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Reviews by Andrea S. (Lafayette, IN)

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The Stars Are Fire
The Stars Are Fire
by Anita Shreve
Good book (3/19/2017)
I requested this story of the aftermath of catastrophic forest fires in Maine in 1947 because we had visited and been charmed by the Maine coast last fall. I was therefore familiar with many of the locations mentioned in the book. I don't know if the plot is based on an …more
Circling the Sun
Circling the Sun: A Novel
by Paula McLain
Fascinating! (5/25/2015)
I had requested this book because I had really enjoyed McLain's previous book, The Paris Wife. This one is the story of Beryl Markham, first woman aviator to cross the Atlantic. The book is not so much about the flight as what let up to her becoming a pilot and the woman …more
The Nightingale
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Powerful story of war and family (10/8/2014)
I read this book almost without stopping the last 200 pages because I became so involved in what was going on. The characters were well developed and believable. The horrors of war were the backdrop for this book that shows the strength of the human spirit. To know that the …more
The Race Underground
The Race Underground: Boston, New York, and the Incredible Rivalry That Built America's First Subway
by Doug Most
Fascinating Look Back (12/29/2013)
I really enjoyed this well researched and well written look at the development of the subway as the primary means of transportation in the late 19th century. Most has done a great job of portraying the problems, the solutions, and all the people and politics involved. The …more
Through the Evil Days
Through the Evil Days: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Another great entry in this series (9/3/2013)
I have read all of Julia Spencer-Fleming's Clare Fergusson series and have loved every one. This one was a little faster paced and less spiritual than others, but I could hardly put it down. I do think that it helps to have read the others because then you have a history …more
The Daughters of Mars
The Daughters of Mars
by Thomas Keneally
Tough Read (5/16/2013)
This was not a book that I took to at all. The subject matter was very emotional and the writing difficult to adapt to. I think it is more literary type fiction than I would ever want to read, but perhaps others will find it fascinating. There is a lot for a book club to …more
Eighty Days
Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World
by Matthew Goodman
19th Century Amazing Race (1/2/2013)
I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the 1889 race around the world between Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland. The book was well written and was as absorbing as any fiction book. As with all history books, it was an eyeopener as to how things seem different now but haven't …more
The Art Forger
The Art Forger
by B. A. Shapiro
Great Story about Art and Love (9/11/2012)
I was attracted to the subject matter because I have enjoyed other novels about art and art history before. This was a fascinating story about the science and ethics of art forgery, of fame and infamy, and the perils and joys of love. Shapiro's writing is very good, and I …more
A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar
A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar: A Novel
by Suzanne Joinson
Not What I Thought (5/31/2012)
I read the description of this book and thought I might find it interesting. Upon reading it, I found it to be slow and uninteresting. It is what I would call literary fiction, a genre I don't always enjoy. The plot was interesting, but Suzanne Joinson's writing style …more
Madame Tussaud
Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution
by Michelle Moran
Madame Tussand was fascinating (11/4/2011)
We have all heard of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and perhaps even visited it, but did you know who Madame Tussaud was? This book answers that question with an exciting account of the French Revolution and the involvement of many of the most important revolutionary figures …more
Original Sin
Original Sin: A Sally Sin Adventure
by Beth Mcmullen
A fun romp! (2/9/2011)
I thought this was a entertaining story in the vein of Janet Evanovich - made me laugh. There is not a lot for a book club to discuss but if you are looking for a good story to help you escape everyday life (like this winter!), this is the book for you.
The Doctor and the Diva
The Doctor and the Diva: A Novel
by Adrienne McDonnell
Not As Good As I Had Hoped (6/9/2010)
I like historical novels and thought the premise of this one sounded good. I didn't enjoy reading it as much. I never became interested in the characters and didn't really care what happened to them. I thought that the author's writing style was stiff, just didn't appeal to …more
Beautiful Assassin
Beautiful Assassin: A Novel
by Michael C. White
Absorbing story of war, politics and love (3/6/2010)
I could not put down this story of a Soviet assassin's tour of America in the early days of World War II. It did remind me a bit of the book/movie, "Flags of Our Fathers". We know the outcome from the beginning, but it did not spoil the unfolding of Tat'yana's tale. I …more
The Wives of Henry Oades
The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran
Gripping telling of history (12/8/2009)
Inspired by a true but little known event, Johanna Moran tells the story of Henry Oades from the point of view of his two wives. The story takes you from England to New Zealand to Oakland in the 1890's. Moran used the historical incident as the basis for this novel, but had …more
Under This Unbroken Sky
Under This Unbroken Sky
by Shandi Mitchell
Well done telling of life on the plains of Canada (9/21/2009)
This book was a very intense look at a little piece of Canadian history I was not familiar with. Ukrainian families were recruited to come and settle the plains of Canada in the 1930's during the Stalin era. Under This Unbroken Sky is the story of two of those families. The …more
The Toss of a Lemon
The Toss of a Lemon
by Padma Viswanathan
Sweeping Novel about Change in India (8/26/2008)
I enjoyed this sweeping novel of India in the 20th century as experienced by members of one family. Caught between ancient traditions and the beginning of the new India, the family must learn new ways of being a family. Most interesting to me was the theme of the unfairness …more
How Doctors Think
How Doctors Think
by Jerome Groopman
A look into your doctor's mind (5/7/2008)
This book should be read not only by patients and their families, but by doctors. There are many wonderful doctors in the field, but at this book points out, they are under pressure from economic forces to see more patients and spend less time with them. Hence, many of the …more
Heavenly Pleasures
Heavenly Pleasures: A Corinna Chapman Mystery
by Kerry Greenwood
Heavenly Pleasures (4/2/2008)
A good book for a reader looking for diversion. Greenwood creates an interesting world surrounding her heroine, Corinna, the baker, but I felt the development of the mystery was weak. There were many inside references to Australian culture that I found hard to understand …more
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