| Sagrario |
Startled By His Furry Shorts by Louise Rennison |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An excellent book to read when you want to just have mindless fun laughing.
|
| Marsha |
The Watchman by Robert Crais |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first book featuring Joe Pike, a partner of Elvis Cole. If you like nonstop action and well-written thrillers with highly developed characters, then this book is for you.
|
| Ruth |
The Wyoming Kid by Debbie Macomber |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This is one of the author's series romances. It's a nice story, but I prefer her longer books.
|
| Ruth |
What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This story was comparable to those of one of my other favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark. It held my attention all the way through.
|
| Bridget |
Au Paris by Rachel Spencer |
Rating: 2 Stars |
A disappointing memoir/ collection of blogs about spending a few weeks as an au pair in Paris. It was supposed to be humorous (I think), but it just really annoyed me. If I were the parents of the children, I would have sent this woman packing!
|
| Bridget |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Wow! I read this book thinking (for about the first half) that it was pretty good. What a surprise! There is such a twist that I just never saw coming! I cannot stop thinking about this book!
|
| Christy |
The Chaos King by Laura Ruby |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Bug and Gurl are back with more adventures in this new entertaining sequel to the THE WALL AND THE WING.
Ms. Ruby's writing style is unique and inventive, with fun and quirky characters.
The alternate fantasy world will draw you in and keep you absorbed to the very end.
This book is a definite must read and if you haven't read the first book, it's a must also.
|
| Barbara |
The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook |
Rating: 5 Stars |
You will not want to put this book down. You just have to know what will happen next. Every time you think you have it figured out there is another twist or turn. I was not happy with the ending because I am a romantic, but it had to end the way it did.
I was great to know what happened in real life to all the places.
|
| Diane S. |
Two Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Great read. I suggest it to everyone who likes Clark's writing and to anyone who likes being pulled into a good book.
|
| Fran |
Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I loved this story, which was full of loveable characters, compelling personal stories, soem family drama, a bit of romance and a whole lot of friendship. I will definitely look for more by this wonderful author!
|
| Barbara |
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron |
Rating: 4 Stars |
What wonderful tongue-in-cheek humor. I was able to relate to most of the book and could really understand where she is coming from. A must read for every woman.
|
| Jud Hanson |
Aftermath by Peter Robinson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book features Acting Det. Superintendent Alan Banks, familiar to fans of Peter Robinson. In this book, a chance call from a neighbor leads police to apprehend a serial killer, or so they think. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that one particular victim, the "killer's" wife, may not be a victim after all. That's all I'm going to say so as to not ruin the ending.
|
| Susan Jensen |
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I'm giving this YA book 5 stars because it mesmerized me, drew me in so completely that I literally could not put it down! It's the story of Gemma Doyle, a 16-year-old girl, who's wracked with guilt over her mother's mysterious death. When she's shipped off to an English boarding school, she struggles to put the tragedy behind her and get on with the business of learning how to be a proper lady. But, she's troubled by disturbing visions and the warnings of the handsome man who seems to be tracking her every move. As Gemma delves deeper into her visions, she discovers a colorful "world between worlds," that is as dangerous as it is addicting. She and her friends can't keep themselves from this strange world where they find freedom from their stifling lives, but the magic of "the realms" is more dangerous than they ever imagined.
This book is a chilling, absorbing read that is much deeper than it seems at first.
|
| Sandy |
Step on a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Just finished this awesome story and am sure hoping this is the beginning of a new series.
|
| Peggy |
Raising Cain by Gallatin Warfield |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you like courtroom drama, you will love this book. It's a well written, suspense-packed legal thriller. Do not mistake the book with the movie, Raising Cain. The only similarity between the book and the movie is that they share the same title.
|
| Mary (ella480@aol.com) |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This absolutely was a "best" book!
|
| Kay Keller |
The Book of Names by Jill Gregory & Karen Tintori |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book mixes the Kabbala and the tarot with lots of suspense and the dark forces trying to bring about the end of the world. What I enjoyed so much about this thriller was reading about a mystical book that was written by the biblical Adam. There was so much to think about in this novel. I also enjoyed the short chapters that changed the setting from place to place. I would definitely recommend this book!
|
| Jud Hanson |
The Singing Sword by Jack Whyte |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is Book 2 of the Camulod Chronicles. As the book opens, we see Rome in further decline and the continuing struggles for a small band of Britons that found their own community, outside of the Roman Empire. Some important political alliances are formed and the reader is introduced to the "Pendragon" clan. All in all, this was an excellent book.
|
| Joel |
Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent mystery and portrayal of characters.
|
| Genie (geniedances@yahoo.com) |
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first book in a series by Carrie Vaughn. We are introduced to Kitty, who has her own late night show at a small public radio station in Denver. She took the late hours after she became a werewolf. It seemed to be a better way to avoid the public eye as her lifestyle has become something she has trouble accepting herself.
One night, she makes some off-the-cuff remarks on the air about Bat Boy, which turns into a talk fest about the paranormal. The is a hit, and the station wants to keep the format. What problems could this possibly cause?
Local werewolf and vampire leaders hate the attention the show brings into the public. Although Kitty has been submissive in her werewolf pack, she becomes assertive about her own life and decides to keep the show. When listeners discover that she speaks from experience, the real trouble begins. Hired assassins, the police, vampires, werewolves, jealousy and hatred all combine to make things difficult for the late night show host. When a series of murders are committed that point to the paranormal community Kitty, decides to take matters in her own hands. She teams up with a known assassin to discover the identity of the killer.
|
| Jud Hanson |
The Skystone by Jack Whyte |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first book in a fascinating series called the Camulod Chronicles. It's a rendering of what the backstory of King Arthur might have been. The book starts with the decline of the Roman empire, and you are introduced to an array of characters that play a pivotal role in the developement of the Arthurian legend. I planned to read the whole series as fast as I can obtain the books.
|
| Bonnie |
Promise Me by Harlen Coben |
Rating: 4 Stars |
His mysteries never disappoint, and this one is terrific.
|
| Sandra F. |
The Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Bernard Cornwell is the best writer of historical fiction today. THE LORDS OF THE NORTH is the last book in the trilogy set in Britain in the time of Alfred the Great. It follows the story of Uthred, who is torn between the Danes who raise him and his Saxon background. This is a raw and exciting book that depicts life as it was in the 9th century.
|
| Karen Terry (mi3sons@mchsi.com) |
Proof Positive by Phillip Margolin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I really love the fast pace of the of the book. It is about how justice can be rigged to suit the crime, and how a criminalist can cross over the line, using murder to solve cases to boost his status in a courtroom.
|
| Sally |
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This sequel to THE GOLDEN COMPASS, the book starts with a totally different character, but continues Lyra's story in an amazing new universe. The author has added many new characters, as well as keeping many of the previous characters from the first book. Once again, it was hard to put down, and is almost as good as THE GOLDEN COMPASS. It leads right into the last book of the trilogy, THE AMBER SPYGLASS.
|
| Karen |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love reading any of her titles, and this was no exception. It made me look at my own children from different perspectives, wanting to see if there was something I was missing in their lives. My children are 20+, but you still wonder where you may have gone wrong, as Lacy is in the book. For some reason I connected with her and nothing like this has happened in my family --- yet. I don't think any of us are immune, and to think we are is not being honest with ourselves.
|
| Marilyn Shoemaker |
Marcelli Princess by Susan Mallery |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I'm so glad I was one Susan Mallery's fans/readers who asked for Mia's story and wasn't disappointed! I love the Marcelli Sisters series and this was no exception. It was delightful, entertaining, and caused me to shed a few tears. However, what I most loved about this book was that it brought out Susan Mallery's charm and sense of humor!
Mia and her sisters taking on a crown Prince? If you've read the series, then one would appreciate this aspect and the family dynamics.
As for lessons, there are many to be learned --- like what's important in life, what does love really mean to a person? What can respect, love and determination bring into a relationship? Not to mention, family values, traditions and holding each member close and dear to each of them.
The book had a wonderful ending. I thought Mia was strong, fierce, determined and passionate. As for Crown Prince Rafael, he was brought to his knees by Mia and her family! Loved it!
Again, Susan Mallery has delivered a wonderful story and series and one I shall long remember! Thank you, Susan.
|
| Sandra F. |
The End of East by Jen Sookfong Lee |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a first novel and is the story of three generations of Chinese immigrants in Vancouver. It is a lovely story that tells equally well the story of the male, as well as the female immigrant. This is a just recently published novel and well worth reading.
|
| Judy O. |
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an absolutely wonderful book!!! It is the story of Liesel Meminger, who calls herself "The Book Thief" because, in her hunger to read, she steals books. Liesel lives in Germany during the years of World War II. She is a foster child in a very poor home, and we learn much about her and her family's struggle to survive the Nazis. At one point, the family takes in a Jew named Max, which puts them in greater peril. The story is narrated by Death. I'm just enthralled by the whole story and really recommend it to everyone.
|
| Patricia McClimans (pmcclimans@hotmail.com) |
Dead Souls by Ian Rankin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the Inspector John Rebus series books, this one has all the gritty action Ian Rankin is famous for. DI Rebus outs a paedophile, and vigilantes take over. He has yet another weight on his conscience. At the same time a convicted murderer is playing games with Rebus and the tabloid press is writing a lot of trash about him. As always his bosses are not happy! Ian Rankin can make you loss alot of sleep. Try to read the series from the beginning, not so much because you need the back ground, but because every one of these books is worth the read. I have read them all several times, and still love them.
|
| Alison |
The Lytton Family Trilogy by Penny Vincenzi |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I was absolutely hooked on this trilogy and enjoyed every word in these 900+ page books. SHE'S NO ANGEL is the first one, followed by SOMETHING DANGEROUS, then INTO TEMPTATION. The writing is superb and the storyline keeps you guessing. I was so sad when they ended, I felt like I was losing a whole family of friends. After I finishing the last page during a long airplane flight, I had to just stare out the window for a while and absorb it all. I highly, highly recommend these books.
|
| Sandra F. |
Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
For anyone who has read and loved Daphne DuMaurier's REBECCA, this book is for you. It is a lovely story of Rebecca and the people who were affected by her, twenty years after her death.
|
| Cheryl K. |
Shadow Man by Cody McFadyen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I couldn't put this book down. The story is horrifying, but it is so well written that I can't wait until the follow-up, THE FACE OF DEATH.
|
| Sonia Chopra |
The Double Bind by Chris Bojalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I could not put this book down. It was engrossing and suspenseful. I identified with the protagonist's obsessive quest to uncover the truth, as I know I would have been equally intrigued about the homeless man and his collection of extraordinary photographs. The twist in the story is how the pictures are connected to her life and her past, which she wants very much to forget. Highly recommended.
|
| M. Blitz |
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I would give it 10 stars if that were possible. It was a typical book by Mary Higgins Clark book that kept you guessing until she gives you the answer in the last couple of chapters.
This book is about a serial murderer and a dysfunctional set of families based over 30 years.
|
| Susy |
Contagion by Robin Cook |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A great medical thriller. Some of the medical jargon could have been explained a bit, but other than that, it was a very suspenseful book and the ending is very surprising! This was my first Robin Cook book, and I intend to read more!
|
| Joan |
Swimming Lessons by Mary Alice Monroe |
Rating: 5 Stars |
At last, after 5 years, Monroe has written a sequel to THE BEACH HOUSE. We are reunited with the same characters and continue with life on Isle of Palms. Toy Sooner is now a marine biologist and is raising her daughter Lovie, as a single parent. She rehabilitates the loggerhead turtles that come to the island every May to nest on the beaches. She finds love in her life just as her ex-abususive boyfriend Darryl returns to try and pick up the pieces of the past. SWIMMING LESSONS is a heartwarming story of family, friends, and the love of wild life on the shores of the Atlantic.
|
| Darryl from TX |
Playing God in Yellowstone by Alston Chase |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a good time of year to re-read this 1986 book. Written by an uber-environmentalist and focusing on our first national park, it shows how many "pro-environmental" policies have actually harmed the environment. It is especially appropriate for Easter season as it discloses the religious impluse that motivates many in the environmental movement.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death by M. C. Beaton |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A cute, easy-to read mystery that centered on a middle-aged woman having a fling with a boy toy, and losing her perception due to this fling. I hope I would be a better judge of character than Agatha.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Snipe Hunt by Sarah R. Shaber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love a good mystery. This is the 2nd book in the Simon Shaw series. Shaber is a master researcher. There was some interesting information about shipwrecks, the Wilmington area, hurricanes, World War II, and the Civil War. This was also a pretty good story. Simon is definitely growing on me. He is a very likable character. He is at the beach near Wilmington with a friend of his, and they're asked to answer some questions about some coins found with a dead body from the 40s they just dredged up off shore. Interestingly enough, the dead body is a relative of some locals. Simon thinks he is reluctant to get involved in another case but with the help of his former love interest, Julia, he is hot on the trail of a killer. A killer who is still killing. This mystery had clues that threw you off the real motive. I liked that about this one. Shaber did a good job directing Simon and the reader off track. Although, Simon should have gone with his gut and proceeded with what he deduced in the first place, he reacted like anyone would and went on a couple wild goose chases. But these just brought him closer to Julia. It will be interesting to see what happens to this relationship in future books. I'm looking forward to continuing this series.
|
| P Hess |
The Perfect Royal Mistress by Diane Haeger |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Historical fiction about Nell Gwynne. She was born into poverty and raised in a brothel by her alcoholic mother. Through a twist of fate, she sells oranges in the pit of London's King's Theatre. There, she meets King Charles II and becomes a famous actress and supposedly the only woman King Charles really loved. THE PERFECT ROYAL MISTRESS is a very good read about King Charles and the court during 17th century London.
|
| Jeanie |
The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I read this book in one sitting, up till midnight to finish it! It is a part coming-of- age novel and part murder mystery. Who had a motive to kill the abortionist? Great read!
|
| Anne Barrie |
The Governor's Wife by Kate Rizor |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is an amazing and very inspirational read! It starts with mayor hopeful Tanner Thornburg asking his socialite wife for a divorce. She doesn't take it well and on her exit she is kidnapped, kicking off ten years of lost time. A chance meeting with police puts her back with him. She's been living on the streets! She has a choice of going back with him or staying out on the street with no identity. You get lost in this story with the main characters and their struggle to get back together.
|
| Karen Barash |
By The Time You Read This by Giles Blunt |
Rating: 4 Stars |
As mystery novels go, this held my ineterest. It is a pyschological suspense novel.
|
| Helene Simpson |
Edgewise by Graham Masterton |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A great read from a master of horror and psychological suspense. This book is one of his best. The story is about the Wendingo, an American Indian sprirt, so there is information about Native americans throughout the book. If you haven't read any of Masterton's books, you need to discover the master he is.
|
| Ricki (rickimc@aol.com) |
Obsession by Karen Robards |
Rating: 2 Stars |
A confusing and not-too-romantic thriller. it's good for a mindless read, but that is about it.
|
| Marcia |
I, Mona Lisa by Jeanne Kalogridis |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Intriguing, interesting historical fiction about the Medicis, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Mona Lisa. This was a long book that I didn't want to end. I enjoyed it and wanted to read more about that time period.
|
| Christy |
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark |
Rating: 1 Stars |
I was so disappointed reading this book. It didnt seem like Clark's writing style, and it didn't flow. I only finished it because I hoped it would get better. Dont buy this, get at the library if you must read it.
|
| Angie |
The Chaos King by Laura Ruby |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Okay, this review is a little, well, early, since I've only just started my ARC of THE CHAOS KING, but I LOVE it! The wacky, original, fun, crazy humor makes this a great mix of Harry Potter charm and A Series of Unfortunate Events lunacy. I definitely recommend it! So far, that is!
|
| Angie |
Kabul Beauty School by Debbie Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
With a narrator as vivacious and relatable as Debbie, there's no way you can go wrong. Moving at a lightening fast speed, KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL is equal parts horrifying and inspiring. A fresh, heroic look at Afghanistan, it offers up touching stories and an excellent read. Definitely recommended!
|
| Angie |
Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
There's never a boring moment in Maximum Ride III. Whether we're being catered to some signature Max wit, swooning over the incredibly swoon-worthy Fang, or simply playing witness to a tender moment within the flock, it is so insanely hard to put down, so extremely fast-paced, and so beautifully executed. I mean, sure there were moments when things were a little predictable and sometimes Fang's blog got tedious, but Maximum Ride was as action packed and heart wrenching as can be. In fact, I'm still wishing that our favorite birdkids' journey wasn't over... Mr. Patterson, please make the series a quintet! I’m sure I’m not the only fan unwilling to get off this ride!!!
|
| Angie |
In Search of Mockingbird by Loretta Ellsworth |
Rating: 2 Stars |
IN SEARCH OF MOCKINGBIRD is a gentle coming-of-age tale about a young girl, Erin, without a mother. She is relatable in this subtle story, and it is easy to want to follow her journey to find the one connection she has to her mother (Harper Lee, through TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD). However, despite the interesting and colorful characters she meets along the way, I never felt that this novel reached its potential. Nothing really grabbed me by the heart. There was no flavor or feel of the 80s, or any real payoff at the conclusion. It was an honorable effort at a poignant tale, but couldn't quite make me want to be 'In Search of Mockingbird' again.
|
| Angie |
If We Kiss by Rachel Vail |
Rating: 4 Stars |
IF WE KISS entranced me. At first, the book seemed shallow and superficial. I was sure I wouldn't end up recommending it. Boy, was I wrong! Rachel Vail captured the complete essence and pain of love, betrayal, and confusion. Throughout the story you realize that the main character, Charlie, isn't as "blah" as she first seems. No, she is a smart, normal, witty girl who has a real level of connection with the reader. This book actually surprised me in many ways. It wasn't one of the standard, run-of-the-mill plots with the predictable ending that books like these usually are. Instead, I was enraptured with the story's realistic, honest approach at an edgy subject. IF WE KISS got me so emotionally involved with the characters that I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It was a fantastic book, written in a magnificently subtle voice.
|
| Phyllisg |
Momzillas by Jill Kargman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A book about the pressure mothers in New York society face in making sure their babies are signed up in classes to get them in the right nursery school and on up. This presents a funny look at the skewed world of the 'high society'.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Clover by Dori Sanders |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An awesome story of a black girl living with a white stepmother, as well as a brief look at the world from a child's view. I am surprised that the tone is so mild, especially for a Southern town. In the South that I have seen, this situation would not have been accepted. The author does not bring up the fact that the child is not white, like the stepmother, until halfway through the book --- why?
|
| Marsha |
Memento Mori by Muriel Spark |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This book was recommended as a witty, black comedy concerning the last days of several English folks. I failed to see the humor in this group of vulnerable aging eccentrics. Not my cup of tea.
|
| Bob Chase (rchase1032@aol.com) |
The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very good read and as current as today's headlines. Forsyth has created masterful characters who operate in the world of international espionage and terror. This is the author at his best.
|
| Carol |
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A fun read.
|
| Ginny |
The Castle in the Forest by Norman Mailer |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I'm going to write up my opinion on this new novel after only the first 100 pages, because I doubt I'll ever finish it. Writing as the devil's henchman, the narrator sets about to tell the life story of Adolf Hitler. It is one of incest, debauchery, earthy personal preferences, and a variety of very good or very bad characters. There was an amusing brief incident in which the narrating devil admitted that by writing this record, he'd probably have to join something similar to the witness protection program if his boss ever discovered it. Perhaps in a month or two, I'll try again, but for now, this has not been one of my best reading experiences.
|
| Ginny |
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield |
Rating: 5 Stars |
In this unusual tale, Vida Winter, a famous but reclusive writer, summons biographer Margaret Lea to record her life story. But because Winter is famous for receating her life differently in each interview she has given the press over the years, Lea has to be convinced that this time the story is real. Not only does it check out, but it is the most bizarre of tales. I enjoyed this unusual story very much. A must read!
|
| Kay Keller |
The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I'm glad I took a chance on this book as it was enjoyable and humorous. I laughed aloud at this book, which was first published in 1919, many times. The book will come back into print next month (May 2007) in paperback, and I may purchase it as gifts for the book lovers I know. Great "bibliotherapy" for bibliophiles!
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This was the sequel of TRUE BELIEVER. Lexie and Jeremy met in the first book, and fall in love. Jeremy is a writer who arrived in this small NC town to write a story about the ghost lights that appear on foggy nights in the cemetery. AT FIRST SIGHT begins after he asks her to marry him, and she is already pregnant with their child. The story is basically about their relationship. Jeremy has left New York and decides he can settle down and write from this small NC town (Boone Creek). At first it seems like a fairytale, but then jealousy and lack of communication leads to some rocky roads. In the middle of planning a wedding, renovating a new house, and uncovering secrets, Jeremy has writer's block. Things settle down for the new couple after the wedding and they become more comfortable and happy. Then they find out the baby may be at risk with ABS, or ambiotic band syndrome. Although very stressful, the time before the baby is born is a very close and intimate one for Lexie and Jeremy. Jeremy even starts writing again. Although the ending is sad, I think Sparks does his usual magic with character development and great story telling. This isn’t his best, but it is better than TRUE BELIEVER.
|
| Christy (oltlfreak@aol.com) |
A Necessary Evil by ALex Kava |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love all her books, and this one didn't let me down. I had to wait five years for it, Don't let it happen again, Alex! :)
|
| Vicki M. |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the first book I've read by this author and I am very impressed. I'm very drawn to the characters and can't wait to unravel the mystery of Bobbie Crocket and how his past is connected to Laurel. Great read.
|
| Jane O'Neal |
The Lake House by James Patterson |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This was the first book I'd read by James Patterson. He apparently has written several books about these half child/half bird creatures. I was disappointed with the predictable story and characters. It reminded me of a mediocre movie.
|
| Elaine Gutenstein (EBpooh@aol.com) |
Step on a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Wow! Another crime hero for us to read about. I know lots of you are thinking, how could this one be diffferent from the Cross novels? Well... in this novel, I felt truly close to our hero. He has a huge family, with huge things going on, but he is likable and very real. I almost cried during the Christmas hospital scene. Bravo to Patterson for giving us yet another reason to enjoy his easy reading style!
|
| Elaine Gutenstein (EBpooh@aol.com) |
The Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I vowed to do nothing more than eat and read over my Spring Break, and this first novel of the Shopaholic series has been waiting to be read for so long. What a joyful ride. OK, it's predictable, but you get to laugh out loud and enjoy it because, admit it...you've been there yourself! So, what did this bookaholic do after reading the first one? I went out and got the next two...I get "points" everytime I shop; wouldn't Bex be proud of me?
|
| Mia (CA) |
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a well-written book about families and family secrets. With a lot of twists and turns, sometimes the truth can come out.
It was a very gripping tale.
|
| L. Green |
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Fast paced and entertaining story of finding the love of your life. A funny, "curl up with a good book" read.
|
| Coral Harrison |
Double Tap by Steve Martini |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a good suspense novel. Paul Marriani is a lawyer trying to prove that his client is innocent. After many problems, murder, and continual government misue of power, the trial comes to the right conclusion. It is a good book.
|
| Judy O. |
Damage Control by Robert Dugoni |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Dana Hill, a young lawyer in a prestigious firm, is shocked when her twin brother is murdered in an apparent robbery. She finds a valuable object at her brother's house, which sets her on the quest for the truth. This is a great story.
|
| Christy |
Goblins by Vincent Courtney |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I bought this book while on a vacation and my choices were limited. I assumed it was going to be your basic evil baby theme and that I would probably not finish it. However, it turned out to be quite suspenseful and entertaining.
|
| Laurie Blum (laurieblum@hotmail.com) |
Kafka in Bronteland And Other Stories by Tamar Yellin |
Rating: 4 Stars |
These 13 stories address universal themes of yearning and displacement, love, loss, and the struggle to belong -- interesting!
|
| Beth Schweikert |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
As always, Picoult has a way of pulling you in right from the start.
|
| Barbara Duncan (barbaralynduncan@yahoo.com) |
Lover Awakened by J. R. Ward |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the third book in Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I can't wait to read the fourth one! It has everything you want --- excitement, forbidden love, desire, romance, violence, passion and more...
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| Genie (geniedances@yahoo.com) |
Blood Trail by Tanya Huff |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Ex-cop turned private investigator Vickie Nelson was forced to leave the police force because of a debilitating eye condition that leaves her blind at night. While working on a case, Vickie meets Henry, a 400-year-old vampire (and illegitimate son of Henry VIII). Henry become part of Vickie's PI firm and helps her with her first case by becoming her eyes at night. Vickie and Henry are friends, but there is the beginning of a strong attraction between them. Vickie's ex working partner, Mike Celluci, is a friend, as well as a romantic interest. He doesn’t trust Henry and is doing a background search on him.
BLOOD TRAIL begins with a telephone call from Henry, asking her to take on a murder investigation for a friend of his. As it turns out, this friend and his family are werewolves. Someone has shot and killed several family members while in wolf form. All the murders have taken place at night on their farm, while they were checking on their sheep. They refuse to go to the police, even though the eldest son was a police officer, in fear of their secret being discovered. Vickie and Henry go to the farm and work together to find the killer before any more family members are murdered. Things become more complicated when Mike Celluci shows up unannounced, hoping to prove to Vickie that Henry isn’t what he seems.
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| Susan |
Innocent in Death by J. D. Robb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A fun installment in the Lt. Eve Dallas series. Unlike other series, J. D. Robb never has never written a disappointing book. Each additional installment shows growth in the characters and always makes you want to read the book in one sitting.
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| Sonia |
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very well written. Didion brings you into her personal experience of loss when it happens to her, and in the worst imaginable way. If you have ever lost anyone, this is a must read.
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| Suzanne (sknapp@stny.rr.com) |
Bones Would Rain From the Sky by Suzanne Clothier |
Rating: 5 Stars |
For all dog lovers everywhere, BONES WOULD RAIN FROM THE SKY is a nonfiction book that will speak what your heart has been telling you. It was wonderfully written by a woman who has raised dogs, trained dogs, and had a lifelong love affair with dogs.It made me laugh, made me cry, and made me a better dog person.
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| L. Hann |
High Five by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Janet Evanovich does it again, and has written another great read. Stephanie Plum gets herself into another funny bounty-hunter situation. We find out what happened to her Uncle Fred. This fast read makes you laugh.
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| Krishna Shah |
In the Company of Liars by David Ellis |
Rating: 3 Stars |
IN THE COMPANY OF LIARS starts at the end of the storyline and goes back in time as the book progress. It is like reading the movie Memento. The story starts out really good, but it doesn't keep it up throughout the book. The concept of telling what happened from the final result back is very refreshing and I liked it; I just wasn't that fond of any of the characters. You couldn't really like any of them or want to root for them. If you stop reading at page 100, you will love the book.
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| Coral Harrison |
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very romantic book told in the first person by Wilson Lewis. He has been married to the woman he loves nearly 30 years. They have 3 children, but he is not sure she still loves him or knows that he loves her.
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| C Lee Parry (spenc@netnitco.net) |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I cannot set this one down. It is excellent!!!
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| C Lee Parry (spenc@netnitco.net) |
The Mercy Seller by Brenda Rickman Vantrease |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I'm halfway through this historical fiction. It is awesome. Such a good read!
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| C Lee Parry (spenc@netnitco.net) |
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I don't know why I waited so long to read this one. It is very good ... just too sad. I have to put is down for something else.
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| Carole (leonebear@aol.com) |
Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper |
Rating: 4 Stars |
He reveals what it is really takes be a reporter covering war, hurricanes and tsunamis and other world events and disasters --- the fear,fascination, adrenalin rush...
I have watched Anderson on TV and find him to be compasionate, real, and willing to ask the tough questions. He also touches on his family losses. I wanted more...
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| Nyla Thompson |
The White Bird by Lauran Paine |
Rating: 5 Stars |
What does an old buffalo hunter, an ancient Navajo, an old Lakota woman, a young Indian girl, and an old buffalo have in common?
They all come from the four directions of the wind, and have made a magical circle. A white bird fortells in a dream that the circle will be broken. I have never read the works of Lauran Paine before, I think he is a great, spellbindind author.
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| Denise |
Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a beautifully written first novel that draws the reader in from the begining. The lives of the two women central to the book are drawn so realistically that you feel you know them well --- and hate to leave them.
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| Nyla Thompson |
Night of the Comanche Moon by T. T. Flynn |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ann Carruthers had no idea when she left England that the son of a Commanche chief offered 100 horses for her. A life in the New Mexico Territory with bandits, Indians, and violance was something she was not prepared for. She meets a loner, who becomes her one chance for survival in the lawless wilderness.
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| Lori (sunbug5505@yahoo.com) |
The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Who knew that television's "Dr. House" was also an author? And, as he does on the TV show, he does this job very well. It's the humorous story of a retired officer of the Scots Guard who tries to do a good deed and gets mixed up with the British Secret Service, the CIA, a nasty arms dealer, terrorists, varous other villans, and of course, a beaufiful woman or two.
It's not your typical spy/adventure novel in that there are as many laughs as there are adventures. I don't usually find myself smiling or chuckling out loud when reading a spy or detective novel, but I did in this one. I think it falls somewhere between 007 and Naked Gun. Read it and see what I mean.
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| Barbara (FRABAR2@AOL.COM) |
Nine Lives by Sharon Sala |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I just started to read my first book by Sharon Sala. It's an easy read, as well as an interesting story about a young woman, Cat Dupree, who becomes a bounty hunter because of a tragedy she experienced as a child. Her good friend is murdered, and Cat is determined to solve the crime.
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| Charles Blake Johnson |
Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Hillerman's fine work continues with SKELETON MAN. Retired Navajo Tribal Police Lietenant Joe Leaphorn comes out of retirement to solve a perplexing decades-old mystery that morphs into modern-day murder. As always, Hillerman provides an insightful look at southwestern Native Americans' traditions and evolving sensibilities dealing with the 21st century.
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| Carole (leonebear@aol.com) |
Gringos In Paradise by Barry Golson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I enjoyed reading this account of an American couple who attempt to relocate from Manhattan to a small fishing village of Sayulita, on Mexico's Pacific Coast, and build their dream home. The author wrote an award-winning (The Lowell Thomas Award) article on Mexico for AARP. It was informative and entertaining, and I didn't want to put it down.
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| Trudy |
White Sister by Stephen J. Cannell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A page turner for me! Detective Shane Scully's wife, who is the head of the LA detectives, is missing and a police officer is found handcuffed to her steering wheel and killed execution style. Where is she and what is her connection to the rogue cop? Scully breaks all the rules trying to find her and prove her innocence.
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| Kathleen (KathyWZ@yahoo.com) |
INKHEART and INKSPELL by Cornelia Funke |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An interesting series for the YA group. I am a children's librarian for a school district and make it a point to read what the kids are enjoying. The plot of these books is intriguing, especially to a librarian as they're about the world of books.
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| Julie Towson |
Kill Me by Stephen White |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Gripping and riveting. I couldn't put it down. I really enjoy all of Stephen White's books. He never lets me down.
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| Jenn |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an extremely powerful, heartwrenching tale of an American tragedy. I couldn't put this book down, and I stayed up late evening after evening just so I could finish it. Wonderful!
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| Kim Kovacs (kkovacs@ix.netcom.com) |
Hide by Lisa Gardner |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Every time I read a book by Lisa Gardner, I find myself so wrapped up in what will happen next that I can't put the novel down. Highly original, entertaining, and well written.
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| Kim Kovacs (kkovacs@ix.netcom.com) |
Exodus by Leon Uris |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Although EXODUS has been out for decades now, I'd never read it. A friend recommended it, and I'm so glad he did! I'm not sure what I expected, but the novel has been a revelation. It's historical fiction at its best, detailing the events that led to the creation of Isreal. It's a fascinating period of history. Highly recommended novel!
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| Charles Blake Johnson |
Fat Ollie's Book by Ed McBain |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The late great Ed McBain (Evan Hunter) was one of our greatest masters of the mystery novel. FAT OLLIE'S BOOK adds to his considerable achievement, with the quirky, oddball, and not very loveable police detective Fat Ollie Weeks taking centerstage in a fairly complicated tale involving a personal quest of sorts. Weeks, a minor character in some other McBain works, manages to keep the reader's attention through a series of blunders and blusters.
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| Genie (geniedances@yahoo.com) |
Blood Lines by Eileen Wilks |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Lily Yu (touch-sensitive) and Rule Turner (her werewolf- bondmate) escape Hell, only to find that some demons followed. Though some joke about demons in government, officials are found to be making deals with demons, do the Secret Service calls on FBI agents Lily, Cynna (former "dizzy”), and Rule to put a stop to it. Sorcerer-werewolf and Rule’s friend, Cullen Seabourne, is confronted with by a demon he recognizes, he knows his friends are in danger and shows up at Rule and Lily’s house to offer help. He knows there is a real danger when he discovers Rule, during a fight with a demon, has suffered a magical wound that will not heal and is causing him lose control of his inner wolf. The four team up only to find themselves in a deadly contest to keep an ancient demon from not only threatening their lives but effecting the lives of many others.
Eileen Wilks has written two earlier books that I now intend to read: TEMPTING DANGER and MORTAL DANGER, where the main characters are first introduced.
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| Fran |
Jupiter's Bones by Faye Kellerman |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I have been working my way through the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series and am enjoying every one. In this book, Peter investigates the suspicious death of a cult leader, discovering many other bizarre things going on in this cult. I especially am enjoying the way Peter and Rina's sons interact in this novel. As the boys are in adolescence, their behavior becomes an area of concern, especially as some of their actions contrast with their faith. Love this series!
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| Wendy Catalano |
A Marked Man by Stella Cameron |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. A great mystery!
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| Melanie (mel1633@yahoo.com) |
The Halo Effect by M. J. Rose |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first book in a series of three starring Dr. Morgan Snow, who is a sex therapist in New York. In each book, there is a murder and Dr. Snow's client is involved somehow. She can't tell the police because she can't break confidence. What makes it even more difficult is that Dr. Snow is seeing the investigating police officer.
These are great psychological mysteries and the author keeps you guessing until the end.The second book is THE DELILAH COMPLEX and the third is THE VENUS FIX.
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| Charles Blake Johnson |
Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Fine writing. The author embarks on a series of journeys across the Middle East tracking down significant places mentioned in the Old Testament. More than a travelogue, WALKING THE BIBLE gives Feiler's insightful take on what religious tradition means to the modern-day quester. As he goes from place to place, Feiler gains knowledge from the locals and develops his own spin on the mix of religion's views of the holy.
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| Christine |
The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A nice mix between American Indian History and mystery. The characters are people you would like to get to know. A relaxing read.
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| Sara |
Sabriel by Garth Nix |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Fantasy at its best!! Nix is a genius!
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| Linda M. Johnson |
A Crack in the Edge of the World by Simon Winchester |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I listened to this on a Playaway from the library. I was very disappointed. I had previously read and been enthralled by Winchester's THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN (which I read, rather than listened to). That might make the difference. This is about the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. The author spent a lot of time explaining about faults and geologic features of all the United States before the earthquake hits in chapter 10. Not much of the book is left by that point.
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| Carole (leonebear@aol.com) |
You'll Never Nanny In This Town Again by Suzanne Hansen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the true story of a young nanny from Oregon who moves to Tinseltown. She worked for one of Hollywood's elite agents for the Top Stars, as well as actors like Danny DeVito and Debra Winger. Hansen provides humorous, poignant insight to how parenting "Hollywood Style" is similar to working in an Insane Asylum.
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| Cam |
Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an excellent book about the relationship between 2 women (one young, the other elderly). Olsson's writing is simply wonderful.
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| Phyllis G. |
Innocent in Death by J. D. Robb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I thought I would not get drawn in to another book about Eve Dallas, but I was wrong. As usual, it is a very well-written book drawing the reader into the story and the life of Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke.
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| E. Q. Knight |
Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout |
Rating: 5 Stars |
After reading ABIDE WITH ME, I was anxious to see if this author could sustain the great writing! Applause to her! This book is about a Mother-and-daughter relationship that is so true to form that every teenager would love this book! Strout writes with a really deep sense of compassion and caring.
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| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
Heart- Shaped Box by Joe Hill |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is by a new author; the book is in the horror-thriller genre, and I am finding it fascinating. I can hardly wait to see what happens next. It is a great story so far!
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| Cindy A. McCabe |
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Though this was the first book that I've read by Chris Bohjalian, it will not be my last. THE DOUBLE BIND is a great psychological suspense novel that I couldn't put down. It was as if I became the main character, Laurel Estabrook, and I took off in trying to find the truth despite others' disbelief. It's one of the best novels I've read in a long time, and I'm finding myself immediately wanting to read it over again to better answer the "Questions for Discussion" at the end of the book. It also made me want to read Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY again. THE DOUBLE BIND really pulls the reader right into each scene. We come out of the novel with our heads spinning and a deep longing to know more. I find myself missing the characters all too much.
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| Linda M. Johnson |
Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This author of COLD MOUNTAIN paints vivid pictures with his writing. This is the story of a man who was sent off by his family and "adopted" by Native Americans. His life spans most of the 19th century, including the Indian relocations after the Civil War. Fascinating read.
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| Peg Schoenfelder |
The Ghost at the Table by Suzanne Berne |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book keeps you guessing at what really happened in this somewhat dysfunctional family.
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| Linda |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Jodi Picoult at her best. Nineteen Minutes is how long it takes a lifelong victim of school bullying to open fire at his school, killing ten people and physically and emotionally wounding countless others. This is a book you won't soon forget. If you haven't read Picoult before, this book will certainly make you want to read all of them. If you are already a fan, you know you're in for a book you won't want to put down.
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| Noreen Brown |
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very good unusual storyline. I thought it was a bit hard to imagine, but I have since found out that it was entirely plausible, as similar incidents did occur in the 50s and 60s.
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| Margaret Ball |
If There Be Pain by Gloria Mallette |
Rating: 3 Stars |
In IF THERE BE PAIN, Gloria Mallette writes a tale of a man who thinks that he has his life under control. Kyle is sure that if he gives gifts to the ladies whom he uses as sex objects, he is doing alright by them, and that they are getting a deal. After all, he is very nice looking. Kyle does not respect any of the women in his life, not even his mother, whom he emotionally and physically deserts at a time when she needs him most. When his Native American grandfather, who has always supported him, becomes ill and is no longer of any use to Kyle, he makes himself scarce, leaving his grandfather feeling abandoned. Everyone, from his parents to his friends, has tried to get the selfish Kyle to grow up.
After his grandfather dies, he is plagued with nightmares and visits a tarot reader to try and find out the meaning behind the nightmares. The reader tries to warn him, but Kyle still refuses to examine his life and does not believe that his women could have a problem with him.
Kyle was so selfish that I wanted to jump into the book and shake him. I could not find one reason to like Kyle, nor could I like any of the women in this book. Hated characters make for memorable books, but I do want to have at least one to sympathize with, but I found none in this offering. But, on the other hand, I did enjoy reading this book. Women who have potentially selfish sons would benefit from reading this novel; maybe it could help to steer them in the right direction.
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| Nicole (mike810nicole@aol.com) |
The Dying Game by Beverly Barton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very good romantic suspense/thriller about a serial killer who has been killing Beauty Queens for decades. The premise behind it, along with the storyline, really pulls you in.
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| Nicole (mike810nicole@aol.com) |
Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another great novel by Clark. The idea of young twins being able to communicate with each other is enthralling.
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| Nicole (mike810nicole@aol.com) |
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I didn't like this one as much as the previous Shopaholic novels, but it was still worth reading. I just didn't find myself laughing like I would with the others. Becky as a mother, though, is definitely worth checking out.
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| Suzi Skutley |
Damage Control by Robert Dugoni |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I found it difficult to put this one down! It had compelling characters and a realistic treatment of breast cancer, not to mention a tight murder mystery. I'd like to see these characters again.
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| C Simar |
Plan B by Anne Lamott |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Hilarious, sad and intriguing. I loved it.
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| Janice |
Blindness by Jose Saramago |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A horrific novel detailing the total breakdown in society that follows upon this most unnatural disaster --- blindness. The author takes his characters to the very edge of humanity and then pushes them over. The characters learn to live in inexpressible filth, they commit acts of both unspeakable violence and amazing generosity that would have been unimaginable to them before the tragedy.
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| Bob Hartzo (jesus4u@bellsouth.net) |
Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very great read. It was so enjoyable and hard to put down.
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| Lori S (sunbug5505@yahoo.com) |
Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I think Ann Rule is the queen of True Crime and this is one of her best. It is the story of the Green River Killer, and not a light read at 670 pages. But, in telling the story of the 20-plus year hunt for the most prolific killer the nation has ever known, she also describes what the detectives went through who were haunted by this case for so many years but did not give up, the leads and misleads, the bodies found 2 and 3 years after their murders, even the life of the killer --- a very quiet,"normal" and boring man with the soul of a monster.
But, the care and compassion she shows in describing the lives, personalities and families of so many of the 48 young female victims who were murdered is what makes Ann Rule such a good writer. It reads like powerful novel and was hard to put down.
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| Donna |
Full of Grace by Dorothea Benton Frank |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the first book I've read by Dorothea Benton Frank, and it had very colorful characters and a wonderful and touching story. Grace has a an old-fashioned Italian family who doesn't approve of her live-in doctor and scientist boyfriend, Michael. Grace loves Michael and is a very outgoing and modern woman at 31 years of age. It's a wonderful book. I really enjoyed it.
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| Marjorie Clark (marjclark@comcast.net) |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a great book about the circus at the turn of the century. It went beyond my expectations (especially since it's about the circus, go figure). I would recommend this to any lover of fiction because it includes all the ingedients that make you want more.
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| Patti D. |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
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