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Reviews by Ariel F. (Madison, WI)

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Rise: How a House Built a Family
by Cara Brookins

Thinking big and overcoming obstacles! (10/12/2016)

Many of us think big and want things but few overcome the obstacles to obtain them. I received this memoir and immediately became absorbed in it. I finished it in one night. I was completely taken by the author and her children's desire to put behind a life of abuse and …more

Falling
by Jane Green

Enjoyable Summer Read (6/2/2016)

I found Falling to be an easy summer read. I knew from the title that someone would fall in love. Emma leaves her family in England and moves to New York City to work in the fast pace world of finance. She does not enjoy the NYC pace and moves to Connecticut. In Connecticut, …more

Tuesday Nights in 1980
by Molly Prentiss

A blast from the past! (1/13/2016)

Tuesday Nights in 1980, deals with art scene in New York and the lives of various people in the scene. The book takes a lot of different twists and turns.

The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir
by Ruth Wariner

Positive actions triumph over obstacles. (11/10/2015)

I received the book and dug right into it. I found the book to be intense at times. No one know what other people endure. I have always had opinions about polygamists and this book confirmed some of my suspicions. It is so sad when women and children are abused both …more

The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes
by Anna McPartlin

Facing Death on Your Own Terms! (7/4/2015)

This book was written by a British author and some if the words were initially hard for me to understand.

A moving story of Rabbit and how she faces her own death. At times you laugh with her and her family. Other times you cry with them. I felt deep sympathy for her daughter.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming

Her life was not all Camelot! (11/16/2014)

I was a 17-year old college freshman when JFK was killed. I remember how the assassination impacted me. I had never given much thought to how the assassination would impact Jackie.

I found this to be a sensitive, well written biography. When ever I thought of Jackie and JFK, …more

Small Blessings
by Martha Woodroof

Do we really know ourselves or others? (5/22/2014)

This book about a small college and the various people in the town. Tom a mild mannered college English professor has been married to his wife, Marjory, who has emotional problems for over 23 years. Rose comes to town as the Assistant Book Store Director and Marjory begins …more

Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley

Is it really mating for life? (3/25/2014)

This book about families and their functionality vs dysfunction was interesting. A hippy mom who did not to be monogamous and her 3 daughters, each with their own issues. I found myself thinking of how I would handle some of the situations that the daughters encountered. …more

The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
by Kelly Harms

What are the chances? (6/13/2013)

What are the chances of two people in the same city having the same name and winning a house in a Home Sweet Home sweepstakes? This debut novel by Kelly Harms takes you thru their journey. Experience their joys, frustration, trials and tribulations as you go on their …more

Children of the Jacaranda Tree
by Sahar Delijani

Gripping debut novel (2/14/2013)

I found Children of the Jacaranda Tree to be a gripping story of what happened in the Iranian revolution after the Shah was over thrown. I felt that while this was a novel, the author based it on what she had really heard that had happened to either family members or …more

Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler

An unlikely friendship -- Miss Isabell and Dorrie! (11/27/2012)

This is an outstanding debut novel!
Alternating between the present and 1930/40's, the author draws you into the lives and conversations between an elderly white woman and a young black hair dresser as they drive from Texas to Ohio. Both women have secrets that they have …more

Indiscretion
by Charles Dubow

Like the Great Gatsby? You'll enjoy this book. (11/2/2012)

Interesting readable novel set in the New York City area. If you liked the Great Gatsby, you will like this novel.

It was a quick read about a successful author, his indiscretions and their impact on others. The characters were wealthy and for the most part likeable.

I would …more

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From the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop.

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