BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Dangerous When Wet: A Memoir
by Jamie Brickhouse

Funny yet heartbreaking (3/22/2015)

I love this book! All the characters are so well developed and the story line rings so true. The dynamic between Mama Jean and her son, and everyone else in her world, is thoroughly enjoyable and the highlight of the book for me. Jaime is a well defined, tragic yet endearing soul struggling to find his way and that combination makes this story irresistible. Great read

A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

Wonderfully written and engrossing (12/20/2014)

I loved this book. It far exceeds what one expects it to be -a coming of age story in a time when women's options were limited and mostly pre-ordained. But this book takes off in to other complicated and painful areas. The writing and the story flows and I could not put it down.

The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber

Surprising but a bit laborious (9/9/2014)

I love the concept of this book but found myself struggling a bit to get engaged. It seemed to wander a bit initially and I was not sure in what direction we would ultimately be led. I am glad I stuck it out though because when the story took off it really took off and became a page turner.

In examining love, religion, disappointment, and secret pasts, the story of Peter and Beatrice, and the other travelers, become novels within the novel, I came to love the flow of the book and the way the author depicted snapshots of life in a unknown environment altering what we think we know.

This book had me thinking about what we assume and how we manage change we never wanted or expected. A long, but satisfying read.

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Great summer read (7/6/2014)

I absolutely loved this book. It so eloquently tell the story of a family and its secrets, and what happens when the unthinkable exposes them. Maddy's struggle to strike a balance in her life and her marriage is so genuine you feel as though you know her. Many times I hate the disconnect of multiple narrators, but in Meyer's hands the flow of the story is actually enhanced by the treatment. This one is a page turner and I read it in a couple of days. The development of the characters, the details of the family, and the ultimate outcome all make for a great read for anyone who knows life is not always as it seems and no matter how carefully we plan fate has a mind of its own.

Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth

Great concept but mediocre read (12/27/2013)

This book started out with great promise. The premise was so intriguing and initially I was hooked. The twists and turns within the story held a lot of promise and the writer had a wry sense of irony. As the story unfolded, however, the characters seemed to become diluted. I did not "get" or feel the relationship between Rachel and Jake and the dialogue became cliche. It also seemed that the series of events in the last of the book were just confusing rather than suspenseful or clarifying. It seemed to me that the storyline got lost in an effort to create big "Wow" moments. In a nutshell, it was a story of friendship and betrayal that lost character development and then lost direction all together. It is a shame really as it started out strong and I was expecting a great read.

Once We Were Brothers
by Ronald H. Balson

Eloquent and authenic account of the Polish experience (8/24/2013)

I love this book! It is one of those rare books that you hate to put down and think about until you can pick it up again. It is a riveting account of the Nazi occupation of Poland, the horrors that defined that time, and the incredible spirit of survivors. Ben Soloman is at once tragic and triumphant and the retelling of his story is nothing short of mesmerizing. While some of the peripheral charactars and relationships are a bit shallow, the book is about Ben's journey, and that is so superbly written that it overshadows any shortcomings the book has. A truly wonderful read!

Have Mother, Will Travel: A Mother and Daughter Discover Themselves, Each Other, and the World
by Claire & Mia Fontaine

A great journey (6/26/2012)

I LOVED this book, and I do not often say that. The relationship between mother and daughter is so finely drawn, and so natural, I felt as though I knew them. Having lost my mother young I could live through Mia as she grew to know her Mother as a person and a woman , as well as a Mom. Their shared experiences on their trip dovetailed perfectly with the journey they were on as a family. As they discover more and more about each other you can feel the relationship deepening and shifting. The writing is memorizing and the descriptions of the trip are so rich. Great , great read!

Wayward Saints
by Suzzy Roche

Great premise, not so great book (11/17/2011)

This book started out with great promise. Interesting premise, engaging characters, and the conflicts and resolution inherent in any family drama. The Saints, Mother and Daughter, just never develop, and the father is a footnote in a drama created by his cruelty. The book just seems to try to hard to make a point that is somehow lost on the reader. As much as I wanted to care about this family I just never felt them come alive.

Turn of Mind
by Alice LaPlante

What a page turner! (9/20/2011)

I LOVED this book, and I rarely say that about any book. The plot is intricate and grabs you immediately, the characters are fascinating, and the entire story is flawless in its delivery. I read it in a weekend and have done nothing but recommend it ever since. It is a combination mystery, study of family dynamics and the impact illness can have on those relationships, and a deep exploration of the complexities of friendship. The main character is so clearly depicted I continued to think of her for days after I had finished the book. Amazing read!

Proof of Heaven: A Novel
by Mary Curran Hackett

A bit too contrived... (8/27/2011)

While the premise of this book had promise, the family drama of a young, sick boy and his emotionally shattered mother, it just never resonated with me. The characters just struck me as one dimensional. The author clearly had affection for her characters but was not able to develop them to the point where they were more than predictable and, at times, actually annoying to me. I read to the end but already knew how it would end long before I got there. I would like to say it is at least a good easy, summer read but I am sorry to say I was relieved to finally arrive at the last page.

Things We Didn't Say: A Novel
by Kristina Riggle

Well Intentioned but a tad contrived (5/20/2011)

This book is a nice, quick read with mostly likeable, if not a bit typecast, characters. Casey, the protagonist, finds herself in the middle of a sinking family and in the role of the "stable one", which is not a role she feels she can live up to. So while the story is interesting it just struck me as contrived and generic. I guess, for me, the book only the seemed to want to scratch the surface of the characters lives. Also, all the eventually revealed "secrets" were anti-climatic. Not a bad book, but not a book that stayed with me after I turned the last page.

Outside Wonderland: A Novel
by Lorna Jane Cook

A lovely story about family (2/11/2011)

I really liked this book. The premise is endearing, and I for one love the idea that the ones we have loved and lost are watching, cheering us on as we strughgle through life. The siblings are so different but the author accurately depicts the ties that so often bind us. I found myself cheeering them on and did not want thier stories to end. The author uses detail very effectively to give you a true essence of her charactars. I felt like I knew them all well. Highly recommend this for anyone who loves a story about a real family.

Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter: A Novel
by Tom Franklin

Never a dull moment (10/4/2010)

This is a page turner! Not the genre I typically go for I so was pleasantly and wonderfully surprised. From page one this story grabs you and does not let go. The characters are so carefully constructed and yet they, and the book, flow seamlessly. This book will appeal to so many readers - mystery lovers as well as anyone who loves a well developed, mature story. The theme of living with our pasts that are sometimes distorted and coming to terms with our history is poignant. The underlying mystery makes this book a true page turner.

Stash
by David Matthew Klein

Started off great but lost a little steam (5/21/2010)

I loved this book right up until the end, when the author seemed intent on wrapping it all up with a bow. The premise of the book is age old-a split second decision, how that decision can go so awry so quickly, the fear of being judged, the justifications we all try to comfort ourselves with-great stuff. Although the characters were not fully developed I still found them interesting and for awhile there I was hooked. Then the book just kind of ran out of steam and I felt a little let down. I would characterize it as a good beach read for the summer!

Beautiful Assassin: A Novel
by Michael C. White

A great read with a compelling story to tell (3/8/2010)

This is not the type of book I generally pick up but I am so glad I did! From the first page this book drew me in. The protagonist is fascinating, the history interesting, and the story a great blend of intrigue, romance, and surprises. The author brings to life a fascinating period in our history and weaves a realistic, fully developed character into it. This story was over way too soon!! We are fortunate that Michael White has other work out there to read!

The Secret of Everything
by Barbara O'Neal

Sweet but a bit predictable (11/21/2009)

The Secret of Everything is not terribly secretive, but a charming little book nonetheless. The characters, lmeant to be colorful, are little cliche, but likable enough. The premise of the book, reconciling the past with the present, unfolds at an intriguing pace but just does not offer up many surprises. The language in parts of it, describing the landscape, and particularly the descriptions of the subjects of Tessa's photography, are quite beautiful. O'Neal has an interesting voice but may want to dig a little deeper in order to really grab her reader. All in all a light, quick read to pass an afternoon.

Baking Cakes in Kigali
by Gaile Parkin

Draws you in and does not let go (6/14/2009)

Baking Cakes in Kigali is a long winding road of a book. Centered around Angel, a baker of specialty cakes, you are immediately drawn into her world. Her strength, her sense of family, and her willingness to listen and learn endear her to the reader almost immediately. While the hardship in her life, and lives of those around her, is obvious, you get the sense that life, to Angel, holds endless possibility and undiscovered joy. This book is truly a journey, and one well worth taking. You really just want it to go on and on.

Night Navigation
by Ginnah Howard

Good not Great (3/5/2009)

This is a heart rending story of the struggles of a mentally ill addict and the struggles of a family. Del, the Mom, lives in constant fear of what will become of her son, Mark, while trying to live some sort of life of her own. Not really tough love material, Del has a hard time letting the chips fall for her son, but an almost harder time continuing to support him. Mark does not make it easy to do either.

As moving as this story is I found myself, for some reason at times, a little annoyed with the Mom and sick of Mark. Del's love of Mark seems to have a desperation about it, and for good reason we learn as the tale unfolds. Despite this I still found myself impatient with the development of the plot. There were parts of the book when I could not put it down, and then parts where I found myself skimming a little.

In the end I would categorize "Night Navigation" as a good read on many levels but average when compared to some of the more mature books of this genre.

The Spare Room: A Novel
by Helen Garner

The Spare Room is short but very sweet (1/9/2009)

While I read this book in an afternoon it was a wonderful read. Helen Garner writes eloquently and, at times, humorously, about friendship, fear, self preservation, and dying. She is able to articulate what so many of us go through when someone we love is sick.

The story moves quickly and the characters are vibrant and three dimensional. I identified with this book on many levels, which to me is the mark of a well written story.

This book will resonate with anyone who loves their friends, but at times wonder what the heck they are thinking as they make decisions in their lives, and struggle mightily to support them anyway.

The Sweet In Between: A Novel
by Sheri Reynolds

Sheri Reynolds does not dissapoint (9/1/2008)

As a long time fan of this author I eagerly looked forward to reading "The Sweet In Between". The story and characters are endearing, and while this book does not have the depth of "The Rapture of Canaan", it is still a wonderful read. Anyone who has enjoyed Reynold's other books will enjoy this one as well. It, like all her books, paints a picture of adversity, struggle, and the peace that can come with acceptance. I love a book where you truly grow to care about the characters, and this is that kind of book.

Reviews by Eileen L. (Danvers, MA)

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Reviews by Eileen L. (Danvers, MA)

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