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Reviews by Gina T. (Natick, MA)

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Bad Animals
Bad Animals: A Novel
by Sarah Braunstein
Self deception (1/4/2024)
I really wanted to love this novel. There was much to enjoy. My favorite part was the obvious love letter to libraries, authors, and librarians. The author did a wonderful job describing the awe, joy and importance of libraries in our society. She also portrayed a nuanced …more
A Council of Dolls
A Council of Dolls: A Novel
by Mona Susan Power
An Immersive and heart wrenching story (7/12/2023)
I absolutely loved this book! I think I held my breath as I read.
The difficult subject matter of collective and generational trauma was made personal with the magical voices of the dolls.
Only recently have we read about the atrocities against indigenous people in our …more
Pieces of Blue
Pieces of Blue
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Disappointing (1/21/2023)
I was excited to read this book based upon its premise and the support of Maria Semple who called it " brilliant".
Perhaps it is brilliant YA book. This is the author's first adult book and I would say that her editor did not do her any favors.
The plot was contrived, the …more
The Poet's House
The Poet's House
by Jean Thompson
Is poetry still relevant? (6/10/2022)
The poet's house is a very unusual novel. It is more of a narrative by a young woman with obvious intelligence and fierce determination, held back by a lifetime of low self esteem. Carla has dyslexia and ADHD and because of her different perspective, she becomes enamored of …more
The Latinist
The Latinist: A Novel
by Mark Prins
Psychological thriller (10/18/2021)
I found the Latinist to be a very unique and a bit confusing psychological thriller. The academic setting was exceptional and the plot points set in Italy was thrilling.
The trials of young , female academics seemed genuine.
Sacrifice for career opportunities is certainly …more
New York, My Village
New York, My Village: A Novel
by Uwem Akpan
Authentic and original (8/11/2021)
New York, my village was a completely immersive experience.
Akpan has a unique and authentic voice. His tale of an African in contemporary NYC was both tragic and humorous. As someone who has grown up in NY he nailed the thrill and majesty of nyc as well as the nuances of …more
Never Saw Me Coming
Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel
by Vera Kurian
a modern thriller with a twist (6/7/2021)
Never Saw Me Coming was a very satisfying whodunit. College students, Washington DC, the current political climate all came together in a fresh crime novel. The characters all drew both compassion and revulsion simultaneously. I found it captivating. I usually do not read …more
Palace of the Drowned
Palace of the Drowned
by Christine Mangan
An unraveling in Venice (3/8/2021)
Palace of the Drowned was a moody, creepy gothic thriller. The author did an excellent job evoking the damp, dark, medieval city of Venice. The tension mounted as the water rose in the crumbling city. A perfect setting to lose oneself. November in Venice is not for the …more
Migrations
Migrations: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy
Powerful and poetic (4/2/2020)
Wow! Migrations took me by surprise.
I would describe it as a work of art. Such beautiful prose, powerful and unusual plot, gripping characters.. the setting reminded me of Matterhorn, in that I can feel the cold, the turbulence of the seas etc . Not many novelists are …more
Miss Austen
Miss Austen
by Gill Hornby
A wonderful treat for Austen fans (2/13/2020)
The book , Miss Austen, by Gill Hornby is an imaginative back story to understanding the beloved author Jane Austen. The story brilliantly evokes the prose and setting of Austen while enthralling readers with a beautiful original story of the deep bond between Jane and her …more
Actress
Actress
by Anne Enright
a unique mother-daughter relationship (12/3/2019)
Anne Enright does not disappoint with her new novel. It explores a very unique mother-daughter relationship in her beautiful, deliberate prose.In a recent interview with the author, she credits her father for valuing equanimity. This greatly influences her steady, …more
Red Letter Days
Red Letter Days
by Sarah-Jane Stratford
well-written, Cold War era, historical fiction (10/8/2019)
This novel is set in the early Cold War era and did a beautiful job incorporating the devastation of the McCarthy Era investigations in average Americans' lives. Today's politicians freely use the term "witch hunt"; the author does a wonderful job crafting the tale of a …more
Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson
above average beach read (4/10/2019)
Another book in the Gone Girl genre. The novel is well-written and has enough twists to render it unpredictable. The author has an obvious passion for scuba diving. The passages involved with diving were in my opinion, some of the most interesting. If you are looking to …more
The Last Romantics
The Last Romantics
by Tara Conklin
A book about Love ,in all its configurations.. (12/8/2018)
I was immediately drawn to this novel and couldn’t get enough of its poignancy, reflection and wisdom. The characters are expertly developed and the plot well conceived. I do not remember reading a novel that explored sibling relationships so vividly. I reread many passages …more
The Lost Man
The Lost Man
by Jane Harper
the lost man (11/5/2018)
From the first page I was transported to the Australian outback. A gritty, fast-paced mystery with the setting as a main character. Beautiful prose, you felt the ache, loneliness and desperation..
I was reminded that we all carry our past with us and some are more successful …more
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