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Reviews by Sue J. (Wauwatosa, WI)

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Amy Falls Down
by Jincy Willett

Amy Falls Down (6/10/2013)

The book starts out with author Amy Gallup tripping over her raised garden in the back yard which causes her to fall and knock herself out on a birdbath. After an interview that she doesn't remember, her bizarre behavior (from a mild concussion) sets off a series of events that puts her on the verge of being rediscovered. Her outlook on life was refreshing - she was quoted as saying "Feelings Are Not News". She said she remembers a time when competent reporters and editors were bright enough to figure out for themselves how catastrophic events feel. They feel bad. I really enjoyed this quirky book, it was a fun read. Highly recommended!

The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
by Kelly Harms

Enjoyable read (4/29/2013)

The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane was a fun, light read. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Aunt Midge. Janine Brown of Cedar Falls, Iowa (and there are 2 contestants with the same name) wins HomeSweetHome network's giveaway dream home in Maine. As the two Janine Browns untangled the ownership of who won the house, life gets a bit crazy. I especially enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter from a well know chef and all the cooking Janey did throughout the book inspired me to try a few new recipes!

Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie

Page turner! (4/4/2013)

I read Close My Eyes in two days, couldn't put it down! The story begins with Geniver and her husband Art going for a consultation for yet another IVF procedure. Eight years ago, Geniver delivered a stillborn girl and hasn't been successful in getting pregnant again. A women shows up a few days later at her door claiming that her baby was born alive and the doctor took her away while she was still under the anaesthetic. Close My Eyes unwinds as a story that is both complicated and compelling. I highly recommend this book, it was a fascinating read!

Palisades Park
by Alan Brennert

Enjoyable read! (2/11/2013)

Characters were great and the history in the story was really interesting. I learned a lot about amusement parks and the lives of the people working them.Toni starts out selling homemade french fries in her parents stand as a kid and ends up being a high diver performing spectacular stunts. Palisades Park kept my attention from the first to the last page. I definitely recommend this book.

The House Girl
by Tara Conklin

Great Read (11/13/2012)

The House Girl weaves the stories of Josephine, a young house slave in the 1850's and Lina, a hard working corporate lawyer. Lina is assigned to a case that would compensate African American descendants for the pain and suffering caused by slavery. Lina finds a descendant of a slave to be the plaintiff through her artist father. She discovers a collection of paintings by LuAnne Bell that may have actually been painted by her slave, Josephine. In the search for a descendant of Josephine, Lina learns about herself and questions her choices in life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction - I loved it!

The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
by Margot L. Stedman

Great Book Club Selection (7/2/2012)

The Light Between Oceans would be a great book club selection. The story is about a light house keeper and his wife living on an isolated island off the coast of Australia. A boat comes ashore with a dead man and a small baby crying that will change their lives forever. The choices that are made will lead to devastating events. This book will make for a great book club disscusion.

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: A Memoir
by Anna Quindlen

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake (4/9/2012)

I loved this book! I had never read anything by Anna Quindlan before this book. Her shared observations on life are witty, honest and relevant. I recognized myself in many of her experiences and caught myself thinking someone else feel the same way I do. I highly recommended it.

The Red Book: A Novel
by Deborah Copaken Kogan

The Red Book (2/5/2012)

A 20 year class reunion transforms four roommates' lives in an unforgettable weekend. The novel begins with short essays collected in the Red Book (published every 5 years) which highlights their accomplishments. In the first chapter Addison is arrested for 20 year old parking tickets and ends up spending the night in jail. This is just the beginning of a roller coaster ride that spans the entire weekend. This story is about new beginnings and second chances in life. I had trouble putting the book down - highly recommended.

Falling Together: A Novel
by Marisa De Los Santos

Interesting read (8/30/2011)

Falling Together is an interesting story about three freshman college students who form a strong friendship that lasts through college, but ends abruptly after graduation. A ten year college reunion sends them on an adventure that takes them to the Philippines in search of one of the three who has gone missing. It was a very enjoyable read, though the last quarter of the book could have been a little shorter.

Things We Didn't Say: A Novel
by Kristina Riggle

Interesting read (5/3/2011)

I became absorbed in the story and the characters after the first few chapters. The author did an excellent job of creating each character's point of view and leading the reader through the maze of conflicts and resolutions.It was an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

A Box of Darkness: The Story of a Marriage
by Sally Ryder Brady

A Box of Darkness (12/31/2010)

Sally Ryder Brady has written a honest story of her first year after the death of her husband and the grief that enveloped her. She interweaves the past with the present and gains insight into the complicated man she was married to.The Box of Darkness was a well written, enjoyable read. Highly recommended!

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

The Girl in the Green Raincoat (10/28/2010)

This is my first encounter I've had with Tess Monaghan, the strong-willed former reporter tuned PI. Laura Lippman is a good storyteller, it was a fun light read. The plot was unusual and the characters were interesting. I would recommend this book if you like mysteries.

The Clouds Beneath the Sun
by Mackenzie Ford

An absorbing read. (7/8/2010)

I enjoyed this book immensely. Ford is a creative writer who has a talent for drawing good characters and giving a sense of what a dig in Kenya would really be like. This book was a page-turner for me and I had to hold myself back from peaking ahead to find out how everything comes out. Highly recommended!

Ten Minutes from Home: A Memoir
by Beth Greenfield

Ten Minutes from Home (4/21/2010)

I enjoyed this book tremendously. Beth Greenfield gives us insights into her family struggling with the loss of a child/brother and best friend killed by a drunk driver. Greenfield shares her anger, sadness and guilt while trying to recover from this tragic event. She searches for normalcy, which eludes her. A well written book, that I would highly recommend.

The Wives of Henry Oades: A Novel
by Johanna Moran

Enjoyable read (11/27/2009)

I really enjoyed this book, not only for its good story but also for the insight into the feelings people can have against others. The author did a wonderful job getting you to really feel the characters in this book. Usually a cover attracts me to a book, but the cover chosen didn't appeal to me. I recommend The Wives of Henry Oades to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Dragon House
by John Shors

A Must Read (7/13/2009)

Dragon House is themed around Vietnam street children. John Shors captures their life through his words. His descriptions of the sights and sounds of Vietnam were vivid, I can still feel the thrill of being on a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City. Dragon House is a real page turner. I highly recommend it!

The Secret Keeper
by Paul Harris

Interesting read about Sierra Loeone (3/16/2009)

I didn't care for the beginning,a little to violent for me.Once I got past that, it was a fast moving read. I enjoyed learning about Sierra Leone. I think this would be a great book club selection, there would be many topics for discussion.

Something Like Beautiful: One Single Mother's Story
by Asha Bandele

Interesting Memoir (12/2/2008)

The author and poet Asha Bundele, has a definite gift for the English language. Unfortunately, she becomes repetitive throughout much of the book. She gave me an understanding of how someone could be married and conceive a child to someone in prison. While working through her problems, her daughter helps her rediscover the beauty of life.

Kissing Games of the World
by Sandi Kahn Shelton

Great Story (9/2/2008)

This is the first book I've read by Sandi Kahn Shelton and I loved it! The author is a great storyteller and I had trouble putting it down. Her easy, readable style brings complex characters and situations to life. I'm purchasing Shelton's other two novels after fully enjoying this one. Highly recommended!

Time of My Life: A Novel
by Allison Winn Scotch

A great read (8/6/2008)

I really enjoyed Time of My Life, I had a hard time putting it down. When Jillian is transported back seven years into her old life she is confronted with the ability to change her life. This story caused me to reflect on my own choices I have made and question the "what ifs". Through Jillian's journey, we learn that hindsight is twenty-twenty and we can learn from our mistakes. I highly recommend this book.

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