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Name : Evie O.

My Reviews

Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg
 
The author and father of a teenager writes about his daughter's mental breakdown at age 15.

My bookclub chose this selection out of many for our first discussion. The story is told by the father who has many opportunities to stir emotions from the reader.
Our members in general did not favor the book but it caused a great deal of conversation around the many key characters and questions of how and why.
Also we discussed how different this book would have been if it had been written by a mother and not a father.
We agreed to disagree.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Confusing, Beautiful
This book is translated from Norweigan and it is done to perfection. The author recalls his life in such a manner that the reader can vividly see what his memory recalls.

 
Insightful, Inspiring, Life Changing
A different approach to rationalizing the existence of good and evil in the world and the existence of God.

Friends I have recommended this book to either love it or hate it. It can be very controverial in it's depiction of spirituality. I think because of this it would make for a good discussion.

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Dramatic, Interesting
Water For Elephants

A friend recommended this book. It sat on my shelf for a year. I should have started it much earlier. Once I began reading I was very interested in not only the era, the lifestyle but the characters themselves.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Fun, Interesting
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The book is written in a series of correspondence between people. The stories told are very intriguing and result in the reader wanting to know more about each character. The author doesn't disappoint the reader.

 
Book Club Recommended
Romantic, Informative, Beautiful
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

I can't decide whether this book was an easy read or that the topics covered within the story were so captivating that I could not put it down. Topics covered within the story consisted of historical facts, cultural/ethnic and generational differences just to name a few, ah yes and a very well written story of young love.

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Scary, Optimistic
A Circle of Souls

This book is a very quick and easy read. A word of caution as to the first ten pages; rather graphic detail of a violent crime that could be upsetting to some readers. The author does a very could job at establishing the characters and so much so that the reader is left wanting to know more about the characters and their relationships. To an extent there are several sotries within the main plot. Some of our club members enjoyed this and some did not. Our book club enjoyed the telephone conversation with the author.

Five Skies by Ron Carlson
 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Adventurous, Dramatic
Five Skies

Very thought provoking. Interesting tale of three men; written by a man. A look inside to the depths of male relationships and their outlook on life and relationships.
Generational views as the three men represent three different generations.

South of Broad by Pat Conroy
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Dark
South of Broad

Enjoyed it but not his best I agree. I think it would make a very good movie. Lots of different plots and stories for each character introduced. Strong story about desegragation and high school friendships which evolve into adulthood.

Happiness Key by Emilie Richards
 
Book Club Recommended
Romantic, Beautiful, Fun
Happiness Key

The story begins quickly and the plot right on the first sentence. It moves along at very good pace until about a third of the way where the pace is noticeably slower. The storyline focuses on relationships. Relationships between women, men and women and touches on cross generational and as wwell as cross cultural relationships. It kept my interest; som eof it was a little unconvincing and predictable but not enough to spoil what I would consider a fun read.

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
 
Interesting, Dramatic, Adventurous
Look Again

I would only recommend this book to a reader who enjoys simplistic reading and doesn't have a great deal of time to devote to reading books. It's very predictable in plot and characters. Several times the reader is engaged in a situation that is unrealistic and also outcomes that are obviously not possible. I was surprised to see this on the NY Times Best Seller List.

Dismantled: A Novel by Jennifer Mcmahon
 
Book Club Recommended
Scary, Dark, Interesting
DISMANTLED

I was looking for a book that I could pick up and put down randomly but yet finish it quickly. A weekend read, holiday time read or traveling book. Dismantled fits this description. It can also provide good discussion for a book club looking for that easy read following a very deep selection.

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Fun
Hurrican Punch

A fun read. If you've ever read Carl Hiaasen's books you'll enjoy Tim Dorsey. Similar is styles; fast reads that are quite comical and satirical. Hurrican punch is a story about a serials killer who goes after people who truly deserve it. It's set duing a hurricane in Florida when all too often the odd situations happen and the odd people tend to come out.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Slow, Dark
Never Let Me Go

My club selected this book but I did not vote for it. I had never heard of it; only the author's work "Remains of the Day". I'm very glad I read it, for it was rich with discussion opportunites around moral and ethical, humane decisions and the bonds of friendships over time. The story is told in the first person of woman who is now in her 30's remembering her past boarding school experiences. Certain sections can be frustrating to follow because she goes back in time to explain something that impacts the here and now. The ending is very profound and shocking. It will leave the reader to ponder how possible this type of world could be for us today.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Dark
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

I owned a copy of this book for almost two years before I finally picked it up and read it. I regret not having done so much sooner and with the book club. People who love animals and the outdoors will enjoy this book but also those who have no interest in either. The storyline is solidly written and will keep you interested. Refrain from reading the jacket because it divulges way too much of the story.

Into the Forest by Jean Hegland
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Adventurous
Into the Forest

A friend of mine recommended this book. She also cautioned that while it is very small and appears to be an easy read it makes you think about this story being a reality in this day and age. What if one day we wake up to our every day conveniences slowing going away? What would we do if faced with the dilemas and tragedies which these two sistes endure. Could we survive?

Listen by Rene Gutteridge
 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Interesting, Insightful
Listen

In this day and age of technology and coupled with the human nature of people being interested in gossip; this book tells a very good story. It's classified as Christian Fiction which is a genre I was not aware of. Don't let it sway you. It is not a book that preaches about anything. It is a book that raises awareness to the power of "words" both written and spoken. It may not be a best seller but I could not put it down; full of suspense.

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