Book reviews written by Diane L

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Displaying 1-10 of 91 reviews

The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama's Historic Victory

by David Plouffe
- Rated 5 stars
“A very interesting insight into the primary and general election campaign strategy for Barack Obama. I liked reading it now when the election was still somewhat fresh in my memory.”

Diane L wrote this review 7 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
Measure of the Heart: A Father's Alzheimer's, A Daughter's Return

by Mary Ellen Geist
- Rated 5 stars
“A single, professional daughter returns home to help her mom be a caregiver for her father who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Her father has had Alzheimer's for 10 years, but now needs lots of care. This is a realistic, poignant book of their successes, their struggles, their happiness, and their sadness. Lots of books and other resources are mentioned throughout and in the back. The author does not hesitate to say caregivers need to take time for themselves. I'd recommend for any caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient or someone who just wants to learn more about the disease.”

Diane L wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
The Gargoyle

by Andrew Davidson
- Rated 2 stars
“Not my kind of book, although I was interested enough to finish it. Took me a long time to read. I liked the love story/reincarnation angle and the "Lover's Tales" that were interwoven throughout the novel, but something just did not make me really like this book. That said, this might be one of those that I keep thinking about and then say, "hey, I DID like that". The last few pages were great.”

Diane L wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel

by Jamie Ford
- Rated 5 stars
“Chinese boy, Japanese girl, Seattle 1942, fall in love, Internment Camp ... a great story. The author did a great job of weaving the story betwen the 1940's and the 1980's. I liked the main characters (Ethel too, although she was barely in the book her presence was there), despised the narrow-minded Chinese father, and learned more of what it was like for Japanese-Americans in WWII. Interesting father-son relationship too.”

Diane L wrote this review Wednesday, November 25 2009. ( reply | permalink )
The Partly Cloudy Patriot (Unabridged)

by Sarah Vowell
- Rated 4 stars
“I love learning American History with Sarah Vowell. Her wit and sarcasm and slant on things matches my on weird humor and outlook. Not sure her style would be for everyone.”

Diane L wrote this review Monday, November 23 2009. ( reply | permalink )
The Glassblower of Murano

by Marina Fiorato
- Rated 4 stars
“Sort of light, but I enjoyed the history of glassblowing in Murano and the Venice setting. The author did a good job of interweaving the 1600's and present day. ”

Diane L wrote this review Monday, November 23 2009. ( reply | permalink )
Voices: A Reykjavik Thriller

by Mr. Arnaldur Indridason
- Rated 4 stars
“Another good Icelandic mystery. Love the detective, whose name I forget!!”

Diane L wrote this review Monday, November 23 2009. ( reply | permalink )
The Philosopher and the Wolf: Lessons in Love, Death, and Happiness

by Mark Rowlands
- Rated 2 stars
“Another book where I'd like to give 2.5 stars. I loved the parts dealing with Brenin, his pet wolf, and his other dogs. But ... most of the rest was too deep for me. I found those parts somewhat fascinating, but only for a few pages... then I had to skip hunks of pages.

Hmmm ... maybe not the best pick for me to take on a beach vacation! Way too much thinking!!!!”

Diane L wrote this review Friday, November 13 2009. ( reply | permalink )
Better

by Atul Gawande
- Rated 4 stars
“Another very readable medical non-fiction book by Dr. Gawande. The book is divided into three main sections - Diligence, Doing Right, and Ingenuity. Chapters within each section offer fascinatiing insights into such things as washing hands, the casualities of war, physcians who participate in the death penalty, malpractice and more. ”

Diane L wrote this review Friday, November 13 2009. ( reply | permalink )
The Blood of Flowers

by Anita Amirrezvani
- Rated 3 stars
“I like books like this - historical fiction and set in another culture. I learned a lot about 17th century Persia. Something was missing ... maybe more depth .. then I could have given it 4-stars.”

Diane L wrote this review Friday, November 13 2009. ( reply | permalink )