BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Our Short History
by Lauren Grodstein

Messiness of Life (4/11/2017)

One of the reviewers on the cover of the book describes the novel as portraying both the messiness of life and the immense depths of love. I agree that this novel does portray those two elements of life, but I was hoping for a more personal account and I was disappointed that the author was not the central figure in the book. It felt too personal to not have been experienced by the author, and upon learning that the author was not the central character, I felt it cheapened the emotion of a novel that was highly emotional. That may not be a fair opinion, alas, it's how I felt.

Manderley Forever
by Tatiana de Rosnay

Unlike Her Previous Work (1/11/2017)

I struggled to finish this book, and I was surprised to feel this way, as I have enjoy Ms. de Rosnay's other works very much. I was not nearly intrigued enough about the subject even as I tried to engage with the book. This may appeal to big fans of Rebecca, but does not hold up to a general audience.

Darling Days: A Memoir
by iO Tillett Wright

A painful but honest memoir (4/21/2016)

Darling Days is at many points a painful read, in that iO Tillett Wright's coming of age is mostly a survival tale within the Bowery of New York City in the 90s. The prevalent drug culture, missing parents, and empty refrigerators portray a sad beginning for the child. Yet, iO has such a brave spirit, struggling with her sexuality and self worth, that I found myself cheering for her to succeed. The writing is honest and brave and I recommend this for brave readers as well!

A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara

Tender, achingly human (2/24/2016)

I listened to this book rather than read it, however, the writing style still was a page turner. Yanagihara created characters and relationships that were real, and circumstances that made me want more. It was so sad, but so good.

The Devil in Jerusalem
by Naomi Ragen

Frightening tale of cult powers (8/3/2015)

The Devil in Jerusalem proved to be a very difficult book to read at times - knowing that it was based on a true story and reading of the brutality inflicted upon innocent children. I nearly had to put it down, but I wanted to know how it ended. The author painted the scenes with accuracy and even allowed for a sympathetic view of the mother as she was pulled into the cult lifestyle. Not for the faint of heart.

The Book of Speculation
by Erika Swyler

Suspenseful read (4/21/2015)

Circus characters, tarot cards, and mysterious events combine to make this book just interesting enough to keep reading. Although not Water for Elephants, The Book of Speculation provides a peek into the tent of circus characters and pulls the reader along to uncover the mystery that lurks in the genealogy of the main characters and wreaks havoc in their lives.

Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Page turner (1/2/2015)

Whispering Shadows is an intriguing mix of heartfelt characters, shifting politics, and thrilling murder mystery. Sendker masterfully portrays the grieving father as a hermit-like character who is reluctantly pulled into this political drama. The book loses its pace a bit in the end as all the questions become wrapped up a little too easily, but it is still a very good read with well developed, interesting characters.

The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah

Compelling page turner (10/13/2014)

Kristin Hannah transports the reader into the scenes of the small villages of occupied France in such a way that you relate to the main characters of her novel, The Nightingale. Whether or not it is a true story, it's filled with enough real relationships and tragedies that the heroic story of the Nightingale is a heartfelt view into the life of fear and hiding that was WWII France. The characters were very realistic and relatable and the plot was very compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Last Train to Istanbul
by Ayse Kulin

Gathering steam (10/9/2013)

Like a train picking up speed as it moves down the track, The Last Train to Istanbul pulls the reader along as the plot thickens. I became more and more intrigued with the characters and their predicament and found myself getting emotionally attached to them as they traveled toward Istanbul. I wasn't familiar with this facet of WWII history and the book revealed it in a very interesting fashion.

Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt

Disappointment (7/10/2013)

I was looking forward to reading this book after seeing the review "Move over, Tom Wolfe". Unfortunately, this book has very little in common with Tom Wolfe. I found the characters and their problems in this southern family fiction to be less than compelling. The first scenes in the book were troubling and I had a hard time continuing. Luckily, the plot picked up a bit, but never truly lived up to the hype on the cover reviews.

Have Mother, Will Travel: A Mother and Daughter Discover Themselves, Each Other, and the World
by Claire & Mia Fontaine

Insightful journey with mother and daughter (6/14/2012)

Have Mother will Travel is a thoroughly enjoyable read, especially as a mother of an adult daughter myself. I found myself smiling as this mother daughter team negotiated through their travels and their relationship. The writing felt true and honest.

A Simple Murder
by Eleanor Kuhns

Intriguing mystery with unsatisfying ending (5/1/2012)

A Simple Murder was a unique book in that it was set within a Shaker community in the early 1800s. The characters were believable and interesting and the plot was compelling, but I felt the author lost ground with an ending that didn't live up to the rest of the book.

The Starboard Sea: A Novel
by Amber Dermont

A Glimpse into Preppy Boarding School (2/28/2012)

Unfortunately, all the stereotypes are present in this unappealing novel from Amber Dermont. Expected vices and a genuine lack of empathy mark this work as just another peek into the exclusive but nasty world of exclusive boarding schools. Her characters are not sympathetic enough for the reader to care what awaits them. In general, an un-relatable novel, except for the very few readers who have inhabited this world.

The Darkening Field: A Novel
by William Ryan

Intriguing (12/3/2011)

The Darkening Field gave me an insight into the transitioning period of Soviet culture through a well-written mystery with believable characters. I enjoy books that take an unusual view of a historical period. I recommend this book to others who like a suspenseful read with some historical perspective.

Defending Jacob: A Novel
by William Landay

Fast paced, exciting thriller (10/12/2011)

Reminiscent of a John Grisham novel, William Landay's Defending Jacob kept me turning the pages late into the night. The characters are believable and the writing moves along, although the ending is a bit predictable.

The Things We Cherished: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff

More a romantic novel than historical fiction (5/19/2011)

As a fan of historical fiction, I was disappointed in the level of detail given to the historic events within the novel. The author had more of a focus on the romantic plot, which I found predictable and therefore, not as interesting as a traditional historical fiction work.

Three Seconds
by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom

Excellent choice for suspense lovers (12/21/2010)

Three Seconds delivers a fast-paced thriller for those that enjoy a good suspense novel.

Gone Tomorrow: A Jack Reacher Novel #13
by Lee Child

Page turner (10/16/2010)

Lee Child delivers another page turner for his fans. From the first page, the reader is hooked as Jack Reacher identifies a potential terrorist on a 2am subway ride in New York City. As the suspense mounts, Jack becomes both hunter and hunted. I had a hard time putting this down, even as the storyline seems recycled - a testament to Lee Child's skill as a writer.

The Doctor and the Diva: A Novel
by Adrienne McDonnell

Disappointing, lack of character development (6/22/2010)

I found The Doctor and the Diva to be a disappointing read, although it had moments of potential. Both the doctor and the diva led interesting lives, yet their choices were regularly selfish and predictable. In the end, I found the main characters to be unlikable, and therefore, I didn't much care about what happened to them.

Lima Nights
by Marie Arana

Disappointing (1/6/2009)

I had high expectations for this novel. It started out with interesting characters and an intriguing setting in Lima, but the storyline petered out along the way. I was also disappointed with the ending, as it seemed trite.

Reviews by Jennifer F. (Saratoga, CA)

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