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Amanda F. (aafolk) - Reviews

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All the President's Men
All the President's Men
Author: Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
 22
Review Date: 10/6/2011


A key book for all to read about a particular moment in U.S. History.


Bitter Harvest : A Woman's Fury, A Mother's Sacrifice
Bitter Harvest : A Woman's Fury, A Mother's Sacrifice
Author: Ann Rule
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 175
Review Date: 1/16/2011
Helpful Score: 1


Ann Rule's writing is so suspenseful, that I am always spellbound by her books - even though they are non-fiction and I usually know the ending already. This one is no exception.


Blood Games: A True Account of Family Murder
Blood Games: A True Account of Family Murder
Author: Jerry Bledsoe
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 25
Review Date: 8/23/2014


An absolutely fascinating story. I think Jerry Bledsoe is the best true crime writer that I have ever read. He pulls together all of the threads of these horrific North Carolina crimes in a way that is spellbinding. I keep giving away my copies of his books and having to order new ones from PBS!


Careless Whispers (St. Martin's True Crime Library)
Careless Whispers (St. Martin's True Crime Library)
Author: Carlton Stowers
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 37
Review Date: 11/22/2011


I discovered Carlton Stowers when I noticed that Ann Rule had recommended one of his books. I enjoy reading well-written true crime non-fiction, and this book certainly falls into that category. Mr. Stowers has thoroughly researched this case, and provides a fascinating investigation into three horrific murders. His books don't quite rank as high as Ann Rule's best, but I would give this one a good solid B+.


Coming Home
Coming Home
Author: Rosamunde Pilcher
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 52
Review Date: 10/4/2012
Helpful Score: 1


I have read everything that I could ever get my hands on by Ms. Pilcher, and this book is my favorite. I love her locations. I love that her characters are so REAL. They reflect all of the highs and lows that life brings to bear. I especially enjoy books set in England between the two World Wars, so the time frame was perfect to me. This is one that I re-read every couple of years, and it is always like a reunion with a wonderful, dear friend.


Daddy Long-Legs
Daddy Long-Legs
Author: Jean Webster
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 9
Review Date: 1/16/2011


One of my favorite childhood stories.


Death of an Angel: The True Story of a Vicious Triple-Murder that Broke the Heart of a Town
Review Date: 8/14/2015


This book definitely proves that Mark Twain was right when he said "Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't."

This book is Well-researched and well-written. Mr. Davis adds fascinating insight into the motives of not only the murderer, but all others involved in this case, including the attorneys involved in the trial.


The Defiant Hero (Troubleshooters, Bk 2)
The Defiant Hero (Troubleshooters, Bk 2)
Author: Suzanne Brockmann
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 292
Review Date: 4/28/2013


I recently started re-reading this series, having read the first eight or so when they were originally published. The books definitely resonate differently in 2013 than they did when originally published in light of 9/11 and what has happened in the Middle East. I enjoyed the two side stories of this book very much - the WWII side story about the heroine's Grandmother and the Sam/Alyssa plotline. I also enjoyed the beginning of the book in K-Stan and the fact that both the hero and heroine are language experts. I didn't so much care for the kidnap/chase sequences involving the hero and heroine. However, the book does move the overall arc of the Troubleshooters series along nicely. It really is fun to read the series in order, and I recommend that you do so.


The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
Review Date: 6/27/2011
Helpful Score: 1


Fascinating book with a cast of amazing REAL characters. True crime mixed with a groundbreaking historical event. I especially liked the way that the author wrapped up the tale at the end, telling what happened to each of the main individuals.


The Elephant in the Room
The Elephant in the Room
Author: Ed Baker
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 7/13/2014


The precepts of this book are excellent and are similar to other books with a conservative and practical perspective towards living within your means and building up financial stability (Dave Ramsey's books, for example.) This slim volume would be a perfect gift for newlyweds or the newly graduated just starting a career. Or maybe even better for someone who has been struggling with making ends meet for a few years. Wish I had read something like this and heeded it in my 20s rather than in my late 40s.


Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide to Tuscany (Eyewitness Travel Top 10)
Review Date: 1/16/2011


I have used several of these DK Eyewitness books on my travels. They provide succinct, informative lists of the "must see" sites. DK books always provide beautiful photography as well. Highly recommend.


Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, Bk 1)
Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, Bk 1)
Author: E L James
Book Type: Perfect Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 169
Review Date: 5/6/2012
Helpful Score: 1


My four-word description of these books is as follows: souped-up Harlequin romances. That being said, I thoroughly enjoy a well-written Harlequin romance. But these aren't particularly well-written. The sex portions become boring after a while, and I found myself skipping through them. Really, yet another sex position that requires extreme flexibility doesn't interest me.

I did enjoy the premise of the characters and situation. And every girl loves to fantasize about falling in love with an incredibly wealthy man who loves her back and can give her literally anything she needs and wants.

Bottom line, I would really like to see a much better writer take the premise and the characters and see what could happen.


Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool: A True Love Story
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool: A True Love Story
Author: Peter Turner
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 1/10/2018


This book proves the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction. A sad but touching story about friends, lovers, and family.


Flowers From The Storm
Flowers From The Storm
Author: Laura Kinsale
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 237
Review Date: 8/20/2012
Helpful Score: 1


This book was recommended in a "Top 10 All-Time Historical Romance" list that I found online. While I'm not sure if quite rates that, I will give the author credit for a very imaginative storyline. Others have described the plot, so I won't go into that. A very enjoyable weekend read for me.


Hetty: The Genius and Madness of America's First Female Tycoon
Hetty: The Genius and Madness of America's First Female Tycoon
Author: Charles Slack
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 6/27/2011
Helpful Score: 1


I truly knew nothing about Hetty Green, other than the blurb about her that used to be in The Guinness Book of World Records. I found her to be a fascinating, if not very nice, character. Her family interactions were difficult to swallow at times, all in the name of money. A quick read, with insight into a unique woman.


If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name : News from Small-Town Alaska
If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name : News from Small-Town Alaska
Author: Heather Lende
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 79
Review Date: 11/19/2019


This is a lovely book, full of the joy, grief, humor, tragedy and irony of small-town living, topped off with the challenges of living in Alaska. Little newspaper snippets start each chapter, which reminded me very much of the local newspaper of my South Carolina hometown. People are people, no matter where you live.

I was shocked by a reviewer who was bothered by the Christianity in the book. There is no proselytizing - simply a message that while you can't always like one another, tolerating one another is good, and loving one another is even better.


Judgment Ridge : The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders
Review Date: 6/27/2011
Helpful Score: 1


An extremely well-written book about an extremely puzzling murder case. I remember hearing about this case on the news, and I was intrigued to hear the story behind the news reports. This is one that I found hard to put down. My Mother read it as well, and we have had several discussions about it, which is rare. If you like Ann Rule or other well-written true crime books, you will like this one.


Mad Kings & Queens: History's Most Famous Raving Royals
Mad Kings & Queens: History's Most Famous Raving Royals
Author: Allison Vale, Alison Rattle
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 7
Review Date: 1/16/2011


Fun, quick read. Makes today's politicians look like angels.


The Mansions of Limbo
The Mansions of Limbo
Author: Dominick Dunne
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 9
Review Date: 6/27/2011


Although the stories in this book are a bit dated, they are written in Dominick Dunne's inimitable style, chock full of gossip about the rich, famous and infamous. I very much enjoyed this book, and it was interesting to look back on some of these cases after the passage of time.


Mississippi Mud : Southern Justice and the Dixie Mafia
Mississippi Mud : Southern Justice and the Dixie Mafia
Author: Edward Humes
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 28
Review Date: 12/28/2014


Absolutely the most fascinating true crime book that I have ever read. (With all due respect to Ann Rule and Jerry Bledsoe, my other favorite authors in this genre.) This book proves the saying "Truth is stranger than fiction." I highly recommend it.


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