Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

Phenomenal prose.....highly recommended...

I absolutely love this book! In fact, I read it in just two sittings and simply could not put it down. Andre Aciman's writing is so unlike anything I've read - beautiful, touching, wrought with the gamut of human emotion, intensely powerful yet subtle....overall just superb.

This novel, and the raw emotion Elio expresses about Oliver is so relatable, so brutally true and honest, that I can't imagine any reader not being able to relate on some level. That throughout so much of the novel, he doesn't know if his feelings are mutual adds so much to the overall experience of the book and its relatability. What a tremendous accomplishment - a rare gem of a novel.

I cant offer up enough praise for this book and how masterfully it is written. I highly recommend it to all readers and look forward to reading more of Aciman's works.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Connelly

Ok, but I prefer the "Roses".....

I discovered Jennifer Connelly's incredible writing talent with "The Tea Rose" and "The Winter Rose;" both novels have become favorites of mine which I always recommend to friends/family. When I saw this book, I had to get it, without reading what it was about, nor realizing it was written for a younger audience. Therefore, I was unprepared for the writing style which was so different from the "Rose" books, and did find it more gearer to a younger audience than my other two favorites of hers. I'm not saying it wasn't meant for adults as well, just that it didn't compare on a literary level to the two "Rose" novels. That being said, the book was indeed interesting and I recommend it, with the caveat not to compare it to the "Rose" novels.

Same Kind of Different as Me- Ron Hall and Denver Moore

A heart-warming wonderful book about humanity...

I loved this book from the first sentence through the last and simply couldn't put it down. It was so deeply compelling and heart-warming and I admit I cried through a lot of it. It is a book about humanity, love, friendship, compassion, open-mindedness and service unto others. While some may describe this as a Christian book, as a non-Christian, I never felt disconnected from it in any way and saw it more as a book about the choices we make in life and how we're all in this together. It is a story people from all backgrounds and religions will relate to (or gain insight from). It is a terrific book and I recommend it highly to everyone, espeically for book club selections!

Rose Labrynth by Titania Hardie

Couldn't get into this one....

I started the book with great expectations since the plot summary sounded quite intriguing and right up my alley. However, I couldn't get into it and found it somewhat convoluted from the get-go. I really wanted to love it and give it a chance but never got interested enough to pick it up and had to put it down, mostly unread. While I can't provide a full review after having completed the book, I can say that a book with this type of plot should have had me hooked or at least interested in the first chapter, or within the first 50 or so pages. This book was just too all over the place and not exciting enough or cohesive enough at the begining to warrant continued effort on my part to get into it. Thus, I would recommend skipping this one.

Honolulu by Alan Brennart

Wonderful book....just don't compare it to "Molokai'i"...


I absolutely loved "Molokai'i" and really enjoyed "Honolulu" as well. That being said, I think readers anxious for a second novel as special and unique as "Molokai'i" may be slightly disappointed; however, if you take this book as a stand-alone novel and don't have any expectations going in, you will be pleasantly surprised! Alan Brennart is a phenomenally gifted writer and does an outstanding job (in both novels) of writing so naturally and seemingly w/o effort from a woman's perspective.

This novel follows young Regret (later Jin) from her early life confined to the Inner Rooms of her clan's house in a small Korean village, to her brave and adventurous journey to Hawaii to be a "picture bride" to a man she has never met. In search of America's possibilities and the hope of getting an education, Regret/Jin faces a world of challenges, yet one filled with love, friendships and many ups and downs.

"Honolulu" is quite and interesting read- extremely educational, heart-warming and multifaceted. I loved how well is was written from Regret/Jin's unique perspective and really learned a lot about Hawaii in the early to mid 1900's. The book has many themes that are pervasive throughout: racism, cultural differences, gender differences, friendships, the culture of women, giving/helping others, family (those of blood relation and those we choose), hard work, and marriage (ones made from love and from obligation).

I highly recommend "Honolulu" and hope to read more novels from this talented author! It would make a wonderful book club selection as well.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

I loved it....

Plausibility aside, I loved this book for a few simple reasons:

(1) it is a wonderful "guilty pleasure" or great escapism;
(2) it is extremely fast-paced and fun/easy to read;
(3) I found it much more interesting than "DaVinci Code" and "Angles and Demons"; (4) it had the perfect amount of twists and turns, one of which completely shocked me;
(5) the ending truly satisfied me; and
(6) I walked away from it feeling I learned something new.


While at times I'll admit there was a little too much "teaching" for my taste, and I felt the author tried too hard to impress with the tremendous amount of research he had done, I really can't complain because of the six reasons I listed above. (And because I respect the fact that so much research and thought went into writing the novel.)


I highly recommend the book and am a bit surprised so many people didn't love it like I did. Therefore, I would recommend approaching it with an open mind and remembering its a work of fiction.

Red River by Lalita Tademy

Not in the same ballpark as "Cane River".....

While I loved "Cane River" and looked forward to reading "Red River" I was terribly disappointed. I thought the writing lacked depth and fluidity and the character development was weak. I had such a hard time getting into the novel and admit I had to put it down, something I rarely do. I unfortunately can't recommend this book, although I highly recommend "Cane River."