Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Suzanne J. (09suzij) - - Reviews

1 to 20 of 42 - Page:
Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1)
Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story (Vampire, Bk 1)
Author: Christopher Moore
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 108
Review Date: 8/26/2017


One of Moore's best!


The Book of Unholy Mischief (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Review Date: 7/18/2015


Excellent audio! The narrator has an amazing talent for voices and accents. Chapter after chapter, the author held my attention and had me wanting more.


Boomsday (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Boomsday (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Author: Christopher Buckley, Janeane Garafalo (Narrator)
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 17
Review Date: 12/10/2019


Lots of politics, dirty dealings. I couldn't get past the 3rd disc. Not my cup of tea.

Narration was great.


Broken (in the best possible way)
Broken (in the best possible way)
Author: Jenny Lawson
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 12/28/2022


Laughed so hard I cried at the funny parts. The serious parts are relatable and beautifully written.


Catnapped  (Animal Instinct, Bk 1)
Catnapped (Animal Instinct, Bk 1)
Author: Gabriella Herkert
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 49
Review Date: 3/28/2015


Nice mystery/romance set in Seattle. I was hoping there would be more about the missing cat, or any animals for that matter, but the story was more about human relationships.


The Christmas Child: A Story of Coming Home
The Christmas Child: A Story of Coming Home
Author: Max Lucado
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 1.8/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 5/21/2014


I was disappointed. The Christmas Child story is on one CD, and is only about 30 minutes long. The story is okay. The 2nd CD is a full on Christian-centered retelling of the birth of Christ, told from the angel Gabriel's viewpoint. Both discs contain sound effects that take away from the stories, rather than add to them.


Cruel Winter (County Cork, Bk 5)
Cruel Winter (County Cork, Bk 5)
Author: Sheila Connolly
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 20
Review Date: 7/15/2022


Liked the plot, didn't like the editing. This is one of those books where it appeared the author was trying to meet a publisher's word count or page count requirement. There was so much reiteration in this book - how many times can Maura mention that her Grannny was from this area of Ireland? I noticed the same phrases repeated within a few chapters, and in one case a whole paragraph was repeated a few pages later, to the detriment of the story's flow.

IMHO, there could have been more resolution in the post-climax. Did Maura ever get a new coat and boots? Did her guests arrive home safely? How will her finances recover? And what about her cat?

That said, I've liked this series until now, and will likely give it one more chance by reading the next book in line.


The Cylons' Secret (Battlestar Galactica, Bk 2) (Audio CD) (Abridged)
Review Date: 6/7/2014


Although the 2 folks before me gave this book an average rating of 4, I'd have to go with 2. I normally like a good science fiction novel, especially Anne McCaffrey or any of the Star Trek books, but this one left me cold. It could be because I was never much of a Galactica watcher back in the day, or it could be because I'm not a fan of shooting and fighting scenes. The character motivation was limited. I would not recommend this audio CD.


Family Blessings (Cisco, Bk 2) (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Review Date: 12/6/2014


I liked this book - it was a feel-good read without being sugar-coated. In real life, there are sometimes fights, mistrust, mistakes, and mis-communications in extended family situations. This book dealt with all of it.

Just so you know, there's some cursing in this book, but I don't recall the f-bomb being flung around much, if at all. There's also some sex scenes, all consensual, and they are neither explicit nor gratuitous.

I found the part about triplet sibling interactions especially interesting, as there are triplets in my extended family.

I wish I'd read the first book, Cisco, Bk 1, before listening to this one. While the author did a good job of referring back to that book in a way that was easy to follow, I still felt like I wanted to know more about Cisco's family, but now I already know what's going to happen in Bk 1.


The Fifth Vial (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
The Fifth Vial (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Author: Michael Palmer, J Charles (Narrator)
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 13
Review Date: 7/27/2018


This book was awesome! Good vs. Evil, global settings, altruism vs. greed, hospitals, laboratories, detectives, quotes from Plato, and amazing narration to tie it all up. Take a listen!


Firekeeper's Daughter
Firekeeper's Daughter
Author: Angeline Boulley
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 15
Review Date: 2/10/2024


Target audience is Young Adults. Still a good read if you are an Old Adult.


Floral Decorations for Entertaining With Style
Review Date: 6/23/2013


Nice book for beginner and advanced floral arrangers. I was able to make bouquets and corsages for my daughter's wedding, and I had never done any floral craft before in my life! It also gives holiday, shower, and table arrangement ideas, with simple instructions for beautiful results.


Garden Princess
Garden Princess
Author: Kristin Kladstrup
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 9/19/2015


Family friendly fairy tale; appropriate for all ages. The main characters includes a princess, her family, a witch, and an enchanted magpie.

I liked that the princess made up her own mind about what a princess should and should not do.

I think kids would like this book, as would anyone interested in gardening and botany. I found it so-so.


The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television
The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television
Author: Ted Okuda, Jack Mulqueen
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 1/27/2023


I love this book because it took me back to my earliest years, growing up in Chicago. I discovered a much-loved TV show that I had forgotten about. I also learned a lot about the folks who made my television experience special. I still miss those shows.


The Golden Thread (Sorcery Hall, Bk 3)
The Golden Thread (Sorcery Hall, Bk 3)
Author: Suzy McKee Charnas
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 1/3/2014


This is book three of the Sorcery Hall Trilogy, with Valentine Marsh as the main character. The other two books are The Bronze King and The Silver Glove. I recommend reading them in the correct order, because there are lots of references to the previous books in this one. That said, I was still able to enjoy the story. In addition to getting used to her "gift," Val is also dealing with school, her mom, and her new feelings for boys. It really took me back to my high school days (except for the magic part).


Herland
Herland
Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 31
Review Date: 8/27/2023


Amazing book, written by an amazing author. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860 to 1935) wrote this novel in 1915, about a utopian all female society who emphasize on civility, freedom, education, and motherhood. The book is narrated by a young man who travels with two companions to this isolated âHerland.â Idealist that I am, I love the idea of no violence, wars, hunger, homelessness, or class structure. Don't skip the fascinating Introduction!


The Judas Strain (Sigma Force, Bk 4)
The Judas Strain (Sigma Force, Bk 4)
Author: James Rollins
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 378
Review Date: 2/7/2023
Helpful Score: 1


I could not put this book down-it has all my favorites: microbes, exotic locales, committed & loving relationships, a race against time, children not getting hurt, mysterious codes, and a touch of fantasy. Gripping!


A Lot Like Christmas
A Lot Like Christmas
Author: Connie Willis
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 5/15/2019


I love this book! Connie Willis is a genius!


Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Bk 1)
Review Date: 7/15/2020


Pleasantly geeky while still including books. It was eye-opening to see what our future might look like in a data-driven society.


Murder in the Dog Days (Maggie Ryan, Bk 6)
Murder in the Dog Days (Maggie Ryan, Bk 6)
Author: P. M. Carlson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.9/5 Stars.
 8
Review Date: 12/28/2014


Great book - couldn't put it down. Characters were complex but believable, plot moved right along. Interestingly, it was written in 1991, but set in 1975, and contained many references to the war in Viet Nam.

This book can be read as a stand-alone; it does not have to be read as part of the series. I had not read any of the Maggie Ryan books previously, and I didn't feel like I was missing important information.


1 to 20 of 42 - Page: