BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley

Mating for Life (3/11/2014)

I really enjoyed this story - a bit slow at the start but after the first chapter it held my attention. The introduction for each chapter with a paragraph about an animal and their mating habits was a fun lead in to the woman in the chapter. Might be an interesting book club read.

Songs of Willow Frost
by Jamie Ford

Songs of Willow Frost (7/6/2013)

Overall, this was a good read. How difficult it must have been for Willow to have such hardship thrust upon her. It is hard for one to imagine how the times dictated the way in which one was perceived. Jamie Ford successfully shows the bias of the period and the difficulties of life in the depression. I would recommend this book - good plot for discussion.

Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker

Crime of Privilege (4/4/2013)

What a good story!! Could not put it down from page one to the end! Poor George Beckett - he was caught from his first instance of weakness in 1996 at that Florida house party until 2008. George is an assistant DA assigned DUI cases when father of a murdered girl comes to him with evidence. Evidence that is being ignored by the police and DA's office. Lots of intrigue - the title describes the crime(s). As the reader I felt pity, annoyance, and disgust for his initial spinelessness and finally redemption for him. I think this book would generate good book club discussion and will certainly recommend it to my book club.

Palisades Park
by Alan Brennert

Palisades Park (2/20/2013)

Couldn't put it down. I read this book over a weekend and was sorry to have it come to an end. Alan Brennert has continued in the manner in which he started with Molokai and Hawaii - an entertaining fictional portrayal of history. I will be suggesting Palisades Park to my book club.

The Good House
by Ann Leary

The Good House (12/8/2012)

What a good read! I found it hard to put down and read it in two afternoons!! It is funny, but also explores the secrets that people harbor - so there is some sadness in the story. We all know people like this - such an accurate portrayal of small town life. I think it would be a good book for discussion as book clubs.

The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
by Margot L. Stedman

The Light Between Oceans (7/22/2012)

Couldn't put it down! From the first chapter to the final words, this book held my attention. The moral dilemma that Tom faces mixed with his love for his wife and commitment to honesty and duty is devastating to him.
I think this would be an excellent book for discussion and will recommend it to my book club.

Wife 22: A Novel
by Melanie Gideon

Wife 22 (4/5/2012)

I was not disappointed in Wife 22. I read the review by Jennifer Hershey before I started the story and was surprised that I, too, found the story a mix of humor and sadness. Enjoyed the little twist at the end; not quite what was expected. If one is looking for a light read - this is it.

Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected - A Memoir
by Kelle Hampton

Bloom (2/14/2012)

I found this a difficult book to read - didn't enjoy the style in which it was presented. Having worked in the field of special needs children, as well as having such a child in the family, I empathized with the author - I was disappointed in the presentation of her memoir.

Next to Love
by Ellen Feldman

Next To Love (7/9/2011)

What a good read! Such a sad time in our history - I think the Ellen Feldman did an excellent job in revealing the feelings of the characters and how they coped with the changes and sorrows brought on by this period of time. It was interesting to me how the children, Amy and Jack, responded. I think this would be a good book for book clubs to put on their reading list. I will recommend it to my book club.

Things We Didn't Say: A Novel
by Kristina Riggle

Things We Didn't Say (5/12/2011)

I couldn't put it down! Kristina Riggle did an excellent job of drawing the reader into the middle of this family. The title certainly describes what happens in the story. I became very involved with the characters - flawed as they seemed to be. I would recommend this book to anyone who just enjoys a good, engrossing story!

Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel
by Peter Robinson

Bad Boy by Peter Robinson (7/25/2010)

This is the first Inspector Banks novel that I have read. I did enjoy it after the characters became familiar to me. I found the first few chapters a bit confusing and had to return to pages read to place the characters. Once I got beyond that point it was a fun read and I would definitely recommend the story to others and would read more of the Inspector Banks series.

The Swimming Pool
by Holly LeCraw

The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCraw (2/21/2010)

What an engrossing read! I can imagine sitting on the beach and staying too long. The author developed the characters, with all of their faults, into a very suspenseful story. At times I felt annoyed with certain characters; often I felt sympathy for one of the other - but it certainly held my attention. I believe it would be a good book for discussion and I will recommend it to my book club.

Making Toast: A Family Story
by Roger Rosenblatt

Making Toast (11/3/2009)

What a heartwarming story! What could be a depressing tale becomes a tribute not only to Amy, but to Harris, Ginny and Roger. I felt the sorrow of all the characters, but I also felt the love that made it all work. This will be a book that I will read more than once and will recommend it to my friends.

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel
by Maureen Lindley

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel (8/5/2009)

This book was, for me, a difficult read. When I first started to read Eastern Jewel, I wasn't sure if I would finish. The character, a Manchu princess, defied tradition and conventional mores from a very young age. The author has tried to show her to be not just a one-sided "bad" person, but one with some sense of loyalty and love. Her sexual "addiction"; her preference of dressing in men's clothing and her penchant for spying (even as a child) combined to make her an unsympathetic character. It is only at the very end of this book that I find Eastern Jewel a "decent" human being.

Water, Stone, Heart: A Novel
by Will North

Water, Stone, Heart (5/3/2009)

Loved the characters in this book - Will North really brought them to life for me. The notes on the flood of August 2004 before each chapter made one realize how frightening and terrible it must have been. Because I enjoy fiction woven around some facts, I rated this book as very good. It is not a heavy read and I found it hard to put down. Anyone who enjoys a good story should enjoy Water, Stone Heart.

Palace Circle
by Rebecca Dean

Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean (2/6/2009)

This is a great book for fans of historical novels. I have read every Philippa Gregory book I could get my hands on and found this novel to be right up there on the same level of interest. The plot was fast moving and the history of Cairo during World War II was new to me and very interesting. I really enjoyed Delia's character. I will be looking for Rebecca Dean's next novels.

Reviews by Marjorie W. (Bonita Springs, FL)

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Reviews by Marjorie W. (Bonita Springs, FL)

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