P.J.

I purchased this book, along with some others, based on others' reviews. Please! Who are the people who review some of these books. I find myself attempting so hard to finish some of these books simply because I paid for them. In the end, I remind myself that there are simply too many great literary works out there to waste one's time on drivel.

This book has moments where you become a bit interested, but it always moves back to yawning parts that one has to work to get through. I simply would skip purchasing the book. It's NOT worth it.

I didn't think I'd find a classic I didn't enjoy since I often so appreciate the artistic language in classics. Unfortunately Cider House Rules omits the great writing found in many classics and instead concentrates on a rather bizarre storyline surrounding early abortions. The doctor becomes convinced to perform abortions because he also runs an orphanage. That's pretty bizarre to me since one who loves children would seem to be one who couldn't do abortions. Just to add a little "spice" the doctor is overworked and therefore takes to taking ether naps, self-administrating the ether.

Certainly not my cup of tea.

This isn't one of those few "must reads" but it certainly is a good book that holds the interest. Love the English accent of the reader, not too overbearing. The story line is exciting though because American gun laws are not the same, at the beginning American readers might wonder what the fuss is all about and avid gun owners might even be a little taken back. Simply accepting that this is/was the law in Great Britain will get you past that part.

The first half of the book is interesting but not particularly thrilling to the point you can't put the book down. The excitement happens further into the book with the ending sort of petering out. I think most people who enjoy a good book will still enjoy this one.

I bought this book based on very high reviews and ravings. I thought I'd learn all about the inside stories in baseball, again based on reviews. Not even! What we have here is a so-so had been baseball player telling HIS story and in a bit of a confused way since he jumps around a bit.

I'm slogging through really bad jokes where the reader-author laughs to let you know it's suppose to be funny. I would never have purchased a book by a not very well known has been baseball player's life. It's just not interesting to me. What I thought I was purchasing was stories of a lot of baseball players and the secrets behind the facade of baseball. If that's what you are wanting, take it from me -It's not there.

Divergent is compared to Hungar Games because both story lines involve a changed universe, both have a teen heroine and a love story. And if you enjoyed Hungar Games, you will probably also enjoy Divergent.

It's an enjoyable story line that certainly captures one's attention but it is also fast writing. The fast writing leaves details missing and causes some jumping from one part to another part of the story without a complete resolution.

I'm a senior, not a YA, but still enjoyed the story and thought process behind it. I would prefer a more clean version that tied up loose ends, didn't hop about so much and provided more depth.

Ken Follett does a wonderful job of writing the history of wars between 1930's and 1950's. Through rich characters we see the effects of war on the US, British, Russians and Germans. Lives are torn apart, brought together, loves are won and lost through these countries as their citizens endure horror and hardships of war.

Should one just read the actual history for the time, one would miss the individual emotions, the mind numbing acceptance of some people and why, the breaking of hearts, the turmoil in families, the devastation to both land and humans, the fierceness of beliefs, the bravery, the self serving actions of some and the political thought behind some actions. Follett brings all of these things to life in his characters and descriptions.

Get ready for a long ride, but be sure not to miss a minute.

I'll start by saying I really enjoyed this book, but (the proverbial but) the ending was really hokey and totally not needed. The author would have had a very nice ending without this last hokey scene.

The book starts with a very comical scenario when Melinda (Mel) leaves all she's known to run away from a hurtful past by answering a newspaper ad from a small town. Mel is a trained Nurse and Midwife who just needs to get away from memories. As true with many advertisements, Mel soon learns that there is often little truth in advertising.

Jack has already run away from a life of war, landing in the small town several years previous to Mel's arrival. He runs the town bar and restaurant. Though Mel and Jack begin butting heads immediately, Jack determines to at least provide what was offered in the newspaper ad when he learns why Mel came to town. Jack and Mel predictably find solace in each other to help right the hurtful things in their previous lives.

The book is easily listening and enjoyable. While its a love story, the love story is fairly realistic and not overly gushy (though, I'm sorry, the world doesn't really produce men like Jack) . The hokey ending doesn't really destroy the rest of the book since the book could have nicely ended before the last scene.

Half way through and haven't found a reason to continue. I don't care one way or another about the main character or even the minor ones.

Went 5 hours into this and the only thing I've gotten is dysfunctional. Okay, so the main character had a very unhappy childhood. Many of us have. What do we learn from this story of someone's dysfunctional family? Nothing that I've learned so far. I see nothing redeeming, nothing promising, just dysfunction.

Instead of just a drippy love story, the author winds a mystery thriller around a love story. Thoroughly enjoyable.

My only objection is that while the reader has a wonderful soothing voice, it just didn't seem to fit the story or the characters.

One story woven from two. The first is a modern day group that offers quilting camp for quilters. As a non-quilter, that part of the story was pretty slow for me. The second story revolves around some quilts and a journal found from over 100 years ago. This part of the story is fascinating, but questioned by some authentic quilters. Whether true or not, it's certainly a great story and very intriguing.