BookBrowse: Your Guide to Exceptional Books

Reviews by Daniel A. (Naugatuck, CT)

Power Reviewer

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Golden Boy
by Abigail Tarttelin

Golden Boy (1/1/2013)

Before I wrote this review, I peeked at the other reviews on this website and found out I am the only male. Are you ready for this male's perspective? I thought so. Here it is: I enjoyed this story a lot. I liked the writing, especially the writing style; each character gets to narrate the story, and pushes the story forward, never backtracks. The subject is tough to write about, so the dialogue is key, and it is filled with emotion, misunderstanding, and frustration. Overall, I highly recommend this book because it finally gives intersex people a voice.

All You Could Ask For
by Mike Greenberg

All You Can Ask For (11/19/2012)

I enjoyed reading this book, but not at first. The story is told in two parts and part one was like a scene from a lost episode of "Sex in the City", and I'm not a fan of the show. The second part was the serious side of the story and was worth reading. Overall this is a must read for women.

The Devil in Silver: A Novel
by Victor LaValle

The Devil in Silver (8/16/2012)

This is a well written and amazing book. It has the undertones of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", but instead of dealing with Nurse Ratchett, there's a monster in Ward 4 as the main protagonist, Pepper would say.
There are many twists and turns in this story, and I couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed reading it.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good mystery thriller.

15 Seconds
by Andrew Gross

15 Seconds (5/14/2012)

I really liked this book; it has short chapters and so the pace is very fast. It's an adrenaline rush. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that is a fast read, will keep your interest throughout, while giving you a great story with many twists and turns.

A Land More Kind Than Home: A Novel
by Wiley Cash

A Must Read (3/4/2012)

I finished this book and I must say I am spellbound. I knew it was going to be a good read right from the cover, but once I read the first chapter of 22 pages, I knew this one was an exceptional read and one that won't let me escape its grip until the very last page.

The author is a fine storyteller, and his book will be found in many book clubs to be sure.

Do yourself a favor and read this book! It's a must read and a story that I will not soon forget.

Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art
by Christopher Moore

Sacre Bleu (2/18/2012)

This is my first time reading this author, and I must say he is quite a storyteller. I know very little about French art masterpieces and their artists in the 1890's, or for that matter, art in general; it doesn't matter because I still enjoyed reading this book, AND I gained some knowledge about art in doing so.
This book is also laugh out loud funny. I couldn't help myself whenever "le Professeur" appears in the story; the character makes me laugh out loud, to much embarrassment when I read this book in public.
The bottom line is you must read this book. It is a very good read.

The Darkening Field: A Novel
by William Ryan

The Darkening Field (11/6/2011)

I liked this book very much. It had a good plot with lots of twists and turns, and the Russian detective is a fascinating protagonist.

I like the list of characters at the beginning of the book, just like in an Agatha Christie novel; it helped me with the Russian names.

Overall, this was a good read, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Low Town: A Novel
by Daniel Polansky

Low Town (6/6/2011)

This first novel by the author is a cross-genre story; a science fiction and murder mystery. I found myself immersed into the plot until the very end. People have told me that I have an above average vocabulary, but I had difficulty in reading parts of this book. I'm sure if the author used simpler words, he would reach a wider audience. Overall, I enjoyed reading it.

The Tender Mercy of Roses: A Novel
by Anna Michaels

The Tender Mercy of Roses (4/17/2011)

I was pleasantly surprised at the ending where you find out who did it, because I never would have guessed it. Overall, the book was a page-turner, and one that I could not put down; it's that good. I liked this story a lot.

The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World
by Laura J. Snyder

The Philosophical Breakfast Club (1/12/2011)

After reading this book, I find myself wanting to know more about these four scientists and their experiments. Although the book was written similarly to a textbook, it is loaded with facts, even though the writing is a little bit on the tedious side.
I highly recommend this book to whomever wants to read about these four scientists who changed how we look at modern science today. The experiments they performed were fascinating, and the meetings at the Breakfast Club were interesting.

The Discovery of Jeanne Baret: A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe
by Glynis Ridley

The discovery of Jeanne Beret (12/26/2010)

This is a pretty good biography, and I learned many things by reading it. I never knew that the nursery rhyme "Peter Piper" was about a real person until I read this book. The author did some extensive research in writing this and it is filled with information about 18th Century France, and mainly the expedition led by Lewis de Bougainville. I recommend this story to history buffs, and anyone studying botany.

What the Night Knows: A Novel
by Dean Koontz

What the Night Knows (11/28/2010)

I have been a Dean Koontz fan ever since I read his book "Strangers" many years ago. That book to me, was the best story the author ever wrote... until now. "What the Night Knows" is a page-turner, and a ghost story like no other, and written as only Dean Koontz knows how. The terrifying conclusion is a satisfying end to a well written book. A must read for the Koontz fan, and quite possibly, Koontz's best to date.

The Girl in the Green Raincoat: A Novel
by Laura Lippman

The Girl in the Green Raincoat (11/8/2010)

This was the first Laura Lippman story I ever read, but it won't be the last; it captured my attention from the very first page and I was hooked until the very last page. It was a definite page-turner that I couldn't put down. The author is quite talented and it is evident through all the awards she has won. I highly recommend this novella.

City of Tranquil Light: A Novel
by Bo Caldwell

City of Tranquil Light (8/15/2010)

I very much enjoyed reading this memoir; it was both inspiring and informative about the struggles missionaries endured living in Mainland China in the early years of the 20th century. I highly recommend this book to whomever wants a read that he or she cannot put down and also spiritual in nature. The story is well written and I learned a lot about China.

The Last Child
by John Hart

The Last Child (5/18/2010)

WOW! This is truly one great book. It was riveting and a page-turner. "The Last Child" is a mystery, as are the other two fiction books that the author wrote.
Word of note: All three books of fiction were at least a nominee of the "Edgar", which is awarded to the best mystery of the year. "Down River", his second book won in 2008, and now this book, in 2010.
"The Last Child" has memorable characters and a plot that is twisty.
The bottom line is: If you are a serious fan of crime scene investigation, (CSI), read the prologue and the first chapter. If they don't grab you, then close the book and find another one to read. As for me, I couldn't put this book down. I have a new favorite author and his name is John Hart.

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors: A Novel
by Michele Young-Stone

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors (5/17/2010)

For the record, I am not a lightning strike survivor, but I still enjoyed reading the book; it was simply amazing. I learned many facts about lightning that I never knew before. I thought the "Where are they now?" segment was a nice touch. Overall, a very well written story.

The Map of True Places
by Brunonia Barry

The Map of True Places (4/13/2010)

I really liked this story. The last 100 pages or so had me spellbound. From chapter 37 on, the chapters got shorter and the pace was quicker until the very last page when I was able to breathe again. I highly endorse this sensational book.

The Woods
by Harlan Coben

The Woods (1/27/2010)

I really enjoyed reading this fast paced thriller. Fans of this author have chosen this book of all his others as the best book he has ever written. I agree.

Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy
by Melissa Milgrom

Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy (1/6/2010)

I was pleasantly surprised after reading this book; the last hundred pages were the best and justified my high rating. I now have a basic knowledge of the art of taxidermy just in case it ever pops up in a conversation.

Making Toast: A Family Story
by Roger Rosenblatt

Making Toast (11/12/2009)

I enjoyed reading this memoir very much. It is fast paced and a page-turner. The book is composed of short paragraphs for each idea or story, and there are 118 of them. (yes, I counted.)

Making Toast is not only about the breakfast ritual each morning, but it is also the process that connects every idea together. It is well written.

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