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Reviews by Betty Taylor

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Last Twilight in Paris: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff
A Captivating WWII Story with Heart and Mystery (2/4/2025)
“Last Twilight in Paris” by Pam Jenoff pulls you in with its dual timelines and emotional depth. Living in postwar London in 1953, Louise finds a mysterious necklace that brings back haunting memories of her time with the Red Cross during the war. As she searches for themore
The Connellys of County Down: A Novel
by Tracey Lange
A Beautiful and Moving Story About Life in Revolutionary Iran (1/19/2025)
Tracey Lange has crafted an absolute gem with “The Connellys of County Down.” This novel dives deep into the complexities of family, loyalty, and second chances in a way that feels both poignant and incredibly relatable. The Connellys are messy, flawed, and imperfect—justmore
Half a Cup of Sand and Sky
by Nadine Bjursten
A Beautiful and Moving Story About Life in Revolutionary Iran (1/2/2025)
Nadine Bjursten’s “Half a Cup of Sand and Sky” is a heartfelt and deeply layered novel that combines a personal story with Iran’s turbulent history. Set during the late 1970s, when anti-Shah protests and the Islamic Revolution were changing the nation, the book followsmore
Long Island: Eilis Lacey Series #2
by Colm Toibin
A Riveting Exploration of Secrecy, Misunderstanding, and Love (5/27/2024)
This is a gorgeous story of a woman alone in a marriage and the deepest bonds she rekindles on her return to the place and people she left behind, to ways of living and loving she thought she’d lost.

The characters are flawed, unforgettable, human. While I struggled somewhatmore
Long After We Are Gone: A Novel
by Terah Shelton Harris
Emotional Sibling Drama (5/19/2024)
"Long After We Are Gone" by Terah Shelton Harris is a compelling and evocative exploration of family, secrets, and redemption. The novel centers around the Solomon siblings, who return to their North Carolina home, known as “The Kingdom,” following their father’s unexpectedmore
Daughters of Shandong
by Eve J. Chung
Beautiful story of women coping (11/21/2023)
Eve J. Chung's debut novel, Daughters of Shandong, offers a poignant and compelling narrative of a mother and her daughters' courageous escape to Taiwan during the turbulent times of the Communist revolution in China. Set against the backdrop of civil war and politicalmore
Banyan Moon: A Novel
by Thao Thai
Beautiful story of women coping (5/29/2023)
I often find myself drawn to multi-generational family stories. "Banyan Moon" immediately drew me right into the lives of three generations of Vietnamese women – Minh, the grandmother; Huong, the daughter; and Ann, the granddaughter.

The story opens with the death of Minh.more
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge
by Spencer Quinn
Feisty Grandmother (4/16/2023)
This is a take on the grandparent scam we have all read about. An elderly grandparent receives a call from their supposed grandchild saying he is in trouble and needs money. Next day all the funds from the grandparent's account are gone.

I enjoyed the first half of the bookmore
Wade in the Water: A Novel
by Nyani Nkrumah
A Phenomenal Debut (11/26/2022)
I was immediately drawn into this story of a relationship that develops between Ms. St. James, a white woman from Princeton, and Ella, a precocious 11-year-old Black girl.

It is hard to believe that this is Nkrumah's debut novel. The writing flows smoothly and paints amore
In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari
Well-written Family Saga (10/1/2022)
Beautifully written and thought-provoking.

I always find myself drawn to stories from the Middle East. Having had friends displaced during the Iranian Revolution, I found this story especially interesting. This story centers on the Iranian-born Jahani family and theirmore
All the Lonely People
by Mike Gayle
I absolutely loved it! (8/30/2022)
I absolutely loved this book! Loaded with wonderful characters that made me laugh, made me cry, and made me feel lots of emotions.

Hubert Bird, a native Jamaican, moved to England when he was a young man in search of employment. He faced discrimination especially when hemore
Aurora: A Novel
by David Koepp
Captivating Story (6/15/2022)
Have you ever wondered what would happen if we lost power for months? Think of all we are dependent on for electricity – our cellphones, televisions, cash registers, lights, electric cars, and so much more.

When I heard about this book, I knew I just had to read it. I wasmore
The Favor: A Novel
by Nora Murphy
Amazing debut! (5/19/2022)
This book grabbed me from the very beginning and kept me on edge. I wanted to just escape someplace where I would have no interruptions while reading it. I could feel for myself the fear and hopelessness the main characters experienced. It is hard to believe that this ismore
I Must Betray You
by Ruta Sepetys
Very Powerful (5/7/2022)
Powerful story of the oppression of Romanian citizens under the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu.

Set in 1989, the story follows the day-to-day life of 17-year-old Cristian Florescu. I never realized the extent to which paranoia and fear ruled their lives. You never knew who was anmore
Good Husbands: A Novel
by Cate Ray
Meh,,, (4/13/2022)
While the premise of the book promised a compelling read, the story itself did not meet up to my expectation.

The interaction among the three wives who received the letter was well written, but I just did not care for any of the women. I think the characters themselvesmore
Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel
by Anthony Doerr
Challenging read, but worth it (2/16/2022)
This is a tough book to get into, a very challenging read. But I persevered, and I am glad I did. At first, I had no idea where the story was going, nor what the past, present, and future stories had to do with each other. But about three-fourths of the way through the book,more
The Magnolia Palace: A Novel
by Fiona Davis
Interesting piece of history (1/24/2022)
I always enjoy books by Fiona Davis as I learn about NYC’s historic landmarks while reading a well written historical fiction. Her books are also perfect for book clubs.

“The Magnolia Palace” features the Frick Museum, one of New York City’s most striking Gilded Age mansions.more
Honor
by Thrity Umrigar
Very Powerful (1/13/2022)
This book grabbed me from the very beginning. The writing is superb, the story heartbreaking and haunting. If you loved Khalid Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, then you must read this book.

A powerful quote from it:
"Everywhere she went, it seemed, it was open season onmore
The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel
by Kristin Harmel
Captivating Story (7/8/2021)
I love Ms. Harmel’s books and think this may be her best so far. Her newest book is a story of hope, courage, bravery, survival, and love. It is also a story of determining who we are inside and how to become that person.

Yona was born to a German family and named Inge. Butmore
The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America
by Elizabeth Letts
Stole My Heart (6/22/2021)
This book is officially one of my all-time favorites. While it is nonfiction, it reads like a novel. Letts did extensive research, and it shows. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

In 1954, Annie Wilkins, 63-years old, was about to lose her home in Minot, Mainemore

BookBrowse Book Club

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    The Bluest Eye
    by Toni Morrison
    The story of a black girl in America whose love for its blond, blue-eyed children can devastate all others. First published 1970; won the 1993 Nobel Prize.

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    Harlem Rhapsody
    by Victoria Christopher Murray

    The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance.

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    Beast of the North Woods
    by Annelise Ryan

    When a local fisherman is mauled to death, it seems like the only possible cause is a mythical creature.

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    Three Days in June
    by Anne Tyler

    A new Anne Tyler novel destined to be an instant classic: a socially awkward mother of the bride navigates the days before and after her daughter's wedding.

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