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Defending Jacob by William Landay
(5 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"First time reading Landay. Interesting book about what a parent will do for their child with some good twists. "
-- todgel, 01/16/2013
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"I'm going to take Madwoman's sage advice and put this in the relationships category; the events may revolve around a crime, but the novel is really about the strained relationships between father, son and mother. A chilling read, and highly recommended. "
-- LegallyMinded, 02/06/2013
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"Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber is on the stand at the Grand Jury investigation recalling details from the murder case - a bloody fingerprint, a serrated hunting knife, a handful of Facebook accusations - clues that seem to point in one direction - his own 14 year-old son. As an audiobook, Grover Gardner's cool, calm, and collected narration was perfectly matched to courtroom testimony told through flashbacks - all the more chilling for its control even without much character differentiation. His voice wrapped around my heart like a cold hand from the opening line until the final punch to the gut with the surprise ending."
-- Nimble Novice, 01/28/2013
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"I almost listed this under "relationships" because it is more the story of what happens to a family when a child is accused of murder than the case itself. But it's hard to argue against it fitting in a category which includes mystery, crime and horror, because it certainly includes all three. I guessed at least most of the final twist about 70 pages from the end, and it was still chilling. It leaves you trying to decide who was the biggest monster of the lot."
-- Madwoman, 01/22/2013
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"Excellent read.."
-- bigbabe, 01/25/2013
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Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
(5 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"Clay Jannon is a young, unemployed graphic designer when he gets a job working the night shift at a strange bookstore. Though it doesn't have many customers, the ones who do visit most faithfully aren't there to buy books but to borrow them. Clay's light-hearted quest to find out what's really going on at Mr. Penumbra's bookstore is a blend of high technology and good ol' fashioned reading and writing. I liked this novel for the most part, although some of the puzzles that were being solved (and the reasons they existed in the first place) didn't make a whole lot of sense if I tried to think about them too much. A quick read with a likable protagonist."
-- ChristyAV, 01/30/2013
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"Totally recommend it for adults & 'young adults'. Very visual: could have been a graphic novel; expect it will become a movie if Hollywood is paying attention."
-- brainsbe, 02/10/2013
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"A bit hard to get through, but interesting and current. "Harry Potter"ish. Some characters are a team of Google decoders. Makes you think about the question, what will books be in the future? PS-Check out the cover in the dark!"
-- Bernadette, 01/10/2013
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"This book is different from any that I have read. A man takes the night shift at a 24-hour bookstore, but it isn't an ordinary bookstore. His quest for the truth of what books are actually in the bookstore becomes the adventure of a lifetime."
-- redwings4ever, 03/03/2013
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"Good discussion book for book clubs. Interesting way of intersecting the high tech world of Google with a centuries old organization set to decode a mystery held within an old book type face. Set in a hole in the wall bookstore in San Francisco."
-- kcheesman, 01/11/2013
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Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich
(4 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"Quick, witty, funny. I enjoy this series... Even if it is book nineteen =)"
-- trublu, 01/07/2013
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"The nineteenth book in the Stephanie Plum series. "
-- Nancy, 01/09/2013
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"Fast, fun, fire and classic Stephanie.
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-- realvamps, 01/13/2013
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"I love Evanovich humor!"
-- Fran, 01/20/2013
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The Forgotten by David Baldacci
(4 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"Easy read with many twists and turns."
-- Mary Ann, 01/29/2013
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"I used to read David Baldacci all the time, and somehow, I slipped away to other authors because I felt like the books were getting to be "the same." This books is unlike any of his other books I have read and the "problem" he uncovers is a real surprise. I need to go back to the fold and read a few more."
-- maxivon, 02/22/2013
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"I love that Baldacci brought back John Puller for another story. This in Florida and starts out with it being personal, as his aunt has passed away. Her death was natural causes from an accident... or was it natural, an accident or who knows what? As he delves into things,... well, read the book yourself and enjoy and find out!
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-- k2disos, 02/16/2013
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"Was on my hold list forever and it was worth the wait. As a native Floridian, I enjoyed the locale. Easy read, just enough intrigue to hold my interest without getting too technical and wordy, as some espionage type stories tend to do. I've read a couple of novels in the past few years on this subject matter and wonder if it is as widespread a problem as presented in fiction."
-- sbspong, 01/31/2013
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A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"A wonderful ending to an epic series. Part of me is sad to see the Wheel of Time come to a close, but mostly, I'm just glad Brandon Sanderson did such a good job of taking over for Robert Jordan."
-- LegallyMinded, 01/19/2013
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"It's a fitting end to the 14 book Wheel of Time series."
-- zeldink, 01/10/2013
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"Beautifully done conclusion to the Wheel of Time series. "
-- Madwoman, 02/05/2013
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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
(4 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"Terrific book! Very suspensuful, not a great ending."
-- Danielle, 02/18/2013
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"I really enjoyed this. Kept you guessing until the end. I would like to read some other books by the author now. Recommended."
-- sam1370, 03/03/2013
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"I would not recommend it I thought it was a very hard book to finish."
-- granny85, 01/31/2013
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"Wow, what a well written book. "
-- szsampson, 01/14/2013
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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"Gillian Flynn creates a suspenseful and twisted plot with characters that will chill you to the bone with their evil intentions. "
-- ccard, 01/16/2013
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"Reads like the journals of two different people seeing and experiencing the same things from different perspective. The author does this seamlessly! Loved it."
-- Ivy_hostetler, 01/19/2013
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"good book, enjoyed reading it"
-- mphmom, 01/15/2013
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The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"A fictionalized account of the events leading the mass suicide of Jewish rebels at Masada (73 CE), told from the perspective of 4 women. As soon as I felt I understood the situations and relationships among these characters, there was an unexpected twist from a new perspective. Although a similar story is told in different voices, the angle is so different it feels new each time."
-- zivah, 01/17/2013
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"Let me say first, how much I enjoyed the cover of this book. You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but an intriguing cover invites me to step in and to see what lies within. This book is based on Jewish history and the almost 500 who perished at Masada, seemingly committing suicide to avoid capture, torture and enslavement It is the four women, The Dove Keepers, who kept me reading. They are each different, yet the same - strong, courageous and determined. "
-- maxivon, 02/22/2013
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"The Dovekeepers is historical fiction which excels in both aspects, making history come intensely alive with 4 fictional characters based on archeological findings at Masada where 900 Jewish men, women and children stood up to a massive and superior Roman Legion force. Four women each have a section of the book devoted to their stories; while the sections could stand alone, the interweaving adds to the depth and vibrancy of the tale. It is mesmerizing and sometimes heartbreaking, but very compelling. The writer creates characters so real that the reader feels able to relate to their struggles and emotions, and believes that one could walk into another room, find them and talk about their lives. The writer did years of research which coupled with the expert writing, draws one in, resulting in feeling invested in the people, learning that their hopes and aspirations are akin to ours, and that we are complicated, not all good or all bad."
-- chemist, 02/01/2013
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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"Young adult novel in which the 16-1/2 year old main character, Hazel, meets the love of her life at a group therapy meeting for teenagers with cancer. A happy, sad, touching and, yes, funny story of their friendship and families, written by Indianapolis author, John Green."
-- brainsbe, 01/13/2013
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"It was an amazing book, touching, funny, and extremely sad. I honestly recommend it to everyone and I'm not even joking."
-- 221cBakerStreet, 02/03/2013
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"I hated to choose a category for this book because it doesn't seem to exactly fit anywhere. Hazel Green Lancaster has a terminal cancer currently being held in check by a miracle drug, but leaving her with lungs "that suck at being lungs" and plenty of side effects and she is only 16. Not to mention she used up her her dying wish with the Make a Wish Foundation when she was 13 since she thought she was dying then and wasted it on Disney World even though she loved that at the time. Though she hated her cancer support group, she meets the zany and wonderful fellow cancer survivor, Augustus Waters, there and can't decide what to do about falling in love. This is my first John Green book, but I don't think it will be my last!"
-- Ethel Hartman, 02/20/2013
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The Racketeer by John Grisham
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"When a federal judge and his secretary fail to appear for a scheduled trial and panicked clerks call for an FBI investigation, a harrowing murder case ensues and culminates in the imprisonment of a lawyer who imparts the story of who killed the judge and why."
-- Peter, 12/20/2012
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"Malcom Bannister, Grisham's protagonist, like most of his novels, is a lawyer. The unusual thing is that Malcom is in prison. One wonders where this can go, with the lawyer in prison, but Grisham weaves a tale of intrigue and unexpected twists. I was captivated through to the end."
-- Snow Angel, 01/21/2013
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"Thought it was not up to his standards."
-- Peg Looney, 02/27/2013
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The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"If you have read Kate Morton before and loved her books, this one should be at the top of your to read list. There were times when I just wanted the author to cut to the chase and spill it, but when all was said and done... I'm glad she told the story her way. "
-- Cindra, 02/18/2013
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"One of the best books I've read in a while. There are so many twists and turns, it kept me guessing until the end. Such a fun book!"
-- Carrie, 02/07/2013
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"Wonderful story and well written. Takes place over multiple generations and has a few exciting twists which keeps you reading and wanting to know what happens next. I highly recommend this book."
-- Jean P, 02/04/2013
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The Sins of the Mother by Danielle Steel
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"written like a bad lifetime movie with a seriously predictable plot."
-- trublu, 01/15/2013
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"Typical Danielle Steel book--Family dynamics between children and their parents."
-- Cherylp, 01/18/2013
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"As always, Danielle Steel has me rivited. Very good book about a family who has been estranged and thru many trials and joys, find their way back together. "
-- jonniu, 01/14/2013
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A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
(2 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"Absolutely recommend. this is John Irving's Vietnam book. What a surprise.
It doesn't take place in a war zone. It has the unlikely hero.
It took me awhile."
-- june, 01/25/2013
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"funny "
-- teddy, 01/25/2013
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An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor
(2 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"After reading the glowing reviews on Amazon I was really looking forward to starting this series. What a disappointment. Not much of a story; mainly a new and an established doctor visiting quirky patients. While this by itself isn't a bad premise for a series, it would certainly help if there was a strong storyline accompanying the visits. I hoped this series would be similar to Phil Gulley's "Home to Harmony" or Jan Karon's "Mitford" but it wasn't even close. Irish stereotypes are reinforced to the point of almost being offensive. Didn't enjoy any of the characters in the book enough to read the next book in the series. "
-- bsubird, 01/17/2013
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"Set in the '60s this series of books tells of the life of two country doctors in a small village in Ireland. This sometimes predictable but quaint series follows village life while giving small doses of Irish history and customs. I would recommend for light reading but was quite disappointed in the language. All other situations are relatively lighthearted and innocuous."
-- Mrs. K, 02/26/2013
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Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
(3 Winter Readers liked this book) |
"This book received good reviews and I anticipated the beautiful setting in Italy. However, it was different than I expected. Almost too many characters, sharply introduced. At times overly wordy. I liked the plot in general and particularly enjoyed the ending where everything was wrapped up neatly. On a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate it a 3.4."
-- kcheesman, 01/30/2013
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"It was OK, not as good as I hoped. There are a couple of appealing characters but most of the characters were too hard to care about."
-- Grier, 02/07/2013
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"Loved it!"
-- cubansuzan, 03/03/2013
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