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Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha
Arthur Golden | 1997 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Romance
2
8.0 (43 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Disappointing Read
When I bought this book, it was because I had seen so much excitement around it - how it was thrilling and unlike anything else.

I really should have saved my money.

When I read a book, or watch a film for that matter, I want to care about the characters and to have something vested in the outcome - be it good or bad. I want to hate the bad guys, to be rooting for the hero/ine. Here, I just didn't. The characters were unsympathetic; whether it was the point of view or the style of writing, I read with a feeling of detachment and no great sense of "what will happen next". Even worse, the ending was a huge disappointment, feeling as if it had been tacked on quickly in order to meet a deadline.

In all honesty, a book I wish I hadn't bothered to persevere with to the end.
  
This was a very entertaining collection of stories. I was thoroughly entertained with these proposals gone awry. From Texas 1879, to Kansas 1901, there are enough laughs and gasps to go around.

I love reading novella collections because it gives you a taste of the author's style. The love of reading does have a lot to do with finding a book, genre, author "to spark your fancy". I went several years without reading much because I was trying to force myself to read a style that I just wasn't interested in. Now, I have read more in half a year than I typically read in several years put together. I have read several books by Mary Connealy, but this was my first taste of the other authors. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to reading their full length novels now. Very humorous and sprinkled with faith. This novella collection is the perfect combination of stories for any reader who loves a good western romance.
  
A Knit before Dying
A Knit before Dying
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Josie Blair rents the space attached to her yarn shop to an antiques dealer, who is killed one evening as Josie and some of her knitting friends are gathered in her shop. The dead man’s business partner is suspected of the crime, but Josie has her doubts and decides to look into matters on her own. This is a great cozy with a likable cast of characters, and a setting that I absolutely loved. I’m a crocheter, not a knitter, but I still wish I could visit Miss Marple Knits.

<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed an early copy of the book.</i>
  
Blackberry Burial (A Berry Basket Mystery #2)
Blackberry Burial (A Berry Basket Mystery #2)
Sharon Farrow | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy provided to me by the author.</i>

Marlee and friends are back in the 2nd Berry Basket Mystery, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. While surveying a possible starting location for the annual road rally, Marlee finds the body of a girl missing for 20 years hidden in the overgrowth. Can she catch a killer when the murder happened so long ago?

I enjoy reading about Marlee and her friends, and I would love to visit Oriole Point. With such a great combination of characters, setting, and suspense, I’m already looking forward to book #3.
  
Wildfell
Wildfell
London Clarke | 2018 | Horror
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
plot, characters, setting (0 more)
Loved, Loved, Loved
I had won Wildfell by London Clarke in a giveaway. I'm really happy I did.

Wildfell by London Clarke is a true gothic horror that takes place in London, England. I loved all the character especially Nigel and Alice. While they weren't major characters, I still had a soft spot.

I don't want to give too much away, but I enjoyed the whole plot line of people going missing and a haunted house.

London Clarke did a great job with the setting of London, England even though she's not from there.

I would definitely recommend this book to those 15+. It is so good!
  
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Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Harrowing in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
TH
The Harrowing
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Harrowing is a great Ghost Story, very gripping and entertaining. The beginning was great and the ending was even better, at one point I was holding my breath and I just couldn't put the book down. I was so close to giving this book 5 stars but I was disappointed with some of the filler and unfortunately at times I did lose interest...however this only happened a couple of times. Overall, this was a great book with very likable characters in which I sometimes felt connected to so a very good emotional ride of a story. I highly recommend this book to fans of gripping ghost stories.
  
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Emma (519 KP) rated Golden Lion in Books

Jun 28, 2019  
Golden Lion
Golden Lion
Wilbur Smith, Giles Kristian | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fast paced swash buckling adventure (0 more)
I read this book for my monthly book club, the topic being a book with a colour in the title. And I had heard good things about Wilbur Smith so picked this one.
It wasn't until I started reading it that I realised it was part of a series, be that as it may it was still a great book to read. And was a good fast paced swash buckling adventure. The only thing I didn't like about it was that the ending was quite abrupt, but if i come across his books again I will be reading more.
  
Furyborn: Empirium Trilogy Book 1
Furyborn: Empirium Trilogy Book 1
Claire Legrand | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.3 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
When I saw this book on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it. The description grabbed me & it sounded like a book that I would fall in love with. Once I finally found time to read the book it grabbed my attention. Unfortunately, I wound out of time to physically read the book so I ended up buying the audiobook. When I first listened to the narrator's voice I was hesitant but by the end I loved it. Fiona Hardingham (Narrator)just added a little bit more to the story. I was so glad that I switched to audiobook that I think it added a half star to my rating.

My rating would be a 4.5 but since I cannot do a half star I'm going to round up to 5. The plot was fascinating and I loved all of the characters that I read. This book was jam packed with action, swoon worthy heroes, and some really powerful women. I loved that Rielle & Eliana had their flaws and I loved that we got to know them on a fundemental level. It was fun to see the growth in them.

All in all, I really liked this story. I probably wouldn't consider it young adult though. I think it belongs in the adult fantasy section.
  
TC
The Crooked House
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a difficult one for me to explain how I feel about it. On the one hand, I really enjoyed it but on the other, I found it a little confusing.

Full review at <a href="http://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-crooked-house-by-christobel-kent.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>