Author:
Kristen Hannah
Stars:
1
Review by: Marybeth
Folks have recommended this author to me on occasion, so I gave her a
try. While the writing is well done, the story was ridiculously
predictable and quite far-fetched. The story is about a seemingly
"feral" child who shows up in a town in the Pacific Northwest and her
effect on two sisters who discover her. I don't think I will be reading
anything else by her any time soon.
Friday, July 5, 2013
The Burgess Boys
Author:
Elizabeth Strout
Stars: 3
Review by: Marybeth
A good story, well written and topical. While Helen's story is not the central aspect, I could very much relate to her comments about having an empty nest and missing the children that were so much a part of her everyday life for so long. "She would linger in the living room for a few moments alone on Christmas Eve, ...tears filled her eyes, and then those Christmases gone."
Stars: 3
Review by: Marybeth
A good story, well written and topical. While Helen's story is not the central aspect, I could very much relate to her comments about having an empty nest and missing the children that were so much a part of her everyday life for so long. "She would linger in the living room for a few moments alone on Christmas Eve, ...tears filled her eyes, and then those Christmases gone."
Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree
Author:
Nancy Atherton
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati
This has our main character staying home and looking after her father-in-law as he moves to a house nearby. Like all the houses in this story there is a link between the old owners and Aunt Dimity. This is lighter than previous books and feels like a break from a lot of the drama in the past, but it's still an easy, fun summer read.
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati
This has our main character staying home and looking after her father-in-law as he moves to a house nearby. Like all the houses in this story there is a link between the old owners and Aunt Dimity. This is lighter than previous books and feels like a break from a lot of the drama in the past, but it's still an easy, fun summer read.
Treasures of Greece
Author:
Emmanuelle le Pommelet
Stars: 1
Review by: Mandy A
Written and presented in a very odd manner with a reading level somewhere in the middle school range, the book's intent is to showcase icons of Greek art and architecture. It fails on both accounts. Miserably. Very few storied pieces are presented and the photos themselves are rather dull and blurry at times. Not at all impressive.
Stars: 1
Review by: Mandy A
Written and presented in a very odd manner with a reading level somewhere in the middle school range, the book's intent is to showcase icons of Greek art and architecture. It fails on both accounts. Miserably. Very few storied pieces are presented and the photos themselves are rather dull and blurry at times. Not at all impressive.
The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls
Author:
Anton DiSclafani
Stars: 5
Review by: libraryaimee
A 16 year old girl gets sent (in disgrace) to a horse riding camp for girls in Georgia during the Depression years. She is a very scandalous young lady! I couldn't put the book down!
Loved it!
Stars: 5
Review by: libraryaimee
A 16 year old girl gets sent (in disgrace) to a horse riding camp for girls in Georgia during the Depression years. She is a very scandalous young lady! I couldn't put the book down!
Loved it!
Pennsylvania German Farms, Gardens, and Seeds
Author:
Irwin Richman
Stars: 5
Review by: Mandy A
Utterly delightful. Focusing on PA's Landis Valley area, but covering a much wider swath, it is just what the title says. The agricultural folklore, history, practice, and origins of Pennsylvania German farming and food. Also goes into various pastimes, gender roles and the family, and gives a nice explanation of who the PA Germans are and why many technically aren't even German.
Stars: 5
Review by: Mandy A
Utterly delightful. Focusing on PA's Landis Valley area, but covering a much wider swath, it is just what the title says. The agricultural folklore, history, practice, and origins of Pennsylvania German farming and food. Also goes into various pastimes, gender roles and the family, and gives a nice explanation of who the PA Germans are and why many technically aren't even German.
The Aviator's Wife
Author:
Melanie Benjamin
Stars: 5
Review by: Ann M
Great historical fiction about the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Her life with Charles, flying solo, having a family, and writing.
Stars: 5
Review by: Ann M
Great historical fiction about the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Her life with Charles, flying solo, having a family, and writing.
Looking for Me
Author:
Beth Hoffman
Stars: 4
Review by: Ann M
Good book about a southern girl, Teddi, that leaves her beloved farm, sets out to open an antique store, and ultimately does on her own in Charleston.
Stars: 4
Review by: Ann M
Good book about a southern girl, Teddi, that leaves her beloved farm, sets out to open an antique store, and ultimately does on her own in Charleston.
The Ninth Girl
Author:
Tami Hoag
Stars: 4.5
Review by: Saraswati
This is a murder-suspense novel following the lives of two homicide officers. They are called to a "Zombie" killing on New Years Eve that starts this story off. The story brings to life the current issues of bullying and strained family relations. The unfortunate thing was the quick ending. It felt like so much build up and now there's too many pages so here's the neat and quick end. Still a good summer read.
Stars: 4.5
Review by: Saraswati
This is a murder-suspense novel following the lives of two homicide officers. They are called to a "Zombie" killing on New Years Eve that starts this story off. The story brings to life the current issues of bullying and strained family relations. The unfortunate thing was the quick ending. It felt like so much build up and now there's too many pages so here's the neat and quick end. Still a good summer read.
Serpent's Kiss
Author:
Melissa de la Cruz
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati
This author is better known for her young adult books (Blue Bloods series). This is her second book in this adult series. The story line mixes mythology and modern times. It links the witch trials to Norse myths. This story continued from where the first left off with our Mother & two daughters, all are witches, moving on with their lives. Strange things start happening and an old mystery is in need of solving. This story has a lot of threads to follow all leading up to a "to be continued" type ending. I'm glad book 3 is due out any day now so I can find out what happens.
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati
This author is better known for her young adult books (Blue Bloods series). This is her second book in this adult series. The story line mixes mythology and modern times. It links the witch trials to Norse myths. This story continued from where the first left off with our Mother & two daughters, all are witches, moving on with their lives. Strange things start happening and an old mystery is in need of solving. This story has a lot of threads to follow all leading up to a "to be continued" type ending. I'm glad book 3 is due out any day now so I can find out what happens.
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Author:
Olivia Harrison
Stars: 5
Review by: Gypsy P
A beautiful coffee table book based on the HBO Documentary about George Harrison ~ a gentle man who impacted the world in so many ways. Loved this book!
Stars: 5
Review by: Gypsy P
A beautiful coffee table book based on the HBO Documentary about George Harrison ~ a gentle man who impacted the world in so many ways. Loved this book!
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Author:
Alexander McCall Smith
Stars: 4
Review by: BookDancer
I read this folksy, warm and upbeat book years ago, but it was certainly worth re-reading. I have snapped up the second book in the series, Tears of the Giraffe. I can't get enough of Precious Ramotswe and the delightful characters that inhabit her world. The HBO series is great, too!
Stars: 4
Review by: BookDancer
I read this folksy, warm and upbeat book years ago, but it was certainly worth re-reading. I have snapped up the second book in the series, Tears of the Giraffe. I can't get enough of Precious Ramotswe and the delightful characters that inhabit her world. The HBO series is great, too!
The Tea Rose
Author:
Jennifer Donnelly
Stars: 3
Review by: BookDancer
A good summer read; rags-to-riches love story set in London and New York in the late 1880's. Similar to A Woman of Substance.
Stars: 3
Review by: BookDancer
A good summer read; rags-to-riches love story set in London and New York in the late 1880's. Similar to A Woman of Substance.
Revenge Wears Prada, The Devil Returns
Author:
Lauren Weisberger
Stars: 4
Review by: Rainbow
I really enjoyed the book. It was nice revisiting the characters again and it was hard to put the book down.
Stars: 4
Review by: Rainbow
I really enjoyed the book. It was nice revisiting the characters again and it was hard to put the book down.
Alice Cooper, Golf Monster
Author:
Alice Cooper
Stars: 5
Review by: Gypsy P
I don't play golf so wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book, but I did. A lot. It's a stroll down memory lane ~ and across fairways ~ with Alice Cooper. Fun, easy read. Perfect for my summer reading list.
Stars: 5
Review by: Gypsy P
I don't play golf so wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book, but I did. A lot. It's a stroll down memory lane ~ and across fairways ~ with Alice Cooper. Fun, easy read. Perfect for my summer reading list.
Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Author:
Dr. Seuss
Stars: 5
Review by: Gypsy P
I know it's a children's book...or maybe not? This is my "go to" book when I'm having a bad case of the Doubting Thomases or Nervous Nellies. This time it was about money and a job ~or lack thereof. Worked like a charm! Thanks, Dr. Seuss!
Stars: 5
Review by: Gypsy P
I know it's a children's book...or maybe not? This is my "go to" book when I'm having a bad case of the Doubting Thomases or Nervous Nellies. This time it was about money and a job ~or lack thereof. Worked like a charm! Thanks, Dr. Seuss!
The Household Guide to Dying
Author:
Debra Adelaide
Stars: 3
Review by: Lrizza
This book was more about living and cleaning up loose ends. It was a different type of story, but enjoyable.
Stars: 3
Review by: Lrizza
This book was more about living and cleaning up loose ends. It was a different type of story, but enjoyable.
Distant Echoes
Author:
Colleen Coble
Stars: 3
Review by: Jambob
This is a romantic thriller based in Hawaii & written by a prolific Christian author. The action packed story has intrigue, romance, and Christian theories of forgiveness and family. Nani the dolphin provides interesting insights in dolphin research and communication and even animal rights.
Stars: 3
Review by: Jambob
This is a romantic thriller based in Hawaii & written by a prolific Christian author. The action packed story has intrigue, romance, and Christian theories of forgiveness and family. Nani the dolphin provides interesting insights in dolphin research and communication and even animal rights.
Vanished
Author:
Joseph Finder
Stars: 4
Review by: mysteryfan
This was my first book by Joseph Finder. I enjoyed his style of writing and couldn't put the book down, the plot moved so quickly and kept me guessing right until the last page. Just another great American suspense writer!
Stars: 4
Review by: mysteryfan
This was my first book by Joseph Finder. I enjoyed his style of writing and couldn't put the book down, the plot moved so quickly and kept me guessing right until the last page. Just another great American suspense writer!