| Irish |
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The true story of a payback of schools in gratitude for help given. Everyone wants to help if one person starts and gets the ball rolling, despite severe difficulties along the way.
|
| Irish |
The Rogue by Danielle Steel |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Typical Danielle Steel --- it's full of people with a lot of money and characters that are well educated and principled.Others are lacking strong moral convictions. This is not to say that the book is not enjoyable, I read every page.
|
| Karen B |
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A murder mystery, a love story and an unsettling vision of an alternative reality of a failed Israel. The story is both entertaining and intense. The outcome is satisfying and believable. I couldn't put it down.
|
| Readingrat |
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another enjoyable installment in this series.
|
| Donna Bassett (Edwards) |
Far Above Rubies by Cynthia Polansky |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Polansky has written a moving tribute to Sofie Mecklenberg Rijnfeld Davidson, a selfless woman of incredible strength. The novel is based on a woman known by her niece as Tante Soof. Sofie was a Polish Jew who married a man with six wonderful girls. Although not her biological children, she became their mother and loved them as if she had given birth to them. So much so, that when her six stepdaughters were summoned to report for resettlement, Sofie decided she could not let them go alone. An incredible story of self-sacrifice by a woman who had a tenacious grasp of hope while enduring the atrocities of Auschwitz.
Anyone reading this book will be overcome by her inspirational message.
|
| Anne E. Lynch |
Some Assembly Required by Lynn K. Bonasia |
Rating: 5 Stars |
From the first paragraph, I was in love with this book. Ms. Bonasia is a fantastic storyteller whose characters become a part of your personal circle! I finished it a few weeks ago, yet continue to have flashes of wondering how Rose, Valeria and the gang are all doing! This is the quintessential beach/travel book --- lightweight and totally engaging!
|
| Joan G. |
Black Out by Lisa Unger |
Rating: 4 Stars |
BLACK OUT is the story of a young girl who made bad choices in her life. On the run with her boyfriend, she watched him commit atrocities to young women. She "died" and became another person. Annie Powers has it all, caring husband, beautiful daughter, gorgeous home. She soon sees signs that her old boyfriend Marlowe, long dead, is stalking her. Her life starts to spin out of control and things are not always what they appear to be. A fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns.
|
| Deb |
The Sharing Knife: Beguilement by Lois McMaster Bujold |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is the 1st book of the volume. It is really good, I love it. There are 3 more books to this set.
|
| Shana |
Land of a Hundred Wonders by Lesley Kagen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The best book I've read all year!
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Blackman's Coffin by Mark de Castrique |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A new mystery series for this NC writer. In it, de Castrique stays true to his funeral home roots and tales of NC mountains. The two stories --- taking place in the current day and in the 1910s --- move the storyline, along with the race issue and the veteran issue. A delightful adventure not weighted down with gory details.
|
| Bonnie |
Beginner's Greek by James Collins |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Ho-hum chick lit. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl, etc.
|
| Diana Mercedes Howell |
The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Jack and Marge Leonard, two Irish Catholics from the same Jersey neighborhood, married 48 hours after Jack proposed, "...he was shipping out, why wait...?" When the War ended and Jack returned, they settled into making babies, adding four boy Boomers to the final tally. Fast forward to the present day. Son #2, Mike, the father of four 20 somethings of his own, wakes up in the middle of the night. In a dream, he sees himself driving an RV. The plan is hatched --- scoop up his parents in Arizona, and drive cross country to Chicago for the birth of their first great-grandchild.
The pilgrimage began calmly enough. Less than a half hour in, daughter-in-law Margarita 'beached' the Winnebago on a concrete gas pump island in Mesa, AZ. Marge, 82 years feisty, with a "...ph.D in pessimism..." thought, well that's the end. Jack, "...the Patron Saint of hope..." assured his bride of 60 years, nobody died. Marge and Jack, 'Moose' and 'Spoose', opposite sides of the same coin who make each other laugh.
Like the travelers in THE CANTERBURY TALES with miles to go and hours to kill, the Leonards tell stories to pass the time. THE RIDE OF OUR LIVES takes you on a journey through time, back to the '50s when we made up our own games, and the neighborhood was 'teeming with kids', innocence and mischief. Only a decade before, Jack, skippering a small escort ship in The Atlantic, was forced to leave a foundering sister ship behind. "Those were the rules. A convoy stops for nothing...about a half hour later...we heard a boom. A German sub got them with a torpedo."
THE RIDE OF OUR LIVES celebrates the mystery of living, the joy, the sorrow and the just plain silly.
Three generations packed into a pair of rented RVs; AC/DC meets Bing Crosby; "Only catchers are allowed to wear baseball caps backwards", Jack protests. In the middle, there is Mike, more instigator than referee. A gifted raconteur blessed with the rhythm of a stand up comedian, he maneuvers the narrative back and forth through time with ease and logic. You feel like you are in the Weasely family's enchanted 'flying car,' soaring above the 20th Century American landscape. Early seventies, marriage, kids, a lovely and patient wife Cathy, Mike stumbling into broadcasting and tripping up the ladder to a national gig at NBC. Bank the 'flying car' 180 degrees back to the present. The Winnebago and the Holiday Rambler, Mike christened USS Fiasco, make an AM/PM stop. Something triggers a memory and we fly back in time. It is a typical 1950s Saturday matinee at the Glencoe, Illinois movie theatre, booing the villains and dodging 'candy missiles' (Dots and Milk Duds). Oh yes, misty eyed and marveling at the miracle of life, they made it to Chicago in time for the birth of Josie, the first of the 4th generation of Leonards.
The Ride of Our Lives is life affirming, alternately hysterical and poignant; rich in heart and humor with only one fault. It is almost too rich. Two-thirds of the way into the book, you feel like you have eaten too much chocolate. But it is a good feeling.
|
| J. E. |
Dark Summit by Nick heil |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Exciting and informative about human endurance.
|
| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Antiques to Die For by Jane K Cleland |
Rating: 2 Stars |
A Josie Prescott mystery set in New Hampshire, which is an interesting setting. The characters are flat, not interesting. I learned a little about antiques and the process involved in appraising objects. I will not read any other books in this series.
|
| Lorna |
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Anyone with children needs to read this book, as well as every high school student. What an eye opener about what very well could happen in any high school. It makes you really think. I have never been disappointed by any of this author's works and this may be one of her best. Don't miss it.
|
| Ro Gupta |
Some Assembly Required by Lynn Kiele Bonasia |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The book that becomes a fascinating vacation, allowing the reader to feel like she/he is plopped right in the middle of beautiful Cape Cod --- you can feel the sun, hear the waves crashing behind you, and smell the salt water and fresh lobster rolls. The characters live in your mind and heart well past the end of the book, and the author's writing captures every ounce of your attention --- a must read this summer.
|
| Debi |
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a mystery about the death of a woman who wasn't what she claimed to be, an author. It is set in the fictional town of Three Pines, Canada during the winter, which helped me feel cooler this summer!
|
| Kathy Kasten |
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Sort of a cross between THE WIZARD OF OZ and FRACTURED FAIRYTALES. A very quick and enjoyable read. A young boy grows up after his mother dies and his father remarries and he gets a new baby brother. Then he is swept up in a fantasy land.
|
| Kellie (acountkel@bellsouth.net) |
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book is about the author's life, starting in Somalia where she is born, and is brought up by a Muslim family. Her mother wants to lead a very strict Muslim life, while her father is a bit more relaxed but still obeys the Muslim rule.
Her father is a member of a political movement that is working against the president of Somalia, Siad Barre. As a result, the family had to move around a lot to be safe --- first in Saudi Arabia, where they are exposed to the very strict rules of Islam. Woman are totally covered and cannot leave the house without a male family member. After Saudi, they move to Ethiopia and then on to Kenya. Ayaan tries to live as a devoted Muslim, but she is disillusioned with the violence, the intolerance and the treatment of women.
In her early 20s, her father arranges a marriage for her with a Muslim who is living in Canada. Ayaan is sent to Germany to await her Visa. While there, she is exposed to Western culture, she makes the quick decision to go to Holland, apply for refugee status, and hide from her family. Eventually, the family found her but she refuses to leave Holland and divorces her husband.
Ayaan goes to school in Holland and earns her degree in political science. She becomes politically active and is elected as a member of Parliament. She becomes an atheist and is very open about Islam and begins to speak and write about its deception. The overall theme of this book is that there is no line drawn between moderate and extreme Islam. It is all the same. As a result of her openness, she has received many death threats and must live her life hidden from those that have sentenced her to death.
There are some interesting and very eye-opening quotes in this book about Islam: "Every society that is still in the rigid grip of Islam oppresses women and also lags behind in development. Most of these societies are poor; many are full of conflict and war. Societies that respect the rights of women and their freedom are wealthy and peaceful." ....the Quran is an act of man, not of God. We should be free to interpret it; we should be permitted to apply it to the modern era in a different way, instead of performing painful contortions to try to recreate the circumstances of a horrible distant past."
"In Saudi Arabia, every breath, every step we took, was infused with concepts of purity or sinning, and with fear. Wishful thinking about the peaceful tolerance of Islam cannot interpret away this reality: hands are still cut off, women still stoned and enslaved, just as the Prophet Muhammad decided centuries ago."
" Life is better in Europe than it is in the Muslim world because human relations are better, and one reason human relations are better is that in the West, life on earth is valued in the here and now, and individuals enjoy rights and freedoms that are recognized and protected by the state. To accept subordination and abuse because Allah willed it --- that, for me, would be self-hatred."
As a member of Parliament, Ayaan proposes dramatically reducing unemployment benefits and abolishing the minimum wage.
"From my experience as a translator with welfare cases, I knew that easy access to generous unemployment benefits leads to a poverty trap: people in Holland often make more money from welfare than they would in actual jobs."
Ayaan is my new hero. Her bravery and openness in her speech about Islam is truly amazing and sets an example. Our society needs to listen carefully to Ayaan and stop being afraid of being viewed as racist as they dare to scrutinize this backward culture.
|
| Jean |
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin |
Rating: 5 Stars |
My daughter told me to read this book because she loved it so much. I, too, love the book! Ms. Giffin's writing style is like talking to a good friend. She's light, funny, and very insightful. The book is a quick read and very, very good.
|
| Debi |
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke |
Rating: 5 Stars |
What a great book! It reminds me of the magical realism of Latin American authors. A book mender is able to read characters out of books when he reads aloud. Unfortunately, he has no control over who comes out, or who goes in. It has suspense, mystery, and action. . . not to mention fairies, cell phones, and trolls! It's great for all ages!
|
| Louise |
The Black Ice by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I selected this book as one that would keep me entertained on a long flight. Wrong! It took me awhile to make my way through it, as I kept switching to others.
In the Harry Bosch series, Harry becomes involved in the death of a fellow detective. The death is pronounced a suicide, but Harry is able to prove otherwise and eventually uncover a large crime ring.
|
| Lou |
What Happened by Scott McClellan |
Rating: 2 Stars |
My husband and I looked for weeks for this book; then neither of us finished it. While I tried to keep an open mind as I read, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth regarding the author. His bitterness is clear, and one has to wonder what his motivation really was in releasing the book at this time.
|
| Karen H. |
Summer Blowout by Claire Cook |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Claire Cook once again ventures into the genre of the “living is easy” summer beach reads with her latest book, SUMMER BLOWOUT.
Readers who enjoyed the shoes in Beth Harbison’s SHOE ADDICTS ANONYMOUS, or designer clothes in Lauren Weisberger’s THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA will become quickly caught up in SUMMER BLOWOUT. Cook’s story revolves around the world of makeup artists and hair stylists. Fans of her other books, including LIFE'S A BEACH and MUST LOVE DOGS will find Claire Cook continues to entertain with this latest romantic riotous romp! Fans won’t be disappointed if they are looking for a carefree, amusing summer read!
|
| Karen H. |
Upside Down Inside Out by Monica McInerney |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Eva and Joseph, both off to Australia for seemingly different reasons, are destined to meet, but will the strong chemistry be enough to withstand the secrets they both hold? Monica McInerney takes us on a delightful journey with two people, both away from home and away from the realities of everyday living. McInerney gives us Eva and Joseph, who find themselves drawn to each other and liking how things are going until they are forced to face reality.
McInerney keeps one reading to the very end to find out if, and how, these two may, or may not, get together. Is there always a happy ending? Are things “upside down inside out” or can they be set right? As I did, with much delight, one has to read this glorious summer fun read to find out. Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Weiner, Helen Fielding, and Jennifer Crusie will find Monica McInerney’s UPSIDE DOWN INSIDE OUT's Eva Kennedy to rival the likes of Bridget Jones, Cannie Shapiro and Becky Bloomwood.
|
| Readingrat |
Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a strong coming-of-age story. The characters and situations are so spot-on that reading it is like being transported right back to high school.
|
| Readingrat |
Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor |
Rating: 3 Stars |
In this sequel, I didn't find much of the subtle charm that so enchanted me in the first book. This book dealt with battle, after battle, after battle, after battle, complete with enough sound effects to make me wonder why the author did not make this a graphic novel instead.
|
| Judy |
The Abyssinian Proof by Jenny White |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Constantinople, 1453 --- the Metochite family is entrusted with keeping safe a reliquary with the inscription: Behold the Proof of Chora, Container of the Uncontainable.
Fast forward to Istanbul, 1853, where we find Kamil Pasha --- the local magistrate --- who is given 7 days to solve the mysteries of a rash of antiquities thefts from synagogues, churches, mosques. Clues lead him to a hidden sect descended from the Metochites and living underground. The Proof of Chora, lost years ago, resurfaces and now there are murders along with thievery. There is more history than mystery, but it's an enjoyable read.
|
| Monica S. |
The Book Of Fate by Brad Meltzer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I have never read a book by this author before, but that's going to change!
A great political thriller, which leaves you wondering if events portrayed in this book could really happen (or am I just very naive?). The story has many twists, a code to break, and a sympathetic main character.
It was a good book to read before the elections!
|
| Louise (LouBabe@juno.com) |
Black Echo by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I was finally able to track down the first in the Harry Bosch series, and while reading it, a lot of things fell into place regarding others I had read.
I just changed this from 5 stars to 2, remembering how many panic attacks I had while reading. Harry had served as a "tunnel rat" during his military career in Vietnam. He had suffered from nightmares for the rest of his life (which were described in the story), but finding the body of a fellow "TR" in a pipe resurrected a lot of his memories and exacerbated his nightmares. While reading about them, I felt like I was trapped down in these deep tunnels under Vietnamese cities with him, and it was a horrible experience for me.
|
| Louise |
The Bush Family by James Spada |
Rating: 5 Stars |
The carefully selected photos throughout this book adds interest to the history of four Bush generations. From Santa (Willard Scott) whispering in the first President Bush's ear to tender moments between Laura and George W, I think everyone would enjoy this, despite his political persuasion.
|
| Louise |
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I had a radiologist tell me about this book while running body scans on me. She made it sound worth buying, so I started looking for it. It's every bit as good as she described it. I'm not usually into time-travel plots, but his one was exceptional!
|
| Cheryl |
Judge & Jury by James Patterson with Andrew Gross |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A well-written, fast-paced novel. Characters are interesting as you are drawn into the drama of a trial of a major mafia don.
|
| Thomas |
The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is one of the early Kay Scarpetta books, but the first fiction I have read from Cornwell. I found this to be an easy and exciting read. Pre-teen Emily Steiner has been murdered and evidence points to a couple different suspects, neither of whom may ultimately have killed her. The body farm, a facility for studying human decay, does not play a huge or suspenseful part in the book, but certainly adds to the grim setting. I look forward to reading all the Scarpetta novels.
|
| Louise |
The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 5 Stars |
An interesting twist to this plot as Harry is on trial to determine if his shooting of a "mass murderer" four years earlier was justified. Similar deaths are suddenly discovered.
Can it be that Harry shot the wrong man? Can there be a copycat killer? There are some surprises at the end (particularly if you have read his previous books).
|
| Louise |
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
While I'm not as addicted (yet) to these books as the rest of the world (including so many family members who have read each one 3 times), it certainly has to be the most different concepts I've read about.
Bella (her preference for Isabella) is a normal teen girl who finds herself in a small, dreary town she hates, in a new school she expects to hate, living with her father, the sheriff, who she's not even that fond of. She certainly didn't expect any of the ensuing adventures that came her way!
Oh, and even though I'm not "quite addicted" yet, I plan to attend one of the many scheduled "coming-out parties" when the final book in the series is released at midnight on Aug 2.
These have made Harry Potter mania look tame. Give them a try!
|
| Judi |
The Beach House by Jane Green |
Rating: 4 Stars |
My only negative comment, and it's a personal one, is that it's written in the first person. The author keeps me intrigued as to what is going to happen and how the characters fit into the overall plot. It's a good beach read.
|
| Catie 75 |
Thanksgiving Night by Richard Bausch |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Family drama with quirky, but genuine characters.
|
| Juanita |
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A good book that's easy to read. I'm hoping for a happy ending!
|
| F Tessa Bartels |
Triangle by Katherine Weber |
Rating: 2 Stars |
Odd, disjointed and chaotic ... not unlike a fire. The exposition on math and music is distracting. Not recommended.
|
| Emily B. |
Killer Year: Stories to Die For by Edited by Lee Child |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Some very good stories and some that didn't hit me as hard. I love anthologies because it exposes me to new and upcoming authors. I found some in this collection that I will be watching out for!
|
| F. Tessa Bartels |
The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness by Joel Ben Izzy |
Rating: 4 Stars |
An inspiring and thought-provoking memoir of a storyteller who loses his voice.
|
| Sandy (sandsgirl@gmail.com) |
The Serpant on the Crown by Elizabeth Peters |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Another gem in the Amelia Peabody series!
|
| Sharon |
The Woman at the Washington Zoo by Marjorie WIlliams |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I must admit that I purchased this book thinking that it was about the inside workings of the National Zoo. No, its better. It is a series of articles that the author wrote for the Washington Zoo about Washington society and the interesting people who are drawn to our nation's capital. Interesting read.
|
| ck |
The Spies of Warsaw by Alan Furst |
Rating: 5 Stars |
War is coming to Europe and there are spies everywhere in Paris, Warsaw, and sites in Germany. Colonel Mercier is in the center of the diplomatic intrigue. Both my husband and I raced through the book enjoying this first-rate espionage fiction.
|
| Ali |
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner |
Rating: 3 Stars |
I'm reading classics I never read in school. I have to say this is the strangest book I recall reading, but it is definitely worth the effort. It is challenging to decipher the stream-of-consciousness style of writing and the thoughts of each character.
|
| Michelle |
Train from Marietta by Dorothy Garlock |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Great story --- a rich woman is kidnapped and a rancher rescues her with both of them being in constant danger.
|
| eclecticfirefly |
Bringing Back The Dead by Joe Domenici |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a wonderful story of a group of men who met in the military, then come back together years later to search for one of their own who is missing. The military aspects of the story are essential, but do not overtake the story. An enjoyable and suspenseful read.
|
| Jeanie |
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Edgar, a young boy who was born mute, helps his family with their kennels raising Sawtelle dogs. The way Edgar communicates with his family and dogs and the tragic story of their lives is very interesting.
|
| E. Guthrie |
Meeting Lizzy by SarahBeth Carter |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book has a great intro. After reading the first few pages, I couldn't stop. I read it all in one sitting. It made me laugh, it made me angry, it made me love some characters and despise others. It made me re-evaluate a few things that I would never have questioned otherwise. The basic premise of the story is a teenage boy (it's set in Scottsdale, Arizona) hearing a noise in the apartment upstairs. He goes to see what is wrong and stumbles onto a scene of obvious violence. The story continues as the relationship between the two teen neighbors evolves and Lizzy attempts to remove herself from the abusive relationship that she never really wanted in the first place. It's got really great characters. I love the way the author allows readers to get inside the head of the characters. Great read!
|
| Ali |
Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book. It has a great story, the characters are realistic, and the island descriptions are right on. Frank writes with great humor and gives her main character pluckiness to get on with life.
|
| RGT |
Some Assembly Required by Lynn Kiele Bonasia |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is a fun, smart, clever novel and the kind of book you really don't expect from a first-time author. The characters, plot, dialogue all remind me of a John Irving novel. It's quirky, imaginative, engaging and fun. My wife bought the book and encouraged me to read it --- I was afraid it was going to be "woman's literature" and when I saw that it was a first-time author, probably overwrought. It turned out to be a great book for everyone. I’m hoping this author has another one on the way soon.
|
| Richard Hydren (rick@hydren.com) |
Some Assembly Required by Lynn Kiele Bonasia |
Rating: 5 Stars |
From the first page Lynn Kiele Bonasia impressed me with her charming, intelligent humor. Her unique voice shines through the many levels she built into the structure of her story line, which I found to be just as much fun as any of her characters.
For example, the short excerpts from “instruction booklets” underscore the story line in such a delightful way that they form a style of poetry all their own.
I have recommended this summer read to many friends, all of whom have written or called me back to say how much fun they are having with it.
It’s not often a first-time author can find such a delicate balance between humor, irony and the human spirit. Lynn does with a panache all her own.
|
| A. Nance |
Some Assembly Required by Lynn Kiele Bonasia |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was the perfect summer read! A great story, multi-dimensional characters and the perfect beach setting. I looked forward every day to sitting down and getting back into the story. This was a totally well-crafted and enjoyable tale, which makes me hopeful that Lynn Bonasia writes another soon.
|
| S. Carter |
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book! I was a tad disappointed because I had somehow talked myself into thinking that it was a sequel to GARDEN SPELLS (which was also fabulous), but it's not. Although, it does continue with the theme of small, unobtrusive magic in the day-to-day lives of normal people, which I have to admit I absolutely love. She presents it so easily that it's easy to accept and incorporate into the story. The plot in this book was very intricately woven throughout the lives of several characters. But, she didn't miss any opportunity to let the reader get to know the characters better so you come away feeling like you know each and every one.
|
| Ilene Harris |
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book. If you liked Charles Dickens, than you will enjoy this.
|
| L.Barassi |
Some Assembly Required by Lynn Kiele Bonasia |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This was one of the most endearing books I've read in ages. The characters are so likable, and by the end of the book you are rooting for all of them! The author writes with such flare that you can actually feel what the characters are feeling. The setting of beautiful Cape Cod was a perfect choice for this story. If you enjoy quirky characters, local color, and a bit of intrigue, this book has it all!
|
| Judy O. |
Escape by Carolyn Jessop with Laura Palmer |
Rating: 5 Stars |
What a fascinating story! This is an intimate look at the life of Carolyn Jessop, who is forced into a polygamist marriage with FLDS bigshot, Merril Jessop. Carolyn endures for 15 years and then manages to escape with her 8 children to Salt Lake City. The book ends with the impending trial of leader Warren Jeffs, whom we now know has since been convicted and sentenced to many years in prison for his abuses while the FLDS leader. It was quite an eye-opening account of another world.
|
| Donna |
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Wow! I'm not quite finished but this book captured me from the first page. Just when I think I might possibly know what will happen next, he takes the reader in another direction. Great debut novel, and I hope this author continues to write. I will definitely keep checking for new novels.
|
| Karen G. |
Delusion by Peter Abraham |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Keeps me turning pages.
|
| Marjorie Clark (marjorie_clark2000@yahoo.com) |
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Good book so far about a porn star who wants to end her career by having sex with 600 men in one movie. The story is mostly told through the voices of three waiting men, and especially No. 600. So far, I'm entertained by what is going on in the waiting room full of men in all states of undress and their conversations. I previously read his book CHOKE and enjoyed it very much.
|
| Bonnie |
Lopsided by Meredith Norton |
Rating: 4 Stars |
It's odd, I know, but here's a funny book by and about someone with breast cancer. Norton writes with wit and irony about her family and friends, her travels, spouse, ex-boyfriends, doctors, politics and, oh, yes, that pesky cancer. I laughed out loud at her acerbic sense of humor. There's much grit and pathos too, but don't let that keep you from this amazing book.
|
| Nina Romano (ninsthewriter@gmail.com) |
Some Assembly Required by Lynn Kiele Bonasia |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book has quirky characters and great setting, along with keen observations about love, friendship, and the grace of forgiveness. This book is a perfect fun summer read to enjoy; it's a paperback, so you can cart it anywhere, on a plane or to the beach!
|
| Readingrat |
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Though very different than ENDER'S GAME, this sequel effectively picks up Ender's story and brings him on to adulthood.
|
| Marsha |
Falls the Shadow by William Lashner |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Lashner's novels about Victor Carl, defense attorney, never fail to please. This one takes you on a mad ride while a dentist and Victor Carl try to be good Samaritans. It's funny, heartwarming, interesting and compelling. You'll like it.
|
| Sher (sreimold@cox.net) |
Feeling Good the New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns |
Rating: 2 Stars |
I was so hopeful about this book, but I'm disappointed. It seems to promote total selfish thinking The Universe wants to give you whatever you want? All you have to do is tell the universe you want something? It sure seems lacking to me. It's like something a 12 year old would write, thinking everything is all about them.
|
| Richard Bartels |
Strategic Ignorance by Carp Pope with Paul Rauber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Pope is the executive director of the Sierra Club, and he explores the Bush Administration's destruction of "a century of environmental progress."
|
| F Tessa Bartels |
The Girls by Lori Lansens |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very good book about conjoined twins, and the desire for independence and togetherness all at once. It's told in alternating chapters by each sister, so their distinct personalities emerge.
|
| F Tessa Bartels |
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovitch |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The Stephanie Plum series is just plain fun to read.
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| Rita Carter (gandmari@aol.com) |
Trunk Music by Michael Connelly |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A Harry Bosch mystery. A good police procedural full of many twists and turns. A good read.
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| Sher |
Stone Cold by David Baldacci |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I love the way he has short chapters and keeps you going on both story lines. It was a book I was anxious to get back to whenever I had to set it down.
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| Dena |
Trust Me by Brenda Novak |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I couldn't put down this book. It was full of suspense and is a really great story. I'm glad that I already have the next two in the series because I love Brenda's stories and can't get enough. While this book was fine on its own, I'm sure you will want to continue with the next book.
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| Dena |
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I loved this book. I've read a lot of Vampire books lately, and this one really was excellent. It's about a telepathic waitress, Sookie Stackhouse. Since she can read everyones mind, it's a refreshing change to find out she can't read Vampires minds. She gets involved with Vampire Bill and her life starts to change in every way. I couldn't put it down and went and ordered all the other books in the series.
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| Max Refah (maxrefaw@yahoo.com) |
The Nightmare on 6th Street by Michael Taylor |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am wondering if anyone has read the new book. If you have read it, you understand the reason why I am mentioning it here.
If you have not read it, then you need to fasten your seatbelt and prepare for the journey it will take you on. The more I seem to learn, the less I realize I know.
The narrator is obviously a person with an incredible amount of courage to endure what he had to go through. Wow, I hope I never have to face anything that comes close to that nightmare in my lifetime.
The book is loaded with characters we all have had to deal with and maybe run from, in some way shape or form. I was pulled into the story with ease. The drama was heart wrenching and the personalities were truly psychotic.
The narrator tells a powerful first-hand account of what may become one of the most controversial books of the season, considering this is an election year.
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| Bonnie |
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini |
Rating: 4 Stars |
I'm probably the last person here to have read this novel by the author of THE KITE RUNNER. It's almost as good. This time, it's about two females in Afghanistan. The sense of place and time are terrific --- I felt like I was experiencing the war with them.
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| tboone |
Elfhunter by C. S. Marks |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A very long read that takes you on a journey tracked by Gorgon, the Elfhunter. Marks does an outstanding job of descriptive detail of her characters and settings. The book is definitely girl-strong and recommended for ages 12+.
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| Readingrat |
Vampre Kisses by Ellen Schreiber |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This book is very different from the graphic novels of the same name. While it tends to be a bit formulaic, it's a fast read, has a strong ending, and should hold up well with its target audience.
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| Linda H. (linda604b@yahoo.com) |
A Wanted Man by Linda Lael Miller |
Rating: 5 Stars |
When Rowdy Rhodes rides into town, everyone wonders who he is including the schoolmarm, Lark Morgan. Where did he come from and just who is he? But Rowdy has a secret, as does Lark. This is a good Western story.
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| Linda H. (linda604b@yahoo.com) |
High Noon by Nora Roberts |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara meets millionaire Duncan Swift during her work as a hostage negotiator. Although she is highly regarded in her work, someone is stalking her. While she believes it is a fellow officer who does not like to answer to a female boss, she is unable to prove this. Duncan uses his money and influence to protect Phoebe and her family and to find out who the stalker really is.
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| CC |
False Impression by Jeffrey Archer |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Archer is always a good storyteller and this book doesn't disappoint.
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| Kay Keller |
The Tin Rood Blowdown by James Lee Burke |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The description of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is phenomenal. Reading this book took me up close and personal to south Louisiana. The slang was excessive and not being a street thug, I found it hard to follow. However, this was well written and a good read!! It's my favorite Dave Robicheaux novel yet.
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| Lynn |
Problem Drinking at the Fountain of Youth by Beth Teitell |
Rating: 5 Stars |
We are obsessed about looking young, and spend billions on the quest. Teitell has put a lot of research into this book; it was an eye opener for me as to the lengths some people will go. This would be an interesting book group pick with lots of areas for discussion.
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| Janicesews |
The Shack by William P. Young |
Rating: 5 Stars |
If you believe in God or not, this book is life changing...just like it says. If you don't believe in miracles, you will after reading this.
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| Katie S |
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It's a slow read for me, but I am learning so much about food today. I am very lucky to live in the state of Vermont, where we have access to so much locally grown food.
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| Sandy |
Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet |
Rating: 4 Stars |
After the first few chapters I was sure that I was going to give this one 2 stars at the most, but then it got better and better. I still love James Patterson's thriller novels the best, but this one was perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.
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| Sal Williams |
Shotgun Alley by Andrew Klavan |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am always amazed at how much I forget how wonderful a writer Klavan is until I am midway through a book and cannot put it down, no matter what has to be done. I read a paragraph or so at traffic lights, in elevators, or standing on line, because I cannot stand an extended anxiety of not knowing what happens next. This novel features two detectives, two plots, one ultra-feminist professor, one senator, one "hotpants wild woman, one motorcycle gang and its leader "Cobra"; they are elements inspired by a sensational, actual, factual investigation well known to true crime cable watchers that Klavan was involved in during his pre-writing career. There's murder and mayhem aplenty and plot twists of great imagination, as well as some first-person asides from the author about the real detective work scattered throughout the proceedings. I heartily recommend this book to you. If you like it, you may want to try its predecessor DYNAMITE ROAD for the back story.
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| Coral Harrison |
Slight of Hand by Kate Wilhelm |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This is a Barbara Halloway legal thriller. She is an attorney and her father Frank is semi-retired, but helps her out with special cases. Wally and Peg are retired but need a lawyer now, so they hire Barbara.
It is a good legal mystery. It is part of a series.
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| J. David |
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Deep, lyrical, the writing is sometimes like poetry --- it's so well written I know it will be one of the few books I read over and over, again. The story stuck with me, almost as if I knew Edgar and the dogs.
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| Barbara Broberg (barbbroberg@hotmail.com) |
Copycat by Erica Spindler |
Rating: 4 Stars |
There seems to be an abundance of books lately about the main character having a secret that is threating to be exposed. We are informed early on what this one is. It's still a good read, and I like Spindlers writing --- she uses to-the-point, short chapters and overall, it's an easy book to read, especially if you are a busy person and need to set the book down often.
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| Barbara Broberg (barbbrberg@hotmail.com) |
Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This is great as usual --- Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are a great pair. This book was especially good and I never saw the ending coming at all. A real page turner
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| Ricki (rickimc@aol.com) |
Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice |
Rating: 2 Stars |
The story would be much better and readable if Rice were not so long winded.
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| Sherrie Gil |
Without a Trace by Colleen Coble |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A very good mystery with inspirational highlights. I will read more of her books soon.
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| John M |
Shavetail by Thomas Cobb |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Reminescent of Cormac McCarthy, this is a novel set in 1871 in the Arizona desert, and is the story of a 17-year-old runaway boy who runs away to join the Army to forget a bad experience. The term "shavetail" comes from an untrained stubborn mule, which describes the main character to a T. Rich in characterization and location description, this is a fast, exciting, and very enjoyable read. I am not usually a fan of western novels, but this book is the exception.
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| Elizabeth V |
The Messenger by Daniel Silva |
Rating: 3 Stars |
Silva's books are compared to John LeCarré's. I think now that is because they both write spy novels. I think Silva's, at least this one, are much better.
But, I'm not entirely pleased. I've read half the book, and it seems I'm still not into the story. Silva is still giving me background information.
It seems like a search for a person financing terrorists, but it began with an attack on the Vatican, and I can't figure what that means to the rest of the book, but I think nothing other than that this spy is really wonderful. We'll see.
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| Mary Branham (maryandlennybranham@yahoo.com) |
Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards |
Rating: 5 Stars |
It is so good. Jamie decides to have a baby for her sister Kendra and husband Issac . While pregnant, and with twins no less, she gets breast cancer. She also falls in love with a great guy and is raising her two girls with the help of friends and family who are teaching her so many wonderful things like quilting. I won't give any more away, but it is a great book.
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| Enid |
The Sign for Drowning by Rachel Stolzman |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This incredible novel intertwines the present story of a young woman coping with the past haunting loss of her young sister from a drowning accident. She learns sign language in a childish effort to communicate with her lost sister, which eventually leads the way to her becoming an educator of the deaf. She subsequently becomes a single adoptive parent of a young deaf child she meets through the learning center she runs. Explored is her struggle to cope with motherhood as well as truly understanding what actually defines the deaf culture.
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| Steve Cone (stevecone@verizon.net) |
Killing Floor by Lee Child |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I am reading every one of Child's books with great pleasure. I have been looking for an author such as he. I went to B&N to get the last seven books that I couldn't find locally. KILLING FLOOR is the fifth in the series I have read.
I am intrigued by his ability to write the hero, Reacher, out of every jamb and problem he Encounters and do so in a reasonable way. This is, to me, the finest series to come along in some time.
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| Emry |
That's Amore by Wendy Markham |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A continuation of the author's Chickalini family stories, but not as satisfying as some of the previous books. A humorous and entertaining story nonetheless.
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| Becky Cruz (ABamaBecky@aol.com) |
The Invasion of Falgannon Isle by Deborah MacGillivray |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A delightful book!! This is a contemporary romance that is full of wonderful characters and actually had me laughing out loud at times.
B.A. Montgomerie is the owner of a Scottish Island that supposedly has an ancient curse on it. There are 213 single men on this island and no eligible females. B.A. sets up a website searching for single women to come to the island, and she ends up finding love in the process. Will the strange invader be the one to help her lift the curse of Falgannon?
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| monnibo |
A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif |
Rating: 4 Stars |
So far this novel is very well written. It is explained well for those who are not up on their world and political history. It is also very interesting and intriguing --- Hanif is a humorous yet direct writer.
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| Debbie |
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary has --- as the book cover states --- murder and insanity as well as the nearly overwhelming task of compiling the first dictionary of every word in the English language. Sound dull? It's not; it reads like a well-written mystery and we learn the motivations of the main characters so well we could be acquainted.
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| Marilyn D |
Country Matters by Michael Korda |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I love Korda's memoirs. I read HORSE PEOPLE and now this one, which gives me many chuckles as he talks about living in upstate New York after moving from New York City. Life is not simpler in the country!!
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| Debbie (delphimo@yahoo.com) |
Resurrection Road by Kathryn R Wall |
Rating: 3 Stars |
A Bay Tanner Mystery set in Hilton Head, SC. This one has Bay dealing with the past --- the murder of her husband and the events during that time. A teen-age boy draws Bay and her lover into kidnapping and murder charges, and Bay feels betrayed by everyone --- the community, her lover, and her brother-in-law. A look at Southern tradition, family and revenge.
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| Marion Miller (lamamil@aol.com) |
The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris |
Rating: 4 Stars |
This may have been a little too long but it was certainly a page turner. You could just smell the chocolate and drink the cocoa while learning about the occult.
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| Melissa |
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver, |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Excellent book --- funny and eye-opening. It will make you think twice about what you eat and where it comes from.
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| Readingrat |
The Halfway House by Katherine Noel |
Rating: 4 Stars |
The strength of this book comes from the raw depictions of mental illness. The reader really gets a strong sense of not only how it feels to live with a mental illness, but also how it feels to have a loved one suffering from one. On the down side, the timeline of the story is hard to pin down, there is very little real resolution at the end, and some pieces of the story do not seem to be tied into the progression of the plot at all.
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| Lyla D (dragonqwester@hotmail.com) |
Jeeves Omnibus by P. G. Wodehouse |
Rating: 5 Stars |
I have read several of the "Jeeves" stories and love the humor and the timeless joy that comes from the pages. Some were written in 1922-23 and on into the '50's. It is a joy to rediscover the simple joy and a more restful time.
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| Julie |
Duma Key by Stephen King |
Rating: 4 Stars |
A great beach read that takes place on a key off the Florida Coast in the Gulf of Mexico. It's very suspenseful and there are a lot of paranormal goings on on this island.
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| Lori Schultz |
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler |
Rating: 5 Stars |
A modern-day Austen addict gal gets inexplicably transformed back to Jane Austen's time into another body and life! Some pretty humorous situations follow and a romance to rival Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. I loved it!
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| Deborah |
Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Gemma and Duncan Kincaid are back at work in this book, taking on an investigation into a friend's troubled past during World War II. The mystery is good, although there is still too much family angst interfering with the mystery. Gemma's mother is hospitalized, which causes a crisis for Gemma, Kit, and the rest of the family. Still, the mystery is strong and this one is well worth reading.
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| Deborah |
Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Elvis faces a dark case: a man whose innocence he helped prove has now died, leaving behind a book of photographs that seem to implicate him in a series of crimes. Elvis takes on police detectives and the brothers of one of the victims, while trying to prove he wasn't wrong the first time around. Good, although a bit darker and less humorous than past titles in the series.
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| Renee |
Death Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Summer is a great time to revisit classics, as opposed to the trash reading many lists encourage. What a witty, creative, engaging mystery.
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| Marsha |
Past Due by William Lashner |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Victor Carl is the hero of this series of suspenseful novels featuring a defense attorney who fights for the rights of all for the wrong reasons. This one is especially fine.
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| Susan |
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Different book about a 14 year old growing up on the reservation. He sees the world like a cartoon and draws pictures about the events in his life. The true-life events seem less threatening when depicted as a cartoon but no less devastating for anyone. He is a seeker who decides to seek education outside the reservation and becomes a kind of outcast. I would recommend this book to anyone, even those who are not 14-year-old young men.
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| Jane |
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Loved it.
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| Elizbeth S. |
The Host by Stephanie Meyers |
Rating: 5 Stars |
This book grabbed my attention from the first page! It's very thought provoking --- what-ifs abound... Aliens are trying to live as humans, and finally one understands that she isn't as superior as she thought. Great read.
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| Gail |
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Multi-generational story of a Greek American family narrated by an unusual character who happens to be an hermaphrodite. This story is full of both quirky characters and historical vignettes that trace early 20th century cultural history.
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| Frank Nigro |
Genghis: Lords of the Bow by Conn Iggulden |
Rating: 3 Stars |
The second in a series of historical fiction based on the life of Genghis Kahn, this novel is fast paced and entertaining. Although the story is well told and exciting, the historical characters, including Genghis, are underdeveloped and very weakly described. The book, however, is a good summer read and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series which I have so far enjoyed.
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| Lori Schultz (sunbug55@gmail.com) |
A House Divided by Deborah LeBlanc |
Rating: 4 Stars |
Never heard of this author until she was recommended to me through Library Thing. She writes in the eerie/horror genre and if this is an indication, is pretty darned good. A house with a violent past is divided in half and moved, but the past remains within it's walls and affects both residences in frightening ways.
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| Quinn (eqkmath@gmail.com) |
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Sharrer and Annie Barrows |
Rating: 5 Stars |
Another wonderful book for bibliophiles! This book contains letters from publisher to author during the late 40's and 50's --- the letters are to convey both emotion and information, and neither are neglected. It is a gentle and thoughtful book. There are great dialogues about all sorts of books.
It is a delightful book to read....like reading Godiva chocolates!
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