Blogcritics Author: Ruthie

Book Review: The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel

Ruthie — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 20:47:03 EDT

Koppel found a genuine treasure in this diary, a life so full and rich that would have gone unnoticed.
The Red Leather Diary is a book written from a genuine diary written in 1930s New York. The original was the work of Florence Wolfson; it was found and its story fleshed out by Lily Koppel. She found it in an abandoned trunk in a storage room in her building. Florence was a teenage girl with an exceptional life. She fascinated Koppel and with the...

Book Review: The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford

Ruthie — Sun, 1 Jun 2008 20:20:12 EDT

Mystery, murder, suspense wrapped between sixth grade school assignments and family drama.
The Shadow Year tells a story of a family struggling with alcoholism and financial strain. The nameless middle child of the family narrates this story as he and his older brother set out to find answers to mysteries surrounding their neighborhood. In one year a child goes missing, a man is found dead and there is prowler. The boys have a small...

Book Review: Madison Avenue Maxi by Elke Gazzara

Ruthie — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:29:08 EDT

Elke Gazzara (wife of actor Ben Gazzara) writes about the joys of owning her dachshund Maxi.
In Madison Avenue Maxi, Elke Gazzara (wife of actor Ben Gazzara) writes about the joys of owning her dachshund, Maxi. The delightful little dog enjoys the jet-set lifestyle, dining with royalty and staying in exclusive hotels as the only dog ever allowed on the premise. This book is well written and entertaining from the first page. The author...

Book Review: House Rules by Rachel Sontag

Ruthie — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:05:32 EDT

Rachel Sontag tells an honest and heartbreaking story of abuse and what it takes to escape the abuser.
House Rules is a memoir by Rachel Sontag. She writes about growing up in a home with an abusive father, a doctor who is respected and loved in their community. Her mother is determined to have a perfect family so she tunes out the abuse, which leaves the author alone with her pain. Her overly critical father would spend hours late at night telling...

Book Review: Dreaming In Libro by Louise Bernikow

Ruthie — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:11:31 EDT

Once fiercely independent and single, Bernikow undergoes a transformation.
Dreaming in Libro by Louise Bernikow is a love story involving the author and a dog. Bernikow is a writer living in New York City who never had the time nor a desire for a pet, but a random encounter with a dog in need changed everything. Once fiercely independent, tough and single, Louise undergoes a transformation. Together she and the dog learn...

Book Review: Notorious by Michelle Martinez

Ruthie — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:21:01 EDT

Drugs and deceit combine to make this legal thriller a fascinating look at courtroom drama and drug-related gang violence.
Notorious by Michelle Martinez, is a novel about New York prosecutor Melanie Vargas, who's handling a high profile case involving a drug king pin turned rap star, Atari Briggs. Death, drugs and deceit blend into a provocative and edgy story about courtroom battles and frightening gang violence.With time about to run out before the hearing...

Book Review: The Dark Tide by Alex Gross

Ruthie — Fri, 9 May 2008 18:19:27 EDT

Karen is surprised and finds it hard to believe her husband led a secret life that put him and their family in danger.
The Dark Tide is a suspense-filled thriller written by Alex Gross. The story begins with explosions in Grand Central Station, which widow the protagonist, Karen. As she struggles to come to terms with the loss of her husband, she is shocked to find out that he was living a double life, one that has now put her and her children in danger. ...

Book Review: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Ruthie — Thu, 8 May 2008 19:13:52 EDT

The author captures the best and worst of an enduring friendship.
Firefly Lane is a beautiful story about a friendship that survives three decades. At its core are Tully and Kate, who became best friends at age 14 and are always together through life's heartaches and triumphs. In Tully, Kristen Hannah has created a wild and undisciplined teenager; she rarely sees her drug-addicted mother and lives most of the...

Book Review: Flight by Vanna Bonta

Ruthie — Tue, 6 May 2008 19:03:09 EDT

This novel within a novel will captivate readers with a story of space travel between dimensions.
In Flight, Vanna Bonta has written a novel within a novel that will captivate readers with a story of inter-dimensional space travel. This story may be science fiction, but there are some common thematic threads (love, loss and dependence) that are relevant regardless of what dimension you are from. In the main story, the character Mendle creates...

Book Review: Ruby Among Us by Tina Ann Forkner

Ruthie — Tue, 6 May 2008 18:51:12 EDT

The beauty of the roses surround much heartbreak and uncertainty but represent all that is loved and remembered.
Ruby Among Us is a novel about love, forgiveness, and understanding involving a grandmother and granddaughter. The granddaughter, Lucy is eight years old when she begins telling her story, starting with the death of her mother Ruby. Because she is so young when Ruby dies, Lucy struggles to remember her and is bursting with questions, but her...