More ASRP Comments

I was on vacation, so I got a little backed up with the comments. My apologies to those who were anticipating new entries.

Dark Oval Stone by Marsena Konkle
Great, touching, realistic book, especially for a first novel.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The book helped me gain a needed perspective on Afghani culture.
(This is the 2006 One Book One Community choice. Programs and discussions will begin in September. More information is forthcoming.)

Penumbra by Carolyn Haines
Very good, but some items didn't jive time (1950s) wise.

Bad Boys of Summer by Lori Foster et al.
The best of the three stories in this anthology, "Luscious" by Foster includes a very interesting cast of characters and a story line that holds the reader's interest. You'll love Foster's hero, Lucius, and enjoy the bantering between Lucius and his heroine, Bethany. McCarthy's and Garvey's stories are OK, but, in my opinion, lack the depth achieved by Foster.

The Gift of Acabar by Og Mandino
Very thought provoking. A good story with great lifelong learning!

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Powerful memoir of grief.

The Broker by John Grisham
Good descriptions of Italy and its culture!

His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
While well-written and very informative, I believe the author comes to some very erroneous conclusions at the end.

The Outsider by Diane Palmer
If you've read more than one Palmer book, you'll notice her "cookie cutter" style of writing. The Outsider is no exception. All of her characters have the same personalities as in previous stories - 1: the herione is alvays a young virgin, 2: the hero is usually considerably older and treats the young virgin with anger and disgust, 3: lots of secrets neither character will discuss, 4: resolution always late in the book, and 5: not enough groveling from the hero. The major difference in this story is the hero has an amputated arm and the heroine's daughter has visions of his accident. If you enjoy reading a book with a simplified plot line, this is the one for you.

Chamomile Mourning by Laura Childs
Laura Childs has another winner - great story line - yummy recipes and fun ideas for a tea party.

The Genesis Quest by Donald Moffitt
Very interesting and inciteful after a few sluggish parts of character development. Reading the sequal, Second Genesis, now.

In Pursuit of Peace by Joyce Meyer
I am a Joyce Meyer fan - GREAT book - practical application - spiritual inspiration.

Enslaved by Ducks by Bob Tarte
Very funny and enjoyable reading. I could never dedicate my life to caring for so many animals as the Tartes, and I love animals.