Reviews by Beth (USA)

Order Reviews by:
Honor
Honor
by Thrity Umrigar
Honor (10/4/2021)
Thrity Umrigar once again brings India alive on the page so that even those who have never been, feel as though they are at the center of all the sights and sounds of this country of contradictions. Her stories never fail to evoke deep emotion, and Honor is no exception. It …more
Never Saw Me Coming
Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel
by Vera Kurian
Never Saw Me Coming (6/14/2021)
The premise of this book sounded fascinating, but unfortunately, for me, it failed in the execution. The only character I found really interesting was Charlie, who internalized his therapy to live what appears to be a "normal" life. The other students, and in particular, …more
Lookaway, Lookaway
Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt
Lookaway, Lookaway (6/12/2013)
I loved this book! Acerbic witty prose, characters you love, and some you love to hate, and an engrossing storyline that kept me reading into the night.
Only cautionary note, this one might not be for those who are put off by strong language and graphic sexual references.
Palisades Park
Palisades Park
by Alan Brennert
Palisades Park (2/24/2013)
I enjoyed this novel that used the backdrop of the iconic Palisades Amusement Park in NJ to tell the story of the Stopka family over several decades. At all times, the author's depictions of the changing times rang true, from the pre WWII era and the societal changes the …more
Indiscretion
Indiscretion
by Charles Dubow
Simply wonderful (10/21/2012)
This is what reading is all about for me -- an absorbing story, beautifully written, with characters that seem so real I know I will miss them when I am done.
Dubow has taken what should be an ordinary, time worn story -- a man's adulterous affair -- and turned it into …more
A Hundred Flowers
A Hundred Flowers: A Novel
by Gail Tsukiyama
A Hundred Flowers (7/14/2012)
I selected this book because friends have been telling me for quite some time to try one of Gail Tsukiyama’s books. As a result, I went into this one with very high expectations and I am afraid that I was disappointed.
I simply could not connect at all with any of the …more
The Land of Decoration
The Land of Decoration: A Novel
by Grace McCleen
The Land of Decoration (3/19/2012)
Rarely have I encountered such an engaging narrator as 10 year-old Judith McPherson. I am amazed at the way the author crafted the voice of this sensitive young girl who believes that she is in direct communication with God. The descriptions of the bullying and abuse that …more
The Good Father
The Good Father: A Novel
by Noah Hawley
The Good Father (12/20/2011)
A book that pulled me in from the first page, The Good Father is a work that is both wholly mesmerizing and utterly disturbing.

The book shifts focus subtly, at times questioning the level of Daniel’s actual guilt, but always returning to the ultimate issue of how Dr. Allen …more
The Sisters
The Sisters: A Novel
by Nancy Jensen
A well written book that I couldn't really enjoy (9/21/2011)
It is hard for me to assign a numerical rating to this book because while I believe that it is very well written, with authentic characters and an interesting story, it was simply too bleak for me to enjoy it. The women in this story endure one tragedy after another, and …more
The Things We Cherished
The Things We Cherished: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff
The Things We Cherished (5/29/2011)
I selected this book because I love historical fiction, and I particularly enjoy things set in WWII. However, while I did like the book, it was not a "must read" for me, mostly because the romance aspect is predominant, as opposed to the historical narrative. From the …more
Minding Ben
Minding Ben: A Novel
by Victoria Brown
Minding Ben (12/27/2010)
An interesting story with insight into the immigrant experience. Grace was a wholly sympathetic character, and the peek into the world of "playground politics" was fascinating. The problem that I had with the book was the one-dimensional quality to the ogreish family for …more
An Amish Christmas
An Amish Christmas: A Novel
by Cynthia Keller
A lovely book (9/16/2010)
I found this book to be an entirely charming and enjoyable read. Ms. Keller has delivered an even-handed portrayal of Amish life that is both interesting and informative. The religious emphasis is subtle; the theme of forgiveness is present, and the ending is, if …more
The Quickening
The Quickening
by Michelle Hoover
Wonderful literary novel (6/21/2010)
I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher, Other Press LLC.

I highly recommend this book for those who like literary fiction.

By the end of this novel I was simply captivated. Ms. Hoover is a wonderful storyteller and her characterizations are vivid and entirely …more
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives: A Novel
by Lola Shoneyin
A family of secrets (6/7/2010)
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives takes place in present day Nigeria and tells the story of Baba Segi and his four wives and seven children. Much of the novel is narrated by Bolanle, the last wife. Her entrance into the family causes turmoil above and beyond the usual …more
Innocent
Innocent
by Scott Turow
Innocent (5/20/2010)
This was a book that I received from the publisher as a giveaway on another book-related site.
Like many other people who will read this book, I read Presumed Innocent, the prequel to this book, many years ago. I have vague recollections of the plot of that book -- the …more
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel
by Jamie Ford
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (5/14/2010)
This tender story between Henry, a Chinese-American and Keiko, a Japanese-American, who fall in love in Seattle during WWII and are then separated by the internment camps, is an engaging read. The book is written in alternating time from Henry's point of view as a 13 yr-old, …more
  • Page
  • 1

BookBrowse Book Club

  • Book Jacket
    The Devil Finds Work
    by James Baldwin
    A book-length essay on racism in American films, by "the best essayist in this country" (The New York Times Book Review).
1
2
3
4
5
PrevNext

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    Girl Falling
    by Hayley Scrivenor

    The USA Today bestselling author of Dirt Creek returns with a story of grief and truth.

    Read the Reviews
  • Book Jacket

    Jane and Dan at the End of the World
    by Colleen Oakley

    Date Night meets Bel Canto in this hilarious tale.

    Read the Reviews
  • Book Jacket

    The Antidote
    by Karen Russell

    A gripping dust bowl epic about five characters whose fates become entangled after a storm ravages their small Nebraskan town.

    Read the Reviews
1
2
3
PrevNext
Who Said...

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

T B S of T F

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.