Author:
Julia Stuart
Stars:
5
Review by:BookWorm2
Much like The Tower, The Zoo and The Tortoise, Ms. Stuart has created
a fantastic story rife with legitimate facts regarding both London's
history and aristocracy. A delightful read with a slight Sherlock
Holmes flavor towards the end.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Author:
Tricia Goyer
Stars: 3.5
Review by: Jambob
2012 marked the 100th year since the sinking of the Titanic. Many authors of fiction wrote books with this event as a back drop to the story. Ms. Goyer is a Christian author who used the biblical story of the prodigal son to play out on the Titanic. With dexterity she wove facts and descriptions of the world's most famous ship into a story of forgiveness, acceptance and romance. I have read many books about the Titanic mostly non-fiction. It was pleasant to read about it as if you were visiting this ship with all the sights sounds and wonder of a passenger on a maiden voyage.
Stars: 3.5
Review by: Jambob
2012 marked the 100th year since the sinking of the Titanic. Many authors of fiction wrote books with this event as a back drop to the story. Ms. Goyer is a Christian author who used the biblical story of the prodigal son to play out on the Titanic. With dexterity she wove facts and descriptions of the world's most famous ship into a story of forgiveness, acceptance and romance. I have read many books about the Titanic mostly non-fiction. It was pleasant to read about it as if you were visiting this ship with all the sights sounds and wonder of a passenger on a maiden voyage.
VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health...for Good
Author:
Mark Bittman
Stars: 3
Review by: L.Z.
I waited a while to receive this book (many holds before me in the line!) and had high expectations for it. It was okay. Mark Bittman has an entertaining writing style, even in describing nutrition and research. That being said, as someone who has been dabbling in vegan-ism for the past few years, I did not find much new information or many impressive recipes in this book. For someone who has done any research in plant based nutrition, or has even limited experience cooking/eating this way, you're not going to find much in this book. If this is a new concept for you, then this is probably a great book for you! Lots of explanation of the "why" and plenty of practical ideas to get you started on your way to better life and healthier eating.
Stars: 3
Review by: L.Z.
I waited a while to receive this book (many holds before me in the line!) and had high expectations for it. It was okay. Mark Bittman has an entertaining writing style, even in describing nutrition and research. That being said, as someone who has been dabbling in vegan-ism for the past few years, I did not find much new information or many impressive recipes in this book. For someone who has done any research in plant based nutrition, or has even limited experience cooking/eating this way, you're not going to find much in this book. If this is a new concept for you, then this is probably a great book for you! Lots of explanation of the "why" and plenty of practical ideas to get you started on your way to better life and healthier eating.
Just Jennifer
How to Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman (St. Martin’s Press, October
2013)
From all appearances, Marta Bjornstad is a perfect wife: her
husband Hector, twenty years her senior, takes care of her, her son Kylan has
grown into a fine young man and she keeps an impeccably clean house and cares
for Hector often referring to an outdated book, How to Be a Good Wife, which was presented to her on her wedding
day by her mother-in-law. Marta has no memory
of her life before Hector and knows of their meeting and early days only from
what he has told her, that he rescued her from a near drowning and that her
parents had been killed in a car accident.
Marta is often on edge and considered depressed, sometimes seeing things
or hearing things; Hector makes her take pills to combat these feelings, but
Marta’s visions are becoming stronger and lately she is beginning to sense that
her visions may not be dreams but vivid memories of her past life. As Marta tries to regain her sense of
normalcy, it seems everyone around her is determined to push her deeper into
despair until she has nothing left.
Tense and haunting, it is often hard to discern which of
Marta’s realities is the truth or is her visions truly are a result of her
being mad. Clues about the truth are slowly
revealed and then just as quickly countered by an alternate story to cast
doubt. Marta’s attempt to please Hector
and in turn his mother, seems to Marta at first the least she can do for all
Hector has done and provided for her, until she realizes Hector may not be at
all what he seems. As Marta’s story unravels
so does Marta; the story is alternately dark and eerie with glimmers of hope
until Marta firms herself to do the one thing that she knows will finally set
her free.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Scrapped
Author:
Mollie Cox Bryan
Stars: 2
Review by:L.Z.
I hate to start a book and not finish it, but this one was so hard to get through...perhaps because I picked up something that wasn't the first in the series, but honestly...I think that my third grader has a better writing style and a more interesting vocabulary.
Stars: 2
Review by:L.Z.
I hate to start a book and not finish it, but this one was so hard to get through...perhaps because I picked up something that wasn't the first in the series, but honestly...I think that my third grader has a better writing style and a more interesting vocabulary.
Home: A Short History of an Idea
Author:
Witold Rybczynski
Stars: 3
Review by: Mary NK
A fascinating examination of what makes a house, a home; how the feelings of comfort, coziness & belonging came to be associated with a mere shelter. Witold theorizes that Dutch women, keeping their houses clean & neat, were a major force in this transformation.
Stars: 3
Review by: Mary NK
A fascinating examination of what makes a house, a home; how the feelings of comfort, coziness & belonging came to be associated with a mere shelter. Witold theorizes that Dutch women, keeping their houses clean & neat, were a major force in this transformation.
If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home
Author:
Tim O'Brien
Stars: 5
Review by:smudge
This short memoir of an infantry soldier in Vietnam debates morality and courage while fighting a war that was unlike any other American initiative. Powerful and well written.
Stars: 5
Review by:smudge
This short memoir of an infantry soldier in Vietnam debates morality and courage while fighting a war that was unlike any other American initiative. Powerful and well written.
Dream When You're Feeling Blue
Author:
Elizabeth Berg
Stars: 5
Review by: TML
This book on tape is exceptional. It is a beautiful look back in time to the early 1940's during WWII to a family in Chicago and how their lives at home, relationships, and choices were impacted by the war. I highly recommend it.
Stars: 5
Review by: TML
This book on tape is exceptional. It is a beautiful look back in time to the early 1940's during WWII to a family in Chicago and how their lives at home, relationships, and choices were impacted by the war. I highly recommend it.
Memoirs of a Poet
Author:
Timothy Taylor Woldt
Stars: 3
Review by: BookWorm2
A noble first attempt by a budding poet. All of the poems stem from real-life experiences. A fast read.
Stars: 3
Review by: BookWorm2
A noble first attempt by a budding poet. All of the poems stem from real-life experiences. A fast read.
Can You Keep a Secret?
Author:
Sophie Kinsella
Stars: 4
Review by: syd
Kinsella's books are always a good read.
Stars: 4
Review by: syd
Kinsella's books are always a good read.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Tuesday's Child
Author:
Fern Michaels
Stars: 3.5
Review by: syd
Very different from a typical Fern Michaels book.
Stars: 3.5
Review by: syd
Very different from a typical Fern Michaels book.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
Author:
Cheryl Strayed
Stars: 4.5
Review by: Miss Lucy
This was actually a re-read for me (something I hardly EVER do) from the early Spring. I liked this book then and I like it even more now. In the early Summer, I had read and reviewed (4 stars) Strayed's bestseller Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Feeling that I knew Cheryl better, I wanted to re-read this book of excerpts taken from her advice column, Dear Sugar, on the writers' website therumpus.com. I was impressed on my first read with how Cheryl got right to the heart of the questioners' dilemmas, often even telling them that they already knew what they should do, based on things they said in their letters.
On my second read, I was again blown away by her ability to get right to the heart of every person's question. I also understood her advice more, based on what I read about her in Wild.
Before writing Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things, Cheryl fulfilled a dream of hers of writing a novel, Torch. I'm in the middle of reading that right now, so stay tuned for my third review of Ms. Strayed's works.
Stars: 4.5
Review by: Miss Lucy
This was actually a re-read for me (something I hardly EVER do) from the early Spring. I liked this book then and I like it even more now. In the early Summer, I had read and reviewed (4 stars) Strayed's bestseller Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Feeling that I knew Cheryl better, I wanted to re-read this book of excerpts taken from her advice column, Dear Sugar, on the writers' website therumpus.com. I was impressed on my first read with how Cheryl got right to the heart of the questioners' dilemmas, often even telling them that they already knew what they should do, based on things they said in their letters.
On my second read, I was again blown away by her ability to get right to the heart of every person's question. I also understood her advice more, based on what I read about her in Wild.
Before writing Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things, Cheryl fulfilled a dream of hers of writing a novel, Torch. I'm in the middle of reading that right now, so stay tuned for my third review of Ms. Strayed's works.
All the Summer Girls
Author:
Meg Donohue
Stars: 3
Review by: Book Dancer
References to Philly and Avalon, NJ will appeal to readers looking for local color! There aren't many novels out there set at the Jersey shore.
Stars: 3
Review by: Book Dancer
References to Philly and Avalon, NJ will appeal to readers looking for local color! There aren't many novels out there set at the Jersey shore.
The Full Cupboard of Life
Author:
Alexander McCall Smith
Stars: 4
Review by: BookDancer
Another charming visit with Mma Ramotswe and friends. Love listening to these gentle tales while driving. Sometimes I'll go a little further just to keep listening!
Stars: 4
Review by: BookDancer
Another charming visit with Mma Ramotswe and friends. Love listening to these gentle tales while driving. Sometimes I'll go a little further just to keep listening!
The Wheel of Fortune
Author:
Susan Howatch
Stars: 3
Review by: Deck Reader
Interesting story, but too long.
Stars: 3
Review by: Deck Reader
Interesting story, but too long.