Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World
by Matthew Goodman

A Whirlwind Trip (12/21/2012)

What a fascinating book! One of the best books I've read in a long time. The author has done an amazing amount of research on Nellie Bly & Elizabeth Bisland's trips around the world. However, none of the research comes across as dull or tedious. The reader gets …more completely caught up in the race (or journey as Ms. Bisland would call it) and you cannot put this book down.

I highly recommend it for those who love to travel, arm chair travelers and for the historical information you learn about the 1890s in America. This book covers one of THE most revolutionary and inventive times in history.

I think Book Clubs would like this book. An interesting question to pose would be, "Which of these ladies would YOU like to travel around the globe with?" (less)

A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee

No apologies necessary! (10/12/2012)

An excellent book one of the most enjoyable I've read in a long time. Jonathan Dee draws you in immediately and you really care about the characters and what happens to them. The plot is not predictable, the characters are believable and well drawn.

I loved the lead …more character Helen. She is forced by her husband's actions to become an independent woman and we root for her to succeed. Mr. Dee does not make her a clichéd character as he could easily have done. He also gives an interesting inside view of the world of PR.

There is enough substance for it to be a good choice for a book club. I am definitely recommending it to friends and now want to read more of Mr. Dee's work. (less)

Have Mother, Will Travel: A Mother and Daughter Discover Themselves, Each Other, and the World
by Claire & Mia Fontaine

Very Oprahesque (6/14/2012)

I started out feeling this book was THE best book I’d read all year, but had to drop down from a 5 to a 4 rating. It is really two books in one. The first part about the scavenger hunt was fantastic! Loved the descriptions of their travels; they saw places I’ll never get to …more see anyone would love this part.

Then it ended without ever telling us how they finished up that part of the story (I still wonder how many points they earned). The second part was extremely introspective. At times I almost felt like I was intruding on someone’s diary, it was a bit uncomfortable, like eavesdropping.

After awhile I wanted to edit out the word 'authentic.' There was too much personal information, especially on Claire’s part. I did love reading about mother/daughter relationships and this book does make you think a lot about your own life and decisions. The dual narrative flowed well and it was easy to follow.

I think it would make for TERRIFIC book club discussions, and am definitely recommending it to friends. Even if you do not have children it is an interesting, thought provoking book, just needed a little more editing. (less)

Oxford Messed Up
by Andrea Kayne Kaufman

Never underestimate the power of music. (3/3/2012)

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I could not put it down. I just HAD to know what happens to Gloria and Henry. Although this could have veered into a clichéd love story, Ms. Kayne Kaufman was careful not to cross over into that realm.

I …more learned a lot about OCD and the terrible effect it can have on a person’s life. I came to greatly admire Gloria for her courage and Henry for his patience and understanding. The author really made you believe in these characters and care about what happens to them. The insertion of poetry, rather than being a distraction, added a special insight into Gloria’s character. You will immediately reach for a Van Morrison CD as soon as you are finished reading the book!

I think it would make an excellent choice for a book club; there is a lot to discuss (less)

Losing Clementine: A Novel
by Ashley Ream

Losing Clementine (2/4/2012)

If “Clementine” is as good an artist as Ms. Ream is an author she must be terrific. This was a very interesting look into the human psyche, and written in a realistic way, but also very funny. You are immediately swept up into the story because you have so many questions. …more Right up front: Will she really kill herself? Then: why is she on all the meds? Will she meet her father? and other questions.

Ms. Reams uses a lot of description and I found it to be cinematic, I think the book would make an excellent movie. Once in awhile however, she changes scenes too suddenly but the reader quickly catches up with the story.

There is also a surprising twist that you never see coming. In a book like this predictable would be awful.

I definitely would recommend this book to a friend and think it would be interesting for a book club discussion. I look forward to reading another book by Ms. Ream. (less)

King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village
by Peggielene Bartels, Eleanor Herman

A real number one lady (12/9/2011)

If you like A. McCall’s “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” books you will really like “King Peggy.” Because this book is fact, not fiction it is all the more fascinating. It is a wonderful story of how one amazing, wonderful woman had such an impact on a small village in …more Ghana, Africa. If we had more King Peggys the world would be a much better place.

The stories are very interesting, sometimes funny, often touching and a wonderful depiction of what modern life in rural Africa is like

I highly recommend it and think it would make a very good book club choice. (less)

Wayward Saints
by Suzzy Roche

Redemption, Reconciliation (10/29/2011)

I didn’t know what to expect from "Wayward Saints". It turned out to be very enjoyable and once I began the book, I couldn’t put it down. I really cared about the characters and wanted to know how the story would end.

Mary Saint escapes her physically abusive father, Bub, …more and passive mother, Jean, and goes on to become a second tier, grunge style R&R star. After the death of her lover, a fellow band member, Garbargio, she goes into a tailspin, too many drugs, too much sex and you can fill in the rest.

A high school teacher in her hometown of Swallow decides to find Mary and ask her to do a concert at the school. He’s amazed to find out that Mary’s mother Jean lives in Swallow. Jean has lived a sad, lonely life, she finds a bit of domestic peace and freedom when her husband Bub is put in a nursing home, but she has never understood her daughter.

I don’t want to give away the secrets and some plot twists that occur in this book. There is a religious theme that runs throughout stemming from Mary’s early obsession with the Virgin Mary and her mother’s strong Catholicism. However, it is not preachy.

All in all I really liked this book and would recommend it to friends. I look forward to Suzzy Roche's next book. (less)