BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz
by Jack Fairweather

Astounding Bravery (4/28/2019)

This detailed, well written book, highlights the fortitude & bravery of Witold Pilecki, a Polish resistance fighter. His mission is to get captured & go into Auschwitz so that he could gather information & report his findings. How he goes about doing this & risking his life is astounding. This piece of history should be a must-read in schools & on campuses. I can see it as a major motion picture because how this remarkable man had the intelligence and fortitude to accomplish all that he did is almost unbelievable!

The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin

Beautifully Written! (3/12/2019)

It is rare for me to begin a book and find that the rich language keeps me intrigued from beginning to end but Jeanne Mackin has accomplished this in The Last Collection. Her beautiful use of language transported me Paris, introduced me to the world of Paris,and above all highlighted two women, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Also, I could feel how life was affected with the threat of war on the horizon. This book is a must read.

At the Wolf's Table
by Rosella Postorino

Disappointed (11/4/2018)

This is a well written book that unleashes a topic about Hitler's Nazi regime that was new to me ... taking young girls and forcing them to eat food that was prepared for Hitler and testing it to see if it contained poison. They were chosen to do this ; they weren't volunteers. Interspersed ,there is a view of wartime Germany, how people lived, the poverty, lack of food for the average person etc. Also, there was an attempt to show the relationships among the young girls and focusing mostly on one of them as she narrates her life in Germany at this time. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. I could not get emotionally attached to the story or its characters .

Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson

A worthwhile read! (4/18/2018)

This beautifully written, thoughtful book introduces the reader to Tina, an English woman who lives on a farm and to Kristin, a Danish museum curator who become 'pen pals' by chance. Her first letter was sent to the former curator but read by Kristin, the present one, who answers her. From this chance encounter, a correspondence began and a close relationship ensued. In time, they help to open up avenues of discovery for each other and they begin to see their lives in a new light. Do they finally meet at the museum? You will have to read this book to find out!

Eternal Life
by Dara Horn

Eternal Life (11/13/2017)

Although it is well written, I couldn't 'bond' with Rachel, the main character who apparently cannot die. She raises a family, grows old, then at some point returns as an 18 year old and again forms a family. Also, the book is advertised as hilarious but I saw none of this hilarity in the writing. in good conscience, I cannot recommend this novel.

Extraordinary Adventures
by Daniel Wallace

Read This Book! (2/16/2017)

For quite a while I have been yearning for a REALLY good book to immerse myself in. This beautifully written tale,written by Daniel Wallace, featuring Edsel Bronfman, is it!

Extraordinary Adventures is a sad, yet hopeful story illustrating that is is never too late to see the world with new eyes, to change. One small act can catapult someone into a better, new place.

As we travel along with Edsel we observe that even small shifts in his behavior can set in motion a set of circumstances that seem almost miraculous! As a caterpillar emerges from a cocoon, turning into a beautiful winged creature, we see that Edsel had untapped abilities rooted inside him waiting to emerge.

This hopeful book illustrates that it is never too late. Life can change for the better.The world in flux is rife with new beginnings.

What a wonderful book! Read it!

Manderley Forever
by Tatiana de Rosnay

Manderley Forever - A Biography/Novel Hybrid (12/13/2016)

Daphne Du Maurier is one of my favorite authors so the idea of reading her biography was exciting to me. However, Tatiana De Rosnay's book, while well written & thus enjoyable, reads more like a novel than a true biography. Apparently, Du Maurier wrote detailed journals throughout her life & it seems that the facts Tatiana De Rosnay extrapolated from Du Mauruer's own words became Manderley Forever. This unusual biography showcases events in Du Maurier's life and family. It highlights her unique abilities & interests which resulted in the creation of Daphne Du Maurier's unique written works. This is a worthwhile read.

The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies

The Tea Planter's Wife (7/17/2016)

As I began to read The Tea Planter's Wife, I was transported to another time & place, Ceylon, now Sri Lanka , 1913-1934. The author's detailed language created pictures of the place, the characters, the tea factory, a woman's world in the early 1900s, even race relations.

A good story keeps a reader invested in the details, wondering 'What will happen next?' Dinah Jefferies did just that. For this reason I recommend this book.

If I Forget You
by Thomas Christopher Greene

Expected more (4/10/2016)

This well written love story would make an excellent TV movie. It is fast paced and pleasant & would also make for light reading on a rainy day. However, the plot and characters aren't unusual thus my giving this book only 3 stars.

The Alaskan Laundry
by Brendan Jones

Growing Up Ain't Easy (2/12/2016)

The detailed descriptions of Alaska and the Pacific/Alaskan fishing industry are background to the story of a young Philadelphia girls' adjustment to a new life. Tara leaves a pain filled life in Philly only to find struggles to overcome in her new environment, However, she is strong and determined to make it in this wild world.
How Tara overcomes adversity in the harsh Alaskan environment holds this well written story together and I would therefore recommend it.

The Language of Secrets
by Ausma Zehanat Khan

The Language of Secrets (11/4/2015)

This well written detective/ police procedural is packed with intrigue, interesting characters and descriptions of Muslim life & traditions in the backdrop of Toronto, Canada ; it held my interest until the end. Interspersed within the narrative are political facts, past & current, about the Arab world which enhances the plot. Also, the use of poetry adds an unusual dimension in the telling of this tale.
I acknowledge that my knowledge of Muslim traditions is lacking,however, I wonder how much written here is accurate. Could anyone just walk into a mosque, undercover, without adequate background so that they 'fit in'? It seemed to be too easy for Rachel to just show up & not arouse suspicion.

The Devil in Jerusalem
by Naomi Ragen

A Cautionary Tale (7/5/2015)

While the details are Judaic and the backdrop is mostly in Israel, Naomi Ragen describes with superb accuracy, insight and in frightening detail how a cult leader can ensnare followers into the fold. She shows the slow progression of once bright, educated, 'normal' people succumbing to a leader's bidding as they begin to do and tolerate unspeakable acts.
This novel is enhanced by descriptions of Jewish traditions and practices, but it is really a treatise of cults, their leaders, the victims, especially children and the people who seek justice for victims.
The Devil in Jerusalem is well written but was disturbing to read because the subject matter is so horrific. However, it is important to be educated about cults and so I would recommend it.

Fishbowl: A Novel
by Bradley Somer

A Must Read (5/4/2015)

Fishbowl is a beautifully written, unique tale filled with peculiar,odd, quirky characters who are tenants of the Seville on Roxy apartment house. While each occupant leads a secret life behind their closed doors, they can be any one of us, e.g lonely, scared, self absorbed, different.

Somer displays remarkable insight into the human condition as he introduces the reader to each soul that the goldfish, Ian, passes on his fall from the 27th floor.

Fishbowl is a must read!

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

Shades of Cuckoo's Nest (2/12/2015)

Mimi Baird had faint memories of her father and talks of how his disappearance from her life at the age of 6, affected her. When his hand written memoir was unearthed from a briefcase kept by a family member, she was 56. The result was this book, He Wanted the Moon.
This tragic first person telling by a Harvard trained physician, illustrates how a person with a manic disorder in the 1940s suffered loss of family, friends, profession, self esteem and dignity, eventually becoming an outcast from society.

Dr, Baird also writes about his thought processes, giving the reader a clue as to how 'out of control' a person with a manic disorder thinks and behaves. While this man was clearly ill, there was almost no help for him.

He Wanted the Moon is heartbreaking to read but it is an important book, for it clearly illustrates the barbaric & cruel treatments patients underwent in the 1940s. I recommend it to everyone, especially to all psychology students.

The Last Flight of Poxl West
by Daniel Torday

Beautifully Written (1/4/2015)

This is a tale of loss, lies, betrayal, of trying to cope with life's difficulties, and trying to make sense of what life is 'dishing out' while making one's way into adulthood. It is told from the point of view of 2 young men growing up in different eras: a Czech Jewish teenager, Poxl, & Eli, a boy from Boston. One knows only war & the other, only peace.
The writing, especially the imagery is superb. Also interesting is the use of Shakespearean characters to help illustrate people in Poxl's life.
I recommend this book to all. There is much for book clubs to discuss. Also, high school students studying WWII might better appreciate this time period from the portrayal of Europe offered in these pages.

A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power
by Paul Fischer

Freedom is a Constant Vigil (12/5/2014)

This well written book reads like a work of fiction because, to me, it seems so unbelievable. What makes it so compelling is that this unlikely tale is true! Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea, a movie buff, used cinema to shape the minds of the Korean people & used any means necessary to do so. He even kidnapped a South Korean couple, a movie producer & his actress wife & held them captive for 8 years until their escape. The North Korean people were brainwashed!

This book is a must read because it is a reminder that we should all look at media with some skepticism for freedom is a constant vigil!

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming

Camelot? Maybe not. (11/6/2014)

Having grown up in the Kennedy 'Camelot' era, I fell under its spell. Over the years, however, as information was leaked to the public, Jackie & John fell from their pedestals & their real personas became revealed. After the president's death, I still admired Jackie& was interested in her life until her death.
This well researched book saddened me but it is a 'must read' for anyone who wants a personal, in depth glimpse into the very private life of this very public woman. I came away thinking that this iconic figure, the woman who seemed to 'have it all' , was often a troubled, lonely, sad soul. With so many of Jackie's flaws revealed, I did NOT lose respect or admiration for her. If anything, perhaps I respect her more now.

The Golem of Hollywood
by Jonathan & Jesse Kellerman

The Golem of Hollywood ... and beyond! (10/20/2014)

This strange but compelling tale kept me guessing until the end. It haunts me still! I recommend it!

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

A Book of Strange New Things (9/10/2014)

While I am not usually a fan of science fiction, this compelling story held my attention. It was well written and the characters, both human & alien, as well as the planet, felt real.
Living among the aliens, Peter, our main character, is now the 'odd man out', the alien. His human co-workers are loners who have little emotional contact with one another. In the end, Peter, despite the turmoil that planet Earth is undergoing, feels he must leave his 'safe' alien planet & return to Bea, his wife, & unborn baby, because that is what matters most to him.
Michel Faber created a world & led me through it but left me with too many unanswered questions. I kept on wondering, "where is this going?" For this reason, I could not recommend this 500 page book to most readers.

A Paris Apartment
by Michelle Gable

A Mystery in Paris (3/15/2014)

I never thought that I would enjoy reading a novel about furniture but A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable has proven me wrong.It is also the story of two women. April Vogt is a New York furniture appraiser sent to Paris to evaluate the contents in an apartment once owned by Marthe de Florian who abandoned it and its possessions in 1940, never to return.
The mystery of who Marthe de Florian was and why this apartment has been vacant for 70 years kept me intrigued but the story unfolds as April begins to read Marthe's diaries.
This unusual tale was well written, kept me guessing and was infused with the atmosphere of Paris, both past and present. I recommend it.

Reviews by Barbara K. (Brooklyn, NY)

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