The Boy on the Bus by Deborah Schupack: What is frustrating is that this novel was full of potential, and Deborah Schupack demonstrates an obvious literary talent. Yet I finished the book very dissatisfied with it. Not only has Meg not learned anything new, but neither had I.
The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux: The Clearing is a tour de force for a new voice in American literature. Tim Gautreaux has written a novel that not only deals with the big ideas, but also with the little, yet important, things that make up human life. In a story that brims with violence in a world threatening to spin out of control, he has written a love story. Randolph's love for his brother, and for his wife, is the shining light that leads to deliverance. The Clearing is not a novel you soon forget.
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani: The plot in The Blood of Flowers flows smoothly and quickly. While not a novel of taut suspense, the threads of the young narrator's life and her relationships with the different women in her life create a literary fabric that might rival the Persian carpets of the story.
The Crazy School by Cornelia Read: Cornelia Read is an exceptional writer. Her mix of characters, both students and staff, all come across as believable with their mixture of defiance, cynicism, hope, and murderous intent. Her dialogue between Madeline and the other characters rings true and carries much of the humor and insights. Madeline's interaction with her troubled and troublesome students makes you wish she was one of your teachers, and ultimately, the students become the people she can trust the most. You won't find a suspenseful thriller in The Crazy School, but I get the sense that's not the main purpose of the novel. Like most successful mystery novels, the characters and their drama carry the story, and Cornelia Read gives us the entertaining gift of Madeline Dare. The Crazy School is a wonderful novel and I'm eager to read whatever Cornelia Read has to offer next.
Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs: While the story line in Bones to Ashes can be a bit disturbing, it moved along quickly with enough mystery and plot twists to keep the mind engaged. This is a good book to pick up on a rainy weekend or take to the beach to lose oneself for a while.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: The chapters in The Da Vinci Code are short, usually not more than a couple pages. Most of them end with a cliffhanger that immediately catapults you into the next chapter. So grab this book, sit back, and prepare to be entertained and educated. It's well-written, it's intelligent, and best of all, it's fun.
The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster: This is not a "feel good" book and it's not a story that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. If you want a book to challenge your thoughts and emotions and perspective on life, then I can recommend it highly. Just don't think you'll put it down with a satisfied smile on your face.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay: Ultimately, this is a novel that has more going for it than against it. Dexter is an enjoyable sociopath and the mystery he must solve is a complex and interesting one. Darkly Dreaming Dexter never loses its pace or suspense and contains enough humor and insights to be an engaging novel. Each reader should decide beforehand whether the reservations I've mentioned above would detract from their enjoyment of Jeff Lindsay's mystery, because he's now working on his second Dexter book.
The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux: The Clearing is a tour de force for a new voice in American literature. Tim Gautreaux has written a novel that not only deals with the big ideas, but also with the little, yet important, things that make up human life. In a story that brims with violence in a world threatening to spin out of control, he has written a love story. Randolph's love for his brother, and for his wife, is the shining light that leads to deliverance. The Clearing is not a novel you soon forget.
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani: The plot in The Blood of Flowers flows smoothly and quickly. While not a novel of taut suspense, the threads of the young narrator's life and her relationships with the different women in her life create a literary fabric that might rival the Persian carpets of the story.
The Crazy School by Cornelia Read: Cornelia Read is an exceptional writer. Her mix of characters, both students and staff, all come across as believable with their mixture of defiance, cynicism, hope, and murderous intent. Her dialogue between Madeline and the other characters rings true and carries much of the humor and insights. Madeline's interaction with her troubled and troublesome students makes you wish she was one of your teachers, and ultimately, the students become the people she can trust the most. You won't find a suspenseful thriller in The Crazy School, but I get the sense that's not the main purpose of the novel. Like most successful mystery novels, the characters and their drama carry the story, and Cornelia Read gives us the entertaining gift of Madeline Dare. The Crazy School is a wonderful novel and I'm eager to read whatever Cornelia Read has to offer next.
Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs: While the story line in Bones to Ashes can be a bit disturbing, it moved along quickly with enough mystery and plot twists to keep the mind engaged. This is a good book to pick up on a rainy weekend or take to the beach to lose oneself for a while.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: The chapters in The Da Vinci Code are short, usually not more than a couple pages. Most of them end with a cliffhanger that immediately catapults you into the next chapter. So grab this book, sit back, and prepare to be entertained and educated. It's well-written, it's intelligent, and best of all, it's fun.
The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster: This is not a "feel good" book and it's not a story that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. If you want a book to challenge your thoughts and emotions and perspective on life, then I can recommend it highly. Just don't think you'll put it down with a satisfied smile on your face.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay: Ultimately, this is a novel that has more going for it than against it. Dexter is an enjoyable sociopath and the mystery he must solve is a complex and interesting one. Darkly Dreaming Dexter never loses its pace or suspense and contains enough humor and insights to be an engaging novel. Each reader should decide beforehand whether the reservations I've mentioned above would detract from their enjoyment of Jeff Lindsay's mystery, because he's now working on his second Dexter book.
About the Author:
Annette Lybacki hopes that you found this piece helpful and invites you to read her articles on Annuity Loans 101 for some Hints and Tips on Annuity Loans.
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