BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Laura G. (Buffalo, NY)

Songs of Summer
by Jane L. Rosen

Songs of Summer (1/21/2025)

Songs of Summer, by Jane L. Rosen is a cleverly written, easy read. I was quickly engaged in the story line. The use of song titles for the chapter names set the stage beautifully. The story moved quickly and the characters were likeable right down to the person you may …more

Everything We Never Knew: A Novel
by Julianne Hough

Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough and Ellen Goodlett (8/8/2024)

This book captivated me immediately. The descriptions were beautiful. The plot moved along quickly. I found the premise intriguing though a bit out of my realm of understanding. I enjoyed seeing how it was all going to play out. The character Bea was a riot! I loved how she …more

On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark

On a Night of a Thousand Stars (3/20/2022)

The story line in the book is very compelling. The way the reader is transported from one time period to the other with connecting characters helped to keep your attention and the history I was not well educated in was very interesting
The 1998 main character, however, was …more

How to Find Your Way Home
by Katy Regan

Complicated sibling relations (12/7/2021)

This book delves into a very complicated subject. It presents two siblings with very different lives. They love each other very much but one split second changes the paths they take and separates them for years. When finally they meet again, the brother's hobby of birding …more

At the Edge of the Haight
by Katherine Seligman

At the Edge of the Haight (11/6/2020)

This book was an amazing look into the day to day life of a young woman and her friends who choose to live homeless. As a woman who volunteers at a homeless shelter, with a son who works at a food kitchen, this is not a new topic to me but this perception was very …more

The Voyage of the Morning Light: A Novel
by Marina Endicott

The Voyage of the Morning Light by Marina Endicott (7/22/2020)

I stopped and started this book twice as I found the beginning a little slow. But once I really focused on it I found it to be delightful. The descriptions were terrific and the I felt like I was at sea experiencing with Kay. The two part design, separated by ten years, …more

Remembrance
by Rita Woods

Remembrance (11/10/2019)

The premise of this book really intrigued me and the writing reeled me in immediately. Unfortunately, in spite of beautifully descriptive writing, the plot was not to my liking. I was very excited to read about 3 different historical periods and how the author would tie …more

Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America
by Nefertiti Austin

Motherhood So White (9/10/2019)

Motherhood So White was an interesting read, particularly as a white woman. I looked forward to reading it because I want to learn. It did teach me quite a bit about the different aspects of family life in the black community. I find that I was anticipating something of a …more

Nothing to See Here
by Kevin Wilson

Nothing to See Here (6/21/2019)

This book was a quick read which was perfect for summertime. When it arrived for my review I was a little surprised that I had chosen a book about children who spontaneously combust. As I go into it though I was pleasantly surprised by how the author handled the topic and …more

More News Tomorrow: A Novel
by Susan Richards Shreve

More News Tomorrow (4/26/2019)

More News Tomorrow was a quick read. 70 year old Georgie receives a letter from Roosevelt, a man she only knows through a news article about the murder of her mother and her father's subsequent murder charge. Her father dies in jail after telling her "more news tomorrow" …more

The Last Year of the War
by Susan Meissner

A Life of Bravery (11/29/2018)

This book takes us on the life journey of an American born German girl named Elise as her life changes due to Word War II. Her circumstances make her question her identity and where she belongs. The short but powerful friendship between Elise and Mariko, an American born …more

America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui

Discovering at all ages (4/17/2018)

This book is a fascinating way to show that people of all ages and backgrounds are able to learn and discover throughout life and despite circumstances. This author has done a wonderful job of bringing an odd group of people together with a common goal. In their travels …more

All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker

All is Not Forgotten will not be forgotten (10/13/2015)

This book is a very compelling read. Although the theme is a bit dark due to the situations that have been "forgotten" (or not), the twists and turns are very well done. Most parents, given the choice, would want to sweep away unhappy memories from their child's life. But, …more

I Am Livia
by Phyllis T. Smith

A fun way to learn about ancient Roman times (1/8/2014)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading I Am Livia, by Phyllis T. Smith. Learning about ancient history through novels is always fun. This book really kept my interest as the narrator spoke honestly about Livia and other characters' strengths and weaknesses. It was a love story that …more

Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany

So much to think about (12/1/2013)

I loved the book "Safe with Me" by Amy Hatvany. It was hard to put down. You see, even having known a few people who have been organ recipients, it never occurred to me the feelings both donor families and recipient families experience. The book was a well written, learning …more

Crime of Privilege
by Walter Walker

Crime of Privilege - only "good" (4/29/2013)

I was really looking forward to reading this book. It had an interesting premise and a captivating start. Sadly, after taking the reader to many different places and introducing many different characters, it seems to fizzle out. I was left feeling that the writer had a …more

Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin

An Eye Opening Read (1/30/2013)

I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be reading this book because of its subject matter. I was right. It wasn't always comfortable, but that was the genius of it. This young author has done an amazing job conveying the feelings of each character as he or she deals with the …more

Calling Me Home
by Julie Kibler

A Ride to Remember (12/4/2012)

Calling Me Home has a masterful way of drawing in its reader. The car ride, to a funeral across country, brings together two unlikely travelling companions. The story the older woman shares with the younger woman is a story for all to hear. It bridges time, age and race in …more

Indiscretion
by Charles Dubow

Indescretion is a perfect title (10/21/2012)

This book was a captivating read. There are so many likable characters brought together and then torn apart. It's hard to know for whom you should be rooting because, before the "indiscretion", you like each person. It's an interesting take on an age old scenario. I really …more

Shine Shine Shine: A Novel
by Lydia Netzer

A Book filled with Quirky Characters (6/18/2012)

Shine, Shine, Shine is a fascinating book filled with the unusual. The author uses description to help endear the reader to each of the quirky characters. It was intriguing the way the chapters went from present day to past, giving the reader explanation as to how things …more

BookBrowse Book Club

A Map to Paradise
by Susan Meissner

From the USA Today bestselling author of Only the Beautiful. 1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle.

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Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating novel about an American heroine France Perkins—now in paperback!

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The Husbands
by Holly Gramazio

The Husbands delights in asking: how do we navigate life, love, and choice in a world of never-ending options?

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The Jackal's Mistress
by Chris Bohjalian

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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