BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris

Keep your interest (8/9/2018)

I would rate this 3.5. The story itself was a page turner - the idea taken from an actual photograph of four children next to a sign "4 children for sale". I never connected with the characters - more action and less emotion. The strained lifelong relationship between Ellis and his dad was resolved in one paragraph. There were multiple subplots - the orphanage, the Gantry's, the death of Victoria, the gangster Max Trevino - all very interesting - but nothing in depth. Conclusion: Great read for a book club to simply enjoy the story.

Vox
by Christina Dalcher

Lots of potential (5/6/2018)

The concept was intriguing - females can speak only 100 words a day. But the characters were one dimensional, too many medical/technical descriptions, and the conclusion was too abrupt.

Anatomy of a Miracle
by Jonathan Miles

Anatomy of a Miracle (1/7/2018)

Actually, I rate it 4.5. The book is written in journalistic style, and although the title reads "novel", I kept thinking, "This is nonfiction." Cameron, a former soldier, who has been paralyzed for 4 months, suddenly walks. Is it a miracle or a hoax? The novel describes the repercussions revolving around his recovery. The relationships between Cameron and his sister, Cameron and Staff Sergeant Damarkus Lockwood are beautifully written. The Afghanistan section of the book tied everything together. This novel is so different from what I usually read, and I will definitely recommend it.

The Alaskan Laundry
by Brendan Jones

A Different kind of Heroine (2/4/2016)

"Everyone coming north to get clean of their past" is how one character describes Alaska. That's why 19 year old Toni Marconi is in Sitka, Alaska. She is independent, fierce, short-tempered, but the reader wants her to succeed. The book is filled with unique individuals. I would never have read this on my own, but I enjoyed learning about the commercial fishing industry and Sitka, Alaska. I would not want to live there, but admire those that do.

Every Anxious Wave
by Mo Daviau

Not one of my favorites (10/4/2015)

In this time travel book, Karl Bender, bartender and former rock guitarist, has a wormhole in his apartment that sends people back to rock concerts. Accidentally, he sends his best friend Wayne to 980 instead of 1980. He finds a brilliant, overweight astrophysicist to help bring Wayne back. They fall in love, and jumping from the past to the future, Karl doesn't want to lose her.
I'm not in to rock bands and that part of the book did not interest me. I enjoyed Karl, Lena, Wayne, and Sahlil - their personalities and interactions. Their "serious" situations were very entertaining. I did feel, however, the last fourth of the book crammed too much in.

Trust No One: A Thriller
by Paul Cleave

Not for everyone (5/27/2015)

A real thriller. Jerry Grey (pen name Henry Cutter) is a very successful crime writer of brutal murders and bad men, He has been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's and that's where the story begins. He is convinced that he committed one murder and when more victims appear, the evidence all points to Jerry. He doesn't remember, but he doesn't feel like a murderer; and he keeps a journal - but can't find it. Lots of twists and turns, flash forward and backward - sometimes difficult to keep track. The story became too complicated toward the end, but overall, I enjoyed it.

Still Life Las Vegas
by James Sie

Very different (5/9/2015)

I can't believe this is James Sie's first book! I have never been interested in reading a graphic novel, but how else could he describe the death of his sister or his dad's version of reconnecting with his wife Emily. I had to put the book down several times simply because I was overwhelmed by what was happening to the characters. I did enjoy it. My only criticism is that there was so much going on - depression, Liberace, mythology, homosexuality - it was a lot to absorb.

The Wild Girl
by Kate Forsyth

Historical Fiction at its Best (4/1/2015)

The setting is central Germany during the reign of Napoleon. Dortchen Wild lives next door to the Grimm family and is best friends with Lotte Grimm. One of six daughters, Dortchen falls in love with Wilhelm Grimm but he barely notices her until she brings him fairy tales.

But more than the life of the Grimm brothers, it is the story of Dortchen - abused by her father, forbidden to marry Wilhelm, forced to stay home and care for her parents; she tries to explain her terrible secret to Wilhelm through the fairy tales. A totally different perspective on the collecting of the tales. It is a fascinating read.

The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
by William Klaber

An incredible story - truth is stranger than fiction (12/7/2014)

When Lucy's abusive husband abandoned her and their daughter, she had few options in the 1850s. She could find another husband or live and work at home. She did neither. She cut her hair, took her brother's clothes and became Joseph.

The first 2/3's of the book were very interesting - her jobs, falling in love. The author does an excellent job describing Lucy's feelings toward Lydia, her fears about exposure, and her friendships with men. One of the most interesting chapters was her trial - accused of dressing as a man.
I didn't give it a 5 because the last third of the book seemed unorganized and rambling. I felt the author just wanted it done.

Bitter Greens
by Kate Forsyth

Fairy Tale for Adults (8/12/2014)

I love fantasy - not romance - and this was great - a retelling of Rapunzel on an adult level. Three women: Charlotte-Rose, Margherita, and La Strega Bella - tell their stories. Through Charlotte-Rose, the reader learns of the excesses of Versailles, the debauchery and treachery under Louis XIV. Margherita is the the innocent, the Rapunzel locked in the tower by the evil La Strega Bella. The descriptions are detailed - the casual violence, poverty, religious purges, the plague. More than a fairy tale, it is a realistic look at Venice and Paris in the late 1500's to early 1600 's. The only criticism (and why it's not a 5), is that the story jumped from character to character and back and forth in time, which was confusing. It would be a difficult read on Kindle.

Enduring Courage: Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed
by John F. Ross

almost a 5 (4/4/2014)

I read Eddie Rickenbacker's "autobiography" in 1967 which I enjoyed, but Enduring Courage is the icing on the cake. The book emphasizes his car racing, WWI flying, and surviving two plane crashes. What a page turner! The book reads like fiction, but I learned so much about WWI flying and its changing philosophy. At times, a little too technical for me. I think it would be great supplemental reading for high school history.

Doing Harm
by Kelly Parsons

Couldn't sleep. Had to finish it. (10/30/2013)

I enjoyed this medical thriller. It was very suspenseful, and I confess, I jumped ahead to the ending - so I could sleep at night. The medical information was written so the average person could understand the situations, and the reader realizes that there are mistakes and doctors aren't perfect but for the most part, doing their best. My only criticism was GG - somewhat unbelievable, larger than life - attractive, confident, super intelligent, and a black belt in tae kwon do. The ending was somewhat Hollywood with everything working out, but it is definitely a fun read.

Henry and Rachel
by Laurel Saville

Slow moving story (9/15/2013)

It is a story of the relationship between Henry and Rachel told mostly from their viewpoints, and from the perspectives of James, the oldest son, Margaret, the daughter, and family friends.
I thought the story was sad. Rachel takes three of her children to New York City, leaving James, the oldest son, with Henry. She wanted a better education for her children which did not happen. They were very poor. I don't think Rachel was ever happy - she had no relationship with Henry or her children. She preferred being alone.
The best parts of the book were the vivid descriptions of Jamaica and New York City in the mid 1800's. I never really cared about Henry or Rachel and won't miss them when the book is back on the shelf.

The Affairs of Others
by Amy Grace Loyd

Better Than a Beach Read (7/10/2013)

The novel is about two women recovering from the loss of a husband - one by death and one by betrayal.

Celia is a young widow who becomes the owner of a small apartment building, and her tenants are chosen because they respect privacy. The book is well written. Each chapter is a mini story within the novel. Both Celia and Hope are well developed as characters, but personally, I couldn't relate to their choices. I wanted them to move on. I did enjoy Celia's thought and opinions about her tenants and those who visited the apartment. It is a thoughtful book not one for those looking for a page turner.

A Nearly Perfect Copy
by Allison Amend

Almost a 5 (3/5/2013)

This novel is so different from what I normally read. I know very little about the art world and found myself googling the works of different artists. The events are show through the eyes of Elm, a woman with a loving family and a great career at the Tinsley auction house, and a talented artist Gabriel Connois who hasn't "made" it yet. They both want something - Elm, her young son Ronan, lost in the Thailand tsunami; Gabriel - recognition and money.

Both decide that the end justifies the means: Elm accepts paintings that are forgeries and Gabriel paints them. Elm is able to clone her son but loses her job and husband Colin. The one part that wasn't that believable was the money issue. Both Elm and Colin work to support their family, and yet, Elm manages to pay $250,000 for the cloning by deleting their savings, her 401K, selling forgeries, and Colin had no clue. Even though, I really did not like Elm or Colin, the author describes their thought and feelings so well, I could understand their choices.

Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin

An unusual story (1/10/2013)

I was hooked in the first three pages with Daniel's (age 9 4/5's) description of his older brother Max. The story is told from the viewpoint of 6 different characters. It is a coming of age and family in crisis situation.... I didn't rate it a 5 because the discussions about the XX/XY sex chromosomes were too long. The story, however, is fascinating and the characters very real.

The Spy Lover
by Kiana Davenport

not for the faint-hearted (11/30/2012)

I learned alot from this book. Didn't know that Chinese immigrant men were kidnapped to serve in the Confederate army or southern women grew poppies for opium. I enjoyed the story line told from the father's view, Johnny Tom, the daughter's, Era, and the Confederate soldier, Warren. The writing is beautiful. The graphic descriptions of war, abuse toward nonwhites and women might bother some readers. The only reason I didn't rate the book a 5, I thought the ending dragged on. It is a book I will reread.

The Forgetting Tree: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli

Highly Recommend (8/8/2012)

An amazing read. Grabs your attention from the first page. The death of 10 year old Joshua completely shatters the family and Claire, the mother, immerses herself in the family orange farm - shutting out her husband, two daughters, and friends.
When the girls are grown and gone, her husband remarried, Claire is diagnosed with breast cancer. Needing chemotherapy and radiation, she needs a caregiver, and Minna/Marie/Maleva becomes a part of Claire's world. The relationship that develops between vulnerable Claire and the sultry and seductive Caribbean woman is fascinating. Beautifully written, I enjoyed this book even more than her first novel, The Lotus Eaters.

Sentinel: A Spycatcher Novel
by Matthew Dunn

not a page turner (6/7/2012)

I really tried to like it because I enjoy spy/political thrillers (authors Olen Steinhauer, Alan Furst), but this left me cold. The main character, Will Cochran, has no personality. He and the other characters seemed one dimensional. The story itself was interesting - rogue Russian agent setting off a nuclear bomb that would be blamed on the U.S. and war would result. But the buildup was not exciting - 18 pages describing the tracking of a defecting U.S. sailor - boring. Detailed descriptions of weapons - boring. I would rather have a complex storyline with interesting characters.

The First Warm Evening of the Year: A Novel
by Jamie M. Saul

Not Much Going On (4/18/2012)

Geoffrey, a 42 year old bachelor, is asked to be the executor of his friend Laura's estate. Once, best of friends, he hasn't seen her in 20 years. He meets Marion, her best friend, who lost her husband 10 years before and is still mourning. Both Geoffrey and Marion are in convenient relationships, but that changes when Geoffrey falls in love with Marion and convinces her to take a chance on love again. This book wasn't stimulating enough for me. A book for a lazy afternoon at the beach - quickly read and forgotten.

Reviews by Catharine L. (Petoskey, MI)

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