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Suzanne is a fictionalized biography of the author's grandmother. Anais Barbeau-Lavalette's grandmother, the eponymous Suzanne, abandoned Barbeau-Lavalette's mother and uncle at a young age and went on to live on the fringes of important artistic and political movements throughout most of her lifetime.
From the first line, I was hooked. Barbeau-Lavalette's writing is beautiful and poetic. Suzanne is written in the second person and the reader is invited to empathize with a mother who left her children, a woman who alienates herself from family while searching for her place in society.
This book is more the author's way of learning to love her estranged grandmother than a straightforward biography. Many feelings are evoked for Suzanne, empathy, anger, disgust, and admiration to name a few. But in some ways, along with the author, we start to understand Suzanne and maybe forgive her.
I really enjoyed Suzanne and found it hard to put down. Suzanne Meloche is a very interesting figure who I loved learning about. Reading this book gave me some insight into history but mostly an insight into parts of the human experience that are sometimes difficult to understand.
From the first line, I was hooked. Barbeau-Lavalette's writing is beautiful and poetic. Suzanne is written in the second person and the reader is invited to empathize with a mother who left her children, a woman who alienates herself from family while searching for her place in society.
This book is more the author's way of learning to love her estranged grandmother than a straightforward biography. Many feelings are evoked for Suzanne, empathy, anger, disgust, and admiration to name a few. But in some ways, along with the author, we start to understand Suzanne and maybe forgive her.
I really enjoyed Suzanne and found it hard to put down. Suzanne Meloche is a very interesting figure who I loved learning about. Reading this book gave me some insight into history but mostly an insight into parts of the human experience that are sometimes difficult to understand.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2430 KP) rated Death on the Menu in Books
Aug 8, 2018
Political Conference Derailed by Theft and Murder
Key West is hosting a conference with some leading dignitaries from Cuba, and Hayley Snow’s mom has landed the plumb catering gig, with Hayley among those helping out. The conference is being greeted with protests, and tensions are high. They only get worse when an artifact on loan from Cuba, is stolen. Then a man helping Hayley’s mom is murdered. Are the two events connected?
I have missed this series, and it was so fantastic to be back. This book has now added two more must visit locations on my bucket list trip to Key West, Harry Truman’s Little White House and Hemingway’s house. The politics of the US Cuban relationship is front and center and handled in a mostly even-handed manner. The politics and the drama around the conference to tend to overshadow the mystery at times, especially in the first half. Things do build to a great climax, however. And it was great to see Hayley and her friends again. Fans will be interested to see the latest in Hayley’s complicated love life, and we get to see plenty of Miss Gloria. This truly was a fun visit.
I have missed this series, and it was so fantastic to be back. This book has now added two more must visit locations on my bucket list trip to Key West, Harry Truman’s Little White House and Hemingway’s house. The politics of the US Cuban relationship is front and center and handled in a mostly even-handed manner. The politics and the drama around the conference to tend to overshadow the mystery at times, especially in the first half. Things do build to a great climax, however. And it was great to see Hayley and her friends again. Fans will be interested to see the latest in Hayley’s complicated love life, and we get to see plenty of Miss Gloria. This truly was a fun visit.
Lauren Louise Reynolds (45 KP) rated Children of Time in Books
Aug 10, 2018
Unique (4 more)
Clever
Interesting
Ending was on point
You'll be relating to spiders
Ok, so this was my first audio book listening.
My god I'm so glad i found this book, I probably would never have picked it up as I'm not really into space themed stories. but 1 free book on audible free trial, so i thought why not?
Holy cow, this book had my heart racing throughout and towards the end the tears flowing.
One lonely green world left as earth has become nothing, a somewhat failed experiment (what have you done to my monkeys!) and a whole bunch of amazing spiders and over 2000 years of the last humans looking for a home.
As a person who loves evolution and genetics and all the jazz, this book was genius.
I didnt know who i wanted to win, humans? spiders?
This book is so intelligently written, yet easy to grasp. The ending was amazing, beautifully finished. A wealth of interesting characters that who cant help but feel for (never thought i could love and relate to spiders) and its so amazingly unique in its story.
Please read this book.
My god I'm so glad i found this book, I probably would never have picked it up as I'm not really into space themed stories. but 1 free book on audible free trial, so i thought why not?
Holy cow, this book had my heart racing throughout and towards the end the tears flowing.
One lonely green world left as earth has become nothing, a somewhat failed experiment (what have you done to my monkeys!) and a whole bunch of amazing spiders and over 2000 years of the last humans looking for a home.
As a person who loves evolution and genetics and all the jazz, this book was genius.
I didnt know who i wanted to win, humans? spiders?
This book is so intelligently written, yet easy to grasp. The ending was amazing, beautifully finished. A wealth of interesting characters that who cant help but feel for (never thought i could love and relate to spiders) and its so amazingly unique in its story.
Please read this book.
Tammy (5 KP) rated Wuthering Heights in Books
Aug 19, 2018
Epic love story
Contains spoilers, click to show
I have a list of my top ten favourite books and wuthering heights is at the top of that list.
Not only is it beautifully written but the story itself got into my very soul when I first read it when I was 12 and I've read it every year since. Heathcliffe is the long suffering, misunderstood, brooding young man that I had hoped to meet when I was younger, his passion for Cathy was so intense and it still breaks my heart the lines written as he looks down at her dead body. I related to Cathy as a young woman, in so many ways. The wild at heart wanderer that wanted to be free and had a heart full of passion and adventure but also knew that at some point she had to conform to what was expected of her as a young woman. There are so many deeper meaning to this book and the struggles of growing up and whether to go with your heart or your head, you can see why it's in so many people's hearts.
Not only is it beautifully written but the story itself got into my very soul when I first read it when I was 12 and I've read it every year since. Heathcliffe is the long suffering, misunderstood, brooding young man that I had hoped to meet when I was younger, his passion for Cathy was so intense and it still breaks my heart the lines written as he looks down at her dead body. I related to Cathy as a young woman, in so many ways. The wild at heart wanderer that wanted to be free and had a heart full of passion and adventure but also knew that at some point she had to conform to what was expected of her as a young woman. There are so many deeper meaning to this book and the struggles of growing up and whether to go with your heart or your head, you can see why it's in so many people's hearts.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated A Place of Peace (Kauffman Amish Bakery, #3) in Books
Aug 30, 2018
This book starts out with Miriam in Indiana and living with her cousin. She get a phone call from her sister about the mother. She then rushes home to Lancaster. When she arrives there she and her cousin stay with their aunt on the back of her father property.
Miriam is struggling to make amends with her father and also with Timothy. She finds out that her sister made lies for she was jealous of her older sister Miriam. Her father and the rest of the community blame her for the death of a child that died of SIDS.
She arrives home for the funeral of her mother's death. Her father makes it clear she not welcome. She hears that her past boyfriend has moved on and is marrying another girl. Does Miriam find the peace is seeking and get her love of her future? find out by reading. I recommend this book. Though I suggest that your read the earlier books first for this book refer to them a bit. "A Gift of Grace", "A Promise of Hope" are the two book before this book.
Miriam is struggling to make amends with her father and also with Timothy. She finds out that her sister made lies for she was jealous of her older sister Miriam. Her father and the rest of the community blame her for the death of a child that died of SIDS.
She arrives home for the funeral of her mother's death. Her father makes it clear she not welcome. She hears that her past boyfriend has moved on and is marrying another girl. Does Miriam find the peace is seeking and get her love of her future? find out by reading. I recommend this book. Though I suggest that your read the earlier books first for this book refer to them a bit. "A Gift of Grace", "A Promise of Hope" are the two book before this book.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Struck By Lightning in Books
Sep 24, 2018
A good quick read
Carson Phillips is a high school senior with big dreams. He is an outcast who is disliked by most of his peers. This becomes a problem when he decides to create a literary magazine in hopes of getting accepted into the college of his dreams. To get the submissions he needs from other students he blackmails those around him.
Carson is a main character that you will either love or hate. The book is wrote as his diary entries, so the reader gets an inside look at his life. This makes it hard to dislike him despite his questionable moral choices. He is a sarcastic and funny character who often times critical about high school life. He does experience some personal growth throughout the book, and the reader can't help but cheer for his success.
The other characters make for an entertaining cast. Many of them depict stereotypes, but they all prove to be more complicated than they first appear. This book isn't super long so it's a good weekend read. If you like stories about high school under dogs chasing there dreams then you should definitely pick this up.
Carson is a main character that you will either love or hate. The book is wrote as his diary entries, so the reader gets an inside look at his life. This makes it hard to dislike him despite his questionable moral choices. He is a sarcastic and funny character who often times critical about high school life. He does experience some personal growth throughout the book, and the reader can't help but cheer for his success.
The other characters make for an entertaining cast. Many of them depict stereotypes, but they all prove to be more complicated than they first appear. This book isn't super long so it's a good weekend read. If you like stories about high school under dogs chasing there dreams then you should definitely pick this up.
Caitlin Ann Cherniak (85 KP) rated Love, Nina: Despatches from Family Life in Books
Oct 21, 2018
Taken from my review on Goodreads: I enjoy reading my memoirs every once in a while because you have no idea what voices real people will have written on paper. The first half of the memoir actually had endearing moments, especially when it came to how Nina bonded with the boys she was watching while their mother worked. I enjoyed the boys' antics because at least this proves that they are real people. The second half of the book was a lot more boring, especially when it comes to Nina mocking lots of classic literature. Maybe I just didn't like Nina as a character in the memoir. She just seemed way too judgmental of everything even though she did love the boys she was caring for in the 80's. As much as I really wanted to like this book, I started to get bored to the point that I almost dropped it. In fact, I barely remember what happened towards the end because I just skimmed through my Kindle like a zombie. If you guys can survive through it, wonderful. It's just not exactly for me.
Becs (244 KP) rated Cross Her Heart in Books
Oct 22, 2018
Page turning psychological read
OH MY GOD. This book had me flipping through pages like the Black Plague was coming for me and the only cure was to finish Cross Her Heart. I have never read anything by Sarah Pinborough until I picked this for my September Book of the Month box. I will say that Pinborough will be getting the rest of her novels added to my bookshelf as this is an author that needs to be watched, very closely.
I love how the different POV's worked within this little but punchy novel. It never caused any confusion with the other main character's stories and actually added a wonderful quality to the overall story. Cross Her Heart was such a psychological ride that I now don't know if I'll be able to read anything else that can even compare to this novel. Seriously, everyone needs to watch this author and read her books. This is what thrillers are supposed to be like!
You can find the full review on my blog at: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
I love how the different POV's worked within this little but punchy novel. It never caused any confusion with the other main character's stories and actually added a wonderful quality to the overall story. Cross Her Heart was such a psychological ride that I now don't know if I'll be able to read anything else that can even compare to this novel. Seriously, everyone needs to watch this author and read her books. This is what thrillers are supposed to be like!
You can find the full review on my blog at: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
Dawn Marie (22 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Oct 27, 2018 (Updated Oct 27, 2018)
Dc best movie to date
I have been a fan of wonder woman since I was a little girl. I would sit in front of the tv watching Linda Carter go from Diana to wonder woman with a spin. When I first heard that a movie was definitely happening I was happy but real leary. When gal gadot was cast I was one who just didn't see how she could be diana, but the more I saw for her own movie the more I was on board. This movie was everything it should of been (just wish Lynda Carter would of had a cameo or something) all the characters were likable and the scenes with the amazons were amazing. If there was any flaw I would have to say Ares did not look as good as he could of. Chris pine was great and him and gadot had great chemistry. I am hoping the sequel which will take place in 1984( when I was 9) will be just as good. DC should take a look at this and use what made this good into all their love action movies
Courtney (149 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
Nov 29, 2018
Keep track of your reading (5 more)
Meet people interested in the same things as yourself
Set yourself reading challenges
Discover new books
Giveaways
Links with kindles
My favourite app (sorry Smashbomb)
I’ve been a member of goodreads for a fair few years now and I quite honestly cant stand the thought of not having it now.
It’s a brilliant place to keep track of all your reading, make ‘shelves’ to save books you like the look of, books you have, books you’ve read.. the possibilities are endless!
As well as this, there are features such as adding friends (and having little competitions to see who can reach their reading goal first), setting yearly reading challenges, looking up a book you might like and seeing the reviews to decide if to get it. There are groups to speak to likeminded people.
Many a time I have spent *cough* hours *cough* just sat scrolling through books and I LOVE it.
If there are any readers out there who haven’t discovered the joys of Goodreads yet then what are you waiting for?? Go!!
(Also feel free to add me on there;))
It’s a brilliant place to keep track of all your reading, make ‘shelves’ to save books you like the look of, books you have, books you’ve read.. the possibilities are endless!
As well as this, there are features such as adding friends (and having little competitions to see who can reach their reading goal first), setting yearly reading challenges, looking up a book you might like and seeing the reviews to decide if to get it. There are groups to speak to likeminded people.
Many a time I have spent *cough* hours *cough* just sat scrolling through books and I LOVE it.
If there are any readers out there who haven’t discovered the joys of Goodreads yet then what are you waiting for?? Go!!
(Also feel free to add me on there;))