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February 2, 2018 - February 16, 2018

This contest period's winners were Jo O., Joyce R. and Lisa L., who each received a copy of THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah and LOOK FOR ME by Lisa Gardner.

 

Ginny
The Boat Runner by Devin Murphy

5
This is a fascinating account of a Dutch family under perilous circumstances during the occupation of the Nazis in their country. The characters come alive so realistically that you come to feel a part of their stories. I will recommend this book to all my friends.

Sherri
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith

5
Second in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series but I think it can read as a stand-alone. Easy reading with homespun wisdom and cultural insights. I especially enjoyed the relationship building among the different characters. Will continue reading the series.

Mary
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry

4
Gritty historical fiction in which elderly Thomas McNulty reminisces about his time in the army during the wars with the Native Americans in the west, and later in the Civil War era. The narration is told using the simple language of an uneducated everyman of the time period. Even so, the author deftly weaves in startling imagery and clever phrasing, alternately describing the beauty and horrors young Tom and his friend and lover come across in their travels and battles.

Karen
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

4
A different view of WWII from an Italian perspective.

Stephanie
Still Me by Jojo Moyes

4
Just finished STILL ME. What a great read! I loved ME BEFORE YOU but less so AFTER YOU. With STILL ME, Jojo is back in great form! This is classic Jojo Moyes writing!!! Heartwarming read.

Gail
Radium Girls by Kate Moore

4
I loved this book. The characters all suffered so much and the company tried to sweep everything under the rug. So glad these girls fought for what was right and now we have better laws to protect workers.

Lana
Victoria: The Heart and Mind of a Young Queen by Helen Rappaport

5
Totally enjoyable. Letters and diary entries simulated in Victoria’s handwriting, narrative by the author, beautiful stills from the PBS series, and comments by the PBS series actors combine to make a beautiful, informative book.

Phoebe
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott

5
Just when I thought I knew a lot about the Civil War, I didn't. The role women played in the twists and turns of the war in the four capacities in the title was fascinating! This book is well researched and was the springboard for a deep and wide discussion in my neighborhood book club evening last month.

Janet
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

4
Excellent nonfiction account of something I knew little about.

Nancy
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
Vivian works for the CIA trying to uncover Russian sleeper cells in the U.S. One day the computer program she is using breaks into a Russian agent's computer files and in them to her complete shock she uncovers pictures of five sleeper agents...one of which is her husband of 10 years. Does she turn him in? Is he really passing on critical info or has he been so-opted into something he never wanted to do in the beginning? One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Ruth
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

4
Excellent storyline by outstanding author who for some reason includes "gutter talk" when it is not necessary!

DeAnn
The Identicals by Elin Hilenbrand

3
I give this one 3.5 stars. I really expected a fluffy beach read, but there were some complex relationships explored in this book. I liked the Vineyard/Nantucket settings and it was interesting to read about island rivalry. The twin storyline was intriguing and I found most of it plausible! I did confirm that I know nothing about fashion or running a boutique.

Elizabeth
The Bad Daughter by Joy Fielding

3
THE BAD DAUGHTER is the only book by Joy Fielding that I've read. From this one example of her writing, I would say that it is similar to that of Lisa Scottoline. If you like one, you'll probably like the other. Robin's father married her best friend, Tara. Now Tara and Robin's father, along with Tara's 12-year-old daughter, have been found shot and near death. And the mystery is: who did it? That's basically it, a simple who done it. If you really, really try, you can probably figure it out before the end of the book. I didn't really, really try, but the end still was not a surprise.

Lee
Motherhood by Sheila Heti

4
To say this book is different just does not cover it. It’s a select compendium of many of the pros and cons of a private but important decision facing our female executive leaders of the 21st century. Very well written and covering some territory not previously discussed or well defined in any career manual.

Nancy
A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia. A. Cole

4
Slow at the beginning but it gets interesting after 150 pages.

Myrna
London by Edward Rutherfurd

5
This book had been recommended to me over a year ago as a well-written historical novel covering the development of the city of London from some years BC through the Blitz in WWII. At 1124 pages, it would be a challenge to get through! So when I would be going on a two-week vacation, it seemed like a good time to start it...and I was hooked! It was accompanied by several maps of the city at different stages and an extensive family tree and a cast of characters, both of which were very helpful references. It took me a month, not two weeks, to finish it, but reading this book has made me want to get back to London again soon. Very well written and thoroughly enjoyable reading!

sandra
The Reacher Experiment: Boxed Set, Books 1-3 (Dead Ringer, Moving Target, and No Escape) by Jude Hardin

5
If you are a Reacher fan, you will enjoy this. I really liked this book, lots of action. This character, however, is his own person. Awesome!!

Muriel
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

5
A simply lovely story of three people who wandered into each other’s lives ar the right time and gave each other the support they needed. If I had not begun the book so late the night I started reading it, I would have finished it in one sitting.

Elizabeth
This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel

5
Best book I’ve read in years. Wonderful characters, terrifically moving plot. Family of four boys in Madison Wisconsin move to Seattle after youngest son decides he wants to be/is a girl. Parents are the most sympathetic caring couple I have encountered in fiction. A must-read!

Dale
Flight of the Sparrow by Amy Belding Brown

5
Loved learning of the Indians who were settled in MA in the area that I am from. Left me wanting to learn more about them.

Jayme
The Cholesterol Myth by Jonny Bowden and Stephen Sinatra

3
Interesting read about the effect that statin drugs may have on your overall health. Also, discusses the role that cholesterol has in your health and how it might not be the culprit that the medical community assumes. Did raise a few questions that I will bring to my doctor at my next visit.

Jayme
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose

4
This was a very readable and interesting nonfiction account about the middle-school and high school boys who sparked the Danish Resistance Movement during WWII. I am always looking for interesting stories that will keep my students hooked to their lessons. They will be riveted.

Donna
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

4
A surprisingly touching and emotional story about a young woman finding her way after great trauma and loss. The reader experiences Eleanor’s journey through her point of view, and each chapter brings another unfolding of her story of discovering what it means to be truly alive in the world. Ultimately, a novel about love and kindness and their power to transform lives. Elinor - and the reader - are accompanied by friends and family who both constrict and enable Elinor to open to the truth. A great book club choice!

Denise
The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak

4
The book was very entertaining. It revolved around three boys in search of a certain magazine and one boy's quest to find his future.

Janice
Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

5
This 1920s-era historical mystery set in Bombay features strong female lawyer Perveen Mistry. As the only female lawyer in her religious community, she works with the Muslim purdah widows to solve a murder. Her backstory of how she escaped from an abusive marriage and made her way to Oxford to study helps set the scene.

Judy
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

4
The story of a young and promising neurosurgeon who is just finishing his residency when he is diagnosed with cancer. His outlook on life, his devotion to his wife and child, and his struggle to continue his life with the "hope" that his cancer can be beaten. This is truly a testament to the human spirit.

Francisca
The Illusion of Separateness by Simon Van Booy

3
3.5 stars. Van Booy tells this interwoven story from different perspectives and in different time periods. Throughout we see how a small act of kindness – or cruelty – can reverberate through time and across continents. The writing is poetic and fluid. I felt immersed in the story and was never disoriented by the changing perspectives or time lines. I want to read it again, and I would definitely read another book by this author.

Mike
The Wanted by Robert Crais

5
I love Elvis and Joe!

Nancy
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

5
Very good story. I also enjoyed learning about tea.

Lynn
Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush

3
Enjoyable. Lively telling of growing up in the very large Bush clan.

Bea
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

4
Good writing. A cute kind of story for the most part, but it did drag a little toward the middle.

Gerry
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

4
The story was wonderful, but a bit too technical. Our book club watched the movie a week later and really enjoyed it. It did not dwell on all the mathematical equations.

Cheryl
The Address by Fiona Davis

5
Central Park and The Dakota are as much characters in this book as the human ones. A great tale about old New York and New York in the 80s. Hard to think that 1986 is now historical!!!

Angela
Turning Angel by Greg Iles

4
I love this author. There were many aspects to this book that troubled me, but with Iles, he’s going to take you there and make you wallow in it for longer than you want to before he pulls you back out. I hope to read everything that he writes. We are back in Natchez with Penn Cage. It’s been five years since the events of THE QUIET GAME. Penn and his daughter are doing well by all accounts, and Penn and Caitlyn are still together, but her frequent absence is wearing on the relationship. Then, Kate Townsend is found dead, apparently raped and strangled. Penn’s friend Drew, who was having an affair with the teenager, is a suspect. Penn feels it in his core that his friend cannot have murdered his lover.

Pauline
The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskins

5
This was a good "who dun it" story that kept me enthralled from page one. Ben Pruitt is a lawyer attending a conference in Chicago when he's notified his wife has been murdered. He's charged with the murder and hires a retired lawyer, who is now a college professor, to represent him. There are many twists and turns that kept me guessing and wanting more after the last page was read.

Lisa
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
If you are a fan of The Americans, this will tied you over until March 28 when the new season begins. A captivating, page-turner that, hopefully, will have a sequel. Highly recommended!

Beth
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

4
A real eye-opener. I knew nothing about the Korean immigrants plight in Japan. Puts some perspective on the controversies over immigration in the U.S.

Noreen
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams

4
A fun look at the 1920s New York lifestyle of high society. Plus there's an old mystery involved. Several twists too.

Kayla
Wonder by R. J. Palacio

5
I read this for my library's book club and loved it! Palacio created a sweet story, highly relatable characters and a wonderful, needed message.

Patty
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

4
Gentle story about life in confinement of a hotel in Russia.

Diane
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

4
The book revolves around the lives of four women whom we meet at age fifteen at boarding school. Separated when a tragedy occurs, they reunite fourteen years later, under shady circumstances. The book then becomes a mystery about events that occurred when they were teens. The characters, other than one of them, are not really developed well, but the mystery was well executed.

Debbie
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance

4
I moved to Middletown, Ohio in the 1970s and attended middle and high school there. My father was transferred not to Armco, the steel plant in town referenced by the author, but to St. Regis paper company as a manager. I went to school with the children of the transplanted Kentucky families referenced in the book, and my father still remembers management telling him the difficulties he would have with his employees' worth ethic. This book brought back my memories of growing up in this town, and my father's memories of living and working there. I made up my mind early on that I was never going to stay in Middletown because I felt I wanted "more," which many of my friends did not. This book was eye-opening and applicable to many cities.

Patty
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

5
Another great storyline from this author, lots of topics to discuss in book club.

Susan
The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

5
I picked up this book at the dollar store and glad I'm glad that I did. Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean grew up in a small town in Indiana best friends. How they help each other as the years go by is the premise of this book.

Laura
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

4
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It is certainly an intriguing premise, but it left me with a lot of questions. It would make for a great book club discussion!

Anna
A Remarkable Kindness by Diana Bletter

5
A wonderful story about four women in Israel who are part of a burial circle. The interconnection between the women and their lives is fascinating.

Kristen
Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke

4
A great mystery and I could see it opening up some great discussion with book clubs.

Donna
This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell

4
Very good book about a movie star who vanishes from the public eye and lives in Ireland with her son. The man she meets has lived through many tragedies and is an alcoholic. Basically this is a love story but it's also interesting to see how the story builds. I loved the characters, although I wanted to slap them at times.

Linda
Beyond Scandal and Desire by Lorraine Heath

5
In the dead of night, the Duke of Hedley delivered a baby boy to the Widow Trewlove along with a bag of coins to help with his care. Thirty-one years later, his son is known as Mick Trewlove and he wants acknowledgement from the Duke as to his parentage. The Duke refuses so Mick is determined to exact his revenge. The Duke’s heir has a gambling problem and has lost most of his inherited property that is not entailed and Mick is collecting his markers. The Duke is a guardian for Lady Aslyn Hastings who is to marry the Duke’s son. But Mick has other ideas regarding Aslyn. That is before he met and fell in love with her. Great characters. I loved how Mick wanted revenge but came to realize that sometimes you have to forgive.

Linda
City of Endless Night by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

5
Novels by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child grab you from page one and you are hooked. Their novels are always well written with unusual plots, especially with Aloysius Pendergast. In this book, Aloysius assists his friend NYPD Lt Vincent D’Agosta as they investigate murders of influential people. The victims have all been decapitated with their heads nowhere in sight. There is no connection between the victims and even the FBI is unable to prepare a profile on the killer known as “The Decapitator”. The mayor is putting pressure on D’Agosta to come up with suspects at least. But every person of interest comes up clean. Aloysius has finally come up against a formidable killer.

Linda
Fallen Land by Taylor Brown

5
Great descriptive writing of the desolation that war brought to the South. Not only were the homes and farms destroyed, but the crops and livestock were destroyed or stolen by the soldiers or the renegades. No one was safe and no one could be trusted. Callum was originally from Ireland but ended up with a group of Southern renegades. He met Ava when the group stayed at her home and their leader raped her. Callum and Ava set out for the coast where he had relatives. But the leader of the renegades was killed and his men hired a tracker to find Callum for the bounty that was placed on his head. Callum dreams of a life with Ava and hopes he lives to see his dreams fulfilled.

Linda
A Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

5
After three unsuccessful seasons, Daisy’s father has had enough. He wants to return to his home in America and gives her an ultimatum. She has to decide on a husband within the next two months or he will have her marry Matthew Swift, one of his trusted employees. She abhors the gangling scarecrow of a man. Daisy went to the wishing well and wished to find the right man for her. Turning around, she sees a man and not just any man but a handsome man. He resembled Matthew but the scarecrow she remembered had grown into a tall and brawny man with beautiful blue eyes. She finds herself attracted to him. Matthew has always loved her, but he has a secret that will keep him from marrying her no matter what either of them wants. Great love story.

Kathy
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

3
Several women were shipped to the plains in order to become brides to the Cheyenne, thereby assimilation hopefully will peaceable take place avoiding Indian wars. Outrageous idea but great descriptions of life on the prairies with the Native Americans.

Lois
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

4
I loved the book, but others in my book club found it difficult to get into. I enjoyed the scientific tie-in with the monarch butterfly. The family dynamics were fascinating. Ms. Kingsolver is a great writer.

Judith
The Girls of See Saw Lane by Sandy Taylor

4
This was a follow-up book and very well done. A happy and very sad book.

Tessa B C
The Children Act by Ian McEwan

3
Fiona Maye is a High Court judge who presides over cases in family court, but while she is dealing with a heartbreaking legal case, her personal life also demands attention. The decisions she makes will have consequences for all. I like the way that McEwan explores hidden emotions and the effects of those feelings on the characters’ decisions and actions. I was interested in the subject, but McEwan lost me as the novel progressed. When it ended I felt like I was missing something.

Debbie
The Devil's Reward by Emmanuelle de Villepin

4
This story, written in the first person, is character-driven, rather than plot driven -- in fact, if there is a plot, I am not sure what it is. The language is lyrical, and some of the descriptions of events and the scenery are exquisite. Set mostly in Paris, Christiane, the 86-year old mother of Catherine and grandmother to twenty-something Luna, begins to tell them the story of her family's history. As she tells her story, Christiane and Catherine begin to understand that this family history has a great deal to do with who they are as people, their outlook on life and the world around them, and their relationship with each other. Christiane loves life and takes great pleasure in even the smallest things. Catherine is quite different.

Sean
Death Du Jour by Kathy Reichs

4
If you can get by the massive amount of coincidences, which the author actually brings up, this is a really good crime thriller. Reichs main character, Dr. Temperance Brennan, is well-crafted and relate-able unlike her TV counterpart. The intricate depictions of autopsies and crime scenes is tedious at times but the reader doesn't feel talked down to. While the ending seemed a little rushed, there were a couple twists that I didn't see coming. Fast, fun read.

Suzy
The Address by Fiona Davis

5
This is the best book l’ve read in the past year. I am normally not a fan of historical fiction, but this was a page-turner for me and I loved every bit. So many twists and turns. The story takes place at The Dakota, New York’s first luxury apartment building with events taking place 100 years apart (1880s and 1980s). John Lennon was shot dead in front of this building in 1980. I’m sure many other historical events also took place at The Dakota over the years, but this book is a fictional account of the events at The Dakota which seem to me could have been conceivable having taken place in the 1880s. I highly recommend this book and would welcome a sequel.

Nancy
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

4
Have you ever gotten yourself into such a bad situation you felt there was no way out? Whatever yours was, it doesn't begin to compare to that of Vivian Miller. She's a CIA analyst whose job is to look for sleeper Russian agents. Her problem is that one in particular whom she finds throws her whole world -- her job, marriage and family's safety -- into danger. I thought that parts of it were far-fetched and that such things couldn't really happen. However, the author was a CIA analyst before she turned to writing, so I have to assume she knows of what she speaks. Which makes the storyline and the ending all the more scary.

Sandy
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

5
Very good. Surprise ending! One night, Mia enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with a stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life. An addictively suspenseful and tautly written thriller, THE GOOD GIRL is a propulsive debut that reveals how even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems. I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end and recommend it to everyone.

Linda
Crimes of the Father by Thomas Keneally

4
I love Keneally’s prose but wasn’t sure if I could handle another expose of child abuse within the Catholic Church hierarchy. I was pleasantly surprised, although I should have expected the finesse and honesty with which Keneally addresses both sides of the issue. He never approves, but he did help me understand some of the context.

Donna
Christmastime 1944 by Linda Mahkovec

3
The most recent book in this series. This book was more of a love story than the previous books. WWII is winding down and relationships are growing.

Debbie
Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles

3
Finally, the end of this lengthy saga by Greg Iles. Greg Iles does a wonderful job with setting, characters, and dialogue; but each of the three novels remain too long. Iles compels the reader to remain reading as if on a marathon and everyday life fades away. I felt that many issues had not been fully resolved as the novel ended. The trial of Tom Cage labored forever to this reader, and so much emphasis given to tiny detail. The corrupt police department seemed to constantly win the battle, a statement that evilness wins, and goodness loses. Many of the truths seem hidden, especially Viola's death.

Debbie
The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin

2
I stared reading this fictional account of Mary Pickford and Frances Marion with pleasure and enjoyment. Unfortunately, after a few chapters the writing turned trite and elementary The whole novel reeked of mostly conversations between Mary and Frances. The settings disappeared and a commentary of the life of each of these amazing women disappeared. Melanie Benjamin does cover the beginning of the movies starting with the silent movies The struggles of the actors and actresses wane in this telling. The book reads like a comic book with only words and little action.

Terri
The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

5
The Dollhouse is what the Barbizon Hotel for women was referred to in the 1950s. Today the hotel has been converted to condos with one floor for those who lived at the Barbizon when it was a hotel for ladies only. In 1952 we meet Darby, a young naive girl who is at the Barbizon to attend secretarial school, and Esme, from Puerto Rico, who has big dreams and works many jobs including as a maid at the hotel. The other woman is Rose, a journalist, who lives in her boyfriends condo at the Barbizon in 2016. There are rumors that in 1952 Darby was involved in a fight on the sky terrace where Esme falls to her death and Darby is disfigured. Rose sets out to get the story and takes us to the seedy jazz clubs of NYC and make sense of her world.

Nicolette
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
This is the most engrossing book I’ve read in some while! The action starts from page one and just keeps on until the end. There were so many possibilities for where the story could go it would be difficult to predict the next turn. Sometimes when a story is so gripping through the beginning and middle it can be a let down at the end. I found the end of NEED TO KNOW very satisfying! Hard to put down, you’ll be looking for extra moments away to stick your nose back between the pages. A strong debut, this should be your next read.

diane
Sulphur Springs by William Kent Krueger

5
His last several books have a social message as well as a good story.

Tricia
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

3
This is an entertaining novel about the quest to prove the existence of mermaids, but when found, they are unfortunately efficient killers. I found the book could have benefited from much tighter editing, but who can resist a book about killer mermaids? Worth a read.

Kathy
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

3
May Dodd is released from an asylum to travel to Cheyenne country and become a bride to an Indian. The time spent with the tribe in the plains was very interesting but I didn’t think the idea of integrating Indians and whites through marriage was workable.

Eva
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

5
It is not like most slave stories. First of all, the main character is a woman and it is about her experiences as a slave and as a woman. It is a page-turner.

Richard N B
Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller

4
An eighty-two-year-old former Marine suffering from PTSD, leaves his New York home to live with his granddaughter and her husband in Oslo, Norway. Isolated by language, Sheldon still recognizes a bad situation when the neighbor woman is attacked by a violent stranger. He grabs the woman’s small son, and flees. How he eludes both the bad guys and the police, while keeping the boy safe is the central plot. But Miller’s character study of this unlikely hero is what makes the novel shine. A wonderful debut!

Geri
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

5
I would have liked a clearer picture of the Republic of Gilead, reading about an alternate history was interesting. Dehumanizing both men and women seemed to be counter productive to the republic. The ruling party was also dehumanized in their own homes. Going into a university setting, years after the downfall of the republic, where the students and the professor were analyzing Gilead helped to shed some light on what actually happened when it was created.

Judy O.
Still Me by Jojo Moyes

5
This book is a sequel to ME BEFORE YOU and AFTER YOU. It is the story of Louisa Clark leaving England and going to work as a companion to a young woman in New York City. We meet several people in connection to this "job": Mrs. DeWitt and her beloved dog Dean Martin, Agnes, Gopnik, her new boyfriend Josh Ryan, and the doorman in her apartment complex whose name is Ashcok. We also become well acquainted with Sam, the love of her life, who still lives in her village in England. It is just a wonderful story -- especially for those of you who are well acquainted with the other two books in this series.

shelly
The Celebration by Wanda E. Brunstetter

5
People pray to God for different reasons, and are sometimes surprised by what they receive in return. Once again, Ms. Brunstetter has written a wonderful heartwarming story about how different people can be and yet become friends. When Lyle and Heidi Troyer became foster parents to Marsha and Randy they prayed that someday they would be able to adopt them and become their parents. Both love them dearly but are concerned as Marsha is not talking much and Randy is still moody. When Lyle suggest that perhaps Heidi should teach a cooking class for children Heidi thinks it might be a wonderful way for the Randy and Marsha to meet some young children. We are also introduced to Miranda Cooper who has separated from her husband.

Lana
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

5
For some reason the Little House on the Prairie series was not part of the curriculum at the grade school I attended even though I grew up on farm near a small farming community in Central Kansas. With all the attention to Laura Ingalls Wilder recently, I decided it was time I read them. I love them! They should be required reading for every child being educated in the U.S.A.

vera
The Wake Up by Catherine Ryan Hyde

5
I won a copy of this. Adien was raised by his stepdad but for some reason has very little memory of him until he was 7 years old. He was only 14 when his stepdad died and left the ranch to him. He was doing really well with the ranch, but for some reason he now seems to think he can't be a rancher. Through therapy he is helped to learn why. Enjoyable book. Recommend to others.

Jan
Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff

4
Warning: I do not like Donald Trump. I never did. He is a silly, immature, insecure golf freak - we all know that already. But I really liked this book. It was put together in a hurry - there are small mistakes, but they do not matter because this writer gets the whole mess figured out (which Trump never does) and tells us the plot line. His bottom line after watching first-hand, and obviously talking to many of the principals in this bizarre story, is that Trump is a child, terrified that the feds will discover all his financial dealings, and listens to Jared Kushner and Ivanka (his daughter) for advice. Brannon calls them Javanka and has an enduring feud with them throughout the book. This is a fun read and bodes poorly for the U.S.A.

Kathy
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

3
May Dodd is released from an insane asylum on the condition she travels to the Midwest along with several other women to marry a Cherokee Indian. The description of the life with Indians is interesting, but the premise of the novel is far-fetched.

Becky
French Exit by Patrick deWitt

2
I just couldn’t get interested in this book or the characters in it; Frances, a middle aged widow, and her son, Malcolm. While clearly drawn, neither was likeable or very interesting. Their situation (about to become bankrupt) and their reactions were also not interesting I finished the book all the while wondering why I kept reading. I can’t in good conscience recommend this book. Frances is a snide, snobbish and selfish person. Malcolm is a man/child who has no ambition and no desire to do anything including attend to his long suffering fiancé. The entourage they acquire is made up of misfits and ne’er-do-wells. The conclusion is a relief.

Barbara
Still Me by Jojo Moyes

5
I'm wrapped up in the characters in this series. This was a great continuation of the series. Hope there will be more!

gretchen
The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

5
I don't read that many thrillers in a year. This was a book club selection and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing brought all types of emotions -- anxiety, fear, empathy and anger. Ms. Slaughter brings the characters and their situations to life even though her descriptions can be graphic. Many twists that are unexpected which is good up until the end.

Anita
What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman

5
This was an excellent book about two young women, told in alternate chapters. First we have Izzy, in 1995, and then we have Clara in 1930. Izzy's mom is in jail for murdering her father. She now lives with foster parents. Her foster mom, Peg, is an employee at a museum and is working on a project of Willard, an insane asylum, that is now closed. Izzy helps her and soon discovers a suitcase belonging to Clara. She starts to investigate and we soon learn that Clara has been put in the asylum because she wanted to marry Bruno, an Italian immigrant her parents did not approve of. Her father decided to put her in the asylum. Though disturbing in parts, this was still a very well-written book. I enjoyed it very much.

shannon
French Exit by Patrick deWitt

4
This was an interesting book! A French exit is leaving a party, etc. without telling your host goodbye or leaving something unfinished (slipping out and leaving a restaurant or hotel bill unpaid). This book is the story of a mother and her adult son and their "French exits." It is pure deWitt, both tough and touching to read. You will have a love/hate relationship with the characters and question why you continue reading while you can't put it down!

SUSAN
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
I love espionage thrillers and when I read the description of this book I knew I HAD TO read it. I requested it in e-book format. For some reason I was unable to download it. So eager was I to get started, I bought it and I'm glad I did. It's a book I will definitely re-read, probably several times. All I can say is that this book keeps the reader guessing - even after the book is finished. If you love espionage thrillers, you're certain to devour this book.

Becky
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

4
WOW! This book takes you for a ride with the FBI, CIA and Russian spies. Cleveland has written a page-turner that will keep you wondering how Vivian, a CIA analyst, and Matt, her husband and possible Russian sleeper spy, will keep the Russians and the Americans at bay AND keep their family intact (and out of jail)! The fast-moving plot will keep you on the edge of your seat and those pages turning. Vivian is a bit naive and one wonders how she became so trusted with so much top secret information. Her husband starts as a mild-mannered house husband and good- as-gold Dad...and maybe he is…or maybe he is a Russian spy. Someone is. Discovering who is the spy and who are the good guys made this a suspenseful read.

Gladys
A Throne For The Taking by Kate Walker

5
She had a rough road to travel to get him to agree to return back to her hometown and accept the title of king; an even tougher time helping him to love again.But as it is said, "True love never runs smooth." Kate Walker includes some very emotional dialog in this story, but it is very enjoyable reading, and the guy on the cover is one handsome dude. You'll enjoy the contents of this story and the cover.

Jill
S is for Silence by Sue Grafton

5
I thought I should read a Sue Grafton Kinsey Millhone mystery in her memory since I haven't read them all. S IS FOR SILENCE is vintage Grafton territory whereupon Kinsey is hired by a daughter who wants to find out what happened to her mother many years before. The more Kinsey asks questions about the mother, the more cages she rattles. Grafton does well in throwing us red herrings along the way. I didn't see the end coming at all. I love Kinsey's independent streak and watching how her mind works in solving a puzzle. A worthy Grafton read if you're in a Kinsey Millhone mood. And a fitting tribute to Grafton's body of work.

Marguerite
Forever and Forever by Josi S. Kilpack

4
Very good book about my favorite poet -- Henry Longfellow -- and his lost wife.

Liz
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

3
Lo has been a travel writer for a magazine for several years. When her boss goes on maternity leave she is given a chance to prove herself by going on the maiden voyage of an elite ship, Aurora, which has only about twelve passengers. While in her cabin she hears something, or someone being thrown overboard. However, when it is investigated there is no one mention missing. Lo faces one obstacle after another to prove that something is amiss. Now she must fight for her own life. This book starts off a bit slow, but picks up about midway.

Susan
The Promise Between Us by Barbara Claypole White

5
Truly loved this book. I knew it was about mental illness, was very intrigued and couldn’t wait to read it. I learned so much. I thought I knew a lot about mental illness from personal experience, but I had never heard of the condition that she describes in this story. It’s a heartbreaking, fantastic book. Highly recommend!

Lana
The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

5
I couldn't put this book down; finished in less than one day. Compelling portrayal of what rural Southern women and slaves faced on the homefront during the Civil War.

Jan
The Muralist by B. A. Sharpiro

1
I did not like her earlier book, THE ART FORGER, and I like this one even less. It is trite, not very believable (the artist in 1940 is shocked to learn that Jewish people in all of Europe are threatened by the Nazis), too cute for words (the artist who can not look at a certain man without blushing) and all the effort both women, (40s woman and modern woman) put into doing what they want to do. Shapiro tries so hard in both books to let us know that she knows art and wants to teach us. I could only take the first part of the book. At book club tomorrow, I will have to do what this author does - FAKE IT.

Gil
Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff

3
There is so much publicity about this book that there is little to be added to what has already been said. How the current White House is described is unbelievable! It would be difficult to make all of this stuff up. Most enlightening is the dysfunction brought about by three opposing forces: Jarvanka (as Bannon identifies Jared and Ivanka)who have Democratic views, Priebus aligns with the establishment Republicans, and Bannon is the champion of "Trumpism". The book ends with Bannon out of the White House and Trump dealing with the aftermath of the Comey firing. The book, although recent, already seems out of date now because of the recent tax cut and the dueling Republican and Democratic memos surrounding the Mueller investigation.

Emily
The Child by Fiona Barton

4
This book kept me on my toes the whole time. It is full of plot twists and interesting characters.

Marion
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

3
I love reading about the era before WWII and during the war. However, while I know Jennifer Egan did a lot of research for this book and the occupation of the heroine was exciting (she was a diver at the Brooklyn Navy Yard) I found the story very predictable. I knew things would turn out okay and that the characters would come to terms with their lives. The gangster angle could have been more detailed. The friends of the heroine were interesting. The best part was their acceptance of her in their occupation. She was definitely a pioneer.

Elizabeth
Unmentionable by Therese Oneill

4
First, UNMENTIONABLE is more than interesting. Because of Therese Oneill’s presentation, this book is also laugh-out-loud funny. I loved it for putting the lie to all the fiction, in both books and movies, about the 19th century, especially about the lives of women then. Oneill begins with women’s clothing. Just think of the beautiful 19th century dresses we see in movies such as “Gone With the Wind.” I never imagined everything Scarlett O’Hara would have gone through to look that way. And I never knew that she probably wouldn’t have looked that way for long.

shirley
Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz

3
Definitely a well-crafted page-turner and exciting to read. I have a personal dislike of vigilantism no matter if the reasons are "good". In this first of a trilogy we realize he won't be killing people for the right reasons. Does that realization and presumably his reform make it okay?

Francisca E B
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy

3
This is a story of family, friends, patients and staff whose lives intersect at a heart clinic in Dublin. This was the right book for me at the right time – a gentle, engaging story that focuses on relationships. It is a sort of snapshot of a year in these people’s lives. This is a sequel to NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS, with many of those characters appearing here as well.

Sarah
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

5
I have taken a couple of years to get back to reading. I couldn't find a book that would "hook me" back into it and BENEATH A SCARLET SKY did, wow! I couldn't put this book down. The incredible story of Pino, the priests and everyone during that time that contribute to helping others while risking their lives is absolutely amazing and brave. Loved it!!

Becky
Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre

5
This delightful middle-grade novel features a plucky 5th grader who has just lost her mother to cancer. Wavie is sent to live in a tiny Appalachian hamlet with an aunt she didn’t know existed. Wavie acts and speaks like a real 5th grader. So, too, do the other young people in her new town. Her aunt, Samantha Rose, is a horror and her cousin isn’t much better. An uncle and a weird old man make up the rest of the characters in this lively novel. A mystery and secrets lead to the plot which moves along quickly. Middle graders will love this book that emphasizes honesty, pluck, determination, kindness, friendship and bravery. This would be a good book for a parent/child book club or an all student book group.

Bonnie
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

3
Interesting enough premise. But by the end, I was underwhelmed.

Teresa
Aunti Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano

4
Aunti Poldi is a retired widow who moves to Sicily with plans to drink by the sea until she dies. When her handyman disappears, she searches for him. When she finds his body she is determined to solve the crime. She forges ahead even when she steps on the toes of the handsome detective assigned to the case, and an attempt or two on her life makes her even more intent on her goal. I found the book charming and would classify it as a cozy mystery. Aunti Poldi is appealing and quirky. The language has a certain quaintness and rhythm, possibly in part because the book was translated from German. Overall, very enjoyable and entertaining.

Sean
A Beautiful Place To Die by Malla Nunn

4
A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE by Malla Nunn is a great look into South Africa in the 50s. Reading a good novel where the locale is a character in and of itself is always a treat. Added to that is the time frame in which there are explosive race relations and all the different sects make every interaction between characters brim with tension. I can't imagine living through this time period and location but Nunn makes it feel tangible. The main protagonist reminds me of one of my favorite literary characters, Arkady Renko by Martin Cruz Smith. My only complaint was that the final "jam" the protagonist gets into is too easily remedied. Overall, a very good mystery with fantastic characters and scenery.

Ivy
Difficult Women by Roxane Gay

5
Perspective is everything and Gay does it in such a way that you can't but be awed at the end of each story. You don't see it coming.

Brady
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

4
This novel is based on fact in a most interesting story about WW II where an Italian boy joins the Germany military and is a most important part of the freedom fighters in Italy against the Germans. Actually the afterward of the book is as interesting as the regular story as you learn of the real life person in his adult later life that is most interesting.

Alina
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

5
This book captivates the reader right from the beginning of the narrative. While it is a historical fiction book, it is based on the World War II experiences of teenager Pino Lella in his native Italy. It describes his efforts in helping Jews escape to Switzerland and his subsequent spying activities as the driver of General Leyers, Hitler's right-hand man in Italy. There is drama, family love, romance, etc., to be found in the narrative. I had a very hard time putting the book down. I consider this to be the best book that I have read since THE NIGHTINGALE.

Janet
The Devil’s Reward by Emmanuelle de Villepin

3
This was a historical fiction novel that takes place in France from WWI to present day, tied together by the teachings of Rudolph Steiner. A story of mothers and daughters who didn’t like each other but were united in love through family.

Carol R
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

4
An interesting and enlightening read that tells much about the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, life on Ellis Island and the hospital which details sick immigrants upon arrival. Also touches on the difficulties of being involved in 9/11 and losing someone you dearly love in both cases. I really enjoyed this book after reading several long and laborious books. And I learned a lot besides.

Eve
Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz

5
Third book in series did NOT disappoint. Evan Smoak still on top of his game.

Nancy
Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart

4
Historical fiction about the first female deputy in New Jersey, in 1915! Well-written, quick read.

Luanne
Close to Home by Lisa Jackson

5
So evil and suspenseful. She always delivers heart-stopping suspense.

S
Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery

3
True story of the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail. Interesting but would be better with more details from the family papers that the author had access to.

Carolyn
War Brides by Helen Bryan

4
The author gave a very intimate picture of these women, whether they became war brides in the United States or Great Britain, and how as the war progressed it affected their lives as wives, mothers, and friends. They forged a close relationship supporting one another in love, birth, death, or whatever they confronted in their lives. The story revealed the strength these women had in one of the darkest times in our history. It gives an entirely new viewpoint of a population who survived World War II.

Linda
We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals by Gillan Gill

5
Story of Queen Victoria and Prince Consort Albert. Things I have learned from this book are that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert both loved sex and despised all of the castle help just walking into their private chambers. They had 9 children in 17 years -- 5 girls and 4 boys. The first 4 children were born in five years. Victoria picked their spouses for each of them and also her grandchildren. Albert died prematurely at 42 years of age, while Victoria lived to her 80s, always faithful only to each other because of all the infidelity that each had lived with from their parents and it left a lasting impression on them. Victoria and Albert were first cousins from her mother being a Coberg before marrying Victoria's father.

Kim
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti

3
This is a great selection for book clubs and will lead to some interesting discussions! The characters weren't particularly likeable, and a few I very much disliked, but in the end, for no logical reason, I came to care about them! One thing I didn't like was the ambiguous ending, which left me wondering about the fate of some characters. And epilogue would have been helpful. But this ambiguity just gives your book club one more think to discuss!

Muriel
Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller

5
I’ve always enjoyed reading about and imagining what it would be like to have lived during the 1800s in America and been part of the move westward. I especially admire the pioneer women who took care of their families, worked diligently alongside their husbands, and endured hardships while following their dreams and/or their husband’s as they sought a better life. I liked Miller’s poetic style of writing as she gave readers a picture of Caroline Ingalls and some of the hardships and adventures she faced on the Kansas prairie as the family tried to start a new life there. I enjoyed the book very much.

Leslie
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

5
Loved her writing style!! Loved all the true history brought into the story! Loved the characters and the storyline!! I just loved everything about this book and would totally recommend it to anyone who reads historical fiction!!

Kathy
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

3
May Dodd escapes her imprisonment in an insane asylum by agreeing to become a bride for the Indians government program. The story is far-fetched but the descriptions of the camps at the Indian villages and the customs described are very interesting

Vicki
Light it Up by Nick Petrie

5
This is the third book in the Peter Ash series. The book grabs you from the first chapter, and never let's you go! It has a great storyline, and so many interesting characters that you will be cheering for. I would say that it would be best to read the first two book in the series to know how the characters have come together for this book. I could not wait for this book to be released because I read his other two and love them. Peter Ash and his friends won't disappointed you!

Nancy
Self-Portrait With Boy by Rachel Lyon

4
On the first page of SELF-PORTRAIT WITH BOY, we are told the main character, photographer Lu Rile, is described as "ruthless," single-minded. Lu, looking back on what happened twenty years previous, talks about the trauma behind the work that catapulted her career. Rachel Lyon's writing is amazing. I loved how she used sights, sounds, and aromas to make Lu's world real. This is her debut novel.

Helen
Code Girls by Liza Mundy

5
CODE GIRLS tells the story of the heroic achievements of women who worked on breaking secrets of the Japanese army during World War II. This is part of our nation’s history that I knew nothing about. I wish my mom was still here, she would have loved this book. I hope this book becomes popular with book groups.

Jayme
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

4
About two thirds into reading this book I wasn't sure if I liked it. The plot line about the billionaire gone missing was a little far-fetched, but what kept me hanging on was the inner workings of Aza's mental illness. Someone close to me suffers from a compulsive anxiety disorder and I never really understood how it impacted them. After reading this book I have a better understanding of the insidious nature of the disorder which is why I gave the book 4 stars.

Wendy
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

1
Nonsense.

Susan
The Spectrum Of Hope: An Optimistic and New Approach to Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias by Gayatri Devi, MD

5
I won this book from the daily contests running and it maybe content that would not appeal to all, but if you have someone who is near and dear to you and has dementia you will want a copy. My husband suffered a stroke in 2016 and physically he is great but it threw him right into the first stages of dementia with short term memory loss and me as his caregiver. This book gives you hope of active years together (we have been married 57 years) and also let me know that his neurologist has him on the right path. It is frustrating to keep repeating answers to questions but being able to have him with me for perhaps years is wonderful. This is a book you will never finish but go back to as reference and reassurance again and again.

Christine
Alia Tero: The Many Lives of Darren Datita by Lull Mengesha and Scott Spotson

3
This book has an interesting concept: on a clone of planet Earth, all residents must "rotate" lives every 4 months. They are assigned homes, roommates, and jobs, told how to dress, and when (and with whom) to mate. I will say, I really liked our protagonist, Darren. The main problem I had with this book was that there were a lot of contradictions, and details that just did not make sense. As a light, fun read it was enjoyable, as long as you take it tongue-in-cheek and don't question too much.

Bea
The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

4
This was a sad, frustrating book. It is unbelievable how unfeeling people can be when money is involved.

Joanne
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

5
Excellent read, used it for book discussion with the book club. All felt the book was worth reading and discussing. Some did not like the language but as I say, you can overlook that and get the meat of the story!

Darci
Cooking for Picasso by Camille Aubray

5
It's been a long time since a book had me yelling at characters. Great fun!

Darci
It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis

5
Amazing how looking back to a different time for this alternative history sort of piece makes me wonder if we aren't splitting off in that time/space/alternate universe right now. Sometimes "old" voices are hard to read. Not Sinclair Lewis.

Donna
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
I love thrillers and this one doesn’t disappoint. You’re never quite sure who is telling the truth. Action packed from the beginning.

Noreen
I Found My Tribe by Ruth Fitzmaurice

4
We think we have problems! This is by a wife of an ALS patient who wrote a memoir. Despite the subject the book is funny and sad. The tribe is her true friends in Ireland who help her cope.

Matt
Origin by Dan Brown

3
Not Brown's best. A bit wordy. Still a page-turner but a slow ending.

Matt
Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane

4
Why would anyone care about the deeply flawed people in this book? But you do. Well written and strange ending!

Matt
Robicheaux by James Lee Burke

5
Perhaps the best living American author. A modern Faulkner? The inner musings of ROBICHEAUX are more like those of the former English teacher author (Burke) than a Louisiana law man. Descriptions of the Louisiana landscape are perfect.

Ruth
A Hundred Small Lessons by Ashley Hay

5
Loved the second book set in Australia by this talented author.

Marilyn
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

5
This is reread for me and I’m Enjoying it even more. Book is based on some of true events in women’s concentration camp in Ravensbruck. Tells of hideous experiments by Mengele. Very few women survived.

Sally
Good Behavior by Blake Crouch

4
Letty Dobesh, just released from prison, is a smart but tormented ex-con. She is a thief, con woman and drug user. The book consists of 3 novellas based on 3 episodes in her life (and scams she gets involved in). Throughout the stories she is conflicted about her future: keeping away from drugs and trying to get back to her son whose custody she has lost because of her behavior and lifestyle. I was leaning toward giving this a 3 star rating due to its almost predictable outcomes. That is, until I finished the last section. The ending, for me, came totally out of the blue; I was blindsided and it made up for the story up until then.

Sandy
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

5
I think I have found a new favorite author! A very addictive story that leaves your house dirty and your eyes itchy at night!

helen
The Story of Arthur Trulov by Elizabeth Berg

4
A heartwarming read!

Peggy
The Widow by Fiona Barton

5
It was one of those reads that was hard to put down, and full of suspense right up to the end.

Maria
The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

5
This is an incredible story of friendship, heartbreak and acceptance.

Julie
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

4
This is basically the coming-of-age story of Amory Blaine, a Princeton student, loosely based on Fitzgerald's time at Princeton. I couldn't help comparing this character to Holden Caufield in CATCHER IN THE RYE. I recommend this book if you'd like to read a literary classic from one of the masters.

Lisa
The Child by Fiona Barton

4
This is the second book I've read from this author and it did not disappoint. It was a quick read that kept my interest until the end. A few surprise revelations regarding the baby that is the center of the book.

Elizabeth
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

4
I learned a lot about Korean life in Japan. It was a real eye-opener for me. The U.S. is not the only country that treats immigrants poorly.

Renee
Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott

4
Love new series...this one shows great promise with very interesting main characters.

DeAnn
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

4
This one started out a little slow for me, but then the different storylines come together when the secret is revealed, and it's a doozy! My favorite character was Tess and I'm conflicted about how her storyline wrapped up. I wonder if Reese Witherspoon has read this one? As I was reading it, I could totally picture this one as a mini-series, like BIG LITTLE LIES. I'm slowly working my way through Liane Moriarty's books -- they are a good break from dark historical fiction or murder mysteries.

Ilene
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

5
What a great book. It starts with the Gold family of four kids in 1969 that go to visit a fortuneteller. She tells them when they will die. We learn how each sibling lives their lives, Simon the youngest goes to San Francisco in the 80s to find love and becomes a dancer. Then next, dreamy Klara, becomes a Las Vegas magician blurring reality and fantasy. Daniel becomes an Army doctor post-9/11, hoping to control fate. The oldest Varya becomes a scientist, hoping to work on prolonging life. It's a real love story about how each care for each other. I really learned a lot about each one of their career choices.

Candace
America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray

4
Very informative. However, it was a bit too lengthy for me! Thomas Jefferson was not the great hero after all.

Tessa B C
Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams

3
Book One in the Book Retreat Mystery series. This was a delightful cozy mystery. The premise is a bit outlandish, but it makes for a colorful cast of characters. And I love all the literary references.

Amy
As Close to Us as Breathing by Elizabeth Poliner

3
Started a little slow for me but the second half of the book held my attention.

Linda
Emma: A Modern Retelling by Alexander McCall Smith

3
The story is a modernized version of Jane Austen's classic. It was an oksy read and after I finished the book I got the DVD from the library, which was just okay also.

Jo
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

5
Loved this book. It had many twists and turns. I finished it in a day.

Kathie
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

4
I got pulled right into this fey world from the very first page. A YA novel that would make a great movie, the visuals would be amazing. Can't wait for the sequel to this series to visit this amazing world and its characters again. I really enjoyed this book!

Susan
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

4
Really enjoyed this story. A lot of “karma” - characters who sat in judgement wound up with their foot in their mouth. Great book about motherhood, living with our choices and THINKING before speaking.

Terri
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
A definite page-turner. A mother who is a CIA counterintelligence analyst who is assigned to uncovering Russian sleeper cells, uncovers something too close to home. Sworn to protect and defend the U.S. and also a mother of 4 children, she is confronted with making a decision that will change her and her family's lives forever. Who should she trust? There are so many consequences when protecting family and country. Are you able to do both when you make a wrong decision? Are you able to go back to correct the wrong decision? A definite page-turner that will keep you up all night. I found myself asking, "What would I do?"

Robin
Darkest Flame by Donna Grant

4
Open any book by Donna Grant and you are transported to a realm filled with Warriors, Fae [Light and Dark], Druids, and Dark Kings. And even thought they have lived on earth longer that the human race, they have kept their powers hidden, because, long ago, when humans turned against their Dark King protectors, it was necessary for the Dark Kings to protect themselves. Many of the Kings chose to sleep through the millennia, while others keep watch on the fragile world. But things are changing. The Kings are finding mates among the humans and the Dark Fae are entering the world. And one Dragon King, has sworn vengeance on Con, the King of the Dragon Kings. Pick up a book and enter Donna Grant's world.

Judy O.
Only Child by Rhiannon Navin

5
A ten-year-old boy name Andy Taylor was killed in a school shooting along with 18 others. Andy's 6-year-old brother, Zach, is the teller of this story.

Lisa
Past Perfect by Danielle Steel

5
I loved the way she tied the past in with the present. The story seemed very realistic and helped you to visualize the past. I love Danielle Steel books, but I usually don't like history. This was definitely one of her best books!!

Helen
Origin by Dan Brown

4
A little different from his other books but just as gripping and interesting. An unusual premise that really kept me going.

Marilyn
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

5
Our book club, all senior citizens, had a good discussion about this book, speculating our own ideas about the title as well as its literacy style. Going back and forth in time is not our favorite format, but we felt the book well written and the characters very well developed. A very different take on WWII, this time featuring the power of the radio!

Becky
Take Out by Margaret Maron

4
I love Maron’s Deborah Knott books. This is only the second Sigrid Harald novel I have read. I was unfamiliar with the recurring characters, so I was often to turning back to see “who is this”, especially considering there are three separate plots and three sets of characters to keep straight. Once I got familiar with them, all the plot(s) moved along quickly. The New York setting was on point with a number of neighborhood businesses and interest points used. Lt. Harold’s relationship with artist Oscar Nauman is part of the plotting along with a gallery, a mobster’s family and an aging opera star. The plots are intriguing and keep you guessing (I did quickly figure out one point, yay, me) with enough ambiguity to keep you reading.

Sherrie
The Devil's Reward by Emmanuelle de Villepin

5
This is a beautiful story of love, family and history told from grandmother to granddaughter. Christiane, the grandmother, delights in sharing stories of her family along with their loves, their dalliances and their commitment to family and country. Luna, the granddaughter, is writing her thesis on Rudolf Steiner and is surprised how much influence he had had with Christiane's family and her own youth. The book moves between now and the past and is delightful. I just fell in love with Christiane and her antics and her history. The love she has for her family and her husband who has recently died is insurmountable. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover.

Lou Ann
An Awkward Age by Francesca Segal

5
The book was very well written and kept me wanting to pick it up all day! It takes a very common situation - a blended family with teenagers - and puts the family through a very emotional experience when two step-siblings get too close and the girl becomes pregnant. Dealing with teenagers can be difficult under normal circumstances, but their parents have a hard time balancing their new found and well-deserved love with the love and devotion to their children.

Tara
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

4
Loved it! Kept me up to wee hours to finish. Moving coming-of-age story.

Susan
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

5
I loved learning about the culture and history, while rooting for the characters. I don’t think I could pick a favorite character, they were all really well-rounded and relatable. Really great book - I couldn’t put it down.

Elizabeth
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

4
If you read SALT TO THE SEA, it would be easy to understand if you do not realize this is a young adult book. But among the many awards it has won are at least four for best YA fiction. SALT TO THE SEA is historical fiction. It is almost the end of World War II and the Soviets are advancing. People are fleeing the Soviets’ unspeakable atrocities. In this particular case, a young female nurse, a handsome young man of mystery guarding his secret pack, a woman who is almost a giant, an old man who was a shoemaker, a girl from Poland, and a little boy are all headed for the coast. They intend to board a ship that will take them to the relative safety of Germany.

Helen
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

5
Just a sensational novel. Beautifully written, very hard to read, not for the fainthearted. A spy for the Viet Cong, undercover with the South Vietnamese army, emigrates to America. Stays undercover and returns to Vietnam, captured, tortured and his confession is the book. A picture of the other side. Probably wouldn't have had a huge affect except for the fact that I had just finished watching "The Vietnam War" by filmmaker Ken Burns.

Lana
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

5
Although a middle school, young adult book, WAR HORSE truly moved me. I wept through the entire book and two days later am still thinking about it. Although the writing was simple, the story was very moving. The slaughter of men and animals on both sides as well as civilian loss was brought home. I haven't seen the movie, but can definitely understand why the book was made into a movie.

Joyce
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

5
Thrilling story that has twists and turns from an unreliable narrator so the reader has to decide if anything she is experiencing is true. I wanted to know why she was drinking so much being a psychologist who would know the harm she is doing to herself. And when you find out the truth, it all makes sense. Harrowing story to the end.

Liz
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams

4
Love and intrigue follow the characters in this entertaining story that takes place in the 1920s at the height of the Jazz Age. Theresa is wealthy with an impressive background. Sylvo, her husband, is a philanderer, which Theresa accepts; they have an understanding. Theresa falls in love with Octavian, a much younger man. He wants to marry her, but divorce is not an option. Then we have Ox, Theresa's bachelor brother who decides he is ready to tie the knot. When Theresa asks Octavian to check into Miss Sophie Fortescue's background, he finds secrets that would be best kept hidden.

Cheryl
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

4
If you could know the day you would die, would you want to know? Would it affect the way you lived your life? Very thought-provoking.

Donna
Victorians Undone by Kathryn Hughes

3
I'm no expert on the Victorian Age, but always thought of it as being a time of being proper, strict and straight-laced. This book tells in lengthy detail stories of famous people in England who do not fit into this pattern.

Bonnie
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

3
This book felt like deja vu...is it the husband or wife who's a psychopath? What's the "twist" ending? Is she in danger? Been there, read it before a dozen times.

Karen
The Days When Birds Come Back by Deborah Reed

5
Two people, June who is a writer and Jameson who is a carpenter, meet during a house renovation project. Both are plagued with loss and guilt. June is trying to escape alcoholism and get back to writing. She is dealing with childhood issues that resulted in her being sent to an institution when she was 7 years old, the death of her mentally ill father when she 7 years old, growing up in isolation and other issues including her recent divorce. Jameson is trying to come to terms with the death of his 7 year old twins and his actions that led to them being at the wrong place at the wrong time. He and his wife, Sarah Anne, are having difficulties relating to each other after the tragedy. June and Jameson help each other recover.

Betty
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

5
Vivian Miller is happily married and an average mother of four small children. But her job is not so average. She is a CIA analyst whose job it is to locate the ringleaders of some Russian sleeper cells in the U.S. She has developed an algorithm to hopefully identify Russian agents living among us. She loves her work but feels guilty being away from her children. Fortunately her husband Matt can work from home so he watches the children. Then one day she uncovers information that will totally rock her world and make her question who she can trust. At risk is her job, her marriage, and the life of her children.

Thomas
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

5
The best book I have read in years. I really enjoyed it a lot.

Thomas
The Rooster Bar by John Grisham

5
A really good book. I enjoyed reading it.

Thomas
Alone by Lisa Gardner

4
Very good book.

Thomas
Insomnia by Stephen King

4
A real good book.

Catherine
No One Is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts

3
This was an interesting look at the lives of two women, but I found that the looping style of prose made it difficult for me.

Dorothy
One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline

4
I enjoyed the book but think maybe the ending could have had more details. I enjoy reading her books - some better than others!

Judith
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

5
A couldn't-put-it-down read about a series of deaths one summer in a small Minnesota town. Written from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old boy, the truth unfolds slowly as he jumps to various erroneous conclusions only to learn more as his understanding deepens. The cast of characters was stellar -- I found myself caring about each one and anxious to learn, just as the narrator does, how their lives intersected throughout the events leading to the story's conclusion.

Sonnie
The Midnight Line by Lee Child

5
As usual, I learned much about how the mind can be trained to notice and analyze what is in front of you. I am hooked on Jack Reacher stories...I wish Child wrote faster!

Richard N B
Sundown, Yellow Moon by Larry Watson

2
I’ve read several of Watson’s other books and am a fan of his writing, but this was clearly not his best work. The narrator’s inability to let go of a murder/suicide in his home town during his teens, and his inability to connect with those around him make for a decidedly distant experience. At the end I’m left feeling, “Is that all?”

Rebecca
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

4
When Cuban-American, freelance writer (Marisol) visits Havana, Cuba, to spread her grandmother's (Elisa) ashes, she discovers a family secret. This dual-timeline story was told from the perspective of Elisa, the grandmother, in 1958 and Marisol, her granddaughter, in present day. When Marisol visits Havana to spread her grandmother's ashes at her request, she discovers not only a family secret long buried but so much about herself and the country in which her family fled after Fidel Castro and his men overthrew the government. I was mesmerized not only by the love between the characters, but also by their immense love for their country. I would highly recommend this story of love, courage, and hope.

Susan
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

5
Through this fictional story, Jodi was able to show aspects of racism in people. And my hope is for every white person that reads this story Jodie was able to make them see what life is like for those that are not white. She writes really good stories - however, this one in my opinion, was her best one.

r
Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict

5
Outstanding story of Irish immigrants.

shelly
My Mother's Secret by Shelia O'Flanagan

3
Roisin has decided that being married 40 years calls for a celebration which means a party. Steffie is assigned certain things she needs to do like decorating the house, picking up the cake and preparing for the party. Their brother Davey is flying in for the celebration. The element of surprise is usually a wonderful thing but when Pascal and Jenny walk in shock is what they experience. Unfortunately, their parents have been leading a life that is a lie and now Jenny feels she has no choice but to inform her children. Growing up and always thinking she was a little different than her sister Roisin and brother Davey she is in for the biggest surprise of all. Both of her siblings have someone they can count on to readjust.

Peggy
Things To Do When It's Raining by Marissa Stapley

5
You can't stop reading this book! Absolutely heartwarming!

Sandy
The Dog Year by Ann Wertz Garvin

5
One of the best books ever!

Thomas
The Target by David Baldacci

5
This was a very good book. I really enjoyed it.

Thomas
Vegas Tabloid by P. Moss

3
This book is an interesting read. It's pretty good.

Thomas
Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

4
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It was very good.

Jamie
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

4
Very interesting read. Well-written.

Thomas
Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh

5
I really enjoyed reading this book very much.

Becky
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

5
Pierce is one of my favorite authors for young adult fantasy, and this outing is one of her best. She has created a world that is fully populated and nuanced with peoples, animals, gods and Gods, as well as climate, flora, and laws of both nature and man. Her main character this time is male, which is unusual for Pierce, who is a creator of strong females. Arram is an 11-year-old mage student when the book opens, and is joined by Ozorne, a Prince of the Realm, and Varice, a female kitchenwitch, both also mage students. There are plenty of fully realized supporting characters, including teachers, gods and Gods, gladiators and other students. This first book in the new series covers the lower and upper years of The Imperial University.

shelly
Mornings on Main by Jodi Thomas

4
Jillian takes a job at A Stitch in Time and gets it through an interview with Connor Larady, the mayor and editor of the paper. She is determined to remain there no longer than three months and explains that to Connor when she takes the job. At that point, Connor is just relieved that she is willing to work at his grandmother's shop and help her out. She is getting older, and Connor realizes she needs help and he cannot always be with her. The job becomes a huge part of Jillian's life, and she enjoys helping Eugenia, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, at the shop.