Reviews by Kathleen Q. (Quincy, MA)

If you'd like to be able to easily share your reviews with others, please join BookBrowse.
Order Reviews by:
The Fairbanks Four: Murder, Injustice, and the Birth of a Movement
by Brian Patrick O’Donoghue
Lessons of wrongful convictions (3/30/2025)
Overall I found the book to be extremely interesting and loaded with information. I previously had not heard about this case, even though I consume lots of true crime both in print and in podcasts. One of the things that stands out is that it really points out how witnesses testimony/memories can be very biased and based in what they firmly believe, be it the truth or not, and in the end lead to devastating outcomes. And there are times that these outcomes must be reversed in the name of justice. The road is often very long and difficult.

There were times, however, that I felt the book was a little difficult to follow, especially because chapters were broken down even further, and I would have to go back to reread something to make sense of what I was reading, so that made it take longer to read. There were other times where the author went off on a tangent that would confuse things.

With respect to the factual aspect of the material, it was definitely very thorough from the arrest right up to the overturning of the convictions. Overall, I thought the book was a really good read and would recommend it to any other true crime consumer.
Going Home: A Novel
by Tom Lamont
You really can go home (11/24/2024)
Going home, demonstrates not being a good parent doesn't have to be blood related. Also it demonstrates that you really can go home. When the unthinkable happens to a single mom, Lia, leaving her toddler, Joel, motherless, one of her closest friends. Teo becomes Joel's guardian, more or less by default. The story follows the next year of Joel and Theo's journey, navigating the newly structured family with the help of friends and family, particularly Teo's, dad. It's a story about fathers and sons, and how it really does take a village to raise a child. It is a heart warming and thought-provoking story. I definitely would recommend it
Everything We Never Knew: A Novel
by Julianne Hough
The Complexity of One's True Self (8/3/2024)
This book was difficult to put down. One woman's journey to find her true authentic self through healing was very powerful. The power of our pasts and the complexities of the present can work together to help us confront, heal and grow. Past and present are not mutually exclusive. The author draws you in with such clear connections to the characters, and you feel you are right there with them. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to explore different types of connections in life.
Leaving: A Novel
by Roxana Robinson
The Price of Following your Head or Your Heart (1/7/2024)
LEAVING is an example of dichotomy of following your heart or your head when it comes to a complex relationship that started in the past and was forgotten until a chance interaction later in life. Also entwined is extreme loyalty and honor, but only on one side. Robinson also eloquently shows at what lengths a parent will go to, to ensure their child's happiness. Often a parent will sacrifice their own happiness for their child's, regardless of the cost. LEAVING will spur you to wonder what you would do if you had a chance encounter with an old love and unresolved feelings bubble to the surface. Robinson does justice to the age old question: Do I follow my heart or my head?
You'll Forget This Ever Happened: Secrets, Shame, and Adoption in the 1960s
by Laura L. Engel
Could not put this book down (1/30/2023)
This is by far one of the best memoirs I have ever read. The writer's emotions completely enveloped me from the first page to the last page. It is a strong reminder of how far we've come when it comes to dealing with unexpected pregnancies.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Tanner & Louise unlikely but perfect pair (11/9/2022)
I absolutely loved this book! This book was an excellent example of how inter-generational friendships can have so many wonderful benefits, even if the friendship is formed in unconventional ways. It also shows that what is shown on the outside may not match with what is truly in one's heart. This book is good for both book clubs and people who like to unwrap unconventional friendships.
True Crime Story: A Novel
by Joseph Knox
True Crime Story - Reads like true crime (12/16/2021)
This book was excellent! The style of writing was nothing like I've read before. It reads like the transcript to an interrogation and investigation. Clear and concise so I never had to go back and re-read anything. It was done so well I had to keep reminding myself that it was actually fiction and not a true crime investigation. This book is excellent for anyone who is a crime or true crime fanatic.
Some interesting twists that kept me reading far into the night. I highly recommend this book, and hope there are more to come from this author!
  • Page
  • 1

BookBrowse Book Club

Book Jacket
Broken Country (Reese's Book Club)
by Clare Leslie Hall

Members Recommend

Who Said...

What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading, you wish the author that wrote it was a ...

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Book
Trivia

  • Book Trivia

    Can you name the title?

    Test your book knowledge with our daily trivia challenge!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

W the C A the M W P

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.