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Review Date: 9/11/2013
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed Part I of this book. It told the story of two American girls (one white and one Japanese)in the years leading up to WWII. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese girl and her family were sent away to a prison camp and the girls were both heartbroken because of the separation. Part II jumps ahead to the mid 1960's in Mississippi and the struggle faced by Black people trying to gain equal rights. I think that Part II should have been written as a second book - a sequel. Part II dragged on and had very little to do with Part I. I feel that it made the book too long and detracted from the overall pleasure of reading this story.
Review Date: 2/13/2014
I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but I didn't enjoy it. I've visited the Caribbean and hoped this would be more of a diary of ports visited and accounts of beach days and sailing sunsets. What it is, is a lot of weather reports, sail boat jargon, recipes and stories about meeting fellow cruisers and island natives. It's written in a rather "matter of fact" format, without much humor or personal insight. I stopped reading it about half way through, so maybe it gets better at the end?
Review Date: 4/7/2010
A story told through the voice of an "bastard" girl growing up with the stigma that was once attached to that label. Her mother's extended family provide her with unconditional love but are not able to protect her from pain and abuse from outside sources. Touching story, quick read. Heart breaking and heart warming.
Review Date: 2/23/2011
I first read "Styles by Maggie Sweet" and really enjoyed it, so I looked forward to reading this sequel. However, I found this book to be slow moving and predictable. It continues where the other book left off but there are too many plot lines that never really resolve or mesh together. I thought this book was OK, but disappointing.
Review Date: 7/16/2010
I really liked this book. A quick interesting read especially for an Italian American (like me). It almost seems like who ever wrote the description on the back cover, never read the book. The story doesn't really center around 3 women, rather it tells the story of two generations in a working class Italian neighborhood over a period of decades, from the 1940's - 1960's. The culture and characters were spot-on. There's humor, sadness, vengence and joy. Perfect summer read. Not just chick-lit, I'm going to pass it on to my father. I will be ordering Louisa Ermelino's other book soon.
Clara's Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
7
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
7
Review Date: 4/2/2011
Helpful Score: 2
This was a really quick enjoyable read. Being an Italian-American myself, Clara reminded me of my own Grandmother. Short stories of her life during the depression are mixed with family recipes her mother served during those lean years. Most recipes are quick, affordable and require very few ingredients. I recommend this book to cooks and non-cooks alike.
Review Date: 1/16/2010
Fast paced and interesting from beginning to end. All characters had great personalities. Really enjoyed this book.
Review Date: 2/5/2012
I've read all of Lisa See's other novels, and I have to say this is the one I enjoyed the least. It has a very slow beginning and I struggled to get through the first 100 pages or so. (I only stuck with it because I liked Shanghai Girls so much and wanted to find out what happened to these characters.) Further along, the plot got interesting and I actually enjoyed the remainder of the book. I do not recommend this book to anyone who hasn't really read Shanghai Girls.
Review Date: 1/23/2010
I did not like the behavior of the main character, who repeatedly cheated on her husband and considered herself the victim when he and her children were angry with her because of it. I had no sympathy for her and found the plot unbelievable.
Review Date: 1/13/2010
Quick read. Easy to relate to these flawed characters and their struggles with the superficial standards that we all try to conform to. If one person becomes "beautiful" will the other person lose them forever? They want to be beautiful but are afraid to be "cured" because it may be their flaws that hold them together.
Review Date: 7/19/2013
I've never read any of Susan Wiggs' books before so I can't compare this to her other work, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I wouldn't exactly say it was a "spellbinding action-packed, thrill a minute", I did find it interesting and well written. It's a short book that can be read in a couple of sittings and has a "feel-good" ending. I consider it to be a touching, heartwarming, summer read.
Review Date: 7/12/2011
Wow! Best book I've read in quite a while, a page turner from beginning to end. Great characters, great plot with a lot of twists. Story revolves around people in a small Nebraska town, their secrets, their dreams, their regrets, their lives. I really enjoyed this author's writing style, the story flowed smoothly between all the characters. The plot was well paced and interesting without any slow areas. I look forward to reading more from Tom McNeal and highly recommend "Goodnight, Nebraska".
Review Date: 8/4/2013
This book is a collection of short essays about a year in the life of a 12 year old girl growing up in a small Upper Michigan city (Norway) in 1950's. She relates stories about going to school, the county fair, church functions, summer camp and spending time with family and friends. I went to school in Norway and grew up in a small town near by, so I am familiar with a lot the places and things she writes about. I found it to be a quick, easy read that could be relatable to people who grew up anywhere the Mid-West during that time period. It would be of special interest to people from this local area.
Review Date: 10/13/2012
This book contains a series of short stories involving different characters who live in the same apartment building. All the stories are interesting and well written, though they left me wanting to read more about about each; especially Edith. It's a quick and enjoyable read. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always engaging.
Review Date: 9/11/2011
Helpful Score: 1
Cute, funny, fast paced book that any single gal (or former single gal) could easily relate to. I enjoyed reading about her adventures in dating as well as her progression as a cook. PS: You've gotta try her meatball recipe; they are the best I've ever eaten!
Review Date: 6/10/2010
Helpful Score: 1
Heartbreaking true story about a young, smalltown girl's love for and lost of, her mother. Interesting look at how death was dealt with in the early 60's. Quick read, touching, I would recommend this book.
Review Date: 1/16/2010
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite "Oprah" books. Well wrtten and fast paced throughout. Held my interest through 30+ years of Jewel's ordinary/extraordinary life. Filled with moments of triumph and heartache we can all relate to, sorry when I got to the end. Highly recommend.
Review Date: 10/5/2010
I fictionalized story based on the author's grandfather, an Italian Jew who came to America alone as a child at the turn of the century. Describes his difficulty in finding his way in a new land though he was without money and unable to speak English. He is able to survive and eventually prosper on the mean streets of New York City. An interesting historical novel - not just for young readers. I recommend it anyone interested in Italian or Jewish immigrants. A well written and fast paced story.
Review Date: 1/11/2010
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book interesting from the very first page! It totally held my interest and kept me reading late into the night. If you like books by Anne Tyler and Ellizabeth Berg, then I think you'll enjoy this as well.
Review Date: 1/16/2010
Loved this book! Great on so many levels! Characters so real, situations so wrong. Children at the mercy of an unstable mother they love but can not depend on. Very interesting and unpredictable, sure to hold your attention. I wish Stephanie would write another book so I coud read that too!
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