BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Lost Apothecary: A Novel
by Sarah Penner

Recommend with Reservations (10/14/2020)

The plot concept was brilliant and hooked me with just the description. I did feel that the execution of the plot, while interesting, was simplistic in its unveiling. The author tended to over describe connections and reveals that felt condescending. Additionally, some of the character events felt unsubstantiated. For example, Caroline's husband was not mean spirited or manipulative throughout the novel and then it's revealed that he's a master manipulator who may be suicidal. Eliza's introduction to magic and her near miss with death felt hurried and overly simplified. I wish Sarah Penner had taken more time to flesh out these characters and events. Overall the story line was good and I would recommend to others albeit readers who tend toward young adult fiction.

The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin

Interesting but... (11/4/2019)

I felt very optimistic upon starting this book. I found it interesting that there were communities that were dedicated and committed to Spiritualism. I also enjoyed the fact that the writer was a neophyte, which boded well for me because I also had no prior knowledge. My interest quickly waned however. As soon as I started, I felt disconnected from the writer. I felt like it was a lot of superficial information regarding Spiritualism repetitively presented. Overall I cannot recommend this book, but feel that others who are more interested in the historic background of Spiritualism may find it more appealing.

Courting Mr. Lincoln
by Louis Bayard

Heartwarming! (3/7/2019)

As with other reviewers, I have always favored President Lincoln, as he was from Illinois, as am I, and because he came from nothing and made so much of himself. Ms. Bayard's style reveals layers of each character with each chapter. The relationships are given a depth and purpose which made me connect with them. The work behind the courtship, the friendships, and the politics is artfully layered making the book difficult to put down. I enjoyed learning of Mary's intelligence and her unusual enjoyment of politics, and, as with all the interesting characters, the author gives us the backstory on how these passions emerged. After reading, I realized that very many people were "Courting Mr. Lincoln" and I was mesmerized by them all. I will keep this book next to my biography of Lincoln and when sharing will recommend people with an interest in Lincoln read both.

The Kennedy Debutante
by Kerri Maher

Not enough for me..... (6/12/2018)

While I enjoyed learning about Kit's life and seeing how planned and produced her parents had intended it to be, I felt that the book tended to drag. Kit's musings often seemed similar to those of females in the 1940's movies; too innocent and too contrived. I had hoped to gain more insight into the workings of the family. Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I definitely found the history interesting, just would have liked more definition.

Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson

Intimacy at a distance (4/30/2018)

Meet Me at the Museum was a lovely, slower paced read. The intimacy of written correspondence and the flowering of a friendship is beautifully laid out here for us to enjoy. The characters are older (easily identifiable for me) and realize the passing of time. Together they share their sorrows, joys, regrets, and deepest thoughts. The way they began their correspondence was so normal that perhaps such a friendship could bloom from many of our own dealings if we only took the time to look beyond the writings to the writer. A lovely read and a nice reminder that the paths we take through time have more "raspberries and ferns" to enjoy....no matter how old we become.

Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney

Loved it! My favorite book of the year. (11/8/2017)

"Sometimes I Lie" overtook me with the author's unique writing style of moving us from present to past to distant past. Chapter by chapter more details are revealed about the main character, putting this book in the "can't put it down" category. I felt so many different emotions with each chapter, but overall I would consider this a thriller and a definite page turner! An exhilarating read for all and a great book to gift. Hoping Alice Feeney is already at work on her next book.

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Personal, beautiful, intense (6/27/2017)

An intimate and insightful view of life through the eyes of a mother whose child has a life threatening disease. Heather Harpham allows us to see this world from many different angles...all very personal....from the relationship between Gracie's parents, their friends, the grandparents, and the caretakers, and, of course, Gracie. Hard book to put down, but once finished left me, and I'm sure many others, with a desire to do my part and look into being a donor. The hard decisions they made as parents were explained in such a way that I often had to stop reading and consider what I would do in such a situation. Thank you for this candid story.

The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies

Strong Start --- Weak Finish (7/20/2016)

The Tea Planter's Wife started off with great promise. The first few chapters were fascinating and began to weave an intricate and mysterious story. However, the writing became repetitive and I found myself scanning the paragraphs to find the thread of the story throughout the constant descriptions of feelings and worries. Gwen would be strong and then unbelievably weak. Her strength would return, but she would fall victim to yet another problem and seemed to never have a plan. Could she trust no one? She repeated the phrase "pulled a face" so often that I began waiting for it to appear. The beginning of the book and the last chapter made for a great story. The telling of it was dragged out and, for me, ruined the story.

The Life of the World to Come
by Dan Cluchey

A quirky, interesting read. (4/26/2016)

The writing style in The Life of The World to Come is different...sometimes confusing, but more often intriguing. The characters are quirky with many endearing qualities. I found it an easy read, though had to stop and look up the meaning of several words I'd never heard before...good to learn new things. While I agree somewhat with other reviewers that the main character was a bit self-indulgent, I rooted for his well being and happiness throughout. The description of his breakup was so personal that it left me feeling raw and sad. Overall, a very interesting and introspective book. I will look forward to his next book.

The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir
by Ruth Wariner

Fascinating and spell binding. (11/11/2015)

The inner workings of a polygamist colony would be fascinating without any other details. However, The Sound of Gravel shows us the personal side, the private side and all through the eyes of a young, brave girl. The author's understanding of her mother's motives and beliefs as well as her ability to separate the terribly wrong decisions from the love of her mother was riveting. This is a book I could not put down and actually stayed up half the night to finish. The author draws you into her family and you fall in love with so many of the people in the book and come to hate a few as well. A book full of emotion and fullness of spirit. Ruth was able to stand up through all the trials of her young life and also able to relate the strangeness of it all. This book really takes you on a dusty, dark journey into a world I never really knew existed. I would love to meet the author and will inquire at my local bookstore of the possibility of upcoming dates. This would make a fascinating motion picture.

Frank & Ava: In Love and War
by John Brady

Hard to put down! (8/13/2015)

I have read several books on Frank Sinatra and also books on Ava Gardner. While they all touch on the relationship between Ava and Frank, it is more a skim. This book follows the relationship from start to finish --- a romance that never really died. Great segments about Bogart, Bacall, Jerry Lewis, Grace Kelly Hemingway, etc. Ava and Frank were Hollywood royalty and seemed to touch every other star at some point in their careers/relationships. So many great side stories were woven into this story and every one relevant and interesting. Hated to put the book down and hated for it to end. A wonderful guided tour through two peoples' lives. Cannot recommend this book highly enough.

A Passion for Paris: Romanticism and Romance in the City of Light
by David Downie

A passion for Paris. (4/14/2015)

I have been lucky to have visited Paris several times in my life. Each time I have found something new. Now I feel as if I never really saw Paris...at least not now that I have read A Passion For Paris. The insight the author brings into the lives of the authors and artists makes another trip a must. Unique and personal. I really appreciated his threading of today's Paris with that of the beautiful, artistic histories of yesteryear. I will now have to brush up on my French literature!

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

A fascinating and heartbreaking tale (2/22/2015)

He Wanted The Moon is a must read for anyone who has suffered from, or known someone who has, mental illness. The unimaginable horrors of treatment are made clear to us through his personal account. The strides that have been made in treating mental illness in the past fifty years are amazing. I think it is important to think of those strides while reading this book. Clearly, this man's intelligence shines through giving us a very personal and terrifying account of his experiences.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (11/4/2014)

I learned more than I had previously known about Jacqueline Bouvier's early adult life prior to JFK. However, I did not feel that much more was revealed following their marriage and Jackie's life thereafter. The post traumatic stress disorder diagnosis seemed definitely on target, but came as no surprise. This is evidenced in the days following the assassination and is referred to throughout the book.
The book takes us through her relationship and marriage to Onasis without much detail other than what we had already known. I felt that all her relationships, including that with her children, were only lightly touched upon and revealed nothing new.

The diagnosis of PTSD had not been discovered in the 1960's, but anyone who sat next to their husband as he was assassinated would likely suffer from this disorder. The novel brought it up again and again, but I'm sure all readers agreed the first time and did not need to be reminded. I had higher hopes for this book and found myself wanting more.

The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson

Beautifully painted tale (7/24/2014)

The Paris Winter took me in instantly. The characters were described and painted with words in ways that made them come alive. The story is unpredictable and engrossing from start to finish. I think I enjoyed seeing the female friendships develop throughout the novel and was inspired by what women bear and what women achieve. The descriptions of Paris made me feel that I knew it well and allowed me to picture many of the scenes in my mind. I truly felt that the words painted those scenes and made the book come alive for me.
I would definitely recommend The Paris Winter and appreciated the chance to be one of the first to read it. Definitely one of my favorite books. Thank you.

Glitter and Glue: A Memoir
by Kelly Corrigan

A book for every generation of women (12/24/2013)

Kelly Corrigan spoke to me on so many levels in this book....as a mother, a daughter, a granddaughter, and a one-day grandmother. The female journey and the discovery of the connection between ourselves and our mothers is one we all must take. Kelly bridged the gap between our young selves and our more mature selves; the mothers we become. She does this with humor, amazing insight, and heart tugging thoughtfulness. I enjoyed each page and wish I could pull up a chair beside her and hear more. For me, that is always the sign of a great book. Our mothers' voices echo inside us all our lives, but we often don't stop to listen. With the insight provided by Kelly, I will stop and listen and remember all the lessons passed on from my grandmother down to my daughters. I think everyone will see themselves and their well-meaning mothers. A lovely, short read.

The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
by Kelly Harms

Good Summer Read (5/14/2013)

I was captivated after the first few pages and remained so throughout the book. The characters are revealed to you slowly, much the way strangers become friends, and continue to show their many layers throughout the story. A sweet, easy read and a book I will pass on to all my friends.

Reviews by Dorothy G. (Naperville, IL)

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