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Reviews by Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)

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Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley

Twisty and Fun (12/7/2024)

Jane and Dan at the End of the World delivers a very entertaining read. I enjoy all of Colleen Oakley's novels. She has an uncanny way with plot and dialogue that makes her novels unspool in living color as you read them. I think it is the way she puts very ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and then sets things in motion. Jane and Dan at the End of the World is my favorite of her novels to date. Centering her novel on Jane, a one book author, and her husband, Dan a plodding podiatrist with a new passion, the novel takes place over the course of one evening.

Ms. Oakley's plot twists are clever and surprising. Her dialogue is realistic and laugh out loud funny.

I will be recommending this book to all my reading friends and to the book club I lead. We read Colleen Oakley's previous novel, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, to the delight of all of our readers.

Beast of the North Woods: Monster Hunter Mysteries #3
by Annelise Ryan

Clever and Fun (11/18/2024)

What a fun and unique read. This is the first novel of Annalise Ryan that I have read, but it won't be my last. This clever novel follows Morgan Carter, a cryptozoologist, as she searches for a Hogad in the North Woods. This premise sounds like it could have easily veered into a campy novel, yet it remained believable and entertaining throughout. The characters were interesting, the story came together with lots of action and minimal explanations. This was a quick and enjoyable read and I will be recommending this book and this author to all my reading friends.

We'll Prescribe You a Cat
by Syou Ishida

Cats can Cure! (5/30/2024)

We'll Prescribe You A Cat is one of the most unique books I have ever read. I do love cats as do many readers. I think this charming book will resonate with many as it dives into the way that cats can relate to people and improve their world. The specialness of the clinic that prescribes the cats is slowly revealed as the book progresses through several different breeds of cats being matched with different owners. I liked the magical aspect of the book and enjoyed the characters. The translation from Japanese was smooth and gave an interesting look into the Japanese culture. I will be recommending this book to my book club and all my reading friends.Thanks BookBrowse and netgalley for letting me preview this fun book!

The Funeral Cryer: A Novel
by Wenyan Lu

A Different World (2/12/2024)

The Funeral Cryer was a novel that introduced me to many cultural differences between a mature woman living in a Chinese village and the life I enjoy. I had never heard of a funeral cryer. The fact that the main character had stumbled upon this career as a way to support her household seemed to affect every part of her being. While the job seemed to pay well and allowed her husband not to work, it brought with it an isolation as the funeral cryer was often unwelcome in homes or at happy gatherings.

I was interested in the descriptions, from the minimalist housing and lack of material goods, to the complicated system that allowed the government to own all the land. The views on aging, children, and usefulness were also explored. The writing style is unique, with characters only referred to by their role or relation, husband, barber, etc. The novel would lead to great discussions.

Bad Animals: A Novel
by Sarah Braunstein

Decidedly Different (1/6/2024)

Bad Animals is a unique novel. As an educator for many years, the accusation of impropriety by a librarian who led children's programs felt shocking. The developments that seemed to implicate the librarian in many ways made it difficult to see her as a sympathetic character. There were a few minor characters that I felt had redeeming characteristics but most characters were flawed, The character flaws seemed to be what drove the novel. The author's style made you question what was really happening, her foreshadowing about events that were to happen after the novel ended often sounded more interesting than what actually took place during the novel.
I admired the author's use of language to paint very vivid scenes, but this was not a novel I will be recommending to my reading friends or book clubs.

We Must Not Think of Ourselves
by Lauren Grodstein

Raw and Realistic (1/2/2024)

I have read hundreds, if not thousands of novels set during World War II. The novel We Must Not Think of Ourselves is one in its own class. This novel takes place in a Polish ghetto over the course of almost 2 years. During that time the residents become increasingly impoverished, hungry, and desperate. What sets this novel apart is that the characters are realistic people, not heroes. This novel seems so raw and heartbreaking as it shows the Jewish inhabitants trying to normalize their existence in this purgatory while wondering how the world has forgotten about them. The slow realization that they are headed toward annihilation seems so cruel and unbearable, yet we know this was true. Ms. Grodstein has given a voice to those ordinary Polish citizens who lived and died in the Warsaw ghetto. This novel will remain in my heart and I will encourage my reading friends as well as my book club to read it.

Above the Salt: A Novel
by Katherine Vaz

Epic Novel (9/17/2023)

Above the Salt is unlike any novel I have ever read. The author creates a tale that follows the main characters across oceans and continents, through wars and disasters. The writing style was a bit difficult at first, but soon became almost like a lullaby with its vivid descriptions and lyrical rhythms. The world inside this novel is so encompassing that even after over 400 pages, I was sad to turn the last page. This is a magical tale that will stay with me. I believe that Above the Salt will appeal to anyone who likes fiction full of engaging characters, wound through with accurate historical details, and an unpredictable but believable plot.

Do Tell: A Novel
by Lindsay Lynch

Gossip of the Golden Age (6/30/2023)

This novel relies on a single narrator who over the course of decades uses her insider information to make or break Hollywood careers. We never get to really understand the characters that Edie reports about. I wanted to learn more about the many interesting characters that populate this novel. If you are a reader who enjoys reading about scandals, intrigue, and general bad behavior this well researched novel is for you. It certainly seems that not many things in Hollywood have changed!

The Montevideo Brief: A Thomas Grey Novel
by J. H. Gelernter

Adventure with an Unstoppable Hero (4/14/2023)

The Montevideo Brief is not my usual type of novel and I didn't really know what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised. The novel is very engaging and moves rapidly from adventure to adventure. I learned a lot about the rise of Napoleon and the efforts of other countries to thwart his plans. I wondered if joining this series at book #3 would make it difficult to follow characters, but just enough background was provided to make it understandable without bogging down the narrative. Thomas Grey is a very ingenious and compelling hero. I think that anyone who enjoys historical fiction would like this series.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley

A Book With Heart (10/12/2022)

I will take Tanner and Louise over Thelma and Louise any day! I so enjoyed this novel. The characters were engaging and realistic and the plot was fast paced and linear with just enough explanation to fill in gaps in the story. The original way the author noted her timeline on chapter headings was unique and helpful. I love a book where characters evolve, I love a book with unusual friendships, I love a book with surprises: The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise had it all! As I mature, it is refreshing to find senior characters that still have sass and vigor. I will be recommending this book to my book club, I think it would lead to a great discussion.

Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer

Winner (3/7/2022)

I devoured this book. It is so rare to find a novel with a completely fresh plot. The author was so skillful at leading us through events. The suspense was real, but never overtook the human connections being made. She made the story believable and made you care deeply for the characters, even the four legged ones. This is a book I can recommend to all my reading friends. I am excited to read this book with my book club, There are so many themes to talk about. My favorite book of the year!

How to Find Your Way Home
by Katy Regan

Real (10/17/2021)

Intertwining birdwatching with the story of siblings Stephen and Emily made How to Find Your Way Home so authentic. The love these siblings had for birds and the escape that birdwatching provided from their unhappy childhood home was so strong it allowed them to find a way back to each other after decades apart. The author creates characters so real that reading the novel is like stepping into their lives. I know that anyone who enjoys a novel with characters who evolve will devour this book. I will be recommending it to my book club. It also made me want to go birdwatching!

Flesh & Blood: Reflections on Infertility, Family, and Creating a Bountiful Life: A Memoir
by N. West Moss

Outstanding (8/13/2021)

I enjoyed every page of Flesh & Blood. I could not stop reading this honest, loving, courageous book. The author turns her energy from nurturing children to nurturing a life that blesses herself and those she loves. She uses the written word to pass down her history and vivid memories of loved ones and I felt enriched by hearing her tales. Ms. West Moss's love of nature was beautifully described. After reading this memoir, I felt like I had been on a healing journey with her. I will be recommending this book to my book club and anyone I come in contact with that enjoys reading.

Piranesi
by Susanna Clarke

Escape (8/30/2020)

When reading is your favorite hobby and you read over a hundred books a year it is difficult to find such a unique novel as Piranesi. As you lose yourself in this elaborate, beautifully described world that Piranesi inhabits you question everything. The author reveals characters and information in a gentle way that eases you toward a satisfying ending. This is a novel I will be recommending to my book club, it gave me several hours of true enjoyment and provided escape from my worries as I wondered if Piranesi would ever escape from his world.

The Book of Longings
by Sue Monk Kidd

Amazing (5/13/2020)

As a fan of Sue Monk Kidd, I eagerly awaited her new novel. What a captivating story she has woven, it is a completely different outlook on the life of Jesus, told from the perspective of his wife. Wow! It is beautifully and respectfully written and her images will remain with me. In this age of distancing I have started my far flung book club reading and passing along copies of this amazing novel. We will have so much to discuss!

Patsy: A Novel
by Nicole Dennis-Benn

Great Characters (5/21/2019)

It is truly a gifted writer who can immerse you in the lives of characters. The experiences of Patsy as she leaves her native Jamaica and travels to America are believable. The impact of her departure on those she leaves behind is well developed. The voice of the author carries throughout the novel in a strong and true fashion. While reading the novel I thought of the possible discussions my book club would have. The novel has many themes to discuss, central to the book is the idea of expectations. I enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it to my fellow readers for an engaging and thought provoking read.

House of Stone
by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma

Difficult read (12/5/2018)

I found House of Stone to be a stilted, confusing novel. It didn’t give me a sense of the culture and chaos of the birth of Zimbabwe. The novel focused on the narrator’s desire to be a beloved son and the lengths he goes to in order to achieve his goal. I never felt swept along in the story. I was hoping to connect with the author, but I never did.

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray

Fate, Choices and Consequences (10/1/2018)

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls was so readable, it grabs you from the very start and takes you on a journey with some unforgettable characters. The early death of Mama Butler thrusts Althea into the role of caregiver and shifts the family dynamics. The way the sisters react to a new family crisis reflects their early roles. The novel is a reminder that good people can make bad choices. I will be recommending this book to my book club, they are many themes to discuss in this very enjoyable novel.

The Winter Soldier
by Daniel Mason

Get Lost in The Winter Soldier (10/1/2018)

The Winter Soldier transports the reader back one hundred years to war torn Eastern Europe. We see events through the eyes of a young medical student being trained in Vienna who is suddenly delivered to a field hospital in the Carpathian Mountains as their only 'doctor'. The novel is rich in characters. The descriptions of the geography and buildings make you feel part of the action.

I read dozens of books each year to chose the selections that our book club reads. This is exactly the type of novel we love. Told from a doctor's point of view, it is very different from any historical fiction I have read about war in Europe. It is not surprising that the author is a Clinical Psychiatrist as he portrays such believable characters.

I think any reader would enjoy getting lost in The Winter Soldier.

A Place for Us
by Fatima Farheen Mirza

Unique Voice (3/16/2018)

The characters in A Place For Us are so compelling and rich that they pull you along through a deep and complicated family history. The young author has a very strong voice that unfortunately became lost for me at times as she switched narrators and timelines.
What kept me reading was the unique look at a 1st generation Muslim Indian American family, what the parents hoped to gain from raising their children in America as well as what they lost by leaving their culture behind. Any reader who enjoys a book that immerses them in a different life would enjoy reading A Place For Us.

Reviews by Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)

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Reviews by Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)

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