We have reached the end of this year's Adult Summer Reading Club. Our raffle tickets have been drawn. The winners are:
Mary Cioffi -- $25 gift card to Outback Restaurant
Dawn Roth -- $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble
Karen Greenhalgh -- $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble
Rosalie Capobianco -- $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble
Thanks to everyone who participated in our Summer Reading Club program and especially to those who contributed to our blog! We hope you will join us for the Adult Winter Reading Club in January 2015.
Monday, August 18, 2014
State of Wonder
Title: State of Wonder
Author: Ann Patchett
The story of a woman who is sent to the Amazon jungle by the pharmaceutical company she works at after her fellow worker Anders mysteriously dies there while checking on the progress of the fertility drug they are working on. Dr. Swenson has been in the Amazon for many years and has cut off contact with Vogel, the pharmaceutical company. The story tells of the woman's (Marina) struggle to find Dr. Swenson and her life in the jungle when she finally does. I found the story that develops to be quite interesting and very descriptive. And there is a surprise ending.
Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous
Author: Ann Patchett
The story of a woman who is sent to the Amazon jungle by the pharmaceutical company she works at after her fellow worker Anders mysteriously dies there while checking on the progress of the fertility drug they are working on. Dr. Swenson has been in the Amazon for many years and has cut off contact with Vogel, the pharmaceutical company. The story tells of the woman's (Marina) struggle to find Dr. Swenson and her life in the jungle when she finally does. I found the story that develops to be quite interesting and very descriptive. And there is a surprise ending.
Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous
Friday, August 15, 2014
The Fault in Our Stars
Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
This is a YA book that I read because the movie and popularity of the book had made me curious. Hazel is a young teenage cancer patient with no hope for a cure, sent to a cancer support group by her parents where she meets Augustus Waters, an amputee who lost his leg to cancer. A relationship develops, they travel to Amsterdam (where thanks to this book I would love to travel too!). This book is about their relationship, cancer, family.
Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Peggy.
Author: John Green
This is a YA book that I read because the movie and popularity of the book had made me curious. Hazel is a young teenage cancer patient with no hope for a cure, sent to a cancer support group by her parents where she meets Augustus Waters, an amputee who lost his leg to cancer. A relationship develops, they travel to Amsterdam (where thanks to this book I would love to travel too!). This book is about their relationship, cancer, family.
Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Peggy.
All Fall Down
Title: All Fall Down
Author: Jennifer Weiner
I found this to be an interesting story of a middle class woman's journey down into drug addiction, how she finally admits her addiction, and finds her way back.
Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Peggy.
Author: Jennifer Weiner
I found this to be an interesting story of a middle class woman's journey down into drug addiction, how she finally admits her addiction, and finds her way back.
Fiction; rated 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Peggy.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Brooklyn: a Novel
Title: Brooklyn: a Novel
Author: Colm Toibin
Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin, at first seemed simplistic and overdone with the onset of so many stories of small towns of Ireland in books such as Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. In Part One of the Novel he at first carefully developed the many background characters more so than his main character, Eilis Lacy. We are given great detail of the many different people in Eilis' small town in Ireland including her sister Rose whose almost fun and carefree life integrated well with her ability to diffuse difficult conversations and situations between their Mother. Ms. Lacy and Eilis. It seemed as Rose propelled Eilis into her long journey, that perhaps Rose was the heroine of the story.
However this is Eilis' story and although at times the reading seemed too detailed until I realized that I the reader was being drawn into her world lending to this story as if it were an Epic Novel spanning across continents, one familiar and so much a part of our main character's life and her new unknown continent. Toibin used both to give us a view of the post-World War II life and its impact on the young women of each continent.
In America, specifically Brooklyn, New York, Eilis' world is one of deep uncertainty as she learns to navigate around her new surroundings and to understand and even care about people who are so different in not only ethnicity but in enlightenment. For me the beauty of this novel is Toibin's almost imperceptible insertion of mystery into the story as Eilis must choose between her old life and its familiarity with the new life she forged for herself in America.
Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sherry L. Gotbaum
Author: Colm Toibin
Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin, at first seemed simplistic and overdone with the onset of so many stories of small towns of Ireland in books such as Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. In Part One of the Novel he at first carefully developed the many background characters more so than his main character, Eilis Lacy. We are given great detail of the many different people in Eilis' small town in Ireland including her sister Rose whose almost fun and carefree life integrated well with her ability to diffuse difficult conversations and situations between their Mother. Ms. Lacy and Eilis. It seemed as Rose propelled Eilis into her long journey, that perhaps Rose was the heroine of the story.
However this is Eilis' story and although at times the reading seemed too detailed until I realized that I the reader was being drawn into her world lending to this story as if it were an Epic Novel spanning across continents, one familiar and so much a part of our main character's life and her new unknown continent. Toibin used both to give us a view of the post-World War II life and its impact on the young women of each continent.
In America, specifically Brooklyn, New York, Eilis' world is one of deep uncertainty as she learns to navigate around her new surroundings and to understand and even care about people who are so different in not only ethnicity but in enlightenment. For me the beauty of this novel is Toibin's almost imperceptible insertion of mystery into the story as Eilis must choose between her old life and its familiarity with the new life she forged for herself in America.
Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sherry L. Gotbaum
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Heart of the Matter
Title: Heart of the Matter
Author: Emily Giffin
This book is the story about the relationship between a gifted surgeon and his patient's family. It explores the dynamics of the doctor, his wife and family, and the patient and family. Very interesting look into relationships, human nature, and how it all plays out in the end.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Author: Emily Giffin
This book is the story about the relationship between a gifted surgeon and his patient's family. It explores the dynamics of the doctor, his wife and family, and the patient and family. Very interesting look into relationships, human nature, and how it all plays out in the end.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
A Perfect Life
Title: A Perfect Life
Author: Danielle Steel
This story is about a successful news anchor and her "so called perfect life". People don't know her real life struggles. An incident happens that changes her life. We follow the story as her life takes a turn and we see how it all turns out. A fast read, and a heartwarming story.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Author: Danielle Steel
This story is about a successful news anchor and her "so called perfect life". People don't know her real life struggles. An incident happens that changes her life. We follow the story as her life takes a turn and we see how it all turns out. A fast read, and a heartwarming story.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Sycamore Row
Title: Sycamore Row
Author: John Grisham
This story focuses on a very controversial amended will and all the ramifications of the decision made by the deceased. This story has a lot of twists and turns, and will leave you wondering how things will turn out until almost the last page.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Author: John Grisham
This story focuses on a very controversial amended will and all the ramifications of the decision made by the deceased. This story has a lot of twists and turns, and will leave you wondering how things will turn out until almost the last page.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
The Summer I Dared
Title: The Summer I Dared
Author: Barbara Delinsky
This story is about a life changing accident that changes the lives of the survivors. It is a story about re-examining their lives and how they were living them before the accident, but questioning how they want to live now that their lives were spared. It is a story that takes place in Maine, in a lobstering community.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Author: Barbara Delinsky
This story is about a life changing accident that changes the lives of the survivors. It is a story about re-examining their lives and how they were living them before the accident, but questioning how they want to live now that their lives were spared. It is a story that takes place in Maine, in a lobstering community.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Deadline
Title: Deadline
Author: Sandra Brown
A reporter meets a witness at a murder trial he is covering. A very suspenseful, twists and turns, exciting murder mystery. A lot of surprises.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Author: Sandra Brown
A reporter meets a witness at a murder trial he is covering. A very suspenseful, twists and turns, exciting murder mystery. A lot of surprises.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Paul: 50 Years after the British Invasion
Title: Paul: 50 Years after the British Invasion
Author: Tony Scherman
Good biography with photo essay on McCartney.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous.
Author: Tony Scherman
Good biography with photo essay on McCartney.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous.
Unlucky 13
Title: Unlucky 13
Author: James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The latest in the Women's Murder Club series. Detective Lindsay Boxer is now married and has a child. While working on her current case, she discovers that a former criminal, believed to be dead, is very much alive and after Lindsay to do her harm. What I like about this series is that it also delves into the personal lives of the four women who make up the Women's Murder Club and updates you in each new sequel. Also included in this book is Luki's marriage and the dilemma of her and her new husband being held captive on a cruise ship.
Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous.
Author: James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The latest in the Women's Murder Club series. Detective Lindsay Boxer is now married and has a child. While working on her current case, she discovers that a former criminal, believed to be dead, is very much alive and after Lindsay to do her harm. What I like about this series is that it also delves into the personal lives of the four women who make up the Women's Murder Club and updates you in each new sequel. Also included in this book is Luki's marriage and the dilemma of her and her new husband being held captive on a cruise ship.
Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Anonymous.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Haatchi and Little B
Title: Haatchi and Little B: the Inspiring True Story of One Boy and his Dog
Author: Wendy Holden
This book touched my heart. It made me cry.
Non-Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sheryl.
Author: Wendy Holden
This book touched my heart. It made me cry.
Non-Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Sheryl.
Monday, August 11, 2014
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana
Title: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe
Author: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
The story of a remarkable woman, Kamila Sidiqi, whose life changes overnight when the Taliban seized control of Kabul. She had just received her degree and was planning on teaching, following in the footsteps of her older sister. But her father and brother are forced to flee the city. Her dream of teaching can no longer be and now she must find a way to provide for her large family. She starts by making garments and selling them to local storekeepers. She then expands by opening her home to other women and teaching them the trade. Before long she has a prospering business going on. Her tenacity and courage are amazing - she defies all odds. Not only was this a true picture of the horrors of life in Afghanistan for women but also a heartwarming story of an amazing young woman.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed by Anonymous
Author: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
The story of a remarkable woman, Kamila Sidiqi, whose life changes overnight when the Taliban seized control of Kabul. She had just received her degree and was planning on teaching, following in the footsteps of her older sister. But her father and brother are forced to flee the city. Her dream of teaching can no longer be and now she must find a way to provide for her large family. She starts by making garments and selling them to local storekeepers. She then expands by opening her home to other women and teaching them the trade. Before long she has a prospering business going on. Her tenacity and courage are amazing - she defies all odds. Not only was this a true picture of the horrors of life in Afghanistan for women but also a heartwarming story of an amazing young woman.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed by Anonymous
Friday, August 8, 2014
Identity
Title: Identity
Author: Ingrid Thoft
This mystery features a female PI working for her wealthy successful attorney father. Her family is dysfunctional (to put it mildly), and between her family and her friends you have other stories going on. She is hired by her father to find out the sperm donor of his client, and the story runs from there with murder and suspects galore!
Fiction; rated 3.5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Peggy.
Author: Ingrid Thoft
This mystery features a female PI working for her wealthy successful attorney father. Her family is dysfunctional (to put it mildly), and between her family and her friends you have other stories going on. She is hired by her father to find out the sperm donor of his client, and the story runs from there with murder and suspects galore!
Fiction; rated 3.5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Peggy.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
The Everygirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness: How I Lost 40 Lbs and Kept it Off -- and How You Can Too!
Title: The Everygirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness: How I Lost 40 Lbs. and Kept it Off -- and How You Can Too!
Author: Maria Menounos
A diet memoir, this book is great for those who are seeking weight loss advice. The author doesn't claim to be an expert, but simply shares her own personal struggles and how she achieved her goals. Fans will appreciate the family photos and tidbits of personal information. Overall this diet/self-help combination book is great and is highly recommended!
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Grumpy Cat.
Author: Maria Menounos
A diet memoir, this book is great for those who are seeking weight loss advice. The author doesn't claim to be an expert, but simply shares her own personal struggles and how she achieved her goals. Fans will appreciate the family photos and tidbits of personal information. Overall this diet/self-help combination book is great and is highly recommended!
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by Grumpy Cat.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a "Little Golden Book"
Title: Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book
Author: Diane Muldrow
Good advice on how to achieve a positive philosophy of life . . . gleaned from the "Little Golden Books" that we all loved from our childhood. Gentle lessons on everything from managing money to the importance of enjoying your own wedding . . . using the delightful illustrations from those cherished books.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by E. Feynman
Author: Diane Muldrow
Good advice on how to achieve a positive philosophy of life . . . gleaned from the "Little Golden Books" that we all loved from our childhood. Gentle lessons on everything from managing money to the importance of enjoying your own wedding . . . using the delightful illustrations from those cherished books.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by E. Feynman
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Chestnut Street
Title: Chestnut Street
Author: Maeve Binchy
This is a series of stories about the lives of the people that live on Chestnut Street. Very touching, heartwarming tales of human nature, love and loss, family and friends.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Author: Maeve Binchy
This is a series of stories about the lives of the people that live on Chestnut Street. Very touching, heartwarming tales of human nature, love and loss, family and friends.
Fiction; rated 5 out of 5.
Reviewed by Donna S.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
The Little Book of Thin: Foodtrainers Plan-it-to-Lose-it Solutions for Every Diet Dilemma
Title: The Little Book of Thin: Foodtrainers Plan-it-to-Lose-it Solutions for Every Diet Dilemma
Author: Lauren Slayton
This book provided many useful ideas to lose weight. Some run contrary to popular diet guidelines.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by R.
Author: Lauren Slayton
This book provided many useful ideas to lose weight. Some run contrary to popular diet guidelines.
Non-Fiction; rated 4 out of 5.
Reviewed by R.
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