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Avedon's France: Old World, New Look
Robert M. Rubin and Marianne Le Galliard
Book
Exploring Richard Avedon’s fascination with France, Avedon’s France brings together a collection...
Photography
Letters On Motherhood
Book
Letters on Motherhood is a collection of heartfelt and deeply poignant letters written by Giovanna...
The Brim Reaper
8.0
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Book
With no job prospects on the horizon, former fashion buyer Samantha Kidd convinces boyfriend and...
Frontier Follies
7.0
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A down-to-earth, hilarious collection of stories and musings on marriage, motherhood, and country...
Safekeeping: Some True Stories from a Life
Book
A beautifully crafted and inviting account of one woman's life, Safekeeping offers a sublimely...
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
8.7
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Book
Kids will love this noise-filled Bright and Early Book classic from the one and only Dr. Seuss! ...
Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I admit I got swept up into the hype with this book, I try my best to keep an open mind and a balanced opinion when a book becomes massively popular and so with this review I will be giving my honest opinion whilst ignoring the numerous glowing reviews I have read.
I must say that I really enjoyed this book (that's if you can say 'enjoy' when reading a book about Cancer) and I found myself thinking about it constantly after I finished reading. I went to sleep thinking about it and I woke up thinking about it, I then thought about it for the rest of the day. I found it heart-breaking in places and funny in others so I laughed and I cried and I learnt not to take life for granted. I haven't read anything like this before, I usually stay away from romance novels as they become so clich.
I liked both Hazel and Augustus and I felt for them because of their illnesses, I believe that many people have had their lives touched by Cancer, me including, so some parts were difficult to read...especially the parts where the characters laughed and joked about it.
The reasons why I knocked off a star was because the book was very philosophical which meant a fair bit went over my head at times, the long speeches and the constant use of quotes and diagrams. I thought the knowledge of the main characters was very far fetched for their age and so the story became a bit unbelievable, this caused my connection to the characters to weaken slightly.
Personally, I don't like to add spoilers to my reviews and I would still be in doubt even if I was to hide my review (as I know there is nothing worse than stumbling upon a spoiler) so I will keep this vague. I wish some of the 'hard-hitting' parts of the novel were more in depth, even-though I was sobbing I still believe that these parts could of hit so much harder.
So, although not as great as I thought it was going to be, I still recommend this book as I enjoyed it very much.
I must say that I really enjoyed this book (that's if you can say 'enjoy' when reading a book about Cancer) and I found myself thinking about it constantly after I finished reading. I went to sleep thinking about it and I woke up thinking about it, I then thought about it for the rest of the day. I found it heart-breaking in places and funny in others so I laughed and I cried and I learnt not to take life for granted. I haven't read anything like this before, I usually stay away from romance novels as they become so clich.
I liked both Hazel and Augustus and I felt for them because of their illnesses, I believe that many people have had their lives touched by Cancer, me including, so some parts were difficult to read...especially the parts where the characters laughed and joked about it.
The reasons why I knocked off a star was because the book was very philosophical which meant a fair bit went over my head at times, the long speeches and the constant use of quotes and diagrams. I thought the knowledge of the main characters was very far fetched for their age and so the story became a bit unbelievable, this caused my connection to the characters to weaken slightly.
Personally, I don't like to add spoilers to my reviews and I would still be in doubt even if I was to hide my review (as I know there is nothing worse than stumbling upon a spoiler) so I will keep this vague. I wish some of the 'hard-hitting' parts of the novel were more in depth, even-though I was sobbing I still believe that these parts could of hit so much harder.
So, although not as great as I thought it was going to be, I still recommend this book as I enjoyed it very much.
Sam (74 KP) rated The Hate u Give in Books
Nov 30, 2018
Problematic
I was so excited to start reading this one. Because of how popular it had been, I'd put off buying it for ages. Waterstones had a special edition in and that was as much of an excuse as I needed to buy it.
It's got five-star reviews everywhere, has won so many awards, and literally, everyone is talking about it. So, of course, it's worth a try.
Only I didn't enjoy it to the point where I got halfway through and couldn't finish it. I wasn't even sure whether to post the review because I know that lots of people will disagree with me over this.
I was so excited for a book to be out that's about police brutality in America towards black teenagers, and was surprised, to begin with, that something as serious as this was in a YA book, but also happy that it was being told to teenagers. It sounded like my ideal book.
But I just couldn't get along with it at all. The whole idea with the book is to show what casual racism is doing to America, but at the same time on every few pages, there's another part talking about how horrible and funny and evil white people are. If a book wants to make a stand against racism, make a stand against it from both sides, not just one. You cannot end racism by calling the other race.
I just found it really one-sided in its battle against racism. I am definitely not saying that the police shooting was right, let me just say that, and Starr has every right to hate the police for shooting her best friend. However, this does not mean that every few pages there needs to be a comment about how awful white people are.
A much healthier focus for the book would have been equality, not switching the racism to the other side in a 'how-do-you-like-it-now' move.
Read the full review at https://ohbookit.blog
Read the full review at https://ohbookit.blog
Merissa (13524 KP) rated Starboard (Voyagers #2) in Books
Jun 12, 2023
STARBOARD is the second book in the Voyagers series and it is Dylan's turn. He is Rowan and Drew's best friend and has been to hell and back. He has been offered a book deal; to write his biography with the help of a ghostwriter. Max is divorced but still has communication with his ex due to their child, Blake. She is a brilliant character with a wise head on her shoulders for a thirteen-year-old. To keep the press away from them, they go on Rowan's boat in French waters. Romance strikes again.
Drew makes a joke in this that a spell has been put on the boat. When he said that, all I could remember was the cheesy TV series, The Love Boat 🤣. Surrounded by all that luxury, romance isn't hard but when real life intrudes, I loved the way Max and Dylan worked together.
I loved Drew and Rowan's book but this one... Oh, man; I loved it! The stories of Dylan's past he shared were done in such a sensitive manner. It was both heartbreaking and emotional to read. Max was the perfect person to tell it to, with his reactions being non-judgemental.
I also loved how both of them had had complaints about being too distant, too cold, and yet, with each other, the softness came out. Their endearments - and subsequent grumbles - were wonderful.
Not only did we get Drew and Rowan showing up, but we also have Rafe (who's next up) plus two other "couples" (and I use that term loosely right now) that I need to know more about. There is Jared and Alex, plus Reed and Tate. I don't know if they are in any other of Ava Olsen's books, but I will be searching through the backlist to see. I really want to read their stories as the sparks were just flying.
Tender, emotional, heartbreaking, and funny; this book is guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 12, 2023
Drew makes a joke in this that a spell has been put on the boat. When he said that, all I could remember was the cheesy TV series, The Love Boat 🤣. Surrounded by all that luxury, romance isn't hard but when real life intrudes, I loved the way Max and Dylan worked together.
I loved Drew and Rowan's book but this one... Oh, man; I loved it! The stories of Dylan's past he shared were done in such a sensitive manner. It was both heartbreaking and emotional to read. Max was the perfect person to tell it to, with his reactions being non-judgemental.
I also loved how both of them had had complaints about being too distant, too cold, and yet, with each other, the softness came out. Their endearments - and subsequent grumbles - were wonderful.
Not only did we get Drew and Rowan showing up, but we also have Rafe (who's next up) plus two other "couples" (and I use that term loosely right now) that I need to know more about. There is Jared and Alex, plus Reed and Tate. I don't know if they are in any other of Ava Olsen's books, but I will be searching through the backlist to see. I really want to read their stories as the sparks were just flying.
Tender, emotional, heartbreaking, and funny; this book is guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 12, 2023
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Flatshare in Books
Sep 13, 2019
It's been two months since I finished this book, but I still remember it fondly. This was such a funny, sexy, and sweet read, but balanced out by its serious themes, too. I was a little wary at first, because Tiffy seemed completely obsessed with Justin, her ex, and utterly lacking in self-esteem, and I wasn't sure I'd care for her. But it quickly becomes apparent that there is/was more to Tiffy and Justin's relationship than meets the eye, and that our heroine is battling a lot.
And then there's Leon, our quiet nurse, who I liked nearly immediately. I'm sure it had nothing to do with that the fact that he doesn't like to talk to people. I didn't recognize a kindred spirit or anything. Leon, too, has a lot on his plate, with a brother in jail whom he feels was wrongly convicted.
With Tiffy and Leon having never met, we receive their communication via notes they leave in the flat, which is actually way more charming and witty that it might sound. We also get dialogue from each, told in their own style, which made them both very much seem their own person from the start. Tiffy quickly became funny and enjoyable--she just had a million miles of personality, and it was hard not to love her. And, Leon, of course, was incredibly lovable in a way that's hard to describe. (He's a nurse who took care of the elderly and kids in such a kind and tender way, okay?!)
So, O'Leary gives a wonderful surface layer of funny, quirky, and sweet. I mean, we know what we are getting, right? These two flatmates are going to fall in love via notes or something. But there's such a deeper, serious layer underneath due to Tiffy and Leon's own troubles. It brings such a nice addition to the usual formula and just gave the story so much more. Sure, a few coincidences abound, but it doesn't diminish the fun and enjoyment in reading Tiffy and Leon's tale at all.
Overall, this book made me smile. It's endearing and fun. I loved both Tiffy and Leon and their supporting cast--Leon's brother; most of Tiffy's friends; and the gang where Leon worked. The format was different and unique and easy to read. A real winner here. 4.5 stars.
And then there's Leon, our quiet nurse, who I liked nearly immediately. I'm sure it had nothing to do with that the fact that he doesn't like to talk to people. I didn't recognize a kindred spirit or anything. Leon, too, has a lot on his plate, with a brother in jail whom he feels was wrongly convicted.
With Tiffy and Leon having never met, we receive their communication via notes they leave in the flat, which is actually way more charming and witty that it might sound. We also get dialogue from each, told in their own style, which made them both very much seem their own person from the start. Tiffy quickly became funny and enjoyable--she just had a million miles of personality, and it was hard not to love her. And, Leon, of course, was incredibly lovable in a way that's hard to describe. (He's a nurse who took care of the elderly and kids in such a kind and tender way, okay?!)
So, O'Leary gives a wonderful surface layer of funny, quirky, and sweet. I mean, we know what we are getting, right? These two flatmates are going to fall in love via notes or something. But there's such a deeper, serious layer underneath due to Tiffy and Leon's own troubles. It brings such a nice addition to the usual formula and just gave the story so much more. Sure, a few coincidences abound, but it doesn't diminish the fun and enjoyment in reading Tiffy and Leon's tale at all.
Overall, this book made me smile. It's endearing and fun. I loved both Tiffy and Leon and their supporting cast--Leon's brother; most of Tiffy's friends; and the gang where Leon worked. The format was different and unique and easy to read. A real winner here. 4.5 stars.