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Reviews by Barbara F. (Saint Louis, MO)

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The People We Hate at the Wedding
The People We Hate at the Wedding
by Grant Ginder
Our Loony Lives (4/12/2017)
I disagree with the majority of reviews, as I found the book very humorous. Humanity, when not at war, or suffering a chronic condition, is ripe for humor. What other species would crawl around in garbage, wanting TO GET BETTER emotionally....Is it not humorous that an …more
Precious Thing
Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth
What Attracts us…. (1/15/2014)
I have reviewed several first impression books, but this one seemed to have garnered the most requests for review..
In other words, we like to read about friendship, intrigue, deception and uncertainty….Read it…..it's fun and offers what it promises…truths about friendship, deception, and uncertainty….
Once We Were Brothers
Once We Were Brothers
by Ronald H. Balson
Please LIsten To Me (8/13/2013)
Interesting conversation is not always right at hand, but the conversational style of this book hooked me.
If you are interested in the Holocaust, and you are not a purist and do not mind a good story, along with the facts, then historical fiction is a good bet for you.. …more
Rage Against the Dying
Rage Against the Dying
by Becky Masterman
I like books a bit more realistic (12/30/2012)
Unrealistic characters,(the heroine is braver than Bond) unrealistic dialogue, strange relationships and a silly protracted ending just didn't do it for me...That being said, it was not boring, just not memorable or realistic.
Sharp
Sharp: A Memoir
by David Fitzpatrick
People Always Remember The Way You Make Them Feel (7/3/2012)
This memoir is an extremely honest portrayal of a profoundly serious mental illness which continued for David from young adult hood to middle age. I am sure some readers will feel disconnected as well as frustrated, wanting the answers to 'why'...As with drug addiction and …more
Cloudland
Cloudland: A Crime Novel
by Joseph Olshan
Henrietta the Hero (3/7/2012)
With so few prominent characters, you knew immediately that you would be suspicious of everyone in this "who-dunnit" taking place in rural Vermont. Complex relationships also play predominately in this easy read, and I know you will understand the title of my review once …more
The Most Dangerous Thing
The Most Dangerous Thing
by Laura Lippman
The Playhouse (8/10/2011)
Beware... playhouses can stir up lots of trouble, especially if the playhouse is in the woods. I am a bit weary of this genre; that being adults looking back at wayward mistakes during their youth. This book has plenty of potential but for this reader it is disjointed, a …more
Sister
Sister: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton
By all means...... (5/31/2011)
Do you have a sister?... then by all means read "Sister"....Only have brothers, then by all means read "Sister"....Only child? ...by all means read "Sister"
A five star absorbing, stylish winner....
A Box of Darkness
A Box of Darkness: The Story of a Marriage
by Sally Ryder Brady
A Missed Opportunity (1/10/2011)
This book is a clear example of the carnage and delusion that surrounds alcoholism. Homosexual and indeed many forms of sexual acting out is very common when men or women are in the throes of active addiction. There are consequences for behavior and Sally missed her …more
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
by Wesley Stace
Some things never change (11/13/2010)
If you find the opening first few chapters a bit tedious as you are not enraptured by English nuance and you aren't obsessed with the perfect opera, do not relinquish the pleasures this book offers if you stay till the end. I was totally engaged with the obsessive nature of …more
The False Friend
The False Friend
by Myla Goldberg
We need to look at the past, just don't stare (7/31/2010)
Not only did I enjoy this book, I am haunted (in a pleasant way) with the unanswered questions. I like ambivalence, imbalance and ambiguity. If you enjoy reading about ordinary people involved in less than ordinary events you might just be haunted rather than frustrated …more
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