Reviews by Alice S. (East Haven, Ct)

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Circling the Sun
Circling the Sun: A Novel
by Paula McLain
A Woman Ahead of Her Time (8/30/2016)
Beryl Markham is very independent and certainly does not need a man to fulfill her life. In fact, she seems to do best when she is taking care of herself. The fact that this is based on fact makes it all the more remarkable. An enjoyable easy read that made me think about …more
Falling
Falling
by Jane Green
Summer Reading (6/9/2016)
This was an easy read but did not find it particularly engrossing. The whole book was predictable.Even though the author took up to page 259 to develop the characters before a plot twist, I did not care much what happened to any of them. Whole story unrealistic to me.
Shelter
Shelter
by Jung Yun
Engrossing story (12/3/2015)
This is a family saga that illustrates the repercussions of what a violent act can do to a family.The dynamics of the Cho's and the lack of communication are always there in Kyung's life as hard as he tries to get past it. I enjoyed this book and thought the characters were …more
The Headmaster's Wife
The Headmaster's Wife
by Thomas Christopher Greene
Psychological novel (4/28/2015)
An accomplished storyteller, Greene knows how to write an engrossing psychological novel.It has mystery and surprises and nothing in this book is what it seems. Just when you think you know what will happen next, you realize you don't have a clue.
The Silver Witch
The Silver Witch
by Paula Brackston
Interesting story idea (2/13/2015)
The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston had an interesting historical fiction storyline. Maybe because I did not read Brackston's other 2 "witching " novels I was missing something but the book seemed a little repetitive. The chapters go back and forth between the story of …more
The Book of Strange New Things
The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber
Interesting Story Line (8/23/2014)
I do not usually read science fiction which is what I would categorize this book but I found this one enjoyable. It was a character study about a man who is a minister living in space meeting and teaching the Oasans the inhabitants of the planet he is sent to about the …more
The Fortune Hunter
The Fortune Hunter
by Daisy Goodwin
Interesting Historical Novel (4/6/2014)
I enjoyed this book and thought the characters were well thought out if not a little one dimensional. After reading this book I was very glad that I did not live during the period this book takes place.
There was so little freedom and so many rules and standards that women …more
In Praise of Hatred
In Praise of Hatred
by Khaled Khalifa
Interesting viewpoint (3/8/2014)
This book was written in a young girl's perspective, and as such she is a second class citizen. Because it is a translation I had a hard time following the story and characters. However, it was interesting to read about the culture of the Middle East and to get some insight …more
The Housemaid's Daughter
The Housemaid's Daughter
by Barbara Mutch
Engrossing story (11/6/2013)
This book is set in South Africa which made it particularly interesting as I have never read a historical novel about that country. Throughout the story, which takes place through 4 generations of a black family and their relationship to their white employers, the matter of …more
The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
by Saira Shah
Sometimes life gets a little messy (6/17/2013)
This statement is on the cover of the book and is a good way to describe the story. Not only is the house Tobias and Anna buy in France a little messy, but they have a very disabled child who is for them emotionally messy.
As a parent I remember having a discussion with my …more
The Caretaker
The Caretaker
by A .X. Ahmad
Conflicted main character (3/24/2013)
Ranjit is a Sikh from India who moved to America with his wife and daughter to escape his past. Unfortunately, his life in America is not what he hoped for and certainly not what his wife wanted or is willing to accept.
There is a bit of intrigue and a number of betrayals.
I …more
Calling Me Home
Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler
Moving Love Story (12/1/2012)
Calling Me Home, which at first I thought might be a cliched story line, at the end moved me to tears (and I don't cry easily). The back and forth of the narrative between the current time and the 30's and the circumstances and hardships of an inter- racial love were both …more
A Thousand Pardons
A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee
A Thousand Pardons (10/19/2012)
This book was a good read. There were a number of character plots within the framework of the book. Helen, the main female character, becomes a self sufficient working woman because of circumstance and seems amazed at how capable she is. Reading about her transformation was …more
Arcadia
Arcadia: A Novel
by Lauren Groff
Engrossing Book (12/3/2011)
Arcadia was an engrossing and enjoyable book. The story is told by the character Bit, a young man born and raised in a commune. It is through him you see the way the world changes from the idealism of the 60's into the future. As someone who was a teenager during that time, …more
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    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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