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Reviews by Melissa H. (McKees Rocks, PA)

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Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts

Wild and Distant (10/12/2023)

Being a lit major, I am always a sucker for novels that reference a classic. In this case the classic is Moby Dick - a novel I appreciate, but can be an arduous read. Fortunately, you do not need to be a lit major or even read Moby Dick to understand and appreciate Roberts' …more

Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel
by Vera Kurian

Psychopaths you will love! (6/1/2021)

A reviewer said this was a book they wanted to portion out to make it last but also didn't want to put it down, which is a perfect description of this fantastic debut!

The premise of 7 psychopaths in a college clinical study when 1 is murdered is intriguing enough to get you …more

The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James

Keep the Lights on - PLEASE! (11/2/2019)

The book volleys back and forth between 1982 and 2017. Viv who disappeared narrates 1982 and Carly, her niece narrates 2017. It is fast paced and as the mystery comes to an end it is a book you don't want to put down! Though I probably wouldn't read this while on a road …more

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
by Gregory Maguire

A Classic (5/18/2017)

A classic in all sense of the word - morals, tales, a re-telling of a favorite in a brand new way and a book that is worth re-reading as you will glean new thoughts and feelings.

What Doesn't Kill Her: A Reeve LeClaire Series Novel
by Carla Norton

Norton Does it Again! (4/29/2015)

I had the pleasure of reading Ms. Norton's first book, "The Edge of Normal" as an ARC so I jumped at the chance to preview the sequel!! She again creates a great suspense throughout the novel and a gutsy character in Reeve. There is a lot of recapping about the previous …more

The Book of Speculation
by Erika Swyler

Entertaining (3/29/2015)

The hook "If you liked Night Circus.." was all I needed to submit my request to read this Advanced Readers Copy! I wouldn't give it the 5 stars that Night Circus garnered, but this story earned a solid 3, possibly a 4. It was an easy read, I enjoyed the parallel stories of …more

The Last Good Paradise
by Tatjana Soli

You can't pack everything into the suitcase (11/12/2014)

I struggled with this book for all 300 pages. The characters stories were so drawn out through the book that not a single one developed into someone I cared about. Felt like the author tried to take on too much instead of focusing on just an issue or two to develop - and …more

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Slow, too slow. (6/19/2014)

Unfortunately this book moved very slowly for me. I liked the premise of it and while the ending wasn't exactly what I expected, it was better than I had anticipated. Yet, the majority of the book seemed to slough along. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for a …more

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Book Jacket — Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus

Praised by *Parade* and *The New York Times Book Review*, this debut features a 1960s scientist turned TV cooking star.

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