Reviews by Carol R. (North Mankato, MN)

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Follow the Stars Home
Follow the Stars Home
by Diane C. McPhail
Little known historical fiction (6/27/2024)
FOLLOW THE STARS HOME is the fictional rendition of real events in 1811-1812. Lydia and Ben Roosevelt embark on an historical journey in the first steamboat to travel the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. Lydia is a woman before her time, beginning …more
Pony Confidential
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
Something unique! (6/27/2024)
Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical before I started reading. I don't enjoy fantasy and no doubt this book has some of that! However, I am a lover of animals, especially horses, and I was rooting for Pony to be reunited with Penny. While on the surface Pony Confidential …more
The Adversary
The Adversary: A Novel
by Michael Crummey
Stick with it! (2/9/2024)
I wanted to quit reading this book after a chapter or two because I couldn't understand most of the story. The desolate setting of Mockbeggar, Newfoundland, as well as the numerous characters with odd names, and archaic language, made this a difficult book to read. …more
The Stone Home
The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim
Shocking! (12/18/2023)
I found this book shocking and horrifying, mostly because this happened in 1980's S. Korea. It is yet another instance of institutionalized human cruelty brought to light. Kim created a fictionalized account of government-established reformatories that were created to keep …more
King of the Armadillos
King of the Armadillos
by Wendy Chin-Tanner
From China to Carville (6/21/2023)
Wendy Chin-Tanner takes us on a historical journey set in the 1950s. The main character, 15-yr-old Victor, a Chinese immigrant living in the Bronx with his father and brother, contracts Hanson's Disease (leprosy). This disease carried so much shame and stigma and ultimately …more
Panther Gap
Panther Gap: A Novel
by James A. McLaughlin
Engaging and beautiful scenery! (4/3/2023)
I loved this book although it was not an easy read. The story unfolds with visits to the past as we learn more about the cast of characters, family history, conflicts, and clues concerning the rumored inheritance. The descriptions of the scenery, animals, and touches of …more
Moonrise Over New Jessup
Moonrise Over New Jessup
by Jamila Minnicks
Segregation from another perspective (2/9/2023)
When Alice landed in New Jessup, Alabama, early in the civil rights movement, it was the result of circumstance, rather than intention. In New Jessup, Alice found an all black community, which separated itself from white Jessup. This was a view of segregation I was not …more
Peach Blossom Spring
Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel
by Melissa Fu
A Story of Resilience (3/9/2022)
There is so much I learned from this multi-generational story but mostly it portrays resilience during periods of war, poverty, betrayal and loss for the Dao family as they are forced to start over numerous times. Meilin is the main character and mother to Renshu (Henry, …more
How to Find Your Way Home
How to Find Your Way Home
by Katy Regan
Sibling Secret (10/7/2021)
Emily has struggled with finding inner peace in her life because her brother, Stephen, is homeless since his release from prison 15 years ago. When she finally finds him and invites him to her home, the past is slowly revealed. They once shared a happy, supportive family …more
A Million Things
A Million Things
by Emily Spurr
A Million Things (5/12/2021)
This book had me from the start as I wasn't sure if the disappearance of Rae's mother was the result of a crime or something else entirely...I was hoping Rae wasn't responsible. The details are revealed through Rae's interactions with Lettie, the odd neighbor living next …more
Morningside Heights
Morningside Heights: A Novel
by Joshua Henkin
Life can be messy and unpredictable... (4/14/2021)
I was expecting a classic story about a family dealing with the harsh diagnosis of Alzheimer's. While Spence's early diagnosis of this terrible disease is the focus, we also learn that this outwardly successful family has lots of dysfunction. They struggle to find a place …more
The Last Tiara
The Last Tiara
by M.J. Rose
History, mystery and romance (1/13/2021)
I found myself drawn in to the mystery of the Faberge-designed Romanov tiara found in the walls of a New York apartment. The story is told in alternating chapters by mother, Sophia, and her daughter, Isobelle. This technique was effective in filling in the backstory of …more
At the Edge of the Haight
At the Edge of the Haight
by Katherine Seligman
A Glimpse Into Another World (10/9/2020)
Everyone has a story, even those nameless homeless people we like to pretend we don't see. I was drawn in to this book and Maddy's story. Her path to homelessness is probably similar to most and includes parenting failures, poverty, drug abuse and lack of a support system. …more
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