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Reviews by Karen R. (Columbus, OH)

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Songs of Summer
by Jane L. Rosen
Heartwarming story (12/16/2024)
Maggie found out she was adopted when she was in elementary school, but was in such a loving family, she had no interest in finding her birth mother. Both of her parents, who were older, died by the time Maggie was only 30. This wonderful novel is about Maggie's search for her birth mother. It was a delight, I finished in one day. Loved getting to go on this journey with Maggie. Highly recommend.
Three Days in June: A Novel
by Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler does it again (11/21/2024)
In typical Anne Tyler fashion, she makes the ordinary characters in Three Days In June very interesting. The three days in June are the day before, the day of, and the day after a wedding. I found myself thinking of these characters even when I wasn't reading this book. This is a delightful character driven book. I highly recommend.
All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher
Wow, how history repeats itself (6/3/2023)
This is a novel about women who learned how to perform abortions to help and liberate other women, in the pre Roe vs Wade United States. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and observing how they developed. Now in the post Dobbs United States to have so many states currently trying to limit women's health care at this time, and to read about the wonderful brave Janes in the period before Roe vs Wade is so powerful. Would I be brave enough to be a Jane, I would like to hope so, but am not sure. Wonderful book, highly recommend. Received this book at no charge in exchange for an honest review. But I am going to buy I this book to give to friends to read.
The Little Italian Hotel: A Novel
by Phaedra Patrick
Love found family book (3/26/2023)
4.5 I received this book from the wonderful book website, Bookbrowse, in exchange for an honest review. This book is about Ginny, a relationship/advise expert who has unknown problems in her own marriage. Ginny booked an expensive surprise vacation for her wedding anniversary. Ginny's husband is unhappy and unable to go,so Ginny invites four strangers with broken hearts to go on this vacation. This was a found family book. I love the families that you walk into as opposed to the families your are born into. I enjoyed getting to know everyone and why their heart was broken. Felt good after reading and highly recommend.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Highly recommend, especially if you are in a reading slump (10/2/2022)
I have been in a reading funk. I have started so many books, and put them aside. I started The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, put it aside, but couldn't stop thinking about the characters, kept going back, reading a little more, set aside, then ponder the characters, and then finally read the last 50 at one sitting. I highly recommend this book. Fun, shades of gray characters, interesting plot twists, great to read, especially if you are in a reading slump.

Thank you to Bookbrowse for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer
Slow start then a page turn (2/20/2022)
I received a complementary copy of this ebook from NetGalley, through the Bookbrowse website first impressions.

This book took me a little while to get into it. I didn't enjoy the writing style but the plot was great, so even though I kept putting it down, I was still thinking about the characters. Then about halfway through I couldn't put it down.

The book is about the developing relationship between a psychic-medium and a journalist who is convinced all psychics are frauds.

I recommend this book.
Blind Man's Bluff: A Memoir
by James Tate Hill
Blind in more than one way (8/6/2021)
I am an eye doctor so was excited to read this. I especially enjoyed reading about the author's experience being tested, and then receiving his diagnosis. I was disappointed JT refused to accept, acknowledge, and move forward with his disability. The book was well written, easy to read. I hope JT will write another memoir about accepting his disability.
At the Chinese Table: A Memoir with Recipes
by Carolyn Phillips
New understanding of Chinese Cuisine (6/12/2021)
What a delightful memoir. I enjoyed reading about the author's interaction with her boyfriend's mother and father, both of whom were not thrilled the eldest son was with a foreigner. I also enjoyed the author's description of dining in Chinese restaurants. I am going to get her previous book, All Under Heaven cookbook. Traditional Chinese cooking has been too foreign for me, but after reading this memoir, I find it more approachable. Looking forward to trying some new recipes, after visiting my local Asian market.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman: A Novel
by Julietta Henderson
Found Family (1/30/2021)
I loved this book. It has been hard for me to read during COVID times. This book kept my interest, and I cared about all the characters. I love quirky, interesting characters, and the found family concept. I thought about these characters even when I wasn't reading this book. I had the same feelings when I read and loved "The One In A Million Boy" by Monica Wood. It is hard to believe this is Julietta Henderson's first novel. Highly recommend.
The Affairs of Others
by Amy Grace Loyd
Flawed, but interesting characters (7/15/2013)
This book is well written and has interesting characters. Not necessarily all likable, but interesting. A widow owns an apartment building. You get to know the people in each apartment. It was a book I found myself thinking about even while I was not reading it.
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