One of the best parts of being booksellers is the constant influx of pre-released books, known as Advanced Readers Copies or ARCs that we are allowed to review. It is is also sometimes the most overwhelming. This is where our customers come in. When we have an over-abundance of ARCs to read, we will place them on a cart in the front of our store and offer them to our customers. All that we ask in return is that the customers email us a review of the books they choose. Below is a random list of titles our customers have reviewed for us and their opinions.
By Susan P.
1.Well researched English historical novel about the mystery of a patchwork quilt. The quilt is the main character in story lines involving several periods in people’s lives. Brought to a “Well tied” up conclusion.2. Lost sleep getting to the end- my highest compliment.3.Yes you should offer it for sale4. The author’s first book The Forgotten Telegram5. The book includes a study guide and an interesting conversation with the author about fabrics.Should be very appealing to the many quilting fans in Lewis County.
By Stephanie C.
Summary: Insight into Earnest Hemingway's private life from the perspective of his relationship with his four wives based on real letters and telegrams.I likes it and would recommend the book to others.Yes I would offer this book .Historical fiction I have no specific book in mindI think this book has a vary inviting cover.
By Stephanie C.
Title: And Then She Was Gone
Author: Rosalind Noonan
Summary: Lauren, a 11 year old girl was abducted and is found when she was 17. The story is about Lauren and her family reunification process. Insight into family dynamics and therapy.
I enjoyed the book. I did not first choose the book and am not attracted to the cover. I do not think it gives insight into the content of the book. This book would be good for those who like real life issues. I do not think the cover draws you in. Interesting facts about equine therapy. The story takes place in the Portland, Oregon area where the further currently lives.
Thank You for the good reads!
By Shelleen L.
Time travel and the impact of changing the events of what is the current past. Captivating and easy read for teens and adults. I did like it Yes you should offer it for sale I think in the young adult section
By Denise L.
A memoir by a man, who is now a doctor. He tells of his molestation by his Boy Scout leader, who he finds out has adopted many boys over the years. He also details his subsequent struggle to work through his feelings and then his journey to bring the molester to justice.
I don't think I'd recommend this book. The author is gay and the first 60 pages are mostly details of the gay dating scene, which sounded like a 15 year old, giggly girl's story. I think this book would appeal mostly to gays.
By Steve H.
I liked it, it was my style of reading. It is about a woman who aquires a duckling to care for after her mother dies, and about her over-attachment
with the duck and how she puts her life back together. It was somewhat "hard" to read, because it was abstract in places. Meaning I had to decepher how some ideas fit into the story as a whole. I hope that makes sense. I like this kind of book though, its also very heavy on the meaning of life. I think you should offer it for sale.
By Denise L.
The story revolves around Annie, a mother with two daughters who are on a swim team. Annie also swims while the girls are practicing and sometimes it seems the water 'speaks' to her. When a murder occurs near their small community, questions arise to whether this murder could be connected to one that happened many years before.
The book got my attention right from the start and I really enjoyed it. I think it would especially appeal to mothers. I think you should offer it for sale.
Thanks for the opportunity!
By Anne H.
Summary: A group of people from different faiths and persuasions gather at Auschwitz to meditate and reflect on it's horrors and meaning. There is a good deal of tension, anger, and mystery, as well as a yearned for romance, as characters reveal their reasons for participating in this event. Interplay with contemporary people living near by the camp provides a thought provoking glimpse of the Holocaust's place in history.
Like/Dislike:
While Mattiesen's language is always exquisite, I was disappointed in the book. The "plot" is a bit weak and the story unfolds stiffly. Some parts of the narrative simply make no sense - it's written almost as if the characters were forced to come to this event rather than being willing participants. It seemed as though Mattiesen was pursuing some substories - an interfaith romance, the role of the Catholic church in the Holocaust, etc. but these just faded off, as did the novel.
Purchase: I don't think so.
If you liked this book...you might also like....
Night, by Elie Wiesel
Other thoughts: Despite my disappointment, the book prompted me to seek out additional information on the Holocaust, including photos, You Tube videos, etc. So in this sense, the novel was a success. We cannot ever forget!
Thanks for the opportunity to read this book. It was such a treat to find your offerings of these books and I hope my comments aren't too late. I've loved visiting your store for many years!
By Beau C., Age 10
The story is about a boy who gets framed for stealing a Koala. He has to clear his name and avoid the bully named Vance or he will get sent to juvie.
I liked the book! It made me want to keep reading and not stop. You should offer it for sale.
If you like this book, you would also like Northwoods by Brian Falkner.
Note: Beau is a 4th grade student who reads at the 7th to 8th grade level.
By Hank C.
A fisherman passes on his family's lobster fishing heritage to his daughter along with the legendary family curse.
I liked the book and enjoyed reading it.
By Jessica W.
I really wanted to like this book, that’s why I kept going with it, even though it didn’t lure me in at first. Problem was, I never could connect with the main character. I like dark, personal books. I don’t mind erotic books. But I kept having the feeling that because I promised to do this review, it was homework. It felt like a relief when I realized I could stop reading any time I wanted to.
The character development was vague and slow, the plot was a snooze, the writing style was irritating (too many similes and metaphors) and I didn’t really get the point. After 75 pages, I realized I didn’t care what happened next and put the book down.
By Anne L.
A very well written book. I had a hard time putting it down so I could sleep.
I liked it a lot. I think your customers would like this book very much.
By Hazel W.
What can possibly be better than Sherlock Holmes with a supernatural flair? Jackaby is a very unique mixture of faery story, mystery and adventure with instantly lovable characters and a good dose of humor on the side. This is the best book I have read so far this year. I am very much looking forward to seeing what Willian Ritter will come up with next after this amazing debut.
By Beau C.
A mouse named Hopper that's been in a cage his whole life gets his mother taken away from him, and he has to find her. But his mother murmured a strange word - "mews" - as she was taken away.
Hopper has to get out of his cage because a boy will feed him to his snake. When they get out they get separated in the sewers and Hopper thinks he must find his brother and sister. Hopper finds out that the word meant "mus" not "mews", and "mus" is a rebel army that fights to destroy a castle ruled by a rat. Hopper finds out that the castle ruled by the rat has a peace treaty with the cats that they can't eat their mice, but they have to give some mice to them to eat, by so-called colonizing. So the rebels are trying to take down the castle. I like this book a lot. I think this book should be for sale, and if you liked this book you might like the Warriors series.