GuideReviews Index - page 4
The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Book Review
Add another to Cormac McCarthy’s growing list of masterpieces. McCarthy’s new novel, The Road, combines Blood Meridian’s terse, poetic meditations on the horrific depths of human depravity with the taut, thriller writing found in his most recent work No Country for Old Men. What separates The Road from his other works is McCarthy’s ability to capture moments of lyrical and emotional beauty in a father and son’s haunted relationship even as a silent cloud of death covers the world in darkness.
For One More Day by Mitch Albom - Book Review
For One More Day by Mitch Albom is the story of a man who gets the chance to spend one more day with his mother, who died 8 years earlier. In the vein of Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day takes readers to a place between life and death in a story of redemption and one man's struggle to deal with his ghosts.
Splendor of Silence by Indu Sundaresan - Book Review
Splendor of Silence is a lush, poetic and exquisitely crafted novel that should appeal to anyone who loves reading. This story of a young woman and the secretive American soldier she meets in India is romantic and passionate but doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of life under British rule. The author, Indu Sundaresan, skillfully weaves romance with historical fiction, making for a satisfying, poignant and highly-recommended read.
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors - Book Review
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors is a fictional story surrounding the building of the Taj Mahal. While historians agree that the Taj Mahal was built by an emperor in the seventeenth century who was grieving the loss of his wife, the true details surrounding this story have been lost. Shors imagines them in Beneath a Marble Sky, bringing to life a story of love, war, beauty and tragedy.
Pirateology - Book Review
Pirateology is essential reading for all pirate fans, but it should also appeal to those readers who might like to learn more about the piratical life in a fun, engaging way. This beautiful book is the suspenseful narrative of a law-abiding captain hot on the trail of a dangerous female pirate, and it’s also chock full of detailed illustrations and interactive features. Pirateology will appeal to adults and children alike, and would make a great gift—for a friend or for yourself.
When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton - Book Review
When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton is the story of a Midwest family through the generations narrated by Mac, the son who grew up with Madeline, a sister figure with mental retardation. Madeline was actually Mac's father's first wife who was left with the mental capacities of a 7-year-old after a bike accident. Mac's father remarried and he and his new wife took care of Madeline as if she were their child. This is a powerful story of family, loyalty, love and war.
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen - Book Review
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen is a novel about two sisters and what happens when the older sister, Meghan, who is the host of the country's highest-rated morning talk show, mutters two forbidden words into her open mike before cutting to a commercial break. There are ramifications for both sisters' lives. Rise and Shine explores the true meaning of success and what matters most.
The Temple Dancer by John Speed - Book Review
The Temple Dancer: A Novel of India by John Speed is a fun and suspenseful trip through 17th-century India. Speed introduces a smorgasbord of interesting and colorful characters. Readers interested in a historical, adventurous story heavy on romance and intrigue will be pleased with The Temple Dancer.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - Book Review
The pages of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen burst with rich descriptions and action. You will be drawn into the world of ringmasters, elephants and sideshows. You will also experience the world of nursing homes and old age. You will not want to put Water for Elephants down, and when it is over, you will want more.
Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston - Book Review
Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston is the story of a marriage gone bad. Elinor and Ted are happy when they get married, but failed infertility treatments and an affair test their happiness and their resolve to stay married. Can they make their marriage work and is it worth reading about? Find out in this review of Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston.
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith - Book Review
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith is the second book in the Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency series. Fans of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency will be pleased by this sequel, which further develops the story of Precious Ramotswe and her agency. I enjoyed Tears of the Giraffe even more than The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.
No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - Book Review
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is a slim book that reads more like a pleasant literary story than a typical page turning mystery. There are mysteries in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, and you can be sure that Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s number one lady detective, will get to the bottom of them; however, this book is less about building suspense than about taking the reader on a pleasant ride.
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik - Book Review
Angry Housewives Eating Bons Bons by Lorna Landvik is the story of five women in a book club in Minnesota from 1968 to 1998. These "angry housewives" do much more than eat bon bons. They support each other through good and bad, finding a lifeline in their friendship.
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews - Book Review
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews is a chick lit novel about BeBe Loudermilk, the heroine of Andrews' previous novel, Savannah Blues. Find out whether Savannah Breeze is worth adding to your beach bag.
Terrorist by John Updike - Book Review
Terrorist by John Updike is the story of an 18 year old New Jersey boy who is a devout Muslim and is recruited to be a terrorist. Terrorist is Updike's 22nd novel and takes a critical look at modern social problems.
Maximum Ride: School's Out - Forever - Book Review
Maximum Ride: School's Out - Forever by James Patterson is the second book in Patterson's young adult fiction series, Maximum Ride. Find out what Maximum Ride is all about and whether Maximum Ride 2: School's Out - Forever is a book worth reading. This is your source for Maximum Ride information.
Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells - Book Review
Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells is the third book in the Ya-Ya series, which brought readers the #1 bestseller, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Find out whether Ya-Yas in Bloom lives up to Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood here.
Beach Road by James Patterson - Book Review
Beach Road by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge was first released just in time for summer. Does Beach Road make the perfect beach read? Has James Patterson lived up to his reputation as the master of suspense in Beach Road? Read this review to find out.
Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd - Book Review
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd is Kidd's second novel, following the runaway bestseller, The Secret Life of Bees? Does Kidd bring the same irresistable Southern charm to The Mermaid Chair as she did in The Secret Life of Bees? Find out in this book review.
Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - Book Review
The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd's debut novel, topped the best sellers lists for months and is being made into a movie. The Secret Life of Bees movie will star Dakota Fanning as Lily. Read this review of The Secret Life of Bees to see why you should read The Secret Life of Bees before seeing the movie.
Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - Book Review
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a love story about a man who involuntarily travels through time and the woman who loves him from her childhood. Read this review of The Time Traveler's Wife to find out whether it is worth picking up.
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon - Book Review
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon tells the story of a teenager with Asperger's syndrome's quest to find out who killed the neighbor's dog. Find out if this mystery is worth getting to the bottom of.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Book Review
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee remains as powerful today as when it was first released in 1960. Find out what makes this American classic a must read and why it keeps reappearing on the bestsellers lists.
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - Book Review
Find out about The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Is this tale of friendship, betrayal and redemption that is set in Afghanistan worth reading? The Kite Runner topped the bestsellers lists for several reasons. Find out what they are here.
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts - Book Review
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts is part romance novel, part thriller. Roberts has written more than 160 novels, so it is always impressive when she comes up with something new. Roberts' record aside, how does Angels Fall stand on its own merits? Read this book review on Angels Fall to find out.