Book’s Author: Abraham Verghese

My Review:

The premise of the book is a very interesting one - twin brothers are raised in Africa by an adoptive couple brought together by their birth. The story of the birth parents is interesting, as is the story of the adoptive parents. However, this book is too long, and by the time I finished it I’d forgotten half the characters and things that had happened within the book. It was as though the author crammed enough story lines for two books into a single cover. Had it been more concise, I’d have enjoyed it much more.

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Book’s Author: Sarah Addison Allen

My Review:

This was such a charming book. It was a sweet love story with a hint of magic. I really enjoyed it.

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Book’s Author: Mark Kriegel

My Review:

Pistol chronicles the life of Pistol Pete Maravich, from his determination to master the game of basketball to earn his father’s affection to the latter years of his life before he fittingly drew his last breaths on a basketball court while playing a pickup game.

Kriegel’s style is compelling and flows quite smoothly. He uses personal accounts, box scores, and past articles from the sports pages to weave the story of a basketball player whose profound game was tragically flawed, much like his tumultuous personal life.

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Book’s Author: Charlaine Harris

My Review:

This is the 4th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series and it is just as sickeningly addictive as the 1st three. This is the series of books that the HBO show True Blood is based on. The basic premise of this series is that vampires and other supernatural beings and creatures exist and they might be your next door neighbor.
This world is seen through the eyes of the main character Sookie Stackhouse, a barmaid living in the back waters of Louisiana.
The books all have a similar rhythm and flow to them. The main story is set up very early in the book and side mysteries introduced along the way. By the end of the book the story draws to a satisfactory conclusion, the mysteries are revealed and the next book is set up.
While the writing is not Shakespeare it is very well done and nothing short of a page turner. This book and the others in the series are a great mix of mystery, super natural, suspense, and action.

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Book’s Author: James Redfield

My Review:

I just reread this book a few weeks ago and I forgot how great it was.  Every time I read this book it reminds of so many things and gets me reconnected and on track with my spiritual journey.  This book was one of the 1st books that initiated me into my spiritual path around 15 years ago.  I have read many spiritual books over the years and to this day this one is my favorite and is great to reread every few years.

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This book was not what I expected at all especially after reading and loving “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” also written by Lisa See. I have to say though I am glad I stuck with it and gave it a chance because it really was quite fascinating. The story is first and foremost a love story. Peony, a young girl is getting ready for her betrothal to her unknown husband which she has been thinking about and planning in her mind her whole life. Peony’s father has arranged for a special production of the opera, “The Peony Pavilion” to be performed in her villa which Peony thinks is just for her on her 16th birthday. During the opera, Peony falls in love and her entire view of her betrothal is changed in an instant. All that she has planned and worked for her entire life to be a dutiful wife to her chosen husband has been forever changed.

In addition to the love story, Lisa See is so good at giving you a glimpse into the customs and traditions of the Chinese woman. I find it so interesting to see how seriously they take on their role as wife and mother, and their commitment to do to their duty of servitude to their husbands and mothers in- law.  Just as in “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan”, there is talk of the very important foot binding process. I can read about blood, gore, and murder and not flinch, but when it comes to reading about the foot binding process that the Chinese put these poor little girls through it is more than I can bear.

This story of love takes an unforeseen turn and before you know it basically turns into a ghost story, which is where it almost lost me, but like I said it was fascinating and  thought provoking.   I definitely recommend this book and I am curious to hear what others have thought.

Buy Peony in Love: A Novel

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This was an amazing book and I couldn’t put it down. The story takes place in the early 60’s in Mississippi and centers around 3 friends, Skeeter, Hilly, and Elizabeth who are white women and the maids that work for them. Oh the white women lead quite the easy life playing bridge and going to “the club” while the maids, cook, clean, and raise their children. Mississippi is a tough place and segration in this small town leaves tensions between blacks and whites at an all time high. However one brave white woman feels that there is a story here to share and her and several maids risk everything to tell their story. There is of course plenty of hardships that the maids have  to share but there are also touching stories of love and companionship as well. This is a great read and a part of our history, and although it is fiction you can tell it is not far from the truth. This is a book you will not want to miss.

Buy The Help

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