Today, Hartford Books Examiner offers up an eighth installment of “bite-sized” book reviews…
Room by Emma Donoghue – One of the most critically acclaimed and widely read novels of 2010, Room is the riveting story of five-year-old Jack, who, along with his Ma, has spent each moment of his existence confined to an 11’x11’ living space. His world is her prison, and the two embark on powerful but disparate journeys when exposed to “freedom”. This book lives up to every word of the hype—and it’s now available in paperback, which makes it the perfect beach read…
Catching Babies by J.D. Kleinke –The author is a health industry leader, and his impressive knowledge drives this debut novel, which is equal parts human and medical drama. Babies traces an intimate group of OB/GYN doctors as they complete their residencies and embark on divergent careers—an experience that causes each to confront moral and ethical issues that are often at odds with one another. Compelling, timely, and informed, this is book is what a smattering of interchangeable TV shows can only aspire to be…
The Bleeding Heart by Mike Renzulli – While in need of some polish, collegiate Renzulli’s self-published debut is an ambitious coming-of-age story that readers will find both relatable and thought-provoking. Family drama, drug experimentation, and crisis of identity are but a few of the issues that the protagonist must confront before realizing that there can be a light after the dark. The use of journaling, poetry and artistic renderings throughout give the book a feeling of uniqueness…
Four Roses: The Return of a Whiskey Legend by Al Young –A coffee table book that traces the history of what used to be one of America’s most popular and profitable brands of bourbon, Four Roses incorporates fact and folklore in an underdog tale that is as appealing as it is informative. The book is reader-friendly for the subject matter at hand, but the real treats are the iconic photographs and promotional images that are sprinkled throughout…
The Plan by John McKee and Helen Latimer – An accessible self-help book, The Plan invites readers to inventory their own lives and then set a course of action that will allow for greater personal satisfaction. Authors McKee and Latimer offer interactive exercises and insightful anecdotes, which inspire confidence while also instilling the knowledge that our lives should be treated with equal importance as our businesses…
The Night Season by Chelsea Cain – This is the fourth novel to feature downtrodden Oregonian police detective Archie Sheridan, who finds himself facing a formidable foe—the Willamette River (which is threatening to overflow)—and the mysterious killer that may lurk within its waters. Cain weaves history with fiction in a story that elevates scene-stealer Susan Ward (a wiseass reporter) to the big leagues while relegating enigmatic serial killer Gretchen Lowell to the sidelines. That she pulls off this feat so seamlessly is a testament to the depth of her talent…
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin – Originally published as a newspaper serial in the San Francisco Chronicle, Maupin’s tales of life and love in 1970’s San Francisco trace a group of delightfully quirky friends and acquaintances. Short scenes, snappy dialogue, and irreverent humor keep the pages turning, creating a world that you’ll want to revisit again and again—thus explaining the five sequels and much-loved PBS series that this book spawned…
10th Anniversary by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro – The tenth installment in Patterson’s bestselling Women’s Murder Club series, this is one of the author’s more satisfying offerings of recent years. Detective Lindsay Boxer has finally tied the knot—but marital bliss is threatened amidst a string of assaults, a missing baby, and a high profile murder case. The chapters are short and the surprises many, but it’s the characters that drive this particular story—which is a fitting tribute to the occasion at hand…
HBE wants to know: What books have topped your “best of” lists?
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