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Reviews by Kimberly B. (Atlanta, GA)

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The Good Father: A Novel
by Noah Hawley
A Real OMG Book!!!! (12/8/2011)
I haven't read a book THIS good in a while! I used to think it was overkill to describe any product, book, or movie with a bunch of grandiose adjectives, but "The Good Father" deserves every one of those words. Spellbinding, engaging, thought-provoking, riveting, mesmerizing, addicting, intriguing! Noah Hawley's writing is fluid and descriptive, his characters are enriching and the plot and scenery are even more alluring as the tale jet sets from coast to coast. I had to re-read his bio, because he writes with such authority and confidence I had to make sure he wasn't a Historian or Doctor moonlighting as a writer. I got a history lesson, all while questioning my own morals and abilities as a parent and a person. This book made me want to learn more and know more about politics, history, the government, the human condition, and matters of the heart. I literally TORE through the pages to get to the end, one that does not disappoint by the way! The next time someone asks me what's a good read I am definitely going to insist they read "The Good Father".
The Look of Love: A Piper Donovan Mystery
by Mary Jane Clark
A Grown-Up Nancy Drew (11/10/2011)
I have not been into mystery novels since I was an adolescent hoarding Nancy Drew mystery books like they were going to disappear; But alas The Look of Love; A Piper Donovan Mystery has reawakened my youthful curiosity and my desire for mystery and intrigue!

The book was fast-paced and well-written, rich in detail and very vivid. I tore through the pages to get to the end to figure it all out, making many assumptions and theories along the way!

My only issue is at times, the overwhelming discussion of the "rich" became monotonous and some of the characters were under-developed. It is impossible to give any more detail without spoiling the book, so I am going to say- READ IT, you will not be disappointed!!

I am officially a fan and I look forward to reading other Piper Donovan Mysteries.
Next to Love
by Ellen Feldman
Soul-Stirring and Deep (7/26/2011)
I give kudos to Ellen Feldman for her superior writing skills and fully developed realistic characters; where my discord arises is the overpopulation of stereotypes throughout the book. Next To Love deals with love and war and also with American society before and after WWII, that is riddled with class and race struggles. The book did however offer a new perspective on race issues. Feldman was artfully wove these themes into the story, creating an enriching story.

Yet and still, the war stories - home and abroad - and complex themes of love were a bit heavy for the soul, too heavy for me. I do however appreciate the lesson in history; 1950s postwar America and the dawning of the civil rights movement, the birth of the Baby Booming Generation, and the evolution of Feminism via the displacement of women from the workforce and their desire for something more than a life of domestic servitude. Although deep and somewhat depressing, Next To Love is still a good read.
Sister: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton
Unbroken Bonds Make Great Stories! (6/14/2011)
Rosamund Lupton is a brilliant author who uses vivid imagery and emphasis on human emotion to lure the reader! Through the main character Beatrice, Lupton displays impenetrable bonds of blood and love and their powerful affects on the human mind in terms of sanity.

This is a suspenseful story of the persistent unshakeable love of a sister that can't be daunted even by the bonds of death.

Plain and simple, this book is a good read! Perfect for book clubs!
Losing My Cool: How a Father's Love and 15,000 Books Beat Hip-hop Culture
by Thomas Chatterton Williams
MUST READ!!! (5/13/2011)
I picked this book up on a whim in the library one day, while searching for something different to read. Not quite understanding what "Losing My Cool" was about, I chose it. I was hooked from the first page, very reminiscent of James McBride's book "The Color of Water". I learned so much and even gained a new appreciation for the hip hop culture. With precision, candor, wit, and unflinching honesty, Williams gave a view into two worlds that usually exist in parallel and opposite to one another. His use of extraordinary vocabulary and vivid descriptions, I was introduced to a new generation of young educated people and their growing pains in a society that refuses to change the status quo.
Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon
Excellent Storytelling! (3/9/2011)
All I can say is I pray that my storytelling skills can even live in the shadow of Diana Gabaldon! When I read the slipcover of the book, I didn't think she could fit as many themes, not well anyway, in ONE book! Well she did! With unforgettable characters depicted with rich historical detail Gabaldon created a sci-fi romance novel of passion that evoked every emotion imaginable! A PAGE TURNING MUST READ! I did not like the book, I LOVED it!
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