BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Donna W. (Wauwatosa, WI)

Power Reviewer

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The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin

The Last Collection (2/19/2019)

This was an easy read, and I learned a lot about the fashion scene in Paris in the era of the war. Schiaparelli and Chanel came across as interesting and complicated women. Unfortunately, Lily, the main character wasn't quite as appealing.

She seemed superficial and for the most part not that interesting. It was hard for me to believe she would have come to be so closely involved with both of these fashion icons in such a short period of time.

The book really was more an historical fiction story about the war and the fashion industry was only a side note.

That said, I enjoyed the book, and anyone interested in that era in Paris would like the book.

Gone So Long
by Andre Dubus III

Gone So Long (9/17/2018)

This author paints such beautiful pictures with his words, that everything is clearly seen. The images are so vivid and the characters are so real that anyone who enjoys character driven books will enjoy this novel. The book is not an easy read though, and the story is not at all uplifting.

Even though the imaging was terrific, the over-abundance of it throughout the whole book slowed the story down a bit for me in the middle. It did pick up again in the end, and on the whole was a good read.

Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History
by Keith O'Brien

Fly Girls (5/30/2018)

I found "Fly Girls" to be a fascinating account of a little known time in the field of aviation. Other than Amelia Earhart, all the other female flyers were unknown to me, and the struggles they encountered continue to be relevant. This book brought not only their stories, but the story of aviation in general, to life for me. Very interesting book.

French Exit
by Patrick deWitt

Comic Tale (2/8/2018)

French Exit is a truly engaging book. The characters are unique, the story borders on crazy, and everything fits together in such a delightful way that the book is a great comic read. A quick easy read and lots of fun!

Other People's Houses
by Abbi Waxman

Other People's Houses (11/27/2017)

The book started out with snappy, clever language and made me laugh, but that soon gave way to so many crude words and such annoyingly "clever" phrasing that it grew tiring.

I didn't particularly care for any of the characters, and there was not enough of a story to keep me interested.

Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham

Happiness (6/1/2017)

This was a great book! The author gives the reader a glimpse into the life of a family with a sick child. It is touching, sad, funny and such an incredible look into her life that I thank Heather Harpham for sharing her story.

Heather has such an expressive way with words that feelings and pictures are easily conveyed to reader. I couldn't put the book down. A must read!

The People We Hate at the Wedding
by Grant Ginder

The People we Hate at the Wedding (4/4/2017)

The front cover and blurbs on the back cover led me to believe that I was going to be reading a funny story. Instead, I read a story that looked into the lives of totally unlikable , unpleasant characters. I guess the inane jobs, and unsatisfactory relationships were supposed to lead to humor. Unfortunately for me, they did not. The writing was good, and some scenes were clever, but on the whole the book just didn't come across well.

Extraordinary Adventures
by Daniel Wallace

Extra-Ordinary Adventures (1/30/2017)

This was a good book with an appealing, likeable main character. After an unexpected telephone call, Bronfman, a lonely, gentle man who has not experienced much in his 34 years, finds himself in need of a traveling companion.

By beginning this search for a friend, Bronfman opens himself up to all the things life has to offer. We meet many other broken people along the way, and through it all I was routing for Bronfman to succeed. "Extra-Ordinary Adventures" was an enjoyable and quick read.

Castle of Water: A Novel
by Dane Huckelbridge

Castle of Water (11/23/2016)

The novel begins in a very intriguing way, and swept me into the story so strongly that I was immediately hooked. The author was able to add something extra to a story about 2 castaways and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is necessary, however, to overcome disbelief at some of the events, and instead just enjoy the beauty of the story.

Victoria
by Daisy Goodwin

Victoria (10/8/2016)

This was very good historical fiction. It was clearly written with great detail so that I got a good feeling for, not only, Queen Victoria and the early years of her reign, but also what late 1830s England was like.

However, this detail also proved to be a distraction for me, and I finished the book with the feeling that it was about 50 pages too long. That said, the book was good, and those lovers of historical fiction will enjoy this book.

North of Crazy: A Memoir
by Neltje

North of Crazy (5/24/2016)

Neltje very calmly and matter-of-factly writes her memories of her life, and it is a fascinating one! She gives a vivid account of her life growing up, her life as a young adult and young wife and mother, and her later life as an artist. In the background of all this rests the Doubleday fame and fortune.

The book is very interesting. However, because it is written in a "memory recall" fashion it is sometimes rambling, and often out of sequence. Also, the author seems to want to give mention to, and therefore honor to way too many people, thereby leaving the reader to read through many names, without adding any value to the real story of her life.

The book is quite good however, and gives some insight into the world of book publishing, and also the world of art. This memoir paints a picture of a fascinating person!

Miss Jane
by Brad Watson

Miss Jane (3/23/2016)

This book was beautifully written with lovely characters. The author made the characters so real that I cared for each of them: Jane, the main character born with a birth defect that made her life different, her mother, who was beaten down by the hardness of farm life, and her own personal loss, her hard working father, who was trying to do the right thing, and the caring gentle doctor who takes care of Jane.

I was immersed in the words and the feelings of the characters, and the thoughts of the world around us. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good character study.

I'll See You in Paris
by Michelle Gable

II'll See You in Paris (12/23/2015)

"I'll See You in Paris" started with a good premise of exploring the life of Gladys Spencer-Churchill. While her life does seem to be fascinating I never got drawn in to her character. Instead the novel really involved people around her - mainly a caretaker, and an author writing her biography.

The relationship between those two did not ring true to me and consequently their relationships with people around them also seemed stilted. The author rushed a familiarity between the two main characters, and didn't really develop the relationship of those two main characters in a believable manner.
I couldn't get beyond this, and so the book was only an okay read for me.

The Opposite of Everyone
by Joshilyn Jackson

The Opposite of Everyone (11/13/2015)

In this book a young lawyer's troubled past catches up with her present life. The author seamlessly weaves past and present events together to tell a beautiful story about family.

Quirky and appealing characters, an engaging story, and honest dialogue made this a great book! From the very first pages I couldn't put it down. The characters were so real to me, and their story was so believable that I felt myself immersed in their lives.

I highly recommend this book!!

Maybe in Another Life
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Maybe In Another Life (5/27/2015)

This was a very interesting concept for a story: 2 different pathways for one person's life.The book was an exploration of the difference our choices can make on the outcome of our lives. It was written in such a way that it was really like reading two different books at one time.

The character development wasn't very strong and the story lines were predictable, but I liked the book. It was an easy and quick read, and it kept my interest right through until the end.

Between the Tides
by Susannah Marren

Between the Tides (4/9/2015)

This is basically a sad story of two dysfunctional families. The two main character's Lainie and Jess, were so unsympathetic and self-centered that I couldn't relate to them. In fact, all the adult characters were so superficial and shallow that it left me wondering the fate of their poor children. Even the surprise ending really didn't come as much of a shock. I really can't recommend this book.

Her Name Is Rose
by Christine Breen

Lovely story about Family (1/29/2015)

"Her Name was Rose" had vibrant characters, and was a loving look at what really makes a family. The story was engaging right from the first page, and held my interest until the very end. Even though some unhappy elements were dealt with, It is definitely a "feel good" book.

My only complaint is that everything was tied up way too neatly. But that said, it was beautiful story.

Vanessa and Her Sister
by Priya Parmar

Vanessa and Her Sister (10/10/2014)

This was a very entertaining look into an interesting period in history, and it was written in an engaging style. Diary entries, letters, telegrams and postcards are intermixed in such a way that the reader is drawn into the lives of the characters.

I felt I was given a clear glimpse into the times (early 1900's London) and into the lives of Vanessa Stephen Bell & Virginia Stephen Woolf. A gripping story-line was combined with historical events to create an enjoyable read. I really liked this book, and I think it will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson

The Paris Winter (6/30/2014)

The Paris Winter is a quick and fun read. It gives an interesting look at the seamy side of the early 1900's in Paris. Two art students at the Lafond Academie (one poor and one rich and a model at the Academie make up the three main characters, and they lead us through the glamorous, and into the dark and decadent side of Paris. Robbery, drugs and murder all play a part in this story, and the colorful side characters enrich the tale.

The story starts slowly, but after a complete about face halfway through, the action picks up and the pace quickens so that the reader can't wait to see what happens next. Historical fiction enthusiasts will love this book!

The Devil in the Marshalsea
by Antonia Hodgson

The Devil in the Marshalsea (3/10/2014)

The era and the location are the true stars of this novel. The history of the Marshalsea Goal is fascinating and the author does a good job of bringing 1727 London to life.

Although the characters are a bit flat and underdeveloped, the mystery moves along at a brisk pace. The story has something for everyone; a mysterious rogue, a charming preacher's son, the evil bad guys, and the sweet servant girl to add some love interest. There was some raw language, and some graphic descriptions, but these really just add to the atmosphere.