Search

Search only in certain items:

Running the Tides
Running the Tides
Amanda Kayhart | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The characters in thisbook were likable and developed. The settings were amazing. The plot took some twists and turns. The overall flow of the book was very good. The progression of the two main characters relationship and how it connects to their family history was unique. There were a couple of times I wanted to yell at Avery for being stupid. I definately recommend this book. It would be a beach or sitting by the fireplace read.
  
Wolves at the Door (2016)
Wolves at the Door (2016)
2016 | Horror, Mystery
7
4.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Not bad
Based on the Sharoin Taste murder by the Mansion family in the late sixties, this movie was pretty good. The acting was well done and the cinematography,while looking like it was made in the eighties(intentionally I think), was decent. If you know your history you'll already know the storyline. They played it out at a good pace and kept it intense. The beginning scene wasn't really necessary but it is what it is. The movie felt kind of like you were watching "The Strangers', with no real sense to the violence, but again, if you know your history you know that was the case with this story at the time. Entertaining enough, this one is worth a watch.
  
A Great book !
 I got totally engrossed in this story and truly learned some new things ! It made me want to read the other books in this series that Barbour Publishing is putting out. This was such rich historical story it was like being there! Kathleen Y'Barbo really made history come alive in this book and it is filled with adventure.
 While it was not my favorite book by Kathleen Y'Barbo it really was a great read and kept me interested throughout the whole book.
 I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, for good history, lovely characters, and family focus.
 I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in return for my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
TG
The Grace of Silence: A Family Memoir
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
This book caught my eye because I'd taken a Civil Rights course one summer while in college at CMU. The class facinated me. I learned what I thought was a great deal about the civil rights movement...from freedom marches, to sit ins we talked about it all. Or so I thought!
Michelle Norris's book told me otherwise. The day to day struggles of real families from this era of American history goes largly unnoticed. This book looked at one family & how things that were considered taboo, & therefore never talked about, effected generations of her family. It took an in-depth look at how "normal" people were the cornerstone of the movement & to this day go largly unhearlded for their efforts.
The memoir was well written & read more like a novel than a true account of someone's family. This was an unexpectedly great book!
  
40x40

ClareR (5596 KP) rated Not Speaking in Books

Jun 14, 2019  
Not Speaking
Not Speaking
Norma Clarke | 2019 | Biography
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another great book chosen by The Pigeonhole (seriously, this app is ridiculously addictive). Norma Clarke tells us the story of her family. She grew up in the East End of London, the second eldest of six siblings, in a tiny flat. Her mother and father met in Greece at the end of the Second World War, and Rena came back to England after marrying Bill in Greece, and being able to speak very little English. It must have been really difficult for her.

There’s more to this than a family history though. Norma takes us through some of the social history of East London, Greek mythology (which explains some of her mother’s mindset, I think), and links some of he places she visits to her favourite authors.

It’s just such an interesting book. I wanted to know what happened to all of these people, why they weren’t speaking for one thing! It was truly a delight to read. She writes so descriptively: one minute you can’t believe that her mother can be so blunt and seemingly unfeeling (and therefore I rather disliked her for it), and the next minute, you realise she is as she is, and feel empathy for her. And during all of this, there is the rest of the family. They have their disagreements, yes, but ultimately they are family and they’re always there for one another when they are needed.

I really enjoyed this book. Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, and to Norma Clarke for reading along with us and answering questions.
  
40x40

Chloe (778 KP) rated Grown Ups in Books

Feb 22, 2021 (Updated Feb 22, 2021)  
Grown Ups
Grown Ups
9
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (3 more)
Good Writing
Immersive
Exciting
Pairings (0 more)
Fave author, great family
I do love Marian Keyes, the way she's able to take the every day and make it interesting. I couldn't put this down and loved the dynamics of the characters.

For some reason I couldn't keep hold off who was who's partner in the beginning as it switches perspectives.

I really loved the twists in the story.


There's a trigger warning for this book worth noting for those with history for of eating disorders.
  
https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2020/07/23/landing-in-my-present-lone-star-lit/

Landing in My Present by Mary Walker Clark got me hook, line, and sinker; and for someone who does not generally read biographies that is saying something. From the opening chapter, Mary Walker Clark drew me into her story and her journey to know her father better. I enjoyed the way she shared her journey; it was like a reading story full of learning, history, emotions, and some great life lessons. From finding old letters, listening to people who had known her dad, and traveling to where he had lived, Mary brought him to life before my eyes. I cannot even imagine how awesome and meaningful her adventure was for her and her family on a personal level.

“How do you broaden your relationship with someone who has been dead 50 years?”

This question stood out to me and was part of the challenge of Mary Walker Clark’s story. Can you truly know someone who died 50 years ago? Well, I think Mary Walker Clark got pretty darn close. From the start, Mary Walker Clark weaved in her childhood memories, historical details about the different planes her dad flew, personal letters from friends of her father… It made me feel like I was on the journey with her. Gleaning a little bit more knowledge of who her dad was. It was also interesting to see how her perspective of her father grew and changed over the course of the book; it was like watching something unfold before my eyes.

I think many people can relate to Mary Walker Clark’s family, from their early compartmentalization of feelings, their hard work ethics, and how they learned that life can pass much to quickly, leaving never enough time to feel like we truly know our family. They are so similar to the dynamics in my family and many others that I know of.

The research, emotions, and time that went into this book are amazing. I rarely find a book that makes me want to cry but Mary Walker Clark wrote with such forthrightness about her experiences that it caused me to think about how much history we are losing every day because we do not take the time to sit and listen to the people around us. I am so glad I read this book, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes WWII history. I learned so much about WWII that I did not know beforehand, and I learned the importance of writing down or passing down the history of your family.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars for the detailed WWII history, the way Mary Walker Clark drew a picture of her dad, and for the amazing journey that Mary Walker Clark took me on which involved me in every aspect of her journey.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
  
40x40

Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Bittersweet in Books

Feb 15, 2018  
B
Bittersweet
Miranda Beverly-Whittemore | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you are looking for a mystery and secrets, you have come to the right place for you get a lots of that and history about the place. Though this book It start out in college and it really get more and to where you want to find out more. The family clan Winslows. There a all kind to find out.
 
Things you will find out about Mabel Dagmar. Mabel want to be friends with her roommate and be a part of her. She find so family secrets that snows about and some Murders to go along with. You will not want to put this book down for you will find that their two boys that are part of the clan and when they do. you either be surprise or shocked or even just wanted to know more,
 
There is just so many things and if you like to head summers or history in cottages and for you may want to read it. I though the author had me guessing wanting to read more and I was stuck with this book in hand for a whole day reading it and I really did not want to put it down.
  
40x40

Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Bittersweet in Books

Aug 30, 2018  
B
Bittersweet
Miranda Beverly-Whittemore | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you are looking for a mystery and secrets, you have come to the right place for you get a lots of that and history about the place. Though this book It start out in college and it really get more and to where you want to find out more. The family clan Winslows. There a all kind to find out.
 
Things you will find out about Mabel Dagmar. Mabel want to be friends with her roommate and be a part of her. She find so family secrets that snows about and some Murders to go along with. You will not want to put this book down for you will find that their two boys that are part of the clan and when they do. you either be surprise or shocked or even just wanted to know more,
 
There is just so many things and if you like to head summers or history in cottages and for you may want to read it. I though the author had me guessing wanting to read more and I was stuck with this book in hand for a whole day reading it and I really did not want to put it down.
  
Bright Lines
Bright Lines
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ella is the adopted daughter of Anwar and Hashi Saleem. The Saleem's took her in when her parents were murdered. They also have a daughter of their own named Chauru. They all live together in Brooklyn, New York, where Anwar is the owner of an apothecary(Pharmacy) and Hashi has a salon in their home. This is the only family that Ella has ever known. Although she has never really felt as a part of them, she was never treated as an outcast and never referred to as niece or cousin. The summer after her first year at college, Ella returns home to find things in a bit of disarray. There is a strange girl in her bed, her cousin/sister, Chauru, is sneaking boys into her room, her uncle is distant and her aunt, is constantly busy with customers during the wedding season. When a devastating event takes place, the family travels back to their home country of Bangladesh and they all learn important lessons about themselves and family.

This book took me through a lot of different emotions. First the story started off slowly and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. There were parts that had me confused and parts that had me shocked. Once I made it to the halfway point, it was hard to put it down.

This is a debut novel by Tanwi Nandini Islam. I love books that take me to a place I have never been. This book gave me a look into a world that I may not have ever discovered. Spanning the globe to help the Saleem's to learn to love one another and others. To learn about their history so they aren't doomed to repeat it in their future. Learning about family and loss and how to pull together when you have to. How to survive when you think it's impossible. This is a novel about discovery and family and learning to find yourself through your history.