Dated but I suppose one could now view it as historical fiction. Took place in my back yard (the DC parts) but I didn't actually get a sense of place....moreDated but I suppose one could now view it as historical fiction. Took place in my back yard (the DC parts) but I didn't actually get a sense of place. I'm not *not* recommending it, just saying other things cried out more to me so I never got beyond page 18.(less)
Classic Kristan Higgins romance: strong men, capable women with normal human flaws, dogs, humor, wacky friends and family, and closes the bedroom door...moreClassic Kristan Higgins romance: strong men, capable women with normal human flaws, dogs, humor, wacky friends and family, and closes the bedroom door but you know it's hot in there.(less)
An Agatha Award winner. Classic British cozy mystery. First in the series. I doubt I'll read a second. One of the pleasures of a series is becoming em...moreAn Agatha Award winner. Classic British cozy mystery. First in the series. I doubt I'll read a second. One of the pleasures of a series is becoming emotionally attached to the continuing characters. Most I got out of this one was a toddler who changes a ring tone. If the plot isn't going to drive a book, the characters (or some other feature) should and somehow I didn't get sucked in by much about this book (listened to it while cleaning the attic). It took me a bit to get used to Ms. Porter in this role after listening to so much Gabaldon but her skill is always a joy.(less)
Irish women's lives author Maeve Binchy's last book is her standard fare: intersecting stories set in a time delimited framework. Set up: as a young w...moreIrish women's lives author Maeve Binchy's last book is her standard fare: intersecting stories set in a time delimited framework. Set up: as a young woman, Chicky Starr follows her heart and an American from her small Irish town to New York City where she works hard, learns some skills, and saves enough money to return to Stoneybridge, renovating a house and opening a guest house. Then the stories of the first week's guests complete the book. Charming, gentle book describing family expectations, dreams, acceptance, and hope. Read for the characters not the plot or adrenalin. I felt like I stood at the doorway with Chicky waving goodbye to the guests as well as Ms. Binchy.(less)
#4 in the Coffeehouse series takes Clare to the Hamptons for the summer in this frothy cozy mystery series. The solution to the mystery rather comes o...more#4 in the Coffeehouse series takes Clare to the Hamptons for the summer in this frothy cozy mystery series. The solution to the mystery rather comes out of nowhere which might annoy some readers but most of the clues end up being nicely tied tied up. Strong sense of place and a cute summer beach read.(less)
Pop science vs. clinical but an enjoyable read about a topic that ;-) impacts all of us: eating and digestion. The topics covered are selective rather...morePop science vs. clinical but an enjoyable read about a topic that ;-) impacts all of us: eating and digestion. The topics covered are selective rather than comprehensive. A good book for high school students who need to read non-fiction (as are Roach's other titles, especially Stiff); in addition to the engaging style, the reader is hit with the concept that there are all kinds of careers that don't make it into the doctor / lawyer / fireman /sports star realm.(less)
Second in the Maggie Hope series (labeled here as Mystery, but fiction in the library) that follows a American raised but British mathematician as she...moreSecond in the Maggie Hope series (labeled here as Mystery, but fiction in the library) that follows a American raised but British mathematician as she becomes embroiled in WWII espionage. Felt very much like a YA historical fiction novel (fewer disturbing themes than MCS). The simplistic (and at times, outlandish) plot line is dependent on the fascinating historical period and people. Did not measure up to Mr. Churchill's Secretary and I'm hoping that Her Majesty's Hope (where Maggie is an actual spy and family concerns play a role) will trump both. (less)
[audio] Superstar chicklit without the romance but ultimately unsatisfying leaving me saying, "Huh?" and feeling a little tainted. I am totally out of...more[audio] Superstar chicklit without the romance but ultimately unsatisfying leaving me saying, "Huh?" and feeling a little tainted. I am totally out of touch with the entertainment world but even I got the Britney Spears story. By the end, the multiple obscured roles (family vs. employee) were even MORE entrenched than at the beginning. I think this was more compelling in audio than it would have in print but I kept expecting some resolution, some growth, some hope -- but the epilogue left me disappointed.(less)
[audio] A five star book brought down a notch by some caveats. The main characters are beautifully crafted but other characters are wooden and I somet...more[audio] A five star book brought down a notch by some caveats. The main characters are beautifully crafted but other characters are wooden and I sometimes wondered why they were even inserted. The details of Botswana were lushly written, only to have other aspects barely sketched out. Some details were boringly lengthy (OK, OK: the lice episode -- we get that the children impacted Alice's life and she was clueless about kids. Unless it was all symbolic). But I was compelled by the story and the characters and had my own "out of Africa" movie running in my head: good people, careless people, bad people, environmental issues, political and ethical issues, love, irrational hate and cruelty, greed, women's roles - it's here.
The audio version suited the narrative and enhanced my immersion in the story, though I am not sure Mercer-Meyer is the ideal reader (I'd have to look carefully at the book to see if my "issues" were in the text or the narration).(less)
[audio] The fourth entry in the Michael Bennett (Irish-descended cop, widower, father of 10 adopted kids) detective series - holds its own. Nice conce...more[audio] The fourth entry in the Michael Bennett (Irish-descended cop, widower, father of 10 adopted kids) detective series - holds its own. Nice concept but solving the murders was done through a too conveniently random connection, the "love" interest thread is a bit shoddily done, and one again Mike rises from ashes. The crimes themselves are intriguing. Nice in audio.(less)
Take one over-the-hill-but-not-out-to-pasture, self-deluding, selfish, independent, alcoholic real estate agent as your unreliable narrator and mix wi...moreTake one over-the-hill-but-not-out-to-pasture, self-deluding, selfish, independent, alcoholic real estate agent as your unreliable narrator and mix with a newcomer with problems of her own and see what happens to one small wealthy town in New England. The humor is wry, the physical disability alcoholism and quite possibly my greater than expected enjoyment (since I rarely like books with main characters I don't particularly like) is due to Mary Beth Hurts portrayal of Hildy.(less)
[audio] Fourth in the series (I *loved* Sworn to Silence - start with that) I listened to this one as background for repetitive activities. I suspect...more[audio] Fourth in the series (I *loved* Sworn to Silence - start with that) I listened to this one as background for repetitive activities. I suspect listening helped with some of the issues the more negative reviews pointed out (descriptions, repetitive phrases). (less)
Sweet (but not "gentle"). Lots of potential (Kentucky horses, strong man protecting his emotions, woman trying to find her place in the world) but the...moreSweet (but not "gentle"). Lots of potential (Kentucky horses, strong man protecting his emotions, woman trying to find her place in the world) but the writing drifts into the very lightweight category if not quite the mass market feel.(less)
Classic Picoult but I didn't finish it -- too many other things to read. Perhaps because I didn't particularly like Nina, I never got grabbed by this...moreClassic Picoult but I didn't finish it -- too many other things to read. Perhaps because I didn't particularly like Nina, I never got grabbed by this title and eventually gave it up about half way through. DNA testing has become so common place that the concept's hook isn't as effective as it was a decade ago.(less)
I got a free Kindle version* and I definitely got more than I paid for. Do be aware, this is *not* in the cozy genre, despite the dogs, the series, an...moreI got a free Kindle version* and I definitely got more than I paid for. Do be aware, this is *not* in the cozy genre, despite the dogs, the series, and the coffee shops. I enjoyed the quirky protagonist, a great sense of place (I actually got out a map), a bit of history, solid relationships (well, not so much with men), and surprisingly enjoyable writing. I'm not usually a fan of gritty mysteries (and the reader "solves" the case before Joy) but this worked for me. Oh - yes, there is a reason this starts the Sydney Rye series!
*I wish Amazon would let readers offer typo corrections - one of the more annoying things about eBooks is the preponderance of OCR errors.(less)
Squarely in the adrenaline genre, softened by the daddy-lit perspective - I got sucked in to Scott Brick's first person narration of this serpentine t...moreSquarely in the adrenaline genre, softened by the daddy-lit perspective - I got sucked in to Scott Brick's first person narration of this serpentine tale, only to be a bit disappointed in the end by a lack of complete closure. Coben's pell-mell plot moved at a dizzying pace (especially since people are SIGNIFICANTLY injured yet bounce up to take more physical abuse) and new plot threads are inserted disconcertingly frequently. Even while I was listening I envisioned Coben with a storyboard thinking, "OK, what can come out of left field to explain this?" (less)
As an adult (this is a children's book) this hit me the way the YA title The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie did: it cou...moreAs an adult (this is a children's book) this hit me the way the YA title The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie did: it could have been so sad / manipulative but it was actually funny and uplifting. I'm not in a place to write about this for a children's audience (you can read School Library Journal's review, etc.) and one can't actually review it as an adult book -- but for me it was a compulsive read, making me laugh and making me cry, and reminding me to be kinder than necessary and everyone deserves to be ordinary. The cover art is inspired. (less)
Best part of this thriller is the concept of not being able to retain one's memory. I initially had a problem with the narrator (Susan Eriksen also na...moreBest part of this thriller is the concept of not being able to retain one's memory. I initially had a problem with the narrator (Susan Eriksen also narrates J. D. Robb's "In Death" series) but quickly got drawn in to the fast paced story.(less)
Might be better in print than in audio. Lots of local Metro DC interest but some is mildly inaccurate. In the audio version, discussing the food, work...moreMight be better in print than in audio. Lots of local Metro DC interest but some is mildly inaccurate. In the audio version, discussing the food, workout routines, and men-baby connection just comes off as lame.(less)
A Between-the-numbers story: only for die-hard Stephanie Plum fans. No zing, no real mystery but a bit of supernatural. Pure mindless entertainment. ?...moreA Between-the-numbers story: only for die-hard Stephanie Plum fans. No zing, no real mystery but a bit of supernatural. Pure mindless entertainment. ??Halloween?? But the Easter Bunny shows up... Not even "spooky." Monkeys galore...(less)
First in a series of historical (WWII England) novels featuring Margaret (Maggie) Hope, a mathematician who gets caught in London as the war proceeds....moreFirst in a series of historical (WWII England) novels featuring Margaret (Maggie) Hope, a mathematician who gets caught in London as the war proceeds. The tone is "gentle" but the subject matter is not (disturbing scenes, homosexuality, off stage hanky-panky). The writing is a bit awkward with quotations plunked in, flags waving, and peculiar insertions of historical details. The premise of an Irish Republican Army attack in the midst of the Blitz may be overstated. Suitable for MS / HS girls needing an historical fiction book. I did enjoy Maggie and plan to read Princess Elizabeth's Spy as light entertainment.(less)
I gave the print version a try (due with holds / didn't put on hold again) but tried again as an audiobook after Audiofile Magazine's review ("a remar...moreI gave the print version a try (due with holds / didn't put on hold again) but tried again as an audiobook after Audiofile Magazine's review ("a remarkable mash-up of compassion, confusion, humor, determination, and cluelessness") and a coworker's recommendation. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version. This meandering tale requires a certain amount of living, failure, and disappointment to appreciate. Jim Broadbent does an amazing job crafting the individual voices. There are no heroes in this story but there are a few survivors and a couple real surprises. (less)
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