Reviews by Karna B. (Long Beach, CA)

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A Council of Dolls
A Council of Dolls: A Novel
by Mona Susan Power
The magic of dolls (7/14/2023)
While a fictional account of the lives of three Indian girls spanning three generations, this book's strength lies in the research and personal experience shared by the author as she portrays the damage brought by Indian boarding schools. The trauma experienced and the …more
Once We Were Home
Once We Were Home
by Jennifer Rosner
A memorable read (11/8/2022)
A hard book to read at times due to the trauma experienced by small children being separated from their parents to keep them safe from the Nazi's. Yet, at the same time it is a book that is hard to put down. Rosner, in her exquisite writing, brings each of the four …more
In the Time of Our History
In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari
Cultural Demands (9/20/2022)
What a compelling read. Characters so well-developed while providing the reader with political and cultural information related to Iran. Plus, the push and pull that immigrants experience as they try to assimilate was well demonstrated. Two major themes - role of women and …more
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Historical fiction at its best (2/18/2022)
This historical fiction follows the life of an Argentinian family during dual periods. Chapters move between the turbulent 1970s, the military dictatorships and the protestor abductions and a more recent period of the 1990s as the Larrea's daughter, Paloma, searches for her …more
The Family Chao
The Family Chao: A Novel
by Lan Samantha Chang
The Family Chao (11/17/2021)
Having read a brief summary of The Brothers Karamazov, The Family Chao appears to be a modern Chinese version of the book. That said, I think Change did a superb job of creating her characters and making them come alive. You feel for each of the protagonists as they each …more
Of Women and Salt
Of Women and Salt
by Gabriela Garcia
Of Women and Salt (12/28/2020)
This debut novel is a must read! From the cigar factories in Cuba to the streets of Miami, Garcia's writing compels the reader to encounter the lived experiences of each of the female protagonists. Immigration and detention, poverty, isolation, drug and/or marital abuse, …more
Lady Clementine
Lady Clementine
by Marie Benedict
Lady Clementine (11/17/2019)
A thoroughly delightful, informative read both from the historical and personal standpoint. The strength, intelligence, and energy that Lady Clementine possesses is fully realized. Clementine is portrayed as Winston's partner in both love and war. Her involvement in WWII …more
Red, White, Blue
Red, White, Blue
by Lea Carpenter
Red, White, Blue (7/3/2018)
A compelling read! Well-written, suspenseful, and hard to put down, we explore the world of espionage and a daughter's search for understanding of who her father really was. Anna, the daughter of a CIA case officer, is trying to come to terms with his questionable death …more
A Place for Us
A Place for Us
by Fatima Farheen Mirza
A Place for Us (3/19/2018)
While I think the characters were extremely well-developed and the topic important given our current political environment, I initially had a problem reading this book. In Part One the premise for the book is developed but it is confusing and one transitions to the actual …more
No One Is Coming to Save Us
No One Is Coming to Save Us
by Stephanie Powell Watts
No One Is Coming to Save Us (4/7/2017)
Using The Great Gatsby as her model for telling the story of black Americans in the mythical rural town of Pinewood, N.C., Watts has created a fascinating tale. Her sense of place is superb and you can almost smell the trees and see the house where Ava, one of the …more
A Piece of the World
A Piece of the World: A Novel
by Christina Baker Kline
A Piece of the World (12/4/2016)
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and learning about Andrew Wyeth's subject for his painting Christina's World. Kline excels at giving the reader a sense of place and time. Her characters are well-developed. I would definitely recommend this book to my book club.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
by Kathleen Rooney
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk (10/7/2016)
Interesting premise using a walk on New Years Eve to review one's life. While initially I got bogged down in the minutia of Lillian's life, I came to adore her and relish many of Rooney's sentences. I loved Lillian's reflections on her life as a woman before her time, …more
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
by Phaedra Patrick
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper (3/20/2016)
A thoroughly delightful story about a widower who discovers a gold charm bracelet belonging to his deceased wife and decides to uncover the relevance of each charm in his wife's life. At times laugh out loud funny and other times poignant, the author has created a wonderful …more
The Language of Secrets
The Language of Secrets
by Ausma Zehanat Khan
The Language of Secrets (11/3/2015)
It is rare that I am so taken by a book that I place reading it before all else. That is the case for The Language of Secrets - a compelling read. From the first chapter to the last, the pace of Khan's writing is perfect. Her subject matter, a Muslim terrorist plot, and her …more
The Third Wife
The Third Wife
by Lisa Jewell
The Third Wife (6/22/2015)
A dark, psychological thriller makes this well-written book a page turner. Is this blended family a truly remarkable unit or do the family members harbor grudges against each other to the extent that the newest member of the family commits suicide or is murdered? Adrian …more
The Wild Girl
The Wild Girl
by Kate Forsyth
The Wild Girl (4/8/2015)
The Wild Girl is a fascinating tale with well-developed and memorable characters. The plot is filled with intrigue and as a result carries the reader along. Extremely well-written and an enchanting way of learning how the brothers Grimm created their fairy tales. My only …more
Her Name Is Rose
Her Name Is Rose
by Christine Breen
Her Name is Rose (2/3/2015)
I tried to like this book but had a hard time identifying with any of the characters who all seemed to be impetuous in their decision-making. Also I felt manipulated throughout - way too many chance occurrences.
The Same Sky
The Same Sky
by Amanda Eyre Ward
The Same Sky (11/19/2014)
Alice and Carla immediately become alive in this well-written, captivating novel about two people from very different backgrounds searching for belonging, love and family. Ward provides us with an opportunity to see the struggles of Carla as she makes her way to the U.S. on …more
Juliet's Nurse
Juliet's Nurse
by Lois Leveen
Juliet's Nurse (7/21/2014)
I was initially intrigued with the first person narrative as Angelica tells the story of nursing/raising Juliet. I also loved the way the story intertwined with bees and beekeeping. However, while Angelica and Tybalt were well-developed characters, I thought the others less …more
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