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Supreme Inequality
Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court's Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America
by Adam Cohen
Required reading (6/25/2020)
You really should not be able to vote unless you’ve read this book. The history and analysis it contains are foundational for citizenship in America. Seriously, move this to the top of your TBR list.
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend: A Novel
by Matthew Dicks
memoirs of an imaginary friend (8/8/2012)
I absolutely love this book! I saw similarities to "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" and "Room", but with so much more depth and compassion. I loved Budo's wisdom and insight. Most surprising to me was the way I accepted the imaginary characters; I normally …more
A Simple Murder
A Simple Murder
by Eleanor Kuhns
time-waster (4/11/2012)
This book just seemed way off to me. The historical context was a little shaky, as the book was set in a year when the Shakers may or may not have been a nascent presence in Maine, but surely had not had time to develop the reputation to outsiders that was depicted in the …more
Afterwards
Afterwards: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton
Angels? Really? (3/31/2012)
If you can suspend your belief in science and reality and embrace two characters who exist in an imaginary world where they can see their physical bodies and communicate between themselves without ever encountering other beings like themselves, this is a good novel. The …more
The Emperor of All Maladies
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
by Siddhartha Mukherjee
everything cancer history (3/6/2012)
This is a very palatable way to learn about cancer. The book covers the history of its diagnosis and treatment, in all its many forms, and efforts that currently exist to identify and treat modern cancers. About 80 of this book is in layman's terms, and several specific …more
The Good Father
The Good Father: A Novel
by Noah Hawley
Worth reading (3/4/2012)
A good psychological study of a dad whose son is accused of killing a popular political figure. It kept me reading, although it didn't really go in the direction I was expecting. Since finishing, I've really spent some time reflecting on the subject; it's not one you soon …more
The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls
The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls
by Julie Schumacher
Solid teen fiction (2/27/2012)
A solid teen book with a bit of a twist at the end. I thought the situation - a summer book club forced on a small group of unrelated girls by their moms - was unrealistic, but once I accepted that as a given, the rest of the story worked. A little different take on the "book club" novel.
Niceville
Niceville: A Novel
by Carsten Stroud
Entertaining throughout (2/27/2012)
Sort of creepy and supernatural occurrences mixed in with corrupt killing cops, a bank robbery, and a disappearing kid. Creative, somewhat humorous, very entertaining. I thought the ending was weak and rushed, but I enjoyed reading this book.
Losing Clementine
Losing Clementine: A Novel
by Ashley Ream
don't let the subject matter turn you off (2/9/2012)
How can a book about the narrator's impending suicide make you laugh? Ashley Ream pulls it off with her sharp wit and incredible voice. There are life lessons here, but so much humor, you don't really realize it 'til the end. What a great read!
The Submission
The Submission: A Novel
by Amy Waldman
Didn't feel real (10/19/2011)
This was a well-written book that I want to give 5 stars to. Something about it just didn't work for me, though. I have a sense that the outrage over the selection of a Muslim to design a 9/11 memorial just would not play out the way it is depicted in this novel. I got the …more
Defending Jacob
Defending Jacob: A Novel
by William Landay
Stay to the end (10/6/2011)
This was described as a "courtroom thriller". I would call it a courtroom drama. It languishes significantly, then presents a satisfying twist at the end to redeem itself. Like Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes", "Defending Jacob" provokes a parent's introspection. How would it …more
The Dovekeepers
The Dovekeepers: A Novel
by Alice Hoffman
good historical fiction (9/14/2011)
Although I read that "The Dovekeepers" was inspired by a biblical story, this atheist was able to appreciate the historical and narrative qualities of the writing. The characters have enough depth and development to make this a very satisfying piece of historical fiction. …more
The Tiger's Wife
The Tiger's Wife: A Novel
by Téa Obreht
what? when? who? (7/25/2011)
While there were some intriguing ideas expressed in this book, it just didn't have enough clarity for me to "get" the author's message(s). The commingling of actual and fictional history and geography really threw me for a loop. I never could get my bearings in either realm. …more
Iron House
Iron House: A Novel
by John Hart
thriller! (7/25/2011)
I'm not generally a fan of suspense/thrillers, but I got a free copy of this book and, well, you know, couldn't put it down. Since I don't read a lot of this genre, I may be unduly impressed, but I thought the content was original (although horribly gruesome in parts), the …more
Raising Wrecker
Raising Wrecker: A Novel
by Summer Wood
a different kind of love story (3/13/2011)
The title evokes images of destruction and abandon, but the story is about repair and acceptance and comfort and wholeness. The intelligence and warmth and depth of this book were a pleasant surprise. I have no reservations in recommending it.
Annabel
Annabel: A Novel
by Kathleen Winter
surprisingly relevant (2/9/2011)
Although this book focuses on the coming-of-age of a hermaphrodite, its message is relevant to many parent/teen relationships. Its themes of love, acceptance, and friendship are universal. Unlike "Middlesex" (the other popular hermaphrodite-based novel), "Annabel" is not …more
Minding Ben
Minding Ben: A Novel
by Victoria Brown
Well-written, realistic, and compassionate narrator (1/1/2011)
I really enjoyed the main character in this book, and the fact that her experiences derive from those of the author, Victoria Brown. The narrator, Grace, behaves with dignity and character (and, yes, grace) in the face of incredible challenges and setbacks. She has created …more
At Home
At Home: A Short History of Private Life
by Bill Bryson
history, not home improvement (11/17/2010)
I found this book in my local bookstore's home improvement section, obviously placed there by someone who hasn't read it. As a fan of history, I absolutely loved "At Home". Bryson's voice is the best I've found for conveying historical information, and the home is used in …more
Left Neglected
Left Neglected: A Novel
by Lisa Genova
Every bit as good as "Still Alice" (11/17/2010)
I read this book in two sittings. As in "Still Alice", the author immediately draws you in by relating familiar situations and feelings. Then when a traumatic injury leaves Sarah brain-damaged, Genova continues to relate Sarah's tale in a way in which we can all imagine, …more
Unbroken
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand
Not just a war book (11/17/2010)
What an awesome story! I love that the subject of this book is still alive. (I marveled throughout the book at how that is possible, though). This was one of the most vivid accounts of survival I have ever read. Also very educational - we all know about the horrors that the …more
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    The Jackal's Mistress
    by Chris Bohjalian
    From the New York Times bestselling author of Hour of the Witch, a Civil War love story of a Confederate wife and a wounded Yankee.
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