BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story
by Pagan Kennedy

Secret History of the Rape Kit (11/7/2024)

A very well written book. The research on this was exceptional. In this time period women were being blatantly discriminated against by many branches of the Justice Department. Very strong and persistent women were involved in changing this. Victims of rape had very little physical evidence to support their case. Women were often times viewed as the perpetrator. Enter one woman who took up the cause and developed a forensic kit to test for violent sexual abuse . These kits were dispensed free of charge to many police departments. Many were used but never tested. Finally when a national DNA database was developed did rape kits become essential in prosecution of perpetrators. A great move in the empowerment of women and their quest for equal rights. I really enjoyed this book.

The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl
by Bart Yates

The very long ,very strange life of Isaac Dahl (5/28/2024)

This book was a good read and I really liked the format. Lots of anchor points of historical events and movements of the time. Great well developed characters. The story tells of the power of family and friendships through tragedy and triumphs. I would recommend this for book clubs because of its diversity.

The Day Tripper: A Novel
by James Goodhand

Time travel explained (12/15/2023)

A good novel but confusing at times (time shifts in the book). Alex Dean is an example of how one's' life can be changed in the blink of an eye. This book almost reads like a story of recovery (substance abuse). The difference being in recovery one changes ones self to deal with circumstances instead of changing conditions to meet ones needs. Both funny and sad at times it mimics real life situations. Well worth reading. I enjoyed this book very much. A great read for book clubs.

The Witches at the End of the World
by Chelsea Iversen

Good and evil (8/22/2023)

This book was very tiring to read. Very slow beginning. The plot almost reminds me of sibling rivalry. The characters were not well developed. Written in a beautiful setting and a and time of much superstition it fell short of my expectations. Youth readers might enjoy this.

King of the Armadillos
by Wendy Chin-Tanner

The King of the Armadillos (5/29/2023)

This is a story of love, hate, family, and relationships and how kindness can shape one's life. Having immigrated from China to New York and then being placed in a leprosarium in Louisiana made this story of coming of age very difficult for Victor (main character). Victor finds that friendship is where you make it. "Becoming a part of" gives one a sense of security in an angry world. Great historical fiction of America's recent past. I recommend this book to readers who root for the underdog.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
by David Grann

The Wager (3/17/2023)

The Wager is a well written account of life, death, murder and intrigue on the high seas during the mid eighteenth century. The story takes place when a group of British ships attempt to round Cape Horn, a very treacherous passage of ocean around the tip of South America. The novel stresses the need for discipline and order with so many men involved. It also shows how men without these qualities can resort to anarchy. Amazingly some the men make it back to England where a court-marshal will determine the consequences of bad choices made by the dissenters of the crew. In the end the crew escapes severe punishment due to the public having heard the accounts of many involved causing confusion in the admiralty. A great read.

The Critic's Daughter: A Memoir
by Priscilla Gilman

The Critics Daughter (2/7/2023)

A well written memoir of family and it's struggles. A long and tense read of a struggle to right wrongs of the past which I feel is impossible. I could in no way identify with this lifestyle.
This book is written to a limited audience. Academia will appreciate this book.

Once We Were Home
by Jennifer Rosner

Where is home? (11/20/2022)

A beautifully written novel. Difficult to read at times.Addresses the question of how we define home. A story about Jewish children being taken to safety during WW2. I have read many stories about how Jews were taken to safety and protected from Nazi Germany but this is from a different perspective. Told from the children's point of view we see the impact of instability of what and where home is. The story plumbs the depth of love and family in very unstable surroundings. It shows the strength needed through family and friends to overcome adversity in changing and difficult times.
This would be a great book to discuss at book clubs.
I loved this book!

In the Time of Our History
by Susanne Pari

In the time of our history (10/11/2022)

A well written story of a family challenges on many fronts.
It shows us how difficult it is keep the past and present in sync. With the cultural differences life has a way of showing up no matter where you are. This story shows us that families are fragile and work must be done to keep them together.

The Empire of Dirt: A Novel
by Francesca Manfredi

The Empire of Dirt (6/14/2022)

I found this book to be an average read. Not a well defined plot. A book of three women who are facing usual occurrences in life. The writing was good but not a good coming of age novel. I would not recommend it for book club.

Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer

Some of it was real (3/10/2022)

"Some of It Was Real" was a great read. Sylvie and Thomas were believable characters because the author displayed their good and bad traits with great timing and good emotional response.The story line was unique. We don't read a lot about psychics in novels today. Strange how their life stories were very similar. This would be a great book club novel. I read this in 2 sittings.

Housebreaking
by Colleen Hubbard

Housebreaking (10/17/2021)

Great debut novel. Fun to read and ideal for book club discussion. Lots of quirky characters that keep you wanting to see what happens next. The main character Del comes of age when she feels her life needs more than it has been in the past (not a great childhood). She creates a challenge to redeem a past of failures and disappointments by saving her old childhood home (piece by piece ) from a greedy uncle who wants to develop her property. In the end she finds that giving is far greater than taking.

Take My Hand
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Take My Hand (9/13/2021)

This book brings forth another part of US history that is dark and frightening. We still feel repercussions today of the people who been affected. Minorities and the poor have always been a stigma on "normal" society. What better way lessen their impact than forced birth control. This is a sad and disturbing story of how a fictional family dealt with this practice. Based on current and historical events this story portrays how one family suffered through a trial that exposed this most unethical practice sanctioned by the government. I would recommend this novel for book club discussion.

The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World: A Novel
by Laura Imai Messina

The Wind Phone (12/29/2020)

Great book! I read this book in a very short time. A great story of recent history. I was captured by how human this story was. From tragedy to hope it carries you on a journey of the human soul. It shows how grief is a personal thing for each one of us. The characters are nondescript but each one carries a different message of hope and dealing with everyday life through tragic events. A very touching story of love, companionship, community and the power of the human spirit. This would definitely be a great book for book clubs.

Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins
by Katarina Bivald

Slow start (12/28/2019)

This book has a great story line but slow to start. I enjoyed the characters and their quirks and how they came together in the end. It addresses current social issues with finesse. As with this book we would all like to relive our past and maybe right some wrongs or change a few things. The best we can do is accept our past and learn from our past. Another good view of small town America and it's "supposed innocent" past. Much love is shared throughout this book and proves to be the overall theme. This would be a great book for book clubs. Overall I liked this very much except for the slow start.

The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey

"The Big Finish" Review (10/28/2019)

Wow! What a great read. Who knew that assisted living could produce some real life drama. Encouraging for me being 71. Duffy has been through the 12 steps and is ready to tackle life on life's terms. All the people around Josie have a common goal. This book brings out how adversity can lead to good things. Great story because of well developed characters. 5 Stars. I read this in 2 sittings!

Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights
by Dovey Johnson Roundtree , Katie McCabe

Perseverance (9/25/2019)

Mighty Justice is the life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree and her involvement in the Civil Rights movement. The book was great for anyone living during this time and it would be a great read for book club discussion. I would highly recommend this book to my group of friends. Dovey is an inspiration to people who are still seeking freedom for all peoples.

A People's History of Heaven
by Mathangi Subramanian

Standing your ground. (2/16/2019)

Great read! This is a story about people at their best and society at it's worse. The writer has created a story in which we can all identify. Big government versus the down trodden.This book appeals to the compassion in all of us. Young and old can find themselves in these characters.This book also presents questions great for group discussion. Reminds one of the trials and tribulations of the "Radium Girls". Great story of young women coming of age.

Anatomy of a Miracle
by Jonathan Miles

Insightful (1/23/2018)

This book touches on many social issues and misconceptions. An almost believable story for today's social norms and conceptions. Touches on areas of science and religion and the changing of social mores in the ever changing landscape of the human condition. To summarize, the acceptance of people that are different from "normal" (just like us) need to conform to our beliefs or continue through life on the road of failure and despair. The bright spot in the story is the defiance of trying to fit in and just be yourself!

Reviews by Windell H. (Rock Hill, SC)

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Reviews by Windell H. (Rock Hill, SC)

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