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laurieb755's reviews
759 reviews
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
4.0
Second walk-about book in a row. First one had humor; this one was definitely a pilgrimage. At times uplifting, at times sad, at times harrowing to read. Yet ultimately, a love story of finding oneself, finding one's love, and understanding one's life. I cheered for Harold and wanted him to have a happy ending. "Happy" seems like the wrong word. A fulfilling ending, a resolved ending, a fill-the-space-in-his-heart ending. And he did. And so did his wife, Maureen.
The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon
5.0
Yessss! I believed in every word and every character in this book. I know Ariel Lawhon imagined the conversations and scenarios, but she chose her words well, and contrived the situations and flow with such authenticity, that I came to believe that this is exactly how events transpired. Of course, my logical self knows that this is a work of fiction based upon the available facts, but what a doozy of a possible explanation for the disappearance of Judge Joseph Crater!
I have not yet scoped out Ariel's site http://www.shereads.org but suspect I'll wind up there on a rainy afternoon in the not too-distant future…
I have not yet scoped out Ariel's site http://www.shereads.org but suspect I'll wind up there on a rainy afternoon in the not too-distant future…
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
4.0
I continually had to remind myself that this is a true story written by a man who would eventually be elected President of the United States. Barack Obama knows how to tell a story, how to paint a picture with words, how to make the reader feel present for the telling. I both voted for Obama and spent Election Day in another state helping to get out the vote for him. This book helped me to better understand Obama, though it also raised questions for which I doubt I will ever find answers. Among those questions - for a man who can be such an evocative and strong story teller, why didn't he do more sharing of stories during his first term, as a way to help paint a picture of what could be and sway public opinion into more active support for his policies? Next up - The Audacity of Hope.
PS March 25, 2014 - In February I started The Audacity of Hope but did not get very far because it seemed like I was reading a political book rather than a personal story. Perhaps one day I'll take it up again, but for now it has long since been returned to the library. Just wanted to update this review.
PS March 25, 2014 - In February I started The Audacity of Hope but did not get very far because it seemed like I was reading a political book rather than a personal story. Perhaps one day I'll take it up again, but for now it has long since been returned to the library. Just wanted to update this review.
The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism by Doris Kearns Goodwin
5.0
I have been a Doris Kearns Goodwin fan for many years, beginning with her book about FDR and followed by Team of Rivals, so was predisposed to enjoy this newest history tale. Goodwin knows how to flow words and string stories that do not impede the very rich telling by the characters themselves. Her words simply help propel the characters lives along.
The Bully Pulpit shines light on the friendship of TR and Taft against the backdrop of the Republican Party, the Guilded Age, and the Muckrakers of writing. If you read this book sooner rather than later, you may be struck by the many similarities between their time and ours.
I am also keen on the history of this period, and besides Goodwin's books have also read Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris and a book about J.P. Morgan.
The Bully Pulpit shines light on the friendship of TR and Taft against the backdrop of the Republican Party, the Guilded Age, and the Muckrakers of writing. If you read this book sooner rather than later, you may be struck by the many similarities between their time and ours.
I am also keen on the history of this period, and besides Goodwin's books have also read Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris and a book about J.P. Morgan.
Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris
4.0
Delightful steam-punk romp. Suspend belief in the possible and just sit back and enjoy the heat! Am sufficiently hooked, so next book in the series, here I come!
The Janus Affair by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris
4.0
This is what I had to say about Book 1 in this series:
Delightful steam-punk romp. Suspend belief in the possible and just sit back and enjoy the heat! Am sufficiently hooked, so next book in the series, here I come!
And all I can say is DITTO for this book. And guess what, there is another book soon to be published and, since my local library does not have it, I have ordered it on Amazon. (The first two books came not from our library but via mail from my younger brother-in-law, who is a fan of science fiction and science fantasy. The books appealed equally to my husband and me, so we both eagerly await the arrival of Book 3!)
Delightful steam-punk romp. Suspend belief in the possible and just sit back and enjoy the heat! Am sufficiently hooked, so next book in the series, here I come!
And all I can say is DITTO for this book. And guess what, there is another book soon to be published and, since my local library does not have it, I have ordered it on Amazon. (The first two books came not from our library but via mail from my younger brother-in-law, who is a fan of science fiction and science fantasy. The books appealed equally to my husband and me, so we both eagerly await the arrival of Book 3!)