This contest period's winners were Emily C., Monica J. and Nancy S., who each received a copy of THE BETTER SISTER by Alafair Burke and REDEMPTION by David Baldacci.
Kay
The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
Had not read this author before but liked it a lot. Lots of outdoor action after an airplane crash - how they survive and move on - male amd female - getting to know each other - each have secrets - a slow burn but lovely. I will read him again.
Kathy
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
My book club ladies all liked the book and some said they loved it. It related to some of their personal experiences and there was a great deal of sharing. This is the book I was not sure they would like, so I was happily surprised. Since all of us are retired teachers or ladies who worked in schools in some capacity, we were able to relate very well. Plus, as a Catholic who had several nuns for grade school teachers, I could definitely make comparisons! I felt that Dugoni did a great job with his characters, from the mother of Sam to the coach to the sister with her own issues. The fact that he has a brother with a disability led credence to his plot also. I am very glad we read this book!
Melissa
The Library of the Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick
THE LIBRARY OF THE LOST AND FOUND is exactly what the title suggests - a cozy mixture of family hurts and heartwarming reunions, of the love of reading and the importance of imaginative storytelling in childhood.
Karen
Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
I found it very interesting. Working in education I could relate to the premise of the book. I didn’t agree with how some things progressed. I didn’t feel they were accurate. I love all of Lisa’s books. It was entertaining and I did enjoy it. I would recommend it.
Donalene
The Super Ladies by Susan Petrone
In my book group there were three who loved the book, two who didn't like it, six who liked it. We had a lively discussion on it, partially because it is set in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland where most of us live. The author was able to spend about an hour with us. She wanted to hear why some didn't like it or had some problem with it. She was gracious and a joy to have with us.
Amanda
Everyday Holy by Melanie Shankle
This was an amazing devotional! Loved it so much!
Janet
Maid by Stephanie Land
I really enjoyed this memoir. In the vein of THE GLASS CASTLE, this is a look into the lives of a dysfunctional family. Stephanie’s choices were not always choices I would have made, but I understood her reasoning.
Michelle
The Outsider by Stephen King
Very clean writing with the right amount of detail and a satisfying pace. For at least half the book it kept me guessing and very intrigued. But for me, it’s the turn into the supernatural that I find hard to swallow and get on board with, which is why I’m an admirer of King but not a follower. The last quarter of the book changed it to just a "meh" for me.
Nancy
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
I think this is the first time I've ever said this about a book, but NINE PERFECT STRANGERS is a much better book for a book club discussion than it is for reading on your own. It's about nine people who end up at a ten-day spa retreat aimed at changing their lives. On one level, you can't call them all strangers, since three are from the same family, but, on another level, you realize they don't know one another at all. When I read the book on my own, the characters seemed superficial and some empty-headed, but, as we discussed their backgrounds and personalities, we got insights into them that we don't even know if the author intended. Main message: thoroughly check out a spa before you go!
Tessa
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
3.5 stars. On his 100th birthday, Allan Karlsson escapes from his nursing home and goes on an adventure – or should I say, ANOTHER adventure. This is a fun romp of a novel that reminded me of "Forest Gump". Allan’s great talent seems to be going with the flow; he’s rarely ruffled, keeps his wits about him and just enjoys the ride. Readers would do well to follow his lead. Suspend disbelief and enjoy.
Donna
Transcription by Kate Atkinson
The historical setting and facts in the book are fascinating. Learning about the British spies during World War II was interesting, but the book seemed to falter in the latter part of the book.
Shelley
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Outstanding in every way!
Sharon
The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede
9/11 kindnesses.
Gina
The Suspect by Fiona Barton
I enjoyed THE WIDOW as a page-turner. This book never engaged me. It concerns two young women who travel to Thailand and then go missing. The story is given different voices - one of the women, a detective looking for them, a mother, a reporter etc. The ending was confusing, but there is a link online to "What does the ending of THE SUSPECT mean?" It was not an easy read.
MH
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
Enjoyable book. Thought the ending left three relationships unresolved - especially Merrill. Would have preferred for events such as the tsar’s death to be covered a little closer to the event instead of months afterward and almost as a footnote.
Marni
The Reckoning by John Grisham
An interesting book focusing on the ultimate question of why the main character killed the man he did. A very vivid description of the era and of the war. The why eventually comes out and it's not fully what you see coming. You will find yourself thinking deeper into the why.
Janet
Desert Redemption by Betty Webb
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and knew this was the end. Some surprises at the start, then more of a recap...until it ends with a blockbuster.
Janet
The Huntress by Kate Quinn
Good just after WWII story with an engaging main character and pretty interesting supporting cast with one glaring exception. This was a page-turner for me with the ending being the exception. Room for a follow-up?
Janet
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
Really enjoyed this story based on real circumstances, with a "who knew" vibe to it. Great read from a great author.
Janet
With You Always by Rena Olsen
Great story that leaves the reader with questions. A great book for discussion. Likable main character.
Trude
An Artless Demise by Anna Lee Huber
The Lady Darby mysteries are some of the best historical mysteries out today. Anna Lee Huber has created strong likeable characters, both her main characters and her supporting cast. Her stories are filled with interesting historical data that increase their enjoyment. In this book, Kiera and Gage are back in London after their honeymoon, and are thrown right back into murder and mayhem. We also learn more of Keira's painful past when she was married to Lord Darby and forced to draw while he dissected bodies. This is one of my favorite series and I find myself waiting for the next book in the series as soon as I finish the most recent one.
Joyce
The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose
Fascinating story. Analogy between an art installation at the MOMA with the theme of connection and a man. Very unique presentation and unusual story.
Laurie
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
Excellent fictional history (prequel to LILAC SISTERS) based on true events beginning in 1914. This family saga emphasizes female driven perspectives and friendship as the story transports the reader from St. Petersburg, New York and Paris. Read it!
Katherine
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A hard to put down book with a twist at the end. I didn't see it coming!
Susan
The Dying of the Light by Robert Goolrick
This book reminds me of GONE WITH THE WIND. It's a family story set in the South and all the triumphs and drama that they go through. It make you laugh in some parts and cry in others.
William
Run Away by Harlan Coben
Most readers gave the book four or more stars. As a longtime Coben fan I found the plot, characters, and storyline not up to his usual standards. The main characters, Simon and Ingrid, were not the sort I found worth rooting for. While there were some clever twists and turns throughout I still came away wondering if Simon and Ingrid ever held personal discussions about their lives and dreams. They came across as virtual strangers and cardboard characters.
Becky
The Gillespie County Fair by Marc Hess
This book never quite caught me in its web. I didn’t like the characters. They all seemed shallow and grubby. The plot wandered about until the “secret sin” was revealed and then the secret didn’t seem to matter much. Carel, the main character, just wandered about the story making or revealing mistake after mistake, not learning anything from his errors. His wife (current) and daughter do manage to have redeeming qualities of a sort. The writing is okay, but there are too many German words that are not defined or explained. I read German, so I knew what was written; someone unfamiliar with the language would be frustrated. I can’t really recommend this book. Maybe someone else will read it and love it; I didn’t.
ILene
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith
The third in a series starts when Robin Ellacott receives a mysterious package of a severed woman’s right leg. Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, just so happens to have lost his right leg as a soldier fighting in Afghanistan. It’s starting to get personal. Cormoran can think of three guys he was in combat that would know so much about him and hate him so much. It becomes a thriller when other body parts start coming and now we are dealing with a serial killer. There is some romance thrown in with the upcoming wedding of Robin. Will she be able to stick to all with the mayhem surrounding her with the killer?
Trez
The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman
Not as good as his earlier books. Plot was confusing.
Rosa
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
The plot of this book was so twisted and creepy; I couldn't put it down. Very clever and as entertaining as the authors' first novel, THE WIFE BETWEEN US. I'm happy to see that the film rights to this book have been bought by Steven Spielberg's production company!
Sheree
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
OMG, I could not put this book down. I inhaled it and was so disappointed that it ended, but the author ended the book in such a way there has to be a sequel or at least there had better be! I am off to read her first book now! I was like Carol - I kept saying just one more chapter. Loved this book!
Aimee
The Forgotten by David Baldacci
David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors. I always go through his books so quickly as they are gripping and hard to put down. This book is #2 in the John Puller series, and I have already started #3.
Jud
1775 by Kevin Phillips
A thoroughly in-depth treatise on the American Revolution. I learned things I'd never even heard about in high school or college. It's a bit of a long read but worth every moment.
Marilyn
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Funny escapade of a gutsy guy determined to live life his way!
Charlene
Just When You’re Comfortable in Your Own Skin, It Starts to Sag: Rewriting the Rules to Midlife by Amy Nobile
Opening up the first few pages to the table of contents and you probably opened this book for the following reasons section, there are allusions to kids everywhere. "Asking your son to redesign your Insta page..." "Begging your tween daughter to admit that you are prettier than you think..."
God, how miserable can you get to come to this point? Holy shit, shoot me in the head if I have to ask my own kid if I even seem attractive. But that's the whole other side of the coin, the fact that kids are mentioned right out the gate. WHAT IF I DON'T WANT/HAVE KIDS?! I don't think the writers ever considered that, which is rude. I'm a human being and woman before I'm a mom.
Karen
Educated by Tara Westover
This was an amazingly well-written memoir. It should make a great book club choice for discussion.
Gil
The Song of the Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
Romy as a young girl was forced to flee from Vienna along with her parents because of Jewish persecution in the leadup to World War II. She saw family members shot in the street and sent to concentration camps. She ended up in Melbourne, Australia via Shanghai. The story rotates between telling about Romy's life from the time she fled Vienna to the present, and the other part tracks the life of her granddaughter Alexandra who is a very successful financial investor in Melbourne. Romy's adopted daughter Sophia was killed in an automobile accident and Alexandra was raised by her grandmother and grandfather. Alexandra was obsessed in trying to find out who her biological parents were. A very intense book.
Jud
Empire Rising by Rick Campbell
Exciting sequel in which China attempts to renegotiate an international agreement concerning natural resources by way of military force. Campbell is every bit as good a writer as Clancy.
Vicki
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
This book was the best romance book I read in a long time. The storyline for this book was about two friends who are special opt named Ryan and Chaos (and his soldier working dog Havoc). Ryan asked his sister Ella to write to Chaos because he has no family. Ella has five-year-old twins Maisie and Colt who she is raising herself. Since her grandmother died she has taken over her B&B. When Ryan dies Chaos and Ella are heartbroken, but Ryan asked him to be there for his sister because she has been told her daughter has cancer. Chaos and Havoc leaves the service to be there for Ella and the kids. I won't tell you what happens next, but will tell you that I could not put this book down. GREAT BOOK!
Katherine
The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler
A charming read from this author!
Noreen
The Reckoning by John Grisham
This book has everything - a murder, family secrets, and WWII. It was very hard not to jump to the last few pages to see how it ends but I resisted. The less you know about this book the better...just read it.
Sandy
The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty
Sophie Honeywell always wondered if Thomas Gordon was the one who got away. He was the perfect boyfriend, but on the day he was going to propose she broke his heart. A year later he married his travel agent, while Sophie has been single ever since. Now Thomas is back in her life because Sophie has unexpectedly inherited his aunt Connie's house on Scribbly Gum Island, home of the famously unsolved Munro Baby mystery. Sophie moves onto the island and begins a new life where it seems everyone has a secret. I found this book kind of hard to get into, but once I did it was very entertaining.
Liz
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume
During the early 1950s there are three plane crashes in a short period of time in Elizabeth, NJ. Two of these actually occurred. The story follows the life of Miri Ammerman, who has seen the crashes, as she tries to cope with the death and devastation. All of those in that area have had their lives changed by what they witnessed and have different ways of dealing with this horrific tragedy.
Helen
The Third Target by Joel C. Rosenberg
This is a wonderfully exciting political thriller about tensions and terrorists in the middle East. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read the next book in the series. I can't imagine where the story will go from this book.
Linda
Out of Time by Monica McCarty
LTC Scott Taylor and the remaining five men of his team have scattered in different directions once they got out of Russia. He is trying to find the person who betrayed them and got half of his men killed. He thinks it is Natalie Andersson who sent him the text warning him of the missile strike. That saved him and some of his men. He had met and fell in love with her and doesn’t want to believe she would do that to him, but he is determined to get justice for the men who were killed.
Linda
My Ex-Best Friend’s Wedding by Wendy Wax
What a wonderful book! I loved it and highly recommend it. Best friends Lauren and Bree have let a grudge go on too long and need to let it go but are unsure how to do this. They grew up as almost-sisters and planned to go to New York and become writers but Bree backed out at the last minute. She was afraid of the unknown city but Lauren felt betrayed. Lauren’s mother Kendra has kept a secret from her daughter for forty years and it is about to come out. When Lauren learns the truth about her father, how will she feel toward her mother? Thank you Goodreads for the ARC.
Linda
The Breakdown by B. A. Paris
Cass meets Matthew at a dinner and he tells her she’s the girl for him. Their marriage begins to unravel as Cass begins to forget things and fears that she is in the onset of early dementia. Matthew seems to have a lot of patience in putting up with her forgetfulness, but how will it be when dementia sets in. She had to care for her mother who had dementia and it was draining. She talks to her best friend Rachel who tells her it is probably due to stress. A woman is murdered not far from Cass’s house and when silent calls are received, Cass thinks it’s the murderer. She is totally shocked when she reads the text messages found on Rachel’s phone—texts between her best friend and her husband. Lots of twists that you don't expect!
Linda
The Fifth Doctrine by Karen Robards
Colin Rogan comes to Bianca St. Ives with a proposition. If she will pose as a transcriber who downloaded highly-sensitive government documents to try and sell them to North Korea, he will ensure the CIA hit team is called off. She will be working with Colin and an intelligence alliance known as Five Eyes. Since he has found her in Savannah, Georgia, it is only a matter of time before others find her and she has no choice but to agree to work with Colin. They devise a plan for her to accidentally meet North Korea’s top agent in Paris. Colin is also after Mason Thayer, former CIA agent who raised Bianca. But his hunt for Thayer is put on hold until North Korea takes the bite.
Linda
A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag
A suspected murderer is freed on a technicality and people are outraged as most believe Marcus Renard is guilty. Nick Fourcade, the lead detective, is caught beating Renard and is stopped by deputy Annie Broussard. A majority of townspeople feel that she should have looked the other way but Annie believes in law and order and what Nick did was wrong. Now she faces taunts and outright hatred from fellow officers. Her life is threatened but deputies are not in a hurry to assist or even take a report. She should stay away from Nick but she gets to know him better and sees there is more to the man than he lets others see. Together they work to find the murderer.
Linda
The Right Kind of Rogue by Valerie Bowman
Meg Timmons fell in love with the brother of her best friend when she was sixteen years old but he only sees her as his sister’s little friend. Now her friends have outfitted her with gowns and jewels and Hart Highgate is stunned by her beauty. He finds her unlike any of the other vain young women. Meg is intelligent and sincerely nice. Hart has told his father that he will look for a bride this season but the only woman he wants to be with is Meg. There is one huge problem. Their parents are mortal enemies.
Elizabeth
The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
This is a test: Can I write well enough to convince you to read THE EIGHTH SISTER, to make you believe, if you’ve read Robert Dugoni before, that this is his best and, if you haven’t, that this first book in his Charles Jenkins (who you may remember from the David Sloane series) series is a great place to start? I finished reading it last night in the middle of the night, when I should have been sleeping. And I’m a picky reader. And I write honest reviews.
Jan
Girl in the Rearview Mirror by Kelsey Rae Dimberg
I received this book from a Goodreads drawing and William Morrow publishing in return for an honest review. This is a mystery with a heap of backstory. Who knew whom and when did they know each other, etc. For a first novel, it is pretty good. It jumps around and the reader has to keep a close watch on who is saying what. On a personal level, none of the characters are nice - even the young nanny is stupid as a rock. She makes the dumbest mistakes and is willing to believe anyone and everyone. The best part of the book is hanging on to the end. The nanny's final realizations gave me chills and gave them to her, too. She took off. I expected better from a former editor with an MFA.
Tessa
A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer
This has all the elements of a successful cozy mystery series: amateur sleuth, lots of mouth-watering dishes mentioned, a colorful cast of characters to help (or hinder) Lucky’s attempts to investigate, and a potential love interest. I’d be willing to read another in the series.
Paul
Wheelboys by Dd Jaseron
This book was better than I expected – it was not just about teenagers and go-karts, but it wove together several captivating characters with different viewpoints and situations. I really enjoyed the descriptions and dialog – I could visualize the setting, the people, and the action. I think this would be a great movie – Ron Howard could do it justice. At times it made me laugh and cry a little (which I never do). It was an inspiring story of finding one’s way, and it left me with a feeling of hope in the end.
Linda
The Current by Tim Johnston
I wanted to give this book a better star rating but for me it had a few problems. I am fine with different time periods and plot lines; this one has two which are ten years apart and involve the deaths of two teenage girls who die in the same Minnesota river. The author writes about these two events in the present with flashbacks to ten years ago. It was often confusing to know which story was the focus as many of the same characters are involved. Also the use of quotations and then not using them was confusing. And then the use of italics when a character would think what another person would say seemed unnecessary. At times the writing was wonderful, and I especially enjoyed the relationship of Audrey and her retired sheriff father.
pat
Becoming by Michelle Obama
This is an amazing memoir which recounts growing up in Chicago, going off to college and law school and meeting the love of her life. The rest they say is history... Michelle relates the joys and the sad events that they encountered during their eight years in the White House. I cried when I finished reading thinking about the present state of affairs. Thank you, Michelle!
Sandra
The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis
As with all Beverly’s works, the reader is quickly drawn into the story. I was frequently thinking “What’s next..How..Why?” THE TINDERBOX is actually Part 1; the conclusion, Part 2, comes out in September 2019. As with all Lewis fans, we’ll be anxiously awaiting “The Rest Of The Story”!
ILene
The Stranger Inside by Laura Benedict
What would you do if you arrived home from a weekend at Lake of the Ozarks if you can’t get into your house all the locks have been changed and there is a stranger living in your house? What a dilemma Kimber Hannon is facing then the stranger whispers in her ear “I saw what you did.” And then at work they tell her she is being accused of fudging on her expense reports and is fired. What more can happen? It is unbelievable! A great thriller.
Sharon
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
This is the second time I am reading this book about an African American couple whose world is torn apart. The husband is wrongly jailed for the rape of a white woman and the story is about strength, friendship, endurance, loyalty and family. This second reading has made me more aware of the nuances in the story.
Kathy
30 Years Behind Bars by Karen Gedney, MD
Memoirs of a prison doctor in the Nevada State Prison. Compelling descriptions of many patients and situations during her 30 years in the prison.
Vesna
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
Strong woman, strong story about a time in history that was all about survival. Thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced read.
Jan
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
This book got a little overdone at the end but is well worth reading. The best thing about the book is the U. S. history you will learn. A baby-selling enterprise operated in my country for several decades and the leader made millions of dollars from stolen babies. After the depression, people were eager to improve their lives - some were unable to do so and Georgia Tann's group stole babies or approached parents who were destitute and purchased their babies. After cleaning them up, Tann got people to adopt them for outrageous fees. There was no charity involved, just greed. I did not know of this part of my country's history and this book makes it very clear. The book is easy reading and full of generations of history.
Sandy
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn
I wish I could give this one more than 5 stars! The ending will blow your mind!!
Gwen
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hildebrand
My first (and maybe last). Very soapy, with unnecessary extras (like FBI call in last few pages). I like books as much as the next person but so many titles/authors (that I like!) name-dropped - it got a bit much.
Jud
Blackmail by Rick Campbell
Campbell is truly on par with Clancy in terms of the nail-biting thriller. Once again he's penned a novel that sounds like real life, featuring a Russian leader who wants to return his country to its former glory through any means possible, even all-out war.
Amy
The Cornwalls are Gone by James Patterson
Great book - classic Patterson.
Mike
The New Iberia Blues by James Lee Burke
This is a long-running series and this is my first time reading a book in the series (I usually insist on starting at the beginning). I really liked it! I thought the plot was clever (no spoilers) and interesting (a gimmicky serial killer is nothing new but I found it fresh somehow) and the characters were interesting and I LOVE New Orleans, a great location! I do feel like I didn't know the characters like I should have (with 21 previous books of information on them), but I don't feel like my enjoyment suffered because of it.
Francisca E B
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
The novel follows the Ganguli family over three decades, from the parents’ arranged marriage in Calcutta to raising their family in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is the type of literary fiction I adore. Lahiri writes with such eloquence and grace, letting the reader learn about this family much as she would do when meeting new acquaintances who become friends over decades. She tackles issues of the immigrant experience, the clash of cultures, differences (and conflicts) between generations, and personal identity.
Donna
In the Shadow of 10,000 HIlls by Jennifer Haupt
Henry is a photographer who is important to four women and he disappears from their lives. His daughter, who hasn't seen him in thirty years, lives in NYC learns that he could be in Rwanda and travels there to try to find him shortly after the civil war when the Hutus genocide of the Tutsi people occurred. This is a wonderful book about a horrific event and how survivors suffering abandonment, violence, loss and grief learn to forgive.
Lynn
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Yes, it's 750 pages, but worth every minute of the 6 weeks it took me to read it! I almost never give 5 stars, but this work continues to "grow" in my mind. If Lincoln and the Civil War are your passions, this is a must-read.
Sandra
The Damage Done (Louis Kincaid Mystery Series #12) by P. J. Parrish
Good read
First one by this author that I have read. Will not be the last. Louis returns to MI to be on a cold case squad. He, and the other members, solve various cold crimes.
Sandra
Incubation: Green Fields #1 by Adrienne Lecter
Takes a bit before it gets good. A lab was making something that was not a good thing for the human race. Terrorists take over the lab to try to stop what is happening there.
Sandra
Whispered Pain by Ashley Fontainne
Fantastic short, fast read. Pregnant woman goes into labor early. Husband drives her to the hospital but gets into a wreck along the way. Her parents have some issues also.
Sandra
Hellhole: An Anthology of Thrillers by Ann Savage
Good mix of stories. Various stories with different themes, people and places. My favorite was the one about the two sisters. One, supposedly had the perfect life. Things are not always as they appear.
Sandra
Embellished Deception by Netta Newbound
Very good read. Several storylines in this. Woman leaves husband, because he is cheating. A rapist is in the area. Mom gets really ill.
Jo
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
I was hoping for so much better. I cared nothing about the two main characters or their fate. In my opinion this book dragged. I was disappointed in this book.
Donna
The Lost Man by Jane Harper
A life we do not know -- the Australian outback. Desolate, dry, lonely. Draws you in completely to a life none of us could imagine.
Orsayor
A Stranger on the Beach by Michele Campbell
When I start reading books like this, I always know things are never what they appear to be. The biggest challenge for me is trying to figure out all of the pieces of the puzzle before the end of the book. Author Michele Campbell does a great job of throwing the reader off course a few times during this story. The narration is usually there to guide the reader along with the story, but author Campbell shakes it up so much that you start feeling you can’t even trust the narrator. A STRANGER ON THE BEACH will keep your mind racing until the end. Even when you think you have it figured out – the author will throw you off course.
If you are looking for a read that doesn’t disappoint, add this book your list!
Karen
Educated by Tara Westover
Should make for an excellent discussion at our book club.
Maryanne
Educated by Tara Westover
A riveting memoir of a very dysfunctional family in Utah. Amazing that she was just named one of The 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine.
Karen
Life at the Dakota by Stephen Birmingham
Interesting info about the Dakota and the famous residents. Reads like a textbook.
Margo
The Associate by John Grisham
This is an older book but a wonderful mystery. It made for wonderful discussions.
Debra
How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim
This absorbing book was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It was an in-depth and intimate look at close relationships - marriage, parents, children, siblings, cousins and in-laws. While reading this book, I learned about the Mennonite way of life, including the differences between an Old Order Mennonite and a Black Bumper Mennonite. The settlement in Wisconsin was a true community and seemed like a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I loved the growing relationship between Ruth and Mabel. They shared heartbreaking grief, the care and raising of two precious little girls, and they learned that life will go on and even be good once again. Each grieving woman became a source of support and a soft place to land for the other.
Ruth
Strangers in Budapest by Jessica Keener
Young couple with small child move from Boston to Hungary and get involved with another American who is there to reap revenge against the husband of his deceased daughter.
Linda
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Classic Agatha, and rather like the board game Clue - it made for a great discussion with our book club of who suspected who to be the murderer, or not.
Andrea
The Weight of a Piano by Chris Cander
A beautifully-written book. Two female characters are well developed and the piano itself is a character. An exploration of physical objects, both physical and emotional. We all have objects that we can’t let go of for one reason or another.
Jan
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn
The author uses a pseudonym and if I wrote something like this I would disguise myself also. This is a mystery -- yawn. It is really about a psychologist who endured a major trauma but refuses to get help. She plays games with her therapists and her neighbors and creates a false persona on the internet so she can counsel people. Frankly, the book is boring. I only got to the end by continually guessing who would kill whom. The woman hides in her home, gets drugs to ease her "pain and anxiety," yet knowingly abuses the drugs and drinks all the time and lies to everybody. Nevertheless, through the book we get her "clear" analysis of the situation and who she can fool next. One character, a policeman, is pleasing. Wait for the movie.
Loretta
The Huntress by Kate Quinn
The new book by THE ALICE NETWORK author is even better. A little long but you won't be able to forget the female Soviet pilot/navigator from WW ll. What these "screaming witches" were able to do and their love for each other and flying is truly amazing. I'm glad these women have had their stories and place on history told. Based on a composite of true stories and real women.
Angie
Never Tell by Lisa Gardner
Lisa Gardner always writes a good book and NEVER TELL doesn't disappoint! This novel once again pairs D.D. Warren with Flora Dane to solve a crime of a woman who is accused of killing her husband. Coincidentally, this same woman once before stood over the dead body is her father many years earlier. Did she kill her father? Did she kill her husband? What was so important on her husband's computer that she had to shoot it 12 times in an attempt to destroy any evidence before the cops get to the scene? I went back and forth on this one. At times I believed she hadn't murdered her husband. Other times I was sure there was something in her husband's past that made her want to take him out!
Monica
A Prison Diary by Jeffrey Archer
Interesting read, especially if you are a Jeffrey Archer fan. The book gives an honest glimpse into the British prison system and some of the occupants of that prison. This is a fast read full of Archer’s feelings and experiences during part of his stint in prison. A couple of parts of the book are quite graphic, but Archer forewarns of these segments.
Esther
Cemetery Road by Greg Iles
Iles knows how to write about the South, although that's not his only talent or area of expertise. He excels at deep character development, complex plots and accurate depictions of race relations during the 1960s. He's a masterful storyteller, a literary Bo Jackson. Once again he does not disappoint. The only very small negative for me was that at some points the book was a little slow and plodding, but not enough to distract. Four and half stars.
laurie
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
Another excellent fictional history by Lisa See…as always, I learn about a subject that is new to me. THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN transported me into the world of brave female divers of Jeju Island. Many discussable themes, especially female friendship, family and history. I was spellbound - read it!
Vickie
The Liar’s Child by Carla Buckley
This book turned out to be a gangbuster read for me, after a very slow start. Cassie and Boon are two children living in the same apartment complex as Sara. Sara notices that they are left alone a lot once their mother disappears one night, so she takes an interest in the welfare of the children. Cassie is sullen and withdrawn while Boon is innocent and needy. The first half of the book was very slow, as the author laid the groundwork for the spine-tingling conclusion. Whit, the father, is doing the best he can to raise his children alone, but he has to go to work and leaves a reluctant Cassie in charge of Boon. Sara enters the picture at just the opportune time because she also has secrets.
Jill
Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani
A story of a mother and her three daughters that have endured abuse for 30 years from the husband/father. He falls into a coma and all the shame and secrets that have been kept buried by each begins to surface. This sets them all on a path of healing and finding hope for survival.
Rosemary
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
A Vietnam vet and former POW can't adjust to a changing America so he takes his wife and daughter to a new beginning in Alaska. A former army buddy left him a homestead and all the neighbors try to teach them how to survive the elements, but that's not where the danger lies. The long black Alaskan dark of winter makes him fearful of everything and everyone. When his daughter falls for the son of the man he considers his enemy his anger breaks loose again and again. What happens? Read the book...it's well worth the time and effort!
Trezeline
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
Very educational and interesting story of a family that survived the Holocaust.
Elizabeth
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante
I am increasingly drawn into the lives of Elena and Lila. The characters are so well-drawn. Their lives intersect in so many ways. Ferrante shows the emotions of the narrator in such exquisite and compelling language that I felt like those feelings were my feelings. The last part of the book is gut- wrenching but I couldn’t put it down. I immediately picked up the fourth book in the series. I will be sorry to see it end.
Betty
Atomic Habits by James Clear
One of the best books I’ve ever read for inspiring change in your life. Though technical it was easy to read and understand. He makes it seem doable. Loved this book.
Linda
The A List by J. A. Jance
Ali Reynolds was a news reporter when she was contacted by a woman desperately trying to locate the sperm donor of her son who needs a kidney transplant. As the story hits the air, calls come in. It seems that the doctor who performed the artificial inseminations used his own sperm instead of an anonymous donors. His nurse became his second wife and was going to testify against him and he had her killed. The doctor eventually went to prison on a murder charge and vows revenge on those who caused his downfall. He tattoos their initials on his arm and calls it his A-List, A for annihilation.
Linda
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
Gina Royal is a stay-at-home mom and thinks her life is almost perfect until she learns that her husband Melvin is a serial murderer. Not only is he a murderer but he tortures and skins the young women before killing them and throwing their bodies into a watery grave. His “workshop” is in an attached garage and Gina never knew a thing. She was arrested as an accomplice but was acquitted. She and her children have been on the run ever since. They have a house on Stillhouse Lake and want to stay in the area. Then bodies of two young women are found in the lake not far from Gina’s dock. They have been tortured in the same way that Melvin’s victims were and police are looking suspiciously at Gina as a murderer.
Linda
Dating You Hating You by Christina Lauren
Evelyn (Evie) Abbey is a leading producer at her agency when an unexpected merger occurs and she finds herself competing for her job with a man brought in from the other agency. Carter Aaron moved to the West Coast for the job and now finds himself working for a man he doesn’t like or respect. He and Evie had met and dated prior to the merger and now find themselves competing for the job as Brad Kingman told them he can only keep one of them. How can they keep their budding romance intact with the backstabbing going on?
Linda
Night Secrets by Kat Martin
Brianne Winters has loved the dashing sea captain Marcus Delaine since she was a child. That love has only grown stronger and now she intends to stow away on his ship. She has always yearned to see a little of the world beyond the doors of the White Horse Tavern where she works for her father. The ship will only be gone a few weeks and then she will return to the tavern. She is discovered as a stowaway and taken to the captain who is not pleased to see her. He has been attracted to her as a woman for some time but keeps telling himself she is still a child. She proves to him she is now a woman.
Dorothy
The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone
Bio of Elizabeth Friedman an unsung hero that broke codes during WWI and WWII. She also broke the codes of the Prohibition smugglers and other criminals. She and her husband (also a code breaker) wrote books about how to break codes. She is the grandmother of the National Security Agency. Easy to read. A story about a woman that has been forgotten because she was a woman; her husband received the credit for the work they both performed. Good for book club.
Cindy
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
DAISY is my fav book of 2019! lthough it is only April, I can’t imagine another taking its place. My husband and I listened to it together and we kept “stealing” CDs so we could finish it once we returned to our individual drives to/from the office. What memories of the 70s this book evoked.
Jud
Chaos by Patricia Cornwell
An old enemy resurfaces and targets Scarpetta and people she is close to.
Linda
Ten Kisses to Scandal by Vivienne Lorret
Briar Bourne is determined to win a wager placed by Lady Comstock. She will pay Briar fifty pounds if she finds a bride for Nicholas Blacklowe by the end of August. Nicholas, the Earl of Edgemont, is a notorious rake who has no intention of marrying. Briar learns of his ill-fated first marriage when he was used by his wife who was having an affair with his brother. Nicholas has no intention of ever trusting another woman. Why then does he look forward to giving Briar lessons from his vast knowledge in exchange for a kiss from her?
Linda
A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman
Mark Grimaldi was an army corporal when he met and fell in love with Lady Nicole Huntington. Their romance was quick and marriage soon followed. After three months of marital bliss, an argument led to hurtful things being said and pride kept both from admitting they were wrong. Nicole left him. Ten years later, Mark is now a general and is up for consideration as the Home Secretary. He must have a wife which means he has to go to Nicole and talk her into returning to England with him.
Cherie
The Huntress by Kate Quinn
What a fabulous read! Could not put it down! Another must-read by Kate Quinn.
ILene
Shell by Kristina Olsson
SHELL starts in the mid 1960s with the Vietnam war and the construction of the Sidney Opera House. The story weaves between Pearl Keogh, an Australian journalist who is anti-war, Swedish Axel Lindquist, a glass craftsman hired by the Danish Architect of the Opera House and Jorn Uzon, hired to craft some of the key glass pieces. Pearl’s mother died when Pearl was very young, her father was unable to care for her and her siblings. Now that her two brothers are at the right age for the draft she tries desperately to keep them out of it. So much happens with politics at that time. So well written loved all the relationships and all the descriptions of glass making.
Nancy
Highway 61 by David Housewright
Minnesota-based PI novel with good writing, nice character development as the series progresses, and a tough-guy hero.
Elizabeth
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
I determine what I read by books’ reviews. SOMETHING IN THE WATER has plenty of great ones, including from Reese Witherspoon and her book club. So I expected this book to be “thrilling and thought-provoking,” "deliciously dramatic,” and “a dark glittering gem of a thriller.”
But I was disappointed. It bored me for the most part. Erin and Mark, as young newlyweds on their honeymoon, find “something in the water” that changes both of them for the worse. It took until page 230 to get to that, though. Before they found “something in the water” are 229 pages of buildup. Even after they find “something in the water,” the story is predictable, including and most of all, the end. I won SOMETHING IN THE WATER through LibraryThing.
Laura
Natchez Buring by Greg Isles
Had everything, murder, love, incest, sex, politics. At the end of every chapter I wanted to read more. This is the first in the trilogy. Next is THE BONE TREE, then MISSISSIPPI BLOOD.
Emily
Saving Meghan by D. J. Palmer
Carl, Becky and Meghan sure paint the picture of a beautiful and happy family that most people would envy, until 14-year-old Meghan has been in and out hospitals so often due to her explainable illnesses. Yet, no definite diagnosis has been confirmed. Then, Becky is suspected of exhibiting Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and lost her custody of Meghan. What is actually going on? What’s the truth? SAVING MEGHAN is an excellent medical drama, and D.J. Palmer has skillfully entwined plenty of twists, secrets and lies into the story, and turns it into an intense psychological thriller!
Sean
Spiral by Paul McEuen
Paul McEuen crafts a really well put-together novel that does well to thrill the reader with science and family. An obvious Michael Crichton-esque book that does weigh in too heavily on the science-speak at times but does a great job of avoiding cliches and still making characters realistic. I loved the idea that the future is affected so much by the past. Overall, a very fun read that got better with each chapter.
Leah
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
Disappointing compared to her previous works, which I've enjoyed much more. It also features my least-favorite mystery trope: where all the characters know something, and reference it, and hint to it, but the reader doesn't find out until a "big reveal" at the end. It's such fabricated suspense - I'm the only one not in the loop!
Nancy
No Exit by Taylor Adams
Darby barely made it to the rest stop in the snowstorm. Fortunately she is not alone as there are a few others stranded, too. Or maybe it is not so fortunate as she sees a child trapped in the back of a van, also in the parking lot. Which of the trapped travelers does the van belong to? As the situation spirals more and more out of control Darby tries to decide who to trust among the others, but things are not as simple as they may seem. Excellent suspense. Highly recommended.
Nancy
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berensen shot and killed her husband. There is no doubt about it...none. Yet she refuses to talk...about anything. Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist wants desperately to work with her, to see if he is the one who can break through her silence. But Theo has his own problems - he thinks his wife is cheating on him. How these two disparate storylines are brought together is masterful. This is a first novel by Mr. Michaelides and I sincerely hope it isn't his last. I know he will go on my list of authors to follow.
Kim
The Center of the Universe by Ria Voros
This was an excellent combo of family drama and mystery that I had a hard time putting it down. The characters felt real and the plot kept me guessing the whole time. I highly recommend this book. I loved the narration by the smart, intuitive, 17-year-old Grace. I'm guessing this was written as a YA novel...but it crosses over the generation gap just fine!
Jackie
Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci
Another terrific read from David Baldacci, he's one of my favorite authors. I look forward to each new book!
Cindee
The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee
I literally could not put this book down. This is an amazing true story of a North Korean woman's life and defection. What an eye-opener.
Sherri
Alex & Me by Irene M. Pepperberg
Scientist tries to prove that a "bird brain" should not be derogatory, but sets out to show that a small brain can do something we never could have imagined - learn language. Interesting insights into language development and human/animal relationships. Well written. An ARC from my bookseller days that I'm just now reading. (Looking forward to seeing him meet Alan Alda on the web if I can find it.)
Robert
The 9th Judgement by James Patterson
I just found this one and it's one of his best!
Richard N B
Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger
This is book one in a series starring the former sheriff of Aurora Minnesota, Cork O’Connor. The series has become immensely popular and catapulted William Kent Krueger onto a list of the best mystery/thriller writers. The plot is satisfyingly complex, with many suspects, unclear motives, uncertain crimes (Accident? Suicide? Murder?), and more twists and turns than the most fiendish roller coaster. I’ll read more of this series.
Sandy
The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter
One of the best Karin Slaughter books I have read, but I think PRETTY GIRLS was better.
Christine
In the Drift by Michael Swanwick
This book re-imagines a future in which the Three Mile Island "accident" of 1978 had been more serious. I was mainly drawn to it because it referenced Philadelphia and the Mummers. It is basically a pulpy dystopian thriller. The back cover makes it sound like a horror story, but it isn't. It was actually pretty good. It held my interest all the way through. It ended a little strangely but all in all I enjoyed it.
Kathy
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
A mystery and a love story that just flowed. The author took us back and forth to a time when she was “gone” and how the family fared then and now. A teenager is missing and the entire family dynamic has changed. Clues as to what really happened are subtle. The reader is given just enough information to make this book a real page-turner. I read it in two days and plan to read more books by this author.
Brenda
A Talent for Murder by Andrew Wilson
Who hasn't wondered about the ten-day span in 1926 that Agatha Christie was missing? This
account is full of colorful characters and very interesting. It explains all the actions that
Agatha took, and the reasons behind them. It could possibly have happened. This was a very good read, kept you guessing throughout the book. I highly recommend it.
Lana
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I really liked this one. I was completely “there” and was amazed at how authentic the “book” being written was in terms of emotions. I felt so connected to the characters and ended up crying at the end. This was only my second book by this author and I absolutely love her writing.
Elizabeth
The Twenty (short story) by Lisa Unger
It's an old crumpled twenty-dollar bill when this short story opens, ready to bring to the bank and trade for a new one. It seems for a moment that will happen, even though it doesn’t feel (yes, the twenty has feelings) ready for its end. Lucky for the twenty, it continues to change hands a little longer. So the reader watches the twenty in a comfortable cash drawer, a dirty pants pocket, even a stripper's g-string. But the twenty remembers when it was new and in the best places. It’s hard to empathize, even sympathize, with an inanimate object. So 31 pages was about all I could spend with a twenty-dollar bill.
Becky
The Farm by Joanne Ramos
An idea – pay poor women large sums to be the surrogate for busy, important, wealthy, lazy women who want their own child, but don’t want the bother, time commitment, inconvenience of actually bearing them. Ramos has written a novel that presents that idea carried out to the fullest extent. The Farm is a lap of luxury prison for the surrogates. Reagan, an idealist asserting her independence from her father but controlling father, Jane, an impoverished Filipina eager for the large financial payout, and Lisa, a wild child with unknown needs, are the three surrogates.
The novel presents many topics for book groups to discuss and casual readers to ponder.
Becky
Run Away by Harlan Coben
This was my first Harlan Coben mystery. It was an interesting, well-written tale about a dysfunctional family. (Is there any other kind?) Paige is the runaway. She fell in with a druggie boyfriend at college and is no longer the sweet innocent good girl her father is searching for. Elena is a former FBI agent on the trail of the missing 24-year-old son of wealthy banker. Simon is Paige’s father trying to save her from herself. Lots of action here: death, beatings, drug dealers, gun fights, DNA surprises, you name it. A fast read by good writer.
Tessa
The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty
What an interesting and fresh take on relationships and the psychology of love. What makes us attracted to one another? What holds us together? What happens when one partner moves on, but the other hangs on – desperately, crazily, dangerously?
Ilene
Booked to Die by John Dunning
BOOKED TO DIE introduces police detective and book collector Cliff Janeway. In this first of a series, he is working a murder case revolving around books, giving detailed insight into the world of book collecting and people who engage in it. If you love books like I do, this is for you.
Thomas
Run Away by Harlan Coben
Excellent book to read.
Daniel
The Paper Wasp by Lauren Acampora
Lauren Acampora has written a dark gem of a novel, filled with characters who are both sketches and yet also fully-realized portraits of tortured souls in deep, internal crises. Employing a first person style that allows her to explore her main character (Abby Graven's) thoughts while also shielding her from the reader’s attempts at guessing her ultimate actions, Acampora has done a masterly job of giving us an anti-hero that we will both sympathize with and recoil at when the novel reaches its finale. This is a fever dream of a story that is only too eager to drive down the rabbit hole into darkness. You would be remiss if you missed your chance to experience it.
Daniel
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS meets THE ROAD plus a touch of the Howard Stern Show in this insanely good book. I have to say just reading the back cover of this book got me excited to read it, and I was not disappointed in the slightest afterwards! You are immediately introduced to S.T., a domesticated crow who kicks off a hilarious apocalyptic novel filled with furred and not-so animal friends just looking to save the world. Certainly for the adult crowd, you will be laughing more than once while reading this. I very much look forward to what this author has in store for the future because she has definitely become one of my new favorites!
Myrna
The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner
This is a powerful book about a friendship forged in an American internment camp for Japanese Americans and German Americans during WWII.
Jeanne
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
I’ve read all of Ms Genova’s books, and each one is always better than the last one. EVERY NOT PLAYED is truly her best one yet. The story was riveting and heart-rending - and I learned so much about how ALS attacks and ravages the body - yet the author was able to wrap the brutally honest descriptions of ALS into a warm, engaging story that explored the relationship between the patient and his divorced wife and estranged child, and in doing so, we see the best side of humanity.
Anna Servati
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
This is a story of abandonment, survival and loneliness but also of resiliency, hope and love. The main character is like no other that I have ever met or read about so it was a different type of book for me. I enjoyed it very much. It is well written with lots of descriptive narrative about mother nature but I didn't feel like it was overdone. In fact, I think it was absolutely necessary for the reader to understand and feel emotion for the main character. The story drew me in and made me feel the depth of all the characters. There were several themes woven throughout from a coming of age for Kya to a legal battle for a serious crime. The ending was memorable and captivating. This is definitely the best book I have read so far this year.
Anna Servati
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Iiloved this book. I gained so much insight into how difficult it is to raise a family in the White House and be the first family in America. It was written with humor and so much sensitivity and love for her parents and her family. Reading about her struggles growing up and now knowing all her accomplishments just reinforced my respect for her. She was so honest and made sure to reveal her humanity and concern for others. Her appreciation for all the people who helped her and worked for the family seemed so sincere and genuine. I think that Michelle Obama wrote the book with such openness and allowed us into her personal life and made sure to explain that she had plenty of doubts about herself and her decisions along the way.
Anna
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
I really enjoyed Cheryl's story. She wrote eloquently about her family and her grief, her adventures on the trail, and what the experience meant to her. Her memoir is about death and rebirth, about joy and pain, and about doubt and resilience. It was at times funny and warm and clever. I highly recommend this book to those who like challenges, adventures or who like memoirs.
Anna Servati
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
I loved this book. It was beautifully written. The story was both heartbreaking and at times very funny. At first I just thought her social awkwardness was sad but then realized she was a loner and social outcast because of circumstances in her live both present and in her past. The relationships she develops as she learns to trust a few of the other characters is uplifting. The ending was great.
Donna
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Tara's memoir left me wondering on one hand and in awe on the other. She was raised by a domineering, bipolar, paranoid, religious fanatic and survivalist father and mother who submitted to him. Tara was able to break away from the homestead in Idaho, receive an education and write her story. It's an unforgettable book.
Karen
Life at the Dakota: New York's Most Unusual Address by Stephen Birmingham
This nonfiction book is about the iconic building in New York City on the west side, the "unfashionable" side. It covers the construction and the residents of the site before John Lennon was shot in front of the edifice. It reads like a social studies text. Some of it was interesting, but obviously there was no plot or suspense as in a fiction book. Still, you learn about Bacall, Rex Reed, Bernstein and lots more. People who could afford to live on the "better" side of town chose to live in this offbeat, unusual building. The residents were as unusual as the building.
Mary
Wolf Pack: A Joe Pickett Novel by C.J. Box
Wyoming, drones, bad guys. And game warden Joe Pickett. Such a good book!
