BookBrowse: Your Guide to Exceptional Books

Reviews by Kristen H. (Hagerstown, MD)

Power Reviewer

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The Gypsy Moth Summer
by Julia Fierro

What a Summer (4/26/2017)

This is the first novel that I have read from this author, Julia Fierro. I enjoyed her style of writing and enjoyed this book. The main character(s) reminded me of a modern Romeo and Juliet, although without the long standing family feud. Just a difference in opinions and mental instability among the generations that have lived on the island for many years. I would recommend this to book clubs as I feel the discussions surrounding this novel would be very worthwhile.

The Essex Serpent
by Sarah Perry

English Myth (2/28/2017)

I know you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover but... It is a beautiful story. The characters are so well developed and their stories are so rich. Susan Perry did a great job of developing the characters in this book that they practically come right out of the book. She captured the human spirit in the search to dispel a myth.
I liked how Perry included letters written by the characters to each other. I recommend this book. I believe it to be a most beautiful read.

A Piece of the World: A Novel
by Christina Baker Kline

Wonderful World (12/27/2016)

A Piece of the World was a wonderful read. I felt that I was right there in the house with Christina just like Andrew Wyeth. Wonderfully developed characters made them seem like I have known them for a long time. Christina Baker Kline has a true talent as an author, she breathes life into her characters. I am excited to read more by this author. I rate this book 5 stars!

The Book That Matters Most: A Novel
by Ann Hood

Books can Make a Difference. (6/28/2016)

I found this book to be very well written and I liked how the author gave you a glimpse of the past so that the present day made sense. The struggles that this family went through are very real and can be applied to any family present day as well as the past. The fact that a book can hold so much memories for people is absolutely wonderful and I can see why the title is so appropriate. I would most definitely suggest this for a book club. I would also suggest that each member of the club chose a book that matters most.

The Secret Language of Stones: A Daughters of La Lune Novel
by M. J. Rose

Not So Secret Language (4/4/2016)

This book was a good read and would be a good selection for a book club. However, I found it predictable at times and strugled to read it. I do agree that it was suspenseful at best and she is a good writer of this genre.

Crazy Blood
by T. Jefferson Parker

Chilly (1/5/2016)

The story is okay but I was not impressed with the presentation. I admit I struggled to finish the book. I could have put it down but in all fairness I wanted to finish the book.

Fallen Land
by Taylor Brown

Interesting Story Line (11/23/2015)

I liked the book Fallen Land, however, I felt it jumped between characters too much. I found myself going back and forth in the book to remember who the characters were. Otherwise story was a good one.

Broken Promise: A Thriller
by Linwood Barclay

Promise to thrill (6/30/2015)

Very well written. This was my first book by Lin wood Barclay. I thoroughly enjoyed the way it was written, each chapter pulled me in. The way it ended I can predict a second book to continue on. Again, a good thriller mystery, that kept my attention.

Fishbowl: A Novel
by Bradley Somer

Slow Fall (5/16/2015)

Excellent story! Very well written, loved how each chapter touched on the individuals in the building and then at the end they somewhat tied together. Didn't want it to end.

Between the Tides
by Susannah Marren

Predictable (4/19/2015)

Between the tides is an alright read. Nothing very spectacular between the pages. I struggled to get through the story but finished to see what the ending would be. The ending was not as I anticipated, would have liked for this twist to come sooner as it would have made the story more capturing to the reader. This would be a good first book club read as a starter book.

He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him
by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton

The love a daughter (2/8/2015)

Wow. What a great read! How hard it must have been to relive her dad's life through his eyes. What an impressive honor to a father, a daughter who wanted to know about her father all her life and had to wait until he was no longer alive. Truly an inspiration.

Lusitania: Triumph, Tragedy, and the End of the Edwardian Age
by Greg King, Penny Wilson

Well Researched and Written (1/18/2015)

Very well researched book. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I had read about the Lusitania as a student in school but like most history books in school you only get a little bit of actual history so this book was very intriguing. Would recommend it for book clubs, history lovers and even to be used as a reading for history classes.

Accidents of Marriage
by Randy Susan Meyers

Are there accidents? (7/6/2014)

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to reading this book and I am guilty of judging by a title. I am glad to say that I am glad to have gone against my first thoughts. This book was a very good read, Randy Susan Meyers has a very similar style of writing to Jodi Piccoult. It drew me in and held my attention and I didn't want it to end. This would be a great book to read for a book club review. The depth at which the characters were described in the book, made it a very good read. I would definitely recommend it

Island of a Thousand Mirrors
by Nayomi Munaweera

slow at first but then took off (5/8/2014)

At first, I was not excited to read this book. It was not until I got a little further into the book that it really grabbed my attention. I thought that the characters were well described but did have some difficulty following them.
I would recommend this book for a book club discussion as I feel it would generate some good discussions. The main character of the book really became someone I would love to meet and talk to.
Other then the slow start, I would give this book a four star out of five star rating.

I Am Livia
by Phyllis T. Smith

Rome (1/22/2014)

This book was very well written. Phyllis Smith, a first time author did a good job at combining history and fiction to make this a very interesting and captivating read. Her research on the subject was very thorough and well thought out when combining the two.
This is a book I would recommend to book clubs. The author gave a great prospective on how the women of the great warriors lived and kept their households functioning while their men went off to battle. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to other novels by this author.

The Last Enchantments
by Charles Finch

Education in life (12/3/2013)

The author captured the essence of going to college and experiencing life. The title summed it up wonderfully. The experiences that Will went through in England, after already starting a life with Alison. Also, the fact that he had a job working in politics and then to go across the ocean to study abroad. I enjoyed the author's style of writing. This book is a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book to a book club.

A Man of His Own
by Susan Wilson

Great Friend (8/11/2013)

I love animal stories and this one certainly did not disappoint. Very well written. Hard for me to put it down. This I would recommend for a book club, lots to discuss. The author's description of the characters are very well written. By the time I finished the book, I felt that I knew each of the characters well - like they were my friends. The struggles that each were dealing with - including the dog - were described well but not too much that you would be lost in the detail.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was a little sad to see it end.

Letters from Skye
by Jessica Brockmole

Wonderful Letters (6/29/2013)

I did not want the story to end. This book was a great read. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute - I felt like I was transported to wherever the writers were. Jessica Brockmole hit this one on the head. It was a very refreshing read, never a dull moment nor was I lost as to who was speaking in the story. Look forward to reading more from this author.

Flat Water Tuesday
by Ron Irwin

Flat (6/9/2013)

This book was so so, had a different impression when I selected this book. I did not like how it jumped back and forth. It took me a while to read it and get into it. I would have to say this last 10 chapters was better and it moved along quickly. Not a book I would recommend and I do have knowledge of crewing.

The Laws of Gravity
by Liz Rosenberg

It's All Relative (5/4/2013)

Well written and riveting. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author. I would recommend this book to book clubs, I feel that there would be many good discussions regarding this book.

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