Reviews by Mary Ann B. (Louisville, KY)

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Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets
Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets: A Memoir
by Jessica A. Fox
Lost in Wigtown (6/13/2013)
Jessica Fox's memoir of finding love in the world is an okay read. With the description of the book, I thought it would be more about her adventure working in a bookshop. It is actually about her deciding to do major changes in her life. That premise is okay also, except …more
Fever
Fever
by Mary Beth Keane
Fever (3/10/2013)
Sometimes non-fiction books read like fiction.The book Fever does the opposite. Ms. Keane takes real people,real incidents, and creates a world that readers come to live in. Mary Mallon, given the name Typhoid Mary by the press, is a compelling character whose story you …more
The Mark Inside
The Mark Inside: A Perfect Swindle, a Cunning Revenge, and a Small History of the Big Con
by Amy Reading
The Mark Inside (6/23/2012)
The Mark Inside is an interesting book about parting people from their money. Actually about one man in particular and how he tries to bring the con men down. This book does make you think about why people are conned. I always think it is a two way street. You can't sell …more
A Simple Murder
A Simple Murder
by Eleanor Kuhns
A simple Murder (4/5/2012)
A Simple Murder is a satisfactory story. It has a mystery that needs to be solved, and is, but the story is lacking. I just didn't care about the characters. The story moved at a slow pace, but it was easily predictable on who committed the crimes.
Losing Clementine
Losing Clementine: A Novel
by Ashley Ream
Losing Clementine (2/12/2012)
When you first start reading Losing Clementine, you don't know what to think. Is this story going to be sad, uncomfortable, or satisfying. It's a little bit of all three. Clementine is a very honest character who isn't afraid of expressing herself. I liked that, but I don't …more
A Partial History of Lost Causes
A Partial History of Lost Causes: A Novel
by Jennifer duBois
Still searching (12/30/2011)
I think this book is well written. It has two main characters, and it is interesting on how and why they meet. However, the characters themselves did not engage me. I didn't seem to care about their journeys.
The Most Dangerous Thing
The Most Dangerous Thing
by Laura Lippman
You never really know a person (8/14/2011)
Laura Lippman has written a story that stays with you after reading, because it makes you think about your own life and the people you know or think you know. This book keeps you guessing about not only the children we meet as adults, but their parents as well. Nature vs …more
The Philosophical Breakfast Club
The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World
by Laura J. Snyder
Science in the Making (1/19/2011)
If you have ever thought about how scientists think, read this book. Much of the process was put into practice by members of the Philosphical Breakfast Club. Of course in the 19th century, philosphical had a somewhat different meaning than today, but these gentlemen shaped …more
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
by Wesley Stace
No Night at the Opera (11/19/2010)
I had a hard time getting through this book. If you know Opera, and like it, maybe it is more interesting and meaningful. Unfortunately for me, I only felt indifference toward all the main characters.
The Clouds Beneath the Sun
The Clouds Beneath the Sun
by Mackenzie Ford
Unsatisified in Aftrica (7/5/2010)
I was disappointed with this book for several reasons. I thought the description and history of the Serengeti and Kenya were descriptive and knowledgeable, but the characters were not that likable. I think the story was drug out a bit, and incidents seemed contrived. If you …more
Beautiful Assassin
Beautiful Assassin: A Novel
by Michael C. White
Beauiful Assassin (3/10/2010)
This book started a little slow , but after a few chapters, the gripping story of war and how it can change and shape us began to unfold. Stories of war are interesting to me, because such catastrophic events can change the way we see ourselves, creating opportunities ( …more
The Wives of Henry Oades
The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran
Until Death do us part (12/4/2009)
The Wives of Henry Oades is a thoughtful historical novel about good people caught up in heart breaking circumstances. You are caught up in the drama from the first page. The main characters are likable, and you find yourself thinking about the dilemma they each face. The …more
State by State
State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America
by Sean Wilsey, Matt Weiland
America, The Unique (11/4/2009)
State by State is filled with essays from contemporary writers who take a look at a particular state and how it measures up with modern culture. Do not get this confused with a travelogue, because it isn't. It's more about the differences, and the similarities, between the …more
An Edible History of Humanity
An Edible History of Humanity
by Tom Standage
Food For Thought (3/6/2009)
An Edible History of Humanity is slow going in the first couple of chapters, but if you stick with it you will be rewarded with how food has been used for so much more than sustenance. I was eager to learn about the many different aspects of food's interaction with the …more
Stealing Athena
Stealing Athena
by Karen Essex
Women in History (5/22/2008)
I enjoyed this book on two levels. The first, for the parallel stories of two men trying to create history, and the second for two women who are taken along for the ride.
This story has many discussion points for women's roles, men's roles and how they play out throughout …more
Dervishes
Dervishes
by Beth Helms
A spinning tale out of control (12/6/2007)
Dervishes tells the story of the relationship of mothers and daughters, and a woman's place in the world that she has chosen. At times, you don't care for their behavior, but their choices are few. The characters are complex,and the ending leaves you with more questions than answers.
Red Rover
Red Rover
by Deirdre McNamer
An engrossing read (9/11/2007)
Red Rover doesn't grab you by the throat, it takes you slowly by the hand and leads you into a world of wonder, despair, and redemption. The story of three lives intertwining from the early 20th century to the recent past is layered in ways, that keeps you guessing up until …more
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