The book in the title is a centuries old Jewish prayer book that has survived the Inquisition, Nazi occupation and a ton of conflict in between. Now it’s threatened again. Smart and creative, People of the Book is a very satisfying read. Continue reading
Category Archives: Fiction
Book Review: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Pachinko follows four generations of a Korean family as they fight poverty and prejudice in Japan. Although there were some good qualities, this National Book Award finalist just didn’t work for me. Continue reading
Book Review: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
At a very simplistic level, Lonesome Dove is the story of four former, ageing Texas Rangers who undergo a cattle drive from southern Texas to unsettled Montana in the latter half of the 1800s.
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Book Review: Faithful Place by Tana French
Faithful Place is the third installment in Tana French’s highly popular Dublin Murder Squad series. Rich atmosphere, complex characters, and great writing make this a very satisfying mystery. I read it is part of the 12 Months of Reading Goodness challenge. (March’s challenge was to read a book by an Irish author.) Continue reading
Book Review: Bring Me Back by B. A. Paris
Bring Me Back is a suspense novel that just doesn’t quite work. Despite some moments of decent suspense, the ending reveals a premise that makes little sense. I just couldn’t buy what the author is selling with this one. Continue reading
Book Review: The Demon Crown by James Rollins
The Demon Crown is the 13th book in James Rollins’ Sigma Force Series. It has all the elements I look for in a James Rollins novel – nonstop action, science-based threats, characters who are both smart and badass and who always save the world from a horrible fate, great locations, and a dash of romance and the supernatural. All of these qualities hit my sweet spot when I’m in the mood for an action thriller and make for an enjoyable read. Continue reading
Book Review: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
This charming little book (more of a novella, really) was published in 2006 and caught my eye because the writer recently wrote a sequel. The Five People You Meet in Heaven tells the story of Eddie, an 83-year-old amusement park worker, and his experience in heaven after he is killed in a freak accident. Continue reading
Book Review: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
The author of Peace Like a River showcases his supreme storytelling skills in Virgil Wander, a novel about how a small town and its citizens try to stay relevant in the face of changing times. Continue reading
Book Review: Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
In Ghosted, thirty something Sarah Mackie is on vacation in her native England when she meets Eddie David. They have a passionate seven day affair that concludes with talk of love and being together permanently. But then Sarah never hears from Eddie. He ghosts her. And then Sarah proceeds to behave like a complete lunatic. Continue reading
Book Review: The Secret of Santa Vittoria by Robert Crichton
The Secret of Santa Vittoria takes place in a small village in the mountains of Italy during WWII. It is a brilliant commentary about human nature, relying on deadpan and sometimes dark humor to cover topics like love, honor, power, community dynamics and prejudices. Robert Crichton cleverly weaves a parable that pits Italian peasants against German soldiers in a cat and mouse game involving the wine that serves as the lifeblood of the little village. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 