Adults Book Reviews
This is where I review books that are meant for adults - that means anyone over the age of 18. Of course, there are those under 18 years old who may find many of these books to their liking, particularly the classics which include most of my favorites. I've been on a mission to read the Pulitzer fiction winners and I think anyone who can understand these books, and many are also required reading in high school, should enjoy these classics. If you have a suggestion for a book you would like to read that you want my review of, I would be happy to assist you.
- In: Adults
What can I say about Eleanor Oliphant – what can’t I say! I found myself picking up my Kindle to read when I couldn’t sleep at 3 in the morning. Or an almost 2 hour drive with my husband, although I brought magazines where I could read a short article or two, I chose, instead, to get back to Eleanor. It covered all the bases; a novel about love, hate, living with sadness and loneliness, growing up and discovering your past, abuses of so many kinds, and opening up to possibilities when there has never been anything even remotely close to living a normal life. Eleanor. I loved her and wished only the best for her. But that was a long time to come, slowly at first, then accelerated. She made me cry, she made me laugh. I shared much of her humor with my husband until he said, ok, I have to read it myself now.
- In: Adults
This was my first David Baldacci read and it was a perfect summer book. Murder, kidnapping, revenge, and FBI agents, the book was full of action-packed excitement from beginning to end. Each chapter left you wanting to know what happened next.
- In: Adults
For more than a year I’ve had a pile of Barbara Kingsolver’s books sitting on a small table next to a couch in my living room. My intention, of course, was to read one, at least. Years ago, an acquaintance read “The Poisonwood Bible” and raved about it. It was a Pulitzer finalist. But it was a little too dense for me to take on at this point (I’m a slow(er) reader since I have to read every word) but I wanted to check out one of her novels. The novel “The Bean Trees” seemed to have the right number of pages so I decided to read that one. I also found out that this was her debut novel. So, while learning something about Ms. Kingsolver’s writing, I’m also going to feel intimidated and insignificant with my writing and accomplishments.
- In: Adults
Sy Montgomery is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. A woman who has, if possible, an even greater love for animals than I do, she has traveled the world, living in remote and far from safe conditions, to research the latest animal for her next book. She knows what she is talking about and it was with great satisfaction that I read this sweet book, “How to Be a Good Creature”.
- In: Adults
As Ms. Ng described the community of Shaker Heights, I got a ‘Stepford Wives’ vibe that stayed with me as I read further into the novel and met one of the main characters, Mrs. Richardson. Living in an affluent community where all of the residents have never known hardship of any kind, it is impossible for her to understand a woman like Mia, a character who couldn’t be more opposite of Mrs. Richardson. Mia is creative, artistic, lives a free and bohemian lifestyle with no rules. Except her own that have helped her and her daughter survive. She is an enigma, full of secrets and mystery. She is ashamed of a decision she made long ago and has told no one, not even her daughter, Pearl. Her daughter is torn between the freedom (and I use that word lightly) she has had being raised by Mia and the structure of the Richardson household that she is drawn to – the stability and consistency she longs for in her life.