Adult Summer Reading 2018: Reader Reviews

3 stars - I liked it.
Book 3 in the Jane Hawk series was not up to the previous two. Although enjoyable, it almost seemed 'old hat'. Maybe Koontz is running out of ideas. There is a 4th book in the making. Maybe he will fix it. -Alan Pressman

2 stars - It was OK.
The chapters in this book are constantly flipping around which makes the book seem disjointed. The story line is ok; the book actually gets better 3/4 of the way through. Not your normal Scottoline book!

4 stars - I really liked it.
It is WWII and Brooklyn's seedy Manhattan Beach Naval Yard is a hub of activity. Anna, whose family has not quite crawled out of the Depression, has gone to work there sorting bolts, until she convinces the right people to let her into the all male under water diving group. Under water, wearing a 200lb suit she feels free. The author weaves a compelling and atmospheric narrative, focused on the indomitable Anna, whose world is peopled with mobsters, a gang of diving misfits, a disabled sister, and her mysteriously absent father. - Liz Sayles

4 stars - I really liked it.
I listened to this book, read by the author. I enjoyed his return to previous characters. Allowed for character development. - Debra Katz

5 stars - I loved it!
Excellent book! Interesting to learn about Sri Lankan customs and taboos. - Debra Katz

2 stars. It was OK.
The characters had pretty much no personality and the plot was very predictable, mainly because nothing happened. I liked the setting though (Scotland). It was definitely a far cry from something like Outlander.
-Elise Graham

5 stars. I loved it!
This read like a cartoon network cartoon and that's a very good thing. Love it!
-Elise Graham

5 stars. I loved it!
Join Dale Brown's 'Iron Wolf Squadron' fighting the robotic soldiers of the Russians on American soil . Brad McLanahan and his CID force fight for there survival. A fast and enjoyable war techno read.
-Alan Pressman

4 stars. I really liked it.
Read in one day. Intense and hard to put down. Definitely worth a re-read.
-Elise Graham

4 stars. I really liked it
Connected Short Story Anthology featuring the wives of Henry VIII. Interesting construction and delivery.

5 stars - I loved it!
This is the first regency romance that I read. A number of poor relations band together to help each other.

5 stars - I loved it!
Amazing novel about the aftermath of a school shooting. Poignantly written, jarring observations, profound prose. Highly recommended. - Karen Benedetto

3 stars - I liked it.
I took this slim volume out from the library not knowing it was volume 2 of a series. It's a good, quick read with great art. It makes me want to check out the rest and see what unfolds. - Mark Hershberger

4 stars - I really liked it.
Not bad coming of age story about a young woman who is working as a paralegal with no real ambitions to move up the ladder in the firm she's working in but discovering she's highly valued by management, who is looking to boost her career. The drama comes from her best friend moving out to be an actress for a big TV show, leaving Frances with no one to talk to and wondering if she's fulfilled in life and what she really wants. Not a lot a stake, exactly, but good storytelling with very smart observations about human behavior. - Mark Hershberger

4 stars - I really liked it.
This is a lot of goofy-ass fun. It's an interesting mix of stories Eric Haven has done over the years. Most of them are meant to goofy off-beat parodies of comic book tropes but there are a couple of more serious, darker stories. My own personal favorite is one about a guy who accidentally kills comics artist Daniel Clowes and tries to cover it up. I look forward to any stories Haven produces in longer-form. - Mark Hershberger

This is an oddball book. The history portion of the book is interesting. In the opening the author talks about going to that part of Europe and doing original research and publishing information for the first time in English. I don't know why the author didn't choose to focus exclusively on the history. It's good stuff. The next three sections are historical examples of vampirism, werewolfism, and necrophilia. It's really disjointed. It's hard to sort out the anecdotal from the well documented. It all kind of blends together and he only really scratches the surface. His use of dated Freudian psychology to explain this strange human behavior does him no favors. The last chapter is on how literature and movies have handled these subjects. He makes so many mistakes on the movies I have to wonder if he saw any of the movies he discusses. I don't think it can't be chalked up to lack of movie availability in the early/pre-VHS days. Just super sloppy. I get the impression the only real work he did was for the historical portion. I took it out from the library based solely on the author photo on the back cover. He's got this great shock of white hair and a wonderful late-70s tuxedo. He seems like the sort of guy who was a well-known semi-celebrity on TV for a time. Overall I have to say the book as at its best during the historical parts and discussing the politics of the time and place and why Elizabeth Báthory was able to get away with what she did and why it took so long for people in charge to do anything about it. After that he's really reaching outside of his area of expertise to pull together something cohesive. More of interest as a time capsule to see how these things used to be written about back in the late 70s and early 80s, really. - Mark Hershberger

4 stars - I really liked it.
This was a great YA fantasy adventure. Kate, the daughter of a traitor and former best friend of a prince, has forbidden magic. She does her best to survive without her magic being found out, but once the prince comes back into her life, she moves back to the palace, and must decide who to trust with her secrets.

3 stars - I liked it.
A lot of stuff about being a player in the NFL. Would have been better if he actually concentrated on things that make white people uncomfortable. When he did that, it was enlightening and alarming. I wanted to like it more. - Karen Benedetto

5 stars - I loved it!
The sequel to Puppet Master is a fast paced read. Follow Lou Massina, Chelsey Goodman and Johnny Givens as they seek revenge against global terrorist Ghadab for destroying Boston. It's AI and robots against jihadists. Enjoy. - Alan Pressman

4 stars - I really liked it.
In An Unnecessary Woman, Alameddine examines life and growing old in post civil war Beirut for a now 72 year old woman, Aaliya, whose daily life inspires memories, ideas and literary references. Aaliya lives an isolated life where her primary relationship is with literature. "She fell in love with books," Alameddine says. "So this is a woman who, whether it is by choice or by circumstance, has been forced into the margins of society." The unique perspective offered by such an unconventional protagonist and the novel's strong narrative voice were gripping and thought provoking. - Adrienne Diedrich

5 stars. I loved it!
An important book. The Introduction presents Orwell as a natural Tory and something of a misanthrope — probably, in part, because of his upbringing — but he largely succeeded in overcoming most of these traits. He was a modest, hardworking, decent man, not a genius. He was consistently anti-imperialist. Hitchens parades the unfair and downright moronic quotes by leftists criticizing Orwell made by E. P. Thompson, Salman Rushdie, Edward Said, Raymond Williams, et alia; for instance, Orwell never said, in The Road to Wigan Pier, that “the working classes smell” — he said the middle class was convinced that the working classes smelled. Orwell was an English radical, a man of the Left, but one who was entirely honest and who never fell for the Stalinist line. Among right-wingers, T. S. Eliot rebuffed all friendly overtures by Orwell and his criticism of Animal Farm was inane; Hitchens demolishes Norman Podhoretz’s misquoting of Orwell in his attempt to convince readers that Orwell was on the side of neo-conservatives; Orwell was conservative about many things, but not about politics. He was very modest about what he had accomplished in his fiction. Hitchens considers Orwell’s last two novels (Animal Farm and 1984) his best. 1984 was written as Orwell was dying (he thought he had botched it) and the novel is very bleak and full of anger. Hitchens believes Orwell lived and practiced Christian values without the piety and religious beliefs. His views have been vindicated by time. Orwell does indeed matter, — now more than ever.
-Tom Nassisi

4 stars. I really liked it
This was a fun read. It's a combination of the movie 'You've Got Mail', a foodie book with fabulous dishes, including the coconut cake recipe and a guidebook to Milwaukee. The authors use of real locations and hangouts had me intrigued to check out a city that wasn't in my travel plans. Chick Lit fans should give this book a try.

4 stars. I really liked it.
So much fun! I loved the reference to the first book and all of the other pop culture references throughout. I love this series and can't wait for the next one!
-Elise Graham

5 stars. I loved it!
Eye opening discussion of whiteness and white supremacy. A must read!

4 stars. I really liked it.
An Interesting book that makes you more aware of peoples' body language.

5 stars. I loved it!
Berry has come through again. Follow Cotton Malone as he discovers what really happened in Memphis on April 4. 1968. Fifty years have passed. Berry has created a great historical novel to explain that fateful day, including the plotting of the FBI and other factions. A must read!
-Alan Pressman

3 stars. I liked it.
Very atmospheric. Long sentences that reminded me of Henry James. Mostly description; hardly any conversation at all. That aside, the book is a character study in grief. The devastation wrote by a young daughter's death is palpable. At times, it's so gut-wrenching as to be almost difficult to continue reading. Not for the faint of heart.
-Alice Kintisch

3 stars - I liked it.
Despite a rave review from a friend whose recommendations are usually pretty spot on, I did not think this book was up to the stellar recommendation. Yes, it was engaging, but somehow it did not engage me as emotionally as I would have thought it would. The story has the potential to be terrific -- The premise is interesting and timely. Muslims integrating into British society and politics is a fascinating subject. I particularly liked the section devoted to the patriarch who is Home Secretary. His machinations and political instincts were well described. But even so, taken as a whole, I would have loved to be wow'd by this one, but I wasn't. - Alice Kintisch

5 stars. I loved it!
A serious book about the effects of systemic racism and police brutality.

4 stars - I really liked it.
I have always been a fan of Shirley Jackson's writing, so when I saw this graphic novel adaptation of "The Lottery," I was intrigued. Hyman is actually the grandson of Jackson, which gives him an interesting perspective on the work. His illustrations are gorgeous, and the lack of text allows the reader to bring in their own interpretations and emotions based purely on the images. - Samantha Clowes

4 stars - I really liked it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this children's classic. Good does triumph over evil and children who are different can succeed! - Janice Dime

4 stars - I really liked it.
This historical fiction novel was well written and conveyed the deep love that Lorena Hickock and Eleanor Roosevelt had for one another. - Janice Dime

5 stars - I loved it!.
This eerie book is twisted in only the way Gillian Flynn (author of books like Gone Girl and Dark Places) knows how to convey. The incredibly complex and troubled main character Camille, a reporter, is sent back to her hometown to write about the mysterious murders of two young girls. Her stay brings up old memories of growing up in this isolated town, which allows the readers to gain an understanding of who she is as a person today and why. This book is compelling and draws readers inside to this small towns drama.

4 stars. I really liked it
Moving and well-written. This book addresses the fear a black male feels trying to simply live in our society. Important theme, but the book lost steam for me near the end.
-Alison Stone

2 1/2 stars. It was OK.
What a depressing book! I love the Ramones, but all he did was complain about the band (without interesting specifics) and talk about his substance abuse. Then, in his 40s, he married a teenager.
-Alison Stone

4 1/2 stars. I really liked it.
Powerful and honest, addressing suicide, depression, lust and being gay. These are moving, hard-hitting poems. This book made me want to read more of his work.
-Alison Stone

4 stars – I really liked it.
Well-researched and intelligent. Newman brings Plath, Bishop, and others to life in this collection that tries to make sense of what these figures meant to American poetry. - Alison Stone

5 stars. I loved it!
This book is a battle between good and evil. It reminds me of the book called "The Stand". I can not wait for the next book in the series.

4 stars. I really liked it
New Series about a family of Shadow Riders. This book explains their talent and fears. It tells the tale of the oldest son finding love. I will love to read the other books.

4 stars. I really liked it.
This is the new book in the series. Another brother finds love. There are problems and his love's brother has a fatal injury. He is in danger and so is she. Soon the whole family is in danger. It has some twists. Waiting for the next book.

3 stars. I liked it
Interesting story about intermarriage, offspring born and gender identity. Small print though. Slow read.

4 stars. I really liked it.
This really felt like a soccer au fanfiction but it’s was fun and fluffy while also dealing with some serious topics. A very enjoyable read overall.
-Elise Graham

5 stars. I loved it!
Excellent story about a family of immigrants who find their home country is the place they love.

3 stars. I liked it.
I loved the first 90% of the book, as it was told from many different characters’ perspectives and the plot was very interesting & engaging. However, the ending of the book left MUCH to be desired. The final chapters and the epilogue attempted to wrap up the story too quickly, and the ending felt out of place compared to the rest of the book. I was very disappointed as I have loved so many of Emily Giffin’s other books.

5 stars - I loved it!
Amazing story - fast read - end of the world. Thanks, Katie!

4 stars. I really liked it.
-Elise Graham

5 stars - I loved it!
Thought provoking from the beginning to the end.

4 stars - I really liked it.
A fantastic historic fiction about a young girl banished to the Hawaiian island, Moloka'i, after being diagnosed with Leprosy. She is separated from her family and everything she has ever known. Alan Brennert is a must read author, always engaging his readers with vibrant characters, spectacular locations and history lesson rich with details. Loved this book.

5 stars - I loved it!
Jack Ryan Jr. is asked by his mother, First Lady Cathy Ryan to do an errand for him on his way to Bosnia; deliver a letter to a women she treated 25 years prior. With few clues Jack is able to find this 28 year old woman who runs a Tour service. Jack gets caught up in a plot to start World War 3, while at the same time running from a Russian Mobster that has put a price on his head from a prior adventure. A great book, true to the Clancy series. - Alan Pressman

4 stars. I really liked it
This graphic novel collection of a run of 1970s Black Panther stories is well worth any long-time comic book fan’s time. Don McGregor does a good job fleshing out Black Panther’s world and giving him his first major reoccurring villain in the form of Killmonger. This is basically the basis of all that followed. It can be a little bit of a slog given its length but it’s well-worth the effort for any comic fan. It works well as a serialized story, even given the sometimes choppy and repetitive nature of serialized storytelling. McGregor manages to avoid most of the pitfalls by minimizing recaps and just plowing ahead. The only issue is the comic McGregor was publishing the story in was cancelled beforehand finished the story causing it to end on an unsatisfactory note without resolution. It’s a fun ride leading up to that though.
-Mark Hershberger

4 stars. I really liked it.
A very interesting and dark book about Vietnam vets who reunite for the dedication of the Vietnam War memorial and decide to investigate a series of murders they think might have been committed by one of their own who they thought was killed in action. Lots of twists and turns and surprising revelations. Straub must have done a lot of research into the local southeast Asian nightlife and expat and veteran communities. Well drawn and interesting characters. And as with Straub’s Ghost Story it’s very much interested in stories about storytelling.
-Mark Hershberger

1 star. I didn't like it.
It’s not that the book is so poorly written that makes it disappointing. It’s written with a technical competency while being so pedestrian and generic in its execution in spite of its obvious ambitions in storytelling and explorations of ideas that makes it especially disappointing. It feels a little too much like science fiction that people who never read science fiction think is representative all of science fiction. It will make a good movie by a director who recognizes the material has so much room for interesting and unusual ideas to fill the gap.
-Mark Hershberger

5 stars. I loved it!
I love all of Maya Angelou's books.

5 stars - I loved it!
I couldn't put down this stranger-than-fiction story of Elizabeth Holmes and her company, Theranos. I was one of the people who admired her as an inspirational young leader and bought into all the media hype that Carreyrou dismantles page by page. I could not believe how wrong I was and how she was able to fool the world! - Samantha Rideout

5 stars - I loved it!
A heartfelt and engaging story paralleling the beginning of a couple’s love story with their current struggles. I loved the alternately chapters between past & present time, and the author really allowed the reader to connect with the characters in a deep way. I would highly recommend it!

4 stars - I really liked it.
Very well done! The story of Eleanor Roosevelt and her relationship with Lorena Hickok is beautifully rendered by Amy Bloom in this novel that may or may not be based on actual events. The story is told in the voice of Lorena, who was said to have had a long-term love affair with Eleanor. The language is forthright, opinionated, at times funny. The book includes many other characters/relatives who were close to the Roosevelt, and Lorena is scathing at times in how she describes them. I particularly liked how Lorena describes Franklin Roosevelt -- political and shrewd and certainly a ladies man. Highly recommend this to those who are interested in the time period of Roosevelt's presidency. It very much conveys the conventions and mores of the 30s and 40s. - Alice Kintisch

4 stars. I really liked it.
A brutal, bloody book about gods, monsters, and war, following ambitious war orphan Rin as she claws her way to the top.
-Elise Graham

5 stars. I loved it!
This author and her books make "summer" reading fun. The women characters in this book draw you in and you care about what happens to them. It is a story of loyalty and friendship and the twist and turns of their friendship. Quick read.

5 stars. I loved it!
This is another story in the Women's Murder Club series from James Patterson. Once again, Lindsey Boxer and her friends are on the case! When you start reading, you are drawn back into remembering each characters personality and strengths. Very quick read!

5 stars. I loved it!
Oh Wow. It's really easy to forget that EVelyn is a fictional character. Her story is captivating. Read this book!
-Elise Graham

1 star - I didn't like it.
Run of the mill "wife tortured by husband" thriller. Writing is stilted; plot is old hat. Tries to be Gone Girl-like, but doesn't succeed. I read it for a book club but wouldn't recommend it. Not worth my time. -Alice Kintisch

4 stars - I really liked it.
Sedaris has kept a daily diary for years. This is the first installment, covering 1977 to 2002. His diary writing habit started when he was a young man, before going away to college. The early years are bleak; the later years much less as he settles into his career as a writer. Some of the entries are laugh out loud hilarious; others are emotional and revealing. His observations of the world are what makes this book special. - Alice Kintisch

4 stars - I really liked it.
I liked this book very much. The characters are off-beat, often lonely. The situations are so imaginative -- some to the point of fantasy (spontaneous combusion? really?). But the tone is so matter of fact that I believed it was plausible, or perhaps might be possible. Some of the stories are stronger than others, but that's usual in a collection. I applaud the audacity (!) of the author; he can write well and has a fabulous way of describing loss, grief and fear without them becoming maudlin. Unusual characters put in unusual situations make for satisfying reading. - Alice Kintisch

4 stars - I really liked it.
A really great start to a series. A little predictable in parts, but overall, left me excited to read the sequel and see what happens next. - Elise Graham

5 stars - I loved it!
Xiomara uses her poetry to express what she can't say and it's stunning. - Elise Graham

5 stars - I loved it!
Memoir about undercover officer Stallworth's infiltration of the Klan in Colorado Springs. Frightening and eye opening.

3 stars - I liked it.
At first I liked this a lot, then I read more and today finished reading it. It included page after page of description of weather, seasons, time, etc., etc.. Seemed endless. I did not like that. There were also extended descriptions of how clocks work -- too much! Apparently, this book won a Pulitzer Prize. I'm surprised to say the least. I really admired and found beautiful the parts that described the relationships between and character traits of three main characters (George ((the one who is dying)), his father, and his grandfather. But I would not rave about this one. - Alice Kintisch

4 stars. I really liked it.
This was totally the most interesting read I've had in a while. Set in a dystopian society where males are viewed as superior and women are put in their "place," it's interesting to compare what happens there to real life societal views. The descriptive nature of storytelling puts the reader right into the shoes of Offred and her tumultuous journey, but leaves enough openings to imagine what else could be going behind the scenes.

4 stars - I really liked it.
It was written before 2005. Excellent book and a treasure if you like Harlan Coben. -Eugene Homicki

5 stars - I loved it!
Brown and Defelice take you on an action picked adventure with robotics genius Lou Massina and his crew. The inventor decides to help the US government stop disaster from occurring throughout the world. Enjoy it I did! -Alan Pressman

3 stars - I liked it.
As a life long science fiction fan, as well as being a fan of the first two movie adaptations, I was glad to finally get to Finney's book. I listened to the audio, read by the son director of the first adaptation. It's not bad but I felt it was a little lacking. I can see why someone thought it would be good material for a movie. The idea of losing one's identity to faceless monsters pretending to be human is very compelling and the paranoia and anxiety that comes out of that is very palpable. It helps drives the story and maintain interest. I found the plotting a little weak though. It tended to get a little flabby and loose when it should be tight. The lowest point being when the main character and his friends manage to escape from the town they know is being taken over by pod people and spend a night in a hotel, only to go back. It hurts the momentum of the narrative. I found the characterization to be a little flat. They were more types than well-rounded characters. And the women tended to be described by the narrator in sexist and paternalistic terms typical of the 1950s. The first two movies tend to be a little more thoughtful in reflecting the times they were made in and they both improve upon the plotting by making it tighter and leaner. Worth a look if you have an interest in the genre but otherwise a little underwhelming. - Mark Hershberger

3 stars - I liked it.
This is an odd story about monsters that appear in London and then get used in gang warfare. I liked the art and the vibrant color pallet a lot. Ultimately I found the story to be a little off-putting and uninvolving. I would take a look at anything else the artist puts out though. - Mark Hershberger

4 stars - I really liked it.
I confess to not knowing a thing about this artist. I saw it in my library's 14 day book section and decided to give it a go. I liked its loose style. It starts off very abstract, almost experimental, and gradually themes and stories emerge. I enjoyed it a lot. - Mark Hershberger

4 stars - I really liked it.
A librarian friend recommended this to me. I had no idea what it was about, making this a cold read. It's a story about mindless drones with generic families going to work every day as their interchangeable wives do the shopping, with some not too subtle social commentary. It makes as strong impact. The story of the book is interesting too. Pushwagner worked on it for several years, only to lose it for decades and fight an art dealer for some years to get it back and publish it. Well worth a look.

3 stars - I liked it.
I keep having trouble following Ta-Nehisi Coates's run on Black Panther. This volume is much more readable than several of the earlier collections but it suffers from the same problem as a lot of other modern Marvel writing. Specifically, being thrown in the middle of a story, no matter where you start, and having to figure out who these people are and what is going on. Having said that though I think I'm starting to enjoy this run. I look forward to getting a hardcover collection of multiple issues and see how it flows. - Mark Hershberger

4 stars - I really liked it.
Excellent book telling a story that probably most of us have never heard. The story is the exploitation and murder of Osage Indians in order to steal their oil wealth. I started this as an audio book during a long car trip; I finished the last 100 or so pages reading it. The audio book was terrific, so I'd recommend that format to readers. The story is so compelling and horrifying: murders that remained unsolved, murders that resulted in convictions but with little time served. The introduction of the newly formed FBI adds another dimension to the story, as the author highlights one of the early FBI agents (White) and the machinations and peculiarities of Edgar Hoover, who served as the first FBI director. This is non-fiction, but it is so readable. - Alice Kintisch

4 stars - I really liked it.
Better than the second book, but still not quite as good as the first. I still really enjoyed it, especially with the new setting in the Caribbean, and all of the new characters. - Elise Graham

4 stars - I really liked it.
A collection of short, poetry-like memories and commentaries about the author's life and experiences. Wonderfully emotional and evocative of her life experiences. - Kate Honig

5 stars.
Short (223 pages), beautifully written, subtle, well-reasoned, and effective contemplation of the Hiss-Chambers controversy. Jacoby’s perceptive introduction shows how the Right used the Hiss case and the Red Scare to denigrate the New Deal. Jacoby believes that Hiss was guilty of both perjury and spying for the Soviets, the evidence of the latter very persuasive but not one-hundred percent conclusive. Having lived and worked in Moscow from 1969 to 1972 and having met survivors of the Gulag, Jacoby admits to being biased against American communists who discounted Stalin’s crimes, but she also deeply loathes McCarthyism and right-wing attacks against legitimate liberalism. The book concentrates not on the minutiae of the case, but on how the views on the case acted as a mirror to America’s political views, and Jacoby incisively demonstrates how these opinions were formed or changed at various periods of time. Allen Weinstein’s book was very influential in turning around opinion in favor of Chambers, though Victor Navasky does point out some of that book’s flaws. Jacoby finds fault with both sides and observes that the hatred and vitriol on both sides still remains surprisingly high. The lesson to be learned is to above all else protect civil liberties — especially today, as anti-communism has morphed into anti-Islam and anti-immigrant hysteria. - Tom Nassisi

5 stars - I loved it!
Gay's debut collection of short stories, Ayiti explores the intimacies of Haitian and Haitian-American life. Brief with concise, declarative and sometimes brutal prose, Ayiti is an unforgettable immersion in themes of violation and heartbreak. - Adrienne Diedrich

5 stars. I loved it!
Short but powerful book by an eminent historian of (mostly) East European history, each chapter (lesson) a few pages long and prefaced by a very brief warning or a piece of advice. In addition to general concepts and historical references to European fascism and Soviet Stalinism, the book is also aimed directly against Donald Trump, referring to him not by name but as “the President.” Snyder cites Trump’s encouragement of violence at his rallies, his private security detail, and many other unappetizing facts. Snyder urges Americans to read books and separate themselves from the Internet, and the books he recommends in Chapter 9 are excellent. East European reporters and those who study East European history realized that much of Trump’s campaign was familiar territory to them and they were not surprised by his winning the election. The chapter that dissects Trump’s lack of patriotism is devastating.
-Tom Nassisi

5 stars. I loved it!
A profound examination of Lincoln’s profound speech by a professor of religious history. This is a well-written and detailed account of Lincoln’s speech, alive with vivid anecdotes and facts. Frederick Douglass was in the audience as was John Wilkes Booth as White sets the scene of the inaugural ceremony itself in Chapter One. Each chapter after that examines a section of Lincoln’s address (itself a short speech of only 703 words), with historical background provided, and the points made about Lincoln’s rhetoric are brilliant. Lincoln says outright that everyone knew, somehow, that slavery was the cause of the war. White also shows the difference between Lincoln and two of the most prominent abolitionists, William Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Beecher Stowe, the latter of whom came to appreciate Lincoln’s approach. Lincoln was steeped in the Bible, memorized whole sections of it (as he did with parts of Shakespeare’s plays), and was especially fond of the Psalms — he had at least four quotes from the Bible in the speech. White provides a deep dive into Lincoln’s religious beliefs, and how it was Lincoln’s view that not just the South should be condemned for slavery but the entire nation — he was always sensitive to self-righteousness such as exhibited by William Lloyd Garrison. Lincoln’s view of America’s uniqueness (“last, best hope”) was nuanced in that he was willing to confront both the honorable and the dishonorable actions of American exceptionalism. Frederick Douglass, who came to admire Lincoln after he met him, was very impressed by the speech and at a memorial service for the martyred president on the day of his death he recited from memory two sentences from it. The last chapter on newspaper reviews of the speech may be of historical interest, but it goes on a bit too long and could have been trimmed.
- Tom Nassisi

5 stars. I loved it!
An extraordinary story!!!!
-Kimberly Cummings

4 stars. I really liked it.
This is an amazing true story about the women code breakers of World War II. I find it astonishing their dedication, skills and hard work was kept secret for so long. This book deserves all of our attention, because it fills in the gaps of our history, and acknowledges just how important these code breakers were in order to win the war. This is content never mentioned in our text books.

4 stars. I really liked it
Set in New Orleans six years post Katrina. The main character, Jude has the power to find lost things, but has been overwhelmed by all the loss. He is called out of retirement by the Fortune God of New Orleans, who with several other gods, demigods and other shady characters play a game for future of the city. It is a wild read, sometimes peopled with too many characters, but this book , which takes the reader on a virtual tour of the night-life, restaurants and local haunts of the Crescent City, and which the author began writing as he fled Katrina, is a love story to the city.
-Liz Sayles

4 stars. I really liked it.
Interesting story of the "end of the world" through the eyes of a new young mother.

3 stars. I liked it.
Cute book with quirky characters. Easy summer read.

5 stars - I loved it!
This is another story in the Joe Pickett series. Once you start reading these books, you are hooked with the characters. This follows Joe on another journey with twists and turns involving his family and his job as a game warden in Wyoming.

4 stars. I really liked it.
Full of complex betrayal and questionable decision making. A little hard to get into the world, but some full of some out of the blue plot twists that keep you interested.
-Elise Graham

5 stars. I loved it!
Great tips for raising more confident, empathic girls.

4 stars. I really liked it.
A quick, thought provoking read.

5 stars - I loved it!
Should you read this book? A) yes B) of course! C) obviously D) all of the above Choose Your Own Disaster is one of the most brilliant, creative, and honest books I have ever read. This memoir is actually formatted as a choose your own adventure book, complete with multiple choice questions, and different avenues of the author's life to follow. I loved every minute of this book, and even found myself going back after I had finished it to find stories that the path I chose didn't include. Dana is funny, and honest, and highly relatable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a little adventure in their life. - Samantha Clowes

3 stars - I liked it.
This was an enjoyable story about childhood friendship of six youngsters. It lacked real depth. - Janice Dime

5 stars - I loved it!
After the multitude of books Brooks has written about the tales of Shannara, he has done it again. 'The Skaar Invasion' could mean the end of the Druids, the elves, and the Federation. Watch Drisker Arc and his cohorts fight the evil in the Four Lands and confront their new enemies. Great book if you enjoy the genre! - Alan Pressman

5 stars - I loved it!
Uplifting, feel good book of prayers.

5 stars - I loved it!
All women should read this book.

5 stars. I loved it!
At first glance, many people compare Melissa Broder's novel to Guillermo Del Toro's "Shape of Water"- on the surface, both are tales of love between a woman and an aquatic creature, but they could not be more different. Perhaps it is the contemporary setting, but Broder's novel seems far more realistic than Del Toro's film. Broder writes with such honesty, that it is so easy to picture everything she writes about. Yes, the story is fantastic and romantic, but our protagonist devastatingly struggles with depression, heartbreak, and obsession. The stark juxtaposition of surrealism and reliability, combined with injections of eroticism made it impossible to put this book down.
-Sam Clowes

4 stars. I really liked it.
Smith's straight-forward poems aren't "literary" but they pack a strong emotional punch.
-Alison Stone

3 stars. I liked it.
I loved her first memoir. This one starts off promising, but the writing is uneven in the second half. Sometimes she writes long descriptions of things, like what she ate for dinner, without making them into art.
-Alison Stone

4 ½ Stars – I really liked it.
Seuss is one of the most exciting poets writing now. While not aquite as good as Four-Legged Girl, this collection of ekphrastic poems is still impressive. – Alison Stone

3 1/2 stars. I liked it.
This won the Pulitzer, so I expected to be wowed. I wasn't. It was well-written and drew me in, but the end seemed forced and was unsatisfying. He dried to tie the 3 stories together to quickly and too neatly, and some of the psychology rang false.
-Alison Stone

4 stars - I really liked it.
The title poem, about trying to sell her children on the beauty and possibility of our flawed world, went viral. Other poems in this collection address the same theme, though not as well. Enjoyable but hard to remember after. - Alison Stone

4 stars. I really liked it
This is the second book in the series. It brings to light other families of Shadow Riders. Training from an early age, Shadow Riders were sent to other families to learn. You are brought further into the Shadow life. I will read the next book.

5 stars. I loved it!
Brown Girl Dreaming is an absorbing memoir of Woodson's childhood written in verse. It is a beautiful written commentary on growing up as a black child in the South and NYC in the 1960s and 70s with a lyrical and layered exploration of family, friends, religion, and racism. The unique format allows complex themes to be communicated to both middle readers (for whom the book is intended) and adults in an accessible and thought provoking way.
-Adrienne Diedrich

5 stars. I loved it!
Congressman John Lewis shares his remarkable story in a graphic novel trilogy. Book One covers Lewis's childhood, a chance meeting with MLK, and culminates with his participation in the non violent lunch counter protests. This was my first "adult" graphic novel and it did not disappoint. A fascinating and intimate glimpse into a celebrated historic figure and movement. The illustrations and informal dialogue format really drew me into the story. Can't wait to read books 2 and 3!
-Adrienne Diedrich

5 stars. I loved it!
Follow hero Lyle Martin, a world renowned immunologist, as he unravels the plot. Someone is putting the country into a seizure-like state. It is described as Michael Crichton meets Stephen King. A must read.
-Alan Pressman

5 stars. I loved it!
Quick, short chapters with a plot full of twists & turns make this book a quick & amazing read! It’s a must-read for lovers of Gone Girl!

4 stars - I really liked it.
-Elise Graham

4 stars - I really liked it.
-Elise Graham

4 stars - I really liked it.
Very enjoyable to read. - Elise Graham

5 stars - I loved it!
Social justice / racism all in an excellent novel.

3 stars - I liked it.
This is a true story of the making of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. It's a fascinating look back at technology, architecture, and ....murder ...during a time period I would have believed to be far more simple and carefree than today. I was surprised to recognize so many names of key players in the success of the fair. I was equally horrified to read about the sinister serial killer H.H Holmes, his many aliases and his ability to function so easily under the radar of the Chicago police. Chilling. Just Chilling.

4 stars - I really liked it.
Mark Helprin is one of my favorite authors, but somehow I missed the publication of Paris in the Present Tense. Paris is, to my mind, one of the two main characters (Jules of course being the other). Helprin explores the meaning of music, aging, family, love, attraction, deception and many more in this highly engrossing novel. But if you don't like long paragraphs that talk about music or Paris, this book is not for you. Paris lovers will likely love this book, as will music lovers. There is humor, pathos, and surprising plot twists. Above all, the language makes this a treat. Helprin knows how to construct sentences. His language is magical. Read this; then read his other books. They are terrific. - Alice Kintisch

4 stars. I really liked it
I was happy to finally get to this book. I’m friends with librarians who run a book club and after one book I was hoping they would pick wasn’t available in big enough numbers I just said “how about In Cold Blood?” Thankfully, they took the suggestion. I enjoyed it, a lot. It’s an interesting look at a specific time and place when and where the murder of a family took place. It’s sympathetic to the two killers, who lead very difficult lives leading up to the murders, especially Perry Smith, but never loses track of the brutality and meaningless of the murders themselves. It’s also worth catching the movie based on the book and the two movies based on non-fiction books about how author Truman Capote researched the book, which involved befriending the killers and major players in the investigation to catch them.
-Mark Hershberger

4 stars. I really liked it.
This is a wonderfully creepy book about the surviving family members after an “accidental” poisoning that killed several people off.
-Mark Hershberger

4 stars. I really liked it.
This is a wonderful little book that is hard to describe without doing it a disservice. It’s written in prose and features many characters who are betrayed and have not very good ends. It’s poetic and sad. I suspect it’s rewarding upon multiple reads. Well worth a look.
-Mark Hershberger

4 stars. I really liked it.
I regret taking a crack at Bourdain’s writing only after his untimely death. His wit, thoughtfulness, brutal honesty, and self-deprecation come through strongly in this tome. It’s worth it listening to him reading the audio version of the book where his trademark inflection, readily apparent in “Parts Unknown”, tells you exactly what he’s thinking. You can hear hints of the darkness that must have been haunting him leaving up to his suicide. What a loss.
-Mark Hershberger

4 stars. I really liked it.
This volume of Nova is more enjoyable than the first, even if it is just as corny in many respects. I think writer Marv Wolfman has figured out more of how to make Nova work as a character but is still a little directionless in finding ways in making the character little more than a variation on the teenage hero with personal problems, a la early Spider-Man. The Fantastic Four annual with Nova baddie Sphinx as a baddie and three hilarious issues of The Defenders, where Nova makes cameo appearances, are welcome additions.
-Mark Hershberger

2 stars - It was OK.
This book was highly recommended by a reliable source, but this time, I did not agree with the highly touted review. This book left me bewildered. Too many unanswered questions. This book left me flat. I am horrified by the plight of th Nomi, her father, mother and sister, as well as all the people of their horrible community. The last few pages were a reveal that I didn't see coming... Does that make it stronger or less believable? I am distressed at the thought that there might actually be communities out there like the one portrayed in this book. If so, is there any hope that our world could be peaceful and compassionate? Sad, dark and unforgiving: qualities that make us less than human and threaten all of us. - Alice Kintisch

3 stars - I liked it.
I really wanted to love this book, but it tries to be too many things. Some very interesting commentary on town life and what makes a community thrive. However, too much detail is used on one topic, in one town, then another town is skipped over almost entirely. There is no common theme or focus and I don't feel like a get a true representation of a town. I think it would be better as at least two separate books, separating the authors and their interests. Politics is brought in when they feel it's necessary and it could be left out entirely. Find a focus and apply it equally to each town and this would have been a home run.

5 stars. I loved it!
Silva brings us Gabriel Allon once again in a great plot to unravel a KGB mole in another Western agency that has caused the elimination of one of his own. Couldn't put it down. A great read
-Alan Pressman

5 stars - I loved it!
Goldberg writes an easy-to-read inspirational book for everyone whose ever thought about writing. It's a fun, enjoyable way to release and embrace your creativity and expression. - Tracy White

5 stars - I loved it!
This book should be required reading for everyone with cancer or loves someone with cancer. Turner's 9 steps can improve chance of surviving and make treatment better. - Tracy White