What
Huntington's Reading
Read what some of your fellow readers are reading and reviewing!
New This Week
Here is a sampling of some of the reviews we’ve received this week.
General Fiction
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General Non
Fiction
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Mystery
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Romance
& Erotic
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General Fiction
Lovingkindness by Anne Roiphe
Sidney Polan chose this book because it was recommended to
her. According to
That Old Ace in the Hole by Annie Proulx
Julia Schreiber selected this book because she had never
read a book by this author. She reports
that it was a good book “because of its wicked sense of humor, which contrasted
strongly with the naivety of several of the main characters.” An added benefit to the book is that it provides
information about the history of the
Schindler’s List
by Thomas Keneally
Julia Schreiber wanted to read this book after learning about how great the movie was. She summarizes by saying that although this is a novel, the information is carefully researched. “The crimes the book describes are discussed in a factual manner, which makes it even more horrifying…even though the book is full of shocking horror, Schindler and several other people are described as doing all they could…to help others—candles in our dark world.”
Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
Carole Hunt enjoys this complex tale that offers a broad cast of characters. Carole especially enjoys the older characters. “There is a background story about the lives of someone who showed great courage during adverse circumstances…In the Unsung Hero, the hero is in fact an 80 year old man who has tried to hide from his courageous acts during WWII. The story, full of unrequited love, grief, and anger, spills out as the book goes on. She blends all the characters and story elements nicely into a wonderful story.”
Everyday Average Jones
Prince Joe both books
by Susan Brockmann
Carole Hunt is a Brockmann fan so she decided to read some of her older works. Carole was a bit disappointed. “The books lacked the depth of her more recent Navy Seal series.” Carole still urges other readers to select Brockmann’s recent works.
Referred Pain and Other Stories by Lynne Sharon Schwartz
Mary Lou Pratt has an interest in writing short stories so she was attracted to this short story collection by Lynne Sharon Schwartz. “These short stories dealt with lives and relationships affected by various unusual circumstances. In one, a man spends his entire life obsessing about a puppy love girlfriend, who keeps reappearing in his life over the years. In another, a blind writer hires a college English major to type his novels as he dictates them, only to become suspicious that “Tad” is changing and rewriting his work. It brings out the helplessness someone would feel, learning to cope with a disability.”
General Non Fiction
The Art of Natural Fishing by Eric Greinke
Tyler Roney points to James Joyce as his inspiration for selecting this book. “I’m sure Ulysses is a very nice read in the fall or winter, but for summer, I needed something a little less frustrating. If fishing is relaxing, then relaxing and reading a book about relaxing should be almost lethal.” Roney goes on to describe why he enjoyed this book. “The great thing about the book is that everyone loves to hear the advice of an old man. There are old men in the book, the author Eric and “the old man”. Eric Greinke is a very thoughtful man, but one must turn to the “old man” for wisdom. In the words of Greinke, “even when he is wrong, he makes you think”.” Roney is cautious in his recommendation and suggests that this book is best for folks who enjoy fishing because “everyone else would laugh at the words: jerk, jig, spoon, lure, barb, and other such lingo, but most importantly, I don’t think they would understand the fuss over bluegills.”
Greatest Hunting Stories Ever Told by Lamar Underwood
Gentry Garrett Belcher selected this book because he grew up on a farm and began hunting at age 8 (with a B.B. gun) and because he has read science fiction and short stories lately he wanted the change. Belcher reports that the table of contents shows a wide range of authors represented in this collection: Faulkner, Ruark, Capstick, Hemingway, Theodore Roosevelt, and others. Naturally Belcher enjoyed some stories more than others. “Facing an angry cape buffalo of 2,000 pounds with one cartridge remaining is more exciting that sitting in a blind awaiting ducks.” Still, he reports that all the stories in this collection are quite readable and he recommends this book to fans of hunting tales.
Inspirational
A Travel Guide to Heaven by Anthony DeStefano
Mary Lou Pratt recalls reading a favorable review about this book and the subject attracted her. “Who can’t say they’d like an idea of what’s in the world beyond?” Mary Lou liked this book. It presents the idea that Heaven is an actual physical material place, not just a blending of ethereal states of mind off in some limbo….The author relies on scripture and also the writings of centuries of great theologians, but his presentation makes you feel like you’re reading a Fodor’s Guide.” Will other people like this book? Mary Lou observes that “it will depend on what they already believe about Christianity and the resurrection.”
Breach of Promise by James Scott Bell
Lisa Black selected this book because she has enjoyed other works by the author and once she started this book it was difficult to put down. “The story is about a man who thinks he has it all and suddenly loses the one thing he holds most dear – his daughter. You get an in-depth look at the family law system and all of its ups and downs when the main character must fight against false accusations and nearly impossible odds. Through it all, his love for his daughter and his newly emerging faith give him hope that everything will work out.”
Mary Deal read this book and describes it as “a good story about family life, small town, and problems most families face in life.” She recommends this book because “it leaves you with a good feeling even though some tears are possible…”
Turn Four by Tom Morrisey
Is it possible to combine an interest in inspirational fiction and NASCAR? Avid reader Lisa Black found just the right book. Lisa says this was a great book, “The author’s knowledge of the inner workings NASCAR was wonderful. The characters were real, and the story was both suspenseful and fun.” She recommends this book to others – both male and female and says that the book is full of life lessons. Not only did she learn about the world of professional auto racing but she also enjoyed a book that has the ability to make readers laugh and cry.
Mystery
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
Mary Lou Pratt is another Evanovich fan and she enjoyed this book. “It was a light enjoyable fun read, great for taking on the plane with me. The plot was lucid and moved at a nice brisk pace with a little suspense, a little romance, a little who-done-t, and a lot of humor.” She thinks this book is best for people who read purely for entertainment.
Watchers by Dean Koontz
Helen Brown selected this book because she is a Koontz fan. She also enjoys books about scientific experiments and “when the experiments go wrong, then the story is really good.” Helen plans to read other works by Koontz including Mr. Murder and The Mask.
Since You’ve Been Gone by Carlene Thompson
Kristi Stanley has read other books by Thompson and enjoyed them so she selected this one. She says, “This book is a wonderful suspense novel. The characters, setting, and plot seem to come to life.” Kristi recommends this book to others because it is so hard to put down and all the twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the end.
Shakespearean Whodunnits by Mike Ashley
Gentry Garrett Belcher enjoys Shakespeare and also likes “whodunits” and he couldn’t pass up this combination. “As usual, I like some stories much better than others in any collection. The worst ones are merely retelling of Shakespeare’s plays…and he did the writing far better than anyone else could. The best stories explain something in a play…Darrell Schweitzer’s story has Henry V investigating and catching the murderer of Sir John Falstaff.” Belcher recommends these stories to others and it describes the book as “a winning combination of Shakespeare themes and the suspense tale.”
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Legend of Huma by Richard A. Knaak
Karen Ramsey chose this book because it is the first in the Dragonlance series. She recommends the book to other sci-fi fans because it is original writing. “There were some surprises in the story line and the book did not have a ‘happily ever after’ ending – both characteristics that distinguish it from formulaic sword & sorcery novels, of which there are way too many.”
The Stone of the Stars by Alison Baird
Karen Ramsey enjoyed this book because there were unexpected twists in the storyline. “ was afraid (the book) would be a ‘formulaic’ novel – tranquility, danger arises, destiny discovered, evil overcome and it was, to some extent, but the author fleshed out the characters well, which made up for it.”
The Wreck of Heaven by Holly Lisle
Sci-fi fan Holly Lisle wanted to continue the World Gates series so she chose this book. Her reaction: “Awesome – in a literal sense of inspiring awe! The character development, the writing, the incredible twists and turns in plot – I can’t say enough positive things about this book.” After this, Karen plans to read Book III of the series.
Second Galaxy Reader by H. L Gold
Gentry Garrett Belcher never had a chance to read the 1951-53 stories from Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine until he chose this short story collection. He said there are 31 stories in this book and many of the authors were familiar to him. He recommends the book to other science fiction fans because it offers a “quaint glimpse at what was written” more than 50 years ago.