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Reviews by Rosemary S. (Somers, NY)

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The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel
by Kristin Harmel

A Very Different Setting for WWII Historical Fiction (5/20/2021)

This book is based on true stories of survival in the forests of Eastern Europe during WWII. I have read many books that take place during this era but I never heard about some of the Jews escaping the ghettos and fleeing into the surrounding wilderness.

The amount of …more

The Days When Birds Come Back
by Deborah Reed

Enjoyable, Easy Read by an Excellent Author (12/3/2017)

This book surprised me in many ways. First, I read the book without looking at the synopsis on the back cover so had no clue what it was about or what to expect. There were times I thought one of the characters might turn into a very dark, crazy, evil person. The next …more

The Garden of Small Beginnings
by Abbi Waxman

Move Ahead with the Help of a Garden or Two (4/20/2017)

As a debut author, Abbi Waxman is a breath of fresh air. The Garden of Small Beginnings is written in real life language, which at times, could be extremely blunt. I easily related to the dialogue between characters, and the narrator's humorous inner thoughts. The author's …more

The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies

Easy and Interesting Read (7/8/2016)

This book was easy and quick to read and held my attention. The Tea Planter's Wife is a historical fiction novel that takes place in Ceylon (which is now Sri Lanka,) between 1913 and 1933. The book intrigued me because of it's setting. The history of the area, the culture …more

The Wild Girl
by Kate Forsyth

The Fictional Account of the Grimm Tales (4/21/2015)

i was excited to read an account, albeit fictional, about Germany's Grimm's brothers. I know there is a Grimm's Fairy Tale Road in Germany that brings to life castles and other places that were the inspiration behind many of the stories. This book disappointed me because it …more

Glitter and Glue: A Memoir
by Kelly Corrigan

A Daughter Must-Read (12/28/2013)

The mother-daughter relationship is often very complex and unique. Corrigan begins her memoir as a young woman, who travels the world with her college roommate. I liked that the author not only included her own inner voice, but also her mother's and how she would have …more

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel
by Rachel Joyce

Put This on Your Reading LIst! (7/16/2012)

I never would have guessed that a book about an elderly man, Harold, who walks over six hundred miles, would be so intriguing and enlightening. What could have been a slow moving story, about ordinary people, and ordinary lives, became a fascinating tale of hope, discovery, …more

Three Weeks in December
by Audrey Schulman

Lots for Book Clubs to Discuss (12/31/2011)

I enjoyed reading Three Weeks in December and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Book clubs could have a number of topics to discuss, such as the impact of "progress" on the environment, countries in Africa's past and current political unrest, …more

Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorothea Benton Frank

Add it to your Suitcase (6/18/2011)

Folly Beach is one of several books written by this author that takes place near Charleston, South Carolina. I love this part of the country, and therefore I do enjoy her descriptions of the beach, the sounds, smells, houses, food, and people. Some of the …more

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Book Jacket — Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus

Praised by *Parade* and *The New York Times Book Review*, this debut features a 1960s scientist turned TV cooking star.

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