This contest period's winners were Cemile G., Linda S. and Prudence F., who each received a copy of BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman and I FOUND YOU by Lisa Jewell.
Brady
Discover Magazine's Vital Signs by Dr. Rob Norman
The human body is certainly complex and the short stories in each chapter point out what can go wrong within. A doctor is also a detective is finding out what is really wrong. This book talks about many, many things that can go wrong by telling you about individuals who have experienced some weird life-threatening diseases that are really interesting to the layman. In each instance I said to myself, "Boy, sure am glad that wasn't me."
Sandy
The Girl on the Cliff by Lucinda Riley
To escape a recent heartbreak in New York, Grania Ryan returns to her family home in Ireland. Here she meets young Aurora Lisle, who will profoundly change her life. One of the most mesmerizing books I have read in a long time.
Susan Steacy
A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas
Great read.
Peggy
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE a well-imagined and researched novel of a very poor girl from China's mountainous puerh tea region. Li-yan became educated and studied tea production. Along the way, she had a daughter before she got married, and later had a tumultuous marriage. Her daughter was adopted by an American couple, and she wanted to find her birth mother. Their stories make for a very interesting read.
Landolphe
Live for Life by Landolphe Burglass D'Aquin
A serious novel that makes you think; yet, an engaging story about a young woman's emotional and social growth as she cautiously allows herself to love.
Margaret
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
This murder mystery/thriller is fast-paced, skillfully-plotted and held my attention with its twists and turns. The protagonist is Maya who has an interesting background as a military helicopter pilot in Iraq, a tour that didn't end well for her. She's suffering from PTSD and struggling with the recent death of her sister. Now her husband has been murdered. She sets out to solve these murders and becomes involved in strange situations that keep the novel moving along. I can see why Mr. Coben has many fans. He knows how to keep your interest and while I didn't like the ending to FOOL ME ONCE, I would like to read another of his novels.
Shelley
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Engaging story and characters.
Kathy
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This novel covers the invasion of Paris and the defeat of Germany as experienced by a blind French girl and a talented German boy. The German boy's evolution from a child who finds an old radio and begins tinkering, and a young Parisian girl who must learn to function in a busy city without her eyes is told separately until their circumstance places them together during a bombing of the city by Americans. This book was compelling and hard to put down. I would recommend this book to all my friends.
Janice
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
It's fun to go back and read a classic novel about a different time period with customs and mores that seem strange to us now.
Linda
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi
I learned a little about the history of Afghanistan. I learned a great deal about the life of girls and women in fundamentalist Islamist Afghanistan under the rule of a warlord. This book is the story of a young girl who lives for a period as a boy. This allows her family to function because her father is addicted to opium and cannot perform his duties as a father and husband. It falls to Rahima to go to market, educate herself and hold a job for small earnings. The story alternates with the story of her great great grandmother who also lived in an earlier time period. Strongly recommended. It shows the indomitable spirit that lives in all of us.
Ivy
Heartbreak Hotel by Jonathan Kellerman
When a 99-year-old woman living in the Heartbreak Hotel dies, Alex Delaware is faced with more theories about her death than the number of earthquakes in Los Angeles. At each turn though, another layer reveals another clue. In the true Kellerman style, the plot is an edge-of-your seat suspense.
Jill Grebe
Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles
Third book in the NATCHEZ BURNING Burning series, by Greg Iles. If you like a mystery, history and thriller in one book, this is for you. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Long book, but you read and keep reading because the story is so good and you want to find out what happens. Penn Cage is determined to solve the mystery of murders from the 1960s involving the Double Eagles, a KKK splinter cell. He is determined to put the rest of the Double Eagles behind bars, risking the lives of his loved ones and his.
Anita
The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth
This was an excellent book about a single mother who finds out she has ovarian cancer, and has to make arrangements for someone to take care of her 15-year-old daughter in the event her treatments are not successful. The daughter has social anxiety problems, and the only person she can relate to is her mom. This book really tore at my emotions.
jodi
Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline
I enjoyed the twist at the end!
Lenora
At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier
Being a tree lover, I enjoyed this book immensely. I also loved GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING written by Chevalier.
Alice
Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry
Wonderful English read!
MH
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
I just reread the book for book club and loved it as much as when I first read it a couple of years ago. I don't usually read non-fiction, but loved all of Walls' books, which read like fiction.
Sandra
Gathering Prey by John Sandford
I believe that John Sandford is one of the best thriller writers writing today. All of his books are non-stop action from start to finish. Lucius Davenport and his daughter Letty are great characters.
Cindy
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
I loved this book! It may be the "geek" in me but it was really very well written. I do not read non-fiction very much and if I do I never seem to finish it. I read this book like there was no tomorrow. It really raises a lot of ethical questions and really gets you to thinking. I recommend this book to everybody.
Pauline
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
I read this book in one day as I flew across the country. This book, the second in a series, was a fascinating look at both a place and at the people who choose to live there and how they get along. It dealt with friendship and the lengths that people will go to help a friend as well as the horrors parents can inflict upon their children. Besides all that, it had humor and great prose. This author is now on my "must read everything of hers" list.
Kelley
Hungry Heart by Jennifer Weiner
Jennifer's humor makes this book!
Lory
Everything You Want Me to Be by Mindy Mejia
I read this quickly and easily, enjoying the twists and turns Mejia runs the reader through. It was not a "deep" novel by any means but was easy to read and follow along. A well-written thriller/mystery with some predictable moments and others that sneak up on you.
Sandi
No Man's Land by Simon Tolkien
I think this book is exceptionally well written. I became involved with all the characters on one level or another. I laughed and I cried in this book. It did not read as an over 500 page novel, but one of much fewer pages. Adam Raine goes from poverty to wealth. Poverty in all its forms and barrenness, to the wealth of friendship, love, honor, and respect. Although his life has always been a very hard road to travel, he has always remained his own man. Adam goes through the war and loses people very close to him and comes out of that sealed in his own empty tomb. Misfortune is always around him. But still he maintains his good outlook, his humility, his friends and his sense of self.
Betty
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
I really loved this book, but it was really hard to read. It made the harrowing day to day lives of slaves so real. I also enjoyed the depiction of the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad.
Joanne Q. Gagliardi
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
A good read, with a twist at the end.
Rebecca Chome
Chiefs by Stuart Woods
This is a good fictional story about a Southern town and the history of the first several chiefs of police. It will lead us to other self-standing stories about the future of the town and the chiefs to follow. The story was very well written, and the plot was one that was easy to follow and lead to the quick continuation of the story.
Susan
How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz
Three girls meet in college and this book follows them through their adulthood. They all have different personalities. An incident happens one night that affects their friendship.
Pauline
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
Always a Backman fan, this novel does not disappoint. I love quirky characters and Britt-Marie fills the bill. I kept wondering what choice Britt would make and was totally delighted how the author handled it. Will be discussing it with my book club this coming week.
Lynn W
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Interesting, sometimes even intriguing story, just way too much detail.
Linda
The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies
I started listening to this, but not quickly enough so when the audiobook was due, I rushed to the library to get a hard copy to finish this intriguing story. The readers will be surprised about something that happens towards the beginning of the book. Gwen is completely shocked. Her concerns and subterfuge are the foundation for the book. I had reasonable explanation, but I had to wait to the final pages to find out if I had come to the proper resolution. (I had.) A historical fiction of Ceylon in an industry, a culture, and a time I knew little about. Once again, racial tensions are not only an American problem.
Sheree
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
This was such a moving book about the German concentration camps and the women who were in them. Rose, a pilot, who is captured by the Germans was such a strong character. I loved the references to Girl Scouts and Pennsylvania. This book stays with you a long time. Excellent!
Jan
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
An interesting book about family - betrayal, kindness, envy, overspending, a cold mother who may have done something evil (not a spoiler; it's up to the reader to decide) - that tries to cover too much. All of our families have weird/strange relationships among each of us. The writing is lovely but continues far too long on things that don't matter. There is little resolution in the end - is this true of most of our family squabbles and disagreements? After all the wonderful reviews, this was a disappointment but worth a 4-star rating because there are so many topics for a book discussion group.
Elaine
The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
I started the book and could not put it down. The story held me forever. This is a book I will read again. Two brothers and their wives live in the same house. Both have children; one brother has four boys and the other brother has three daughters. It seems the ideal life for Helen and Rose as they are best of friends and know that one is always there for the other until the night of the blizzard when things begin to change with the sister-in-laws. You will love this as much as I did.
Jayme Gruden
The Signal Flame by Andrew Krivak
The best book I’ve read so far in 2017. This is a devastatingly, beautiful story about loss and forgiveness centered around three wars and two families that struggle with the repercussions of war. The prose is elegant and atmospheric, and the honest sorrow will rip your heart out. I expect to see many accolades for this book in 2017. Highly recommend.
Jayme
The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa
The story centers on the true story of the cruise ship the S.S. St. Louis that sailed from Germany to Cuba with roughly 900 Jews who were trying to seek safe haven in Cuba before WWII. I found it very interesting reading the accounts of the ship and wished that there was more focus in the book on its actual voyage and the aftermath. Instead we are told the story by a 12-year-old girl who, in all honesty, was rather obnoxious and unlikable. That may be the reason why I couldn't make a connection to her and found her lacking. I think this book should be targeting YA readers and that a nonfiction account of the voyage might be more interesting for adults. I wish I could give it a 2.5 stars.
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Three-Year Swim Club by Julie Checkoway
Interesting factual life of Japanese immigrants in Maui.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
In this truly shocking, grotesquely original coming-of-age, end-of-the-world novel, sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the legacy of his family's history in Poland and immigration to the United States while narrating the story of how he and his best friend brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, human-sized (six-foot-tall) praying mantises in small-town Iowa. To make matters worse, Austin's hormones are totally oblivious; they don't care that the world is in utter chaos. Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation, stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann.
WALTER KRETZMANN
All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer
I was ultimately disappointed with this book. I enjoyed the author's previous three novels, the Milo Weaver Trilogy, comprised of THE TOURIST, THE LAST EXIT, and AN AMERICAN SPY, and his last novel, THE CAIRO AFFAIR. This novel seemed a sharp decline from his previous work. The storyline is clever, but not that good. Everyone is very glib, so it comes off trying to be sophisticated but fails. Steinhauer says he wrote this book while on vacation visiting his wife's family in Serbia. Maybe he should have spent time with her family and gone to work in earnest when he returned. This book reminds me to some extent of that 1985 movie, "The Breakfast Club", which was about a bunch of dysfunctional teenagers discussing teenage angst.
Dorothy
Victoria: The Heart and Mind of a Young Queen by Helen Rappaport
Beautiful companion book to PBS Victoria series. Provides the back story to the series - beautiful pictures.
Betty
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Amazing! One of the best books I have ever read.
Mantura
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman
I read this book in a weekend and rationed the last 50 pages because I didn't want it to end! Then we rented the movie. It was good, but it completely eliminated the importance of the neighbor, Jimmy! Disappointing!
Francisca E B
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini
This was an interesting look at an era in history that we already know much about. I enjoyed the historical references and Elizabeth’s point of view of many of the events. It was an engaging story that held my interest. But, I wish Chiaverini had given us more of Elizabeth in the novel and less of Mrs. Lincoln.
Kristin Hanneman
The Dry by Jane Harper
This was a great book! At first I thought it was going to be a predictable story, but I had no clue at the ending. Good twist of ends and fun reading a book set in Australia!
Marie Ledin
The Baker's Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan
Thanks for the advance reader's edition I won. This is an amazing story of how one small village in France worked together to keep their hope and faith that the allies would one day save them from the occupying Nazis. The story of a young girl who would not believe help would come, but with determination helped the people of her town by baking bread and delivering other hidden supplies to people in need to keep up their hopes of survival. Emotional and makes one think about what others have and are going through even in this day.
Phyllis
Emerald Coast by Anita Hughes
This is an easy beach read set in glamorous environments. However, the characters are shallow and one-dimensional, especially for their professions and status.
Andrea
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney
A chilling psychological thriller that keeps you turning the pages.
Syrena
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
The firsthand experience of Vance holds a lesson that everyone should hear.
Karen
My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall-Smith
This book was a fun read. Paul Stuart, a food writer, has been distracted from his writing by a breakup with his girlfriend. His editor suggests a change of scenery might help him to complete his book so he goes to Italy. His trip starts with some misadventures. He has problems with the car he leased. He is charged with car theft and put in a jail cell with a violent murderer. He is rescued by an economic historian he met on the plane who helps him to be cleared of the charges and to lease a vehicle. The only vehicle available is a bulldozer which attracts a lot of attention as he drives it to the town of Montalcino. He meets interesting people and has more "adventures" in Montalcino.
Linda
Blood Salt Water by Denise Mina
It took a while to get into this book but once I did, the plot was very good. Detective Alex Morrow was assigned a missing person case which took her to a small town in Scotland where everyone knew each other but no one saw anything. Everything centered around a man who controlled everything and was suspected of smuggling drugs, but the police were unable to obtain proof. As investigations continue, the case turned into murder and arson.
Linda
Blood Lust by Alexandra Ivy
After an afternoon with Myst, nine months later Sentinel assassin Bas is left with a baby girl to raise. Now Myst is back and Bas is suspicious. Myst tells him about her past and her ability to foresee the future. Sold to the Brotherhood by her parents, she had a vision of a weapon that spelled doom for Valhalla. The Brotherhood wants this weapon so they could destroy the high-bloods but Myst escapes and is on the run. Together, they try to find the truth behind her vision and what to do to counteract it. This is not my usual read but I received the book free and offered my review.
Linda
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
A racy novel as a beautiful assistant shows her arrogant boss just who is boss. The first time they met, he was really sexually attracted to her but did not want to show it, so he acted like a total jerk. She has read about his accomplishments and is amazed at all he has done before the age of thirty. When she finally meets him, she is flabbergasted at how good looking he is. But, as a boss, he is a bastard. Sparks fly around the office as these two fight and argue. Constant criticism and put-downs are the norm with him. It takes a business trip out of town for them to finally realize they had something going for them and neither wanted to lose it. Lots of sizzling sex between Chloe and Bennett.
Linda
Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren
Sara Dillon leaves Chicago and her cheating boyfriend to start over in New York. Hired as a financial executive with Ryan Media Group, she is out with a group of friends when she meets a beautiful stranger at a bar. As she dances, she sees that he is watching and she dances just for him. Max Stella is fascinated with the woman and learns her name. Max has never been in love before and has been known as a playboy but this time, he is the one who could be hurt if Sara left. I love the character of Max! A playboy until he met Sara and lets her know that trust goes both ways and his heart could also be broken.
Linda
Code of Conduct by Brad Thor
In this thriller, Scot Harvath comes up against pure evil. One man has decided that the earth is too populated and he is going to do something about it. No one is sure what has been decided until people worldwide start dying due to a hemorrhagic fever. When even the President has been hospitalized as well as the next successors in line, it comes down to the Secretary of the Treasury. As the acting President, he gives Scot the kill order to go after the madman and his henchmen and to take them out.
Muriel
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
I'm so pleased my reading group won this book recently. It had relevance and meaning for all of us. BEING MORTAL is a book that contains thought-provoking information consisting of facts, stories, and examples which provide the reader with much to ponder concerning choices we may have to make for ourselves and others as we age. These choices may concern choosing a care facility or how far to continue with treatments when facing a life-threatening illness. The book stresses the importance of a doctor being able to give guidance to help the patient confront the reality of mortality when the time comes. I can't think of anyone who would not benefit from reading this book.
Lori
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Magical, captivating, stay up too late to finish book!
Ilene
The Windfall by Diksha Basu
A light, enjoyable read. Mr. Jha receives a financial "windfall" when he sells his website and is able to move with his wife to the wealthy region of Delhi. There he tries to "keep up with the Joneses" except here it is the Chopras. Mr. Jha is constantly trying to impress Mr. Chopra but goes about it clumsily. Both men are extremely wealthy and try to outdo each other. The Jhas have a son, Rupak, studying for his MBA in Ithaca, New York. Rupak is conflicted. He thinks that he would prefer doing something else, like making movie films. He also is attracted to Elizabeth who is a blonde and is not Indian, and somebody his parents would probably not approve of.
Laurie
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
My Book club and I read the book and the following is our review: Have you ever been afraid of death and wonder what the end is like? And who isn’t? BEING MORTAL is a must-read! You will not be able to pick up this book and be untouched. Our book group members were able to reflect on the different practices in our culture regarding aging, medicine and illness. We all agreed that every person that reads this book will read it differently based on age, experience and health issues. This was true in our club. Our members range from 42-82 and each had a different topic that struck them the most.
Susie Sharp
The Whole Art of Detection by Lyndsay Faye
Fantastic collection of short stories that fit seamlessly into the Sherlock Holmes Canon. Faye's writing feels like she channeled Doyle because these stories are so authentic to the characters. Of course Simon Vance's narration was once again spot-on; he is the perfect voice for these books and once again does an awesome job!
WALTER KRETZMANN
Truevine: Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother’s Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South by Beth Macy
My belief is that most white people do not realize that slavery really existed. I am reading TRUEVINE and so far I have learned so much about the past that I did not know. I have recently attended one of the best trainings on racism, "Undoing Racism", and now that I have been awakened I see examples of "white privilege" all day. I am trying to get my white friends to understand racism because many of them have admitted that they have never had a conversation with their children about racism. After reading TRUEVINE, I am convinced that this book should be their first reading. There is so much historical data within these pages and I am grateful and hopeful that after they begin their journey to understanding.
Donna
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Cora was born to a slave in the mid-1800s in Georgia. Her mother ran away and left Cora behind, never to be heard of again. Eventually, Cora also became a runaway. This fictional account is Cora's encounters with slave hunters, escapes, brutality, an Underground Railroad, sympathizers and freedom. It is a difficult book to read about an upsetting time in our history.
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Dead Lands by Benjamin Percy
This book, THE DEAD LANDS, was better than expected. I've been stuck reading post-apocalyptic books for teenagers lately and this was a welcome change. The plot moved quickly, was very interesting, but it ended WAY to quickly. I really hate when an author puts so much time into a book, only to end the whole story in 10 pages. It could have easily been 100 times better with another 10 chapters. Put some thought into the ending for goodness sake.
Overall, the book was good. I enjoyed the writing style, with characters who are easy to love, hate, and comically direct.
WALTER KRETZMANN
March Violets by Philip Kerr
I don't think this is as good as other of the series, and if I had read it first, I might not have gone on to the others, but truly, Mr. Kerr does a great job with the complex character/hero with the film noir dialogue and the hero that wouldn't win a Most Handsome Hunk contest, but is a true hero. I intend to reread all the series in order one day soon...but anyone can start anywhere and enjoy the tales of Germany and murders solved by an honorable man during this dark time in history.
Judy O.
The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes
I just finished THE HORSE DANCER by Jojo Moyes. This book was originally released in England in 2009 and has just been re-released by Penguin in 2017. The book is fantastic! It is about Sarah, a young girl in England and her dancing horse, Boo. It is about broken people and their struggles out of the horrible times in their lives. The prologue was confusing to me, but I skimmed it and went on to read the book. Then I re-read the prologue and it made more sense.
Liz
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Elsa is seven years old and has no friends except for her excentric grandmother who lives in the same apartment building. All the apartments in the building seem to house misfits of some sort or another. Through made up stories and places, Elsa's grandmother is trying to not only give her a loving environment but also to teach her that it is okay to be different. When Elsa's grandmother dies, she leaves a series of letters that Elsa must deliver. In doing so, Elsa learns that being different can be a very good thing. This well-written story will make you laugh and cry, but more importantly it will get you to think about the people around you and come to appreciate the differences in all of us. The epilogue will tear at your heartstrings.
Richard N B
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Berendt was a free-lance journalist when curiosity took him to Savannah and he began to write about the particularly insular culture of that Southern city. Then a murder happened, and his story really took off. I first read this sometime in the mid to late 1990s, and on re-reading it I’m not so keen about it. The murder doesn’t happen until halfway through the book, and that was really the most interesting part. I’m still giving it 4 stars because I believe that was closer to my original reaction to the book.
Diane
The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill
Nice fantasy fable for today's youth.
Elizabeth
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Now I’ve read another of these selections, THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10. I’m afraid it’s just so-so, no great shakes. But others disagree with me. Many reviewers say that THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 is better than Ruth Ware’s last book, IN A DARK, DARK WOOD. That is true if you don’t count the first two thirds of THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10. The last third of that book is, indeed, nail-biting. And that is good enough for most reviewers, I guess. All in all, though, I would say that THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 is about average. If the entire book was as good as the last third, I would give it a four out of five. The mystery depended on alcohol and drugs. What a disappointment!
Hedwig
The Lost Order by Steve Berry
Not one of his best, but in all fairness, perhaps after the last few months of hearing about Washington, D.C. politicians and all their stupidity, I don't have much use reading about their games for power (past and present)!
Julie
In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen
This books takes place in England during the early days of WW II. It features a trio of friends and their families who are helping the war effort in different ways. It is a bit of a mystery and provides some good "you are there" perspective on the time. I liked it.
Francisca E B
Cinnamon Girl: Letters Found Inside a Ceral Box by Juan Felipe Herrera
This slim volume is told entirely in free verse. The poems are visceral and disturbing, emotional and moving. And yet, I felt somehow removed from Yolanda and her pain. I think part of that was because Herrera does not give us a linear timeline. Nevertheless, from the typical teen lament of “no one understands me” to the joy and freedom of a new friendship, to the very real fear of having lost someone in a tragic accident, Herrera’s CINNAMON GIRL will resonate with many readers.
Jackie
The Girls by Emma Cline
Engrossing, disturbing fictional story of 15-year-old Evie, an vulnerable adolescent who gets involved with a Manson-like cult.
shelly
Dangerous Games by Danielle Steel
Olympia Foster is very fragile and kind of hermit who rarely leaves her home since her beloved husband was murdered. Tony Clark, the vice president, is still close with Olympia and visits her often. He keeps her secluded in her home and away from contact with almost anyone except himself. Alix Phillips is one of the best reporters and covers stories around the world. Ben Chapman, a former Navy SEAL is the cameramen who works with her. They make a great team and everyone is impressed with the work they do and all the stories they have covered. Alix's boss has a hunch that Tony Clark is not the man that the people think he is. Thus begins a riveting investigation where danger seems to be lurking at every corner.
Cheryll
Expecting to Die by Lisa Jackson
Didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Bought it on sale at a local grocery store and was pleasantly surprised. The suspense in this novel carries through right through to the end.
Gail
Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin
This is a well-written and researched book. Being familiar with Shirley Jackson's work, I was curious about the author who penned those intriguing and original stories. I was not disappointed as Shirley Jackson certainly led an interesting life. She was a person of contrasts; she wrote both evil and humorous stories. She worked and supported her family during a time when women were encouraged not to work at paid jobs. She could write with remarkable speed at times and at other times, suffered from writer's block. The book was very detailed, sometimes too detailed which is why I gave it 4 stars.
McGuffy Ann
The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel
This is an excellent book. It is the true story of a man who chooses to withdraw from society as we know it, and the community that he silently lives near. For thirty years they coexist, but not without issues. This would be a great movie for many reasons.
Jacob
Blameless by Claudio Magris
A tough read, but a really searing book, beautifully written and translated.
Debra
The Ballroom by Anna Hope
Stunningly beautiful, evocative writing, a haunting, unforgettable story of devastated lives and bittersweet second chances. I adored this book!
Virginia
Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham
This book was a quick read for me. I have been a big fan of Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls and Parenthood. I was especially interested in the recent return of Gilmore Girls, what that was like and how it came about. I found it interesting but I don't know if others will unless they are also fans like me.
Virginia
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
There was a lot of jumping around to different characters in this book but it didn't bother me. I was kept guessing till the very end as to what caused the plane crash. I found myself wanting to keep reading in hopes of a clue so it was hard to put down. There were lots of clues but they sent you in the wrong direction. I liked this book a lot.
Michael
History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
When did YA get so dark? I don't mean every YA book has to be an episode of the Brady Bunch but so many of them (including this one) deal with death. Deep subject matter. This book is very well written and I enjoyed it thoroughly. No spoilers of course, but I will say the dual time line is used very effectively here.
Virginia
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney
This book went back and forth between two women and their relationship with the strange man they rented a home from. I was very surprised by the way it ended. There were some twists I did not see coming. The book held my interest all the way through.
Virginia
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Before I read this book I read THE HUSBAND'S SECRET and BIG LITTLE LIES by the same author. I loved those books so I was really looking forward to this one. I did not enjoy it as much as the others. It seemed to plod along and I did not like the characters as much. I felt it took too long to tell the story and I wasn't that eager to keep picking up the book to read it. However, I do like the author and will continue to read her books.
Rosa
Harmless Like You by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan
What a beautifully written book. Yuki Oyama is a young Japanese teenager growing up in New York City in the 70s. When her father is assigned to return to Japan for work, Yuki chooses to remain in America and live with her friend Odile and Odile's mother. Yuki desperately wants to be an artist and struggles to express herself. Struggle is the word I would use to describe Yuki's approach to life. This debut novel is impressive in its lyrical prose. I savored the combinations of words that the author wrote, pausing often to truly appreciate them. Brilliant.
Peggy
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
An important book dealing with Russian cleansing in Chechnya in the not so distant past. Beautifully told.
Kay
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
Many of us have already read this book, but a second reading brings out more of Louise Penny's small twists and turns as she crafts this "beautiful mystery" for us to enjoy again.
Nancy
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
A little slow to get into, but ultimately a very interesting and compelling read. It gave me a glimpse of a culture I know nothing about.
Marcia
The Truthful Story by Helen Stine
I enjoyed this story about 10-year-old Genevieve who has a "gift" of communicating with her deceased grandmother. She comes from a big southern family with love, and some hidden secrets. There is also suspense, murder and attempted murder. There is mystery, and yet it's a story of love. I recommend it. The copy I reviewed was a copy I won.
Pamela
The Dead Hand by David E. Hoffman
Davis E. Hoffman, in his nonfiction book, THE DEAD HAND, explains the events leading up to the close of the Cold War. Using Russian government documents from a private citizen of the Soviet Union who was involved in research, Hoffman provides page after page of evidence of biological and chemical warfare manufacture and testing. He also discusses development of nuclear weapons in Russia. However, the most fascinating part of the book is how the government leaders negotiated with each other and came to the decision to end the Cold War. He expounded on the failed attempt at changing Russia into a capitalist nation, Reagan and Gorbachev negotiations, summit meetings of world leaders, and much more. It was extremely enlightening.
Nancy
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
A wonderful book about love, second chances and loss. It's a short book, but don't let that mislead you. The further you get into it, the harder -- and sadder -- it is to read. If you've ever been lonely, it is well worth your time to read.
Susan
The Dinner Party by Brenda Janowitz
Extremely funny comedy of manners when three families come together to celebrate the Seder and their children's relationships.
Jill
This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
This is a Columbine-type story, but with a sole shooter. I liked the way the author conveyed all the factors that changed the shooter from a half-decent person to a mass spree killer of people in his high school. The author captures well the people's increasing terror as events play out in the book. All that said, I thought she went overkill (no pun intended) on the sheer number of people murdered. She makes no commentary about gun control or anything like that. The story does all of that so the other isn't needed.
Cheryl
Summer's End by Danielle Steel
I loved this story! What is great about this book is the characters and the plot. The two main characters, Regan and Lane, are fabulous as they stroll through the end of summer and find young love along the way.
Rebecca
Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
This book is extremely well written and brings to life the horrors of the Second World War. We are introduced to major players (generals, presidents, an emperor, prime minister, and more) as well as those who fought on land, sea, and air for their beliefs. We learn stories of those who survived and returned to their homes, and those much less fortunate who never saw their countries again. Truths of WWII are revealed to us in a logical, concise manner.
Jayme
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
This is an intriguing and sensitive look at the reasons people migrate and the impact that migrating has individually and globally. This is not an openly political story though politics is an undercurrent. It is a love story centered on two people brought together by war who must leave to survive. But it is also a love story to the people of earth. How will we reach out to those in need? With open arms or clenched fists? Highly recommended for its gentle nudge to the world's consciousness to do the right thing.
Kimberly
Perfect by Cecelia Ahern
PERFECT was an exciting and satisfying conclusion to the Flawed duology. If you enjoyed FLAWED, you'll no doubt enjoy this.
Linda
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
As usual, Picoult takes a sensitive social topic and shows readers the many sides of issues. In this case, a divorced mom raising two teen boys, one with Asperger's Syndrome who is charged with murder. I believe Picoult bases the character's behaviors and needs on fact, which for me was informative as I don't have a lot of personal experience with autism spectrum needs. The storyline includes the "mama bear's" fierce protective instinct and love of her children, a little romance for mom, brotherly love and rivalry, with good insight into the black and white nature of the autistic psyche. Like all her books, I didn't want to put it down and didn't want it to end.
Clarisse
The Woman Next Door by Cass Green
Not a bad book - different from what I usually read. Kept you wondering how these two women, Hester and Melissa, ever had anything to do with one another. Secrets and lies and suspense throughout the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological suspense!
Simonne
Accused by Lisa Scottoline
Slow to grab the reader, but really gets going.
Lisa Nekich
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
I always look forward to new titles by Lisa See and this did not disappoint. Despite the hardships, the story is hopeful and captivating. Also, I learned a great deal about the Akha culture, especially when supplemented by the further research that this book led me to undertake. A perfect combination of good storytelling and education.
Deborah Ader
The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian
Well-written thriller with a twist.
LEE
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
I read this book as it was the selection for Long Island Reads. I found the ubiquitous use of maritime terms and descriptions tedious, which definitely slowed down the reading. However, I did learn a great deal about the events and prominent figures during WW II . I almost did not finish the book because it was slow reading for most of the time, but I was encouraged to finish by members of my reading group. I am glad I did so, but I don't think I would ever reread it or recommend it to anyone else without informing them of my difficulties.
Phyllis
Writing My Wrongs by Shaka Senghor
You have read nothing like this memoir of a teenage black man on the streets of Detroit who endures seven years of solitary confinement. He reveals that reading and writing saved him and he is now a free man doing good for others. I watched the PBS special on "Pathway to Prison", which is a condemnation of public schools and the Frontline program on Solitary confinement in Maine Corrections System. I have had my eyes opened to the perils of our prison system! Highly recommended!
Donna
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Theo, a thirteen year old boy was visiting an art museum with his mother when there was an explosion which killed her. He survived the explosion and assisted an elderly man who was dying and told Theo to retrieve a masterpiece known as The Goldfinch from the ruins to save it from looters. Theo was also given a ring and the name of a shop before the man died. Theo went to the shop and was welcomed. He gives the ring to the shop owner, but keeps the painting. The story continues relating the secrets, guilt, obsession and life-changing events that revolve around The Goldfinch.
Lynn W
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan
The men of Chilbury, a small English town, are off fighting the Nazis, so the women have to step up and do for themselves and their children. There's a lot happening in the village, but by finding their individual strengths and watching each other's backs, they are able to carry on. Very well written, with a great cast of characters, this is a remarkable debut novel.
Phyllis
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
What a beautiful, intense, emotional and moving debut book! Lucy and Gabe met in New York City on September 11, 2001, an event that impacted and shadowed their lives forever. Theirs is a tumultuous love but is it a sustaining one? We see how love can be in different forms and can affect your life and dreams in many ways from the beginning to the end. The book is wonderfully written, drawing the reader into the lives of the Lucy and Gabe; event and character descriptions are deep and compelling. THE LIGHT WE LOST is an unforgettable and heartbreaking romance. It made me look at my own life choices and paths taken reconsidering some and content with others. I received an early e-book reading copy of the book from Penguin's First To Read.
Bonnie
Mercies in Disguise by Gina Kolata
Subtitled "A story of hope, a family's genetic destiny, and the science that rescued them". Nonfiction account of a family's struggle with a fatal, little-known genetic disease.
Bonnie
The Gatekeepers by Chris Whipple
"How the White House Chiefs of Staff define every presidency." From Nixon to Obama, I never realized how much clout the chiefs of staff have at the White House. Fascinating, like reliving current history.
Marsha
Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles
This is the third and final volume of the Natchez Burning trilogy and deserves more than 5 stars. If you are looking for a saga of modern day southern life look no further. Great writing and great reading.
Amy
Difficult Women by Roxane Gay
An interesting collection of short stories. At times very difficult to read, but very well written. A lot to talk about with a book club.
Lynn W
The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
Nice little story about an Indian immigrant reaching the 3-star level of France's restaurant world. The author's journalistic background was apparent. Many times it seemed as if I was reading non-fiction!
Lory
I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi
Let me start by mentioning that I found the book cover misleading (I don't often read summaries). I was expecting a humorous read and found something much deeper than I expected. The premise of the story, the examination of one's life and learning to appreciate our loved ones while we have them, and continuing to harness one's spirit even after they've died is not new, but Fabiaschi took an innovative approach. Madeline is dead, leaving her family unexpectedly in what is believed, horrific circumstances. Fabiaschi alternates narrators between her husband, daughter, and Madeline herself, throughout the novel. Her included perspective gives the reader a fresh lens on how a spirit may assess their life, their choices, and their loved ones.
Shelley
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Great characters.
Claudia Hopkins
To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin
At the beginning of the story I felt like the French words and places would get in the way of the plot. So I focused on the characters who became alive with the plot. The story takes place as the Eiffel Tower is being constructed. The history, romance and the feeling of being in Paris in the late 1880s all make this story believable. By the end of the book, I could not put the book down. I read this for a book club and probably would not have read it otherwise. I'm sure glad I did.
Claudia Hopkins
A Bridge Across the Ocean by Susan Meissner
This book started out with a modern day ghost siting. At first I was confused since I thought it was historical fiction. The other part of the story was during War World II and the war brides that came to America on the Queen Mary ship. The different time frames made the plot interesting as I not only enjoyed the history part but wanted to know how the author was going to pull it all together.
Tessa B C
The Husband by Dean Koontz
3.5 stars. Mitch Rafferty runs a two-man landscaping business, so he’s sure there’s a mistake when a kidnapper calls and says that if he “loves his wife enough” he’ll find a way to pay the exorbitant ransom. This is the first book by Koontz that I’ve read. It’s not great literature, but it sure held my attention and I’ll definitely read more from him, especially when I’m in the mood for a fast-paced, entertaining thriller.
Linda
Duke of My Heart by Kelly Bowen
Ivory Moore is called to the home of the Duke of Alderidge to head off a scandal in the making. She owns Chegarre & Associates, a firm known to society as one that takes care of matters and smooths over scandals. It is certainly the case when the Duke of Debarry is found dead and tied to the bedposts in the room of the Duke’s niece. To make matters worse, Max Harcourt, the Duke, has arrived unannounced after months at sea. Ivory must alleviate any scandal and calm the Duke down while they try to find the missing girl. As they work together to find Beatrice, the attraction between them grows and Max does not want to lose Ivory. This is the first book in A Season for Scandal series.
Linda
Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen
Alexander Lavoie watches a beautiful woman gambling at his club and intervenes when one of the players does not lose gracefully. Lady Angelique Archer is a card counter and he has been aware of this. He offers her a job as a dealer at one of his tables. She has no choice but to accept it. She and her brother have no money as their fortune was lost by their father and she earns their living by gambling. Alex is strongly attracted to Angelique as he has never been to any woman before and he is not sure if this is a good thing or not. This was a great book and highly deserving of more than 5 stars. It is the third in A Season for Scandal series.
Linda
Bossman by Vi Keeland
When a man’s fiancé is murdered, he shuts himself off and concentrates on the business he established and runs. One night he is attracted to a woman he encounters in a restaurant while she is trying to get out of a boring date. He and his date come to the woman’s table and he acts as if they were old friends. He later helps her with a job at his company. He wants a relationship but she has been burned in the past and is leery of his intentions yet finally gives in. Things seem to be going great between them when all of a sudden, he shuts her out. No reason is given, just that he is not the man for her.
Linda
I Need You Too by Cynthia P. O'Neill
Threatening notes are being sent to a young woman who has just divorced her abusive husband and her family’s security firm is trying to find the responsible party. Life insurance policies have been taken out on her life although neither she nor her ex know anything about them. Her ex states he has not been sending the notes and surveillance indicates he is telling the truth. When asked if she had any enemies, she said no until her sister reminded her of the three girls from college who made their lives miserable with their jealousy and hate. College was years ago. Was one of the girls behind this?
Linda
The Seventh Plague by James Rollins
Professor Harold McCabe left on an exploration in Sudan in hopes of finding proof that the plagues mentioned in Exodus actually occurred. Others scoff at McCabe but he is sure he is right. After missing for two years, he is found in the desert by nomads but dies before he could tell what had happened. After the autopsy was performed, the team fell ill with an unknown disease. Fearing McCabe had brought back an ancient plague, Painter Crowe and his Sigma Force team is called in for help. If a plague has been unleashed, they need to find a cure as soon as possible before a pandemic occurs. Lots of action keeping you on the edge of your seat!
Linda
Cross Fire by James Patterson
As Alex Cross and his partner Sampson work on solving murders of high-profile individuals, he hears from his old nemesis Kyle Craig. Craig escaped from a maximum-security prison in Colorado and has sworn to kill everyone who put him in the prison. He started with the judge and now he has threatened Alex and his family. Murders are also being committed where numerical equations are carved on the victim. Alex has more than enough to keep him busy and he doesn’t need the taunting phone calls from Craig, but the man is determined to kill Alex.
Kelly
I've Got Sand in All the Wrong Places by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella
Sarcasm, wit and seriousness all in a collection of short, mother and daughter essays. Refreshingly honest, relatable and relevant.
kelly wells
The Forgetting Time by Sharon Guskin
The subject matter was really interesting and challenged my belief and thoughts surrounding reincarnation. I don't think the characters were as developed as I would have liked - they didn't seem to have much depth.
Linda
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
A wonderfully written book that I loved from the beginning until the last page. Jiles gets things just right with well-developed characters of Captain and Johanna. The Captain has fought in three wars, most recently the Civil War, and is asked to return Johanna, a young girl who has been held captive for four years by the Kiowa Indians, home to her relatives. It is a 400 mile journey in Texas. The prose is crystal clear, the action and pace of the book is spot-on, and I enjoyed my time spent with the Captain and Johanna on their journey.
shelly
The History Major by Michael Phillip Cash
When Amanda Greene wakes up she knows something is wrong. Yes, she had a huge fight with her boyfriend and winds up partying with her friends. Checking her schedule she notices she is signed up for a class in history which she hates so why would she take it? She tries to change her program and get out of history but she cannot; she is off to her first class. The building is one she never even knew existed on campus. Amanda suddenly sees her professor dressed as a Greek person -- is it Aristotle or Plato? During class she is suddenly seeing visions of historical figures. Why is this happening to her? Is this a bad dream or possibly a trick someone is playing on her. You will not be able to put this book down.
Deby
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
As a fan of WWII historical fiction, this story did not disappoint!
Linda
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
Wow! A lot to take in presented in a mere 350 pages. I think I had better start writing down the questions I have to ask the author when we meet in less than two weeks. Marvelous and thought-provoking story of three women, all widowed, who end up living in a German castle at the end of WW II. Two of the women's husbands took part in the German resistance and were subsequently killed for their actions. This is going to take some digesting.
Donna
The Devil Orders Takeout by Bill A. Brier
Grayson, a well known and trusted tax attorney, is placed in a bind by the boss of the mob. The mob proves it's not to be challenged by killing Grayson's wife and older son. In order to protect his youngest son, Grayson is forced into a world of murder, betrayal and lies. This is a fast-paced story and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next.
Kay
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
This book is informative, thought-provoking and compassionate as it takes the reader on a journey through end of life situations dealing with both the aged and terminally ill. Told through the eyes of a doctor who both treats these patients and deals with end of life situations in his own family, this book informs, educates and helps the reader take a hard look at topics that we may not like to address.
Sandy
Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
Very good book about spousal abuse. Makes you stop and think about what would you do? A woman wakes to find herself lying in a graveyard, hurt and bleeding, her memory wiped clean. She doesn't know what she's doing there or even who she is. She is rescued by a police officer, himself a newcomer to Los Angeles. After days of waiting, she is taken by complete surprise when she is finally identified by Alex Rivers, Hollywood's biggest movie star - and her husband.
veronica
My Southern Journey by Rick Bragg
He is such a good writer of southern fiction. The book kept my interest. I have read several of his books.
Debbie
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Really excellent book about what it was like for Koreans to be living in Japan during the 1900s. Both a great history lesson and wonderful family saga. I am now going to go back and find her earlier novel FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES.
Jan
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
This debut book is charming. No surprises, just interesting dialogue and description. It is about real people, people you know, friends, relatives. There is a tiny bit of supernaturalism that is confusing. It is two love stories but we only get the connection and full explanation at the end. It was a delight to read and it will be fun to remember some of the characters and activities.
Susan
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve
Excellent read. Shows how tough women are. One of her best.
Margaret
The Red Hunter by Lisa Unger
Thanks to publisher Touchstone, via NetGalley, for an e-ARC. After reading this, I am now a fan of Ms Unger. She's a brilliant author and has written a fast-paced, well-plotted suspense novel. The setting is a NYC suburb & occasionally the City itself. There are 2 female protagonists who have an old country house in common. Each has been traumatized & is trying to find her way. This dark mystery involves police officers, criminals, murder, rape, self-defense, money, revenge, love & forgiveness. Chapters alternate between present & past. Ms. Unger does an excellent job of switching between the time periods. Characters are well-developed & written so that I found myself liking the good guys & disliking the bad guys, which is how I prefer it!!
Andra
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
This book is listed as science fiction, which to me means creatures from outer space. This is not the case with this book. I suppose science fiction because it goes beyond the reality we all live in. Fifteen years ago, Jason Dessen, a promising scientist, chose to marry the woman he loved and who was pregnant with his child, rather than pursue an all-consuming theory. Little did Jason know that at time there was a branch that grew into another universe, his multiverse, that pursued the all-consuming theory. This is the story of the realization and the collision.
Richard N B
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
The subtitle says it all: "A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster." This is Krakauer’s first-person account of the Everest expedition in May 1996 that resulted in the death of six climbers, and severe injuries to several others. I’ve read two of Krakauer’s other books and enjoy his writing. He has a gift for putting the reader in the situation, and I think he works hard to present a balanced story. The result is a book that is compelling and interesting, even when the reader knows the outcome.
Jane
In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen
Great mystery with historical background of WWII.
Cemile
Into the Gray Zone by Adrian Owen
A captivating account of research about the non-physical existence of people who have no means of using movement or their bodies to communicate with the outside world. The book is perfectly written and paced for the lay audience. Beyond research milestones for trying to communicate with locked-in patients, the book delves into much bigger issues, like what it means to be conscious, how consciousness can be measured, what is the difference between reporting vs. being conscious, how is our definition of consciousness biased by our own understanding of ourselves and others, what is the link between consciousness and language, theory of mind, etc. A sad, yet hopeful and thought-provoking read.
Donna
If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock
Book 2 in a 3 book series. I haven't read the 1st book of this series, but this author did give enough to know what had happened. This book had multiple stories going on and they involve dirty cops, murder, extortion, drugs, running from sight and a possible love interest.
Judy O.
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
This book goes back and forth in time from 1916, WWI, in France to 2006 in the US. It is the story of a painting by Edouard Lefevre called "The Girl You Left Behind". We follow this painting through the two time periods and wonder who will get to keep it. It's a great story, albeit too much detail at times. This is my second reading of this book, and it was worth the time spent.
Linda
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
A story of generations starting in Asante. The story incorporates historical events with each descendent. I think I'm finding a new love: reading about cultures that I know little to nothing about.
Diane
Make Something Up by Chuck Palahniuk
Dark and strange, but compelling.
Jan
The Weight of This World by David Joy
This was just one more war book for me. It got excellent reviews and I read it based on the reviews of others. I could hardly finish it. It is the same old story. Dirt poor boys from the mountains of North Carolina, dysfunctional families, no education, one went to the military, the other did not. Military kid comes back home from Afghanistan, still dysfunctional but unable to get help (sound familiar?), boys don't understand each other or bond in the way they did before, and the usual tragedy. I continued to read it because I thought there must be something different about this war book. There is no difference from all the other war books.
Linda
Our Short History by Lauren Grodstein
A woman dying of cancer is asked by her seven-year-old son if he can meet his dad. She starts writing a diary to pass on to the son to read when he is an adult. We learn of the relationship that resulted in the child and the mix of emotions that resulted and continue to this end of the book. I experienced so many emotions myself while listening to this.
Lucy
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
What is living? What is a good quality of life, and end of life? How do you wish to live your last decade? These are the types of questions you'll be asking yourself as you read and after you've finished the book. You won't forget the stories told, most which will be relevant to someone you know. And, it gives you thoughtful insight into whether past decisions were the "right" ones and what you would have done differently after finishing this book.
D
As Time Goes By by Mary Higgins Clark
This is actually two stories in one book. Both good. Betsy is on trial for murder of her husband with Alzheimer's. She has always given him good care. Delaney Wright, the evening news anchor, is covering the trial and is searching for her birth mother. You can probably guess the end but it is a good book.
Francisca E B
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
2.5 stars. This is the first in a series featuring a former housemaid and army nurse. The book begins in 1929, and Maisie Dobbs has opened her own private investigation agency. I like Maisie and the supporting characters, but this first book spent way too much time in the past, and not nearly enough time on the actual mystery. Still, although I was disappointed in this book, I’d be willing to try another because of the characters, setting and period.
Vicki
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Interesting read. Follows a family immigrating to Japan in the 1930s and the discrimination they lived with there.
Helen
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Our book club just read this book and we all loved it and laughed!!
Toni
Euphoria by Lily King
Shades of Margaret Mead, steamy jungle, love triangle, possession, jealousy. Movie rights bought by producer of "Gorillas in the Mist." This woman anthropologist studies the tribes of the Sepik River, suffers great loss but forges on. Fascinating fiction based on fact.
Wanda
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman
A great read. Sometimes sad, sometimes hilariously funny. The characters are a very eclectic group that hold your attention throughout. Some of the language is a bit R rated so bare this in mind if you are easily offended, thus my four-star rating rather than a five.
Izella Cadwallader
The Lost Childhood by Yehuda Nir
Loved this personal account of his years of trying to hide from the Nazis. Very suspenseful. Little do we realize what so many suffered during that time.
Prudence
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Powerful, eye-opening expose on the flawed prison network in the USA. The author argues that guilty rich men get better legal defense than poor innocent men. The fallibility of capital punishment is highlighted, as well as children being tried as adults and forced to spend their lives in prison. The author is relentless and inspiring.
Patti
A Place For Us by Harriet Evans
I liked the book and the mystery that happened 50 years ago. It is a story about a secret Martha Winter plans to tell her children that happened 50 years before, even if it tears her family apart.
Invites are sent out asking her three children and their families to come home.
Bea
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
This book seems very authentic, although I know it is fiction. It was interesting from start to finish. I was intrigued by the fact that many real people were kidnapped by the Indians when they were children and did not want to resume their lives as white people, even though they had been held for less than a year in some cases.
Diana
How to Be a Victorian by Ruth Goodman
Another book by Ruth Goodman. I have been wanting to read this one for a while now; I just loved her in the various "Farm" series. I learned quite a bit on everyday life from this one. I was actually surprised at how much I didn't know about how people lived in this era, but I think it's because I've focused on the aristocracy and this book focuses on the middle and lower classes. I will admit the chapter on sport took a bit to get through, while I liked learning about football (soccer) the rest of it just didn't interest me. The best part is she lived like a Victorian for about a year while filming one Victorian Farm so she could give some insight on how things worked and how comfortable some of the clothing was.
Bonnie
The Foundling by Paul Joseph Fronczak
Wow. Subtitled "The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me", this is a real page-turner.
Margaret
Homer & Langley by E. L. Doctorow
Written in a flowing style that reflects the rapid passing of time through most of the 20th century, this book was inspired by the true story of two pack-rat brothers who lived (and died) in New York City. "A newspaper for all time" (the life work of one of the brothers, the mentally damaged one) could start by showcasing the brothers' experiences with true events; and the feature articles should all be written by the other brother (the blind one) because he describes things as he "sees" them, using other senses besides eyesight. Keep your dictionary handy, and you'll increase your vocabulary. Both the fictional story and the real-life one are completely captivating.
Patti
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
It is about a rowing team that went to the 1936 Olympics when Hitler was Germany's leader. The USA team had a black young man on their rowing team.
Kaye
The Fix by David Baldacci
The third Amos Decker novel, filled with twists as Amos solves an apparently impossible murder. One of my favorite Baldacci characters.
Terry
One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline
I'm done with another audiobook, yeah! I am seriously loving the convenience of books on CD.
I have mixed feeling about ONE PERFECT LIE. I am new to Lisa Scottoline's work so I didn't know what to expect of her book but it certainly didn't seem to live up to the hype on the back of the box. Or did I merely read more into it? I was anticipating a story filled with mystery, twists, danger, and instead I got a well-written story about several dysfunctional families who harbor lies and keep secrets from one another; all of which I found to be mediocre. I needed more excitement. Nothing about the story hooked me and it fell flat in thrills. Sorry, Lisa. I can not tell a lie. I gave it 3.5 stars.
Liz
Extra-Ordinary Adventures by Daniel Wallace
Edsel Bronfman is thirty-four years old, living in a seedy neighborhood and working a boring job. He has no friends or social life. One day he receives a call telling him he has won a weekend in Florida, all he has to do is listen to a presentation and come with a companion. Thus begins his journey to find someone to take someone with him, preferably a women. I really wanted to like this book but it seemed to be missing something. The story and the writing were just okay but needed a little oomph.
Jill
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
Penny continues to maintain a high standard of excellence in her Inspector Gamache mysteries with A GREAT RECKONING. I read it while traveling to and from Quebec City, appropriately enough. I loved the story and its development, as awful as the final revelations were. Gamache is sent to the police training academy to ferret out corruption and the people involved. A murder happens on his watch there and he has to figure out whodunit. The victim had no shortage of enemies. And how do the trainees and an odd map factor into the story? Why does Gamache have a hard time in deciding whether or not the academy should accept one of its applicants? Some answers come at a painful personal cost. A solid story worthy of your reading time.
WALTER KRETZMANN
His Right Hand by Mette Ivie Harrison
Bought this because of a mention on NPR about the detail of daily Mormon life. The mystery and characterizations are really not well done, and the author is not a compelling writer. It seems very poorly done, with a bit of detail on the main character's marriage and Mormon faith, but based on the book I would avoid the Mormon religion like the plague! Sophomorish plot, added a transgender character which is never really developed well. Most of the others are one-dimensional. Sorry, this was not a good murder mystery, not well-written, and I'm glad I bought it used.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Noggin by John Corey Whaley
It's funny how much can happen in five years as our protagonist learns in this sometimes humorous and often touching story. I don't want to give away the story, but it was a really well told story and I really stayed hooked all the way.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Oster Conspiracy of 1938 by Terry Parssinen
This is a little-known story of a man and his allies who sacrificed it all trying to stop Hitler. Not all of the Germans were going along with his program. This is a good book to read after seeing the movie "Valkyrie" with Tom Cruise. If you were intrigued by the movie, as I was, this gives you some great background on it.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Countdown to Pearl Harbor by Steve Twomey
Although the Pearl Harbor attack has been examined in countless books, Steve Twomey engagingly retells the story in authoritative detail for the 75th anniversary of the day that continues to live in infamy. He focuses on the 12 days leading up to the event, recounting the multiple opportunities that the U.S. military did not take to defend its crucial base in the Pacific. We readers know how this story is going to end, but this veteran reporter gives us fresh historical insights and keeps us briskly turning the pages.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
Reading the reviews I was curious to read this book. The story doesn't flow and not at all as hilarious or even remotely funny as stated. The main character turns out to be this self-centered, arrogant person with a big chip on her shoulder. The story is haphazard and I found myself skipping large bits, looking for the piece where it was finally going somewhere. I looked in vain. Pity.
WALTER KRETZMANN
These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly
It would have gotten five stars if some of the scenes were more detailed. Some places were more detailed and it was great, but the ambiguity of some of the places they went through and visited made me sort of sad. I wanted more. I'm not going to lie. I had the mystery figured out early in the book, but the side stories and the big reveal made it a joy to read. I sincerely hope there are follow-ups to this book. I cannot say enough about Fay. OMG that girl had me cracking up. I want to see more of the street kids. Honestly, I'd like to see more of the Tailor, too. He needs to make a dress for Jo and become famous and move uptown and retire. Jo can have an army of tiny spies.
Stephanie
Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams
Good historical fiction read!
WALTER KRETZMANN
Secondhand Time by Svetlana Alexievich
I found the book well written, though I agree with those who found it overly long and that the continuity of narratives was sometimes hard to follow. For those like me, who have never been there and aren't planning to go, one has to wonder how representative these narratives are of Russian experience. If they are representative, then the country meets one's darkest imaginings. I believe that is the author's intent. If they are not generally representative, as suggested by several of the reviewers who have lived there, they may provoke undue fears for the future. I do think this is the sort of work that people who hand out Nobels, National Book Awards, etc., always flock to.
WALTER
Hemingway in Love by A. E. Hotchner
This short book doesn't have enough new for me to rate it higher. What is here is interesting but that is about as far as I can go.
WALTER KRETZMANN
Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
Good book to help with understanding relativity, time and space...or perhaps understanding that you don't really understand it but only the reflection of understanding just beyond your grasp...and that's really okay for the moment.
T
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
This books was set in WWI in German occupied France. It is the story of a painting called "The Girl You Left Behind" and is also a modern-day story about the painting and whether it should be returned to the artist's family due to having been stolen during the war. It was a very good read and I enjoyed it thoroughly, especially as it was set in WWI which I don't read much about.
WALTER KRETZMANN
The Sun is Also a Star by Niola Yoon
What if you met the person of your dreams, spent the day together, and then had to part. Would that love and excitement last forever? Chapters alternate points of view of about a half-dozen characters. I found it difficult to understand what was going on at first but, as soon as I began recognizing their names, the story made more sense. It's a pleasant book. Not great literature, but fun to guess whether the boy and girl will get together in the end.
Lynn W
A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
Outstanding! I won't be able to look at the painting now without thinking of this book. 4.5 stars.
Kathy
Absent in the Spring by Mary Westmacott (Agatha Christie)
Beautifully written. A woman who has detached herself from the realities of her life is now stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do but spend time with herself and think. Great food for thought.
Jan
There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce by Morgan Parker
This is a wonderful book of very expressive poems - with a focus on the experience of a black woman in the US today. Oh, yes, she knows that white women also get less pay than men and are still treated as if they are just sexual objects. She is angry and rightfully so. She likes Beyoncé and Michelle Obama and other black women who have shown grace and guts while being treated like low life on this planet. We need more people like Parker writing but, sadly, most of the people who will read this book agree with her. It is poetry so there are no specifics about HOW to change the world but it is worth saying that there are some beautiful people out there and it is ok to be angry that many men (and some women) treat women as sex things. Hooray!
Chris
Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler
This was a great taboo love story between a white rich girl and her family's black servant.
Karen
A Cold Treachery: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery by Charles Todd
Ian Rutledge survived World War I, and now he has returned to his job at Scotland Yard. He is still dealing with his experiences in the war, which may give him some insight others don't have. He is sent to Urskdale in the north of England to investigate the murders of five members of a family. One boy is missing and has possibly been killed outside the house, or he is hiding somewhere. A winter storm has comes in, and it is very cold and snowy. Search parties are sent out to look for him. There are no definite clues, so everyone is a suspect, including the missing 10-year-old boy. Ian gathers information as quickly as possible because his superior officer wants a quick closure to the case. Ian also wants it to be an accurate conclusion.
Sandy
A Measure of Blood by Kathleen George
A very enjoyable read. The ending was predictable, except for one thing, which I cannot reveal here.
Gerriann
Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante: A Maggie Hope Mystery by Susan Elia MacNeal
A very good mystery with the Roosevelts, Churchill and Maggie Hope. We talked more about the history and politics than the book. This series would make a nice TV series.
