Search
ClareR (6182 KP) rated Good Me, Bad Me in Books
Jun 9, 2019
To say that this is a chilling story would be a gross understatement. I think my heart was in my mouth for the whole time I was reading this, and I really resented having to put it down.
This is the story of 15 year old Milly, and how she copes with her life after she informs the police that her mother is a serial killer. A killer of small children. She has also been horrifically abused by her mother. We follow her in to her foster family, a family where she is not completely welcomed. The teenaged daughter of her foster parents is a troubled, bullying, frankly rather horrible teenager. It's interesting to look at the similarities and differences between these two characters. How a child who has lived a terrible life seems to outwardly cope better than one who has had a loving (if rather distant) family.
Milly's inner voice, that of her mother, is a chilling reminder that she was controlled completely by this evil woman, to the extent that she finds it difficult to cope without her. The story shows the love of a child for their mother, even though they have been terribly abused by her and seen her do abhorrent things to other children.
I don't want to say too much more - I'd hate to spoil it for anyone else. I will say that this was an excellent story though, and it’s a book that I’ve recommended to a lot of friends.
This is the story of 15 year old Milly, and how she copes with her life after she informs the police that her mother is a serial killer. A killer of small children. She has also been horrifically abused by her mother. We follow her in to her foster family, a family where she is not completely welcomed. The teenaged daughter of her foster parents is a troubled, bullying, frankly rather horrible teenager. It's interesting to look at the similarities and differences between these two characters. How a child who has lived a terrible life seems to outwardly cope better than one who has had a loving (if rather distant) family.
Milly's inner voice, that of her mother, is a chilling reminder that she was controlled completely by this evil woman, to the extent that she finds it difficult to cope without her. The story shows the love of a child for their mother, even though they have been terribly abused by her and seen her do abhorrent things to other children.
I don't want to say too much more - I'd hate to spoil it for anyone else. I will say that this was an excellent story though, and it’s a book that I’ve recommended to a lot of friends.
Dana (24 KP) rated Thirteen Reasons Why in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Listening to this as a audio book makes you feel like you are a part of the list as well which makes it that much more emotional.
I held off on reading this book for the longest time. From what I had surmised from people talking to me about it, I thought it was almost promoting suicide. And while it talks about suicide, there is no promoting at all.
This book is focusing on human connection and how much just being there can help change a person's plans. It fosters communication and will (since the Netflix adaptation) be able to be used more in high school settings to get people to understand the repercussions of bullying.
I can say with certainty that I very much enjoyed this book. Yes, it was hard to read, mainly because I knew how it was going to end, but I think it was necessary for me to read as well. The raw emotion that Asher is able to bring into the story was very powerful and beautiful.
The characters were all very complex. Hannah, while calling people out on their actions, still tried to give multiple sides to the story. Clay is able to stand in for the readers when he talks to Hannah through the recording. We get to see his side of Hannah, things that she cannot admit to or see herself.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it if you have not read it yourself.
I held off on reading this book for the longest time. From what I had surmised from people talking to me about it, I thought it was almost promoting suicide. And while it talks about suicide, there is no promoting at all.
This book is focusing on human connection and how much just being there can help change a person's plans. It fosters communication and will (since the Netflix adaptation) be able to be used more in high school settings to get people to understand the repercussions of bullying.
I can say with certainty that I very much enjoyed this book. Yes, it was hard to read, mainly because I knew how it was going to end, but I think it was necessary for me to read as well. The raw emotion that Asher is able to bring into the story was very powerful and beautiful.
The characters were all very complex. Hannah, while calling people out on their actions, still tried to give multiple sides to the story. Clay is able to stand in for the readers when he talks to Hannah through the recording. We get to see his side of Hannah, things that she cannot admit to or see herself.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it if you have not read it yourself.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Betwixt (Betwixt, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book (so much so that I finished it within 36 hours)! I was really drawn to the characters, especially Nicole and her relationships with her friends. It reminded me of high school and all the cliques that you see, as well as the gossip, backstabbing, and bullying that goes on. The further I got into the story, the more I was hoping Nicole would see her "friends" for who they truly were, considering they hardly batted an eye when she was determined to be missing.
Aside from Nicole, Dale is the other main character, as he's trying to help Nicole by finding her before it's too late. The whole time, he's attempting to get it through to her friends that something's happened to her, and yet nobody cares. All they do is harass Dale and treat him like crap for caring about somebody "outside his league". Typical high school.
Once I started reading "Betwixt" I didn't want to put it down (darn sleep/work!). It's such an interesting plot, and the longer I read it, the more I couldn't wait to turn the page and see what happened. There's certainly a wide range of emotions involved, and it really sucks you in. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who remembers what high school was like (whether you were a member of the popular crowd or not), and for those who like a little paranormal twist to their reading. Enjoy!! =)
I really enjoyed this book (so much so that I finished it within 36 hours)! I was really drawn to the characters, especially Nicole and her relationships with her friends. It reminded me of high school and all the cliques that you see, as well as the gossip, backstabbing, and bullying that goes on. The further I got into the story, the more I was hoping Nicole would see her "friends" for who they truly were, considering they hardly batted an eye when she was determined to be missing.
Aside from Nicole, Dale is the other main character, as he's trying to help Nicole by finding her before it's too late. The whole time, he's attempting to get it through to her friends that something's happened to her, and yet nobody cares. All they do is harass Dale and treat him like crap for caring about somebody "outside his league". Typical high school.
Once I started reading "Betwixt" I didn't want to put it down (darn sleep/work!). It's such an interesting plot, and the longer I read it, the more I couldn't wait to turn the page and see what happened. There's certainly a wide range of emotions involved, and it really sucks you in. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who remembers what high school was like (whether you were a member of the popular crowd or not), and for those who like a little paranormal twist to their reading. Enjoy!! =)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2544 KP) rated Sunny Side Up in Books
Sep 19, 2018
Cruise of Murder and Bullies
Liam Johnson is thrilled to have landed a job on the prestigious Howard Cruise Line as a waiter. His family needs the money he will be making. However, he quickly discovers that his boss hates him and some of the customers he must deal with delight in making his life miserable as well. That doesn't prepare him for finding the body of one of the passengers dead on the Sunbathing Deck. The ship's doctor is quick to rule it an accidental death due to sunstroke, but Liam isn't so sure. Several things about the scene are off. Can he prove it was murder before the cruise ends?
I really thought this book sounded like fun, but it turned out to be much more somber than I was expecting it to be. Liam faces quite a bit of abuse and bullying over the course of the story, and I didn't find it that fun to read. Even his friends on the ship turn on him regularly. The mystery is well put together with plenty of clues. I did feel things were a bit overly complex, but the clues were all there when Liam explains things at the end. This books definitely falls on the traditional side of the spectrum with a smattering of language and talk about sex (but nothing on the page) that keep it from being a true cozy. This wasn’t' truly a bad book, but I did hope for something sunnier when I picked it up.
I really thought this book sounded like fun, but it turned out to be much more somber than I was expecting it to be. Liam faces quite a bit of abuse and bullying over the course of the story, and I didn't find it that fun to read. Even his friends on the ship turn on him regularly. The mystery is well put together with plenty of clues. I did feel things were a bit overly complex, but the clues were all there when Liam explains things at the end. This books definitely falls on the traditional side of the spectrum with a smattering of language and talk about sex (but nothing on the page) that keep it from being a true cozy. This wasn’t' truly a bad book, but I did hope for something sunnier when I picked it up.
Far from the East End: The Moving Story of an Evacuee's Survival and Search for Home
Book
** Saga Magazine 'Life Story' competition winner** From the streets of London to the Welsh...
Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House Between the Wars
Book
"[A] fantastically readable and endlessly fascinating book...Delicious, occasionally fantastical,...
The Storyteller Sequence: Karamazoo; Fairytaleheart; Sparkleshark; Moonfleece; Brokenville
Book
This collection brings together Philip Ridley's one-act plays for young people, known as The...
Knowledge Games: How Playing Games Can Solve Problems, Create Insight, and Make Change
Book
Imagine if new knowledge and insights came not just from research centers, think tanks, and...
Merissa (13961 KP) rated Get Away Closer in Books
Jun 25, 2020
Get Away Closer tells the story of an opposite pair (early bird and night-owl) living next door to each other, both with elderly grandmas in the local vicinity. I loved how they first met and Lanie's grumpiness when she was woken up. Their relationship is a slow-burning one although, when it moves, it moves. I loved the descriptions Ms. Pratt gives us in the book - of the storms, the blanket, the wood, and sky blue, pink, and purple.
Ms. Pratt also manages to show the reader how grandparents can be different with their peers than they are with their grandchildren! Out of the two, I will admit to feeling sorry for Esther more than Irene, but both these ladies know how to hold a grudge.
This is a lighter read than some of Ms. Pratt's works but she details magnificently how a "big, strong man" can be abused and how it makes him feel. I thought this covered the subject beautifully and even read parts out to my young daughters as I feel it is important for them to understand that 'bullying' is not just by one sex.
This was a wonderful story that kept my attention and the pages turning. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this story or, indeed, any other of Ms. Pratt's works. Brilliant.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Ms. Pratt also manages to show the reader how grandparents can be different with their peers than they are with their grandchildren! Out of the two, I will admit to feeling sorry for Esther more than Irene, but both these ladies know how to hold a grudge.
This is a lighter read than some of Ms. Pratt's works but she details magnificently how a "big, strong man" can be abused and how it makes him feel. I thought this covered the subject beautifully and even read parts out to my young daughters as I feel it is important for them to understand that 'bullying' is not just by one sex.
This was a wonderful story that kept my attention and the pages turning. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this story or, indeed, any other of Ms. Pratt's works. Brilliant.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
