Reader Hub

Works for me

Very much liked in my book club. A much more emotional read than I expected as I have family members who were MIA/POW in Vietnam and another who served 2 tours. We agreed that maybe a better written book as Hannah was older when written and-or published.

Entertaining read. Well-written.

My hope is that those who need to read this, do! Perfect... allows Jim to become James - a real man with thoughts, good ideas and worth. Terrific ending!

I saw this book on Obama's summer reading list and thought it sounded pretty good. Also on the list was The Ministry of Time (or something like that) which started out pretty good but by the end it got kinda "meh" and would not recommend and I probably didn't review it. It has been a loooong time since I read Huckleberry Finn, not that you need to have read it, but it started out feeling comfortable and like maybe it would be kind of light and fun like a Mark Twain book. It definitely was not, but it was extremely well written and I think everyone should read it. So go read it!

Kristin Hannah always delivers amazing stories and this one is a shining example. It follows Frankie a 20 year old nurse from San Diego who enlists in the Vietnam war after her brother writes her letters from the front line. Her experience in Vietnam is horrific and pushes her to her limits but also helped define her character. Her experience when she returns to the US was tragic and frustrating. This is a journey of discovery in reconciling loss, healing, and rebuilding the life you want.

I started this book thinking it was dreadful by 5% in. I wasn’t prepared for what it was about, and perhaps didn’t want to read about someone else’s misery. But I continued on and found the book to be *wonderful* in the most sincere meaning of the word. I loved that each main character got their “growth moment”.

Jim/James and Huck Finn. What a great story this turned out to be. I saw the twist but dang. The minstrels and Norman. Felt bad for him. The catfish was amazing. The duality of speech makes sense. Fast read, good story.

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I’m so grateful for it. Devastating at times and a celebration of willpower at others.The chapter lengths and story jumping through characters over the years keep the reader engaged. This book was hard to put down with its rich character tugging at you. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

Good price

In August, 1975, a thirteen year old camper is found missing from her bunk at a summer camp. Her name is Barbara Van Laar and she is the daughter of the camp’s owners who live in a large mansion on the property. Fourteen years before her brother also disappeared there. As the search for Barbara unfolds, the reader is brought into the lives of the various family members, as well as, the camp staff. Things just do not seem to be right. The Van Laars are dysfunctional and that appears to affect everyone around them. Nonetheless, what happened to Barbara. The truth will prove surprising. This is one of those all-encompassing novels that the reader can get lost in. The characters are carefully created and have great depth. The plot is compelling throughout as we meet the various characters. There is something seriously wrong with the Van Laars. Secrets eventually come out leading to the very satisfying and clever conclusion. This is one of the best mystery novels of the year. Highly recommended.

Great Read

Wow this book was so unique from the start. The plot seemed somewhat vague but you realize almost right away that it’s intentional, because there’s a big twist. The more I read, the more I felt myself rooting for the main character and feeling so much happiness and warmth for her. It was a truly perfect book that I would’ve normally not chosen for myself and I’m so sad to have it be over.

An absolutely incredible book. The layers of storytelling and cultural exposure are heartbreaking to read. The cultural blindness of slaveholders and the supporting white populations are laid bare for all to see.Amazing storytelling, tightly woven plot, and vibrant characters, this book is a must read.

Miranda July’s book, All Fours is rocking my world right now. Though it’s totally different, she is explaining my feelings during my own sexual satori and journey. It’s breathtaking, exhilarating, and heartbreaking… and so many words I can’t even think of right now. Her descriptions and the way she weaves the story with the feelings so succinctly and economically… I just … Sometimes, I have to put it down for a few days so I can digest, remember, re-feel the surprise, the passion, joy, and the pain.