"The Good People" by Hannah Kent

The Good People by Hannah Kent is based on a true story!  Nora, after the death of her husband, is put in charge of her grandson.  He can neither speak or walk.  Mary, a young girl, comes to help her but Nora thinks her grandson brings evil.  Only Nance understands the old healing ways, can she banish the evil?  But can she?

Teaser from page 50:  'Musha, Nance of the Fairies, they call her.  Nance na bPucai. There are plenty that will have nothing to do with her on account of it but more who go to her because they believe it so.'

This book is about Irish folklore.  I just loved the language in it!  This book kept me engaged all the way through even though it is a thick one!  It would make a good movie!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Call" by Peadar O'Guilin

The Call by Peadar O'Guilin takes place in Ireland.  The Sidhe have been banished and put in a land of their own and have the power to take young teens to their land.  If you get the "call," good luck on getting away!

This book is an out-and-out horror story.  If this was a movie, I am not sure I would want to see it.  But I was fine reading it.  Nessa is a really good main character.  The last part of the book was a real page turner!  If there is a book 2, sign me up!  If you enjoyed the Hunger Games, then you will probably enjoy this one.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Secret Place" by Tana French

This novel is about a young teen boy found dead on the grounds of an exclusive all-girls school.  One day someone puts up a card on the school bulletin board that they know who killed him.  Do they really or is it just a plot to get some excitement going?

This book is told in two parts:  (1) the action that led up to him being killed, and (2) the two lady detectives trying to figure out if any of the girls know who did it.  Both parts kept my interest and were told very well.  I would have rated it higher if it didn't have so much foul language in it.  The plot is very good though and worth reading.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars--no pluses due to bad language)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Broken Harbor" by Tana French

Broken Harbor by Tana French opens with a murder of a husband, two young children, and the wife in very bad shape. As told by the lead detective, he thinks he has the person who did it, or does he? This is a really good book for sure. I got into it from the get-go and the last 200 pages or so are very gripping. They kept me turning pages until I got to a compelling surprise ending which I loved! I would have liked a little more action throughout, but it certainly is a good read!
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Now and Then" by Jacqueline Sheehan

Now and Then by Jacqueline Sheehan is a nice easy-to-read story about Anna and her nephew, Joseph. After Anna picks up Joseph at a juvenile detention center, that next day they wake up to find themselves in Ireland in the 1800s, back in time! How they cope and what they discover about themselves is the story. My favorite character in the book was Madigan, the dog, who is outstanding! If you are looking for a good story with a happy ending, this book has both.

I also read Lost and Found by this author and liked that one too!
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

Hurry and check out our audio book giveaway of "The Leftovers" by Tom Perrotta. Winner will be chosen Sunday, Oct. 30.

You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"Minding Frankie" by Maeve Binchy

“Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy

I was very disappointed in “Minding Frankie” by Maeve Binchy. First off, I expected Frankie to be a boy and instead it was a baby girl. I was happy when I finally finished this book. It just dragged along for me. It is about a community in Ireland. The main story line is how a bunch of people help Noel, a single alcoholic dad take care of his baby girl that came as a surprise to him. The whole novel only covers the first year of Frankie’s life.

This book is like a soap opera in that there were so many different story lines, none of which I was really interested in. Other characters are Emily, the do-gooder cousin from America, Moira the social worker, Lisa who moves in with Noel because her life is a mess, Charles and Josie who are Noel’s parents that seek to build a statute to a dead saint. There are lots more characters too, all with their own story lines as well. I’d say this book is generally about how people live and how they need one another. It does show how a baby can change everything.

I found this book very boring for the most part. The only excitement was when Frankie was missing for a bit. The ending was good but it took forever to get there.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.