Poetry of Reading

1. An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears (✬✬✬)

It is essentially a murder mystery told from four different viewpoints- each storyteller had some unique version of the same events/time period and each came to a different conclusion who murdered the victim. The “truth” learned at the very end of the book is gratifying and makes it worth the read, as does the breadth of ideas and subjects involved. Mr. Pears should be highly commended for both his elegant and articulate writing style and his magnificent scholarship. And he does, finally, put everything together with the last narrator. But, sadly, instead of breathlessly turning pages to find the answers to the vast number of perplexing questions posed, I instead found myself glad that the book was ending.

2. Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell (✬✬)

The storyline started off being interesting, but after reading around half of the book, I felt it became predictable and tedious. I did not enjoy it but made myself finish it with a bit of speed reading.

3. The Family by Mario Puzo (✬✬✬✬)

This book is a very different, very intimate, very compelling look at the Borgia family. The unapologetic and sympathetic manner in which the author depicts the passion between Cesare and Lucrezia may horrify some readers, but others will find it moving and tender.

4. Virgin: Prelude to the Throne by Robin Maxwell (✬✬✬✬)


This book is a must-read for all Elizabethan fans and historians who feel there is a missing link in Elizabeth’s life. Robin Maxwell has helped put the pieces together for me and now Elizabeth appears like a whole new, different person. Her depth in character, her choices in life, her destiny and her ruling have roots from a far deeper place. I understand her so much better.

5. The Shadow of the Crescent Moon by Fatima Bhutto (✬✬)


 I could not tell if the characters were embroiled as terrorists or as citizens trying to survive terrorism. That is a pretty big gap in understanding! Neither the place nor the characters were developed to make me care.

6. The Rose of York: Crown of Destiny by Sandra Worth (✬✬✬✬)


Sandra Worth is an amazing storyteller, especially in this historical setting. I felt as if I were right there with each character. She knows how to put you in each setting and feel the surroundings. As I’m a huge fan of anything Kings and Queens from England and Scotland, Worth did not disappoint in telling a very intriguing and controversial viewpoint of Richard III and how he came to be King. It will challenge your perception of history and leave you in wonderment about this fascinating man and his family.

7. The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum (✬✬✬✬)


The Opposite of Love, by Julie Buxbaum, is a terrific read. It is an emotional book that goes to the edges of feelings and relationships. At times humorous in its raw honesty, at times sad as her protagonist, Emily Haxby, struggles with discovering herself, one in which she is capable to put herself in a position to love, a position of vulnerability.


8. The Snake Stone by Jason Goodwin (✬✬✬✬)


This book does a great job capturing the “feel” of old Istanbul - the dock workers, the booksellers, the kitchens and alleys. The plot itself is about what we want from a mystery - complex enough to be a puzzle, not so much so we are lost. It is fun, fast, and light.


9.  The Queen's Pleasure by Brandy Purdy (✬✬✬)


The story itself is a page turner, it is captivating. I love historical fiction from the Tudor times and I was not disappointed. This gives a great twist to the Elizabeth/Robert/Amy story. Letting us into the characters heads to see and feel the joy, hope, love, despair, and eventual demise.

10.  The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares (✬✬)


The Last Summer (of You and Me) did not start very good for me. Until 50% I had a hard time even focusing on the story. I am not sure why. Something about the way it was written did not keep my attention even when I was actively reading it. I kept finding myself thinking of other things. Then around halfway through I could focus on the story. The story itself is I did not like it. 

1. Joseph, The Good Giant by Stjepan Varesevac Cobets (✬✬✬✬✬)

A great children's fantasy fairy tale that took me back to childhood, in a magical world full of adventures. A wonderful short story I would recommend to both adults and children.

           4. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (✬✬✬✬✬)

                         5. Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott (✬✬)

                   6. The Countess and the King: A Novel of the                                Countess of Dorchester and King James II by Susan                                     Holloway Scott (✬✬✬)

                   7. Before Midnight - A Retelling of Cinderella                             (Once Upon a Time) by Cameron Dokey (✬✬✬✬)

                 8. The Guardian Angel's Journal by Carolyn Jess-                                             Cooke (✬✬✬✬✬)

               9. My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares (✬✬✬✬)

         10. The Collector by Stjepan Varesevac Cobets (✬✬✬✬✬)

What a brilliant short story. This story is a great mystery with great character development and interesting surprises. The Collector is not what you expect and is absolutely worth your time, especially if you like science fiction and mysteries.

1.  The Lost Army of Cambyses by Paul Sussman(✬✬✬)

Paul Sussman’s Lost Army of Cambyses is an action-packed archaeology adventure thriller that reads like an Indiana Jones movie. I found the first half of the book rather slow and boring. I came close to giving up and not finishing it. However, I am glad that I pushed on for the story proved to be an entertaining read. 

2.  A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff (✬✬✬)

I felt the author missed the opportunity to delve more into the history, people and stories connected to the vintage clothing in Phoebe’s shop; the same way she did for the story of Mrs. Bell’s “blue coat.” I found Mrs. Bell’s story far more interesting than anything going on in the lead character Phoebe’s love life.

3. The Rose of York: Love & War by Sandra Worth (✬✬✬✬)

I liked this book because of the different points of view it was told. Mainly, it was from Richards, but it had several other perspectives, which made it easier for you to like or dislike the characters, and get to know them and their personalities better. The writing has been done well, and it was easy to pick up from where I left off reading, and the visualization was good as well. I am one who does not believe he was a hunchback as Shakespeare portrays him. The Tudors wanted to destroy any good feelings for the Yorks after they became rulers. 

4. Love Letters by Debbie Macomber (✬✬)

 This book is a huge disappointment. I disliked all the characters and found I couldn’t care about what happened to any of them. I forced myself to finish the book, skimming through several of the pages. The conversations between the couples were so generic and dull, as were the characters. 

5. Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett (✬✬✬✬)

Vanora Bennett’s “Portrait of an Unknown Woman” is a fascinating, well researched historical novel about two 16th century men, Sir Thomas More and artist Hans Holbein. Central to the storyline is a young woman who meant much to both of them. The history of the tumultuous times in which these people lived is larger than all the characters put together and makes for a dramatic story.

6. The Day We Met by Rowan Coleman (✬✬✬✬✬)

I loved the way this novel takes a heavy topic — a woman’s struggle against early onset Alzheimer’s — and makes it something other than completely depressing. The book explores the relationships between Alzheimer’s victim Claire and her mother, husband, and two daughters. All the relationships take on more depth as the story moves between the present and flashbacks to the past. By celebrating life’s little moments, Cowan  strike lovely little notes of hope — not that Claire will escape the disease, but through the idea that what we love, we never truly lose.

7. The Comedian: A dark and humourous, novelette by Sean-Paul Thomas (✬✬✬✬✬)

This is entirely brilliant! The character Bill is so easy to connect with, to fall in love with. It is a perfect mix of humor, sadness, and hope. This book is a treat for readers who enjoy an unusual, intelligent and beautifully composed story.

8. The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy (✬✬✬)

This book is an account of the life of Elizabeth Boleyn, who was the mother of George, Mary, and Anne Boleyn. It was interesting reading a story from her perspective. So little is known about Elizabeth since she was such a minor role in the story. It disappointed me at how shallow and indifferent she seemed. It was hard, if not impossible, to feel any sympathy for her character, and she seemed to have no redeeming qualities. That being said, it was still a somewhat enjoyable book.

9. When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker (✬✬)

I thought this was a poorly written book. I read the first five chapters and had to start again because the story took such big leaps and assumptions that I was certain I had missed something. But no, that was just how it was written. I was interested in the premise that the newly widowed man was receiving letters from his late wife but it was a very unsatisfying resolution when it was revealed how this was happening. There was very little character development such that I wasn’t invested in the characters.