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Reviews by Susan U. (Brookfield, WI)

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Everything We Never Knew: A Novel
by Julianne Hough
A New Perspective (7/29/2024)
I'll start by saying I enjoyed the book. I started out being skeptical of the premise and was left with a new insight and belief in powers that I don't understand. The writing style flowed and provided for comfortable reading of a somewhat unusual topic. The characters are well developed and while not all of us have the "skills" described, they are relatable.

It is easy to understand Shane's confusion and fear of what he sees happening in his wife's life. Lexi is thrown by the changes in her and what had been a well thought out plan for her life. Bea's quirkiness along with her practices and patience teach the reader while at the same time teaching her student.

And finally the supporting cast of friends, family and other round out the narrative that is Lexi's ever changing reality.

I definitely recommend this book and think it will lead to some great discussions.
Digging Stars: A Novel
by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma
Confusion in the Stars (7/24/2023)
I've tried writing this review several times and have struggled because I struggled a bit with the book. The author is talented and I would pay attention to future books of hers. The book is well written and for the most part flows. I didn't particularly like any of the characters or at least wasn't necessarily interested in getting to know them better, and probably because they were brilliant and interested in subjects that aren't interesting to me, The book would be more meaningful, I think, to someone interested in quantum mechanics, biology, stars and virtual worlds. Would I recommend, probably not but will pass on to friends to get their reaction.
The Long Ago: A Novel
by Michael McGarrity
Just okay (3/10/2023)
I didn't love or hate this book. I found it neutral others than a few moments here and there. The back cover said the book was gripping - I didn't think it was.

Barbara, the sister who ran away, wasn't particularly likeable and came across as quite oblivious. How could she think it was acceptable to run away and not let someone know she was ok.

Raymond, her brother who was trying to find her, was likeable and the characters he ran into and relationships he developed were the highlight of the book. I would definitely read more books focused around him.

The book is an easy read, decently written and will probably be popular with a certain type of reader.
Ghost Season: A Novel
by Fatin Abbas
Ghost Season - great debut (11/18/2022)
This well written book takes us through the development of relationships between 5 people from very different walks of life and how they come together. They are together to make a film, draw maps and find a path to a better way of life. All of this takes place while juggling the violence of civil war, long held tribal differences and taboos, corruption, greed and poverty.

Love blooms. Friendships form and tragedy hangs in the background

An important novel that teaches us about a world few of us can understand. It's engrossing, wonderfully descriptive and timely. Absolutely recommend.
The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West
by Carrot Quinn
Survival and hope (7/19/2021)
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and comment on this memoir. It is well written, moves along smoothly and kept me engaged. The back and forth between timelines worked perfectly. After all Carrot has experienced it's amazing that she has survived and has a positive, move forward attitude. She openly shares her life of abuse, neglect, loneliness, hunger, and rejection while giving us a picture of life on the rails and her ability to forgive and move forward. It is inspiring and I absolutely recommend it.
Creatures
by Crissy Van Meter
Nothing worked (10/20/2019)
I'm sorry, but nothing about this book worked for me. I was not able to attach to any of the main characters and in fact disliked them. I felt some empathy for Evie given the parents she had - crazy, mostly absent mother and charismatic but drug addicted, drunk for a father but the empathy didn't make me feel anything positive about her. And why did we have descriptions of different kinds of whales? I don't need books to be happy and light but I need characters with some qualities I can appreciate even if I don't like them. I may have missed the deeper meaning in this book and look forward to what others have to say.
Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights
by Dovey Johnson Roundtree , Katie McCabe
A Life With Purpose (10/3/2019)
Mighty Justice is a well written, well researched and powerful book about the life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree, a major force in the civil rights movement. She had the courage to take on the white establishment in a life long struggle for justice for the common Black man. Her strength and perseverance give us all a lesson in what it means to believe in something so strongly that we never give up no matter how many times we are pushed down. I don't understand why she does not have a prominent role in American history. I absolutely enjoyed the book, would recommend to book clubs for the conversation it will stimulate, particularly in this time when the old Jim Crow South seems to be gaining strength. It's a book about empowerment and should be read by all who want justice and equality to be the norm, not something that must be fought for.
The Shadow King: A Novel
by Maaza Mengiste
Strong women lead (6/29/2019)
This book reflects the brutality of war, you feel it but the language is so beautiful you can get through the brutality. The women in the book are strong and you feel their fierceness as they fight for the common cause of saving their country, their world. I'm a historic fiction addict and am always satisfied when I come away having read something that teaches me an important part of history. It takes time to read because you need to absorb it, not rush through it. Recommend it to your strong women friends. They will thank you.
Beirut Hellfire Society
by Rawi Hage
War in Beirut (5/15/2019)
Worn torn Beirut during the civil war of the 1970s is the setting for the book and the author makes very clear that is was a vicious place to live. People were deprived, depraved, humanity got lost, those that lived on the fringes were frightened, abused and murdered. The book is dark with a warped sense of humor. It's a disturbing book but the prose kept me reading. I felt it was an important book to read because it made the impact of war very real and given the state of the world, I think we all need to understand what war does to lives. This description of a young woman wondering aimlessly provides good insight into the life of this book. "She sat on the ground, covered in blood. She had lost her entire family, she told him. She screamed then laughed and then she lost her mind". The prose and the author's style make me want to read more books by Rami Hage.
A People's History of Heaven
by Mathangi Subramanian
Heaven (2/20/2019)
I loved this book. It's a book about girls and women who have nothing but their friendships, their desire for something better and their absolute devotion to one another. One is nearly blind, one is gay, one is transsexual - all are poor. The book takes you on a journey through their lives and their fight to save Heaven, the slum that is their home. Sit with them a while and get lost in the beautiful prose that describes the colors, sights and sounds of the world they live in. You will be blessed by having shared time with them.
The Affairs of the Falcóns
by Melissa Rivero
Timely (12/21/2018)
The subject matter of this book could not be more timely. The author's descriptions of the dilemmas faced by the immigrants on a daily basis gave me a much better understanding of the difficulty in their lives. But, I never felt attached to or invested in the people whose struggles I was reading about even though I sympathized with those struggles. I wonder if it would have worked better for me had I known the meaning of the foreign words thrown in on a regular basis. I hope the author continues to write because she definitely has talent.
Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson
Breath of fresh air (4/4/2018)
This book was gentle on my soul. It does not grab you and smack you but leads you on a leisurely stroll into two peoples lives and their growing friendship. It provided a welcome respite from some of the heavier genres that are popular right now although certainly not fluff. Character driven. Real life descriptions of the two main characters lives - joys, sorrows, fears, celebrations. A book to be savored.
The Milk Lady of Bangalore: An Unexpected Adventure
by Shoba Narayan
Pleasant surprise (12/12/2017)
This book had much more depth than I expected, it's a memoir, not a fluff book. I could taste and smell the milk, see the people, see the cows faces and look into their eyes. The author's descriptions were so vivid. Who would have thought there were so many kinds of cows, that their milk tastes different based on what they eat, where they live, how they are treated. And I definitely have a new respect for those that tend and milk the cows. The cows are members of their family - life in India made real. Thank you.
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