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September 21, 2012 - October 5, 2012

Jeanie
All the Dancing Birds by Auburn McCanta

5
All the Dancing Birds is a first person account of Alzheimer's. The author, Auburn McCanta is a poet and her writing is lyrical. Simply a beautiful story of a sensitive subject.

Jeanie
Love is a Wounded Soldier by Blaine Reimer

5
Love is a Wounded Soldier is about a young man's adventure before, during and after WWII. I started reading this book thinking that it was non-fiction. It is so vivid and real that I was shocked to find out that it was fiction. Very well written. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Marsha
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane

4
This is a followup on the novel, Gone Baby Gone, which featured investigators Kenzie and Gennaro as they traced the kidnapper of Amanda McCready. Now, twelve years later, Amanda is missing again. She is a stellar student but her mother is the same loser--alcoholic and drug abuser she was when Amanda was first missing. Tracing Amanda they face Russian gangsters, identity thieves and plenty of oddballs. It is enough for Kenzie to consider a real paying job.

Wendy Catalano
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

5
Mitch Albom is a gifted storyteller and this story bestows a powerful message. In his acknowledgments, he states to his faithful readers, "may I continue to provide you a fraction of the hope and inspiration that you provide me". My response to this would be, Mr. Albom, after reading "The Time Keeper" you have truly inspired me and given me hope. Thank you for that.

Heather
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

5
Fantastic book! I'm a sucker for books set in New York City so I just had to read this. And I'm so thrilled I did. The story of a young woman and her group of friends in the late 1930s; filled with martinis, jazz clubs and some great twists. Towles' writing is very Hemingway-esque...clean and to the point. I highly recommend this!

Heather
The Fallen Angel by Daniel Silva

5
I'm a huge Silva fan so I couldn't wait to read The Fallen Angel, his newest Gabriel Allon book. It's classic Silva. Highly recommend it to mystery and espionage fans.

veronica mackinnon
The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachael Simon

4
It is a very good book and hard to put down. She is the author of my sister's keeper. The story deals with many emotions.

Brenda Casto
Romancing Olive and Train Station Bride by Holly Bush

5
An up and coming author who writes totally captivating,and unique historical romance fiction.

MH Harmon
War Brides by Helen Bryan

1
Very disjointed. Switches from one set of characters to another too often.

Jennifer Hartling
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

5
This book sneaks up on you in the best way and before you know it you are completely in love with Harold and the whole cast of characters. Wonderful read.

rhonda
City of Women by David R. Gillham

5
Wonderfully written historical novel.perfect for book club discussion.

Lori
Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

4
This was a very short but interesting book about Japanese mail order brides. It was written in an unusual way, not focusing on one individual character, but instead showing the many different types of experiences these women had from the early 1900's until the Japanese internment in the 40's. Although I appreciated reading the book, I would have preferred a more traditional plot.

Mary Ralls
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
This book is hard to put down. It has some twists. You think you know "who did it," and then someone else appears to be the guilty one.

Gladys Paradowski
I'd Rather Be In Paris by Mitsy Evans

3
There is a bit of something for everyone in this story...murder, mystery, romance, intrigue. The CIA and FBI are both involved and one learns many of their techniques. It is well-written, but rather lengthy. The heroics of the heroine seemed a bit far-fetched to me; but perhaps not to all. I will admit that I am more of a romance reader than into mysteries.

Dawn Torvik-Wahba
The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

4
Rich characters and historical fact in a great read about a young girl in the 1800's in New York. Moth is basically sold at age 12 to be a domestic. She's tough enough to leave after being abused and chooses to live in a brothel. Just as the author was inspired to write The Birth House after learning the history of the home she bought, McKay wrote The Virgin Cure after researching her great grandmother's life; she was one of the first female doctors in New York.

Sherri Hines
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris

3
WWII setting involving Japanese-American relationships and interment camps and how people on both sides learned empathy for each other as they adjusted their lives to the events happening all around them. Interesting plot and story line. Overly descriptive which was often distracting rather than adding to the story.

Allison gardner
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

5
Excellent story--I love this whole series.

John Warner
Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

5
This historical novel has as its focus the life of Clara Driscoll and her tenure at Tiffany Studios. Clara, the manager of Tiffany Girls, was a major inspirational force for the creation of the famous Tiffany lamps at the Tiffany Studio. The novel depicts the struggles of a woman working in a predominantly man's world. Since Louis Tiffany would not allow married women to be employed in his company, Clara had to sacrifice marriage and family life for her creative arts. The author, Susan Vreeland does such an excellent job in depicting the turn of the 20th century, the reader will be instantly transported to the sites and sounds of a NYC 100+ years ago. As you read this novel, the reader will be motivated to search depictions of the artwork.

Barbara Schoka
The Line Between Here And Gone by Andrea Kane

5
A fast paced suspense involving a team of investigators working on a case involving a missing father needed for medical reasons. A must read for Andrea Kane fans.

Susan
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

4
The book is engaging from the beginning. So much so that you actually feel like you are right there in the thick of things. It starts with the battle of Petersburg and continues of course through the assassination of Lincoln. Descriptions of the men and the conditions were so real and captured the emotions, weariness, desperation and at times the elation these soldiers felt. The authors gave great insight into the psyche and personality of General Grant and Lee as well. Their description of the movement of the conspirators and the President are so well written I felt like I was walking on the streets with them.

Maureen Timerman
A Season For Tending by Cindy Woodsmall

5
I'm reading this on my Kindle and am 46% done. We are traveling Leah and her going around time, and she has made some very wrong decisions. Also Rhoda is an Amish girl who has premonitions and some of her people think she is using witch craft? Felt bad when they destroyed her garden. Am also wondering if Samuel is going to end up with? A page turner!

Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews
The Island House by Posie Graeme-Evans

5
Don’t miss this exceptional read that brought past and present together in an unforgettable tale of love, loss, hidden treasures, and discovery. Ms. Graeme-Evans did a remarkable job in this compelling read that will be in my list of favorites because of the history, the mystery, and the added flare of Scotland's magic and its legends and myths.

Kathy P
The Nightmare by Lars Kepler

5
The Nightmare is a very quick moving thriller which lives up to its name! Read it quickly as I couldn't wait to see how the outcome came about. Exciting, easy read.

Melanie S.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

4
This book has been on my "want to read" list for years as it was recommended by several people. The author is a now-deceased psychiatrist who developed a method of treatment known as logotherapy. The first half of the book depicts the horrors the author barely lived through in the Auschwitz concentration camp, and the second half talks about logotherapy, the type of psychotherapy he created. I found the latter half of the book to be more meaningful to me personally, having always believed in having a purpose to my days to fulfill myself as a person. The tenet that one can find meaning even through suffering is central to his teachings. This wasn't an easy book to get through, but it's one I'm glad I finally got around to reading.

Mary Rodriguez
Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

4
A good historical read about searching logging camps and towns looking for a lost sister.

Tessa B
The BFG by Roald Dahl

4
CD audio performed by Natasha Richardson. When the Big Friendly Giant is seen by orphan Sophie he cannot leave a witness. So he takes her with him. Will they save the children of England from the "human-bean-eating" giants in time? Richardson does a fantastic job performing the audio.

Tessa B
Dear Julia by Amy Bronwen Zemser

3
Charming Young Adult tale of a shy teen whose life ambition is to be the next Julia Child.

Donna Shaw
The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak

5
If you like Historical Fiction you'll surely enjoy and remember this story of Catherine the Great's rise to power. It is told through the eyes of a servant who as a young girl learns that no one can be trusted whether it be friend or foe as their loyalties shift with the wind in order to survive. The author is very descriptive of the characters and their clothing. I also viewed the lovely photos of the castle which added to the story, though it certainly didn't look like that during the time period of the story.

Kathy Zinecker
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

4
This is a moving story of a teenage girl who meets a boy in her cancer support group. The author does a great job using humor to make this a fun read. You will be cheering on the characters and laughing at their sarcasm and crying with their pain. Another winner from John Green!

cathy stepanek
Mortality by Christopher Hitchens

5
Hitchens' last book is erudite and exceptional. Just as Hitchens was all along.

Renee Lepley
A Wanted Man by Lee Child

5
Just finished The Wanted Man. Read it in two settings -- couldn't seem to put it down. Jack Reacher is an incredible character that is fully developed by the author. Love the way he thinks and the way he sees things that no one else does. Excellent read.

Melanie S.
In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner

4
I looked forward to reading this highly touted book. It was a beautifully written, almost biographical novel told through the eyes of a young girl during the Cambodian revolution. The suffering of the family depicted in the story was horrific, and the writing and poetry by the author was amazing. However, I found the story to be overly descriptive at times and it stalled in parts for me. I did learn a lot about Cambodian history, which I think has been overshadowed by Vietnamese war history. Ultimately, this ended as a very moving story of survival told using beautiful prose imbued with deep philosophical tenets, but it lacked that special something for me.

Janice Hoaglin
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

3
The language of this book, and the writing style, is beautiful, at times lyrical. I would give this at least 3 and 1/2 stars for that. This is more obviously a young adult story than The Hunger Games, and a softer story, with much less violence, and without the immediacy; instead the question of survival is a slowly emerging one, as the rotation of the earth slows, and both the days and nights gain first minutes, then hours and days. The central figure, a 12-year-old girl, is at times mature beyond her years, while at other times her innocence and freshness are charming. I enjoyed the read.

Julie Siemek
Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark by Sidney Sheldon and Tilly Bagshawe

5
Ms. Bagshawe carries on the writing of Sidney Sheldon. Suspense and mystery at its best.

Maxine Urso
The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn

4
5th in series, still wonderful but slow starting. Once I got past the first 2 chapters I enjoyed every minute of it.

Amanda Mullins
Slammed by Colleen Hoover

4
I loved the humor and the poetry! This book was very well written and I am now wanting to attend a poetry slam :)

Amy Nash
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

4
To me, it's like Marjorie Morningstar meets The Great Gatsby. Great character development; I understood their motives and actions. Best of all, it made absolute sense to introduce George Washington! You can absorb this in its entirety in one rainy afternoon.

Audrey Anderson
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

4
My book clubs selection. Not one I would have picked up on my own. I would have rated it a 3 except the conclusion is really good and that bumped it up for me and made it a book I would recommend. It is not a short book and it's not a light read. Because of that, most people in the group had not finished it but everyone was enjoying it and planned to finish it so we will have the second half of our discussion at the next meeting.

Pat Pascale
Friends Forever by Danielle Steel

1
I have been a DS follower for so many years and usually love her books. This one, however, is slow to get started, and the plot unremarkable. Five friends meet at a very posh school in CA. They become friends forever in Kindergarten and the story traces their lives from then on. One dies in a drug exchange and the upcoming star of the plot is killed by a hit and almost run driver. I feel it is not the author's usual great novel that leaves me craving more. I have laid the book down so many times and when I return to it I feel I am pushing it. Time to move on to something more enjoyable to me.

Audrey Anderson
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

2
This book was choppy and tedious. The premise was wonderful and held so much promise. Reading it was like chasing a rainbow for the pot of gold but the pot of gold did not appear - not even at the end. Took me over a week to push through it. Not one I would recommend. Very disappointing.

Phyllis Relyea
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

4
In this emarkable debut novel, the odyssey, journey, pilgrimage,modern-day epic is one we all must make of faith, fidelity, and redemption. Know thyself! Communicate with loved ones! Forgive them!

Heather Lipman
Gone Girl by Gillian Fynn

5
This is on of the best books I have read in a while at least, in the thought-provoking sense. This book is well-written and alternates being the husband and wife’s point of view. Although the mystery itself may be easily solved by the reader it is still a suspenseful, twist and turn story you just can't put down. Flynn grasps the reader’s attention at the very start of the story and doesn’t let up (until the very end) in this physiological thriller. I am not sure what Flynn was thinking, but she let go of her ingenious writing with the ending. It just ended. It was almost as there it was unfinished on her night stand and her editor just picked it up thinking it was completed…a Great read nonetheless.

Sally-Jo Waterfall
The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

4
Chris Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors. This has a different vibe than his usual stories. Not quite finished with it yet.

Nancy Lephart
Without Fail by Lee Child

5
Fast-paced thriller about the Secret Service and their "protectee", the Vice President. Of course, Reacher is called in to help determine if this assassination attempt is an inside job. Kept me riveted. I'm reading the Reacher series in sequence and find that each book is better than the last.

Nancy Lephart
Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman

5
This book sat in my "to read" pile for quite awhile. I'm sorry I waited so long to read it - it was certainly a 5-star read. Tells how a prosecuting attorney get her "retribution" against a defendant regarding something that happened years ago. Excellent read.

Nancy Lephart
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
What a wonderful story of a wife and mother who is in the military. She never expects to be deployed, but the inevitable happens. This book kept me reading into the wee hours. It made me realize all the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to protect our freedom and also the sacrifices made by their families. Keep tissues handy--there are happy and sad tears.

Jane Squires
The Preacher's Bride by Laurie Kingery

5
Like Faith and Gil we all hold secrets, but God has a way of exposing the secrets. Those who have ever lost a son or sibling can find hope in the pages of this story. Even those struggling with their faith can be lifted up and realize mustard seed faith will get them started again. A stroke, Indian capture, everyday struggles, and more all add together in a strong way to bring Faith and Gil together. This is the first bride of Simpson Creek brides books. I can hardly wait for the next one. You won't be able to put it down.

Rosemary Sobczak
Capital Murder by Phillip Margolin

4
A thriller but perhaps a little too complicated.

Lyanne Poirier
Freak by Jennifer Hillier

3
I am reading this book right now and am completely absorbed. The book moves at a good pace, the characters have flaws as we all do and the writer keeps you interested in finding out where the book will take you and who the killer really is.

shelly itkin
Thread Reckining by Amanda Lee

4
Can you solve the mystery? Marcy is asked to help create a special wedding gown that the bride wants to wear on Valentines Day. The problem is she wants jewels in the dress and so she says she will do it. The problem is that it is more then she bargained for as the future mother of the bride is murdered outside of her shop and so Marcy plays amateur detective to help solve the mystery. A fun and fast read.

Miriam Boots
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield

5
This is Southern Gothic at it's best. A wonderful read and the voice of Swan, the daughter is so compelling. I loved this family and it is so exciting at the end- a real page turner. It was my book of the summer!!!!

Ivy Pittman
This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

5
Truth telling down to earth stories about love and life. Junot has a casual way about turning the simplest of words into powerful urban stories. This one will stay with you.

Chris Rhea
Little Girl Gone by Drusilla Campbell

5
Beautifully written; Ms. Campbell handled some difficult issues with finesse. Very Readable; a good book for a reading group/book club.

Marguerite Beal
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
I'm a real consumer. Couldn't resist another book not on my list and it is very good. Now to catch up with the waiting books.

Anne Joyce
Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

5
This book is a roller coaster of fun! Twists and turns, surprises on every page, characters I want to hang out with. I love this book and I will be looking for all of Linwood's books.

Lynn Marler
Women are Crazy, Men are Stupid by Howard J. Morris & Jenny Lee

4
Written by 2 comedy writers of well-known TV shows, who live together in real life, this is a hilarious relationship guide that both men and women will appreciate.

Marguerite Beal
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

5
So far this book is very good; heard it would be a movie too!

Kathy Iwasaka
Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston

3
I love, and miss, Michael Crichton, but this one is not holding my attention.The premise is interesting, but I'm not yet sure if I'll forge my way through.

Julie
The Barbarian Nurseries by Héctor Tobar

4
This is a novel about a wealthy Orange County, California couple and their three children as seen through the eyes of their Mexican maid. The author really gets to the heart of the life of many Mexicans working as domestics in California for well-to-do families. Very good book.

Mary Bryant
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

4
Intriguing novel about two boys who are childhood friends and the interaction between their lives. Author dangles a carrot from time to time to arouse your interest.

Barbara Bocan
The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy

5
I loved every aspect of this book, which takes place in Germany during WWII & in present day El Paso, Texas.

Barbara Bocan
Wild by Cheryl Strayed

4
I love to hike, especially in the Sierra Mountains, where some of this book took place, so I was automatically drawn to it. It is a young woman's account of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail solo. She is courageous & very honest about the reasons why she decided to make this trek. The stories of the people she meets along the way are entertaining as well.

Sandra Furlotte
The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes

3
I found that this book was a bit outside my comfort zone. The book cut across different genres of fiction and I did not care for that format. However, the book was well worth reading for the beauty of the language used by the author. I came across words that I have not seen in a long time and I so enjoyed that flair for words.

Sandra Furlotte
Thereby Hangs A Tail by Spencer Quinn

4
I loved reading this well-written story told from a dog's viewpoint. Bernie and Chet are a pair of private detectives on the hunt for a missing show dog. Chet is the one with four legs, and he has a unique outlook on life.

Sandra Furlotte
The Blue Demon by David Hewson

3
This is a good story combined with a healthy dose of Italian history - specifically the history of Rome. I often think after reading one of the books in this series that the people of Rome are really a race apart from the rest of Italy.

Raylene Wauda
To Heaven and Back by Mary Neal, MD

5
Reading this book was soothing. Dying sounds wonderful & beautiful.

Diane Porter
Close Your Eyes by Iris and Roy Johanson

4
A very different premise which makes a very interesting read. My one small "nit pick" - the body count gets fairly high in the last few pages. Otherwise a spellbinding read.

Diane Porter
Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

3
Very interesting concept, and well-written characters. I'd read another by this author.

Judy Ross
The Next Best Thing by Emily Jeanne Harper

4
Good story; but I found myself wanting to hear first-person conversation on many occasions, not someone's version of what was said.

Gail Spitzer
The House on Butterfly Way by Elizabeth Bevarly

5
A delightful and heartwarming story about a woman who buys a dilapidated old home in the neighborhood where she grew up, and how refurbishing it helps to repair the losses in her own life and give her a sense of purpose.

Nancy Hausladen
The Song Remains the Same by Allison Winn Scotch

4
There is a plane crash and only two people survive. One is a movie idol and the other is a young woman, who is left with no memory of who she is. The story revolves around the two people trying to regain their lives. I found the story of Nell the most interesting as she listens to what she is told about her life. Who should she believe?

Sandy McCullough
I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman

4
Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, thirteen-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie. But her tranquility is shattered when she receives a letter from the last person she ever expects—or wants—to hear from: Walter Bowman. There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere. In the summer of 1985, when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears.

sharon kozinn
Those We Love Most by Lee Woodruff

5
A warm family story filled with the situations of everyday life, death, kids, parents, and all the bits and pieces that make up our lives.

Leslie Voogl
Killer Cuvée by Steve Wells

4
Steve Wells succeeds in delivering a novel of distinction with the release of Killer Cuvee, the first book of The Winemaker Series. Rich complexities of life, love and labor are translated in this intelligent story of winemaking, murder, and romance. The plot proves a sublime weaving of originality with themes of betrayal, forgiveness, loss, and healing. Vivid setting descriptions from Walla Walla, Washington to London paired with detailed character narratives, as diverse as FBI & MI5 agents and a U.S. Afghanistan veteran turned hipster, help to make this a convincing and engaging story. Wells has drawn from his exemplary knowledge and background experience in both writing and winemaking to cultivate a credible story.

marion Miller
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Originally I thought it was just about baseball and I wouldn't enjoy it, but was I wrong. The characters are so engaging and different you really get caught up in their stories - and not in the idea of baseball. The story takes place on a Wisconsin campus with a losing baseball team. They recruit a freshman shortstop who has many winning ways. Need I say more!! You will love the students and the school President. I couldn't stop reading!!

karen cancienne
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

5
Fabulous read. Enjoyed learning about life in that era. Highly recommend to anyone who loves history and people who lived during this period. Very well-written.

Elaine Beierbach
Rogue by Mark Sullivan

3
A new author for me, but enjoyable.

Linda Nudell
A Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler

3
I liked it, quirky with realistic characters. An interesting look at grief.

Debbie M
The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen

4
I have skirted around Tess Gerritsen's novel and have read a vast assortment of books. I enjoy Gerritsen's style of writing that mixes dialogue and description. The description quickens the pace of the novel, rather than impeding progress. In this installment of Rozzoli and Isles, Maura is battling with her choice of Daniel as a lover, while Jane balances motherhood and work. The story centers on Egyptology. The story centers in Boston, but moves to Vermont and Maine as Jane and her crew attempt to catch a demented serial killer. As usual, this is a page-turner, and forces the reader to abandon all other plans for the weekend.

Jean L
Undone by Karin Slaughter

4
In the trauma center of Atlanta's busiest hospital, Sara Linton treats the city's poor, wounded, and unlucky -- and finds refuge from the tragedy that rocked her life in rural Grant County. Special Agents Will Trent and Faith Mitchell start an investigation. Will soon finds an underground torture chamber and another victim. When another woman is kidnapped in broad daylight, Will and Faith race against time to find a vicious killer.

Jean Lesslie
Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

5
This is a very good read. It deals with two brothers, one of whom has OCD. It is grisly in places, but I loved the younger brother. There are some very human, funny parts which I love. I believe that Barclay gets better with each book. I love it!

Lynn Demsky
Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead by Christiana Miller

2
Can’t say if I liked it or not. I enjoyed Gus and the toad, but Mara was just not very likeable, at least to me. The second part of the book and the orgy I didn’t care for at all, and if I had kids wouldn’t let them read until they were married. But I did finish it and enjoyed the happy ending!

Kathryn
The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway

5
I have just finished this book. I had read her prior/ first book and enjoyed it. This one is different from the first one, and I enjoyed it also. I enjoy books I can also learn something by reading. In this one, I learned about rose-breeding (never thought about it). I had to look up some of the roses described online and I may actually have to go to a rose show. I also learned about kidney disease - and I knew nothing. This book is an amazing tribute to the author's sister-in-law Deborah. . . I already knew about teaching high school.

Lynn Demsky
Carrots by Colleen Helme

5
What a totally delightful read! Held my attention from the first sentence all the way through the book – looking forward to the next one, and all because of a bag of carrots!

Lynn Demsky
Wicked Prey by John Sandford

5
GREAT!!!!! A wee bit of a complicated plot but Sanford's prey books never let me down - read in less than half a day! Couldn't put it down at all once I started it!

Lynn Demsky
Crazy in Paradise by Deborah Brown

1
I DIDN’T enjoy this at all. The writing was just scattered to me - characters all over the place, going every which way, making the story just bad.

Dorothy
I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson

3
This was a great read. I really enjoyed it. BUT DON'T READ UNTIL HE WRITES A SEQUEL. It doesn't end.

Dorothy
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

3
I found this very difficult getting into. Once I did at about page 100, I couldn't put it down. I did not like the ending.

Dorothy
The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

5
As with all of her books, it was an easy read and good.

Francisca E B
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

5
Book on CD narrated by Sarah Badel. Two sisters couldn't be more different in their approach to love, but the outcomes of their relationships are still perfectly suitable. I love Jane Austen. Her ability to write dialogue is unsurpassed, in my humble opinion. There is plenty of humor in the dinner party scenes, as well as the heartache of unrequited love or the abject misery of love lost. Sarah Badel’s performance of this audio is spot-on perfect. The way she handles the many characters makes it easy for the listener to keep track of the action. I particularly applaud her abilities in the confrontations between Marianne and Willoughby at the London party, and later between Elinor and Willoughby at Cleveland.

Lori Edelson
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

4
This was an easy way to learn a little history of Garfield, Alexander Graham Bell and medicine of the period. I found it interesting and in a similar style to Erik Larson's books.

Nancy E. Smith
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

1
I didn't get it. But then I didn't get 'The 5 People You Meet in Heaven' either.

Janet P Bedell
The Devil's Madonna by Sharon Potts

5
Sharon Potts is definitely one of my favorite thriller writers. Her themes are unique and The Devil's Madonna is no exception. The secret that is revealed knocks you between the eyes!

Jael
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory

2
I love historical fiction, especially England's. I didn't love the writing.

Reva Wamsley
Under the Lake by Stuart Woods

5
This book was written 25 years ago, but it's still a good read today. It's also the first book I've read by Mr. Woods, and I enjoyed it very much. I would like to read more. The book is about John Howell, who goes to a small town on a Georgia lake to write a book. He starts hearing stories about the lake, and then he has a vision of a young girl and the land before the lake existed. He's curious and starts digging into the story but finds resistance, especially from the man who built the town and created the lake.

Debbie Smith
Stolen Prey by John Sandford

5
I love all of the Prey series. This is a fast paced thriller with Lucas Davenport at the helm, and a small piece handled by Virgil Flowers. It begins with torture and murder tied to a drug cartel, and morphs into twenty million dollars stolen by hackers, who then become the hunted by a Mexican drug cartel, as it was laundered drug money. It has twists and turns to keep you on your toes through to the end. Sometimes series go downhill and become very predictable, but that's not the case with this wonderful read.

Magali Pacheco
A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

2
The book relates the life of Jaycee while kidnapped by a sex maniac. At the beginning, the book related the facts about her abduction and it was very interesting. After the first chapters, the story becomes boring, and she deviates to talking about her pets.

Pat S
Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

5
the book deals with quite unusual circumstances (phobias), but is riveting to the end. I've never read this author before, but I will read him again!

S Jensen
This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

5
A YA book about six high school teens trapped in their school, with zombies pounding relentlessly on the door. Zom-fic rules!

Pat S
Defending Jacob by William Landay

5
WOW, did not see this ending coming...I really liked the book.

Pat S
Heron's Cove by Carla Neggers

5
I enjoyed Saint's Gate so much, so I HAD to read the follow-up one. I haven't read much of her books, but I am definitely a fan of hers now. Enjoyed it a lot.

Coral Harrison
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin

4
This is a story about a man named Talmadage who lived in the Pacific Northwest near the town of Peshastan in the state of Washington. His father is killed before they come there and his mother dies a few years afterwards, and his sister disappears. He is left alone to run the apricot and apple orchard. He is a quiet, hardworking man and very kind. Two very pregnant girls come and he feeds them, so they stay. A neighbor woman helps him with them. This story tells about their troubles. It is a very interesting book, and tells how it was to live before 1900, and goes on at least 40 years. This is the author;'s first book and I look forward to her next one. I didn't want to tell more as I would give away the story. You will enjoy it.

laura Beierbach
Rogue by Mark Sullivan

4
Interesting. I will look to see what other works Mark has done.

Chris Desmottes
Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

3
Just started this true account of a plane that crashed in Shangri-La, where 5 passengers survived out of about 24. It is the story of their survival. So far, so good.

Ann B.
Suspicion of Vengeance by Barbara Parker

5
A page turner. Miami attorney Gail Conner gets involved with a case where the inmate has received the death penalty. She looks at the trial transcript and is convinced her client is innocent. Completely out of her expertise, this case has many turns and twists. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Angela Satalino
Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie

5
Extremely readable historical book about Catherine the Great. I'm taking my time reading so I can absorb all the Russian names and get a handle on all the relationships. I'm learning so much; Mr. Massie keeps me interested.

Sara
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

4
I really enjoyed reading about Harold's journey both on the road and through his past. The middle got a little slow, but the ending made it well worth the read. I highly recommend this book.

Sue Keene
Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva

4
I'm reading this book for the second time and getting ready to read his second book! You feel like you are a part of the story -- very well written! And I'm not just saying that because he is my cousin!

Alisha Bjorklund
The City's Son by Tom Pollock

5
This novel is the perfect example of an urban fantasy tale. Not only does it have action, romance, and a paranormal edge, but also the city of London literally comes alive. The son of the streets--child of goddess Mater Viae--rallies an army against the threat of the powerful Crane King. At the heart of it all is Beth, the spunky heroine who abandons her normal life to become a part of this wild city world unlike anything humans have known before. The novel has excellent pacing, fully developed characters, and plenty of well-timed twists and turns that keep you guessing at the truth until the end. A wonderful read for teens and adults alike.

Eileen
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

5
Hopeful, charming, and touching. I loved it!

Crystal Blackburn
Hiss and Hers: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M.C. Beaton

5
Private detective Agatha Raisin is "in love" again. She is obsessed with local gardener/ handyman George Marston. Apparently she is not the only one. That is not good news for George.

Bonnie Gluhanich
The Broken Ones by Stephen M. Irwin

4
This is a very interesting novel in that it's part mystery and part sci-fi/ fantasy. I'm not a big fan of the latter, but was fascinated by the story and the way the author integrated all the parts of this story together. It's well worth reading.

Crystal Blackburn
Zapped: A Regan Reilly Mystery by Carol Higgins Clark

5
Regan and Jack Reilly find more trouble and interesting people during a New York City blackout. A good mystery.

Jane Squires
A Plain & Simple Heart by Lori Copeland & Virginia Smith

5
A book about two romances. Rebecca leaves her Amish Community to find who she thinks is her true love. She is not the least bit prepared for the outside English world. She gets caught up in the Women's Movement. She ends up in jail. But she finds friends among the women who transform the jail. She steals the sheriff's heart. When she meets who she though was her true love, he is nothing like she expected. But she does find true love.

Shelley
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

1
This seems to be the latest "it book" that everyone is reading. That being said, I seem to be one of the few who despise the book and want to shout from the rooftops how bad the book is. The characters redefine unlikable and the plot just never gets going. The swearing is over the top and adds nothing to the story. Don't even get me started on the ending!

Phyllis Gronewold
Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon

5
I enjoyed the fast-paced story of Noa and Peter who are young computer hackers on the run as they uncover Project Persephone. Project Persephone is doing undercover experiments on kids who have fallen through society's cracks. A young adult novel, it is one to be enjoyed by adults also.

Melissa Monahan
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

5
Loved it! The first book in quite a while that I had trouble putting down. Takes you back to feelings you had when you were a young lady with a lot of insecurities. I loved how she described the setting of Manderley. A perfect blend of romance, psychological drama with a little bit of spooky thrown in. A fairly easy read. I watched Alfred Hitchcock's movie the next day, which was good but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the book.

Simonne Coutinho
Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

4
Seems simple at first: you know who the heroine will end up with in about two paragraphs ... but there are a lot of complexities and emotions coming into play and it makes interesting reading.

Simonne Coutinho
Little Princes by Conor Grennan

5
Highly readable first-person account of a remarkable mission: reuniting supposed orphans with the families in Nepal following a civil war. Conor (or as the kids call him "Conor Sir") winds up in impoverished Nepal in an orphanage with 18 abandoned childrenm totally on a fluke preceding a world tour. He loses his heart to these children, along with 7 others who were literally abandoned. He gives up part of his life, risks much and does what he can to reunite these forgotten children with their families.

LINDA BASS
Acklinta's Return Home by Robert W. Birch

4
Acklinta and Fred go to her planet for two weeks, since Fred was offered a new writing position starting the next month. Fred is nervous about meeting Acklinta's mom since she's healing so well after her pet chewed her hoof and some tentacles off. Fred is amazed to see so many races and naked people and Fred is enlisted to help find the missing ambassador who was kidnapped. Robert W. Birch finishes the Acklinta series with Fred this time having an adventure that included the future President and First Lady at a public bath house!

gretchen kempff
The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriani Trigiani

4
I enjoyed the relationships and tenacity of the immigrant characters...from Italy to America.

Michael McAdam
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern

5
I love it so far! The story is strange, but oh so intriguing. I find myself trying harder than usual to find time to read. That is a very good sign... and a very good book.

Marsha
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

4
Lisa Genova’s new book, Love Anthony, is a charming and thoughtful story of people struggling to understand their place in the world. Why can’t I trust, why can’t my life be easier, why is my child stricken with autism, where did I veer off track; why can’t I deal with these problems without destroying my relationships? There are so many connections that can be made in all of our lives. Who is not without questions?

Marsha
Snobs by Julian Fellowes

4
From the author of Gosford Park, we have another satire on the manners of the upper class of Britain. When an ambitious English blonde of the middle class sets her sight on an earl we find how the family treats her. Remember the saying, "She who marries money earns it"? Not all marriages are happy, but most are happy enough.

Sharon Herbert
The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley

5
I was immediately drawn into this book after reading just the first few pages. It reminded me a lot of a Jodi Picoult book: Lone Wolf + The Pact = The Promise of Stardust. It's a love story like none you'll ever read with hope and despair. A young couple working against the odds of their age finally break up and go their separate ways, but when times heals the pain and they are reconnected, they have an unlikely opportunity to rekindle what they once had and to start a family. If it were only that easy. This book will make you think about things you never thought of before and you will realize that some things in life should be sacred - that you shouldn't have to fight for what's rightfully yours.

Tanya B.
Sophie and the Rising Sun by Augusta Trobaugh

3
3.5 is a better rating on this book. This is the second book I have read by this author. This is set during WWII and is about a middle-aged woman named Sophie who is drawn to a man with Japanese roots. Their friendship becomes complicated when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. I can definitely see a sequel to this book. One that I would enjoy reading as well.

Lynn W
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

5
Steve Jobs asked Isaacson to write this book because, "when I got sick, I realized other people would write about me if I died, and they wouldn't know anything. They'd get it all wrong." Isaacson got it all right. This book is a masterful telling of Jobs' life and Apple, the world's most valuable company.

Nicolette Bonzani
The Walking Dead, Volume 11: Fear the Hunters by Robert Kirkman

5
Just when you think you're getting used to the normalcies of zombie life, a sharp turn reminds you that there are no more rules. When resolutions just turn into the start of something worse, you never know what will happen next. Good thing Volume 12 awaits!

Debbie M
Killer Wedding by Jerrilyn Farmer

3
My first impression of this series was that it is too silly. Now I feel the need for a little humor between the grisly mystery novels. In this installment of the Madeline Bean series set in Los Angeles, The reader learns about the mining of emeralds in Africa. I always enjoy learning new data. The only flaw in Farmer's story is the answer of the riddle of the real father of the bride. The cooking smells delicious, but Madeline uses a lot of fish. I would kill right now for the lemon curd cake.

Heather bjork
Iron House by John Hart

5
John Hart keeps improving on his taut, exciting, constantly twisting, engaging stories. The action doesn't stop and you are kept guessing on how things are going to turn out throughout the book. Riveting and difficult to put down, John Hart will quickly become one of your favorite authors.

Valerie Giambona
Unsaid by Neil Abramson

4
Loved it, written so beautifully. Animal lover or not, this book touches your heart and soul. There are so many written words that will stay in my heart. Made me teary-eyed throughout the book. Can not wait to discuss this book at our book club.

Judy O.
A Wanted Man by Lee Child

2
I have read every single one of the Jack Reacher books, and I really hated this one. The first half mainly took part in a car, and the second half just totally fell apart in my estimation. Way too much description of places and things and not enough action. Very little character development. I'm still not sure in my mind what the bad guys were doing in Kansas City, but I don't care enough to go back and reread. I'm glad I got it at the library, and did not buy it, as I usually do.

Kellie
Never Have Your Dog Stuffed by Alan Alda

3
Alda’s acting takes on more of an intellectual aspect than anything else. There seems to be a lot of thought behind his work, almost to the point of a science rather than entertainment. There is a lot to this book, but not what I originally expected. Alda seems to be an intelligent, moral, hard working guy who takes acting more as a project than an art. He put his intelligence and brain power in his work as opposed to his emotion. Plus, he has been married once and still is. The book is a bit dull, but the man is exceptional.

Kim Bacon
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

4
A glimpse into a future catastrophe through the eyes of middle-school age girl, coping not only with the trauma of the slowing earth's rotation, but also the growing pains of leaving childhood behind. I love the voice of Julia, the young narrator, as she navigates through change and growth. Interesting view of a possible not-too-distant future. Enjoying this one!

Sandra Hughes
Cascade by Maryanne O'Hara

5
Just finished this wonderful book, and rated it 5 stars it was so good. Set back in the 30s, the story revolves around a small town that is destined to be demolished and flooded in order that a reservoir be built to supply Boston with water. However, it is also a story of an independent woman making choices in her life. Don't miss reading this one!

Melanie S.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

4
An interesting story woven together through different characters’ stories, moving back and forth from 50 years ago to the present time. Set in Hollywood and on the coast of Italy, this sometimes story within a story connects fiction with possibly factual occurrences in the early 60s. I thought the writing was clever and witty but also bit choppy, jumping from time period to time period in an often confusing way, which would then be clarified later in each chapter. I enjoyed the way the characters’ lives brilliantly intermingled and were intertwined. I enjoyed the writing and the complex story, but I feel this was a good book, not a great book.

Marsha
Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris

4
This is a detective story set in Saudi Arabia. Although most of us know little about the real lives of women in this closed society, much is revealed in the novel. The plight of the new generation who struggle with the repressed traditional society is dealt with as the mysterious death of a young woman is investigated. Those who love detective novels will find this entirely different.

Richard N B
The Running Man by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King)

4
Wow! In 2025 the poor have little choice but to be pawns for the rich as part of Free Vee entertainment. But Ben Richards is about to change the game. King (writing at Richard Bachman) crafts a superb suspense novel. The pace is frantic and unrelenting; I felt as sleep-deprived as the main character. I’m reminded of Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), George Orwell (1984) and Aldous Huxley (Brave New World).

Tessa B
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr

4
Inspiring and sad children's book relating the real story of Sadako Sasaki, who died in Hiroshima in 1955 of leukemia, an aftereffect of the radiation from the atom bomb dropped when she was an infant.

Tessa B
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

5
Audio book performed by Trini Alvarado. Wonderful story of Mexican immigrants in 1930s California. I learned much history I was not aware of previously.

KG
The Day The World Came To Town: 9/11 In Gander, Newfoundland by Jim Defede

4
When tragedy hit the US on 9/11, 2001, 38 jetliners headed for the US were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland. This book tells the heartwarming story about how the people of Gander opened up their homes, schools, public building and hearts to do everything they could to help the 6000 passengers from the planes, feel comfortable during such a difficult time. People all came together with love and compassion, lasting friendships were made, and kindness flourished. What a wonderful world it would be if this kind of thing happened all the time!!! This is a very inspiring read!

Lynn Hough
Mad River by John Sandford

5
I won a copy of “Mad River” by John Sandford through GoodReads' First Read program and I am SO glad that I did. I had never read any of Sandford’s books prior, but I know I’ll be reading them going forward. I loved it! At times it kept me on the edge of my seat and other times it had me laughing out loud. And you can’t help but love the main character, Virgil Flowers. He is a fantastic cop with honor, compassion and a touch of sarcasm. OK, a lot of sarcasm…but that’s one of the things that I enjoy. I will definitely be reading more of his adventures.

Annika Chakos
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

3
Great Book!!

Gil
City of Scoundrels by Gary Krist

4
A non-fiction account of four crises in Chicago during the summer of 1919, involving an aviation disaster, race riot, transit strike and sensational child murder. The Black Sox baseball scandal also occurred at that time. The account focuses on how the mayor, Big Bill Thompson, dealt with these issues. Big Bill seemed more interested in his own career than the good of the city. The reader gets a good feel for how things were in Chicago at that time.

Ilene Harris
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

5
Harold Fry is recently retired and living a fairly boring and predictable life with his wife. That all changes when he gets a letter from a friend he hasn't heard from in 20 years who is nearing death in a hospice 600 miles away. Harold decides to write a letter back to her but fantasizes that he can keep her alive longer by walking and delivering the letter in person. On the way he meets many interesting characters. A very uplifting book.

Mary Beth Lindsay
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

4
Not the story I expected. Unbelievable!

S ANDERSON
Fifty Shades of Gray by E.L. James

4
Despite the controversial subject matter, our group enjoyed this book

Lynn Pappas
The Amateur by Edward Klein

4
Carefully researched and wonderfully written, this book brings to light all the parts of Obama's life and character that the liberal media would like to keep hidden. A must read for every voter.

Dale Lucier
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

5
Excellent book, and I learned a lot about her and her cells that are still around after 50 years. Amazing how science works.

Maureen
The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian

4
An excellent story about the Armenian Genocide back around the First World War. I loved the characters and how they shifted from 1915 to present day. I love Bohjalian's books. He always keeps me wanting to get to the end to find out what happens. I will be checking out his other books that I have not had the opportunity to read.

Kathy Vallee
Tomb with a View by Casey Daniels

5
I love this series! Pepper can talk to the ghosts in the graveyard were she works, but this time not only does she get caught up helping President Garfield solve a problem so he can pass over but she gets all caught up in helping the police solve a murder.

Linda Cunningham
Zoo by James Patterson

5
This book is very different from any other James Patterson book. It reads more like science fiction, but it's also a reality check for the world. It makes you stop and think about the environment and where we're headed. Reminds me of some Dean Koontz books that I have read.

Susan Rosenzweig
The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian

4
This novel has really had an impact on me. It is an important novel that should be read. An American author of Armenian decent explores her family history. Through her research we learn the heartbreaking, powerful,unthinkable history of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. The historical facts are accurate and appalling, the agony of the characters compelling. Some passages were extremely upsetting to read, and even more upsetting to comprehend that this really happened. The love story was more a story of hope and strength. The characters are well developed and believable. Take your time and read this book.

Susan Rosenzweig
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

4
This is a well written, almost lyrical fantasy novel. The Night Circus is open only from Sunset to Sunrise, it wanders around the world without a schedule, just showing up and staying only as long as it wants. Inside are various tents with magical displays, circus acts and illusions: unknown to the visitors, it is true magic. The story involves a competition of sorts between two magicians who have been trained by mentors, one who believes magic can be taught,one who believes magic can only be preformed by those who are born with the skill. A haunting and unusual novel.

Jean Hogue
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

5
A beautiful, well-written story. It hooks you from the first page and doesn't let go.

Diana
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

4
I am always amazed at the clear details of Lisa Genova's book. She has the ability to take complicated health issues and not only make the reader understand, but bring compassion to the situation.

Marie Ledin
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

4
What I like most about Jodi Picoult's books is that have empathy regarding the individuals portrayed in her stories. This one involves emotional feelings in a marriage between a man and wife, which then changes to a lifestyle of a marriage between two women. Leaves you with some thought and understanding about this subject.

Claudia Wells
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

5
Great character development. The moral issues, examined from different viewpoints, lead to much discussion about the choices people make.

Lori Bednaz
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

5
Great story about a feral child, and the uniting of two distant adult sisters

gina tarburton
Even Now by Karen Kingsbury

4
Nice, gentle Christian story about love lost and found and the power of prayer and miracles.

gina tarburton
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

5
A good story about three sisters - how different, yet how alike, they are - and what it takes to bring them together on the same page. I was one of three sisters and could relate to a lot in the book.

Marsha
Lethal by Sandra Brown

5
After writing a zillion books, Brown just seems to continue to crank out winners with thrilling plots. misdirection and fascinating ideas. This one involves a woman and child finding a sick man lying in their yard. After taking him in they find he is a suspected killer. Then we have a kidnapping, a crime boss who is out to do away with several people, a corrupt police force, questionable FBI personnel and much more.

Jud Hanson
The Snake Stone by Jason Goodwin

2
This book looked interesting but I gave up on it halfway through. The plot rambles around, the characters are not well-identified and the writing leaves much to be desired.

Diane Pollock
Psycho USA: Famous American Killers You Never Heard Of by Harold Schechter

4
An interesting historical look at U.S. killers.

Gail
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

5
This non-fiction book gives a fascinating explanation of success. It is both educational and entertaining.

Janet Griffin
The President's Club by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy

5
A nonfiction book which flows well and gives a very interesting account of the relationships between these very powerful but human individuals. During this time leading up to another national election, the book is relevant.

Gail White
Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls

5
A wonderful older book that I so enjoyed reading and fell in love with. She calls it a true-life novel! Set in the early 1900's...real people, real life & really heartfelt! Just GREAT! Highly recommend! She also wrote The Glass Castle...also wonderful!

Linda
Calico Joe by John Grisham

5
If you like baseball....and even if you don't! My only complaint is that it was too short!

rhonda
Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

4
Just began to read it so far I am really enjoying.

Fran O
Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

3
A dark, modern-day tale of vampires. Interesting yet creepy. A long, book filled with graphic details!

Bobbie Davis
The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal

1
Very slow! Now if I were an art history major, maybe!!

Bobbie Davis
Yes, Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson

4
So nice to find out what makes a good chef! Have watched and enjoyed seeing him on the Food Network. His history and life are very interesting. I hope he continues to have success!

Debra Rehn
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

5
An emotionally devastating yet glorious novel about the choices...good, bad, impossible...that we make for love. One of the finest books I've read in years. Luminously written, "The Light Between Oceans" is beautiful, unforgettable, life-changing.

Barbara Boik
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

4
A good read.

Karl Greve
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

5
"Izzy" Spellman, a private investigator, tells her story about her crazy family and work assignments. A laugh-out-loud book with quirky characters. You will absolutely love it. If you are a fan of Janet Evanovich try Lisa Lutz's Spellman series.

Patricia Bovell
Tony and Susan by Austin Wright

4
Marriage, murder, and reading.

Ivy Pittman
This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

5
If you read only one collection of short stories, Diaz's This Is How You Lose Her should be the one. Diaz knows his way in and out the urban landscape of the urban vernacular.

Phoenix V.
No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley by Rita Marley

4
An honest & insightful story of the author's life with Bob Marley, Jamaican & Rastafarian culture, & the evolution of reggae music. Other Marley biographers may have a broader perspective, but few could be as personal.

Jayme
Beyond the Ties of Blood by Florencia E. Mallon

4
Beyond the Ties of Blood is a fictional account of the impact that the 1973 military coup in Chile had on one woman and her family. During the coup, she is captured and tortured along with her subversive boyfriend who will eventually be murdered and "disappeared" by the government. This is her story of surviving the torture and attempting to"live" after the torture. It isn't until she goes back to testify against the government that she can actually begin to live. This book is a very interesting look at events in current history and reminds us that history impacts us all.

Allison Gardner
The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato

3
A very good historical novel.

Carol Petsche
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

4
Very good story, I would have given it 5 stars, but it was hard to follow all the characters in the book; it covers 3 generations of women and their lives.

Nancy Mitchell
Catch Me by Lisa Gardner

5
This was a chilling story about a young woman whose two best friends died on January 21st. She believes that she will be next. So, as the clock ticks towards January 21st, the detective is racing to solve a crime about a vigilante gunman killing pedophiles in Boston and delve into the murders of Charlie's two friends. This a heart-pounding book that you won't be able to put down!

Kathy P
The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

5
Once again, Jeffrey Archer comes through with a very entertaining saga, and a cast of characters you can't wait to meet again. It is filled with all kinds of emotions and exciting events. Put it on your "to read" list!

Phyllis Relyea
The Age of Desire by Jennie Fields

5
I did not know anything about Edith Wharton, and I am so glad I read this fictionalized account.

Kathryn
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny

5
I was so happy to get this latest book in the series from the library shortly after it was released. Gamache and Beauvoir travel from Montreal to remote northern Quebec to investigate the murder of a monk in a cloistered monastery. This is Louise Penny's best writing yet - and now to wait another year to find out what will come next.

Maxine Urso
Heaven Should Fall by Rebecca Coleman

4
Highly political, written in the style of "The Help," where the name of each chapter indicates the character telling his or her view of the story.

Bonnie Gluhanich
Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

3
Very good "chick lit", entertaining novel about three women with serious issues (cancer, philandering husband, pregnancy, job loss, etc.) who spend a summer on Nantucket and come to terms with them.

Jean Lesslie
Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

5
This is a very good read. It deals with domestic abuse but is so much more. I hope that this writer continues writing books this good and does it very quickly. I loved it.

Arthur Harriman
Payment in Blood by Elizabeth George

5
Murders are committed at an English country estate where a number of people with entangled lives have gathered to run through the script of a tentative theatrical production. Inspector Lynley, assigned by reason of his class equality with the suspects and paired once more with his somewhat truculent female police equivalent to Dr. Watson, does the disentangling in this superbly readable mystery from 1989.

Frances Drukten
The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

5
One of the best debut novels I've read, this YA has everything. The characters of Katherine, her Uncle "Tully", and his caretaker Lane were wonderfully alive, not to mention Mary and Mrs. Jefferies. The place, Stanwyne Keep, in the British countryside in 1852 was an additional fascinating "character." I just wish there had been a diagram. From automatons to foreign intrigue this was one I couldn't put down. Part of me hopes for a sequel, part hopes the ending stays as it is - not an ending but perfect nonetheless.Not just for young adults.

Helen Duncan
Kristin Lavransdatter II: The Wife by Sigrid Undset

4
Book I (The Wreath) hooked me before I realized that the author was a Nobel Prize winner. Then I just had to continue in the trilogy. It's interesting to read something written so long ago as it reveals that human nature changes so little over the ages. I've read many books by noted authors from this period--early 20th century, late 19th century. This book feels very contemporary though perhaps that's the skill of the translator. It's a fascinating tale of medieval Norway. Very different, very enjoyable.

PATTY
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

3
Another mind-altering book. In the future, what happens?

Annette Schmidt
Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

5
A page turner - it combines the story lines of Rear Window and Rain Man. If this is the first book you read by Linwood Barclay, it will not be your last. The cover identifies this book as a "thriller" and it certainly lives up to that label.

Pattie Berryhill
The Last Kind Words by Tom Piccirilli

5
An exciting story. I was sorry to see it end. Great characters, a glimpse into the world of thieves and a dysfunctional family.

patty
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

3
A doctor goes into the Amazon looking for answers for a new drug. Not as good her other books.

patty shogren
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

3
First half was very slow, but I did enjoy the second half - did they find his wife dead or alive, and what happens from then on?

patty shogaren
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

4
A very good book - what would happen to you if you woke up every morning not remembering the day before?

lani strom
Joseph Anton by Salman Rushdie

5
Despite being written in the third person, the exquisite writing makes this book one to savor and curl up with, and gives an inside look at life during the Iranian fatwa.

Robert Runyon
Severe Clear by Stuart Woods

4
I found it enjoyable - pure escapism. That is the primary purpose of my reading.

Sandy McCullough
Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian

4
This is a wonderfully written story about the good Germans in the beginning of WWII, but it is not for the faint of heart. There are some rough parts that are necessary to the story.

Crystal Blackburn
Death of a Kingfisher: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery by M.C. Beaton

5
I really enjoyed the latest entry in the Scottish Highland policeman Hamish Macbeth series. I couldn't solve the murders. Since I like to be kept guessing, this made the rather involved plot even more enjoyable. Of course, there were funny parts too. I laughed out loud at some of the characters' silliness.

Rosemary Sobczak
Severe Clear by Stuart Woods

4
A nice read for bedtime -- not too intense.

Marie-Louise Molloy
Seconds Away by Harlen Coben

5
Best YA series ever, that adults will love too!

Kathy Iwasaka
Death Benefit by Robin Cook

4
I just love a medical mystery/thriller and Robin Cook is one of the best at mixing cutting-edge medical possibilities with greed and evil-doers.

Anne Marie Koschnick
The Green Remains by M.K. Graff

5
I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this British procedural with a cozy twist. Nora Tierney is an American in England and just seems to find murder wherever she goes. The second in the series is more complex than the first, 'The Blue Virgin'. I'm looking forward to the next in this colorful series.

Norene Wittlin
Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews

4
Very enjoyable - I learned something.

Kelley Tackett
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

5
I couldn't put this book down. The amazing story of Aminata Diallo, a young girl kidnapped from her African village and sold into slavery. She ends up in South Carolina, and then New York. I picked this book for our book club and I didn't really know anything about the book. What a wonderful find. I can't wait to read Lawrence Hill's other books. I highly recommend this book.

Andrew Beck
Life of Pi by Yann Martel

5
With the movie coming out next month, I decided it was time to read the novel before I headed off to the cinema. I find it more compelling to read the book first and then see the film, rather than the other way around. After all, it is the book that sprang from the mind of the author initially. I don't know why I waited so long--this book is splendid. In Martel's hands, the story is gripping, and he has created a most novel character in Pi and has made the entire situation plausible. Of course, there's a lot of unpleasant grisliness, but the fun lies in Pi's narration, the way he brings all of his knowledge to the fore in order to keep his nemesis at bay, and how he creatively resolves his situation. A terrific read!

Marsha
Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

5
First in an ambitious new series is this fascinating novel. The epic tale of Harry Clifton's life begins in 1920, and brings us through his school years and all the problems and travails that beset him. We are left with a real cliff-hanger that will surprise you and leave you dashing for the next book in this chronicle.

Lynn Demsky
Casket Case by Fran Rizer

5
This was really an entertaining, fun, great read! Callie is back in the mortuary teaching us all about funerals (probably more then we might like to learn) with a sense of humor that just makes you laugh out loud! Amazing how she can get into so much trouble not doing anything! A very enjoyable series!

Debbie M
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny

5
I would have never imagined that a novel about a group of monks who sing Gregorian chants might pique an interest. I was wrong. I remember being forced to listen to those droll chants as a freshman in college, and could not wait for the class to end. Louise Penny jumps into the joy and devotion of the monks who give their life to one of the oldest forms of music. This group of over twenty monks lives and works for the chants and a vow of silence in an obscure area of Canada. The day consists of religious services and various tasks and singing. Unfortunately, a rift develops in this society and the choirmaster is murdered. Gamache and his assistant, Beauvoir, entered the ancient building to find the murderer among the remaining monks. The st

debbie smith
Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

4
Enjoyed the story, however you could figure out the ending fairly easily. Big time girl with important job and executive rich boyfriend. She has harbored a well kept secret from her past that has now come out into the open. It changes the course she has set for herself, albeit in a predictable way. Fun easy beach type of read.

Lynn Jarrett
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

4
I have just started this book, but am already into it. I like the descriptive writing and the way Stedman makes you feel as though you are right beside the main characters. I have always been enchanted with Australia and look forward to learning about its lighthouses and the way they operate. I know I will be looking at a map so that I can see where all of the towns are located.

Julie Siemek
Intensity by Dean Koontz

4
The title describes it all... intense. Crawl into the mind of a serial killer.

Pat S
Garden of Secrets by Barbara Freethy

5
I really like her books - they keep your interest and are entertaining.

Karen Robert
One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

5
Excellent way to showcase two different narrative views - the point of view of the dog, and what is going on from the "human" that is going through life challenges and change. By reading a poignant story like this the reader has the opportunity to truly care about a dog's life, the value of an animal shelter, and the humanity of a homeless shelter.

Lynn Demsky
The Cat, The Quilt, and The Corpse by Leann Sweeney

5
Leann Sweeney really writes a delightful mystery! This was entertaining (I learned so very much about cats, I may have to get one for a pet), interesting and a great read! I did not read these in order and had no problem with what was going on --- terrific read (and I prefer dogs!).

Sherri Hines
Is It Just Me?: Or is it nuts out there? by Whoopi Goldberg

4
Pretty serious commentary on Whoopi's view of our society's loss of manners, common sense, and courtesy. Especially interesting is her glossary and final chapters on bullying and parenting.

Sara Jamhour
Legend by Marie Lu

5
This book has so much action, suspense, mystery, and I love all the characters and their personalities.

Bobbie Hacker
Heading out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick

4
I liked this book better than his other book, "A Reliable Wife". This book also has a dark side but the characters are more likable.

Raylene Wauda
Still Alice by Lisa Genova

5
My father had Alzheimer's, and I often wonder if I will get it also -- scary.

Sandi Ward
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

4
In Mitch Albom’s latest book he once again takes a simple theme, something we all think about, and he creates an inspirational, extremely creative avenue to explore it. This book is about a man - Father Time - and the invention of our perspective of time. This latest book follows the lives of three individuals who are all affected by time. The message of this book goes beyond the storyline and helps the reader to see the way time and our perception of it influences our lives and the choices we make. This is a book where the words are very simple, but the emotions run very deep. Another Mitch Albom great.

Lori
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

4
I enjoyed this novel. It transported me to the early 1900s in Wichita and New York City, with particular emphasis on the social mores of the time.

Coral Harrison
The Happy Days in Hollywood by Garry Marshall

5
This is a story of his life to the present day. He tells what he had to do and how things were done. He liked working in Hollywood, on TV, then in motion pictures. He tells about his sister, Penny Marshall, as well as friends in the various series. He married and had three children and they were very important in his life, as were his parents and siblings. He writes so interestingly that you really enjoy reading what he writes. He is in his 70s, but plans to keep on working. "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere was the film that made him the most famous, and he made the most money on it. It came at a good time as he had lost lots of money he had invested.

Mark Freeburg
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers

5
Private Bartle and Private Murphy become friends in boot camp and, in 2004, deploy to Iraq together. A bond is formed and strengthened further by Bartle’s promise to Murph’s mother that he would make sure that nothing happened to her son. This is never a good idea, especially in a war zone. In this powerful story, told in lush prose, we follow these soldiers, as they tread through a dangerous and alien landscape, dodging horror and death. We also see the sad return of Private Bartle, as he tries to adjust to life back home and a disconnected existence, filled with guilt, fear and loneliness. Excellent read.

Gina
I Couldn't Love You More by Jillian Medoff

4
This book had me from the start. It is a witty and poignant narrative of a woman who has a child with her boyfriend, and then cares full time for his two daughters from his first marriage. She keeps trying to make them a family and tries to take the "step" out of her mothering. She tries to please everyone but herself - when an old boyfriend appears. Serious complications follow.

Barbara Goettler
You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson

5
A little slow in the beginning, but hard to put down in the later chapters. You really want to know who is behind everything.

Jeane Campbell
Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by Jamie Ford

5
I listened to the audio of this book. It was so well done, by Feodor Chin. Did an excellent job. Here is the summary of the book: When artifacts from Japanese families sent to internment camps during World War II are uncovered during renovations at a Seattle hotel, a man embarks on a quest that leads to memories of growing up Chinese in a city rife with anti-Japanese sentiment. Great father/ son interactions over three generations.

Linda Johnson
The American Presidency: From Theodore Roosevelt To Ronald Reagan by Robert Dallek

3
A series of lectures given by historian Robert Dallek. Easy listening. Nothing really new for me, but still interesting.

Jeanee Dean
Sutton by J.R. Moehringer

5
Exciting subject matter ... Looking forward to the author's take on Sutton.

Debbie M
Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen

3
Yes, I am addicted to the Rizzoli and Isles series of mystery novels by Tess Gerritsen. I also adore the writing of Louise Penny and Elizabeth George. All three women write a detailed mystery, but each has a different method of writing. With Louise Penny, I feel at home and in no hurry to finish the novel. With Gerritsen, I feel rushed to solve the mystery, before evil catches me. In Last to Die, the story centers around three young children that have lost their parents and foster parents to murder. But what ties the three children to a frenzied killer, still hunting them? The story centers on a remote castle in Maine that houses a school for "special" children.

Suzy Marcus
Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy

5
After Maeve Binchy died a few months ago, I got my stack of her books out and started rereading. By far my favorite is Scarlet Feather, the story of Tom Feather and Cathy Scarlet. Growing up in Ireland they meet at "catering college" (we'd probably call it cooking school), and decide to go into business for themselves. Tom and Cathy, although not married, are dear friends who work together very well. Detailed life in modern day Ireland, starting a new business, marrying into the "upper classes", and especially the family life of our two "heros", are what make Maeve Binchy one of my favorite writers.

Marion Miller
Jerusalem Maiden by Talia Carner

3
This is a great book to get lost in. The author describes a fanatically religious girl with an unusual talent for drawing and painting. She bonds with a "fallen woman", and eventually ends up in Paris in the 20s. As free as she seems to be, her religion still governs her life. We are drawn into this love story, and life in the Paris of the 20s.

Marsha
10th Anniversary by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

3
The Women's Murder Club ladies are celebrating their 10th anniversary as friends. Everyone is up to the same thing -- action, love, investigation and more.

Sylvie Nickel
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

4
Richly detailed and character driven.

Nmc
Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

4
It really makes you stop & think...

Lynn W
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

3
I can understand why this book has been a best-seller. It's well-researched and well-written.

Elle Boehm
Away by Amy Bloom

3
I am enjoying this book-- however is it very different from what I expected. I did not expect it to cover mostly the sexual escapades of an immigrant's venture to America. So I am disappointed that did not cover more of the character's emotional relationships

Elle Boehm
First Darling of The Morning by Thrity Umrigar

3
Really enjoying the author's autobiographical story of her childhood in India.

Rachelle Strachar
White Oleander by Janet Fitch

4
A very well written book that makes you feel as if you are there with Astrid, the main character. It is a lost child journey - with her mother, and then without - as she travels through foster homes and perseveres. Sadly, while Astrid finds love, she does not find happiness...

Heather
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

4
Carson McCullers wrote this when she was only 23 years old, which I find just astonishing. The story revolves around several unique characters - including Singer who is mute, Dr. Copeland (a physician), and Mick, a strong young girl - as their lives intersect in a small Southern town during the 1930s. I'm about halfway through the book, and I recommend it. It will be interesting to find out what the other members of my book club think of it.

Gayle Lin
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

4
I needed something that wouldn't tax me. I wanted pure entertainment, and I found it in this book. This is the story of a woman who is feeling distanced from her husband of twenty years, and she agrees to take part in a marriage survey. Her questions are asked by a man who is identified only by a number and she is known to him only by her number. In time they begin to get playful with each other in their communications. I'm at a good part now and have no idea how it will come out. She's agreed to meet him. Will she go? Will he be there? This has been a delightful read so far.

Lynn Demsky
Burn Notice: The End Game by Tod Goldberg

4
I enjoyed this story, it was way better then the television show -- I got much more info on being a spy, more jokes, and it was quite entertaining and amusing. GREAT READ!!

Debbie M
Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen

3
I have finally completed the Rizzoli and Isles series, and now what will I read? Ice Cold hinged on many events that have really happened in the United States in regards to various cults. I liked the meeting of Julian and Maura, and of course, I know the outcome as I have read later books. One of the minor characters, Doug, presents a vivid rendering of how Maura is perceived by other people. As I have mentioned, Gerritsen compels the readers to race through the book as the tension builds. I enjoyed the book, but felt that after reading the book, the characters were not real people as they are with the characters in Louise Penny's books.

Gary Tiller
The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva

4
My first read by this author, and while I am only about a third through the book, I have no doubt I will be reading more books from Mr. Silva.

Rebecca Fry
The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon

3
I just finished reading the Arc of The One I Left Behind. It was a solid book and entertaining. Would recommend to readers who enjoy thrillers.

Patty Ard
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

5
I read this book when it was first released, and I am re-reading it because my book club chose it for October. This is an incredible story of one man, and a history lesson told like no other.

Melanie Lockhart
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

2
It seems as though creating a book out of short stories is the new 'cool' way to write a book. However, in order to work, there still has to be some continuity to the story. This book not only jumps between characters, it also jumps through time. I find myself constantly trying to figure out what is going on. A little of that in a book is fine, but when you find yourself almost constantly confused, there is a problem with the book. The writing is good, the story interesting, but it needs to be put together better.

WALTER KRETZMANN
A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers

3
A spare but moving elegy for the American century.

Jane Squires
Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver

5
A story of treasures of the greatest kind - love from the heart. Addie's Mom loves her enough to let go and leave her with Priscella as a governess to Ceddy. Pearson loved his family so much he guarded his heart. He struggled with forgiving himself for living when he lost them all. But he found his way back to God's love and as a a bonus found Addie's love. Ceddy showed him where real treasure was. He fell in love with the little guy. Ceddy gives up his diamond to save Addie's pendant because of his love for her. A story of love and forgiveness like none I've read. It's coupled with adventure and treasures of the heart.

Judy Quast
Breaking the Silence by Diane Chamberlain

5
I am almost finished with this book and it has more than held my interest. I feel like I am on the edge of my seat reading this. There is so much suspense, intrigue, love, and the characters of Laura, Emma, Sarah, & Dylan make you feel like you actually know them.

Judy O.
Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck

4
This is historical fiction which takes place around 1935, when Ernest Hemingway and his wife, Pauline, lived in Key West. Mariella was a poor girl who was employed by the Hemingways as a maid. Even though Mariella and Ernest are drawn to each other, she meets Gavin Murray and totally falls in love with him. Lots of local color of Key West. If you read The Paris Wife, the story of Hemingway and his first wife in Paris, you will enjoy this story even more.

Michael McAdam
Criminal by Karin Slaughter

5
I really only started this book recently, so the jury is still out, but I found it extremely engaging right off the bat. The story seems interesting and the writing style is very... straight forward. Early on I found myself trying to find time to dive in so I could get going. Anyway, the moral of this post is so far so good. :)

Mary Zelli
Home Front by Kristin Hannah

5
I listened to it on CD and it made the hours fly by on my recent road trip. The story is about two female best friends who are both helicopter pilots in the National Guard together, and get activated and sent to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. it talks about the support they have from their families and how it changes during their tour. It's about how war affects not only the warrior but those left behind. At times I cried, which made driving difficult. A good read, or listen to it on audio as it's beautifully read.

Bob Masters
Quest For Power by James Herbert Harrison

5
I am a semi-retired air force vet and read most any political/military type fictional book that is released. I usually stick to well-known authors but a friend recommended this novel. It may be the most riveting and provocative book I have ever read. I really like the author' style of taking a somewhat sophisticated plot and keeping it interesting from page to page. Harrison should soon take his place among the other greats like Tom Clancy or Vince Flynn.

Lois Lilling
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker

5
A wonderful book about a young woman who has had to live with giantism, and how it affected her life and all those around her. She discovers a quilt's secret of herbs and their affects on the body, both positive and dreadful. One can see human nature in all the different characters.t.

Lorna
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

4
I enjoyed this next installment of Mr Grey and Miss Steele. I just wish things would move along a little faster... I've heard most readers just skip over the erotic scenes (not as many in this book), not so bad... I mostly want to find out where the next book leads them. I find these books a quick enjoyable read. They give me a break from the suspense and thrillers that I usually read.

Audrey Shaffer
Wine of Violence: A Medieval Mystery by Priscilla Royal

4
I enjoy murder mysteries, but historicals often strike me as slow and lethargic. Not this one! It moves along at a good pace, with the main characters helping and hindering each other enough to keep it interesting. This is the first book in a series, and I’m looking forward to finding the rest of them. I want to spend a lot more time with Eleanor and Thomas.

Irene Unger
My Happy Days by Garry Marshall

5
Lovely autobiography of Garry Marshall, director of "Pretty Woman," as well as successful sitcoms such as Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, Mork and Mindy, and many others. He is also the brother of Penny Marshall, and tells wonderful stories of his family growing up in the Bronx and how he came to become a super-successful movie and television director. He's got such a tender heart as well as a generous soul, it was a pleasure to read his story.

Roe Postilio
The House I Loved by Tatiana de Rosnay

5
Had this book on my e-reader for months....finally read it..and boy oh boy...I couldn't put it down...Great story..quick read...Inspiring to see how love can dictate the direction one's life will take...I encourage you to read this book...I think Ms. de Rosnay has proved she can turn out bestsellers...Looking forward to her next book!

Lela Ni
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

4
The Night Circus is a beautifully written book that draws readers into its magical atmosphere. A truly original book, I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

Bonnie Gluhanich
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

3
I listened to this, unabridged, while driving. It was a fascinating exploration of perhaps the greatest genius of the 20th century. However, I did fast-forward through some of the dry, technical explanations of the theory of relativity and several of his other breakthroughs. Maybe someone with more knowledge of physics would rank it higher.

Sonia Chopra
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

5
I just read a beautiful book called "Love Anthony" by Lisa Genova. It is a book about a boy who has autism and his mother who does everything to cure him, and in the process she loses everything, her savings, her marriage, everything.. and just when she thinks that she can live with her son being autistic and be happy at the same thing, the little boy dies, her marriage does not survive this, so she moves to another town and meets and befriends a woman who is going through another kind of crisis, a marital one...this is their story, a story of heartbreak, loss, love, grief, of moving on, of putting pieces together in your life and having a chance of living life... an intelligently told story.

Pat Pascale
The Witness by Nora Roberts

5
A big fan of Nora Roberts, I believe this is her BEST. Eliabeth Fitch' is living her life in her cold, controlling mother's shadow. She rebels and meets Julie, who takes her to her first club. Two murders by the Russian Mafia, witnessed by Elizabeth, force her to go undercover in a small town in the Ozarks. Brooks Gleason, Sheriff there, becomes intrigued with the lovely stranger that is a recluse and seems to be hiding something. Exciting adventure, filled with discovering secrets and love - and Bert the dog steals the show!

Debbie M
Dial C for Chihuahua by Waverly Curtis

2
I am ambivalent about this mystery. The story is set in Seattle, with a down-on-her luck woman named Geri Sullivan and her newly adopted dog. Immediately, the white Chihuahua tells Geri his name and all his exploits. For such a small dog, Pepe has been everywhere and seen everything. This new series reminds me of “The Cat Who” series by Lilian Jackson Braun with her detective, Jim Quilleran. I find the writing duo of Waverly Fitzgerald and Curt Colbert not as interesting as Braun’s series. Maybe the problem is that I adore cats, and tolerate dogs. I just felt that Pepe controlled the book, and the writing is cute, but very juvenile.

Kellie
The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Greenlaw

3
After seeing the movie 'The Perfect Storm', I was enamored with the character Linda Greenlaw and wanted to learn more about her. So I read her first book, The Hungry Ocean. This is about her life on her boat fishing for swordfish, and it was enjoyable. Later on in life. She decides to go home to the island where she was born and fish for lobster with her Dad. This was more like a book of essays. Essays about things that happen in her life during this time on the island. The problem with this is, it didn’t flow. Her story jumps around and it’s choppy. There are some funny parts and it’s interesting, but it wasn’t a story. It was a bit disappointing. I did enjoy learning about this island in Maine. I’ve been to Maine a few times.

Sharon Lumb
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

5
My book club is reading this book in celebration of the 250th anniversary of its printing. I have read the book several times before, and consider it one of my favorites. I almost did not read it again. This time, however, I read each line enjoying the prose and sentence structure.I even found some information that I had not known having read quickly to get to the "good" parts. What a great book with almost every sentence a gem. Now that the summer is over and there is time to read (as compared to devouring our summertime beach books), consider reading Pride and Prejudice again, not for merely the romance of Elizabeth and Darcy, but the for the pleasure of reading a quality book again for the first time.

Lynn Demsky
Rumble on the Bayou by Jana DeLeon

5
This is one of the best books I've read all year! It made me laugh, cry, chuckle...the characters of Gator Bait were just fantastic, and so very unique. I'm looking forward to finding more of Jana's books --- I would have rated it a 10, if the stars went that high!

Sherman Hughes
Wild by Cheryl Strayed

3
I enjoyed this book about a courageous girl who walked the Pacific Crest Trail, starting in the desert with 100 degree temperatures and ending three months later in Oregon. Having very little experience, she did pretty good; however, I think I would rather have had another hiker along with me. And more money!

Sandy
Faith by Jennifer Haigh

5
Sheila McGann is estranged from her complicated family. But when her older brother Art, pastor of a large suburban parish, finds himself at the center of a scandal, Sheila returns to Boston ready to fight for him. Her strict mother lives in a state of angry denial; her younger brother Mike has already convicted his brother in his heart. But most disturbing of all is Art himself, who persistently dodges Sheila's questions and refuses to defend himself. I loved this book!!

Sharron
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman

5
Powerful story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who choose to keep a baby that comes into their lives in a small boat that washes onto their island. While they live a seemingly happy existence, everything begins to unravel.

Lois Belliveau
The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

2
This book never captured my interest. After over a hundred pages, I still didn't find it intriguing; nor did I find it particularly enlightening about North Korea. If you want to learn about North Korea, read 'Nothing To Envy' by Barbara Demick.

ELEANOR JETHRO
Heaven Should Fall by Rebecca Coleman

4
WOW - POWERFUL! What makes a family tick? Finding herself alone after her mother's death, Jill Wagner leans more & more toward Cade Olmstead. But Cade is not what she thinks. When his brother returns from Afghanistan apparently suffering from PTSD, Cade tries to help him, but instead becomes a different person than Jill knew. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a family or friend that served in the military and was involved with war conflicts. The way some of the military return home and react to normal everyday life is surprising.

Jud Hanson
Thieves of Baghdad by Matthew Bogdanos and William Patrick

5
A fantastic book about the cultural costs of the Iraq war. Well-researched, and it reads like a novel, not a textbook.

Jud Hanson
Sherlock Holmes in America by Martin Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg and Daniel Stashower

4
Good collection of stories starring the famous sleuth.

Fernanda Bueno
Sins of the House of Borgia by Sarah Bower

4
I love how the author brought Renaissance Italy alive, while giving me a story so rich and spicy that it is impossible to put the book down. Corruption and greed deep in the Catholic Church and the pure lust of those stuck in a time when pretense was often more rewarded than love - the entire book is an explosion of feelings and danger. I love every page of it.

Krystal Germiquet
Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

5
This was a very captivating book! I really enjoyed that I could actually picture parts of the events happening in reality! I also enjoyed the mental illness spin that is rarely seen. I found it very difficult to put down, as it kept me wanting to know what would happen next.

Marsha
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory

4
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick: the most powerful magnate in 15th century England, has no sons but two daughters. His plan is to use his daughters for political gain. The two sisters, married at early ages, are best friends, then enemies as they marry into powerful families. Ultimately, one of them achieves their father's greatest ambition, but at what price? Life at the royal court is treacherous indeed.

Lynn Demsky
Unlucky by Jana DeLeon

3
This was a cute read. The beginning was just way too confusing for me, but about a third of the way through I started catching on --- I know nothing about gambling (I did learn a bit), so it wasn’t as good of a story as her other books. You were just thrown into this situation with no real description of anything going on. Once I figured out who the characters were, (Scooter and the Father were the best!) and maybe what they were doing, I enjoyed it – a good happy ending!

Amanda Rhoads
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfus

5
This is actually my third time reading this book. It pulls you in right from the beginning, with its complex and intriguing characters. Kvothe is a young boy who loses his trouper family to a murderous group of characters, whom most people think are a myth. He lives on the mean streets of Tarbean until he turns 15 and finally goes to the university to study. He makes friends and powerful enemies in his quest for knowledge and the answers to what reallly happened to his family. This is the first book in The Kingkiller series.

LINDA BASS
Come Slowly, Eden by Charlene Keel

5
Charlene Keel pens a sensual erotic story about students at Florida State University, and their rites of coming into adulthood, from Tom, a shy virgin freshman, his savvy roommate - a grass dealer and party animal - to Amanda Carey, a poor woman who works two part time jobs ,with a risque night job, and is leagues ahead of anyone at the college. But it is Julie Carson, the freshman Southern belle that captured my heart, even though she was the spoiled only daughter of prominent state supreme judge. The book starts slow as the author introduces the characters, but once they all appear the book comes together perfectly and is a MUST READ!

Linda Harrison
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

3
The book had a lot of strange twists. A well-know reclusive writer is nearing her death and has asked a biographer to write down her life story - this would be the true story as opposed to the many versions she has given out over the years; but the truth is stranger than fiction.

Linda Harrison
Force of Nature by C.J. Box

5
Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett is loyal to his friend Nate Romanowski, even though he knows the authorities are looking for him. But when murders start occurring and Nate tells Joe to take his family and leave, Joe stays for his friend. A great book that you won’t be able to put down.

Linda Harrison
Victims by Jonathan Kellerman

4
Psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis are investigating murders where the victims are eviscerated, when a tip leads them to an abandoned mental hospital. A good, if gruesome, story.

Linda Harrison
Sierra Falls by Veronica Wolff

4
This was a totally enjoyable read, and I found it to be similar to Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series, with its small town atmosphere and down-home people.

Linda Harrison
I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson and James Ledwidge

4
A good book, as most of Patterson’s are, but I like the character of Alex Cross more than Michael Bennett.

Linda Harrison
Beautiful Sacrifice by Elizabeth Lowell

3
A mystery involving Mayan artifacts and the search for missing sacrificial weapons. The book was a little hard to understand when certain Mayan terms were used, as I had no idea what they meant.

Linda Harrison
The Mule Tamer III: Marta's Quest by John Horst

5
The Western story that first began with The Mule Tamer continues. The story contains a lot of Mexican history.

Linda Harrison
Come Home by Lisa Scottoline

3
It took awhile to get into this book, but about halfway through, the story grips you. I did not like this book as well as others written by Scottoline.

Michelle Archer
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

5
I just love reading Sarah Addison Allen. She includes a little magical twist in all her novels. Emily, new to Mullaby, must discover the secret of the town's leading citizens and the key to her past while her neighbor Julia does her best to avoid her own past. A sweet romantic story.

Michelle Archer
Quiet by Susan Cain

5
A must read for all introverts, or those who live with them. It is very positive and validating for those who are on the introvert end of the spectrum. Information and studies on both introverts and extrovert are included, and can help any reader better understand themselves and those around them. The author also makes an excellent point - introverts are undervalued in our society in spite of their obvious contributions throughout history.