BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt

Started late one night and read all the way through! (6/10/2020)

I really enjoyed this book and once I opened it, I read it straight through to the end. I loved all of the characters with all their strengths and challenges and dreams, and how it addressed the complexity of relationships that begin, grow, change based on life's goals and dreams. I definitely recommend this as a not-too-heavy summer read!

Creatures
by Crissy Van Meter

Creatures (11/6/2019)

As others have stated, from the brief description of the book, I did think it would be somewhat more humorous under the surface. The characters are certainly unique, flawed, yet human---and pertinent to the overall development and temperament of Evie. I did find the book hard to put down...once I got through the first two chapters. Overall, well-written---but I did find it a bit confusing and disjointed in places and had to go back and reread portions to follow the flow of the story. But, I'm glad I read it through to the end!

You Were There Too
by Colleen Oakley

Thoroughly enjoyed! (9/2/2019)

I started this book a couple of times and had a hard time getting into it --- but once I did, I was thoroughly engrossed and continued to read it from beginning to end. Enjoyed getting to "know" all the main characters -- and was intrigued by the plot twists and turns. Stayed on my mind for several days. Good read -- I recommend!

Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing As We Age
by Mary Pipher

New Hope (5/15/2019)

As I close in on retirement at 70 --- and am fearful of being isolated and alone --- I found comfort and new hope from reading this book, and a commitment to reinvent myself from a long-time academic to something new, a bit more risky, and fulfilling. Some ideas portrayed or spoken of in the book seemed a bit outdated, but I think they can be "rethought" or recreated in these times and for each of us. I'm recommending friends in my age group and book clubs give this book a read!

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray

Loved this book! (11/1/2018)

Once I started reading, it was a book I couldn't put down. Loved the complex characters, the pacing of the story, the surprises, and the ending! Different in many ways from any book I've read previously. Bravo, Ms. Gray! Keep writing!

The Kennedy Debutante
by Kerri Maher

One of the best I've enjoyed in a while... (6/19/2018)

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and this book did not disappoint! I read it cover to cover in a short span of time (for me!) as I couldn't seem to put it down. The Kennedy family has always been a fascination for many of those in our generation, and though this was "fiction", I'm sure that it was based also on a good deal of fact. As others have pointed out in their reviews, much is known about the Kennedy men, but little about the women. I was intrigued by all the factors that impacted their lives and decisions and knew nothing about Kick and all that influenced how her life unfolded. A very captivating read and much recommended.

America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui

Read this in one sitting! (4/11/2018)

I was immediately caught up in this book's narrative, as well as the complex, likable characters. Very different from any book I've read before. Great storyline. My emotions ran from sad to amused. Definitely a recommendation!

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Couldn't put this book down... (6/14/2017)

Started it on a rainy night, thinking I would fall asleep quickly --- and ended up reading the entire book! Filled with joy, sorrow, pain, and yes, happiness --- it was authentic and real and from the heart. Truly speaks to the courage and strength we often don't believe we have -- and the power of a child to evoke these qualities in the parents who love and vow to protect them, whatever it takes personally. I feel honored to have read their story.

The People We Hate at the Wedding
by Grant Ginder

Just couldn't connect with this book (5/14/2017)

Loved the title --- and couldn't wait to jump in! But, I picked up and started and restarted this book at least four times...I just couldn't connect with the characters and really didn't find it funny but more "sad" about the dysfunction of the family. Perhaps would appeal more to younger readers who could relate better to the scenarios. Gave it a good try, but just can't get into it.

Before the War
by Fay Weldon

Confused and Giving UP (10/24/2016)

I tried and tried for the past several days to continue reading this book, but I can't get any farther than the first half. It jumps around.....is fragmented beyond what I can comprehend...and I just can't find the story. I felt I gave it a good effort..but I can't continue. It feels like I'm wasting my time when I could be reading something more to my liking. Perhaps this is this author's style (I've never read it before). But I'm giving up.

A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

Fireproof Home for the Bride (1/2/2015)

How times have changed...but I'm old enough to have a true sense of all that has evolved over the past 60 years for our society, and particularly, women. The struggle for gender equity has caused some change, but some things in our Midwest still exist...bias, prejudice, religious disconnections --- sometimes hooded, but still in place. I really enjoy this book and revisiting those decades with reflection. I agree with some others that it was a slow start...but I kept going and truly enjoyed this read!

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Accidents of Marriage (6/11/2014)

Compelling, disturbing, real (from personal experience and anguish), and impossible to put down - even though it brought up painful, tearful memories - in a way it was healing and affirmative. Emotional and verbal abuse takes a long suffering toll and everyone involved in a family where such occurs. I agree with several others who have reviewed - this is would be a great book club selection and lead to much discussion of the complexities of families and how anger, rage, depression, and personal experiences/perceptions can cause a never ending journey of pain - and yet growth and a levels of commitment - to all those involved. Very well-written and portrayed.

That Summer
by Lauren Willig

That Summer....a good "summer" read (4/10/2014)

I began reading this book last weekend and immediately got hooked with the parallel stories during two markedly different time periods....it was hard to put down and kept my interest late into the night! The characters were complex and I enjoyed getting to know them through their stories and wish their stories could have gone on longer to keep the history of the house and the women flowing. The ending was less than satisfying (but I feel that way about many books!)....but all in all, a good read that I will recommend to others.

Mimi Malloy, At Last!
by Julia MacDonnell

Mimi and her generation (2/19/2014)

I started this book late Sunday evening, with the intent to read only a chapter and turn out the light. I continued to read it well into the night and finished it the next evening. Originally, I sensed it was a light novel about an independent, aging woman and her family....but as I got into it more and more, the story became complex, intriguing, and both sad/happy at the same time. Mimi strongly reminded me of my mother and her large family of sisters, raised before and during the great recession years, strongly Irish and Catholic --- and their way of never speaking the family secrets and code of "denial", I guess you'd say. Though happy and historic days were sometimes briefly discussed, there was always an air of deep sadness and many unspoken stories and memories, I believe, related to grief, fear, longing, and "things that weren't discussed", consciously or unconsciously forgotten or put away. Some of this behavior continues in my generation, as well..... This is a book I will ponder and fuss about in my mind for a long time. I enjoyed it immensely, while at the same time, feel a sense of loss about family history that may now be lost and never spoken about aloud.

Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany

Safe With Me Review (12/3/2013)

I really enjoyed the author's writing style in this book...and the premise of organ donation and it's myriad of issues is something I hadn't experienced before. The characters, for the most part, were believable and likable, though I'm always confused and somewhat annoyed by the idea of women with options available remaining in abusive relationships --- though I know there are reasons for such. Insights into the profound feelings of mothers and the choices women make in their life journeys is always of interest. Still not sure if I liked the ending or not....still processing what could have been other options. I'm interested in reading more by this author.

Peking to Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World
by Dina Bennett

I imagined myself with my Ex! (3/30/2013)

As someone who experienced some not so stellar trips with my ex-husband, I imagined myself on this road with the characters! I, too, always found that humor is what saved me from a completely awful experience. Because I have never traveled outside of the US, I was hoping for more details about the countries themselves --- I guess a bit more of a travelogue to imagine the actual journey they took. And, the car sickness hit a bit too close to home for me who has suffered from it since childhood! All in all, though, an enjoyable read --- different and fun.

The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz

The Edge of the Earth (11/9/2012)

I love historical fiction and enjoy Christina Schwarz's writing style very much. I found the book a bit hard to get into initially, but grew to like the intrigue of the story and the characters better as I read along. I have a love of lighthouses and their history, so I'm sure that spurred me along to the finish --- but others may find it too focused on details to continue. But persist! It has a logical and satisfying ending. Definitely a women's read.

Shine Shine Shine: A Novel
by Lydia Netzer

Well, it does shine! (8/8/2012)

As others have previously stated, it did take me quite a while---and several stops and starts--- to really grasp the scope and focus of this story and it's rather quirky characters. But, in the end, it really spoke to my heart and made me think well beyond it's finish about the uniqueness of each of us individually, as members of our (sometimes) quirky families, and what holds us together as human beings. Would recommend it....but make sure to give it a chance!

Until the Next Time: A Novel
by Kevin Fox

Until the Next Time (3/13/2012)

I did enjoy this book once I was able to manage the switching of time periods/years and the characters relevant to each of the stories---and this became more clear as I read along. I really enjoy learning about the Irish culture and history and did gain a good deal from the book's details and narrative of these aspects. All in all, a good read that I would recommend. An intriguing story....

Wayward Saints
by Suzzy Roche

Wayward Saints (12/3/2011)

Though I picked up and put down this book several times (a bit hard to get into the "voice")...I did end up enjoying the characters and their "quirkiness" more than I originally thought I would. I felt the book had a few editing issues that were overlooked that would have helped with the flow of the story. All in all, a story based on some real life experiences and a decent read.

Reviews by Diane W. (Lake Villa, IL)

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