4 Star books

This was an easy, entertaining read about hunger and acquisition during the dot.com bubble of a little over a decade ago. There are possibly too many

I really enjoyed this thoroughly researched historical fiction which depicted the circumstances surrounding the first Native American’s matriculation through Harvard College in the 1660’s. Told in period language and utilizing the native tongue in many places, as well as Latin, it was particularly good to listen to on CD. I would recommend this engrossing read, … Read more

A whole lot of you wanted me to read this book, and so I finally have. I must say, sales of five million self-published books is quite impressive. But I’ve had serious mixed feelings about it. I would have enjoyed the discussion of eternity more if I didn’t have to wade through tragedy to get … Read more

Not usually prone to murder mysteries, here is one I enjoyed. It is a light summer read that I’d give four stars to, with unimportance as it’s only real flaw. A murder takes place in the English department of an erudite college in Massachusetts. As the story unravels, it has an academic flair, with the … Read more

I disagree in general with the depiction of heaven in this book. Let’s explain ourselves and understand the why’s of our human lives in the ongoing here and now, instead of waiting until the afterlife. I also challenge his assertion that, without exception, every parent messes up their kids. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book … Read more

I really value what the Dalai Lama is trying to do here. Living in India, where many religions have been coexisting harmoniously for centuries, he highlights his understanding and appreciation of each tradition in turn, underscoring their overlapping commonalities. Even though there are fundamental differences between the theology of the various faith traditions, he finds … Read more

This is a pleasant read about a new widow dealing with her husband’s recent passing. The marriage had been a happy one and the story is not maudlin nor stricken, but gently progressive. Sprinkled in with her present day challenges and her retrospective wonderful memories are productive kernels of wisdom about going forward. Love remains … Read more

My oldest sister recommended this novel to me and it was compelling enough to keep me up way too late, finishing the second half of it in one sitting. I am torn between giving it four stars (because so much bad stuff happens I’d never condone) and five (because it is a plausible, honest, and … Read more

More than 6 billion dollars worth of art is stolen each year. This book is the remarkable memoir of an undercover FBI investigator who tracked down lots of it, but not as much as he wanted to. Art theft is not as difficult as trying to sell the works after stolen. Even when one bides … Read more

I liked this Pulitzer Prize winning book more than most that get that award, and I give it four stars. Olive was depicted as a fleshed out character who felt very real to me. This book is made up of short stories with Olive either central, secondary or peripheral, but all are linked together so … Read more

A friend of mine recommended this book after I had read some horrendous titles recently that were not even worth reviewing. So I’m delighted to say that I really enjoyed this book! It even kept me up way too late last night to finish it which says a lot! This is about a 48 year … Read more

I usually avoid books that are about breaking the ten commandments, but this time I made an exception. There are some unsavory bits here, with graves and cadavers, stealing, and murder, but even more present is remarkable story telling in the tradition of Charles Dickens. You’ll love the main character, Ren, and will be rooting … Read more

I own (but have not yet read) Jeannette Wall’s blockbuster novel The Glass Castle, and since she’s recently written this prequel, I thought I’d start here. I’m glad I did, and now I’m primed to read the other. This is a story of the author’s gutsy grandmother, set in the early 20th century, mostly in … Read more

I’m in the middle of reading long winded but helpful how-to books, some deeply dense, thought provoking spiritual stuff, and a slow moving classically epic tome of a novel. I needed a light escape and this memoir provided a delightfully wholesome one. I only give it four stars because it isn’t important enough somehow to … Read more