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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel
Lisa See
Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2006
Snowflower and the Secret Fan
+ SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN
+ Phenomenal Women Book Club (Houston, TX)
+ chinese culture insight
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Sundays at Tiffany's
James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet
Little, Brown and Company, 2008
Refreshing and Unique
+ Purely Heartwarming
I was delightfully surprised by a Patterson book that escapes the confines of his usual murder mystery novels and suspends the very reality that makes many of his other novels so powerful. I related greatly to Jane as a child, and it brought back many of my own painful memories that were good to ...
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Change of Heart: A Novel
Jodi Picoult
Atria, 2008
excellent book
+ One of the Best Picoults Yet
+ Mesmerizing. One of a kind.
This is one of the best books I have read. It reminds me of The Green Mile. She tells this story from different viewpoints. She includes ideas from a rabbi, a priest and the gnostic scriptures. Her characters are well developed and believable. I loved this book and did not want it to end.
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Lush Life: A Novel
Richard Price
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008
The Price is Right
+ TOUCHING THE LOST SOULS
Richard Price is as good of a dialogue writer as exists today in my mind. "Lush Life" is his latest novel that brilliantly showcases his skills and keen knowledge and insights of city life, particularly NYC life.
Other reviewers have already covered the plot so I won't spend my commentary ...
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Free Food for Millionaires
Min Jin Lee
Grand Central Publishing, 2008
Brilliant novel helpful for all who face East-Meets-West issues
+ Free Food for Millionaires
+ Was it really 600 pages?
I'm in love with this novel for many reasons.
As a novelist, I could appreciate Min Jin Lee's uncommon clarity of personal voice, the exceptionally well constructed dialogues, the authenticity of each character, the marvelous plot.
Shakespeare comes to mind as my favorite comparison. I'm not ...
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The Septembers of Shiraz: A Novel (P.S.)
Dalia Sofer
Harper Perennial, 2008
Exquisite
+ Interesting and very informative
This story seemed too perfect to be made up. Either this writer is a prodigy, or the book autobiographical. Either way, you will not find a more incisively written, detail oriented depiction of what life was like in Iran after the Shah left.
The details of prison life were painful to read, and ...
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Nineteen Minutes
Jodi Picoult
Washington Square Press, 2008
WOW
+ Very good book!
+ wow
I may be young but let me tell you that this book was probably the best book I have ever read in my life. It is written SO well and I love the little pieces of information that show what leads up to Peter doing what he did. I cried and cried SO much when I read because this book is so emotional and ...
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The Girl with No Shadow (published in the UK as The Lollipop Shoes)
Joanne Harris
William Morrow, 2008
Relevant Magic
+ More Witchy than Chocolat
+ Dark Chocolate for second helpings
This sequel to Chocolat is wonderful. I can't say enough about Joanne Harris and her consistent look (throughout all her novels) at how people navigate difficult life situations. While, broadly, this book is about good vs. evil, the author does not so easily categorize any one character as, ...
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Spook Country
William Gibson
Berkley Trade, 2008
Conjures Reality
I've never read a book by this author that disappointed me. This latest work by him continues his increasingly evolved and highly distinctive style of writing. Some of the chapters in this book are a page, koan-like in their effect; some are much longer, approaching the length more familiar to ...
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The Double Bind (Vintage Contemporaries)
Chris Bohjalian
Vintage, 2008
Literary Suspense Plays Games with Your Mind
+ Excellent
+ Gatsby on the Rocks with a Twist
+ Whose Reality is Real?
+ Fabulous Read!
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World Without End
Ken Follett
Dutton Adult, 2007
A worthy follow up to Pillars
+ I thoroughly enjoyed book!
+ Fabulous Epic!
As an engineer and an avid fan of historical novels I have found both novels exceptional. Follett delivers exceptional characters and captivating delivery, but he also discusses real engineering issues. Who knows, perhaps this is how builders first came to struggle with wind loading and river ...
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Water for Elephants: A Novel
Sara Gruen
Algonquin Books, 2007
BUY IT, READ IT AND ENJOYYY!
+ Pleasant surprise
+ Absolutely fantastic with universal appeal
+ The Most Spectacular Book on Earth!
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Mudbound
Hillary Jordan
Algonquin Books, 2008
Mudbound people and relationships
+ Excellent. This book will touch all your emotions!
+ Compelling, gripping and tragic as fierce, brave women emerge
+ A Bit Shy of Originality
+ Language and voices tell the same story
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Out Stealing Horses: A Novel
Per Petterson
Picador, 2008
Brilliant. A reader's delight.
+ hooked from the start
+ We decide for Ourselves when it will Hurt
There are few books I've read in the past ten years that touched me as this one did. The character is masterfully portrayed, the language splendid and the elegiac tone perfectly suits the story and perspective. A book of enormous compassion and insight into the human condition.
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City of Thieves: A Novel
David Benioff
Viking Adult, 2008
Great
+ Heart-warming, Stomach-turning
+ Good as entertainment, less so as a serious novel
+ Fantastic Book!
+ A great read!
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