Written with warmth and a lot of love, this Irish family saga is full of historical information on the potato blight, the English indifference and the...moreWritten with warmth and a lot of love, this Irish family saga is full of historical information on the potato blight, the English indifference and the hardships of immigration to America. The determination and courage of the main character Honora Kelly is well drawn. There are also fascinating insights on Irish Chicago history. It was a book that was very hard to put down. (less)
I found this mystery very interesting but I love history, espionage ,international politics and finance. It is a very long read but I was bound and de...moreI found this mystery very interesting but I love history, espionage ,international politics and finance. It is a very long read but I was bound and determined to find out the ending. The plot is a puzzle told in three segments, London in 1909, Paris in 1890 and Venice in 1867. The descriptions were a bit too long but I consider it well written and researched. (less)
A touching love story, this novel is set in two time periods Seattle during World War II and the 1980's. Henry Lee meets Keiko Okabe at the exclusive...moreA touching love story, this novel is set in two time periods Seattle during World War II and the 1980's. Henry Lee meets Keiko Okabe at the exclusive Ranier elementary schools and they form a strong bond. Henry's family is first generation Chinese while Keiko's Japanese family considers themselves American. When her family is sent to the internment camps, I discovered insights on this sad period of American history. (less)
I was a little disappointed in this book since I enjoy the historical writing of Philippa Gregory. It started out strong but I lost interest along the...moreI was a little disappointed in this book since I enjoy the historical writing of Philippa Gregory. It started out strong but I lost interest along the way. (less)
Roses is the story of the descendents of the three founding families of Howbutker, a small town in Texas during the twentieth century. The tragic love...moreRoses is the story of the descendents of the three founding families of Howbutker, a small town in Texas during the twentieth century. The tragic love story of Mary Toliver and Percy Warwick forms the core of the novel. Becoming engrossed in the characters, family lore, and setting, I could not stop reading this book. Roses combines the elements of historical fiction, a family saga and a romance.
A mother and her two daughters comfort one another after her husband divorces her after fourty-eight years of married life. They all move from New Yor...moreA mother and her two daughters comfort one another after her husband divorces her after fourty-eight years of married life. They all move from New York City to Westport and adjust to living together. The dialogue is especially strong with many clever lines and the story line is easy. A good woman's fiction summer read. (less)
My wait was long to read this book but was it worth it! The best crime thriller ever! Larsson draws Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander with wonderf...moreMy wait was long to read this book but was it worth it! The best crime thriller ever! Larsson draws Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander with wonderful empathy and they shine as interesting, intelligent, and engrossing characters. The plot is suspenseful with clever clues that delve into a Swedish setting with unsolved crimes, serial killers, dysfunctional families, corrupt corporations, international intrigue, investigative reporting, computer hacking and sexual perversions. It is such a joy to read a mystery that jolts you with such stunning surprise in its triumph of good over evil.(less)
Living with her widowed father in 1920's Missouri, Iris is suddenly sent to be a companion to a country doctor's elderly mother since her father needs...moreLiving with her widowed father in 1920's Missouri, Iris is suddenly sent to be a companion to a country doctor's elderly mother since her father needs to concentrate on setting up a new shoe store with his new girl friend. She will miss everyone and everything and most of all Leroy. What awaits Iris is kindness personified in the characters of Dr.Nesbitt and his mother. She meets cruelty with the tenant farmer Cecil and his daughter Dot. This is a sweet story told with Midwestern charm and honesty. (less)
Halfway through this book I loved the story. Then the author decided to let the story fall off a cliff. It seemed like he had to make a deadline and j...moreHalfway through this book I loved the story. Then the author decided to let the story fall off a cliff. It seemed like he had to make a deadline and just raced to the finish line. A real disappointment(less)
Rowley focuses on the forty year marriage of the Roosevelts while the politics fades into the background of the story. It was interesting to see how s...moreRowley focuses on the forty year marriage of the Roosevelts while the politics fades into the background of the story. It was interesting to see how staff members really became family as they spent their lives working for Franklin and Eleanor. Louis Howe and Missy LeHand both were devoted staff members who left family and friends to promote Franklin's political career while Missy lived in Warm Springs and took care of Franklin as a private secretary and nurse. Of course, Lucy Mercer plays a central role in the book. Although I thought what more can be written of the Roosevelts I discovered more insights into the personalities of Franklin and Eleanor and why the marriage endured. In March I discovered the death notice of this author. This is her last book.
Flavia de Luce is as entertaining, clever and charming as always. Alan Bradley writing is impecable and his sentences flow. This mystery series set in...moreFlavia de Luce is as entertaining, clever and charming as always. Alan Bradley writing is impecable and his sentences flow. This mystery series set in the fifties in England is a delight.(less)
Kit Corrigan leaves Providence Rhode Island in hopes of success on the stage in New York City in the nineteen fifties. This novel has the same noirish...moreKit Corrigan leaves Providence Rhode Island in hopes of success on the stage in New York City in the nineteen fifties. This novel has the same noirish style of the author's National Book Award winning book, What I Saw and How I Lied. In both these novels the author presents such a visual representation that you can visually see the novel as a film as it unfolds. It also follows the same theme of a teen discovering the imperfections and trasgressions of her elders. I enjoyed the writing, the characterization and the action but I wonder if it has high teen appeal. (less)
Recruited in the 1930s, the Cambridge spy ring were the most notorious Russian spies in history. The main character in the book, Sam Gaddis, is told f...moreRecruited in the 1930s, the Cambridge spy ring were the most notorious Russian spies in history. The main character in the book, Sam Gaddis, is told from a fellow journalist that she has discovered a sixth member of the group. When the journalist dies Sam takes up the chase. A Russian official does not want his history revealed and a lot more people die. I found the chase for clues interesting but the ending was a bit flat. (less)
Looking for a beach read, I found this novel a bit of a downer with its mean characters and the emphasis on the Catholic guilt trip. Every character w...moreLooking for a beach read, I found this novel a bit of a downer with its mean characters and the emphasis on the Catholic guilt trip. Every character was flawed to a exaggererated level rather than a realistic viewpoint. The beach house setting was interesting as a literary device to illustrate the way individual family members perceive their roles in the complex relationships of a large extended family.(less)
The best book of the summer! Timely since this book focuses on the aftermath of 9/11 as a jury chooses a fictional 9/11 memorial. When the design is d...moreThe best book of the summer! Timely since this book focuses on the aftermath of 9/11 as a jury chooses a fictional 9/11 memorial. When the design is decided the envelope is opened revealing the name of the architect Mohammed Khan. A Muslim will design the 9/11 memorial. All elements of this story, charterization, plot, setting and voice are strong. Waldman has written a beautiful story about loss, family, personal relationships and what it means to be an American. (less)
Dr. Ellie Sullivan is jogging in a park after a hectic day at the hospital and witnesses a shooting of a F.B.I agent. Agent Max Daniels leads the inve...moreDr. Ellie Sullivan is jogging in a park after a hectic day at the hospital and witnesses a shooting of a F.B.I agent. Agent Max Daniels leads the investigation on the case. The romance between Max and Ellie ensues. Garwood has delivered a romance that is bound to please. Once in a while one needs to escape the real world and retreat to a world where everything turns out well and good people fall in love with other good people and live happily ever after. (less)
In the late 1930s Elise Landru leaves behind her Jewish family in Vienna and seeks safety in England as a parlor maid at a country estate. Being a hug...moreIn the late 1930s Elise Landru leaves behind her Jewish family in Vienna and seeks safety in England as a parlor maid at a country estate. Being a huge fan of Downton Abbey I sought this book out and read it quickly. I found the love story rather far fetched and the story line conventional and predictable. (less)
One of my favorites of the year! Harriet Baxter after taking care of her dying aunt decides to travel to Glagow in 1888 during the International Exhib...moreOne of my favorites of the year! Harriet Baxter after taking care of her dying aunt decides to travel to Glagow in 1888 during the International Exhibition. She befriends the Gillespie family and starts a friendship with Ned Gillespie a talented artist. Tragedy comes to this family and Harriet becomes involved in a criminal trial. This novel is so clever and well written and was a delight to read. (less)
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