Member Profile

Name : Amber L.

My Reviews

Moloka'i: A Novel by Alan Brennert
 
Informative, Inspiring, Interesting
Great historical fiction

A sad story and some of our members really felt that it was too depressing but the historical aspects were great and the characters were developed very well.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
 
Interesting, Dramatic, Informative
Generally liked

Most of our club members enjoyed this book. Those members with Sisters seemed to enjoy it most. Some felt that the pages could have been slimmed down for a better story and a bit less description and romance.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
 
Informative, Adventurous, Insightful
Good story with great history

Our club enjoyed this historical fiction about Africa. Seemed as though it was a bit long but oru group rated it a 3.5 out of 5.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
 
Inspiring, Insightful, Optimistic
Good message but a bit direct

Found the book to have excellent messages and ideas but felt the ideas were laid out for you almost as though it was a youth book. I personally did not connect with it but the book did create an excellent discussion at our book club.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Interesting, Insightful
Really insightful of the times

Our group really enjoyed this book and learning more about the history of this industry. We found the impact of poverty and the future for this family to be heartbreaking.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Life Changing, Inspiring
Excellent book, a must read for everyone, tragic.

This was an excellent book - it is non-fiction so be prepared for that - the stories woven in provide an opportunity to connect to the characters but much of it is statistical and fact based. Covering such a wide are of human rights issues, it\\\'s a long read but I found it to be very well written with hope woven through every page.

When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Susan McCarthy
 
Interesting data but a lot like reading a long essay

Lots of data on animals and feelings but book never built to anything and author indicated that "anyone who has a pet knows animals have feelings" in the first chapter and then never really went beyond that. Lots of great examples and data.

Naked by David Sedaris
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Fun
Dark and humorous

The author throws one surprising and shocking life experience after another at you with dark wit and humor. Hard to believe some of the stories in his shocking candor. Only complaint is that he jumps around losing the narrative quality and leaving many unresolved questions. However, our group enjoyed the book and it generated plenty of conversation.

 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Optimistic, Beautiful
Fast read and great discussion for book clubs

Our group enjoyed this book and it inspired a great conversation on just what heaven will be like and religious differences. We had varied perspectives - some sceptical some believers.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Insightful, Inspiring
Loved that this was based on real characters

Our group enjoyed this read and found it inspiring that these women led the abolition charge so many years ahead of the names we know. Many of us had been to Charleston and enjoyed the historical fiction element of the city and area. A good book club read but not the most inspiring for conversation.

 
Interesting, Dark, Slow
Not for a 2000+ women's book group

We had a VERY hard time getting into this book and following the story line. There was little plot and more monologue and commentary. We decided in discussion that it may have been a classic better appreciated in its time. Zero fans in our group of 8 and the first book in years that the group just didn't finish.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
 
Book Club Recommended
Romantic, Interesting, Beautiful
A page turner

A great book club book as it is something different and strays into a fantasy genre without being too far from the mainstream. It motivated a great discussion and all agreed the movie just did not do it justice.

 
Book Club Recommended
Life Changing, Insightful, Informative
Fantastic Book Discussion - Shocking at times but all were glad we read it.

This was excellent. So much discussion on poverty and keeping your children safe and the ability to climb out of the situation you find yourself in. Some of the women found it difficult to read as the stories are real and graffic and painful to think about. However, if you want to look at the reality of life outside the bubble, this book takes you there and we were all glad to have read it.

Things We Set on Fire by Deborah Reed
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting
A good and easier read that still lead to a good discussion

Our group enjoyed this read as something a little faster paced and it still inspired good discussion. There are a few unexpected twists to keep everyone on their toes.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Adventurous, Insightful
An interesting topic and inspiring story - a little slow

A good book club choice - an interesting story and we enjoyed that it was inspired by real people. Did not know much about P.T. Barnum and the types of acts that were in the show at that time or have insight to the lives of little people prior to reading this. It did feel a little weighty/ slower than it seemed it should but it was a pretty good discussion. Recommend.

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Interesting, Inspiring
The most popular book we read this year.

Our group really enjoyed this story and most found her journey to be very inspiring.

The Dovekeepers: A Novel by Alice Hoffman
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Dramatic, Inspiring
A fantastic novel (historical fiction)

I loved this book. I had never read anything about this battle or time and found Alice Hoffman wove so much historical detail and imagery of the time and place into an equally engaging story. Excellent character development and fantastic book club/ discussion choice. Highly recommend.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Interesting, Inspiring
Fascinating read be ready to commit your energy

Everyone who read this book was glad they had but many just didn't make it. It is long and READS like a non-fiction book - heavier than it may have had to be. Very interesting.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting
Enjoyed it.

Enjoyed this read. Isabelle Allende is a favorite author. However, it never seemed as though we got fully connected to the characters and were left wanting more in some areas and less in others. Interesting historical informaiton on Chile but again, wanted more.

Blindness (Harvest Book) by Jose Saramago
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Brilliant, Interesting
Book Club Loved this!

One of our best discussions ever. An eye-opening perspective that was both shocking and impossible to stop reading.

Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Insightful
Suspenseful book forcing you to think what you might do

Really interesting to read this story written from 5-year-old Jack's perspective. Shocking and thought provoking throughout.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Fun, Insightful
A widely enjoyed book - light and captivating

This story and characters were well developed. It started slow and the short story excerpts were not appreciated by our club but by mid-book I found myself staying up late to get to the end. . Enjoyed by all in our 15 person club. Did not generate any big discussion.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Insightful, Interesting
Loved it! Has me viewing the world differently.

Interesting for introverts and extroverts alike. Amazing to view our world and how we value and encourage characteristics differently.

 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Insightful, Dramatic

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Inspiring, Beautiful
Insightful and sad page turner

Heartbreaking story that generated strong reactions and excellent conversation. Painfully good.

 
Fantastic, Poorly Written, Fun

H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
 
Slow, Difficult, Boring
Unless you are a Hawk Enthusiast, this is not for you

Our club read this. 2 finished but found it to be extreme work with more story devoted to a book the writer read than her own story. Tedious detail about training a Hawk. Multiple members did not finish. Our worst book choice of the year.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Inspiring, Optimistic
Enjoyed by all.

We have members who already meditate. We all felt inspired to try to do more! Great for the skeptic

Metropolis: A Novel by Elizabeth Gaffney
 
Book Club Recommended
Addictive, Informative, Interesting
Couldn't put it down after the first chapter.

A wonderful historical fiction. The story was engaging and really created an image of the period of NY with immigrants fighting to survive. I enjoyed reading about the Brooklyn Bridge, corruption and gangs without an overly gory story line. I recommend it!

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