Each book is rated according to pure reading enjoyment. Five stars is the best, one star is the worst. This is a website for all book lovers and I would like to hear your opinions on the books listed below. 16 entries
1. Guilty As Sin, Tami Hoag; (***) This book is the sequel to Night Sins. It gives the closure the first book sorely lacks. A semi-page turner, but a must read if you have read Night Sins. All in all, a rather unimpressive way to begin a new century of reading. 2. All Things Wise and Wonderful, James Herriot; (****) Maybe I am an animal-lover, but I just delight in the stories of this country vet. And, of course, the setting of Yorkshire England makes it seem even more perfect. 3. The Read-Aloud Handbook, Jim Trelease; (****) This book is a must-read for every parent and every teacher. It tells of the benefits of reading aloud to your child or your classroom. It explains the multitude of wonderful benefits children get when introduced to books early and are read to REGULARLY. Unfortunately, I am guessing that the only folks who will find this book and bother to read it are the people who are already readers. Do you family and friends a favor. Give this book as a new baby gift to everyone. It's worth it. 4. 84, Charing Cross Road; Helene Hanff, (***) A short book of letters exchanged between a New York City writer and a London bookseller from the late 1940's to the mid 1960's. A fun, quick read. Pop it in your pocket and you can probably finish it in the doctor's waiting room. 5. Inspector Maigret and the Killers; Georges Simenon, (***) A very quick easy read. Not much thought needed, but perfect for a rainy (or snowy) day when you just want to relax. If you are going to read this author, get the books from the library (or on the bargain shelf at the bookstore, I am told)...they get read too quickly to spend lots of money purchasing them. 6. Tales of Terror; Boris Karloff, editor, (**) A collection of ghost stories that were chosen by Mr. Karloff for this edition. Nothing outstanding. The first few were good, then the book ran out of steam. 7. Thirteen at Dinner; Agatha Christie, (***) I am still trying to figure out what the title had to do with the book. I understand the Victorian reasoning behind NOT wanting 13 people seated at dinner, but what it had to do with the story...I am clueless. A pretty good book, not Christie's best. 8. The Hungry Ocean; Linda Greenlaw, (not rated) No rating because I read this book last September. Now I am writing a review on it and needed to re-read it to refresh my memory. 9. Ruined by Reading; Lynne Sharon Schwartz, (*) Every page was agony. I felt like I was reading someone's diary...a diary I looked forward to with anticipation only to find it sterile and yawn-provoking. 10. The Shopkeeper's Wife; Noelle Sickels, (****) What a pleasant surprise it was to find this enjoyable book at the back of one of my shelves. It was a really good read set in Victorian Philly about a French wife married to a successful grocer. It is told through the eyes of the lady's maid. Totally engrossing. I reccomend it. 11. Rose; Martin Cruz Smith, (****) I am told this book was quite a different approach than other Cruz Smith books, but I can't say that from personal experience as this is my first read by this author. I enjoyed it and the ending was a surprise. Try as I might, I couldn't figure it out. 12. The Remains of the Day; Kazuo Ishiguro, (****) I had originally thought I would just read this book and pass it on. But I just fell right into the book, the beauty, the simplicity of the story were lovely. It is the kind of book I would love to write. I slipped it back onto my shelf where it will always have a home. 13. The Millionaire Next Door; Stanley and Danko, (***) Okay, I'll admit it, this book is nothing more than a review of the research this team has conducted on the accumulation of wealth in America, not only the accumulation of wealth, but the spending habits, generational dilemmas of sharing wealth and all sorts of fun case studies and facts on who REALLY has the cash in the United States...besides Julia Roberts and Bill Gates. A rather interesting read that got a bit boring and repetative in the last 100 pages. 14. You Have More than You Think, The Motley Fools; (***) Do you see a pettern here? Two money-related books in a row...maybe it is because of tax time. At any rate, this book presents a simplistic view on investing in teh stock market. I didn't find much of anything useful in it until the end where I picked up some "food for thought". 15. The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas; (****) A wonderful story with gallant men, evil, really evil bad guys, sword fights, and more. A great tale that deserves a bigger, brighter spot on the Classics shelf. 16. Parnassus on Wheels, Christopher Morley; (***) THis slim volume of just over 100 pages in a kind of preface to The Haunted Bookshop, although it does stand on its own. Spare an hour to read it before delving into THe Haunted Bookshop, wander along the country roads with Parnassus and occupants before heading over to Brooklyn for part 2. You'll be glad you did.
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