BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Afterlife
by Julia Alvarez

Thoughts on Afterlife (2/4/2020)

Although Antonia is recently widowed shortly after retiring her career as an English professor, she has little time to mourn her husband. As women we tend to be caretakers to everyone but ourselves. Her crazy sisters and an undocumented pregnant teenager that showed up in her garage pull her attention away from grieving. She is torn between not getting involved and doing the right thing. I liked this little book and easily finished it in a couple days. I would recommend it to book clubs as it touches on a lot of issues that would spark good discussions.

The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin

Disappointing (11/4/2019)

I have always been interested in Spiritualism. I have a long time friend that is a medium (unofficially, doesn't sell her services) so a lot of what I read was familiar. I just could not get engrossed in this book. It piqued my interest enough to google Camp Etna and if I am ever up in Maine, might even check it out, but the book was just plain boring. I would not recommend this book to my book club as I don't think anyone in my group would enjoy it. Sorry, I really wanted to like it.

The Last Year of the War
by Susan Meissner

Never Give Up On Your Dreams (11/10/2018)

I loved the fact that Elise, in the early stages of Alzheimer's, was able to reconnect with her childhood friend after so many years and surviving the horrors of war. I think her dreams of finding Mariko were what kept her going through all the devastating losses she endured . The story of the war being told from the perspective of an American girl living in an internment camp was new for me. I didn't realize Germans had been placed in internment camps as well as Japanese. I really enjoyed the book. I would recommend it to historical fiction lovers as well as book clubs.

Listen to the Marriage
by John Jay Osborn

Good quick read (5/31/2018)

I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be intriguing, especially Sandy. I would have liked to hear more about her life as the author gave us just enough on her to pique my curiosity. I think all marriages have their own issues and can benefit from learning better communication skills. So I would recommend this book to anyone that is married or in a long term relationship. It was not only entertaining but therapeutic. I loved the idea of the marriage being it's own entity. I found myself cheering for Gretchen and Steve. Good read!

A Place for Us
by Fatima Farheen Mirza

APlace For Us (3/17/2018)

First of all I want to say I loved this book. I am amazed that such a young writer has such emotional depth. Having watched one of my son's closest friends grow up in an almost identical family, I have always empathized with the children. This book gives good insight to the parent's lives as well as the children, how hard it is to raise your children in a different culture than their peers. A real heartbreaking story, I found myself crying for their very real pain. The story does jump around from one time period to another. I will definitely be recommending this book to my book club.

Anatomy of a Miracle
by Jonathan Miles

Fiction or Not? (2/15/2018)

This was not the typical kind of book I enjoy . Framing it as a true story made it more appealing to me. The characters were very believable. The media, the church and everyone that tried to cash in on the miracle rang very true. My heart went out to Cameron as he seemed like such a victim. Not sure I will be recommending this book to friends. Parts of it were too slow -too much information that didn't need to be included. I liked the ending and hope that Damarkus and Cameron found some peace together.

Tell Me How This Ends Well
by David Samuel Levinson

Crazy Story (5/3/2017)

This was a very funny but at the same time disturbing story. A little too much background detail made it at times a bit draggy. I had a hard time finishing it. Not sure I would recommend it for my book club...the characters were a little too over the top.

The Next
by Stephanie Gangi

Meh..not my favorite. (8/7/2016)

I think it started out good, after Joanna died it progressively went downhill for me. Ned was such a flake that it was hard to believe she spent the last days of her life stalking him online and ignoring her daughters. I found Laney to be a likeable character. The last chapter or two were actually pretty good and almost didn't seem like the same author.

If I Forget You
by Thomas Christopher Greene

Lovely, touching story (4/20/2016)

I loved this book! It was hard to put down as I was drawn to both the main characters. I was especially touched by Henry. I liked the ending but was surprised by Margot's confession. Brought the book "Love Story" to mind -rich boy falls for poor girl. I would recommend this for book clubs, beach reads or a great weekend read.

Every Anxious Wave
by Mo Daviau

Every Anxious Wave-amusing (10/27/2015)

I would never have picked this book to read although I did end up strangely enjoying it. The characters are very real even though they are living such a fantasy life. Science fiction is not my thing and neither are 90s rock bands. I think if I were familiar with some of the music that was constantly being mentioned, I could have related to the story more. That being said, I would have to recommend this to music fans of that genre...perhaps forty somethings that are into time traveling?

Maybe in Another Life
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Fun read (7/6/2015)

I was a bit skeptical about how I would like the two concurrent stories, but really enjoyed it. The author did a good job of keeping the two separate and I never felt confused as to which was which. It really makes you think about how differently one choice can determine the course of your life. The characters were mostly very believable with the exception of Hannah's family over in England. Who just abandons their daughter like that? I think my book club would enjoy it.

Dangerous When Wet: A Memoir
by Jamie Brickhouse

Dangerous When Wet (3/6/2015)

I really liked this book. The story of a gay man's love affair with alcohol and his larger than life "Mama Jean" made for a hilariously heart rending read. Jamie seemed to have been born with his attraction to drinking. It started at such a young age. He was blessed with loving parents and many friends that loved him. I'm not sure I would recommend this for my book club as it may be a bit graphic for some members. That being said, it was a story I really enjoyed.

Blue Stars
by Emily Gray Tedrowe

Not my cup of tea (1/10/2015)

I feel that this book would be most appealing to readers with military involvement. It was hard for me to relate to this lifestyle and I found it difficult reading. I think it's a good story but went into way too much detail regarding the military. An unlikely friendship forms between two women different as night and day. They meet at Walter Reed while caring for their critically wounded loved ones returned from Iraq. I think the author used this book to showcase the nightmares that surround our wounded soldiers and the difficulties they must overcome upon returning home. I would recommend this book to women with military family.

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Realistic Family Drama (6/25/2014)

I don't know that I would say this book was "good" but it certainly grabbed my attention and held it. The tension throughout the story was unsettling. The author does a fabulous job of portraying the family dynamics of a dysfunctional family that suffers a tragic, preventable accident that turns their lives upside down. Spousal abuse, alcohol and drug abuse and infidelity all contribute to the story. My heart ached for the three innocent children, especially Emma who was forced to become the family caretaker. I think this would be a good book club selection. The women in my book group would surely have a few choice words in describing Ben!

Her
by Harriet Lane

Fascinating? (5/28/2014)

I was intrigued by Nina's obsession with Emma. What could possibly have happened to make her such a sick individual? Harriet Lane keeps the reader guessing for most of the book. As a mother and grandmother, I was dreading the ending. The author did a good job of developing her characters. It would make for a good book club discussion.

Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley

Mating For Life? (3/12/2014)

I am a bit confused as to why the author picked the title "Mating For Life" as most of the characters had had several mates. I suppose because of the blurbs regarding different animals and their mating habits at the start of each chapter? I am not really sure how that all tied into the story. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book and the authentic, quirky characters. I loved the way the sisters and their mom all came together when times were hard. I would recommend it for my book club and other women readers.

Glitter and Glue: A Memoir
by Kelly Corrigan

Touching Memoir (12/24/2013)

Never having read anything by Kelly Corrigan, I was delighted to find a new author I enjoy. I think being so far away from home and working as a mom to her two Australian charges, was the perfect scenario to make Kelly realize how big a role her own mom played in making her who she is. I loved quirky little Martin. Mother/daughter relationships always make for good discussions at book club .I would recommend this to any mom. Funny and touching.

Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany

Heroic Women in Safe With Me (11/5/2013)

As I received this book as an advance copy and the publication date is till 2014, I was sad to be unable to use it as my current book club choice. I loved it and think the other ladies would too! It was a quick read, but partly because I didn't want to put it down. It touches on several sensitive issues-spousal abuse, organ donation and death of a child among others. The central characters are all dealing with major life challenges - Hannah with the death of her daughter, Olivia with an abusive husband and sick daughter, and Maddie, not only dealing with the physical trauma of being sick for so long, but having a violent, controlling father.