Reviews by Mary R. (San Jose, CA)

Order Reviews by:
City of the Sun
City of the Sun
by Juliana Maio
A Love Letter to Cairo (1/8/2014)
'City of the Sun' is a love letter to Cairo by the author. She draws the reader in to World War II era Cairo and describes it in such detail that we are there with the characters. It reminded me of the film 'Cairo Time' in the sense that the creator of both stories are …more
Where Monsters Dwell
Where Monsters Dwell
by Jørgen Brekke
Monsters Dwell Everywhere (10/27/2013)
When you read 'Where Monsters Dwell' plan on blocking out sufficient time to read it in one sitting before you even start it. It is more edgy than Camilla Lackberg's mysteries, and as smart and intellectual as Stieg Larssen's books, but easier to follow. The literature …more
Amy Falls Down
Amy Falls Down
by Jincy Willett
Amy Falls Down and Finally Gets Up (6/27/2013)
The dead-pan hilarity of everyday quirks and phobias in "Amy Falls Down" is reminiscent of David Sedaris. There is a bit of Amy in all of us, which is exactly what makes this book so hard to put down. We see ourselves mirrored back – all of our insecurities, fears, …more
The Jericho Deception
The Jericho Deception
by Jeffrey Small
Could there be a God Spot in our brains? (3/7/2013)
The Jericho Deception is a multi-faceted novel about the discovery of a way to turn on the God Spot in the brain and how that discovery becomes a military tool for brainwashing people. The book is fast paced and the characterizations are vivid. You can't help but grow to …more
Golden Boy
Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin
Golden Boy – Not a Typical Coming of Age Story (1/14/2013)
Golden Boy is definitely not a typical coming of age story. This complicated story revolves around Max, who is an intersex teenager. He is both male and female. The story asks questions like what does it mean to be male or female? When does no mean no? What kind of …more
The House Girl
The House Girl
by Tara Conklin
A New Twist on Slavery (11/13/2012)
The House Girl is a compelling story that interweaves two women from different eras and races. Making the character of Josephine a painter was a fascinating twist on the slavery story – as was having her paintings co-opted by her owner. The opposing modern day story with …more
The Devil in Silver
The Devil in Silver: A Novel
by Victor LaValle
Madness, Mayhem and True Friendship (8/5/2012)
The Devil in Silver by Victor Lavalle is a fantastic book. This is a book that will grab you from the first page and won’t let you go until the end and then it will haunt you for days. It is not a scary book in the horror sense, but a book about love and friendship and …more
A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar
A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar: A Novel
by Suzanne Joinson
An Expert Weaving of Two Tales (5/13/2012)
'A Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar' is a compelling novel that weaves two stories that take place in separate times and places, but come together in a surprising and expertly conceived twist. The ‘local color’ is exceptional and the character development is realistic. This …more
Three Weeks in December
Three Weeks in December
by Audrey Schulman
A Book To Savor (1/13/2012)
This is a book to savor. Read it slowly because the words transform themselves into poetic images of Africa. Schulman weaves back and forth between the stories of two emotionally challenged people: Jeremy, who is struggling with being gay in the nineteenth century and Max, …more
Three Seconds
Three Seconds
by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom
Three Seconds, More Like Three Centuries (12/5/2010)
I was excited to get this book because the authors had been touted as the next Steig Larsson. I had read Larsson’s three books and then read them again because they are so excellent. I did a little research on Three Seconds and discovered that it is fifth in a series. Only …more
Adam & Eve
Adam & Eve: A Novel
by Sena Jeter Naslund
Adam and Eve (9/15/2010)
"Adam and Eve" is multi-layered book that is brilliant in its scope and imagination. This book will definitely appeal to literature geeks – English majors, college professors and other bibliophiles. The references to other writers, poets, artists and composers is endless – …more
Stash
Stash
by David Matthew Klein
Stash by David Klein (5/12/2010)
This book had a fun premise for a plot, but I found the ending extremely weak. I was also distracted by so much detail - or detail that seemed superfluous, like describing the kind of cupcakes on page one. This much unnecessary detail detracted from the story and I did not …more
Pearl of China
Pearl of China: A Novel
by Anchee Min
Pearl of China by Anchee Min (2/1/2010)
I was disappointed in this book because I have read other books by Min that are much better. The historical background on Pearl of China was fascinating. However, this book felt as if Min was trying to cram too much historical fact into the narrative without a compelling …more
Heresy
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
Heresy by S.J. Parris (11/29/2009)
Heresy by Parris is enticing and layered. This is a great book club book! The ending was not at all what I expected and the murderer was not even on my radar. This is a book that brought up questions about politics and religion, love and betrayal, and right and wrong. I …more
  • Page
  • 1

BookBrowse Book Club

  • Book Jacket
    The Husbands
    by Holly Gramazio
    The Husbands delights in asking: how do we navigate life, love, and choice in a world of never-ending options?
1
2
3
4
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

    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
  • 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
1
2
3
PrevNext
Who Said...

When men are not regretting that life is so short, they are doing something to kill time.

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.