
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Midnight Library in Books
Jan 2, 2021
Nora is an endearing and relatable protagonist whose life hasn't turned out the way she wanted, and her list of regrets could fill a whole book (literally as we find out). She decides to end her life and winds up in the Midnight Library, a place that allows her to visit an unending number of alternative lives that resulted from her making different decisions. Now who hasn't wished they could change their past, make a different decision and wonder where they would've ended up? This book is definitely for those that have ever wished this and it's a dream I enjoyed reading.
The problem is that it's very predictable. I knew exactly how this was going to end from the very beginning and whilst the ending is heartwarming and very life affirming, it's a tiny bit of a let down. Which is a shame as the journey through Nora's lives is actually quite interesting.
There's a good message in this about living and appreciating your own life, but I just wish this wasn't so predictable.

ClareR (5906 KP) rated The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3) in Books
Mar 30, 2021
Richard Lee is a reasoned and logical man, and able to tell a curse from an actual murder - and thank goodness for him! I really liked the characters that Keith Moray has written in to this story, and Richard and Hubert are great lead characters. Richard is a god-fearing man, but he doesn’t let religion get in the way of the truth. Hubert is ever faithful to Richard and their pursuit of the truth.
I really very much enjoyed this book - I do like historical fiction (you’ve probably guessed this by now!) and I enjoy a good mystery. This delivered in spades on both counts.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with an e-ARC.

Stuart Braithwaite recommended Scenes from the Second Storey by The God Machine in Music (curated)

Julian Schnabel recommended The Battle of Algiers (1966) in Movies (curated)

Christine A. (965 KP) rated Been There, Married That in Books
May 23, 2020
Agnes Murphy Nash has the perfect Hollywood life...or so she thought until arriving home to find the gates and doors locked and is prevented from entering her own house. What ensues is a humorous look at divorce, the stupid things people do while divorcing, and how badly we can act.
Gigi Levangie Grazer could have written Been There, Married That as a Debbie Downer book especially when discussing Agnes having to still cohabitate with her husband during the divorce. Anyone who had to endure cohabitating knows there is not much to laugh about. Grazier focuses on the negative but writes it with such style you are guaranteed to laugh.
I do not usually read "women's fiction" or "chick lit" but, after reading its description, I figured I would give it a try. I am so glad I chose this novel. I will continue with my norms (mystery, YA, SciFi) but will not shun women's fiction immediately from now on. I will probably still avoid romances but Been There, Married That is not a romance novel.
I also heard part of the audiobook. The narrator, Amy McFadden, did a fabulous job and really brought this novel and its humor to life.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/23/20.

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