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Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Swallows in Books

Jan 30, 2020 (Updated Jan 31, 2020)  
The Swallows
The Swallows
Lisa Lutz | 2019 | Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Lisa Lutz's latest, The Swallows, introduces Alex Witt, a teacher with a past. She is hired at Stonebridge Academy and asks her creative writing students to answer innocent questions so she can get to know them. "What do you love? What do you hate? What do you want?" The answers surprise Alex. They are not innocent and reveal much more about the students and the school's activities than she expects. The students reveal online bullying and a private message board. She encourages the female students to fight back and fight they do.

While I have not worked at a boarding school, I have worked at urban schools. The online bullying and message board are all too real. So is the school's attitude that "boys will be boys". Lutz uses her characters to show the dark side of technology and teenagers. This is not a young adult book. It is a book for adults which is set in a school.

The writing in The Swallows is witty while covering dark topics. Lutz's word choices and writing style keep the book from being too dark.

I added several of Lutz's books, including the Spellman Files series, to my "want to read" list.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/30/20.
  
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Kaz (232 KP) rated The Diving-bell and the Butterfly in Books

May 15, 2019  
The Diving-bell and the Butterfly
The Diving-bell and the Butterfly
Jean-Dominique Bauby | 2015 | Biography
8
8.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great Writing, Fantastic descriptions (0 more)
Being only 139 pages, this book may be short, but the impact it had, was enormous. This is an extraordinary memoir of a man who had a stroke and was left unable to move or talk. He dictated this novel to someone, using eye movements to indicate letters on an alphabetic board.

Whilst this book doesn't have a linear story as such, this is a beautifully written novel about the writer's day to day experiences in the hospital he is being treated in and, in the most mundane or saddest moments, there is humour and insight. This is a very interesting and poetic novel.

My Rating ****
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Mr. Monk Gets on Board (Mr. Monk #17) in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
MM
Mr. Monk Gets on Board (Mr. Monk #17)
Hy Conrad | 2014
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When Natalie decides to attend a business conference on a cruise ship, she is surprised when Monk tags along. She's almost talked him into leaving when she over hears a murder plot. Can they stop it? Can they prove who the killer is?

A couple of times, this book got a little lost in the fun of Monk on the cruise ship, just like the series. And just like in the series, I enjoyed those moments. The mystery was still strong and the characters were great as always.

Read my full review at <a href="carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-mr-monk-gets-on-board-by-hy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.