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Reviews by Sharon P. (San Diego, CA)

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The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
3.5 stars. Ending was worth it (10/11/2022)
While I did enjoy this book, the first 3/4 of the read did not endure me to Tanner and Louise. I enjoyed the plot and especially the slight twists at the end. It was an enjoyable read, just not outstanding.
Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden: Two Sisters Separated by China's Civil War
by Zhuqing Li
Beautiful writing, beautiful story (6/21/2022)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful and rich in cultural flavor, emotion and detail. The two women highlighted were amazing women who work exceedingly hard through a very traumatic time in history.

Out of all the books I've read set in China, this onemore
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
Good story but not compelling (3/14/2022)
While the story could be fantastic, I felt was only average. I love historical fiction and I'm reasonable familiar with the Dirty War, have relatives in and from Argentina, so the subject matter was of great interest to me. However, the story never really grabbed me. I'mmore
The Paris Bookseller
by Kerri Maher
Interesting but not fully engaging- 3.5 stars (11/25/2021)
I so enjoy that this book was based on the real Shakespeare and Co. book store, which I have visited a few times. I found Sylvia's publishing of James Joyce's Ulysses fascinating, as well as their rift at the end of their business relationship. However, I felt the book wasmore
Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel
by Vera Kurian
In the heads of psychopaths (6/6/2021)
Wow! Solid 4.5-5. I took a half star off because the characters are not very likable (however, no great shock as they are mostly psychopaths and vapid college kids.)

However, the book is quite a page-turner. I finished it in 24-hours and did really enjoy the tale asmore
The Temple House Vanishing
by Rachel Donohue
Compelling Literary mystery (4/16/2021)
What fascinating characters!! I was expecting more vapid 16-year olds, but I found these young women—Louisa, Victoria (and even Helen)—to be complex and compelling. I was hooked at the premise of them all orbiting around their attractive and deep art teacher. While it's bemore
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman: A Novel
by Julietta Henderson
Love, Love, Love this book (3/6/2021)
What I an absolute joy of a book. I've loved every character, with all their flaws and personal pains. Norman is the kid that any parent would love with their whole being, scaly psoriasis and all. Sadie, the insecure mom, but loved her son with her all her might. Andmore
Big Girl, Small Town
by Michelle Gallen
Torn about my review...half great, half not so great (10/20/2020)
Normally I love this type of book...set in another country, depicting a slice of life through a myriad of quirky characters. On the positive side, I thought the writing was fabulous and I loved all the Irishisms, funny nicknames of the patrons and neighbors and the slice ofmore
The Paris Hours: A Novel
by Alex George
Outstanding narrative woven throughout (2/7/2020)
The Paris Hours is a wonderful book. Beautifully written, full of vivid detail and likable—albeit lost and sad—characters. The themes of lose and coincidence are threaded through the four main characters. I loved how historical figures, such as Hemingway, Gertrude Stein andmore
Small Days and Nights: A Novel
by Tishani Doshi
Loved this sweet, melancholic novel (12/2/2019)
I love this type of book. Set in a far off locale, full of interesting tidbits of a different culture, and many interesting characters (and dogs). I could really visualize their life's unfolding on the beach near Madras. My only disappointment was that I couldn't visualizemore
House of Stone
by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma
Mixed feelings BUT very good book (12/24/2018)
I love this style of historical fiction. It's so important to learn about another country's history from an authentic voice like Ms. Tshuma. I know some readers might be bothered or confused by all the native words and slang, however, I felt it was integral to story. Imore
My Lovely Wife
by Samantha Downing
Creepy to start, crazy twists by end, 4 stars. (10/23/2018)
I almost rejected reading this book a few chapters in. As much as I like a good psychological thriller, a husband and wife recreational killing team isn't tops on my list. HOWEVER, without giving away any secrets, the few twists and turns that occurred midway through caughtmore
Our House
by Louise Candlish
Whoa and wow! (6/12/2018)
While many aspects of this book seemed common....broken marriage, infidelity, guilt, etc. the house fraud angle and all the twists and turns that occurred because of a few bad, but relatable choices, leads the reader down an interesting and unique path in this exciting book.more
The Milk Lady of Bangalore: An Unexpected Adventure
by Shoba Narayan
Fun, interesting and touching! Who doesn't love cows? (12/25/2017)
I thought this was a fabulous, fun read. I learned so much about southern Indian culture, not to mention how much I learned about cows. I have a whole new appreciation for bovines and their milk nectar. I chuckled, I smiled, I even had a tear in my eye once or twice. I'm somore
Strangers in Budapest
by Jessica Keener
Loved the setting! Story pretty good. (11/8/2017)
It's always a fascinating journey to read a story set in another country and culture. For that I nearly always love the book. This story was good...not perfect, but good. I didn't really feel it was a thriller or page turner, but I enjoyed the pace nonetheless. I enjoyedmore
The Story of Arthur Truluv: A Novel
by Elizabeth Berg
Sweet and touching story (6/13/2017)
I did like this book and found it a very enjoyable read. The characters were likable and the ending was sweet. however, there were a few things that didn't flush out for me...I loved Arthur's ability to hear the dead's stories and I would have loved for that to be flushedmore
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