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The Swimming Pool
by Holly LeCraw
Ultimately Unsatisfying (2/25/2010)
While this book contains some lovely images and stirring language, in parts, I found it uneven and ultimately unsatisfying. The characters seemed to go around and around in circles - I kept waiting for at least partial resolution to all the angst, but it never came, and atmore
The Things That Keep Us Here: A Novel
by Carla Buckley
Fascinating and Terrifying (11/20/2009)
It has been a long time since I considered calling in late to work so I could finish a book, but that ALMOST happened with this one. What a fantastic read! I was involved with the characters, fascinated and terrified as the events unfolded, and was completely engaged asmore
The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel
by Maureen Lindley
Oriental Erotica (8/7/2009)
People who have an interest in Japanese history and culture will enjoy this book very much if they don't mind the heavy dose of erotica that flavors most of the story. There is a great deal of interesting information in the book, but also a lot of sexual activity, whichmore
The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
A PERFECT Audio Book (4/5/2009)
I'd like to do a quick shout-out for the AUDIO version of this fantastic book. It is one of the best I have ever listened to, EVER. The actors do a masterful job juggling the variety of accents and emotions, bringing the characters vividly alive with every word. I'm amore
The Secret Keeper
by Paul Harris
Didn't Work for Me (3/3/2009)
I just couldn't get excited about this book. I love thrillers and particularly enjoy debut authors and thought the journalistic perspective and exotic locale would make a special book. And Harris tried. He really tried, but I think he's still more of a journalist than amore
Greasing the Piñata
by Tim Maleeny
Good, Not Great (10/5/2008)
I LOVE mysteries - all different kinds. I hadn't read Tim Maleeny before and looked forward to a new author, a new style. I would categorize this one as a semi-hardboiled action thriller. Maleeny has created a REALLY eclectic cast of characters and scenarios under themore
Findings: Faye Longchamp Mysteries, No. 4
by Mary Anna Evans
An Enjoyable Read (5/22/2008)
I liked this book a lot. I enjoyed the descriptions of the island setting, of the house called Joyeuse, and of the "pot hunters" who seem to be the bane of serious archaeologists. I liked the Confederate history interwoven with the present-day mystery. I liked the people,more
Life Class: A Novel
by Pat Barker
Art, War, Life - In Slow Motion (12/25/2007)
I was looking forward to reading this book by an author whose work was unfamiliar to me. And although Pat Barker is obviously an accomplished writer, with occasionally brilliant phrasing and moments of vivid insight and clarity, the book seemed to go in slow motion for me,more
The Pirate's Daughter
by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Un-Put-Downable! (10/10/2007)
I expected to enjoy this book, but it surpassed my highest expectations. This is a FABULOUS read that I will recommend to everyone. The chapters fly by - a compelling story, well-drawn characters, believable dialogue, fantastic sense of place -- all work seamlessly togethermore
Play Dead
by David Rosenfelt
Not Just for Dog Lovers - Best Yet! (7/2/2007)
I discovered David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series a few years ago and have read them all. I love his wit, the well-defined characters, the plotlines, and the dogs that are always close to the main characters. IMHO, Play Dead is one of Rosenfelt's best Andy Carpentermore
How I Live Now
by Meg Rosoff
 (1/9/2005)
This is one of the most powerful books I have read in a very long time. Ms. Rosoff had me on the first page and I could barely stand to put it down. It's been several days since I finished the book, and the characters are still in my head. They are just that unforgettable.more
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