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Reviews by Liz M. (Morristown, NJ)

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My Jane Austen Summer: A Season in Mansfield Park
by Cindy Jones
My Jane Austen Summer (2/21/2011)
This is a great book for lovers of Jane Austen. It combines a modern day woman's dilemma's with heroines situations from the novels, Mansfield Park in particular. This would be a fun book club read or a great beach read.
The Girl in the Green Raincoat: A Novel
by Laura Lippman
The Girl in the Green Raincoat (11/23/2010)
I really enjoyed this book, it's a short story that keeps your interest with a good plot and characters. This was my first book by Laura Lippman, but not my last. I will definitely go back and find other books written by her. A good book to curl up with on a cold evening!
Stash
by David Matthew Klein
Stash by David Klein (5/25/2010)
I liked this book a lot, I really enjoyed reading it. The characters were believable and relatable. Even though Gwen made a bad choice to smoke pot and drive her car, resulting in the death of an elderly man, you feel that she was really a good person. She just wanted to do the best she could for her children and husband, as a result she felt unimportant and invisible.
We have become a pharmaceutical society that can justify medicating ourselves for the smallest of reasons. The author ties in her misuse of a substance with the corporate coverup of the dangerous side effects of a prescription drug. People are always willing to overlook the danger in order to benefit from the results.
The Scent of Rain and Lightning: A Novel
by Nancy Pickard
The Scent of Rain and Lightening (2/18/2010)
I thought this book was great. Like her first book, the author keeps you wondering and intrigued until the very end. It was such an enjoyable read, once I started it, I zipped through it. I had to find out what happened. I felt a range of emotion toward a lot of the characters, at times liking them, other times disliking, feeling pity, or sorrow. I will definitely recommend this book to both my book clubs.
The Possibility of Everything
by Hope Edelman
The Possibility of Everything (7/27/2009)
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a memoir about a young mother and her concerns for her daughter, feeling lonely in her marriage and their travels to Belize that help them to resolve their issues. I think a lot of women will be able to relate to her feelings and fears.

The writing was great, it flowed nicely and was very easy to get immersed in. I could have done with less description of the Mayan culture and history. But, I think I was also anxious to finish and get the review in before I leave for vacation.

I think this is a good book club choice, there is a lot for discussion and is an overall good read.
How We Decide
by Jonah Lehrer
Worth Reading (12/14/2008)
I enjoyed how the author used commonly known sports figures and stories to show the process of how people make decisions. And it is truly amazing how complex and involved the process is, with past experiences, emotions and morality all playing a role. This book is definitely worth reading and geared to the average person, not just those with scientific backgrounds.
Stealing Athena
by Karen Essex
Not very engaging (6/3/2008)
I did enjoy the historical fiction and the time period changes in this book, but it seemed to drag on and on. I liked the characters but found my thoughts wandering away from the story when I was reading.
The Commoner: A Novel
by John Burnham Schwartz
The Commoner (12/23/2007)
I really enjoyed this book, having lived in Japan I was very interested in the culture and personalities of the characters. I found the book to be well written and engaging. This would be a great book club read as there is a lot to discuss. At the very least I would recommend this book to others, Japanophiles or not.
The Savage Garden
by Mark Mills
The Savage Garden (12/12/2007)
I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. It was a mystery and a love story taking place in Italy. I highly recommend it.
Mozart's Sister
by Rita Charbonnier
Mozart's Sister (10/18/2007)
I was really looking forward to reading this book because I love historical fiction. I found this novel to be a bit boring. I prefered the first half of the book to the second. I was torn between pity and annoyance towards Nannerl when her father shunned her and set her aside to Wolfgang. It was hard for me to feel sorry for her when she was so bitter. I was glad that she renewed her passion for music at the end of the book. Overall, I probably would not have finished the book if I did not have to give a review.
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