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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated My Kind Of People in Books
May 21, 2020
This novel cemented Duffy as one of my absolute favorite writers. This is a lovely and touching read, bringing to life the group of islanders who come together to care for Sky. Duffy builds her worlds so perfectly: I was lost on Ichabod Island with these characters--all of whom are so uniquely them. This book will go straight to your heart.
I fell immediately for sweet Sky. We learn that Brian and Ann are Sky's adoptive parents, so she's basically been orphaned twice. She is troubled as her parents were fighting a lot right before they died--going against the town view of them as the "perfect couple." While this novel is mostly a deep dive into its characters, there is a touch of mystery here. Why were Sky's parents fighting, and did it have anything to do with the car crash that caused their death? Also, a mysterious woman arrives in town--what is her role to play in the story? Duffy weaves together all of these plot points so well; I was captivated by the book and even though I wanted to slow down and savor it, I also wanted to know what had happened, to find out what would happen to Sky and Leo.
"A fearless girl who doesn't just think she's safe alone in the dark on an island in the Atlantic. She knows it."
I love that Duffy included a gay couple in her novel--and treats them like regular people. Leo is a wonderful character: complex and struggling with new parenthood. In the end, you feel like you know the entire neighborhood block, from sweet Joe; to Maggie, who is coming into her own in her '50s; to longtime resident Agnes, who is set in her ways; to Sky's tough best friend Frankie; and Sky's newly found grandmother, Lillian. All of these characters play a real role in this story: not an easy feat when the focus is on Leo and Sky.
Overall, this is a wonderfully written novel that covers family, marriage, tragedy, love, and so much more. Duffy's characters are beautiful, and she has an amazing way of bringing you right into the world she has created. I will always read anything she writes. 4.5 stars.
I fell immediately for sweet Sky. We learn that Brian and Ann are Sky's adoptive parents, so she's basically been orphaned twice. She is troubled as her parents were fighting a lot right before they died--going against the town view of them as the "perfect couple." While this novel is mostly a deep dive into its characters, there is a touch of mystery here. Why were Sky's parents fighting, and did it have anything to do with the car crash that caused their death? Also, a mysterious woman arrives in town--what is her role to play in the story? Duffy weaves together all of these plot points so well; I was captivated by the book and even though I wanted to slow down and savor it, I also wanted to know what had happened, to find out what would happen to Sky and Leo.
"A fearless girl who doesn't just think she's safe alone in the dark on an island in the Atlantic. She knows it."
I love that Duffy included a gay couple in her novel--and treats them like regular people. Leo is a wonderful character: complex and struggling with new parenthood. In the end, you feel like you know the entire neighborhood block, from sweet Joe; to Maggie, who is coming into her own in her '50s; to longtime resident Agnes, who is set in her ways; to Sky's tough best friend Frankie; and Sky's newly found grandmother, Lillian. All of these characters play a real role in this story: not an easy feat when the focus is on Leo and Sky.
Overall, this is a wonderfully written novel that covers family, marriage, tragedy, love, and so much more. Duffy's characters are beautiful, and she has an amazing way of bringing you right into the world she has created. I will always read anything she writes. 4.5 stars.
Knight to Castle Two (Diviner's Game #2)
10.0
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Loki: Surviving as a human in the world of Non-Humans means that every breath I’ve taken for...
MM Paranormal Romance Step-Brothers
Kung Fu Panda 2 Interactive Cookbook
Food & Drink and Lifestyle
App
★★★★★ As featured on CNBC, CNET and many more ★★★★★ Check out the YouTube...
Karate Training Program
Sports and Health & Fitness
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Fitivity gets you better. Looks like you’re here to get better at Karate! This app will help you...
Soul Match: A Box Set
Book
Slave for Two What is destined cannot be changed. Chris has had a monumentally bad month....
Bondage BDSM Science Fiction Erotica Romance M_M
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Last Thing He Told Me in Books
Aug 13, 2021
When I read the synopsis for The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, I was hooked. I knew this book would be one that I would really enjoy judging by the sound of it. I didn't judge wrong!
The Last Thing He Told Me was a definite page turner with a fast paced plot that I loved! I found myself trying to guess why Owen went missing and why Bailey had to be protected. I kept wondering how much Bailey actually knew or was she just an innocent. I also would second guess other characters' intentions throughout the book. I will say I was way off with my guesses about everything. The book does take a bit of an overdramatic turn about half way through, but although it's a bit far fetched, it's still plausible. Dave did a fantastic job with the world building as well. I felt like I was right there beside Hannah and Bailey the whole time. I especially felt like I was with them when they were in Austin, Texas trying to find out what happened to Owen and his whereabouts since Laura Dave described many landmarks within Austin that I've been to and near. There are no cliff-hangers in this book and all my questions were answered, but I was a little saddened by the ending, not because it wasn't written well (because it was written great!), but because of what happens.
I enjoyed the characters in The Last Thing He Told Me very much as they were all very fleshed out and felt realistic. I really loved the family dynamic that eventually develops between Bailey and Hannah. It was interesting seeing them grow closer due to Owen's disappearance. Even the minor characters felt like really people instead of just random characters in a book.
Trigger warnings for The Last Thing He Told Me include embezzlement, profanity, lying, violence, and murder.
Overall, The Last Thing He Told Me has an intriguing plot that will leave you guessing throughout. You'll never know who who is bad or who's good. I would definitely recommend The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave to those aged 16+ who enjoy fast paced mystery thrillers!
The Last Thing He Told Me was a definite page turner with a fast paced plot that I loved! I found myself trying to guess why Owen went missing and why Bailey had to be protected. I kept wondering how much Bailey actually knew or was she just an innocent. I also would second guess other characters' intentions throughout the book. I will say I was way off with my guesses about everything. The book does take a bit of an overdramatic turn about half way through, but although it's a bit far fetched, it's still plausible. Dave did a fantastic job with the world building as well. I felt like I was right there beside Hannah and Bailey the whole time. I especially felt like I was with them when they were in Austin, Texas trying to find out what happened to Owen and his whereabouts since Laura Dave described many landmarks within Austin that I've been to and near. There are no cliff-hangers in this book and all my questions were answered, but I was a little saddened by the ending, not because it wasn't written well (because it was written great!), but because of what happens.
I enjoyed the characters in The Last Thing He Told Me very much as they were all very fleshed out and felt realistic. I really loved the family dynamic that eventually develops between Bailey and Hannah. It was interesting seeing them grow closer due to Owen's disappearance. Even the minor characters felt like really people instead of just random characters in a book.
Trigger warnings for The Last Thing He Told Me include embezzlement, profanity, lying, violence, and murder.
Overall, The Last Thing He Told Me has an intriguing plot that will leave you guessing throughout. You'll never know who who is bad or who's good. I would definitely recommend The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave to those aged 16+ who enjoy fast paced mystery thrillers!
Break Me (Make or Break, #2)
8.0
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Break Me is the second book in Amanda Heath’s Make or Break series. It can be read as a...
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Emerge (Immortals of Indriell #1) in Books
Apr 19, 2023
This is the first book in a fantastic new series that I have loved every word of. This is a world of Immortals and mortals, where you can't die but you can be murdered, where the amount of power you have corresponds to how people react to you.
Allie has lived an unconventional life so far, globetrotting with her parents but always alone. She has made few friends as most people seem to be uncomfortable around her. She no longer questions this, but instead accepts it as inevitable. Just as she thinks she is making headway with a friend/boyfriend, her parents tell her they are moving again. This time she ends up in America. Whilst psyching herself up for starting a new school, she meets a boy called Aidan and a whole new world opens up for her.
This is incredibly well-written and I was completely drawn into the story. I LOVED Allie and her sarcasm. She seriously made me snort out loud on more than one occasion, much to the amusement of my family. The interaction and banter between her and Aidan is fantastic. I will say this, I usually hate love triangles, and I mean loathe them! This somehow didn't seem like that though, and although I like Vince, I really REALLY don't want Allie to be with him. Trust me when I say I have fingers, toes and other body parts crossed for Aidan.
If I had to say anything against this book, I would say that with the number of characters involved, and their convoluted relationships/bonds, it sometimes made it a bit confusing to figure out just who was what in relation to whom. However, this is something very minor and quickly becomes irrelevant as you become more immersed in the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and found it to be over far too quickly, even though it is a good-sized book. Not only can I highly recommend this book, but I will also be on the lookout for the next in the series and waiting with bated breath!
* I received this book in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 10, 2015
Allie has lived an unconventional life so far, globetrotting with her parents but always alone. She has made few friends as most people seem to be uncomfortable around her. She no longer questions this, but instead accepts it as inevitable. Just as she thinks she is making headway with a friend/boyfriend, her parents tell her they are moving again. This time she ends up in America. Whilst psyching herself up for starting a new school, she meets a boy called Aidan and a whole new world opens up for her.
This is incredibly well-written and I was completely drawn into the story. I LOVED Allie and her sarcasm. She seriously made me snort out loud on more than one occasion, much to the amusement of my family. The interaction and banter between her and Aidan is fantastic. I will say this, I usually hate love triangles, and I mean loathe them! This somehow didn't seem like that though, and although I like Vince, I really REALLY don't want Allie to be with him. Trust me when I say I have fingers, toes and other body parts crossed for Aidan.
If I had to say anything against this book, I would say that with the number of characters involved, and their convoluted relationships/bonds, it sometimes made it a bit confusing to figure out just who was what in relation to whom. However, this is something very minor and quickly becomes irrelevant as you become more immersed in the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and found it to be over far too quickly, even though it is a good-sized book. Not only can I highly recommend this book, but I will also be on the lookout for the next in the series and waiting with bated breath!
* I received this book in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 10, 2015
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Windswept & Interesting in Books
Aug 12, 2022
143 of 230
Book
Windswept and Interesting
By Billy Connolly
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life.
Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of 4, and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.
Billy found his escape first as an apprentice welder in the shipyards of the River Clyde. Later he became a folk musician - a 'rambling man' - with a genuine talent for playing the banjo. But it was his ability to spin stories, tell jokes and hold an audience in the palm of his hand that truly set him apart.
As a young comedian Billy broke all the rules. He was fearless and outspoken - willing to call out hypocrisy wherever he saw it. But his stand-up was full of warmth, humility and silliness too. His startling, hairy 'glam-rock' stage appearance - wearing leotards, scissor suits and banana boots - only added to his appeal.
It was an appearance on Michael Parkinson's chat show in 1975 - and one outrageous story in particular - that catapulted Billy from cult hero to national star. TV shows, documentaries, international fame and award-winning Hollywood movies followed. Billy's pitch-perfect stand-up comedy kept coming too - for over 50 years, in fact - until a double diagnosis of cancer and Parkinson's Disease brought his remarkable live performances to an end. Since then he has continued making TV shows, creating extraordinary drawings... and writing.
I grew up watching Billy my dad absolutely loved him. The only swearing we were allowed to watch. I have always loved him the one comedian that I took from my childhood and kept watching. I discovered so much in this book that I never knew and you have to admire him. He went through so much but never seems bitter, he never really flaunts his fame in this book and plays a lot down. Such an amazing insight into his life and a really good read.
Book
Windswept and Interesting
By Billy Connolly
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life.
Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of 4, and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.
Billy found his escape first as an apprentice welder in the shipyards of the River Clyde. Later he became a folk musician - a 'rambling man' - with a genuine talent for playing the banjo. But it was his ability to spin stories, tell jokes and hold an audience in the palm of his hand that truly set him apart.
As a young comedian Billy broke all the rules. He was fearless and outspoken - willing to call out hypocrisy wherever he saw it. But his stand-up was full of warmth, humility and silliness too. His startling, hairy 'glam-rock' stage appearance - wearing leotards, scissor suits and banana boots - only added to his appeal.
It was an appearance on Michael Parkinson's chat show in 1975 - and one outrageous story in particular - that catapulted Billy from cult hero to national star. TV shows, documentaries, international fame and award-winning Hollywood movies followed. Billy's pitch-perfect stand-up comedy kept coming too - for over 50 years, in fact - until a double diagnosis of cancer and Parkinson's Disease brought his remarkable live performances to an end. Since then he has continued making TV shows, creating extraordinary drawings... and writing.
I grew up watching Billy my dad absolutely loved him. The only swearing we were allowed to watch. I have always loved him the one comedian that I took from my childhood and kept watching. I discovered so much in this book that I never knew and you have to admire him. He went through so much but never seems bitter, he never really flaunts his fame in this book and plays a lot down. Such an amazing insight into his life and a really good read.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Wolves of Winter in Books
Mar 11, 2022
I keep doing this. Reading books about pandemics during a pandemic, and then scaring the living daylights out of myself. Thank goodness I’d read Justin Cronin’s The Passage trilogy pre-Covid, because that would really have had me battening down the hatches!
This is about a different flu-like virus, but the mortality rate is far higher than Covid. And then nuclear bombs are also involved, so it’s a pretty full-on start to this remarkable book.
The sensible people move north. In this case, they move to the Yukon, where the virus is less virulent and people can hunt and trap their food. Lynn McBride lives here with what’s left of her family. They’ve carved out a life for themselves and live in relative safety in the barren, white landscape. But they can’t keep everyone away, and soothe outside world starts to encroach in the form of a loner called Jax, and a frankly scary group of people who are intent on seeing the end of the virus, no matter the human cost.
I loved the descriptions of the landscape - I do tend to love a book set in frozen landscapes (Arctic, Antarctic, just somewhere plain cold!), which is odd really, because I can’t think of a worse place to live. It’s a morbid fascination, I suppose. And the descriptions in this book of the cold, the landscape and the difficulties of living there are so evocative. People surviving against the odds always a winning theme.
It wasn’t until I sat down to write this, that I found out that the book was YA. Honestly, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. Ok, there’s no sex, but in my opinion it just seemed too cold anyway 🤷🏼♀️. The main protagonist is in her late teens, and there is a sexual assault and some shooting/ bloodshed. There’s a very cute dog though (also a winning formula for me).
So if you’re feeling brave and like a post-apocalyptic story, you may well fancy reading this. I do wonder if there will be a follow up, because I’d love to know what happens after the final page (it does seem open to that). I’d definitely read it!
This is about a different flu-like virus, but the mortality rate is far higher than Covid. And then nuclear bombs are also involved, so it’s a pretty full-on start to this remarkable book.
The sensible people move north. In this case, they move to the Yukon, where the virus is less virulent and people can hunt and trap their food. Lynn McBride lives here with what’s left of her family. They’ve carved out a life for themselves and live in relative safety in the barren, white landscape. But they can’t keep everyone away, and soothe outside world starts to encroach in the form of a loner called Jax, and a frankly scary group of people who are intent on seeing the end of the virus, no matter the human cost.
I loved the descriptions of the landscape - I do tend to love a book set in frozen landscapes (Arctic, Antarctic, just somewhere plain cold!), which is odd really, because I can’t think of a worse place to live. It’s a morbid fascination, I suppose. And the descriptions in this book of the cold, the landscape and the difficulties of living there are so evocative. People surviving against the odds always a winning theme.
It wasn’t until I sat down to write this, that I found out that the book was YA. Honestly, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. Ok, there’s no sex, but in my opinion it just seemed too cold anyway 🤷🏼♀️. The main protagonist is in her late teens, and there is a sexual assault and some shooting/ bloodshed. There’s a very cute dog though (also a winning formula for me).
So if you’re feeling brave and like a post-apocalyptic story, you may well fancy reading this. I do wonder if there will be a follow up, because I’d love to know what happens after the final page (it does seem open to that). I’d definitely read it!