BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Naming Song
by Jedediah Berry

Tell, not Show Writing (7/22/2024)

As a language educator, I taught my students how to use Show, Not Tell writing. I'm 20 years out of the classroom so as I was reading this book, I struggled initially to figure out why I couldn't make connections with the characters. At first, I thought it might be the genre, but I like post apocalyptic novels. Then I took time out to read Table for Two by Amor Towles. Aha!
The Naming Song might be perfect for others, but not for me. I stopped reading at page 97. I have too many books on my pile. Time to move on.

The Flower Sisters
by Michelle Collins Anderson

A good beach read (4/8/2024)

I enjoyed The Flower Sisters. Anderson does a good job of making the small town of Possum Flats come alive. Her characters are good people but flawed, as most of us are. She also provides hints in the first chapter to have the "surprise" not be an out-of-left-field surprise. I appreciate that. I plan to pass this on to a friend who enjoys reading but doesn't want to be overwhelmed by depth. I would not recommend it for a book club, unless your book club is more social than analytical.

Last House Before the Mountain
by Monika Helfer

Uniquely Written (3/14/2023)

I'm not a reader that needs a story to be told chronologically, but with this book I took a while to relax into the writing style. The jacket tells the reader that this book is based on Monika's own family history. When I think about the secrets this family held because of their label as Bagage, I realize that she's revealing what she learned in the manner in which she learned the secrets.
I did find the beginning compelling, and at no time did I want to put the book aside. I would recommend it to friends who are avid readers and willing to become immersed in a different time and place.

Sisters of the Lost Nation
by Nick Medina

Topical (11/20/2022)

In the last couple of years, we've been made more aware of missing Native women. This novel brings that issue to life. Other themes revolve around racial prejudice, gender identity, and acceptance of Native peoples in their own environment.

Initially, I struggled with the style and mysticism, but as I continued reading, I was drawn in by the life/trials/mystery of the protagonist's life and rushed to the resolution.

I would recommend it to friends with the caution re: novice writer. Not Louise Penny, but I was engaged.

River Sing Me Home
by Eleanor Shearer

Another Slave Novel, but ... (9/9/2022)

River Sing Me Home is based on extensive research by Eleanor Shearer. The Caribbean setting may be outside the United States, but the stories are all too familiar. As Rachel searches for her "lost" grown children, the reader lives some freed slaves' experiences - revolt and death, selective mutism, living off the grid, and passing as elite mulatto. Rachel says, "'Freedom is something different to me. The search, that is freedom.'" So freedom is individual. The reader wonders what his/her freedom would be.

Natural History: Stories
by Andrea Barrett

Quiet Read (8/24/2022)

I love short stories because they pack a punch into a short space. This book was different than many collections in that the stories connected through the character Henrietta. As a female scientist in a time when most women's goals were wife and mother, she was strong and clear. Having been a teacher myself, I appreciated how she nurtured her students. Connecting the first and last stories was a challenge for me, and I didn't find the THE FAMILIES chart helpful. However, that didn't preclude my enjoyment.

How to Find Your Way Home
by Katy Regan

Emotionally Tough Read but Worth It (10/21/2021)

How many more books can I read about a dysfunctional family? At least one more. "How to Find Your Way Home" was worth my time and emotional investment. The characters are developed enough to recognize in real life. The structure isn't a simplistic linear narrative. The resolution isn't a foregone conclusion. I will recommend this read to my friends.

Beasts of a Little Land: A Novel
by Juhea Kim

History through Fiction (9/10/2021)

I learn history best through historical fiction, and I was particularly intrigued by this title because I know little about Korea. Yes, I've read several popular novels, but this author led me through the Japanese occupation of Korea to the independence movement and into some parts of Korea's early nationhood.
The story is populated with interesting characters, both Japanese and Korean, both male and female. While I began slowly trying to keep the characters straight, I felt all parts of the tale were essential. The themes of loyalty, self-gratification, entrepreneurship, and love enriched the history.
This title would make for exciting book club discussion. Who are the beasts?

All the Water I've Seen Is Running: A Novel
by Elias Rodriques

Mixed Feelings (7/5/2021)

Both the main character, Daniel, and I - and perhaps the author - have mixed feelings.
Throughout most of the book, I kept wanting more from the author. Show me more than a narration of place. Show me the depth of your pain from your relationships with your father and Aubrey.
As I approached the end of the novel, I reconsidered the author's style. Maybe he couldn't reveal more because Daniel was still exploring. Maybe?
I did love the metaphor of the title. I also really liked the last chapter. Egypt asked better questions than the guys did. Where's her book?

Ariadne
by Jennifer Saint

Not my Interest/Not the Writer's Fault (3/17/2021)

Jennifer Saint says she "wanted to write a Greek myth that brought women to the forefront," and she did that successfully. Perhaps I would have rated the book higher if I enjoyed Greek mythology. I plan to send the book to my granddaughter who loves the topic.

The Prophets
by Robert Jones Jr.

A Challenging but Worthy Read (10/17/2020)

I read a fair amount of African-American writers. I was delightfully surprised by this novel. When I first taught Beloved by Morrison to my juniors, I skimmed it for vocabulary level. I found it's not the level of vocabulary that's challenging; it's the ideas, structure, and poetic nature that makes her work difficult but worthy of the effort. The Prophets is the same. Jones presents the story in a way that is fresh, and the language is beautiful. I found myself pausing, thinking, rereading, and reconsidering.

The only negative to the sexual content Is that I couldn't teach the novel in the community where I taught for decades. The School Board would never approve the title.

The Stone Girl: A Novel
by Dirk Wittenborn

Action Packed (4/9/2020)

I've always been suspicious of men writing a book with strong female characters, but that's my issue. The female protagonists are strong but flawed; that makes them real. I kept wondering if they were men, would the book be as effective. No. At the end, Dirk Wittenborn thanks his wife and daughter for their coaching about violence against women.
This review is a little rambling; maybe because we're in the middle of Shelter-at-Home. I looked forward to picking up the book to read both morning and night.

Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
by Katarina Bivald

Slow Start But Heartwarming. (12/3/2019)

I love reading books that capture my interest immediately so I was a tad disappointed in this book. Many of my friends would have given up by page 50. Because I volunteered to review, I kept reading and was rewarded with quirky, charming characters in this small Eastern Oregon town. Much like the students of all ages I taught over decades, the characters evoke a range of emotions but never bored me.
The novel isn't unique but is thought-provoking if one is willing to look at questions like: What makes a person happy? Is it a place? Is it a career? Is it the people you love?

Remembrance
by Rita Woods

Remembrance, Perfect for Me (10/19/2019)

If you prefer or need your fiction to be chronological, Remembrance is not for you. If you want your fiction to seem like "real life," Remembrance is not for you. I loved the strong yet flawed women with special talents. I felt the sense of place in each locale. The action and relationships are compelling. I've read all of Morrison, a divine writer, and loved Homegoing, The Underground Railroad, and The Nickel Boys. This novel stood up well against these works. I even want to know more about quantum mechanics!

Reviews by Pamela W. (Piney Flats, TN)

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Reviews by Pamela W. (Piney Flats, TN)

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