Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee

He read, she read - already published

He read

Didn't find the portrayal of Atticus disturbing at all.He seemed to be just an attorney who was looking for justice and upholding the law but was still caught up in the culture of the deep south.Related to a lot of the description of small town living.Light, realistic story about the south during the 50s.  A quick read.

She read

A quick read.  Don’t let all the publicity and negative comments about this book scare you off.  I enjoyed it.  I was just sorry that Harper Lee hadn’t had the opportunity to really edit and expand this novel.  

The English Spy - Daniel Silva

He read - already published

Another of the Gabriel Allon    series.  Good thriller.  Excellent story. Learned more about the IRA and the “Troubles” and the Ira connection to Iran.   If you are a Silva fan, you will enjoy this. 

A Song of Shadows - John Connolly

He read - Publish date 9/29/15

Standard  Charlie Parker genre with slightly supernatural twist.  I always enjoy the characters who surround Charlie. 

Playing with Fire - Tess Gerritson

She Read - Publish date: Oct. 27, 2015

As a fan of Gerritson’s Rizzoli and Isles characters, I wasn’t sure about reading a standalone novel….but I liked it.  I enjoyed the parallel stories, one taking place in the 1940s Fascist Italy   and the other present day.  Some reviewers of this book have said they didn’t like the ending; I did.  I thought it believable and satisfying

Bum Rap - Paul Levine

He read - Publish date July 1, 2015

A Jake Lassiter book.  Fast reading, entertaining; set in south Florida.   Interesting characters, A decent, light read.  

Luckiest Girl Alive - Jessica Knoll

She read - already published

When I first saw a review of this book, I wasn’t interested in it.  But, then it was on the NY TImes bestseller list for a number of weeks and was, in some ads, compared to Gone Girl  which I REALLY liked, so I thought I’d give it a chance.  After I started it, I was going to give it up…something I rarely do with a book.  But, I stuck with it.  There was a twist that came later in the book that peaked my interest a bit. All in all, though, it’s not one I would highly recommend.  If you have nothing else to read and are curious, give it a try.  And, by the way, I don’t think it can compare to Gone Girl.  

Bloodline - Alan Gold and Mike Jones

He read - written in 2013

This is the first book in The Heritage Trilogy, although he read the second one (Birthright) first. Like Birthright, he really liked the book.  Filled with facts, but an enjoyable read, the authors did an excellent job transitioning between ancient history and modern day Israel and Palestine.

In the Unlikely Event - Judy Blume

She read.....already published.

I'm a little late getting around to this, but...

  I really liked this book.  Based on true events, I wasn’t aware of the three plane crashes that occurred in Elizabeth, NJ in the winter of 51-52 which resulted in the closing down of Newark Airport for a period of time.  I liked the perspective of telling the stories of individuals and families who were touched by these events….how life goes on, but there is always the looming presence.  Blume begins each chapter with a short fictional, but historically accurate, newspaper clipping that reflects life in the early 50s.  

Circling the Sun - Paula McLain

He Read - Publish date July 28, 2015

Another work of historical fiction by the author of The Paris Wife.  If you enjoyed Out of Africa, you'll like this. Very informative about the colonial period of Africa.

The Murderer's Daughter - Jonathan Kellerman

She read - Publish date August 18, 2015

I am a fan of Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series.  This is a standalone work, although the main character who is also a psychologist does mention and has had contact with Delaware. I vacillated while reading this.  At first I didn’t particularly enjoy it; I forced myself to stay with it and then I became engrossed by it.  There is a dual storyline, the present activities of Dr. Grace Blades as well as her childhood. I found the childhood story more compelling, if somewhat of a fairytale.  Kellerman does a good job presenting a female perspective and psychological views.  Some people may not “connect" with Blades as an adult, but the revelations of her childhood explain the person she has become.  

Injustice - Lee Goodman

He read.   Publish date Sept. 15, 2015

Good story, character development and courtroom activity.  The book held my interest, although the ending could have been more realistic.  

Becoming George Washington Stephen Yoch

He read   Publish date Sept. 1, 2015


This is an EXCELLENT piece of historical fiction. I found this to be one of the best, if not the best depiction of Washington’s early life and career. Factfilled but written in an extremely interesting manner. A great read. 

Somebody I Used to Know - David Bell

She read.  Publish date July 7, 2015

This is my first David Bell novel, and I’m glad I discovered it.  It is a quick, engrossing read that will appeal to the mystery lover as well as the romantic. I didn’t want to put it down. It contains many twists, some of the predictable.  Somebody I Used to Know makes a great beach or curl up on the couch read.

Injustice - Lee Goodman

He Read  Publish date Sept. 15, 2015

Good story.  Held my interest.  Good character development and courtroom activity. Twists in the story.  The ending could have been more realistic.

Birthright - Alan Gold, Mike Jones

He read. Publish date Aug. 4, 2015

This is the second book in the Heritage Trilogy; reading the first one is not necessary to enjoy this excellent book.  Birthright provides historical background on the formation of the states of Palestine and Israel and today’s conflict.  Very informative, yet an enjoyable, suspenseful read. 

Killing Secrets - Dianne Emley

She read. Publish date July 21, 2015

This was my first Nan Vining mystery and I have added her to my list of beloved female sleuths.  A fast paced, absorbing read with well developed characters, I didn’t want to put it down. Now I will try to go back and read the previous novels in this series.

Speaking in Bones - Kathy Reichs

Publish date 7/21/15

She read.

Another in the "Bones" series by Kathy Reichs.  I have never watched the television series.  I tried it once for a few minutes, but the actress just didn't fit my "picture" of Tempe Brennan, so I was turned off to it......Anyway, my thoughts....

 Reading another Kathy Reichs Temperance Brennan “Bones” novels is like visiting with an old friend. A very intelligent friend who is sometimes not so smart when placing herself in dangerous situations. I always gleam some new information from her novels, whether it be in the area of forensic anthropology or, in this book, the "ghost lights" near Brown Mountain in Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s difficult to put down one of Ms. Reichs' novels as her foreshadowing of events at the ends of chapters keeps the intrigue going and prods the reader to go on for “just one more chapter". While this may not be her best effort, I enjoyed it and it was nice to see Ryan back in her life....or is he?

He read/she read

Join us to read quick reviews of the latest books we have read.  Our tastes are different.  He likes historical fiction; I usually choose mysteries...lighter beach reading.  We both enjoy courtroom and some police procedurals and dislike fantasy and science fiction.

I'm not going to summarize the books...you can read a summary of any of them on sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, etc.....