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Reviews by Kristen

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Paris in Love: A Memoir
by Eloisa James

Paris in Love (3/11/2012)

The best part of this book for me was that it made me nostalgic for Paris, where I lived for a year following college. I loved reading about the places and customs and traditions and idiosyncrasies that we're such a joy to experience, when I was there. But beyond the …more

Pearl of China: A Novel
by Anchee Min

Pearl of China (1/30/2010)

It is very difficult to write books putting actions and words into the mouths of actual historical figures. Few authors do it well. Pearl of China is an exception. Not only do the characters feel complete and real, but the author managed to transmit a feeling that it was a …more

Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash

Into the woods (9/17/2009)

I had high expectations for the book based on the preliminary reviews I'd read, so perhaps it isn't surprising that I was disappointed, although I was glad to have read it in the end.

The story was weirdly Shakespearean, and there were enough references to old English that …more

The Secret Keeper
by Paul Harris

Much to think about (3/5/2009)

It has taken me a while to process this book enough to write my review - which is actually a really good sign for this book. It provides a lot to think about and a compelling view of a part of the world and a story which receives very little attention in American media. The …more

Palace Circle
by Rebecca Dean

Palace Circle (1/14/2009)

In the note on the back of the review copy, the publisher promised fast-paced, expected plots, great characters and fabulous settings. The settings were good, but the rest was not as advertised. Within the first few pages, I knew enough to be able to predict the general …more

The White Mary: A Novel
by Kira Salak

White Mary (7/31/2008)

It is hardly worth mentioning that Kira Salek is a tremendous writer, and her knowledge of the worlds she speaks of is thorough and evocative. As an exploration of the trials of war-journalism, and a part of the world rarely visited by outsiders, this is well worth reading. …more

Green Monster: A Sam Skarda Mystery
by Rick Shefchik

An entertaining yarn (7/4/2008)

One does not expect great literature in picking up a mystery novel. Rather, it is the expectation of interesting characters, suspense, grit, crime, and unexpected turns of events peppered with surprising glimpses of humor. Green Monster is not great literature, but as a …more

The House at Riverton: A Novel
by Kate Morton

Flawed, but evocative, beautiful and worth reading (5/7/2008)

The House at Riverton was evocatively written, and successfully captures the spirit of an age through the eyes of a woman in who, in her final days, relives them. The author creates vivid characters and tells a compelling story. Several compelling stories, actually: there …more

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Book Jacket — Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus

Praised by *Parade* and *The New York Times Book Review*, this debut features a 1960s scientist turned TV cooking star.

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