| Bonnie |
The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Like all Miller's novels, this one is deceptively simple. Yet, it will resonate with you, and you'll think about these characters after you've finished reading. It's a well-written, excruciatingly personal novel about love, betrayal and humanity.
|
| Charlie |
The Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a book that I began reading during a graduate class in Eco-criticism. We were studying books about the Big Bend area, and I chose a novel to teach to the class. Since I'm a high school teacher by trade, I felt this was the most natural choice. I didn't finish the book and have picked it up again. It was a great read, I just didn't have time to finish it (I dropped the class).
This book has a great protagonist. She's smart, savvy, and totally in tune with her surroundings. She discovers a body in the national park where she works, and she goes about solving the whodunit.
Nevada Bar is a great writer, and I've since ordered other books she's written. THE TRACK OF THE CAT would be a good beach read. It's definitely worth reading.
|
| Alice (ahenry262@yahoo.com) |
In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a life-changing book. If you need courage or just more faith to get up and do something about your situation, read this. I read only 2 chapters so far and I woke up with a new attitude on life.
|
| Judy |
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I had such high expectations fOR this novel, but was put off by a number of graphic depictions of the horrors of war and the lack of character development overall.
In 1945 in the last months of the war, a group of people journey across Europe to escape the advancing Russian army. Among the group is an 18-year-old girl and her Prussian aristocratic family, a Scottish POW, A Wehrmacht soldier (who in reality is a Jew who escaped a train bound for Auschwitz). Trying to reach the British/American troops, they pass the waste and horror of war, devastated land and people who relate their tales of the horror they've faced or seen.
There was just too much crammed into one book, so I was relieved to be done.
|
| Julia H. |
The Book of Air and Shadows by Michael Gruber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Told through three narrative voices, the hunt is on for a possible "new" play by William Shakespeare. This literary mystery is full of great characters that keep the story moving through a pretty long book.
|
| Genie |
The House of Seven Mabels by Jill Churchill |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Jill Churchill once again brings murder and mayhem to the suburbs. THE HOUSE OF SEVEN MABELS is a Jane Jeffrey Mystery. It begins with Jane pondering her shrinking parenting demands with best friend, Shelley Nowack. Shelly encourages Jane to agree to decorate an old house being renovated by neighbor, Bitsey. Bitsey, a newly proclaimed feminist, has hired crew of women laborers. This renovation team is headed by Sandy, an extremely inept contractor, who is extremely disliked by everyone involved in the project. When Sandy is found in the basement with a broken neck, Jane and Shelly set out to determine if the crime was personally or professionally motivated. The question is how do they conduct an investigation and still manage to stay out of harm's way themselves?
This is not the best of the series. Somewhat short on plot. Very quick read.
|
| lookforbooks (leonebear@aol.com) |
The Guy No Taken by Jennifer Weiner |
Rating: 3 Stars |
This was a new author for me. THE GUY NOT TAKEN is a collection of short stories --- I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading some of her other books. She really gets into the realistic emotions of her true-to-life characters. Good read.
|
| Judy |
Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet by Xinran |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Xinran met Shu Wen in 1994 and heard her remarkable story about a 30-year journey in search of the truth about the death of her Chinese husband in Tibet. Shu Wen left China in 1950, joined a militia unit going to the Tibetan north, gets separated from them and is rescued by a nomadic family. Near death, the family nurses her back to health and Shu Wen follows them from place to place until she eventually discovers information about her husband's death.
A remarkable story of this woman and of Tibet and its people.
|
| Crystal Blackburn |
Laced by Carol Higgins Clark |
Rating: 4 Stars |
PI Regan Reilly and her new husband Jack, head of the NYPD's Major Case Squad, are on their honeymoon in Ireland. A mini-crime wave ensues, due in part to their presence and a criminal couples' desire to ruin their romantic honeymoon in the country of their ancestors. The story is light-hearted and fun but wears a bit after a while. All the talk of May Reilly's ghost really began to grate on my nerves. I was relieved when the story began to wrap up. I hope the next next book in the series, ZAPPED, isn't as silly.
|
| Gail |
Tipperary by Frank Delaney |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It is fictional memoir entwined with Irish history. The writing is very descriptive. I am enjoying it and after I finish, I will read his first novel IRELAND.
|
| Kay Powers |
Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Catherine Grace is a girl in Ringgold, GA who licks Dilly Bars at Dairy Queen and plans her escape to the big world of Atlanta. Along her journey we meet the most delightful characters, such as her next door neighbor Gloria Jean, who adds a little zing to her "look" by incorporating lightening bugs in her evening hair-dos. Her daddy, the Baptist preacher in town, has some interesting secrets. It made me laugh, cry and laugh and cry at the same time. It's like an onion that can be peeled back to reveal various layers of thought. Or, you can enjoy it at face value. I so wish I hadn't read it before so that I could be reading it now for the first time!
|
| Kay Powers |
Why Mr. Right Can't Find You by J. M. Kearns |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Funny, insightful and a most encouraging book for females from 15 to 85 years of age. From a male perspective, this book is unlike any other self-help book I've read...an easy, enjoyable read that leaves you smiling. Men who have reviewed this book pretty much admit, yep, J. M. Kearns spilled the beans on how the "other half" views women and it's pretty refreshing! For some stupid reason, right now this book can only be found on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble, so if you have a favorite independent book store, call ahead and have them order it for you before you go in to buy it.
|
| Vince Wiezbowski |
Hour Game by David Baldacci |
Rating: 2 Stars |
The first half of the book is very engaging. A serial killer is on the loose and the mystery starts to take form. But then, the author includes many unnecessary subplots and characters that further confuse the storyline, making it hard to enjoy and follow.
The ending of the book seems to be wrapped up quickly with a finish that is unsatisfying and hard to believe. Some of the unbelievability in the story that makes this book hard to enjoy is represented in this one excerpt from the last few chapters
Also, since many characters are killed off in the story by the killer, it is easy for the reader to "solve" the mystery of who the real killer is in advance of the conclusion. Only a few characters are left and the author states that the killer is a male, so those facts narrow down the possibilities greatly.
The author tries to tie up loose ends to make a case for why the murders were caused, but most of it is either unbelievable or just doesn't make sense.
Compared to other authors who produce quality works (Grisham, Clancy, Cook), this book is one of the worst I have read, although the beginning of the story is well done.
|
| Lynn |
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a must read!! The sequel, SOMETHING BLUE" is excellent also.
|
| Peter Guzzo |
Scavengers by David Morrell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A good, solid thriller. A sort-of sequel to CREEPERS.
|
| LouBabe (LouBabe@juno.com) |
Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The way I evaluate a book is by whether I want to keep it or donate it to the library I voluntarily run (and furnish). I'm donating this one, but still gave it a 5 (since 4.5 isn't an option). I don't want to give away too much of the plot, so I'll just say it's a suspense-romance.
|
| Jean |
A Thousand Bones by P. J. Parrish |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Very suspenseful and fast moving. All books by this sister duo, are very rich in detail and sense of place. I enjoyed it!
|
| Marsha |
A Prisioner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Too long, too tedious. This was a great idea, but it could have been told in half the pages. Archer has lost his touch.
|
| Loretta Sanford (lorettasanford@hotmail.com) |
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I highly recommend to everyone Kate Mosse's first book LABYRINTH, about France in the 1200s and France today. Her second book, SEPULCHRE, is also about France but in the 1890s and today. It has a great story line about revenge and tarot cards. I sometimes found the dialogue to be overdone. That is why I gave it only 3 stars. I am looking forward to her third book. Did I hear it was about Eygpt?
|
| Jean H. |
Harriet and Isabella by Patricia O'Brien |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A great read. Based on the adultery trial of Henry Ward Beecher and the effect it had on his family. It caused a bitter rift between his sisters, Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, and Isabella Beecher Hooker. A great look at morality and family loyalty with a dose of the fight for women's rights.
|
| Marleen Davis |
Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I bought this and gave it to my friend to read first --- she loved it. However, I just can't get in to it. I love Sara Paretsky's usual V I Warshawski stories, but this one is really different and I just can't get in to it, so I have to give it low stars. I may not even finish it right now, which is such a shame, but maybe I'll get back to it later.
|
| Teri |
Helen of Troy by Margaret George |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is an enthralling possibility about Helen's life. To call this a page turner would be an understatement. Although 800 pages can be intimidating, you don't even realize how quickly the pages turn as you escape to another time and place.
|
| Jean |
The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the second book by author Pam Jenoff. The first, THE KOMMANDANT'S GIRL, was fabulous. THE DIPLOMAT'S WIFE is entertaining, but not nearly as riveting as the first novel, though it is still a worthy read.
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| Maureen H |
The Angel by Carla Neggers |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Good book with exciting suspense. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
|
| Catie 75 |
Sylvanus Now by Donna Morrissey |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Really, I would give it 4 1/2 stars. Beautifully written.
|
| Fran |
Skyward by Mary Alice Monroe |
Rating: 3 Stars |
E.R. nurse Ella Majors accepts a position as the caretaker of a diabetic girl. Upon accepting a job, she finds a family. This book also had a lot of interesting facts about raptor and birds or prey as it was set amidst a bird sanctuary. I enjoyed this summer read.
|
| ck |
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A woman spent 60 years in an asylum. Her family could not understand and would not tolerate her behavior. The asylum closed and Iris learned for the first time that she had a great aunt. By that time, the aunt's sister was in a residence where they treated her for Alzheimer's. The story twists and turns. It is utterly fascinating!
|
| Genie |
Burning Bones by Christopher Golden & Rick Hautala |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Several people have died under very strange circumstances. Each has been consumed by flames in front of witnesses who say they "just went up in flames." What caused these people to burn up? Was it spontaneous human combustion or murder?
Assistant to a Somerset Medical Examiner, Jenna Blake, discovers the answer after her friend, Somerset Police Officer Danny Mariano, becomes the only victim to survive.
|
| Readingrat |
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie |
Rating: 5 Stars |
"Seriously Funny" - Arnold Spirit, aka Junior
|
| carol ann braun |
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A separation of interest as one reads through each section; from interest to total immersion into what one wishes one could partake in and learn from actual experience.
|
| Readingrat |
The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A strong story about the importance of acceptance, both of yourself and of others.
|
| Juanita |
Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I visited Bull Island near Charleston, SC a few years ago and found it completely enchanting! I'm hoping the book ends the way *I* want it to end!
|
| Joan |
On Account of Conspicuous Women by Dawn Shamp |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The year is 1920 in Roxboro, North Carolina, where four young women are about to change the small Southern town. Bertie works for the local telephone company but is a strong supporter for female rights. Guerine, Bertie's cousin, is trying to snag herself a husband by throwing dinner parties and dressing in the latest fashions. Doodle is a farmer's daughter who works hard on the farm but learns a shocking secret at her father's deathbed. Ina is the newcomer. She became a widow on her honeymoon and moved to Roxboro to teach school. All the four women come together to form a friendship. The story is told with humour and captures life in a small Southern town in the early 1900s. A great first for Shamp.
|
| Judy |
Rightsizing Your Life by Ciji Ware |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This isn't just about downsizing or decluttering, but a plan to rethink your life and what you really want to be. The world changes and so do we, but often we hang on to the same things for a variety of reasons. Although written for baby boomers who have had years to collect things and settle into habits, it is just as applicable to 20 somethings, 30 somethings, etc., who are not the same person they were in their teens. This book gives you a 7-step plan to get your started and tips on how to deal with the emotional pitfalls (family members, attachment to things, fear). Not dull reading either. You'll be able to relate to the different people she uses as examples.
|
| Louise |
Celebration by Fern Michaels |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This wasn't my favorite Fern Michaels book, but it held my interest nonetheless. It tells the story of an abused wife whose husband of 20 years disappeared with all of their savings. After many tribulations, she finally gets her life back on track, only to have the ex show up again.
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| Louise (LouBabe@juno.com) |
Princess Sultana by Jean Sasson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a delightful beginning to a trilogy ghost-written by Saudi princess who wanted to share her very interesting life with others. It probably was more meaningful to me since I'm IN Saudi Arabia, but I really believe that every reader will thoroughly enjoy these books.
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| Judy O. (joswood@msn.com) |
Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall and Lisa Pulitzer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Elissa Wall grew up in a polygamist sect in Utah. At age 14, she was forcibly married to her nineteen-year-old first cousin. She eventually escaped this environment and several years later, she sued the FLDS and Warren Jeffs for the despicable acts they forced upon her. Jeffs was convicted of these deeds and sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. This non-fiction book is Elissa's story of her life in the FLDS and about her eventual escape from that life. It is a fascinating, but disturbing, tale. With all that is presently in the news about the FLDS, it brings these facts into new light.
|
| Jayne |
1984 by George Orwell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I read this book first in High School a very long time ago. Just started reading it again and am liking it very much.
|
| LouBabe |
Whispers at Midnight by Karen Robards |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The redeeming quality of Ms. Robards's work is her great sense of humor; it's fun to read her books, regardless of the plot (that is, if you can get past all the sex and find a plot). This one is about a gal who returns to her small home town to turn her inherited grandmother's home into a bed & breakfast establishment. Little did she know such excitement and horror could abound in such a quite little village!
|
| Jayne |
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Loved this book from the very first page. It held my attention until the end. I have recommended this book to all my friends. My daughter says this is her favorite book.
|
| Betty Jo (harrises@bayou.com) |
Broken for You by Stephanie Kallos |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A fast read that is really holding my attention. Margaret Hughes reflects on her life and takes in boarders in her home. We get to know the people she befriends....can't wait to see how this all wraps up.
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| Paula Watson (bowenboys@bellsouth.net) |
Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Heartwarming. It'll give even the most hard-hearted person a ray of hope, that wishes come true.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Guardian Angel by Sara Paretsky |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This VI Warshawski mystery set in Chicago. In GUARDIAN ANGEL, Vic tangles with her ex-husband and helps an old lady regain her house.
|
| Louise |
Charm School by Susan Wiggs |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I would have given this one more than 5 stars, I enjoyed it that much. Susan Wiggs sent this to me as a freebie, and it had such substance to it, that I hope to buy all of her books now.
|
| Robin M. (rmayerhoefer@cox.net) |
Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the 9th book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. While it's not quite as good as some of the earlier books in the series, it does feature one of my favorite characters, Edward, and the hope of gaining some insight into this mysterious person.
|
| Readingrat |
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert |
Rating: 4 Stars |
While I didn't really feel that I could relate to the depths of despair that afflicted this woman before she set off on her journey of self-discovery, I certainly would love to be able to take a year off of life myself to do something like this. I particularly enjoyed the Italian and Indian legs of the trip.
|
| Readingrat |
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a story that you won't easily forget. At the very least, it will really get you thinking about what it would be like to be trapped in an unresponsive body, only able to use one eye to communicate with the outside world. Considering that is how this book was written makes it all the more amazing.
|
| Judy |
Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Interesting reading early on about her life during World War II and her start in show business at a very young age. The writing, however, is very dull and emotionless. As she turns into a young woman, it becomes a list of who's who that's not terribly exciting to wade through.
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| Terri (terri.loeffler@sbcglobal.net) |
Waiting for Gertrude by Bill Richardson |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A totally different kind of book. This is a story of the cats living in Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, many of whom are "translations" of those buried there. The main character is Alice B. Toklas, who is --- of course --- waiting for the translation of Gertrude Stein. Meanwhile, the rest of the characters, not necessarily in the same occupations as in life, carry on in verse and letters, and it is a delightful book.
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| FayeK (kempfarm@agwireless.net) |
Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not exactly) Fami by Toni McGee Causey |
Rating: 5 Stars |
When I first got to know Bobbie Faye (book 1) – back when she was having a very (very, very, very) bad day, I thought she was going to be this likable, ditsy, backwoods, redneck bimbo. Turns out, she was just having a very (v, v, v) bad day. It could happen to anyone. Almost. Not. I loved this book and couldn’t wait for book 2.
In this 2nd book, I see that Bobbie Faye is also (kinda, sorta, not exactly) smart, often naïve and impulsive --- yet always brave, loyal, outrageous and funny. Another great Bobbie Faye book. She keeps it fun and keeps you guessing. Long live Bobbie Faye! I loved it!
|
| Bonnie |
101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is more of a reference book about the super-nutritious foods, including how they help, caveats, and recipes. For those who care about their health and healthful eating, this is a must-read.
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| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
Charley's Web by Joy Fielding |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I liked this book; I took it with me to read during my moments alone on a trip, and it kept me interested. The plot has to do with a journalist who is trying to make her "name," and the kinds of actions that befall her due to miscommunications, misunderstanding, and just plain not paying attention. The stakes are "upped" when one of her readers threatens her children. The book is a pretty wild ride after this. Great beach reading!
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| Shy Eyes (dawnymae5@msn.com) |
Adam by Ted Dekker |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Well done. A psychologist who has been following and trying to discover who "Eve" is has gone to some great lengths to find out what makes him think. Well done near-death experiences, severed relationships and intense intrigue.
|
| Bonnie |
A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A sort of memoir written when Thomas's husband suffered a debilitating brain injury, and the aftermath on her life.
|
| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
Kennedy's Brain by Henning Mankell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a stand-alone novel by the author of the Kurt Wallander mystery series. I found it to be very, very different and extremely interesting. Mr. Wallander addresses the issues of AIDS and pharmaceutical conglomerate wrong doing in the course of this novel. I was fascinated by this story.
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| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
Compulsion by Jonathan Kellerman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have read every one of Jonathan Kellerman's books to date, and have really enjoyed them all. He always has a unique plot twist that catches the reader by surprise. In this latest novel, Mr. Kellerman used one device in his plot that he has used in some of his other books (maybe why I caught on to who the "bad guy" was right away). I would have really loved it if the author had gone into a bit more detail on the personality of this very strange and bizarre murderer in his latest book. The man seemed to be a mass of walking contradictions. I am sure I am not the only one who was intrigued by this villain.
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| Norine Gremse (nono@toast.net) |
The Black Tower by Louis Bayard |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I'm a voracious reader, consuming 1-2 books each week. Some of my favorite authors are Richard North Patterson, Tami Hoag, Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver, etc. However, it has been a long time since I've read an author who captured my interest through the beauty of his prose. This book is so well written that I felt that I was living during the French Restoration. The author's premise is that Marie Antoinette's son lived and tells what is life became. It is a twist on history, but it was so very rich that you can see, smell and even feel all of the life. My exposure to this period of history is extremely limited and now I feel that I've learned something and experienced a brilliant bit of writing. I strongly suggest that all of you get a copy and go back to the Restoration. Fortunately, we'll never have to experience life that was so unusual --- no electricity, limited/poor heat, questionable/limited hygiene, plenty of hardship, etc. I just think Louis Bayard has produced a work that is worthy of being read.
|
| Judy |
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Adopted Meredith Martin is irresistibly drawn to discover her biological family's beginnings in France, and that links her to the Vernier family of 1891. The story meanders between the 1890s and the present day. Tying the two together is a pack of Tarot cards, and the sepulchre near Domaine de la Cade. The past and present fuse together in an interesting, if somewhat convoluted and bogged-down story about the occult and the seeds of evil that transcend a century. Not bad summer reading.
|
| Lisa Garrett |
The Goodbye Body by Joan Hess |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Part of the Claire Malloy series. It is always fun to see what kind of trouble Claire will get into next. I love Joan's sense of humor.
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| Valerie Wiesner (ackleyvalerie@yahoo.com) |
The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book; I found it even more exciting than his first novel, THE BLUE ZONE. It has a lot of mystery and strange events sprinkled throughout the novel. I think Mr. Gross writes much better as a single author than in collaborative efforts, like those with James Patterson. This book is a winner!
|
| Jayne |
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant |
Rating: 5 Stars |
One of the best books I have ever read. It kept me interested until the very end. She is a wonderful writer and this book is on my best-loved books list.
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| Reva Wamsley (prwamsley@roadrunner.com) |
The Society by Michael Palmer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This medical mystery will keep you on your toes. It's a little slow at the beginning, but once you get past that, you won't be able to put this book down. If you've ever been victimized by an HMO, you will love this book.
|
| Readingrat |
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was a wonderfully imaginative and captivating sci-fi narrative full of action and adventure.
|
| Christy H. |
Stone Creek by Victoria Lustbader |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I finished reading this book several days ago, but it has taken me this long to get my emotions under control to write my thoughts. As soon as I opened this book and read the first page, I was pulled in immediately. The characters were so real; what has happened to Danny, Lily, Paul and Eve is heart wrenching and sad. I wept for them and I was touched by how strong they were in dealing with their disappointments and loss. Ms. Lustbader's writing is vivid; I felt like I was a part of the story. This book made me question the desires and decisions that were made; it made me think about how I would act and react under similar circumstances; it made me realize that love hurts, heals and gives hope. These characters and this book will remain with me.
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| Laura (labusch@comcast.net) |
Last Chinese Chef by nicole mones |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Part love story, part mystery, part history and very informative novel.
|
| Bonnie |
Not Quite What I Was Planning by y Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Terse, philosophical, funny, thought-provoking --- all in six little words.
|
| Jayne |
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This was a very interesting read. It was really informative about life in New York long ago. It was interesting to read about two people who loved each other, but the end did not do what I expected.
|
| Cheryl |
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens |
Rating: 2 Stars |
Extremely difficult to read. The plot's a bit twisted.
|
| Mandie Roberts (bibliophile_1976@yahoo.com) |
House At Midnight by Lucie Whitehouse |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I was lucky enough to get my paws on an advanced copy of this, and boy, am I glad I did! This is the perfect summer read --- a suspenseful Gothic tale in the vein of Poe's Fall of the House of Usher with a modern twist. When a group of friends start spending weekends at an estate, insidious changes sweep through the tight-knit group, with disastrous results. The tension in the creepy house that becomes a character itself is great for a stormy night.
|
| Jen Mulsow |
The Gunslinger by Stephen King |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am rereading the Dark Tower series this summer. I had forgotten how good this book was. I can't believe he was only 19 when he wrote it.
|
| Betty (bettyburrier@yahoo.com) |
Quicksand by Iris Johansen |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a typical Iris Johnasen book in that it's about Eve and her cast of men --- Joe, Montalvo, etc... The best part about QUICKSAND is that Johansen brings in a character from one her other books that I loved. It is a slow read, but the end is worth it.
|
| Marsha |
Takeover by Lisa Black |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is an utterly fascinating novel that brings you into a hostage situation when two men attempt to rob the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland. You cannot put this one down until the very end.
|
| Bobbie Cloud (bc2mc3@aol.com) |
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the best book I have read in forever. I made my husband read it as soon as I finished, and he agreed. We both are saving it to take to the beach so that our 3 adult children will read it! I actually sent the title out in a mass e-mail to my good friends, telling them all what a wonderful book it is!
|
| Marsha |
The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This delightful novel reinforces the idea that friendship can be the most rewarding aspect of daily life. Hobbies can bring us together with others, but the real discovery is what we can do for others.
|
| Fran Grimm |
Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Like his other books, this is one I couldn't put down. There are a lot of twists and turns, but he pulls them all together so well.
|
| Karen Coulson |
Stone Cold by David Baldacci |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another great read about Oliver Stone and his Camel Club partners. I enjoyed reading the different story lines within the book. Interesting to see some of the returning characters "flesh out" in this third Camel Club installment. Will there be a fourth?
|
| Karen Coulson |
Winter Study by Nevada Barr |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I always enjoy reading Barr's Anna Pigeon series and this one was another great one for me. There is Interesting info about the lives of wolves and the lengths groups might go to to maintain funding for a project/study.
|
| Karen Gold |
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Just as good as the other Percy Jackson books. Grover is still my favorite satyr!
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| Judy |
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
98-year-old Grace is visited by a director who is making a film about a tragedy that took place at Riverton in 1924. Grace's memories are awakened and she relives the days of service in her youth and her quite different life thereafter. The novel illustrates the difference in social classes during the Edwardian era, the devastation of war, family loyalty, servant loyalty, secrets, and love. A interesting read.
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| Readingrat |
Full House by Janet Evanovich |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I had only ever read MOTOR MOUTH and METRO GIRL by this author (which I found fun and enjoyable reads) and decided to read this series before moving on to the ultra-popular Stephanie Plum series. However, this story turned out to be disappointingly flat.
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| Doreen Riopel |
Undertow by Sydney Bauer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I am not done yet, but this is suspense. I am so enjoying this.
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| M Nora Odon |
The Right Words at the Right Time by Marlo Thomas (initiator) |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A compilation of bon mots and advice received by celebrities and other notables at some point in their lives, which helped them to navigate a difficult time or a challenging period (or career). Excellent choices from the eloquent, practical and sage. This can be read in multiple installments. It's a truly enlightening pleasurable experience.
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| Kathy |
The Gentle Axe by R. N. Morris |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Historical fiction set in St, Petersburg,1866 about a murdered dwarf.
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| Karen Coulson |
Prepared for Rage by Dana Stabenow |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Dana Stabenow is one of my favorite mystery writers. Part of the reason why I enjoy her books is the research she does before writing. This one is an up-to-date concern of terrorism directed toward the USA along with interesting info about our space exploration program.
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| Karen H in NC |
Cliff House Strangler by Shirley Tallman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is the third installment in the Sarah Woolson mystery series and promises to be every bit as good as the first two books. Mrs. Tallman writes a balanced blend of mystery and suspense, geography, history and social studies, comedy and romance in her books about one of the first female attorneys in Victorian San Francisco. While each book in this series is a stand-alone story, I suggest reading the books in order to better understand the growth and development of the main characters. I highly recommend this author's work and look forward to more from her.
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| Bobbie Cloud (bc2mc3@aol.com) |
Bull Island by Dorethea Benton Frank |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Again, a wonderful story about the Charleston SC area. We were there for a wedding this weekend and I read the book while sitting at the Charleston Harbor Resort watching the tankers and cruise ships go by. Amazing story. Once again, she hits it out of the ball park!
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| Dusty Johnson (bjohnson-att@comcast.net) |
The Broker by John Grisham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
One of John Grisham's better works in my mind. Suspenseful and hard to put down. Great read.
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| Dawn (princesssaurora@aol.com) |
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was the best Sookie Stackhouse book of the series. Not just 'fluff' anymore, this novel reveals just how multi-layered this world can be! Kudos to Charlaine! Keep 'em coming!
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| B. J. Simon |
Careless in Red by Elizabeth George |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am only 150 pages into this over-600 pager, but it's proving to be a compelling read!!
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| Sue H. |
I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is a great character study. A reader can identify with Charlotte, who is away from her small home town, facing the moral challenges in college life. I have never read Tom Wolfe but this won't be the last time. A long book, but worth the experience!
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| Karen Terry (mi3sons@mchsi.com) |
Capital Conspiracy by William Bernhardt |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Ben Kincaid is a newly wed lawyer/now senator whose best friend Mike is seriously injured during an attempt on the President's life. As a result, the President wants to take away civil liberties by adding a new law to the Constitution during a terrorist attack. Ben agrees to help the President even though he is democratic. Ben is torn between what his wife Christine wants and what the President wants, but things are not what they seem. Will the President gets what he wants or will Ben search of the truth will win out?
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| Sandra |
Twisted by Andrea Kane |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a fast-paced, easy-to-read thriller with lots of surprises! Wonderful!
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| Linda |
Pravda by Edward Docx |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A great novel that takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia, with unique characters and the necessary death plot.
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| Joanne (jafriday@windstream.net) |
The Zero Game by Brad Meltzer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It is a novel, but I figure it could be about the real way things work in DC. We vote for politicians, but we need to know who is really running the government.
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| Joanna Baker |
The Condition by Jennifer Haigh |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A beautifully written book about a flawed family and the path that each of their lives follow.
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| Dawn (princesssaurora@aol.com) |
Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Fun, and flirty. Sometimes you need a little sorbet in between the bigger (dis)courses, if you catch my drift!
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| Carol B |
Marley & Me by John Grogan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Love this book. It makes me laugh out loud and cry all at the same time. I would recommend it to any dog lover.
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| Rita Carter (gandmari@aol.com) |
Rule Number Two by DrHeidi Squier Kraft |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A nonfiction book of Dr. Kraft's experiences as a staff psychologist in a front-line combat hospital. It was a fast read, but a good one that reminds us of the sacrifices and bravery of our military personnel that keep us safe and free.
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| Jeannie (jeanniehoover@embarqmail.com) |
Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Love the book! The story is happening in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which I love to hear about in Ms. Roberts's stories. A young widow starting over with her little boys, a new job and new love.
Beware the Harper Bride, the spirit of an unhappy bride living in the Harper House.
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| Jeannie (jeanniehoover@embarqmail.com) |
Birthright by Nora Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Love this book! It has an archeology dig going on, with a mystery of a baby stolen 30 years ago. The woman running the dig finds out she may be connected to that baby. There is murder and mayhem with a couple different love stories either heating up again, or just starting.
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| FifiOToole |
Phantom Prey by John Sandford |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the latest -- number 15 or 16 -- in this Lucas Davenport series, and amazingly, it's every bit as good as each of the earlier books.
Lucas Davenport is a likable guy --- he's a former cop and detective lieutenant for the Minneapolis PD, with an excellent record for solving cases, while he also made a mint developing video and then computer games on the side. Now he works for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and has the sometime luxury of being a bit selective about the cases he works on.
Yeah --- it's like the guy has a lucky charm or something. But nevertheless, Sandford manages to make it all seem believable.
John Sandford is extremely talented at character development and never fails to invent new and interesting plots that keep me spellbound.
I was unemployed for a time and didn't have the luxury of buying new books, so I re-read all of Sandford's "Prey" novels over a period of a few months and then purchased this new one the minute funds were available! I'd recommend any and all of these novels to anyone who enjoys getting lost in a terrific read!
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| Rosemarie |
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerristen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a fast-paced story that tells a tale of murder in the late 1800s mixed with the present day. I fell in love with the heroine, Rose Connelly, in this intriguing story.
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| Rita Carter (gandmari@aol.com) |
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A wonderful read. It is a book I never would have picked up at the bookstore, but I had to read it for a book group. I'm so glad that it was recommended and that I read it. It has several things to think of....relationships, World War II and the Holocaust, love and loss, mother/daughter relationships, sacrifices and hardships. These dark subjects are told well.
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| Christine Harvey (ceharnp@aol.com) |
In For A Penny by Kathryn R. Wall |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I was just in Hilton Head, N.C. All of the 7 books in this series take place in the Carolina Lowcountry. A mystery with deep south nostalgia. This is the first in the series.
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| Marsha |
Confort Food by Kate Jacobs |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is an inside look at the production of a TV cooking show, the participants and their personal struggles. It's rather light and fluffy, but fun reading for the summer.
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| Phoenix |
Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A rich and multi-layered historical novel, set in China. Strong female characters and complex relationships make this a joy to read.
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| Julie |
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Anyone who's ever worked in an office will love this book. It's all about employees being "de-selected" in the firm's effort to save money, the hilarious office politics that go with trying to get on the good side of the boss, and office gossip at its best.
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| Corky Mayo (imardr2@yahoo.com) |
Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Fabulous suspense. When is the next in the series due out? Tomorrow would not be soon enough for me!
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| Shannon |
First Drop by Zoe Sharp |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is my most current read. I am loving it for the action, but the British terms throw me off --- especially when an American character starts using them. However, the fast pace keeps me turning pages and makes the errors easy to ignore.
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| Corky MAyo (imardr2@yahoo.com) |
Blood Trail by C. J. Box |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I have fallen in love with Joe Pickett (and C. J. Box). This mystery is well researched, well thought out, and quick moving. I enjoy the outdoor and wildlife setting and the bad guy ALWAYS get his due!
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| Jane Haase (JerJanKel@aol.com) |
The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this little book. It was beautifully written and the story is still hauntingly with me. In some ways, the marriage details here were everyone's details. There were small "surprises" woven into the story that shouldn't have been surprises, but the author has the ability to lull the reader into complacency and then totally take the story in another direction. I rarely am unable to predict a storyline, but I was taken aback at least three times during the narrative...in a pleasant way. If I could write a book, I would love to be able to call this one my own.
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| Dawn |
Admit One: A Journey Into Film by Emmett James |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A funny, quick memoir about a boy raised in London with Hollywood in his dreams. James weaves the story of his life into the storylines of films --- his angry mother becomes the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz, his school-boy bike gets dressed up with a milk crate to carry aliens, like in ET. Once James gets to California, the stories take on more mature connections, like how he crashed an Oscar party by impersonating an award-winning writer. Funny, cleverly constructed and entertaining.
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| Anniem |
Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Interesting and well-written novel about relationships, trust and loyalty between best friends, spouses and family.
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| Anniem |
Promise Me by Harlan Coben |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A friend of the family gets mixed up in a missing teen situation. This is my first book by this author, but I will definitely read more!
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| Jon W. |
The Last Juror by John Grisham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This story is very well rounded and has an interesting backdrop. It centers around a young man who buys a local newspaper in the South and his adventures in a small town in which a brutal murder has taken place. Great read!
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| John M |
Lone Star Sleuths by ed. Bill Cunningham, Steven L. Davis, Rollo K. New |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An anthology of the best of mystery and detective novels set in the Lone Star State. There are 30 selections, divided into the 7 very diverse geographical areas of Texas (its a big place!) and all do a pretty good job of describing crime and space, with emphasis on the latter. The selections are diverse too --- how about the resurrection of Sherlock Holmes to investigate the JFK assassination?
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| CC |
Mary, Mary by James Patterson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Pretty good Patterson mystery. Keeps you guessing to the end.
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| Lori S. |
Audition by Barbara Walters |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Forget all the critics --- this is a very good book of a classy lady's very interesting life.
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| Kathy V. |
A Rose from the Dead by Kate Collins |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very good book, and the latest installment in the Flower Shop Mysteries series. It's a fun read, and I enjoyed reading about Abby and her boyfriend Marco. This time, they need to clear their friend's name.
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| Pam C |
Natural Selection by Dave Freedman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
NATURAL SELECTION has short chapters, making it an easy and fast read for summer. Dave Freedman has written a book that is not very "deep", but fairly entertaining with the subject being a sea monster in the form of a Demonray. This Demonray has mutated and is not only a menace to sea life but has adapted to land. It's big and it's hungry!
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| Jennifer Bogart |
Bringing Home the Prodigals by Rob Parsons |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An encouraging read for Christian parents of prodigal children. It draws our attention back to God's love for the lost, and His desire to have our children know Him. It focuses our attention on loving our prodigals and to continually look for their return.
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| Diane |
The Crime Writer by Gregg Hurwitz |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This L.A. crime noir novel pulls you in and keeps you on your toes with clever twists and turns in the plotline.
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| Ricki (rickimc@aol.com) |
The Mercedes Coffin by Faye Kellerman |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very good, fast-paced thriller. I do wish the end was a little more definite, though.
|
| Genie |
Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Fourth installment in the Otherworld series. A world similar to our own, the supernatural world includes demons, deities, vampires, werewolves, witches, sorcerers, shaman, druids, necromancers, and clairvoyants. It lies under the surface of the known world.
Paige and Lucas are the guardians of the young witch, Savannah. After Paige's house is destroyed, they move to Portland, Oregon. This story begins with Lucas's father, Benicio Cortez --- CEO of the Cortez Cabal --- asking Paige and Lucas to investigate a series of murders. Someone is targeting the children of Cabal employees. The latest victim is Dana, a teenage witch and daughter of one of his bodyguards.
Lucas is estranged from his father, who had promised never to contact Paige, so this request is totally unexpected. Initially, neither Paige nor Lucas want anything to do with the Cabals. They agree to go to Miami to politely refuse Benicio's offer.
Once they understand the details of the case, Page decides they must help prevent other children from being hurt. With great difficulty, Lucas and Paige try to steer clear of Benicio's manipulations while helping the targeted supernatural children.
The book is fast paced, with lots of unexpected turns. Along with favorite characters from previous Otherworld novels, a new character, Jamie --- a clairvoyant TV personality and necromancer --- is introduced.
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| Anniem |
Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love this author! Predictable, but predictably a good read.
|
| D. Lohrding |
Phantom Prey by John Sandford |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Oh, how I'd love to meet Lucas Davenport in person --- such a ladies man! Okay, the mystery is off to a good, steady pace, and having problems putting the book down. The mystery is centered on a Goth group, and it's very interesting in that aspect as well.
The book contains all of the regular characters as well. It is like reading a letter from home --- checking in to see what everyone is up to,
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| Lillian Porter |
Stay by Nicola Griffith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am always worried about sequels. My experience has been that they are not as good as the original. Not so with with this one. In fact, it is better than the first book, THE BLUE PLACE, which I enjoyed.
Devastated by the death of her lover Julia, for which she blames herself, Aud Torvingin cocoons herself in a North Carolina mountain forest where she is painstakingly rebuilding an old log cabin. An old friend invades her cocoon to ask her to find his girlfriend. Aud reluctantly agrees and goes to New York, quickly finding the missing Tammy. Then from that point on, the book careens into high gear with Aud's grief transformed into vengeance.
This book rates among the top 5 I have read this year. Nicola Griffith has written an excellent novel that is complex and multi-faceted. Her character Aud is exquisitely portrayed as a woman coming to terms with the violence, brutality, tenderness, and vulnerability that are central to her character. Griffith's insight into the psychological aspects of grief and her ability to give the reader a stunning sense of place through strong images of the North Carolina hideaway and gritty city life vividly reflect the inner tensions that fill Aud's life. Griffith also enables the reader to feel encouraged to hope for emotional resurrection for Aud. The writing is good. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
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| Crystal Blackburn |
Death Walked In: A Death On Demand Mystery by Carolyn Hart |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Annie and Max Darling and friends solve another myst |
