THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT BOOKS HAVE YOU FINISHED?
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by Elizabeth KolbertIn this well-researched book, science writer Elizabeth Kolbert casts a strong light on the damage humans are doing to planet Earth, which could well lead to another mass extinction.
Good book. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story by Hyeonseo Lee
This is the true story of Hyeonseo Lee, a young woman whose escape from North Korea to South Korea - by way of China - was a daring and dangerous adventure.
Fascinating story. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Kate SummerscaleThis true crime book is about Robert Coombes, who killed his mother when he was thirteen years old. Robert went on to become a respected member of society.
Excellent story. 4 stars
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Outsider by Linda CastilloChief of Police Kate Burkholder learns about serious corruption in the Columbus, Ohio Police Department.
Interesting twists. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Lisa JewellA woman whose daughter disappeared long ago meets a man whose child resembles the lost girl at that age.
Good suspense novel. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Charlie DonleaRory Moore and Lane Phillips, who are astute criminalists, look into tragic deaths at a private school.
Great twists. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Kate SummerscaleTrue story about the gruesome murder of a child in Victorian England, and the authorities who tried to solve the case.
Good book. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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The Geometry of Holding Hands by Alexander McCall SmithEthicist Isabel Dalhousie tackles problems related to her niece's engagement, and deals with a dying man's unusual request.
Good story in Alexander McCall Smith's usual style. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Forgotten Places: Barcelona and the Spanish Civil War
is a readable, engaging guide to Barcelona's version of the Spanish Civil War. It's both a cultural history and the expected recounting of the big events and the doings of the great and good/bad, all hung on the framework of a walking tour of the city. It's easy to imagine the author leading the reader through the city's streets and telling these same stories while standing on the sidewalk, pointing to the shrapnel marks and etched graffiti. If you have any interest in the Spanish Civil War or in Barcelona, you should without question read this book. Four rope-soled sandals.Read the full review here.
Homage to Catalonia
has been called one of the best nonfiction accounts of the Spanish Civil War ever published. This may be because Orwell wasn't writing history; rather, he was trying to make sense of an enormously significant life event that changed him profoundly. It's his personal touch that supplies the humanity that most historical texts lack. You can read this as a war story, or the story of one man's political education, or of the death of dreams. But if you want to make a study of the Spanish Civil War, you must read this book. Four stars.Read the full review here.
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by David RosenfeltDefense attorney Andy Carpenter represents a murder suspect and cooperates with the FBI.
Light mystery with some laughs. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Maya AngelouAngelou wrote a series of seven autobiographies, of which "Mom & Me & Mom" - published when Angelou was 85-years-old - is the last.
Very good wrap-up. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Some Choose Darkness by Charlie DonleaForensic reconstructionist Rory Moore gets involved in a forty-year-old case.
Good story. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Stacy WillinghamThe daughter of a serial killer gets a bad case of déjà vu twenty years after her father goes to prison for life.....because the killings seem to be starting again.
Very good thriller 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Adrian VincentThis book, which contains 16 true tales about gruesome and unusual murders, is just the ticket for true crime aficionados.
Interesting stories. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by David SedarisHumorist David Sedaris is almost always funny, but some of the stories in this book - which is largely about his family - are melancholy and nostalgic.
Lots of laughs too. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by George A. Romero and Daniel KrausAfter making a series of zombie flicks Romero embarked on a zombie novel, but died before it was completed. The mantle was picked up by best-selling author Daniel Kraus, a zealous, long-time Romero fan.....and the result is this novel.
Great book for zombie fans. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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A Better Man by Louise PennyChief Inspector Armand Gamache made a controversial choice and suffered a career setback. Now he's once again set to become Head of Homicide of the Sûreté du Québec....and immediately gets a missing person case.
Okay mystery. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Diane KeatonDiane has written previous memoirs about her life and devotes this book largely to her brother Randy, who suffered from mental health problems all his life.
Compelling story. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Marie-Renée LavoieA woman left by her husband doesn't take it well and gets some well-deserved (and funny) revenge.
Entertaining story. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by John ConnollyPrivate detective Charlie Parker gets involved in an eerie case where evil spirits are inhabiting Middle Eastern antiquities.
Suspenseful supernatural mystery. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King and Owen KingA mysterious sleeping sickness overtakes the women all over the world, and there are dramatic repercussions.
Supernatural thriller. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hunting the Bismarck
by C.S. Forester such a great story teller. (5 stars)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’ by Sally Rooney
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by Robert GoldsboroughEccentric private detective Nero Wolfe investigates murder at a Broadway theatre.
Fun characters as usual. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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No Woods So Dark as These by Randall SilvisFormer Pennsylvania State Trooper Ryan DeMarco assists the police in the investigation of a particularly brutal crime.
Too much padding, but the mystery's okay. 2.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Krista DavisIn the pet friendly town of Wagtail, a real homicide occurs during a murder mystery game.
Fun cozy mystery. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Alex PavesiA publisher wants to reissue nine old detective stories that may harbor clues to a real crime.
Entertaining book. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Lisa LutzThe lives of three women who met in college take diverse paths in following decades.
Engaging story. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Futureface: A Family Mystery, an Epic Quest, and the Secret to Belonging
by Alex Wagner (NF) 4 starshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Before anything, I have to say that, by Goodreads ratings, I really liked “The North Wind”. The North Wind
My review here
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Linda ReillyIn this debut "Grilled Cheese Mystery", restaurateur Carly Hale - who owns a grilled cheese sandwich eatery - investigates when one of her employees is suspected of murder.
Cute culinary cozy. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Gabourey SidibeIn this memoir Gabby talks about her life (some of which was quite rough) - and what led up to her success - with humor, candor, and modesty.
Good book. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by B.A. ParisLivia missed having a big wedding when she got pregnant, so decades later she plans herself a wonderful 40th birthday party. Unfortunately secrets threaten to mar the event.
Interesting premise. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Alka JoshiAn Indian woman flees an arranged marriage and - with the help of a businessman - becomes a henna artist/herbal concoctions dispenser.
Good story with interesting characters. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Michael PollanMichael Pollan, an author and journalist who writes about food, went on a three-year pilgrimage to learn about food associated with the four classical elements: fire, water, air, and earth.
Good book. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Alice Behind Wonderland
by [author:Simon Winchester|14053 3 starshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
One Spring Break
... a sweet, amusing story in which the characters are tantalized - a bit - for our pleasure...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Sarah PinboroughA woman has an affair with her boss while at the same time becoming friends with his wife.
Unusual psychological thriller. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Little Disasters by Sarah VaughanA woman suspected of harming her baby is reported to social services by her own doctor/friend.
Okay domestic drama. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Jonathan KellermanPsychologist Alex Delaware helps LAPD detective Milo Sturgis investigate a tricky case.
Good mystery but I was irked by the ending. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Demi MooreIn this memoir, actress Demi Moore writes about her life and career.
Very good book. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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In the Unlikely Event by Judy BlumeThe story is set in 1950s Elizabeth, New Jersey, and follows a number of people who are profoundly affected by three local plane crashes,
Good story. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Felix FrancisAn investigator looks into doping horses on the British horseracing circuit.
Enjoyable mystery. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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The Fallen by David BaldacciFBI consultant Amos Decker and his partner Alex Jamison investigate a series of bizarre murders.
Good story. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by Leslie MeierJournalist/amateur sleuth Lucy Stone searches for a missing woman.
Entertaining cozy mystery. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Eliot Pattison (other topics)Karen Rose Smith (other topics)
Holly Black (other topics)
Amy Tintera (other topics)
Rachel Hawkins (other topics)
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Laetitia Rodd, a private detective who's the widow of an archdeacon, investigates the death of a thespian.
Interesting mystery set in the 1800s theatre world. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...