Be Creative @ Your Library

Summer Reading Program for Adults 2009

 

Browsing all 'Fiction' reviews

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Execution Dock
By: Anne Perry

Anne Perry certainly is familiar with the sordid side of England's past. Her stories are absorbing but disturbing. Obviously Britain was too busy expanding the empire to care much for the folks at home.

The author portrays her characters as seen by others very well - almost too well at times. Does anyone really have all those incisive accurate insights? Is it that Perry can capture those fleeting, almost unconscious thoughts while most of us may react to but not fully recognize and express them in writing?

This book will keep you up way past your bedtime. I look forward to reading more of Monk, Hester, and their allies in their suspenseful exploits in the name of justice.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Murders of Richard III
By: Elizabeth Peters

Another of Elizabeth Peters' good reads. However, not for the mystery fan who is not somewhat familiar with 15th century English history.

The plot is intriguing but complicated, with too lengthy a denouement.

Monday, August 3, 2009
Judge and Jury
By: James Patterson

3 1/2 stars.

A little confusing in the first few chapters, several different protagonists point of view. Otherwise, a good summer read. Short chapters easy to go through while waiting for the kids to finish swim lessons, etc.

Monday, August 3, 2009
New Moon
By: Stephenie Meyer

Continuation of Twilight series. If you liked Twilight, you'll like New Moon.

Monday, August 3, 2009
Eclipse
By: Stephenie Meyer

I think this is the best of the Twilight series. Loved inside looks at other characters stories and folklore.

Monday, August 3, 2009
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
By: J.K. Rowling

Great for those Harry Potter fans. Very short, fun summer read. Not as good as the original series but does bring insight into the wizarding world.

Friday, July 31, 2009
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax
By: Dorothy Gilman

Step aside, Miss Marple, and let Mrs. Pollifax lead the way!

A thoroughly entertaining read, although occasional situations in the locale of post WWII Soviet dominated Bulgaria appear somewhat improbable. Intrepid Mrs. Pollifax remains unflustered, clear headed, and resourceful in the most difficult of situations, a miracle of which she has herself engineered. Unfazed by setbacks and imminent danger, Mrs. P. has a mission to accomplish for the CIA and does so.

Along the way, her warm humanitarian spirit rescues two young people - one from certain death, the other loss of faith in the basic goodness of people.

And Mrs. Pollifax herself proves not immune to the seduction of exemplified courage, loyalty, and integrity.

Read and enjoy!

Friday, July 31, 2009
Dealing with Dragons
By: Patricia C. Wrede

A delightful quick read with a spunky heroine who's just real enough to want to emulate. Plots to overthrow the current regime are not new, but Dealing with Dragons offers a fun twist. Enjoy!

Friday, July 31, 2009
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
By: Alexander McCall Smith

Love the characters. Very descriptive writing, feels like an adventure in Botswana.

Friday, July 31, 2009
Simply Love
By: Mary Balogh

What happens when people care instead of reject?

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
By: Jane Austen

Everybody knows Pride and Prejudice is a great story. I was inspired to pick up the book again (first time since college) after watching the recent movie, starring Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen. This is my favorite movie version. Still, I couldn't quite catch all the dialogue, which is where the book comes in. It's curious to consider a time when marriage was the only option and so much time went to cultivating artifice that got you married.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
What I Call Life
By: Jill Wolfson

Local author who is a great storyteller. It holds interest enough for adults and kids to read together. She creates quirky characters and combines their stories with some creative knitting (including actual knitting instructions).

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Art of Racing in the Rain
By: Garth Stein

Adorable story about a young family, their joys and troubles as well as how they cope after the young mom is diagnosed with brain cancer and dies - all told from the point of view of Enzo, their lab-mix dog. Beautiful. You'll laugh and cry. READ THIS BOOK!

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tomato Girl
By: Jayne Pupek

This book is AMAZING! Story about a young girl, her bi-polar mother and her father. Set in Virginia, mid-20th century. Very tragic story about her mother's mental illness during a time when bi-polar illness was misunderstood, feared, and not diagnosed. The way Ms. Pupek (author) writes is intense and absorbing. I read this book in 2 days. HIGHLY recommend it.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Time and Chance
By: Sharon Kay Penman

A blow-by-blow description of Henry's reign in the 1100's. The tale unravels (for me) origins of some of the Welsh and Norman histories.

Henry and Eleanor are very strong characters and their interactions are fascinating.

A truly absorbing read.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Raditzer
By: Peter Matthiessen

While P.M. is a master of sea-faring storytelling I found Raditzer to be a little boring and hard to follow. The character development of Raditzer took the whole short novel, with a blunt and excruciating ending. The other characters weren't developed enough. I would stay away from Raditzer unless interested in a WWII/navy story of tight quarters amongst odd personalities that stand out.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Jane Eyre
By: Charlotte Bronte

Slow start but soon you slow down yourself and remember how things went in a less technological world. After a while the intensity of the human context makes the book compelling. A good read.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
When the Heart Cries
By: Cindy Woodsmall

Excellent novel about a contemporary Amish girl forbidden to marry an outsider. A tragedy jeopardizes her relationship, and others' reactions to it set up a chain of events that make it hard to put the book down. It is well-researched and rings with authenticity. This bestselling author is a compelling storyteller who knows how to weave in just the right tension, leaving you wanting to read more (fortunately there are 2 more books and apparently 3 on the way soon!)

Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sweet Poison
By: Ellen Hart

This is a light summer reading mystery novel with some engaging characters.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Sea of Monsters
By: Riordan Rick

The most palatable lesson in Greek mythology continues with Book 2. In this book you have your questions answered about the Bermuda Triangle as well as a memorable explanation of hubris. I continue to be bothered by the absent/detached parent theme. I wonder how Mr. Riordan will wrap that up?

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The 8th Confession
By: James Patterson

Same Patterson formula. Who done it!

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Perfect Poison
By: Amanda Quick

A fun and quick read. Hints of Sherlock Holmes and Laurie King's Mary Russell Holmes mysteries but with a different set of underlying skills for the characters. A fascinating world to get a glimpse of botanics and psychics in Queen Victoria England.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Painter from Shanghai
By: Jennifer Cody Epstein

Author has developed a book around admittedly few available facts on the painter Pan Yuliang. Certainly Yuliang is an interesting personage, but the author has used too much sexual detail as "glue" to hold the story together, which slows the flow of her narrative.

Would be most interesting to see some of Yuliang's paintings. Perhaps they appear in some of the library's art books.

Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Piano Teacher
By: Janice Y. K. Lee

I believe I read this book too soon after finishing the Painter from Shanghai. I did not enjoy more depiction of the Japanese invasion of China, the background for the story. Also, I did not care for the author's writing style in general.

However, the book did present an informative picture of British life in Hong Kong and of the China/Japan conflict in the World War II era - both of which most of us know little about.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Hot Six
By: Janet Evanovich

Fun and flippant. The character, Stephanie Plum, runs headlong into trouble again, sometimes on purpose, sometimes on accident. Her love life is rocking between two different guys. Her income goes up as she brings in some big-ticket FTA's. It's an adventure without too many dark places, with plenty of sexy scenes!

Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Long Fall
By: Walter Mosley

This detective story is well written and very engaging. I especially liked the main character. The mystery was interesting, but so was the character. I would highly recommend it.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Wednesday Letters
By: Jason Wright

Nice story about forgiveness, done in the same emotional vein as The Notebook. It wandered at times but ended with some twists.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: A Graphic Novel
By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald's funny fable of a man born old and grows young is a creative fit for the graphic novel format. Kevin Cornell's sepia watercolors accentuate and enlarge the tale. An afterward gives a wonderful description about the story's origins and history. I'm curious how to see if the movie does it such justice.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Hoot
By: Carl Hiaasen

A young adult novel worth reading. Sweet and innocent with an environmental theme. Wonderful Florida imagery.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Prodigal Summer
By: Barbara Kingsolver

Wonderful book for summer - a fresh look at our relationship with nature, and community.

Monday, July 20, 2009
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
By: John Boyne

This was an amazing book about the Holocaust through the eyes of a young boy. Definitely a tear jerker.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Company of Liars
By: Karen Maitland

An engaging story, very accurate historical fiction. Each one of the Chaucerian characters travels through plague-ridden England carrying a dark secret. A great read for mystery lovers, too. Not for the feint of heart.

Monday, July 20, 2009
The Sweet In-Between
By: Sheri Reynolds

This book was so engaging and tender; it's from the point of view of a somewhat "gender confused" teen girl who is affected by an act of violence next door. What was so compelling to me was how soulful, ethical, and intelligent she remained despite all she'd experienced. As in A Gracious Plenty, Reynolds is a master writer and storyteller.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Dragon's Lair
By: Sharon Kay Penman

Continuing the Medieval Mystery series, Eleanor of Aquitaine's trusted man tracks down stolen ransom intended to secure the release of Richard the Lionheart.

With much intrigue at Court and Eleanor's youngest son, John, at the center, we travel to Wales and back again as the twisted plot unravels.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Headlong
By: Michael Frayn

This book was supposed to be a comedy. It did have funny moments, but it was much too long. I didn't find the main character very appealing or sympathetic.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Breathless in Bombay
By: Murzban Shroff

Murzban F. Shroff is bringing through a vibrant collection of 14 stories, all happening in Bombay. It goes from a laundrywalla's water shortage problems to the doomed love affair of a schizophrenic painter and his Bollywood girlfriend to the heartwarming relationship of a carriage driver and his beloved horse.

Through these stories, you can truly feel Shroff's love for his hometown. The book takes the reader on an unforgettable emotional journey.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Midnighters
By: Scott Westerfeld

This book had promise but did not deliver. The characters were interesting, all very different but the story line was underdeveloped. I wanted the mystery to unfold faster, and the action seemed repetitive. I just couldn't continue on to the next book of the series.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
And After That, the Dark
By: Charlotte Hughes

I loved this book. It was a quick read but the mystery was craftily done. I thought the suspects were well setup. I had to wait until the end to be certain of the murderer. The characters were likable and I think the author could make a series about them.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Glass Houses
By: Rachel Caine

Morganville Vampires Book 1

Great first book, the characters are appealing right away. Michael is a strong character full of mystery. We learn his secret in this book and are drawn into the strangeness of the town. Claire is bullied but shows strength that is unexpected for a young girl.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Dead Girls' Dance
By: Rachel Caine

Morganville Vampires Book 2

This book really focuses on Shane and why he seems unmotivated. His character grows once we meet his father. The appearance of Sam helps explain Amelie's problems and why the town is kept so isolated. We learn more about Amelie's reasons for her harsh punishments. Nice setup for the 3rd book.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Midnight Alley
By: Rachel Caine

Morganville Vampires Book 3

Great 3rd book in the series. I really liked the "spider" character. I think his vulnerability and mad scientist touch was perfect. The story unfolded nicely and all of the characters have grown since the 1st book.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Heart and Soul
By: Maeve Binchy

I loved this book. Great characterizations - loved the mother/daughter issues, eldercare, and relationships. She really hits all of life's joys, sorrows, and challenges, and yet stays upbeat.

Monday, July 13, 2009
The Beach
By: Alex Garland

The great thing about a novel is that it can carry you to another place and time without having to board the plane. The Beach succeeds in taking the reader away. Oh to be 20 or so again with strength beyond one's self. Great read for beach travel. Character development captures complexity well. Suspenseful and quirky.

Monday, July 13, 2009
A Dance Through Time
By: Lynn Kurland

Could be called science fiction since characters go to the past - return to present - go back - return in good fun.

Monday, July 13, 2009
All Night Long
By: Jayne Ann Krantz

Less than one star.

Not worth the paper it's printed on.

Friday, July 10, 2009
The Brothers K
By: David James Duncan

The Brothers K is a 640 page epic covering about 25 years in the life of a very dysfunctional, very interesting family living in Washington state in the 60s and 70s. The mom is a very strict Christian, the dad worships the holy trinity of baseball, cigarettes, and beer, the six kids are a crazy mixture. Duncan writes in an almost 'tall tale' style of exaggeration, yet I still wound up very interested in the fate of his troubled, quirky characters. The River Why is a shorter, easier introduction to this fine writer.

Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Queen's Man
By: Sharon Kay Penman

In this medieval mystery, our young hero is called upon to solve a murder for Eleanor of Aquitaine. There is great intrigue within the Queen's own household as her son John hopes to usurp the crown.

The story is exciting and historically based in the late 1100s; the characters and conditions of the time are well described.

Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Known World
By: Edward P. Jones

A beautiful novel, with the same emotional depth and intensity as Toni Morrison's Beloved, but written in a more straightforward fashion. A compelling and enriching read.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Lightning Thief
By: Rick Riordan

The most fun I've had learning Greek mythology. A delightful premise (hero/half-blood), a reasonable mystery, and vivid contemporary characters. The only reason I don't give the book 5 stars is the sub-theme of killing your opponents to solve the problem. If indeed the Greeks and Greek gods had that approach, then the book is historically accurate and Bravo! I wouldn't mind an aside explanation of that, so current readers don't internalize an inappropriate message.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Rogue of My Own
By: Johanna Lindsey

Tacky story - no respect for people.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Birds of a Feather
By: Jacqueline Winspear

This is a good, easy read. It's the 2nd book in the Maisie Dobbs series and I hope there are a lot more. English female investigator set post-WWI. It keeps you guessing and gives historical references. Check it out, you'll enjoy it.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Dark of the Moon
By: John Sanford

This was a fun summer mystery. Fast read - enjoyed it.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Worst Thing I've Done
By: Ursula Hegi

This is one of the few books I've read that I would not recommend. Depressing, dysfunctional, and no redeeming values.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Shadow Music
By: Julie Garwood

A fun story - highland justice.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Letters
By: Luanne Rice

This was a good summer read. There was sadness, grief, beauty, and redemption. The characters were very believable.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Heart and Soul
By: Maeve Binchy

Delightful. Hard to put down.

Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
By: Ann Packer

Great tale of moral and character development.

Monday, June 29, 2009
The Birth of Venus
By: Sarah Dunant

The author explores politics, religion and the sexual lives of medieval Florence.

While the plague and invasions by the French affect the scene, this historical novel offers a view of the trade, mores and artistic development of the times.

Monday, June 29, 2009
Coastliners
By: Joanne Harris

Convoluted plot - good if you like pettiness, greed, superstition.

Monday, June 29, 2009
Secrets of a Proper Lady
By: Victoria Alexander

A romance that was funny. Not the most intellectually challenging, but fun.

Monday, June 29, 2009
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
By: Jamie Ford

This is an interesting tale that switches back and forth between WWII and present. It tells the story of a 13 year-old Chinese boy whose Japanese girlfriend is caught up the relocation in WWII.

Monday, June 29, 2009
The Perfect Poison
By: Amanda Quick

Light romance with a plot. Misconceptions can take us in the wrong direction. Challenges can help us rethink.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Help
By: Kathryn Stockett

The South in the 1960s was not necessarily a time or story I would have thought a page turner. I could not put this book down. The courage of the three women is so inspiring. How easy it was for some to accept the disparity and the contrast of the silent struggles that coexisted within the historical drama of the civil rights movement.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Run for Your Life
By: James Patterson

I prefer the Alex Cross series, but this was a good change of pace. Bennett and the kids are too good to be true and the man has more energy than three people with barely any sleep. The killer is a creep with no redeeming characteristics who finally gets his just rewards.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Long Fall
By: Walter Mosley

Great new character. You thought you loved his Easy Rawlings protagonist but you'll be head over heels in love with LT who is more of a regular guy. I really like the paternal connections with his children and the redemption theme of this character. Look forward to more tales of LT in NYC.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
By: J.K. Rowling

I've read all the Harry Potter novels many times now and they still captivate me. The plot and subplots are complex, and there is foreshadowing in vol. 1 that's resolved in vol. 6 or 7. The characterization is full and delightful, with the characters evolving in believable and satisfying ways. The books are masterpieces.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Chosen: A House of Night Novel
By: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Excellent book and series. Much better writing than the Twilight series, though it's hard to beat Twilight's struggle of vampires and werewolves. The characters in Chosen are well-rounded, fully drawn, and believable. The struggles are gut-wrenching. Way too much fun. Plan to stay up late finishing it.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Exit Music
By: Ian Rankin

The best Rebus mystery yet (Rankin implies it may be final)! Complex, witty & definitely not a stereotypical ending. Rankin is a wonderful purveyor of contemporary Scots social and political life, as well as a very literate music buff who always weaves musical themes and metaphors into his novels.

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Language of Bees
By: Laurie R. King

The latest in the Holmes/Russell mystery series is the most masterful yet from Laurie R. King! This one follows up on Conan Doyle's story of Holmes and Irene Adler, but also touches on beekeeping, WWII, religious cults -- great reading, wonderful suspense and detail!

Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
By: Annie Barrows& Mary Ann Shaffer

Wonderful book! Historical novel in the form of fictional letters written just after WWII about the Nazi Occupation of the Island of Guernsey and how the citizens of Guernsey experienced the War. The love of reading is a thread throughout the book that empowers each character to transcend their horrifying experiences. Highly recommended!

Monday, June 22, 2009
The Miracle at Speedy Motors
By: Alexander McCall Smith

If you like the #1 Ladies Detective series, you will like this book. If you haven't tried the series you should. Mme Ramotswe is a practical, down to earth detective who solves cases with common sense and her favorite book "Principles of Detection."

Monday, June 22, 2009
Signal - Close Action!
By: Alexander Kent

This series of sea novels follows the naval career of Richard Bolitho, a fictional character in British naval history. The books feature details of the difficult life at sea, discipline and hardships of the common seaman and also exciting battles and adventure. It reminded me of the Horatio Hornblower series, but I liked this one a bit more. It was interesting to see the American Revolution from the British side.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Middlesex
By: Jeffrey Eugenides

Middlesex is a book that was very engaging. It was hard to put this book down as each new chapter brought more truth to this story of three generations of the Greek-American Stephanides family.

I knew the story was about a hermaphrodite but I wasn't expecting such a detailed, intelligent, and moving saga that started in Greece and ended in America. I discovered, through this book, a wonderful author and can't wait to read more from Jeffrey Eugenides.

Monday, June 22, 2009
I Don't Know How She Does It
By: Allison Pearson

This book reflects the busy life of most working moms out there. Although the story takes place in England, it reveals the same struggles that modern women face in this century: finding a perfect balance to juggle work, kids, personal life, and of course, the husband. The author uses a witty sense of humor to tell us the story of Kate Reddy, a hedge fund manager and mother of two.

While the story was entertaining, the ending was almost predictable.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Cold Service
By: Robert B. Parker

As the title implies: "Revenge is a dish best served cold."

Following his recovery, Hawk determines to avenge his near-death experience at the hands of hired killers.

We are introduced to a host of characters while Hawk and Spencer track down the culprits.

As always, Parker treats us to snappy dialogue and psychological pondering in this polished mystery thriller.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Angels and Demons
By: Dan Brown

Very suspenseful and secretive. It makes you wonder...

Monday, June 22, 2009
The Maytrees
By: Annie Dillard

4 1/2 stars.

Beautifully written, evocative novel about life, love, and death.

Novel is set in Provincetown on Cape Cod, and follows a couple, the Maytrees, from their meeting after WWII throughout their somewhat bohemian life.

Essentially a love story; there is also an accident and a betrayal that keeps the action moving; all the while asking the question, "why are we here?"

Monday, June 22, 2009
The White Tiger
By: Aravind Adiga

Winner of the 2008 Man Booker Prize.

Darkly comic, debut novel set in India. Original story about a chauffeur who writes a series of letters to the Premier of China, in anticipation of the leader's upcoming visit to India. He tells the Premier how he went from an honest, hard working boy, who grew up in darkness (no education or electricity) to a killer.

This book gives the reader an insight to how most of the people live in India and it is pretty unsettling.

Monday, June 22, 2009
The Gathering
By: Anne Enright

Winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2007, this is a novel about the Hegarty Clan; 12 people with the middle child Veronica as the narrator.

The plot is driven by funeral arrangements for the family's black sheep, Liam, who has committed suicide, in England, and Veronica has been selected to bring his remains back to Ireland.

Tender, eloquent, lovely writing (for the most part) with themes of shame, secrecy, madness, "the drink," sex, and death.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Predator
By: Patricia Cornwell

Good read if you enjoy shows like CSI. Can be very violent with some harsh language. Interesting crime novel.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
How to be Good
By: Nick Hornby

Depressing! Don't read this book unless you enjoy listening to someone who is very negative and full of self pity.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
Flight
By: Sherman Alexie

This work is "fiction for young adults" and is suitable for adults of all ages. Alexie's deep understanding of human history is apparent in this novel as in all his works.

In this surreal story, we experience time travel, body shifting, and mass murder contemplation; and ultimately redemption.

This is a disturbing and awareness-inducing work of fiction.

Monday, June 15, 2009
Night and Day
By: Robert B. Parker

Chief Jesse Stone and his tight-knit crew solve a combination of heartrending crimes. The reporter is delightful as our characters strive to find answers to personal as well as legal dilemmas.

Matters get tense as a criminal threatens to escalate his activities; will our team catch up to him in time? An exciting, and fun, mystery.

Monday, June 15, 2009
Road Dogs
By: Elmore Leonard

This latest from Elmore Leonard is up to his usual standard of excellence. It is great fun mingling with some of the usual suspects in their ridiculous plot twists.

This one is ideal for a movie directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
By: Ann Packer

This is a book about love and friendship, and about honesty and living. Fresh out of college, Carrie is considering breaking up with her high school sweetheart when he suffers a serious diving accident that leaves him paralyzed. She is then faced with staying with him and doing the "right thing" in the eyes of her family and friends, or breaking up with him and finding a life of her own. The importance of geographically distancing oneself to make a life-altering decision is emphasized here, and Carrie moves to New York as she tries to find her way in life. Ultimately, her decision could be controversial or the natural thing for her to do, depending on your idea of happily ever after. This is a great book for discussion.