No books blew me away this month. A few duds though.....I take that back, A Thousand Different Suns was very powerful and moving!
The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts 4* story about the lives that surround a parapalegic man that runs a restaurant
The Sound of Us by Sarah Willis 4* a woman who has just lost her twin brother befriends a 6 year old girl who is left at home by herself. she then tries to become her foster parent.
Chatter by Perrin Ireland (ARC) 3* story about a couple whose marriage is having problems. He finds out he has a daughter from a long ago relationship which strains their marriage. The writing is different, just very abrupt.....
Engleby by Sebastian Faulks 2.5* an odd story about a man who can't remember chunks of time. a friend of his in college is killed and he is a suspect. Decent story, just bogged down trying to be too intelluctual.
A Good Distance by Sarah Willis 4* a woman takes care of her mother who has Alzheimer's and they both flash back on their lives
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin (audio) YA 4* story of three children who live with their mentally abusive mother
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 4.5* the story of 2 women in Afganistan over a period of several decades. I have a newfound compassion and admiration for Afghan women.
Summer's Child by Diane Chamberlain 2.5* a girl finds a baby on the beach and her family ends up adopting it. 20 years later everyone is trying to figure out who the mother is. too many twists, not plausible at all
Frankie's Place by Jim Sterba DNF love story set in Maine. The author got Maine perfectly but outside of the setting the book is incredibly boring. I made it halfway through and then just couldn't go on.
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan 3* historical fiction based on the love affair of Mamah Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Melancholy Fate of Capt. Lewis by Michael Pritchett (ARC) DNF this book starts off strong. I found the parts about Capt. Lewis interesting and the story of the modern day character engaging also. The problem is the book got so boring in the middle I found I couldn't go on even though I wanted to know what happened. I picked it up several different times and it just seems to be stuck, going nowhere, so I finally gave up.
Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick DNF (I picked up in honor of Thanksgiving) just too dry, couldn't finish
The English Teacher by Lily King 3.5* the story of a woman and her son, it's always been just the 2 of them, then she marries a widower who has 3 kids.
Theory of Relativity by Jacquelyn Mitchard 3.5* a couple dies and the fight by various family members to adopt their only child ensues. It's just a medicore story (not her best) but i thought the ending raised the rating a little.
The Alienest by Caleb Carr 3* a murder mystery set in the 1890's. Drags a bit in places but interesting to see how police solved murders back then before DNA, fingerprints, and profiling was available.
Along Comes A Stranger by Dorie McCollough Lawson 4* the story of a woman who is drawn to her mil's new boyfriend. Qucik read but I had trouble putting it down!
Hamilton by Catherine Cookson 3.5* the story of woman who has a tough childhood with an abusive mother and then an unhappy marriage. She begins talking to an imaginary friend that helps her get through.
Goodbye Hamilton by Catherine Cookson 3* the continuation of the Hamilton story
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
October Reads
Blaze by Stephen King (audio) 3* the story of a not-too-smart crook kidnapping a baby, I think I liked the story more because the reader did an excellent job with all the voices. I don't think I would have been as thrilled reading the actual story myself. It's definitely not King's best.
Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris 2.5* small town life in the 60's revolves around a family whose mother is taken in by a con man. This is an Oprah's book club book, but this is one time she and I do not agree. i found the story boring and it dragged on entirely too long (I think 300 pages could have been cut!). I only finished it in the hopes that it would get better....it never did!
A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton 3* a woman's sister who has been missing for over 10 years returns home and disrupts her structured life.
Lottery by Patricia Wood (audio) 5* LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! About a simple man (he is NOT retarded as he will keep telling you) that wins the lottery and learns a lot about people.
My Mother the Cheerleader by Robert Sharenow (YA) 4* great YA book about segregation in the 60's told from a child's viewpoint
Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard 4* a group of friends go on a sailing vacation and tragedy ensues
Outside Valentine by Liza Ward 3* a fictional account of the Starkweather killings in NE. I found it too "deep", just came across depressing to me.
Promise Not To Tell by Jennifer McMahon 4* on the night a woman returns to her hometown a murder occurs that eerily mirrors the one of her childhood friend
The Bad Boy's Wife by Karen Shepard 3* the story of a woman who marries the bad boy and what happens to both of them and their child
The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson 3.5* small town life in a northern Canadian town. Rivalry between 2 brothers.
The Star Garden by Nancy E. Turner 3.5* 3rd in the series, not as good as the others....
After This by Alice McDermott (audio) DNF, not sure if I will, pretty boring!
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan 3* reads like poetry but I found the story itself lacking. It just seemed like a short story that ran too long. About a couple's romance and their wedding night.
Shadow Baby by Alison McGhee 4* the story of an 11 yr old girl who befriends an old immigrant man for a school assignment. quick read but very moving.
Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris 2.5* small town life in the 60's revolves around a family whose mother is taken in by a con man. This is an Oprah's book club book, but this is one time she and I do not agree. i found the story boring and it dragged on entirely too long (I think 300 pages could have been cut!). I only finished it in the hopes that it would get better....it never did!
A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton 3* a woman's sister who has been missing for over 10 years returns home and disrupts her structured life.
Lottery by Patricia Wood (audio) 5* LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! About a simple man (he is NOT retarded as he will keep telling you) that wins the lottery and learns a lot about people.
My Mother the Cheerleader by Robert Sharenow (YA) 4* great YA book about segregation in the 60's told from a child's viewpoint
Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard 4* a group of friends go on a sailing vacation and tragedy ensues
Outside Valentine by Liza Ward 3* a fictional account of the Starkweather killings in NE. I found it too "deep", just came across depressing to me.
Promise Not To Tell by Jennifer McMahon 4* on the night a woman returns to her hometown a murder occurs that eerily mirrors the one of her childhood friend
The Bad Boy's Wife by Karen Shepard 3* the story of a woman who marries the bad boy and what happens to both of them and their child
The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson 3.5* small town life in a northern Canadian town. Rivalry between 2 brothers.
The Star Garden by Nancy E. Turner 3.5* 3rd in the series, not as good as the others....
After This by Alice McDermott (audio) DNF, not sure if I will, pretty boring!
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan 3* reads like poetry but I found the story itself lacking. It just seemed like a short story that ran too long. About a couple's romance and their wedding night.
Shadow Baby by Alison McGhee 4* the story of an 11 yr old girl who befriends an old immigrant man for a school assignment. quick read but very moving.
Friday, October 5, 2007
September reads
Some really good books this month!
Whistling in the Dark by Leslie Kagen 4.5* story in the 1950's that follows one little girl during the summer in a small town where there are little girls being killed and raped
Number The Stars by Lois Lowry (YA) (audio) 3* just too young for me, but otherwise a decent story set in Denmark during WWII
God Don't Like Ugly by Mary Monroe DNF ugh, just couldn't finish. Halfway through I just decided there was no point in torturing myself any longer!
Mary Modern by Camille Deangelis 3.5* interesting story about a lady who clones her grandmother. She is expecting a baby and instead gets a 22 year old woman and all the trouble that insues.
Killer instinct by Joseph Finder 3.5* (audio) a business executive befriends a man who "helps" him get ahead
Pioneer Women by Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith 4* true stories of women of the frontier. Loved that there were actual pictures of the women accompanying the stories. A little dry in places, but otherwise a great book depicting how life was for women back then.
Two Truths and a Lie by Katrina Kittle 4* The story revolves around a woman who told her husband when they first met that she had a twin that died. She kept the lie up for 8 years. The story involves a murder, so there is suspense and heartbreak. great story, the only thing I didn't find believable was the reading animals' minds.
Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (YA) (audio) 4* very good for a YA book! it's about a girl who lives n a farm and decides to try out for the football team. I don't like football but still found it to be an interesting story.
The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty 4* the story of a mom whose daughter hits a teenager in a crosswalk while talking on her cell phone. I felt for all the parties involved. Great story!
A Brief Lunacy by Cynthia Thayer 3* the story of an elderly couple who get taken hostage in their own home
The Book of Bright of Ideas by Sandra Kring 4* a girl and her pretty sister move in and shake up a small town, some stuff was predictable, but a great read
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (audio) 4* a dark read, but very good, about a reporter who heads back to her hometown for a story and confronts some of her own issues
Sister Mine by Tawni O'Dell 3.5* an ex-cop woman who lives in a mining town, her sister (who she thought was dead) shows up pregnant. It was a good read until the end, it felt forced and unbelievable.
Triangle by Katharine Webber 3.5* a good story about a woman who survives the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in 1911.
The Hazards of Sleeping Alone by Elise Juska 3* chick lit about a middle aged divorced woman handling an empty nest
Whistling in the Dark by Leslie Kagen 4.5* story in the 1950's that follows one little girl during the summer in a small town where there are little girls being killed and raped
Number The Stars by Lois Lowry (YA) (audio) 3* just too young for me, but otherwise a decent story set in Denmark during WWII
God Don't Like Ugly by Mary Monroe DNF ugh, just couldn't finish. Halfway through I just decided there was no point in torturing myself any longer!
Mary Modern by Camille Deangelis 3.5* interesting story about a lady who clones her grandmother. She is expecting a baby and instead gets a 22 year old woman and all the trouble that insues.
Killer instinct by Joseph Finder 3.5* (audio) a business executive befriends a man who "helps" him get ahead
Pioneer Women by Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith 4* true stories of women of the frontier. Loved that there were actual pictures of the women accompanying the stories. A little dry in places, but otherwise a great book depicting how life was for women back then.
Two Truths and a Lie by Katrina Kittle 4* The story revolves around a woman who told her husband when they first met that she had a twin that died. She kept the lie up for 8 years. The story involves a murder, so there is suspense and heartbreak. great story, the only thing I didn't find believable was the reading animals' minds.
Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (YA) (audio) 4* very good for a YA book! it's about a girl who lives n a farm and decides to try out for the football team. I don't like football but still found it to be an interesting story.
The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty 4* the story of a mom whose daughter hits a teenager in a crosswalk while talking on her cell phone. I felt for all the parties involved. Great story!
A Brief Lunacy by Cynthia Thayer 3* the story of an elderly couple who get taken hostage in their own home
The Book of Bright of Ideas by Sandra Kring 4* a girl and her pretty sister move in and shake up a small town, some stuff was predictable, but a great read
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (audio) 4* a dark read, but very good, about a reporter who heads back to her hometown for a story and confronts some of her own issues
Sister Mine by Tawni O'Dell 3.5* an ex-cop woman who lives in a mining town, her sister (who she thought was dead) shows up pregnant. It was a good read until the end, it felt forced and unbelievable.
Triangle by Katharine Webber 3.5* a good story about a woman who survives the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in 1911.
The Hazards of Sleeping Alone by Elise Juska 3* chick lit about a middle aged divorced woman handling an empty nest
Sunday, September 2, 2007
August reads
Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson 3*
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (audio) 4.5*, loved the English accent! 4 overlapping mysteries being solved by one PI. Loved the characters and the writing
Kidnapped by Jan Burke 3.5* not entirely believable, but a good quick read, first of hers I have read, I'll probably read more
The Rock Orchard by Paula Wall 3*, story about a family of women....the writing reminds me of Alice Hoffman
The Woods by Harlan Coben 3.5* almost one too many twists, but quite a page turner!
Darkness Falls by Margaret Murphy 3* a thriller/mystery okay storyline, just too many characters to keep track of and no suspense really built up.....It revolves around a woman who is kidnapped while taking her daughter to school and the ensuing police investigation.
The Power of One by Bruce Courtenay 3* parts were very good and I learned some things about South Africa I wasn't aware of before, but the boxing parts were boring to me.
Fiefly Cloak by Sheri Reynolds 3* a young girl and her brother are abandoned by their mother
One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (audio)3* a follow up of Case Histories. Good, but not as good as CH.
The Guardians by Ana Castillo (ARC) 4* a compelling story set in New Mexico that revolves around smuggling people from Mexico and all the problems and hardships accompanied, not just for the person being smuggled across the border but by their families also
The Last Kashmiri Rose by Barbara Clevery 3* a mystery set in 1920's India
Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart 4*, real letters from a homesteader around 1910
Back Spin by Harlan Coben (audio) 4*
The Girl in the Glass by Jeffery Ford 4*, a story about con men who bilk rich people during the depression doing seances, only one really sees a girl during a seance. the little girl later shows up in the newspaper as missing. the story follows their efforts to find her. not sure how plausible the story is, but i couldn't put it down.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon 3.5*, not the best in the series, but still an enjoyable read. I started this on an audio book a month or so ago that I had gotten from the library, but they didn't have all the discs, so I had to finish with the actual book.
Witness by Karen Hesse (YA) 3*, short book, okay read, set in Vermont during the 20's revolves around the KKK coming to a small town. hated the writing style (free verse), would never have bought it if i had seen it first to be honest, but i bought it online. read it in less than an hour.
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson 4* a story set in 1948 Montana aboout a boy whose Indian housekeeper dies
Blue Water by A. Manette Ansay 3.5* a story about a couple whose son dies after they are hit by another car on the way to school and the aftermath it causes
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (YA) (audio) 4.5* the story of what happens when the moon is hit by an asteroid and knocks it off kilter. since the moon controls the tides there is major flooding and volcanoes erupting, etc. the story follows one family and how they manage with no electricty, gas, food, etc.
Jubilee Trail by Gwen 2*, I REALLY wanted to like this book as it's set in a time that I find fascinating (1800's) and it was given praise by Sandra Dallas and Nancy Thayer. However, the writing was stilted and unbelievable and I just didn't feel anything for the characters. I only finished it because I kept hoping it would get better....it never did and the plot was too predictable. Very disappointing!
The Indian Bride by Karin Fossum 3* okay mystery about an Indian woman who marries a man from Norway. She arrives in Norway and is murdered. The story follows the investigation into her death.
The Butterfly House by Marcia Preston 3*
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (audio) 4.5*, loved the English accent! 4 overlapping mysteries being solved by one PI. Loved the characters and the writing
Kidnapped by Jan Burke 3.5* not entirely believable, but a good quick read, first of hers I have read, I'll probably read more
The Rock Orchard by Paula Wall 3*, story about a family of women....the writing reminds me of Alice Hoffman
The Woods by Harlan Coben 3.5* almost one too many twists, but quite a page turner!
Darkness Falls by Margaret Murphy 3* a thriller/mystery okay storyline, just too many characters to keep track of and no suspense really built up.....It revolves around a woman who is kidnapped while taking her daughter to school and the ensuing police investigation.
The Power of One by Bruce Courtenay 3* parts were very good and I learned some things about South Africa I wasn't aware of before, but the boxing parts were boring to me.
Fiefly Cloak by Sheri Reynolds 3* a young girl and her brother are abandoned by their mother
One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (audio)3* a follow up of Case Histories. Good, but not as good as CH.
The Guardians by Ana Castillo (ARC) 4* a compelling story set in New Mexico that revolves around smuggling people from Mexico and all the problems and hardships accompanied, not just for the person being smuggled across the border but by their families also
The Last Kashmiri Rose by Barbara Clevery 3* a mystery set in 1920's India
Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart 4*, real letters from a homesteader around 1910
Back Spin by Harlan Coben (audio) 4*
The Girl in the Glass by Jeffery Ford 4*, a story about con men who bilk rich people during the depression doing seances, only one really sees a girl during a seance. the little girl later shows up in the newspaper as missing. the story follows their efforts to find her. not sure how plausible the story is, but i couldn't put it down.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon 3.5*, not the best in the series, but still an enjoyable read. I started this on an audio book a month or so ago that I had gotten from the library, but they didn't have all the discs, so I had to finish with the actual book.
Witness by Karen Hesse (YA) 3*, short book, okay read, set in Vermont during the 20's revolves around the KKK coming to a small town. hated the writing style (free verse), would never have bought it if i had seen it first to be honest, but i bought it online. read it in less than an hour.
Montana 1948 by Larry Watson 4* a story set in 1948 Montana aboout a boy whose Indian housekeeper dies
Blue Water by A. Manette Ansay 3.5* a story about a couple whose son dies after they are hit by another car on the way to school and the aftermath it causes
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (YA) (audio) 4.5* the story of what happens when the moon is hit by an asteroid and knocks it off kilter. since the moon controls the tides there is major flooding and volcanoes erupting, etc. the story follows one family and how they manage with no electricty, gas, food, etc.
Jubilee Trail by Gwen 2*, I REALLY wanted to like this book as it's set in a time that I find fascinating (1800's) and it was given praise by Sandra Dallas and Nancy Thayer. However, the writing was stilted and unbelievable and I just didn't feel anything for the characters. I only finished it because I kept hoping it would get better....it never did and the plot was too predictable. Very disappointing!
The Indian Bride by Karin Fossum 3* okay mystery about an Indian woman who marries a man from Norway. She arrives in Norway and is murdered. The story follows the investigation into her death.
The Butterfly House by Marcia Preston 3*
Thursday, August 2, 2007
July Reads
Black Girl White Girl by Joyce Carol Oates 2.5* a story of a white girl
with a black roommate at college in the 70's who is the victim of
racially motivated attacks, didn't like the writing, was too murky
The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields 2.5* set during WWI at a military hospital in England that specializes in facial injury. I felt no connection with any of the characters.
But Inside I'm Screaming by Elizabeth Flock 3* a book about one woman's mental break down and all the people she meets in the hospital
Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen 4* fast read about a woman who has to face demons from her past. lots about horses, so good if you are an animal lover!
Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg 4*, great story set during WWII that revolves around 3 sisters. Didn't like the ending though, thought it was too rushed and completely unbelievable.
Shocking Pink by Erica Spindler 2*, ugh, too many cliches, no suspense or originality!
Fireworks by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop 3* the story of a man's life after his 4 year old son dies
Trans-sister Radio by Chris Bohjalin (re-read) 5* My favorite Bohjalin book. The story revolves around a woman who falls in love, only to find out the man is preparing to have a sex change operation. It follows her and her family and him/her through the operation and the aftermath.
Midnight Champage by A. Manette Ansay 3* story about a couple's wedding during the middle of snowstorm in a hall that is known to be unlucky
Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge 3.5* needed an editor badly!, can't believe how many words were left out, otherwise good story about a woman who runs over the drunk driver who killed her son. the story picks up after she gets out of jail and returns to the same town. Also has a parallel story about her grandmother during the 40's during WWII in the same town. Parts were unbelievable (romance-novelish) though.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (reread) 5*
Molaka'i by Alan Brennert 4* story of a little girl who grows up in a leper colony
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 5*, LOVED it!! won't go into any detail as to not spoil it for others
Red River by Lalita Tademy....Not sure I will finish this one. Kind of disappointed as I LOVED Cane River. this one just doesn't capture my interest. I am halfway through and really have no interest in going on....
Christine Falls by Benjamin Black 3* a bland mystery/thriller....
Divisadero by Micheal Onjaatje (audio) 3* starts out as a story about 2 sisters and their "adopted" brother, then turns into a story about 2 men and a woman in France. Odd storytelling, but both stories are interesting.
Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb 4* quirky and funny, made me laugh and cry, great chick lit
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Lousie Murphy 4* story is set during WWII, revolves around 2 children and their father who are seperated
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland 3* a story about what happens when the power goes out, no phones or gas, interesting idea, I just found the ending unbelievable....
We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg 4* a story about a woman who gets polio and ends up paralyzed from the neck down, how she raises her daughter, set during the 60's, easy read but fascinating as it was based on a true story
The Terror by Dan Simmons 3* story of an expedition to get through to the Northwest passage with a slight supernatural angle, great historical fiction, just dragged on a little long
with a black roommate at college in the 70's who is the victim of
racially motivated attacks, didn't like the writing, was too murky
The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields 2.5* set during WWI at a military hospital in England that specializes in facial injury. I felt no connection with any of the characters.
But Inside I'm Screaming by Elizabeth Flock 3* a book about one woman's mental break down and all the people she meets in the hospital
Riding Lessons by Sara Gruen 4* fast read about a woman who has to face demons from her past. lots about horses, so good if you are an animal lover!
Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg 4*, great story set during WWII that revolves around 3 sisters. Didn't like the ending though, thought it was too rushed and completely unbelievable.
Shocking Pink by Erica Spindler 2*, ugh, too many cliches, no suspense or originality!
Fireworks by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop 3* the story of a man's life after his 4 year old son dies
Trans-sister Radio by Chris Bohjalin (re-read) 5* My favorite Bohjalin book. The story revolves around a woman who falls in love, only to find out the man is preparing to have a sex change operation. It follows her and her family and him/her through the operation and the aftermath.
Midnight Champage by A. Manette Ansay 3* story about a couple's wedding during the middle of snowstorm in a hall that is known to be unlucky
Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge 3.5* needed an editor badly!, can't believe how many words were left out, otherwise good story about a woman who runs over the drunk driver who killed her son. the story picks up after she gets out of jail and returns to the same town. Also has a parallel story about her grandmother during the 40's during WWII in the same town. Parts were unbelievable (romance-novelish) though.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (reread) 5*
Molaka'i by Alan Brennert 4* story of a little girl who grows up in a leper colony
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 5*, LOVED it!! won't go into any detail as to not spoil it for others
Red River by Lalita Tademy....Not sure I will finish this one. Kind of disappointed as I LOVED Cane River. this one just doesn't capture my interest. I am halfway through and really have no interest in going on....
Christine Falls by Benjamin Black 3* a bland mystery/thriller....
Divisadero by Micheal Onjaatje (audio) 3* starts out as a story about 2 sisters and their "adopted" brother, then turns into a story about 2 men and a woman in France. Odd storytelling, but both stories are interesting.
Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb 4* quirky and funny, made me laugh and cry, great chick lit
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Lousie Murphy 4* story is set during WWII, revolves around 2 children and their father who are seperated
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland 3* a story about what happens when the power goes out, no phones or gas, interesting idea, I just found the ending unbelievable....
We Are All Welcome Here by Elizabeth Berg 4* a story about a woman who gets polio and ends up paralyzed from the neck down, how she raises her daughter, set during the 60's, easy read but fascinating as it was based on a true story
The Terror by Dan Simmons 3* story of an expedition to get through to the Northwest passage with a slight supernatural angle, great historical fiction, just dragged on a little long
Sunday, July 1, 2007
June reads
The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney 3* similar to Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, but not as good
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemorsky 2.5*, I wanted to like this book because I love the era it's set in (WWII), but I just felt no connection with the characters and the book just didn't go anywhere.....
Family tree by Barbara Delinsky 1*, just couldn't get more than a third of the way in....all I could think was that
they had a healthy baby, who cares if the skin is a little tan???? and if that's all your "friends" care about then who needs friends like that?
Bright Angel Time by Martha McPhee 3* a girls' parents split up. her mother falls in love with a hippie, and they travel the country in a camper
What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman 4*
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve 4*
Saying Grace by Beth Gutcheon 4*
The Lucky Ones by Laura Cusk DNF, just couldn't get into
Happiness Sold Seperately by Lolly Winston 4* a couple try to have a baby and all the stress from invtro, etc cause marital problems
Some Things That Stay by sarah Willis 3* a story about a girl whose family moves every year
Girls in Trouble by Caroline Leavitt 3.5* Would have been a 4* book, but I didn't think the ending was believable, about a teenage girl who gets pregnant and has an open adoption and all that it entails
Things Unspoken by Antra Sheen 3.5* a story about a dysfunctional family
The River Wife by Jonis Agee 3.5* ARC historical fiction that revolves around the 4 women in Jacques Ducharme's life. I thought overall it was a really good book, but there were parts that bogged down the book.
The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook 3.5* another historical fiction, this one is parallel stories about a lady today and her great grandmother a century ago
Good Family by Terry Gamble 3* a story about a WASP-y family and their summers in Michigan
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemorsky 2.5*, I wanted to like this book because I love the era it's set in (WWII), but I just felt no connection with the characters and the book just didn't go anywhere.....
Family tree by Barbara Delinsky 1*, just couldn't get more than a third of the way in....all I could think was that
they had a healthy baby, who cares if the skin is a little tan???? and if that's all your "friends" care about then who needs friends like that?
Bright Angel Time by Martha McPhee 3* a girls' parents split up. her mother falls in love with a hippie, and they travel the country in a camper
What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman 4*
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve 4*
Saying Grace by Beth Gutcheon 4*
The Lucky Ones by Laura Cusk DNF, just couldn't get into
Happiness Sold Seperately by Lolly Winston 4* a couple try to have a baby and all the stress from invtro, etc cause marital problems
Some Things That Stay by sarah Willis 3* a story about a girl whose family moves every year
Girls in Trouble by Caroline Leavitt 3.5* Would have been a 4* book, but I didn't think the ending was believable, about a teenage girl who gets pregnant and has an open adoption and all that it entails
Things Unspoken by Antra Sheen 3.5* a story about a dysfunctional family
The River Wife by Jonis Agee 3.5* ARC historical fiction that revolves around the 4 women in Jacques Ducharme's life. I thought overall it was a really good book, but there were parts that bogged down the book.
The Night Journal by Elizabeth Crook 3.5* another historical fiction, this one is parallel stories about a lady today and her great grandmother a century ago
Good Family by Terry Gamble 3* a story about a WASP-y family and their summers in Michigan
Friday, June 1, 2007
May reads
Remembering Sarah by Chris Mooney 4* the book is about the effects on a man after his daughter disappears, I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
TallGrass by Sandra Dallas 5* this book shows the effects on a small town caused by a Japanese internment camp during WWII
Blindness by Jose Saramago haven't been able to finish yet. Such an interesting concept (blindness that is contagious), but it gets so depressing and the writing style is very hard to get through. I picked it up and read some more yesterday because I DO want to finish, it's just hard to read. I don't often put a book down and come back to it, but this is one I do think I will eventually finish.
The Only Girl in the Car by Kathy Dobie 3* coming of age memoir....lots of teen angst, nothing new
The Woman Who Walked into Doors by Roddy Doyle 2* about a woman who's husband is abusive....
The Memoir Club by Laura Kalpakian 3.5*, started out as a 4* book but the last 30 or so pages went downhill and became unbelievable....it's about several women in a memoir writing class
Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward 4* very good story told from 3 different viewpoints, a woman on death row, the wife of the man she killed and the doctor who takes care of her in prison
Breathing Water by T. Greenwood 3*
Sophie's Choice by William Styron 3*, book basically about a young woman during WWII, part of this book was a 5* book, but other parts were 2*.....I thought the parts about Sophie were excellent, but Stingo IMO was boring.....
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss 2.5*, confusing but good enough that I wanted to finish
Sky Bridge by Laura Pritchett 4* a young girl has to raise her sister's baby after she leaves town
They Cage the Animals at Night by Jennings Michael Burch 4* a true story about a boy in and out of orphanages and foster homes in the 50's
The Water and the Blood by Nancy Turner 4* about woman in the workforce and racial tensions during WWII
A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin 3* a lot like The Water and the Blood, but not quite as good
White Girl by Kate Manning 3.5* an interesting look at a bi-racial couple's relationship and the stress involved, the ending infuriated me!
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See 4* an in depth look into a different culture
Family History by Dani Shapiro 3*, once again would have been a 4* book but the ending was horrible. it's about the devestation to a family when their teenage daughter becomes mentally ill.
TallGrass by Sandra Dallas 5* this book shows the effects on a small town caused by a Japanese internment camp during WWII
Blindness by Jose Saramago haven't been able to finish yet. Such an interesting concept (blindness that is contagious), but it gets so depressing and the writing style is very hard to get through. I picked it up and read some more yesterday because I DO want to finish, it's just hard to read. I don't often put a book down and come back to it, but this is one I do think I will eventually finish.
The Only Girl in the Car by Kathy Dobie 3* coming of age memoir....lots of teen angst, nothing new
The Woman Who Walked into Doors by Roddy Doyle 2* about a woman who's husband is abusive....
The Memoir Club by Laura Kalpakian 3.5*, started out as a 4* book but the last 30 or so pages went downhill and became unbelievable....it's about several women in a memoir writing class
Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward 4* very good story told from 3 different viewpoints, a woman on death row, the wife of the man she killed and the doctor who takes care of her in prison
Breathing Water by T. Greenwood 3*
Sophie's Choice by William Styron 3*, book basically about a young woman during WWII, part of this book was a 5* book, but other parts were 2*.....I thought the parts about Sophie were excellent, but Stingo IMO was boring.....
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss 2.5*, confusing but good enough that I wanted to finish
Sky Bridge by Laura Pritchett 4* a young girl has to raise her sister's baby after she leaves town
They Cage the Animals at Night by Jennings Michael Burch 4* a true story about a boy in and out of orphanages and foster homes in the 50's
The Water and the Blood by Nancy Turner 4* about woman in the workforce and racial tensions during WWII
A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin 3* a lot like The Water and the Blood, but not quite as good
White Girl by Kate Manning 3.5* an interesting look at a bi-racial couple's relationship and the stress involved, the ending infuriated me!
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See 4* an in depth look into a different culture
Family History by Dani Shapiro 3*, once again would have been a 4* book but the ending was horrible. it's about the devestation to a family when their teenage daughter becomes mentally ill.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
April reads
April
Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner (sequel to These is my Words)4*
Bliss by O.Z. Livaneli (audio) 3.5* interesting look at a different culuture from 3 different views
New Mercies by Sandra Dallas 3*
Undressing the Moon by Tammy Greenwood 3.5*
The Elegant Gathering of White Snow by Kris Radish 2* fluff
The Surrogate by Judith Henry Wall 2*....too soap opera-y
The Box Children by Sharon Wyse 4* very good story about a young girl who lives on a farm whose mother is crazy and the effect on the family
Five Women by Rona Jaffe 3.5* story of five friends and their different lives
How To Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward 4.5* a story about how a little girl's disappearance affects the family for the rest of their lives
The Odyssey by Homer (audio) 3*
The Night Listener by Armisten Maupin 4* couldn't put it down until the end.
The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan 3.5* basically a story of a ,idlife crisis
Sunstroke by Jesse Kellerman 2.5*, not as a good a writer as his dad!
Wickett's Remedy by Myla Goldberg ugh couldn't finish, stuck halfway through.Ay first the footnotes irritated me but by the time I put the book down they are what I liked best!
Family and Other Accidents by Shari Goldhagen 3* pretty good story about 2 brothers who lost their parents.
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner 3.5* funny chick lit
The Sin Killer by Larry Mc Murty (audio) haven't finished yet, but so far it's a 3
The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde 3.5*
Still Waters by Jennifer Lauck this is the follow up to Blackbird. Not quite as good as Blackbird, but still a good read, kind of depressing though 3.5*
Sarah's Quilt by Nancy Turner (sequel to These is my Words)4*
Bliss by O.Z. Livaneli (audio) 3.5* interesting look at a different culuture from 3 different views
New Mercies by Sandra Dallas 3*
Undressing the Moon by Tammy Greenwood 3.5*
The Elegant Gathering of White Snow by Kris Radish 2* fluff
The Surrogate by Judith Henry Wall 2*....too soap opera-y
The Box Children by Sharon Wyse 4* very good story about a young girl who lives on a farm whose mother is crazy and the effect on the family
Five Women by Rona Jaffe 3.5* story of five friends and their different lives
How To Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward 4.5* a story about how a little girl's disappearance affects the family for the rest of their lives
The Odyssey by Homer (audio) 3*
The Night Listener by Armisten Maupin 4* couldn't put it down until the end.
The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan 3.5* basically a story of a ,idlife crisis
Sunstroke by Jesse Kellerman 2.5*, not as a good a writer as his dad!
Wickett's Remedy by Myla Goldberg ugh couldn't finish, stuck halfway through.Ay first the footnotes irritated me but by the time I put the book down they are what I liked best!
Family and Other Accidents by Shari Goldhagen 3* pretty good story about 2 brothers who lost their parents.
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner 3.5* funny chick lit
The Sin Killer by Larry Mc Murty (audio) haven't finished yet, but so far it's a 3
The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde 3.5*
Still Waters by Jennifer Lauck this is the follow up to Blackbird. Not quite as good as Blackbird, but still a good read, kind of depressing though 3.5*
March reads
Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg 3*....not her best....not sure it even deserves 3*
Icebergs by Elizabeth Johns 3.5* went over 3 different time periods, WWII, Vietnam War, and the 90's. I liked the first part of the story the best, the second almost as good, by the 90's I thought the story got boring.
Twenty Questions by Alison Clement 4*, not sure how plausible it was, but quite a page turner!
Dancing With Einstein by Kate Wenner 2*
Ride The Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robinson 5* The story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped by indians at the age of 9. Fascinating story, couldn't put it down
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (audio) 4* loved the narrator's voice and her accents!
Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury DNF,just too preachy, couldn't get into it.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult 4* interesting read, but not sure I bought the ending
Fatherland by Robert Harris 3* interesting concept (Hitler actually won) but the storyline itself wasn't that engrossing
These Is My Words by Nancy Turner 5* story set in the 1880's, heartbreaking and funny rolled into one fascinating novel
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (audio) just couldn't finish, got to disc 7 out of 10 but it's so BORING!!!
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander 3*
The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas 3.5* had almost too many characters to keep track of, otherwise it was a good story set in the 1930's
Alice's Tulips by Sandra Dallas 4*
Blackbird by Jennifer Lauck 5*
The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy 3*
Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (audio) 3*
Traveling Light by Katrina Kittle 4* heartbreakin story about a girl whose brother is dying
The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas 3* not her best, but still a pleasant read
Invisible Girl by Tess Hudson 3* backlash 30 years after the Vietnam war. Not sure how realistic the story is, a lot of "bad ass" characters that I had trouble believing
Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio 3*, started strong but I didn't like the ending
Icebergs by Elizabeth Johns 3.5* went over 3 different time periods, WWII, Vietnam War, and the 90's. I liked the first part of the story the best, the second almost as good, by the 90's I thought the story got boring.
Twenty Questions by Alison Clement 4*, not sure how plausible it was, but quite a page turner!
Dancing With Einstein by Kate Wenner 2*
Ride The Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robinson 5* The story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped by indians at the age of 9. Fascinating story, couldn't put it down
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (audio) 4* loved the narrator's voice and her accents!
Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury DNF,just too preachy, couldn't get into it.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult 4* interesting read, but not sure I bought the ending
Fatherland by Robert Harris 3* interesting concept (Hitler actually won) but the storyline itself wasn't that engrossing
These Is My Words by Nancy Turner 5* story set in the 1880's, heartbreaking and funny rolled into one fascinating novel
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (audio) just couldn't finish, got to disc 7 out of 10 but it's so BORING!!!
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander 3*
The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas 3.5* had almost too many characters to keep track of, otherwise it was a good story set in the 1930's
Alice's Tulips by Sandra Dallas 4*
Blackbird by Jennifer Lauck 5*
The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy 3*
Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (audio) 3*
Traveling Light by Katrina Kittle 4* heartbreakin story about a girl whose brother is dying
The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas 3* not her best, but still a pleasant read
Invisible Girl by Tess Hudson 3* backlash 30 years after the Vietnam war. Not sure how realistic the story is, a lot of "bad ass" characters that I had trouble believing
Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio 3*, started strong but I didn't like the ending
Friday, March 2, 2007
February reads
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro 2* (one of the worst stories I've ever read. Only gave it a 2 because I DID finish. I didn't care about the characters or the story, total waste of time.)
Sleep No More by Greg Iles (audio)....couldn't finish. Not sure if it's the reader, may try the actual book.
Trace by Patricia Cornwell (audio) 3* (typical Cornwell, but not her best)
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne 3*, (interesting but unrealistic view of the Holocaust)
The Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor 3* (dark chick lit)
My Sister's Bones by Cathi Hanauer 4* (very good story about the effects of anorexia on the whole family)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 3* (not big on science fiction but this was okay)
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver (audio)3.5*
Nearer Than The Sky by Tammy Greenwood 4* (new author to me, will definitely read more by her)
Best Friends by Martha Moody 3.5*
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 3* (too religious for me)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 4* (different and interesting perspective of the Holocaust than normal, hated the narrator though. Took me a few pages to get used to the narrator).
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg 4* (light easy read, but as always with Berg, an enjoyable read)
The Husband by Dean Koontz (audio) 3* (action packed but unrealistic)
Half Broken Things by Morag Joss (couldn't finish, just too depressing!)
What Is Mine by Anne Holt 4*, (good story about kidnapped children in Norway, but I thought the ending was tied up too neatly)
Double Bind by Chris Bohjalin 4* (another good one by Bohjalin)
Lisey's Story by Stephen King (audio) (only half way through so far it's just okay)
The Diary Of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas 4* (LOVED this book, but the ending was a let down after such an awesome story, will definitely read more by this author. Love this time period (1800's) with the Indians and hardships and how different people's outlook on life is compared with today)
Sleep No More by Greg Iles (audio)....couldn't finish. Not sure if it's the reader, may try the actual book.
Trace by Patricia Cornwell (audio) 3* (typical Cornwell, but not her best)
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne 3*, (interesting but unrealistic view of the Holocaust)
The Bitch Posse by Martha O'Connor 3* (dark chick lit)
My Sister's Bones by Cathi Hanauer 4* (very good story about the effects of anorexia on the whole family)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 3* (not big on science fiction but this was okay)
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver (audio)3.5*
Nearer Than The Sky by Tammy Greenwood 4* (new author to me, will definitely read more by her)
Best Friends by Martha Moody 3.5*
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 3* (too religious for me)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 4* (different and interesting perspective of the Holocaust than normal, hated the narrator though. Took me a few pages to get used to the narrator).
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg 4* (light easy read, but as always with Berg, an enjoyable read)
The Husband by Dean Koontz (audio) 3* (action packed but unrealistic)
Half Broken Things by Morag Joss (couldn't finish, just too depressing!)
What Is Mine by Anne Holt 4*, (good story about kidnapped children in Norway, but I thought the ending was tied up too neatly)
Double Bind by Chris Bohjalin 4* (another good one by Bohjalin)
Lisey's Story by Stephen King (audio) (only half way through so far it's just okay)
The Diary Of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas 4* (LOVED this book, but the ending was a let down after such an awesome story, will definitely read more by this author. Love this time period (1800's) with the Indians and hardships and how different people's outlook on life is compared with today)
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
January reads
Several really good books this month!
Where or When by Anita Shreve 3* (would have been a 2 but the ending rescued it somewhat)
All The Numbers by Judy Merrill Larsen 5*
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 3* (wasn't as thrilled with this as everyone else....)
World of Pies by Karen Stolz 4*
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler 3.5*
For Keeps This Time by Kathleen Kane 3*, I'm not a fan of romances but this was cute, a light easy read
The Ha-Ha by Dave King 4*
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 5* (was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was because I didn't really think it would be one I would enjoy)
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver 3*
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver (sequel to The Bean Trees) 3*
The Queen's Fool by Phillipa Gregory 235 pages in I quit, just too boring.
The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle 5* heartbreaking but a page turner
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen 3.5* (audio)
Replay by Ken Grimwood 3.5*
The Birthdays by Heidi Pitlor 2.5* (Told from too many viewpoints, I never feel like I understood even one of the characters, had to push myself to finish and then the ending was disappointing.)
Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell 4* (very interesting historical fiction set during WWII. Learned some history I was not aware of before)
The Invisible Circus by Jennifer Egan 2* (not sure why everyone raves about this book)
Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell 3* Didn't realize it was YA book, but still a decent read. Light easy reading.
Beach Road by James Patterson (audio) 4* LOVED the ending!
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson 3*
Where or When by Anita Shreve 3* (would have been a 2 but the ending rescued it somewhat)
All The Numbers by Judy Merrill Larsen 5*
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 3* (wasn't as thrilled with this as everyone else....)
World of Pies by Karen Stolz 4*
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler 3.5*
For Keeps This Time by Kathleen Kane 3*, I'm not a fan of romances but this was cute, a light easy read
The Ha-Ha by Dave King 4*
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 5* (was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was because I didn't really think it would be one I would enjoy)
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver 3*
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver (sequel to The Bean Trees) 3*
The Queen's Fool by Phillipa Gregory 235 pages in I quit, just too boring.
The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle 5* heartbreaking but a page turner
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen 3.5* (audio)
Replay by Ken Grimwood 3.5*
The Birthdays by Heidi Pitlor 2.5* (Told from too many viewpoints, I never feel like I understood even one of the characters, had to push myself to finish and then the ending was disappointing.)
Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell 4* (very interesting historical fiction set during WWII. Learned some history I was not aware of before)
The Invisible Circus by Jennifer Egan 2* (not sure why everyone raves about this book)
Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell 3* Didn't realize it was YA book, but still a decent read. Light easy reading.
Beach Road by James Patterson (audio) 4* LOVED the ending!
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson 3*
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