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Name : Kim C.

My Reviews

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Dramatic, Insightful
Sarah's Key

I really liked this book! I learned some things about the Holocaust I didn't know (like the French's involvement) and at the same time enjoyed the flow of the story. It captured me right away and I couldn't put the book down. It covered many emotions and you could feel each one so vividly. I highly recommend.

My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Insightful, Dramatic
My Sisters Keeper

I liked this book, but I think mostly because it addresses a potential real-life situation. It is thought-provoking and makes one think "What would I do if in that situation"? Jodi Picoult does a good job of reflecting each person's perspective and it kept my attention throughout.

 
Slow, Difficult, Romantic
Love In the Time of Cholera

This book was extremely difficult to get through. It's possible it had something to do with the translation into English, but nonetheless it was painful. I had to re-read the first 40 pages because of how the writer referred to "he" - I was confused and couldn't tell which "he" was being talked about as at least 3 male characters had already been introduced into the story. Once making in further in the book it was just slow and actually quite pathetic. I watched the movie after having read the book and wished I had just done that for the book club discussion.

 
Book Club Recommended
Slow, Interesting, Boring
The Girls from Ames

I liked this book, but wouldn't rave about it. It's certainly interesting how these women remained friends through 40+ years, but I think a lot had to do with the small town they grew up in. I also think that if they'd all lived closer together and saw each other all the time, that the success of the friendship may not have been there for the entire group. Ultimately I'd recommend it because it has a "feel-good" quality and each person could gain something different from it based on what they're personally going through when they read it.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Inspiring, Interesting
The Help

I loved this book! I found it interesting and enjoyed the different perspectives offered; although as one might expect I can't say that I agree with all of them. The bravery displayed by the primary characters is truly inspiring. I highly recommend this book.

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

This book was okay for me. It was a little slow and somewhat unconvincing; the thought of someone going somewhere to learn about it & the people to write a book and then end up falling into place as part of the group seems a bit far-fetched. That said, some of the characters had depth to them and were truly interesting. If you've not read a book before written as letters (as I had not) it could be a little difficult to get into. I chose to ignore who the letters were to and from and that helped me.

A Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Dark, Scary
A Friend of the Family

This book was okay for me. The discussion our book club had on it is what I really enjoyed. It was easy to follow, but as we discussed the main character, Pete Dizinov, was not really likable - too self-involved. Other characters had more spine and depth to them.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Adventurous
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I really liked this book - once I got past the first 100 or so pages. If you stick with it, it definitely pays off and has you unable to put it down. You want to find out what happens next, and I actually kind-of like that when you've finished there is one character you're not sure you ever really got to know - maybe it's to encourage you to read the second one. :-)

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Dramatic, Interesting
A Reliable Wife

I'm not sure I would've read this book if I saw it randomly in the bookstore, but it was interesting. It was a pretty easy read and the story flowed well, but it was a bit predictable. You kind-of end up feeling sorry or sad for Ralph and somewhat confused by who Catherine really is. Worth a try though.

Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Adventurous
Look Again

I really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down. I was compelled to keep reading as I wanted to find out what happened next. The book certainly provokes one to consider what you would do. I found myself scared, angry, sad, joyful - just the gammet of emotions. The dicussion at our book club meeting was great, with a lot of different perspectives and "what ifs" considered to determine what we'd do. It was a great read and I recommend it.

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Unconvincing, Insightful
Eat Pray Love

I enjoyed the book while I was reading it, but honestly never had the "I have to know what happens next" kind-of feeling. Maybe I just never truly connected to Gilbert and what she was going through. At the same time, a lot of her self-realization moments and times of clarity did hit home for me. I'd recommend the book, but agian, didn't fall all over it like a lot of people are.

 
Informative, Romantic, Adventurous
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet

I only made it to page 70 and that was very painful. I'm sure this book has an audience, but I'm certainly not part of it. Sorry - I wanted so bad to like it, but just couldn't do it.

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Dramatic, Interesting
Water For Elephants

This was a great book. I liked how the story was told from present time recounting the past. It was thought-provoking on aging and how elder people are viewed by younger generations. It also touched on the dilema so many families face with the decision/lack of other options in putting loved ones in nursing homes.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Adventurous, Interesting
The Girl Who Played With Fire

I liked it. I enjoyed how it delves quite a bit more into the life of Lizbeth and explains more of why she is the way she is. It also showed more of her "softer side" in her interactions with her previous gaurdian.

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

Ultimately this book is about a love story that starts when two young children of different backgrounds/heritage first become friends. The book made me sad at times, frustrated at others, but happy in the end. It was also very informative as I had no knowledge of Japanese internment camps. I'd highly recommend.

True Colors: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
 
Book Club Recommended
Romantic, Dramatic, Fun
True Colors

I enjoyed it. I felt all emotions during the story: happy, sad, angry, frustrated, love, hurt, disappointment, etc.

Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Insightful
Room: A Novel

Overall I guess I liked the book, but it's a very dark and disturbing subject. It flowed well, which made it an "easy" and fast read, and was told from the point of view of the child, which also probably helped bring some "light-heartedness" to the gruesome story line. It was certainly a great book for a lively conversation in our club.

 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Insightful, Beautiful
The Art of Racing in the Rain

I loved this book! It immediately grabbed my attention and I couldn't put it down. It was exciting and interesting (even though fictional) to imagine a loving pets perspective of its owner's life. It's poignant, and thought-provoking and in the end a very "feel-good" kind of story.

House Rules: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Informative, Interesting
House Rules

Typical story style of Jodi Picoult...specifically taking a difficult and potential true situation and causing the reader to imagine how they would feel, respond, cope, etc. I liked it, and as usual with Jodi, found it very throught-provoking.

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Inspiring, Dramatic
The Glass Castle

It's sad to think this story is true and even sadder to know it's one of thousands and certainly not the worst it could be (shamefully). I did enjoy the book though and found it inspiring and heartfelt. So many people never even try to overcome the obstacles in life that they face, nor do they find themselves capable of accepting others for who they are and loving them anyway.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Dramatic, Interesting
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Because of the cultural differences in China compared to how I was raised in the U.S., it was difficult to read about such subserviance from the women and know they held no value other than to birth male children (hopefully). However, the story was beautifully written and extremely compelling to find out what happened next. The friendship between Lily and Snow Flower touched my heart, even through the most innocent of misunderstandings causing both severe reprocussions AND a society's acceptance of Lily and the standards she set for all women in her village. Great read and strongly recommend it!

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Interesting, Inspiring
Left Neglected

This obok was a quick read. The story is a heart-breaking one, but reflects real-life possibilities and lessons we all should stand up and take stock in. It's told with humor and love and humility, yet displays perserverence, resolve and acceptance. A little close to home for me having a familty member with a TBI (tramatic brain injury), but insightful as to what can go on in the mind fo someone with a TBI that they don't always let on.

The Hunger Games (Book 1) by Suzanne Collins
 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Dramatic, Interesting
The Hunger Games

I loved this book. So much that I immediately got the second and third! Can't wait for the movie.

11th Hour (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
 
Book Club Recommended
Fantastic, Brilliant
11th Hour

I love this series, and can never wait for the next installament to come out. As with all the others, the women come through together and solve it all. My only critique was that it seemed a bit short, but again, I love James Patterson writing style and this was no exception.

Defending Jacob: A Novel by William Landay
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Insightful
Defending Jacob

this book was great. It made you think about how you'd feel, what you'd do, and all the other emotions wrapped up with a situation like this. I think you can love a child unconditionally and yet not support their actionsl whether percieved or real.

The Kitchen House: A Novel by Kathleen Grissom
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Insightful
The Kitchen House

This book was great! The characters were very well described and I easily could imagine each of their individual feelings and perspective. It's not all roses, but the story line is very beleiveable and because of that, is heartrenching at times and joyous at others. Highly recommend.

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Insightful, Dramatic
Then Came You

I liked this book but it certainly was not one of my favorites. It sparked good conversation at our book club meeting about the various ideas opinions on surrogacy, egg vs. sperm donation, and the financial gain people receive for their roles in this process.

Gone Girl: A Novel by Gillian Flynn
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Dark, Interesting
Gone Girl

I really enjoyed this book; it was hard to put down. Although the main character Amy was obviously insane, she was also cunning, and strategic, and dedicated in her maniacal behaviour. Her husband, Nick, on the other hand was ridiculously disengaged and oblivious to his wife's true character, as well as his own part in their undoing.

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