BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Jennie R. (Highland, CA)

The Bog Wife
by Kay Chronister

Unusual story, in a good way! (9/7/2024)

I quite enjoyed this novel. It was such a departure from my typical reads…the author created this story about an eccentric family living in West Virginia, but almost totally isolated from the rest of the world. It was part fantasy, part supernatural, hard to fit into any genre that I'm aware of! I couldn't help thinking of Cousin Marilyn on the Munsters tv show as I read because one of the sisters, Wenna, left the Bog (a cranberry field), and went on to live a somewhat normal life. When the patriarch of the family is dying, Wenna feels the pull of familial responsibility to return and carry out the ritual they've been told has been ongoing in their bloodline for generations. This was the strangest story I've read in quite some time, but I was utterly drawn into the lives of this family…and liking some of them while disliking others. The author did a great job developing these odd characters. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch

Like a Hallmark movie… (6/19/2024)

In my opinion, this novel was lacking in depth and felt very much like a Hallmark Christmas movie…too treacly sweet for my taste. The main characters, Pony and Penny, started out their journeys naive, and predictably gained wisdom from their experiences, many of which were so implausible, I found myself rolling my eyes. The book seemed more like YA fiction than any other genre. This book just wasn't for me, though I have to admit, other readers may find it entertaining.

The Cleaner: A Novel
by Brandi Wells

Anticlimactic read… (2/23/2024)

The author drew me in with this rather bizarre character/narrator. You know almost immediately she has some real mental health problems. Delusional, paranoid, feelings of superiority, obsessive…just to name the first that come to mind. Unfortunately, I thought the story was going somewhere…the narrator was getting so close to cracking. But…the big or surprising event I was expecting never happened. There were some interesting styles of writing …the fact that all the characters were either idientified by an initial, or a nickname the narrator made up for them, usually based on what she found when scouring through desk drawers. Imaginative meting out of ‘punishments’ if she decided an employee needed it. An unusual book, but it ultimately left me unsatisfied and wanting something more to happen.

Leaving: A Novel
by Roxana Robinson

Left me a bit flat… (12/19/2023)

This book had its highs and lows for me. By the end of the book, I couldn't stand any of the characters, especially Warren and his horrible daughter, Kat. The part of the story I enjoyed the most was while Warren and Sarah were happy together again, in spite of the fact that their relationship was an affair between a married man and a divorced woman. There were parts of the story that felt too drawn out, then parts that felt too abrupt. The ending was more than I could take and made me want to throw the book across the room. Sorry, but I don't recommend this one.

This Is Salvaged: Stories
by Vauhini Vara

Good collection of short stories… (8/10/2023)

This collection of stories had so many weird and wonderful characters, Some stories were enjoyable...some were weird in a good way…a couple were too weird for me to make sense of and take in. But they all had in common a wealth of interesting characters, and a different way of looking at each, so the book was an overall hit with me.

Each story was very different from the rest, but each had such intimacy. The intimacy between parent and child, lovers, neighbors, even in the competitiveness of teenagers…and the complexity of relationships.

I can't recall reading anything quite like this in my many years of being an avid reader. There's a freshness in the author's perspectives that I quite liked.

All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher

What a great read… (6/22/2023)

The topic of abortion being legal or not shouldn’t even continue to be relevant, but sadly today more than ever it is. In my opinion, this is a decision that ought to rest entirely with each woman who finds herself facing an unwanted pregnancy, for whatever reason. This book looks at the problem faced by women pre-Roe v Wade…how to terminate a pregnancy when the law says they can’t. This novel tells the story of Jane, a determined and courageous group of women who gave all women an option to take control of their bodies. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thanking my lucky stars to have come into my childbearing years shortly after Planned Parenthood became a legal option.

Panther Gap: A Novel
by James A. McLaughlin

Beautiful sense of place… (4/5/2023)

First, I have to say my favorite thing about this novel were the descriptions of the environments and animals/animal spirits. These were magical, mystical, and in depth enough I could picture much of it in my mind's eye.

The chapters jump from past to present which I initially found off-putting…but got used to. Not my favorite story telling method,

In a nutshell, a pair of siblings are finally to inherit their grandfather's money that they hope will allow them to keep the ranch where they grew running and in the family. They had a very different upbringing, much of it out in nature in the wilds of Colorado, near the family ranch. When their father realized how limited their social environment had been he sent them both to boarding schools. The siblings had a complicated relationship. When they discover this money they will inherit may be tainted and that some very unsavory people, including the Mexican drug cartel, are aware of their plans, things get intense.

I felt the author brought in too many situations and characters which for me, muddied the storyline a bit, but overall, I enjoyed reading Panther's Gap and hope you do, too!

Sisters of the Lost Nation
by Nick Medina

Good read, but unsatisfying…. (11/2/2022)

My first gripe about this book is that I couldn't figure out why Anna attended a school where she seemed to be one of very few Native American students. I don't believe this was explained. She suffered cruel treatment at the hands of her fellow students, even her own sister. Her parents were so wrapped up in their own unhappiness, they seldom paid much attention to their three children. When Anna's younger sister, Grace, goes missing (the most recent of a number of missing girls) Anna is doggedly determined to find out what happened to her. She suspects her manager at the casino is involved somehow and investigates on her own. Reservation law enforcement's power is limited and local law enforcement doesn't seem to want to put much effort into tribal problems.
Overall, I liked the book. I wondered as I read, how much research the author had done on the topic of Native American and First Nation women who go missing…much of it sounded likely.. I wasn't happy with the ending, finding it too easy an answer.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley

Enjoyable read, but… (10/5/2022)

The story of Tanner and Mrs. Louise Wilt was written in one of my least favorite styles - what I can only refer to as 'slapsticky'. Too cute, too witty, too…lots of things, Tanner rubbed me the wrong way. She had so many epiphanies during her adventures with Mrs. Wilt, it just boggled the mind! All in all, it was an enjoyable, average read, in spite of my reaction to Tanner's character.

Dinosaurs: A Novel
by Lydia Millet

Surprising! (9/17/2022)

This story is all about Gil, an unusual man who inherits a large sum of money in his teenage years, from the grandmother who raised him. He doesn't have to earn a living, so he volunteers for different organizations. After his girlfriend breaks up with him, he decides to move from New York to Arizona, wanting a new lifestyle. He also decides to walk the entire way! Once settled into his new home and environment, he notices the wildlife, especially the birds. The house next to his is empty, but when a family with two children move in, he becomes engrossed with them. One entire wall of their home is a window, and Gil can see them as they move about the house. At this point in the story, I really thought things were going to get kind of creepy, but I was wrong. Gil is a rather quiet man, but very kind and big-hearted. The story is more about relationships he forms with his new neighbors, and others. I ended up falling a little bit in love with Gil by the end of the book.

One's Company: A Novel
by Ashley Hutson

Like nothing I've read before… (5/23/2022)

One's Company is certainly a unique story. Bonnie's story stirred up so much compassion in me. After an unhappy childhood, Bonnie experiences a traumatic incident as a young adult. The tv show 'Three's Company' is a comforting saving grace as she recovers from the trauma, but Bonnie becomes obsessed with the show and the characters. Fast forward a couple of years…Bonnie hit a huge jackpot winning the lottery. With the money, she decides to have a Three's Company city built, just for her. She plans to live there and experience life as each character, one by one. The detail she puts into planning are impressive, but as the project progresses, Bonnie becomes less and less in touch with reality. I won't spoil the whole story for you, but some of the events that take place will leave you wondering how much is real and how much is a product of Bonnie's increasingly fragile mental state.

Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer

Such an enjoyable read… (2/20/2022)

This one was a quick read. I liked the stories behind the two main characters, Sylvia and Thomas, as well as the complicated interactions between the two of them. Thomas, a journalist, is almost desperate for a knock-it-out-of-the-park article to save his career, and Sylvie, a psychic-medium, has complex reasons for agreeing to helping him do research for the article. Chapters are alternately narrated by the two, which is a style I always enjoy reading. This book that really held my interest and interruptions in my reading made me a bit resentful! I couldn't wait to get back to it so I could discover what would unfold next. Thank you BookBrowse for the chance to read the ARC…I hope the author gets plenty of well deserved praise on this one!

On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark

An enjoyable history lesson! (2/9/2022)

Thank you to BookBrowse for the ARC of this novel. Andrea Yaryura Clark is to be commended on writing this story and bringing to light what went on during the ‘Dirty War’ in Argentina. I, for one, knew very little about this time in Argentina’s history. Some of the things I enjoyed most about this book were: the way the story was told through the eyes and voices of two different generations; the emotional quality of the writing…I could usually imagine what the characters were feeling; the fact the author lived in Argentina during the 1970s and (likely) drew much of the sights and sounds of the story from her own memories (I’m assuming here).

I must admit there were a few details about the abhorrent treatment of those captured that were difficult to read, but they were no doubt important to include in order to impress upon the reader the horror of the atrocities that were committed. Historical fiction in one of my favorite genres, and this one certainly did not disappoint!

Blind Man's Bluff: A Memoir
by James Tate Hill

Interesting, but… (9/1/2021)

It was all too easy to become distracted from this book, putting it down to do something else. I really wanted to like this one, and although I feel compassion for the boy, and the man he became, he seems self-absorbed to the point it was off-putting. In my opinion, he was a perfect example of the saying "pride goeth before a fall". He did overcome obstacles (though many were of his own making) to become a writer, and I applaud the perseverance it must've taken. I enjoyed the descriptions of the schools he attended, and people he met along the way, however, I don't feel this book would be a good selection for a book club to discuss.

A Million Things
by Emily Spurr

All the feels... (5/10/2021)

I fell hard for Rae, the protagonist in this novel. What a strong, smart, scrappy, vulnerable, and resourceful little girl. The relationship that develops between Rae and Lettie, the neighbor with a hoarding tendency, added such depth to the story. Every character in this book, from Rae's teacher, Mrs. Pham, to Oscar, the boy down the street, lends something important to move the story along and continues to illustrate Rae's character. Initially, I felt the ending was rushed, but then it occurred on me that the way the novel unfolded was likely meant to impress upon the reader what the passage of time and the unfolding of events felt like from Rae's perspective. This is the best book I've read so far this year. Highly recommend.

A Theater for Dreamers
by Polly Samson

Greek Island Vacation? (4/14/2021)

I feel the author did a good job of describing the time and place. In my mind's eye, I could plainly see the island and the houses, shops, beach, and people. The relationships added interesting texture and tension. My only complaint was that none of the characters were particularly likable, they all seemed self absorbed and callous. I couldn't really feel any connection to them. I also had trouble keeping track of who was who and where they fit into the story. What I enjoyed most was an interesting look at a piece of Leonard Cohen's early life.

The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

So enjoyable... (2/10/2021)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, and feel the authors did a fine job of filling in the many gaps in a historical account with what might've been Belle's life story. The tension was so vivid...passing as a white woman while feeling the injustice of the necessity to do so, in order to become a person of respect in society and in the rarefied world of art collection for one of the wealthiest men in the world. Belle was constantly on alert, inwardly panicked any time she thought she may have been recognized and outed as "colored". The relationship with Bernard was well developed, adding another layer of tension as it also needed to be kept a secret; it also ended in a way that was likely the most painful periods in Belle's lifetime, bringing this reader's sympathy response. Belles's relationship with Mr. Morgan was intense, mainly in its fragility. Belle had to walk a tightrope between two worlds and the authors did a wonderful job of portraying her life. Highly recommend.

Catherine House: A Novel
by Elisabeth Thomas

Impressive first novel... (3/9/2020)

I was impressed with the book overall; finishing in two days, as I found the story compelling, almost seductive. A school students attend for three years straight, with an almost guaranteed future, but with no contact from the outside and no visitors and no belongings of their own. You know there has to be a catch. The faded grandeur that was Catherine House, the brokenness of the students, and then, the plasm pins...all contributed the creepiness. I had vivid mental pictures of many of the main characters, Ines, Baby, Yaya, Theo and of course, the enigmatic Viktoria. And while I found none of them at all likable, they were interesting, edgy and smart. I left the book with a number of unanswered questions and while one part of me wanted to know more, I have an appreciation for authors who leave things to the readers’ imaginations.

The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin

Very informative! (11/1/2019)

Before reading 'The In-Betweens' I knew very little about Spiritualism and its history. I didn't even realize mediums had an organized 'religion' complete with churches. I very much enjoyed the education provided by this informative and unbiased book, and extend my thanks to Ms. Ptacin for writing it. I think anyone with an open mind and even a modicum of curiosity will enjoy it as well. The author shows a great level of respect and openness toward the members of Camp Etna, and it's mirrored back to her in the way the mediums accept her and openly answer her questions, even try to educate her in their ways. This book would likely generate a lively and interesting discussion in a book club, so I'm considering recommending to my group.

Nothing to See Here
by Kevin Wilson

A pleasant surprise! (6/11/2019)

When I read the premise of this one, I thought it might be a little too 'out there' for me, but decided to give it a go. This was my first Kevin Wilson novel, and what a pleasant surprise! I read it in two days and enjoyed every page. It's witty, funny, moving and totally enjoyable. Lillian and Madison are an unlikely pair of friends and their relationship is definitely dysfunctional. The way in which Mr. Wilson examines socio-economic classes, personalities, and relationships felt unique and refreshing. A short novel at just 250 pages, but what a fun read.

Reviews by Jennie R. (Highland, CA)

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