Deeply layered novel about family relations and the complexities of marriage and spouses.
Books, Fiction
Freedom (Jonathan Franzen) ****
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Category: Books
Books, Fiction
Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro) ****
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Interesting book. The writing style will, no doubt, bother some; I found it enjoyable. It comes across more like you’re having a conversation with a friend who is telling you the story of her life, looking back, and who continuously gets distracted or who must interrupt herself to tell another story to make the current…
Books, Fiction
Sarah’s Key (Tatiana de Rosnay) ***
by jana rae • • 0 Comments
Enjoyable enough thanks mostly to the interesting first third of the story. Sadly, the last third of the book felt forced and trite. The interesting half of the story simply drops off—as if the author tired of that story line or simply did not know how to present it. Beginning a book with two distinct…
Books, Fiction
The Testament (John Grisham) **
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An enjoyable enough read, as one would expect from Grisham, but even so, this was not one of his best. This lacked the suspense of some of his more popular novels, and it lacked the depth and character of A Painted House (my fave Grisham novel). Regardless, it provided entertainment and distraction, and for that,…
Books, Fiction
The Help (Kathryn Stockett) ****
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The Help was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story is inspiring and moving and sets a scene many people would rather forget. As much as I enjoyed the story, though, it did not speak to me in ways it did to other friends. Perhaps that involves my background of growing up as a minority, or…
Books, Fiction
Life’s a Beach (Claire Cook) ***
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Fast & easy summer read exploring dynamics of two sisters and finding one’s life even after 40. I have tried to read some of the “Chick-Lit” books about girls in their 20s, but really, they are girls in their 20s. I have little patience for some of that —– ? —naiveté? —foolishness? —self-absorption? …
Books, Fiction
This is Where I Leave You (Jonathan Tropper) ****
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This may be the first book essentially about relationships that I have read that was written by a man. And I must say, how interesting. The differences are mostly subtle, but differences there are. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Judd and his humorous and wonderfully dysfunctional family as they sat shiva after the…
Books, Fiction
Angels and Demons (Dan Brown) ***
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Traditional Dan Brown, and a great suspenseful read. This is the book that originally introduced Robert Langdon, and he’s as fun in this story as in The Davinci Code. Angels and Demons is a page-turner and a quick read. (I picked it up with barely a week before the movie’s premier and easily finished it.)…
Books, Fiction
Almost Moon (Alice Sebold) *****
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I’m exhausted having just finished Alice Sebold’s latest book. She writes with such clarity and truth in the face of such complex and frightening issues…call it what you will: mental illness, insanity, madness. But the complexity of the mother–daughter relationship here, and the way in which it defines and suffocates, those are the true gifts…
Books, NonFiction
A Case Study in the Insanity Defense: The Trial of John W. Hinckley, JR. ( Peter W. Low) ***
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Informative and interesting, this book did a nice job explaining how much power the jury has and how difficult it can be for jurors when faced with a battle of experts.
Books, Fiction
Devil’s Corner (Lisa Scottoline) **
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Basic mystery story with a lawyer protagonist that was not superb, but easily entertaining enough. This was my first Scottoline book (received as a gift). While the subject was interesting enough, I was less than impressed with Scottoline’s portrayal and handling of the romantic relationship involved in the story.
Books, Fiction
A Thousand Splendid Suns (Khaled Hosseini) ****
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Touching story of the lives of two women intersecting in Kabul, mainly in the 90s. The story arcs differently than that in The Kite Runner, but it is still good, and wonderfully told. I especially enjoy learning more about the struggles and beauty of the country. (Yes, this is fiction, but Hosseini does a grand…
Books, Fiction
The Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger) ***
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Books, Fiction
It’s My F—ing Birthday (Merrill Markoe) ****
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I’ve told writers, “Know your audience.” But we should also tell audiences of fiction, “Know your book.” Someone else wrote about this story that it/the protagonist was depressing. No! It’s a delight! But maybe that’s just for those who can appreciate the humor as found in her situations. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, read,…
Books, Fiction
The Art of Racing in the Rain (Garth Stein) *****
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Read this book! What a fantastic time, sharing in the life of Denny and his family. The story told is funny and heartfelt, sad and dark, and uplifting and encouraging. It tells of Denny and his family and some difficulties they face—as witnessed by and told by his dog, Enzo. I laughed and I cried.…