BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Daughters of Shandong
by Eve J. Chung

Daughters of Shandong (11/30/2023)

I loved this book. I'm always happy to learn any history, especially about the far east.
The way the Chinese treated females was despicable. Hopefully it has improved.

A Certain Age: A Novel
by Beatriz Williams

A Certain Age (3/30/2016)

Delightful! I loved the characterizations. Beatrix Williams weaves a yarn that made me chuckle. The age old plots kept me absorbed and amused. Will recommend to my book clubs when released!

The Good Neighbor
by Amy Sue Nathan

The good neighbor (8/11/2015)

From the first sentence I fully related to Izzy and her dilemma. What begins as almost a harmless fantasy, quickly escalates into a situation that is out of control. Unlike journaling or diary writing, blogging is "out there" for all to see. (So don't write it if you don't mean it). The characters were so real.
The relationship between Izzy and Mrs. Feldman was heartwarming. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it.

Vanessa and Her Sister
by Priya Parmar

Vanessa and her sister (11/12/2014)

I was disenchanted at first by the format of the book at first. However, after I got into the story I enjoyed her style. I thought it was refreshing and it reminded me that letter writing seems to be a "lost art".

The lives of Vanessa,Virginia, their brothers and their friends were certainly privileged albeit not without their problems.
Virginia's mental disease was so central to her relationships. Vanessa and Virginia were so forward thinking in their presence at the group gatherings.

I enjoyed the character development that was so evident through each correspondence. I also liked learning about the Bloomsbury Group.

I would not recommend this to any of my book clubs as I think this may not appeal to many since I did not "grab" immediately.

I Am Livia
by Phyllis T. Smith

I am Livia (1/22/2014)

I'm always happy to read about ancient Roman history as it has been a verrrrry long time since high school Latin. I was however disappointed with the quality of the characterizations. I felt no emotional connection with Livia, thus, only "good" from me.

Under the Wide and Starry Sky
by Nancy Horan

Under the Wide and Starry Sky (11/21/2013)

I loved "loving Frank" and must admit after reading this I was disappointed. I felt it dragged. I liked Fanny's grit and it was a nice love story in the beginning, but after the first half of the book I truly wanted to finish so I could read a new book. Maybe if it had more about his actual works it would have been more exciting to me.

The Tennis Partner: A Doctor's Story of Friendship and Loss
by Abraham Verghese

The tennis partner (3/9/2013)

As I am not a tennis player, reading this book that I thoroughly enjoyed, wished I was more athletic. I so enjoyed the characters. The agony of the addiction and divorce. The frustration of loving a friend you cannot help; The wasted talent you cannot preserve; the dilemma of not being physically present continually in your children's lives. I enjoyed it more than "Cutting for Stone".

Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen
by Mary Sharratt

Illuminations (9/8/2012)

This beautifully written book about an extraordinary woman was so informative about a time of such corruption and turmoil in the Catholic church. At the time that sons were being sent off to the crusades and daughters were being sacrificed to monasteries (sons also) in the name of salvation for the parents. It makes a mockery of the folly of men in the name of Christianity. That Hildegarde had the strength (apparently through her visions or holiness) to stand up to the hierarchy of the church and though her teachings not only of the divine but her herbal and medicinal knowledge that centuries later I are still respected. I was happy to be introduced to her.

A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar: A Novel
by Suzanne Joinson

A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar (5/29/2012)

This book was interesting from the standpoint of life in Turkistan in the 1920's. The unrest was very realistically described as were the desert scenes. The main characters were strong women with stong survival skills. I would not recommend this as reading for any of my three book clubs as I felt all the characters could have been better developed. I felt I learned more about the places than the people.

The House of Velvet and Glass: A Novel
by Katherine Howe

The House of Velvet and Glass (3/28/2012)

Wonderful! I really loved this book. Well written and informative. I think this would be a wonderful read for a book club. It was so heartfelt with the feelings of loss of the sister and mother. The popularity of the seances and the availability of the opiates was information that I had not thought of before. Love, academia, upper class privilege and exotic travel were all included to make this a really good read

A Good American: A Novel
by Alex George

A good American (1/13/2012)

As I started reading this book, I thought, "I bet this is going to be inane and boring". I could not have been more wrong. It was engaging and heartwarming with some surprising twists. James is a great chroniciler of his family's history, with the right amount of humor and compassion. I loved this book!!

All the Flowers in Shanghai: A Novel
by Duncan Jepson

All the Flowers in Shanghai (11/27/2011)

After recently reading Lisa Sea's two books about Flowers-"All the Flowers in Shanghai" was lacking depth. I never felt that the main characters actions were justified and never sympathized with her self pity. However, the book moved quickly and seemed historically correct. I must admit that I may have read too many "Shanghai stories" in too little time.

Clara and Mr. Tiffany: A Novel
by Susan Vreeland

confirmed my criteria, education,enjoyment and character (11/12/2011)

I always love Ms. Vreeland's in depth novels about artists that I appreciate. Love that I am Appreciating the "history" beneath the art but. sometimes feel that they are a little slow to read. Have to admit, I have read every one of her books and will continue doing so.

The Borgia Betrayal: A Poisoner Mystery Novel
by Sara Poole

The Borgia Betrayal (7/5/2011)

I liked the book. It appealed to my criteria for an enjoyable book: Learning something (about history), entertaining me and enjoying the way it was written. Since I had not read Ms. Poole's previous book on the Borgias, I'm anxious to read "The Poisoner". I would recommend it to my friends, especially those who have enjoyed Philippa Gregory's books.

The Swan Thieves
by Elizabeth Kostova

beautifully painterly (4/25/2011)

I loved this book from the beginning. The descriptions were so real and I felt the torment of the psychotic artist and the people who loved him. The parallel stories of the 19th and 20th centuries were well done.

The Tender Mercy of Roses: A Novel
by Anna Michaels

Tender Mercy of Roses (4/5/2011)

I loved this book. The writing was poetic and spiritual. The theme of turning desperation into hope was uplifting. I'm going to plant some Cherokee roses in my garden and think of the wonderful characters in this book when I look at them. Kudos to Anna Michaels.

Jamrach's Menagerie: A Novel
by Carol Birch

Jamrach's Menagerie (2/21/2011)

I felt that the book was very realistic (in spite of the dragon). Descriptively, so realistic, it made me uncomfortable. I like to learn from a book. I felt my knowledge of sailing in the 19 century was increased, however the later subject matter (cannibalism) made me sick. I'm not sure to what audience this would appeal.

Reviews by Elinor S. (Loudonville, NY)

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Reviews by Elinor S. (Loudonville, NY)

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