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Lessons Learned About Life and Love: Living with Intention and with Wisdom from Great Minds
Book
In her second book "Lessons Learned About Life and Love", Vivianne shares some of the lessons she...
Memoir
How To Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia
Book
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia is Mohsin Hamid's spectacular, thought-provoking novel of...
an incredibly interesting concept with a fast paced plot (3 more)
very interesting structure of the book as a book within a book, etc.
a thought provoking commentary on gender, religion, power, war and the future of these things, even with hints towards the dangerous future of chemical/atomic/nuclear weaponry
i am sure that this will be made into a movie (it really is of grand proportions) and i can only hope they do it justice
THANK YOU FOR THIS NOVEL NAOMI ALDERMAN
i cannot encourage anyone to read this book enough. what a concept for a novel!! especially biting from the perspective of a female reader, it reads as a disturbing and compelling gender political satire that sometimes hits a little too close to home. i implore you to read it and reconsider the gender political landscape of our modern society
Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated Batman & Robin: Volume 4 in Books
Apr 7, 2018
This six-issue arc is the aftermath of an event that occurs in another title. Yet it is impressive all on its own, without having read the other. Taken individually, each issue might not seem like much. But together they form a compelling analysis of Bruce Wayne's obsessiveness.
The first issue, "Undone", is a wonderful dialogue-free one. It gets the message across without anyone saying a single word. The next five are named after stages of grief, pairing each one to Batman's interactions with his extended family. Thus we have Red Robin/Denial, Red Hood/Rage, Batgirl/Barginning, Catwoman/Despair and, finally, Nightwing/Acceptance. Such a stylized crafting of story should not go unrewarded.
Each chapter of this series increases my respect for Tomasi. I'm only halfway through, yet I already think this is an equal of Snyder's New 52 run of Batman. Definitely a must-read for fans.
The first issue, "Undone", is a wonderful dialogue-free one. It gets the message across without anyone saying a single word. The next five are named after stages of grief, pairing each one to Batman's interactions with his extended family. Thus we have Red Robin/Denial, Red Hood/Rage, Batgirl/Barginning, Catwoman/Despair and, finally, Nightwing/Acceptance. Such a stylized crafting of story should not go unrewarded.
Each chapter of this series increases my respect for Tomasi. I'm only halfway through, yet I already think this is an equal of Snyder's New 52 run of Batman. Definitely a must-read for fans.
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated The Night Child in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I received an arc copy of this book for an open and honest review
I would have loved to give this book a 5 star rating as the whole story was so raw, so heartbreaking, so terribly sad that I truly wanted a happy ending, and I suppose hope and the knowledge that she has started to resolve her issues are a happy ending but I just wanted more from the ending. I couldn't put this book down, it gripped me, it was compelling. The writing was sound and the build up of the characters were great, apart from Paul - I just could not connect with him, but perhaps that was the point? For me the let down was the ending, what happened to Nora? Fiona? between Nora and John? It just seemed to leave a lot of loose ends! Other than that it was great!!!
I would have loved to give this book a 5 star rating as the whole story was so raw, so heartbreaking, so terribly sad that I truly wanted a happy ending, and I suppose hope and the knowledge that she has started to resolve her issues are a happy ending but I just wanted more from the ending. I couldn't put this book down, it gripped me, it was compelling. The writing was sound and the build up of the characters were great, apart from Paul - I just could not connect with him, but perhaps that was the point? For me the let down was the ending, what happened to Nora? Fiona? between Nora and John? It just seemed to leave a lot of loose ends! Other than that it was great!!!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated One Foot in the Grape (Cypress Cove Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Antonia Martinelli asks Penny Lively to look into sabotage at the Martinelli Winery, Penny feels like she has to say yes. However, things quickly escalate to murder, and Penny feels like she has gotten in over her head. Can she find the killer? Is the murder related to the sabotage?
This debut is filled with strong characters and a compelling plot that kept me turning pages. Sadly, the timeline early on had some errors in it, which is a big pet peeve. Those issues were resolved later in the book, and it never impacted the story. Overall, this is a strong book in what could easily become a long running series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-one-foot-in-grape-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This debut is filled with strong characters and a compelling plot that kept me turning pages. Sadly, the timeline early on had some errors in it, which is a big pet peeve. Those issues were resolved later in the book, and it never impacted the story. Overall, this is a strong book in what could easily become a long running series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-one-foot-in-grape-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Dangerous Girls in Books
Jul 10, 2018
This book had me hooked from the start!!
It was a really compelling read as you gather the evidence and facts to decide if Anna is guilty or not. Abigail Haas has masterfully written the book so that your emotions are engaged throughout.
The writing style is quite choppy as you change between, present day, pre murder flashbacks, transcripts of phone calls/ interviews. However the style really works as it sets the scene for before the murder and gives you the evidence as it occurs. It also gives you the confusion I’m sure Anna is feeling, especially as she is blindsided by new evidence. It just seems as if Anna is recounting the story to the reader and the flashbacks are relevant.
I would definitely recommend this book particularly if you enjoys thrillers/ mysteries like Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train as this is similar but with teens.
It was a really compelling read as you gather the evidence and facts to decide if Anna is guilty or not. Abigail Haas has masterfully written the book so that your emotions are engaged throughout.
The writing style is quite choppy as you change between, present day, pre murder flashbacks, transcripts of phone calls/ interviews. However the style really works as it sets the scene for before the murder and gives you the evidence as it occurs. It also gives you the confusion I’m sure Anna is feeling, especially as she is blindsided by new evidence. It just seems as if Anna is recounting the story to the reader and the flashbacks are relevant.
I would definitely recommend this book particularly if you enjoys thrillers/ mysteries like Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train as this is similar but with teens.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Brain on Fire (2016) in Movies
Jul 5, 2018 (Updated Jul 5, 2018)
Not very deep
This Netflix movie about a young woman who comes down with a mysterious brain disease was all right for me, but lacked much depth or details of the story. Her relationship with her boyfriend, divorced parents and her employer all become strained when her behavior starts to change.
It's not the story, which is of course compelling, I had a problem with. It was the screenplay which lacked any real depth and some of the acting. The actor playing her father, boyfriend, father and Tyler Perry as her boss I thought overacted and were not believable.
If I wanted to find out any details about the complexity of her illness, there weren't many to be found in this 88 minute film.
Do yourself a favor and watch Awakenings, Lorenzo's Oil or Something the Lord Made instead of this film.
It's not the story, which is of course compelling, I had a problem with. It was the screenplay which lacked any real depth and some of the acting. The actor playing her father, boyfriend, father and Tyler Perry as her boss I thought overacted and were not believable.
If I wanted to find out any details about the complexity of her illness, there weren't many to be found in this 88 minute film.
Do yourself a favor and watch Awakenings, Lorenzo's Oil or Something the Lord Made instead of this film.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Red, White & Royal Blue in Books
Nov 7, 2019
A book where the President’s son falls for the Prince of Wales? Sign me up!
This book is raunchy and the language is rather explicit, and my goodness, I loved it. This one was one of my rare audiobook listens, and I was driving down the road laughing and crying. Wiping away actual tears at points.
McQuiston combines a sort of coming of age love story against the backdrop of politics. Both storylines are compelling beyond belief. Alex, the President’s son and our main character, is incredibly well-written. Funny, sweet, and so real. And Henry, our Prince, is lovely too. It’s impossible not to root for them.
This book is witty, sweet, a surprising nail biter at times, and offers such a great message—now more than ever. (And the narrator in this one was easily my favorite in my limited audiobook career.) Cannot recommend it enough!
This book is raunchy and the language is rather explicit, and my goodness, I loved it. This one was one of my rare audiobook listens, and I was driving down the road laughing and crying. Wiping away actual tears at points.
McQuiston combines a sort of coming of age love story against the backdrop of politics. Both storylines are compelling beyond belief. Alex, the President’s son and our main character, is incredibly well-written. Funny, sweet, and so real. And Henry, our Prince, is lovely too. It’s impossible not to root for them.
This book is witty, sweet, a surprising nail biter at times, and offers such a great message—now more than ever. (And the narrator in this one was easily my favorite in my limited audiobook career.) Cannot recommend it enough!
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Twilight Saga (Twilight, #1-4) in Books
Nov 18, 2019
A Guilty Pleasure
Reading these in my (very) late teens, I could not help but be gripped by the romance, the forbidden nature, the utter devotion of the characters, and the tween take on some occult characters.
The way the world is explained is pretty good, and allows the story to realy flow. All the characters are interesting, often flawed and draw you in. The general themes as well as the juxtaposition of totally normal teenage crap, like meeting the boyfriend's family, and the danger faced by the characters is sometimes farcical, but no less compelling because of it.
The story feels complete, the characters develop, and Bella becomes less of an ass.
It was a lovely read, and I am looking forward to diving back in, a decade later, to see if I still feel the same.
The way the world is explained is pretty good, and allows the story to realy flow. All the characters are interesting, often flawed and draw you in. The general themes as well as the juxtaposition of totally normal teenage crap, like meeting the boyfriend's family, and the danger faced by the characters is sometimes farcical, but no less compelling because of it.
The story feels complete, the characters develop, and Bella becomes less of an ass.
It was a lovely read, and I am looking forward to diving back in, a decade later, to see if I still feel the same.