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Young Bess (Elizabeth Trilogy, #1)
Margaret Irwin | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
2
5.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
While I was reading this book I had my moments where I was thinking “this is nice…this is cute…” the writing was very eloquent and good. However the plot was just… nonexistent. By page 85 not much had happened. I had no urge to continue reading and even though I enjoyed it while I was reading it, I had to force myself to sit down and read it. And you should never have to force yourself to read a book (except for school). I felt the same way about The Midnight Charter. Both of these were similar in that they both had a bit of politics in them.

I did like the characters (Loved Tom Seymour!) and the writing, again, was great. But nothing made me want to keep reading.

I didn’t get far enough into the book to be able to say what content was in it.

Young Bess was re-published by Sourcebooks March 1st. Please know that I am in the minority for those who didn’t like/finish it. See other reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
  
My Brilliant Friend
My Brilliant Friend
Elena Ferrante | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
1
3.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Simply Dull
I can't remember the last time I was so glad to finish a book, and I only finished this one as it was a book club pick - I could happily have left it at any point!

I did wonder if it was just me, but I noted plenty of Amazon reviews from other people having to read it for the same reason and having the same problems!

I'd like to put some of it down to the translation, but really my problem was that this was just DULL. Stuff happened, but I didn't feel any emotional impact from us. The beginning of the book has pages and pages of characters listed, but I didn't really care for any of them.

The beginning is also odd and doesn't get picked up on again. Mind you, there are apparently another three books in the series..... needless to say I won't be reading those! The ending was also quite abrupt.

Now I have book club to go to and don't know what to say other than it was really dull!
  
All That Glitters (Geek Girl, #4)
All That Glitters (Geek Girl, #4)
Holly Smale | 2015 | Contemporary, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think this was the most heartbreaking book of the series so far. It still had it’s funny parts, but it was actually quite sad. It really broke my heart when Harriet discovered that a lot of her ‘friends’ didn’t really care about her.

All of the main characters are lovable and being this far into the series, Harriet felt like a good friend to me. Her story was always close to my heart.

I did prefer the setting of this book since it is in a school and at home rather than Harriet jetting off somewhere as it made it easier to read and relate to.

This was definitely one of the most relatable books altogether, especially with the painfully truthful part about losing friends.

Harriet really started to mature in this one which really helped me love her character even more.

I don’t know why I never read past this point. A few months ago I bought the last two books so I can’t wait to get back to this series!

Buy All That Glitters from Amazon here.
  
The Bird Eater
The Bird Eater
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I honestly wasn't looking to pick up another horror novel so soon after the last one, but seeing the glowing write-up on Amazon I couldn't resist. I have to agree with their editor and say it was pretty damn scary. The novel uses many familiar horror tropes in a story about a man returning to his possibly haunted childhood home after having had a rather traumatic experience. Is he seeing ghosts or is his grief making him insane? Not exactly a new idea, but it is executed very well, with engaging characters and frequently suspenseful scenarios. What sells the whole thing the most for me is the genuinely frightening "ghost". I can honestly say that for 2 consecutive nights, when I got out of bed to use the restroom, I was suddenly filled with trepidation about venturing into the dark hallway for fear it might be lurking in the shadows. And if that's not the sign of a successful horror story, then I don't know what is.
  
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Kristy S. (3 KP) rated Kindle E-Reader in Tech

Aug 10, 2018  
Kindle E-Reader
Kindle E-Reader
eBook Readers
Portable, reads like paper, instant access to books! (0 more)
Perfect for an avid reader who can't carry all their books with them
I purchased a Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader a few years ago. I had previous thought that "I could never give up holding a book." However, the Kindle has been a lifesaver on trips. It is small, light, and easy to take with me wherever I go. I purchased a case, so I could have the feeling of holding a book and to protect the tech. The Paperwhite looks like paper, but has a back light for when I am in darker spaces. I am able to download books from Amazon instantly as well as get books from my library delivered. In the end, it has saved me a ton of money as I am on several discount e-book newsletters and I can check out many books from the library no matter where I am. My only complaint is that the touch screen has a bit of lag time, but otherwise it is fantastic.
  
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Leah (: (569 KP) rated Bookbub in Apps

Sep 9, 2018  
Bookbub
Bookbub
Book
10
8.4 (32 Ratings)
App Rating
What could be better than free books??

I love getting by daily email of book bargains (: most days I end up downloading a free book, not quite sure I will get round to reading them all so I now have to be quite selective over my books.

Everyday there are some free recommendations and some which you have to pay for but are still a bargain. I only ever get the books which are free as there are that many books and not enough time to read them that I have to whittle down the list somehow.

I also only look at amazon as a retailer although there were most other common ebook sellers available to pick and you could pick multiple retailers. I always get a good selection so I assume the others are similar.

Overall just a brilliant idea and it saves me loads of time finding books to read as I get daily suggestions based on the genre preferences (: seriously if you read then sign up now!!
  
N(
Nightlife (Cal Leandros #1)
8
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Originally picked up on a whim (as a Christmas present from my Amazon wishlist back in the early 2010s), and I'm glad I did. Be looking for more of this series, methinks.

<edit in 2018>
I've just re-read this again, and can fill in a bit more now than my previous 'review' (above).

This falls firmly into the Urban Fantasy genre, mainly told in the first person, with Cal(iban) Leandros the main narrator of the story, and with the Grendels (or Auphe, or Elf!) the main antagonists: the main, but not the only. In this world (or New York), there's also a Boggle in the park, Trolls (at least one) in the underground, Werewolves, Vampires and other associated mythological creatures, including one who takes a prominent role: that of Darkling (whose sisters are the Banshees of Irish myth). Caliban definitely undergoes quite a bit throughout this story with a major transformation in his character taking place roughly about halfway through: read it, and you'll see what I mean!
  
TB
The Book of Ultimate Truths
4
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
When reading books, I go through phases of genres, where I might read 3 or 4 of one type before switching to another. Recently, I'd been reading a lot of historical fiction and felt it was time to switch it up, moving on to comedy instead, hoping this would prove to be a hit.

Unfortunately, it wasn't. :(

Perhaps I should have known: I had read some Robert Rankin before and had found him (generally) to be more miss than hit, with this novel only serving to reinforce that opinion. IMO, I found this rather surreal and just not that funny with it rarely raising a smile, never mind a laugh! Indeed, what humour there is I found to be rather childish, almost infantile. Doubt I'll be looking for any more in this series: the only reasons this doesn't get 1 star is because A) a book has to be really, REALLY bad for me to give it that and B) because it was free (but now I know why!) from Amazon.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Apr 10, 2020  
"Edison Jones and The Anti-GRAV Elevator is a fantastic story that straps you in for a very exciting adventure throughout its pages."

Stop by my blog, and read my review for the Middle Grade/Young Adult action novel EDISON JONES AND THE ANTI-GRAV ELEVATOR by Author Michael Scott Clifton. Also, enter the #GIVEAWAY to #win a $15 #Amazon GIFT CARD, a bookmark, and/or a copy of the book!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/04/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-edison.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Twelve-year-old Edison Jones is a prodigy with a passion for technology and inventions. Paralyzed from the waist down since the age of five, he hasn’t let his disability slow him down. Then his world changes overnight when his grandfather, a billionaire tech company owner, decides to enroll him in a public school. Algorithms, quantum physics, and digital engineering are easy. Finding his way in the bewildering world of boys and girls his own age is quite another thing . . . the biggest challenge of his life.