Reviewed by Diana Patterson
* * * *
Mma Precious Ramotswe is up to her old tricks in Botswana at the No. 1 Ladies Dectective Agency. In this books she is hired by a woman to find her true origins. Mma Makutsi, her assistant, is busy putting up people's backs and getting into difficulties of her own making, with her husband to be. Mr. J.L.B. Makekoni is sure that he has met a doctor who will be able to help their foster daughter walk again. The book is filled with simple logic and promotes the fact that it is always better to tell the truth. All the same characters that make this such a delightful series are back again.
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Man Who Smiled by Henning Mankell
Reviewed by Diana Patterson
* * * * *
After finally deciding to quit the police force, Kurt Wallander, to the surprise of his colleagues, returns from medical leave. His change of heart is brought about, when an old friend, who had asked him to investigate the death of his father, is murdered. He finds himself involved in an international conspiracy led by a sinister, shadowy figure. As always, Kurt Wallander goes against the rules to solve the case.
* * * * *
After finally deciding to quit the police force, Kurt Wallander, to the surprise of his colleagues, returns from medical leave. His change of heart is brought about, when an old friend, who had asked him to investigate the death of his father, is murdered. He finds himself involved in an international conspiracy led by a sinister, shadowy figure. As always, Kurt Wallander goes against the rules to solve the case.
Special Edward by Eric Walters
Reviewed by Dawn Koziarz
* * * *
Special Edward by Eric Walters features Fast Eddie, a tenth grader who was happy with just passing his classes. Now he finds he needs to work hard at maintaining his just passing average. Eddie thinks having himself designated as a “Special Education student” will solve all his problems. In his attempt to get into Special Education he learns something people with disabilities and something about himself.
* * * *
Special Edward by Eric Walters features Fast Eddie, a tenth grader who was happy with just passing his classes. Now he finds he needs to work hard at maintaining his just passing average. Eddie thinks having himself designated as a “Special Education student” will solve all his problems. In his attempt to get into Special Education he learns something people with disabilities and something about himself.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Reviewed by Mary Cascone
* * * * *
An amazing end to the battle between Harry and Voldemort. I read this book when it first came out, but probably read it so quickly, I hadn't really remembered much of it. Reading it again was FANTASTIC! I am glad that I re-read the book before seeing the last movie.
* * * * *
An amazing end to the battle between Harry and Voldemort. I read this book when it first came out, but probably read it so quickly, I hadn't really remembered much of it. Reading it again was FANTASTIC! I am glad that I re-read the book before seeing the last movie.
At Home With The Queen by Brian Hoey
Reviewed by Mary Cascone
* * * *
This was a very interesting look at how Buckingham Palace operates - from state banquets to garden parties to a place where hundreds of people live.
* * * *
This was a very interesting look at how Buckingham Palace operates - from state banquets to garden parties to a place where hundreds of people live.
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
Reviewed by Edna Lewis
* *
Rose goes through life feeling people's emotions through their food. It seems as she was a person who did not eat to be happy. I found the book to to be extremely hard to follow and a little boring. And it was a sad, depressing story which never seem to evolve.
* *
Rose goes through life feeling people's emotions through their food. It seems as she was a person who did not eat to be happy. I found the book to to be extremely hard to follow and a little boring. And it was a sad, depressing story which never seem to evolve.
The Progency of Misinterpretations by Leon Allen Bryan
Reviewed by Edna Lewis
* * * *
This book begins with a biographical sketch of a southern family. I realized that this simple story begin to unfold a with a suspense in every chapter once the leading character Terri seemed to speak directly to me as I read. I would suggest this book to someone who could stand dry humor along with suspense.
* * * *
This book begins with a biographical sketch of a southern family. I realized that this simple story begin to unfold a with a suspense in every chapter once the leading character Terri seemed to speak directly to me as I read. I would suggest this book to someone who could stand dry humor along with suspense.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Conquistadora by Esmeralda Santiago
Reviewed by Ann Pisarello
* * * *
This is a facinating book about the land owners in Puerto Rico during the 1800s. It is a part of history we did not learn in school, and actually reminded me alot of the plantations in the south before the civil war. Living conditions were hard,and the owners struggled with the climate, disease and geography. Slavery was seen as a necessary evil. and it was unbelievable how people of wealth could close their eye to the sufferings of another group of people because they needed workers for the 'Land'. This book was a very good read.
* * * *
This is a facinating book about the land owners in Puerto Rico during the 1800s. It is a part of history we did not learn in school, and actually reminded me alot of the plantations in the south before the civil war. Living conditions were hard,and the owners struggled with the climate, disease and geography. Slavery was seen as a necessary evil. and it was unbelievable how people of wealth could close their eye to the sufferings of another group of people because they needed workers for the 'Land'. This book was a very good read.
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith
Reviewed by Diana Patterson
* * * * *
Another in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Novels. Precious Ramotswe is once again engaged in solving a mystery while helping those around her solve some of life's mysteries, including the reappearance of her beloved "little white van". Grace Makutsi, Associate Detective, is about to get married and finds herself in a pickle once again over beautiful shoes. These novels, about ordinary citizens of Botswana, are always charming and filled with simple wisdom. Best of all they come to a satisfactory ending leaving the reader anticipating further adventures of Mma Ramotswe.
* * * * *
Another in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Novels. Precious Ramotswe is once again engaged in solving a mystery while helping those around her solve some of life's mysteries, including the reappearance of her beloved "little white van". Grace Makutsi, Associate Detective, is about to get married and finds herself in a pickle once again over beautiful shoes. These novels, about ordinary citizens of Botswana, are always charming and filled with simple wisdom. Best of all they come to a satisfactory ending leaving the reader anticipating further adventures of Mma Ramotswe.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Pyramid: And Four Other Kurt Wallender Mysteries by Henning Mankell
Reviewed by Diana Patterson
* * * * *
The book is comprised of short stories dealing with "what went before" in the life of Kurt Wallender. Each story is set at a different time in Wallender's career in the Swedish police, beginning when he was a patrolman and stumbled upon his first murder investigation. Each story is gripping with a good plot and gives some insight into his personal life. Anyone who likes the Wallender series will certainly enjoy this book.
* * * * *
The book is comprised of short stories dealing with "what went before" in the life of Kurt Wallender. Each story is set at a different time in Wallender's career in the Swedish police, beginning when he was a patrolman and stumbled upon his first murder investigation. Each story is gripping with a good plot and gives some insight into his personal life. Anyone who likes the Wallender series will certainly enjoy this book.
Breaking Trail by Peggy Lynn & Sandra Weber
Reviewed by Ann Pisarello
* * * *
This book is divided into 22 chapters each about a different woman from the Adirondacks. Some were business women, some were leaders in the arts and still others were in the forefront of the suffrage movement. I particularly enjoyed it because I spend a lot of time in this area of NY during the summer, and the mountains and towns that are talked about are all familiar to me. In fact, the next time I am in Lake Placid I am going to visit some of the land marks mentioned in this book. Most of these stories were new to me, and I found them very interesting.
* * * *
This book is divided into 22 chapters each about a different woman from the Adirondacks. Some were business women, some were leaders in the arts and still others were in the forefront of the suffrage movement. I particularly enjoyed it because I spend a lot of time in this area of NY during the summer, and the mountains and towns that are talked about are all familiar to me. In fact, the next time I am in Lake Placid I am going to visit some of the land marks mentioned in this book. Most of these stories were new to me, and I found them very interesting.
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Reviewed by Diana Patterson
* * *
This is a sad story that begins with two sisters in Shanghai, who have everything, lost it and found themselves in a traditional Chinese family in Los Angeles in arranged marriages. It's a story that deal with discrimination against the Chinese in this country. The family is built upon lies and deceit and ends in tragedy. The end was very disappointing and leads one to believe that there is a sequel out there somewhere. Whether or not it will be worth finding is questionable.
* * *
This is a sad story that begins with two sisters in Shanghai, who have everything, lost it and found themselves in a traditional Chinese family in Los Angeles in arranged marriages. It's a story that deal with discrimination against the Chinese in this country. The family is built upon lies and deceit and ends in tragedy. The end was very disappointing and leads one to believe that there is a sequel out there somewhere. Whether or not it will be worth finding is questionable.
Between the Tides by Patti Callahan Henry
Reviewed by Despina Xystris-Bernard
* * * *
Revisiting the past sometimes is not easy; for Catherine Leary, it's especially difficult, as something happened when she was 12 which changed her, her family, her friends and the whole town so much so, that her family had to move away. Well written with many thought-provoking scenarios.
* * * *
Revisiting the past sometimes is not easy; for Catherine Leary, it's especially difficult, as something happened when she was 12 which changed her, her family, her friends and the whole town so much so, that her family had to move away. Well written with many thought-provoking scenarios.
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
Reviewed by Lisa Smaldon
* * * *
This book is a biography/ comedy book about the comedian Tina Fay. I was surprised by how much I liked it since I normally don't read biographies. There were many moments when i laughed out loud while reading it. It is a quick, easy read, and enjoyable.
* * * *
This book is a biography/ comedy book about the comedian Tina Fay. I was surprised by how much I liked it since I normally don't read biographies. There were many moments when i laughed out loud while reading it. It is a quick, easy read, and enjoyable.
The Return of the Dancing Master by Henning Mankell
Reviewed by Diana Patterson
* * * * *
Very suspenful story set in Sweden. The main character a detective, who has just been diagnosed with tongue cancer, sees that his old mentor has been brutally murdered in a remote area of Sweden. He decides to travel there to try to understand what happened and uncovers secrets that have been kept for over 50 years. It's definitely a book that you will not want to put down and will be sorry to see end.
* * * * *
Very suspenful story set in Sweden. The main character a detective, who has just been diagnosed with tongue cancer, sees that his old mentor has been brutally murdered in a remote area of Sweden. He decides to travel there to try to understand what happened and uncovers secrets that have been kept for over 50 years. It's definitely a book that you will not want to put down and will be sorry to see end.
Congo by Michael Crichton
Reviewed by Gloria Gonzalez
* * * *
It was very interesting seeing how Amy the gorilla communicate with other wild gorillas. And how she was such great help to the scientists with the gorillas that were trained to kill others including humans. Very good story.
* * * *
It was very interesting seeing how Amy the gorilla communicate with other wild gorillas. And how she was such great help to the scientists with the gorillas that were trained to kill others including humans. Very good story.
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
Reviewed by Diana Patterson
* * * * *
Nesbo takes readers from the Russian front in WWII to modern day Norway and a terrorist plot. As the story unfolds a dark side of Norway's history is exposed, leaving the reader wondering who the "old man" actually is and what his motives are until the very end. It was interesting how the author skipped back and forth from the 1940's to the present. The historical part on which this story is based is not something that we hear about here in the US. The book was riveting.
* * * * *
Nesbo takes readers from the Russian front in WWII to modern day Norway and a terrorist plot. As the story unfolds a dark side of Norway's history is exposed, leaving the reader wondering who the "old man" actually is and what his motives are until the very end. It was interesting how the author skipped back and forth from the 1940's to the present. The historical part on which this story is based is not something that we hear about here in the US. The book was riveting.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Faith by Jennifer Haigh
Reviewed by Ann Pisarello
* * * *
This is the story of the fall out from accusations of child sex abuse. A Catholic priest is accused, and the story is told by his sister. The effects on the priest, his family and parish are very far reaching and sad. As in all human relations, things are much more complicated then they seem from the outside. It was a long journey to bring this family to this point. This book is very insightful interesting.
In the Heart of the Sea....Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
Reviewed by Despina Xystris-Bernard
* * * *
In an extremely vivid detail, & often perhaps too detailed, version of what Melville used as his basis for Moby Dick, the author describes the Nantucket era of whaling in the 1800's, esp. as it applied to the whaleship Essex, which was rammed and sunk by a sperm whale, stranding the crew for months.
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