BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Juliet's Nurse
by Lois Leveen

The backstory (8/20/2014)

An intriguing idea for a book. We all know Shakespeare' s "Romeo and Juliet"; now we know a bit more of the backstory.
Although what I enjoyed most about the book was the peek into the life of everyday Veronans. And how the plague significantly changed their lives and the view of life going forward. To loose all your children after you worked to hard to keep them safe!
I have to say, Pietro was my favorite character. What a great spirit. The focus on bees was also interesting; especially given our current crisis with our pollinators.
Loved the sprinklings of humor. But felt it got bogged down in trying to be too authentic to the times in language.

Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley

Mother, daughters, husbands: who matters (3/14/2014)

It took me awhile to get into this book. I did enjoy the characters, but it took awhile to get them organized. I had mixed reactions to the structure of the novel. The chapters which were introduced by various animals became distracting vs unifying. The structure detracted from the plot in my opinion. It interrupted the flow of the story.
Overall the characters and story line were interesting and engaging. I think it was the structure that became distracting for me.
With the intertwining of characters it Mating for Life would be a fun book club book. Always fun to discuss the intertwining of lives.

The Cairo Affair
by Olen Steinhauer

current day espionage (12/8/2013)

Must admit "The Cairo Affair" is on my re-read list. Truly a book one needs to read in one sitting in order to follow the characters and the flow. I felt I lost some nuance by reading it in too many sessions. A re-read, even though I know the twists, would help solidify the details of this very current book. Additionally, I wanted to have a timeline for the Arab Spring events available as I read the book.

The development of the main characters, Sophie, Emmett and Zora, from 1991 to the present is a glimpse into the maturation of idealists. Plus the long term effects of seminal incidents in the decisions one makes into the future.

An intriguing book. Looking forward to sharing it with my friends and some great discussions to follow.

The Edge of Normal
by Carla Norton

Mystery with a message (7/9/2013)

I always enjoy a good mystery and Carla Norton's "The Edge of Normal" did not disappoint. Additionally, the book had a message regarding abduction and torture of women and young girls. I had to pause to think of the abducted victims were people and not just characters in a book; this happens in real life.
One of my criteria for a mystery is predictability and realism. There were enough times that Ms. Norton surprised me to say the book was not completely predictable. I held a variety of characters as options of the perpetrator in my mind. I do wonder what Ms. Norton's experience with this particular subject; seems as if she writes from an insider's perspective.
I look forward to another novel from this writer.

The Daughters of Mars
by Thomas Keneally

Daughters of Mars (7/9/2013)

Must admit it took me a few pages to get into this book, but once I was grabbed I enjoyed it completely. It was a very detailed accounting of WWI's casualties and the nurses and doctors who took care of them.
As a nurse who served in the Army, I found this book even more intriguing. The detail was amazing.
The characters were very well developed, so that I felt I knew them well and did not want any harm to come to them. There was always that sense that anything could happen to any of the characters.
And of course the ending was jaw dropping. So frequently the ending of a book is a let down. Definitely not in this book.
I would highly recommend the book. Although one needs to devote plenty of time to read it in all its detail,

Peking to Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World
by Dina Bennett

The starts and stops of travel (4/1/2013)

I found Peking to Paris to be very unevenly written. As I thought about the writing of this review I did wonder if Dina Bennett writing in the book was a metaphor for her trip; lots of starts and stops, very uneven. It was almost as if she couldn't quite decide on the focus for the book; her relationship, the car, the rally...I would agree with other reviewers in that I anticipated more of a travelogue or a detailed account of the rally. Again, seemed like she couldn't quite decide on the focus.

Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster

Mystery on the Moors (5/31/2012)

I very much enjoyed the plot of this debut novel. Was not as predictable as many mysteries. The characters and setting were intriguing. The author transported me to this small town in England and did make me feel one with the main character. Would very much recommend the book to others. Looking forward to Sara Foster's next novel.

Half-Blood Blues: A Novel
by Esi Edugyan

Jazz in the time of Hitler (2/29/2012)

What an enlightening book regarding a topic that is rarely discussed. Edugyan provides an interesting insight to the world on Berlin and Paris in 1939-1940. What is one's life like if you are black and a jazz musician, both of which were verboten in that time. How does one behave when just who you are puts at risk. How do you treat your friends, who also put your life at risk?

The style of the book, with the jazz slang, deprivation during their time in Berlin and Paris, and the pervasive fear made for slow reading at times, but did succeed in putting you in the time.

This would be an interesting book club book, could generate and interesting discussion.

Things We Didn't Say: A Novel
by Kristina Riggle

Things we Didn't Say (5/14/2011)

I prefer books that allow for escape, or teach me something new; neither of which were present in Kristina Riggle's "Things We Didn't Say". Her characters were believable and fairly authentic, with an accurate, if not predictable storyline.

"Things We Didn't Say" could prove to be an interesting book club discussion. Would be appropriate for older adolescents and might be a beneficial discussion for the appropriate group.

Jamrach's Menagerie: A Novel
by Carol Birch

Jamrach's Menagerie (2/21/2011)

What a great adventure! A well told, exciting historical novel. Ms. Birch brings the reader right along on all of Jaffy's adventures. She skillfully gives the reader a glimpse of the lives of seafarers in the 19th century. Plus, the added dimension of fantasy with the discovery of the dragon. A very delightful book. Would be a fun bookclub discussion.

Ever By My Side: A Memoir in Eight ~~Acts~~ Pets
by Dr. Nick Trout

Shaped by my pets (1/14/2011)

Dr. Trout's memoir "Ever By My Side", was an engaging, if not uneven book. It seemed to me that his narrative would run along smoothly and entertainingly, and then get stuck. The stories were fun, I enjoyed the insights into British life and their relationship with their pets. Must admit I felt Dr. Trout missed some teachable moments as a vet; although potentially controversial. Inside vs outside cat, training of dogs to be good citizens.
With the number of other 'dog' and 'cat' books available, not sure I would put this one too high on the list.

The Beauty of Humanity Movement: A Novel
by Camilla Gibb

A Peek at Vietnam (12/17/2010)

As I read this delightful book, The Beauty of the Humanity Movement, my mouth watered for a bowl of pho! Unfortunately, no Vietnamese restaurants nearby. Camilla Gibb skillfully transported me to VietNam, both past and present. I loved getting to know her character's and learning more about the history of VietNam and its people. The only distractor for me was the Vietnamese words and expressions, would have loved to have a dictionary/translator. I would highly recommend the book. I am looking forward to reading one of Ms. Gibb's other books and hoping it is as entertaining. Definitely a book club recommendation!

Gone Tomorrow: A Jack Reacher Novel #13
by Lee Child

Subways of New York (10/11/2010)

This was my first Lee Child/Jack Reacher book; don't think it will be my last. The book drew me in from the start and kept my interest throughout all the twists and turns of plot and geography. I enjoyed the contemporary plot; informative and potentially realistic. As was pointed out by another reviewer, a fair amount of violence, but I did not feel it was excessive. Would recommend the book to anyone who likes a well written mystery/espionage novel with an engaging main character. Looking forward to meeting Jack Reacher again.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives: A Novel
by Lola Shoneyin

Lives and Secrets (6/28/2010)

Lola Shoneyin's The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives provided a realistic peek into the lives of 4 Nigerian women and the husband they share. I enjoyed getting to know the 4 women and their stories; how they each ended up married to Baba Segi and why. I also felt I received a small insight into the everyday Nigerian's life. Although, I found the use of local terms and language a little difficult to follow.
I felt myself loosing interest in the middle of the book. But I was glad that I finished the book in order to discern the secrets of each woman.

Overall, I would recommend the book. It did make me want to read some more books about Nigeria and the lives of the people there.

The Hand that First Held Mine: A Novel
by Maggie O'Farrell

The Hand that First Held Mine (3/12/2010)

This was the first of Maggie O'Farrell's books that I have read and I am looking forward to another one. I found "The Hand that First Held Mine" to be a well crafted and very enjoyable book. The characters were interesting and engaging. The writing style seemed to put the reader into the same emotional place as the characters.
As a mother, especially a single mother, I found the relationships very believable and reminiscent. I was also impressed with Ms. O'Farrell's portrayal of Elina's postpartum experience and the development of the baby. Her descriptions of the way the infants engaged their respective mothers was very insightful.

I most enjoyed the masterful ending of the book. I always enjoy a well ended book, especially when the ending is not predictable from the first page. This would be a fun bookclub book, and could inspire some interesting discussions.

The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran

THe Wives of Henry Oades (12/14/2009)

An excellent work of historical fiction. The book transported me back to 1890's and into the intersecting lives of 3 normal people, whose lives are changed by extraodinary circumstances. The writer uses the voices of all three main characters to tell various parts of the story, so the reader has an opportunity to see the story from different perspectives. I continually found myself wondering what I would do in the place of the characters. An intriguing and insightful book. A great bookclub book; would stimulate interesting discussions. A book that would be enjoyed by both men and women. Would be interesting to hear the viewpoint of both on the story.

The Lieutenant
by Kate Grenville

The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville (9/23/2009)

An enjoyable work of historical fiction, about a period and place I knew little about. The story seemed uneven and only really joined by the inclusion of the main character, Daniel Rooke, through out. Grenville's protrayal of Rooke's early life was poignant; making me think of a person with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. Amazing how figuring out the prime numbers was such a draw for Rooke.

The interaction of Rooke, the rest of the crew and convicts with the local natives was very thought provoking. Made me wonder how our world would be now if more of the explores, conquerors and missionaries had viewed the native as Rooke did.

I felt the author left out a whole section when she went from Rooke leaving New South Whales to the end of his life. Would have preferred she fleshed that out much more.

This would be an interesting book for a book club discussion. Also enjoyed by young adults.

I plan to read some of Ms. Grenville's other books.

Night Navigation
by Ginnah Howard

Tough, realistic read (3/24/2009)

Not an easy book to read due to the topic, but realistically written. Even without a child with an addiction one can identify with Del's desire to fix her son's life. I believe the author accurately portrayed the ups and downs of the life of the addict and those around him.

I would recommend the book for anyone dealing with addiction, personally or peripherally. Some interesting insights as to the ripple effects of addiction.

How We Decide
by Jonah Lehrer

The science behind decision making (12/22/2008)

A must read, because we all make decisions. Jonah Lehrer's book "How we Decide" is a very readable book filled with the science behind how we make decisions. I found the book fascinating in the scientific knowledge that has been gained using MRI as people are put through a variety of studies. Mr. Lehrer has a gift in distilling the results of scientific studies to their essence and then 'translating' them to be understood by the lay person.

"How we Decide" takes us through what has previously been believed about decision making, the role emotions play in decision making and assumption most people hold regarding decision making. Then Mr. Lehrer presents the new research on the brain and what is being learned about decision making. He provides the reader with some very concrete and readable examples of everyday decision making. He also goes on to give recommendations on how to improve our decision making.

Very interesting and useful read; highly recommend it.

Green Monster: A Sam Skarda Mystery
by Rick Shefchik

The mystery of the Red Sox (7/8/2008)

Mysteries are my preferred genre and I enjoy baseball, esp. the Twins. Unfortunately, I can't say I enjoyed Rick Schefchik's Green Monster. I found the characters rather stereotypical and predictable. Don't know that I would have finished the book if it would have been much longer or I hadn't committed to writing the review. I felt the plot moved very slowly at times and was a little disjointed.

The main character, Sam Skarda, could develop into an interesting and likable protaganist, but needs some fleshing out. It would also help if his fellow characters had a little more substance.

Maybe more enjoyed by a true Red Sox fan.

Reviews by Carol J. (Isle, MN)

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