Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake: A Memoir
by Anna Quindlen
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake (4/21/2012)
If you like Ms. Quindlen's work, you won't be disappointed. If this is your first exposure to her work, you won't be disappointed. If you're a woman...of any age or, if you love a woman of any age two words: Read this. It's that simple because this book is that good.
Raising Wrecker: A Novel
by Summer Wood
Wrecker (11/14/2010)
I didn't know if I had miscalculated the time I might have to read/review the book or was it that I just wasn't drawn in by the book. Fortunately, once I found the time I was able to appreciate the story of Wrecker and the eclectic group who come to love and care for him. Most characters have depth and soul and allow the reader to invest in and care about the fate and future of Wrecker. It is a lovely book with pace, poignancy and plenty of heart.
The Swimming Pool
by Holly LeCraw
The Swimming Pool (2/28/2010)
I am not a fan of the book. The characters were flat and one dimensional. I read much longer than I wanted to in hopes of finding a way to connect with them. Enough of the plot is revealed on the back of the novel to know that if I didn't care about these characters I didn't really want to read about what I knew was in store. The plot line wasn't gripping, the characters weren't engaging and therefore the subject matter was not one I cared enough about. Some may find this a good "summer read" but I think there are better.
State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America
by Sean Wilsey, Matt Weiland
Exceptionally Entertaining (11/4/2009)
If you think even for a second that this book might be fun, of interest or perhaps even provocative - then follow your instincts. It is fun, interesting and provocative. The stories that are told are hilarious, poignant, raunchy, layered and deeply personal. I was interested in this book when it was first published but hesitated to buy it. I jumped at the chance to review it and I have not been disappointed - and in fact feel lucky to have been handed a copy.
Green Monster: A Sam Skarda Mystery
by Rick Shefchik
What You See is What You Get (7/1/2008)
This is a moderately entertaining story. It is no more or less than described: a straight forward mystery novel. For me to become fully engaged in the mystery the characters needed more depth, the plot needed more sizzle and I needed to find a reason to care about the outcome. Anyone who enjoys a mystery that plows straight ahead, who likes sports - especially the Boston Red Sox and who doesn't want too work to hard will enjoy this book.
Heavenly Pleasures: A Corinna Chapman Mystery
by Kerry Greenwood
Heavenly Pleasures (4/15/2008)
Much to my surprise I had a very difficult time with this book. I had a great deal of trouble parsing the characters and grasping a sense of place. Even taking into account tones and colloquialisms I struggled to find a connection with the book. I liked the characters and I longed for crisp, clean dialog and description to build toward something fun and exciting. It didn't happen for me. I simply became more frustrated until the book became a chore.
Dervishes
by Beth Helms
Dervishes (12/13/2007)
An interesting portrait of a culture, a time , a place and a society that heretofore was a mystery to me. The author does a superb job of evoking time and place.
Some of the writing was lyrical other portions were clunky and contrived - overwritten. Most difficult for me were the characters - none of whom were apealing to me. The father had potential - but his character was never developed - he was the one I had some desire to get to know. Add to that a slow developing plot and unfortunately, I lost interest and the book became tedious.
