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ClareR (6037 KP) rated Pieces Of Her in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I’ll be honest: I didn’t actually like this until about halfway through, and I would have given up if there hadn’t have been the earlier timeline story. The main character in the present day, Andrea, is, for want of another word, wet. Even before the initial incident happens that sets off a chain of events, she just seems really apathetic. I took quite a long time to warm to her, and even then I can’t say as I particularly liked her.
The timeline in the 80s though, was fascinating. A terrorist group where the leader seems to be in complete control of his ‘soldiers’ who answer to him. A woman, Jane, is the main protagonist in this timeline, and she is a bit of a sorry figure. She has been controlled by her father, and then is controlled by her lover, the terrorist leader. She does have more backbone than Andrea however, and takes control of her life. Which I suppose Andy also does eventually. But it takes her a while - and it takes two awful events at the beginning of the book to give the process a kickstart.
I liked the story very much on the whole. It’s fast paced and exciting. My first Karin Slaughter book probably won’t be my last.
The timeline in the 80s though, was fascinating. A terrorist group where the leader seems to be in complete control of his ‘soldiers’ who answer to him. A woman, Jane, is the main protagonist in this timeline, and she is a bit of a sorry figure. She has been controlled by her father, and then is controlled by her lover, the terrorist leader. She does have more backbone than Andrea however, and takes control of her life. Which I suppose Andy also does eventually. But it takes her a while - and it takes two awful events at the beginning of the book to give the process a kickstart.
I liked the story very much on the whole. It’s fast paced and exciting. My first Karin Slaughter book probably won’t be my last.
Her Ladyship's Girl: A Maid's Life in London
Book
Anwyn Moyle was born at the end of the First World War in a small mining village in Wales. At the...
Look at Me
Book
Read our interview with Sarah here. LOOK AT ME is a superb coming-of-age novel and an...
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Somewhere Close to Happy in Books
Sep 24, 2020
The protagonist in this book is Lizzie, a young woman who is dealing with mental health issues every single day. Her life changes, after she receives a letter from her childhood friend/sweetheart Roman. He was her best friend/boyfriend during her teenage years, who helped her to go through many difficult situations. But one day, he just disappeared. Now Lizzie, with the help of her best friend, trying to find Roman to find out, why he left her when she needed him the most.
This novel has very complex characters, and I really liked the way the author developed them throughout the pages. I liked Lizzie a lot, she is very strong, even though she doesn’t realise it sometimes. She is willing to go out of her comfort zones on multiple occasions, in order to find Roman. I really enjoyed the multiple timelines in this novel as well, we not only follow the search but also have an amazing insight into Lizzie’s past.
The author played with the narrative very smartly and creatively. The narrative is always changing, and every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. That made this book a true page-turner. All I wanted was for Lizzie to find Roman, and all the “near misses” were driving me insane!
This novel has very complex characters, and I really liked the way the author developed them throughout the pages. I liked Lizzie a lot, she is very strong, even though she doesn’t realise it sometimes. She is willing to go out of her comfort zones on multiple occasions, in order to find Roman. I really enjoyed the multiple timelines in this novel as well, we not only follow the search but also have an amazing insight into Lizzie’s past.
The author played with the narrative very smartly and creatively. The narrative is always changing, and every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. That made this book a true page-turner. All I wanted was for Lizzie to find Roman, and all the “near misses” were driving me insane!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Daughter of Auschwitz in Books
Oct 1, 2022
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” ELIE WIESEL
This is an extremely hard book to read but one I feel necessary so the past is not forgotten.
Tova was born just prior to the start of World War II; her earliest memories being of living in the ghetto her family and parents were sent to by the Nazi's. From the ghetto, she and her parents are sent to a labour camp; Tova is 5 years old. At the age of 6, Tova and her mum are separated from her dad for the first time as they are placed in different cattle cars and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Tova describes her experiences from the eyes of an innocent child trying to make sense of the horrors she hears and witnesses every day. How someone, let alone a child, can survive what went on in that hell and come out the other side and live even close to a 'normal' life is beyond me. It is testament to the strength of her mother and the lessons she taught Tova that she survived and became the woman she did.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this powerful, heart-breaking but uplifting book. This should be required reading for all school children and adults alike.
This is an extremely hard book to read but one I feel necessary so the past is not forgotten.
Tova was born just prior to the start of World War II; her earliest memories being of living in the ghetto her family and parents were sent to by the Nazi's. From the ghetto, she and her parents are sent to a labour camp; Tova is 5 years old. At the age of 6, Tova and her mum are separated from her dad for the first time as they are placed in different cattle cars and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Tova describes her experiences from the eyes of an innocent child trying to make sense of the horrors she hears and witnesses every day. How someone, let alone a child, can survive what went on in that hell and come out the other side and live even close to a 'normal' life is beyond me. It is testament to the strength of her mother and the lessons she taught Tova that she survived and became the woman she did.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this powerful, heart-breaking but uplifting book. This should be required reading for all school children and adults alike.
Bonnie and Clyde: Resurrection Road
Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall
Book
THE RETURN OF BONNIE AND CLYDE Saving democracy, one bank robbery at a time. In the provocative...
series adult fiction Bonnie & Clyde Bonnie and Clyde
Kristin (149 KP) rated Finding My Way Home: A Memoir about Life, Love, and Family in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a copy from author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very interesting memoir following the attacks of 9/11. However, it's NOT about a survivor of the attacks, or a family member who lost someone, which I think is refreshing. Rather, the protagonist is a woman who, like the rest of the country, was affected by the events of that day, and this spurs her to reflect on her life and do some deep thinking about where she stands in relation to everything around her. So she decides to go on an extended road trip around the country, and she learns quite a lot about herself along the way, while meeting some interesting people and catching up with old friends, which may or may not be such a good thing.
I would recommend this to anyone who's ever done some "soul searching" or who likes to live vicariously through others who have done so. It makes you contemplate your own life choices and relationships, and it's a very nice story, as well.
4 stars
This is a very interesting memoir following the attacks of 9/11. However, it's NOT about a survivor of the attacks, or a family member who lost someone, which I think is refreshing. Rather, the protagonist is a woman who, like the rest of the country, was affected by the events of that day, and this spurs her to reflect on her life and do some deep thinking about where she stands in relation to everything around her. So she decides to go on an extended road trip around the country, and she learns quite a lot about herself along the way, while meeting some interesting people and catching up with old friends, which may or may not be such a good thing.
I would recommend this to anyone who's ever done some "soul searching" or who likes to live vicariously through others who have done so. It makes you contemplate your own life choices and relationships, and it's a very nice story, as well.
4 stars
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Dumb and Dumber (1994) in Movies
Jan 6, 2018
Want hear the most annoying sound in the world.
Ok. This the Jim Carey we kind of grew up with. Crazy,zany,funny, no limits in this character for him. Jeff Daniels reaches in and pulls out his inner Carey in this wacky film about two idiots who take a cross country trip to return a briefcase to woman they both don't know. I don't believe I have laughed so hard in a theater in my life and I still crack up every time I watch it. I can't wait til one day my daughter is old enough to see it and understand the comedy. Danger lurks around each corner but, being the idiots they are they slip right around it.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Tangerine: A Novel in Books
Apr 1, 2018
Plain cruel
Call me a wimp, but I don't tend to enjoy books where terrible things happen to the protagonist without any proper resolution.
Alice Shipley, a rather meek woman, lives with her cocky husband in Tangiers, when one day a face from the past comes back to haunt her. Lucy Mason, her former roommate turns up at her doorstep with hidden motives.
This book has been described as similar to The Talented Mr Ripley, and in some ways, we can see how they converge. It is a psychological thriller including aspects of whether Alice can trust her mind, and if Lucy is just a bunny boiler - bringing together all the usual plots. I personally didn't relish this, because the conclusion fizzled out.
Alice Shipley, a rather meek woman, lives with her cocky husband in Tangiers, when one day a face from the past comes back to haunt her. Lucy Mason, her former roommate turns up at her doorstep with hidden motives.
This book has been described as similar to The Talented Mr Ripley, and in some ways, we can see how they converge. It is a psychological thriller including aspects of whether Alice can trust her mind, and if Lucy is just a bunny boiler - bringing together all the usual plots. I personally didn't relish this, because the conclusion fizzled out.