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Liliannar (58 KP) rated The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1) in Books
May 29, 2018
I was very skeptical when I first started this book. Throughout the book it was a bit hard to follow and I often found myself needing to rewind (I listened to the audible version). If you don't pay close attention to what is going on it is extremely easy to get lost. That being said, I was thoroughly intrigued and even when I wasn't listening to the book, i was wondering what would happen to the characters next, what they would do next, and how the adventure was going to end. To me, that's the mark of a great book, you keep thinking about it even when you've put it down for the day. Reading all of the Wheel of Time books is going to be quite the journey, but so far, it's one I'm interested enough to continue on.
Milleen (47 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Matt Haig has written a variety of books for children and adults as well as a memoir that topped the bestseller list for almost a year. Now he has delved back into adult fiction and delivered a delightful novel that will leave you pondering. Tom Hazard may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been aging slowly over centuries. From Elizabethan England to 1920s Paris and further afield, Tom is forced to change his identity to stay alive. He is forced to abide by one rule, to not fall in love. Tom finally gets the ‘ordinary’ life he craves and finds work as a history teacher in a modern London comprehensive but how much longer can he keep this secret? ‘How to Stop Time’ is a bittersweet story about life, loss and change.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated No Sanctuary: Do you dare to try this terrifying Halloween treat? in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I am a big fan of Laymon and have been for a number of years. I have read most of his work and have enjoyed them all. I did enjoy this story, however, I did feel that this was one of his weaker works. It sort of lacked that Laymon intensity. If you enjoy cheesy B-movie horrors and thrillers then I would say you would enjoy this book...and all other Laymon books as well thinking about it.
I thought the combination of the two stories written side by side would of come to a very explosive crash but they kind of just touched, gave eachother a pat on the back and then wondered off.
Overall, weaker than I expected but still a good paced read to pass the time. Plus it's Laymon...you have to read it.
I thought the combination of the two stories written side by side would of come to a very explosive crash but they kind of just touched, gave eachother a pat on the back and then wondered off.
Overall, weaker than I expected but still a good paced read to pass the time. Plus it's Laymon...you have to read it.
Kelly (279 KP) rated Rivers of London: The First PC Grant Mystery in Books
Nov 22, 2018
Laugh out loud read
Ben Aaronovitch has excelled himself in this novel. Having never read any urban fantasy books before, I was dubious about reading this book, which was purchased for me as a gift. Having picked up the book during a bored moment on holiday, I became hooked before the end of the first chapter.
PC Grant is a character with whom I could engage with from the start. A character who was likeable, but also not your typical hero. The story itself is very easy to follow and Aaronovitch does not overload the reader with complex characters, making the book a perfect easy read.
Aaronovitch uses humour appropriately throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged without being over silly. Once started, this book was not put down until after I had turned the last page.
PC Grant is a character with whom I could engage with from the start. A character who was likeable, but also not your typical hero. The story itself is very easy to follow and Aaronovitch does not overload the reader with complex characters, making the book a perfect easy read.
Aaronovitch uses humour appropriately throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged without being over silly. Once started, this book was not put down until after I had turned the last page.
Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books
Dec 2, 2018
This book is one that crept up on me unexpectedly. I've been doing a reading challenge and one of the books I needed to read was one that I chose just by looking at the cover. When I started reading the book, I had no idea what to expect because I didn't know what it was going to be about. I was a bit confused at first because of that but quite soon, I got into the swing of things. I don't think I've ever read anything like it and not sure I ever will again. It was so interesting to see a narrative that creates a fictional twist on historical events. It was such an incredible read and would definitely recommend it to anyone. First time I've ever read a Matt Haig book and I was thoroughly impressed.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Sword of Honour in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Back in 2013 (or thereabouts) I picked up a book in my local Tesco's; a book of which (at the time) I knew nothing about but which IO ended up quite enjoying. That books (Child of Vengeance) was the immediate precursor to this, and turned out to be one that I quite enjoyed.
Fast forward roughly 5 years, and I picked up the sequel, hoping to receive the same enjoyment from it.
Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed: I found this (which is, effectively, a Japanese revenge tale) to be plodding, pedestrian, heavy going and really just not that engaging, populated with unlikeable characters with murky motivations and with a verbose style of writing that just did not flow, even in the action sequences. As such, I actually found this a struggle to make it to the end!
Sorry Mr Kirk!
Fast forward roughly 5 years, and I picked up the sequel, hoping to receive the same enjoyment from it.
Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed: I found this (which is, effectively, a Japanese revenge tale) to be plodding, pedestrian, heavy going and really just not that engaging, populated with unlikeable characters with murky motivations and with a verbose style of writing that just did not flow, even in the action sequences. As such, I actually found this a struggle to make it to the end!
Sorry Mr Kirk!
David McK (3562 KP) rated Superman for All Seasons in Books
Jan 30, 2019
So, Superman For All Seasons.
Told over four seasons, with each season from the point of view of a different character, starting with Spring (Jonathan Kent) before moving onto Summer (Lois Lane), Autumn (Lex Luthor, here portrayed more as a business man than as a crime lord) and finally Winter (Lana Lang), this is really all about Clark Kent's early days as The Man of Steel.
Not long ago, I also read [b:All Star Superman|7719640|Absolute All-Star Superman|Grant Morrison|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1374351837s/7719640.jpg|10465171], which (I believe) is also commonly considered one of the better Superman stories. Of the two, I have to say: I preferred this one. Less fantastical, with more of the background that all we (should) know, showing how Clark Kent came to be who he is (and with easier-to-follow art panels!)
Told over four seasons, with each season from the point of view of a different character, starting with Spring (Jonathan Kent) before moving onto Summer (Lois Lane), Autumn (Lex Luthor, here portrayed more as a business man than as a crime lord) and finally Winter (Lana Lang), this is really all about Clark Kent's early days as The Man of Steel.
Not long ago, I also read [b:All Star Superman|7719640|Absolute All-Star Superman|Grant Morrison|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1374351837s/7719640.jpg|10465171], which (I believe) is also commonly considered one of the better Superman stories. Of the two, I have to say: I preferred this one. Less fantastical, with more of the background that all we (should) know, showing how Clark Kent came to be who he is (and with easier-to-follow art panels!)
saheffernan (157 KP) rated All the Ugly and Wonderful Things in Books
Jan 17, 2019
All time favorite book
Contains spoilers, click to show
Beautiful, honest, heart breaking. If you want to understand someone who grew up living with a mentally unstable drug addict parent or two this is the book you should read. This book shows all the ugly underbelly of living life like that and anyone who hasn't had to live like that should thank their lucky stars. I know many people despise and feel very much like Brenda does about Wavy's relationship with Kellen. Wavy was more mature then her mother and father so to say that she wasn't old enough to make that decision is taking Wavy's power away from her. She was smart, willful and she knew exactly what she was doing. Anyone who truly understands this story will understand their relationship. This will be one of my all time favorite books.
ClareR (5906 KP) rated There But for the in Books
Dec 21, 2018
There but for the.....
I don't know what it is about Ali Smith's books, but whatever it is, it keeps me coming back for more. Is it the wit? Because there's plenty of that in here. Perhaps it's the way that she looks at people's lives? Because she writes from a female child's perspective as well as a 59 year old gay man's and an elderly woman's with equal believability.
And let's face it - who hasn't wanted to walk upstairs and shut the door on the world from time to time? That's what Miles does in this book. His actions affect not just the homeowners, but also those in the wider world: neighbours, friends and complete strangers who feel that they understand his motivations (or they don't understand them, but they feel they should support him).
I loved this book.
And let's face it - who hasn't wanted to walk upstairs and shut the door on the world from time to time? That's what Miles does in this book. His actions affect not just the homeowners, but also those in the wider world: neighbours, friends and complete strangers who feel that they understand his motivations (or they don't understand them, but they feel they should support him).
I loved this book.
ClareR (5906 KP) rated Midwinter Mysteries in Books
Jan 7, 2020
Tales not just for Christmas!
Midwinter Mysteries is a great, festive collection of crime stories and thrillers - and I loved it. There are some of my favourite characters in this anthology, and some I’m now very interested in finding out more about. Graham Brack brings in another great story from Josef Slonsky (he IS my favourite), Linda Stratmann’s Mina Scarletti is also a great, if ghostly, story, and Charles Dickens makes an appearance thanks to J. C. Briggs (might have to read more of these books). Actually, it’s hard NOT to like any of these stories, and this fabulous collection has just made my wish list even longer - there wasn’t a single story that I didn’t enjoy. The collection left me feeling kind of seasonal in a slightly murderous, criminal way - but these stories don’t have to be confined to December!