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Reviews by Carolyn L. (Summerville, SC)

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The Fields
The Fields: A Novel
by Erin Young
Out in THE FIELDS (11/6/2021)
I found this novel quite complicated. The premise was good, and the writing is very good, but I was somehow dissatisfied. I am not a big fan of "teases", and there was plenty of that regarding the main character's past. I think that there were so many characters that there …more
The Last Chance Library
The Last Chance Library
by Freya Sampson
The Last Chance Library (7/13/2021)
This was a rather charming book about a very shy twenty-eight-year-old library assistant in a small English village, whose life is upended when it is announced that the council is planning to shut down the library. June is a very sympathetic character, although there were …more
Raft of Stars
Raft of Stars
by Andrew J. Graff
Raft of Stars (12/9/2020)
I enjoyed this book very much. The author writes beautifully, and I cared about the characters. I liked the boys' growth as they struggled on the river with the raft. It was a little difficult for me to follow the goings-on on the river, with the islands, upstream/ …more
The Sun Down Motel
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
The Sun Down Motel (11/20/2019)
I found this book to be mildly entertaining, but not unputdownable. I became frustrated at times with certain characters actions (or inactions), and I really questioned some of the legal ramifications near the end of the story (It's hard to be specific without giving a …more
Sounds Like Titanic
Sounds Like Titanic: A Memoir
by Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman
Sounds Like Titanic (1/22/2019)
I enjoyed this; the author is certainly an entertaining writer. Descriptions of her early life are interesting, and I could sympathize with her difficulties in finding herself at Columbia University' - Appalachia to NYC is quite a stretch. The story of her touring with The …more
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel
Satoru and Nana (6/7/2018)
I enjoyed this book very much. It started a little slowly for me, but I was soon drawn in by the relationship between Satoru and his cat Nana, and Nana's perky personality. We see the pair visiting several of his old friends, and we learn how Satoru's thoughtfulness has had …more
The Chalk Man
The Chalk Man
by C. J. Tudor
Who Is The Chalk Man? (12/11/2017)
I enjoyed this book. It held my interest throughout, and drew me back to read more late at night. I am getting tired of books that switch back and forth through time, but that format did work here, for the most part. The story was quite suspenseful, and there were surprises, …more
The French Girl
The French Girl
by Lexie Elliott
The French Girl (9/20/2017)
I found The French Girl to be interesting and suspenseful. The characters were well-written, and Kate Channing was a likable and sympathetic heroine. The story was plausible and held my attention. It's not great literature, but not a bad way to spend a few hours.
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel
by Bryn Greenwood
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things (5/27/2016)
I enjoyed this story of a young girl who experienced a horrendous childhood, and the misfit who loved her. The book is beautifully written and kept my attention throughout. I cared about the characters. There is crude language and explicit sexual references, but if you can …more
Crazy Blood
Crazy Blood
by T. Jefferson Parker
Not too crazy about Crazy Blood (2/19/2016)
I had mixed feelings about this novel. I was engrossed by parts of it, and rather turned off by others. The writing is very good, and the story is interesting, but perhaps it was the bizarre thoughts and behavior of Sky that bothered me--all that talk of punishment and …more
Circling the Sun
Circling the Sun: A Novel
by Paula McLain
Circling the Sun (6/11/2015)
I enjoyed this well-written, fictional account of the early life of Beryl Markham. She was certainly a strong, independent woman, a survivor, as she struggled to find happiness in a male-dominated, 1920s Africa. Paula McLain brings Kenya to life, and presents quite an …more
Irritable Hearts
Irritable Hearts: A PTSD Love Story
by Mac McClelland
Irritable Hearts (1/27/2015)
This is a powerful book, not for the squeamish. The language is often raw, and the author is frank about her sexuality and experiences. The reader learns much about PTSD, its causes and treatments (of which there are many), and how widespread it is, not only among veterans. …more
The Life I Left Behind
The Life I Left Behind
by Colette McBeth
The Life I Left Behind (12/6/2014)
It took me a while to decide if I liked the format of this book, but I gradually accepted it. It was an interesting story that drew me in more as I went along. I would have liked a bit more input by detective inspector Rutter, as well as some indication of any repercussions …more
The Last Enchantments
The Last Enchantments
by Charles Finch
The Last Enchantments (11/18/2013)
This is a skillfully written novel that I liked, but didn't love. The main character, Will, is a likable fellow, a Yale graduate who spent a year working on a presidential campaign for a losing candidate. After the election, he applied for acceptance at Oxford University ( …more
Letters from Skye
Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole
Love to read letters! (6/19/2013)
I have enjoyed epistolary novels in the past, and this one is no exception. It was a pleasure reading all the letters, and this format is a good way to keep track of time and place. There were interesting but not deep descriptions of life during both world wars, and the …more
The Last Girl
The Last Girl: A Maeve Kerrigan Novel
by Jane Casey
THE LAST GIRL (4/17/2013)
This was a very enjoyable thriller. It moved along at a good pace, most of the characters were well-developed, and I cared about what happened. The situations and dialogue for the most part seemed quite realistic (although I hope there are not too many men around like …more
With or Without You
With or Without You: A Memoir
by Domenica Ruta
Hard to say how I feel... (12/4/2012)
I couldn't write this review immediately after reading WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. It is a very readable memoir about growing up as the daughter of an alcoholic drug addict who wants all the same things for her daughter, and is afraid to turn in the pedophile "uncle" because of …more
Sentinel
Sentinel: A Spycatcher Novel
by Matthew Dunn
Sentinel (6/25/2012)
This book held my attention and moved along quickly. There could have been more character development, but it probably would have helped if I had read the first novel, Spycatcher, beforehand (and I intend to read it). All of the Russian names and places, as well as the …more
Paris in Love
Paris in Love: A Memoir
by Eloisa James
Loved "Paris in Love"! (3/23/2012)
I very much enjoyed this charming book! The author relates her observations and experiences over the course of the year her family moved to Paris. She writes so well, and her descriptions transported me to the City of Lights. Her 11-year-old daughter is a hoot, not an angel …more
No Mark Upon Her
No Mark Upon Her: A Novel
by Deborah Crombie
No Mark Upon Her (1/5/2012)
I enjoyed this book very much. British mysteries/suspense novels are among my favorite genres, and this one did not disappoint. It is well-written, with interesting characters and an intriguing plot. It involves championship-caliber rowing, which makes it out of the …more
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