BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Kim L. (Cary, IL)

He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him
by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton

Sad (3/11/2015)

I enjoyed reading this book, but found the subject matter to be very sad. The book highlights the difficulties the mentally ill have in our society. Sadly, not that much has changed since the author was alive. It was interesting to read from a mentally ill individuals perspective their thoughts on treatment. The part of the book that I enjoyed the most was the daughter's recollection of past events and how her life was effected.

First Frost
by Sarah Addison Allen

Magical (11/18/2014)

This book was magical. There was not one character that I did not like. I enjoyed the suspense of the story. I could not put the book down.

The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber

Wild Ride (8/10/2014)

The cover of the book was beautiful and the story within was amazing. The story started quickly and keep me reading because I couldn't wait to see where it was going to take me. Beautifully written, with interesting characters. It was mysterious and thought provoking for me.

Mimi Malloy, At Last!
by Julia MacDonnell

Memories (2/14/2014)

This story at first glance is about loss, but as you read deeper it is also about the narrator coming to terms with her past. The book held my attention from the beginning. I enjoyed hearing about her life and especially seeing her come to terms with past memories. It was definitely a page turner. I would like to read more from this author.

Doing Harm
by Kelly Parsons

More (11/1/2013)

I could not put this book down. It was well written and the author wrote a captivating story. I have been a nurse for over 25 years and in my opinion the author portrayed a mostly accurate view of hospital life. The story was fast paced, and held my attention. I hope the author writes more books.

The Good House
by Ann Leary

Injured Spirit (12/15/2012)

I found this book to be well written. The characters were well developed especially that of Hildy. This is a book that many can connect with, because the characters experiences are all very believable. We have all either heard of or met someone with these issues. Very touching story and one that left an impression upon me.

Sharp: A Memoir
by David Fitzpatrick

Troubling (7/8/2012)

I found this book fascinating and one I could not stop reading. Maybe I was intrigued by the subject matter because of personal experience with a family member who is mentally ill. The author's ability to express an accurate detail of the emotions surrounding mental illness were spot on. His story made me sad but also hopeful because of his ability to overcome this disease.

Wife 22: A Novel
by Melanie Gideon

Looking for love (4/14/2012)

This book held my attention. I felt that the main character was well developed and likeable. I wish that the main character's husband had been more developed. I didn't feel that I really understood him. He felt sort of vanilla or bland to me.

Accidents of Providence
by Stacia Brown

No accident (11/21/2011)

Very enjoyable read. I could not put this book down. I finished it in two days. I liked the history lesson, and the characters were very believable. The ending had an interesting twist.

Falling Together: A Novel
by Marisa De Los Santos

Disappointment (9/12/2011)

I really wanted to like this story, but the characters were so one dimensional. I just could not get into this story. The story did not draw me in, I just had to push myself to finish reading it. It was not a plausible story line in my opinion.

Low Town: A Novel
by Daniel Polansky

Grim tale (5/31/2011)

Interesting characters. The author does a good job of describing the setting and the characters. It is a dark and grim tale. The author aptly brings this across through his use of words. I found it difficult to read only because the subject matter is sad.

Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon

burning desire (3/19/2011)

It took me until around page 260 to really get interested in this book. The book starts slowly with a great deal of background information, but once the story got going I couldn't put this book down. The characters were so real and genuinely likable. I fell in love with the main characters. The story drags at times with all of the details, but it is a quick read. I can't wait to read the next book.

A Lonely Death: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery
by Charles Todd

Intrigue (11/7/2010)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this intriguing story with its well developed characters. I found the book hard to stop reading. Rutledge is a very likeable character. The story was well played out and not easy to predict the ending. The setting was most appropriate and added to the mystique of the story.

The Blind Contessa's New Machine: A Novel
by Carey Wallace

The Blind Contessa's New Machine (5/30/2010)

I found this book to be slow to start. I was disappointed in the ending, it left me wanting more. This was because there was no real depth to any of the characters and I felt let down when I finished the book. It was an intriguing storyline which led me to read the book but it didn't satisfy.

The Blind Contessa's New Machine: A Novel
by Carey Wallace

The Blind Contessa's New Machine (5/30/2010)

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