Customer Comments

"My Name is Jennifer White. I am 64 years old. I have dementia." It's hard to believe TURN OF MIND is Alice LaPlante's first novel. Disguised as a murder mystery, the real reason to read this book is the realistic portrayal of the deterioration of a woman's mind through Alzheimer's Disease. This story is written in 1st person through a series of journal entries by Jennifer White, a former orthopedic surgeon now descending into late-stage dementia who is also a person of interest in the investigation into her best friend's murder. It is a moving study of someone contending with memory loss. We can feel her frustration. Her confusion. Her anger. Eloquently written, highly recommended.

The story of two families' experiences before, during and after Hurricane Katrina. The story is told from two points of view: that of an African American family living in the ninth ward, and of a young white family who evacuates before the storm and witnesses the devastation from afar. Heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful. Written by an author who obviously loves New Orleans and it's people, music, food & community. Highly recommended.

This novel is a cross between THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. A serial killer that can time travel, and therefore can never be caught: the killer in this engaging book meets his young victims when they are children, and returns decades later to murder them. Except one of the victims survives and pursues him. Set in Chicago from the Depression up to the 1990's, the historical details of a city changing through the killer's eyes was an added bonus (think THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY). High recommended.

A unique crime thriller about a teenager, mute since a childhood trama, who has the ability to crack open ANY safe. A safecracker who must keep things to himself? He is instantly in demand--by the wrong people. Told from the viewpoint of the "Lock Artist", whose thoughts are smart, sarcastic & heartbreaking, this is a must read. Highly recommended.

A novel whose storyline is ripped from the headlines: a 15-year old is kidnapped and kept by her abductor for 40 days before being rescued. The story is told in flashbacks by the victim, now a contented 40-ish stay-at-home-mother. She is contacted by her kidnapper on Death Row, requesting a personal visit. I have enjoyed everything I've read by Laura Lippman, and this is no exception. Recommended.

Four men in masks rob a Boston bank at gunpoint and take Claire Keesey, the bank manager, hostage. For criminal Doug MacRay, the bank job was simple enough, but he didn't plan on one thing: falling in love with Claire. A fine character study with Boston as its setting, a la Dennis Lehane's Mystic River, The Prince of Thieves is a dark contemplative story of a man trying to leave his crminal life behind, yet tempted by that one last perfect heist.

Based on journals written by her ancestors, Karen Fisher has written a novel of the Oregon migration of 1857. Full of wonderful characters, this book transported me, and it is still in my thoughts after closing the book. The book tells of the experiences of a woman travelling in a wagon train from Pennsylvania to Oregon with her husband and five children. If you loved COLD MOUNTAIN you will love this book.

This debut novel is the story of improverished people in rural Appalachia during the 1930's. It is the life story of Olivia Harker--hardworking and poor. She idolizes her father, adores her grandson, loves her friends, is wary of her daughter, protective of the wolves that roam her property and hates her mom. This book is entrenched in southern tradition and it evokes Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Enthralling.

This is so much more than a lovely coming of age story about a 13 year old boy living in Puget Sound. I learned more marine biology while reading about the incredible discoveries Miles makes while spending his summer investigating what inhabits in tide pools near his seashore home.

Sarah Dunant has done it again! I loved BIRTH OF VENUS, and here is another exciting story of a strong willed woman in 16th century Italy. Serafina's parents have sent her to a convent--for life! The relationships, wonderful characters and a rich love story makes this book most satisfying.

A touching, heartbreaking and often hilarious story about four people who meet atop a building in London, each planning on jumping to their death. Instead, they become an unusual support group for each other. Each chapter is told from a different character's point of view, and Hornby's trademark humor is throughout.

I loved this humorous and touching story of a city girl who dreams of having a farm....and gets one. Fifty acres worth! Hilarious situations with animals and neighbors are intertwined with touching antedotes about life, love and loss.

Set during the 1941 winter seige of St. Petersburg, an unlikely duo find themselves in prison, only to be released the next day with a special mission: to find a dozen eggs for a wedding cake. If they fail their mission, they will be executed. This is no easy task in a city of starving people who have long killed family pets and are now tearing books apart for the protein in the binding glue. A story of terror, bravery, friendship and humor, this was a fabulous read.

Wow! This book grabs you with the best opening sequence I've read in a long time: "I poisoned your drink." "Excuse me?" "You heard me." "Um, I don't think I did." The blonde raised her cosmopolitan. "Cheers." What follows is a frantic, dark, wildly-paced novel that is a cross between Raymond Chandler and The Twilight Zone. Swierczynski has a great warped sense of humor in this great noir-crime story.

Part science-fiction, part historical novel, Octavia E. Butler has her heroine, an African American woman living in 1976, time-travel to antebellum Maryland. A first person's account of slavery from a 20th century viewpoint. Facinating, I couldn't put it down.

A laugh-out-loud book for anyone who knows anything about Greek Mythology. Imagine the Greek gods living together in a dilapidated London rowhouse, which they've been in since 1665 "when the Plague caused property values to hit rock bottom." They are bickering amongst each other and bored silly on Earth. A mortal couple, Alice and Neil, enter the story and all hell (literally) breaks loose. Funny and entertaining, each god's personality quirks are a hoot.

This excellent book tells the true story of an exceptional relationship between a man and a buffalo. A husband and wife adopt a 1-week-old orphaned buffalo, expecting it to be a short term affair. But "Charlie" unexpectly becomes a part of the family. Some sobering historical lessons about 19th-century American West and the slaughter and near-extinction of bison is woven within the story of a special animal's ability to touch human lives.

Imagine "Cantebury Tales" meets "CSI". Who is killing children in 12th century Cambridge? King Henry II wants the mystery solved, so he summons a "mistress in the art of death". Adelia, a doctor with forensic skills, is ordered from Italy to help solve the murders. This is a novel of suspense, horror, romance and vivid history. It pulled me in from the begining and didn't let me go.

Long-distance swimmer Lynn Cox tells the true story of a brief but life-altering encounter between herself and a baby gray whale that appears beside her as she is swimming off the California coast. Lynn Cox spends a magical morning trying to lead the orphaned whale back to its mother. This book will change your mind about communication between species. Cox's poetic descriptions of the ocean and the lives that fill it tells of a world most people never see.

Who is killing children in 12th century Cambridge? King Henry II wants the mystery solved, so he summons a "mistress in the art of death." Adelia, a student of medicine, is ordered to Cambridge from her home in Italy because of her skill in the art of forensics. Imagine "Canterbury Tales" meets "CSI." A novel of suspense, horror, romance and vivid history, this book pulled me in fro the begining and didn't let me go. I loved it and I anticipate the next book from Ariana Franklin.