BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Karen D. (Dedham, MA)

Last Train to Istanbul
by Ayse Kulin

Soul Train (9/24/2013)

Getting caught up in the middle of a family with their banishment of one daughter to the celebration of another brings us to a dilemma when Hitler invades Paris. As Jewish people with passports from Turkey, they learn how to survive waiting for a train that will take them to their homeland.

A Hundred Flowers: A Novel
by Gail Tsukiyama

A Way of Life (7/18/2012)

A beautiful but sometimes a sad tale of life. I forgot how life could be in another culture at another time.
Precious memories of time gone past is all that some have. These memories keep them going on in life.
I have read other books by this author. I enjoyed this book but my favorite is still The Samurai's Garden.

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

Catherine who? (1/28/2012)

I so wanted to read this book as I have traveled to St. Petersburg/Leningrad. I was disappointed that I am on page 404 and just now Catherine has become Catherine the Great. Much of her life was eliminated but we know all about Varvara. Did I miss the steps leading up to her coronation? I shall read Robert Massie's book to learn more about Sophie who became Catherine.

Little Black Dress: A Novel
by Susan McBride

Magical Dress (7/7/2011)

I enjoyed reading this book. Good thing we don't have a black dress for us to see our futures. It's like going to see a fortune teller. The characters were vivid. I could see Evie trying on the black dress. Relationships can be so intertwined and yet sometimes the outcome is so unpredictable.
This is a new author for me and I look forward to reading her other books.

Friendship Bread: A Novel
by Darien Gee

Great Read (3/9/2011)

This is a memorable book. Women and their friendships can be so heart warming. I loved reading this book. I like having the recipe and hope to make a starter soon. I liked the closeness of the small town and how life changes meeting just one person.

Three Seconds
by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom

3 seconds too long (12/14/2010)

I tried the best that I could to enjoy reading this book. But, I just couldn't get my mind around the difficult names. I am not used to reading about this type of mule. I got to around 100 pages before I said "I quit". I think I got lost in the translation myself. I, in all honesty, could not recommend this book to anyone.

Gone Tomorrow: A Jack Reacher Novel #13
by Lee Child

Gone (11/3/2010)

I enjoyed reading this book. I am a big fan of mystery/suspense books, so this was a good fit. I had to put the book down for a couple of days, but when I returned to the story, I could remember who the characters were and the story line. Good descriptions of the situations left me wanting more. I hope to read more and to read his newest novel.

The Clouds Beneath the Sun
by Mackenzie Ford

Stunning (7/3/2010)

Having been to the Serengeti on safari, I was anxious to read this book. It brought back wonderful memories of camp life. I can still see the Masai men in their bright red robes standing with their spears. The book was descriptive of the plains without being too detailed. The characters, you felt like you knew them, anxious for them and so sad when their lives changed so dramatically. I loved the book so much, what can I possibly read next?

Pearl of China: A Novel
by Anchee Min

Pearl of China (2/14/2010)

At first, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book. To me the writing was stilted, but as I got more into the book, I was to discover how much history was involved. Not having read about Pearl Buck or any of her novels before I will certainly put them on my reading list.
The history of the cultural revolution in China and the sufferings of the people certainly put an awareness of Mao and Mrs. Mao.
I recommend this book to everyone.

Dragon House
by John Shors

Most Enjoyable (7/24/2009)

Having read "Beneath a Marble Sky", I was anxious to read another of John Shors books. I am not quite finished with "Dragon House, but I think it is so good, that I wanted other BookBrowse members to know how much I enjoyed this read. So descriptive of the city it makes you feel like you are there. The children, their hardships, their lives and yet they endure. Noah is a great character study. So angry with how his life was so badly changed. Iris and Thien, two women out to change the outcome of children' lives.

A great book and I give it as many stars as I could.

The Weight of a Mustard Seed: The Intimate Story of an Iraqi General and His Family During Thirty Years of Tyranny
by Wendell Steavenson

Mustard Seed (2/12/2009)

I have tried several times to get "into" the book. I keep saying I want to read this book, but I find myself procrastinating. It's not a bad book, but I just didn't like the style. A lot of information about the wars between Iran and Iraq and the Americans. I guess you could call it Historical Truth. I did not finish the book.

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