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Reviews by Connie K. (Oldsmar, FL)

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The Original Daughter
The Original Daughter: A Novel
by Jemimah Wei
Grim and Surprisingly Relatable (3/6/2025)
The sansevieria plant is native to dry desert. The mother in The Original Daughter struggles to nurture and maintain her beloved sansevieria plant in the unbearably hot, humid, suppressive conditions of Singapore. This challenging effort parallels her relationship with her …more
In the Garden of Monsters
In the Garden of Monsters: A Novel
by Crystal King
Too Big a "Chunk of Arils and Pith" (8/7/2024)
In the Garden of Monsters by Crystal King was listed as historical fiction so I chose to review it. In the author's own notes, she refers to it as a Gothic novel and an ode to food, combining her fascination with Dali's art and personality, Greek and Roman mythology, and …more
The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl
The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl
by Bart Yates
The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl Review (5/6/2024)
Issac's tale is an American life adventure highlighting 12 Days. It deserves a '4' for the energy and delightful detail in the first Day alone. By far the best chapter, maybe ever! While the title of the book had me prepared for a Gumpish story filled with famous characters, …more
Leaving
Leaving: A Novel
by Roxana Robinson
Ties Do Bind (11/23/2023)
Is there only one way to honor a marriage? Do sacrifices have limits, and who gets to decide what they are? What is weakness, what is strength? Can you expect to be given respect from those you deeply hurt, from yourself for the choices you make to survive?

The novel " …more
The Wren, the Wren
The Wren, the Wren: A Novel
by Anne Enright
Front Row Seat to Mostly Unexciting Family Drama (8/9/2023)
Let me put it this way, if these people were my acquaintances, I'd probably be busy when they called. This inside seat for endless family judgments on each other is not the way I'd choose to spend my reading time, but yes, there are some uniquely expressed nuggets within, …more
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge
by Spencer Quinn
Light as a Feather (3/24/2023)
This is my first time to read this author. Being about the same age as the protagonist the predicament was of interest. That is, having your bank accounts cleaned out by heartless scammers. The set-up of her character, as being a somewhat savvy businesswoman/partner with …more
The All-American
The All-American: A Novel
by Joe Milan Jr.
Finding Self and Family the Hard Way (2/4/2023)
The lead character, Bucky, (and many more monikers as his experiences continued) takes the reader on a forced whirlwind trip to South Korea where he was born but knows not a word of Korean. He is a flawed young man who gains the reader's interest, if not sympathy, early on. …more
In the Time of Our History
In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari
Like Listening to a Friend Over Tea (9/9/2022)
Defiant of her father's culturally sanctified heavy-handed ways and biology's edicts as well, Mitra designs her own life in San Francisco. This story of familial relationships is largely character driven, filled with conflict and love and beautifully told heartfelt drama. …more
Natural History
Natural History: Stories
by Andrea Barrett
Am I too late to the party? (8/8/2022)
This stories collection is my first exposure to Andrea Barrett's writing. While on a personal level I had a connection with some of the stories, in that I have raised butterflies - love nature, and have taken a few flying lessons and in fact did a solo skydive in my youth. …more
The Lies I Tell
The Lies I Tell: A Novel
by Julie Clark
Meaty Premise Vegan Delivery (4/5/2022)
Wanted to love this book. Revenge! Justice for the unjustified male bullies and opportunists! Well, while some of Meg's grifter shenanigans were well plotted, amusing, and quite interesting, the overall story seemed to lack the needed suspense. Her desired endgame was known …more
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BookBrowse Book Club

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    by James Baldwin
    A book-length essay on racism in American films, by "the best essayist in this country" (The New York Times Book Review).
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