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Merissa (13169 KP) rated Tigana in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Another stunner of a book by GGK although this one is a stand alone book and is based loosely on Italy in the 11th and 12th centuries.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.
In so many ways similar to The Fionavar Tapestry series but so different too. A brief synopsis is that there has been a major battle between 2 wizards in which one of the wizard's sons dies. In revenge the wizard removes the name "Tigana" from the memories and vocabularies of its inhabitants so that eventually the name will die, just like his son did.
This story is so intricate and involved and it is not a clear black/white, good/evil book which is what makes it such a superb read. Everything about is well written, from the villains to the locations to the history that you are given.
This book is bittersweet and poignant and I'll leave it to you to see if there is a happy ending.
Certainly classed as a classic by me and a firm favourite.

Merissa (13169 KP) rated A Life, Freed in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from YA Reads as part of their blog tour in return for a fair and honest review.
This is the third book in the Rowan Slone set and you just know that things won't be going smoothly for her. Although on paper her life is going well, in actuality she is struggling to manage. Helping Jess with her fractious 5-month old son doesn't exactly help with her studying time. Also, Rowan is now with Shane and she enjoys his kisses, there doesn't appear to be any spark between them. When Mike appears back on the scene, it is no surprise that Rowan spends more time with him than she has done previously with Shane.
The book moves along at a fair pace as there is a lot to wrap up in this final book. It is all wrapped up though and leads to a very satisfying conclusion. This has been a wonderful, heart-wrenching series that has been enjoyable throughout.
This is the third book in the Rowan Slone set and you just know that things won't be going smoothly for her. Although on paper her life is going well, in actuality she is struggling to manage. Helping Jess with her fractious 5-month old son doesn't exactly help with her studying time. Also, Rowan is now with Shane and she enjoys his kisses, there doesn't appear to be any spark between them. When Mike appears back on the scene, it is no surprise that Rowan spends more time with him than she has done previously with Shane.
The book moves along at a fair pace as there is a lot to wrap up in this final book. It is all wrapped up though and leads to a very satisfying conclusion. This has been a wonderful, heart-wrenching series that has been enjoyable throughout.

ClareR (5950 KP) rated Tales of the City (Tales of the City, #1) in Books
Nov 18, 2019
Tales of the City is set in San Francisco in 1976 - three years after I was born, so how can I feel nostalgic?! This is how a feel good book should be written. I loved it.
They’re all great characters, and I warn you - this is a laugh out loud book, and when you have to explain to the 12 or 14 year old sons WHY you’re laughing, the explanations can be interesting! I feel fortunate that a friend convinced me to go and see Armistead Maupin with her at my local literature festival, otherwise I don’t know whether I would have ever picked up this book. I’d simply never heard of Maupin, and I don’t have Netflix to have heard about the TV series. Now I wish I had Netflix!
I’m glad I have book 2 waiting in the wings, because I really want to keep living in 1970s San Francisco!
They’re all great characters, and I warn you - this is a laugh out loud book, and when you have to explain to the 12 or 14 year old sons WHY you’re laughing, the explanations can be interesting! I feel fortunate that a friend convinced me to go and see Armistead Maupin with her at my local literature festival, otherwise I don’t know whether I would have ever picked up this book. I’d simply never heard of Maupin, and I don’t have Netflix to have heard about the TV series. Now I wish I had Netflix!
I’m glad I have book 2 waiting in the wings, because I really want to keep living in 1970s San Francisco!

Pixie Book "Connie Learns How to Swim"
Book and Entertainment
App
The best-selling Pixi Book Series from Carlsen Publishing – over 15 million books sold annually ...
MI
Made in Britain
Book
Looking at how Britain pays its way in the world today. Like Andrew Marr's HISTORY OF MODERN BRITAIN...

The Art of Coaching: Best of Soccer Journal
Book
This book explores the Craft and Art of Coaching. Based in Kansas City, KS, the NSCAA is the largest...

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Cockroaches (Harry Hole #2) in Books
Jul 16, 2020
Not bad
I'd be intrigued to know Jo Nesbo's rationale behind this book, as it's a bit of an unusual choice. The first Harry Hole book featured Harry going to Australia, and this second book has him in Thailand... it's a little unrealistic thats for sure and just seems a little too similar to the earlier book.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.

TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Mountains of Grace (Amish of Big Sky Country #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
An amazing story !
I think that this book was just the change of pace I needed. Such a refreshing story line and some great characters that wouldn't let me put the book down. Mercy and Caleb really have to learn the concept of communication, they learn that even when you are unsure of what reaction you might get you have to talk. They are a great example of everyday couples. We also see glimpses into how a communities deals with massive fires, I love Kelly Irvin's descriptions of emotions here through all the different characters. This book can be read as a stand alone, however, I think that there will be more books in this series (Or at least I hope so !). I can not wait to read what comes after this one.
I volunteered to read this book from Zondervan Fiction in return for my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
I think that this book was just the change of pace I needed. Such a refreshing story line and some great characters that wouldn't let me put the book down. Mercy and Caleb really have to learn the concept of communication, they learn that even when you are unsure of what reaction you might get you have to talk. They are a great example of everyday couples. We also see glimpses into how a communities deals with massive fires, I love Kelly Irvin's descriptions of emotions here through all the different characters. This book can be read as a stand alone, however, I think that there will be more books in this series (Or at least I hope so !). I can not wait to read what comes after this one.
I volunteered to read this book from Zondervan Fiction in return for my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

BookInspector (124 KP) rated Innocent: A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel in Books
Sep 24, 2020
This is a second book in Vanessa Munroe series. This new job was very needed, after character’s African adventures. (The Informationist) It makes me feel that author puts a lot of effort in making her research about the environment she is going to write. I loved all the details about the cult she mentioned and I am really glad she wrote this book because it educates people about what might possibly be going on inside such cults and how it makes people feel after they leave them. I do understand it is fictional work, but it was very close to all the documentaries I have seen regarding cults. This book is not very fast paced but there is a lot of insight to how Munroe’s brain works and her ability to integrate in to the situations. The ending could’ve been little more tense, but I was not disappointed with it. It is captivating book, it sucks you in and doesn’t let you down.

The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7)
Book
Dear Reader, You have undoubtedly picked up this book by mistake, so please put it down. Nobody...
childrens fiction lemony snicket