Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A brilliant book worth reading. I want to say little here because I want everyone to read it with the same lack of knowledge about the story/plot that I had. Ms Reid is a wonderful storyteller and this book weave the reader gently and often less than gently through the plot. READ IT!!

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October and November Books

The Secret Stealers by Jane Healey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second Jane Healey book I read just to be sure she was really brilliant. This book is the definition of historical fiction. Just enough romance to possibly call it romantic historical fiction.
I was intrigued by the plot and characters. I want to give nothing away but, the plot turns were wonderful and I was almost able figure some of it out. For the most part I just let Jane's writing wash over me until the end. Then I read all of the stuff after the story ended because I wanted to know more about how she works.
Read this book if you like WWII history and spy stories.


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The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another slice of history that makes for great reading. Was not sure how this one would go while reading it and was pretty satisfied with the ending. Students of history will recognize how close this is to the actual events; others may think its a fantastic story.
The camaraderie of the women and the weirdness of the men made for interesting reading.

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The Girl from the War Room by Catherine Law
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Kind of book, a historical romance novel. The charachters jumped off the page and continue to show me the strength of the Brits. They carried on life with the bombers overhaed and the bombs raining down.
The characters were not only believeable but they got my sympathy for the real and poingint ways their lives intertwined. suffice it to say I loved it.

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The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful book. A story that spans so much history that I was only partially aware of. This brings the characters to life while not shortchanging their rich culture and history.
The descriptions of life under repressive regimes rang pretty true to the way some in this country are being treated.
Politics aside, the lives of these women and the role of their men is fascinating. It is so different from most of the rest of the world that it takes a few pages to sink in.
Lisa See is a brilliant author and this book is a real masterpiece for so many reasons. The historical perspective, the social perspective and and finally from the way it treats women.

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Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A masterful book creating a whole race of aliens with appearance and motivations that are slightly beyond the ability of humans to grasp. I was struck by the vastness of the story and the feeling that this book only touched the surface. I'm sure the subsequent books will expand.
I guess I'm not a fan of sci fi anymore but Octavia Butler's writing and story lines are impecable.

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An Inside Job by Daniel Silva
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First Silva book I didn't fall in love with. Maybe too many characters. It also might be that the plot was a bit insane. I guess a private citizen might have that kind of papal access but its hard to believe. I did like the way it highlighted a non existent painting.
I'll await Silva's next book and hope for a little more action.

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July Books:

The Passage by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I loved it. Such a strange story, I shall try to keep the spoilers out. Irina Shapiro has taken an old, much used plot to create a wonderfully rich story. The plot line is sufficiently intricate to keep me interested 'til the end. Wonder of wonders, this is the first of a series. If she keeps the same rich, interesting characters, I'm in.
She has an interesting way of conveying the thoughts and motivation of several characters at a time. None of the people in the story seem to fall out of petrsona, that is they behave like real people even if the situation is unreal.

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The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked it enough to read another of Irina Shapiro's books. I have found an author I love. This was an out and out mystery, with a bit of a love story thrown in for good measure. This author has a way with characters that is only matched by her clever plot lines. Just intricate enough to keep me reading.
I moved to The Passage, another number one of a series by this author and found the same clever story and interesting, realistic characters.

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A Disruptive Invention by Peter Shackle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book ten years ago and did not remember it for a second. Its a theme I like and this time I like it better. I guess nothing stays the same. I thought the story was interesting and thoughtful. To lazy to look up my old review. Its a what if, story and is very technichal in the beginning but it smooths out later.

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