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Reviews by Doris K. (Angora, MN)

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Everything We Never Knew: A Novel
by Julianne Hough

Everything We Never Knew (7/28/2024)

I did not enjoy this book. I couldn't relate to the characters or subject matter. I did read the whole book hoping I could relate but it didn't happen.

This Strange Eventful History: A Novel
by Claire Messud

This Strange Eventual History (4/8/2024)

This book was very hard for me to continue reading but I did finish it. The main themes seemed to be unhappy lives, dementia, illness and death. It covers a long period of time and many people which make it difficult to relate to individuals. A strong family theme is …more

The Flower Sisters
by Michelle Collins Anderson

The Flower Sisters (3/1/2024)

I almost gave up on this book as the beginning is very dark and depressing. However I followed the 100 page rule of not giving up until 100 pages have been read. It became apparent that there was a good story to tell. The author writes beautiful descriptions sometimes a bit …more

The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim

The Stone Home (11/8/2023)

This was a very difficult book to read. Though the subject matter is based on true facts they are almost unbelievable. It was not pleasant to read the details of how the people in these reformatory centers were treated and often killed. Also the Korean names of food and …more

The Montevideo Brief: A Thomas Grey Novel
by J. H. Gelernter

The Montevideo Brief (4/28/2023)

Historical fiction readers here is a book for you. The author combines sailing ships, pirates, government intrigue and even Beethoven in a fascinating story. Although this is a stand alone story it does have some references to the previous Thomas Grey novels. I would have …more

The Long Ago: A Novel
by Michael McGarrity

The Long Ago (3/4/2023)

This is a good read about the strong ties between siblings especially those raised in a dysfunctional family. Ray's main agenda is finding his sister Barbara while he is home from leave during the Vietnam War. In the process of doing this he meets many interesting people …more

Pieces of Blue
by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Pieces of Blue (1/30/2023)

I was sent this book as a member of the First Impressions. This book is a good story about Lindsey, a widow with three children, Sena a gifted seven year old, Carlos a reliable 12 year old and Olivia described as “fourteen going on twenty four.” The story starts with a car …more

In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari

In the Time of Our History (9/18/2022)

This is the story of an Iranian family in America. Although the main character, Mitra, was born in the United States her family held on to many aspects of the Iranian culture. Besides being a good story the reader will learn multiple characteristics of the Iranian people …more

Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden: Two Sisters Separated by China's Civil War
by Zhuqing Li

Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden (5/26/2022)

This is an interesting memoir of two sisters separated by the communist takeover of China and the separation of Nationalists to Taiwan. The true story is narrated by a niece. The book is a descriptive analysis of women growing up in the thirties. Their stories are …more

Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel
by Melissa Fu

Peach Blossom Spring (2/22/2022)

Historical Fiction fans, this is a book for you! It covers China from 1932 to 2019 so is also recent Chinese "history".

The book includes family dynamics along with problems and advantages involved in a mixed marriage, both for parents and children.

Many Chinese customs are …more

Of Women and Salt
by Gabriela Garcia

Of Women and Salt (1/3/2021)

This book tells of the agony of women who fought for a better life. The importance of family ties is illustrated throughout the book. The author writes very well and gives an excellent picture of life first in Cuba then on to Mexico and finally back to Florida. Conditions …more

With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt

With or without you (4/28/2020)

This is a fascinating book. I had trouble putting it down. But what a great time to read. Because of the Shelter In Place order I was able to finish it in two days. The author beautifully describes the inner feelings and thoughts of the characters. The plot is challenging …more

Daughter of the Reich: A Novel
by Louise Fein

Daughter of the Third Reich (3/9/2020)

This book is for those who prefer reading historical fiction, or those who have ever wondered how Hitler managed to gain control over the German people..Through the experiences of Hatty Heinrich the author relates the influence of Hitler and the Nazi party on ordinary …more

Ordinary Girls: A Memoir
by Jaquira Díaz

Ordinary Girls (9/25/2019)

This was a difficult book to read. The story is almost unbelievable. To realize the author could overcome all the negative influences in her life is difficult to comprehend. Also it was hard to follow as she jumped from one time period to another without clues as to where …more

The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz
by Jack Fairweather

The Volunteer (4/25/2019)

If you've ever wondered as I have, why the Jewish people didn't fight back against their treatment by the Germans in the WWII era read this book. In a very well written book Jack Fairweather tells us that they did. Using the writings of Withold and other sources he tells a …more

Courting Mr. Lincoln
by Louis Bayard

Courting Mr. Lincoln (2/10/2019)

Readers of historical fiction will want to read this book..I have read much about Lincoln however this book tells about the early years when he first met Mary Todd and his friendship with Joshua Speed. Although it is fiction much is based on historical facts as all good …more

The Last Romantics
by Tara Conklin

The Last Romantic (12/11/2018)

Tara Conkin has written a interesting book about family dynamics. Although the Skinner family could be described as dysfunctional there is a strong bond between them. Each member of the family is unique as shown by how they react to the circumstances in their lives. The …more

Golden Child
by Claire Adam

Golden Child (10/1/2018)

I would not recommend this book. The plot was strange and hard to understand. The characters were not well developed I could not relate to any of them or understand the motivation behind their behavior. The author writes well. Her descriptions of land, homes, scenery and …more

Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History
by Keith O'Brien

Fly Girls (6/7/2018)

In our day we take flying for granted. This interesting book shows how the early navigators worked and even died to further the cause of safe navigation by plane. This book is fascinating in the way the early navigation story is told. As seen by his notes Keith O'Brien has …more

A Place for Us
by Fatima Farheen Mirza

A Place For Us (3/21/2018)

This is a well written novel which gives the reader great insight into the lives of a Muslim family living in the United States. The wife, Layla, came with her husband to America and tried to keep her culture intact. Raising three children who were born in the United States …more

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The Jackal's Mistress
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Hour of the Witch, a Civil War love story of a Confederate wife and a wounded Yankee.

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Dream Count
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

A searing new novel from the bestselling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists, exploring four women's desires.

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