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Pigletto rated a book.

• Rated 3 stars

Pigletto rated a book.

• Rated 4 stars

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Book Concierge reviewed a book.

“This wonderful book has become a staple graduation gift for students leaving grade school, high school, and college. I first received it when I was leaving my job to start a completely new career. It moved me to tears. It inspired me, motivated me, soothed me, and informed me. I take it out...”

“This wonderful book has become a staple graduation gift for students leaving grade school, high school, and college. I first received it when I was leaving my job to start a completely new career. It moved me to tears. It inspired me, motivated me, soothed me, and informed me. I take it out and re-read it every time I feel stuck in my life’s journey. Seuss doesn’t sugarcoat things; he states there will be bumps in the road and foul weather and enemies surrounding you at times, but as long as you keep hiking and climbing you WILL get there (wherever there is). Oh, the places you’ll go!

UPDATE May 2013 - I re-read this with my niece, who is graduating from high school this month. Oh, the places SHE'll go!”

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• Rated 5 stars

“xx hrs - borrowed from dunlap library -”

“xx hrs - borrowed from dunlap library - ”

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• Rated 3 stars

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“Get well soon!”

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Book Concierge reviewed a book.

“Book on CD performed by Rosalyn Landor

Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Stoneybridge, on Ireland’s west coast. Still, when Chicky Starr buys Stone House from the last remaining Sheedy sister and announces she will turn it into a special kind of inn for paying guests, most...”

“Book on CD performed by Rosalyn Landor

Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Stoneybridge, on Ireland’s west coast. Still, when Chicky Starr buys Stone House from the last remaining Sheedy sister and announces she will turn it into a special kind of inn for paying guests, most everyone is certain the plan will fail. When the young people of town are leaving for the big city, who would want to come to tiny Stoneybridge? But Chicky assembles an eclectic group of travelers for her opening week, and begins a new chapter in her life and in the future of Stoneybridge.

This is Binchy’s last novel, published posthumously. It’s evident that she loved the landscape and the people of Ireland and she conveys that beautifully. This is an ensemble piece and there are sections devoted to each of the major players. From Chicky Starr (who comes back to Stoneybridge after decades in America) to Rigger (bad-boy turned general manager) to Freda (librarian and psychic), the reader gets to know each of the characters dreams, disappointments, strengths and flaws.

Rosalyn Landor does a wonderful job performing the audio version. She is a gifted voice artist and has a wide repertoire of voices and accents which allows her to bring the many character’s to life. My only disappointment is that it is Binchy’s last work – I would love to be able to look forward to a sequel.
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Book Concierge reviewed a book.

“Audio book narrated by the author.
3.5*** (4**** for the book / 3*** for the audio)

Detective Gus Ramone thinks he recognizes a signature in the body of a local teen found shot in a community garden in a middle-class area of Washington DC. Twenty years ago, when he was just a...”

“Audio book narrated by the author.
3.5*** (4**** for the book / 3*** for the audio)

Detective Gus Ramone thinks he recognizes a signature in the body of a local teen found shot in a community garden in a middle-class area of Washington DC. Twenty years ago, when he was just a rookie, Ramone and his partner Dan “Doc” Holiday” assisted veteran detective T.C. Cook in the investigation of several murders. The serial killer, dubbed “The Night Gardener” because the bodies were left in gardens, was never found. Now Ramone must wonder whether the murderer is back, or whether this is a copycat. Cook is long since retired, but the case still haunts him. Holiday is no longer on the force, having quit under a cloud of suspicion, and now operates a limousine service. But this boy’s death will bring all three men together in an effort to finish the work begun decades previously.

Pelecanos writes a tight, suspenseful mystery/thriller. I was completely drawn into the story and there were enough complexities to the plot to keep me guessing all the way through. The action is fast but he still takes time to carefully draw his characters, slowly revealing one layer at a time and demonstrating that the line between right and wrong, truth and justice, good guys and bad guys is frequently blurred. This is my first Pelecanos, but it won’t be my last!

Had I read the text, I would have rated this higher because the quality of the writing merited 4-stars. However, Pelecanos read the audio book himself. His lack of voice-over training means that most characters sound the same and with a fast moving plot it was sometimes hard to distinguish who was speaking. On the other hand, perhaps he was purposely going for that “jaded cop” quality. Audio gets only 3-stars.
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StoryHeart rated a book.

• Rated 5 stars

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Kristal reviewed a book.

“At the age of 5, Adam's sister walks out on him and his father. He is eventually placed into the state system of foster care, moving from one uncaring family to the next. This hard-luck caused Adam to learn to depend solely on himself and he worked hard to climb the ladder of success and become a...”

“At the age of 5, Adam's sister walks out on him and his father. He is eventually placed into the state system of foster care, moving from one uncaring family to the next. This hard-luck caused Adam to learn to depend solely on himself and he worked hard to climb the ladder of success and become a self-made millionaire. He picks the daughter of a wealthy peer to marry and their only daughter wants for nothing. A rags-to-riches fairy tale. Until the day that Adam's secretary leaves a note on his desk that sends the man into an emotional tailspin and all his years of wall-building comes crumbling down. His breakdown causes him to serve a community service sentence. Adam hits bottom, both emotionally and physically. Unable to pay for the things he is use to having, Adam must work his way back to the top. But this time, he finds that the top isn't where he wants to be. Along the way, Adam attempts to help a man with a stray dog causes him to walk into a local animal shelter. Enter Chance - a pit bull breed solely for fighting. Never seeing the light of day or enjoying the friendly feeling of a human hand, Chance has only seen the inside of a cellar or a fighting ring. Yet when a miracle of miracles happens and he escapes, Chance discovers that he doesn't enjoy the fighting life and longs to be a free dog that can come and go as he pleases. When he and Adam get together, it isn't love at first site. But the two are thrown together and their bond slowly begins to form.

Sadly, I couldn't get any feelings for Adam. His rag-to-riches story was uplifting but I never felt like we were able to get to really know him. But I did enjoy the chapters that were from Chance. The two seemed to balance out and made for an okay book. Nothing extraordinary. A nice enjoyable read. ”