BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Strong Passions: A Scandalous Divorce in Old New York
by Barbara Weisberg

Strong Passions (12/10/2023)

A fascinating and thorough recounting of the divorce trial of Peter Strong vs Mary Strong which takes the reader back to the days when society ruled old New York. Details of the life styles of these families along with the mores of the day, including abortion practices, make the book a captivating read. If you are watching "The Gilded Age" on television, this book is a great companion piece.

This Other Eden: A Novel
by Paul Harding

This Other Eden (1/15/2023)

This Other Eden by Paul Harding is a carefully crafted novel based on the true story of the mixed race and varied intelligence of the inhabitants of this coastal Maine island of Malaga. A previous novel of Harding's won the Pulitzer Prize. The story line is disturbing due to the prejudice and harsh treatment toward some of the island's inhabitants. I did not find this a pleasurable book to read in any way, but it certainly deserves merit and attention for it's writing style and revelation of something I knew nothing about. I would think other readers would find this to be true also.

Once We Were Home
by Jennifer Rosner

The emotional story of redemption of Jewish children (11/13/2022)

The author of When We Were Home, Jennifer Rosner, tells a very compelling story of the redemption of Jewish Children. Writing about 4 children who were sheltered and raised by Protestant and Catholic families during the war, she explains their feelings and reactions when their birth families try to claim them after the war. These particular difficulties of WWII were not something I was familiar with and I had never given this redemption any thought. I now see the emotional upheaval that was came about as a result and it makes me wonder how I would have reacted had I been an affected child, parent or foster parent. The author lists many sources for her story and a good explanation of what happened in the redemption. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about this part of WWII history.

Metropolis: A Novel
by B. A. Shapiro

Metropolis-not much of a thriller (3/23/2022)

This book was billed as a psychological thriller but a page turner it was not. With the setting in a self storage building with quirky renters, it sounded interesting, but I found it predictable with mostly happy endings for all. Writing was good but other than that I do not recommend.

The Lost Notebook of Edouard Manet: A Novel
by Maureen Gibbon

The Lost Notebook of Edouard Manet (6/20/2021)

For those who like imaginary thoughts about an actual person's life, they will like this book. As I prefer factual accounts, I prefer biographies. That being said, perhaps the prospective reader can make a decision on whether or not to read the book. The diary did give the flavor of France along with that of the artist and his work.

Mrs. March: A Novel
by Virginia Feito

Mrs. March by Virginia Feito (4/28/2021)

Mrs. March was a woman with severe mental health issues that became more and more apparent as the novel went on. What promised, at first, to be a rousing story ended up with a rather cliched ending. However, it was the writer's first novel and probably her next book will be a stronger one.

The Fortunate Ones
by Ed Tarkington

The Fortunate Ones (10/21/2020)

Ed Tarkington is a new author to me and I liked "The Fortunate Ones" so much that I have bought his first book, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart." For southern readers, the places and names in his book are very familiar, but the book has universal appeal as it tells a story of misdeeds and redemption. There is a line in the book that sums up the story very well and that is "No great temple was ever built without a few bodies buried beneath its foundation." I highly recommend the book.

The Paris Hours: A Novel
by Alex George

The Paris Hours by Alex George (2/25/2020)

The Paris Hours is a gem of a book. Set in a period of one day in Paris, it invokes the sights, sounds and mood of the city while giving the reader the a chance to learn the plight of the four main characters. Each person is trying to find something they have lost and at the end all four characters mesh into the story that is finally revealed. I loved the book and I would think anyone would. It is beautifully written and has many well turned phrases and sentences. I had a favorite character. Which one will be yours?

At the Wolf's Table
by Rosella Postorino

At The Wolf's Table (10/29/2018)

I was part of a local group that promoted Holocaust awareness and education for a number of years and this group included a book club. Meeting each month we read books about different aspects of the Holocaust so I am very familiar with this period in history. This true story of a taster of Hitler's food had possibilities but did not measure up to most of the other stories I read. It seemed to drift from one topic to the next and in the process, lost its focus. To not know what happened to our protagonist after she left Wolfsschanze until she had her final meeting with Gregor was an odd approach to take to their relationship. There were just too many unresolved portions of the story to make it a satisfying read.

So Much Life Left Over
by Louis de Bernieres

So Much Life Left Over (7/21/2018)

Set in the time period between the two world wars in Ceylon and then Europe and Great Britain, this story follows the connected characters as they try to make sense of their lives ----lives they did not expect to live. Written by the author of Corelli's Mandolin, Louis DeBernieres , this is an intriguing story of love, grief and loyalty. A Good read.

Strangers in Budapest
by Jessica Keener

Strangers in Budapest (10/29/2017)

The jacket of this book calls the story "riveting" and "provocative." I would not go that far. Having been to Budapest and seen the communist era architecture as well as the absolutely stunning architecture of the earlier days, I felt it was a place I could return to over and over. I was surprised that the only feeling about the city I got from the author was that she did not like Budapest for her own personal reasons which she expressed through her character, Annie. She gave it a bad rap. Aside from that, I felt the characters with the exception of Edward Weiss were shallowly drawn. This story, with more development, could have been so much more than it was and I do not feel that I could recommend the book.

The Necklace
by Claire McMillan

The Necklace (6/8/2017)

I enjoyed reading The Necklace as a piece of escapist writing perfect for a summer day or two. While it's an often told story about two men loving the same woman and families bickering over an inheritance, the writing is good and the method of alternating chapters with two different periods of time keeps the reader engaged. I would not recommend this book for a book club discussion as I don't think there are any issues worthy of discussion; however, it is a good story and definitely worth spending a few hours reading.

The Half Wives
by Stacia Pelletier

The Half Wives (1/2/2017)

Stacia Pelletier does a skillful writing job in taking three obscure events which occurred in San Francisco and weaving them into one story. She stages the lives of her pathetic but well drawn characters around cemetery visits to one particular grave site. At times, I was tempted to abandon the book as I found it plodding reading; however, I wanted to know how the author resolved the characters' eventual meeting and so I did finish the book. Fine writing triumphs over a depressing story.

The Children
by Ann Leary

The Children (5/24/2016)

I felt like this book never got off the ground until the last pages. It is a cautionary tale about marrying someone you don't know well and all that happened in the story is repeated every day in real life. However, getting to that point was meandering and boring. This story needed more structure in the beginning to hold my interest though I finished the book. I really rate it average to poor.

We That Are Left
by Clare Clark

We That Are Left by Clare Clark (7/20/2015)

My expectations of this book diminished as I read. I think all fiction writers need to come up with story lines that do not try to restate what has already been written. This story was very reminiscent of the Downton Abbey series with the trouble of no male heir as well as the often repeated saga of finding out that your father was not who you thought he was. Reading through the first 2/3 of the book was plodding. As the author started wrapping up her tale, the story became more interesting and I was able to finish it quickly. I was glad to be finished and could not really recommend the book.

The Art of Baking Blind
by Sarah Vaughan

The Art of Baking Blind (3/7/2015)

I thoroughly enjoyed The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughn. Set in England, it covers a short period of time involving a baking contest reminiscent of the recent PBS series on the same topic. As the series was fun to watch, the book was fun to read. However, the book delved into the lives of the 5 contestants and provided well developed characters all struggling to handle their daily problems as well as the challenge of trying to win a contest. Friendships were forged and personalities were revealed. It was well written and had a very satisfying ending. I would recommend it as a great escape for a few days of reading.

The Secrets of Midwives
by Sally Hepworth

The Secrets of Midwives (12/10/2014)

The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth is a quick read which held my interest to a point. I wished for more depth in the characters as well as for more depth in the practice of midwifery. This is not a memorable book, only one that provides some entertainment for a short time. This book would probably appeal to young adult women, but as a senior, I found the cavalier attitude toward the paternity of one character's baby somewhat disappointing. The outstanding PBS series, "Call The Midwife" comes to mind in making a comparison and this book fails to measure up to that story.

The Fortune Hunter
by Daisy Goodwin

The Fortune Hunter (4/10/2014)

The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin was a delightful, easy to read tale about a man entranced by two women. Mixing a bit of European history with romance, this story kept me interested to the end. Well written it should appeal to someone looking for a relaxing, non taxing read. It is a good break from reading heavier fiction and non fiction and quick to get through. I would not recommend it to book clubs as there is nothing to discuss. It is just a pleasant escape.

The Good House
by Ann Leary

The Good House by Ann Leary (11/28/2012)

The Good House dealt with social issues such as alcoholism, infidelity, a special needs child and the slowing of the economy to name just a few. The author did a good job of portraying an alcoholic in denial as well as life in a coastal resort town inhabited by old timers trying to hold on to their family property versus newcomers with money. The author's ability to handle the issues was commendable though as the book ended I was left not knowing how some were resolved, if they were. Perhaps too many issues were presented in one book. This was a sobering story so it is hard to say that I enjoyed the book or that it was entertaining. I did not find it funny as the book jacket suggested, but sad that lives were being wasted. To use this book as a discussion in a book club could bring up unhappy memories for some members that might be unknown, so I would not recommend it as a book club choice.

The Queen's Lover: A Novel
by Francine du Plessix Gray

The Queen's Lover (5/15/2012)

As I read this book, I wondered what in the world I would say about it. Historical fiction, "The Queen's Lover" tells of the reign in France of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and in addition, the romantic pursuit of the Queen by her purported lover, Swedish nobleman, Count Axel von Fersen. To me, the book presentation did not make for a smooth read. The historical facts in many cases were inserted in the story and read like a page from a history book. While the author's writing skills are excellent, this method proved disconcerting to me. A better example of incorporating history with fiction is in "The Winter Palace" by Eva Stachniak. I do not think this is a good book for book clubs as there is not too much that would make for a lively discussion.

Reviews by Virginia P. (Tallahassee, FL)

Top Picks

Members Recommend

Who Said...

Wordplay

Reviews by Virginia P. (Tallahassee, FL)

Top Picks

Members Recommend

Who Said...

Wordplay

Newsletter