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The Southern Transjordan/Edomite Plateau and the Dead Sea Rift Valley to the West: The Bronze Age Through the Islamic Period (3800/3700 BC-AD 1917)
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Burton MacDonald presents an in-depth study of the archaeology and history of human presence over...
Cloud as a Service: Understanding the Service Innovation Ecosystem: 2017
Enrique Castro-Leon and Robert Harmon
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See how the principles of Service Science govern the dynamics driving the adoption of cloud...
Enterprise 'Big Data' Warehouse, 'Bi' Implementations and Analytics
Soumendra Mohanty, Madhu Jagadeesh and Harsha Srivatsa
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Big Data Imperatives, focuses on resolving the key questions on everyone's mind: Which data matters?...
The Scrum Field Guide: Practical Advice for Your First Year
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Thousands of IT professionals are being asked to make Scrum succeed in their organizations-including...
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Mine in Books
Sep 24, 2020
There are two protagonists in this story, Alice and Luke, and the story is told from their perspectives. Alice is Luke’s biological mother, and Luke only recently found her. Alice integrates into this family really quickly, until Luke realises that something is not right. Alice is sharing her story with the reader, her life in the seventies, when she was a young art student, that had a beautifully heartbreaking relationship, that caused her to give up Luke for adoption. I really liked Alice’s parts of this story, it was very absorbing and romantic. Luke’s parts were less interesting to me, even though that was were the mysterious events were happening, I found it a little slower paced. I think the author allowed me to connect with the protagonists through their thoughts and all the challenges the characters had to endure.
The narrative has a nice contrast between the past and the present, and this combination made this read more intriguing and absorbing. As I mentioned before, this novel breaks the barrier between genres, we have a romantic story and a domestic thriller mixed together, and I really enjoyed this way of storytelling. The plot had tendencies of kind of plodding along sometimes, and I would have liked a little more pace and twists added to it. It is a really emotional read, filled with depression, wishes to belong, secrets, abusive parenting and many more.
I liked the author’s writing style in this novel, it was creatively written and well delivered. I enjoyed the research done for this book in the music and arts industries, it was intriguing to read about the music bands lifestyle. The setting of this book constantly changes between seventies London and present day, and I really liked the ability to learn more about the past. The chapters had a decent length and didn’t drag to me. I really loved the ending, it left me shocked and nearly in tears, I really wasn’t expecting it.
The narrative has a nice contrast between the past and the present, and this combination made this read more intriguing and absorbing. As I mentioned before, this novel breaks the barrier between genres, we have a romantic story and a domestic thriller mixed together, and I really enjoyed this way of storytelling. The plot had tendencies of kind of plodding along sometimes, and I would have liked a little more pace and twists added to it. It is a really emotional read, filled with depression, wishes to belong, secrets, abusive parenting and many more.
I liked the author’s writing style in this novel, it was creatively written and well delivered. I enjoyed the research done for this book in the music and arts industries, it was intriguing to read about the music bands lifestyle. The setting of this book constantly changes between seventies London and present day, and I really liked the ability to learn more about the past. The chapters had a decent length and didn’t drag to me. I really loved the ending, it left me shocked and nearly in tears, I really wasn’t expecting it.
The Most Fun We Ever Had
10.0
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"A gripping and poignant ode to a messy, loving family in all its glory." --Madeline Miller A...
The Memory House
9.0
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a new captivating novel of two...
Ripeness by Sarah Moss was a pure pleasure to listen to. Flora Montgomery breathed life into the character of Edith and her memories of the year she turned 17 in 1967. This was the year that Edith’s mother sent her to Italy to help her older sister (a ballerina) as she prepared for the birth of her illegitimate child. Edith is most definitely a fish out of water - she has never been around her sisters friends before, and it’s a sad experience for both her and her sister.
Alongside the 1967 timeline is that of the modern day and the reason why Edith’s memories of that summer have been triggered. Edith now lives in Ireland, in her 70’s and happily divorced. She has her friends, a lover and her own space. Her best friend, Maebh, has been contacted by an American who claims to be her brother. A brother her mother had out of wedlock, and therefore put up for adoption. After many years of searching, he has found Maebh, and she must now decide if she wants to see him at all. She asks Edith to help her to decide.
There’s a melancholy air to this story that really appealed to me. I always enjoy Sarah Moss books, and I know that I’m diving in to a beautifully written novel every time. This is no exception. The themes of family, belonging and identity are ones I often look for in a book, and the descriptions of nature in both Italy and Ireland were the bits in between that really fleshed the book out for me. The thought of her now grown up nephew coming across Edith’s written down record of where he began (because that is what this actually is) was both touching and reassuring and, bearing in mind how he was really conceived, moving.
I know I’m going to enjoy a Sarah Moss novel before I’ve even opened to the front page (or in this case, pressed ‘play’), and I wasn’t disappointed at all with Ripeness. An exquisite novel.
Alongside the 1967 timeline is that of the modern day and the reason why Edith’s memories of that summer have been triggered. Edith now lives in Ireland, in her 70’s and happily divorced. She has her friends, a lover and her own space. Her best friend, Maebh, has been contacted by an American who claims to be her brother. A brother her mother had out of wedlock, and therefore put up for adoption. After many years of searching, he has found Maebh, and she must now decide if she wants to see him at all. She asks Edith to help her to decide.
There’s a melancholy air to this story that really appealed to me. I always enjoy Sarah Moss books, and I know that I’m diving in to a beautifully written novel every time. This is no exception. The themes of family, belonging and identity are ones I often look for in a book, and the descriptions of nature in both Italy and Ireland were the bits in between that really fleshed the book out for me. The thought of her now grown up nephew coming across Edith’s written down record of where he began (because that is what this actually is) was both touching and reassuring and, bearing in mind how he was really conceived, moving.
I know I’m going to enjoy a Sarah Moss novel before I’ve even opened to the front page (or in this case, pressed ‘play’), and I wasn’t disappointed at all with Ripeness. An exquisite novel.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Tyger Tyger (Goblin Wars, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Teagan is sure she’s just your average girl… until a horrible twist of events convinces her that she is being hunted by goblins, for a reason she doesn’t understand, and her father is kidnapped by them. She and her quirky brother, Aiden, and her cousin-by-adoption Finn set off into the world she never knew existed to try and solve the mysteries of her past.
And it would be a whole lot easier if Finn wasn’t so darn distracting. Because it’s really hard to concentrate on hiding and finding food and running from hell hounds when you’re head over heels in love.
I tore through Tyger Tyger as fast as Finn swept Teagan off her feet (very fast). The story is fast-paced, exciting, and irresistible, with a great combination of mystery, suspense, and romance.
Finn is the bad boy we all want… rough, tough, and willing to do anything from skipping a meal to breaking an arm for the girl he loves. His rough exterior and his cold demeanor only make his love for Teagan more special. He was certainly my favorite character, followed closely by Teagan’s little brother, Aiden. He’s a funny quirky sort of kid who seems to be able to cause problems and solve them at the same time.
The plot and the pacing were fantastic! There were so many secrets and questions, and the way they were revealed was perfect.
The things that weren’t perfect about the book were these: The writing was clear and descriptive, though a little hard to understand at times. The only thing that felt lacking was Teagan and Finn’s relationship. It felt like it just barely got started… and the book ended. But on the other hand, it was definitely real, and not any of that sappy love based solely on attraction stuff. Lastly, I don’t really think the title describes the book, and the cover—though breathtakingly artistic—doesn’t say much about the book either. But none of this really took away from the enjoyment and the satisfaction at the end—the end was really cute, by the way!
I adored Tyger Tyger and can’t wait for the next book in the series!
And it would be a whole lot easier if Finn wasn’t so darn distracting. Because it’s really hard to concentrate on hiding and finding food and running from hell hounds when you’re head over heels in love.
I tore through Tyger Tyger as fast as Finn swept Teagan off her feet (very fast). The story is fast-paced, exciting, and irresistible, with a great combination of mystery, suspense, and romance.
Finn is the bad boy we all want… rough, tough, and willing to do anything from skipping a meal to breaking an arm for the girl he loves. His rough exterior and his cold demeanor only make his love for Teagan more special. He was certainly my favorite character, followed closely by Teagan’s little brother, Aiden. He’s a funny quirky sort of kid who seems to be able to cause problems and solve them at the same time.
The plot and the pacing were fantastic! There were so many secrets and questions, and the way they were revealed was perfect.
The things that weren’t perfect about the book were these: The writing was clear and descriptive, though a little hard to understand at times. The only thing that felt lacking was Teagan and Finn’s relationship. It felt like it just barely got started… and the book ended. But on the other hand, it was definitely real, and not any of that sappy love based solely on attraction stuff. Lastly, I don’t really think the title describes the book, and the cover—though breathtakingly artistic—doesn’t say much about the book either. But none of this really took away from the enjoyment and the satisfaction at the end—the end was really cute, by the way!
I adored Tyger Tyger and can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Louise (64 KP) rated The Heart's Invisible Furies in Books
Jul 2, 2018
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
As always I do things back to front, John Boyne is famously known for writing ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’,I have not got round to reading this book but have watched the film adaptation and found it heart-breaking. Anyway on to his newest book on the market. This book is delightful, laugh out loud hilarious, an emotional rollercoaster and you will no doubt fall in love with Cyril Avery.
The story is told from our protagonist Cyril Avery, the story starts off when he is still in the womb and how he came to be put up for adoption and then every 7 years thereafter. The whole book follows Cyril throughout his whole life and the struggles he comes across living in Dublin in the 1950’s and coming to terms with his identity and sexuality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I adored Cyril Avery, he had this awkwardness about him, and seemed to get in some truly awful situations. For him growing up was anything but ordinary, he was adopted by ‘The Avery’s’ but was continuously told that he wasn’t a real Avery and never would be. With his strange adoptive parents, Cyril takes everything in his stride until he meets Julian Woodbead and realises that he might just be attracted to boys.
John Boyne’s writing was breath-taking and I was enchanted from the start – I slowly read this book as I didn’t want it to end. The characters in this book were great and all had amazing personalities. It also shows how homophobic the country was back in the 1950’s and how people were scared to ‘come out’ for fear of being attacked and disowned by family members.
This book does delve in to Irish politics and was something that I had not read before but due to my lack of knowledge was not something that interested me.
This story told by Cyril Avery is about Love, Relationships, Politics, Religion, Violence and Identity.
I rated this 4.25 out of 5 stars
As always I do things back to front, John Boyne is famously known for writing ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’,I have not got round to reading this book but have watched the film adaptation and found it heart-breaking. Anyway on to his newest book on the market. This book is delightful, laugh out loud hilarious, an emotional rollercoaster and you will no doubt fall in love with Cyril Avery.
The story is told from our protagonist Cyril Avery, the story starts off when he is still in the womb and how he came to be put up for adoption and then every 7 years thereafter. The whole book follows Cyril throughout his whole life and the struggles he comes across living in Dublin in the 1950’s and coming to terms with his identity and sexuality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I adored Cyril Avery, he had this awkwardness about him, and seemed to get in some truly awful situations. For him growing up was anything but ordinary, he was adopted by ‘The Avery’s’ but was continuously told that he wasn’t a real Avery and never would be. With his strange adoptive parents, Cyril takes everything in his stride until he meets Julian Woodbead and realises that he might just be attracted to boys.
John Boyne’s writing was breath-taking and I was enchanted from the start – I slowly read this book as I didn’t want it to end. The characters in this book were great and all had amazing personalities. It also shows how homophobic the country was back in the 1950’s and how people were scared to ‘come out’ for fear of being attacked and disowned by family members.
This book does delve in to Irish politics and was something that I had not read before but due to my lack of knowledge was not something that interested me.
This story told by Cyril Avery is about Love, Relationships, Politics, Religion, Violence and Identity.
I rated this 4.25 out of 5 stars