BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Angela S. (Hartland, MI)

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Accidents of Marriage (6/11/2014)

While this book had interesting developments and a few character insights, it did not truly draw me into the story like a great book will do. I did not feel as engaged with the characters as I would have liked to have been. I did enjoy the point of view of Maddy as she …more

I Am Livia
by Phyllis T. Smith

I am Livia (1/6/2014)

Most books have some faults that one can point out in a review and still credit the book as being enjoyable. However, in my opinion, there were no faults to critique in this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. If you enjoy historical fiction, and especially early Roman life, …more

To the Moon and Timbuktu: A Trek through the Heart of Africa
by Nina Sovich

Honest. (6/14/2013)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading To the Moon and Timbuktu by Nina Sovich. Reading about foreign cultures is always a great learning experience and this book did not disappoint. I was fascinated by the lives of the Africans that the author met and also by the modes of …more

The Jericho Deception
by Jeffrey Small

Hooked from the beginning. (3/6/2013)

I was intrigued by the plotline for the The Jericho Deception and the book did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning. Normally a book that toggles between characters in each chapter is confusing, but in this case, the layout built the suspension and increased the …more

Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin

Golden Boy (1/1/2013)

Golden Boy is a book with powerful subject matter and rich characters. The book jumps from one character to the next, so you really do get to know each one fully. However, I found the format a little jumpy and in some ways it does break up the flow of the storyline. I …more

Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster

Beneath the Shadows (5/9/2012)

Very readable and enjoyable book. I read it through in one day. It has an intriguing story line and enough suspense to keep the reader hooked. At times it does seem to veer towards a romance novel, but it does not linger there and overall it was interesting and easy to …more

All Woman and Springtime: A Novel
by Brandon W. Jones

All Woman and Springtime (3/13/2012)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of North Koreans and also naive trusting girls who are sold into the sex slave industry. The characters were believable and really pull you into the story. This book would be great for people …more

Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected - A Memoir
by Kelle Hampton

Bloom (2/14/2012)

Bloom is a memoir about a very difficult time in a family's life. I was hoping to read about the day to day struggles of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, and there was some of that. However, the book was very sappy and melodramatic. I found myself rolling my eyes and …more

The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great
by Eva Stachniak

Wonderful blend of history and fiction. (12/30/2011)

The Winter Palace was a delight to read. The characters are well written, so that the reader finds themselves rooting for, or against them. The book is also a wonderful mix of history and fiction, and it is never boring. It would certainly appeal to readers of historical …more

Ten Minutes from Home: A Memoir
by Beth Greenfield

Ten Minutes From Home (4/22/2010)

Ten Minutes from Home is a very enjoyable read even though the subject matter is tragic. It seems to be very honest and real, which a memoir should feel like. It gives an insightful glimpse into a family dealing with the unthinkable and the very different ways people deal …more

Making Toast: A Family Story
by Roger Rosenblatt

Making Toast (11/10/2009)

It is easy to see how this book would appeal to people who have gone through the experience of losing a child, and the aftermath of living without that loved one. I expected to feel this family's grief and ache and I did, but it was not necessarily due to the words on the …more

Sweeping Up Glass
by Carolyn Wall

Outstanding! (8/10/2009)

I loved this book from beginning to end. The writing is smooth, the characters gritty and real and the embedded secrets are deep. When I started this book I was hooked, but I did not expect the last 100 pages to be so full of twists and turns and so action packed! Towards …more

Something Like Beautiful: One Single Mother's Story
by Asha Bandele

I had hoped for more. (12/10/2008)

For a rather short book, it took me awhile to finish it. Not because I was too busy, but because this book just did not engross me at all. The writing is too poetic and dramatic for me to lose myself in the story. I was painfully aware throughout most of the book that I was …more

Tethered: A Novel
by Amy Mackinnon

Well Done (8/11/2008)

I really enjoyed this book. Once I started reading, I did not want to put it down. It's part drama, suspense, a bit of action, and quite entertaining. It comes with a flawed, yet independent leading lady, a tortured and devoted cop and all the characters are layered so that …more

The Commoner: A Novel
by John Burnham Schwartz

Raw and Emotionally Charged (12/20/2007)

I am a big fan of Asian historical fiction, so I was very excited to read this book. I was not disappointed. I found this book to be raw and emotionally charged, with strong female characters who may or may not have sacrificed too much for the good of their country. I …more

Red Rover
by Deirdre McNamer

Book left me frustrated. (9/15/2007)

After reading the summary of the book, I was very intrigued by the subject matter. However, I found many thoughts or past actions by the characters to be unanswered and was left frustrated overall. Many issues were brought up but never explained or explored. Also, each …more

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