Reviews by Joan B. (Ellicott City, MD)

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All the Water I've Seen Is Running
All the Water I've Seen Is Running: A Novel
by Elias Rodriques
All the Water I've Seen……. (6/22/2021)
I remember reading that to get a good impression of a new book is to love the beginning. Loved the beginning of All the Water! After the first chapter, I got lost. The chapters were developed around memory of topics. I was reading streams of consciousness similar to RAP …more
The Northern Reach
The Northern Reach
by W.S. Winslow
THE NORTHERN REACH (11/6/2020)
I just love reading the fascinating way authors put words together. They express my thoughts and feelings better than I ever could. A favorite example is as Lilian described a trip to Foodland for groceries. It just made me laugh. There were so many descriptions that were …more
The Woman Before Wallis
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
Woman before Wallis (7/3/2020)
Wallis and Prince Edward were married on my actual birth day. I remember that my mom was always impressed with a love story that prevented the prince from remaining on the throne. As a little girl, I knew the name Wallis Simpsom was connected to a romantic love story. Also, …more
American Dirt
American Dirt: A Novel
by Jeanine Cummins
Message for ALL (11/17/2019)
There can be no one who has not questioned and been saddened and confused by the news reports of people leaving their homes and families to take an arduous trip to an unknown conclusion. Jeanine Cummins has pulled us in to the engrossing tale of Lydia and Luca leaving …more
The Lost Man
The Lost Man
by Jane Harper
The Lost Man (10/29/2018)
The Prologue took me to the Outback that I experienced nearly twenty years ago. Descriptively, the desolation and solitude surpassed imagination. The reader could relate to the Bright family's struggle for survival.

Three brothers were dealing with normal sibling rivalry as …more
As Bright as Heaven
As Bright as Heaven
by Susan Meissner
A Little Tarnished (10/14/2017)
This Book is a page turner. The characters are well developed, chapter by chapter. They are all likable, honest people. Circumstances have led this family to a funeral home. I loved the acceptance and cooperation they showed in dealing with awkward and horrific …more
Mercies in Disguise
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata
Mercies in Disguise (12/5/2016)
Gina Kolata successfully links scientific research with family challenges. I was particularly interested in genetic links to specific diseases.since I have lost two siblings to different forms of cancer. I am faced with the same illness in a different form. The greatest …more
The Swans of Fifth Avenue
The Swans of Fifth Avenue
by Melanie Benjamin
SWANS. People Mag Version (10/22/2015)
What a fun read! You need to tuck this special book in your purse for the beach or a long bus ride. Truman Capote morphs from beautiful to beastly among the jewels and glamour of Fifth Avenue. His bevy of beauties is exactly as shallow as you might of society matrons mired …more
A Kim Jong-Il Production
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
Kim Jong Il Production (12/23/2014)
I found a great interest in Korea, because of a dear friend whose family emigrated from South Korea. After reading THE ORPHAN MASTER'S SON, I wanted to know some "real" facts about the Korean culture. ...PRODUCTION is advertised as nonfiction. It is fascinating to think …more
Juliet's Nurse
Juliet's Nurse
by Lois Leveen
My Friend Angelica (7/28/2014)
I loved this book for filling in the medical, social and life skills background of existing in Juliet's plague ridden Verona. Leveen's emphasis on loss and endurance is a concept many cannot embrace. Like Angelica, I lost a son (not six) and a merry man who was my husband. …more
Jacob's Oath
Jacob's Oath
by Martin Fletcher
JACOB (9/15/2013)
I wanted to give this book a 5 since it is more than just good. The few reservations I have come from the slow moving story. I did fall asleep several times while reading.
That being said, the plot was so true to the quandary generated by the difficult decisions of love and …more
The Scavenger's Daughters
The Scavenger's Daughters: Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters, Book One
by Kay Bratt
The Scavenger's Daughters (7/16/2013)
I always thoroughly enjoy a book when I love the characters and want to know them better. Of course, this will happen since we were informed that this is the first book in the Tales of The Scavenger's Daughter. The father, Benfu, is a caring, responsible parent, who …more
Crime of Privilege
Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker
Crime of Privilege (4/10/2013)
This is a murder mystery of page-turning quality. The protagonist, George Becket, is a persistent, likable, naive young man. For me, the rest of the main characters were a large lump of the entitled "American Royalty". I did not get to really know any of them. The idea that …more
The Spy Lover
The Spy Lover
by Kiana Davenport
I Love " The Spy Lover" (12/1/2012)
This book is the greatest reason I love to read! It took me to the era of the Civil War and to the wet cold climate in which it took place - even though I was cozily snuggled up in my reading chair. I learned facts about American history that were never a part of school …more
Salvation of a Saint
Salvation of a Saint
by Keigo Higashino
Who was saved?? (9/7/2012)
I am sorry to be so conflicted about the review of this book. It was a page turner! I was anxious to see what was going to happen. That being said - there were way too many coincidences to be believable. It is possible that the translation made the dialogue seem awkward. …more
Beneath the Shadows
Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster
Beneath the Shadows (5/11/2012)
The prepublication hype for BENEATH THE SHADOWS calls the book a "chilling debut". The biggest chill for me was the descriptions of the snow on the moors. I thought the book was well written and it held my attention. I did finish it very quickly. The end just did not seem …more
Oxford Messed Up
Oxford Messed Up
by Andrea Kayne Kaufman
OXFORD MESSED UP (3/14/2012)
i really was fascinated by this book. I wanted to finish the book but not end the story. The writing and word choices held my attention. I checked on Van Morrison with my adult daughter and found that I already loved some of his music. I have a friend who complains of …more
A Good American
A Good American: A Novel
by Alex George
A Good American (12/29/2011)
I really loved reading this book. The theme that really called to me was the joy, comfort and fellowship the generations of the family recieved from music. I have always depended on the happiness that music can bring to the soul. It was a thrill to have that feeling …more
The Orphan Master's Son
The Orphan Master's Son: A Novel
by Adam Johnson
The Orphan Master's Son (11/2/2011)
This book leaves me with conflicted feelings about reviewing it. I was glad to finish, but sorry it was over. Part One was fascinating and a fast read. To finish Part Two was more difficult, but absorbing. I continued to reread passages so I could understand the time frame. …more
The Memory of All That
The Memory of All That: George Gershwin, Kay Swift, and My Family's Legacy of Infidelities
by Katharine Weber
THE MEMORY OF ALL THAT (6/11/2011)
This book was a fascinating read. I wish I had had some background into the Warburg family before starting. The family was a part of the privileged and entitled "upper crust" during the early 20th century. Katherine Weber bravely tells about life with her dysfunctional …more
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