false 9 200 187 true 5718524 read 1 true 872777 currently-reading 12 true 872776 to-read 2 false 2900678 gave-up-w-o-finishing http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61274382 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/57484339 to: The Family Trade (The Merchant Princes, #1) by Charles Stross
This book was ok. As a fan of Roger Zelazny, I think I should note that although the premise of this series is similar to the Chronicles of Amber, the writing is not as clear and engaging. However, I enjoyed the story enough to keep reading the series, and I'll hope that the story evens out as we go along. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54468085 to: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Hardcover) by John Boyne
A beautiful, tragic, must-read of a book. I loved the simplicity of the writing and the child's viewpoint -- they contrasted nicely with the heavy content. This book is very close to perfect. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/57484238 to: Case Histories: A Novel (Paperback) by Kate Atkinson
This book is an engaging mystery/thriller with great characters. It's predictable, but Atkinson's approach is so interesting, I wanted to keep reading to see the manner in which all would be revealed. An excellent book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54004305 to: Obedience: A Novel (Hardcover) by Will Lavender
I love the premise of Obedience, and for the first half of the book, I really enjoyed the story. However, the second half was flat. I lost interest in the majority of the characters, and their quest was tiresome rather than riveting. As a result, I was unwilling to suspend belief when necessary and what should have been an exciting climax to the story left me rolling my eyes.

Lavender's writing shows promise though, and I'll be happy to try his next novel despite being unsatisfied with this one. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53805362 to: The Ocean Inside (Paperback) by Janna McMahan
With her second book, Janna McMahan focuses on the strength of familial bonds under difficult circumstances. It's a quick and easy read, but the subject matter is still deep. McMahan seamlessly weaves into her book health insurance issues, new developments and their environmental impact, drug and alcohol abuse, and the strain on relationships as a family struggles serious illness.

This is a great book for someone who wants a "vacation read" but doesn't want fluff, and it would also be a good choice for a book club. I look forward to more of Janna's work! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53315213 to: The Fireman's Wife: A Novel (Paperback) by Jack Riggs
The thing I like about both of Jack Riggs' novels is that they aren't tidy. At the end, we aren't presented with the characters' lives neatly wrapped up, issues resolved, and everything moving forward into the happily ever after. That's not life, and Jack does an excellent job of accurately portraying how life really shakes out.

I also love books where the characters become real to me, and I found Cassie to be heartbreaking in her "realness." Although Peck was a bit too close to perfect, their troubles still resonate with the reader, and anyone who knows teenagers appreciates Kelly's role in the story. The secondary characters are authentic as well.

All in all, this is a lovely novel. It's well written and well thought out... I only wish I had a book club with which to discuss it because I think it would be a fantastic story to review in that setting. ]]>