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Reviews by Susan H. (Chappaqua, NY)

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Look on the Bright Side
Look on the Bright Side
by Kristan Higgins
Smle, Laugh and a Few Tears! (5/26/2024)
I love all of Kristin Higgin’s books. Her characters are people you want to have as friends. The romance took a back burner ( no pun intended - read the book , u will understand) to the main story - It is about family, friends , your goals for a life worth living and re- evaluating your goals !
Bright and Tender Dark
Bright and Tender Dark
by Joanna Pearson
Underwhelmed !! (3/31/2024)
I love a mystery but this was not interesting enough to finish. ! didn't like the characters - much too wordy and difficult to follow. There are many novels about professors and student affairs that makes u want to be one of the characters or afraid you might get caught but this one didn't do it for me. i didn't care what happened to the characters.
Zig-Zag Boy
Zig-Zag Boy: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood
by Tanya Frank
How did this happen ?? (2/14/2023)
For a mom nothing is worse than seeing your child ill and hurting but it is whole different story when you cant see the illness, give the child a pill or a hug to help the child heal in a timely manner. Mental illness is frightening and it is hard not to blame yourself for what's happening to your child - if only i did .... better, differently, been a stronger role model of not had that drink . these are some of the feelings and thoughts that zach's mom feels when her son has what is called a psychotic break at 19 year sold. the book does a good job of describing the havoc that the entire family goes thru dealing with all the unknowns, doctors, hospital stays, trouble in the relationship between the mom and her wife, the siblings etc. This book does a very good job of describing the hell of the mysteries of mental illness
Good Husbands
Good Husbands: A Novel
by Cate Ray
who's to blame - (2/25/2022)
This is a case of he said she said. 3 women, having nothing in common and don't know each other, receive a letter accusing their husbands of a sexual assault that took place over 2 decades ago. Do they ignore the letter - assume it is a prank - or or attempt to find the truth behind this heinous accusation? The novel has a very interesting premise but it's a long story with a disappointing ending. the book could have been 100 pages shorter
The Forest of Vanishing Stars
The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel
by Kristin Harmel
Couldn't put it down (5/12/2021)
Harmel writes a well-researched book with amazing detail for her characters and the period. I have had many a sleepless night reading her other books, and this one was no different. Once you start - the characters are your people, and you don't want to leave them - sleep later.
With or Without You
With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt
she does it again! (5/13/2020)
i really like leavitt's books - the characters are real people with real life issues. and that is again true here. it is a perfect way to spend quarantine .
A Ladder to the Sky
A Ladder to the Sky: A Novel
by John Boyne
He's hard to like .... (9/12/2018)
He's hard to like ....but very difficult to stop wanting to see what he does next. this is not a book I would usually read but I am very glad I did. it is dark but so compelling!
The Summer Wives
The Summer Wives
by Beatriz Williams
she's written better (4/23/2018)
i usually love williams books but the last two have left me disappointed ... didn't particularly care for any of the characters, she lost interest in her people half way thru the book ... i kept waiting for something to happen. who was the summer wife? the book could have been 75 pages shorter.
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney
scary good! (11/16/2017)
I cannot wait for the next book by this author! I liked all the characters ... even the imaginary people. I didn't want to put the book down, but I also didn't want to finish it. There were so many twists and turns I had to re-read sections and re-read again. Wow!
The Book of Summer
The Book of Summer
by Michelle Gable
Love Nantucket! (3/15/2017)
This is a wonderful story about family, and if you know Nantucket it is particularly interesting and fun! Easy to read, it will be one of this summer's great beach reads!
The Widow
The Widow
by Fiona Barton
not an easy read! (1/19/2016)
Reading about children in difficult situations is very difficult for me ... that said the mystery is well written if you can deal with the subject matter.
All Is Not Forgotten
All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker
not quite what i hoped for! (11/12/2015)
A good but not great thriller. I had hoped for a page turner that would keep me up all night but when I put the book down i was not compelled to pick it up again. A bit confusing going back and forth.
Vanessa and Her Sister
Vanessa and Her Sister
by Priya Parmar
We didn't invent free love !! (10/21/2014)
It took me a little bit to get into the book …. the diary style was difficult to follow, I had to keep checking back to figure out who the players were; but after that it was an easy and interesting read. I love the combination of fact and fiction.
Accidents of Marriage
Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers
You don't have to see the scars to be a victim of abuse! (6/11/2014)
I gave up food, TV and conversation once I started this book and now that I am finished Iam sorry it is over. Accidents of Marriage talks about the complex nature of marriage and family. emotional abuse by a family member can be just as destructive as physical abuse . This family deals with the repercussions of a car accident where the husband/dad has a case of road rage which leaves his wife, mother of 3 kids with a severe brain injury.
Her
Her
by Harriet Lane
hell hath no fury like a woman …. (5/14/2014)
I couldn't put this book down . . . a strange friendship blooms between two unlikely women and it is clear from the beginning that Nina has an agenda … and it's not simply for tea and crumpets with Emma. I was on the edge of my seat until the end … when I said … no, no we need more information. If this were a play I would hope it was in previews and the author needed more time to finish up …. please give us more info!!!
Mating for Life
Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley
Families, oh my! (3/25/2014)
Mothers and daughters, sisters … there is nothing better and yet nothing more complicated and often times difficult. I enjoyed reading about the relationships … the ways the family related to each other, the way they love, dislike … often outright hurt one another ... and then put it all back together in the name of love and family. No-one can hurt your soul like a sister and then give you the shirt off their back to make it better!!!!
Glitter and Glue
Glitter and Glue: A Memoir
by Kelly Corrigan
mothers are grand! (1/13/2014)
I really enjoyed this book. I had a very special relationship with my mom … reached for the phone to call her a number of times reading the book …. she passed away a number of years ago and I still think of her daily. I have a wonderful relationship with my young adult daughter and gave her the book to read. She often says mothers are the glue!!!!
A Dual Inheritance
A Dual Inheritance
by Joanna Hershon
Interesting Families! (3/13/2013)
I really liked this book but it was a bit to long. could have cut out a chunk in the middle. I was very interested in Ed, Helen and Shipley but when it got into their kids ... it all seemed a bit contrived. also the Ed saga was a bit too Madoff like. the author tried to cover a few too many issues.
Golden Boy
Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin
Golden Child? (1/17/2013)
For the most part I enjoyed this book but as a parent I could not understand how the parents in this book chose not to do anything about the child's sexuality at birth. How can you leave this to a teen when teens have enough "stuff" to deal without extra body parts!!! I also thought the book got a bit out there with the pregnancy and whether to keep the baby... A little much.
A Thousand Pardons
A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee
Almost there! (10/16/2012)
Very interesting.... A mid life man tired of his routines, responsibilities and rather than get professional help .. He acts on his impulses causes havoc to his family and work associates but does come to learn and understand that there are serious consequences for his actions.his wife rises to the occasion raises their daughter while trying to find work ... Out of her past she meets an old friend who is now a famous movie star ... He gets drunk, thinks he kills someone while he's blacked out and wife drops everything to run around trying to find the "maybe dead girl" ... Where did this come from .... Stick to the story ... Difficult family situation, Mr. mid-life man, trying to be the perfect family is not as easy as you might think.
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