And When She Was Good: A Novel
by Laura Lippman
And When She was Good (6/23/2012)
Laura Lippman never fails to deliver. Suburban Madame may seem and over done plot line but not from the perspective of the woman. Helen is not just a prostitute or madame. She is an estranged daughter, an single mother, and an uneducated woman with all the doubts and emotional upset of each. She is human and a thoroughly enjoyable character. Book clubs will find many lingering questions. What choice would you make? Moral, legal, and domestic issues are a maze Helen tries to work through and I loved being along.
The Secrets of Mary Bowser
by Lois Leveen
Profound new author in historical fiction (3/31/2012)
Great historical fiction makes you forget that you know the ending, so that you may learn it anew. Lois Leveen has a beautiful way with words, a call a friend and read aloud voice. The characters are deep and rich and the many definitions and struggles of freedom may change the way you think of the Civil War. A must read for anyone who wishes to step into historical Richmond.
A Land More Kind Than Home: A Novel
by Wiley Cash
A land more kind than home, exceptional debut (3/1/2012)
I loved this book, Wiley Cash is sure to be a great new force in fiction. The story flowed so easily from all points of view. Appalachian folk voice can be really difficult to capture yet so beautiful when right. Jess is a backwoods boy dealing with good vs. evil. Is the Preacher right when what he does seems so wrong? A book of love, loss, and beauty.
Big Girl Small: A Novel
by Rachel DeWoskin
High School Relived (7/11/2011)
I only gave a 3 because I read the book until the end. It was well written and flows easily. I was hoping at some point this would become uplifting but it never got out of the muck of high school. Nothing new except for the size of the main character.
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: A Novel
by Jenny Wingfield
A True Homecoming (7/1/2011)
The author had my complete attention after the first sentence and she never lost it. I laughed, I cried, I even read lines out loud to friends. This is a story of a family. Quirky, sarcastic, sometimes dysfunctional, and always honest family. I stayed awake to finish this book in a day because I couldn't bear the thought of putting it down, and when I reached the end, I wished I could be at the Moses's. This is my favorite book I've read this year. Two thumbs up. Great book for christian book clubs or any book club at all!
Things We Didn't Say: A Novel
by Kristina Riggle
Misunderstood (4/26/2011)
I loved this book. A look at a real family from everyone's point of view. For anyone who has felt misunderstood, through our own fault or not, there is a character to love. A family with honest mistakes made all day in a day of crisis. I cried but tears of understanding, I felt understood. I won't mention which character, but I'm sure you will identify with someone.
