Member Profile

Name : Betty Lou N.

My Reviews

Up from the Blue: A Novel by Susan Henderson
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Gloomy, Brilliant
Up from the Blue

 
Confusing, Poorly Written, Unconvincing
The Faculty Club

Cutting for Stone: A Novel by Abraham Verghese
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Dramatic, Interesting
Cutting for Stone

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Informative, Epic
Ladies of Liberty

Much information on women who were influential in politics from Adams Presidency through Monroe. Slow going at times. Many parallels with today's political scene.

 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Interesting, Adventurous
The Snow Child

Beautifully written.1920's life in Alaska is very well depicted so that you feel you are there. Well-developed characters

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
 
Unconvincing, Difficult, Slow
A Farewell to Arms

Hard to follow characters\' speeches.

The Burgess Boys: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Slow, Insightful
The Burgess Boys

A realistic look into family dynamics, small town life, and how dramatic events can change these situations.

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Interesting, Informative
The Chaperone

Three Graves Full by Jamie Mason
 
Three Graves Full

Frightening to think that someone would be compelled to kill another person, regardless of the circumstances.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Beautiful, Insightful
Burial Rites

The story of Agnes, the convicted murderess, is gripping and heartbreaking as each new piece of the puzzle is revealed. The harsh landscape and hard lives of the Icelanders become a major part of the story. We can\\\'t wait for another book from Hannah Kent. Her research and storytelling is amazing.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Insightful
The Light Between Oceans

this is a beautifully written book that is heartwarming but also very sad. A wonderful book for discussion.

 
Book Club Recommended
The Church Builder

Mixed reviews from our members. Some thought it intriguing and thought-provoking while others did not care for the story or writing. Very good points for discussion.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Addictive, Scary
Help for the Haunted

Mixed opinions on this book. Characters were well drawn and elicited strong reactions from readers. It left us wondering in the end who was really possessed.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Insightful, Informative
The House Girl

Our group had mixed reviews. Some found it depressing, while others found the portrayal of the life of slaves and plantation owners well down and informative. The story told from both Lina's and Josephine's perspectives was well done.

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Addictive
the Husband's Secret

Excellent discussion topics

 
Book Club Recommended
Brilliant, Insightful, Inspiring
To Kill a Mockingbird

Wonderful insight into small town life in the South during the Depression with vivid descriptions of the community and its citizens. This makes for a wonderful discussion about the realities at those times and how things have changed, or not.

The Orchardist: A Novel by Amanda Coplin
 
Book Club Recommended
Slow, Insightful, Gloomy
The Orchardist

Beautifully written. The location of the novel was an important character itself. Excellent discussion of the various characters even though there were mixed reactions to them.

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Interesting, Informative
Everything I Never Told You

Excellent discussion about the influence of parents on children and their unrealistic expectations.

 
Interesting, Slow, Informative

A Place at the Table: A Novel by Susan Rebecca White
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Optimistic, Interesting

Some Luck: A novel by Jane Smiley
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Interesting, Informative
Some Luck

We get an excellent overview of life on a farm and how it changes through the years with the new technologies. Characters are well drawn and we look forward to the next 30 years.

Nora Webster: A Novel by Colm Toibin
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Gloomy, Slow
Nora Webster

Our group had mixed feelings about this book. The protagonist was liked by most members, but not by others. Good discussion about her feelings and journey through grief.

 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Insightful, Dramatic
All the Light We Cannot See

A wonderful depiction of the effects of war on children and families.

A Man Called Ove: A Novel by Fredrik Backman
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Insightful, Beautiful
A Man Called Ove

The life of Ove is discovered slowly through the book as we learn of his early years, his marriage to Sonya, his personality, and how the story of a neighborhood unfolds over time. This book is heartwarming and shows us the true meaning of neighbors.

House of Thieves: A Novel by Charles Belfoure
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Informative, Dramatic
House of Thieves

The author gave good insight into the world of New York City in the 1880's and architecture in particular. The gambling theme was deemed to be very realistic, but many thought the plot was too contrived to be believable.

Wench: A Novel (P.S.) by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
 
Book Club Recommended
Graphic, Informative, Insightful
Wench

A beautifully written book that captures the feelings and conflicts of slaves who find themselves in free territory prior to Emancipation.

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Informative, Inspiring
The Story of Beautiful Girl

A well-researched look into the institutionalization of children in the 1960's.

The Boston Girl: A Novel by Anita Diamant
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Informative, Insightful

Necessary Lies: A Novel by Diane Chamberlain
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Insightful, Dramatic
Necessary Lies

An excellent look into the Eugenics program in rural North Carolina in 1960. Most of us were unaware of the existence of the plan and it led to much discussion of the characters, choices made and consequences.

Pretty Girls: A Novel by Karin Slaughter
 
Graphic, Dark, Dramatic
Pretty Girls

This is a very graphic novel, with disturbing scenes of rape and murder. However, it is well written and deals with social issues and psychopathic killing that lead to interesting and lively discussions. This is not a book for every book club. Know the sensitivities and limits of your members.

 
Book Club Recommended
Fantastic, Insightful
Whispering Shadows

One of the best books we have read all year. An interesting look at modern Hong Kong and China that led to good discussions about trust and grief.

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Slow, Unconvincing
The Trouble With Goats and Sheep

Although most members did not especially like the book, it did lead to a good discussion. Because the author is a psychiatrist we believe most of the characters and their traits can be seen in her clients. Most of the characters were not really likable, but the perception of each character was colored by the member's previous experience with a similar person in real life.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Beautiful, Insightful
Homegoing

A great book for discussion. Many threads to follow. Not an easy book to read and names and family relationships may be difficult.

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Interesting, Dramatic
Under the Influence

The format of this book leads you to want to find out what happened to this friendship. Good discussion topics of a very needy person who is down on her luck being manipulated and used by a power couple.

We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Dramatic, Difficult
We Need to Talk About Kevin

Although this is a difficult book to read, it provides many areas of discussion. Don't give up reading just because you don't like the subject.

Today Will be Different by Maria Semple
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Pointless, Unconvincing

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Insightful, Informative
The Underground Railroad

An excellent book for discussion, containing information and events that covered several periods in history.

Miller's Valley: A Novel by Anna Quindlen
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Interesting, Beautiful

LaRose: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Insightful
LaRose

A novel that delves deeply into the Native American culture and its beliefs and how tragedy and loss affect not only families but the entire community.

The Risen: A Novel by Ron Rash
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Insightful, Fantastic

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Beautiful, Informative

 
Poorly Written, Boring
The Idea of You

This is a very vulgar book and disappointing since it was a free book from BookMovement. As one member stated, If you don't like this book, you just don't like pornography. Delving into the premise of the book you can find some topics of discussion, such as art and artists, female artists, fame and fans, and the disparity of ages in older woman/younger man romance.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Interesting, Insightful

The Force: A Novel by Don Winslow
 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Insightful, Dramatic
The Force

Good discussion topics, especially relevant today with the focus on police and police policies in the country.

The Address: A Novel by Fiona Davis
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Informative

Blackout: A Novel by Marc Elsberg
 
Book Club Recommended
Scary, Dramatic, Insightful
Blackout

This book explores the ramifications of a terrorist attack on the power grids around the world. It tells in graphic detail the consequences of such an action. Very thought provoking.

If You Leave Me: A Novel by Crystal Hana Kim
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Gloomy, Informative
If You Leave Me

Good discussion revolving around the effects of the Korean War on families and the choices they make.

Southernmost by Silas House
 
Book Club Recommended
Life Changing, Insightful, Informative
Southernmost

A thought-provoking read that will lead to some excellent discussions on religion, homosexuality and our changing views in today's world

Tangerine: A Novel by Christine Mangan
 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Dramatic, Confusing

 
Confusing, Interesting, Romantic
The Clockmaker's Daughter

A very convoluted story with too many story lines. Hard to keep the timelines straight, characters for each time, etc.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Informative, Insightful
Silver Wings, Iron Cross

This book gives another perspective on WWII from the views of an American pilot and a German submariner. We see the human effects of war on the soldiers from both sides.

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