Sharpe. Lucy also has on her team, two additional strong and sexy men, Max Roper and Dan Gallagher. The stores of these bodyguards and security specialists will be continued in future Bullet Catcher Series.
KILL ME TWICE, I believe, will be one of Roxanne St. Claire’s best romance/suspense novel. This book truly deserves five stars and more!
Patti D.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Rating: 5 Stars
A beautifully-written book about young Chinese girls growing up in the time of foot binding. You have to read it!!!
Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com)
The Husband by Dean Koontz
Rating: 4 Stars
A story of an ordinary man whose amazing commitment takes him on a harrowing journey of adventure, violence, sacrifice, and redemption.
China (BlondeFairy1975@aol.com)
The Accidental by Ali Smith
Rating: 2 Stars
I was really disappointed in this book. I couldn't even finish it and I had been looking forward to reading it.
Cindy (cindywoo44@hotmail.com)
In Sunlight, In a Beautiful Garden by Kathleen Cambor
Rating: 5 Stars
This is a novel about the people and events preceding the Johnstown flood in Pennsylvania in 1889. The author's prose is beautiful as she brings such figures as Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon and Henry Clay Frick to life. Pittsburgh natives will love it.
Paige
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Rating: 5 Stars
Thank you, Mr. Roberts. This book, albeit a monster at 900-plus pages, was so fabulous that neither myself nor my fellow book club members wanted it to end. If you need a great Summer read and a book you can really get into that has vivid characters, setting, and a suspenseful yet meaningful plot, you've got to read this. Plus, they're making a movie out of the book --- Johnny Depp will star as Lin. It should be released sometime in 2007. SHANTARAM definitely made it onto my "favorites" list, which is not an easy task...
Carrie Hisler (tazaroo@mchsi.com)
Eleven On Top by Janet Evanovich
Rating: 4 Stars
I love the Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie is so fiesty. I laugh out loud at some of her escapades. This book is hard to put down. Can't wait to read the next book too.
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