2009 Adult Summer Reading Program Book reviews

2009 Adult Summer Reading Program
Book Reviews:

Title: Wintergirls Author: Laune Halse Anderson
About the book: Lia and Cassie compete to be the skinniest, but Lia must deal with guilt and her increasingly severe eating disorder after Cassie dies.
Liked It
By Amanda Hoshaw

Title: Life As We Knew It Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
About the book: After a meteor knocks the moon out of orbit, world-wide earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and food shortages cause massive changes in the world and communities.
Terrific!
By Amanda Hoshaw

Title: Willow Author: Julia Hoben
About the book: After driving in the accident that killed her parents, Willow turns to cutting herself to ease her guilt. She meets a boy that discovers her secret, and may help to save her.
Ok
By Amanda Hoshaw

Title: Still Alice Author: Lisa Genova
About the book: The story of a brilliant cognitive psychology professor’s descent into an early on set Alzheimer’s disease. Insightful and well-written.
Terrific!
By Amanda Hoshaw

Title: Starcrossed Author: Mark Schreiber
About the book: Two teens wanting to remove regrettable tattoos meet at a plastic surgeon’s office and begin a romance in this modern day Romeo and Juliet story.
Ok
By Amanda Hoshaw

Title: Carne Author: Stephen King
About the book: A misunderstood high school girl discovers her telekinetic powers and takes revenge against her cruel schoolmates.
Like It
By Amanda Hoshaw

Title: Plum Lucky Author: Jana Evanovich
About the book: A Stephanie Plum story about a crime and her family. Fun reading.
Liked It
By Debbie McGill

Title: Sugar Plum Author: Jana Evanovich
About the book: Stephanie Plum is solving a sandy claws mystery. Fun reading.
Liked It
By Debbie McGill

Title: Caspian Rain Author: Gina Nahai
About the book: A girl who tells the story of her mom and dad’s marriage- good description of Iraq- makes you want to visit.
Liked It
By Debbie McGill

Title: Sunshine Author: Catherine Anderson
About the book: Brain candy- predictable love story.
Ok
By Debbie McGill

Title: The Condition Author: Jennifer Hiash
About the book: About a family who falls apart because the daughter has a deficit type of illness. Slow reading but ok.
Liked It
By Debbie McGill

Title: Life Sentences Author: Laura Lippman
About the book: A lady who is writing about a past crime- very slow reading- didn’t seem to go anywhere.
Liked It
By Debbie McGill

Title: To Sir Phillip with Love Author: Julia Quinn
About the book: Eloise Bridgerton runs away to meet a potential husband in Phillip Crane.
Terrific!
By Malaphone Phomsopha

Title: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton Author: Julia Quinn
About the book: Colin Bridgerton unexpectedly falls in love with his long- time admirer, Penelope Featherington. The identity of the infamous lady Whistledown is revealed.
Terrific!
By Malaphone Phomsopha

Title: Smoke Thief Author: Shana Abe
About the book: Discovering the world of the Drakkon. In the first book we follow the Alpha Male in a race to protect his tribe from human detection and catch the elusive smoke thief.
Terrific!
By Malaphone Phomsopha

Title: Drood Author: Dan Summons
About the book: Not an attempt to complete Dicken’s great unfinished novel, but an attempt to clear up a mystery surrounding the book in the voice of Wilkie Collin.
Liked It
By Judy Meadores

Title: Black Swan Green Author:David Mitchell
About the book: A unique coming of age novel set during the Regan-Thatcher years in a small English village. A year in the life of a ferocious 13 year-old.
Terrific!
By Judy Meadores

Title: A Few Green Leaves Author: Barbara Pym
About the book: Ms. Pym reminds me of a modern Jane Austen: her readable books as set in an England village as she humorously skewers middle-class society.
Terrific!
By Judy Meadores

Title: Peony in Love Author: Usa See
About the book: It was depressing and frustrating to read this tale of a young lady who was so close to happiness before she died. Peony’s story is one of unconditional and lasting love.
Liked It
By Alexandra Lopez-Martinez

Title: Jane Eyre Author: Charlotte Bronte
About the book: This story was full of surprises! It was enticing to find that the character Jane, was so independent and strong, despite the time and conditions she lived in. Great read!
Terrific!
By Alexandra Lopez-Martinez

Title: Pride and Prejudice Author: Jane Austen
About the book: I hadn’t read this book since high school and I appreciated it so much more this time around. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s love story and the way it develops is beautiful! Her character is inspiring!
Terrific!
By Alexandra Lopez-Martinez

Title: When He Was Wicked Author: Julia Quinn
About the book: Widow Francesca Bridgerton learns to love again with her best friend Michael.
Terrific!
By Malaphone Phomsopha

Title: It’s in His Kiss Author: Julia Quinn
About the book: A story of intrigue, mystery, and adventure, Hyacinth helps a friend solve a family history and falls in love herself.
Terrific!
By Malaphone Phomsopha

Title: On the Way to the Wedding Author: Julia Quinn
About the book: Getting the girl you want even though she has married another. Different and unexpected ending.
Liked It
By Malaphone Phomsopha

Title: Born Standing Up Author: Steve Martin
About the book: Great read! Concise, entertaining writing, insightful story. Local interest- he mentions attending Cal State university of Long Beach, working at Disneyland, and Knotts Berry Farm.
Terrific!
By Wendy Hogan

Title: Just One More Thing Author: Peter Falk
About the book: Stories from “Columbo” actor. Not great writing- but an old-time view of a certain era in “pictures”.
Ok
By Wendy Hogan

Title: Dead Silence Author: Peter Falk
About the book: fun, summer page turner.
Ok
By Wendy Hogan