BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

We'll Prescribe You a Cat
by Syou Ishida

Quirky (7/8/2024)

This is a quirky, fun read. In a magical way the book explores how animals, in this case, cats, not only touch our intellectual, mental, emotional and spiritual lives but how they may also heal those parts of us where we humans are wounded by life. An enjoyable journey with a twist at the end!

Follow the Stars Home
by Diane C. McPhail

Unknown History Revealed (6/3/2024)

The best part of this book was that the story introduces the reader to Lydia Latrobe Roosevelt, a courageous adventurer. Lydia, who along with her husband, Nicholas Roosevelt, their infant son and toddler daughter, navigated the waters of the mighty Mississippi River in the first steamboat to travel from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. Leaving in the autumn of 1811, the reader is introduced to more "characters" such the Great Comet of 1811 and the New Madrid Earthquake. I'm often troubled about the "hidden" contributions women have made to society and yet appreciative to discover the strength of these women in our history.

The Funeral Cryer: A Novel
by Wenyan Lu

The Musings of a Middle-aged Woman (3/19/2024)

Although the setting for this book is China and there are definitely cultural differences, the pondering and processing of the unnamed woman could be the thoughts of any 21st century woman. As she receives little emotional support from her family, especially her husband who is verbally abusive, in her mind she questions everything about her life. She questions her sexuality, her body image, her worth, her parenting, her marriage, her role as a daughter and sister as well as the mundane parts of life like, shopping, cooking and gardening. The backdrop for all her musings is her job as a Funeral Cryer, where she shows honor and respect for those who have died through her honest and sincere grieving.

The Adversary: A Novel
by Michael Crummey

Not My Cup of Tea (1/23/2024)

I'm guessing that there are readers who found "The Adversary" to be an intriguing and interesting read. I did not. To me none of the characters-protagonists or adversaries-were even remotely likable and the level of violence was sickening. The only reason I finished reading this book was to fulfill my commitment to Bookbrowse.

Digging Stars: A Novel
by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma

The intellectual and emotional journey of life. (8/14/2023)

When one idealizes people, countries or philosophies, all of these will eventually fail to hold up to one's expectations. And these failings can even cause one to have mental or emotional anguish. In this story, Rosa - a smart, talented, young woman - finds herself in that exact situation. As she journeys through her young adulthood, Rosa begins to find a way to accept the humanity of her father, her friends, her home country and her adopted country. Therefore healing and accepting herself.

The All-American: A Novel
by Joe Milan Jr.

A Challenging Read (3/17/2023)

Reading this book was a challenge for me. The book's core subject regarding our country's treatment of immigrants and refugees-especially children-is something that I want to learn more about. I even like football and understood the references made in the book. It was Bucky's male teenage angst and sexual references and exploits where I was unable to relate. Also many of his experiences in Korea seemed unrealistic while at the same time the ending was too simple.

Moonrise Over New Jessup
by Jamila Minnicks

A Different View of Desegregation (1/26/2023)

A historical fiction set in 1950s and 1960s Alabama, where women, men, and their families are making decisions daily regarding desegregation, voting rights, community safety and the municipality of their town, New Jessup. Each person asks themselves who can they trust, how much to share and what is the best future for this all-Black community. As couples, friends, family members and the community struggle with these challenges they find themselves in the words of Alice, who is the voice of the story, "telling half-truths, some-truths and nontruths". This book is both enjoyable and educational.

Dinosaurs: A Novel
by Lydia Millet

Relatable and Educational (10/30/2022)

Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet is a delightful, humorous read that I would happily read again and recommend to friends and family. The exploration of Gil's life and loves and friendships near and far is both relatable and unique. The book is also an ecological education of different types of birds and how the birds' lives intersect with our lives as well as Gil's. Treat yourself to a pleasant morning, afternoon or evening reading Dinosaurs.

Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden: Two Sisters Separated by China's Civil War
by Zhuqing Li

The Unwanted Separation (8/13/2022)

War divides countries but more painfully war divided sisters. One sister lived her life in mainland China, separated from sister, who lived in Taiwan. The political divide kept them apart for a half century. The physical separation created a political division between the sisters as they each tried to live their lives in the midst of the governments of their countries. This is a sad, haunting story of yet another fallout of the greed of humankind to rule over others.

Migrations: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy

Staying in Touch (5/1/2020)

Love and loss. Human family and the family of earth.
How does one embrace each of these?
Denial or acceptance? Avoidance or acknowledgement? Escape or engage? As Franny journeys through each of these stages and emotions of her life, she travels physically and passionately from north to south.
Migrations contains a wealth of topics-relationships, death, nature, environment and the most interesting to me, Arctic Terns-for any book group discussion.
When I rate a book 5 stars that means I plan to read it again. As soon as I share this engrossing novel with all my bookworm friends, I will be eagerly rediscovering Migrations.

Yale Needs Women: How the First Group of Girls Rewrote the Rules of an Ivy League Giant
by Anne Gardiner Perkins

Women and Equality (8/14/2019)

As one reads Yale Needs Women, you are struck by the courage and perseverance of the first women students of Yale. Then you ask yourself, where is that courage and perseverance today to continue the work toward equality for all. As this book portrays, the journey of equality is never easy, never quick and is still needed today. As Yale women celebrate 50 years of coeducation, their stories also prove to be inspiration for today.

A People's History of Heaven
by Mathangi Subramanian

Friendship (3/11/2019)

This is a book of friendship and love among the women and girls of Heaven, a slum in Bangalore, India. Despite(or maybe because of)their poverty and day to day struggles to live, they support and protect one another with a fierce loyalty. My admiration for these women and their strong passions made this book an easy read for me. In fact, it was difficult for me to put the book down.

The more I read about each girl and woman the more they became dear to me as friends. An introduction of "The People of Heaven" at the beginning of the novel, had me embracing each women and girl before I had even read the first page. I was sorry to have the book end which means I will read again and that is the highest compliment I can bestow on a book.

Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris

An Enjoyable, Historical Read (9/24/2018)

The title Sold on Monday, at first seems too depressing to read, especially pictured with a sad little child on the front cover. But if you let that deter you, you will miss out on a well written historical fiction about the Great Depression and a side of it you may never heard about.

If you can't feed or clothe your children, then how do you provide the best care for them? Do you go to the extreme and sell them or give them away? With that horrendous possibility in mind,Ellis Reed and Lillian Palmer investigate the mystery surrounding two siblings who have been "adopted" by a well-to-do New Jersey couple.

What follows is a story of painful family relationships and how at all costs we protect those we love.

Reviews by Gaye R. (Coupeville, WA)

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Reviews by Gaye R. (Coupeville, WA)

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