Nautical Notes Adult Summer Literary Cruise
   Captain's LogReading RulesBook ListSign Me UpCrew LogPrizes!!Prize Winners
Book Ratings & Reviews 
This is the Official Crew Log of the SS Pearl
Rating Book Ratings:
1 = poor   2 = fair 3 = average  4 = good  5 = excellent 

The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney 
Rating Rating Rating Rating rating

Roar of the Heavens by Stefan Bechtel
Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating

     An excellent book about Hurricane Camille.  This destructive hurricane hit the Mississippi Gulf coast in August 1969, and moved to enact severe damage 2 days later in central Virginia.  Winds on the Gulf Coast were 200 miles/hour and central Virginia received 30 inches of rain.  The power of the storm is described by the forecasters and citizens as the storm progressed.  Entire towns and communities disappeared and many people were killed or injured.  Camille was the strongest hurricane ever to land in the U.S.

     This book also gives detailed, but easily understood definition of a hurricane, and how it forms, moves and grows.  The destructive power will make you view this weather system as a real danger.  Read this book and you will no longer “ride out” the storms, but you will follow the directions of our public officials and forecasters.

      Everyone in a landfall area for a hurricane should     read this book.  (You might decide to move).  - Jane Abbot

The Lottery by Patricia Wood
Rating Rating Rating rating  

     I thought it was a very good summer read.  Liked the characters; liked the story.  I also liked the use of the word “auditor” and the differentiation between “remembering” and “not forgetting”. I recommend the book.  - Joan Keith 

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
     Everybody dies but the villain and the sheriff.  Lots of insights to be had.  - Steve Witmer

The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly
Rating Rating Rating    
The Forever Instinct by Barbara Delinsky
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
Mrs. Bridge by Evan Connell
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Rating Rating Rating    

     An unusual book. I feel it was a catharsis for the author following the sudden death of her spouse and the serious illness of her daughter. A reminder for each of us that life may be over in a split second. - Jean Owens

 

     It’s subject on grieving is too personal. It probably helped the author however, not book material. Everyone goes through this in life but, you relate to yourself and your friends and not to an unknown to you author. - Susan Barrick
Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
Phantom Prey by John Sandford
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
     Villain was predictable but, how it was going to conclude wasn’t. - John Walter
No Night is Too Long by Barbara Vine
Rating        
Babes in the Wood by Ruth Rendell
Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating
Killing Floor by Lee Childs
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
The Two Minute Rule  by Robert Crais
Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating
A Game Warden’s Field Notes by Sergeant Jon Ober
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
     This quick and easy read is a local story written by a man who grew up in Mathews and has stayed on to help regulate those who “hunt” outside the rules.  He recounts almost thirty incidents that contained danger, tension, perseverance and humor.  - Dave Abbott
“D” is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton
Rating Rating Rating    
     Quick read, only 229 pages.  - Maxine Francisco
“Q” is for Quarry by Sue Grafton
Rating        
“R” is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton
Rating Rating Rating    
“L” is for Lawless by Sue Grafton
Rating Rating Rating    
     More violence than others in Alphabet Series.  - Maxine Francisco

A Game Warden’s Field Notes II by Sergeant Jon Ober
Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating

     His first book is good and this is excellent! His stories and the telling of them is improving.  I don’t know where he will go beyond “excellent”.  - Dave Abbott

Travels With Dick and Cindy by Cynthia Hurst
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
     This is her second book.  Available on Amazon.  Personal recollections of travels in Eastern U.S., Portugal, Costa Rica, France & England.  Valuable for exact recommendations on foods, restaurants and places to stay.  Enjoyable reading.    - Dave Abbott

Shem Creek by Dorothea Benton Frank
Rating Rating Rating Rating  

     Linda Breland, divorced mother of two daughters, moves from N.J. to Mount Pleasant, S.C. where her sister Mimi lives.  Linda finds employment in a restaurant and her whole life slowly turns around.  With another novel set in the low country, Dorothea Frank has another winner!  - Jean Owens

A tradition of Pride by Janet Dailey
Rating Rating Rating    

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
Rating Rating Rating Rating  
 Very thought provoking.  - Maxine Francisico

Degrees of Separation by Sue Henry
Rating Rating      

The Lamorna Wink by Martha Grimes
Rating Rating Rating Rating  

The Diplomat’s Wife by Pam Jenoff
Rating Rating Rating    

Open Season by Linda Howard 

Rating Rating Rating Rating  
     Great, light summer reading for women.  Combines mystery with “coming-out” of the town librarian (not at all like our fashionable Ms. Bette).  Relaxing! - Melinda Maddox
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Rating Rating Rating Rating  

Third Angel by Alice Hoffman
Rating Rating Rating Rating  

The Shell Seekers by Rosamonde Pilcher

Rating Rating Rating Rating  
     This is a long book (400 pages in paperback) of an English family of 3 generations from before, during and after WWII.  The story of the Stan/Keeting family reflects the lives of other families, but with a sensitive and honest retelling that is pleasant