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Reviews by Marcia F. (Batavia, IL)

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Courting Mr. Lincoln
Courting Mr. Lincoln
by Louis Bayard
thoughts 0n "Courting Mr. Lincoln" (2/18/2019)
A good read overall. Bayard takes some liberties with the historical record, which is fine with historical fiction. This book covers Lincoln's early years in Springfield where he meets Joshua Speed and Mary Todd. His growth from bumpkin to a man dressed and appearing as a …more
Karolina's Twins
Karolina's Twins
by Ronald H. Balson
Karolina's Twins (7/12/2016)
Karolina's Twins is a one sitting read, it is that good! I loved it and will definitely recommend it to my book club as there is so much to discuss. The book is, suspenseful, sad and also happy; a book we should all read as this book keeps all of us from ever forgetting …more
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel
by Bryn Greenwood
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things (5/9/2016)
Bryn Greenwood is a very good story teller with well developed characters and excellent descriptions.. To me, however, the subject matter in "All the Ugly and Wonderful Things" is very disturbing and not a subject I enjoyed reading about. Because of this, I am sorry, but I …more
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
by Phaedra Patrick
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper (3/20/2016)
This is a very sweet story of Arthur Pepper, a widower of a year in the depths of serious grief when he discovers a charm bracelet belonging to his late wife and how these charms lead him on a journey to discover their meaning but also an the journey of resolving his grief …more
All Is Not Forgotten
All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker
All Is Not Forgotten (10/14/2015)
It took me about three chapters before the suspense of the novel totally drew me in making it very difficult to put this book down. I really enjoyed this book and am still thinking about the ending. This book is a must read for book clubs as there are so many issues making …more
Under the Wide and Starry Sky
Under the Wide and Starry Sky
by Nancy Horan
Under The Wide and Starry Sky (11/13/2013)
Being Welsh, I loved "Loving Frank" Horans first novel which was so enjoyed by my book club. Therefore, I eagerly signed up to review "Under The Wide and Starry Sky". Horans' second novel did not disappoint. Her research of the time period was right on and the journey of …more
A Thousand Pardons
A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee
A Thousand Pardons (10/30/2012)
A Thousand Pardons is the first book I have ever read by Jonathan Dee. I thoroughly enjoyed his style of writing as well as his excellent descriptions of his characters. They are all people we know. However,I did not enjoy the story line as much - I felt that the storyline …more
And When She Was Good
And When She Was Good: A Novel
by Laura Lippman
And When She Was Good (7/10/2012)
"And when she was good" is Laura Lippman at her best. She gives excellent, realistic descriptions of a woman living and surviving in the world of prostitution. How this woman survives the betrayals of those whom she is working for as well as maintaining the secret that she …more
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: A Memoir
by Anna Quindlen
lots of candles, plenty of cake (4/23/2012)
In 10 years, Ms. Quinden, you can write "the rest of the story". I have been there, done that just as you have and totally enjoyed your re-counting of life's stages or rather the process of growing older that all of us women have or will pass through. I totally enjoyed your …more
All the Flowers in Shanghai
All the Flowers in Shanghai: A Novel
by Duncan Jepson
All The Flowers In Shanghai (11/6/2011)
This book was a very slow read and very difficult for me to really get into. None of the characters were very likeable and the subject of this book has been over used. It just wasn't a new subject - I have read too many other books on this subject that were just more …more
The Kitchen Daughter
The Kitchen Daughter: A Novel
by Jael McHenry
"The Kitchen Daughter" (4/17/2011)
"The Kitchen Daughter" is not a difficult read; as a matter of fact it can easily be read, completed and enjoyed in one sitting. However, I enjoyed it best by only reading several chapters at a time, thereby, savoring all that I had just read. I am an avid cook and really …more
An Amish Christmas
An Amish Christmas: A Novel
by Cynthia Keller
"An Amish Christmas" (9/26/2010)
The beginning began very darkly and depressing when the Hobart family learned they had lost everything they owned due to the lies and deceit of their father. They had to leave town, leaving behind their friends and home just as the holiday season was beginning. What happens …more
Pearl of China
Pearl of China: A Novel
by Anchee Min
Pearl of China (2/18/2010)
"Pearl of China" is a beautifully written historical novel about the loyal friendship between two girls cultures apart. The first girl is Willow a peasant who is telling the story and the other is her best friend Pearl Buck the daughter of American missionaries. Because …more
Under This Unbroken Sky
Under This Unbroken Sky
by Shandi Mitchell
Under This Unbroken Sky (9/13/2009)
Conditions on the prairie in the l930s, whether in the US or Canada, were harsh and difficult for all who tried to survive there. In Canada, the treatment towards the Ukrainian immigrants was especially harsh as elegantly portrayed by Shandi Mitchell in her new novel, Under …more
Valley of the Lost
Valley of the Lost
by Vicki Delany
Valley Of The Lost (12/11/2008)
Even though I did not read the first book in this "traditional mystery series", I was never at a loss as to who or what was going on. This is a fast paced mystery, not at all predictable with a complex story line. There is a cast of very likable characters from the …more
Evening Is the Whole Day
Evening Is the Whole Day
by Preeta Samarasan
Evening Is The Whole Day (4/23/2008)
It took me about 90 very slowly read pages to get into this book. I had trouble keeping the characters straight. However, after making a list of each, who they were, etc., I finally got into the novel. I totally loved her descriptions and began to feel as though I were in …more
Mozart's Sister
Mozart's Sister
by Rita Charbonnier
Lacked details & historical facts of the period (10/15/2007)
I was very excited to review this book as it deals with a subject that I am not familiar with. I felt that the first half of the book moved along very slowly, almost boring. At times it was confusing and hard to follow. The book seemed to lack the details and historical …more
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