Book Reviews

Miss Julia is a middle aged southern lady with the highest expectations and values for herself and others. Her views are conservative and her experience is limited. She gets into hilarious predicaments. This novel is a quick read and quite funny.

Rating: 4

Reviewed by Rinda

River God is a gripping novel set in ancient Egypt. Mr. Smith studies cultures and has written a novel that drags you into the world of Pharaoes and sand.  I couldn't put it down as it told the story of a servant whose dedication to his Queen was more important to him than his freedom.  I loved it!

Rating: 5

Submitted by: Jaimie C.

An extraordinary novel. Classed as scifi, but much more. A vision of future Thailand, where there are elements of genetic manipulation of animals and plants in a precarious society. A realistic and thoughtful extrapolation of worrisome current trends energizes the story. It could easily be compared with the rich vision of William Gibson.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

A science fiction classic, winner of Nebula and Hugo awards. The author, a Vietnam vet, had trouble getting it published right after the war in 1975. The themes are timeless, as is war itself. The writing is as fresh and timely as today's headlines.

Readers who like Heinlein and John Scalzi will enjoy.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

The debut novel of a major talent. This is exciting science fiction with well written themes of conflict, love, and redemption. The characters are solid with real life problems and courage. Highly recommended for those who enjoy speculative fiction.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

Four men risk everything in a daring escape from Russian Alaska down the coast to Astoria. Based on true events. The author lets us feel the time and place vividly. The language seems fitting to the time and place. In that way it could be compared with Cold Mountain by Frazier.

An adventure story for adults, highly recommended

Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

Intrigued by the synopsis, I had rather high expectations for this book. The result was a bland, highly predictable, and unoriginal work. The writing was, to say the least, uninspiring and vapid. A major disappointment that will keep me from picking up another Shreve novel.

Rating: 1

Reviewed by Jen S.

Genius. Her writing is perfection. Nemirovsky pulls the reader in and does not let go. Though an unfinished masterpiece, the work is intense, exquisite, unforgiving, doleful, inspiring. An examination of the human condition set against the humiliating catastrophe of the invasion and occupation of France, Nemirovsky was an eye-witness and chronicler. She weaves a string of unlikely characters and their tribulations through the bedlam of war. A work of profound significance.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by Jen S.

Peter Ackroyd tears down myth and conjecture and presents the reader with an 'as accurate' account as possible of E.A. Poe's brief life, a literary figure who's chaotic life was as mysterious as his writings.

Though short in length, it is as intense, unforgiving, and analytical as any biography can be.

This book is a good read for anyone interested in Poe's private life, his works, and the psyche of a man misunderstood in his time.

Rating: 4

Reviewed by Jen S.

Entertaining, it gives the reader backdoor insight into the pretentious, vainglorious, and factitious life of the upper-echelon societal set of Park Avenue, as seen through the eyes of an average college student struggling to balance school, work, and private life, all while toiling away away in the thankless role of Manhattan nanny. A good 'beach book,' it is a distracting and satisfying read.

Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Jen S.

The book is a good read. Mr. Winget does not sugar-coat anything.

He held my attention from cover to cover.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by Leslie C.

This is a magnificent book. It describes the failure of our schools, unintentionally accelerated by the No Child Left Behind legislation. Every voter, not just parents and teachers, should read this clear, well-written, easily-understood review of the last 30 years of decline in the education of our children. The decline will continue unless we understand the causes Ms. Ravitch enumerates. I was reminded of another great book, Rachel Carson's The Silent Spring. We must be greatful to Ms. Ravitch. Tell everyone you know about this book. Give it as a gift to your friends.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Steve S.

This is part of a mystery series set in ancient Japan which features Akitada Sugawara, a lower government official turned detective.  The characters are fascinating and richly drawn and the exotic historic background makes for an exciting read. Fans of Laura Joh Rowland and Robert Van Gulik are especially encouraged to give this series a try.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Laura M.