Review: The Summerhouse

The Summerhouse (Summerhouse, Bk 1)
by Jude Deveraux

A fluff read about 3 women who want to rewrite their pasts. An enjoyably read, but not solid enough to be a keeper. Though I love this quote...

"Still smiling she carried the TV through the doorway; then she gave it the strongest heave she could manage... When it hit Alan's oversized brick barbecue and the glass front of the TV smashed, Leslie didn't think she'd ever heard a more satisfying sound." (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Review: Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition

Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition: The Remarkable Journal of Shackleton's Polar-Bound Cat
by Caroline Alexander

A cheeky read from the cat's perspective of being ice-bound. If you're not familiar with Shackleton's journey, this book is incomplete on details. Footnotes attempt to fill the gaps, but they are hard for me to read since it interrupts the flow of the narrative. This would be a good way to introduce to middle-school kids to Shackleton's expedition without the real torment of being stranded that is ever-present in the (real) memoirs of other crew members. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Review: A Reliable Wife

A Reliable Wife

by Robert Goolrick

Two words: erotic and morose. A book that is popular to recommend but definitely not for everyone. The sexuality is overwhelming - maybe that's your thing and maybe it isn't. The story is about the tension of revenge vs. reconciliation, and a woman-with-a-past is caught between those two forces. At times, I could predict where the plot was going, but overall, a complex enough style to keep me riveted. Kept me up late into the night to finish it and left me dwelling on the characters. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Review: Lion of Ireland

Lion of Ireland

by Morgan Llywelyn

A long, but satisfying read. I'm surprised I admired the main character's parenting skills with his oldest son. Made me wonder what sort of research the author did to flesh out that particular relationship. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Review: Rebel Bookseller

Rebel Bookseller: How to Improvise Your Own Indie Storeand Beat Back the Chains 

by Andrew Laties

No-holds-barred look at running your own bookstore. Not a how-to guide but more of an expose. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackswap.com.)