Reviews

Ever try to climb Mt. Everest when near the top you nearly die and then sense an uncanny invisible presence pushing to you survive the climb? No? Recent climbers have named the phenomenon the third man factor, but they’re not the only ones to describe it.

In 1904, 25-year-old Carrine Gafkjen traveled to bleak, blustery North Dakota to stake out a 160-acre homestead. After living alone for 6 months, barring her door against coyotes and walking 10 miles weekly for drinking water, she meets the conditions of the Homestead Act, and the land is hers. This is just the beginning of a remarkable true story of pioneering courage.

A new, highly desirable, carefully controlled commodity is about to be introduced to Europe’s markets. Miquel Lienzo is a trader down on his luck, who believes this new gold –“coffee”- could re-establish his credibility – if he can find the funds necessary to carry out an audacious plan.

Always in search of a new great mystery/thriller that will keep me reading through the late night hours, I discovered The Last Child by John Hart on the Edgar Awards website.  John Hart's first novel was nominated for Best First Novel, his second won the Edgar for Best Novel, and his third one, The Last Child, is a 2010 nominee for Best N

This offbeat love story will be a delight for readers who enjoy quirky characters in unusual situations. Set in Sweden, this novel is about broken hearts and fumbling relationships. It is charming and funny and begins in a graveyard where a smile brought together two lonely people who couldn’t possibly be more different from one another.

A serial killer is murdering young women across the country. He has been dubbed the "Christopher Killer" because he leaves a St. Christopher medal with each of his victims. Dr.

Rhoda Janzen has it all. She has her Ph.D, her Prada and her lake house. She also has a very handsome husband, Nick, who has just left her for a man named Bob that he met on gay.com. If that isn't enough, Rhoda is involved in a serious car accident one short week after learning about Bob. How can this possibly be one of the funniest memoirs I've read to date?

Five things I hate about Rick Moody:

1. His writerly tone can be absolutely obnoxious. I mean overbearing, arrogant, snotty, condescending, downright rude to the reader.

2. His world view is bleaker than mine, which makes me jealous.

Are you one of those people who has never seen When Harry Met Sally? If your answer is yes, I say what are you waiting for? They say that laughter is the best medicine, and this movie is worth a few laughs. Yes, it’s a chick flick about male/female relationships, but it pokes fun at both genders—in a good way! A collaborative effort by the hilariously talented duo Nora Ephron (writer) and Ron Reiner (director) during their marriage, this film presents many insights into the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that drive men and women either closer or further apart.