Barbara Koefod > Recent Status Updates

Compelling characters whose chronicle spans six decades make this novel memorable and meaningful. With deft narrative skill, Marjan Kamali addresses classism, redemption, corruption and the ability of the human spirit to prevail against oppression.
Beautiful historical fiction that will stay with me.

A truly wonderful novel embraces human frailty, mystery and simple, artful prose. "Broken Country" is a truly wonderful novel.

Very uplifting story of the best aspects of friendship amongst an unlikely trio of characters dealing with loss. Garvin crafts believable, endearing subjects. An altogether wonderful novel.

Lovely, deep, dark, redemptive.

Poignant, fascinating examination of the Great Migration. Through the experiences of three amazing individuals, the Migration spanning 6 decades is chronicled. It's a long but enlightening historical summation, well worth reading.

Not sure why this novel elicited so much hype. In the Audible format, the flat narration matched the one-dimensional characters. I'm left feeling this novel could have been so much more.

This memoir will stay with me.
Excellent and engaging. Heartfelt and inspiring.

Baffling ending and the constant reminders throughout that women are considered disposable. Still, the novel inspired and was, sadly, based on the status quo of Palestinian women.

Excellent, brutally honest observations on systemic racism and weight discrimination. This memoir will stay with me.

"Between Two Kingdoms:" Souleika Jaoaud's riveting, honest, beautifully rendered chronicle. A celebration of the spaces of uncertainty that hold the most exquisite people, experience and places. A raw study of ways in which loss offers gifts of healing and humanity.
Jaouad's story will stay with me.

King is the master of painting every character with telling, nuanced strokes. There were a lot of characters to keep track of--my only criticism of this poignant, riveting novel.

Very inspiring and a cathartic look at toxic relationships--the toll they exact and the lengths to which Land went to win her freedom from toxicity. Honest glimpse into the challenges and compromises of single parenting and poverty level living.

A bit of a soap opera. Predictable and formulaic. Shallow, entitled characters whose misadventures were frustratingly avoidable. Just meh.

Addiction, the sexual revolution, women's liberation, ongoing civil rights-- topics that were brought to national attention in the seventies--are reduced to shallow soap opera vignettes in Mary Jane. If you're looking for a glossy account of how we were, Blau delivers, ala sit com snapshots.
The characters are entitled, making it challenging to emphasize with their self absorbed lives.
Pure entertainment.

Characters that elicit empathy; hilarity; artful descriptions; and heart wrenching dilemmas--We Begin At the End is the real deal. Whitaker has created a masterpiece that will stay with me.
One noteworthy aspect of the novel: The voices, especially of Robin and Dutchess, are credible and compelling.

Mesmerizing psychological thriller.

Thought provoking. I'm a senior, so I've figured a lot out about passions, fears and relationships.
Doyle's life has been more charmed than many, mine included. I found myself chafing against her entitled perspective. Still, she addresses biases, self-imposed limitations, societal expectations and parenting challenges that are worth considering anew.

Thought provoking. I'm a senior, so I've figured a lot out about passions, fears and relationships.
Doyle's life has been more charmed than many, mine included. I found myself chafing against her entitled perspective. Still, she addresses biases, self-imposed limitations, societal expectations and parenting challenges that are worth considering anew.

I LOVED Newman's memoir!!!

Spooky Goodness.