Reviews by Carolyn D. (Chico, CA)

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The Personal Librarian
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Too many parties and clothes (2/9/2021)
I confess to being a librarian so I would have liked more details about her work, especially the organization and description of the cataloged works. She is a fascinating subject but I thought the book a little superficial because of the emphasis on how she looked and who …more
The Smallest Lights in the Universe
The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir
by Sara Seager
Brush up your astrophysics (7/15/2020)
I enjoyed this book. Her story is quite singular. How she made it to the top of her field as a scholar and women makes for a very good read. She only mentions being on the spectrum at the end. I would have liked to learn more about what that meant in her life. The only …more
And They Called It Camelot
And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
by Stephanie Marie Thornton
Camelot with adjectives galore (12/10/2019)
This book is OK, but I would not have finished it if I hadn’t agreed to do a review. "My very blood thrummed with the sheer pleasure of it all…' (p. 210) is a bit on the purple prose side for me. Jackie’s life was plenty big without the "trembling knees" and other florid …more
Ordinary Girls
Ordinary Girls: A Memoir
by Jaquira Díaz
Not an ordinary girl! (10/1/2019)
I am of two minds about this book.

Jaquira Diaz does not blink. She is not interested in your comfort zone. She is telling her story as she lived it – in the moment. She wants you to understand the how of Puerto Rican culture and history informed her life. By any measure, …more
Greek to Me
Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen
by Mary Norris
It was really Greek to Me (2/23/2019)
I picked this book because I loved Between You and Me. Greek to Me was not as accessible, but I enjoyed it a lot. Knowing NOTHING about the Greek language (save a few common crossword clues), the language parts were a bit lost on me. However the travels, explanations of …more
Anatomy of a Miracle
Anatomy of a Miracle
by Jonathan Miles
Anatomy of a Miracle (1/20/2018)
I enjoyed almost all of this book. It reads very much like non-fiction and that was interesting to me because I am mostly a non-fiction reader. The premise is a challenging one to keep in the air without crashing and the author is very successful with this juggling act. A …more
Victoria
Victoria
by Daisy Goodwin
A Different View (11/2/2016)
As the author points out, we usually think of Victoria as a very mature and dour woman. This story, highlighting her early years, was a good and interesting read; and pretty accurate in its fact. As the basis for the Masterpiece series, it just can't miss. The book should …more
Girl Waits with Gun
Girl Waits with Gun
by Amy Stewart
You Go Girl! (7/28/2015)
I was interested in the book because of the true story that inspired the author. It was a very slow start for me but really picked up speed about 80 pages into it. I liked the style of the writing and the other sisters grew on me. I loved Constance from the start. Turned …more
An Unmarked Grave
An Unmarked Grave: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd
An unremarkable grave (5/1/2012)
This book was my first Charles Todd read. The characters are appealing and the setting is well done but it never got off the ground It was a little flat; there was a lot of activity (to France and back) but not much action or forward progress. The resolution of the mystery …more
The Winter Palace
The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great
by Eva Stachniak
Palace Intrigue (1/5/2012)
I don't usually read historical fiction because the history is interesting enough without the fiction that slows the events down. Winter Palace was a pleasant surprise and a good read. There are enough characters to be a real Russian novel, but not too many to keep track of. …more
A Trick of the Light
A Trick of the Light: Armand Gamache Series #7
by Louise Penny
Murder (again) in Three Pines! (8/3/2011)
A good read! Penny's fans know what to expect from the series and all moving parts are well-oiled and performing as they should. The book is well plotted and the clues are all well (and deftly) planted. I did not find the victim as compelling as others in the series have …more
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