BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Veronica E. (Chesterton, IN)

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America for Beginners
by Leah Franqui

What a strange trip (8/24/2019)

Interesting characters and a very unique story. All the characters have a story of their own to tell. Worth a read.

Ellie and the Harpmaker
by Hazel Prior

A Page Turner (8/24/2019)

What a wonderful story. I was so fascinated with the characters and how they reacted to life. The writing and the story just beautiful.

A People's History of Heaven
by Mathangi Subramanian

SURVIVAL OF SISTERS (2/16/2019)

I would not of picked up and read A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF HEAVEN. I am very glad that it was sent to me to read and review. I have not read much fiction about India and the living conditions, the way of life in the slum district. I was completely caught up in the story and writing. The words used to describe the life of these young women made me feel I was right there with them. Beautiful characters, the respect, the love that these young girls have for each other grabbed me and kept me reading. I wanted to fight right along with the families. A very rewarding story. I will share this copy with friends and request our Westchester Public library to order a copy. A beautiful adult first novel.

The Night Tiger: A Novel
by Yangsze Choo

Not a Page Turner (12/21/2018)

I struggled through this story. I finished it... but it took me awhile. I found the story to be very slow paced. There are a number of characters, however I only found two that were real interesting. I felt there was another story inside this story that needed to be told. I found the story to be incomplete. The cover will get you to pick the book up and the introduction is enticing. I also liked the author's notes. Just not my night tiger.

The Kinship of Secrets
by Eugenia Kim

Secrets (10/5/2018)

I read The Calligrapher's Daughter first. I'm glad I did as the story The Kinship of Secrets has a lot of secrets that are shared in advance in The Calligrapher's Daughter. Now that I've said that...I liked The Kinship of Secrets. The story of two sisters that are separated at very early ages, leaving one in Korea with relatives and taking one to the US with parents. This tells a hard story about separation from your child, the guilt you carry and why a parent does what they feel they have to do. When the sisters and parents are united it is not always a happy new beginning. Anger, grief, love, war, the unfamiliar make it hard to put lives back together. I will recommend this to my library.

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen
by Sarah Bird

Trailblazing Woman (10/3/2018)

I started this book and could not put it down. The writing is so amazing and the descriptions keep you completely absorbed in the story. You actually feel that the writer is Cathy Williams and that you right there with her. Amazing story. Anyone interested in historical fiction or famous women I highly recommend this book.

The Removes
by Tatjana Soli

Historical fiction at its best (7/11/2018)

I love historical american history and couldn't wait to get started on this novel. It was very good and I couldn't put it down. The author does a fabulous job on describing Custer and his soldiers, his wife and the captured women by the Indians. The interaction between them all is written with such passion and detail. I didn't want the book to end.

The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah

Breathtaking (2/17/2018)

I read this book in one setting. I couldn't put it down. The characters just captured me and kept me enthralled. I visited Alaska in the 70's and the descriptions of the state are right on. Beautiful, but brutal. Just as the characters were beautiful, but brutal. I believe Kristin Hannah did it again.

The Necklace
by Claire McMillan

Enjoyable (6/18/2017)

A good love story and summer read. Covers all the issues; family, hate, love, intrigue and mystery.

The Second Mrs. Hockaday
by Susan Rivers

Wanted more (12/1/2016)

I was disappointed. Not enough depth to story or characters. I felt as I was reading this novel that not the whole story was being told. I would of liked to know more about characters. I will pass the book onto friends as I always like hear their comments.

The Tea Planter's Wife
by Dinah Jefferies

Enjoyable (7/26/2016)

I liked the book. The descriptions of the countryside of Ceylon , the tea plantation, characters, all made this book a good read. It is what I would call and easy, soft, predictable read. The tragedy that befalls Gwen and Laurence and the suffering the family goes through, you can feel it in your heart. I liked Ms. Jefferies' writing very much. It is the kind of novel I like to pick up when I just need to read something softer, lighter. A sit until you finish kind of book. I have ordered it for our library and I look forward to recommending it to our patrons.

Lamp Black, Wolf Grey
by Paula Brackston

Adult Fairy Tale (7/21/2015)

The past and the future brought together in the hills of the Welsh country. An adult fairy tale. I didn't find the story exciting or the adventures page turners. I knew the how and where. Very predictable. Easy, fast read. Entertaining but nothing that made you "not want to put it down."

The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson

Strong Women (7/29/2014)

Art history and strong women make this a good historical novel. The friendship these women form and what they do to help each other survive and be happy is a bond that when the book is finished you know survives. Fast read. I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to my bookclub.

Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932
by Francine Prose

A must read (5/12/2014)

I could not put this book down. The writing is extraordinary. Descriptions of the era and the lives of the characters was extremely fascinating. Francine Prose did a wonderful job on this novel.

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