BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Ariel F. (Madison, WI)

Fly Girl: A Memoir
by Ann Hood

What it's really like being a flight attendant' (4/8/2022)

This was a well written book. It held my attention about the real life of a flight attendant. All too often we think of that life as being so wonderful. Hood brought the realities of that to light in her memoir. I enjoyed reading about her various experiences—whether it was …more

Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey
by Florence Williams

Heartbreak? We all have experienced it! (12/10/2021)

I found the topic to be of interest.But it took me an extensive amount of time to get into the book. I was very interested in the story, but sometimes got bogged
down by the medical/scientific details.

Flesh & Blood: Reflections on Infertility, Family, and Creating a Bountiful Life: A Memoir
by N. West Moss

A memoir Flesh and Blood (8/29/2021)

I found this to be a very interesting read. Her use of words and language was outstanding. At times I felt that I was right there with her. I thank her for sharing her life experience with me.

At the Chinese Table: A Memoir with Recipes
by Carolyn Phillips

Outstanding memoir/recipe book (7/8/2021)

I found this a fascinating read. I was especially impressed that a white woman, who was a minority in that country, learned the language and then married a native. Learning the language, in itself was an accomplishment.Her writing,illustrations, and recipes made it very …more

When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical that Changed the World (aka Footnotes)
by Caseen Gaines

A history not well known! (4/8/2021)

Footnote is the fascinating story of black theatre between 1885-1925. It details the stories of Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, Flournoy Miller and Audrey Lyles and the trials and tribulations they encountered. These 4 were the writers of the music and lyrics for the musical," …more

Hieroglyphics
by Jill McCorkle

Is the past every really what we thought it was? (7/20/2020)

It was difficult for me to get into Hieroglyphics. I put the book down several times before I finished reading it. It's the story of a retired couple that moved from the North East to North Carolina to be closer to their daughter. They appear to feel that a part of their …more

The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes

Faith, courage, bravery in WWII (2/25/2020)

This novel, based on a true story, was one that kept my attention throughout the book. A Czech prisoner farm girl who falls in love with a British soldier. With faith, love, bravery, and courage they escape and marry. Her escape was a dangerous one where at any point they …more

I Want You to Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir
by Esther Safran Foer

I Want You to Know (12/26/2019)

Foer tells the story of her journey to learn about her family's real history. A history that had been to horrific to share. Was she born in September or March? In what country? I found the book interesting but at times I got lost trying to keep names straight.

The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin

Interesting and informative! (11/17/2019)

I have long had an interest in Spiritualism and Mediums. This book gave me a perfect opportunity to learn about them as well as Camp Etna. Having never heard of Camp Etna I was immediately drawn in to understanding communicating with the dead. Ptacin's linkage of feminism …more

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

Want children? Consider adoption. (8/1/2019)

I found this book very interesting and felt fortunate to have been able to read it. I liked the way that the author combined her personal story about all she went through to adopt her son, and the with historical events that had gone on.

I especially appreciated her comments …more

The Shadow King: A Novel
by Maaza Mengiste

The Shadow King (7/21/2019)

As one who does not like any type of war, it took me a while to get into the book. Then it took me some time to get my thoughts written for this review. It was not easy reading for me.

War is always, in my opinion, horrific. But Mengiste writes beautifully in a language that …more

Travelers: A Novel
by Helon Habila

Travelers (5/1/2019)

Each of us is a traveler in one form or another. While this novel dealt with Africans leaving the continent of Africa to go to Europe or the United States as immigrants, it tells of their joys and pain. I felt that this book was especially relevant because of our current …more

The Guest Book
by Sarah Blake

A three generation saga (4/9/2019)

Can money, greed, mistakes, and lack of trust destroy a family? The author of The Guest Book, showed the reader extremely well how money, greed and lack of trust can destroy a family in this 3-generation saga of the Milton family. In some instances, I felt some of the …more

American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt
by Stephanie Marie Thornton

American Princess - Alice Roosevelt Longworth (12/17/2018)

This historical fiction was a joy to read. I found American Princess to be both educational and interesting. Prior to reading the book, I had just a little knowledge about Alice Roosevelt (Longworth). After reading this fascinating book, I felt that I had to learn more about her.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel

Love between human and feline is forever! (5/2/2018)

I was very happy to receive the ARC of the book. First, let me say that despite dander allergies I am a cat lover. I could so much relate to the interaction between the human and Nana.I was not sure that I was going to like the format but did. I felt that the story shows …more

A Place for Us
by Fatima Farheen Mirza

A Place for Us (3/24/2018)

A Place for Us is a debut novel by Fatima Mirza and published by Sarah Jessica Parker's imprint. The book was different from what I had expected. It was well written. This is the story about an American-Muslim families dealing with what it means to be an individual and …more

The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After
by Elizabeth Weil, Clemantine Wamariya

"Everything is yours, everything is not yours". (2/7/2018)

Memoir about surviving despite many obstacles. I found that the book brought me a range of emotions. I knew something about the Rwanda wars, but this book and the struggles the author and others went thru brought it home.

Why can't we all just get along?

Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces
by Dawn Davies

Life is not always a bowl of cherries, but you deal with it. (9/13/2017)

I enjoyed Dawn Davies book Mothers of Sparta.This series of essays about her life had me laughing and crying at various times.She presented her life, not in rose colored glasses, but with realism. Whether you are a mom or not, you will appreciate her honesty. I sympathized …more

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Happiness does not always come as you expect it to! (6/29/2017)

This well written memoir is about a family with a seriously ill child. Starting with an unmarried mother on the west coast and the father on the east coast, the author takes the reader into their world. Single and dealing with a seriously ill child, the mother has to make life changing decision.

Castle of Water: A Novel
by Dane Huckelbridge

Castle of Water (12/11/2016)

I found this a good read for a snowy evening. As I began to read the book, I was not certain that I would enjoy it. Once I got into the novel, I enjoyed it. How could two people not alike, manage to survive. Read the book to find out.

BookBrowse Book Club

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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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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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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