Member Profile

Name : Lynn M.

My Reviews

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Insightful, Informative
A Lot to Think About

Everyone found some aspect of the book interesting. A lot of ground was covered and many interesting points were made. It makes for a good resource book so you might want to purchase it for referencing later.

Without a Map: A Memoir by Meredith Hall
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Confusing, Dark
Inspiring story but a little depressing.

It brought back images of an era that happily has passed by...when pregnant girls shamed their families and were cast-out. It was a nostalgic read because I remember those times, grew up in them, so I could relate to it. She writes convincingly of her mental state throughout the book. The book did have gaps however that seemed strange. Hall completely avoids discussing her marriage of some years, why she married, her relationship with her siblings, etc. Some readers might question if Hall is really forthcoming despite her seeming to tell all.

The Island by Victoria Hislop
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Insightful, Dramatic
Interesting saga in Greece in the 40's - 60's.

I liked all the characters and I learned about the disease leprosy and life in a leper colony. It made you feel for the suffering of these people in those times and how that diagnosis changed their lives forever. It wasn't all pessimistic and sad though. Crete is a different and interesting setting for a story.

 
Interesting, Dramatic, Dark
Nice read, not life changing

It reminded me of many popular movies. I enjoyed it while I was reading it, and was interested in finding out what happened next, but afterwards I thought about holes in the story and places where things were not explained well.

Loving Frank: A Novel by Nancy Horan
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Interesting, Dramatic
A Very Intriguing Book

In a time period when women had few lifestyle choices, the main character of this book, Frank Lloyd Wright's mistress, made some unusual decisions. Whether you agree with her or not, and I did not, she was brave and tried to be true to herself. It makes for an interesting read and great discussions that can head in several directions. I am interested in Frank Lloyd Wright and this story gave me more insight into the character of a talented, brilliant man that also was flawed. The ending is surprising.

The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer
 
Unconvincing, Slow, Poorly Written
Jacket description makes it sound better than it is.

I agree with most of the reviewsd. Though I did finish it and I wouldn't toss it out. I think it was a good topic but I kept thinking I could write it better.

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Informative
Interesting Historic Tale of the Witch Trials

Though I knew some of the history of the Salem witch trials I had never read a book about it. This is a very good narrative based on real people, ancestors of the author, that I think will interest any reader.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Informative, Adventurous
Dramatic History of the Days Surrounding the Assassination of President Lincoln

This was better than I thought it would be. It's really interesting. I'm not a huge fan of history books but this plays out more like a thriller with the day by day chase of John Wilkes Booth after the shooting, the government's attempt to locate him and the dramatic conclusion. I recommend it to book clubs.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Interesting, Insightful
Fascinating Scientific Topic but with lots of Human Interest Stories

I learned a lot about cells (cancer and normal) and how they are produced for the scientific community to help with vaccine research. It was very interesting. But the context of how this all started was fascinating and gave the book a real human side to it. A good book for discussion. Everyone in our group liked it.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Romantic, Dramatic
Plots and Twists and Turns

This book makes you realize how difficult it was to live in that time period and be royalty. It was not as glamorous as it sounds. The plotting and conniving to secure the throne was endless. Though it started to feel like \\\"more of the same\\\" towards the end\\\" it was an interesting take on the real life of these characters.

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Dramatic, Informative
Thought Provoking Questions on Class, Gender and Choices

An interesting story of two Indian women in different classes, how their lives intersect, the problems they both have and the events that fate hands them and how they deal with it. Very compelling and deftly written. Good for discussion.

 
Dark, Slow, Interesting
I Could Put it Down. And I did!

I really cannot fathom all the good reviews and I do agree with most of the negative ones. It\\\'s not that it\\\'s badly written because it\\\'s not and the story is engaging at first. But about two thirds through I decided I really didn\\\'t care about the main character, who is frustratingly uncommunicative and never can finish a sentence or thought. He\\\'s supposed to be numb from tragedy but it\\\'s hard to be inside his head this long. And I was having trouble maintaining my sympathy for his troubled life. There is too much of the story around drug and alcohol use that goes on for pages and pages till it\\\'s damn depressing. And the author kills off too many characters (the best ones, too) to be realistic. I don\\\'t want to spoil it if you care to try and tackle this, but it is unrealistic how many people close to the main character die in tragic accidents. About 80% done with the book, and I put it down. I hate to do that with that much time invested but life is too short. I did not care about the two main characters or what happened to the stolen painting and it was getting BORING.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Elizabeth Sherrill, John Sherrill
 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Informative, Insightful
An Amazing Dutch Woman and her version of World War II

We have read a few books this year about WWII and the Holocaust and each country or peoples has their own experience. In this book the author, Cornelia "Corrie" ten Boom, tells her own story about growing up as a Dutch Christian, and how along with her father and other family members, she helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust and was imprisoned for it. The story mostly focuses on the ten Boom family, who lived in a large house and watchmakers shop, and the Jews that they saved and then after they were caught, the life of Corrie and her sister in prison and how their religious faith help them survive it.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Life Changing, Interesting
A Life Changing Read

This was one of the best book discussions we have ever had as a book club (going on 5 years). This book really makes you examine what you are eating and where you are buying your food. Even members who had little interest in the subject before were fascinated by this book. Pollen does an excellent job of writing about the industrial food our country churns out, the life of a farmer, and the politics of food, and it is not boring. And it is relevant to your life and information everybody should know! I don\'t think it\'s a read you will forget. A life changer, for sure.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Inspiring, Interesting
A great story of genius, success and humility.

Yes we know the Wright Brothers invented the airplane but I didn\'t know about the back breaking work, dedication, humbleness, and sincerity of these men who did not even graduate from college! It is fascinating how they kept their cool and integrity amongst the great fame they received. They are great role models for people who achieve success and fame today. It was interesting to read about America in this time period and all the world changing inventions that were going on.

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