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Reviews by Becky D. (Gloucester, VA)

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One Death at a Time
by Abbi Waxman

Like sorbet between the courses of a large meal! (12/7/2024)

This is the premise of Abbi Waxman's "One Death at a Time". A young, by the book AA member (Natasha) accepts the challenge of being a temporary sponsor of an aging, cranky, famous and former actor (Julia) who does not feel she needs her help. But she needs someone's help.

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The Funeral Cryer: A Novel
by Wenyan Lu

Great choice for book club discussion (2/18/2024)

The title piqued my interest as I've never heard of a funeral cryer and I'm always interested in different cultures. While the conditions of the people's lives in the village (constant struggles to earn enough money for present and future needs, ever present concerns of …more

King of the Armadillos
by Wendy Chin-Tanner

Who would have thought? (5/10/2023)

This is a novel about a young boy (Victor) with Hanson's disease (leprosy), who's life actually improves (both physically, emotionally, and educationally ) once he begins receiving medical treatment at Carville (the government run hospital for people with this disease).
The …more

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley

Refreshing and a fun read, but still with substance (10/17/2022)

I love a book where the character(s) evolve: overcome/work through issues and grow as a result. Then, it's icing on the cake if the main characters (an elderly woman recovering from broken pelvis and a barely 20 something struggling with forced life changes) are like oil …more

Two Storm Wood: A Novel
by Philip Gray

Engaging historical mystery (12/21/2021)

I'm always impressed with a book that keeps me reading while imparting knowledge about a totally new topic (to me). A particular battle during WWI, Two Storm Wood, in this case, is highlighted.
While trying to find her fiancee, (reported as missing in action) and bring his …more

Honor
by Thrity Umrigar

Read it in 2 days! (9/7/2021)

This is my first Thrity Umrigar book although I have had The Space Between Us in my TBR pile for ages. I feel her talent (at least in this book) lies in delving into and describing the atrocity of India's traditional actions of misogyny, sexism, and all of these …more

The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls: A Novel
by Ursula Hegi

Beautifully written book (5/6/2020)

The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls is an excellent book for a book club discussion. When I have conflicting feelings with a book, it helps hearing others opinions, maybe even receiving a little validation in the process!

I thought the depiction of the home for the pregnant …more

Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America
by Nefertiti Austin

So glad I finished it! (9/6/2019)

First of all, I'm like several reviewers who thought the title was a little misleading. (Maybe I skimmed the description a little too lightly!!) But I had imagined a more militant book with arm raising, slogans and righteous anger over the inequities of race. I was in high …more

D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II
by Sarah Rose

An inside look at the resistance (3/26/2019)

Rose's book definitely puts the individual efforts of the resistance up close and personal. The reader can't help but be impressed with the amount of research done and the skill it took to make it extremely readable (even humorous at times).
She presents a good combination …more

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Book Jacket — Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus

Praised by *Parade* and *The New York Times Book Review*, this debut features a 1960s scientist turned TV cooking star.

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