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Reviews by Malinda N. (Wheeling, WV)

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The Shore
The Shore: A Novel
by Sara Taylor
The Shore (8/3/2015)
I read this book as soon as I received it. I struggled with reviewing it because it was so well written. The author has an obvious gift. The premise of the book is wonderful but I found the stories too dark and unsettling to really enjoy. I felt unsettled at the end and …more
Accidents of Marriage
Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers
Good book club choice but would only give a 3.5 (7/1/2014)
In general I liked this book. I was able to read it quickly as it held my attention. The subject matter was interesting and would make for good discussion in book clubs. I felt the most compassion for the oldest daughter who was forced to keep the family functioning while …more
Brutal Youth
Brutal Youth
by Anthony Breznican
different and depressing (5/19/2014)
My first impression of this book was that it was just plain weird. The story did grow on me and I was able to finish the book. The plot grew on me but the story and characters were just too darn depressing and left me with an unpleasant feeling. I did enjoy the book's …more
The House We Grew Up In
The House We Grew Up In
by Lisa Jewell
The House We Grew Up In (3/24/2014)
I was a big fan of this book. I found it to be depressing but without engaging characters. Although the subject of hoarding and the reasons behind the compulsion was interesting, the rest of the story did very little for me. I found the characters to be too flawed to be …more
The Headmaster's Wife
The Headmaster's Wife
by Thomas Christopher Greene
The Headmaster's Wife (12/17/2013)
I really wanted to give it a 4.5 rating. This is a book with an unique plot which makes it a compelling read. It doesn't take one too long to realize the specific twists that is center to the story but the book continues to hold the reader's attention until the end. It is …more
The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
by Saira Shah
Life Gets Messy (6/24/2013)
I enjoyed this story and read it quickly. The characters are engaging and the author does a nice job of creating an engaging story while trying to deal with a very difficult subject matter. While I enjoyed the book on one level I never felt as though anyone would be so …more
Flat Water Tuesday
Flat Water Tuesday
by Ron Irwin
Flat Water Tuesday Falls a Little Flat (5/3/2013)
I fully anticipated enjoying this book. I tend to enjoy coming of age novels and, having attended a prep school, enjoy reading novels with a similar setting. For the most part, I did enjoy the story. I liked the characters as they all seemed complex and damaged and I was …more
Golden Boy
Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin
Golden Boy (1/16/2013)
This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. As a reader you will "fall for" Max just as every one else in the story does. There are so many turns and twists to the story that one is immediately captivated and remains so until the last page. The relationships …more
All You Could Ask For
All You Could Ask For
by Mike Greenberg
All You Could Ask For (11/20/2012)
This was a quick easy read. The subject matter lends to good discussion for a book club. I found the three different stories to be easy to read and digest but I never found myself relating to any of the three women on any deep level. Although the subject matter is one that …more
The Woman at the Light
The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna Brady
The Woman at the Light (6/27/2012)
This novel was a wonderful historical fiction read. The story dealt with issues of race and love in the early 19th century. I found the love story and its consequences to be quite believable and, while the end leaves the reader happy, the story itself is not trite in that …more
The Starboard Sea
The Starboard Sea: A Novel
by Amber Dermont
The Starboard Sea (1/31/2012)
I absolutely loved this book. I read it from cover to cover and wished there was more. I longed to know what choices Jason made in the future as I found him to be a faulted yet loving character. Dermont writes beautifully and creates a poignant story about adolescence. At …more
The Night Strangers
The Night Strangers: A Novel
by Chris Bohjalian
The Night Strangers (1/10/2012)
This book was riveting. At first glance I thought it might be a bit corny but I was completely incorrect. I found myself reading into far into the night and being as frightened as a young girl hearing a horrible ghost story. I loved it!
The Face Thief
The Face Thief: A Novel
by Eli Gottlieb
The Face Thief (12/26/2011)
I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly. I'm not usually a big fan of this genre but I found the characters to be well defined and interesting for the most part. I was very curious to find out the conclusion...it was an interesting end to the story. The only criticism …more
Tides of War
Tides of War: A Novel
by Stella Tillyard
Tides of War (11/23/2011)
I was really looking forward to this book. Historical fiction is, by far, my favorite genre. Unfortunately, as hard as I tried, I was unable to finish the book. It failed to grab my interest early on and I put it down to read another book. Frankly I read three other books …more
Deceptions
Deceptions: A Novel
by Rebecca Frayn
Deceptions (11/15/2011)
I was grabbed from the first page and compulsively read it in one sitting.
Next to Love
Next to Love
by Ellen Feldman
Next To Love (7/23/2011)
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read and I think it is a good choice for a book club. The issues of marriage and how it is affected by war are investigated well by the author. The characters are well-defined and have a realistic feel to them. The issue of marriage …more
Things We Didn't Say
Things We Didn't Say: A Novel
by Kristina Riggle
Things We Didn't Say (5/5/2011)
This novel was a quick read. It is the type of book that you want to read after you have finished a difficult or particularly thought provoking novel. It doesn't require much thought on the reader's part. The story outcome and characters are predictable. It has enough of a …more
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  • Book Jacket
    The River Knows Your Name
    by Kelly Mustian
    A haunting Southern novel about memory and love, from the author of The Girls in the Stilt House.
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