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Reviews by Diane D. (Blairstown, NJ)

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You Were There Too
by Colleen Oakley

Wonderful book! (8/5/2019)

This book kept me reading, with all its great characters and their life experiences. I had an ending in mind, but it wasn't quite what I expected. There were surprises along the way...and especially at the end. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say you won't be disappointed in it. It's an excellent read!

More News Tomorrow: A Novel
by Susan Richards Shreve

Kept me reading! (4/2/2019)

This was a very interesting book, though it confused me lots of times. I found Georgiana to be a bit odd, but the same could be said for all of the characters in the book.

After going through the experiences Georgie had gone through, I can understand why she wanted to know the answer to whether or not her father had killed her mother, but I didn't understand why she didn't try to find out for herself, before hearing from Roosevelt. Her reactions to all that happened on the trip back to Missing Lake, with her family, were also a surprise to me...as were some of the reactions of her family members. It did show how all members of a family are different.

What Georgie discovered didn't surprise me, but I wished there were more to the story than that.

Sounds Like Titanic: A Memoir
by Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman

Hard to Believe (1/14/2019)

It was hard for me to get into this book, possibly because I started reading it during the holidays, but by the middle I had to find out what happened. Even now, that I'm finished, I find it hard to believe this could happen!

Since Jessica is younger than my grandchildren, I may have had a problem connecting with her experiences. I thought, since I played the violin in grade school, it would be interesting to see how she made out. I did understand what she wrote about the different "classes" (though she didn't call them that, exactly) in America, and I could see her confusion in dealing with them in college.

I enjoy reading memoirs, but to me, it read more like a diary, though it jumped around an awful lot. It was interesting to read about the people she interacted with over the years & how they affected her, and I enjoyed reading her thoughts on the different areas of the country she went to & through.

It was good to see what she ended up doing with her life. I won't say more, in order to keep from giving anything away.

The Family Tabor
by Cherise Wolas

Left me discombobulated! (5/10/2018)

Although I really enjoyed reading the book, especially the way all the characters were brought forth, I felt that the ball was dropped near the end. I would have liked to have had some resolutions in each of their lives, since that was needed, in my opinion.

Without giving anything away, I have to say the last chapter left me up in the air...not really understanding what was going on. I wish the author would have added to it.

Other than that, I think the book was well written.

The Girls in the Picture
by Melanie Benjamin

Interesting Movie History (3/11/2018)

This book kept giving me more surprises as it went on. I hadn't realized that Mary Pickford was the first star of silent pictures, nor that she carried that over into Talkies & was the first in so many things. I did know that she and Douglas Fairbanks were married, but their lives blew me away.

The relationship between Mary and her best friend, Frances Marion, surprised me with it's constancy & intensity, because I kept expecting it to fall apart. When it didn't, I was surprised at all the changes in their lives over the years. A lot of the things Mary did disappointed me, because I wasn't expecting them of her. Frances' life was more what I wanted to read; I guess she just felt more like a real person to me. I had to give her a lot of credit for trying to help Mary at the end, since I don't know if I'd have been able to do it.

The book was very well written, and I enjoyed reading it, though I wish there had been more at the end.

Other People's Houses
by Abbi Waxman

What a Neighborhood! (11/24/2017)

I really enjoyed this book, with all the things going on in Frances' neighborhood. One thing I did not like was all the "F-bombs" in it. Maybe it's because of my age, but there are a lot of other words people could use, though I notice a lot of younger women don't feel that way.

The stories of the different families were really interesting, and they show how we really DON'T know what goes on behind closed doors. I was surprised that everyone knew all about what was going on as quickly as they did. WOW!

The children's reactions should make everyone sit up & take notice, because even the littlest things will affect them, one way or another.

Something about Frances seemed to bother me. I think she was a little over the top with her involvement in everyone's lives.

I needed something light to read, and this fit that, though it wasn't quite as light as I thought it would be. The book would be a great one for book club members to discuss, and I will recommend it to our group. I can just hear it now!

Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces
by Dawn Davies

Disturbing Life (10/7/2017)

I have no idea what I was expecting, but I did find similarities, at times, in Dawn's life and mine...as well as those of my children & friends. Her aloneness (I guess that's not really a word, but it fits with what I read about her.) is different than other people I've known, but maybe you don't recognize that in others.

Since we have grandchildren with Autism, Special Needs, etc., I was interested to read about that, but the ending really bothered me...and still does. I was glad to come to the end of the book.

Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata

I can't say I "enjoyed" this book, but... (11/18/2016)

...I can say I couldn't put it down. For some reason, I knew I HAD to try and get this one, because the subject sounded fascinating.

Though it was very technical, the back-story held my interest throughout, and I had to find out how the Baxley family handled all they were going through. Some of the things came as a surprise, but the love within the family came through loud & clear...at least to me.

I wasn't expecting the romance, which sure helped make the book more interesting, even though I worried that it couldn't last. My heart goes out to Amanda's family, with what they still have to go through, and I ended the book with tears in my eyes.

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney

Seemed so Real! (10/6/2016)

This was a good book! I wanted to read it, because my cousin lives in the area Lillian started out in, but I never expected it to feel as if I were reading about a real person's life. It DID feel that way to me, and I felt as if I were walking along with her that New Year's Eve! It was interesting, that the book was taking place, aside from the back-stories, in one day.

The constant back-stories could have been annoying, but they weren't; they just filled in all I wanted to know about Lillian and how she got to be where she was that day. It was funny to read that her honeymoon trip started the day my husband was born, because I kept forgetting when the story began.

Some of the things that happened to her bothered me, but that's the case in everyone's life; and they didn't bog down the story, but went back to Lillian's walk.

If I hadn't known it was a novel, I'd have sworn it was a biography! Also, I think I would have liked to have known Lillian, but I'd never have been able to walk as far as she did.

Karolina's Twins
by Ronald H. Balson

Fascinating Book! (8/5/2016)

I have to thank Ronald H. Balson for writing this book. I feel privileged to have been able to read it before its publication date.

I've known most of the things that went on, during the Holocaust, for many years, and it still upsets me to read about it. I have to say that I think I was more upset about Arthur's pursuit of a lawsuit trying to have his mother, Lena declared incompetent & suffering from dementia in her efforts to find her friend's twins. It's obvious that he is just trying to control her money, and that really bothers me. I guess, since I'm almost 80, it brings home how vulnerable we all are, as we age.

Every time I read about what happened to the Jews, during that time, I wonder if any of my ancestors suffered in those ways. Since I have both German & Jewish ancestors, those things bother me even more. It's amazing that Lena & others were able to make it through the atrocities wreaked upon them and go on to live full lives. I know this is a novel, but it seemed SO REAL to me, and I shed many tears over it.

I enjoyed all the characters, especially Catherine and her husband, Liam. They were perfect in their roles.

If I Forget You
by Thomas Christopher Greene

Loved this book! (4/7/2016)

It was interesting, reading how the two people, from such different backgrounds, related to each other and how it was, when they came back together. I was surprised by their secrets and how they finally let each other know about them. I am still not sure how I feel about the ending, but I will be looking to read more of his books, because it was well written & kept my interest.

The Lake House
by Kate Morton

I loved it! (1/14/2016)

This is the first of Kate Morton's books I've read, but I will be reading more of them...for sure! It was a Christmas gift, but I just started reading it a few days ago & finished it about an hour ago.

Since the person ahead of me wrote a lot about the book, I will just say that I was fascinated by all the twists and turns of these mysteries. Only one of the endings turned out the way I expected, and I wish that had gone into more depth. Who knows? Maybe Kate Morton will write about it in another book; I hope so!

The characters were so interesting, and it was good to have so much of their backgrounds brought into the book.

I am going to have to recommend this to my book club. I'll also put another of her books on our list of books to read, since we only read older books, due to the fact that we get them through inter-library loan & can't get enough of the newer ones.

The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir
by Ruth Wariner

Mind-boggling (12/2/2015)

I've always been interested in how the polygamous Mormons lived their lives, so I felt as if I "had" to read this book. I never thought how it would affect me...to the point where I couldn't read it at night, because I would stay awake, thinking about it.

I loved the book, even though it had me in tears at times & shocked me at other times. I wanted to shake Ruthie's mother many times, throughout the book, and I wanted to hug Ruthie even more. My heart went out to all the kids in the book, and I bless Ruthie for all she did for her siblings.

For the book to have been written, I knew it would end well. It is a fantastic first book, which felt as if it needed to be written. Thank you, Ruth Wariner!

The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes
by Anna McPartlin

A Feel-Good Story... (7/9/2015)

...even though it was built upon the ending of Rabbit's life. It was heart-warming, in the way all of her family & friends came together for her and her daughter, Juliet.

I loved getting the background of all the characters (which is something you often don't get to know) and how they interact with each other. Even though the book seems to be an ending, I think it would be nice to know what happens to the other characters after Rabbit is gone...especially Juliet & Davey.

This book would probably be a good one for a book club discussion, and I would love my club to read it.

Still Life Las Vegas
by James Sie

Confusing (5/15/2015)

The book was somewhat interesting, but it kept me confused each time it changed people, locations & time frames. Hopping, from one to another, made me forget who was doing what.

I found the story pretty sad, for the most part, and was disappointed at the way things turned out.

I'm sure there is an audience for this book, as there are several interesting things in it. It just wasn't my "thing".

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Surprisingly good (6/30/2014)

If I'd known more about how this book was going to play out, I might not have read it. For some reason, I expected it to be more upbeat than it was, but it kept me reading...to the point I didn't want to put it down, needing to find out how it would end.

Accidents of Marriage would be a good read for a book club, because there are lots of things to discuss, and I'm sure there would be a lot of different opinions expressed at a meeting. I definitely recommend it!

Healer: A Novel
by Carol Cassella

Life Choices (4/16/2014)

After reading Gemini, I HAD to read Carol's first two books. I was blown away by all the things covered in this book, and I would have given it a 5 rating, except for the fact that I was left up in the air about some of the things that happened. I guess I like everything tied up, neatly.

The problems brought out in this book are things people need to hear about and some of which they should try to help solve, though they will probably never be solved in our lifetimes. As with her other books, I feel this would be another good one for discussion, with the family, financial, medical and moral issues involved.

Gemini
by Carol Cassella

GOOD BOOK! (4/9/2014)

When I started reading Gemini, I was confused as to what the two women had in common. As I read and realized what it was, I was totally drawn into the book and didn't want to put it down. It was fun trying to figure out what was going to happen, especially when I found out I was right a few times.

The different subjects that were brought into play were fascinating, and I think it would make a great book for book club discussions. I'm sure there would be a lot of debate going on, which is the best part of our reading groups!

The Hollow Ground: A Novel
by Natalie S. Harnett

Sad, but a good read (3/31/2014)

I wanted to read this book, because we live fairly close to the area where it's set. Also, my daughter & grandsons had visited there, and I'd just read Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods, which mentioned his visit there.

The family backgrounds of the characters were disturbing and sad, and there weren't too many "happy" moments in the book, but it was one of those books that you just "had" to keep reading till the end.

I liked the book and would recommend it to book clubs, if only for the discussions it would engender. The book would be an eye-opener to young people, as to how people lived back then, as well.

Glitter and Glue: A Memoir
by Kelly Corrigan

Interesting Memoir! (12/29/2013)

I can't place my finger on just why I liked this book so much, but I sure did. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that my parents moved to Australia, when they got married, and I wanted to know more about the people there. Of course, as it turned out, people are the same everywhere.

Kelly seemed to learn a lot about herself by being a nanny for the two young children, who had lost their mother; and it was interesting to see how she understood her mother more, as the time went on. It would be interesting to hear how my reading group would respond to this book, since it makes me wonder if everyone misunderstands their mothers till they are older and have more experience in life.

I would have liked to have read more, but maybe that's another story for another book.

Reviews by Diane D. (Blairstown, NJ)

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