BookBrowse: Your Guide to Exceptional Books

Reviews by Mary Lou F. (Naples, FL)

Power Reviewer

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The Opposite of Everyone
by Joshilyn Jackson

Family Forever (11/22/2015)

This book shows no matter what, family always wins out. The complications involved with a dysfunctional family also show that things can turn around with faith and hope.

Maybe in Another Life
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Choices/chances (5/31/2015)

Very different style of writing. Two different choices to every action. Confusing at first but once you catch on, it makes for a very good read. I would like to read her other books to see how she handles situations.

Make Your Home Among Strangers
by Jennine Capó Crucet

Culture Shock (4/11/2015)

A Cuban girl is a minority attendee at an elitist school with no idea of the differences in culture. Her family doesn't help as they don't encourage education and she is torn between her family and wanting something better for herself. Makes one think about backgrounds, familial ties and the chance to go beyond what you have always known.

Her Name Is Rose
by Christine Breen

Family Ties (1/28/2015)

What a wonderful cast of characters interwoven in each others lives. Hated to see the story end. Would love to see a sequel written as there are many more stories behind these characters.

Blue Stars
by Emily Gray Tedrowe

Treating our soldiers (12/5/2014)

Very insightful story especially with the conditions found at Walter Reed Hospital. This novel deals with the care or lack thereof of returning soldiers. Eye awakening--makes you wonder how close to realistic events this novel conveys.

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Anger Management (6/14/2014)

Families with an angry member can become very dysfunctional and everyone suffers. Written very well and I didn't want to stop reading. I now want to read other books Ms. Meyers has written.

Her
by Harriet Lane

Who Do You Trust? (5/10/2014)

This book is a page turner about supposed new friendships and old grievances (misunderstood or not). Very good way of dealing with the characters, each chapter dealing with the new main characters. We'll worth reading.

Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley

Mating (3/8/2014)

This is an excellent book, characters are very realistic and have very real problems which anyone can relate to. Also, you get to learn the mating habits of various birds and animals which are similar to humans at times. A very worthwhile and easy read.

The Venetian Bargain
by Marina Fiorato

Historical Medicine (12/24/2013)

Very good book written about a period in history that started a lot of modern medical treatments. Good reading from start to finish acquiring a lot of knowledge about that period in history.

Henry and Rachel
by Laurel Saville

Do you really know your family? (9/4/2013)

Very interesting concept - each chapter was the thoughts and doings of one of the characters. The way each character thought and acted about their family was very different for each one of them. Slow going at the beginning but as you got to know the different characters, you wanted to find out how their lives would end up.

The Scavenger's Daughters: Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters, Book One
by Kay Bratt

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES (7/19/2013)

In China, baby girls are thought of as insignificant items. This book shows how one family finds and takes care of these children who are considered orphans as they have been abandoned by their parents. There is a Book Two to this book and I can hardly wait to read it. If you have a daughter, you will cherish her even more after you read this book.

The Sisterhood
by Helen Bryan

Exchange of historical events (5/2/2013)

Excellent back and forth details of Spanish Inquisition and modern day times. Historical religious beliefs interwoven with modern times make for a wonderful piece of work.

The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz

Living With What You Have (10/15/2012)

Tough living on a mountain maintaining a light house. This book is written very well and the author brings the characters to life. Different plot than most but very intriguing. Good read and you want to finish in one reading.

The Queen's Lover: A Novel
by Francine du Plessix Gray

Learning History (5/29/2012)

I enjoyed this book as I had very little knowledge of Scottish history and French history. Good historical book with plenty of intrigue.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
by Katherine Boo

Strength of Humanity (1/3/2012)

This book shows that no matter how hard one's life is, there is one worse off. Conditions in India are deplorable and the author has put forth a very descriptive analysis of these conditions.

Tides of War: A Novel
by Stella Tillyard

English History (11/2/2011)

Complicated characters with historical backgrounds make for a very interesting read. The characters come together as the story evolves. Very interesting read.

Salvage the Bones: A Novel
by Jesmyn Ward

Getting Along (6/30/2011)

Jesmyn Ward has a wonderful way of using words to describe situations. You can feel the action of the dog fights and, again, during the scary moments of Hurricane Katrina. This book shows that when the chips are down, a dysfunctional family comes together to help each other during a horrific storm -- Hurricane Katrina.

The Tudor Secret: The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles
by C. W. Gortner

English History Revisited (3/20/2011)

Very good interpretation of English history. Exciting and mysterious times back then. Makes you want to read any other books C. W. Gortner writes. Great read for historical history buffs.

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

Do You Really Know Someone? (12/27/2010)

This book is about a long-term marriage and love story with dark shadows. You think you know someone after being married over forty years, but do you really? Very well written but very sad.

Minding Ben: A Novel
by Victoria Brown

Appreciating What You Have (12/21/2010)

This book points out the disparity between U.S. citizens and immigrants and what they go through to try and fit into this society. Dialect was a little difficult to interpret at times but all in all, very good writing.

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