Reviews by Jo B. (DeRidder, LA)

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King of the Armadillos
King of the Armadillos
by Wendy Chin-Tanner
King of the Armadillos (5/31/2023)
This book interested me because I went to college about 45 minutes up the River Road from Carville. We would often drive by and admire the beautiful grounds and wonder about the residents. Political commentator, James Carville is from the family that this town is named …more
Natural History
Natural History: Stories
by Andrea Barrett
Natural History (9/4/2022)
I have read and loved Ms. Barrett's previous books, but I found this one more difficult to get into. The author has linked short stories which follow the main character, Henrietta through her life and her interaction with other scholars and her own students. The linking …more
Stories from Suffragette City
Stories from Suffragette City
by M.J. Rose, Fiona Davis
Great idea (11/15/2020)
What a great concept to have different authors write a short story about the same event. This gives the reader a varied perspective on the women's march for the right to vote which was held in NYC, 101 years ago last month. Each story was well written and unique. Thank you …more
Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics
by Jill McCorkle
Sounded great (6/14/2020)
I really wanted to like this book. The description sounded like the type of book I usually like but this one just didn't come together for me. It does contain reflections on Lil's and Frank's lives but they were too disjointed and random. I couldn't find cohesiveness in the …more
Women Rowing North
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing As We Age
by Mary Pipher
Rowing upstream? (5/14/2019)
The title, Rowing North was interesting. Are we rowing toward our true North? Do we feel we are rowing upstream? I was ultimately disappointed in this book. I am of the age she is speaking of and have found the changes in my body, life, family and work difficult. She …more
Clock Dance
Clock Dance: A Novel
by Anne Tyler
Bland (7/29/2018)
I have read all of Tyler's books and really enjoyed most of them. This one left me wanting more. I felt that the short bits of Willa's life that we were shown were not enough to feel like I knew her. The last half of the book was more satisfying and the characters more …more
The Story of Arthur Truluv
The Story of Arthur Truluv: A Novel
by Elizabeth Berg
Not typical of Berg (6/20/2017)
I enjoyed the light hearted book by seasoned author Elizabeth Berg. I've read almost all her previous books and didn't find that this one had the depth that the others did. She does a good job of having three people who are each alone and somewhat unlikely to have connected …more
News of the World
News of the World
by Paulette Jiles
News of the World (9/8/2016)
I appreciate the chance to review this book, I have read and liked other Paulette Jiles books and looked forward to her writing and the topic (young girl captured by Indians returned to relatives by an old Army Captain).

She did have appropriate amount of tension to keep …more
First Frost
First Frost
by Sarah Addison Allen
First Frost (11/15/2014)
I have read many of Sarah Addison Allen's previous books and recommend them to friends. I was disappointed in this one. I only read about the first 75 pages then gave it up. The characters did not interest me and the story line was weak. This book did not keep my interest enough to finish.
One Minus One
One Minus One: Nancy Pearl's Book Lust Rediscoveries
by Ruth Doan MacDougall
Nancy Pearl's rediscovery (4/7/2013)
I'm surprised that Nancy Pearl selected this book to be part of her limited edition rediscovery series. I though the book was OK but not outstanding. It takes place in New England and is about a young woman (Emily) who has been divorced from her husband. The story is about …more
The Art of Saying Goodbye
The Art of Saying Goodbye: A Novel
by Ellyn Bache
The art of saying Goodbye (4/11/2011)
This book appealed to me with the description comparing it to authors that I like. It is a major disappointment. I find the characters poorly developed and the story line weak. I'm not going to finish it because I have too many other books to read. Sorry this one wasn't better developed.
Under This Unbroken Sky
Under This Unbroken Sky
by Shandi Mitchell
Under This Unbroken Sky (9/17/2009)
This was a most enjoyable book. I loved the detail of the characters and the description of the land. The reader really gets the feel for the hard life that these people lived. There was an element of surprise as you went along which kept it from being predictable. I would recommend this book.
The Air Between Us
The Air Between Us
by Deborah Johnson
The Air Between Us (2/23/2009)
The author does a good job of describing the racial tension in the south in the 1960s which I also lived with. The end of the book is a twist which gives the reader a surprise. I didn't feel that all the characters were well developed and some relationships not quite …more
How to Build a House
How to Build a House
by Dana Reinhardt
how to build a house (3/31/2008)
I found this book to be a really good book. It really touched me and made me feel like I was in her world. It was well written. It is also one of those books that you can read over and over again and never get tired of it. It would probably appeal to teen from the age 14 to …more
Soldier's Heart
Soldier's Heart: Reading Literature Through Peace and War at West Point
by Elizabeth D. Samet
A Soldier's Heart (1/27/2008)
Elizabeth Samet is a civilian who has spent 10 years teaching English to West Point cadets. The reader learns about traditions at West Point and the impact of women attending the traditionally all male academy. The book is sprinkled with her stories of individual cadets and …more
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