BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Crazy Blood
by T. Jefferson Parker

Crazy Blood (12/21/2015)

Years ago T. Jefferson Parker was a favorite of mine, and not having read his books for some time, I was looking forward to Crazy Blood. I liked the method he applied to begin the book by using a character in the first person tell her story and then continuing that method throughout the book. However, I was disappointed as I read. There was much description about the skiing, terrain and associated aspects of the sport—and I did appreciate the amount of research that was done. But having little interest in skiing and boarding, I become bored quickly. There were too many subplots that I had to track. Possibly a winter sport enthusiast would get more out of the book than I did.

House of Echoes: A Novel
by Brendan Duffy

A good story-- (2/14/2015)

This was another book that held my interest and definitely some angst. The innocent family gave me the feeling that something fearful might happen just around the corner. I had trouble putting it down; I needed to know what was going to happen. I wouldn't recommend House of Echoes to anyone not liking thrillers! For me, this book had the ultimate with its exciting plot.

Glitter and Glue: A Memoir
by Kelly Corrigan

If you love love your mother, don't miss this one . . . (12/6/2013)

This story, a memoir of a young woman and the disparity with her mother, shows how in actuality mothers and daughters are often so very much alike. Kelly tells it like it is. My mother and I had much the same relationship for years. It wasn't until after she died I was able to see who she was. I am my mother's daughter! There may not be too much to chew over for a book club; it is a short book but written so well it could go on forever.

The Mouse-Proof Kitchen
by Saira Shah

A story of love (6/9/2013)

This is a love story. A story that can make you cry, can make you laugh and above all, can make you appreciate life. The experiences of each character in the book will stay with the reader for a long while. It is beautifully written. I did think the ending, including all the characters, seemed too good and sweet and fluffy. There needed to be more "real life" at the closing. Yet, I couldn't put the book down. I loved it.

The Daughters of Mars
by Thomas Keneally

This is a long book! (5/13/2013)

This book is absolutely the best! I loved it all. I lived with these women and all the horrific events of the war. It was a surprise to learn of the medical treatments that are still used today. I felt the characters were very realistic. I had a hard time at the end—I was so caught off guard and actually happy to have it end as it did. But have to admit it took two readings of the ending to understand it.

Children of the Jacaranda Tree
by Sahar Delijani

Wonderful (2/11/2013)

I can't believe how good this book is. So well written, so emotional, so informative. It is a story that was on my mind for a long time after I finished it. I enjoyed Sahar Delijani's descriptive phrases. One that I especially liked: "…smelling of wood dust and expectation." I can only say—this story is outstanding, I loved it and it should be number one for 2013.

Cities of The Plain: Border Trilogy, Volume 3
by Cormac McCarthy

#3 (12/17/2012)

Here is the third in the Border Trilogy, but the second is not available to review. The Crossing (#2) is rated 4 by me.
The book is as melancholy as the other two. Emotional and violent, Cities of the Plain was one I couldn’t put down. But there is one thing I may have missed in the book—why did the cover have a burning field?

All The Pretty Horses
by Cormac McCarthy

So good . . . (12/17/2012)

This book is the first in a trilogy. I wondered at first if I was reading the book with such wonderful reviews or was it a “same title” book. Thank goodness, after taking more time with my reading, slowing down and even rereading the Spanish dialogue to get the gist of the conversation, I fell in love. John Grady Cole will be a favorite character henceforth. A wonderful story.

With or Without You: A Memoir
by Domenica Ruta

With or Without You (11/21/2012)

This memoir left me with an uneasy feeling. It is hard to believe that anyone so strung out, so damaged, so low a self-esteem could write such a tantalizing story, yet alone remember anything about her past 30 years. How in heaven's name was she able to advance herself to the educational level she did, with so much absence that comes with both her real life, and her mind-altering life? I will have to say I liked her style of writing, her words and her strength.

Nightwoods: A Novel
by Charles Frazier

Another Frazier good one— (11/21/2012)

Nightwoods is so earthy and visually available. This will always be one of my favorites. Not only was the book hard to put down but I was saddened when the story ended. It would have been comforting to read more of Charles Frazier’s words and phrases. I simply loved this book.

A Reliable Wife
by Robert Goolrick

So many results by readers (10/20/2012)

A Reliable Wife leaves much unanswered. Many things happen and the logic with the decisions made on these plans by the characters create such a frustration while reading, that I wanted to slam the book down and forget it. But I didn’t—and finished—still with a lot of questions. The basic premise of the plot may have its theories, but I couldn’t agree with them. A crazy book.

Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed The World
by Margaret MacMillan

History (10/20/2012)

This is a long, long book. It is about the six months in 1919 after WWI when President Woodrow Wilson, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George and French Premier Georges Clemenceau met in Paris to form a lasting peace. This narrative history shows how historic mistakes can change the future problems of nations. And how peace can’t come from diplomatic meetings and discussions but only from the enthusiasm and wishes of the citizens. It took me a time to read, but by the end I found out about the history of which I had no realization. It is an interesting book.

So Much Pretty: A Novel
by Cara Hoffman

How some people differ when reading... (10/19/2012)

What a great story! Suspenseful and dark and one I had much trouble putting down. I liked Cara Hoffman’s style, her descriptions of scenes are unbelievable. And what a surprise ending. I didn’t see it coming.

True Sisters: A Novel
by Sandra Dallas

Mormon pioneers (9/11/2012)

Converts to the Mormon faith leave England and Scotland to settle in Salt Lake City, Utah. They begin their trek in Iowa using hand carts rather than wagons. We learn of the hardship, sadness and losses endured on their trip west from four women who are singled out to tell the story. Not being a Mormon, I couldn’t take offense at the authenticity of the faith of which Sandra Dallas wrote, as have many reviewers. So the history, about this time, was interesting for me. I had no idea hand carts were used by those who moved west. I thought settlers used wagons and trains! Where have I been? I loved the book.

Overseas: A Novel
by Beatriz Williams

Interesting... (9/11/2012)

I enjoyed this book. It is an unusual time-travel story fluctuating between WWI and present day. We never learned how they vacillated between yesterday and today.There were plenty of twists and turns, yet the characters seemed stiff and not rounded out. There was romance, but even that came across as not realistic—way, way too many “darlings” being uttered. All in all, Overseas kept my interest—it is only fiction, after all.

Mockingjay: The final book of The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

3rd in HG Series (9/8/2012)

Is it necessary to give more praise than what has been shown for this series? This third book completes the Hunger Games series with a bang. Great ending.

Catching Fire: The Second Book of the Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

2nd in HG Series (9/8/2012)

Again, what can I say? Only what the popularity of the Hunger Games series has shown to all readers—this second book is a wonderful story.

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

The best (9/8/2012)

What can I say? This book is as all others have said. Simply great!

11/22/63: A Novel
by Stephen King

KING (8/22/2012)

The story is a time-travel epic that at times is long-winded. It is a different plot than King’s usual narratives. I was so engrossed with what would happen next, that I read it almost nonstop. It is romantic, dramatic and a great storyline. The ending was abrupt but since I’m not a writer, I have no idea how it might have been better. . . .

Oxford Messed Up
by Andrea Kayne Kaufman

A good story (8/22/2012)

Gloria and Henry share a bathroom at Oxford. Gloria, majoring in feminist poetry, is plagued with OCD while Henry is a lagging personality majoring in music. Their love evolves through all Gloria’s problems with OCD and Henry’s laziness. Van Morrison is their glue: an obsession that at times was over done. I felt the epilogue was so, so unnecessary. Rather a something just hanging without much sense. I liked the book when I could over look VM; it was well researched.