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Reviews by Chris W. (Temple City, CA)

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The Stolen Child
The Stolen Child: A Novel
by Ann Hood
The Stolen Child (4/29/2024)
At the beginning, I was curious how the seemingly very different story lines in this book would eventually intersect. A story of lost souls looking for forgiveness for past decisions and actions. The writing is beautiful and descriptive, as is the story telling. Character …more
The Day Tripper
The Day Tripper: A Novel
by James Goodhand
Day Tripping (12/6/2023)
I had some difficult getting into this novel and didn't like the main character. However, as the story continued, it became more compelling and I cared about what was happening to him. There are words of wisdom and thought-provoking conversations about the positive results …more
The Lost English Girl
The Lost English Girl
by Julia Kelly
Lost English Children (2/14/2023)
This is a great addition to a World War II library. I had known about English children being evacuated to the countryside, but this book made me think more about the consequences of that action for all parties. I also hadn't thought about English Jews who were safe in …more
The Last Russian Doll
The Last Russian Doll
by Kristen Loesch
A fascinating, must-read historical novel (10/28/2022)
I was excited to read this book and was not disappointed. I learned a lot about Russian history in the period from the Russian Revolution up to the late 20th century and even more about how the Russian people were affected during those turbulent times. This was a more …more
True Crime Story
True Crime Story: A Novel
by Joseph Knox
Unique Format (11/10/2021)
I really liked this book. The format was great - unique and intriguing. I wasn't sure if it was based on a true story, and I almost googled the characters' names. The characters were fairly well developed. There were enough plot twists to keep me turning pages and being …more
The Temple House Vanishing
The Temple House Vanishing
by Rachel Donohue
What a Debut! (4/11/2021)
What an engrossing, suspenseful, intense novel. The writing is terrific with beautiful descriptions. It was as if I could feel what the characters were feeling. Teenage angst, female friendships. how easily feelings are hurt, "mean girls," rule breaking, confusion, …more
The Last Tiara
The Last Tiara
by M.J. Rose
Interesting Russian history (12/24/2020)
This story hooked me from the beginning. Having married into a Russian family and having recently lost my own mother, I was further intrigued. The history of Russia was interesting. However, I don't think this book reached its potential. The plot was good, but the writing …more
I Want You to Know We're Still Here
I Want You to Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir
by Esther Safran Foer
Read this book!! (11/9/2019)
What a wonderful book. I have read many books about the horrors of the Holocaust and its victims, survivors, villains, heroes, and yet I learned so much from this author's fascinating story. For those who believe that life went on normally after the survivors were rescued, …more
The Seine
The Seine: The River that Made Paris
by Elaine Sciolino
The Seine Adventure (9/18/2019)
This book exceeded my expectations. I want to go to the source of the Seine with this book in hand and follow the river all the way to Normandy, rereading her stories and conversations and history. I can't wait to see the Seine in person armed with all this information. Ms. …more
The Volunteer
The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz
by Jack Fairweather
A Must Read (4/25/2019)
Having recently returned from a trip to Eastern Europe, including Poland and Auschwitz/Birkenau, I was looking forward to reading this book. This is a well-written, very well-researched book with extensive footnotes. I am happy that I was able to learn about Witold Pilecki. …more
The Last Collection
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
Fascinating history (2/26/2019)
Fashion, politics and love are prominent in this story as are the three primary colors - blue, red, yellow - and the three strong women in the narrator's life while she lived in Paris. I learned about the rivalry between Chanel and Schiaparelli, their backgrounds and …more
The Summer Wives
The Summer Wives
by Beatriz Williams
Summer Wives (5/17/2018)
The story grabbed me from the beginning and I didn't want to stop reading. It is well written. Alternating between time periods and social classes helped build the suspense of the novel. What is the back story of these characters? What secrets are they hiding? I enjoyed …more
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney
Fantastic! (11/8/2017)
I loved this book and I have been practically demanding that the people around me read it. I couldn't put it down. I started in the morning and all of a sudden it was dark outside. I would think I knew what was going on and then the author would throw a curveball. A couple …more
The French Girl
The French Girl
by Lexie Elliott
old secrets (9/17/2017)
This is not great literature or beautiful, lyrical writing, but it is a terrific mystery and page turner. I couldn't put it down. Old college friends are haunted by their pasts and re-examine their friendships; long-held secrets are uncovered. Is a good friend capable of …more
If We Were Villains
If We Were Villains
by M. L. Rio
Shakespearean Suspense (3/11/2017)
I liked this book a lot. The seven 4th-year Shakespearean actors and scholars were intriguing and well developed. They are at a small college and had been intensely studying and acting Shakespeare together for their entire college years. I initially worried that keeping …more
Castle of Water
Castle of Water: A Novel
by Dane Huckelbridge
beautiful prose (12/18/2016)
From the beginning of this book, I was blown away by the beautiful writing. It was a joy to read. The characters were well developed. I felt like I was on the island with them and went through their challenges with them. Their adventure was surprisingly better than I had …more
The Girl Before
The Girl Before
by JP Delaney
Suspenseful (11/10/2016)
An intense psychological thriller and page turner. I read this entire book on two airplane flights in one day. I could not put it down. It was well written, and the characters were developed through short chapters alternating between two women. It was a clever way to tell …more
The Six
The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters
by Laura Thompson
Intriguing sisters (6/9/2016)
This book was my introduction to the Mitford sisters. While I definitely enjoyed the history of the time period and location, the story jumped around too much. It would have been easier for me to follow in a more chronological presentation. There were so many names, …more
Amour Provence
Amour Provence
by Constance Leisure
I wanted a little more ... (3/19/2016)
The descriptions of the setting were detailed and lovely and made me want to visit this part of France, especially to see the vineyards. I enjoyed learning about some of the vintner traditions and struggles and the importance of the land to families. I was surprised and …more
The Sound of Gravel
The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir
by Ruth Wariner
the sound of sadness ... and triumph (11/9/2015)
I am so glad that books are being written about polygamy groups and the abuse suffered by some of the children and wives. To live in such horrid poverty and squalid conditions and to think that they believed their god wanted this for their families is hard to understand. …more
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    A searing new novel from the bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists, exploring four women's desires.
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