BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Ilene R. (Northfield, IL)

That Summer
by Lauren Willig

Great read!! (3/30/2014)

I loved the book, That Summer! It alternates between the modern day story of Julia and the mid 1800's story of Imogen. It's part mystery and part love story. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it! My only criticism would be that I want more of the story!! I want to …more

Doing Harm
by Kelly Parsons

A roller coaster ride... (10/28/2013)

I really liked Doing Harm. It's a story about a surgeon, Steve Mitchell. He is known around the hospital as one of the "best"! Then- a patient dies. Steve gets caught up in a series of events that toss his whole life into turmoil! I liked that Steve is flawed. He isn't …more

Bellman & Black
by Diane Setterfield

A dark journey.. (9/1/2013)

First of all, I was eagerly anticipating this book. I loved Diane Setterfield's previous book, The Thirteenth Tale. The cover mentions Bellman & Black A Ghost Story. Who doesn't' like a good ghost story? I was about half way through the book when I realized there wasn't …more

Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole

A glimpse into wartime love... (6/11/2013)

I loved Letters from Skye! It spans 50 years through 2 wars. The story is told through letters. Elspeth and David start corresponding when David writes a "fan" letter to Elspeth about her poetry book. I almost felt I was reading real letters! I couldn't put this book down. …more

Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker

A great legal thriller... (3/30/2013)

I loved this book! It's a legal thriller but so much more. I liked that not everything is "black and white". The characters are flawed. The hero of the book, George Becket, is living with a lapse in judgement from his past. The book is about his journey to rectify that …more

Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler

A moving road trip of discovery... (11/24/2012)

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. It alternates between present day and the late 1930's and 1940's. It's the story of Isabelle and Dorrie. It's about family, race relations and most of all love. The two women, from different backgrounds, have lessons to learn and …more

The Devil in Silver: A Novel
by Victor LaValle

Adventure in a mental hospital... (8/5/2012)

I wanted to love this book. The genre, horror/suspense really appeals to me. I found it to be too slow with too many stories going on at the same time. It's the story of Pepper who ends up at a New York psych ward because the policemen are too tired to book him. He …more

My Brilliant Friend
by Elena Ferrante

An Italian friendship (5/29/2012)

This is the story of Elena and Lila. It is a history of their friendship beginning in Naples.I am attracted to stories about friendship but this book didn't hold my attention. It was translated into English so possibly something was lost in translation. The descriptions of …more

Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster

A wonderful escape to the English countryside... (5/6/2012)

Do not start this book unless you have a lot of time. You won't be able to put it down!! It is set in the Yorkshire moors. The wonderful mystery starts immediately and you will be hooked. A good mystery keeps you on "the edge of your seat" and Beneath the Shadows doesn't disappoint!!

BookBrowse Book Club

The Devil Finds Work
by James Baldwin

A book-length essay on racism in American films, by "the best essayist in this country" (The New York Times Book Review).

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Real Americans
by Rachel Khong

From the author of Goodbye, Vitamin, a novel exploring family, identity, and the shaping of destiny.

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The River Knows Your Name
by Kelly Mustian

A haunting Southern novel about memory and love, from the author of The Girls in the Stilt House.

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The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris
by Evie Woods

From the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop.

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