Rated of 5
by Lyn M. (charlotte, NC) A Light Read
I enjoyed Amy Ephron's book, Loose Diamonds, for what it was: A light, entertaining diversion. It was humorous and had some heartwarming moments, but was not ground breaking in any way and not something I would convince someone to go out and purchase. I would certainly tell them to read it if someone lent it to them.
Rated of 5
by Angelique H. (York, PA) (Some of ) The writing sparkles - if only the subject matter did too.
How do you take in a book whose author claims she was tutored by a famous architect as a child; was paid to interview Squeaky Fromme at 19; is capable of telekinesis? The elitist references to a life full of caviar and Cristal and the name dropping are jarring juxtaposed with her observations that our pieces of jewelry are part of our identity - which is as true for a woman wearing $20 silver cross as the author's antique diamond and emerald ring (which she "earned" for 39 hours of labor). The subject matter was fantastical but not in a way that invited the reader to imagine a F. Scott Fitgerald lifestyle; rather it inspired this reader to Google the author for verisimilitude. The writing sparkled in some places while in others it sparked and flared out. Perhaps because it's a gallery proof - the overall effect was of impressions bubbling up sweet and almost satisfying like chocolate fudge just before the "ball" stage.
Rated of 5
by Janice H. (Savage, Minnesota) Interesting and Entertaining
I was drawn to the book by its title - Loose Diamonds ... and other things I've lost (and found) along the way. I read this book as soon as I received it and enjoyed learning more about our author with every new story in her book. She has some weird yet interesting stores to tell including meeting Squeaky Frome of the Charles Manson cult, entertaining her neighbor, the Birdman as a young girl, and socializing with the rich lady down the street. I especially enjoyed her story, 'Staying" about whether to divorce or not.
I found her stories interesting, entertaining, and quite delightful and some of them down right hilarious. Any modern family with a stepdad or a stepmom and step siblings will relate to her down to earth stories of disaster waiting to happen.
I really enjoyed the book and I think you will too.
Rated of 5
by Merle M. (Boulder, CO) Lite Reading
Too light for me. Luckily it was short. I was disappointed. It reminds me why I do not subscribe to People Magazine and rarely find it interesting, even when captive in waiting rooms.
Rated of 5
by Elise G. (Margate City, NJ) Flat and contrived
Despite their abbreviated length, good short stories have interesting characters and engaging story lines --- these did not! The characters were flat and the stories contrived, as if the author got hold of a tidbit of information (perhaps from a Google search?) and wrote a story around it. Couldn't get into this one at all...
Rated of 5
by Chet W. (Madison, WI) Loose Diamonds by Amy Ephron
Interesting and yet somewhat compelling at times, Loose Diamonds gives the reader a glimpse into the past and present of a woman that relishes the idea of always having the good life and a good laugh along the way; even when some of life's events warrants tears, Amy found a way to laugh about it, and make the best of the situation. Losing, finding and embracing memories of her remarkable life. She celebrates the values of memories; she takes us from the ballroom to the boardroom, shopping the racks at Saks (in which is one of her life long passions). The book is humorous, Amy assures us through her book that life is a game of cards sometime we're dealt the aces other times the duces and every so often we're dealt a joker. An enjoyable journey.
Fearless, gripping, at once darkly funny and tender, spanning three continents and numerous lives, Americanah is a richly told story set in today's globalized world.
The story of an American family, middle class in middle America, ordinary in every way but one. But that exception is the beating heart of this extraordinary novel.
The best book I've read in a very long time and the first ever Bo Caldwell novel for me. I'd never before read anything about missionaries to China,...
read more
With a poetic voice, Ratner plunges us into this personal trial of a royal family wrenched from their home in Phnon Penh, Cambodia, during the late...
read more
First time novelist Vaddey Ratner captured my heart and senses in this novel based on her childhood in Cambodia. Her story transcends any news story...
read more
Amazon cuts off 5200 affiliates in Minnesota(Jun 19 2013) With Minnesota's online sales tax law due to take effect July 1, Amazon has played a familiar card by cutting ties with 5,200 members of its Associates...
Full Story
of 5
by Lyn M. (charlotte, NC) 
of 5
by Janice H. (Savage, Minnesota) 
of 5
by Merle M. (Boulder, CO) 
of 5
by Chet W. (Madison, WI) 
