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Reviews by Anita P. (Lutherville, MD)

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The Wager
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
by David Grann
Gripping Tale of Survival and History (3/4/2023)
This well-researched narrative of The Wager takes elements of true crime and history and combines it with a deliciously literary way of storytelling to make a very compelling read. Set in 1740, The Wager was part of a squadron whose mission was to capture a treasure-filled …more
A Ladder to the Sky
A Ladder to the Sky: A Novel
by John Boyne
Boyne is Brilliant (9/16/2018)
John Boyne's Heart's Invisible Furies was my favorite book I read last year (out of 50 mostly literary titles), and this book may be my favorite for this year. Maurice Swift, our protagonist, is the type of villain that readers can love to hate. Boyne cleverly reveals the …more
Clock Dance
Clock Dance: A Novel
by Anne Tyler
A sincere, sympathetic soul is the core of Clock Dance (7/8/2018)
Subtle, yet heartwarming and inspiring, Clock Dance manages to create a protagonist, Willa, that represents the internal voice that so many women have. The voice that tells us to act politely under all circumstances and never create a fuss. The voice that asks ourselves " …more
Seven Days of Us
Seven Days of Us: A Novel
by Francesca Hornak
Fans of The Nest will love this title (5/16/2017)
This quick paced novel about a mildly dysfunctional family quarantined together over Christmas has moments of warmth and wit. The plot revolves around the relationships of a food critic, his wife, and their two daughters, Phoebe and Olivia. Some of the circumstances this …more
Victoria
Victoria
by Daisy Goodwin
Captivating Story of Young Queen Victoria (10/12/2016)
It feels like it has been awhile since I read a book that felt strictly like pleasure reading, and Victoria was perfect in that regard. Goodwin's storytelling is wonderful - - I felt transported to the 19th century and captivated by the story of an 18 year old Queen who …more
Shelter
Shelter
by Jung Yun
Very compelling story of the intergenerational impacts of family dysfunction (12/11/2015)
Shelter has that "can't put it down" quality that every reader covets. The book shows three generations of a family that are seriously impacted by the behavior of the oldest generation. Yun rivets the reader by using both elements of mystery and psychological suspense to …more
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
by Katherine Boo
An Important Book; Excellent for Book Clubs (12/28/2011)
Reporter Katherine Boo gives us an important and eye opening narrative of four years of life in a slum of Mumbai. Her book illustrates the day to day existence of people who must contend with incredible corruption and lack of safety in their daily lives in a way that helps …more
The Good Father
The Good Father: A Novel
by Noah Hawley
Intriguing, psychological novel (11/28/2011)
I love a book that I can't put down; and The Good Father definitely was one of those. The story follows the life of child of divorce through the eyes of his father. As a child of divorce myself, I could really relate to the issues the book raises about how a parent thinks …more
The Most Dangerous Thing
The Most Dangerous Thing
by Laura Lippman
Lippman's writing propels this story at top speed (8/1/2011)
In my mind, this book is perfect for summer reading - - suspenseful, fast paced, and a real page turner. I also love how Lippman (who I have not read before) weaves in all sorts of details about Baltimore. Not merely about the geography, but details about life here that are …more
Vaclav & Lena
Vaclav & Lena: A Novel
by Haley Tanner
Fabulous debut novel (6/14/2011)
I loved this debut novel about two children, born of Russian immigrants and living in modern day America. Vaclav and Lena are childhood friends, both Russian, but with extremely different home lives. As children they bond over Vaclav's dream to be a magician. Unfortunately, …more
A Box of Darkness
A Box of Darkness: The Story of a Marriage
by Sally Ryder Brady
Outstanding!! by Anita P. (Lutherville, MD) - Administrator of Play Book Tag (12/24/2010)
There will inevitably be comparisons of "A Box of Darkness" to "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion, but I just think this book is even more breathtaking. Brady is completely honest. Her frankness shines a flashlight on her lengthy marriage in a way that just lets …more
Minding Ben
Minding Ben: A Novel
by Victoria Brown
Minding Ben (12/19/2010)
This story of an immigrant's experience in NYC is told in a well executed first person voice -- and the strength of this voice held my interest. However, the author tries to do too much. There are too many shallowly drawn characters. The three Jewish characters (the …more
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    The Devil Finds Work
    by James Baldwin
    A book-length essay on racism in American films, by "the best essayist in this country" (The New York Times Book Review).
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