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Judy M. (menzrob) - , - Reviews

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The Age of Innocence
The Age of Innocence
Author: Edith Wharton
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 110
Review Date: 5/28/2010
Helpful Score: 1


In interesting look at the rich of New York in the late 19th century. For the most part, I did not like the characters (more because of the mores of the day, than because of any unusual character flaws), but did appreciate the historic view. Am now reading about Jennie Churchill (who was American, but living in Europe) in the same time period and find the comparisons between the two worlds pretty much the same as described in The Age of Innocence. Worth reading, but perhaps not such "good" old days?


Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral
Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral
Author: Kris Radish
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 301
Review Date: 5/16/2010


Warm and fuzzy, but a bit too idealistic for me. I've met a variety of women in my life, most of them very nice, but I can't imagine this group being real. The airport scene is even more unrealistic to me. Having said all that, I'm not at all sorry I read the book. It's a feel good book with a very positive spin on death.


At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Review Date: 5/8/2012


You know you knit too much when...you can relate to pretty much everything in this CD and your find yourself nodding vigorously as you're sitting in heavy traffic. Bet the drivers around me wished they had such an agreeable CD!


Bel Canto
Bel Canto
Author: Ann Patchett
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 881
Review Date: 6/26/2009
Helpful Score: 1


I liked this book, but I didn't love it. The premise was very interesting, but the story dragged for me. Several others in my reading group felt the same way. Then again, there were several who loved the book and have read others by the same author that they praised as well. It's really a matter of what you like to read isn't it? I think this author is a student of human psychology and writes more from that viewpoint.


Bellweather Rhapsody
Bellweather Rhapsody
Author: Kate Racculia
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 5/29/2014


Relatively fast moving story with lots of twists & turns (also jumped around a lot between characters & previous happenings). Not many likeable characters, but some I enjoyed disliking. At times I thought about not finishing the book, but was just curious enough to see it through. Not sorry I did, but won't be reading more than once.


The Best Dr. Thorndyke Detective Stories
The Best Dr. Thorndyke Detective Stories
Author: R. Austin Freeman
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 5/21/2012


A definite rival for Sherlock Holmes! Equally well written, very interesting, and spellbinding. A thoroughly enjoyable "old-world" read.


Blowing My Cover : My Life as a CIA Spy
Blowing My Cover : My Life as a CIA Spy
Author: Lindsay Moran
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 73
Review Date: 10/21/2009
Helpful Score: 1


Entertaining, easy read, and a bit scary as well. I was a cynic before I read it, and am even more so now.


The Bolter: Idina Sackville, the Woman Who Scandalised 1920's Society and Became White Mischief's Infamous Seductress
Review Date: 2/29/2012


Very interesting woman and time period.


Burning Bears Fall From the Sky: My amusing story about relocating from a desk in San Francisco to a remote mountain in Northern California (Volume 1)
Review Date: 9/25/2011


Fun read! Life in a tiny rural community in very northern CA is full of adventures, thrills, hard work, insights, and, most of all, laughter.


Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and his Rendezvous with American History
Review Date: 7/18/2012


A very good book that not only highlights the Charlie Chan of fiction (both written and movies), but tells the story of the very interesting life of the model for Chan, as well as a fair amount of history of the U.S., Hawaii, and China in the 20's & 30's. Well written!


Corner House Girls
Corner House Girls
Author: Lilian Harry
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 1/13/2015


A very interesting slice of a segment of London life leading up to WWII. An easy read, but I thought well worth my time. The story is about 5 young women who all work as Nippies for the Corner House restaurants. This was the first time I'd heard of these restaurants and how they opeated, so it was a bit of a good history lesson. The story tells of the day-to-day lives of these girls, their families, and the young men they meet. Each girl is different, but their stories interconnect and you get a sense of what London life was like. First time I heard about the Pearly Kings & Queens too. Looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy.


Corpus De Crossword (Crossword Mystery, Bk 6)
Corpus De Crossword (Crossword Mystery, Bk 6)
Author: Nero Blanc
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 16
Review Date: 6/20/2011


As always, a fun read with challenging puzzles and a surprise ending.


Crossing to Safety
Crossing to Safety
Author: Wallace Stegner
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 8/21/2014


My second Stegner novel (read Angle of Repose first) and can't wait to read my next one. He's such a good writer! His descriptions of people and places are so clear and perfect. He keeps my attention from beginning to end, and then I want more.


Deep Storm (Audio CD) (Abridged)
Deep Storm (Audio CD) (Abridged)
Author: Lincoln Child, Scott Brick (Narrator)
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 31
Review Date: 7/23/2011
Helpful Score: 1


Spellbinding! Definitely made for an interesting long-distance drive.


The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
Review Date: 12/21/2008
Helpful Score: 1


A page turner I couldn't put down, full of history and intrigue. It's the 1892 World's Fair in Chicago side-by-side with the story of a serial killer who took advantage of the Fair to gain his victims. The story of the Fair is primary and covers its inception through its finish. What a monumental endeavor and success! At the same time, you get a sense of the underside of Chicago as you read about Dr. H.H. Holmes and how he was able to murder young women without coming under suspicion during the time of the Fair. Amazingly well written when you consider the complexity and sensitivity of the two topics. I read this one cover to cover and fully intend to read it again sometime in the future!


Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
Author: Vicki Myron, Bret Witter
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 67
Review Date: 3/24/2011


Super book! Dewey was an irresistible , extremely photogenic, and perceptive cat whose antics totally delighted me. Yes, the ending is sad, but the rest of the book totally makes up for it. A must read!


Duchess: A Novel of Sarah Churchill
Duchess: A Novel of Sarah Churchill
Author: Susan Holloway Scott
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 78
Review Date: 4/8/2012
Helpful Score: 1


Well done historical fiction. Having recently enjoyed the series "The First Churchills" (via Netflix) I was looking forward to learning more about the Churchill's and Queen Anne's reign. It was nice to see how the film and the book paralleled each other and I wasn't disappointed by either.


East of Eden
East of Eden
Author: John Steinbeck
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 455
Review Date: 10/21/2009
Helpful Score: 2


At times I couldn't put it down; at other times I thought he'd never get to the point. Certainly does give one pause to think about good vs. evil, nurture vs. nature, and free will vs, fate.


Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Review Date: 9/30/2008
Helpful Score: 1


I enjoyed this book - for the most part. Have to admit I liked the first third best. Liz Gilbert is a gifted writer and uses wonderful humor to describe how she eats her way through Italy. The second third of the book (the Indian Ashram) is well done, but begins to drag a bit. The third part (Indonesia) starts a little slow, but definitely picks up and ends on a very happy note. For me, it was a one time read, but a good one.


The Eight (Eight , Bk 1)
The Eight (Eight , Bk 1)
Author: Katherine Neville
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 150
Review Date: 7/21/2008


Interesting, and loaded with historical info, but very difficult to follow. Not a book I would recommend to a friend, unless they understood chess very well and had an excellent knowledge of the French Revolution.


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