BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Karla S. (Dana Point, CA)

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

The highs and lows of pet ownership (1/10/2011)

I was sorry to finish this book. Now I want to read the other books by this veterinarian-author.

When Nick Trout stated that English was his worst subject in school he mist have been joking. "Ever by My Side" is written with such compassion for his family and four legged …more

The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai: A Novel
by Ruiyan Xu

"How can we be friends if we don't communicate?" (10/21/2010)

This book is about how isolated each character feels when they are unable to communicate with one another. An explosion tore apart the Li family and they had to rebuild, learn how to live with loss, grief, betrayal and redemption. Beyond the family there is portrayed the …more

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

Five people in an odd relationship (6/15/2010)

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin chronicles the lives of five people. The patriarch, Baba Segi, who is an abusive male chauvinist; Iya Segi, who worships money; Iya Femi, who desires revenge; Iya Tope, who is verging on lunacy; and Bolanle, whose …more

Romancing Miss Bronte: A Novel
by Juliet Gael

Fact or Fiction It Is A Treat (3/14/2010)

How sad for a family to loose its members one by one at such early ages. I found myself urging Charlotte to find true love and quit chasing after impossible men. Charlotte found her dream in publishing and the literary life of London, but too soon, she returned to the …more

Alice I Have Been
by Melanie Benjamin

Alice In Wonderland Indeed (10/27/2009)

"Alice I have Been" is Alice in Wonderland indeed. A little girl is living a charmed life and doesn't always sort fact from wishful thinking.

This is a story of obsession, blackmail, rivalry, love...it runs the gamut of emotions. When Mr. Dodgsen tells a story to Alice and …more

Gifts of War: A Novel
by Mackenzie Ford

Strong love as a Gift of War (4/8/2009)

Start with a promise betrayed, deception, then guilt. Set during England at war there is a suspension of conventional virtues. Each new turn of this story comes close to upsetting this keenly balanced scale of lies and love. It will keep you reading to see what else could possibly happen.

Valley of the Lost
by Vicki Delany

Valley of the Lost is Right (12/16/2008)

This was a mildly interesting tale. It might have kept me riveted if Vicki Delaney had not written so much gimmicky detail into the book. Double names for so many people was very confusing. Referencing flower-children parents seemed out of character for the responsible …more

Desert Cut: A Lena Jones Mystery
by Betty Webb

Desert Cut (1/1/2008)

The Sonoran Desert is usually tranquil but not in this case. A mystery with clues dropped in each chapter. This small town full of ethnic immigrants drawn by industry, is not well equipped to solve the deaths of young girls nor the culture the new townspeople brought with …more

Dervishes
by Beth Helms

Dervishes (12/10/2007)

An American officer and his family are transferred to Turkey by the US government. The officer leaves on long secret missions while wife and daughter get involved in situations they know nothing about. Their behavior is too noticeable to ignore. They are warned but do not …more

The Pirate's Daughter
by Margaret Cezair-Thompson

Cezair-Thompson has a hit! (10/10/2007)

The struggle for Jamaica's independence and the mother/daughter give and take seemed parallel. Cezair-Thompson's descriptions of the island and it's inhabitants are wonderful. I felt I was a close observer. All the characters were well developed. What a pleasure to read.

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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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