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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Kneebone Boy in Books
Jan 15, 2018
What a fantastic little book! I will admit that it took me a few chapters to be hooked in, hence the 4 stars, but once it got going it was a great read. It is definitely a middle grades book but it deals with some rather heady issues...mental illness, abandonment, self perception, confidence. The Hardscrabbles are fascinating characters with all the problems a normal family deals with...even if they do deal with them Ina rather over the top way. I will admit I was surprised by the ending. I can usually figure books like this out and to my delight there were a few surprises in there. Worth the read for sure.
Tiana Elizabeth Murray (0 KP) rated Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
I read 13 reasons why last summer and watched the tv show and there are some major differences between the book and show. But I loved them both equally. 13 reasons why talks about a few different issues that nobody talks about. It gives me something to think about when it comes to friends, family, and people that I don't even talk to. These are important topics that we should be talking about not just talking for five minutes about then drop the conversation but really really talk about it. Overall I loved the book and the show so much so i gave it a 10/10. I loved it a lot
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Simply West of Heaven (Ginnie West Adventures, #3) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
The third book in Monique Bucheger's Ginnie West Adventures continues right where we left Ginnie last!
I enjoyed this story although not as much as the first two I will admit. But I did enjoy it and loved the new twists that Monique Bucheger gave Ginnie, Tillie, and Toran. I also enjoyed the dynamics between stepparents/ stepchildren that Monique Bucheger continues to display in this book; its very sweet, real, and covers issues that are apparent in most stepparent relationships. I thought Ginnie (and her family) learned some valuable lessons in this book and that the lesson have real world applications.
Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for Ginnie
I enjoyed this story although not as much as the first two I will admit. But I did enjoy it and loved the new twists that Monique Bucheger gave Ginnie, Tillie, and Toran. I also enjoyed the dynamics between stepparents/ stepchildren that Monique Bucheger continues to display in this book; its very sweet, real, and covers issues that are apparent in most stepparent relationships. I thought Ginnie (and her family) learned some valuable lessons in this book and that the lesson have real world applications.
Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for Ginnie
Josh Sadfie recommended Crumb (1994) in Movies (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Broken Heart Attack in Books
Oct 24, 2022
Deadly Theater
When Kellan Ayrwick attends a dress rehearsal of King Lear with Nana D. and her friends, he expects the deaths to stay on stage. But not too long into the second act, he realizes that Gwendolyn Paddington isn’t asleep on his shoulder, but she’s passed away. Gwendolyn had been saying someone in her family was trying to kill her. Is that true? If so, can Kellan figure out who did it?
When you have a book with characters as dysfunctional as the Paddington family, it always makes me appreciate my own family. But it also makes for a great mystery plot, and that’s the case again here. There are plenty of twists along the way to catching the killer at the end. While some of the characters can be over the top, we care about enough of them, including Kellan, to keep us invested in the book. I did feel like the humor was hit and miss for me here. Sometimes, the character’s teasing worked, and other times it felt like they were picking on Kellan more than actually teasing him. Unfortunately, there were some timeline issues and a red herring that felt like it jumped quite a bit. Both could have been resolved with a good editor. There are several sub-plots involving Kellan and his family. While they veered a little more into soap opera territory than is typical for the books I read, they have me hooked and I can’t wait to make time for the next book to find out what happens.
When you have a book with characters as dysfunctional as the Paddington family, it always makes me appreciate my own family. But it also makes for a great mystery plot, and that’s the case again here. There are plenty of twists along the way to catching the killer at the end. While some of the characters can be over the top, we care about enough of them, including Kellan, to keep us invested in the book. I did feel like the humor was hit and miss for me here. Sometimes, the character’s teasing worked, and other times it felt like they were picking on Kellan more than actually teasing him. Unfortunately, there were some timeline issues and a red herring that felt like it jumped quite a bit. Both could have been resolved with a good editor. There are several sub-plots involving Kellan and his family. While they veered a little more into soap opera territory than is typical for the books I read, they have me hooked and I can’t wait to make time for the next book to find out what happens.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Bared to You (Crossfire, #1) in Books
May 10, 2018
When I first started reading I had to double check the title to make sure I wasn't reading 50 Shades. There are a lot of similarities in the book, but there are some differences as well. What's the same...
Well, both Eva & Ana literally fell for their men. Both men are very rich and have a way of gathering information on their ladies without their permission. Christian & Gideon both have dominant and possessive qualities about them, but Gideon's is a bit more accepting and consensual between lovers. Ana and Eva are both just out of college, although Eva's man didn't buy the company after she started working. He already owned it. Both women have issues with their mother and both men have some mental issues they need to work on.
Now the differences...
Eva has her own mental issues to deal with and her family has money, where Ana needed to work. Gideon wasn't adopted like Christian, but after his father committed suicide, his mother remarried and he has a step-brother he's not too fond of. There are a lot less questions concerning what Eva will or will not do in the bedroom. Eva has a lot of insecurities and the smallest things seem to send her running(which is her M.O.)
Overall, I couldn't put the book down. I wanted to know more. Their sexual encounters were frequent, intense and powerful. I didn't like how often the "c" word was used, but other than that, I'm ready for book 2.
Well, both Eva & Ana literally fell for their men. Both men are very rich and have a way of gathering information on their ladies without their permission. Christian & Gideon both have dominant and possessive qualities about them, but Gideon's is a bit more accepting and consensual between lovers. Ana and Eva are both just out of college, although Eva's man didn't buy the company after she started working. He already owned it. Both women have issues with their mother and both men have some mental issues they need to work on.
Now the differences...
Eva has her own mental issues to deal with and her family has money, where Ana needed to work. Gideon wasn't adopted like Christian, but after his father committed suicide, his mother remarried and he has a step-brother he's not too fond of. There are a lot less questions concerning what Eva will or will not do in the bedroom. Eva has a lot of insecurities and the smallest things seem to send her running(which is her M.O.)
Overall, I couldn't put the book down. I wanted to know more. Their sexual encounters were frequent, intense and powerful. I didn't like how often the "c" word was used, but other than that, I'm ready for book 2.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Broken Beauty (Broken Beauty Novellas #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars.
This is a novella length story, the first of six, and deals with the aftermath and issues surrounding rape. It was a tough read at times but a good strong story.
I felt sorry for Mia. Being brought up in a political family and then being raped…and her father wants to glorify it to get more voters so he can win his election. How twisted can your life get? Her family do and say things to get voters, whether it’s helping Mia cope or not–mainly not–and I wanted to scream and shout at them in her defence.
And despite all that, some people do care. Dom, the policeman that found her in the first place, tries to help her realise that the only way her attackers will not get away with it, is to tell the truth and stop following her family’s wish to let it drop. He’s so nice and gentle with her. Her friend, Ari, tries to do whatever Mia wants but seeing how she’s struggling…what can you do?
It’s an emotional and sometimes tough story to read but after finishing this, I’m looking forward to the next part in the series to see what Mia does next. I hope she’s strong enough to go against her family.
3.5 stars.
This is a novella length story, the first of six, and deals with the aftermath and issues surrounding rape. It was a tough read at times but a good strong story.
I felt sorry for Mia. Being brought up in a political family and then being raped…and her father wants to glorify it to get more voters so he can win his election. How twisted can your life get? Her family do and say things to get voters, whether it’s helping Mia cope or not–mainly not–and I wanted to scream and shout at them in her defence.
And despite all that, some people do care. Dom, the policeman that found her in the first place, tries to help her realise that the only way her attackers will not get away with it, is to tell the truth and stop following her family’s wish to let it drop. He’s so nice and gentle with her. Her friend, Ari, tries to do whatever Mia wants but seeing how she’s struggling…what can you do?
It’s an emotional and sometimes tough story to read but after finishing this, I’m looking forward to the next part in the series to see what Mia does next. I hope she’s strong enough to go against her family.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Poisonwood Bible in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Detailed look into colonialism in Congo
Barbara Kingsolver's epic novel about missionaries and colonialism in the Congo through the eyes of the women in a Christian American family is decadent and detailed. While many will complain about the hard hitting truths of complicity of western nations in destroying the country, it is extremely important and brings to light many historically overlooked issues.
Keeping in mind that this is fictional, the various narratives are well researched to the point where at times it seems plausible and factual. The four main voices are completely different from one another and sometimes the anti-communist voice seemed like a mockery of that type of rhetoric. Leah's voice seemed more realistic than the others. Overall, a well written piece of literary fiction.
Keeping in mind that this is fictional, the various narratives are well researched to the point where at times it seems plausible and factual. The four main voices are completely different from one another and sometimes the anti-communist voice seemed like a mockery of that type of rhetoric. Leah's voice seemed more realistic than the others. Overall, a well written piece of literary fiction.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Institute (The Institute, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Institute] by [Kayla Howarth] is an intense thriller with a futuristic lean. The main character Allira and her family have spent their lives hiding that her brother was "defective". "Defectives" go to the Institute where they are said to be kept safe and taken care of, but no one who has gone there is heard from again. Will one mistake trip them all up and find the true nature of the Institute?
The characters were typical for a YA audience but definitely good. The intertwining of the relationships and emotions makes this plot. There were some unexpected surprises as well as issues that are still up in the air. Guess the second book is a must read to clear those questions up.
The characters were typical for a YA audience but definitely good. The intertwining of the relationships and emotions makes this plot. There were some unexpected surprises as well as issues that are still up in the air. Guess the second book is a must read to clear those questions up.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Middle book syndrome
Audibook review - 3.5 stars
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.