Book Reviews from Poquoson Public Library

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann Ross

PPL — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:38:21 GMT

Miss Julia is a middle aged southern lady with the highest expectations and values for herself and others. Her views are conservative and her experience is limited. She gets into hilarious predicaments. This novel is a quick read and quite funny.

Rating: 4

Reviewed by Rinda

River God

PPL — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:54:00 GMT

River God is a gripping novel set in ancient Egypt. Mr. Smith studies cultures and has written a novel that drags you into the world of Pharaoes and sand. I couldn't put it down as it told the story of a servant whose dedication to his Queen was more important to him than his freedom. I loved it!

Rating: 5

Submitted by: Jaimie C.

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

PPL — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:12:44 GMT

An extraordinary novel. Classed as scifi, but much more. A vision of future Thailand, where there are elements of genetic manipulation of animals and plants in a precarious society. A realistic and thoughtful extrapolation of worrisome current trends energizes the story. It could easily be compared with the rich vision of William Gibson.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

Forever War by Joe Haldeman

PPL — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:11:03 GMT

A science fiction classic, winner of Nebula and Hugo awards. The author, a Vietnam vet, had trouble getting it published right after the war in 1975. The themes are timeless, as is war itself. The writing is as fresh and timely as today's headlines.

Readers who like Heinlein and John Scalzi will enjoy.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

PPL — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:08:58 GMT

The debut novel of a major talent. This is exciting science fiction with well written themes of conflict, love, and redemption. The characters are solid with real life problems and courage. Highly recommended for those who enjoy speculative fiction.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

The Sea Runners by Ivan Doig

PPL — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:55:26 GMT

Four men risk everything in a daring escape from Russian Alaska down the coast to Astoria. Based on true events. The author lets us feel the time and place vividly. The language seems fitting to the time and place. In that way it could be compared with Cold Mountain by Frazier.

An adventure story for adults, highly recommended

Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Hedley M.

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve

PPL — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:28:15 GMT

Intrigued by the synopsis, I had rather high expectations for this book. The result was a bland, highly predictable, and unoriginal work. The writing was, to say the least, uninspiring and vapid. A major disappointment that will keep me from picking up another Shreve novel.

Rating: 1

Reviewed by Jen S.

Suite francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

PPL — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:48:15 GMT

Genius. Her writing is perfection. Nemirovsky pulls the reader in and does not let go. Though an unfinished masterpiece, the work is intense, exquisite, unforgiving, doleful, inspiring. An examination of the human condition set against the humiliating catastrophe of the invasion and occupation of France, Nemirovsky was an eye-witness and chronicler. She weaves a string of unlikely characters and their tribulations through the bedlam of war. A work of profound significance.

Rating: 5

Reviewed by Jen S.