BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Priscilla B. (Marietta, GA)

The Forgetting Tree: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli

Inconsistant (8/11/2012)

Parts of the book were well written. I never found the book tedious to read, but often annoying. I was left wondering if the author was trying to make a statement about the way people view themselves, or just inconsistent with who her characters were. Was this meant to be about the dichotomy of strength and weakness within ourselves? The "thread" of the characters and story was sometimes misremembered by the author. It put me in mind of Chris Bohjalian's Double Bind. If you enjoyed that book or others that are somehow just a bit off, you may enjoy this one. Otherwise I’d say give it a miss.

Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorothea Benton Frank

A disappointment (6/13/2011)

When I saw this book listed on first impressions, I thought what a fun read. I was disappointed. The story and characters stuck me a rather shallow. even for a "beach read". At times I'd read along and enjoy it and then I wouldn't! It felt almost like two different people were authoring the story and each had different visions of the characters. Usually I enjoy escaping into light fiction, a big Mary Kay Andres fan! However, unless you absolutely love anything that even mentions Charleston, S.C. or Folly Beach, I would not go out of my way to read this book. "Porgy and Bess" fans might enjoy it.

A Box of Darkness: The Story of a Marriage
by Sally Ryder Brady

If you like Memoirs (1/11/2011)

You will enjoy A Box of Darkness. It is a well written story, the first half a bit better than the latter. It is a love story that began in 1956. It is not too "mushy" or painfully introspective.

I enjoyed the family photographs that were included. Although their lives were VERY different, her writing style reminded me of Jeanette Walls (The Glass Castle) and perhaps J.R. Moringer (The Tender Bar).

Agent X: A Novel
by Noah Boyd

Twists and Turns (12/5/2010)

An entertaining action thriller/mystery. Many twists and turns to keep you guessing. If you enjoy Dan Brown and Lee Child type books, you will like this one. Noah Boyd seems to have great potential as an author. I look forward to reading more of his work.

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

Another Winner (10/21/2010)

Another page turner from Lee Child. I have enjoyed many of his books, this one was no exception. Pure suspenseful entertainment. I also learned a few new things along the way. Agree this would not lend itself to a book group. Best just for ones own personal delight in a well crafted suspense novel.

Unfortunately (6/25/2010)

I love a mystery and am not overly fussy about how well they are written. Unfortunately, even my lowish standards were not met in Death Echo.
The premise was never well explained or developed. The sexual “chemistry” between the main characters was distracting and bizarre given the situation. In all a disappointing read.

If you love sailing and the waters of the Pacific Northwest you might enjoy parts of the book. Otherwise, give it a miss.

The Lotus Eaters: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli

The Lotus Eaters (1/6/2010)

A well written story. The author takes you into the world of photojournalism and Vietnam 1965-1975. Soli sites extensive research on Vietnam and I think that comes through in the story.

She just seemed to "get it" on so many levels. The passion for a job/art, human relations, and the cultural of the country. The book will appeal to anyone who enjoys an interesting and well written story. It goes well beyond being just another wartime love story.

Sweeping Up Glass
by Carolyn Wall

It began so well! (8/10/2009)

I enjoyed reading this book and meeting the rural Kentuckians. The novel was going along so well and then it wasn't. The story took off in too many directions, plots and sub-plots, and never came together. I reread the book and still found much of it implausible. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but this is fiction! An implausible ending tacked on to a story of poverty, racism, hardship.

That said, you would not be wasting your time if you read this book. Nuggets of simple truths and wisdom are there. The gritty character of Olivia is memorable.

Valeria's Last Stand
by Marc Fitten

Viva Valeria (2/25/2009)

An entertaining and delightful read. Fitten has brought to life an interesting assortment of zany and all too human characters. I kept thinking Alexander Mccall Smith with a PG rating.

I did feel it bogged down some toward the end, but perhaps that is my lack of testosterone! Even among the "bog" there were scenes well worth the wade.

I would recommend this book. It is not War and Peace, but still worth your time.

Valley of the Lost
by Vicki Delany

Valley of the Lost (11/30/2008)

Vicki Delany has written a mystery you can curl up with on a rainy afternoon. The characters are not overdrawn and distracting to the plot. But they do shine through, and you realize they have real potential as new “book” friends. It is a comfortable novel with a plausible plot. I look forward to the next book in this series. If you enjoy the Sue Grafton or Patricia Sprinkle type mysteries, you should enjoy this book too.

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