Loose Diamonds is a nice collection of stories that are important to the author, and most of them are interesting to the reader. I especially liked the Squeaky Fromme and filofax stories. It was like snooping into someone's diary without finding anything hurtful. The writing was easy to soak up, it helped that the stories stayed connected. Even though not every story was great, the overall experience made for a good summer read. Thank you Amy Ephron!

This book did not get interesting until about page 80, then it slowly built to a mesa; one of a few books I wouldn't pass on to another person I liked. The gist of the story was not something to build over 300 pages; it wasn't good enough for 150 pages. The writing was boring and I found myself scanning the text until another interesting occurrence appeared. It was a struggle to get through the book and I'm not happy that I made the effort.

Reading this book was a roller coaster of emotions. There are always consequences to the choices made, some good, some not. The characters' choices kept the reader hoping for the best, such is life. The references to those in heaven turned into a distraction and the book would have been better served without them. In all, it was a pleasant read and I would definitely read a book from this author again.

Summer Wood obviously had a vision when writing this book; however, it was a difficult story to follow and many times I had to reread sections to be sure which character was speaking. The emotional twists of these very strong women kept a person continuing on a hopeful journey for promising resolutions. Life is messy...Summer got that part right. I'm glad I read this book...it will be with me for a long time.

Although there was a good story between the covers, the interaction between the characters became annoying and redundant. I'm not sure how many ways there are to describe some shiny white teeth, but Elizabeth Lowell gave it her best shot.

The story line was difficult to follow if the sea is not your first passion. I found the plot confusing but worth trying to figure out.

I would read another story by Ms. Lowell; hopefully, something on terra firma.

This was one of the first books I could have read in one sitting if possible. The story itself was compelling; however, the writing sometimes threw a loop in the read. It was like reading the diary of a bipolar person. Although I enjoyed the book, I would have a difficult time recommending this to my book club.

One of the best books I have ever read. Maureen Lindley takes hold of you from the very first page and takes you on a ride that is exhilarating and, at times, exhausting. The raw details and non-judgmental story will keep anyone carrying this book around until the last page. There is another popular Asian book out now that can't even compete with this book. The format (all the chapter titles made me hungry?) is perfect for the whirlwind story of a headstrong woman in a time when women are considered lowly lifeforms. Thank you, Maureen Lindley!

Having read several accounts on the RUF, all harrowing, I appreciated the new slant given by Paul Harris. The subject is so disturbing, and when told from a person on the "sidelines" rather than personal involvement, the story takes on a whole new scary, sad, and sometimes exhilarating depiction on an event that we can't really understand.

Why would a reporter even venture into any war-torn area, let alone one whose soldiers are baby-faced? How can anyone grasp family and community fears and challenges and still remain "unbiased" especially after losing the one person he loves to the so-called effort? When the truth of his lover's death is finally unraveled, the choices left are not easy or morally straightforward.

I read this book in a few days and its message still haunts me. It would be a shame to miss out on a new view on this most recent, and possibly still ongoing, event.

Having recently read countless books on WW II, a surprise was to unfold as this story took on Egypt's part in this war. Who thinks of Egypt when on the subject of Hitler or the Holocaust?

The only fault with this story is the necessity to mention how gorgeous and well-dressed the main characters are. It was actually annoying at times because there was a fantastic story to be told and it would have been just as good with plain-looking heroes/heroines.

The ending was also a surprise...a nice one, but still unexpected.

This was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone...even those who say "please not another WWII book"!

I did not know that asha bandele was a poet, although I realized that fact within the first two pages. If there was a story to be told, I missed it. The feeling of accidentally reading someone's diary that was not meant to be opened came over me several times and remarks were made that indicated this book was clearly a project of self-indulgence. Although Something Like Beautiful could possibly be discussed and analyzed by a book club, the reading is not for an individual looking for some meaning between the front and back cover.

A bonus book with 3 stories in one, one theme ends and leads to the next only to be brought back to the original. The first 10 pages left some doubt about the ability to stay with the book. Then, it picked up speed and never stopped; even the ending was a surprise.

The references to misogyny were subtle and a good reminder of what an unchecked society can allow. This condition is alive and well throughout the world.

This book had me hooked from the second page, I had to force myself not to read the ending (something I often do). I'm not a fan of a story that jumps around and at times I got lost for a paragraph or two when the author became a temporary poet (this is why it's a 4). Amy's writing style offers many good discussion points for book clubs and the easy reading style works well if interruptions are part of daily life.