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Kimmic (814 KP) rated Living with a Serial Killer in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Slow moving (2 more)
Not what you would expect at all
Found it difficult to like the main character
The title is the most exciting bit!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Well, I was very excited to read this book, and was quickly disappointed... I did finish it (with maybe scan reading towards the end). This book is about a weak woman being with a very controlling and dominating partner, there is no reference to him being a killer until the very end.
I am not sure I would even forward this book onto a Charity Shop for someone else to waste their time reading it. The title is very misleading and it was sure will for the book to get better that pushed me through to the end (p.s. it doesn't... get better that is!)
I am not sure I would even forward this book onto a Charity Shop for someone else to waste their time reading it. The title is very misleading and it was sure will for the book to get better that pushed me through to the end (p.s. it doesn't... get better that is!)
Alice (117 KP) rated The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2) in Books
Mar 3, 2021
It's a vicious cycle, I watched Bridgerton, I needed more Anthony Bridgerton in my life so I read this book, now I need season two because I need more Anthony Bridgerton in my life.
I relate to Kate Sheffield in two ways
1. I also am the slightly less desirable older sister
2. I am in love with Anthony Bridgerton against my better judgement
If you told me that my first read of the year was going to be a regency romance I would have laughed in your face but the jokes on me I guess because I was so pleasantly surprised by this book and just how well it was written. Maybe all the old ladies who bought all the mass-market paperbacks from the charity shop I worked in had some points.
I relate to Kate Sheffield in two ways
1. I also am the slightly less desirable older sister
2. I am in love with Anthony Bridgerton against my better judgement
If you told me that my first read of the year was going to be a regency romance I would have laughed in your face but the jokes on me I guess because I was so pleasantly surprised by this book and just how well it was written. Maybe all the old ladies who bought all the mass-market paperbacks from the charity shop I worked in had some points.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Tenth of December in Books
Nov 21, 2017
Dark, disturbing and satirical
This collection of short stories cannot be pigeon-holed. In this oddly disjointed, surreal collection, the underlying issues in modern American culture are loudly explored. George Saunders' breathless writing style floods over terrible realities and hard truths, leaving the reader gasping in its wake.
Tenth of December handles its running themes in a poignant, individual and certainly irreverent way. Narcissistic ideas of charity stems from trivial competition, while sheer denial is shown in the face of true poverty. Generations breed generations, passing on corrupted ideals and traumatic examples. Paedophilia, racism, poverty: nothing is safe from these chastising, powerful stories.
Saunders leaves an expunged, brutally telling view of the American dream. In his futuristic imaginings, he exaggerates the failings of Western consumerism, yet ultimately his message is clear: When one tries to have it all, they're left with nothing.
Tenth of December handles its running themes in a poignant, individual and certainly irreverent way. Narcissistic ideas of charity stems from trivial competition, while sheer denial is shown in the face of true poverty. Generations breed generations, passing on corrupted ideals and traumatic examples. Paedophilia, racism, poverty: nothing is safe from these chastising, powerful stories.
Saunders leaves an expunged, brutally telling view of the American dream. In his futuristic imaginings, he exaggerates the failings of Western consumerism, yet ultimately his message is clear: When one tries to have it all, they're left with nothing.
Donna C (199 KP) rated Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine in Books
Aug 26, 2019
I have just finished this. I liked it. Quite a lot. I do tend to judge books by their covers - bad I know. I didn’t think this was “my type of book” before I read it. I thought it was either “chick lit” which I can’t stand or was too literary for me. But I was in a charity shop a few weeks ago and it was 2 paperbacks for £1. I’d chosen 3 when the assistant pointed this out so I grabbed this absentmindedly to make up the numbers.
What a revelation to read something different. I thought the characters were great especially Eleanor and was eager to read on as small snippets of her history were revealed. It is essentially a story about loneliness and was quite poignant at times. I will be revising my opinions and trying out different genres in future.
What a revelation to read something different. I thought the characters were great especially Eleanor and was eager to read on as small snippets of her history were revealed. It is essentially a story about loneliness and was quite poignant at times. I will be revising my opinions and trying out different genres in future.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Visionist in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was without a doubt a much different book than what I am used to reading. That is not a bad thing at all. This book tells the story of how 3 lives that seemed so separate suddenly crash together in very unexpected ways. The first is Polly a young girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is a worker & protector within her small, dysfunctional family. The next is Sister Charity. A young Shaker girl who holds a high esteem within her community until circumstances change & that changes in an instant. The last is Simon Pryor. A man who was forced into a position because he had tried to help out.
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
Sue (5 KP) rated I Know What You Bid Last Summer (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery #5) in Books
Apr 23, 2018
Sarah Winston, a garage sale expert, knows how to run a successful garage sale and has made a business out of it. As part of a charity event, Sarah volunteers her expertise and agrees to manage an athletic equipment swap. While preparing the event, she is knocked out by a would-be robber and then the day of the event discovers the dead body of the local superintendent.
Sarah becomes an amateur detective and compiles a list of murder suspects that all seem to be other members of the school board. With her quick wit and sleuthing talents, Sarah must find the killer before the killer makes her another item for the dumpster.
This book is more than a charming cozy mystery; the author gives you inside tips into the world of garage sale selling and buying. The mystery, suspense, and moments of comedy keep you interested, while you try to guess who the culprit is.
Sarah becomes an amateur detective and compiles a list of murder suspects that all seem to be other members of the school board. With her quick wit and sleuthing talents, Sarah must find the killer before the killer makes her another item for the dumpster.
This book is more than a charming cozy mystery; the author gives you inside tips into the world of garage sale selling and buying. The mystery, suspense, and moments of comedy keep you interested, while you try to guess who the culprit is.
Sue (5 KP) rated I Know What You Bid Last Summer (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery #5) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Sarah Winston, a garage sale expert, knows how to run a successful garage sale and has made a business out of it. As part of a charity event, Sarah volunteers her expertise and agrees to manage an athletic equipment swap. While preparing the event, she is knocked out by a would-be robber and then the day of the event discovers the dead body of the local superintendent.
Sarah becomes an amateur detective and compiles a list of murder suspects that all seem to be other members of the school board. With her quick wit and sleuthing talents, Sarah must find the killer before the killer makes her another item for the dumpster.
This book is more than a charming cozy mystery; the author gives you inside tips into the world of garage sale selling and buying. The mystery, suspense, and moments of comedy keep you interested, while you try to guess who the culprit is.
Sarah becomes an amateur detective and compiles a list of murder suspects that all seem to be other members of the school board. With her quick wit and sleuthing talents, Sarah must find the killer before the killer makes her another item for the dumpster.
This book is more than a charming cozy mystery; the author gives you inside tips into the world of garage sale selling and buying. The mystery, suspense, and moments of comedy keep you interested, while you try to guess who the culprit is.
Magic, monsters & mystery
Contains spoilers, click to show
I first read this about 10 years ago and still have the book, I bought from a local charity shop as I wanted to do something other than watch tv and movies and play videogames (shock horror) but as a big harry potter fan this seemed to catch my attention.
The Story focuses on a young 13 yr old boy who is the seventh son of a seventh son, which is a rare and special thing in this world, which catches the attention of a spook, someone who vanquishes evil (for a price).
The spook takes the apprentice under his wing in an attempt to train him as a possible successor.
As I write this there are 10 books in total that I am aware of and I have only read this one (but own books 1,3 & 10?)
I highly recommend giving this a read.
The Story focuses on a young 13 yr old boy who is the seventh son of a seventh son, which is a rare and special thing in this world, which catches the attention of a spook, someone who vanquishes evil (for a price).
The spook takes the apprentice under his wing in an attempt to train him as a possible successor.
As I write this there are 10 books in total that I am aware of and I have only read this one (but own books 1,3 & 10?)
I highly recommend giving this a read.
AJaneClark (3962 KP) rated A Witch Awakens in Books
Apr 27, 2020 (Updated Apr 27, 2020)
I came across this lovely little book in a charity shop a while back, and it lingered in the TBR pile for a long while.
A relatively short read, coming in at less than 200 pages. This slow starter rapidly became one of those books that I struggled to put down.
Scarlett has felt different for a long while, but seems to develop her magick powers naturally without any guidance. Scarlett is your typical 21 year old, enjoying living away from home, in the big city, looking for love, finding a job after finishing school, managing finances and having fun with friends, oh and being a witch! That was until the night of the break in. After that Scarlett started to notice odd little things, would lose train of thought, or moments in time. Until one day when it all came together in an intriguing climax.
The first in this series, I would happily purchases the rest.
A relatively short read, coming in at less than 200 pages. This slow starter rapidly became one of those books that I struggled to put down.
Scarlett has felt different for a long while, but seems to develop her magick powers naturally without any guidance. Scarlett is your typical 21 year old, enjoying living away from home, in the big city, looking for love, finding a job after finishing school, managing finances and having fun with friends, oh and being a witch! That was until the night of the break in. After that Scarlett started to notice odd little things, would lose train of thought, or moments in time. Until one day when it all came together in an intriguing climax.
The first in this series, I would happily purchases the rest.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Libby, by OverDrive in Apps
Nov 3, 2017 (Updated Nov 3, 2017)
Good for hard to find books
I'm a real book person. I don't have a kindle and I much prefer to read actual books from my local library or from charity shops.
I get access to the Libby app through my local library card, and after fruitless searches for certain books available in the libraries themselves, I decided to cave in and try the electronic version. I can't complain, as the app actually had was I was looking for and I found the borrowing books and reading functionality very easy to use.
However the catalogue is fairly limited, and there isn't a large amount of new releases or popular books available. I'm not sure if this is down to the library you use, or the app itself, but it's very frustrating when you search for an author like Stephen King and find only 2 titles when he's written so many. This app also advertises that you can download books to a kindle, which almost tempted me into buying one until I found out that functionality is only available in the US. Urgh.
I get access to the Libby app through my local library card, and after fruitless searches for certain books available in the libraries themselves, I decided to cave in and try the electronic version. I can't complain, as the app actually had was I was looking for and I found the borrowing books and reading functionality very easy to use.
However the catalogue is fairly limited, and there isn't a large amount of new releases or popular books available. I'm not sure if this is down to the library you use, or the app itself, but it's very frustrating when you search for an author like Stephen King and find only 2 titles when he's written so many. This app also advertises that you can download books to a kindle, which almost tempted me into buying one until I found out that functionality is only available in the US. Urgh.
