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| Adult Summer Reading Program |
| Book: | Nicolae by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | The third in the series of Left Behind tells how the group of 5 believers become now 4. Nicolae is the name given to the character that is believed to be the anti-christ. The saga unfolds on how he deals with becoming the 1 man world power. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Small woman by Alan Burgess (
) |
| Summary: | This is a biography written in 1957 about Gladys Aylward. She is a former London parlormaid who goes to China in 1930 to help a missionary named Jeannie Lawson. They open an inn for muleteers and introduce Christianity to a culture that is four thousand years older than England. This true story involves Gladys taking one hundred orphans through Japanese held territory to get to safety at Sian. It was made into a movie, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness starring Ingrid Bergman. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | "Hoofprints" by Laura Crum (
) |
| Summary: | This book was the 2nd in a series that has equine veterinarian Dr.Gail McCarthy playing detective as well has treating horses. The story was realistic and the sleuthing/detecting part was nicely woven around interesting bits of Dr. McCarthy treating horses experiencing various ills and injuries. Myself being a horse person, may have helped me enjoy this book more than a non horse person would. PERSONAL NOTE: Something bothered me about the Dr. McCarthy character. The vet indulges in alcohol when it is her turn to be on call for emergencies. A couple of margaritas at a Saturday lunch or some wine on a Sunday evening. Yet she is on call for those days! Also, one time during the weekday, she goes out on a call to a stable and the owner, who is a friend, invites her to have a drink with him. She does....a bourbon and water...THEN she goes out to treat the horse! One drink probably didn't impair her judgment, but as a former horse owner, I can tell you, any vet who showed up to treat one of my horses, and who had alcohol on their breath would NOT be asked back! As a horse owner and trainer herself, I'm surprised the author would "allow" this in her Dr. McCarthy character |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness by Patty Duke w/ Gloria Hochman (
) |
| Summary: | This book will really give you a better understanding of the people around you who are suffering from this disorder. Duke is brutally honest with what thoughts went on in her head. She is to be commended for sharing them so publicly. The authors alternate chapters with each other. Patty writes a chapter about a particular topic/issue/event in her life and then the Dr. writes a chapter with the latest treatments and study information available. She also mentions other case stories and the experiences those patients had. It was a very fascinating read. Patty Duke is a die-hard Lithium supporter but if you're not you will still benefit from reading the book. |
| Reviewed by: | Paula Thomason (at Bookmobile) |
| Book: | A Certain Justice by P. D. James (
) |
| Summary: | This is a good mystery with Adam Dalgleish of Scotland Yard as the main character. A criminal attorney is murdered and there are no end of suspects and motives. Dalgliesh suspects that it may be one of those mysteries that are solved but without evidence enough to convict anyone. Very entertaining and a great look into an example of the type of lives led by people in the British Judicial system. I would have given it five stars, but there's a little too much background activity going on. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | A Royal Duty by Paul Burrell (
) |
| Summary: | If Princess Diana fascinates you, you will enjoy this book. Paul Burrell gives an insider's view that no one else can give. He was engaged in the employ of the Royal Family from early on working for Queen Elizabeth for 10 years or so before going to work for Prince Charles and Diana while they were married. He then stayed by the Princess after the divorce until her death. He was obsessively devoted to her. I don't think he betrayed her confidences by writing this book yet he shared intimate/personal moments that he witnessed. I found myself having a greater appreciation for her and a better understanding of her in a positive manner. Her death was a tragic loss for the world. You will breeze through this despite it's 400 pages. It is written as if you were having a chat with the author over a cup of tea. |
| Reviewed by: | Paula Thomason (at Bookmobile) |
| Book: | A Second Chance by Danieele Steele (
) |
| Summary: | The book was very easy reading and I always wanted to continue no matter how many other things I had to do. It was somewhat of a tear jerker and made me aware of many things that do occur in life everyday. I enjoyed the book very much. |
| Reviewed by: | Dianne Sweeney (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (
) |
| Summary: | This book, first published in 1972, is one of my all time favorites because it is the first-hand experience of a very real, country veternarian whose life and career revolve around the animals and people he encounters in the English countryside. Each chapter of the book is a snap-shot of English country life that Mr. Herriot experienced either in his clinic-office or during visits to farms and homes where his animal patients lives. The scenes that Herriot describes so well are often hilariously funny and sometimes very sad as life can be when we find our lives intertwined with animals and pets of all sorts. Of the many characters and circumstances Herriot pictures for us, one of my favorite is the unforgettable Mrs. Phumphrey and her pampered Pekingese, Tricky Woo! To Mrs. Phumphrey Tricky Woo is more than a dog and one that she attributes human characteristics to, so it is no surprise that "Uncle Herriot" becomes an important part of that family over the years. The book is so well written and engrossing that real animal lovers will want to read all of Herriot's books including others in this series such as "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "All Things Wise and Wonderful," etc. Herriot's stories were also turned into a British TV series which I used to love and where the story of the veterinary practice he worked for with brothers Sigfried and Tristan and eventually Herriot's own family were a substantial part. The ultimate read for all real animal lovers!! |
| Reviewed by: | Sylvia Somers (at Evesham Library) |
| Book: | All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (
) |
| Summary: | This book, first published in 1972, is one of my all time favorites because it is the first-hand experience of a very real, country veternarian whose life and career revolve around the animals and people he encounters in the English countryside. Each chapter of the book is a snap-shot of English country life that Mr. Herriot experienced either in his clinic-office or during visits to farms and homes where his animal patients lives. The scenes that Herriot describes so well are often hilariously funny and sometimes very sad as life can be when we find our lives intertwined with animals and pets of all sorts. Of the many characters and circumstances Herriot pictures for us, one of my favorite is the unforgettable Mrs. Phumphrey and her pampered Pekingese, Tricky Woo! To Mrs. Phumphrey Tricky Woo is more than a dog and one that she attributes human characteristics to, so it is no surprise that "Uncle Herriot" becomes an important part of that family over the years. The book is so well written and engrossing that real animal lovers will want to read all of Herriot's books including others in this series such as "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "All Things Wise and Wonderful," etc. Herriot's stories were also turned into a British TV series which I used to love and where the story of the veterinary practice he worked for with brothers Sigfried and Tristan and eventually Herriot's own family were a substantial part. The ultimate read for all real animal lovers!! |
| Reviewed by: | Sylvia Somers (at Evesham Library) |
| Book: | All Fishermen Are Liars by Linda Greenlaw (
) |
| Summary: | More tales of the sea from a female swordfish boat captain. Greenlaw was featured in A Perfect Storm, and this is her third book. Here are several stories of ocean adventures. Each story is so interesting that they could stand alone. The problem lies in the delivery. Greenlaw sets each story up, gets the reader involved in the action and then wraps it up in less than a paragraph leaving the reader feeling deflated. Skip it. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | American Star by Jackie Collins (
) |
| Summary: | I always enjoy her books, because i like the love stories and i always feel as though she maybe writing a true story about famous people. |
| Reviewed by: | margaret adam (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | An Experiment in Treason by Bruce Alexander (
) |
| Summary: | This is a Sir John Fielding mystery taking place in London in the 1760's when Ben Franklin was there as an unofficial representative of the colonies. A packet of letters is stolen that may have an incendiary nature in the Massachusetts Colony and a murder is committed. Sir John actually lived and he started the Bow Street Runners (the first police force). He was blind and a magistrate in the Bow Street Court. He and his teenage ward Jeremy Proctor solve murder cases in this great series. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Apollyon by Tim La Haye (
) |
| Summary: | Whe 5th in the series derives its name from the terrible 5 month plaque set on non belivers. The ending to this book is sweet and quite a suprise. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Armaggeddon by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | 11 th in the series. Only one of the original characters remain as the anti-christ declares war on all remaining Jews. He has also declared to battle with Christ when he makes his second appearing. He begins by an all out bloody battle after the last of the remaining plaques have been sent. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | As You Like It by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | Rosalind and Celia are best friends. Celia's father, Duke Frederick, usurped the throne of Rsoalind's father, Duke Frederick. The two girls decide to run away to the forest of Ardenne. Rosalind disguises herself as a young man Ganymede. She is in love with a young man, Orlando, the youngst son of Sir Rowland de Bois. In her disguise Rosalind pretends to help Orlando, tutoring him in the ways of love. Rosalind is one of Shakespeare's most admirable heroines, feisty, funny, resourceful. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Assassins by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | Scarrier then the previous 5 books. A lot of murders |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell (
) |
| Summary: | This book was an Oprah Book Club selection and highly praised by the NY Times and other book critics. Well, I guess I'm the exception to the rule, because I did not like this book at all. It is the story of a young man, 19 years old, who has had to take over caring for his family after their mother shot their father and takes place in a pretty poor area of Appalachia. This book reads like the pages of a Social Worker's report ( though it is written from the young man's point of view ). It is so very, very depressing and though I tried to have sympathy for this young man who has had so much shoved onto his shoulders, most of the time I found myself wanting to yell at him "Hey if you are going to do this, and you DO have a choice, then get your act together and take care of your sisters and quit acting like an idiot!" I found no redeeming qualities in this book at all, though I will say the things that happen in this book are things that, I'm sure, go on in real life. |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Backpack by Emily Barr (
) |
| Summary: | Early chicklit (before it became too formulaic). This one follows a Bridget Jones clone on a trip to Asia as she tries to show a boyfriend that she can get along just fine without him. The author throws in a murderer, a dysfunctional family background, and a cast of Austailians that have problems similar to those on soap operas (Eastenders is in fact mentioned three times). It's a good beach read. Tansy is such a mess you'll laugh at her. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | BAIT by KAREN ROBARDS (
) |
| Summary: | Karen Robards does not disappoint. Couldn't put it down! |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Freels (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | BARREL FEVER by DAVID SEDARIS (
) |
| Summary: | More stories and essays by a very funny man who happens to have a twisted humor as well. Part of me wonders how I missed this guy's writings for so long, and the other part of me is excited that there is more out there for me to read. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Bel Ria by Sheila Burnford (
) |
| Summary: | This story, about a scruffy little dog and his monkey pal, takes place during WWII. It is about his journey from France, as the Germans were invading that country, to Britain. Like most stories that take place during war, there is great sadness and sorrow in this story. But there are also moments of laughter that weave their way through the story like a bright thread weaves its way through a dark tapestry. I enjoyed the story, and hoped all the way through that Bel Ria would find happiness and peace and a new home at last! This book was written in 1977 by a woman who drove an Ambulance during the horrible times of the repeated bombing of London and other coastal cities of England during The Blitz. Her first hand knowledge of what it was like, comes out in her writing. |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Birthright by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | Wow! What twist and turns. Just when you think you know the outcome! Wonderful edge of the seat reading |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman (
) |
| Summary: | In Alice Hoffman's latest offering, each chapter is a short story of the successive inhabitants of a farmhouse on Cape Cod. Each chapter stands on it own merits and they all weave together into one delightful whole. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan M. Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman (
) |
| Summary: | Interconnected short stories revolving around the same house, or rather the land it sits upon. Those familiar with Hoffman will recognize her usual themes of coastal families, magical realism, and strong female characters. The book is short, and I for one would have like to see the Ruth/Ruby/Garnet story expanded into a full novel. Hoffman has an excellent way of seeing everyday things as magical. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Blind Side by Catherine Coulter (
) |
| Summary: | If you can get past the characters names....such as Cracker,Elspeth,Sherlock! It really is a good book. Just when you think the bad guys are caught and its all over watch out! |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Blink by Ted Dekker (
) |
| Summary: | Another awesome story by this author. A real page turner. Creative use of Saudi Arabian culture weaved into plot. Clean and highly recommended. |
| Reviewed by: | M. Trumble (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Blow Out by Catherine Coulter (
) |
| Summary: | Catherine Coulter's FBI wife and husband team of Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock make any story interesting and fun. This book is quick and easy reading and captivates you after the first chapter. This book is a little different from Coulter's usual venue for the FBI couple, as Savich has a psychic encounter that turns into another story within the story. The team manages to solve both crimes and the story has a fascinating and eerie ending which leaves you wanting a follow up. |
| Reviewed by: | Jacquelyn Tantum (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke (
) |
| Summary: | This is the 3rd in the "Hannah Swensen" series by Joanne Fluke and I think it's the best one so far. A blonde cooking show hostess arrives in Lake Eden, MN and everyone is really excited! However, it turns out Connie MacIntyre ( known as Connie Mac to all her fans ) is rude, arrogant and very self-centered! Early in the book, she also becomes dead! ( no I'm not spoiling anything by telling you that. ) There are a LOT of suspects in this case; seems like everyone had reasons to kill Connie Mack! But, Hannah Swensen, with the help of her sister Andrea and some of the citizens of Lake Eden ( some new to this book, some from appearances in the previous books )is determined to solve this murder. All the books have been good, but this one is especially fun and interesting AND it turns out that Andrea has a secret that even she doesn't know yet! |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (
) |
| Summary: | What a good but sad book. Two children of the opposite sex form a beautiful and imaginative friendship |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Bushworld: Enter at your own risk by Maureen Dowd (
) |
| Summary: | This is a compilation of some of her New York Times articles discussing the the Bushs' role in politics. She discusses both "George I" and "George II" and all their supporting characters. It is very funny but also a strong indictment of their political practices. I highly recommend this book. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Call Me Anna by Patty Duke and Kenneth Turan (
) |
| Summary: | If I could give this a 3.5 I would but that wasn't a choice. This book was interesting but I did find it difficult to stick with in the beginning. At times I didn't feel like she needed to go into such great detail about all the various shows she worked in. Once I got a bit further along though it all came together and became apparent why she did. That WAS her life. She struggled greatly with mental illness but never realized that was what troubled her. It's amazing how the world has changed in such a short time. Many of the things that happened to her would not be tolerated today. Reading this will help a person not only to learn about a favorite actress' life but would hopefully bring one to a better understanding of other human beings and the demons they battle. I didn't give it a five star rating just because it didn't leave me with that excellent feeling after I read it like other stories have. It was a good book, however. |
| Reviewed by: | Paula Thomason (at Evesham Library) |
| Book: | Caramba! A Tale Told in Turns of the Card by Martinez (
) |
| Summary: | With a crazy cast and a town that sits on a sleeping volcano, Caramba is not for the serious type! Fall in love with two young ladies who deal with life's everyday problems (working in the Cheese Plant, dancing at the Big Five Four, and figuring out how to spring Consuela's fathers's soul from Purgatory). By the middle of the story you will forget you are not actually in Lava Landing, and by the end you will wish you could stay. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | The final in the 4 part series brings time foward to ten or so years, It concentrates on Seth and the arrival of his mother who once again tries to embezzle money from the family. Wait to you see what she tries when that does not work! |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke (
) |
| Summary: | Hey Ladies...want some light and fun reading for the summer? Check into this series ( so far there are 4 books ) by Joanne Fluke. This is the first one in the series. The main character is Hannah Swensen who owns a shop called The Cookie Jar in a small town in Minnesota. ( Can you guess what is sold at this shop? ). Hannah stumbles across a body and turns into a sleuth to find the killer. This is light reading and definately "chick-lit", but it's got a good story plot and the female sleuth's ( Hannah involves her sister Andrea also ) are not portrayed as dumb and helpless either! In addition, some great cookie recipes too! Enjoy! |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Circling by Jan Phillips (
) |
| Summary: | This is a guidebook about creating a circle of friends who wish to seek greater spiritual awareness. It gives examples of ten sessions on how to get a group started. It explains how to set the atmosphere, and then goes on to give exercises for the group participation, and finally homework for the group to work on during the week and to share at the next session. It is a good step by step guide. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Color of death by Bruce Alexander (
) |
| Summary: | With a notorious gang of black criminals on the warpath in eighteenth-century England, blind judge Sir John Fielding is determined to put an end to the robbery and violence, with the help of his youthful assistant, Jeremy. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Counterfeit Traitor by Alexander Klein (
) |
| Summary: | This is the true story of Eric Erickson, an oil businessman during WWII. He was originally an American, but became a Swedish citizen after he moved to Stockholm. Erickson agreed to spy for the Allies against the Nazis. In 1939, Laurence Steinhardt, the US Ambassador to Russia, on a mission from President Roosevelt, flew to Stockholm to recruit him. They knew the importance of oil to a country at war. If Erickson made trips into Germany, he could gather information that would be helpful to Allied bombing. His friends turn away from him and after the war ends, they realize what a hero he was. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Daddy by Danielle Steel (
) |
| Summary: | This book is a great tale of a single father doing his best for his children. A great read. |
| Reviewed by: | Lureen Necklen (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Daughters Of The Moon: The Prophecy by Lynne Ewing (
) |
| Summary: | Finally after a year of anticipation book 11 in the series has arrived. It focuses on Cat and her mission to fulfill the scrolls prophecy.Although it is a good read I did not like the darkness that was the focus of the book. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Death of a Colonial by Bruce Alexander (
) |
| Summary: | This novel in the Sir John Fielding series was not as good as the seven others I have read. A claimant for a vast fortune has been absent in the American Colonies for seven years. Three murders are involved and Sir John and Jeremy travel to Bath and Oxford to reveal a plot involving the Solicitor General to the King. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Desecration by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | The Jewish chosen people are led to a safe place out of the "anti-christ's" harm. Not that he does not try to harm them. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Dog Book by Emily Eve Weinstein (
) |
| Summary: | This newly released book is filled with portraits painted by the author and filled with the rescue stories of the dogs in the book. Two Bordentown dogs appear in the book. Sandy, a cocker spaniel, who,lives on Spring Street and my St. Bernard, Kodiak. Their stories and portraits appear on pages 28-30. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist (
) |
| Summary: | Faerie Tale is an adult fairy tale, complete with fairies, trolls and “The Bad Thing”. Remember that thing that lived under your bed or closet? Well now you have grown up and our author is very convincingly showing you what it was. As a side story to his Rift War Saga, Raymond Feist has you sitting on the edge of your seat with each turn in the story and checking out the shadows in the corners at the same time. Excellent story. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Fine Things by Danielle Steel (
) |
| Summary: | I highly recommend this book. It is a good tear-jerker that makes you smile. |
| Reviewed by: | Lureen Necklen (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Five Fortunes by Bet Gutheon (
) |
| Summary: | This book was very interesting. The author keeps your attention by making the characters seem as if they could be your friends. I found myself cheering them on and wishing I could go to the Cloisters myself. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonnie Silver (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | From the Beast to the Blonde by Marina Warner (
) |
| Summary: | The subtitle of this book is "On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers". Marina Warner gives a feminist perspective on the meaning of myths and fairy tales. It is her argument that fairy tales and folktales were primarily told by women and rather look for their psychological meanings, we must understand them in their context. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Getting rid of Bradley by Jennifer Cruise (
) |
| Summary: | I am hooked on Jennifer Cruise! Characters are funny, believable, likeable. I read all of her books! She's terrific. |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Freels (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Grave Maurice by Martha Grimes (
) |
| Summary: | I don't really like this author. I bought the book on vacation because I needed something to read. I finished it, but I didn't like the fact that on page 359, a character that you thought was dead, is really alive. There was a murder about half way through the book. A teenage girl is missing and Richard Jury is the police detective recovering from a bullet wound and trying to solve Nell Ryder's disappearance. There are lots of subplots and not enough good reading. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Hafiz: The Mystic Poets by Translated by Gertrude Bell (
) |
| Summary: | This small book begins with a history of the time in which Hafiz lived and about the poet Hafiz himself. The second half of the book contains some of the poetry of Hafiz. It is a good small sampling of the poet and his work. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Halo by Kristen Heitzmann (
) |
| Summary: | Interesting storyline with main character trusting God yet seeming to have everything around her falling apart. Turns out there is a twist in the story and a whole town has a secret this character is going to bring out into the open. Clean, intriguing story. |
| Reviewed by: | M. Trumble (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Haunted Ground by Erin Hart (
) |
| Summary: | Hart's novel, set in the Irish countryside, contains two mysteries: the present day disappearance of a mother and child along with the puzzle of an ancient body found preserved in the bog. It's an involving story with people that you learn much about in a short period of time. And while the mysteries are solved, not all the loose ends of the characters' lives are wrapped up so neatly as to make the novel unrealistic. |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Davenport (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Heartbeat by Danielle Steel (
) |
| Summary: | This is the best Danielle Steel book that I have read yet. The different story of these two people IS so filled with emotion that you never want to put the book down. Bill and Adrian's romance is what every person dreams about. |
| Reviewed by: | Lureen Necklen (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Heat of Passion by Harold Robbins (
) |
| Summary: | It was an entertaining book. It told alot about how diamond mining is done and with a love story entangled. |
| Reviewed by: | Margaret Adam (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Heaven's Wager by Ted Dekker (
) |
| Summary: | This is the kind of book that you do not want ot put down once you are about 4 chapters into it. Full of suspense yet free of bad language or any other questionable material. |
| Reviewed by: | Michele Trumble (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | Henry IV, after overthrowing Richard II, has the makings of a powerful king. Strangely enough, this play is mostly about his son, Prince Hal, who becomes Henry V, a very powerful ruler. Hal has a remarkable ability to mimic the various dialects of his people and to blend in with them. This will serve him well later on as king. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Henry V by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | Prince Hal has grown up. He has assumed the throne of his father and now he is King Henry V. He is a powerful king, skillful, resourceful, somewhat ruthless, a man of action. He leads his troops into battle against France. The night before battle he goes among his troops in disguise and hears how they view the upcoming fight. Then he gives them the most stirring speech, "Once more into the breech, dear friends", and they follow him, fighting fiercely, to a resounding victory. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris (
) |
| Summary: | Very funny stories of the holiday season(one that I HOPE is fiction). I was actually in danger of hurting myself I was laughing so hard at one point. So be a Reader Elf and get on the waiting list. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Holy Fools by Joanne Harris (
) |
| Summary: | Joanne Harris, the author of "Chocolat" and "Five Quarters of the Orange" is back with another novel set in France. This time the story is set in the 1600's. A group of nuns live peacefully in an almost forgotten island convent. When the mother superior dies of old age, her young replacement brings with her reforms that threaten the peacefulness of the convent and the nuns. One nun in particular, Soeur Anne, has a secret to hide, and the priest who accompanies the new mother superior knows Soeur Anne, knows those secrets and poses a threat to Soeur Anne and to the other nuns fragile peace of mind as well. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Hot Ice by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | Not as good as BirthRight but good enough for 5 stars because I liked the ending. A jewel thief and a high society playgirl? Do they make it? You'll have to read it to find out! |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (
) |
| Summary: | I'm not a fan of science fiction, so I'm not sure how my positive review of this book reflects on Mr. Asimov. Each chapter of the book is about a different robot and how the humans reacted to it. Whenever I felt the book was getting a little too technical for my taste, Asimov seemed to back down and explain things more clearly, so the book is readable and enjoyable.If anything it is fun to read of all of these "future" scientists and the many,many cigarettes they smoke. Haha.So even though it is dated it is still an incredible feat of imagination by one of S.F.'s masters. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | In the still of the night by Kristen Heitzmann (
) |
| Summary: | Great story. Story of learning to live with past mistakes, placing others above self and ultimately forgiveness. Would recommend highly. |
| Reviewed by: | Michele Trumble (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Inner Harbor by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | Third in the 4 part series, This book focuses in on Phillip. It had me laughing outloud in some parts and crying in the others. Phillip is the "business" man of the group of brothers and I love the way he finds his love. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Kaleidoscope by Danielle Steel (
) |
| Summary: | Another great book by this author. This book keeps you glued through the good and the bad. |
| Reviewed by: | Lureen Necklen (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Key Of Knowledge by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | Just as good as book 1. Dana gets her chance at finding the second key to assist in freeing the princesses from the spell. Progress has been made in the renovations of the Indulgence shop and Dana has the chance of renewing a long lost love relationship. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Key of light by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | I enjoyed the book, because it was a love story and a mystery combined together. It kept my interest |
| Reviewed by: | margaret adam (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Key Of Light by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | Could not put this book down! First in a three part series 3 women are brought together and offered a challenge. They need to find three keys that will unlock a spell and unbind three half mortal half goddesses souls. If they succeed they will recieve 1 million dollars each. If they fail they will lose one year of their life. They accept and Mallory is the first to take the challenge. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Key Of Valor by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | Third in the key series. Its now Zoe's turn to find the 3rd and final key. She has a 9 year old son to protect. She comes from the poorest background and needs to revisit that. She has the hardest and bloodiest time of all the rest. I guess because she is the last and final to break the spell she suffers the most. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Killer smile by Lisa Scottoline (
) |
| Summary: | In her twelfth book about the all-woman Philadelphia law firm, Rosato and Associtates, Scottoline strikes gold again. Her books read fast and are exciting, scary and funny. Mary DiNunzio works for free to get reparations for a dead Italian-American's estate because he was interned during WWII. It turns out that his estate is worth millions of dollars! Mary socks it to a creepy, filthy rich family of thugs. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Killer Smile by Lisa Scottoline (
) |
| Summary: | I really enjoy Lisa Scottoline's books involving the all-woman Lawyer's group. This one had an excellent and "different" plot...and gave the reader a peek into a not-so-proud episode in America's past. The internment of Italian's during WW2. Mary DeNunzio, one of the lady lawyers referenced above attempts to get reparations for an Italian internee's estate. The internee died in the Intern Camp. It's really a great story with lots of twists and turns. One little item: NOTE TO LISA SCOTTOLINE....Mary DeNunzia is a 30 year old widow, a graduate of Law School and has been a practicing lawyer for several years....please stop having her think and act (too often) like a 16 year old! Have her grow up at least a little in your next book...please! |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler (
) |
| Summary: | This was interesting summer reading, something good for when you're relaxing by the pool but not especially thought provoking. I found the main character, Delia, to be somewhat frustrating in the unrealistic way she handled things. I also found many warm, simple thoughts expressed by various characters illustrating the forgotten benefits of simple living and acceptance of loved ones, flaws and all. |
| Reviewed by: | Beth Barkocy (at Riverton Library) |
| Book: | Lawless by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | This is a typical Nora Roberts book full of passion, romance and adventure. It takes place in the old west, so there are even a couple of gunfights thrown in. This was a quick easy read. |
| Reviewed by: | Lee Hoisington (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Left Behind by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | It is a start of a series of 12 books. It is a book dealing with Christian beliefs in a story-thriller version of the Revelations chapter of the Bible. The first book builds with 5 characters and how they deal with being left behind when God takes his believers to heaven. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Legends Lake by Joann Ross (
) |
| Summary: | This book goes from the bluegrass hills of Kentucky to the emerald pastures of Ireland. It is the story of a thoroughbred racehorse named Legends Lake and the dangerous problem that he has, and his breeder Kate O'Sullivan and his trainer Alec MacKenna. It is the story of Kate and Alec's romance and how they work together to solve Legend's problem and while doing so fall in love. This book gives beautiful discriptons of the Irish countryside and has a hint of mysticism, romance and hope. |
| Reviewed by: | Lee Hoisington (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke (
) |
| Summary: | After having read and enjoyed the first 3 books in this series of 4 featuring cookie shop owner, Hannah Swensen, I really looked forward to this one. But, alas, the author let me down here. The plot could have been good, but I don't think was handled well. I'm not sure how to say it, but this book just didn't have the sparkle and fun as in the other 3. And unlike the other 3, I could figure out the murderer very quickly, which is no fun at all! The author is currently working on her fifth Hannah Swensen book and I hope it is as good as the first 3 in this series were. |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer (
) |
| Summary: | Through memoir the author explores what vocation is and how to find it in your life. He also explores ways inwhich we can manifest vocation in our lives. This is a small but thought provoking book. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke translated by M.D. Herter Norto (
) |
| Summary: | This is a small book containing the letters the poet Rilke wrote to a young poet named Franz Xaver Kappus. Mr. Kappus sent his poetry to Rilke, who he greatly admired, asking him for comment. Through the correspondence a relationship was formed between the two men. Rilke gave Kappus advice on more than just writing, but on life as well. There is a short commentary explaining the circumstances from which Rilke wrote each letter. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Little Children by Tom Perotta (
) |
| Summary: | This book consisted of "episodes" in the lives of several people, most with young children, who live somewhere in New York City. As you read the various chapters, from time to time, some of the people's lives overlap with each other. In two cases, there is more than an overlap...two of the parents end up in an affair and one of the overlaps of 2 of the characters ends up tragically. I really enjoyed the book and read it quickly because I wanted to see what would happen next. I must tell you though, the title does not refer to the young children of the characters....I believe it refers to the childish actions of many of the adult characters. |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Lives of the Monster Dogs by Kirsten Bakis (
) |
| Summary: | The book jacket describes this "novel" as " a weird and haunting parable for our times". The book lives up to this description. When I saw the title of the book, Lives of the Monster Dogs, I knew I was not looking at an epic novel like Gone with the Wind. I looked at it as possible fun and unusal summer reading. It turned out to be more of the "weird" than I expected. The book includes a mad doctor, a strange castle, A "Dog Opera", bizarre love letters and journal enteries plus various other tid bits of just plain freakishness. The story drags and the plot, well its Frankenstein meets Cujo with a little General Hospital (with a male Monster Dog being infatuated with a woman) thrown in. If your looking to read something that is definitly different and very odd this "novel" may interest you. You'd be better off grabbing a copy of Cujo and giving your dog a treat. |
| Reviewed by: | Marie Simone (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Mayday by N.DeMille and T. Block (
) |
| Summary: | This was a great book. It was very exciting. It was very suspenseful and I didn't want to stop reading. |
| Reviewed by: | Lisa Joy (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Memoires of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (
) |
| Summary: | This book tells the story of a young girl in WWII Japan. As she struggles with poverty and tragedy, she is saved when an acquaintance selects her for training as a geisha. Personal happiness is something she isn't sure she has a right to expect, but she can't help dreaming of the possibility. |
| Reviewed by: | Judy Mosconi (at Pinelands/Medford Library) |
| Book: | Message from Nam by Danielle Steel (
) |
| Summary: | Danielle Steel has outdone herself in this book. It is a very compelling book about Vietnam and Paxton's loves and losses due to the war. It keeps you engrossed throughout the book. |
| Reviewed by: | Lureen Necken (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (
) |
| Summary: | Wonderful writing - Pulitzer prize winner. The story just flowed. Thought the subject was difficult, it was handled well. It began long before the birth of the narrator, included interesting historical information about that part of Greece where the Turks had settled and created a vivid image of their struggle during WWII. In the end, the character learned to live with a unique identity and triumphed without anger over an incredible legacy. |
| Reviewed by: | Judy Mosconi (at Pinelands/Medford Library) |
| Book: | Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (
) |
| Summary: | Eugenides deftly weaves the engrossing story of how a genetic flaw carried by several generations of Greek immigrants manifests itself in the form of Calliope Stephanides. Thought to be born as a girl, and raised as such, Calliope is the granddaughter of an incestuous relationship between her grandparents. While still a youngster, the predominately male characteristics remain latent only to reveal themselves rapidly when Calliope/Cal reaches puberty. As a backdrop to the story we experience a tumultuous point of history between long time rivals, the Greeks and the Turks. As the years pass, we are witness to some of the less desirable history of Detroit, USA where the elder Stephanides have immigrated to. Calliope/Cal's narration of her life lets us glimpse into the world of a pseudo-hermaphrodite with all its consequences and often mental anguish...the uncertainty and doubt. Calliope/Cal says she experiences two births: the first time as a girl, and the second time as a teenage boy. |
| Reviewed by: | Sylvia Somers (at Evesham Library) |
| Book: | Mirror Image by Sandra Brown (
) |
| Summary: | Waking up from a coma after being severly burnt in a plane crash. Avery finds herself mistakenly identified as Carole and ready to begin reconstructive surgery. Before she has a chance to correct anyone a plot is uncovered that the real Carole was in on a scheme to have her husband assisanated. Can she play the role as Carole and unmask the assasin before her true identity is revealed? |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Mistaken Identity by Lisa Scottoline (
) |
| Summary: | A lawyer is asked to defend a client who maybe her twin she never knew existed. She takes the case but she has to deal with wondering if she is being conned or is she really her twin with a dark side. The story line is quick and not as believable as some this author’s work but does make for a good story. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Mondays On the Dark Night of the Moon by Kirin Narayan, Urmila Devi (
) |
| Summary: | The subtitle of this book is: Himalayan Foothill Folktales. The author, Kirain, is an anthroplogist raised in India. Urmila is the storyteller. The stories Urmila tells are fascinting for their glimpses into the Hindu mindset. Equally fascinating, and more touching, is the real-life story of the growing relationship between Urmila and Kirin. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | More Than Magic by Kathleen Nance (
) |
| Summary: | This book was a little different from the norm. It was a fun book to read. It invovles time travel and a hot romantic djinni. This is the exotic sensual romance of Darius and Isis and the magical love that ricohets between them. |
| Reviewed by: | Lee Hoisington (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Murder in Belleville by Cara Black (
) |
| Summary: | This is one in a series of books by Black featuring Aimee Leduc, a Parisian computer security expert who finds herself involved with murders in the city. Each book is set in a different neighborhood in Paris, usually ones that are off the tourist beat. Aimee is a well developed character, the mystery is sound, and the streets of Paris come alive with Black's descriptions. |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Davenport (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Mystic River by Dennis Lehane (
) |
| Summary: | The first part of the book seamed to jump around so much it was hard to keep track of who’s who as our author sets the stage. Once this was done the mystery came out in a cunning array of Sherlock Holmes’s clues. Who had killed a 19-year-old girl Katie who was about to elope with Brendan? These two had a typical Romeo and Juliet style romance. The clues are there for you to see and you do see them you just don’t know at the time. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Naked in Death by J D Robb (
) |
| Summary: | The first in a series and I am hooked. A mystery series with a woman as the star. Lieutenant Even Dallas faces complex cases and more complex kilers. But with logic and clear thinking she gets her man. The intensity level is high and keeps going higher. I recommend these books highly. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristine Clark (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Nathaniel by John Saul (
) |
| Summary: | Nathaniel is a voice in the night calling to anyone who can hear…calling his children home. The Question is, “Who is He? And who is killing the children?” Definitely not recommended for anyone expecting a child.. I feel John Saul could have done more with this one, but it is a good thriller. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | On The Street Where You Live by Mary Higgins Clark (
) |
| Summary: | Emily Graham moves back to Spring Lake NJ in a house that her Grandmother spoke of often. It was here one of her relatives, Madeline Shapely at age 19, had mysteriously disappeared in back in 1892. Now 110 years later on the day she moves in they not only find Madeline’s body but the body of another 19-year-old girl who disappeared recently. Emily, a lawyer from Manhattan, is determined to find out who is killers or is it killer? Was the original killer reincarnated? The authors touch of hearing the killer’s thoughts throughout the series of murders both in 1892 and the present day, without ever revealing who he was, is very intriguing. Then adding a stalker from Manhattan who was supposed to be already in jail you have the makings of a very intense complex mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Othello by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | Othello is the Moor of Venice and a great soldier. He secretly marries Desdemona, who loves him dearly. However, in his role as general, Othello has promoted a young man Michael Cassio to the role of lieutenant, passing over his closer comrade and more seasoned soldier, Iago. The story is really about Iago and his revenge on Othello. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Pale Moon Rising by Ginna Gray (
) |
| Summary: | Joe has the suprise of his life when he interviews the exlclusive & well recommended designer Olivia for his company remodeling project. Olivia to is just as shocked. Turns out the 2 of them had a brief 5 month marriage and a child together. Can they put the past behind them? |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Polar Dream by Helen Thayer (
) |
| Summary: | This is the second book I've by this author. The story takes you with Helen Thayer on her expedition to the Magnetic North Pole. When she first planned the trip she was to go alone. Concerned friends talk her into taking dog with her to warn of approaching Polar Bears. So for $100.00 she buys Charlie (a dog who is part wolf) and they set out on the incredible journey. At times in the book become a little monotonous but the authors honest and "down-to-earth" story telling more than makes up for it. I enjoy the way the authors relationship with Charlie develops and the trust they eventually have for each other. I did not enjoy this book as much as the first one I read by this same author. It is still worth anyone's time who loves a good adventure tale. |
| Reviewed by: | Marie Simone (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Possession: A Romance by A. S. Byatt (
) |
| Summary: | This book was recommended to me several times by friends. It tells the story of two academics, Maud and Roland, uncovering evidence of an affair between two Victorian poets. This story just did not work for me, I just couldn't get into it.And I tried more than once. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Price of Murder by Bruce Alexander (
) |
| Summary: | This is the last so far in the historical mystery series featuring Sir John Fielding and his ward Jeremy Proctor. Jeremy's aim will be to take up the law as Sir John did. The plot involves horseracing and a missing child found dead in the Thames. There are lots of twists and turns in the story. This series is so well written that it is like reading Dickens instead of murder stories. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton (
) |
| Summary: | I have read all of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series, from "A is for Alibi" to this most current one. Most of them have been very good or excellent, a few have been superb and a few have been only fair. For me this one fell into the very good category. Good plot involving a job for Kinsey that falls a little outside her normal work. Good secondary story line; a budding romance for Kinsey. And a very funny third story line that involves Kinsey's delightful octogenarian landlord, his crazy relatives and a budding romance for him too. All in all, a very good addition to the Kinsey Millhone series. |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy (
) |
| Summary: | Reading a classic is like eating a gourmet meal rather than eating at McDonald's... it takes a lot longer but is so much more satisfying! The setup in the beginning takes a little while to grab your attention, but then it becomes difficult to put down. It's also interesting to see how in the olden days, as today, romantic relationships were confusing, frustrating, chaotic, and sometimes, hopefully, satisfying. |
| Reviewed by: | Beth Barkocy (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Richard II by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | Richard is an inept king. He has the gift of poetry, but is out of touch with his people, overtaxes them and then relies on the divine right of kings to uphold his claim to the throne. He is overthrown by Prince Hal, who goes on to become King Henry IV. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Rising Tides by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | Part of the series Sea Swept. Focuses on the life of Ethan and how the effects of the 3 brothers and the one they are adopting all moving in together. Really Good |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | There is very little to add about Romeo and Juliet that has not already been written. It remains a classic love story for all times. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Sappho by Tranlated by Mary Barnard (
) |
| Summary: | This small book is fille with fragments of poetry writtten by Sappho. She was a poet in ancient Greece who lived on the Isle of Lesbos. The book's six part format breaks up the poems into groups. It is a delightful read. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Sea Swept by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | The story begins as 3 adopted brothers are called home to their fathers deathbed and make the promise to raise the 10 yr old boy he was in the process of adopting. What a great storyline! |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Search for love by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | I enjoyed the mystery along with the love story |
| Reviewed by: | margaret adam (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (
) |
| Summary: | I know more than half of America loved this book, but I just couldn't see why. The story just screamed "Make me into a Lifetime TV movie!" There are two main themes going on here: racism in the South in the late sixties and the relationship between mothers and daughters. Each theme is underdeveloped and set up with horrible cliches (what you expect is exactly what you get). There are no surprises here. |
| Reviewed by: | kristie winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Seven Up by Janet Evanovich (
) |
| Summary: | Once you get past the stereotype of an Italian family with a hip outspoken Grandma, I could not stop laughing. Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter: "she shoots people" is how her mother introduces her. She has to bring in someone Grandma use to date. Very entertaining story but there is a lot of off color remarks so it is not for someone who is easily embarrassed. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson (
) |
| Summary: | This is the excellent true story of 2 New Jersey wreck divers named John Chatterton and Richie Kohler, who in 1991 discovered an unidentified U-boat from WWII that was sunk off Brielle, NJ. It took them 6 years of dangerous diving and research in the off seasons to identify the wreck. The US government and German war records were incorrect in positioning the final resting place of U-869 and its 57 crewmen. They lost 3 of their companions during these dives. Kohler then went to Germany to tell the family members were their loved ones really were. It has photographs and an index. This story will be made into a movie! I loved it when one of the divers heard the music from Das Boot when he was at the wreck. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Shadow Mountain, A Memoir of Wolves, A Woman and the Wild by Renee Askins (
) |
| Summary: | This book brings you into the wonderful world of the wild. The author leads a truly giving and inspiring life. As you read you follow her on a journey to re-introduce wolves into the "Yellowstone ecological balance". You are able to experience with her the ups and downs of all her "grassroots" efforts. You are delighted by the many wildlife projects she becomes involved with. There are also many heartwarming tales of her time with her own "pack" of loving dogs and most of all her never ended devotion to a wolf named Natasha. |
| Reviewed by: | Marie Simone (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Shakespeare: the Invention of the Human by Harold Bloom (
) |
| Summary: | Harold Bloom is a controversial Yale literary critic. In this book he posits that not only did Shakespeare invent the English language, but also that he invented human nature as we know it today, that is that his characters are the prototypes for all future characters in plays. If you are taking an introductory course on Shakespeare (as I am), these essays can be an invaluable resource. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Sleep No More by Greg Iles (
) |
| Summary: | This book was a creepy page-turner. I highly recommend it if you love suspenseful chillers. I definitely will read more from this author. |
| Reviewed by: | Lisa Joy (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie (
) |
| Summary: | Mrs. Marple's last mystery, but she's as sharp as ever. You get the feeling she has almost all the answers from the beginning. A young couple buy a house and the wife finds that she lived in the house as a child and is haunted by a memory of having witnessed a murder then. Mrs. Marple helps them to investigate and is there on the spot for the finale. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Sock by Penn Jillette (
) |
| Summary: | If you're a fan of the comdey/magician team of Penn & Teller, you should give this a try. Written by the talkative Penn, it's a serial killer murder mystery as told by a sock monkey. Very strange, but funny. The novelity of the sock monkey's attitude started to wear off for me half way through the book, but the pop song references that end almost every paragraph kept me interested until the end. |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Davenport (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde (
) |
| Summary: | Three excellent reasons to read Jasper Fforde novels: 1. People jump in and out of time and run through books. 2. Croquet is a super sport with more injuries than football. 3. When you are reading the book EVEYTHING makes sense (sure dodos make excellent house pets and Hamlet is Mel Gibson's biggest fan...) Hint: Do not read them out of order! |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde (
) |
| Summary: | This is the fourth installment of Fforde's series with Literary Detective, Thursday Next. The setting is early 80's England changed by an alternate history where Wales is now the Socialist Republic of Wales, advertisements by the Toast Marketing Board abound and Thursday operates as a literary detective, tracking down false copies of Shakespeare and other literary crime, and is able to "jump" into books and change the plot. After finishing this installment, I'm already dying for the next Next. Be sure to start with the first one, The Eyre Affair, or you will never catch up. |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Davenport (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Soul Harvest by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | Just as the title implies....the tribulation force is seeking to win souls for God and sides are now drawn. Book 4 leaves you in suspense to read the continuing saga. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Spiderwick chronicles book 4 by Holly Black (
) |
| Summary: | The continuing story keeps you locked in! Quite surprising things keep popping up! |
| Reviewed by: | Judi LeHuquet (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahnuik (
) |
| Summary: | A collection of nonfiction from the writer of Diary and Fight Club. Chuck sets out to interview folks who do crazy things and attend functions you'd rather not know about(but thanks for the warning!). The book lives when he writes about himself and flags when he interviews people we don't know(and he assumes we do). |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke (
) |
| Summary: | This is the 2nd one in this series featuring Hannah Swensen as a cookie shop owning sleuth. Once again, Hannah is falling over bodies and once again she gets her sister Andrea to help find out who the killer is. These stories are not deep and involved, but neither are they "fluff" either. They have pretty good plots and I find myself enjoying the various characters as they re-appear in this book from the first one. In fact, one of the characters from the first book becomes a victim in this one! Again, this is a book for women...don't think men would like it. And, like in the 1st of the series, there are some recipes included. And Hannah's "love life" actually begins to heat up in this one! ( Nothing dirty though...these books are not graphic either about the bodies or the love life! ) |
| Reviewed by: | Lin Exline (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Tears of Rage by John Walsh with Susan Schindehette (
) |
| Summary: | If I thought the "Notebook" was a tear jerker, it was nothing in contrast to this one. I balled my eyes out recounting the horrific story of Adam Walsh. My oldest son was a young lad at the time this event occurred and I remember it very distinctly. This book lets everyone in on what took place, how the police were inept in such matters at the time and all the changes legislatively that have taken place since. This man and his wife took the tragedy that befell them and rather then wallow in their misery used it to help untold numbers of other families to find their loved ones, even though their son was gone. They never found justice for their own son's slaughter but they have aided victims not only in child abduction cases but John became the host of America's Most Wanted which has had a fantastic success rate of capturing criminals after the various stories air. Without their crusade our nation and our families would be in a worse state. Hats off to them. |
| Reviewed by: | Paula Thomason (at Bookmobile) |
| Book: | Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich (
) |
| Summary: | Stephanie Plum, the disaster-prone bailbonds agent from Trenton is back. And all the favorites are here again, Lula, Grandma Mazur, Morelli, Ranger, yes, even Uncle Sandor's Buick, in another hilarious misadventure. Some braincandy for summer. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich (
) |
| Summary: | Janet Evanovich makes reading a pure pleasure. Having grown up in Bordentown and knowing all of the landmarks she refers to in her book like the back of my hand makes it even more enjoyable. Stephanie Plum, a "bounty hunter of sorts" as usual faces her usual tribulations with her hilarious friends "Lulu" who likes to take the bad guys down while wearing her tight leopard spandex and sitting on them. This series of books is one of the most "fun" series to read and thoroughly enjoyable. I finished it in one day, and you will find it hard to put down. |
| Reviewed by: | Jacquelyn Tantum (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich (
) |
| Summary: | With this book I think M. Evanovich has lost me as a fan. I found the story unengaging and the humor stale. It felt to me like a rehash of all the old writing tricks she has used in her past books. The tricks are now old and stale and fresh ones are called for to be used. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The 9/11 Commission Report: Authorized Edition by Various Commission Members (
) |
| Summary: | This is the final report of the 9/11 commision. It is very readable; the commission took great pains to write their findings so the public can understand them. It is a fascinating look at an event that has affected this country greatly. I wanted to read it for myself rather than rely on someone else's interpretation. I highly recommend it. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson (
) |
| Summary: | Alex Cross,who has left the Washington PD and joined the FBI is once again involved in a complicated case. I found the characters to be very colorful and he wrote this book in his usual "everyone can enjoy this" manner. The story centers around a Russian Criminal "The Wolf." Alex is recruited to caputure the "Wolf". The ending is waiting for a sequel. I felt as though I could have kept reading to find out what really happesn. Also, Patterson's main character "Alex Cross" is a very family oriented man and the story ends with a very sad and empty feeling. I hope that a sequel is coming soon which will resolve the disappointment I felt at the end of this book. |
| Reviewed by: | Jacquelyn Tantum (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | An very good mystery about a reporter named Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who solves murder mysteries with the help of his intelligent cat. The cat is smart about a lot of things, but his clues could be simply Qwill's subconscious assigning reasons to the cats behavior from things that he himself has observed or deduced. In this story, Qwill is lent an apartment by a 'Donald Trump' type of businessman, and with the help of his cat, solves a murder. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Brought Down the House by Lilian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | A good bookby someone who obviously loves and understands cats. The characters are all very likeable, especially the main character who is respected, important and successful without being pompous or arrogant. The cats are likeable. The mystery is a good mystery, but the book is not about solving the mystery. It is a narrative of the life of the main character who just happens to notice a few curious things and tries to find out about them, not surprising considering the character works for a newspaper. He doesn't solve the mystery so much as he pursues the answers to his questions. In spite of the fact that I usually like clues to lead me to the answer instead of narratives of the detectives lives, I enjoyed this book a great deal. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | This is the first in 'The Cat Who' series. Having already read a number of the later books, it was a little odd and the reading not as enjoyable simply for the fact that the circumstances of the main character are much better in the later books, making him more relaxed and entertaining. It was great, however to see how everything started. In this book, the main character, Reporter Jim Qwilleran, known to his friends as Qwill, is beginning a new job at a newspaper. He is given the job of the art column in spite of not knowing anything about art, but Qwill, as we learn in this and later books, has an insatiable desire for knowledge and it isn't long before he's familiar with art though not expert. He rents an apartment from the paper's art critic whom he likes, but not many others do. The Art Critic's cat, Koko also becomes a fast friend. When the critic is murdered, Koko and Qwill solve the mystery, the cat alerting the man to clues, and the man piecing them together. Very enjoyable reading, the personalities of the characters are entertaining, and not annoying as they could be with the above scenario. Naturally, Qwill adopts Koko so that they can continue to solve mysteries together. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Had 14 Tales by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | A very enteratining set of short stories featuring cats. Some are spooky, some are eerie, some are sad, but they're all good! |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | A great mystery about a reporter named Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who solves murders with the assistance of his intelligent cat. The cat is smart about a lot of things, but his clues could be simply Qwill's subconscious gaining clues from things that he himself has observed or deduced. Qwill's two Siamese have a new friend, a cardinal that provides an opportunity to pass on clues as well as a test of character for someone Qwill has just met. Another entertaining murder mystery solved by Qwill and Company. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | This is a very entertaining story about a reporter, Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who has a cat with some special abilities. The cat seems to have an instinctive knowledge of when a murder has been committed and how. Or, it could just be Qwill's subconcious which associates some of the cat's behavior with clues to solving murders. In this installment of the series of books, Qwill is settling into new circumstances, having been left a fortune, mansion and lots of property by his aunt/godmother. Being a reporter, he has an interest in the news and something funny is going on with the disposal of the community newspaper after the death of the owner. Qwill's instincts lead him through a condolence call to the far from grieving widow, to a wedding of his housekeeper to a slightly shady character, and to a solution for the problems of the local paper without his having to purchase it to save it! |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Lived Up High by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | A very entertaining mystery about a reporter named Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who solves murders with the help of his hyperintelligent cat. The cat is smart about a lot of things, but his clues could be simply Qwill's subconscious assigning clues to the cats behavior from things that he himself has observed or deduced. Qwill leaves his comfortable home for a trip back 'Down Under' as the population of Moose County call everything south of them. He is called upon to try to help save a historic building and is given the penthouse apartment to use. The apartment had been the scene of a murder/suicide and it isn't long until other suspicious happenings lead Qwill and his uncanny cat into solving the case. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | A mystery story about a reporter named Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who solves murders with the help of his intelligent cat. The cat is smart about a lot of things, but his clues could be simply Qwill's subconscious assigning reasons to the cats behavior from clues that he himself has observed or deduced. In this book, Qwill is feeling jaded and needs to take some time off so he accepts the offer of his 'Aunt Fanny' a multimillionairess who is an old family friend. She offers him the use of her cabin for the summer and he is glad to accept. Upon arrival, he finds things very much to his liking, the cabin is furnished with all the modern conveniences including a player complete with a Brahms tape. His intelligent cat is preoccupied with learning to operate electronic equipment and soon learns to turn on the player. Sadly, Aunt Fanny dies, and although Qwill is not suspicious of her death, there is another murder and some suspicious happenings that lead him to the solution, not only of that mystery, but also of his Aunt Fanny's death. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Played Post Office by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | An entertaining mystery story about a reporter named Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who solves murder mysteries with the help of his superintelligent cat. The cat is smart about a lot of things, but his clues could be simply Qwill's subconscious assigning more sinister reasons to the cats behavior from things that he himself has observed or deduced. In this story, Qwill has just inherited the Klingenschoen millions from his "Aunt Fanny" an old family friend and his godmother. He is learning the ways of the small town in which the mansion is located and getting to know the locals. He gets a lot of letters from people and his smart cat brings him the most interesting pieces of mail and helps him solve a murder. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Saw Red by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | An entertaining mystery about a reporter named Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who solves murder mysteries with the help of his cat. The cat is smart about a lot of things, but his clues could be simply Qwill's subconscious assigning reasons to the cats behavior from things that he himself has observed or deduced. In the fourth book of the series, Qwill's having a bad time. He's been put on a very strict diet by his doctor and the managing editor of his newspaper has just decided to start a gourmet food and wine column with an expense account to be used at all the best restaurants..., and he wants Qwill to write it. IN fact he insists. Poor Qwill loves good food and he isn't unhappy for long. He finds that the diet isn't as hard to maintain as he thought, he just eats less of the best things and the new assignment leads to his getting a room in a boarding house where everyone has an artistic talent and the owner is an attorney who excels at gourmet cooking. A housekeeper takes care of the rooms and the meals not cooked by the attorney. Qwill also runs into his childhood sweetheart for whom the flame in his heart has never died. Unfortunately he finds the old adage to be true..., "you can't go back". A series of disappearances don't raise any alarm except to Qwill and his remarkable cat who soon solve the mystery. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Sniffed Glue by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | IN this book, Koko begins to have a thing for glue and uses his nose to sniff out clues for Jim Qwilleran to solve a murder. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | IN this book, Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, gets a midnight call from his friend and former housekeeper, Iris Cobb. Iris has been hearing moans, screams, creaking and thumping in the old farmhouse ins which she lives. She donated the farmhouse to the town as a museum and lives in an apartment as the curator. Iris has a weak heart and Qwill is concerned for her so he drives out to take her to a friend's house, but he arrives too late. Everyone believes the death is due to natural causes but Qwill isn't so sure. He, Koko and Yum Yum move into the museum until a new curator can be found and they work together to answer Qwill's questions about Iris's death. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Turned On and Off by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | An entertaining story about a reporter named Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, who solves murder mysteries with the help of his smart cat. The cat is almost psychic about a lot of things, but his clues could be simply Qwill's subconscious assigning more sinister reasons to the cats' behavior from things that he himself has observed or deduced. In this third book of the series, Qwill's cat learns a few new tricks, how to operate electrical gadgets and switch things on and off. His abilities help focus Qwill's suspicions and help him to solve a murder. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Wasn't There by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | Qwill's good friend Polly convinces him to go on a tour of Scotland. He in turn convinces his old friend and editor of his newspaper to go as well. They have misgivings about the tour as they learn who else is going and who is running it and their fears become reality as they deal with the numerous personalities that are on the trip with them. Just as tempers start to heat up, the organizer of the trip is found dead. everyone thinks it's due to her heart condition, but Qwill has his suspicions and, proving he can still solve them without the assistance of his cat Koko, he proceeds to solve a murder that no one else believes has occurred. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Went Underground by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | Jim Qwilleran and his cat Koko solve another murder. Qwill and the cats move to the sabin for a change of scene for the summer but things keep breaking down and odd occurances keep them edgy and anxious including the disappearances and deaths of several handymen. Koko keeps giving Qwill clues, but it takes Qwill a little time to understand what the cat is trying to communicate. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Cat Who Went Underground by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | Jim Qwilleran and his cat Koko solve another murder. Qwill and the cats move to the sabin for a change of scene for the summer but things keep breaking down and odd occurances keep them edgy and anxious including the disappearances and deaths of several handymen. Koko keeps giving Qwill clues, but it takes Qwill a little time to understand what the cat is trying to communicate. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Classic Fairy Tales: Texts, Criticism by Maria M. Tatar (
) |
| Summary: | Maria Tatar has gathered some of the most well-known fairy tales from around the world: Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Beauty and the Beast, along with some lesser well-known variants of these tales. She researched their origins and includes twelve critical essays by such authorities as Bruno Bettelheim, Marina Warner and Jack Zipes. An eye-opening look into the origins and development of these tales and yes, she mentions the Disney influence. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan M. Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The Coma by Alex Garland (
) |
| Summary: | Very short novel of a man's coma. The author's father provides illustrations for each chapter adding to the dreamlike feel of the story. The book gets three stars for feeling incomplete. I have read this writer before and one is left with the feeling he was being rushed. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon (
) |
| Summary: | It's hard not to like Christopher, the autistic narrator of this novel. He takes it upon himself to find out who killed the neighbor's poodle with a garden fork, just as his hero Sherlock Holmes would. He doesn't let his inability to understand emotion or any of his other issues, like not being able to stand being touched or an aversion to certain colors get in his way. Haddon does a great job of letting the reader see the world through Christopher's eyes. |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Davenport (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | The Dance by Oriah mountain Dreamer (
) |
| Summary: | This book asks the questions "What would you do if you knew you were enough just as you are today, if you knew - really knew - that you were in your essential nature a compassionate, gentle being capable of being fully present with yourself and the world? Would you trust yourself more?" The author then uses stories from her life to show how these questions can be answered. I found the book a bit simplistic and the writing rather plain. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Earth Gods by Kahlil Gibran (
) |
| Summary: | This is the last book published while Gibran was alive. It is the discourse between three unidentified gods over their creation of the Earth and humanity. It is a discussion of Earth's value and the value of humanity and especially the value of love. I think it is one of his best works. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Enlightened Heart by Ed. by Stephen Mitchell (
) |
| Summary: | This is a collection of wisdom sayings from across time and across the globe. It gives just a sample of many of the people who have spoken universal wisdom over the history of the world. It is a good beginning place so that if one of them strikes you, you can look up more writings by that person and read further. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Fifth Element by Luc Besson (
) |
| Summary: | The Fifth Element is one of my favorite movies. The book, however, just doesn't have the 'punch' of the movie, nor does it enlighten you as to the characters' motives, emotions, or inner thoughts. Those are my main reasons for reading a novelization of a movie. Somewhat entertaining light reading, but there's no power to the story and the story falters and slows down in many places. The movie has the power, magnetism and personalities of the stars to carry it through and they make the story exciting and make it move at a good pace. See the movie, forget the book. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Ghost Writer by John Harwood (
) |
| Summary: | Ghost story in which a young man's pen friend may hold the answers to the many mysteries in his own family. Although the book takes place during different times of the year I wish I had saved this one for a chilly October evening. It would have made it that much better. Placed throughout the novel are very spooky separate ghost stories that may or may not hold clues to the book's main story. |
| Reviewed by: | kristie winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The Glorius Appearing by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | The authors version of how the world will be as Jesus comes to make his judgments and deliver Satan and his believers to hell. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman (
) |
| Summary: | First of all this is a book for young adults. But I must say I really enjoyed it. I would compare it to Harry Potter. A young girl raised by the college professors at Oxford, she is street wise and full of such an imagination. A very different world she lives in, where everyone has a demon, including herself. Her trusted friend Pan. These deamons talk to there masters and have the ability to change into other shapes and move about to help out there masters as needed. Truth is the key to this mystery and I highly recommend it all. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristine Clark (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Great Fairy Tale Tradition by Jack Zipes (
) |
| Summary: | The subtitle of this book is: From Straparol and Basile to the Brothers Grimm. It is interesting to learn in this book that the Brothers Grimm did not just copy down stories told to them by people from the working class. Rather, they kept re-writing them and modifying them, over and over again. In this collection, Zipes groups the fairy tales by theme. There are also 7 critiques at the end of the book along with a selected bibliography and brief biographies of the storytellers. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The INDWELLING by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | The devil rises from the dead after laying in state for 3 days. Pretty scary. |
| Reviewed by: | FAMADISON2@aol.com (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer (
) |
| Summary: | This is a book that stems from a prose poem written by the author. The book is an invitation to take a closer look at your life and see how you can live more fully. It is an invitation to see the good and hard parts of life from a new perspective. It offers no easy or glib solutions or steps to follow. There are mediatation exercises at the end of each chapter pertaining to the topic just discussed. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Madman by Kahlil Gibran (
) |
| Summary: | This is a very small book of Gibran's early poetry and parables. When I read it, I could see the start of what came to be his most famous book "The Prophet". |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Mark by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | Either get the imbedded mark on your forehead or right hand or your beheaded. You will need this mark to buy sell or trade |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie (
) |
| Summary: | Another great Hercule Poirot mystery. An heiress is convinced to file for divorce by her millionaire father, but on the Blue Train, she is murdered. There are a number of suspects including a former lover with whom she was supposedly going to renew her relationship. Christie leads you through the mystery step by step, sometimes letting you know the clues that Poirot is considering and sometimes just letting you know that he has a clue and letting you reason it out for yourself. |
| Reviewed by: | Ellen Engroff Skoller (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Next Accident by Lisa Gardner (
) |
| Summary: | First in what appears to be his daughter committing suicide, but turns out she is murdered.Then his idenity is stolen. His ex wife murdered. With one daughter left, Can this FBI agent save her? |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (
) |
| Summary: | How odd that the central character, Precious Ramotswe, becomes the one and only lady detective in of all places, Botswana. But this intelligent and charming character not only lives her dream but becomes successful as well. This story is full of well-defined and interesting characters with this African nation as a backdrop. Mma Ramotswe is singularly unique and intuitive as she solves the most unlikely of cases in this most unlikely setting. This book is the first of a series by the author and the reader will, no doubt, want to read all of them after being charmed by the main character. |
| Reviewed by: | Sylvia Somers (at Evesham Library) |
| Book: | The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (
) |
| Summary: | This book was excellent! I couldn't put it down once I started reading it! It's easily read in one night. Maximum tear-jerker unless you're stone hearted. Two people forever drawn to each other even though time and distance have kept them apart for years fatefully reconnect. They are seemingly separated once again just as fatefully by Alzheimer's Disease as they age. Their love never dies and despite being lost to dementia the strength of their love was so intense it continued to surface in miraculously wonderous moments. I have never read a more touching and beautiful love story and I'm not normally prone to reading "romance" novels at all. |
| Reviewed by: | Paula Thomason (at Evesham Library) |
| Book: | The Policy by Bently Little (
) |
| Summary: | A really shake to your bones horror book. Put a whole new look on insurance policies and insurance men! |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Private Life of The Cat Who by Lillian Jackson Braun (
) |
| Summary: | I loved this book. It gives you a look into the life of Qwilleran and those two adorable Siamese cats. And it brings back the memory of what happened before in a book you've read. |
| Reviewed by: | Elizabeth Buklad (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran (
) |
| Summary: | A visitor to the city of Orphalese sees the ship coming to take him away. As he goes to meet the ship the people of the city gather around him and ask him many questions about our existence. The visitor offers them universal wisdom as he answers them. It is a book of life and truth. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | The Reef by Nora Roberts (
) |
| Summary: | To qoute a line from the book that sums it all up;"Youv'e got murder,greed,lust,sacrifice,passion,sex-" |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Remnant by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | 10th in the series.The anti-christ is determined that all shall get his mark worship his statue 3 times a day or now be tortured and then put to death. He sends out demons pretending to perform miracles and when the undecided go to hear and see they are put to death. Ends at the 6th year of the 7 year tribulation. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Rescuer by Nicholas Sparks (
) |
| Summary: | I'm hooked now! This man really knows how to touch the human spirit. This story revolves around a couple who meet when the man rescues the woman from a car wreck. They are incredibly drawn to each other but he finds it difficult to commit once things get more serious. It's been the story of his life as they say. He almost blows it but finally trusts enough to share his hurt and despair enabling him to move forward and they live happily ever after! It's a story that will give your mind a break from the stresses in life. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I anxiously await reading more of this author's novels. |
| Reviewed by: | Paula Thomason (at Evesham Library) |
| Book: | The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (
) |
| Summary: | I must respectfully disagree with Kristie's assessment of this book. This book is one of my all-time favorite books. It was recommended to me by several people. I picked it up a couple of times, but couldn't get past the first chapter. Then finally, I read the whole thing and it was so moving, so touching, not only couldn't I put it down, I've given it as a gift to several dear women in my life. If you like books with strong women characters, who take what life dishes them out and transform it into something good, and transform the people around them, then you will like this book. Sorry Kristie ;) |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice (
) |
| Summary: | Although the ending is awesome you have to muddle through a lot to get to it. College cults,gay relationships,sexual molestations........murder |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Street Lawyer by John Grisham (
) |
| Summary: | Why would a lawyer making over 100,000 year leave it all to become a lawyer making 30,000 a year defending homeless people? |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | This play is about Ktharina, a shrew, and the man who decides to marry her, Petruchio. Katharina's younger sister, Bianca, has several suitors, but her father will not permit her to marry before Katharina is married. Katharina has a bit of a temper, but Petruchio matches her for fiestiness. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The Tempest by William Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | This has to be one of Shakespeare's most fantastical plays, right up there with "A Midsummer Night's Dream". In this play Prospero is the ruler of an island and a powerful magician. Before coming to the island he was Duke of Milan, until his wily older brother dethroned him. Prospero has enslaved two magical creatures, Caliban,part man and part beast, (his mother, a witch, used to rule the island) and Ariel a delightful sprite. Prospero also has a beautiful daughter, Miranda. There is a storm at sea and Prospero's brother, the duke, is washed ashore onto the island, along with his fellow travelers, among them a young man by the name of Ferdinand. Prospero causes the shipwrecked travlers to be separated, then he toys with them. But, all's well that ends well, as Shakespeare would say. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (
) |
| Summary: | This is not your typical love story. Henry DeTamble has a genetic defect that causes him to travel through time. He cannot plan where or when he will go. He first meets his wife, Claire Abshire, when she is 6 and he is 38. The story is told in the form of journal entries, chronicling their meetings across time. This is a story of love and longing and separation. It is 518 pages, but be sure to start when you have plenty of time, because you won't be able to put it down. This is Audrey Niffenegger's first offering, and it is so well-written, especially considering the complicated time aspect. It was a Today Show Book Club offering this past year. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The Uses of Enchantment by Bruno Bettelheim (
) |
| Summary: | This book is subtitled. "the Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales". Bruno Bettelheim was a world-renowned child psychologist. In this book he shows how folk fairy tales can give meaning to a child's life. In a world where children seem to derive the meaning of their life solely from video games and comic book superheroes, this book gives a very different perspective. |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | The Vendetta Defense by Lisa Scottoline (
) |
| Summary: | Judy Carrier is a lawyer who defends an over 70-year-old pigeon racer Tony Lucia. He is on trial for murdering another 70-year-old racer Angelo Coluzzi. Tony and Angelo have had a Vendetta brewing for 60 years dating back to Sicily. Tony insists he did kill Angelo but it was not murder. Judy is up against a very hard defense and some very shady characters that will stop at nothing to get back at Tony for the death of their boss. She also falls in love with Tony’s grandson Frank. This tale of love, murder, and mafia vengeance had me on my seat siding with a murderer and wondering and hoping he would get off. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | THE WEDDING by NICHOLAS SPARKS (
) |
| Summary: | This book was a very heartwarming and at times heart wrenching romance. It is an old fashioned love story. It is a quick, easy and well worth reading romance. It is a follow up to The Notebook. |
| Reviewed by: | Lee Hoisington (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Therapy by Jonathan Kellerman (
) |
| Summary: | Alex Delaware, psychologist-police consultant, once again comes to the aid of his friend Milo Sturgis, homicide detective. Together they untwist a complex tale of "whodunit and why." As usual, Kellerman's book is full of twists as the pair unravels the tale of murder and greed. Kellerman's book keeps you on edge to the very end with an unsuspecting twist they discover who the "bad" guys are and why they did what they did. |
| Reviewed by: | Jacquelyn Tantum (at Pemberton Twp Library) |
| Book: | Thicker Than Water by Maggie Shayne (
) |
| Summary: | Reminded me of Waco. Centered around one of 4 remaining surviors and the daughter she raised 16 years later, but is she one of 4? No one was supposed to have survived at all. Really a lot of twists, turns and suprises in this book. |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | THR3E by Ted Dekker (
) |
| Summary: | WOW! This book was so captivating that I finished it in one night. Clean suspense and drama. I highly recommend it! |
| Reviewed by: | M. Trumble (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Three Among the Wolves by Helen Thayer (
) |
| Summary: | This book tells the true story of a couple and their dog who lived a year with wolves in the wild. It is a compelling story that once I started I could not put down. Helen and Bill Thayer and their dog Charlie (who is part wolf) are able to gain the trust of a wild pack of wolves. They set-up a camp approx. 100 feet from the wolves den. As the story unfolds there are polar bears, a near escape from cracking sea ice, wolves at play and on the hunt and great stories of the developing relationship between the wolves, Charlie, and the Thayers. This book is a must read for any animal and/or nature lover. I plan on reading at least two more times! |
| Reviewed by: | Marie Simone (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Three weeks with my Brother by Nicholas Sparks (
) |
| Summary: | Basically an autobiography about his brother and himself. Hard to read, slow moving. I muddle throught. They go off a three wekks tour of the world, here I was hoping it would pick up. Much to my dissappointment it did not. His other books are a marvel. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristine Clark (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Timeline by Michael Crichton (
) |
| Summary: | At an archeological dig, a group of undergraduates discover a message,”Help Me!” from a Professor who was lost in time in 1357 France. The Professor was part of a quantum physics test to travel back in time but then something went wrong. These Students are sent back to medieval times during the French Civil War, They have to find the Professor and they only have 37 hours to do so. The only advantages they have are they know the lay out of the land and one knows the dialect. This writer developed an excellent story line that is very believable very suspenseful especially in audio. You feel like you are actually with them. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Traveling Light by Max Lucado (
) |
| Summary: | Excellent book about letting go of the things that way us down. Lucado paints great word pictures and uses multiple illustartions that you will not forget. |
| Reviewed by: | Michele Trumble (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Tribulation Force by Tim LaHaye (
) |
| Summary: | The second in the series of Left Behind tells how the group of 5 believers start an inner core group of the church to pass their beliefs on before God makes his second appearance |
| Reviewed by: | Fran Madison (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Trophy Hunt by C.J. Box (
) |
| Summary: | Trophy Hunt is a great addition to the series about Wyoming game warden, Joe Pickett. The problem that Joe has to deal with this time is particularly gruesome - cattle mutilations, which quickly escalates to murder. All the things that I've come to love about the series are here: Joe's family life portrayed honestly with its imperfections, the Wyoming countryside and a great mystery. |
| Reviewed by: | Kelly Davenport (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | True At First Light by Ernest Hemingway (
) |
| Summary: | I felt like I was in Africa with Ernest Hemingway and Miss Mary, his wife, on her lion hunt. Miss Mary had to shoot her lion properly “before the birthday of the baby Jesus”. Everything had to be done properly. When Miss Mary went out to bring back her Christmas tree a rhino came out of the bush but they could not shoot it, her baby followed her. On Safari you do a lot of reading because the book is filled with reviews of other books. You get the sense of rules and proper behavior. Rules are meant to be broken only to a limit. You cannot cross the fine line. This was Ernest Hemmingway's last unfinished novel, a fictional account of his memoirs. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | True Valor by Dee Henderson (
) |
| Summary: | Good clean story with the main characters in the military. Author does a nice job helping you enter the world of sacrifice made by those serving in the military without losing your interest in the storyline. |
| Reviewed by: | M. Trumble (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Twelfth Night by Wiliam Shakespeare (
) |
| Summary: | Viola is a young woman of noble birth. In a shipwreck she is separated from her twin brother, Sebastian, and washed up on the shores of an unfamiliar country. She disguises herself as a man and takes employment with the Count Orsino. Orsino is mooning over Olivia, a young noblewoman who has recently lost both father and brother. Orsino sends Viola (in her disguise as Cesario) to woo Olivia for him. Olivia falls for Cesario. And then the fun really begins! |
| Reviewed by: | Susan Gavin-Leone (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Under The Banner Of Heaven / A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Kraukauer (
) |
| Summary: | This story steps into a realm few would dare to discuss. It tells the brutally honest story of one faith's religious extremists right here, in America!! Women and children who are violently held captive HERE in AMERICA!!! Kraukauer recounts the savage murder of a young mother and her infant daughter at the hands of her brother-in-law. He also examines the Elizabeth Smart case and brings to light the fact that her captors were twisted Mormon fundamentalists. I also never knew that she was a Mormon. The media never seemed to draw attention to that. This was a very interesting story and makes one wonder how such situations are able to exist in this day and age, in AMERICA! |
| Reviewed by: | Paula Thomason (at Bookmobile) |
| Book: | Unveiled: the Hidden Lives of Nuns by Cheryl L. Reed (
) |
| Summary: | This book is written by a reporter who spent four years traveling around the country interveiwing Catholic nuns about their lives. It is a fascinating look at the various orders and how they have changed over the years. The book lends a human face to a group of women who have remained a mystery for a long time. The book gets a little monotonous in places but it is worth finishing. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Valhalla Rising by Clive Cussler (
) |
| Summary: | Dirk Pitt is pitted against some of the top militias renegades causing havoc on ships. Story goes from one suspense to the next. |
| Reviewed by: | Bonitta Brown (at Maple Shade Library) |
| Book: | Vamped by David Sosnowski (
) |
| Summary: | Vamped is a comedy. Don't pick it up expecting Anne Rice. Taking place in the future, vampires have overtaken the human race. One of the vamps, Marty, stumbles upon a little human girl and decides that fatherhood will be an excellent challenge to his boredom. There's a lot of humor in this book which is less about vampire lifestyle and more about what it really means to be a parent. |
| Reviewed by: | Kristie Winks (at Cinnaminson Library) |
| Book: | Warrior Of The Light by Paulo Coelho (
) |
| Summary: | This is a book of short passages that speak about becoming a whole person. He shows that we must accept our strengths and our weaknesses, as well as, the contradictions that are within all humans. It is an interesting look at how to persue a spiritual journey. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | Weight of Water by Anita Shreve (
) |
| Summary: | Difficult of follow. She switched between the past and present to much.I could not follow this book. I truthfully put it down unfinished. I cannot recommend this book, but I will recomment The Pilots Wife. |
| Reviewed by: | (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
| Book: | WILD RAIN by CHRISTINE FEEHAN (
) |
| Summary: | This book is about a group of people that are shape shifters, they shift from HUMAN FORM TO LEOPARD FORM AND BACK. It is the story of a romance between Rio and Rachel. Someone wants Rachel dead and Rio is determined to keep her alive. Follow this fascinating adventure that takes place deep in the rainforest where these two shape shifters learn how to trust, who to trust, who wants Rachel dead and how Rachel finds out that she is also a shape shifter. This is an erotic adventure and you are sure to get caught up along the way. |
| Reviewed by: | Lee Hoisington (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Wolfpack by Philip Kaplan (
) |
| Summary: | This non-fiction book is subtitled: U-boats at war 1939-1945. It has lots of pictures, photographs, a glossary and an index. Since I read Shadow Divers, I wanted to learn more about U-boats. The U-505 is an exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and the U-995 is on display at Laboe, near Kiel, Germany. I have already visited the American submarine in Philadelphia and the first nuclear sub in New London, Connecticut. |
| Reviewed by: | Jane Snow (at Burlington County Library) |
| Book: | Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (
) |
| Summary: | This book of historical fiction is about a year in a village ravaged by plague. The year is 1666 and the life of Anna Frith is laid out as she deals with the plague and all it brings to her english village. It is a fascinating story though a bit depressing and emotionally difficult. |
| Reviewed by: | Roberta J. Taylor (at Bordentown Library at Fieldsboro) |
|
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