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Reviews by Molly K. (San Jose, CA)

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The Mountains Sing
The Mountains Sing
by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
A Family Story (1/15/2020)
A beautifully written tragic story of countries at war and the families that suffered. Here, in the United States, we have not seen war for over 150 years. For most of us, war happens there, not here. We read about it and care about it, but we do not live it. Fortunate is a …more
The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt
The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt: A Novel
by Andrea Bobotis
A Table of Characters (7/11/2019)
I loved the story. The writing is exquisite. I loved the small town southern setting. I loved the mystery and how the clues revealed themselves slowly throughout the book. I liked the first person narrative; normally, I don't.

I agree with most of the previous reviewers, and …more
A People's History of Heaven
A People's History of Heaven
by Mathangi Subramanian
A Caste of Jewels (3/5/2019)
Do not be deceived! This is a book of poetry. The words glisten off the page, and they are alive. It has been a privilege to read this story.

Five young women, with their families, friends, and teachers, live in poverty. Yet they find the strength and stamina to fight the …more
Sold on a Monday
Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris
Fake News (8/19/2018)
This "happily ever after" book started with an enticing premise. What happened when children were sold for survival during the great depression? (Parenthetically, children were sometimes relinquished for adoption, but rarely for cash.)

An unforgivable error occurred when …more
The Family Tabor
The Family Tabor
by Cherise Wolas
Family Ties (4/24/2018)
First, the plusses: I loved the plot, the story of a three-generation family that seemingly loves and respects each other. All the grownups have successful careers and the children are charming and well-behaved. I enjoyed the interweaving of the families religious …more
The Chalk Man
The Chalk Man
by C. J. Tudor
Hopscotch (11/29/2017)
Hopscotch. Chalk Man had me at page 1 and never let go. I refer to the language and the writing style. I marked a number of passages to read and reread and will use one of them as the introduction to a discussion I am leading later this week. A few brought forth a tear or …more
The French Girl
The French Girl
by Lexie Elliott
Murder in the Well (9/6/2017)
I waned to love this book. I enjoy mysteries and whodunnits, and I like to read stories about long-term friendships and their changes over time.

The plot line is excellent, but its path meanders with too many frivolous conversations, over wrought writing ("almost fiercely", …more
No One Is Coming to Save Us
No One Is Coming to Save Us
by Stephanie Powell Watts
Saving Ourselves (4/18/2017)
One of the most beautifully written books I have come across in a long time. Special kudos for the conversations: realistic, interesting, and an amazing reflection of the characters' insights into themselves and others. The writing style and the conversations together make …more
Before the War
Before the War
by Fay Weldon
Anyway... (10/31/2016)
Actually, I give this book a rating of 2plus. I haven't read any of Fay Waldon's previous works. However, she is the main character in this novel, and she certainly seems to enjoy herself.

Waldon writes as if she is composing the book as she goes along--lots of parenthetical …more
The Children
The Children
by Ann Leary
The End of the Family (5/11/2016)
I was hooked on the first page and loved the first third of the story. Quirky, likeable characters, captivating plot, and some laugh out loud funnies. Then, the plot began to meander with a house tour and Mr. Clean. Neither added to the story, and Mr. Clean was a obvious …more
The Two-Family House
The Two-Family House
by Lynda Cohen Loigman
Upstairs Downstairs (11/4/2015)
I loved this book. No, it's not the next great American novel. But, it spoke to me in ways I could never imagine.

One of four daughters to parents in postwar America, I always knew that my father's biggest regret in life was not having a son.

Loigman's character are well …more
We That Are Left
We That Are Left
by Clare Clark
We That Are Left Out (7/21/2015)
I wanted to like this story more than I did.

Clare Clark writes about complex characters whose lives come together around the disposition of a grand, but decaying, estate in post WWI England. The story is well developed as each character's motives and interests are explored …more
Fishbowl
Fishbowl: A Novel
by Bradley Somer
A Fish's Eye View (5/6/2015)
As other readers, I found this story original, well written, witty at times, whimsical, and charming. The residents of the Seville on Roxy are unique, each one seeking his or her own truth.

So, why am I giving this story only three stars? I just could not connect to the …more
The Book of Speculation
The Book of Speculation
by Erika Swyler
Spectacular Speculation (4/8/2015)
I was excited on the first page, and when the author described language as beginning to knit, I was hooked.

Erika Swyler is a brilliant knitter of words. I enjoyed her writing style as much as I enjoyed the story she created. It's full of mystery, suspense, fantasy, and …more
Blue Stars
Blue Stars
by Emily Gray Tedrowe
Supporting our Soldiers and Those They Leave Behind (12/10/2014)
I really wanted to like this book, and in some ways I did. Tedrowe's writing style is unique and spontaneous. I could hear the characters speaking as I read. The story line is also compelling: two families, two lifestyles, two soldiers, and two stories.

I also commend the …more
The House We Grew Up In
The House We Grew Up In
by Lisa Jewell
A Tomb of Sadness (3/10/2014)
There is such overwhelming sadness in this story of a family destined for defeat. Beth said it best. "We're a badly planned dinner party." (p. 142)

As the years go by, the story develops around the Easter holiday at the family home. The symbolism is clear, that suffering …more
The Headmaster's Wife
The Headmaster's Wife
by Thomas Christopher Greene
The Headmasters' Lives (12/11/2013)
I was captured on the first page. Police inquiries, illicit romance, set-ups, tragedy, and a reunion of past love.

The writing is exquisite. The story, though, is often disturbing and the time shifts without warning. The ending is much too tidy and not very satisfying.

Still, …more
A Man of His Own
A Man of His Own
by Susan Wilson
Pax, the Magic Dog (8/14/2013)
There's a fairy tale quality to this story; lives in distress, a dog in shining armour, and compelling characters who live happily ever after. It's a story of lives being put back together rather than being torn apart. It's also a story filled with tension and personal …more
The Last Girl
The Last Girl: A Maeve Kerrigan Novel
by Jane Casey
A Delicious Whodunnit (4/22/2013)
I found this story entertaining. It kept me guessing all the way. Generally, I don't care for novels written in the first person, one dimensional at best, narcissistic at worst. But, this story is told through conversation, and it is delightful.

Characters are well developed, …more
Calling Me Home
Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler
Wishing for More.... (12/2/2012)
It is difficult to criticize a story whose subject and characters are so compelling.

I found the story to be well written, if occasionally overtold and often repetitious. The random crossword puzzle injections were welcome and pleasantly distracting.

However, the story itself …more
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