Hello
 Over the next few week's we'll be counting down our best books of 2016, beginning with the Top 10 First Impressions books of the year.
But first, we have our last new First Impressions book of the year: Victoria by Daisy Goodwin - Goodwin also wrote the screenplay for the TV series of the same name that is coming to PBS/Masterpiece in January.
We've also just opened a new Book Club discussion of The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson. Jackson draws from both rural Alabama folklore and the god stories of ancient India to create a story that Sara Gruen (author of Water for Elephants) describes as "surprising, and beautifully true in every sense of the word." |
  First Impressions: Members Recommend Each month we give away books to U.S. resident members to read and review (or discuss). Members who choose to participate receive a free book about every three months. Here are their opinions on one recent release.
 Victoria by Daisy Goodwin Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: Nov 2016
Historical Fiction, 352 pages
Number of reader reviews: 33
Readers' consensus: 4.1/5.0
Members Say
"If you enjoy historical fiction or BBC period dramas, this is the book for you! An easy to read fictionalized account of Victoria as she turns 18 and becomes the Queen of England. While much is known about her lengthy reign as Queen, very little is told about this period of her life. The book is well written and would provide for a good discussion." - Shawna L. (Pearland, TX)
"I have an interest in this period and found that the author had no difficulty introducing characters and their relationships' as part of the narrative. It was fun to read about history as part of a story as opposed to dry facts. I highly recommend Victoria to anyone who enjoys a well written novel and/or English history." - Deborah P. (Dunnellon, FL)
"Daisy Goodwin presents us with a delightful story of the young Victoria, a young woman with all her thoughts and feelings learning to become her own person. Victoria becomes real to the reader, a lovely young woman and not the severe Queen we are familiar with from her portrait in our history books. Bravo!" - Barbara O. (Maryland Heights, MO)
"I was looking forward to receiving this book since my favorite genre is Historical Fiction. I was not disappointed. The author has made Victoria's ascension to the throne come to life. I can't wait to see the presentation on Masterpiece Theater." - Bess
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Books Available For Request
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 The BookBrowse Book Club  The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson
Published Oct 2016, 320 pages
A fiercely independent divorce lawyer learns the power of family and connection when she receives a cryptic message from her estranged mother in this bittersweet, witty novel from the nationally bestselling author of Someone Else's Love Story and gods in Alabama - an emotionally resonant tale about the endurance of love and the power of stories to shape and transform our lives. "Jackson draws from both rural Alabama folklore and the god stories of ancient India, weaving these narratives flawlessly toward a crescendo that is straight out of an O'Connor tale - inevitable, surprising, and beautifully true in every sense of the word." - Sara Gruen, NYT bestselling author of At The Waters Edge and Water for Elephants More about this book | Join the discussion
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 Discussions Coming Soon
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First Impressions Top 10
First Impressions is a great source of truly impartial reviews. Only BookBrowse members who are assigned a copy of the book can share their opinions as a First Impressions review. This means that it is effectively impossible for people associated with the book to sway the reviews, as can happen elsewhere. You can see which books have been reviewed recently in our " What's New" section, and here are the top 10 finds culled from more than 1,500 reviews of 60 books.
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Rated 4.7 out of 5 Stars
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Cruel Beautiful World by Caroline Leavitt
Hardcover & ebook Oct 2016. Paperback TBA. 352 pages.
Algonquin Books
"Caroline Leavitt's ability to bring complex characters to life in a way that touches the reader to the core is amazing. I found myself completely immersed in each subplot as the novel progressed. This ability to engage the reader in such a complex way is the mark of a great novel." - Melissa S. Rowland, NC ( read all 23 reviews) |
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The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian by David Dyer
Hardcover & ebook Apr 2016. Paperback Apr 2017. 336 pages.
St. Martin's Press
"I was fascinated by the idea that such a very small sliver of time could be the subject of a full-length novel. But Dyer fabulously investigates and portrays the facts around the failure of the closest ship to the Titanic to rush to her aid." - Erica M. Chicago, IL ( read all 23 reviews) |
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Miss Jane by Brad Watson
Hardcover & ebook Jul 2016. Paperback Jul 2017. 224 pages.
W.W. Norton & Company
"It is not often that you happen upon a book so eloquently written, interesting in subject matter and overflowing with emotions. Simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, this wonderful novel tapped every single feeling possible." - Aleksandra E. Alpharetta, GA ( read all 24 reviews) |
Rated 4.6 out of 5 Stars
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Fallen Land by Taylor Brown
Hardcover & ebook Jan 2016. Paperback Jan 2017. 288 pages.
St. Martin's Press
"Brown weaves his descriptive prose in a way that keeps the story moving at the steady pace of a war-deployed thoroughbred. The result is writing that fairly crunches like frozen scrub underfoot. This is in part, a tender love story, but one that is built on gristle, bone, heartless cold, and bitter revenge." - Tricia Gould, Fort Walton Beach Public Library, FL ( read all 27 reviews) |
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The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins
by Antonia Hodgson
Hardcover & ebook Mar 2016. Paperback Mar 2017. 400 pages. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
"Once I began reading this one, though, I was so wrapped up by the third chapter, I had to stay up nearly all night to finish it! The characters are so meaty, the action so intriguing, and the scenarios so realistic, I was completely swept away - until the last word was read." - Annie P. Murrells Inlet, SC ( read all 30 reviews) |
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News of the World by Paulette Jiles
Hardcover & ebook Oct 2016. Paperback TBA. 224 pages.
William Morrow
"This is a beautiful and spare novel. The landscape comes alive, as does the almost constant sense of desperation of being on the road in during such dangerous times. The author has a true gift for description, we see, smell and feel the conditions the pair experience." - Ruthie A. New York, NY ( read all 27 reviews) |
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The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir by Ruth Wariner
Hardcover & ebook Jan 2016. Paperback Jan 2017. 352 pages.
Flatiron Books
" The Sound of Gravel shows us the personal side through the eyes of a young, brave girl. The author's understanding of her mother's motives and beliefs as well as her ability to separate the terribly wrong decisions from the love of her mother is riveting. This is a book I could not put down and stayed up half the night to finish. It really takes you on a dusty, dark journey into a world I never really knew existed." - Dorothy G. Naperville, IL ( read all 30 reviews)
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Rated 4.5 out of 5 Stars
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The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
by Phaedra Patrick
Hardcover & ebook May 2016. Paperback Jan 2017. 336 pages.
Mira Books
"Phaedra Patrick has written a charming and interesting book about discovery and change that opened new horizons for a man who resisted, and then accepted change." - Arlene M. White Oak, PA ( read all 26 reviews) |
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The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth
Hardcover & ebook Jan 2016. Paperback Jan 2017. 352 pages.
St. Martin's Press
"With wisdom, candor and humor Hepworth spins what could be a tough read, into one that is wonderful! The tome she crafts catches the reader's heart. It will be a great book club choice, with lots to talk about. This book will wind up in the " favorites" section in my library" - Kathryn K. Oceanside, CA ( read all 20 reviews) |
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What Lies Between Us by Nayomi Munaweera
Hardcover & ebook Feb 2016. Paperback Apr 2017. 320 pages.
St. Martin's Press
"The story is beautifully written in the lyrical language of a poet, yet it captures the devastating and brutal turns that life can take. You will be unable to put this book down. Not only do I recommend it, I consider it a 'must-read.' "
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