BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Circling the Sun: A Novel
by Paula McLain

A Woman Ahead of Her Time (8/30/2016)

Beryl Markham is very independent and certainly does not need a man to fulfill her life. In fact, she seems to do best when she is taking care of herself. The fact that this is based on fact makes it all the more remarkable. An enjoyable easy read that made me think about women in general and how much we are capable of doing with or without the support of a male partner.

Falling
by Jane Green

Summer Reading (6/9/2016)

This was an easy read but did not find it particularly engrossing. The whole book was predictable.Even though the author took up to page 259 to develop the characters before a plot twist, I did not care much what happened to any of them. Whole story unrealistic to me.

Shelter
by Jung Yun

Engrossing story (12/3/2015)

This is a family saga that illustrates the repercussions of what a violent act can do to a family.The dynamics of the Cho's and the lack of communication are always there in Kyung's life as hard as he tries to get past it. I enjoyed this book and thought the characters were well thought out. When finished reading it, I was still thinking about the story.

The Headmaster's Wife
by Thomas Christopher Greene

Psychological novel (4/28/2015)

An accomplished storyteller, Greene knows how to write an engrossing psychological novel.It has mystery and surprises and nothing in this book is what it seems. Just when you think you know what will happen next, you realize you don't have a clue.

The Silver Witch
by Paula Brackston

Interesting story idea (2/13/2015)

The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston had an interesting historical fiction storyline. Maybe because I did not read Brackston's other 2 "witching " novels I was missing something but the book seemed a little repetitive. The chapters go back and forth between the story of Seren in 10th century Wales and Tilda living in current times.
It does offer a lot to think about though, about witches and witchcraft, magic and archeology, and how they could all be intertwined.

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

Interesting Story Line (8/23/2014)

I do not usually read science fiction which is what I would categorize this book but I found this one enjoyable. It was a character study about a man who is a minister living in space meeting and teaching the Oasans the inhabitants of the planet he is sent to about the bible. The way it was written it was very matter of fact that someone could go to outer space and be accepted and comfortable in a whole different world.
Made me wonder if there are inhabitants on other planets that we don't even have any idea about.

The Fortune Hunter
by Daisy Goodwin

Interesting Historical Novel (4/6/2014)

I enjoyed this book and thought the characters were well thought out if not a little one dimensional. After reading this book I was very glad that I did not live during the period this book takes place.
There was so little freedom and so many rules and standards that women of the upper class had to live with. First her brother and his snobby future wife were controlling Charlotte's inheritance but upon marriage her husband would control the money. It certainly made me appreciate that in today's world there is such a thing as a pre-nup.

In Praise of Hatred
by Khaled Khalifa

Interesting viewpoint (3/8/2014)

This book was written in a young girl's perspective, and as such she is a second class citizen. Because it is a translation I had a hard time following the story and characters. However, it was interesting to read about the culture of the Middle East and to get some insight into the reasons for the never-ending violence and hatred in that part of the world. It also gives some explanations for the radicalization of otherwise reasonable people.

The Housemaid's Daughter
by Barbara Mutch

Engrossing story (11/6/2013)

This book is set in South Africa which made it particularly interesting as I have never read a historical novel about that country. Throughout the story, which takes place through 4 generations of a black family and their relationship to their white employers, the matter of race is always a prominent aspect of the story. The relationship Ada has with Madam is truly special and music is the glue that helps keeps them together. This was a very enjoyable book that I would recommend.

The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
by Saira Shah

Sometimes life gets a little messy (6/17/2013)

This statement is on the cover of the book and is a good way to describe the story. Not only is the house Tobias and Anna buy in France a little messy, but they have a very disabled child who is for them emotionally messy.
As a parent I remember having a discussion with my husband while I was pregnant about "what if".
The feelings and attitudes about whether they can accept this child who will be a terrible burden on them for the rest of her life seemed to be an accurate description of what a young couple would go through. It is also a reminder that if you have a healthy child it is a blessing.

The Caretaker
by A .X. Ahmad

Conflicted main character (3/24/2013)

Ranjit is a Sikh from India who moved to America with his wife and daughter to escape his past. Unfortunately, his life in America is not what he hoped for and certainly not what his wife wanted or is willing to accept.
There is a bit of intrigue and a number of betrayals.
I found the character of Ranjit as a military man in India and also a religious man to have an internal conflict with what is right and with where his loyalty lies. Interesting story that was fast reading and enjoyable.

Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler

Moving Love Story (12/1/2012)

Calling Me Home, which at first I thought might be a cliched story line, at the end moved me to tears (and I don't cry easily). The back and forth of the narrative between the current time and the 30's and the circumstances and hardships of an inter- racial love were both moving and hard to forget. The characters of Dorrie and Isabelle and the close bond they had was a great example of the importance of women's friendships in each others lives even though their backgrounds may be so different. A very touching book that I will be thinking about for a while.

A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee

A Thousand Pardons (10/19/2012)

This book was a good read. There were a number of character plots within the framework of the book. Helen, the main female character, becomes a self sufficient working woman because of circumstance and seems amazed at how capable she is. Reading about her transformation was realistic enough that it reminded me of some women I have known in my life that were forced to go out into the "working world" and surprised themselves by how sharp they really were.
Her daughter Sara is a typical alienated teen until she realizes her parents (particularly her Mom) are not the losers she assumed they were.

Arcadia: A Novel
by Lauren Groff

Engrossing Book (12/3/2011)

Arcadia was an engrossing and enjoyable book. The story is told by the character Bit, a young man born and raised in a commune. It is through him you see the way the world changes from the idealism of the 60's into the future. As someone who was a teenager during that time, the whole atmosphere of the first half of the book reminded me of how wonderful it was to be young and alive then and how hopeful and optimistic we were. I can see this as a good book for discussion in a Book Club. One question that can be asked is why is the idealism and unselfish way of living of a commune so hard to sustain and how did the "real "world get in the way?
Also, what events occurred during that time in the U.S. that changed people?

Reviews by Alice S. (East Haven, Ct)

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Reviews by Alice S. (East Haven, Ct)

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