Updates

"With the smarts of a test pilot and engineer and with the soul of a poet, Apollo astronaut Michael Collins lets us hear the voice that was, by many accounts, the most muted among the three on our nation's first moon mission. He spares little detail in tracing his journey to his solo role in the command module as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin left their footprints on historic new turf — and he is honest in his anxieties, his fears and his humanity. I believe he must have been as grounded as any space traveler could be. He was clearly likeable and without guile, just like this book." - C.

"The book is a painful study of how political upheaval (in this case in Tehran in the 1950s) disrupts lives and cultural traditions. There are some wonderfully poignant moments and the characters who drive the intense action of this novel forward are fairly well-developed and as three-dimensional as anyone in fiction can be. If they are vivid enough to love (or to despise) the author has done their job. There are some moments here and there that seem contrived, but all in all, not enough to spoil a pleasurable and well-spent time reading." - C. Murray

3/4 stars.

"This book is for younger readers. I should have read reviews first. I did read it. It tells how his son and friends investigate a shooting at a concert venue. The person who was injured is a friend of theirs and is also the daughter of a famous singer who was preforming. It's a who done it of course. For me it's a hard review. For a younger reader maybe 4 stars. So I'll give it a 4." - C. Daley

4/4 stars.

"The book is slow in the beginning, but once I got past the beginning I could not put the book down. Talks about a little girl surviving on her own. Being accused of murder." - L. Kwok

4/4 stars.

"A fictionalized autobiography, this book covers a period between the two World Wars. The Lady’s household consists of her noncommittal husband, her daughter, her son, and her domestic staff. She never seems to have quite enough money to 'keep up with the Joneses' and is always trying to balance her professional and personal lives. The Lady’s 'notes and queries' are thought-provoking and enhance her journal. Characters are well-developed and delightful sketches of them are included. Frequent comments in French were not translated for those of us who don’t understand French.

"Band of Sisters is based on a true story. During WWI, a group of college women from Smith College go to France to help French civilians in an area decimated by the Germans. The conditions they must overcome and the hardships they endure make for a fascinating story." - N. McGill

3/4 stars.

"Quick easy read. Very weird to know the author was my high school English teacher!" - C. D'Orazio

3/4 stars.

"In this memoir, Ly shares intimate details of her struggle as an immigrant growing up in the boroughs of NYC. She is torn by her desire to be a good Vietnamese daughter but also to succeed and achieve the American dream despite being a woman, the only daughter with three older brothers. Ly’s memoir walks us through the emotional and psychological challenges she encounters throughout the formative years of her young life." - L. Ngo

4/4 stars.

"This book is about A U.S. President who loses his second term in office. His daughter decides not to receive Secret Service protection. She gets kidnapped by terrorists and shows great bravery. Her dad leads a team to try to save her. The book is suspenseful and exciting. I highly recommend this book. It was almost as good as The President is Missing." - L. Gerber

4/4 stars.

"This book is about Syrian immigrants. They go through horrific things to get out of the country. This still goes on today. Eye opening." - M. Blatt

4/4 stars.

"A delightful story celebrating women’s friendships. Friends Cassie, Meg, Celia and Zoe each work with some aspect of wedding events. In fact, their monthly get-togethers are called The Wedding Crashers. When Celia falls, Zoe finds her unconscious and with a broken hip. A search for her 'contact person' leads to the unravelling of a secret that Celia has kept hidden. Amid their concern about Celia’s health, each friend is also facing events that threaten to up-end their lives. Engaging and well-written." - E. Pasquali

4/4 stars.

"I just discovered this author’s series The Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery and am enjoying reading them. The main character and her two childhood buddies manage to get into some interesting situations. Fun summer reading with great drink and food recipes.' - F. Schwartz

4/4 stars.

"Three friends (Cassie, Paige and Marissa) make a pact that they will marry their next first date. Cassie is the first of the friends to have a first date with Parker, Mr. Perfect (handsome, kind, wealthy, a doctor.) Life gets in the way as Parker may be on the rebound and Cassie may be attracted to someone else. The friends also have love-life complications. Quick reading, fun 'chick lit.'" - E. Pasquali

2/4 stars.

"Entertaining “chick lit.” It’s modeled on the Snow White fairy tale. Beth’s (Snow White's) dormant sexuality is awakened by Connor (Prince Charming). Previously written letters to Beth from her deceased Aunt Mags, encouraging her to venture outside her comfort zone, lend an element of suspense to the novel." - E. Pasquali

2/4 stars.

"Set in rural South Carolina just before the Great Depression, this novel is an interesting & well-written work of historical fiction. The reader gets 3 perspectives of a few strong and resilient women whose lives intertwine. Deb Spera begins with short chapters switching among the voices of these women, so it took some patience for the characters to develop. As the story unfolded, I found myself connecting to each woman as she struggled through trying times and emotional pain. I was impressed by the authenticity and style of the writing." - D. Zelamsky

3/4 stars.