BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Beast of the North Woods: A Monster Hunter Mystery
by Annelise Ryan

Not so Beastly (11/7/2024)

This was a fun cozy mystery sprinkled with cryptids and other creatures. As the third in the series, it would have helped to have read the first two. Some of the character references and relationships would have had more depth and context. But I had fun reading the book. It had action, suspense and I loved the dog. It was what you would expect of a cozy mystery--character-focused, somewhat simple mystery, some intrigue, a resolution, and a small relationship cliffhanger to keep you going in the series. A fun read. I do recommend it.

The House on Biscayne Bay
by Chanel Cleeton

Atmospheric Novel (1/4/2024)

Cleeton weaves an atmospheric, gothic novel in The House on Biscayne Bay. While the start was a tad slow for me, once I got to the dual timeline it took off. I was engaged and intrigued to see where the mystery would lead. Marbrisa came alive with its gardens, animals, and tension. Nothing was as it appeared. Everyone in the cast of characters was suspect. This was a well-developed historic thriller.

The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim

Sad Historical Story (12/4/2023)

The Stone Home wrenches the heart all the more for the truth behind the story. Eunju and Sangchul (and all the other characters) represent so many women and children who were torn from the streets of Korean and interned in homes that were little more than prisons and death camps. It was a heartbreaking read that flowed effortlessly, dragging the reader along for every insult and injury. Crystal Hana Kim captured the range of emotions for each character in a stunning way.

This Is Salvaged: Stories
by Vauhini Vara

A Collection of Loneliness and Loss (8/29/2023)

This is Salvaged captured the essence of grief, loss and loneliness. Each story had its own voice, perspective and cast of well-drawn characters. Each was a world of its own. Some worlds I connected with more than others, but they all succeeded in saying something unique about loss. Overall, the collection worked. The writing shone. But ultimately, I didn't connect with it as much as I had hoped. I appreciated the craft and quality of the writing, and enjoyed some of the stories. The others were a miss for me, despite the quality of the writing. But that is the risk of a short story collection.

The Gifts: A Novel
by Liz Hyder

Angelic Tale of Strength (4/5/2023)

The Gifts reveals the heart of five women caught by circumstances beyond their control. Three are transformed. One is broken. Another finds the truth. Each of the women must face her own path and purpose. Ultimately this is a book about strength and courage. The courage to face life as it happens and to forge your own path using the gifts you have been given. These women use their wings, art, and curiosity as their guides. I loved it. It was both fanciful and realistic. Sad but hopeful. Caged and empowered. Everything you want in a story.

Zig-Zag Boy: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood
by Tanya Frank

All too familiar (2/26/2023)

This is a heartbreaking tale of a mother's journey into caring for a child who has lost touch with reality. It brought back so many emotions of staring down the same path with my son. Frank found a way to move forward despite the chaos and fear. I applaud her bravery and honesty in this book. It is a beautiful tale for those of us on a similar path. More mothers need to claim their stories and struggles.

The Empire of Dirt: A Novel
by Francesca Manfredi

Beautiful Writing, Lacking Story (7/11/2022)

This book contains some beautiful sentences, but the story didn't hold together for me. It tended to wander and try to pursue too many points, none of which fully satisfied. The story of the three generations of women in a small Italian town living in a broken down house in the 1990s was a compelling premise, particularly with a "family curse" mentioned at the start. But that curse was never fully realized and the ending left a lot to be desired. I was hoping for more.

Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer

More Than a Romance (3/31/2022)

This romance is about more than just falling in love. It tells the story of two flawed people driven by their past and ambition. Pitted against each other, they find redemption in the truth and in acceptance. I quite enjoyed the book and will look for more by this author. Her story and characters pulled me in and kept me turning pages.

Fencing with the King: A Novel
by Diana Abu-Jaber

Fencing with the Truth (12/31/2021)

This book will transport you to the desert and sing to you of times past. It was written so well it practically had sand in its pages. A beautiful story of a woman finding herself while facing hidden truths about herself, her family and their secrets. I missed Jordan after turning the last page. Wonderful book. I highly recommend it.

Ariadne
by Jennifer Saint

The Life of Ariadne (5/13/2021)

This retelling of Ariadne's life is stunning. The language pulled me in despite knowing how the story ends. Jennifer Saint brought Greek mythology to life. Her descriptions, characters and tragedies resonated with me. I felt for Ariadne, her sister, Dionysus and enjoyed the journey from liking to disliking Theseus. Saint made it read like a true story with consequences and heartache for the characters. This is the way to connect or reconnect with mythology and our own humanity. A great read.

The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes

The Prisoner's Wife Captured Me (3/4/2020)

This book tossed me into Izabel's life with all its risks and stress and held me captive. It was an amazing tale made even more so by the fact that it was based on a true story. The characters had such courage and determination. It is a story that reveals both the horrors man is capable of and the perseverance, faith and love. The Prisoner's Wife is a must read for anyone interested in historic novels or World War II, but also for anyone who wants to read about a strong woman who would face horrors to be with the one she loves.

Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
by Katarina Bivald

Pine Away Makes You Think...and Feel (1/5/2020)

This quirky little book starts out with a ghost reflecting on her life and continued existence in a small town in Oregon, but it doesn't stop there. The story weaves the past with the present, life with death. It is a story about beliefs, family, friendship, connection, and what is right. Mostly it is a deep look at love and life and what matters in the end.

The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey

The Big Finish (11/11/2019)

The Big Finish is a close look at the choices we make and where we end up. Duffy is forced to come to terms with his past as he helps a young girl all while facing the specter of being tossed out of his nursing home and forced into a place he'd rather avoid. Duffy is a character. I loved reading about life at the home with its host of characters and drama both big and small. It's a quiet book with a big impact.

The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt: A Novel
by Andrea Bobotis

inventory of a Life (7/11/2019)

This Southern novel is filled with deeply drawn characters who see the world, and the items that fill it, from vastly different perspectives. The characters were flawed, broken and yet strong. I loved the way Judith's inventory captured not only the items in the home but the stories around them. The stories revealed the characters and their history. This is a book about family, race, and forgiveness. It was a pleasure to read. I could not help but feel for the people who inhabited Bound, South Carolina.

Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson

Never Have I... (5/19/2019)

Missed reading a book by Joshilyn Jackson. She is a favorite author. This book is a huge departure from her usual Southern stories, but should appeal to those who love thrillers. It is tightly wound with surprises along the way.

Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen
by Mary Norris

Greek Immersion (3/13/2019)

Norris indulges her love of all things Greek in this book and shares her passion for the language, both modern and ancient, as well as for the people and culture of Greece. The book was a delightful introduction to a land that changed and influenced language itself.

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray

Ravenously Hungry Girls Delivers (10/29/2018)

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls is a tale of three sisters and how their lives play out as adults of a tumultuous past and how one sister's children pay the price of her mistakes. It is a raw book filled with trauma, demons and the aftermath of abuse. Gray doesn't ignore any opportunity to raise the stakes for the family. It is not an easy read, but one that will stick with you.

Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris

Righting Wrongs (9/15/2018)

It's impossible not to care for the characters in this book. To watch them make mistakes, then work to make it right. The premise of a fateful photo that doomed two children was compelling and kept me turning pages. Beautifully done.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel

A Cat Knows... (5/9/2018)

This book is a study in belonging and acceptance. It is a book the reveals itself slowly and methodically, with the studied and measured movements of a tea ceremony with meaning in every moment. This quiet book builds to an ending that will wreck you. It is the tale of how a stray cat finds a place to belong and how sometimes that is all that matters. This book is about love, acceptance and loyalty. Keep your tissues handy, you are going to feel things with this book. It may be small, but it is filled with depth. I loved it.

America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui

Journey Across America (4/3/2018)

Leah Franqui introduces characters who are wonderfully flawed and real. They felt more like people than characters. America for Beginners is a peek into how others see America and people from other countries within the context of their upbringing and cultural norms. It was both heartbreaking and amusing. I loved that the characters grew from the experience. There were many observations that took me by surprise, such as the widow's impression of Washington, DC. Others were not as surprising, but felt true for the characters. Each character brought different perspectives on the journey and life, which was refreshing. This was an enjoyable book. My only comment is that the first 100 pages were a bit slow with all the character build-up. I thought it might have worked better had Franqui saved a bit of the backstory for later in the book. However, I would give this book four-and-a-half out of five stars and recommend it highly.

Reviews by Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)

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Reviews by Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)

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