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Reviews by Laura G. (Buffalo, NY)

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Everything We Never Knew: A Novel
by Julianne Hough
Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough and Ellen Goodlett (8/8/2024)
This book captivated me immediately. The descriptions were beautiful. The plot moved along quickly. I found the premise intriguing though a bit out of my realm of understanding. I enjoyed seeing how it was all going to play out. The character Bea was a riot! I loved how she evoked so much emotion from each of the other characters.
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
On a Night of a Thousand Stars (3/20/2022)
The story line in the book is very compelling. The way the reader is transported from one time period to the other with connecting characters helped to keep your attention and the history I was not well educated in was very interesting
The 1998 main character, however, was hard for me to enjoy. Her carelessness made me frustrated and the way she disregarded most everyone's concern for her made her very unlikable. Although it wasn't a happy ending for all, it was wrapped up a little too quickly and left quite a number of questions unanswered.
How to Find Your Way Home
by Katy Regan
Complicated sibling relations (12/7/2021)
This book delves into a very complicated subject. It presents two siblings with very different lives. They love each other very much but one split second changes the paths they take and separates them for years. When finally they meet again, the brother's hobby of birding brings them together and helps them to find the common ground to examine a lot of things about their lives. I'm very happy that I read this book.
At the Edge of the Haight
by Katherine Seligman
At the Edge of the Haight (11/6/2020)
This book was an amazing look into the day to day life of a young woman and her friends who choose to live homeless. As a woman who volunteers at a homeless shelter, with a son who works at a food kitchen, this is not a new topic to me but this perception was very worthwhile. The plot of the book was compelling and the characters well developed. There were so many likable characters. I have recommended this book to many people already.
The Voyage of the Morning Light: A Novel
by Marina Endicott
The Voyage of the Morning Light by Marina Endicott (7/22/2020)
I stopped and started this book twice as I found the beginning a little slow. But once I really focused on it I found it to be delightful. The descriptions were terrific and the I felt like I was at sea experiencing with Kay. The two part design, separated by ten years, takes the reader on two adventures with the main character, Kay; one with a young girl just learning about the world around her and one with a young woman setting out to right the wrongs she perceived in that world. I'm glad I stuck with it. It's a great read.
Remembrance
by Rita Woods
Remembrance (11/10/2019)
The premise of this book really intrigued me and the writing reeled me in immediately. Unfortunately, in spite of beautifully descriptive writing, the plot was not to my liking. I was very excited to read about 3 different historical periods and how the author would tie them together. The book however is not the historical fiction I imagined but a mystic fantasy with very little in the way of tying it all together in the end. I read to the end wondering how it would work and even imagined a few ways it might have but was sorely disappointed. There were many loose ends that didn't need to be.
Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America
by Nefertiti Austin
Motherhood So White (9/10/2019)
Motherhood So White was an interesting read, particularly as a white woman. I looked forward to reading it because I want to learn. It did teach me quite a bit about the different aspects of family life in the black community. I find that I was anticipating something of a reference book for black women looking to raise adopted children. I wanted to understand the challenges in a society that still is not as socially just as we would like. Alas, it was not a reference book but rather exactly what the title says “a memoir”. The author’s frustrations were really a core message in this book. I was pleased when she embarked upon the challenge of advocating not only for herself and her children but for future adoptive parents. The book chronicled her own growth as her children grew and that was very nice to be able to witness. She did a great job with descriptions both of the characters that formed her life and of her struggles throughout the foster/adoption process.
Nothing to See Here
by Kevin Wilson
Nothing to See Here (6/21/2019)
This book was a quick read which was perfect for summertime. When it arrived for my review I was a little surprised that I had chosen a book about children who spontaneously combust. As I go into it though I was pleasantly surprised by how the author handled the topic and how quickly the story line progressed. The characters are well developed and unexpectedly likeable. I'm glad it gave this book a chance; it deserved it.
More News Tomorrow: A Novel
by Susan Richards Shreve
More News Tomorrow (4/26/2019)
More News Tomorrow was a quick read. 70 year old Georgie receives a letter from Roosevelt, a man she only knows through a news article about the murder of her mother and her father's subsequent murder charge. Her father dies in jail after telling her "more news tomorrow" leaving Georgie to wonder what that news would have been. She hopes Roosevelt will provide the answers to this mystery. Her plan to meet Roosevelt leads Georgie's whole family to take a trip that will intrigue every reader. My favorite part of this book was the character development as the canoe trip unfolds. There are many interesting characters on the canoe both at the time the book was written and the time of the murder.
The Last Year of the War
by Susan Meissner
A Life of Bravery (11/29/2018)
This book takes us on the life journey of an American born German girl named Elise as her life changes due to Word War II. Her circumstances make her question her identity and where she belongs. The short but powerful friendship between Elise and Mariko, an American born Japanese girl teaches Elise to stay true to herself in spite of how she is perceived by the outside world. There are many frightening moments for the girls throughout this book. Mariko has an amazing quote about bravery that stays with me: “Maybe being brave is different from being unafraid. If you’re unafraid, what is there to be brave about?” I hope you enjoy this book about lifelong bravery as much as I did.
America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui
Discovering at all ages (4/17/2018)
This book is a fascinating way to show that people of all ages and backgrounds are able to learn and discover throughout life and despite circumstances. This author has done a wonderful job of bringing an odd group of people together with a common goal. In their travels they learned about each other, their surroundings and themselves. I was particularly impressed by the use of water throughout the book. It was present in so many important ways. I'm sure an English teacher would have a lot to say about it. America for Beginners will be my next book recommendation to book club so that I can further explore it with friends.
All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker
All is Not Forgotten will not be forgotten (10/13/2015)
This book is a very compelling read. Although the theme is a bit dark due to the situations that have been "forgotten" (or not), the twists and turns are very well done. Most parents, given the choice, would want to sweep away unhappy memories from their child's life. But, in this book, the ramifications are proven to be astronomical.
The character development made you really feel like you knew the people. Unfortunately, the choices made in this book made most every character someone I wouldn't choose to befriend.
I think this book gives a lot of food for thought and for this reason I think that it would be a great book club book. The discussion would be lively.
I Am Livia
by Phyllis T. Smith
A fun way to learn about ancient Roman times (1/8/2014)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading I Am Livia, by Phyllis T. Smith. Learning about ancient history through novels is always fun. This book really kept my interest as the narrator spoke honestly about Livia and other characters' strengths and weaknesses. It was a love story that depicted love and marriage in that time period, both of the wealthy and the common folk. I particularly liked that the author did not get too descriptive about sexuality but rather alluded to things and left it up to the reader's imagination. That is all that is necessary in most cases. I have already recommended this book to friends.
Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany
So much to think about (12/1/2013)
I loved the book "Safe with Me" by Amy Hatvany. It was hard to put down. You see, even having known a few people who have been organ recipients, it never occurred to me the feelings both donor families and recipient families experience. The book was a well written, learning experience. I highly recommend it. I think my only problem with the book is that I didn't understand the meaning of the title.
Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker
Crime of Privilege - only "good" (4/29/2013)
I was really looking forward to reading this book. It had an interesting premise and a captivating start. Sadly, after taking the reader to many different places and introducing many different characters, it seems to fizzle out. I was left feeling that the writer had a great idea but for some reason wrapped it up too quickly leaving a lot of unanswered questions.
Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin
An Eye Opening Read (1/30/2013)
I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be reading this book because of its subject matter. I was right. It wasn't always comfortable, but that was the genius of it. This young author has done an amazing job conveying the feelings of each character as he or she deals with the situation presented. No matter whom you are, and what your experiences have been, this book will give you a lot to think about. I'm very glad I read it.
Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler
A Ride to Remember (12/4/2012)
Calling Me Home has a masterful way of drawing in its reader. The car ride, to a funeral across country, brings together two unlikely travelling companions. The story the older woman shares with the younger woman is a story for all to hear. It bridges time, age and race in a poignant, bittersweet tale that impacts, not only the two characters, but anyone who picks up this book. I'm so glad to have read it and highly recommend it.
Indiscretion
by Charles Dubow
Indescretion is a perfect title (10/21/2012)
This book was a captivating read. There are so many likable characters brought together and then torn apart. It's hard to know for whom you should be rooting because, before the "indiscretion", you like each person. It's an interesting take on an age old scenario. I really liked the third person, omniscient observer. It made the whole situation important to him and therefore to the reader. I will definitely recommend this book to friends.
Shine Shine Shine: A Novel
by Lydia Netzer
A Book filled with Quirky Characters (6/18/2012)
Shine, Shine, Shine is a fascinating book filled with the unusual. The author uses description to help endear the reader to each of the quirky characters. It was intriguing the way the chapters went from present day to past, giving the reader explanation as to how things came to be as they are. I found it hard to put down because I wanted to see how it all played out.
Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected - A Memoir
by Kelle Hampton
Bloom Gives a Very Special Perspective (2/5/2012)
Bloom, by Kelle Hampton, is an amazing look into a woman’s journey from the life she expected, to the life she was given. It’s an intimate, sometimes heartbreaking, memoir of letting go of the life she thought she would have and embracing her “New Life”. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, this book is a very quick read because it’s so very difficult to break the bond and walk away. The photos make it all so real and bring the reader right into the folds.
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