Get The BookBrowse Anthology, our 880 page collection of our past decade of Best of Year reviews, now available in hardcover!

Reviews by Ann S. (Shenandoah, IA)

Order Reviews by:
Safe with Me
Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany
Safe With Me (11/15/2013)
Two important topics - one treated very well; the other not as well. Safe with me is a good read. It does remind me to a degree of Jodi Picoult in that the author focuses on current social problems. I thought her handling of the organ donation issue was very well done. …more
Last Train to Istanbul
Last Train to Istanbul
by Ayse Kulin
Last Train to Istanbul (10/3/2013)
Translations offer the opportunity to read a different perspective without knowing the language. Readers, though, are at the mercy of the translator. Words and phrases are often difficult to translate with the intended meaning and feeling. Some are better than others; even …more
The Edge of Normal
The Edge of Normal
by Carla Norton
The Edge of Normal (7/14/2013)
Unfortunately, the disturbing abductions in The Edge of Normal could be taken from today's headlines. Perhaps that fact was an impetus for the author. Norton has done an incredible amount of research.

We do not normally learn about the details and struggles of those who have …more
The Caretaker
The Caretaker
by A .X. Ahmad
The Caretaker (4/20/2013)
I am drawn to books with international plot lines. I found the conflict between cultures to be realistically portrayed. I assume the author is planning another book; at least the ending led me to think that. It did not bring the story to a "comfort" close, but was certainly …more
Golden Boy
Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin
Golden Boy (1/30/2013)
I found the opening very disturbing. It was however a riveting story. Max's character was realistic in the way he tried to deal with his situation. I was stunned that the parents were unable to help him. Without Sylvie and the doctor, Max would have had no one to turn to.

I …more
Have Mother, Will Travel
Have Mother, Will Travel: A Mother and Daughter Discover Themselves, Each Other, and the World
by Claire & Mia Fontaine
Opportunity of a lifetime (6/28/2012)
Perhaps some mothers would not give a thought to spending such a prolonged and concentrated time with their daughter; I would love it.

I found this memoir filled with honest observations and instances which touched my very soul. I would cherish even a few days of time with …more
Until the Next Time
Until the Next Time: A Novel
by Kevin Fox
Irish tale (3/1/2012)
An Irish tale, full of intrigue and history, Until the Next Time immerses the reader in Irish culture as well as history. Once I understood the connections among the different time frames, it was easier reading. However, I found parts cumbersome and at times repetitious. …more
Arcadia
Arcadia: A Novel
by Lauren Groff
Worthy of praise (1/4/2012)
With descriptive passages which are exquisitely written, Groff weaves a tale of idealistic goals and realistic conclusions. The main character, Bit, understands and copes with the culture in Arcadia, but also finds his way, happily or unhappily, to relate to and deal with " …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
PrevNext

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    One Death at a Time
    by Abbi Waxman

    A cranky ex-actress and her Gen Z sobriety sponsor team up to solve a murder that could send her back to prison in this dazzling mystery.

    Read the Reviews
  • Book Jacket

    The Fairbanks Four
    by Brian Patrick O’Donoghue

    One murder, four guilty convictions, and a community determined to find justice.

    Read the Reviews
  • Book Jacket

    The Seven O'Clock Club
    by Amelia Ireland

    Four strangers join an experimental treatment to heal broken hearts in Amelia Ireland's heartfelt debut novel.

    Read the Reviews
  • Book Jacket

    Happy Land
    by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

    From the New York Times bestselling author, a novel about a family's secret ties to a vanished American Kingdom.

    Read the Reviews
1
2
3
4
PrevNext
Who Said...

Choose an author as you would a friend

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

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

J of A T, M of N

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.