Rating: 
Summary: OPEN THE DOOR AND LET THIS ONE IN
Review: This was the first book I've ever read by Elizabeth Berg so perhaps I wasn't expecting as much as the diehard Berg fans have come to expect. For me, this was a pleasurable read -- an eye-opener into the emotions associated with those first few months after your marriage has broken up. Berg chooses a main character, Samantha Morrow, who is easy to relate to. Her ups and downs become the reader's ups and downs and her triumphs will become yours as well. If Sam "lost herself" during her marriage, Open House finds her "rediscovering herself" during the separation.When David, (a wealthy Paul Newman look-alike) tells his wife that he is moving out, Samantha displays emotions that, while are sometimes beyond belief, you can see yourself doing. She goes on a shopping spree at Tiffanys, decides to take in boarders to supplement her income and signs up with a temporary agency in an effort to find a job. In the suspending belief department, each boarder she takes in immediately becomes a family member, King, an MIT graduate who majored in astrophysics, is working at menial jobs and Sam, who is separated from a "wealthy" husband, finds herself counting change in a laundromat as one of her part time jobs. While I had a problem with the time frame -- never quite knowing how much time had passed from chapter to chapter -- I felt that the succession of events were true to form. David leaves Sam; Travis, her son, gives her a hard time; her best friend Rita arrives from California to help Sam get through this hard time; her mother Veronica starts setting her up on blind dates and Sam starts to realize that there is "light at the end of the tunnel." Reading about Sam arrive at this point was quite refreshing. As much as we complain about Oprah's picks, I thank her for introducing me to this "new for me" author. From what I've read in the other reviews, she's obviously written books that her readers have enjoyed more than this one. Since I enjoyed this one, I can now look forward to some of her previous and perhaps better books.
Rating: 
Summary: Open your house to "Open House"
Review: I can't believe it...I actually read a book BEFORE it was chosen for Oprah's Book Club. I selected "Open House" because I had read "Talk Before Sleep" and wanted to read more of Berg's work. From the beginning, she captured the devastation that a person in Sam's situation experiences. I was hooked by the second page. Berg's touches of humour also kept me turning the pages. Characterization is definitely one of this author's strengths. I've read three of her books ("Range of Motion" most recently) and have been able to identify with one or more characters in all of them. Friendships must be important to Elizabeth Berg because that theme is always strong and always well developed. If you haven't read any of her books yet, "Open House" would be a good one to start with. While it deals with serious issues, it also is a bit "lighter" than the others I've read. Her books are easy to read because: they aren't real long, they don't get bogged down with details, and they are so darn compelling! Berg manages to tell a really good story in the time it takes some authors to get started. I don't always agree with Oprah's choices, but this is one book she and I are seeing eye to eye about. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Another good book
Review: This was one of those books you start reading and can't stop. Berg has a way of bringing her characters to life and making you love eachone.
Rating: 
Summary: quick summer read
Review: Don't expect a lot from this book. It's a great read on a Saturday afternoon by the pool or at the beach, but it doesn't have much depth. The 33 year-old main character Samantha (Sam) Murrow is trying to pick up the pieces after her husband, David, moves out. In order to pay the mortage (and keep the house that she and her 11 year-old son Travis are used to), she decides to take in borders. This creates an interesting cast of characters. One of the borders is a 78 year-old woman named Lydia who gives sage advise on life and love. Another is a depressed college student by the name of Lavender Blue (not her real name, but she thought it suited her better than Elaine). Lavender has led her life believing that "life is one major disappointment after another." This is definately a feeling to which Sam can relate. A third border is Edward, a gay hairdresser who helps Sam see what's really important. Other characters in the book also help Sam develop and grow. First, there is her mother, Veronica, who is always trying to set Sam up with one guy or another. "You need to jump back on the horse, Sam," says Veronica. Then there is Sam's friend, Rita, who is very spontaneous and says whatever is on her mind. Finally, there is King, a man as large as his name. He gets Sam to go back to work and shows her the simpler side of life. This is a wonderful story about triumph over heartbreak. Any woman who has been through this can relate to Sam's feelings throughout most of the novel, however cliche those feelings may be. Don't read the book if you're looking for something thought provoking, or if you're reeling from a heartbreak. Definately read the book if you are looking for a quick summer read at the beach.
Rating: 
Summary: Take a Pass if you want...anything
Review: Slow...kept waiting for something to happen and it never did. The end should ahve been in the middle and a whole other ending created. Likable characters keep you reading, but worth a pass. Read with a book club - average rating for 6 people was 2.
Rating:
Summary: Open House
Review: "Open House" is a delightful summer read. It approaches the devastating, sudden abandonment of a spouse with heartfelt sympathy and courage. Sam is a strong, well-developed character, who Ms. Berg depicts in a way that you will root for throughout her ordeal. The other characters add depth and colorful dialog to the story. The book is humorous and serious at the same time. Well done.
Rating:
Summary: A Spouse Walked Out
Review: The most recent book I read was Open House by Elizabeth Berg. The story was about forty-two year old Samantha Morrow. After twenty years of marriage her husband, David, walked out on her and their 11-year-old son, Travis. In order to keep living in her house, Samantha, had to take in boarders to make the mortgage payments. The best part about Samantha, was that Berg didn't make the character feel sorry for herself. In my eyes, the character of Samantha seemed like a strong woman determined to make it on her own. This is the type of book recommended for someone going through a marriage separation.
Rating:
Summary: A Bit Too Tidy
Review: In this story about middle-aged Samantha Morrow's coping with divorce, Elizabeth Berg definitely shows evidence of her literary strengths. In "Open House," Berg has once again created a realistic main character whose story is easily readable. Also, she has retained the asset of using "light" and almost simple writing to convey wisdom and insight. And I've got to say it-"Open House" had a way of being just naturally charming and funny. But somehow, when you thought about it, the story of Samantha's dealings with and recovery from her divorce seemed to be a little too cutesy and perfect. First of all, it appeared that the novel took place over about half a year. Sam's sadness, rage, and erractic behavior in the novel's beginning were VERY realistic emotions for a divorced woman to experience. But honestly, by the end of the novel, it seemed like Sam was just totally fine and thought life was charming and every minute of it was worth living. Put simply, you just can't recover from divorce that fast. And what about Sam's method of employment-taking a different menial job each day? Um, hello. First of all, it made Sam look lazy and stupid-wouldn't she want to establish a decent, permanent career? And although she took in "roomates" as well to make money, couldn't she have used a little more than $5.15 an hour on a day job? Finally, the love story of sorts between Sam and King was hard to swallow. King supposedly has a degree from MIT yet, like Sam, picks a different minimum-wage job every day. The reason? To be able to enjoy life and have variety in each day. I don't know about you, but that sort of characterization/reasoning just makes me want to roll my eyes. I know King was supposed to seem like he "had it all together" and knew what really mattered in life, but he really just seemed silly and an all-too-quick remedy for Sam's ailing love life. Yes, the writing's good and there is definitely some wisdom here. I suspect that Berg did just as well as anyone could with this slightly sappy sort of story. But the sheer "neatness" of the divorce and the utter "Hallmark-ishness" of the love aspects of the story defintely detracted from my overall enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I loved this book! It brings to mind McCrae's Bark of the Dogwood or Baldacci's Wish you Well. Moving and heart-felt. Highly recommended. Also recommended: Wish you Well and Bark of the Dogwood
Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth reading but don't expect much.
Review: This was a better than average cheesy novel, and I can appreciate that. There wasn't the normal groans at cliched situations. I actually haven't been able to get 'into' a book in awhile - which is amazing for me - and I was pleasantly surprised to see myself getting hooked onto this one. The one problem I had with it was Sam's relationship with King. It was just so obvious. Too cliched. She mourned for I think a week, then this new man comes into her life. If only it could be so easy! I tried to put the King situation aside so I could gather some pick-me-up-after-a-breakup empathy from Sam. I wasn't really able to do it, but at least it's keeping me occupied.
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