Customer Comments

I absolutely loved every single word in this book! I don't think we will ever know the truth about why it was not published before now, or if Harper Lee was coerced into publishing, or why she was told to change Watchman into the story of To Kill A Mockingbird but regardless I think it was beautifully written, and as relevant to today as it was relevant to the events going on in our country over 50 years ago. I think Harper Lee is genius - I wish we could have more from her.

Loved it...as I did the sequel Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore. It's almost like a long short story - quick read with all the quirkiness of the more well known 24 hr bookstore. Again it takes place in San Francisco and is about how Mr Penumbra starts out with the bookshop. Being from the city myself and growing up there in the 60's I love the attention to detail about San Francisco. It's far fetched, but believable at the same time! Hope Robin Sloan writes another book soon!

I absolutely loved this book! It is whimsical, quirky, mysterious and clever all rolled into one. Being from San Francisco made me appreciate the scenerios where Robin Sloan describes neighborhoods in the city. The book captured my attention from the first few sentences. Sloan has a great way of making his characters pop out of the pages and become real people like you know them and can see them and their quirky ways! The plot is so imaginative and the dips and turns it takes are truely unique from beginning to end. Even though it gets a bit "far fetched" at times I got so drawn into the story that I could totally see his story being a reality! Now I have to go back and read the first book which I'm told is the story of the start up of the bookstore in San Francisco.

I really enjoyed this novel, as I've enjoyed other Ivan Doig's books in the past. It requires quite a bit of concentration to follow the language style of the times but by writing it this way Doig really captured the essence of adventure undertaken by four escapees from a Russian work camp in Sitka Alaska in the 1850's (then called New Archangel) via a stolen Tlingit canoe. It took them just about 2 months rowing down the rugged stretch of Northwest Pacific Ocean to make it to their destination of Astoria Oregon, and as one can imagine it was a harrowing journey the entire way. The book is inspired by the true story of these men - a letter containing the men's names was found dated 1853 written by the local oystermen who found them at the end of their journey. It was especially interesting to me as I just spent some time in Sitka Alaska learning the local history of the Russians and native Alaskan Tlingits.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by an author I'll be looking forward to her next. It's somewhat of an enhanced glimpse of reality that left me with a feeling of not caring that it couldn't all be true. I loved the vagueness of it. The setting in the harsh landscape with chilling Alaskan winters mixed with the idea a young girl could thrive and make a wonderful life for herself in the forest is such a unique premise for a story it made the story enchanting to read. I loved the characters with their sensitive yet strong natures and the trials they went through. I wanted to move in with them and experience the simple pleasures and relationship with their "snow child". I've never read a book quite like this - it was such a good read!

This is one of the best books I have read!!!! It is beautifully written - each sentence I felt like savoring!!! The emotions it touches on and the "human-ness" it reveals is amazing. It's a love story, a heartbreaking story, an uplifting story - all in one!!!! I will remember this book for many years to come. It's about a lighthouse keeper & his wife who have a boat wash up on the rocks of the island they live on with something that will change not only their lives but many others as well. This is the author's debut novel - I am hoping her next is soon to follow!

I thoroughly enjoyed this most recent book by local author who actually lives in my town of Scappoose!!! This book built around the lives of people going through hard times draws the reader in to the point where you feel like you've known these characters a long time! Vlautin writes of the real life struggles people go through and what events in their lives make them who they are. Even though though many things they come up against are depressing and hard to read about he shows the silver linings that will shine through if we look for them! Lean On Pete is equally as wonderful a book and I can't wait to read his other two books.

I loved this book!!! I enjoyed how the author built the characters and wove the events of their lives around each other. Even though it was about some complicated unhappy times, overall it left me with a "feel good" mood that a good book does to me. I highly recommend it.

This is a story of courage beyond what is humanly possible - but with God all things are possible!!! In reading her story it is hard to believe she is so young. She has wisdom of one you would expect to have been around a lot longer than 16 years. I'm sure she will continue her plight of promoting all children to be educated until she sees that goal is achieved. It made me realize being one who lives in a country where I can be as educated as I desire, that I possess one of the greatest freedoms of all. Malala's story will make you realize how one person truly can change the world by having faith and acting on that faith. I loved her book and look forward to seeing all she will do for the education systems around the world.

I absolutely LOVED this 2nd book by Jamie Ford. His way with words is that of a true artist. I would find myself re-reading many sentences in the book just because they were so beautifully written. His fist book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet captivated me as does The Songs of Willow Frost. His characters are so real and jump off the pages & feel like they are right here with me as I read. He said something at his reading at Powell's Books - "In Songs of Willow Frost I will break your heart but in the course of the novel I will mend it and hopefully put it back together in better shape". That has stuck with me while reading this book & I think it is something I will always remember. Can't wait for his 3rd novel.

This being the second novel by Attica Locke, I can't wait to go back and read her first. I loved The Cutting Season. It took me right there to the deep south at an old historical planation. I could see the scenery, the mansion, the grounds, the slave quarters, ect. The author vividly takes the reader on trip there with her great descriptions and ability to make you feel the characters! It combines historical fiction with the macabre and a general spookiness that kept me on the edge thru the whole story! 5 stars - I loved it!

Excellent book - I now can't wait to read the author's first book "Black Water Rising". This is a story of suspense along with historical fiction. The author engages you from page one into the lives of the characters at an old sugar plantation mansion used present day for historical reinactments, social functions & tours. There is a murder & also the uncovering of a haunting incident involving a slave right after the civil war. You won't be able to put this one down for long until you finish it!!!

I enjoyed this book - it was a fast "summer day" kind of a read to me....it kept me interested as the author builds a relationship between two women who come to love each other like Mother & Daughter. I loved the stories that unfold as Hennie tells of her lifetime with all the colorful events & characters that make her a warm, kind, smart woman of her "day" and any day! Even though many things are tragic and heart wrenching the overall feel of the book to me was a good old fashioned feel good story!

Another great read by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout. The way she builds her characters is captivating and she's done it again with the Burgess Boys. Her narrative cuts right to the bone making you feel like you had grown up with the Burgess Boys and could feel their feelings and identify with their relationships with each other & their world in general. This family's stories are so relevant to our times and the consequences of their actions are what we see all around us everyday. Each word she chooses to build their story is so carefully chosen and beautifully written that each time I opened the book I could feel the author's artistic abilities! Loved it and it kept me up into the night reading because it was too hard to put down!

This book provides all the vivid character development which makes for a good read and combines that with the startling history of the of what the Hanford Nuclear Plant did to the land & it's people. The heartfelt stories let you into the lives of the people who were devastated by cancer & disease as a result of Hanford. You laugh with them and cry with them as you get to know what they've gone through. The author has a great way of making you feel like you stepped into the communities there in Washington and were introduced personally to her family and friends. It's a harsh reality she portrays as she raises awareness of what happens to the people when the land they depend on is destroyed.

Another great read by Tracy Chevalier, who really has a gift for writing historical fiction and making it come alive for the reader. This novel lets you peek into the lives of some of those who kept the underground railroad going, who had to put their personal convictions out in front of convenience. Slavery is so hard to read about and seeing what people went through to help slaves reach freedom made this page turner hard to put down. I always love historical fiction for the knowledge attained from reading it as well as the entertainment value and Tracy Chevalier is so good at delivering both.

I couldn't put this book down once I started it! It is beautifully written and gives such poignant insights into the life of a girl who was abandoned at birth and was passed along from one foster home to the next experiencing pain, lonliness, anger, abuse, ect. Working with flowers transports her into a state of self worth and allows her to see the world in a different light. I hope this author continues to write and give us something else to read because this debut novel is excellent!

I thoroughly loved this book! It is a delightful story of unique characters from a time and place where you feel like you've been transported out of your own life and into their's! I didn't want it to end....It combines so many emotions and lets you feel the ups and downs of Calla Lily's journey from small country town to New Orleans and back again! Beautiful tale of friendships, relationships & hardships presented in a way that is so believable and so poignant. It made me want to just take a trip up the river to La Luna and never leave!

Interesting subject matter for Barbara Kingsolver's latest book. It takes some actual facts and adds fiction to create an interesting story. It sugguests global warming to be the cause of the changes in Monarch Butterfly migrations. Her characters are great as always & make you feel like you know them. The decision a family has to make between preserving their land or selling out & cutting down their forest is very relevant & makes the reader be able to easily identify with this family. All in all I liked the story, but was not one of my favorite Kingsolver books.

Can't wait to read this!!! After visiting Alaska three times I find myself intriqued with the unique lifestyle people have to adapt to in this land of extremes. Alaska is definately an adventure & a beautiful place to encounter. Although I will never be a homesteader - the story of those who are will be an adventure in itself to read!!!

Love this and all books by Joe Coomer!