Reviews by Debra V. (Kenosha, WI)

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At the Chinese Table
At the Chinese Table: A Memoir with Recipes
by Carolyn Phillips
Interesting Book (8/7/2021)
This was a totally different book for me! Loved the historical parts and feel that Carolyn Phillips writes well and really understands the Chinese culture of food. Most of the recipes are too complicated/time-consuming for me but there are a few that I can't wait to try. ( …more
With or Without You
With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt
Summer beach read (6/20/2020)
With or Without You was just an average read for me—however is is not a typical beach book because the story is unusual. Stella is married to Simon, who loves her but is a selfish former rock star. The marriage is failing but both are trying their best to hang on. After a …more
The Last Collection
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
Great vacation read (2/19/2019)
Loved The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin—The story is told through the perspective of a young widow and artist who develops a relationship with Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel. If you love clothes you will love this book. The descriptions of the couture fashions are …more
The Last Romantics
The Last Romantics
by Tara Conklin
Hard to put down (12/20/2018)
This was my first book by Tara Conklin and I'm really looking forward to the next one. A story of a family whose path is changed by tragedy and depression, the book drew me into the story right away. The four siblings are the main characters and very different from each …more
A Ladder to the Sky
A Ladder to the Sky: A Novel
by John Boyne
A Ladder to the sky (9/17/2018)
If you like a liter tale of unbridled ambition you'll love this book. Maurice Swift is the ultimate narcissist who (as the book progresses) turns into a sociopath. Maurice expects to become a great writer. Unfortunately he lacks imagination— so he steals other writers …more
Meet Me at the Museum
Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson
Meet me— a story of second chances (4/19/2018)
I originally decided to give this book a less positive review but after going back and re-reading a few of their letters I found myself pulled back into the story of how a relationship builds. I enjoyed the way this novel used correspondence to tell the story of two lonely …more
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney
Psychological Thriller! (11/8/2017)
A psychological thriller in the style of "Gone Girl" or "The Dinner". The narrator of "Sometimes I Lie" is in a coma and the author uses her past and present to tell the story. I loved the use of Amber's deranged former ex and also her imaginary friend. Lots of plot twists …more
Stay with Me
Stay with Me
by Ayobami Adebayo
Love and infertility in Nigeria (8/31/2017)
A good novel about a Nigerian couples struggle to love and live in a society that defines and judges a marriage on their ability to have children. The backdrop of the unstable political climate adds to the novel's tension. When I read a book like this it angers me that in …more
A Piece of the World
A Piece of the World: A Novel
by Christina Baker Kline
a piece of the world (12/16/2016)
I enjoy stories about art and artists and thought it would be interesting to learn more about Andrew Wyeth and this particular painting. Especially since the painting itself is very disturbing. I do think that Baker-Klinr caught the essence of that piece of art in her book …more
The Book That Matters Most
The Book That Matters Most: A Novel
by Ann Hood
Missed Opportunity (6/16/2016)
The idea of choosing "The Book That Matters Most" for a book club read was compelling -- and my favorite part of the book. I found Ava whiny in the beginning, and not very interesting! Her daughter Maggie's story was more engaging and kept me reading. The book was well …more
Tuesday Nights in 1980
Tuesday Nights in 1980
by Molly Prentiss
Tuesday Nights.... (1/24/2016)
Loved the book! A story about the crazy, changing art scene in New York in 1980, following the lives of an artist, a critic, and various "art groupies" for one year. There is just enough backstory to flesh out the characters -- including the story of the artist's sister and …more
Home by Nightfall
Home by Nightfall: A Charles Lenox Mystery
by Charles Finch
Home By Nightfall (9/23/2015)
The beauty of reading a mystery set in the late 1800's is the pace -- nothing happens quickly and you have time to read every word and ponder the revelations as they unfold.
This was the first book I've read in this series by Charles Finch and I enjoyed his use of the more …more
Her Name Is Rose
Her Name Is Rose
by Christine Breen
Her Name is Rose (2/13/2015)
A sweet book about two talented women who are too dependent on others for their self esteem and happiness. The story develops as they impulsively make changes in their lives. The chance encounters that moved the story forward were a little unbelievable-- but overall I …more
A Kim Jong-Il Production
A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power
by Paul Fischer
A Timely Story (12/18/2014)
Wow -- what an eye-opener this book was. I knew nothing about North Korea until recently. The current crisis with Sony Pictures illustrates the point this book makes -- and frankly I'm afraid to review it! I also wonder if it will be published!
Vanessa and Her Sister
Vanessa and Her Sister
by Priya Parmar
Vanessa & Her Sister (10/15/2014)
Absolutely loved this book -- other than reading Virginia Wolf in college I knew very little about Vanessa & Virginia and the impact they had through the Bloomsburg Group on art & literature in the early 20th century. The book is beautifully crafted using fictional …more
The Paris Winter
The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson
Wonderful, quick read (7/7/2014)
Most of the time I enjoy historical fiction and this book was no exception. It was an interesting time in history because women were fighting to enter formerly "male" occupations, like art & medicine. I knew very little about how women artists were treated -- and of …more
A Paris Apartment
A Paris Apartment
by Michelle Gable
A Paris Apartment (3/17/2014)
Warning: Contains plot spoilers:

A Paris Apartment's first chapter seemed to promise an interesting story. The book moves from the present and back to 1898 describing the life of April -- the American Appraiser, and Marthe' the French Courtesan. Frankly Marthe' was not an …more
A Dual Inheritance
A Dual Inheritance
by Joanna Hershon
A Dual Inheritance (3/20/2013)
First I would like to say that this was a good book, and fairly well-written. I always enjoy a book about relationships -- especially when they involve race & class in America. Frankly, I want to blame the author's editor for the books defects because the story was good …more
The Aviator's Wife
The Aviator's Wife
by Melanie Benjamin
The Aviator's Wife (12/18/2012)
Where to begin -- The book was a very interesting look at the life of a "hero's" wife. It was a very sympathetic portrayal of Anne, and initially her worship of Charles seemed justified. Their celebrity made it impossible to live a normal life but after their son was …more
The Art Forger
The Art Forger
by B. A. Shapiro
The Art Forger (10/9/2012)
Loved this book -- a well written look inside the art world from the artist perspective. The technical aspect of art forgery was facinating and was probably the best part of the story for me. Would recommend this book to anyone who loves art as well as a good mystery.
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