Reviews by Chris W. (Temple City, CA)

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Frank & Ava
Frank & Ava: In Love and War
by John Brady
A sad, dysfunctional relationship ... (9/3/2015)
Having grown up with a mother who adored Frank Sinatra and played his music almost every day, I felt I knew a lot about him and his on-and-off, dysfunctional relationship with Ava. However, I gained more insight and learned so much about their careers and them, both …more
Maybe in Another Life
Maybe in Another Life
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
"the road not taken ..." (6/17/2015)
I'm so glad I was able to read this book and I enjoyed it very much. This book made me think about the many difficult choices we have to make in life and whether our lives would have been different if we went in another direction. I liked the alternating chapters dealing …more
A Passion for Paris
A Passion for Paris: Romanticism and Romance in the City of Light
by David Downie
I can't wait to go to Paris (4/22/2015)
There is so much history and detailed information about the age of Romanticism packed into this book and it was fun to read. I want to see all the places he describes and read even more about the people he has thoroughly researched. I will reread it before I go to Paris to …more
He Wanted the Moon
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
a great read (3/2/2015)
Having worked in the mental health field for several decades, I was thrilled to receive a copy of this book. To learn how such a brilliant psychiatric patient described his many symptoms, treatments, disappointments, rejections, escapades, etc. was fascinating. Having seen …more
The Rabbit Back Literature Society
The Rabbit Back Literature Society
by Pasi Ilmari Jaaskelainen
a weird tale (11/20/2014)
The premise of this book was intriguing, and I was excited to receive a copy. I really enjoyed the beginning of the story; however, it then wandered into the bizarre. I didn't find The Game to be believable - what adults would willingly take drugs and spill such personal …more
The Book of Strange New Things
The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber
The planet of strange new things (9/7/2014)
Well written, thought provoking, and hard to put down. It is a creative and intriguing story line, and the religious aspect was not too hard hitting. The ending was too abrupt for me unless there is a sequel in the works. Peter's character was nicely developed, but I wanted …more
That Summer
That Summer
by Lauren Willig
a life changing summer (4/8/2014)
I really enjoyed this book, and probably could have read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the alternating stories so many years apart. However, it seemed to end abruptly and was a little unsatisfying after spending so much time with these characters. I wanted to know more about …more
The Cairo Affair
The Cairo Affair
by Olen Steinhauer
spy thriller (12/22/2013)
The plot kept my interest and I appreciated this timely story being told from several points of view. I would have benefited from a map of the regions and a timeline of that period of history, just to add to my understanding of the historical background. The characters were …more
Last Train to Istanbul
Last Train to Istanbul
by Ayse Kulin
Train to Istanbul (10/3/2013)
As historical fiction, I was fascinated with this story about the Turks' involvement in assisting the Jews escape from Hitler and learning more about the lives of the Turkish diplomats. The true reporting of the bravery, valor, and compassion of those who helped the Jews …more
Letters from Skye
Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole
Letters to remember (6/14/2013)
It was almost impossible to put this book down and, when I had to, I couldn't wait to get back to the letters and to these characters I had come to care about. I wanted to find out the end of their stories, yet I didn't want the book or the letters to end. Several moral …more
Her Last Breath
Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo
Amish mystery (5/6/2013)
A well written mystery involving a collision between an Amish family riding in their buggy and a high speed vehicle - was it an accident or murder? There was a lot of interesting information about police procedure and Amish culture. The characters were developed well. It is …more
Close My Eyes
Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie
page turner (4/11/2013)
The only reason I didn't read this book in one sitting was that I started it too late at night. It was difficult to know which characters to trust and/or which characters might be imagining events. The reader was taken on this thriller ride right along with Geniver. I didn' …more
Children of the Jacaranda Tree
Children of the Jacaranda Tree
by Sahar Delijani
Beautiful debut (2/15/2013)
This multigenerational, heartbreaking story of families in post-revolutionary Iran is mesmerizing and beautifully written. Imprisonment, torture, execution, constant fear, and families torn apart are difficult to read about; and yet there is also hope and love among the …more
The Edge of the Earth
The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz
Edge of the Earth (11/17/2012)
This novel was engrossing, informative, and somewhat mysterious. I enjoyed learning about the life of a lighthouse guardian, and the descriptions of the lifestyle at that time and the surrounding scenery were well written. The characters were intriguing and fairly well …more
Sentinel
Sentinel: A Spycatcher Novel
by Matthew Dunn
page turner (6/11/2012)
This book is a page turner, a political/spy thriller, with nonstop action. I am glad I found the glossary at the back of the book before I started reading it because there are a lot of technical military and government terms. I learned enough about the main character to …more
A Simple Murder
A Simple Murder
by Eleanor Kuhns
Shaker murder mystery (5/9/2012)
An easy to read murder mystery set in a community of Shakers in the late 1700s. A traveling weaver arrives at this community looking for his son and is later asked to help solve a murder. I learned a lot about the Shaker lifestyle and was actually surprised by some of that …more
Until the Next Time
Until the Next Time: A Novel
by Kevin Fox
Until the Next Time (3/13/2012)
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The chapters alternate between characters in 1972 and 1996, and this can be confusing at times. The characters are likable though numerous. The historical context with the political and religious struggles was made more personal seeing it …more
The Darkening Field
The Darkening Field: A Novel
by William Ryan
The Darkening Field (12/8/2011)
I really enjoyed the combination of murder mystery and political intrigue. We got to follow the leads as the detectives uncovered them. The pre-World War II setting in Russia was well described along with the conflicts some people felt with their government. The distrust of …more
Little Black Dress
Little Black Dress: A Novel
by Susan McBride
Magic dress (7/16/2011)
I really enjoyed this book and thought the characters were mostly well developed. The plot was a bit predictable at times. The viewpoint of the chapters alternates between Evie in the past and her daughter Toni in the present, and this flowed well. I think it would be an …more
Outlander
Outlander
by Diana Gabaldon
Outlander (4/8/2011)
I have wanted to read this book for a long time and was excited to receive a copy to review. This time travel adventure has enough history, old Scottish dialect and culture, romance, sex, war, and violence for just about anybody. It might be too long for many book clubs. …more
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