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ClareR (5784 KP) rated The Only Story in Books

Mar 7, 2018

The Only Story

Julian Barnes | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry

9.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

A beautifully sad love story

"Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is, I think, finally, the only really question."
This is a book to be savoured and to have time taken over it. It just seems so personal and private, and frankly, I felt nosey reading it. It illustrates a 19 year old boys great love - a 48 year old woman who he meets at a tennis club during his holidays from University. This love endures through disapproval of both families and many hardships before the end.
It was interesting that the book moved through the use of first person when the love was new and exciting, second person when the relationship began to encounter problems and third person at the end when he is more detached from his lover, Joan. Watching the slide of someone in to addiction and eventually, dementia, was a particularly sad part of the novel, with his personal guilt and inaction increasing the melancholy and sadness of the whole situation. At the end of this book, I finished the last page and found myself sitting and thinking about it for a while. It really is a very affecting book.

Kudos

Kristin (149 KP) rated Something Old, Something New in Books

Dec 7, 2018

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Love, loss, betrayal -- all in the time of Nazis

Elodie and Monique are rummaging through their family attic one day when they come across an old trunk full of letters and memorabilia. They find it all extremely interesting, so they start to peruse the trinkets. Little do they know this will set them on a whirlwind adventure through their family history, bringing to light that which has been hidden for decades.

I absolutely loved this story. It has so much information regarding World War II, and it really gets to the heart of what it was like for families during that time, especially those living in occupied France, such as the one featured. There are many issues expressed during the course of the novel, and not just those stemming for the occupation. It made for a very interesting read that I couldn't put down, and I love the format in which it's written: the story being told to an author in order to help Elodie write the book on her family.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romp through history, especially the WWII era, as well as those who like intrigue, love stories, and just great stories.

5 stars

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Merissa (12363 KP) rated Desires of a Mage (Mages of the Nether, #2) in Books

Dec 17, 2018

Desires of a Mage follows Marcus as he becomes bored with being a bodyguard for Daniel and Aiden. He wants more, but doesn't appear to be able to get it. Edmond is from a scholarly house, more suited to teaching than fighting. These two have a history but Marcus broke it off for reasons unknown. All does become clear as the story progresses though, I promise you.

With meddling families, traitors in the mix, unrequited love, there is plenty of action going on. I was very pleased when things were cleared up with Tullia, but a bit disappointed when left with a hint that things still weren't in the clear regarding Camelia. There is plenty in here to move this story along, as well as laying the groundwork for future stories, full of intrigue.

This is well written, with a smooth and easy flow to it. I would recommend that you read it as part of a series, rather than a standalone, but have no hesitation at all in recommending it completely.

*A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.*

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Kudos

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Wolf Wants In in Books

Oct 31, 2019

Sometimes I foolishly put off reading a book because I think it sounds “too smart” or something for me. I made that mistake with The Wolf Wants In, and I was such an idiot! This was such a wonderful, well-written psychological thriller. I don’t know what I was thinking!

Wolf is told from the perspectives of Sadie and Henley, who both live in the same small Kansas town. Sadie has recently lost her brother, Shane, and she’s looking for answers about how he died—even if no one else seems too concerned. Meanwhile eighteen-year-old Henley comes from a long line of known troublemakers: many of whom are drug dealers and users. She’s determined to leave town and her family behind. But events transpire that make that harder than she envisioned. Overshadowing everything is the town’s opioid crisis and the discovery of a child’s skull in the woods.

The characters in Wolf are vivid and nuanced. They have such depth and feeling. McHugh captures small town life so well—as well as how easily addiction can ravage families. What I loved was how she layered a mystery against all of this: the result was a completely compelling read. I was totally captivated by this one: definitely recommend! 4+ stars.