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Reviews by Diane W. (Lake Villa, IL)

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With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt

Started late one night and read all the way through! (6/10/2020)

I really enjoyed this book and once I opened it, I read it straight through to the end. I loved all of the characters with all their strengths and challenges and dreams, and how it addressed the complexity of relationships that begin, grow, change based on life's goals and …more

Creatures
by Crissy Van Meter

Creatures (11/6/2019)

As others have stated, from the brief description of the book, I did think it would be somewhat more humorous under the surface. The characters are certainly unique, flawed, yet human---and pertinent to the overall development and temperament of Evie. I did find the book …more

You Were There Too
by Colleen Oakley

Thoroughly enjoyed! (9/2/2019)

I started this book a couple of times and had a hard time getting into it --- but once I did, I was thoroughly engrossed and continued to read it from beginning to end. Enjoyed getting to "know" all the main characters -- and was intrigued by the plot twists and turns. …more

Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing As We Age
by Mary Pipher

New Hope (5/15/2019)

As I close in on retirement at 70 --- and am fearful of being isolated and alone --- I found comfort and new hope from reading this book, and a commitment to reinvent myself from a long-time academic to something new, a bit more risky, and fulfilling. Some ideas portrayed …more

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray

Loved this book! (11/1/2018)

Once I started reading, it was a book I couldn't put down. Loved the complex characters, the pacing of the story, the surprises, and the ending! Different in many ways from any book I've read previously. Bravo, Ms. Gray! Keep writing!

The Kennedy Debutante
by Kerri Maher

One of the best I've enjoyed in a while... (6/19/2018)

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and this book did not disappoint! I read it cover to cover in a short span of time (for me!) as I couldn't seem to put it down. The Kennedy family has always been a fascination for many of those in our generation, and though this was …more

America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui

Read this in one sitting! (4/11/2018)

I was immediately caught up in this book's narrative, as well as the complex, likable characters. Very different from any book I've read before. Great storyline. My emotions ran from sad to amused. Definitely a recommendation!

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Couldn't put this book down... (6/14/2017)

Started it on a rainy night, thinking I would fall asleep quickly --- and ended up reading the entire book! Filled with joy, sorrow, pain, and yes, happiness --- it was authentic and real and from the heart. Truly speaks to the courage and strength we often don't believe we …more

The People We Hate at the Wedding
by Grant Ginder

Just couldn't connect with this book (5/14/2017)

Loved the title --- and couldn't wait to jump in! But, I picked up and started and restarted this book at least four times...I just couldn't connect with the characters and really didn't find it funny but more "sad" about the dysfunction of the family. Perhaps would appeal …more

Before the War
by Fay Weldon

Confused and Giving UP (10/24/2016)

I tried and tried for the past several days to continue reading this book, but I can't get any farther than the first half. It jumps around.....is fragmented beyond what I can comprehend...and I just can't find the story. I felt I gave it a good effort..but I can't continue. …more

A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

Fireproof Home for the Bride (1/2/2015)

How times have changed...but I'm old enough to have a true sense of all that has evolved over the past 60 years for our society, and particularly, women. The struggle for gender equity has caused some change, but some things in our Midwest still exist...bias, prejudice, …more

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Accidents of Marriage (6/11/2014)

Compelling, disturbing, real (from personal experience and anguish), and impossible to put down - even though it brought up painful, tearful memories - in a way it was healing and affirmative. Emotional and verbal abuse takes a long suffering toll and everyone involved in a …more

That Summer
by Lauren Willig

That Summer....a good "summer" read (4/10/2014)

I began reading this book last weekend and immediately got hooked with the parallel stories during two markedly different time periods....it was hard to put down and kept my interest late into the night! The characters were complex and I enjoyed getting to know them through …more

Mimi Malloy, At Last!
by Julia MacDonnell

Mimi and her generation (2/19/2014)

I started this book late Sunday evening, with the intent to read only a chapter and turn out the light. I continued to read it well into the night and finished it the next evening. Originally, I sensed it was a light novel about an independent, aging woman and her family.... …more

Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany

Safe With Me Review (12/3/2013)

I really enjoyed the author's writing style in this book...and the premise of organ donation and it's myriad of issues is something I hadn't experienced before. The characters, for the most part, were believable and likable, though I'm always confused and somewhat annoyed …more

Peking to Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World
by Dina Bennett

I imagined myself with my Ex! (3/30/2013)

As someone who experienced some not so stellar trips with my ex-husband, I imagined myself on this road with the characters! I, too, always found that humor is what saved me from a completely awful experience. Because I have never traveled outside of the US, I was hoping …more

The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz

The Edge of the Earth (11/9/2012)

I love historical fiction and enjoy Christina Schwarz's writing style very much. I found the book a bit hard to get into initially, but grew to like the intrigue of the story and the characters better as I read along. I have a love of lighthouses and their history, so I'm …more

Shine Shine Shine: A Novel
by Lydia Netzer

Well, it does shine! (8/8/2012)

As others have previously stated, it did take me quite a while---and several stops and starts--- to really grasp the scope and focus of this story and it's rather quirky characters. But, in the end, it really spoke to my heart and made me think well beyond it's finish about …more

Until the Next Time: A Novel
by Kevin Fox

Until the Next Time (3/13/2012)

I did enjoy this book once I was able to manage the switching of time periods/years and the characters relevant to each of the stories---and this became more clear as I read along. I really enjoy learning about the Irish culture and history and did gain a good deal from the …more

Wayward Saints
by Suzzy Roche

Wayward Saints (12/3/2011)

Though I picked up and put down this book several times (a bit hard to get into the "voice")...I did end up enjoying the characters and their "quirkiness" more than I originally thought I would. I felt the book had a few editing issues that were overlooked that would have …more

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