BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Opposite of Everyone
by Joshilyn Jackson

Not Joshilyn Jackson's Best (11/29/2015)

The premise of this book is very good, but there was way too many of her mother's fairy tales for me. Reminded me of "My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry". Another book that was just too mythical for me. Loved the bones of this book, just wish it had less mysticism.

The Book of Speculation
by Erika Swyler

Magic, mysticism, and mystery (4/12/2015)

Really liked this book! This book includes a librarian, a circus, and mermaids! Loved the way the author jumped from the present to his relatives in the past. I thought the story stalled a little here and there, but I really enjoyed.

The Sweetheart Deal
by Polly Dugan

Enjoyable read (2/2/2015)

This is a quick, easy read. It was somewhat predictable, yet kept my attention. This would make a good book club read for mature women. Not really a chick- lit subject, but interesting and thought provoking. I also liked the writing, and the way the author separated the novel by its characters.

A Fireproof Home for the Bride
by Amy Scheibe

Slow to begin (12/20/2014)

I thought this book was off to a very slow start... Took over 100 pages for mr to become interested. Writing was good, but I felt the story developed very, very slowly. Could have been the time of year, but I truly felt it was a very slow read.

First Frost
by Sarah Addison Allen

Great book! (11/4/2014)

Loved, loved, loved this book. Quirky small town characters, small town, mystical , and fun. I began by rereading the first book. "Garden Spells", which was a great refresher, but not absolutely necessary. This would be a great book club read - even both of them. Set in a small town with funny people and a dash of mystical fun. Remained me of " Practical Magic", only a tad lighter. Loved it and read very slowly...didn't want it to end too soon!

Her
by Harriet Lane

Repetitive and slow (5/13/2014)

I was excited to begin this book due to the book jacket information, but that was not my experience at all. I thought that the characters were underdeveloped, the reading slow, and the ending dangled. I wanted this to be the psychological thriller that I had imagined, but this never developed for me either. Thought the writing was fine... Just needed more substance.

Mimi Malloy, At Last!
by Julia MacDonnell

Actually, somewhere between a 3 and a 4 (2/8/2014)

I liked this book... Thought that it was well-written and held my interest. It just seemed like a mix between chick-lit and something much deeper. For me, there wasn't enough story development surrounding the Irish customs - just a few more paragraphs could have better explained the step-mother's background and Irish culture. I just couldn't make the shift for modern day problems ... Assisted living, adult bossy children to old Irish folklore and customs. It peaked my interest enough to research the customs, but I felt more explanation was needed in the book to create the segue way between the generations.

Bellman & Black
by Diane Setterfield

Well written, but lacking (9/11/2013)

The story immediately drew me in... but about half-way through the book, it started to really falter in terms of character development and plot. The book was well written but very dark and lost steam about half-way through. I also wouldn't call it a ghost story. Liked this authors' previous work much better

One Minus One: Nancy Pearl's Book Lust Rediscoveries
by Ruth Doan MacDougall

Lacks depth (4/4/2013)

I am just not a fan of Ms. Pearls favorite doorway to fiction- character. The story was short, lacked depth, and seemed very superficial. The characters aren't developed enough for me to even decide if I like them! Luckily, the book is more like a short story!

Fever
by Mary Beth Keane

Gripping! (3/3/2013)

Wow! Loved, loved, loved this book. It usually takes me a good 100 pages to get into a book... and really want to continue reading. Not so with "Fever." After reading the first 5 pages I was hooked. The writing is wonderful... so good in fact that you forget to even notice it. This was another book of historical fiction that makes me realize just what isn't known by many of us... the cardboard characters we read about as children become real people with real emotions and secrets. Read this one... I promise that you will learn something!

The Aviator's Wife
by Melanie Benjamin

Loved it! (11/25/2012)

If you like historical fiction, this is the book for you! I loved the "Paris Wife" and "Loving Frank" also. It is wonderful to read a fictional version of a story and then research the person's life- in the library, on the internet, etc. This story was particularly interesting as it reminded me of the stories I heard about the Lindberghs as a child. To reflect how I felt then to how I feel now... as a mother, a spouse, etc was very thought provoking. Of course, it was also a great read so if you do nothing but read it at face value, it is still definitely worth your time. It won't take long as it is very well written and draws the reader along! Enjoy!

A Land More Kind Than Home: A Novel
by Wiley Cash

Wow! (3/17/2012)

Loved this book- loved the author's writing style, loved the haunting story. I could barely put it down - just had to see what would happen next. Would highly recommend this for lovers of Southern fiction - it is deep, dark, and haunting.

Proof of Heaven: A Novel
by Mary Curran Hackett

Proof? Not a fan (8/28/2011)

I simply did not like this book. No character development, no allowing the reader to arrive at their own conclusions. Contrived and overly dramatic. The mother was so self-absorbed that I wanted to quit reading midway through. I pushed on but was glad when the last page was finished. I did like the author's bio and finally understood where she got the idea to write this book, but it was too little, too late.

Folly Beach: A Lowcountry Tale
by Dorothea Benton Frank

Great read! (6/7/2011)

While the author's books are always some of my favorites, this book was by far her best. It captured my attention immediately and mixed two of my favorite elements- a little history and a lot of southern! The book tells two stories - one historical and one set in the present. The historical "play" - for lack of a better word - was interesting and thought-provoking. The present story is filled with quirky characters and good dialogue. Loved it!

Outside Wonderland: A Novel
by Lorna Jane Cook

Entertaining Beach read (2/9/2011)

I really liked the premise of this book but it just didn't develop as I had hoped. It is wonderful to think that our loved ones are watching us from above but the premise just fell short. It was an easy read- perhaps too easy. The characters were fairly interesting but the book lacked depth.

Ever By My Side: A Memoir in Eight ~~Acts~~ Pets
by Dr. Nick Trout

Ever By My Side (12/26/2010)

A warm memoir of a young man, his parents, his animals, and his children, This is a well-written volume that evokes a gamut of emotions from the reader. I wish that it was longer or a little more descriptive- but I enjoyed it a great deal.

The Clouds Beneath the Sun
by Mackenzie Ford

The Clouds Beneath the Sun (8/1/2010)

This book is a great read in terms of the culture and history of Africa. It gave me an understanding of the conflicts of the African people in the 60's and I loved learning about the culture and customs of the Masai people. The political upheaval of the time is described very well. The character development and the emotional depth of the book, however, left me cold. We are never made to understand what motivates any of the characters and why they act as they do. Liked the book but wanted to see character development and emotion!

Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash

Ruthless People (8/30/2009)

The first 100 pages of the book were very slow for me. I learned about the lumber business in 1929 which was educational, though not necessarily entertaining. After that, though, the action quickly picks up. Ron Rash is a great writer and a master of storytelling. This book is a tribute to greed, ruthlessness, and betrayal. It is beautifully written with incredible characters. I loved this story! Would have given it a 5 had it not been for the slow beginning. Read it- it is well worth the effort!

Water, Stone, Heart: A Novel
by Will North

Water, Stone, Heart (5/3/2009)

Loved this book about the small English seaside town of Boscastle with its quirky, endearing characters. The sense of community and comradery made me wish I lived there. Andrew, an American architect, finds his way there to learn the art of hedge building. He finds architecture, interesting people, and romance. He also learns about the spirit and backbone of these people as they face a natural disaster. Loved the book - wish I hadn't finished it so soon!

The Music Teacher
by Barbara Hall

Entertaining look into the life of a failed virtuoso (10/25/2008)

The Music Teacher profiles a women who wanted to be a great musician... and her life after she failed to realize her dreams. The book is an entertaining look into one women's personal and professional life- and what happens when she finds one student who really has what it takes. It is easy to read, easy to relate to the characters, and a great read. The end of the book tended to wax a little too philosophical for me, thus the "good" rating. I still enjoyed reading it and gained some insight into why people sometimes choose the careers they do.

Reviews by Teresa R. (Evansville, IN)

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Reviews by Teresa R. (Evansville, IN)

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