This is the first book I have read by Pappano and it was quite good. The romance was not all of the story, there was some runaway children and a goodThis is the first book I have read by Pappano and it was quite good. The romance was not all of the story, there was some runaway children and a good deal of background information about the main characters. That made this book a bit different - there were more plot lines than in some romances.
I enjoyed Melina and Sebastian and found the "character" of the town to be quite interesting. I am not sure how I feel about celestial intervention, but overall I stayed interested in the story.
This would be a good book for those who find inspirational romances a bit tame, but don't want a full blown description of passion and sex. ...more
It is hard to say that I read this book. There are not words on many of the pages. So I feel like I looked at the story rather than read it and whileIt is hard to say that I read this book. There are not words on many of the pages. So I feel like I looked at the story rather than read it and while looking I may not have seen everything that I should have. Apparently I am not alone in my bewilderment. The Washington Post reviewer wrote (this book) "will leave you wondering if you've read a book or walked through a dream".
The tale lasts less than 100 pages with two main characters on a journey. I wanted to say that there wasn't much action, but that is not true. I usually say that I read to discover new worlds and this was a very new world for me. I just did not understand what was going on. I do have to say that the book has stuck with me and I keep thinking about the meaning of the drawings.
I recommend this book to those who are interested in expanding their reading horizons; to folk who like open-ended tales and to all who like reading graphic novels....more
This is the fifth Sherryl Woods book I have read since I started keeping track here and Honeysuckle Summer was pretty much like the others I haveThis is the fifth Sherryl Woods book I have read since I started keeping track here and Honeysuckle Summer was pretty much like the others I have read. This is not bad, Woods writes well and I enjoy her stories. She often writes about contemporary issues - in this book the plot revolves around agoraphobia and anorexia.
As I have said many times, romance is my light reading, what I read when I am stressed or just don't want to think while I read. Woods is one of the authors I know I can rely on for good contemporary romance....more
About three years ago I read one of Crusie's fun romances. At the end of my review I wrote that I wanted to read another book by Crusie soon. I reallyAbout three years ago I read one of Crusie's fun romances. At the end of my review I wrote that I wanted to read another book by Crusie soon. I really don't think that three years is soon, but better late than never.
Crusie writes humorous, light romances that are good for what stresses me. This one was especially fun because I really love Fred. He steals the show. According to Ms Crusie, he steals the show for many of her readers. This book is known as Fred's book.
As I have said before, I read romances when life has me down and I need a pick-me-up. Thanks to Crusie's amusing story about Nina, Alex, Charity, Max and especially Fred, I am feeling much better....more
Meg and Ted were never supposed to be together. Ted was supposed to marry Meg's best friend. Lucy, but thanks to Meg, that was not going to happen. SoMeg and Ted were never supposed to be together. Ted was supposed to marry Meg's best friend. Lucy, but thanks to Meg, that was not going to happen. So why would Ted even want to see Meg? Fortunately, this story is in the hands of a master, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and she has destined this couple to be in love. So even though I knew where we were going, the ride was wonderful. Phillips knows how to write a fun, funny romance that seems improbable, but will become, for this reader, irresistible.
I fell into this story and enjoyed every minute. Wynette, Texas was a crazy place to visit; it is full of characters. Meg and Ted are interesting people - well worth meeting. All in all, I had a lot of fun.
Not to give away the tale, but a character in this book, refers in his own way to Meg as a handful. Feisty, annoying heroines are Phillips' specialty. Part of the fun, is that many feisty women inhabit this book. If you are a Phillips reader, you are in for a treat.
I recommend this romance to anyone who believes in true love; those who expect some humor with their love stories and to those romance readers who have managed not to encounter Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Don't wait any longer, these books are well worth reading....more
Elizabeth Hoyt writes romances that grab me and don't let me go until I reach the last page. If I have to put down one of her books, the charactersElizabeth Hoyt writes romances that grab me and don't let me go until I reach the last page. If I have to put down one of her books, the characters stay in the back of my mind until I go back to reading.
Anna Wren has to find a way to support herself and her mother-in-law. Her husband has died and there are not many ways in a small village for a widow to make a living. Luck gives her an opportunity to become a secretary for the Earl of Swartingham. Naturally romance springs from this unlikely beginning.
I don't want to give away the plot, but I suspect that much of what happens in The Raven Prince could not really occur in Anna and Edward's world. For me, that did not matter. Like all good fairy tales, Hoyt had me believing everything that happens in this romance. A sign of an excellent writer.
If you like romance and have not read Elizabeth Hoyt, start here. This book will be the beginning of a wonderful author/reader friendship....more
I can't believe it has been so long since I have listened to a Discworld book, but apparently it has been more than three years since I heard a TerryI can't believe it has been so long since I have listened to a Discworld book, but apparently it has been more than three years since I heard a Terry Pratchett book. I will have to remedy this problem soon and listen to more of these stories. I don't want to wait another three years.
Part of me thought this novel might feel dated. This fantasy is almost 25 years old and the theme of equality is not very prevalent in fiction right now. Feminism is not dead, but much of the time I feel that it is sleeping. Many folk even believe that women have achieved equal rights. Not only is feminism not a common theme, but humor is not usually considered a strong aspect of feminism. Thank goodness, Pratchett makes his point well as we laugh ourselves silly.
I really enjoy Pratchett's writing, because his stories have many levels. Like a good Warner Bros. cartoon, you can read a Discworld novel for the surface story or the word play or all the social commentary.
I recommend the Discworld series to Douglas Adams fans, English majors (the word play) and anyone who enjoys funny stories. This book would appeal to both young adults and adults....more
I think a lot of love goes into Barbara O'Neal's novels. Certainly it is a major theme for the ones I have read. And for me, there is nothing wrongI think a lot of love goes into Barbara O'Neal's novels. Certainly it is a major theme for the ones I have read. And for me, there is nothing wrong with love winning out in the long run.
I enjoy O'Neal's stories because they are about strong women overcoming adverse and difficult situations. Yes, I always know they will work out. However, she creates enough good tension that I am never quite sure if the situations will work out as I hope they will.
As always, I became involved in the character's lives and felt like I was getting to know real people. O'Neal provided my perfect reading material for Thanksgiving - fun read, good characters, got to learn something (bread baking), humor and it all works out in the end.
Thank you to Barbara O'Neal and all the authors who keep me entertained and educated year in and year out....more
I put this book in my suitcase for my return flight from Vietnam. I knew I would want something to keep me company on the long flight home. LaurensI put this book in my suitcase for my return flight from Vietnam. I knew I would want something to keep me company on the long flight home. Laurens met my expectations as always. I was entertained, I got to live in another world very different from where I was and it all ended happily ever after.
My mom does not think romances are worthy of a reader's time. I find that there are times when romances are the perfect book. Just like a good piece of chocolate or a hot fudge sundae. I couldn't live on them, but occasionally it is good to get a break for things (and books) that are good for you....more
I don't know why it is taking me so long to write this book review. I did like this book, I think Leah Stewart is a good writer. Somehow the review isI don't know why it is taking me so long to write this book review. I did like this book, I think Leah Stewart is a good writer. Somehow the review is not coming together. I know part of the reason is I read this book while on an incredible trip and I don't find the book as compelling as the trip. However, no author could compete with my time in Vietnam with Habitat.
I will say that there were parts of this novel that did not draw me in. The main character seemed very worried about aging and from my perspective she is still quite young. It also took me awhile to relate to the way she coped with her problems. Her solutions would not have been mine.
However, Stewart is an excellent writer and she was able to draw me into a story that is not, and won't ever be mine. I like books where I learn to relate to those lives that are nothing like mine.
I would recommend this book to younger women, interested in realistic contemporary stories, but not to anyone dealing with infidelity herself. That would be much too difficult. I will look for another book by Leah Stewart for myself....more
I was fascinated by Jordan's first book, Mudbound. It was a good southern novel that was written very well. I was looking forward to Jordan's secondI was fascinated by Jordan's first book, Mudbound. It was a good southern novel that was written very well. I was looking forward to Jordan's second book because I was expecting a particular kind of book. Southern fiction, when done well, makes the southern landscape come alive and can be challenging for the reader.
This book was challenging, but not in the way I expected. Jordan has gone a completely new direction and has taken on a subject not addressed in her first book. This time Jordan wants us to see the direction government could go in controlling our lives.
Hannah Payne is living in a future not too distant from us. She is being punished for her sins - much like Hester Prynne before her. This world is very much like ours - maybe too much so. It is also much like the world in The Handmaid's Tale.
I read this book a couple of weeks ago and I am still conflicted about it. One of my friends said it should have been a young adult novel. It is true that most of those readers won't have read The Scarlet Letter or Atwood's novel. However, Jordan did put her own spin on this terrifying future. I just don't think I found as much to like as I did in her first book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to think about about where our future may be. However, after reading When She Woke, read Hawthorne and Atwood. ...more
I read this book while I was on my Habitat trip to Vietnam. I promptly gave it away and so when I decided to write my review, I had a bit of troubleI read this book while I was on my Habitat trip to Vietnam. I promptly gave it away and so when I decided to write my review, I had a bit of trouble remembering the names and events.
The book is now out (I read a prepub copy) and so I checked it out so I could review. McCoy has written a good book about World War II that is made even better by her ability to take the issues with the Holocaust and find parallels to the immigration situation here in the United States. So not only did I get to revisit the Holocaust, which is always fascinating, but I got to learn some things about contemporary Texas.
McCoy is an excellent writer who holds her readers' interest very well. I plan to go back to find her first novel.
I recommend this book to those who are also fascinated by World War II, to people who are interested in food (there are recipes) and to readers who like unusual stories. ...more
I belong to two book groups and one of the reasons I do so is so that I can encounter books that I would never pick up otherwise. Occasionally, II belong to two book groups and one of the reasons I do so is so that I can encounter books that I would never pick up otherwise. Occasionally, I don't like what my group reads, but I am rarely sorry for the opportunity to try something new.
I really had no interest in malaria. Once I realized that it was not a concern for my trip to Vietnam, I really didn't see any reason to learn more about this disease.
However, this was our discussion for November, so I thought I would try it. What I have learned is that malaria is a fascinating, stubborn and complicated disease. The way we get malaria, the parasite that causes it, the mosquitoes that transmit it - all of this is extremely confusing and constantly changing.
I read to learn, among other reasons. Sonia Shah certainly has educated me. Shad is a good author who writes well about science. She left me with a lot of questions, but I know so much more about this disease. I am glad to have learned more about malaria. ...more
It is rare that I dislike a book. Sometimes I am bored. Sometimes I am just not interested in the subject matter. However, this time, I just did notIt is rare that I dislike a book. Sometimes I am bored. Sometimes I am just not interested in the subject matter. However, this time, I just did not like this book. There were parts of the story that were interesting - I found the radio broadcaster to be worth learning about.
I just could not finish this book. Why Sarah Blake was so interested in The Postmistress is beyond me. I just couldn't care. ...more
Friends of mine have told me several times to try Louise Penny's mysteries. I even got the second one on CD to listen to, but did not find itFriends of mine have told me several times to try Louise Penny's mysteries. I even got the second one on CD to listen to, but did not find it appealing. I am pretty sure I am going to try it again because I really enjoyed Still Life which is the first in the series.
Inspector Gamache is a wonderful character. Not like Brunetti or Lynley or Dalglish exactly, but a man like them, in that he fits in the place where he investigates murder. All of these men and other detectives are interesting to read about because they are of the culture and environment where the mysteries are set. And I want to know more about their lives and the crimes they solve.
It is so good to have a new series to enjoy and a new landscape (Quebec) to immerse myself in....more
I had almost 20 hours on different airplanes as I flew to Vietnam. I knew that a good romance would keep my mind occupied and Julia London filled theI had almost 20 hours on different airplanes as I flew to Vietnam. I knew that a good romance would keep my mind occupied and Julia London filled the bill nicely.
Jack Haines finds himself in a ridiculous situation. He is about to be married to a woman that he has never seen before. True the marriage will not have to last forever, but why is he in Scotland and not being part of society in London
Good story, good characters. Thank you Julia London....more
LoI do enjoy reading romances. I especially enjoy any that are humorous and usually I find series fun because I get to follow the characters for a bitLoI do enjoy reading romances. I especially enjoy any that are humorous and usually I find series fun because I get to follow the characters for a bit longer. I will say that I don't read them to remember them. They are like candy - I don't remember everything about every piece of chocolate I eat.
So trying to write a review for a romance that I finished almost a month ago is a bit challenging. I know I had a great time reading this book, but very little of the plot stuck with me. This has a lot to do with the fact that I read this just before I went to Vietnam. That trip drove a lot of things out of my brain.
Suffice it to say, I liked this book at the time. Julia Quinn has all the conventions of historical romance down pat and she guarantees me a fun time reading her books. I can't ask for anything else....more
First of all, thank you to HarperCollins and GoodReads for this book. I had not ever read Marisa de los Santos and if this book had not come for free,First of all, thank you to HarperCollins and GoodReads for this book. I had not ever read Marisa de los Santos and if this book had not come for free, I might not have ever picked up her books. That would have been a shame.
I am not sure why I had not read de los Santos. This book was my kind of book. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Cat, Will and Pen met the first week of college and were inseparable for more than four years. Their friendship would color the rest of their lives. But six years ago, Cat went off to get married leaving Will and Pen on their own. Without Cat the relationship did not work out.
Now it is time for their college reunion and Cat contacts Pen and Will for help. Of course they show up, but as the reader might expect not everything is as it appears. There are a lot of life lessons to be learned by Pen, Will, some other people and even Cat. Since de los Santos is a good and interesting writer, this reader was glad to go along for the ride.
WorldCat has Psychological Fiction as one of the subject headings for this book and in another place it is referred to as Domestic Fiction. I would not have picked either term myself, but they both fit. And both terms describe why I like the book. It is psychological - the emotional and mental states of the characters are important. But this novel is also domestic - in my mind these characters have a home life that could be taking place next door to my home. They seem real.
Pen and Will are people I could spend some time with. It was harder to get to know Cat, but that was the nature of the book. I was glad to have over 300 pages to spend with these characters.
I recommend this book to folks who loved their college days, to people who have strong feelings about love and to those who like their fiction to be realistic....more
Maggie Steifvater says in her afterword that she lived with this story for four years. I feel like the three years that it took from Shiver throughMaggie Steifvater says in her afterword that she lived with this story for four years. I feel like the three years that it took from Shiver through Linger to Forever lasted longer than that. I was anxiously waiting for this book and it did not disappoint.
I envy the readers who will be able to read straight through the series. No waiting. But they might miss some of the anticipation, some of the speculation that I went through. That was fun too.
I don't want to gush, I don't want to tell Sam's and Grace's story. I want you to go find this book and read it. But read the first two parts of the trilogy first. Stiefvater is an amazing writer. I hope to be reading her books for a long time to come....more
This was another book I read to prepare for my trip to Vietnam. I don't think my experience will be anything like Pham's since he is a Viet-kieu (aThis was another book I read to prepare for my trip to Vietnam. I don't think my experience will be anything like Pham's since he is a Viet-kieu (a Vietnamese who lives in the United States) and I am a white American. Also I don't plan to ride a bike from Hanoi south.
However, this book did make me think about the tourist experience. Of course, I bring my own biases to my trip. So I need to stay aware of those biases and try not to let them influence my views of the Vietnamese people too much. I want to be open to the culture and peoples of Vietnam.
Pham, even though he was born in South Vietnam, brought his own life experiences with him. His description of some of the food and his reactions to the poverty and dirt sound American to me. I hope that my stomach does not have the same reaction to the food as Pham's did. I don't want to gain weight, but I don't want to lose a lot because of stomach distress.
All in all, this was a good read: well written, interesting and insightful. I am glad that I encountered Pham, his family and learned a bit about Vietnam in the process....more
When I encountered this title in a Shelf Awareness column, the author did not sound familiar. But once I got the book and started to look through it,When I encountered this title in a Shelf Awareness column, the author did not sound familiar. But once I got the book and started to look through it, I knew exactly who the author is and why I wanted to read it.
This doesn't take long to read, but Kalman left images in my head that may be with me for a long time. She apparently takes pictures and then paints images from them - this gives her some very interesting paintings to write about. Kalman is telling us something about her life view and I found it fascinating. I am not sure if I would want to converse with Kalman or if she would leave me in the dust, totally bewildered.
I recommend this book to those who like encountering new world views, to those who like graphic novels and to anyone with an open mind about what makes a book, what makes a story....more
Maybe because I was already a fan of Lily Conner and knew a lot about the characters from the second volume, but I was not as enthralled with thisMaybe because I was already a fan of Lily Conner and knew a lot about the characters from the second volume, but I was not as enthralled with this mystery by Michelle Blake. It was good, I am glad I read it, but I was able to put it down when necessary.
Lily Conner is an unusual Episcopal priest, who has the misfortune of having the issues of the church following her around. In this mystery, it is homosexuality. For me, the murder and solving it was secondary to the characters. I like Lily and her friends. I want to sit down and have a conversation with her.
I recommend this book to those for whom characterization is as important as the mystery, for people involved in mainstream churches and for those who might be interested in a book set in Boston....more
It has taken my book group almost a year to get to this book. I could say it was worth the wait, but that was many too months of not reading Boggs'It has taken my book group almost a year to get to this book. I could say it was worth the wait, but that was many too months of not reading Boggs' wonderful stories. I wonder how long I will have to wait to encounter another story by Belle Boggs.
I liked the way some of these stories were linked by the same characters and then others were linked by place. All of them were well written and imagined.
Since I know the general area where these tales take place, it was fun seeing the characters and stories in places I know. When Boggs mentions the Food Lion, the high school and towns (Central Garage, West Point) I can see the places where the action is happening. I don't live in King William and King & Queen counties. If I lived there I would be trying to figure out "who" each person is. For me, the stories are just entertaining and interesting to read.
I recommend these stories for people who read short stories, for those who are interested in rural and/or Native American lives and for those who just want to meet a new author at the beginning of her wonderful career. (I am expecting lots from Boggs.) ...more
As always, Mallery comes through. This was lots of fun, humorous, not taxing on my brain and it all worked out as it should. This was a stressful weekAs always, Mallery comes through. This was lots of fun, humorous, not taxing on my brain and it all worked out as it should. This was a stressful week and I was glad for an enjoyable romance to relax with. Reading romances, for me, is like eating a box of chocolates. Fortunately the calories don't add up as quickly.
I recommend Susan Mallery for readers who like Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie. I would even suggest her books for those who like Janet Evanovich because of the humor....more
This was a lot of fun. I think I might have enjoyed this novel better if I had read it when I was closer to the narrator's age, but I very much likedThis was a lot of fun. I think I might have enjoyed this novel better if I had read it when I was closer to the narrator's age, but I very much liked Cassandra Mortmain and her family. They are so British, no other country could have produced such a wonderful, mostly useless family.
The narrator for the this talking book was good - I could identify all the different voices for the characters. (The American voices done by British narrators are a bit odd, but I am used to them.)
I figured out most of the plot of this book long before the end, but it did not change my enjoyment of the book. I recommend this book for Anglophiles, romantics and all who love a "fairy tale" where they live mostly happily ever after. Cassandra is definitely worth meeting....more
I had read The Fall of a Sparrow by Hellenga many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know why he dropped off my radar. This book was also aI had read The Fall of a Sparrow by Hellenga many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know why he dropped off my radar. This book was also a wonderful read.
Told by two narrators this story entwines their stories so that they cannot be separated. Jones has reached a crossroads in his life as a college professor and so has Sunny as she is released from prison. These are not two life stories I would have put together, but it becomes obvious that these two people have much in common.
I found this story fascinating because I am already interested in one aspect of the novel - snakehandling. But the strands of the story are many and I think Hellenga puts those different parts together well. The author might know where he is taking his readers, but I did not know where I was going, but I did enjoy the ride.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in good characters who grow and change. Also to those who want to learn more about different subjects as they read and those who like a good absorbing story.
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads for my copy of the book. It would have taken me a lot longer to find this book and I might have missed it. That would not have been good at all....more
I found this book weird. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, but I kept running into references to Laura Munson's article that had been in theI found this book weird. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, but I kept running into references to Laura Munson's article that had been in the New York Times. The article was good, I thought, so I picked up Munson's book.
It was fine. It was interesting and I am not sorry I read this book. I just couldn't quite get into Munson's life story.
I have never been in the author's shoes, so maybe, I just couldn't get my brain around her life. How do you patiently, very patiently wait out your husband who wants to leave you and your family? Munson's plan worked for her.
I am not sure who to recommend this book to. I would hope that any husband and wife with marital problems would go to therapy and maybe read this book....more
Maybe it is because I am going to Vietnam in a month; maybe this was just the right book at the right time, but whatever the reason, I really enjoyedMaybe it is because I am going to Vietnam in a month; maybe this was just the right book at the right time, but whatever the reason, I really enjoyed this book.
Enjoyed might be the wrong term because there is some real pain in Shors' story. However, I fell into this novel and didn't want to leave. I found engaging characters, a world that I know nothing about and a good story line. Everything I want from a book.
Shors wants his reader to learn about orphans of the world. He is concerned about the plight of children who live on the streets of our world. They are everywhere even in this country. To do this well, an author needs to create people his readers would care about - John Shors succeeds in inventing people that I would love to know, especially the street children.
I would recommend this book to those who might want to know more about Vietnam; definitely to those who care about the children of the world and to anyone who wants a good story.
I am now looking forward to being in Ho Chi Minh City to see if my experience is like Shors. However, I am very concerned about those street children I will meet. I realize the problem is big and I can't make much difference. But I would like to make some difference....more
I read this on the first day we were without power when Hurricane Irene came. I thought a nice, easy romance would get me through the power outage.I read this on the first day we were without power when Hurricane Irene came. I thought a nice, easy romance would get me through the power outage. Well, Ms Woods got me through the first day - I had to rely on others to get me through the rest of the week.
I think there are about 8 books in the Chesapeake Shores series - this is the second I have read. Woods knows how to write a good fun predictable romance and I mean all those words as positive. When I read a romance, I want them to work out as expected. Woods writes good characters and her locations are well described also.
I am grateful for the way Woods writes - I always know that I will have a story to enjoy....more
Apparently I have read four romances by Dodd since I started keeping track here. They have all been different - 3 from series and one stand alone.Apparently I have read four romances by Dodd since I started keeping track here. They have all been different - 3 from series and one stand alone. Three that were historical and this contemporary - all providing what I want from a romance. Escapism, escapism.
Since I read this on the 5th day of having no electrical power, you can guess I was looking for the usual - take me away from my life.
Ms Dodd fulfilled my reading needs as always. Thank you! ...more
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