Lord, I read this book almost twenty years ago (10/1/2001)! All I noted at the time was that I considered it a very good story about a Mexican illegalLord, I read this book almost twenty years ago (10/1/2001)! All I noted at the time was that I considered it a very good story about a Mexican illegal, and a well-off California nature columnist who hits him with his car. I rated it 9 out of 10 stars....more
Read this almost sixteen years ago. My reaction: what a book! It draws you in, narrated by an intelligent young cowboy. A band of men heads out to looRead this almost sixteen years ago. My reaction: what a book! It draws you in, narrated by an intelligent young cowboy. A band of men heads out to look for rustlers and murderers, but they don’t intend to bring them back for trial. No heroes. Gave it a nine out of ten rating....more
I enjoyed this book very much. I found the author’s style to be very readable. I was impressed with the quality of the discussions about the various bI enjoyed this book very much. I found the author’s style to be very readable. I was impressed with the quality of the discussions about the various books by the prisoners, often more astute than my own book group’s. The inmates stories were interesting, as were the accounts of Carol, the book clubs’ driving force, and of Anne, our author. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I did not find the book self-serving or dull. I looked forward to picking it up, and was very sorry to miss our book group’s discussion of it because of a vacation. I would actually rate it a 4.5....more
I read this so long ago that I can no longer remember it well. I didn’t give it a rating at the time in my book journal. What I did write was that I’mI read this so long ago that I can no longer remember it well. I didn’t give it a rating at the time in my book journal. What I did write was that I’m “not sure what my reaction to the book is. Guess I liked it, but the main character was annoying at times. About an under-appreciated woman wondering about her life choices.” I should have thought about it again after a few days and been more specific about my feelings....more
I read this for my book group discussion and liked it a lot. Very interesting story. History wasn’t a favorite when I was in school long ago, and I doI read this for my book group discussion and liked it a lot. Very interesting story. History wasn’t a favorite when I was in school long ago, and I don’t remember very much about Alexander Hamilton other than the duel. But this book was pretty enlightening about the times....more
Excellent! A writer goes to a juvenile detention center two times a week to run a writing class. It gives these kids, mostly murderers, mostly minoritExcellent! A writer goes to a juvenile detention center two times a week to run a writing class. It gives these kids, mostly murderers, mostly minorities, a chance to be listened to. Very well written, not judgmental....more
I do enjoy this series very much. The author creates an atmosphere that is so civilized, so old-fashioned, never to be seen again. The regular charactI do enjoy this series very much. The author creates an atmosphere that is so civilized, so old-fashioned, never to be seen again. The regular characters are like old friends that you like to visit. And the plots are plausible but not simplistic. Always interesting stories....more
This was an interesting story, but I think my problem with it was in the telling. Some reviews here describe it as “gripping”, but it was not grippingThis was an interesting story, but I think my problem with it was in the telling. Some reviews here describe it as “gripping”, but it was not gripping for me. From the time I started it, I also read two other books, which is highly unusual for me, but I did want to finish it. It just didn’t enthrall me....more
Interesting story involving an “ideal” family in progressive Shaker Heights, Ohio, and an itinerant mother-daughter combo who arrive in town and rent Interesting story involving an “ideal” family in progressive Shaker Heights, Ohio, and an itinerant mother-daughter combo who arrive in town and rent a house from Mrs. Richardson, whose children become involved with the newcomers. The unconventional artist Mia becomes the object of a crush by the youngest Richardson child, fourteen-year-old Izzy, whose mother has always resented her in a way, because she wasn’t an easy child. Mia and Mrs. R. were on opposite sides in a local custody battle, so Mrs. R., a reporter, investigated Mia’s background and opened up a can of worms. She made assumptions without knowing all the facts, and her actions set off quite a chain of events....more
**spoiler alert** This was quite a book! Very well-written. I started out reading only a chapter or two at a time. What went on in her family was hard**spoiler alert** This was quite a book! Very well-written. I started out reading only a chapter or two at a time. What went on in her family was hard to take at times. It was a wonder that they all survived! It was obviously very hard for Tara to eventually break away from her family. Thankfully she did receive support from some relatives, but most disappointing to me was her mother’s behavior—she did not protect her daughters from Shawn, and she lied. (Of course, she also had that terrible brain injury.) l’m glad that Tara was able to build a life for herself away from her toxic father, and sad that she had to lose so much in doing so. I rated it a 4.5; can’t quite give it a 5....more
This was a well-done story about one family of five siblings who were taken from their home on a river shantyboat while their father took their motherThis was a well-done story about one family of five siblings who were taken from their home on a river shantyboat while their father took their mother to the hospital for a difficult childbirth. Unfortunately, the Tennessee Children’s Home Society actually existed, and was the instrument behind many children’s separation from their parents. The story is told in chapters mostly narrated by twelve-year-old Rill, the oldest of the children, at the time it happened, and Avery Stafford, a present-day lawyer and senator’s daughter, who feels compelled to learn more about her grandmother’s past when she comes upon some mysterious papers. The book held my attention and featured many interesting characters....more
I loved this book. Several days after finishing it, I still think fondly of Eleanor, Raymond, Sammy, and other characters. Her metamorphosis was fun tI loved this book. Several days after finishing it, I still think fondly of Eleanor, Raymond, Sammy, and other characters. Her metamorphosis was fun to follow, and although she would be surprised to hear it, Eleanor was very lovable.
Lovely book! Many memorable characters and quotations to remember. Ove and Sonja’s love was so perfect for them. And Ove’s new neighbors were just whaLovely book! Many memorable characters and quotations to remember. Ove and Sonja’s love was so perfect for them. And Ove’s new neighbors were just what he needed. Not a fast-paced action adventure, but a sweet story that touches your heart. Almost five stars....more
I just could not get through this book. I liked Love in the Time of Cholera, but this novel defeated me. Life is too short, and I am too old and have I just could not get through this book. I liked Love in the Time of Cholera, but this novel defeated me. Life is too short, and I am too old and have too many other books awaiting me. Our book group discussion was notable in that virtually no one had completely finished it, but we did have things to talk about: there are many kinds of solitude, history repeats itself, etc.
(I am only marking it as “read” because it is the only way I could figure out to get it off my currently reading list without erasing it from my shelf completely.)...more
There is some important information in this book, but I am afraid I did not think it was well-written. The author visited our book group meeting, and There is some important information in this book, but I am afraid I did not think it was well-written. The author visited our book group meeting, and is quite knowledgeable on the subject of human trafficking....more
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