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Midge (525 KP) rated The Year After You in Books
Feb 19, 2019
A Story Of Hope And Sadness
This is a wonderful, soul-searching, but sad story of hope and grief and it is one of the best books that I have read in a while.
It is set in Hope Hall, a Swiss boarding school located in the Alps. For me, one of the things that Nina de Pass did very cleverly was using the setting to maximum effect in THE YEAR AFTER YOU. Since my childhood, I have loved boarding school settings, as everything is so much more intense when in close proximity, such as romantic liaisons and relationships which tend to run at a different rate.
The main protagonist in this novel is Cara, who I found to be exceptionally frustrating at times, though this did not spoil the story for me in any way. From an honesty point of view, she was pretty unreliable as a narrator, however, I had a great deal of empathy for her because of what happened to her best friend Georgina. I loved that Nina de Pass developed Cara’s character so well.
I really liked all of the characters in THE YEAR AFTER YOU because they were so well formed as people with their own parts to play and were not just added after-thoughts to make the protagonist look better. For me, the story-telling also held some poignant messages about support mechanisms of friends and family and mental health issues.
I think that THE YEAR AFTER YOU is a book that I will remember. I would certainly recommend reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Black & White Publishing and Nina de Pass for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
It is set in Hope Hall, a Swiss boarding school located in the Alps. For me, one of the things that Nina de Pass did very cleverly was using the setting to maximum effect in THE YEAR AFTER YOU. Since my childhood, I have loved boarding school settings, as everything is so much more intense when in close proximity, such as romantic liaisons and relationships which tend to run at a different rate.
The main protagonist in this novel is Cara, who I found to be exceptionally frustrating at times, though this did not spoil the story for me in any way. From an honesty point of view, she was pretty unreliable as a narrator, however, I had a great deal of empathy for her because of what happened to her best friend Georgina. I loved that Nina de Pass developed Cara’s character so well.
I really liked all of the characters in THE YEAR AFTER YOU because they were so well formed as people with their own parts to play and were not just added after-thoughts to make the protagonist look better. For me, the story-telling also held some poignant messages about support mechanisms of friends and family and mental health issues.
I think that THE YEAR AFTER YOU is a book that I will remember. I would certainly recommend reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Black & White Publishing and Nina de Pass for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Judah's Wife: A Novel of the Maccabees (The Silent Years #2) in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Leah, daughter of the cheesemaker has had a hard life living with a violent father. Leah marries Judah and finds protection and care. But the land is controlled by Antiochus IV, who is descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals. When he issues a decree that all Jews are to comply with Syrian laws, the devout Jews chance it all to follow the law of Moses.
Judah's father Mattathias decides to move his family from Jerusalem Modein to flee the punishment for defying the decree. By defying the decree, it begins a war that will cost many their lives. Before his death, Mattathias commands Judah to continue the war, otherwise, the Jewish lineage and their lands would be annihilated. Leah wants peace and wrestles with her husband's decision to be the commander of the army. Will there ever be peace?
This is the incredible chronicle of the Maccabees, told through the wife of Judah, who learns what courage and sacrifice are all about.
The author Angela Hunt has done an incredible amount of research and has produced a powerful history lesson entwined with her own creative writing. The author has a way of captivating the reader's attention while teaching us historical content. I like the way the author writes her novels through the eyes of people that were actually there, teaching us history through their eyes.
This is an excellent read, especially for those who love history.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Judah's father Mattathias decides to move his family from Jerusalem Modein to flee the punishment for defying the decree. By defying the decree, it begins a war that will cost many their lives. Before his death, Mattathias commands Judah to continue the war, otherwise, the Jewish lineage and their lands would be annihilated. Leah wants peace and wrestles with her husband's decision to be the commander of the army. Will there ever be peace?
This is the incredible chronicle of the Maccabees, told through the wife of Judah, who learns what courage and sacrifice are all about.
The author Angela Hunt has done an incredible amount of research and has produced a powerful history lesson entwined with her own creative writing. The author has a way of captivating the reader's attention while teaching us historical content. I like the way the author writes her novels through the eyes of people that were actually there, teaching us history through their eyes.
This is an excellent read, especially for those who love history.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Chrissy Metz stars on the NBC hit show, This is US as Kate Pearson, one of the triplets. If you have never seen this show, you don't need to have, to read this book, but I think you might afterwards. This book chronicles her life from when she was a young child to her life today after making it on such a great show. It goes through her struggles with her weight and being accepted by family as well as outsiders. And her main focus is being happy with the person she is no matter her size or job.
I would categorize this book as a Self-Help Memoir. Chrissy gives explains how she overcame many obstacles in her life and shares these lessons with her readers. She is a strong independent woman, moving her whole life from Gainsville, Florida to Los Angeles, California to pursue her acting career. This was not something that came easy for her and she spent 9 years as a agent helping others with their acting careers before she was able to really start her own.
I could relate to Chrissy in a lot of aspects in this book, her advice is stuff we've all heard before, but her examples of how she applied it to her own circumstances, made the book more relateable to me.
Chrissy Metz is Kate Pearson. She explains this in her book of how the struggles Kate goes through are exactly the issues she had, as if the role was written specifically for her. Chrissy seems very down to earth and a person who you would want to be friends with. I look forward to following her journey on This is US and any other projects she may be involved in.
I would categorize this book as a Self-Help Memoir. Chrissy gives explains how she overcame many obstacles in her life and shares these lessons with her readers. She is a strong independent woman, moving her whole life from Gainsville, Florida to Los Angeles, California to pursue her acting career. This was not something that came easy for her and she spent 9 years as a agent helping others with their acting careers before she was able to really start her own.
I could relate to Chrissy in a lot of aspects in this book, her advice is stuff we've all heard before, but her examples of how she applied it to her own circumstances, made the book more relateable to me.
Chrissy Metz is Kate Pearson. She explains this in her book of how the struggles Kate goes through are exactly the issues she had, as if the role was written specifically for her. Chrissy seems very down to earth and a person who you would want to be friends with. I look forward to following her journey on This is US and any other projects she may be involved in.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Dead Will Tell (Kate Burkholder, #6) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
The sixth installment in Castillo's Kate Burkholder series finds Burkholder, Chief of Police of Painters Mill, investigating the apparent suicide of one of her town's citizens. Of course, not everything is at it seems, and Kate quickly realizes she's at a murder scene. Soon after, Kate finds herself investigating another death. Is it related to the first? And how are these deaths linked to a horrible tragedy that happened at a local Amish farm back in the 1970s? Meanwhile, as she juggles these cases, Kate finds herself in a difficult place with her boyfriend, John Tomasetti. The two have finally moved in together, but Tomasetti is struggling with his own demons, which threaten to destroy the life the couple has finally built.
Honestly, all of the Kate Burkholder novels are pretty similar. I'm a bit astounded why anyone would continue to live in Painters Mill at this point, as people die at an alarming rate in this town. Still, Castillo always offers an interesting mystery in her books, and this one is no exception. This particular novel offers an interesting intersection of the Amish in Painters Mill and the "English" community. I figured out the plot fairly early, but it didn't make the book any less readable or compelling. The book would stand-alone if you haven't read the previous novels, though the backstory between Tomasetti and Kate makes more sense if you're up to date. It seemed like some of Tomasetti's issues were a bit awkwardly inserted into the plot, but I'm glad to see the two of them progressing forward. Kate's not the most deep character, but she's likable and easy to root for, with a love for her job and her police "family" that comes across as strong and admirable.
Overall, an easy read with an enjoyable, if not exactly surprising, mystery plot. 3.5 stars.
Honestly, all of the Kate Burkholder novels are pretty similar. I'm a bit astounded why anyone would continue to live in Painters Mill at this point, as people die at an alarming rate in this town. Still, Castillo always offers an interesting mystery in her books, and this one is no exception. This particular novel offers an interesting intersection of the Amish in Painters Mill and the "English" community. I figured out the plot fairly early, but it didn't make the book any less readable or compelling. The book would stand-alone if you haven't read the previous novels, though the backstory between Tomasetti and Kate makes more sense if you're up to date. It seemed like some of Tomasetti's issues were a bit awkwardly inserted into the plot, but I'm glad to see the two of them progressing forward. Kate's not the most deep character, but she's likable and easy to root for, with a love for her job and her police "family" that comes across as strong and admirable.
Overall, an easy read with an enjoyable, if not exactly surprising, mystery plot. 3.5 stars.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Sleepwalker in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I went into this book blind. I had seen the cover and heard of the author, but hadn't read any of his books and didn't know what this one was about until after I started listening. Annalee Ahlberg, a woman who has issues with sleepwalking, goes missing. She leaves behind two daughters and a husband who must come to terms with her disappearance. Told from the point of view of her eldest daughter, Lianna, the listener gets to go along for the ride as the search continues and the police try to decide if Annalee met with foul play, or possibly harmed herself in her sleep. The truth ends up being neither, and is nothing I saw coming until right before it was spelled out for me.
The Sleepwalker is equal parts mystery novel and family drama. Everyone has their secrets, and Lianna isn't sure who she can trust. I wish it would have moved along a little more quickly, but overall it was a good story. I will look for more by Chris Bohjalian.
The narration was not so great. The main narrator was soft-spoken, and her voice fit the mood of the story very well, but she paused in odd places and put emphasis on what felt like the wrong word in many sentences. This was jarring and distracting. There were also brief passages at the beginning of each chapter read by a 2nd voice, which I found very irritating. In all fairness, these passages were apparently journal entries, and the 2nd voice did help to distinguish them from the rest of the story. I do think I might have enjoyed the book a little more if there had been different narrators, however.
The Sleepwalker is equal parts mystery novel and family drama. Everyone has their secrets, and Lianna isn't sure who she can trust. I wish it would have moved along a little more quickly, but overall it was a good story. I will look for more by Chris Bohjalian.
The narration was not so great. The main narrator was soft-spoken, and her voice fit the mood of the story very well, but she paused in odd places and put emphasis on what felt like the wrong word in many sentences. This was jarring and distracting. There were also brief passages at the beginning of each chapter read by a 2nd voice, which I found very irritating. In all fairness, these passages were apparently journal entries, and the 2nd voice did help to distinguish them from the rest of the story. I do think I might have enjoyed the book a little more if there had been different narrators, however.
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Black (The Silver #2) in Books
Feb 17, 2020
Black is the second book in the Silver series and this time the focus is on Jet. He was stolen from his family at a very young age and given to the Woman, who only wanted him for deathmatches. There was no love, care, or attention in Jet's life from that moment. All that changes when Jaze rescues him and takes him in. It doesn't all suddenly become sunshine and roses though and THAT is what made this book so good!
Jet has issues, he really does, and let's face it, you would do too if you'd gone through what he did. He proves he is intelligent by teaching himself English, Spanish, and lip-reading. He shows compassion by not killing someone until he realises that it just doesn't work that way and understands the pact made by the other wolves. My heart broke for him in so many ways and yet I was proud of him too. He didn't stop trying and would do anything to protect those he called his own.
This was incredibly written and I read it in one sitting. I was literally unable to stop reading until I knew all was good in Jet's world. The world-building just gets better as it becomes clearer with each book. The characters grow and change, becoming 'more'. I loved hearing about Jaze and Nikki and I hope we continue hearing about past couples as the series progresses.
A darker fantastic young adult paranormal that I absolutely recommend! The only thing I don't know is what happened to Shadow's Curse. I'm presuming he's dead but I really wish he wasn't!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jet has issues, he really does, and let's face it, you would do too if you'd gone through what he did. He proves he is intelligent by teaching himself English, Spanish, and lip-reading. He shows compassion by not killing someone until he realises that it just doesn't work that way and understands the pact made by the other wolves. My heart broke for him in so many ways and yet I was proud of him too. He didn't stop trying and would do anything to protect those he called his own.
This was incredibly written and I read it in one sitting. I was literally unable to stop reading until I knew all was good in Jet's world. The world-building just gets better as it becomes clearer with each book. The characters grow and change, becoming 'more'. I loved hearing about Jaze and Nikki and I hope we continue hearing about past couples as the series progresses.
A darker fantastic young adult paranormal that I absolutely recommend! The only thing I don't know is what happened to Shadow's Curse. I'm presuming he's dead but I really wish he wasn't!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
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