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Reviews by Andrea B. (Phoenix, AZ)

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A Council of Dolls
A Council of Dolls: A Novel
by Mona Susan Power
Insightful (9/4/2023)
I am always interested in books about Native Americans, in the past or present. This four-part novel moves around in time and relates the lives of 4 generations of Dakota women. The first three chapters move backward in time, which was slightly confusing. However, each …more
At the Chinese Table
At the Chinese Table: A Memoir with Recipes
by Carolyn Phillips
Chinese Food and Culture (8/23/2021)
This book is an unusual combination of memoir and ethnic cuisine discussion. I enjoyed both parts of this book as I love Chinese food and am interested in Chinese culture. Although I have not attempted to cook much Chinese food, I found it interesting to read about both the …more
The Lost Man
The Lost Man
by Jane Harper
Transporting and engrossing (11/19/2018)
As in all good mysteries, the mystery presented at this novel’s opening seems unsolvable. Due to the unfamiliar setting, it took me awhile to grasp the significance of the crime scene details. The sense of place in this novel about the Australian outback is well done and …more
When the Moon Is Low
When the Moon Is Low: A Novel
by Nadia Hashimi
Plight of Refugees (9/6/2015)
This story about a family of refugees portrays the experience of a mother and her three children. There is nothing about the historical background of this story that is unfamiliar as the news has been full of repressive regimes in the Middle East and the status of refugees …more
Whispering Shadows
Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker
Contemporary China mystery (1/17/2015)
The setting in contemporary Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, was portrayed realistically from what I observed on a recent visit to Hong Kong and from news stories in the media. The main character is a westerner who had long lived in China, as is the author. The author's …more
In Praise of Hatred
In Praise of Hatred
by Khaled Khalifa
Hatred Encouraged (2/24/2014)
The protagonist of this story is a female member of an Islamic sect that stands in opposition to the ruling sect. There are two main themes of this story: the political division between two Islamic sects and her isolation from normal social contact with males in her age …more
How the Light Gets In
How the Light Gets In: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, #9
by Louise Penny
Excellent mystery (7/19/2013)
This well written mystery has much to recommend it. The main character of Inspector Gamache appears here in the 9th of this series. His character is well developed and I really cared about what was happening to him. Although I had read only the 1st book of this series, I …more
A Hundred Flowers
A Hundred Flowers: A Novel
by Gail Tsukiyama
Slow moving story (7/24/2012)
This story takes place during the time in China when citizens are encouraged by Mao to express their thoughts about the government (1956). Unfortunately, this suggestion backfires on the family in this story when one of the family members writes a letter critiquing the …more
An Unmarked Grave
An Unmarked Grave: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd
WW I Nurse (4/26/2012)
This is the 4th in the Bess Crawford series about an English nurse during WW I. This is the first in the series that I have read and it is not necessary to have read the others to follow the story line here. The historical background of WW I as told from a medical worker's …more
Across Many Mountains
Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family's Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom
by Yangzom Brauen
Three Generations of Tibetan Women (9/8/2011)
This book expanded my knowledge of Tibet and its recent history. I have recently studied the history of China for the last 5000 years. The border of China has expanded and contracted over many centuries. This book prompted me to think about all the groups that were enfolded …more
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives: A Novel
by Lola Shoneyin
Women's Choices (6/22/2010)
I enjoyed this book and found it an interesting story. On a scale of 1-10 (the best), I would give this book an 8. The dispassionate and sometimes raw depictions of sexual encounters reduced it from a 9. This story was told by 4 women, each in the first person. This made it …more
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    The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris
    by Evie Woods
    From the million-copy bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop.
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