BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Night Circus: A Novel
by Erin Morgenstern

A blockbuster (7/5/2011)

I predict that this book will be a smash hit. I was hooked from the first chapter and kept trying to find excuses to run away from other duties so I could snuggle up and drift away into this magic dreamworld. It is outstandingly visual and will translate wonderfully into film.Fans of Harry Potter should really adore the incredible cast of characters on a more sophisticated plane. The only downside is that I had to keep referring back to the previous chapters for dates as each chapter often skipped around in time..

Please Look After Mom: A Novel
by Kyung-sook Shin

How could this only get one thumbs up? (5/22/2011)

For anyone who is a mother,who has lost a mother , or indeed simply thinks of her mother, this book is a must..I can't remember when I cried so much..

A Visit from the Goon Squad
by Jennifer Egan

what is with all the hype? (5/18/2011)

Yes, it is clever..but that doesn't warrant the accolades this book is getting. Not an arresting book at all..

Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in Bhutan, the Happiest Kingdom on Earth
by Lisa Napoli

Disappointing tale (1/30/2011)

Perhaps I bring a bias. I have been to Bhutan in the past year and eagerly awaited the depiction of the warm serenity that engulfs the region. Instead, I found a breezy novel with little insight that might appeal to those looking for an entertaining "find yourself' book.I was hoping to hear much more about what she actually did at the radio station and the difficulties she encountered,but again, I found her text to be insubstantial. She talks about various love relationships gone wrong,but brings you to a climax and then drops the stick, never further elucidating what happened. All in all, one might find it a good beach read, but I left it feeling disappointed and wanting more.

The Last Jew of Treblinka: A Memoir
by Chil Rajchman

Painful (1/30/2011)

At the beginning of the book, a partial quote from Vasily Grossman states," to turn away, to close one's eyes and walk past is to insult the memory of those who have perished.".That said, as painful as this was to read, it ranks high among Holocaust memoirs. Although this is a short, sparse novella, I had to take several breaks from reading this,as my mind could not take in the horror..To pay tribute to all who have been lost, one cannot afford NOT to read this..

Left Neglected: A Novel
by Lisa Genova

Good but not great.. (1/27/2011)

I love books when I can learn something new from them. Her easy style allows one to read this in a breezy fashion, while still learning a great deal about a person who undergoes a "left neglect" brain injury and how it affects one's daily life.

Dream of Ding Village
by Yan Lianke

Sobering (1/7/2011)

Novel based on a true story of contaminated Aids blood collection in China . The book, which is an incredible commentary on Chinese society was banned as it explores the government's role in society and the values of what individuals consider important. I would not miss this important book.

You Know When the Men Are Gone
by Siobhan Fallon

Tore at my heartstrings (12/22/2010)

This is a series of loosely connected short stories all dealing with the emotional issues of being the partner or serviceman who has been deployed in war. Normally, I am not a fan of short stories but the loosely interconnected weave of these men and women did not need a prolonged plot. Her writing was superb; I felt the pain and grief of these characters long after I finished it (read in one sitting). It also sensitized me to others who have been deployed, making me look at them in a whole new way. I would run to get this book.

Up from the Blue: A Novel
by Susan Henderson

Don't be put off that this is a teen read (10/16/2010)

This should be marketed for adults as well. It feels like the type of book that will soar by word of mouth from those who have read this until it hits the NYTimes bestseller list. It was an incredibly haunting,tender story told from the perspective of an 8 year old who despite living with a mother psychiatrically unhinged from the world continues to believe in and hold on to this desperate bond between mother and child. When I finished it ,I emailed all my book buddies to run and pick up a copy. Don't let this one go under the radar!

The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai: A Novel
by Ruiyan Xu

A great postulate gone south (10/1/2010)

The premise of the book held much promise and I eagerly awaited reading it. That said, I was disappointed. The most engaging parts were contemplating the questions of who are without language and whether a common language is important to the emotional connection with one another. However, the plot felt like a predictable soap opera,with characters I did not find believable. Indeed, the Dr.'s unprofessional behavior was so abhorrent and unlikely that it hindered my belief in the rest of the novel.

The Man From Saigon: A Novel
by Marti Leimbach

The exclamation that says it all! (3/10/2010)

Riveting and vivid are two words that come to my mind. The visual imagery that exploded in my mind from reading this made me hungry for every word. She painted a detailed landscape so lush and dense making me feel I was thrust alive inside this horrific world.

Wench: A Novel
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

The exclamation that says it all! (2/25/2010)

All I cried at the novel's conclusion was, "Why does this have to end!"..

Bloodroot
by Amy Greene

Great voices (2/22/2010)

There has been criticism that the shifting voices in chapters leads to confusion, but I did not feel this way at all. The voices were incredibly authentic, and although the pace was slower in the beginning the increasing tension continued to build. I was sorry to put this book down.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt: A Novel
by Beth Hoffman

a book to make you smile (2/6/2010)

Touching tender book of a 12 year old who comes to live with a group of eccentric Southern women, all who have been "battle scared" but have become strong independent women. A light book, but perfect for a snowy day!

Alice I Have Been
by Melanie Benjamin

what a treat (2/5/2010)

The best part of the book was the authentic voices used; I can just picture this as a wonderful audio book. The weakest part is the third section but I delighted in this book and am now back to reading Alice in Wonderland and will see Tim Burton's movie adaptation after!

Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy
by Melissa Milgrom

Mixed feelings (12/19/2009)

I had hoped to really enjoy this novel, but was so put off by the writing of the first two chapters, that I had difficulty pursuing the rest. I counted 2-3 digressions in parentheses per page that were annoying and irrelevant. That said, there were amusing tidbits on the minutiae of what is sold in trade fairs,and interesting snapshots of taxidermists' lives. This is a book that you will either love or hate.

Havana Fever
by Leonardo Padura

what a treat (7/9/2009)

Thank goodness for Book Browse! I never would have heard of this book and missed one of the terrific treats in life. Having been to Cuba, this book even resonated more. The writing is superb and the smoky haunts of the clubs resonates on every page. Do not miss this!

The Last Secret: A Novel
by Mary McGarry Morris

Another tension grabber (4/20/2009)

What grabbed me from the start was Morris's ability to reel you in to the characters emotions. Disturbing and tension packed, I kept reading feeling I had to get to the end to soften the anxiety I felt.The emotional drama of family relationships, betrayal and honesty is so recognizable in today's society.

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett

A real gem (3/8/2009)

I loved the characters,the stories, and how this white woman was able to create voices that felt so real in terms of my own experience. I never wanted this to end.

Little Bee: (aka The Other Hand)
by Chris Cleave

Run,run to the store (3/4/2009)

All I need to say is this-I got so caught up in this heartstopping book that I missed both lunch and supper as I couldn't stop reading. It continued to haunt me the rest of the night and I quickly emailed my friends and ordered his previous book

Reviews by lani

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