BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Big Girl, Small Town
by Michelle Gallen

A Kind of Anti-Heroine (11/17/2020)

The main character, Majella, leads a rich interior life...but to the outside world, a very dull one. The book's style reminded me a little of James Joyce - no quotes for conversation, much interior thought process, a kind of gossipy, small-town feel to the characters. Majella has a distinctive voice and I found myself empathizing with her difficult life, even though I could not admire her. There was growth and change towards the end of the book - I might have given it a "very good" rating if the change had emerged from within, rather than being triggered by an exterior event. One warning - if swear words and amoral conduct in a story are offensive, this may not be the right book for you. But I'm glad I read it, and I'd be interested in reading this author's next work.

Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights
by Dovey Johnson Roundtree , Katie McCabe

A Mighty Important Book (11/8/2019)

I'd recommend that every American read this compelling book. It is written from the perspective of a fighter for legal justice who was intimately involved in the civil rights movement. Dovey Johnson Roundtree is an admirable person, and her life story is both compelling and impressive.

The Shadow King: A Novel
by Maaza Mengiste

Lyrical language highlights a difficult era (8/9/2019)

Oh, the writing is so beautiful - yet the story is so sad. Maaza Mengiste is a phenomenal writer, and I recommend reading this novel for that reason alone. The characters are fascinating, and it shows us a period in history that might otherwise be forgotten. I plan to read her other book, also, because of the impressive way she uses language.

Golden Child
by Claire Adam

Rich, complex, and compelling story (11/6/2018)

Claire Adam is an exceptional writer. Her descriptions and characters were so true-to-life that I felt like I was inside the story. Once I started I had to find out what happened to Paul and to his family. Although the ending is bittersweet, this book is an example of transcendent contemporary writing.

Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris

Intriguing story (8/28/2018)

I would definitely recommend reading Sold on a Monday. The book is fiction but in some ways it reads like non-fiction due to the author's research and historical detail. I'd give the story an A, the writing a B. I believe this is an author who will become a better writer in time.

The Devoted
by Blair Hurley

Finding one's path in life (5/17/2018)

I really loved this book. It is not so much about Buddhism as it is about the pull of addictive relationships that can keep us from moving forward, especially when emotional needs are not met within the family. Once I started reading it was hard to put down, and the non-linear manner in which the story is told added to the intrigue.

Anatomy of a Miracle
by Jonathan Miles

Fiction that reads like non-fiction (2/21/2018)

I'd have to give this one a 4- or a 3 rating. I had difficulty getting into the story since it reads like a non-fiction book. Lots of characters, lots of digression into their backgrounds, so the start of the book seemed slow. I loved the premise, and I stuck with it, but I'm not sure most people would. There are brilliant paragraphs and insights, with long and rather dull passages in between. It became more alive towards the end, so if you can hang in till then, it is worth reading.

Next Year in Havana
by Chanel Cleeton

Intriguing story of Cuba - past and present (11/12/2017)

I really enjoyed the book, which moves back and forth between Marisol's visit to present-day Cuba and her grandmother Elisa's story of Cuba in the late 1950's when Fidel Castro came into power. The contrasts between past and present, between romanticized memories and stark realities, about families, love, and power, made me think about the story long after I finished it. I look forward to the next book by this author.

Edgar and Lucy
by Victor Lodato

An excellent writer, an intriguing story (1/19/2017)

If you enjoy character-driven stories illustrated with luminous prose, you will enjoy Edgar and Lucy. Edgar's relationship with his grandmother, Florence, his mother Lucy, and Conrad the man who takes him away from his family, comprise the main story. But the ghost of his father and his grandmother, and Edgar's interior dialogue add depth to the story. I'm impressed with the way the author gets into Edgar's head and shows us his point of view. I plan to read anything else this author writes -- his work is definitely worth reading if you like literary fiction.

The Next
by Stephanie Gangi

Excellent writer, quirky characters, worth reading (7/26/2016)

I'm a very character-driven reader and at first I found Joanna, the main character, hard to like. She's not your stereotypical loving mother saying good-bye to her family as she's dying, that's for sure. But the quality of the writing kept me reading; it's a very sensual book, the descriptions are exotic and at times lovely, and revenge, well, sometimes we all long for it, even when we know forgiveness is what we should aim for. If you are willing to accept a very non-traditional character traveling through an eerie after-world, I think you'll finish it, maybe with a sign of relief. The author is definitely gifted and I would want to read her next book, with high hopes that her main character might be someone I could empathize with more.

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel
by Bryn Greenwood

An unconventional love story (5/18/2016)

I couldn't put this one down. The characters are unusual, but they feel like real people, and the story is compelling. Wavy and Kellen are truly star-crossed lovers. You can't help but root for Wavy and Kellen and Donal to be together as a family. I plan to read any future books by Bryn Greenwood.

Amour Provence
by Constance Leisure

A Sweet Taste of Provence (3/28/2016)

Although this is a novel, it is formatted as a series of interconnected stories about the inhabitants of a small village in Provence. There's a real-life poignancy to the stories. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I'm actually going to reread it, because I know I missed some details on the first read-through. If you like escaping into a world that is different from your own, with (mostly) likable characters in real-life situations, you'll enjoy Amour Provence.

Far From True: A Promise Falls Novel
by Linwood Barclay

Far from Excellent... (12/13/2015)

This is the first Linwood Barclay book I've read. I wish I could say I'm impressed, but after finishing it I realized I didn't know who the main character was, and none of the ensemble of quirky characters made a lasting impression. For me, character-driven stories are what makes the plot come alive. There were "hooks" all along the way that kept me reading, but the story wasn't particularly suspenseful and the ending was disappointing. There are a lot of NY Times Bestsellers, that don't seem like they should be best sellers to me...this is one of them.

Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Well worth reading (1/5/2015)

I couldn't put this book down once I started reading. Paul is an intriguing character and the setting is fascinating. At the same time it transcends genre and is more than a mystery. It becomes a study of secrets and the effects they have on people's lives. I now plan to read everything Jan-Phillipp Sendker has written.

Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth

Edge of Seat Suspense! (1/7/2014)

I inhaled this book, just couldn't stop reading once I started. It explores an adolescent friendship that borders on extreme codependency and begins to fall apart in adulthood. Or did it fall apart long before then? Is it friendship or something much darker? I loved the book and will read everything the author writes in the future.

Buying In
by Laura Hemphill

A very scary portrait of the banking industry (10/23/2013)

No, it's not a thriller or a horror novel, but it's scary, nevertheless. The writing is excellent, I like Sophie, but I'm not sure I agree with reviewers who praise her for outfoxing the men around her. Is this what banking is about? Fooling and manipulating people, including co-workers, clients, and the public? This book is quite thought-provoking and I do recommend reading it. You may, like me, wonder if Sophie's success is worth the sacrifices she makes, and what the long-term consequences of staying in the field will be. My favorite character was Vasu, and I'd love to read a sequel with Vasu as the main character.

The Laws of Gravity
by Liz Rosenberg

Engaging Characters and a Fascinating Story (4/17/2013)

I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down once I started it. The author creates an ensemble of believable characters with a lot of depth, a quality which puts this book on a higher plane. The story is intriguing - it makes the reader think. This novel is well worth reading, and I'm looking forward to more of Liz Rosenberg's work.

Parlor Games
by Maryka Biaggio

Great setting, flawed character, good reading (4/5/2013)

Since I'm from the Midwest and have lived in Chicago and Wisconsin, I found the setting of Parlor Games of special interest. I had a little trouble getting into this book at the beginning, because I found the character hard to like. That feeling continued until the end, but the author's writing style and the historical setting and the research it displayed kept me going. Since this story is based on a real person, the character flaws are not something created by the author. I'd like to see her write a future book about a woman (or man) with a more admirable nature.

A Nearly Perfect Copy
by Allison Amend

Two Fascinating Worlds with Interesting Characters (3/13/2013)

Once I moved past the rather slow beginning, the author's intimate knowledge of the settings of this novel kept me going. The art worlds of New York and Paris are fascinating, and then the author throws in the main character Elm's obsession with grief, a refusal to stop mourning the death of a child that leads to a whole new set of problems. While Gabriel, the Paris artist, was also interesting, I found this book to be more plot-driven and issue-driven than character-driven. That said, the writing is excellent, the book is well worth reading, and I look forward to reading more from Allison Amend.

Ghostman
by Roger Hobbs

Ghostman - A Thrilling Debut Novel (1/30/2013)

The main character may be a bad guy, but author Roger Hobbs gives him a clear voice and a code of standards. The hero of Ghostman is a compelling character, and I found myself on his side, rooting for him, despite his off-the-grid criminal lifestyle. The story begins with a botched casino robbery and the hunt for the missing stolen money, which must be recovered quickly before the evil employer who hires Jack Delton, one of many aliases the Ghostman uses, is destroyed. Jack finds himself caught between his scary employer and the even scarier Wolf, a criminal mastermind who owns Atlantic City. The plot twists and turns and the reader wonders who to believe, who to trust, and what to do next, right along with Jack. This amazing story is well-researched, thrilling, and intriguing to the very end. I plan to read everything this author writes, and I look forward to his next book, where I hope we'll not only see more of Jack, but more of the mysterious Angela, as well.

Reviews by Elizabeth K. (Dallas, TX)

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