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Reviews by Laurie F. (Brookline, MA)

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Harlem Rhapsody
Harlem Rhapsody
by Victoria Christopher Murray
Fabulous Novel! Great Read! (10/3/2024)
Hands down, this is one of the best books I have reviewed in the many years I have been a member of Book Browse! Not only is the story, plot line, and characters mesmerizing, but the historical education of the Harlem Renaissance was spellbounding. There is so much we don't …more
Paper Names
Paper Names: A Novel
by Susie Luo
A Fabulous Debut Novel (2/26/2023)
A wonderful story of a Chinese family's journey as immigrants to America. We follow Tony, Kim, and their daughter Tammy (their Americanized names of course) through the difficulties of being a professional in your home country and then having to start from scratch in …more
The Love of My Life
The Love of My Life: A Novel
by Rosie Walsh
Spellbinding Book (2/15/2023)
I loved this book. What kept it addictive was the interplay between Emma/Emily's life with Leo and dealing with her past. The author teases you throughout the book as to what that past was and how Leo learns his wife isn't who he thought she was via her obituary. Definitely recommend!
The Last Russian Doll
The Last Russian Doll
by Kristen Loesch
Great Book and Education of the1917 Russian Revolution (10/22/2022)
This is one of those books, once you finish, you want to reread it now you know how the characters develop and change. A very interesting story interweaving 3 generations. Raisa/Rosie, follows a story written by her great-grandmother to research and react to her own …more
Jackie & Me
Jackie & Me
by Louis Bayard
Interesting Story but Not Well Written (6/7/2022)
The premise of this book was interesting. It revolved around the complicated relationships of Lem and Jackie and the power Jack Kennedy (and his family) held over them. Lem and Jackie's connection was one of the needs for companionship and love. The reader sympathizes with …more
The Paris Bookseller
The Paris Bookseller
by Kerri Maher
Great Novel of a Great Bookstore Community in Paris (11/1/2021)
A wonderful book about the original Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Kerri Maher, the author, introduces us to the amazing writers of the 1920s, their quirky personalities, and intellect, as they frequented Sylvia Beach's shop - particularly James Joyce. The reader feels …more
Beasts of a Little Land
Beasts of a Little Land: A Novel
by Juhea Kim
Wonderful Story of Love During Political Turmoil in Korea (8/20/2021)
This was a great read, particularly if you are a lover of historical fiction. Throughout the book, you are immersed in the lives of the characters, their relationships, and their circumstances during the Korean political conflicts from 1917 to 1965. The reader follows very …more
The Personal Librarian
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Interesting Behind the Scenes of the Rich and Their Art (1/30/2021)
This was an interesting read on many levels. The novel depicts the story of Belle "Dacosta" Greene, the talented librarian of J P Morgan's vast art and manuscripts collection and her entrance into high society under a false persona given to her by her mother.

The authors …more
The Three Mothers
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation
by Anna Malaika Tubbs
Story of three amazing women (11/10/2020)
The story behind these three powerful women, activists, mothers was interesting but could have been better written.

The writing improved as it went along but in the beginning, was a bit scattered as the author went off on historical tangents rather than sticking to the …more
Red Letter Days
Red Letter Days
by Sarah-Jane Stratford
Not Enthralled (10/11/2019)
Spoiler: I did not finish the book. I loved Radio Girls but I think the author failed on Red Letter Days. The writing was very choppy and dialog quite basic/simplistic. I found the characters underdeveloped and could not get into the sincerity or reality of the story. Just not my style.
The Last Collection
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
Fashion Rivalry at its Best (4/7/2019)
Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli were so much alike - strong, creative, forward thinking, politically active, business women. Since opposites attract, their relationship on the high-end streets of Paris was tumultuous. The competition wasn't only as the top fashion …more
The Last Year of the War
The Last Year of the War
by Susan Meissner
Engrossing Read of Separation (11/22/2018)
As I read this wonderful book I saw a reoccurring theme of separation and reunion of individuals, families, memories, citizens, etc.

The forced separation of Elise's father and her family. The separation of Elise and Mariko from their homes/communities. Elise's separation …more
Strangers in Budapest
Strangers in Budapest
by Jessica Keener
Mixed Feelings (10/10/2017)
Most of the time while reading this book I was enthralled and turning page after page. Yet there were other times where I tired of Annie's guilt-filled flashbacks and indecisiveness regarding her relationship with Edward. Descriptions of Budapest and its history were …more
Lady Cop Makes Trouble
Lady Cop Makes Trouble: Girl Waits with Gun #2
by Amy Stewart
One Determined Lady Cop (5/5/2016)
This was a delightful and fun read of Constance Kopp and her determination to go against the grain of the male police force in Bergen County to prove her worth as a lady cop.

Constance, along with Sheriff Health - her strongest supporter - literally tackle a case of an …more
When the Moon Is Low
When the Moon Is Low: A Novel
by Nadia Hashimi
An Engrossing Story of Survival (8/15/2015)
When the Moon is Low is one of those books where you lose track of time and become totally engrossed a family's journey from the the terrors of the Taliban in Afghanistan to eventual reunion with family in England. But the journey is difficult as they are either cared for …more
Jade Dragon Mountain
Jade Dragon Mountain
by Elsa Hart
Enchanting Mystery in18th Century China (6/9/2015)
Jade Dragon Mountain was a wonderful escape into a land and era I have not read much about. The mystery revolves around the death of Brother Peiter, an educated astronomer and guest of the magistrate. The author creates a diverse cast of characters (a.k.a. suspects) …more
Three Many Cooks
Three Many Cooks: One Mom, Two Daughters: Their Shared Stories of Food, Faith & Family
by Pam Anderson, Maggy Keet & Sharon Damelio
Interesting Concept - Uninteresting Stories (1/28/2015)
I think the concept of little personal stories of cookbook author Pam Anderson and her daughters was an interesting concept - short vignettes followed by a recipe tied to the story.

My question from the beginning is - why do we need to know about this family? I must admit I …more
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
by William Klaber
An Absorbing Tale of Lucy/Joseph (12/16/2014)
An amazing story of Lucy who at first disguises herself as a man (Joseph) to have the earning power and status to support her only child. As the story progresses she identifies and becomes the man she only thought to mimic. As she travels through the unexplored territories …more
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming
Wealth, Position in Life Do Not Buy Happiness (10/30/2014)
A new, very well documented journalized biography of Jackie O through the eyes of PTSD. Leaming explains what drove Jackie into the situations, people and places she experienced after the murder of JFK. It poses the questions was Jackie destined for unhappiness throughout …more
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming
Money, title do not buy happiness (10/12/2014)
A new, very well documented journalized biography of Jackie O through the eyes of PTSD. Leaming explains what drove Jackie into the situations, people and places she experienced after the murder of JFK. It poses the questions was Jackie destined for unhappiness throughout …more
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