literacyluminary's reviews
971 reviews

One Child by Torey Hayden

5.0

An unbelievable true story about a special-ed teacher and her student named Sheila, who has been emotionally and physically abused and has been "sentenced" to a state mental hospital at the age of 6!! It was gripping and a testament to the saying, "one person can make a difference."

The Uses of Adversity by Carlfred Broderick

5.0

An essay marketed as a book (a BIG problem I have with Deseret Book). However, a remarkable look at how we deal with the adversity and pain in our lives thru the Atonement. Highly recommended. (I first read this after Dr. Wally gave me a copy).

Peony in Love by Lisa See

2.0

I wasn't expecting a "ghost" story. Learing about the traditions, beliefs, festivals and mysticisms of the chinese was interesting. And certainly that women were given a voice during a time, when historically they weren't, was empowering. However, the supernatural dialogue really bogged me down.

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

1.0

This book was CSI Miami meets a 12th Century England serial pedophile murderer...it just didn't work for me. I thought the author was repetitive...I spent much of the book skimming pages. There were some very graphic imagery describing the children and the suspects...could have done without all of those, and I don't consider myself a prude.

The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani

2.0

I finally finished this book. I started it in March but had to put it down because of other books that needed to be read. I had such high hopes for this book because the subject matter was so different. Women in 17th Century Iran could have been so exotic and fascinating. The novel was plodding. The ending was weak. However, the book was very well-researched.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2.0

To borrow a comment from a friend...it was "brain-candy."

I had some issues (especially if this was meant for adolescents)...the dialogue between Bella and Edward was nothing more than fore-play for the entire book...I didn't see the appeal of Edward (stone-cold doesn't do it for me)...Boys, whether they are vampires or not, should not be spending the night at a girls house, even if nothing happens...Oh...I could go on...but I have to remember...it was just a NOVEL.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

4.0

A timely reminder that we need to dream, rejoice and find joy in everyday on this earth, because we never know when it's going to end.

In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols

2.0

It was OK. Way too long and very predictable.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

3.0

A cute juvenile mystery/art caper featuring two jr. high sleuths in search of a missing Vermeer masterpiece in Chicago. A perfect short read for my weekend in Chicago. The first novel in a three part series (the other two feature Frank Lloyd Wright and Alexander Caulder).

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean

3.0

This book had so much potential. A young women who works for the Hermitage, the grand museum in Leningrad, must spend the duration of the seige of Leningrad during WWII in the basement of the museum. The imagery of the paintings was beautiful. It would have made a great illustrated book. In later years this woman suffers from Alzheimers's. The back and forth narration was inconsistent. And the ending was so disappointing. As if the author didn't know what to do with her character. Reading this on the heal of City of Thieves, a graphic tale of the siege, probably didn't help. This novel was like marshamallows comparatively.