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Deborah B. (deebb) - Reviews

1 to 8 of 8
Almost Eden
Almost Eden
Author: Anita Horrocks
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 2/13/2011


Well-written book would be a good read for any teenage girl from a less-than-perfect family. Special topics of interest are building friendships and relationships, boys, sisters, parental depression, being Canadian and/or Mennonite.


The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe
Review Date: 8/3/2011
Helpful Score: 2


Maf is a sensitive dog who is well-read and a good writer. I also sense that he is quite witty, but unfortunately, he is so literate that most of his bons mots went right over my head.


March
March
Author: Geraldine Brooks
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 533
Review Date: 2/13/2011


A well-written account that fleshes out--and humanizes--Mr. March and gives an interesting angle and insight into the Civil War years. A good read for lovers of Little Women and American history who don't happen to be Civil War buffs.


The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Story of Surprising Second Chances
The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Story of Surprising Second Chances
Author: Amy Dickinson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 15
Review Date: 1/8/2011


This probably made a good magazine article somewhere, but expanding it to book-length was, well, a stretch. I like Amy Dickinson for her practical, intuitive, humble approach on giving advice to strangers, and those things show up in this book, but there is a surprising lack of insight. Can you tell I was disappointed?


Murder in Clichy (Aimee Leduc, Bk 5)
Murder in Clichy (Aimee Leduc, Bk 5)
Author: Cara Black
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 26
Review Date: 2/28/2011


This series of books has many things that appeal greatly to me--the female protagonist and her partner, the Paris setting and neighborhood history, the good writing style. But this book was not my favorite. It felt as if there were too many unlikeable characters--the "mecs", not to mention the "flics"--some of whom were mecs themselves. Mix in all the cafes, abandoned buildings, clubs, offices and homes Aimee visits and you get a fast-paced book. But I found it to be way too much, along with an ending that was anti-climactic (a day after finishing the book, I couldn't remember who had "done it").


Murder on the Ile St-Louis (Aimee Leduc, Bk 7)
Murder on the Ile St-Louis (Aimee Leduc, Bk 7)
Author: Cara Black
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 15
Review Date: 2/20/2011


Cara Black has hit her stride with this book--the pace is good and it's well written. In previous books, I felt the author introduced too many characters and locations, but in this book, she has scaled back a bit and I felt more invested in the outcome. If you are feeling the 'Murder' books have grown a bit jittery, this book will restore your faith in Aimee Leduc.


The Oak Park Home and Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright
The Oak Park Home and Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright
Author: Ann Abernathy, John G. Thorpe
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 2/13/2011


Detailed account of the restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park, Illinois. An excellent follow-up to a tour of the facility that gives further information and facts for those who can never get enough of Mr. Wright and his work. As this property was a ground-breaking restoration of the 1970s, this book is also a good account of that grueling process.


Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal
Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal
Author: Julie Metz
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 55
Review Date: 8/3/2011
Helpful Score: 1


I eagerly anticipated reading this book--written by a fellow graphic designer who also lost her husband at a too-young age. Though the book was somewhat redeemed by a ending that felt right, I spent the first half of the book wondering how it even got published. Ms. Metz's life did seem perfect, but then came an enormous loss followed by betrayal. Horrible, but she did still have rest of her perfect life to fall back on--tons of devoted friends, good career, lovely child--Ms. Metz even lost weight during the ordeal!
Much like Amy Dickinson's 'Mighty Queens of Freeville,' this book would have made a good magazine story, but fleshed out into a full-length book, it feels too self-indulgent.
One last thing--I was surprised that Ms. Metz, a book-cover designer, didn't design the cover of this edition.


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