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Reviews by Jane D. (Boulder, CO)

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The Forgetting Tree: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli
you can never forget (8/23/2012)
Reading "The Forgetting Tree" by Tatjana Soli was one of the most beautiful and moving experiences of my summer. I loved Soli's deep explorations of the characters. And I liked how she didn't tell the reader but rather showed and let the reader come to her own conclusions. The story was both fascinating and heartbreaking, and while being entertained, I was also learning about the life of a citrus farmer. Thank you for this book--one of the true gifts of the summer.
The Innocents: A Novel
by Francesca Segal
Innocents and innocence (5/20/2012)
I was mesmerized by this book. I always like getting to know a different world, and in this case it was the Jewish community in London. It does exactly what I love about good literature—shows the universal human condition and emotions in a setting and culture different from my own. It also touches on current financial issues. A very enjoyable read. I didn't want it to end.
Paris in Love: A Memoir
by Eloisa James
A Window on Paris (3/15/2012)
This book gives a delightful picture of an American family's year in Paris. The brief episodes are entertaining and frequently thought provoking. My only regret was that I sometimes found myself wishing for a more detailed story.
No Mark Upon Her: A Novel
by Deborah Crombie
A good English country mystery (12/29/2011)
I especially liked learning about the sport of rowing and about how search and rescue dogs and their handlers work. The characters were somewhat flat, but the story was an entertaining one that kept me guessing.
A Trick of the Light: Armand Gamache Series #7
by Louise Penny
a gentle mystery (7/8/2011)
One of the strongest impressions I got from this book was that it was civilized, mannerly, even genteel. The art that is at the heart of the plot is described as being hopeful and optimistic, and Chief Inspector Gamache’s manner seems to embody these feelings. Although this is a murder mystery, there are also many more layers to this book. It explores addiction, secrets, contrasts, and the power of hope. It was the first Inspector Gamache novel I’d read, but I want to read more. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Minding Ben: A Novel
by Victoria Brown
Minding Ben (12/26/2010)
I was totally engrossed in this book. It provides an educational and eye-opening look at a world I knew nothing about. As a linguist, I was particularly intrigued by the Caribbean English, although I sometimes wished for a glossary, and a brief explanation of the grammar. Great story! I didn't want it to end.
The Tenth Song
by Naomi Ragen
The roller coaster coasts to an end. (10/22/2010)
I loved most of the book. It even made me examine my own life and choices. I liked the aspects of Jewish culture and the suspense. When the action shifted to Israel, however, I lost the sense of the individual characters; the group acting and thinking as a single being seemed unrealistic. The ending seemed rushed with everything being tied up into a nice little package. Such horrible events rarely have such perfect endings. The ending disappointed me.

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Hang in there...you'll get to the suspense. (6/8/2010)
After I got past all the tritely "clever" dialogue, filled with tiresome sexual nuances, this turned into a real page turner with enough suspense to keep me reading. I finished it in a day and a half.
The Swimming Pool
by Holly LeCraw
The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCraw (2/24/2010)
Beautiful, lyrical writing. Voice changes kept me turning pages, trying to fit the pieces together. I was totally caught up in this book until the last page.
The Crossing Places: A Ruth Galloway Mystery
by Elly Griffiths
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (11/12/2009)
Ruth Galloway is a delightful, human, and quirky character. This is a fun and exciting mystery, while also offering interesting tidbits of archeology, ancient cultures, and Norse mythology. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Valeria's Last Stand
by Marc Fitten
A folktale for the modern age. (3/4/2009)
Marc Fitten's first novel, Valeria's Last Stand, is a delightfully crafted tale of love, disillusionment, betrayal, greed, corruption, and friendship in a small village in Hungary. It's a small village in Hungary, but we can all see ourselves in Fitten's characters. Full of symbolism and simple humanity, this is a lovely and satisfying refuge in the midst of today's complexity. A simple, warm, and wonderful read.
How We Decide
by Jonah Lehrer
How do you know? (12/19/2008)
What goes into a decision? When should you analyze things carefully and when should you let your subconscious work on it? This book strives to give you the knowledge you need to analyze the type of decision you are making and what kind of thought process it requires.

Lehrer explains how the different parts of the brain work in decision-making through actual examples of decisions made in a wide range of fields including sports, shopping, medicine, the military, aviation, firefighting, political campaigns, and financial investment, to name a few. Some are life and death decisions, while others have no serious consequences.

The ideas and concepts are fascinating, and while this is complex and technical information, Lehrer makes it understandable to the lay person.
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