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Reviews by Candace F. (Lincoln, NE)

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The Waters: A Novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Interesting book (11/14/2023)

I love the cover of this book and the title, "The Waters" is very inviting. When i rea the synopsis of this book I thought it was my kind of book, engaging prose, generational, with a touch of fantasy. I found it confusing from the beginning with the characters having many names and nicknames. I felt like I spent too much time trying to keep everyone straight with their crazy names. I am not a snake-liking person and although she did a great job describing the snake he was just not my cup of tea. The characters weren't likeable. I will not be recommending it to my friends but I'm sure it will be a great read for many people.

Banyan Moon: A Novel
by Thao Thai

Better Than 5 Stars (5/17/2023)

I loved this book! I wish I could give it 10 stars.

This poignant story spans 3 generations of strong women, the Vietnamese Tran family comprised of mother, daughter and granddaughter. They weather complicated family relationships and family secrets.

I loved each character and loved the way Thoa Thai developed each character literally and metaphorically. I really liked the way she went back and forth from each character weaving a intense story of all the emotions humans deal with in life, love, hate, fear and hope.

Thao has a very definite writing style. She has her story and makes the characters and settings come alive. She totally engages the reader.

The different and difficult love stories of these three women were believable and heartbreaking. It isn't a neatly, happily ever after read.

I especially liked the folktale of the legend of Chu Choi and the similarity of Banyan Moon.

I hope this debut novel will be the first of many to come from Thao Thai. For me this was the best read of the year!

Homestead: A Novel
by Melinda Moustakis

Alaska, an emerging frontier (1/17/2023)

First, I want to say I love the cover of this book. The title and the cover drew me in from the start.
This is a story of friendship, courage and love between friends, siblings and a man and a woman who entered into a marriage without knowing one another. Marie longed for a family and a home of her own while Lawrence wanted to claim land in Alaska, build a life and leave his living legacy. Melinda Moustakis has clear descriptive writing that not only gives you a vested interest if the characters but makes you feel like you are there and experiencing the trials of early settlement in Alaska and the struggle to achieve statehood. This story is about complicated relationships, celebrating victories, terrorizing fear and deep loss of a child. The characters are bonded by the trials and accomplishments they endure through hardships of living and loving in a cold untamed land. A tale I won't soon forget.

Scatterlings: A Novel
by Resoketswe Martha Manenzhe

HIstory and Folklore (10/13/2022)

Scatterlings was a very different kind of book than I usually read however I found it to be educational in the history of the Immorality Act of 1927, multilayered with societal issues of loss, interracial marriages, belonging and mental instability. This debut author is exemplar in weaving folklore with social issues that are current in our society today. The descriptive narrative on the feelings of depression and the spiraling down to the level of sucide/murder left the biggest impression on me. It was so tragically but authenically written it reached to the pit of my stomach. My two biggest take aways were delving into the question "where do we truly belong" and the laws and prejudices that deeply affect mental health. I certainly can see how this young author won so many outstanding awards for the novel and I feel it would be even more deeply experienced by the African people.

The Lies I Tell: A Novel
by Julie Clark

One of the Best (4/3/2022)

I loved Julie Clark's book "The Flight" and have been anxiously anticipating her new book. I was so excited when I was selected to receive an ARC of this book. It certainly didn't disappoint. Clark weaves an intricate web that pulls you in at the start. The characters of Meg and Kat are so well developed I felt like I knew them personally. Clark is a genius developing the plot of this story bringing down powerful, corrupt men and justice or the innocent victims. My first thought after reading the book was "Robin Hood". My second thought was, "I wish I could read this book again for the first time". Julie Clark, keep them coming! You are at the top of my fav list!

Black Widows: A Novel
by Cate Quinn

Three Wives--One husband (1/3/2021)

Ms. Quinn did a great job of developing the characters in this book. The wives had very little in common except for the same husband. Each had a past with baggage from their childhood with made each character interesting. Blake (the husband) was dysfunctional as well and his mother who influenced his life and not in a good way. The beliefs of the Mormons and polygamy made the story interesting and thought provoking. Although I really liked the murder mystery part of the book and it kept me guessing all the way through, I felt the ending did not fit with the rest of the story. The "happily ever after" ending didn't seem to be a plausible ending.

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
by Phaedra Patrick

Happy Ending (1/8/2020)

If you are ready for a light-hearted story that includes loss, mystery, heroism, and friendship that turns into more The Secrets of Love Story Bridge should be on your TBR list. I requested this book because I was intrigued by the title and I enjoyed Phaedra Patrick's book The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. I enjoyed Secrets because it moved at a fast pace and it had a happy ending. I would liked to have had the author develop the characters a bit more but overall it was a happy, relaxing book that left you feeling good.

The Night Tiger: A Novel
by Yangsze Choo

Fascinating Tale (12/13/2018)

First of all, I loved the name of the book. It in itself, drew me in. The tale set in 1930's Malaya involves mystery, ghosts and beautifully written descriptions. The book weaves the story of two young people, Ren the 11 yr. old houseboy and JiLin a young apprentice seamstress. The story is full of mystery, superstition, and imagery. Yangsze Choo has a marvelous way of creating details that bring the characters and settings to life. My favorite character was Ren but the uniqueness of this book kept the pages turning. This is a book to experience.

Red, White, Blue
by Lea Carpenter

Not for me (7/9/2018)

I had a difficult time staying with this book. It seemed to jump around for me and without more knowledge of espionage I was at times totally in the dark. I would have a very hard time recommending this to my friends.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles
by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel

Touching and Memorable (5/9/2018)

I consider myself more of a dog-lover than a cat-lover with that being said, I am definitely an animal lover. The Traveling Cat Chronicles is a very touching, bittersweet, all about "life" story written through the eyes of a cat. The book is at times funny but as you travel with Satoru and his cat and life companion, Nana, on their life adventure you meet friendship, boundless love, and courage. This is one of those books that the author writes to make the story come alive and leaves you pondering over the many aspects of it for many days or weeks to come. Don't miss this one if you enjoy a fun, heartwarming book. I highly recommend it!

Other People's Houses
by Abbi Waxman

Other People's Houses (12/3/2017)

This is a story that could take place in anyone's neighborhood. Frances Bloom found herself involved with the lives of other families on her block. Who really knows what happens behind closed doors but sometimes we find out by accident. Abbi Waxman is a pro at delivering a story full of humor and her imagination. The characters are unforgettable and real. This would be a good book club choice that could lead to all kinds of discussions.

As Bright as Heaven
by Susan Meissner

Not to be missed! (10/16/2017)

If you are a fan of historical fiction this book should be at the top of your list. After reading The Nightingale I didn't think there would be a book I liked as well but this book has proven me wrong. This book is so well written that as I read it became a motion picture playing in my mind. The setting of the Pandemic of the Spanish Flu of 1918-1919 was a topic I had read little about. It takes place in a mortuary in Philadelphia at the time of the outbreak and Great War and the story of the Bright family. The author developed the characters so well I feel like I knew them personally. When I had finished reading the book and asked myself who was my favorite character, my answer was "all of them".

Since I read this book I have read two other books by Susan Meissner. She is definitely one of my favorite authors. As Bright As Heaven will definitely be a book I recommend to all my friends and a book choice for my book group. This is one I will read again.

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Happiness by Heather Harpham (6/1/2017)

This book was not easy for me to read but grabbed my heart to the very core. Deep moving love, happiness, hope, fear, sadness, sprinkled with a little humor....it covered all the human emotions. Heather's relationship with Brian, her friends, family and children brought out each raw emotion. Brian, Heather, and Gracie are the very definitions of courage and strength, my only question is, although Heather mentioned a few prayers at the end of the story, how much did faith sustain her? I had to wonder if "faith" would have brought Heather and Brian some peace of mind. This memoir is one I will never forget and without any reservation recommend to all my friends and family. Heather, your work is exemplary!

The Stars Are Fire
by Anita Shreve

Excellent book (2/22/2017)

The first book I read by Anita Shreve was "The Pilot's Wife". I loved it and read everything she had/has written. Her stories never disappoint!!! "The Stars Are Fire" is another outstanding book and I would gladly have given it 6 stars if I could have. The characters come alive on the page and in your heart. The story is compelling as Grace faces insurmountable situations and shows her strength and valor. The ending was very satisfying but I didn't want the book to end. This one is a real winner and will be recommended by me to all book lovers and even those who aren't! I absolutely loved it!

The Girl Before
by JP Delaney

The Girl Before (11/18/2016)

This is one of the best books I've read in awhile. The story was very unique to anything I've ever read and it held my interest until the very end! I usually don't read psychological thrillers but it may be my new genre.The way the author went back and forth from Emma to Jane was a little bit confusing at first but I really liked the way the author went back and forth with short, very descriptive chapters and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The ending was a surprise I didn't see coming and although the author could have ended it many ways I loved the choice of ending. I will highly recommend this book to friends and my book club. It was well written and leaves you wanting more. I think this will be a great book for discussions!

The Book That Matters Most: A Novel
by Ann Hood

A Great Read (5/31/2016)

Ann Hood is a new author to me and I'm so glad I have discovered her! I loved "The Book That Matters Most" for several reasons. Ms. Hood makes her characters as real as the people you know. I felt like I could call Ava and invite her for a cup of coffee! I loved this book from the first page until the last word. It is a unique story and so refreshing. I will be recommending this to all of my friends and book group. I purchased another of her books this morning. If you are a book lover you can't help but like this book, it is a definite must read! This is a great book to start the summer's enjoyable reads. I'm looking forward to reading all of your books! Keep 'em comin'!

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Ashes of Fiery Weather
by Kathleen Donohoe

Disappointed (3/7/2016)

The title "Ashes of Fiery Weather" was very intriguing. I love the cover of this book and couldn't wait to begin reading this book. Being a fan of "Chicago Fire" and "Blue Bloods" on T.V. I was sure I would really like it. I found the book to be confusing and hard to follow. There were so many characters which I felt were under developed and with the switching back and forth of the time periods I found the book very disappointing. I think the author had some good ideas but fewer character and a more sequential presentation would have made it easier to read. I was surprised that the book had over 400 pages and only 7 chapters. This is not a book I would recommend to my friends.

The Widow
by Fiona Barton

Ms. Barton, I'm wanting more! (12/1/2015)

Dealing with child abduction and death are dark subjects. I don't read many psychological thrillers but this one caught my attention. Fiona Barton wrote a "grab you from the first page....to the last" thriller. Her style is smooth and the transition from character to character was easy to follow. Did Jean know her husband Glen had abducted and murdered little Bella? And if she knew how could she stay with a man that had committed these horrible crimes? After reading the very last word I had a sense of satisfaction knowing Jean was at last free from Glen and his "accident" hadn't been an accident at all, Social Media is a very scary part of life and Fiona Barton leaves you on your guard. I look forward to more books by Ms. Baron. This would be an excellent book to discuss at book groups. I will be pondering it for days!

The Two-Family House
by Lynda Cohen Loigman

The Two-Family House (11/2/2015)

I finished "The Two Family-House" last night. If Loigman had other books I would be on my way to the book store now to purchase more. Loigman paints her characters like a masterpiece starting with a sketch of the character and adding layer upon layer of human emotions. The relationships between the two families was so real with all the human emotions one encounters as we journey through life.The book left me feeling like I could sit down with any one of the characters and have a great conversation as with an old friend. The end left me crying tears of joy and sadness. A beautiful story so craftily woven as with the threads of a piece of beloved fabric.This is a book to add to my list of favorites of all times. I will be recommending this book to all my friends and family.

Reviews by Candace F. (Lincoln, NE)

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Reviews by Candace F. (Lincoln, NE)

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