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March 9, 2012 - March 23, 2012

Lori
Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

4
I found the book interesting, if not completely believable. I liked the story line, but the pace could have been improved: excessive detail sometimes, then skipping years and important life events.

Darby Lohrding
Spin by Catherine McKenzie

5
Great Read! A funny page-turner about a reporter going uncover for a top story in a treatment facility.

Susan Johnson
Restoration by Olaf Olafsson

5
One of the best books I've read in a long time. It's an adult book about making choices and living with the consequences. Set in the backdrop of WWII with a story of the Germans procuring art thrown in.

Shana Skaletsky
People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry

4
Four stars so far, but it may be five. A gripping true crime account of a young British woman who disappeared in Tokyo's underground.

Debra Le
Fallen by Karin Slaughter

5
First book I have read by Karin, a page-turner!

Allison Gardner
Endless Chain by Emilie Richards

3
Great story about women's friendships

Peggy Posteraro
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

5
I'm not exactly the "youth" group as I retired recently and now have lots of time for reading. These books kept me "rivited" I couldn't wait for the next book and finished all 3 in 4.5 days of reading! So many modern day analogies can be made from this series as we see the ancient history parallel too (the chariots in the arena) and our book club should find some great discussion for book 1... Much food for thought. Enjoy! Don't over look Defending Jacob by William Landay...a real surprise at the ending... Chosen: A Novel by Chandra Hoffman ...lots of ethical questions in this one! and What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarity...makes you wonder??? Happy Reading...retirement can be so much fun!

Sharon Elliott-Fox
Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy

4
Gentle read of a neighborhood coming together to care for a baby--and how that baby also brings the neighborhood closer together, aids in maturing some of the characters, leads us through birth and death with grace. Good read, no gory violence, interesting characters and good plot development.

Kathleen Chiocca
Mothers and Sons by Colin Tobin

5
From the author of Let the Great World Spin, this is a collection of short stories about mothers and sons. Tobin's writing is lyrical and magic and many of these stories are haunting, much like his books. The short story format lets you put down the book and absorb what the story has done, the actual visceral reaction to his writing. One particular one, A Song will stay with you for a long time.

Jacquie Pickering
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

4
A beautifully written period novel -- takes place mostly in 1938 with spot on descriptions of New York's high society. Fun, funny, poignant.

nancy banks
The Man From St. Petersburg by Ken Folliet

3
Slow but picks up later in the the book.

jan Hummel
Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

3
If I wasn't so horrified and grossed out over some of the events in this story, I would have found them funny. But this book tugged at my heart strings while thinking about a kid trying to grow up this way. I did like how this author wrote the book and to read the excerpt from his next book, Dry, makes me want to read more of his work.

Donna Boulmay
Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt

5
I loved this book. This is the first book in the Andy Carpenter series. Having recently discovered the Andy Carpenter series I wanted to read book 1 to see how it all began. If you love dogs and sarcasm you will enjoy Andy.

Pat Sweeney
A Girl and Five Brave Horses by Sonora Carver

4
As a child, I saw the diving horse at Atlantic City's Steele Pier more times than I can count. So when I saw this book, I had to read it. It is the true story of how Sonora, just a small town girl, ended up traveling with Dr. Carver's side show. The technical demands of moving from town to town and setting up the horse diving equipment just so was unbelievable. Different amusement parks paid to have the wooden structures, the specific size pool, and perfect accommodations for the horses. Sonora went through a great deal of training before she was allowed to do any diving. Although often criticized by the SPCA for cruelty to animals, those horses were better treated than probably many horses on a local farm. As they always said at the Steele Pier, keep your eyes on the horse, he decides when to dive. Cast your eyes on this book. It takes us back to an earlier and interesting time.

diane
A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison

4
This novel is a must read in light of today's horrific international child slavery. The author, a former lawyer, is very involved in making this message clear. The story is heart-wrenching as is begins just after a tsunami in India when two young girls are orphaned. Subsequently, it ranges over several countries as the one girl is moved to markets for higher and higher prices.

Betty DeLuca
Home Front by Kristen Hannah

4
Excellent read.

Kelley Tackett
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

5
I am halfway finished with this book and I don't want it to end. This book reminds me a little of The Help and Roots. Kathleen Grisson is a tremendous writer. I am listening to the audiobook and I love the two women's voices for Lavinia and Belle and how they alternate chapters in the story. I will be sad when this one ends.

Liz Cranage
Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

5
An awesome addition to the Alpha & Omega Series

GladysMP
What About Alice? by Karherine Storm

5
This is both a romance and mystery story, very well written and a mystery to the very end. Truly entertaining reading.

Michele Serrani
Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

5
Lorenzo de’ Medici has just died, Savonarola is busy consigning Florence to the flames, and Alessandra Cecchi, a plain, headstrong girl from a prosperous Florentine family, is about to be married off to a much older suitor (who secretly plans to use her to hide his passion for her brother). Alessandra, who loves to draw, is besotted with the young painter who has been hired to decorate the family chapel. A perfect blend of fiction and history. The beginning of the novel captured my interest and from there, I didn't want to put the book down!

Linda H
The Midnight House by Alex Berenson

3
I had read the previous novels about CIA Agent John Wells and loved them but just could not get into this one. There was a lot of skipping around between what went on during interrogations at the Midnight House in Poland in the past and current investigations in the US carried out by John Wells and Ellis Shafer. A team of Rangers and CIA operatives used the Midnight House to interrogate suspected terrorists. When the team was disbanded and returned to the States, several of its members were killed. Wells and Shafer were sent to find out who the murderer was.

bonnie markiewicz
The House I Loved by Tatiana de Rosnay

5
I love to read books from which I learn something I did not know and her books encourage me to search out more books about Paris history.

Peggy Goodwin
Hostile Witness by Forster Rebecca

3
Reading on Kindle. I am halfway through and find that it is really good. I will see how the rest of the book stacks up. I did not know anything about this author. I am interested in finding new authors because I read a lot.

Linda H
Fatal Burn by Lisa Jackson

5
I love Lisa Jackson's books. They are always good. In this one, Shannon's husband was supposedly killed in a fire started by her brothers. Now fires have started again. When Shannon is almost killed by the arsonist, she is saved by someone she never thought to see again. Is he connected to the arsons? You won't be able to put this one down!

Linda H
Inside by Brenda Novak

4
This is the first of a trio of books about Virgil Skinner. He has just been released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Although he has been exonerated, he killed a fellow prisoner and the authorities are holding this over him and threatening him with imprisonment unless he does what they want. He is to go into a maximum security prison and infiltrate a notorious gang and find out who ordered the hit on a local judge. If this is not enough of a problem, his former prison gang is looking for him and he fears the gang will kill his sister and her children. Can he do his job and survive?

Linda H
In Seconds by Brenda Novak

4
In this sequel to Inside, Virgil and his sister Laurel have left the Witness Protection Program as the Crew (the prison gang Virgil belonged to while in prison) found them and all felt that someone on the inside must have given the gang their whereabouts. Now they live on opposite coasts but are tired of the double lives they are living. Then, one of the gang members locates Laurel and Virgil is not around.

Mary Healey
Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz

4
Fascination with John Brown and Harpers Ferry led me to read this book. A brave man or a fool? A little of both I found out but an interesting man and a great book .

Linda H
In Close by Brenda Novak

4
This is the final book in the trilogy and centers around Claire O’Toole. When her mother disappeared 15 years earlier, fingers pointed to Claire’s stepfather. As Claire searches for clues of her mother’s whereabouts, she finds that her husband had also been searching before he was killed in a hunting accident. Or was it an accident? Was he getting too close to the truth?

Linda H
Down River by John Hart

4
This was a well-written novel with an interwoven cast of characters and I enjoyed it more than King of Lies. After wrongfully being accused of murder and found innocent, Adam Chase leaves the family farm and heads to New York vowing to never return to Rowan County. When he receives a message from a boyhood friend that he needs to see him, Adam returns. Not everyone is glad to see him as memories are long and many feel that he got off on the murder charge because of his wealthy family. As he searches for his friend, he finds his body shoved down in a crevasse. Then everyone looks at him as a suspect.

Linda H
The Innocent by Taylor Stevens

4
Since I had not read Stevens’ first book, The Informationist, this book was a little confusing at first. I would advise other readers to read it first to fully understand Michael Munroe. As I got further into The Innocent, I got hooked and the book was great. It was hard to put down as Vanessa Michael Munroe and her team attempted to rescue a girl from the clutches of a cult. Not only did they have to battle ruthless crime figures but the ignorance of the members of the cult itself. I look forward to reading Stevens’ next book.

Susan Kellett
The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont

4
Interesting coming of age book. I haven't finished it yet so can't say 100 percent that I like it.

Heather Johnson
The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

4
I'm currently reading this book, and enjoying it. Nice little Gothic story with a lush atmosphere.

Terri Roth
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

5
Fantastic characters set in New York City 1938. Lots of twists in the plot that you don't see coming.

Marilyn Clement
Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten

4
I have only read about 100 pages of this 371 page crime mystery. It may be unfair to rate the book as I haven't finished yet, however the book is holding my interest. At this point Helene Tursten reminds me of Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wesford Series of which I am a fan. Helene Tursten's book is set in Sweden and features Detective Inspector Irene Huss. At first I was slowed-down by all of the characters' names featuring the umlouts, the two little dots over the o's. However my German quickly kicked-in and I felt I had an adequate pronunciation of the Swedish names and places---and didn't care as I got involved in the story.

Julie H
Pleating for Mercy by Melissa Bourbon

4
Harlow Jane Cassidy returns to Bliss, Texas to inherit her great-grandma, Mee-Maw's, home after a life in NYC as a designer. She opens a dress making boutique in her small hometown and soon becomes head dressmaker for an old friend's society wedding. Josie is marrying into the Kincaid family and when her boss turns up dead in Harlow's yard, the cozy mystery begins. This gentle mystery reveals its' secrets slowly and I enjoyed getting to know all the Cassidy women, Josie, Gracie Flores and other secondary characters.

Julie H.
A Fitting End by Melissa Bourbon

4
Zinnia James' promise for more work for Harlow's dressmaking boutique becomes a reality with the arrival of the annual Margaret Festival, a debutante style event a la Bliss, Texas. Girls on the 'have' side of town all require pageant gowns and Zinnia James enlists Harlow to create one for her granddaughter Libby. When the country club's golf pro is found stabbed with sewing shears,Harlow finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery. I enjoyed learning more about the family tree of the Cassidy women in this story. I also liked getting to know more of the secondary characters that populate Bliss and can't wait for the third book, Deadly Patterns to be released this fall!

Julie H.
Kill Shot by Vince Flynn

4
I can't believe we are twelve books deep in these stories about Mitch Rapp. Flynn continues his prequel style story in Kill Shot, with much success. I am enjoying the return of previous characters and like learning some of the history that created the character we know in later books. It's another fast paced read, fulfilling my expectations very well.

Julie H.
Best Friends, Occasional Enemies by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella

4
I picked up the third collection of Scottoline's Chick Wit columns after the holidays this year and was rewarded with another great read. These slice of life pieces will have anyone with dogs, moms, daughters, and cars chuckling along with Lisa.

Susie
Doc by Mary Doria Russell

5
Mary Doria Russell has really done it this time! The Wild West comes alive! Another spellbinding historical fiction. This time with the colorful characters of the old west as a background...could Kitty and Doc Holliday ever been more exciting than in the setting of Dodge City with Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp? Let's start in the Old South and follow Doc...come along and see!

Paul Dimino
Presidential Migraines by Fritz Strobl

4
I enjoyed this book by new author Fritz Strobl. I am looking forward to reading his second book, Greek Flu,with the same main characters. The plot moved along quickly and held my interest.

Susan
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

5
Fantasy filled with life lessons...and descriptions of the different moons.

michele c
Unwanted by Kristina Ohlsson

5
Great author, great book!

Anne Derkat
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt

4
An oddball western of 2 brothers who work as hired killers.

michele c
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

5
Wow!!!!!! Totally different but interesting book

PATRICIA FLANIGIN
The Darlings by Cristina Alger

5
This is a wonderful book if you enjoyed books by Dominick Dunne!!! The book is up to date with all the New York scandal of wall street and society.

anne joyce
Haunt Me Still by Jennifer Lee Carrell

4
Do you love a mystery with a little Shakespeare thrown in for fun? This book has a Shakespearean curse at its heels and an American playwright at the helm, with a rich and atmospheric setting in Scotland. The book "Haunt me Still" by author Jennifer Lee Carrell is a fun, thrilling ride with a pinch of romance thrown in for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Carol Burns
A Good American by Alex George

4
Magical prose tells the multi-generational story of a family, beginning with immigrants from Germany in pre-WWI Europe. It is fascinating to watch the characters cling to traditions and occupations from generations past. The raw humanityof events that will make you gasp leads you quickly from one era to another. Would make a powerful movie.

Betty Jo Harris
Every Day by the Sun, A Memoir of the Faulkners of Mississippi by Dean Faulkner Wells

5
Excellent history of the family...with William Faulkner in the lead...One of the best non-fiction books I have read in the past few years. Don't miss this one...whether you read Faulkner or not.

Sally Lincoln
Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

4
Just loved this book that literally transported you to third world countries and their way of life. How much we take for granted as they struggled with the daily tasks of trying to run a hospital and treat the overwhelming numbers. It's a love story that spans decades and a tale of family ties that are so strong. A book I didn't want to put down.

Fran Grimm
Victims by Jonathan Kellerman

5
Another great Delaware novel, with the usual characters. Couldn't stop reading.

Rosemary Sobczak
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
Not often a book elicits tears! Couldn't put it down! This is a must read!

Brianna Jaynes
The Secret Circle The Initiation by Lisa Jane Smith

5
L. Jane Smith is one of my favorite authors, and I love all of her books! I knew that I should read the Secret Circle but never had time to, then one night the show was on and I decided to watch it. When the show was over, I was like "WOW that was so good!" I then went to my library and checked the book out, so far this book is well worth the trouble to get!

Susan Steacy
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

4
This was a selection for my book group. We all enjoyed it very much and it presented good discussions. The story took place in 1800 and dealt with slavery - as well as a white indentured girl age 9. The story revolves around the slaves in the "big house", the kitchen house and field slaves as well as the interaction of the white owners and property managers.

Joyce M. Armour
11/22/63 by Stephen King

5
I haven't read anything by Stephen King in a long time. This book intrigued me because I like reading about the assassination of JFK. Stephen King did an excellent job.

Susan Steacy
Before I Sleep by S J Watson

5
Wow - amazing story - hard to imagine that you remember nothing every morning you wake up! A real page turner - read it and recommended to several friends who also loved it.

Julie
Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

4
No one writes murder mysteries as intricate as the master, Agatha Christie. Detective Poirot is solving a crime of murder on an estate in France. I always think I know who the murderer is until it is revealed at the end and I am always wrong. But this is what I love about these murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, they really keep me guessing right up to the last page.

lanita currin
The Odds by nancy O'nan

4
A good book about a marriage ending but not before giving it one last shot and going for broke on a gambling excursion. In the process they confront the things that led to the disintegration of their marriage and finances. In confronting the past they realize there part in the breakdown of the marriage and take a gamble on salvaging whats left after everything seems to be lost.

Jackie Wisherd
Absolute Power by David Baldacci

5
I just finished reading this book and was glad I did even though I'd seen the movie years ago starring Clint Eastwood. But it was so long ago I just remember the opening scenes and hadn't remembered how it ended. That made it even better reading the book because I wasn't spoiled by knowing how the rest of the story proceeded. This was the first book of Mr Baldacci's that I've read...it won't be the last. This author knows how to put together a story!

Margo
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

4
This book kept me reading until I finished it. I couldn't imagine how it could have a happy ending. It's the tale of two teen lovers who hadn't seen each other for years. He was from the wrong side of the tracks, and she was a popular and beautiful classmate. Everything went wrong for them, but they were destined to meet again in desperate circumstances.

Gail Wite
A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison

4
Just started this book, which although quiet intense, has a very important message. About family, power of conviction & incredible stamina of love. This is Addison's first novel but he writes so well & it is one of the first for him. I suspect he will become one of the most popular writers of the time.

Gail White
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

5
So great! Generous heartfelt writing & life advice. Anne Lamott is humorous, warm, loving & very generous with her heart! I read her long ago & this rediscovery so blesses me and means so much to my life! Please check her out. Some of her books waiting for me - Traveling Mercies, Operating Instructions, & others.

Helen W
Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George

4
Although this is a Inspector Lynley book he is not the central character. This is a really convoluted plot not about a murder per se. An involved family saga would be more like it. Deborah and Simon St. James are featured. Deborah unfortunately sets off a tragic chain of events which turns this plot into a family tragedy. Not one of her best, but still a solid read.

Janice Tinto
Thunder Dog by Michael Higson

5
Outstanding NF of a blind man and his guide dog walking down 78 floors during the 9/11 attack on the towers. Michael Hingson is a person to be admires for his courage and love of live. His blindness hasn't stopped from doing anything in his life.

Jan Tindall
A Good American by Alex George

5
A wonderful read about 2 immigrants who find their way to America and make new lives while working and raising 2 children. The book covers the lives of three generations with all the positives and negatives, tears and laughter, one would expect in a family plus a lot of events and surprises relating only to this family. The story grabs one from the opening page and holds your attention to the very end. I found that most of the elements of the plot came at me "out of the blue" which always makes a story interesting. I truly hated to see this book end. I plan to reread it again soon and to then mark so many passages that reminded me of MY immigrant grandparents at the turn of the 20th century.

Mary Zelli
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

5
Beautifully written about the HeLa cell line and it's original "cell donor". It tells the story of Henrietta Lacks life and that of her family and the importance of her cells in science research. Loved reading as the author made science interesting. Finally some credit is given to the woman who by her death enabled so many others to live.

Kimberly Rorstrom-Wittig
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

5
I anxiously awaited the distribution of Lisa See's latest novel, Dreams of Joy. It's our book club read. I recommend you start with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and read your way through to Dreams of Joy. In my opinion Lisa See is a great author and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading her stories.

Alexis salema
Before the Poison by Peter Robinson

5
Involved and different from his Inspector Banks mysteries. The main character tries to find whether the woman who had lived in the mansion he bought had really killed her husband fifty years ago. Well done!!!

MaryEllen Jurgensen
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

5
Each book kept me riveted with the essence of love and war and how devastating both can be. Wonderful concept. Suzanne Collins should be commended for her ability to describe environments foreign to the reader, but making them feel "real and not real" at the same time.

Brenda Beverly
A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison

4
I am only about 1/3 of the way through this book and I am in love with the subject matter, the locations, the characters. Just enough descriptions to allow your mind to see but not enough to bog down the progress. I hate to close it for, of all things, work!

Barbara Stahr
Zero Day by David Balducci

3
Interesting story, but gets quite involved in technical information.

Nancy Billington
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5
Normally not my genre but found it fascinating.

Marcie Case
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
I read this book after reading about it on your web site and I was blown away by it. It kept my attending to the very end. I identified with the family especially the mother and the ending was a very big surprise. I would recommend it very highly.

Dianne Mongelli
Justice Hall by Laurie King

3
Another Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mystery. Always fun although this one starts slowly. Be patient in reading it.

Mellena
Blood and Ice by Robert Masello

5
It was a great compelling read. It was my Book Club's read last month and wasn't sure it would be my thing so I didn't read the book jacket. I am glad I didn't. Not knowing what to expect at all I think made the book even more compelling. I read most of it in one day. The Prologue starts in the 1800's with two important characters and begins in modern US in chapter one. It continues to give back story of the two 1800 characters in the book and the reason why is revealed. It's a truly wonderful book.

Ginny Horton
Caught by Harlan Coben

4
This is my first Harlan Coben novel, but it won't be my last. I'm almost finished with this book and it has had me guessing throughout. I love Coben's wit and humor and actually laughed out loud at one point. I'm looking forward to reading more of his books.

JoRN
Restless Souls by Alisa Statman with Brie Tate

5
This book was written by Sharon Tate's family. The book shares what the family went through & the fight to keep the Manson family killers behind bars. This book really made one feel the family's anguish. I admire the Tate family being an advocate for justice.

Andria Plonka
The Fallen by Jassy Mackenzie

5
Mackenzie lives in South Africa where her novel is set and gives a good feel for the land. She also gives her main character the background to know how to tackle a given problem of which the reader is informed prior to the scene where she needs to put it to use. The best thing about this tale, however is the ending which will probably catch most readers by surprise.

Pat Caron
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

5
Plain and simple...I loved it!

Linda
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
Loved it when a book has an unexpected ending that stays with you later. Good story, fast pace, and makes you want to know what really happened right to the end.

Sheryl
How Pefect is That by Sarah Bird

4
I was late in getting to read this one, but it was great. I laughed out loud. We could all find our selves in her shoes sometime. It was a feel good book!

Sheryl
The Hurt Machine by Reed Farrel Coleman

5
I loved this mystery series. It's so good, yet can be a bit dark "emotionally". I look forward to each installment.

Don
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

5
Probably the best of the Louise Penny series about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec. Lots of twists and turns in the plot to keep you reading to the surprising ending.

Gayle Lin
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

5
For now, this tops my all-time favorites list. I love Picoult's writing because she doesn't just entertain, but also educates. I learned so many interesting things about wolves. The way she tied animal packs and human families together is nothing short of genius.

Susan Crawford
The Innocent by Taylor Stevens

4
I loved The Informationist and I can't put this book down either!

Debbie M
Before the Poison by Peter Robinson

3
Peter Robinson usually writes the Inspector Alan Banks series set in England. This book is a deviation from Alan Banks. This story involves the hanging of a young wife for the poisoning of her much older husband. Robinson writes two stories: the one set in the 1950;s and the other set in 2010. An old English manor ties the two stories. The 2010 story involves a grieving widower who watched his beloved wife succumb to cancer. Chris Lowndes, a composer of musical scores for American movies, has decided to leave America and return to England after his wife's death. He purchases the Kilnsgate House in the country without ever viewing the house. The house holds many secrets, especially concerning the doctor, Ernest Fox, and Ernest's death in 1953. Robinson does an excellent job balancing the two stories. The story jumps into action when Chris is given a copy of Grace's journal that she kept during her tour of duty as a nurse during WWII. Robinson's biggest detraction is his love of classical music and his constant mention of classic recordings.

Joan Woods
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

5
This is the seventeenth book in the Stephanie Plum series. It is as good and as funny as the first. There is a mix of mystery, humor and a lot of zany characters.

Joan B.
The Mermaid Garden by Santa Montefiore

4
This story starts off in the beautiful area of Tuscany, Italy. Ten year old Floriana lives in a small town, but is captivated by the villa with beautiful gardens close by. She eventually falls in love with Dante, who lives in the villa, but fate has other plans for the two lovers. Years later in Devon England, Marina owns a stately mansion that is need of financial aid, when her husband falls on hard times. After a young man arrives at the mansion for summer work, Marina feels he is hiding something, and feels her family maybe at risk. Spanning forty years between Italy and England, this is a moving family saga of love and forgiveness, once the past has been revealed.

Linda Johnson
Between Heaven and Mirth by James Martin

5
A not to heavy spiritual read. Father Martin encourages levity and joyfulness in our prayer lives. He gives examples of humor in both the bible and in his life - sometimes through jokes and sometimes through humorous stories. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading from the bibliography included in the back of the book and additional works from Father Martin. (Father Martin is the official pastor of The Colbert Report although I learned of this book from Morning Joe.)

Jo Hick
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

4
Reading the Hunger Games Trilogy again before seeing the movie!

Keith
Kearny's March by Winston Groom

5
An interesting book about a period of time that is not written about often. The book is a little disjointed in the several stories that it tells. But that is because several interesting things are occurring all at once--the military takeover of California by the U.S., the "Donner Party", the capture and conversion of Santa Fe, El Paso, and Chihuahua from the Mexicans--and, incidentally, the relocation of the Mormons from the Midwest to what is now Utah. Who knew that their relocation was basically financed by the military pay that a company of Mormon "volunteers" earned in the Mexican War? It is an easy to read book as all of Grooms books have been. It is hard to take Groom seriously as an expert on historical events since he was the famous author of the book that inspired Forest Gump. Still, his books on historical events (Vicksburg, 1942, Patriotic Fire, and others) are all enjoyable and obviously well researched.

Shirley Dameron
A Truth for a Truth by Emilie Richards

5
Just a really fun cozy mystery to read. Keeps your interest without bogging you down. A good escape from the "real world".

Dani
Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins

5
I can't resist a juicy Jackie Collins novel!

Peggy Busch
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

5
This book is a magical, delicious escape from reality. A troubled young woman who escapes her life through sweets finds love, friendship and the hidden truths in her past.

Joanne Latva
Killing Lincoln by Martin Dugard and Bill O'Reilly

4
I am only in the first chapter, but feel like I am there, watching it unfold...

Ivy Pittman
The Pursuit of Cool by Robb Skidmore

4
A funny and insightful story about Lance's early years at college and his literal pursuit to be cool. Skidmore pulls and pushes it all out in revealing the trials and victories that Lance and his buddies, girlfriends and sideline characters go through, if they are lucky, in order to find themselves. The Pursuit of Cool was a coo trip back to my college days as well.

Bonnie Gluhanich
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

4
I received an advanced reader's copy of this novel, to be published in May. It's a terrific, fun story about love, social media, misunderstanding, and couples' communication. Everyone in a relationship should be able to glean something from this entertaining novel.

Bonnie Gluhanich
Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan

4
Another wonderful novel with a main character you'll fall in love with. O'Nan perfectly captures the emotions and life of Emily, a woman of a certain age, now alone, trying to live out her days as best she can. It's touching, funny, wry and beautiful. Well-written too.

Nicolette Bonzani
Zombie by J. R. Angelella

4
When I cracked this book open I had zero expectations. This is one of the things I love about advanced copies! One might think this book was about, well, zombies. Don't be so hasty! This story following a catholic high school kid puts a zombie filter up in the best way possible. The feel of it hooks you in and the story keeps you going. I found myself wanting to know the end so badly I was reading too quickly for comprehension! I also love the insight unedited versions give you into the author and how they spill themselves onto the page. One of my all time favorite ARE's!

Muriel Logan
Skeletons of the Feast by Chris Bohjalian

5
The story takes place in Poland/Germany in 1945. An unlikely group of people consisting of 18-year-old Anna and her mother ( Prussian aristocrats), a 20-year-old Scottish prisoner of war, and a 26 year-old Jewish man from Germany ( disguised as a German soldier) end up traveling together trying to stay ahead of the Russians who have invaded the country and also trying to avoid the German soldiers. They are trying to reach the American/British troops where they feel they will be safe. They, of course, witness many horrible things during their flight. There is both romance and tragedy in the story. A person easily gets caught up in the story and cares deeply about this small group of travelers.

Mary
One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

5
It's about a man who lost his true self, a fighter pit bull and how they help each other. It's written in parts using the dogs voice and thoughts. I could not put the book down. Just wonderful.

Sheryl
Mr. Monk on Patrol by Lee Goldberg

4
I just love this series! This was a good one, it left the ending wide open.

Coral Harrison
Why Women Should Rule the World by Dee Dee Myers

5
Dee Dee was Press Secretary for Clinton while he was president. She went on to other jobs after that. She contacts women who are leaders and finds out how they did it. She feels that women can settle problems much easier and better than men. It is getting easier for women to get good jobs and political offices since it has been done and things turned out better. She writes so one can understand what she is saying. Also with humor and enough description to make it interesting. I think even men will like this book.

Rebecca Booth
Honey On White Bread by Brenda Whiteside

5
Brenda Whiteside his written another amazing book, HONEY ON WHITE BREAD. The book unfolds with Claire Flanagan, a senior in high school, with strawberry colored gold hair, doing what seniors have to do to succeed, having friends, especially a best friend named Paulie Russell. Reading Brenda Whiteside's HONEY ON WHITE BREAD is the only way to find out the truth. I highly recommend everyone reading Brenda's book, if you want an amazing read. She also wrote SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON, another fascinating book.

Rebecca Booth
Blood On The Feather by Melinda Elmore

5
What a great inspirational, suspenseful read I found in the book, BLOOD ON THE FEATHER, by one of my favorite authors, Melinda Elmore. This mysterious, magical story begins as an archaeologist, DeShay Graywater, digs for relics in a dig site near Eagle Nest Canyon in South Dakota, while looking for artifacts of the history of her people, the Lakota. She finds the body of a woman and contacts the tribal police department. Officer T. J. Hawke and Special FBI Agent Melina Wolfe work together to unravel the murder investigation of a local teenager, Abby Winters. I highly recommend BLOOD ON THE FEATHER for everyone who wants to learn about Native American culture and also compassion in their own life.

Rebecca Booth
Wholesale Husband by Lilly Gayle

5
Loved Wholesale Husband! This heart-wrenching amazing book is loaded with all the necessary elements of a great romance. Off-beat, hard-headed, strong heroine? Check! Strong, muscular, handsome, dashing hero? Check! Loads of Conflict? Check! Romantic tension through? Double-check! Conflict-internal and external? Check! Check! All of the elements are there? Lilly Gayle has delivered a good time in Clarissa's story. I had a blast sharing her journey in the gilded age of 1888 in New York City. What a glorious ride! With such vivid writing. I found myself swept away by the sights, sounds, smells, ans so on. I also enjoyed the characters, Clarissa and Devin, immensely. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had such a blast reading a novel. I take that back, I can remember enjoying Lilly's first two books, OUT OF THE DARKNESS and SLIGHTLY TARNISHED. My only Complaint? There's not sequels to all three books. I'll just have to guess what's coming next with Lilly's writing.

natalie kozaczka
Home Again by Mariah Stewart

5
So far really enjoying,not only this book but the whole series.

Gloria A Pauline
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee

5
Reading this book was like being wrapped in a comfortable quilt on a cold winter day. Themes were becoming your own person and recognizing mistakes and setting them right. I'd never heard of friendship bread before this reading. It is as much a force driving the story as the main characters. I especially liked the way the ending evolved so that I could accept that the story ended.

Bobbie Mohney
Defendin Jacob by William Landey

5
I loved this book. Having kids of my own, one very close to Jacob's age I was always catching myself wondering what I would do if I was in the same boat as this family. I can't say that the way the problem was solved would have been the way I would have gone about it, but who knows, that mother was desperate and considering the alternative it might have been the right way to handle the situation. Thanks for telling me about it in your newsletter, I probably wouldn't have even picked it up had I not read about it there first.

Richard B
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

5
Book on CD narrated by Adam Grupper. Fast paced, full of twists. Wonderful characters. I want more!

Francisca E B
City of Thieves by David Benioff

5
A novel of friendship born of adversity. During the siege of Leningrad two young men - strangers at the outset - are sent on a mission to procure a dozen eggs. I listened to the Audio performed by Ron Perlman. Very good audio performance, though I thought his voice for Kolya was irritating.

Francisca E B
We ARE Americans by William Perez

2
2.5 Stars Perez explores the realities of undocumented students who achieve academic success but cannot put their skills to use because of their illegal status. I really wanted to like this book, which I read for my Hispanic Literature book club, but I found it dry, repetitive and academic. These students' stories are heartbreaking, but this telling was missing the "soul" that would have truly touched the reader.

Sandy McCullough
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

5
To pay for his education, medical student Norris Marshall has joined the ranks of the local resurrectionists ... those who plunder graveyards and harvest the dead for sale on the black market. Norris now finds himself the prime suspect in a series of grisly murders. Joined by a sardonic young man named Oliver Wendal Holmes, Norris sets out to prove his innocence and track down a maniacal fiend...part of the dark mystery reaching across centuries to the present-day world of Julia Hammill. This book taught me a lot about medical practices in the 1800's.

angel Graham
Standing at the Crossroads by Charles Davis

4
Standing at the Crossroads by Charles Davis is a short, but powerful read. It is written in a short, allegorical style much as his first novel Walk On, Bright Boy. From the first chapter to the last is about 150 pages, packed with much imagery, much imagination and in a way I still don't completely understand for myself, much reality. Our hero also the narrator, is known as The Barefoot Librarian is a black man who lives in Africa. (Most likely Sudan, but we don't really know). Kate is a white woman who comes to Africa and wants to tell the truth of what she sees there. Standing at the Crossroads follows the story of Kate and "The Barefoot Librarian" as they take refuge from a common enemy that wants to see them both dead. It is at times hopeful,amusing and educational and then at other times, it is a harrowing read that leaves you breathless.

Marjorie Clark
Private: #1 Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

3
Just started, but so far so good.

Kathy Iwasaka
Dreams of the Dead by Perri O'Shaughnessy

4
Just finished this long-awaited Nina Reilly novel and was reminded of why I so enjoy these sisters. Easy reading, exciting twists, and characters I love visiting with over and over.

Lynn Demsky
Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

4
This was an entertaining quick, cute, comical, interesting read! Also interesting that the baker is also a Diabetic type one and the author did the symptoms correctly!

Lynn Demsky
For Sale in Palm Springs by Albert Simon

3
I read the whole story but was strange because you could have skipped half the written pages, still came to the ending...glad I'm NOT a real estate agent!

Lynn Demsky
Last Light by Terri Blackstock

4
Really good, couldn't put down but the last chapter had an awful lot of religious gunk in it! But was a good read! Will look for more books by this author.

Lynn Demsky
Life's a Beach by Claire Cook

5
A cute comical comedy --- enjoyable reading entertainment! Will look for more by Claire!

Lynn Demsky
It's a Dogs Life by Mel Cormley and Tania Tirraoro

4
Sad but true story about saving Greyhound dogs from the racetracks!

Cynthia Catts
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

5
One of my favorite books.

Cynthia Catts
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

5
A terrific book!

Lynn
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
I absolutely loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. The way it was written you are constantly second guessing yourself as to whether or not you think Jacob is guilty or innocent. Great read and highly recommending to others (got my bookclub to put it on the schedule too).

Marie Burton
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

5
My newest favorite that I had to force my mom to take. She later texted me that she was going to be up all night reading it. A fabulously entertaining upstairs/downstairs plot with romance, duels, mischief and masquerades. I highly recommend it, especially for those fans of Downtown Abbey and Jane Austen.

Tricia Loucks
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
This one is keeping me on the edge of my seat!

Marion miller
33 Men by Jonathan Franklin

3
This book is about the Chilean miners who were trapped for over 65 days. The personalities of the miners are not described in great detail but their living conditions and the their division of labor were depicted well. What was fascinating was the way the world came together to save them.

Carol Grubbs
Dorothy Parker: What Fresh Hell Is This? by Marion Meade

4
All the research and writing that went into this book was exceptional. I would not have liked to meet this woman when she was alive. The last paragraph sums her up "She was a STRONG person ...she was at war with herself all her life...all the digs she took at people, friend and foe alike, were really digs at herself..."

Darby Lohrding
Rooms by James L. Rubart

5
"Rooms", talks about the rooms of a house yet the "rooms" represent the different segments of your heart and how you section off parts of yourself to some and block yourself from others. A great story that leads to self discovery!

Lynn Demsky
Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier, Joanne Fluke and Laura Levine

3
Gingerbread Cookie Murder/Fluke --- I didn’t care for this one, skimmed through it and just didn’t like. The Danger of Gingerbread Cookies/Levine --- I was so delighted that Janine and her cat Prozac were vising her parents in FL for Christmas, was a cute short novelette. I have read all of her novels and she’s better at full books instead of short ones! Gingerbread Cookies & Gunshots/Meier --- I have read every book Leslie has written, and this was good but, she’s better at writing novels and not novelettes! The story just didn’t have the character most of her novels have, well written felt the plot was sort of scattered. I’m glad to see her writing coming out again, look forward to more!

Stephanie
How Georgia became O'Keeffe by Karen Karbo

4
I fun read, and it made learning about Georgia O'Keefes life even more enjoyable.

Tessa B
Blaze by Stephen King and Richard Bachman

4
Audio book performed by Ron McLarty. This is King's homage to Of Mice and Men. Clayton Blaisdell Jr - aka Blaze - is a giant of a man with mental retardation and friends who are bad influences. When he tries to score one big final caper things go badly wrong. Beautifully read. 5* for narration. 4* overall.

Tammy Corcoran
Honeymoon by James Patterson

5
Wow! This book grabbed my attention from the first few pages. I had to take it everywhere with me until I had it finished, just in case I could get a few more pages read. There was suspense, twists, mystery, everything I love when I read James Patterson. Lots of surprises everywhere.

Selena Zuhoski
Lethal by Sandra Brown

5
Lethal is a great, action-packed, "Who-done-it", with lots of sexual tension, and eventually romance. The characters are all well developed, and it's easy to become completely engrossed in them and the mystery. I am usually very good a figuring out who done it, but Ms Brown is good...very good at keeping one guessing until the very end. In this case, I was completely blown away when the "Book Keeper" was revealed. I normally read on a bus during an hour-long commute into D.C. during my work-week. However, once I started reading this one I couldn't put it down. I read during my lunch break and after I got home until well past my bed-time. It's about 500 pages. At one point I actually started crying, and I was on the bus (how embarassing). But, to make matters worse, it was over something that happened to the bad guy! How does Ms Brown do that? I have never read a book more than once before, but I plan to read "Lethal" again. I'm serious--it's that good.

Debbie M
Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell

3
I thoroughly enjoyed this book since the medical technology was not as heavy as in past novels. I had a premonition that Lady Grimm might be mixed up in the killings, and this is partly true. Kay's feeling for Marino seems strange at times. Cornwell does an excellent job with setting and characters, but the plot sags a little. I enjoyed the foray into deciphering the clues in the murder of a family in Savannah. Kay starts following the clues and the photographs of the scene to determine what really happened. As usual, Cornwell slips in little clues throughout the story. This story centered mostly on Kay with very little inaction from Benton and Lucy. The interplay between Marino and Kay progresses the story, but in this book, I felt Marino was not in his usual mode.

Gretchen Wade
Raven's Shadow by Patricia Briggs

4
This is a solid fantasy with good writing and excellent characters.

Lynn Demsky
Guise and Dolls: A Gretchen Birch Murder Mystery by Deb Baker

5
The doll collectors have been given an historic house to turn into a Doll Museum – which they decide is haunted—strange weird things happen along with creepy murders leaving Gretchen in the middle of a mess with her boyfriend detective. Lots of surprises and I love how she added her up North Michigan aunt, Gertie Johnson, into the story! And all the miniature puppies help in aiding and helping out the mess!

Lynn Demsky
Sanity Claus by Steve Brewer

5
Hard-luck private eye Bubba Mabry is desperate for money at Christmastime, so he takes an onerous job: Keeping watch on the Santa’s at a local mall. When one of the Santa’s turns up murdered, Bubba and his wife, newspaper reporter Felicia Quattlebaum, must figure out who's been naughty. This novella, originally published as part of a Christmas mystery collection, is the "lost" Bubba Mabry story, in addition to the seven novels in the series. A hilarious take on Christmas, as only Bubba can bring it! A PI is hired to watch the Santa(s) at Santa Land (and the land) at a local mall ---- a joyous comical Christmas romp!

Michele
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

4
Wow, this is one enjoyable book. It is one family's (Ann Eliza Young) polygamous history intertwined with a modern polygamous mystery. Very well-researched and interesting.

Lesley Marshall
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
This story was very engaging; I couldn't put it down. The story line is pertinent for today, because we hear about violence in school with teenagers and wonder why and how it happens. Writing from the viewpoint of the father/assistant DA puts the perspective of the story in an interesting light. Great Read for any book group!

Lynn Demsky
The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz

1
I DID NOT enjoy this book at all, it started off good but I got lost jumping from character to character and never realized who they were, what they were or what they wanted. Dean has become incensed with his Golden Retriever and not writing like he used to at all, and I’m dog lover s...

Bonnie Gluhanich
Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan

4
Thoughtful, sweet, well-written novel about Emily, an older woman, as she wends her way through life. It's very much character-driven, and with characters like Emily, Arlene, Margaret, Kenneth, et al...that's sufficient to hold your interest.

Thomas Barrington
If You Ask Me [and of course you won't] by Betty White

5
I bought this book for my Mother-in-law who will be age 89 this month. She loved this book very much. I then read it myself and really enjoyed it very much. It is a fast read but was well worth reading it. Betty is such a sweet lady I think she is wonderful. She has a heart of gold.

Julia H.
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

3
Titanic, chick lit style. With the 100 year anniversary approaching of this disaster, I found Alcott's book to be a quick read. While the characters actions seemed beyond belief at times, the historical details were well thought out and interesting.

Nancy Snodgrass
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

5
It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me feel. It made me think. It made me happy. It made me sad. What's not to love about this book?

Linda Johnson
God, If You're Not Up There... by Darrell Hammond

3
Yes, I read it in about one day. I'm conflicted about rating this book. I am a fan of SNL's political skits. Hammond shined as Bill Clinton, Dick Cheney, Donald Trump, Chris Matthews, Phil Donahue and Sean Connery. His life appears to have been as schizophrenic as the myriad of personalities he portrayed. He survived an abusive childhood to seemingly try to kill himself through alcohol, drugs, and cutting. The book rambles through childhood, getting the SNL years, reoccurring rehab and the death of both of his parents. I felt the book was interesting but discombobulated, but it appears that's the way Hammond has felt for years.

Lynn Demsky
St. Patrick's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

5
This was truly a great read! So glad to find a Leslie Meier book I hadn't already read --- this one had a lot more suspense than normal and was a perfect read-in-a-day book! Great for St. Paddy's Day also as the author looked up a lot of Irish & Celtic traditions!

Kate Burke
Unwind by Neal Shusterman

4
Very different and compelling

Elizabeth Vollbach
AGENT 6 by Tom Rob Smith

4
If you’ve already read CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith, then his latest, AGENT 6, may disappointment you. AGENT is a good book. But CHILD is extraordinary, and you may not think AGENT measures up. You may not think it grabs you right away the way CHILD did.

Kaylynn
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

3
Not one of her better books.

Bobbie Davis
Four of a Kind by Valerie Frankel

5
Very readable book about 4 mothers who form a school committee for their children's private school. They end up playing poker. Really a form of strip poker except that they give up secrets instead of clothes. Takes place in Brooklyn Heights. The women are from different religions, color and social status.

Bobbie Davis
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

4
Another good read of Hannah's. What happens when the wife and mother is called into the armed forces. Follows her and friend as helicopter pilots. Very intense.

Joan
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

1
Disappointing. Way more than I wanted to read about wolves, the people who live with them and one 17-year-old girl.

Lisa Anne Zilney
Follow My Lead by Carol Quinn

5
Excellent book that explores the life lessons we can learn from participating in the sport of dog agility!

Michele Martin
The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak

4
This is a pretty interesting way to tell the story of the rise of Catherine the Great through the snooping of one of her employees. I don't recall learning a lot about Russia during this period or at all and maybe because I grew up during the war on Communism which we equated to Russia. The author writes in an easy fashion only as with books with foreign surnames, I was sometimes confused. There is a listing of the cast of characters with a brief description at the end. Yes!

Rebecca Stein
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

4
I'm currently reading this novel by my favorite author Jodi Picoult. She never disappoints! It's a deeply emotional story about the Amish and what happens when one of their own is on trial for murder in a legal system they don't know how to navigate.

Lynn Comeau
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo

4
Love reading about the rascal Harry Hole. I've read three Jo Nesbo books in a row and looking forward to the new one to be released shortly.

Linda Johnson
Persuasion by Jane Austen

3
Once again Austen shares a comical look at the relations between peoples in early 19th century England. Three daughters, the youngest married, the oldest hopeful, but the middle one in love. It's a short book (under 200 pages) but don't forget the language is a bit different from the 21st century's OMG and LOL.

Sara
The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

4
I am not sure if I enjoyed this book more because of the story or because I showed me Anne Rice is back! I have been so disappointed and even confused about her most recent writings I have not even bother to try to read them. This book uses unexpected interesting characters to tell a richly suspenseful story of werewolves and their origin. I really loved this book and would recommend it to Anne Rice fans.

Lynn Demsky
Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

5
I thoroughly enjoy Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone book and Mother’s Day Murder was great! Was so delighted to find some of her books I’ve missed!!

Lynn W
No Higher Honor by Condolezza Rice

4
Even though it took a month, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the adventures of Dr Rice. Her stories of dealing with international rogues and despots were eye-opening. The world is safer because of her hard work and presumably, Hillary Clinton's, too. God Bess America!

Lynn Demsky
Murder Past Due by Mirana James

1
I liked Diesel the cat and other than that sorry I wasted money on it! Very disappointed in Berkley Prime Crime, usually they're books are really good!

Krismar Ramker
Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell

4
A heartwarming story about friendship and loss. Written as a memoir makes the pain even more genuine.

Pat S
Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

5
Quirky, different, unusual, but definitely grabbed me and I absolutely loved the book. Inspired me to get copy of DADDY LONG LEGS, which is another "book of letters written". Will report on it later. THIS IS A MUST READ!!

K Sp Amboy
Hostile Witness by Rebecca Forster

5
Legal thriller that shines a light on intense and accurate writing style of Rebecca Forster. A "can't put it down" book that is a must read. Caution: reading this book may be addictive and cause you to read the next three "Witness Series" books by Ms. Forster. 6 out of 5 Stars!

Fran
From this Moment On by Shania Twain

4
As a long time fan of Shania Twain's music, I was thrilled to see that she has written a memoir. With poise, grace and honesty, Shania tells the story of her troubled childhood and ultimate rise to fame. Despite her fame, the world still threw hurdles in Shania's path, yet Shania comes out shining. Inspiring and compelling, I would recommend this book to anyone.

Monica Siegel
London Comfort by Henry E. Scott

5
Just finished this wonderful book. It's fast-paced and, to my surprise, manages to combine real suspense with real comedy and real romance. If you find the current political climate bizarre, you'll love the way this book satirizes it. The heroine, a Paris Hilton type, is a truly lost soul who manages to find her way and true love by risking her life to save others. I also liked the way it takes the reader around the world, from Hollywood to Washington to Pakistan to Thailand, and ends up back home where the heroine finds the love and meaning she's always been looking for.

Debbie M
The Moving Target by Ross MacDonald

3
This book reminds me of the writing of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, but I feel that MacDonald does a better job with the characters and the plot. I kept expecting to see Humphrey Bogart as Detective Lew Archer. The book was adapted into a movie, but Paul Newman filled the role of Detective Archer. The movie is Harper that also starred Lauren Bacall. As I read the book, many scenes of the movie emerged. Archer, as a detective, seems too trusting. His trust hinders his judgment. That hindrance complicates many issues. The story follows many of the film noir standards. I feel compelled to sample some more of MacDonald's writing.

Carmen Dixon
Special Agent - My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI by Candice DeLong

4
I heard Candice DeLong speak recently and you could have heard a pin drop as the audience was so engrossed in her talk. I am delighted to report that her book reads like Candice talks, so interesting and fascinating that you must keep reading to find out what happened next! My kind of book and all real events! Yikes!

Pattie Berryhill
The Dark Rose by Erin Kelly

4
Interesting tale of suspense

Irene Grigas
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
This story is so current with the wars that Americans are fighting. It's a story about a 41-year-old wife and mother who is in the army reserve and is a helicopter pilot. Her husband is a lawyer who has no interest in her Army life and is not involved with the children either. Then, she and her best friend are called to serve in Iraq. Everything changes when she is confronted with the effects of war. This is a well written book but it is also very sad because it is also very true to life. I received this book via bookreporter.com. I recommend that everyone read it.

Sandra F.
Good Harbor by Anita Diamant

4
Anita Diamant's The Red Tent was a wonderful book, but her second novel Good Harbour is every bit as good. It is a story of two middle aged women who meet at a point of crisis in their lives. This book shows women the importance of that special friend.

Sandra F.
The Tale of Applebeck Orchard by Susan Wittig Albert

4
This tale of Beatrix Potter and her home in the Lake District will delight the child in all of us. I remember the Beatrix Potter tales from my childhood and love this series that brings to life all those great animal characters.

Sandra F.
Pandora's Key by Nancy Richardson Fischer

4
YA books have really taken off lately with some great books being written. This book is a new addition to the YA list and was a wonderful read for adults as well as teens. The story is based on mythology, specifically the story of Pandora. Great writing and great characters. I look forward to the next two books in the series.

Judy O.
Before the Poison by Peter Robinson

1
I quit reading about 2/3 of the way through as I was bored silly by it. There didn't seem to be any point or suspense. I have enjoyed other books by Robinson but not this one.

Linda Johnson
Defending Jacob by William Landay

4
Wow! Oh, wow! Get ready for a ride. An assistant district attorney's sidelined when his son is arrested for a local murder. This story doesn't keep readers simply guessing, it blindsides us.

Cindy
Ghost a la Mode (Ghost of Granny Apples Series #1) by Sue Ann Jaffarian

4
A fun lighthearted read.

Lesley Fry
Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

4
Not quite what I was expecting but interesting and well-written. I will probably read the "sequel" about this last Empress of China. If you like descriptive writing, this book is for you, for this author excels at it.. I have been to the Forbidden Palace and have my own photos, yet this book made me look at more photos on the internet.

Jane McCown
Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein

4
This is a great read about two families who have been extremely close over the years. The 30 year old daughter of one seduces the 20 year old son of the other family. This novel shows the toll this relationship takes. A real page-turner!

John Stover
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

4
More detailed character and plot development than her prior novels. Most enjoyable.

Betsy Beyler
Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton

5
I am listening to this memoir by the chef/owner of Prune restaurant in NYC --- read by the author, who has a wonderful reading style. It's like reading a cookbook with lots of digressions that make it extra delicious. Besides being a brilliant chef/owner, Hamilton also has an MFA in writing.

Michael McAdam
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

5
I came late to this series and I am loving it! Great writing style and a great story to boot! Highly recommended.

Betsy Beyler
Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

5
I'm really getting into Scandinavian writers of police/detective thrillers. This one is Danish. (I got into this vein in early 2009 with Stieg Larsson.) So many of these Nordic writers present such a sense of place in addition to spinning yarns about complex individuals.

Heather
Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten

5
It is so wonderful to read an intelligent mystery! This is so well written; Detective Inspector Huss just makes you long to get back to it. Highly recommended.

karen mayers
Little Shop of Homicide by Denise Swanson

4
A very nice murder mystery with a big dollop of romance.

Gina Wills
Shelter by Harlan Coben

4
This is a young adult novel by the clever Harlan Coben. I liked how easy it was to read and how little violence was in it. I am a grandmother but a good story is a good story no matter what age group it targets. The story concerns a high school sophomore who has been told that his dead father is still alive by a mysterious old lady. Our hero chases down clues and he finds that surprises abound.

Janice Baly
Quiet by Susan Cain

5
A fascinating book --- especially for those of us who are introverts trying to navigate our way in an extrovert world.

Lynn Jarrett
An Available Man by Hilma Wolitzer

4
This is the story of Edward, a widowed high school teacher in his 60s. His step-children place an ad in a weekly newspaper in order to get him to start dating. Several of the set-up dates are a disaster. Edward rethinks what he wants in a partner and is just about to give up his cause when a friend turns into something more.

Joanne Latva
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

5
I really enjoyed this book. The discription of battles and details on the murder of Lincoln were very real. Also I felt he caught Lincoln's personality and helped you to understand him. Wow!

Jael Fogle
Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany

5
It brings light to the effects mental illness can have on families, especially young children. By the end you will want to give the characters a hug. It's a very emotional read.

Mary Healey
Defending Jacob by William Landay

4
Mysteries aren't always my choice but Defending Jacob held my interest chapter after chapter. One cannot read this book without his or her emotions surging .

Sharon Elliott-Fox
Second Chance by Dan Montague

4
A story of family secrets and how they hurt and diminish both those who are the keepers and those from whom the truth has been kept. Chuck Carver is haunted by the "Dragon" of his nightmares; His neighbor Dawn, has her own demons of guilt. This is an intriguing story of the healing that takes place for both of them and for other family members as well.

Cheryl Stillwell
So Pretty It Hurts by Kate White

4
I love the Bailey Weggins character.

Jean L
The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams

4
I love suspense thrillers and this one kept me turning the pages.

Eileen Quinn Knight,Ph.D.
You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik

5
I like stories about teachers. I like stories about Paris. This story is about both Paris and teachers. The relationships established in this book are unique --- the people traveling to Paris to find a way to maximize their talents and time need a teacher who is unique. The interactions that take place in regard to the teacher and his students are great stories.

Sharon Elliott-Fox
Facets by Barbara Delinsky

4
From gem-mining to jewelry-designing, from Maine to Paris, New York and Boston, from delight and joy to hatred and disgust, from beauty to ugliness, Delinsky makes her characters come alive and explores facets of each personality.

Jean L
Oath of Office by Michael Palmer

3
A shocking new novel at the crossroads of politics and medicine. A well respected doctor inexplicably goes on a murderous rampage then turns the gun on himself. Nobody can understand what would cause him to do this. A doctor friend who helped him regain his license to practice medicine after a problem with drugs goes looking for the reason.

Lisa S.
Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin

5
Lynn Austin is the queen of complex characters and fast paced reading. This book is more 4 to 4.5 stars but I really enjoyed it. Even though Lynn Austin is a Christian writer she does not throw the Bible at you. What she does is take a bookish librarian and stick her in the backwoods of Kentucky. You will learn about the librarians who went into the backwoods on horseback during the Depression. It is sometimes funny sometimes sad, but at the end you feel happy you took the time to read the story.

Jean L
Breakdown by Sara Paretsky

4
Carmilla, Queen of the Night, is a shape-shifting raven whose fictional exploits thrill girls all over the world. When tweens in Chicago's Carmilla Club hold an initiation ritual in an abandoned cemetery, they stumble on an actual corpse, a man stabbed through the heart in a vampire-style slaying. — The girls include daughters of some of Chicago's most powerful families: The grandfather of one, Chaim Salanter, is one of the world's wealthiest men; the mother of another, Sophy Durango, is the Illinois Democratic candidate for Senate.

Jean L
Kill Shot by Vince Flynn

5
This book takes us back to early in Mitch Rapp's career in the CIA. Rapp is given his next target, and finds the man asleep in his bed in Paris. In the split second it takes the bullet to leave Rapp’s silenced pistol, the trap is sprung and he finds himself in the fight of his life. He must figure out who is the traitor.

Carol
They're Watching by Gregg Hurwitz

5
A very suspenseful and well-written book. A page-turner.

Heather Larson
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

4
This book was extremely well-written and I couldn't figure out how it was going to end.

Jean L
Kill Switch by Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene

3
Very suspenseful, this novel is a combination of murder, mystery, and modern forensics that will keep you hooked until the final shocking conclusion. I thought this book was just too ambitious. There were too many things that were just unbelieveable.

Mary DeBorde
Sadie Walker Is Stranded by Madeleine Roux

5
Having gobbled up Ms. Roux's previous novel --- Alison Hewitt is Trapped --- I couldn't wait to wrap my grubby mitts on her newest zombie book, Sadie Walker is Stranded. And, as expected, it was fantastic! The characters are well developed, the pacing is perfect, and the Z-aspect [need I say zombies?] is realistically depicted without overkill. No wonder Ms. Roux's books continue to rate well above your average gut-bucket brigade.

Rebecca
Dark Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon

5
Amazing! I've read them over and over.

Rebecca
Maximum Ride by James Patterson

5
My favorite books of all time!

Diane Castiglione
Makeda by Prue Sobers

5
I really looked forward to reading this book by Prue Sobers about King Soloman and the Queen of Sheba. I found Miss Sobers to be a wonderful writer and was impressed with the research she did for the book. She is a very talented writer and shows a great passion in her writing and the characters of this book. If you love historical fiction you should read this book.

Gail Max
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

5
Boy, it took me about a third of the way through to get into it. Once I did, I couldn't put it down. Great story.

Karen Dooks
Gift of Magic by Lynn Kurland

4
A fantasy novel and not what I usually read, but I had read all her paranormal Scottish books and loved them. This one, the third in the series "A Novel of the Nine Kingdoms" may have names that are difficult to pronounce, but catches you with the humanity of the characters in their quest to destroy evil and deal with problems.

Rose Prevost
Paris in Love by Eloisa James

5
I am really enjoying this memoir. I like the author's entertaining style. I feel like I am looking at snapshots from a friend's photo album. She is very witty and funny.

Quetzi P. Fernald
The Time In Between by Maria Duenas

5
I love this novel! It's not only about a coming of age story of sorts, but also about strong women. This story is so colorful, and you learn so much about this period in time. I couldn't wait to turn the page to find out what was going to happen next. The characters in this novel with soon find a place in your heart. I couldn't put this book down until I finished the very last page, and then I just wanted it to go on forever. This is a book that will haunt my dreams! I recommend it to everyone who loves to read a great historical novel. It has a bit of everything in it. ;)

Rebecca
The Chronicles of Nick by Sharrilyn Kenyon

5
Amazing! A real page turner that keeps you up at night.

Rebecca
The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

5
Amazing! You will never believe the guy that Chloe ends up with, and the people who betray her!

Rebecca
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

5
One of my favorite books.

Rebecca
The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

5
Best sequel! This series keeps getting better.

Rebecca
The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

5
Best ending to a trilogy that I have ever read!

Rebecca
Daniel X by James Patterson

5
One of the best series from my favorite author.

Rebecca
Witch and Wizard by James Patterson

5
I could not wait for the sequel.

Rebecca
The Gift by James Patterson

5
I stayed up until early morning reading this book.

Rebecca
The Fire by James Patterson

5
I cannot wait for the next book!

Rebecca
Haven by Kristi Cook

5
I loved it! I could not put this book down.

Rebecca
Significance by Shelly Crane

5
I have read this book a total of 64 times in two weeks.

Rebecca
The House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

5
I have all the books and read them constantly.

Rebecca
The Wicked Series by Nancy Holder

5
Bought all three books and read them in two days.

Rebecca
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

5
Definitely one of my favorite series! A real and true page turner.

Rebecca
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

5
LOVE IT! Cant wait for the third!

Rebecca
Accordance by Shelly Crane

5
Amazingly wonderful!

Rebecca
The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

5
This book will have you falling in love with the characters.

Kat Ruhlman
Sommerfeld Trilogy by Kim Vogel Sawyer

4
I love Amish/Mennonite fiction, and have had this book on my shelf for a couple of years. I've just started it and am enjoying it very much!

Rebecca
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

5
I could not wait to read this book! And when I did, I was not disappointed.

Rebecca
The Thirst Series by Christopher Pike

5
I loved these books from the beginning!

Rebecca
The Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine

5
Simply Amazing! A definite page turner that will have you absorbed in the world of Morganville Vampires.

Rebecca
Branded by Keary Taylor

5
Mah-velous, simply mah-velous! I could not put it down

Allison Gardner
The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski

3
Interesting story abot a girl fulfilling another girl's wish list.

heather fox
The Magic Room by Jeffrey Zaslow

4
So far a great read --- a different insight into the art of wedding gown shopping.

Mark Freeburg
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

5
Henry Skrimshander is the “real deal”. A skinny, shy kid from South Dakota, recruited to play shortstop for Westish College in Wisconsin. His mentor is the team captain and catcher, Mike Schwartz and a strong friendship develops. The team begins to win, for the first time in school history and it appears Henry is on the way to the big time. During one fateful game, Henry makes an errant throw and suddenly he loses the magic and his future quickly begins to darken. Yes, this novel is about baseball, but before you begin to head for the exits, I want to say, this book is about so much more. Like a young John Irving, this first time author has created a wonderful world. It is about family, friendships and finding one’s path into adulthood. It’s smart, funny and perfectly paced. A home run all the way!

Tessa B
Black Echo by Michael Connelly

3
Audio book performed by Dick Hill. Harry Bosch, discredited LAPD homicide detective is investigating a dead body. Seems routine, but he recognizes the victim and makes a connection to a major crime. Now the FBI - and internal affairs - are involved.

Audrey Anderson
Everywhere that Mary Went by Lisa Scottoline

4
My first Lisa Scottoline novel and the first in this series. Her character drew me in right away and I am thoroughly enjoying this book.

Judy
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

3
I am having to re-read parts of this book to understand who is speaking and what time period he is describing.

Ali
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

1
Boring! This is not my type of book but is our current book group selection. I have been tempted about 4 times to stop reading but out of respect for the woman who selected the book have continued to plod onward. There just isn't anything I like about it.

Judy O.
One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

5
Adam Marsh was a high-powered executive with a big company when he loses everything in one terrible moment of extreme anger. His wife, daughter, houses, money, and prestige all are gone. The judge, who wants him to develop some humility, sentences him to work for a year serving food to homeless men in a shelter. Just as he reaches rock bottom, he meets a homeless Pit Bull, and they become a family of sorts. What follows is a wonderful novel of loss and redemption.

Bonnie L. Markiewicz
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
I would give it 10 stars if I could. I could not help but cry when I read this book and I have never done that before. This book is about a wife and mother who is a helicopter pilot in the National Guard and is deployed to Iraq. Hurray for Kristin Hannah.

Elizabeth Vollbach
Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

4
In BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by S.J. Watson, Christine wakes up every morning with no memory of the days before, of who that man (her husband, Ben) in bed with her is, and of who she is or how old she is. Every day her husband tells her who they are and what happened to cause this memory problem. This book is about Christine regaining memories, little by little. She’s aided by a person who claims to be Doctor Nash. He calls her every morning to reintroduce himself. At first, it sometimes seems slow and repetitious because of Christine’s same routine every day. But it’s also more and more mysterious with each new memory. Why does Ben keep most information from Christine? Does he think he’s helping her, or is there some devious reason? And why, when Christine asks about a new memory, does he seem hesitant to answer? Does he tell her the truth? What is he hiding and why? And is this Doctor Nash really who he says he is? Is he really involved for the reasons he states? Here is what I know: there are several different types of amnesia and a few different possible causes, brain trauma being just one of them. Brain trauma is the cause Ben claims to Christine. But is he being honest? Christine retains memory for a day, only to lose it all overnight while she’s sleeping. Is something other than or in addition to brain trauma the cause? What else is going on? Many other reader reviews of this book complain about its implausibility. If they are referring to Christine’s amnesia, that is probably easier for me to believe because I, too, had amnesia as a result of an accident and still occasionally regain memories I didn’t know I had forgotten, even after 34 years. For a short time, I couldn’t even retain day-to-day memories. So I know Watson wasn’t completely making this up, just stretching the truth. Although the amnesia described in BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP isn’t implausible, I did catch things that are. For example, at the suggestion of Doctor Nash, Christine keeps a journal. Every day she describes that day, so she knows what happened in the days before. BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP is her journal. How does she have the time to both write it (in longhand) and then reread it every day along with anything else she does that day? But I just went along with it. Then Christine starts remembering enough to be suspicious. And just as she goes back and forth suspecting Ben or her doctor or her old friend, then suspecting her memory instead of them, I, too, went back and forth with my own suspicions. It truly became a thriller. BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP forces the reader to become tense with suspicion. It is this aspect that I think must be the reason the book is such a bestseller and garners so much praise. I can tell you that this is what won me over and is the reason I rate it so highly

Becky Chome
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

5
I read this book when it first came out and liked it very much, then last month reread The Book Thief as a book discussion group choice for my club and liked it even more. This is the story of a young German girl living through the reign of Hitler with a most unusual narrator.

Anne Koschnick
Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris

4
I am only about 50 pages into it (I started it last night) but I found that once I got into the rhythm of the speech (it is written in the style of Jane Austen), it was a fast and enjoyable read. The characters are Mr. & Mrs. Darcy (yes, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam) and a mystery that occurs after their marriage. It is the first in a series of books based on them - the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mysteries. It was recommended by a friend in our book club. I only gave it a 4 since I am not that far into it, but so far, I am finding it very enjoyable.

Lynn W
Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson

2
Our intrepid chef/investigator, Goldy Shulz, is trying to save a fellow chef from a murderer (or is she the target?) who has already killed twice. The recipes are the best.

Leslie D. Phillips
The Drop by Michael Connelly

4
I find Bosch unusually hardened and harsh in this book. It is a change from his earlier personality. I think a new series is in the making that will feature his daughter.

Anne Koschnick
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

5
The journey of Pearl and May, from Shanghai to America and from innocence to reality, Shanghai Girls alerts you to the injustices and fear that gripped our country from the 30's to 50's. It was easy to relate to responsible Pearl - who did not necessarily what she wanted to do, but what she felt she had to do. Then there was the younger sister, May, who seemed to prefer self-preservation to responsibility. The story grabs you and pulls you along through the good times and bad and leaves you wanting more.

Amelia
Plantation by Dorethea Benton Frank

4
Just started Plantation by D.B. Frank. If it is as good as other books by her that I have read, I will be highly entertained.

Anne Mancilla
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht

5
Fabulous! A little bit John Irving and a little bit Gabriel Garcia Marquez --- totally consuming.

Kay
Hazel Creek by Walt Larimore

5
Very good historical fiction --- warm, rich characters, good dialogue, and a great story!

Ilene Harris
Restoration by Olaf Olafsson

4
Great read, takes place before and during WWII in Italy, with two stories that pull together. There is love, war, betrayal, and redemption, everything to make it a good book.

Elaine McIntosh
Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

5
Very intriguing book. I couldn't put it down!

Rosemary Sobczak
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
Best book I've read in ages!

Pam Moore
Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand

5
This reads like a novel and entertains with the truth. It is an account of one soldier held in POW camps in the Pacific during WWII. While that situation seems gut-wrenching and horrifying, the author handles it so that the reader wants more. At the center of this is Louis Zamperini whose own indominable spirit not only survives, but remains unbroken. Zamperini's story combines with a writer's skill to become memorable and uplifting.

Pam
Paris Without End: The True Story of Hemingway's First Wife by Gioia Diliberto

5
This is the perfect complement to THE PARIS WIFE and A MOVEABLE FEAST. By reading all three, the reader gets an unforgetable portrait not only of the Lost Generation in Paris and Hadley Richardson but of the real Hemingway, a sensitive man when sensitive wasn't in.

Janice Tinto
Sipping From The Nile by Jean Naggar

5
Jean Naggar is a wonderful, descriptive writer telling her family story and about her very privileged life in Egypt with recipes, boarding school, and and family committments. But after President Nasser took over in the 1950's, her whole world changed.

Carroll S.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

4
Witty and loads of reading fun!

Dan Downing
The Better Angels of Our Nature by Stephen Pinker

5
The premise here is simple and one many of us have contemplated: measured against the population of the world at any given time, was the 20th century really all that violent? Gil Eliot, in "Twentieth Century Book of the Dead" did a remarkable job of enumerating violent conflict during that period, but did not attempt to answer the larger question. Pinker deals with murder, war, man-caused famine, and so on for a comprehensive look at history, from before Homer up to the events of 2010. He draws on history, mathematics, physics, philosophy, demography, and so on to create a magisterial work. It takes longer to read this than a thriller of comparable length (there are a few) and Pinker needs more attention. The investment is well worth while, the conclusions well supported, and the outlook better than TV news or the daily newspaper would lead one to expect.

Coral Harrison
Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

5
Picoult writes true-to-life books which make one think. This is about a family who had a daugher named Willow who had Brittle Bone Disease and the problems they have. I read all of Picoult's books as she is a very good author

Susan Yoneda
1222: A Hanne Wilhelsen Novel by Anne Holt

5
This novel is set in Norway, in a small mountain town hotel that takes in the passengers from a train wreck --- and then the murders start. Hanne is a former police detective who was shot in the line of duty and is now a paraplegic in a wheelchair. The hotel owner askes Hanne to solve the first murder and then another occurs and things are complicated by a secret group from a special train car housed is a secluded section of the hotel. Meantime, a blizzard is raging outside and all of the people are feeling trapped and abandoned. Could not put it down --- the atmosphere created by Holt made me feel trapped in the hotel with all of the crazy people as well.

Sandy McCullough
Before You Know Kindess by Chris Bohjalian

5
I recommended this one to a friend of mine and she thought it sounded religious. Definately not in the strict sense of the word, but very, very good. This author is my new favorite and I cannot wait for his next book to be published. I can't imagine anyone not loving this novel.

Muriel Logan
The House I Loved by Tatiana De Rosnay

3
This book would not appeal to everyone, but I did like it. I like historical fiction and have learned a lot about French history from De Rosnay's books. With this being told in first person with the main character being a woman who is addressing her conversation to her dead husband, this book doesn't have as much energy and excitement as some people might prefer. There is some conversation and interaction with other characters, but not much. I liked it but not as much as Sarah's Key. This book would not be at the top of my list to recommend.

Anita Nowak
One Hundred and One Nights by Benjamin Buchholz

2
I was very disappointed in this book --- I actually won it through a contest, which I was happy about. I read the reviews on line and they were wonderful. Five out of five --- I guess I don't think the way a lot of people do, because I couldn't figure out what was going on throughout the entire book. The end was a little better but didn't make up for the beginning and middle which were reduntant and boring. Perhaps I missed something, but I do not reccommend this book!

Ann Hill
Jericho Cay by Kathryn Wall

4
Continuing story of Bay Tanner and her detective agency.

Mary Bryant
An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff & Ale Tresniowski

4
Unbelievable circumstances of the 11-year-old panhandler and the sales executive and the sadness both experienced growing up --- both lacked so much. This lack is probably what drew them together.

Sue Nuti
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

5
This is the second book in the Outlander series. It's a fascinating love story in Scotland during the 1700's and follows two main characters dealing with warring clansmen and ruling kings, and brings the reader to present day. I can't wait to read the remaining books.

Sue Beckwith
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

4
This was a dip into historical fiction set during WWII, which I don't usually read often. It held my interest and I even learned a thing or two I don't remember learning in school. Very good read.

Sue Beckwith
Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz

4
I'm still reading this and still interested because Civil War fiction is probably my favorite genre and also because I am supposedly related to the infamous John Brown. I also enjoyed Tony Horwitz's Confederates in the Attic, as well as titles by his wife, Geraldine Brooks. I am looking forward to learning more about this part of our history.

Sue Beckwith
Twelve Times Blessed by Jacquelyn Mitchard

3
I haven't read very far into this yet but am looking forward to another great read by Ms. Mitchard.

Sherrie Gil
Spanish Dagger #15 by Susan Wittig Albert

5
I am reading the China Bayles mystery series, and I just love it. Love the advice on herbs and their uses.

peggy forsythe
The Healing by Jonathan Odell

4
This book was along the lines of "The Help", but not quite as good. I like books set in the southern states, especially during the civil rights years, since I lived through that era. I distinctly remember driving through Memphis, Tennessee, stopping at an amusement park and seeing the sign, "Tuesdays, colored only". I feel shame when I think of those times. This book might have been fiction, but everything about it concerning slavery was all true.

Cynthia Parryh
Moneyball by Michael Lewis

3
OK book.

Jill Porco
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

4
Masterful. An unusual story and magical. You almost feel like you're seeing the night circus while reading the descriptions. Good characterization too --- always a plus in my book.

Margie Bunting
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

4
Not my favorite Picoult book --- I got a little tired of the chapters that talked about what it's like to live among the wolves --- but well worth reading.

Darby Lohrding
The Ninth Day by Jamie Freveletti

4
Great dramatic mystery based around cartels, human trafficking and flesh-eating toxins. An edge of your seat page-turner!

Kendra Hill
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

5
I am flying through this book, much like I did the first two. I'm on the edge of my seat with no idea what is coming next, and somewhat scared of what might happen! Love this series, almost sad to finish the 3rd book because it will be over.

Harriet Winograd
A Jewish Mother in Shangri-la by Rosie Rosenzweig

3
This book is about one mother's quest to understand her son's new spiritual path. The author seemed very open about the angst she felt and what she learned. I found myself wanting more from the book.

Kathy Vallee
Mind Over Monsters by Jennifer Harlow

5
I loved this book it is so very different then anything I have read so far, Jennifer really brings the characters to life and and has you laughing in all the right places. A fun, great read.

Linda McFarland
The Wings Of Morning by Murray Pura

5
I loved this book. I look forward to reading many more books by the wonderful writer Murray Pura

Linda Hitchcock
Oxford Messed Up by Andrea Kayne Kaufman

5
Andrea Kayne Kaufman has written an inspired debut novel about two troubled Oxford University graduate students that sensitively addresses Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and the healing power of music. Finely drawn characters Gloria Zimmerman and Henry Young are instantly likeable and realistic. The strains of the haunting, evocative and steadfastly upbeat Celtic poetic genius Van Morrison that play throughout the book are nearly audible in the reader’s imagination. It’s a must read.

Kathy Iwasaka
Gun Games by Faye Kellerman

4
Faye Kellerman is back on track with this one. Although I do miss the details of Orthodox Jewish life which first drew me to her Decker/Lazarus books (the mentions she throws out now just aren't enough), the story was fast-paced and engaging.

Julie
A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd

4
This is my first introduction to Charles Todd's work. I love period peices. This novel takes place in 1916 England. The main character is Bess Crawford who volunteers in the nursing corps during World War I. As the novel progresses, Bess is thrust into a storm of intrigue and murder that kept me turning the pages and reading long into the night.

Rita Herbst
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

5
A wonderful read. Lots of reference to things medical and then a story about relationships as well.

Marilyn Clement
Phantom by Ted Bell

4
I am about barrelling through Phantom and enjoying it immensely. This is the first book I've read by Ted Bell. I do not expect to be disappointed by this read, I just don't want to under-rate the read. Suspense is great, characters are great, and the idea behind the book is fascinating. What might result from our creations with Artificial Intelligence? We can only fathom the possibilities!

Gil
Churchill's Hour by Michael Dobbs

3
A good read about World War II and Winston Churchill's relentless effort to get the reluctant United States involved. How much did Churchill know of the Japanese plan? Would he tell the U.S. what he knew? How did Churchill handle this conflict within himself? The author lets us in in on Churchill's thoughts. Very compelling.

Wendy Cathcart
Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

4
Kathy Reichs continues to write great suspenseful fiction. Temperance Brennan is as good in this installment as she was at the beginning.

Donna Watts
The Memory Collector by Meg Gardiner

5
I found this book to be very close to home. My son lost his memory and the care that Gardner expresses about this is wonderful.

Donna Watts
Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

5
The whole Spellman family is up to its old tricks again. Very entertaining and a great read.

Donna Watts
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
Every mother and father knows what their child is capable of. This is a truly unique book with a surprise ending.

John McLain
The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy

4
This Victorian novel reflects that age's style of writing, but Hardy can still be appreciated as a master storyteller. There are few novelists better at in-depth characterization and plumbing the emotions of those set in conflict. Overall it was a very satisfying book.

Nikki Obrien
Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

5
A story of two women who share a legacy of secrets, heartbreak, courage and love.

Jane Squires
The Rodeo Man's Daughter by Barbara White Daille

5
I felt for Caleb and Tess. The characters become so real and a part of you. The book is hard to lay down --- I read it in two days. A delightful read.

Lynn Demsky
Lye in Wait by Cricket McRae

4
Was a cute, enjoyable read. The author did some nice research on making home remedy care products (even had some recipes for them). Good plot, story, and characters.

Harikleia Sirmans
Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks

5
This book is excellent!

Kathleen Green
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

4
Although the book is disturbing I can't put it down.

michele
And She Was by Alison Gaylin

5
This was a new author for me and well worth the wait.

michele
The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont

5
I love this book!

readinrobin
Lock, Stock and Secret Baby by Cassie Miles

3
I'm halfway through this one, and it's ok. It's a Harlequin Intrigue, but it hasn't been especially suspenseful so far, and it's a pretty far-fetched premise.

Elizabeth Vollbach
The Turning Of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins

2
This book probably deserves a five-star rating for younger readers. I mistakenly thought it was historical fiction for adults. It is historical fiction, with many, many historical details about the Revolutionary War period. But it's what I consider YA. It's a book that I would have read when I was 13, a John Jakes-type novel.

Anna Leavins
A Daughter's Perfect Secret by Kimberly Van Meter

5
This is a great series. I like that this story line comes from different authors --- each one brings a new light to this page-turning mystery. I can't wait for the other books to come out. I recommend The Wyoming Perfect series to everyone.

Nancee Marchinowski
Into The Free by Julie Cantrell

5
Excellent book! Character development and description were excellent. The pace of the story moved along well, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will undoubtedly read this one again.

Fran
Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

5
Jodi Picoult has a way of grabbing a reader and taking them on a wonderful journey through the lives of fictional characters that seem so real! In this novel, Jodi illustrates various family members where a child is diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. This was a condition I knew little about until reading Jodi's book. I love the way Jodi portrays everyone's experiences throughout the novel with their own first hand account. Whether you agree or disagree with the decisions of the characters, each one is portrayed in a compelling, persuasive fashion. This is why Jodi continues to be one of my favorite authors!

KT Scarlett
Sister by Rosamund Lupton

4
I was hooked from the very first page. The police rule the death of one sister to be a suicide. Her older sister doesn't buy it and sets out to prove that her sibling was murdered. All is not as it seems and the twists will keep you guessing, and biting your nails, right up to the last page.

Sara Myers
77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz

4
I would recommend this book especially for Dean Koontz fans who have been disappointed in some of his more recent writings. All of the characters are well-developed and you can really feel like you know them. The story line is very entertaining.

Mary Vernau
The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

2
Starts strong, but ultimately disappointing. Stick with Justin Cronin's The Passage or Steven King's The Stand

Beverly Lychako
The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Alder-Olsen

4
A crime novel set in Denmark, where detective Carl Morck returns to work after being shot in an incident that kills one of his partners and leaves another paralyzed. Upon his return, he is unexpectly promoted to a basement office in charge of a new department which was established to investigate cold cases of special interest.

Cindy Hennes
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

1
I didn't like this one very much at all. I found it boring and the characters self-absorbed. The whole old girlfriend's family was totally wierd --- no I didn't want to know about their wierdness --- and the whole point of finding out about things from one's past --- not sure I would go there.

Donna K
Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan

5
This is a fantastic book! I just can't put it down. The story is about child trafficking in Nepal, and the author tells the story with such feeling that I find myself full of emotion for what this man and others are doing and for the children.

Lynn Demsky
Alex by Adam J. Nicolai

5
A surprisingly well-written book. A family torn apart by the kidnapping & death of their only beloved son works to get their lives back on track. The parents have separated because the father is having a difficult time and sees Alex all over the house, car, etc. --- who's trying to tell him something. Something that could totally ruin his life. A really quick paced fast reading book touching on all a person’s emotions!

A Anthony
The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

4
A fantastic contemporary romance which included historical romances of previous owners of a wedding dress discovered in an antique auction purchase.

A Anthony
Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Natress

3
An excellent collection of short stories relating Jane Austen's influence on several contemporary authors' writing both in genre selection and style.

A Anthony
His Good Opinion by Nancy Kelley

3
A Jane Austen sequel focussed on the hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pride and Prejudice fame. Events are written from his point of view with insights about Regency life and his relationship with not only Elizabeth Bennet, but also his sister, Georgiana Darcy. Well written with accurate dialogue and characterization in keeping with Jane Austen's style.

A Anthony
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

4
Fantastic novel of the Regency era featuring Nora, who leaves her above stairs life to become a below stairs maid in order to escape the advances of an unworthy suitor. Her adventure unexpectedly brings her to the home of the last person whom she'd wish to be seen serving, but that just adds to the reader's enjoyment! An extremely well-crafted story with enough twists and turns to keep this reader eagerly turning the pages.

faith hope & cherrytea
The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie

3
Fast moving tale set in Regency times including wonderful Irish castle connections discovered on the journey of our protagonist. She valiantly pursues a cold trail left by her treasure-hunting parents who've disappeared for over a year. A high speed chase across land and sea that will captivate fans of historical fiction...

Lori
Defending Jacob by William Landay

4
Interesting legal thriller with insights into the legal system, family dynamics, etc. I enjoyed the book and plan to read his others.

Carol Grubbs
Barefoot on Crane Island by Marjorie Myers Douglas

5
A wonderful memoir of living on Crane Island in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota during the 1920s. The writing is so clear and colorful I felt like I was there. A great memoir.

Linda Johnson
Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell

3
Historical fiction taking place mostly in Egypt in 1921 around a conference in which Winston Churchill and T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) attend to decide how the Middle East should be divided. Very interesting especially considering I don't know much about this period. It was a page turner for me, but I couldn't quite give it four stars.

Judy O.
Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart

4
The summer of 1958 in a small community in Texas called Graham Camp is the setting for this story. Sammie Tucker's mother is suffering from deep depression, and Sammie is having to shoulder many adult concerns and responsibilities. She is helped by a kind neighbor, a teenager from California and an elderly widower who seems to have secrets. When her Aunt Vadine comes to stay, things really get tough for Sammie. This was a great story, but I thought the ending was too much of a stretch to be believable.

Elaine Campbell
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

4
Even though this is a book written for young adults, adults will enjoy it. It is fast paced and exciting, and the story lends itself to lively discussion.

Marija Gibb
The Accident by Linwood Barclay

5
Just an awesome read, keeping you always on edge.

Dianne Mongelli
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

4
This is a good read for snowy or rainy day. On the surface the story is intriguing. But beyond that there is so much depth and complexity. Great Book

gretchen kempff
Molakai by Alan Brennet

3
Just 100 pages into it and I'm beginning to get bored. Hope it gets better. So far it's somewhat depressing knowing what lepers had to put up with and endure.

Jud Hanson
Silent Partners by Jonathan Kellerman

4
Good entry in the Delaware series but a little long in places. Still a worthy read though.

Jud Hanson
Hawke by Ted Bell

5
First book in the Alex Hawke series reveals Hawke's childhood and what made him the man he becomes in later books.

Jamie Walsh
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
Another great story by Kristin Hannah! She brings the story of war and family relationships to light and changes made amongst people as they come to understand the changes in life. I would definitely recommend to all, especially KH fans!

Lynn Demsky
Murder on the Ghost Walk by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter

3
Was an "ok" story, plot, easy to read but ghost walk didn't really set in until the ending...quick read!

Elizabeth Vollbach
Miracle Cure by Harlan Coben

4
I'm currently reading this book. It's the second book he wrote and was out of print for years. Coben wrote it when he was in his 20s and warns in a preface that it is not up to his present standards. But I've read every book he's ever written except this one, his first book several months ago. And I thought that one was better than he warned. So I assumed this would be, too. I'm not quite half finished. It's not as good as his first, which wasn't as good as books he's written since then. This book doesn't get to the thrills as fast as his other books, including his first. I think it will get better. Harlan Coben is hard on himself.

Elizabeth Vollbach
Stay Close by Harlan Coben

4
I just submitted a comment on this book that I need to correct. I said I've written everything Harlan Coben wrote. I have not read his book that just came out, STAY CLOSE. Heck, I'm trying to win it! :-)

Debbie M
The Singles by Meredith Goldstein

1
I thought this would be an interesting book, but after finishing a third of the novel, I felt the book uninspiring. The book reminded me of the movie, The Bridesmaids. I could see the idea for a great story line, but the novel never went anywhere, and the reading of this novel was tedious and boring. Also, the laughs were too few. I felt bogged down in a mire of meaningless sentences.

Michelle Archer
Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

5
Hilarious! This book about recent college graduate, Alex, trying to carve out a career on Wall Street (not about a female James Bond as I first thought) is a pleasure from start to finish. I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out what poor Alex would have to endure next and how on earth she was going to get out of this horrible job.

Kay Christensen
One Thousand White Women, The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

4
This was a book someone picked for my book club and I really did not want to read it but I am glad I did. I could hardly put it down and learned so much about that time in history and Native American Culture. It was at times hard to believe that it was a work of fiction and written by a man. It is a good read.

Linda Johnson
Wild Thing by Josh Bazell

3
I read this book because I so loved Bazell's first book Beat the Reaper. This seemed like a wild goose chase. It was only the last 30 pages or so that seemed real. The book even has about a 10 page appendix. I know the main character is former mob and in the witness protection program, but the language used constantly made me blush. I wondered if the author's mother read this book.

Kylie W
1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

2
Sweet ending to the Cedar Cove series.

Jim Cameron
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

5
One of our book club picks.Most discussion in over 30 picks!!!!!

Natalie Richards
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

5
Delirium is a powerful story of forbidden love. Not a forbidden romance, but an entire world where love is considered a disease and is eradicated as such. The story, written simply but lyrically, is one that you can't help but feel in your heart. I have never read a story so beautiful or so sad.

The Pagan
The Killer is Dying by James Sallis

4
A new 'take' on the crime novel. Riveting!

Colin Beierbach
So Pretty It Hurts by Kate White

3
Interesting concept.

Lynn Demsky
Miss Melville's Revenge by Evelyn E. Smith

3
Didn't find as good as the others I've read, didn't like her working alone and way to political for me to really enjoy although I thoroughly enjoy her character and how she handles things!

Sharron
The Odds by Stewart O'Nan

4
Fun read about married couple trying to save marriage. Jobless, about to loose their home, they take their last cash and head to Niagara Falls for one last fling (on American Express which they don't intend to pay!) and try to win a stake at the casino to start their life over.

Elaine Barker
Stash by David Klein

5
Compelling read - I couldn't put it down.

Elaine Barker
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

5
Excellent book, as are all Picoult books. Draws you into another world, and you don't want to leave when the book ends.