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Reviews by Barbara O. (Maryland Heights, MO)

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Happiness
Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham
Joy and Happiness in the Unexpected. (6/13/2017)
I loved this book, I loved everything about this book. Life is a crooked little road filled with detours and bumps and great joy, scary paths and sorrow but it's life in all it's messy glory. I loved Heather Harpham's words, I savored them as well as her story. The author's sense of humor is her saving grace, the way to cope and frankly the best way to see anyone through the challenges life often brings. This book would make an excellent book club selection.
The Twelve-Mile Straight
The Twelve-Mile Straight: A Novel
by Eleanor Henderson
Rural Southern America, A Dark Tale (4/29/2017)
Eleanor Henderson has written a wonderful book filled with larger than life characters that intrigue you with their behaviors. The Twelve Mile Straight is a period piece set in Depression era rural Georgia. The story has it all, rape, lynchings, social hierarchy, sinners and saints. The author strips away the wholesome facade and gives us a story about real people, neither all bad nor all good. Book club members will find lots to discuss starting with the individual characters depicted in the book. Still can't decide my favorite.
The Barrowfields
The Barrowfields
by Phillip Lewis
A Different Love Story (2/13/2017)
A dark coming of age story. The relationship between father and son can be challenging no matter the setting but in this story, the isolated mountain town adds another layer to the tale. The author uses language that paints wonderful visual images and will delight wordsmiths and music lovers. His characters will feel real to you and leave you thinking about them long after you reach the end. I devoured this book.
Mercies in Disguise
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata
Outstanding and Inspirational! (10/29/2016)
I devoured this book in less than a day. The author, Gina Kolata, does a masterful job introducing the reader to a little known genetically inherited disease with no cure. The story introduces us to a small town Southern family giving GSS a "real" face. You will love and admire these people as you follow their story and their quest to diagnose the illness that has manifested itself in the family's patriarch. The resultant questions and the individual decisions and impact on each family member keep you engaged and emotionally invested in their story. I cannot say enough about the dignity and courage of this family as they make their decisions once they learn the identity of this disease and it's physical impact on their loved ones. I was left wondering, what would I do? It's a beautiful story and hopeful despite this disease's inevitable physical impact.
Victoria
Victoria
by Daisy Goodwin
Victoria, Before Albert (10/12/2016)
This is a wonderful book revealing the story of the young Victoria, one of England's most famous and long-serving Monarchs. How does a sheltered young woman suddenly become queen and negotiate her way through all the political intrigue and find her true self? 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. A wonderful story for those of us that love reading about the English aristocracy. Bravo!
The Book That Matters Most
The Book That Matters Most: A Novel
by Ann Hood
Great Read (6/5/2016)
Ann Hood's new book is wonderful. Loved how she used a monthly Book Club book choice and calendar as chapters to advance time in her story. This is a great book for book clubs with plenty of themes for discussion: divorce, parenting and personal growth. The added bonus of additional books to read was much appreciated. I love Ann Hood's characters, they are real people and the reader may even know people just like them.
Miss Jane
Miss Jane
by Brad Watson
A Charming Period Piece to Treasure (3/25/2016)
I'd give this book six stars if I could. The language in this book is sensual filled with beautiful descriptions of nature. The writer does a remarkable job presenting Jane Chisolm and her physical deformity with grace and dignity. The reader will appreciate the slow pace of this book with its beautiful language. I have not read anything like this story in a long time. Book clubs will enjoy this book.
The Widow
The Widow
by Fiona Barton
Dark thriller (11/30/2015)
How well do we really know someone, even our spouse? "The Widow". Is a skillfully told story alternating in time and from different points of view. The reader is led through layers of the dark world of the pedophile. Book clubs will argue whether or not a wife "knows". The author makes a great case why she may not. Fast read with a nice twist.
All Is Not Forgotten
All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker
A Psychological Thriller that Won't Be Forgotten! (9/28/2015)
Wendy Walker has written a page turner. "All is Not Forgotten" tells the story of a fifteen year old high school girl and the resultant devastation following her rape. Book clubs will have fiery discussions over this one. What's right and what's wrong won't be black and white.
The Shore
The Shore: A Novel
by Sara Taylor
The Shore (5/19/2015)
A surprise of a book. "The Shore" is not a summer time read, but; is instead, a thought provoking, disturbing book. This is a poor area, the story is about generations of full time residents and the challenges faced by up and down economic times. The book covers from the late 1800's to 2137 in clever non- chronological chapters. Great characters but I could have used a family tree to keep track of all the relationships.
A Good Family
A Good Family
by Erik Fassnacht
A Good Family (5/11/2015)
A page turner. We all know these people or think we do. All families struggle but what circumstances cause a successful "good" family to fall apart? How they find their way back, individually makes for a great read. Wonderful debut story hope to read more from Erik Fassnacht.
Everybody Rise
Everybody Rise
by Stephanie Clifford
Everyone Rise but beware the fall (3/11/2015)
Everybody Rise is fascinating, the reader is drawn into high society New York. A world where old money has it's own rules and recognizes no one outside its narrow stratified world. When to dress up and when to dress down and what's currently in and what's out, it's exhausting trying to keep up. Evelyn Beegan almost makes it. The book is kind of like watching a train wreck, you cringe but keep reading wondering when she's ever going to get it, she just doesn't belong and why would you want to? An enjoyable read.
The Silver Witch
The Silver Witch
by Paula Brackston
Celtic Magic (2/7/2015)
I was immediately drawn to the characters in this book and the beautiful word imagery and style of this author. I have never read Paula Brackston before but I look forward to reading her now. Book clubs will enjoy discussions centered on intuition, heritage, ancestry and magic. Beautiful story set in a beautiful place.
The Same Sky
The Same Sky
by Amanda Eyre Ward
Heartbreaking Story (11/1/2014)
Wow, if you have never given a lot of thought to the recent news of immigrant children being returned to their Central American countries, this story just might open your eyes. This is a great book club choice. Members will have lots to discuss after reading Amanda Eyre Ward's book "the Same Sky". Her characters are well developed and you'll find yourself deeply involved and caring about these people. After reading about the plight of the children in Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala you just might understand better the declaration to leave.

Couldn't put this book down until the end.
The Book of Strange New Things
The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber
A a Strange New World (8/31/2014)
I am not a big fan of futuristic books but this book lures you in and holds your interest until the end. Michael Faber's "Book of Strange New Things" is fascinating. I could not put it down. Throughout I kept being reminded of Mary Dorian Russell's "The Sparrow". This book is beautifully written and the reader is drawn closer and closer into a new society and a strange new environment. This book is about people first and foremost and about love in many forms. Bravo!
Accidents of Marriage
Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers
Could not stop reading! (6/9/2014)
Book clubs will love this book and it's characters. Randy Susan Meyers creates people you react to strongly, invoking strong feelings of empathy, anger and compassion. Every family has a story and the Illica Family story is at times painful and thought provoking and real. I cared deeply about all of them but in particular, Emma. I hated to see this book end and I cared deeply about what happened to them. Bravo!
The Quick
The Quick
by Lauren Owen
Victorian London (4/16/2014)
"The Quick" is written in Dickensian style cleverly written, revealing itself to the reader in layers. The author captures the period with it's class levels and social strictures keeping the reader's interest and slowly telling the story of what happened to James Norbury. London is a mysterious place with unexplained events happening not just on it's dark and dirty alleyways.
City of the Sun
City of the Sun
by Juliana Maio
Page Turner (1/7/2014)
City of the Sun is a captivating read. In turns, historical, the intrigue of spies and the politics of World War Ii, a romance and murder. This book has it all. Most intriguing the story of the Egyptian Jews and Cairo as it was at the start of the war.the author tells an entertaining story with likable characters that keep your interest to the end. Along the way, the reader revisits history and is transported to a glamorous time when Britain still ruled the world. Entertaining till the end. Bravo.
Safe with Me
Safe with Me
by Amy Hatvany
Great Read (11/23/2013)
Amy Hatvany's book "Safe With Me" is a page turner. Bookclubs will find much to discuss after reading this book. Ms Hatvany's characters are well developed and her storytelling will capture your heart. Hannah, Olivia and Maddie will stay with you long after the last page and you'll find yourself imaging the rest of their stories.
Henry and Rachel
Henry and Rachel
by Laurel Saville
Who are we? (9/11/2013)
Rachel and Henry is a good read about family. Told from different generations, who you are and who you think you are might be two different things. The story slowly reveals different perspectives cleverly revealed over time. Family secrets revealed. Imagine being the last member of the family still living and discovering a different family than the one you thought you knew. Childhood perspectives viewed from an adult point of view. Good topic for discussion.
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