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Reviews by Janine S. (Wyoming, MI)

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Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley
Fun, fast read (11/16/2024)
I received this book for a free and fair review. I enjoyed Oakley's previous book, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, this, her most recent book, and was excited to be able to review this one. And this one did not fail to deliver either, being a fun-filled romp ofmore
Happy Land
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Unknown part of black history enlightens (10/27/2024)
First, and most interestingly, the topic of this book is an unknown part of American history: a black settlement known as " The Kingdom of the Happy Land." This actual "black communal society" existed in Western North Carolina during Reconstruction. Not much is actuallymore
Beast of the North Woods: Monster Hunter Mysteries #3
by Annelise Ryan
Worthy monster mystery read (10/21/2024)
While not in the cozy mystery genre (which I do enjoy), this book meets my definition of a cozy because it's a perfect snuggle-up read if that's what you are in the mood for. And the story line is one that once it gets going, you are drawn into one of those mysteries wheremore
Half a Cup of Sand and Sky
by Nadine Bjursten
Captivating read (3/2/2024)
I was given this book in order to participate in a March 2024 on-line book discussion. And, I am so honored to have received it because this is a beautiful, captivating and well written book that deals with themes of love, purpose, and self-discovery set during the periodmore
The Waters: A Novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Addictive and compelling (1/31/2024)
This is a book that is not an easy read, but it is a very worthwhile one! It is beautifully written, strangely addictive and incredibly intense. This intensity though is what keeps you interested and sometimes on your seat as the story of three generations of women whomore
The Bullet Swallower: A Novel
by Elizabeth Gonzalez James
 (1/21/2024)
As one reviewer wrote of this book: "Mesmerizing and important" and indeed this book is. Based loosely on the author's great-grandfather, who she writes in the Author's Note, was "a bandido in the late 1800s, the book tells the story of the "notorious" Sonoro family - amore
Young Man, Muddled: A Memoir
by Robert Kanigel
Reflections on Youth. (6/11/2023)
I received this book in order to participate and in a BookBrowse discussion. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this coming-of-age memoir and was thrown off by the cover (which was later explained through reading the book) but found once I began reading that this was a raremore
The All-American: A Novel
by Joe Milan Jr.
Awesome coming-of-age story (2/1/2023)
This is an awesome coming-of-age story set in a culture far different than what would be considered American, but I think that's what makes this book kind of special and one which expands reader awareness of what it takes sometimes to grow up. And, I can honestly say thismore
Scatterlings: A Novel
by Resoketswe Martha Manenzhe
Complex and provocative (10/10/2022)
This is a complex and provocative novel that questions what it means to belong. Starting with the passing of the Immorality Act of 1927 which prohibited sexual relations between Europeans (white people) and natives (basically anyone not white), the book traces themore
Dirt Creek: A Novel
by Hayley Scrivenor
Amazing read (2/27/2022)
This is an interesting book and an amazing read. It is interesting for its structure and an amazing for its beautiful prose and engaging storytelling. While a murder mystery on the surface, it is also a story about a small town and its people and how the death of a 12-year-more
In Every Mirror She's Black: A Novel
by Lola Akinmade Akerstrom
Compelling and worthwhile read (6/29/2021)
I received an advance copy of this book in order to participate in an upcoming book discussion. I’m so very glad I did. This book offers a compelling story of three black women each seeking love, fulfillment, and meaning as they arrive to set down roots in Sweden, amore
Everybody: A Book about Freedom
by Olivia Laing
Thought provoking read (4/29/2021)
Wow! What a thought provoking and exhilarating read! Beautifully written and exquisitely researched, this is a book that when read can profoundly in part the soul if one is open to viewing freedom from a different construct: the body you are in is constrained by forces andmore
Crossing the River: Seven Stories That Saved My Life, A Memoir
by Carol Smith
Poignant, painful journey into hope (1/27/2021)
Wow! What a poignant, painful journey into hope. I was mesmerized throughout this book both by the author's beautiful prose and her openly honest and painful exploration of her lingering grief over the death of her son. The author's pain is visceral and you experience itmore
Ruthie Fear: A Novel
by Maxim Loskutoff
Interesting but strange (5/24/2020)
This was an interesting but strange book. It never resonated with me though I give high marks to the author's writing. Ruthie Fear is a most unique character. Raised in a beautiful wilderness faced with creeping civilization and environmental changes by a father who givesmore
The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
Powerful story told well (2/1/2020)
The Prisoner's Wife is work of fiction based on a true story told to the author by a survivor of a POW camp in WWII of how a Czech woman survived as a POW along with her British husband. Intrigued by the story, the author researched WWII POW experiences to write this novel.more
The Kurdish Bike: A Novel
by Alesa Lightbourne
Delightful and enchanting (11/13/2019)
Loved this book. What a delightful story filled with interesting and endearing characters. Beautifully written, this book lets you enter a woman's journey teaching in Kurdish Iraq as she becomes part of an extended family in the village close to her school and works to makemore
I Want You to Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir
by Esther Safran Foer
Powerful and moving memoir (11/8/2019)
This book is a powerful and moving memoir of a woman's quest to keep the memory of her family alive after its near destruction due to the Holocaust. Beautifully written we the readers enter a journey along with the author to open up the silence of the past as she searchesmore
D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II
by Sarah Rose
Interesting perspective on WWII (3/9/2019)
D-Day Girls provides an interesting perspective on WWII by focusing on the contributions of women to the preparations for D-Day. The book takes the reader from the decision (somewhat difficult for the men of Britain) to employ women as undercover agents in the war effort,more
The Last Romantics
by Tara Conklin
Lovely, lyrical, intriguing novel (11/23/2018)
The Last Romantics is a lovely, lyrical story well worth the reading. The author has a magical ability to pull you into the story of the Skinner family as told by the youngest member, Fiona. The twists and turns within the story compel you to read on because this familymore
The Last Year of the War
by Susan Meissner
Another Susan Meissner winner! (10/28/2018)
Another Susan Meissner winner. This is the third book I've read by Ms. Meissner and she has yet to disappoint me. This is a gripping and heartfelt story of friendship in spite of differences and courage in the face of prejudice. I simply could not put this book down becausemore
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