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Reviews by Darlene C. (Simpsonville, SC)

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Precious Thing
Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth
Precious Thing by Colette McBeth (1/9/2014)
The book begin with an intensity that you can't believe she can maintain. Told in the first person, a newspaper reporter is thrust in front of the camera, unknowingly covering the story of her best friend's disappearance. And then her boyfriend is found dead after being seen on tape with her friend. Seems so simple on the surface, but the twists and turns kept me reading, and the itensity continued to grow. Do I recommend this? WOW, oh yes, and I'm rereading it because it was that good. Lots of discussion points for book clubs. Loved this book.
Amy Falls Down
Amy Falls Down
by Jincy Willett
Amy Falls Down (6/17/2013)
As I continued to read, I became more engrossed in the story. In a way it's similar to the movie "Being There" with Peter Sellers. A series of ridiculous events are misconstrued by others as brilliance! ....and no one is more surprised than the main character.

I don't think this book would appeal to younger readers because you need to have some life experience to appreciate it. It would be a GREAT book for discussion as so many comparisons can be made between the character and the readers own lives. The ending leaves you considering the story long after you've finished the book.
Close My Eyes
Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie
Close My Eyes by Sophie Mckenzie (4/30/2013)
I really enjoyed this book and any comparison to Gyllian Flynn's "Gone Girl" would be right on the money. The story line is different but the slow build, and the unpredictable twists and turns that get you hooked and unable to put the book down, are the same. Even if you're savvy enough to figure out who...the why will keep you riveted to the end. If you're a new reader or a long time reader (who can easily predict plots), this is a great read. You WILL be surprised! Bravo!
Children of the Jacaranda Tree
Children of the Jacaranda Tree
by Sahar Delijani
Children of the Jacaranda Tree by Sahar Delijani (2/17/2013)
I found this book difficult to read. I think it was because the characters (of which there were many) were not fully developed enough for me to create a memorable mental image of them. Therefore I found myself flipping back and forth to find out who was who and how they related to the others. I had a similar problem with the passage of time. The writing itself was well done but perhaps more focus on less characters would have made it more readable for me. I'm sorry, but for me this was an "I have to finish it because I have to review it book".
Bone River
Bone River
by Megan Chance
Bone River by Megan Chance: (11/5/2012)
I know I'm in for a good read, when the first time I pick up the book I don't put it down until Chapter 6, the second time took me to 10, then 15, and today I finished it. Do I really need to say I really enjoyed it? Beautifully written, a bit historical, a bit mystery, a bit moral dilemma, and a bit of unexpected hot romance; an original story that's refreshingly unpredictable with surprising twists. Would make a great book club choice.
Three Weeks in December
Three Weeks in December
by Audrey Schulman
Three Weeks in December (1/3/2012)
I enjoyed this book immensely! An original plot, produces two alternating tales, either of which would have made an excellent book in their own right. The two storylines make it a perfect book to compare/contrast in a book club discussion. Not a book I would have picked up on my own, which would have been my great loss. Enjoy. D.
Before the Poison
Before the Poison
by Peter Robinson
Enjoyable read! (12/4/2011)
I haven't read this author's Inspector Banks novels but they are not necessary to enjoy this book. The first couple of chapters were slow going because they dealt with the geography of the story. It wasn't a "couldn't put it down", but more like an "I can't wait to get back to it" and the further I read the harder it became to wait to get back to it. I found the plot original and the characters endearing. I would recommend this book to a friend, it really should be rated 4.5!
The Kitchen Daughter
The Kitchen Daughter: A Novel
by Jael McHenry
The Kitchen Daughter (3/22/2011)
Awesome! It arrived on Saturday, finished it on Tuesday...sneaking a read every chance I had. Loved the use of food as part of social relationships; hated (but true) the need to define what is "normal" and apply "labels" to people. For all ages, and found it to be a "unique" read.(Recipes included as well as discussion questions.)
Snowdrops
Snowdrops: A Novel
by A.D. Miller
Snow Drops by A.D. Miller (12/4/2010)
The back of the book calls it "an intense psychological drama that echoes the sophisticated entertainments of The Talented Mr. Ripley and Gorky Part". Not! I did not find it either "intense" nor did it have "drama". It did describe the blackmarket for anything that exists in Moscow, a cliche, but from my experience true.
If you're looking for an "I can't wait to get back to my book" read, I'm sorry to say that wasn't my experience.
Ten Minutes from Home
Ten Minutes from Home: A Memoir
by Beth Greenfield
Ten Minutes from Home (4/20/2010)
Thank-you Beth for shining a light on a dark corner of our society. When a parent loses a child, they seem to receive an endless amount of support but who is there to support a child who loses a sibling and a best friend, and whose parents are immersed in their own grief. Alone, these children are left to emotionally cope as best they can. Beth must deal with the self-blame, the survivor guilt, the label of "the girl whose brother died" and she recounts her experiences with a brutal honesty that makes the reader cringe. For someone who seldom reads memoirs, I found this one to be compelling.
Heresy
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
Thumbs up for "Heresy" by S.J. Parris (12/3/2009)
I really enjoyed the book and couldn't wait to get home everyday and read a bit more! This historical "whodunit" prompted me to investigate the real characters used, so I learnt a bit of history as well. I can see this becoming a very successful BBC series similar to "Cadfael". Heard this was the first book of three and I can't wait for the next one.
How Far Is the Ocean from Here
How Far Is the Ocean from Here: A Novel
by Amy Shearn
Keep reading...it's a good book! (6/22/2008)
Having put the concentrated effort of getting through the wordy paragraph long sentences at the beginning of the book, I was rewarded with an enjoyable read. Quirky? Definitely! Great storyline! Believable characters? Maybe not for some readers, but for me believable enough to want to slap some sense into them every now and then. I was invested in them (and am non-violent).

Book clubs? Definitely! Younger readers? I'd say read it first and you decide as there are some issues (including the main plot) that draw strong opinions. Bottom line...hang in there, and enjoy.
Someone Knows My Name
Someone Knows My Name: aka: The Book of Negroes
by Lawrence Hill
Book clubs take note! (11/14/2007)
After a few chapters, I expected to see a novel I had seen before, that of "Roots" by Alex Haley, but I was very wrong and was soon riveted to the life story of Aminata Diallo.

What made this book enjoyable was the unpredictability of the story line, the believable maturation of Aminata's psyche from child-like innocence to the wisdom of experience, and finally an epic that is beautifully told.

This would be a wonderful book for any book club as there are a number of issues, besides slavery, which would make for a lively discussion.
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