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Reviews by Kathy G. (Alamo, CA)

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Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney
Sometimes I Lie (11/26/2017)
My first comment would be to slow down and savor the twists and turns. I read it way too fast and now I am happy to say, "I am going to read it again". Sometimes I Lie is a well written page turner/thriller that will appeal to book groups as well as many ages. I am so impressed that this is the author's fist book. It is one of the best I have ever read!
The Gypsy Moth Summer
The Gypsy Moth Summer
by Julia Fierro
The Gypsy Moth Summer (4/26/2017)
This novel spoke of many complicated truths. It speaks about all the forces that can shape us" where we grew up-whether we are loved by our parents, how class, money and power may caste our fates." Lots of subjects to discuss. So sorry to write that I really did not enjoy the book. Too much sex, violence and poor language. I think I am to old (72) to enjoy this type of novel. I like to think of our young people (and adults) with some morality. Definitely, won't find it in this book on many counts.
Karolina's Twins
Karolina's Twins
by Ronald H. Balson
Karolina's Twins (7/17/2016)
A well researched and well written book that had me hooked from page one. Like The Nightingale, I became engrossed in the characters and the possible outcomes they would be facing. I would recommend this book to all book clubs.
The Widow
The Widow
by Fiona Barton
The Widow (12/11/2015)
I was hooked from the beginning to the end with the well developed characters and the intriguing plot development. I enjoyed Fiona Barton's writing style with her transitions between characters and the past and the present.

The pedophile element of the story were disturbing and creepy.( More than I wanted to know on that subject.) With that being said, I would still recommend the book and encourage book clubs to select The Widow.
Frank & Ava
Frank & Ava: In Love and War
by John Brady
Frank and Ava (8/12/2015)
I have loved everything about the Golden Age of Movies. After reading the book, I have changed my mind. The book was half history of the time(well researched) and half sexual conquests. I enjoyed the book but at the same time, saddened that the movie producers and the actors were not very respective of one another. It read like THE NATIONAL INQUIRER. Guess things are not much different now. I guess if one really wants to know about Hollywood during the Golden Age, FRANK AND AVA would be the book to read.
The Last Flight of Poxl West
The Last Flight of Poxl West
by Daniel Torday
The Last Flight of Poxl West (12/31/2014)
I very much enjoyed reading the novel. The author presented a very thoughtful insight into the minds of Eli and his Uncle, Poxi West while alternating the narratives between the two. The consequences of abandonment was a constant thread that tied the two stores together. The Last Flight of Poxl West would be an excellent book for book clubs. Topics of love, loss and growing up would be areas that would embrace a wonderful discussion.
A Fireproof Home for the Bride
A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe
A Fireproof Home for The Bride (12/13/2014)
I enjoyed reading a story about growing up in the fifties. References to the music were fun and very enjoyable. The writer has a nice style and is very good at developing the story lines. I did find Emily a little problematic as Leslie G stated in her review. I agree that it was hard to believe that Emily had the personality or the experience to draw people to be so interested in her. This is especially true of the older newspaperman, Jim.
The Nightingale
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
The Nightingale (9/23/2014)
Hold the phone, cancel appointments and have some tissues handy for a well-researched novel of the very disturbing years (1940-1945)of Nazi occupied France. A story that will stay with you long after you have finished. It is not only about the occupation but about the brave women who risked their lives and lives of their families to save strangers. I strongly recommend the Nightingale to all readers. We as a society, must never forget the sacrifices people make in order to save a way of life and ideals that form such strong characters.
The Forgetting Tree
The Forgetting Tree: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli
The Forgetting Tree (8/12/2012)
When I saw that Tatjana Soli had written another book, I immediately placed my order. I was not disappointed in the novel. I found the book very insightful and the characters filled with imagination. I have never read a book quite like this one. Book clubs would love it. Discussions could evolve around Claire's world
of cancer survival, relationships with husband and children and dedication to the family land. On the opposite side, there is the sultry and mysterious side of the world in which Minna is from which is a novel onto itself. I loved the book and look forward to the next one!
Beneath the Shadows
Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster
Beneath the Shadows (5/18/2012)
From the beginning to the end, Beneath the Shadows is loaded with atmosphere and suspense and lots of fascinating occurrences..a baby carriage left on a porch, a missing husband and unusual neighbors.
The brutal winter in the Yorkshire Moors added to the suspense and mystery. It was fun to try and figure out what was going to happen as I was reading along.
I would definitely recommend the book. Beneath the Shadows would make a wonderful movie.
Salvage the Bones
Salvage the Bones: A Novel
by Jesmyn Ward
Savage the Bones (8/23/2011)
On one hand it is was hard to read about a poor Mississippi family, and on the other hand, the story turned out to be a moving portrayal of survival. It was often hard to read due to the hard edges of very difficult realities as seen through the eyes of children. I would recommend this book with reservation.
Ten Thousand Saints
Ten Thousand Saints: A Novel
by Eleanor Henderson
Ten Thousand Saints (5/29/2011)
As I left a late night play in San Francisco, I saw tattooed teenagers on skateboards just "hanging", smoking and doing whatever they do very late at night . Johnny and Jude came to mind. I shook my head with dismay as apparently life has not become much better with the current generation.

I had a hard time with the book. As I turned each page, I had hoped to find redemption but the characters all remained dysfunctional. The parents had no parenting skills at all.

On a positive note, the author will give the reader an insight into the lives of dysfunctional families in the eighties.. The characters were well developed as well.
Hard to relate to. However I do need to point out that I am in my mid-sixties!
The Girl in the Green Raincoat
The Girl in the Green Raincoat: A Novel
by Laura Lippman
The Girl in The Green Raincoat (12/1/2010)
I read the book in two days between house guests and preparing Thanksgiving dinner. It was a welcome friend as I slipped into bed after a long fun day. My only negative is that I had trouble relating to Tess's attitude toward pregnancy. I was glad that she became a loving and caring mother at the end. Regardless, the book was very well written and I will read another of Laura Lippman's novels.
The Lotus Eaters
The Lotus Eaters: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli
The Lotus Eaters (1/15/2010)
I have hesitated for over a week to start my review. The reading experience has been so thought provoking I have been a little overwhelmed.

From a personal experience, my husband and I lived in Panama during the middle of the war. (The U.S. Canal Zone in Panama was one of the strategic training areas for the Army Special Forces. ) Most of our friends were deployed while we were living there. I was in my early twenties and had no realistic idea what our young men really faced until I read the book.

Tatjana Soli's depiction of war time Vietnam - the beauty of its people as well as the horrors of war is masterful. The character development is both complex and compelling. Her descriptions are beautiful. One feels as though one is walking beside Helen Adams whether she is traveling along the crowded streets of Saigon or through the smoldering heat of the war zone.

I highly recommend The Lotus Eaters. Soli's balance of violence, beauty and love yields a riveting novel that is hard to put down from the very beginning to the very end.
Serena
Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash
Serena by Ron Rash (9/18/2009)
From the first page to the last, Ron Rash's storytelling was filled with contrasts between beauty and violence, land preservation versus economic interests, life versus death. His characters were captivating beyond words. I don't believe that there has ever been a woman quite like Serena!

Serena is my first book about the Southern Appalachia Region of North Carolina, and the trials of working for a lumber company. Ron Rash's descriptive pages placed me among the Highlanders - their string houses - their fears - their danger.

I highly recommend this beautifully written novel to book clubs and anyone who loves a good read. My next task is to order more of Ron Rash's books.
Gifts of War
Gifts of War: A Novel
by Mackenzie Ford
Gifts of War (4/20/2009)
I have always been intrigued with the world wars and in particular the first one. On a personal note, my grandfather was German and came to America just after the first war. I remember talks around the dinner table of his brothers that died during that time.

I was anticipating a fast moving novel after the captivating first few chapters. Instead, I was continually wanting the story to move along and stick to the main subject at hand. There were many plots within the novel, all of which could become a book in itself.

I so admire Mackenzie Fords historical knowledge and loved that aspect of the novel. Gifts of War was tied together well at the end. In my opinion, it just took too many different paths and story lines to get there.
The Book of Unholy Mischief
The Book of Unholy Mischief: A Novel
by Elle Newmark
The Book of Unholy Mischief (10/9/2008)
I especially enjoyed the book because I just returned from a wonderful week in Italy, four days of which were in Venice. I love to cook and I love history and I LOVE when good over evil prevails such as in Luciano's character. Doing the right thing is something that is rare today.

The story has lingered in my mind long after completion. A lovely story and very well written. It had every thing included .... excellent character development, humor, romance intrigue, morality. A thank you to the author for creating such
an interesting story!
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