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Would I Lie to You? Presents the 100 Most Popular Lies of All Time
Saul Wordsworth, Peter Holmes and Ben Caudell
Book
The cheque's in the post. I'm still at the office. That looks great on you. Lies make the world go...
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Unsympathetic Magic (Esther Diamond, #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Here we are in the third entry into the Esther Diamond series. UNSYMPATHETIC MAGIC doesn't feature the zany characters that the previous two books had, which is a nice shift, and the focus on Esther and Max that was lost in [b:Doppelgangster|6678045|Doppelgangster (Esther Diamond, #2)|Laura Resnick|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275658691s/6678045.jpg|3150652] is back. The plot about Vodou*, zombies, and bokors is okay, but gets a little too predictable for my liking. Luckily, the author writes well enough to lift it up a level and ends up entertaining, and at times interesting.
Now for the bad news: the humor isn't as fresh or funny and I can't remember once laughing aloud during the book. Some of the scenes felt too forced to be funny, and one scene in particular had me cringing because of a character that got hurt. Maybe that scene wasn't supposed to be funny, but it seemed as if that was it's purpose before the injury happened. Basically all the humor in the book is a comedy of errors, and that's fine, as long as it's humorous and not as repetitive as it's been in these three books. Next, the length of the story needs a drastic paring down. While the book moves at a fairly brisk pace, I can't help but feel that another go or two with an editor was needed and the plot should have been tightened so it's more cohesive. I think it'd be a much better book with at least fifty pages less and I wouldn't get as tired of the plot or characters by then. There's a reason for the phrase "too much of a good thing" and both DOPPELGANGSTER and UNSYMPATHETIC MAGIC fit the bill. Still, I didn't hate the book and thought it was a small step up from the last, so I'll give the next book a shot because I enjoy the characters a lot (sorry for the unintentional bad rhyme). Even if the series hasn't hit the mark for me since the first, I have hope yet. Besides, how can I pass up a book called VAMPARAZZI? 3.5 stars
*Apparently Vodou is not pronounced like 'voodoo', it's either vo(like in toe)-dow(cow) or vo-doo, but I'm not sure which is right, from what I've figured out online. The book has a glossary, which is rather unnecessary since everything is explained in text, but not a pronunciation guide.
Now for the bad news: the humor isn't as fresh or funny and I can't remember once laughing aloud during the book. Some of the scenes felt too forced to be funny, and one scene in particular had me cringing because of a character that got hurt. Maybe that scene wasn't supposed to be funny, but it seemed as if that was it's purpose before the injury happened. Basically all the humor in the book is a comedy of errors, and that's fine, as long as it's humorous and not as repetitive as it's been in these three books. Next, the length of the story needs a drastic paring down. While the book moves at a fairly brisk pace, I can't help but feel that another go or two with an editor was needed and the plot should have been tightened so it's more cohesive. I think it'd be a much better book with at least fifty pages less and I wouldn't get as tired of the plot or characters by then. There's a reason for the phrase "too much of a good thing" and both DOPPELGANGSTER and UNSYMPATHETIC MAGIC fit the bill. Still, I didn't hate the book and thought it was a small step up from the last, so I'll give the next book a shot because I enjoy the characters a lot (sorry for the unintentional bad rhyme). Even if the series hasn't hit the mark for me since the first, I have hope yet. Besides, how can I pass up a book called VAMPARAZZI? 3.5 stars
*Apparently Vodou is not pronounced like 'voodoo', it's either vo(like in toe)-dow(cow) or vo-doo, but I'm not sure which is right, from what I've figured out online. The book has a glossary, which is rather unnecessary since everything is explained in text, but not a pronunciation guide.
How I wish I could have known Sunny when I was in my thirties - or even now, if I’m honest! I read this book on The Pigeonhole, and I looked forward to opening each stave every day. It was one of those books that I just didn’t want to end. I mean, what happens after the last page?
Sunny feels the weight of expectation on her shoulders. She knows that her parents want her to get married, but she only seems to meet men who are wrong for her. I think a lot of this is because of her distinct lack of self-confidence and her poor body image. She calls herself fat constantly, she doesn’t seem to like herself very much, and puts herself across as the life and soul of every party to her friends, whilst hating the way that they use her. Actually, I don’t think that a lot of her friends are deserving of her friendship at all.
This book is a journey to self-acceptance for Sunny, and I was very happy to be on that journey with her. It’s funny and sad in equal measure. You can definitely tell that a comedian wrote this. Some of the observations were really funny, and the timing was perfect.
It’s a touching, funny novel, and one I’d recommend without hesitation.
Sunny feels the weight of expectation on her shoulders. She knows that her parents want her to get married, but she only seems to meet men who are wrong for her. I think a lot of this is because of her distinct lack of self-confidence and her poor body image. She calls herself fat constantly, she doesn’t seem to like herself very much, and puts herself across as the life and soul of every party to her friends, whilst hating the way that they use her. Actually, I don’t think that a lot of her friends are deserving of her friendship at all.
This book is a journey to self-acceptance for Sunny, and I was very happy to be on that journey with her. It’s funny and sad in equal measure. You can definitely tell that a comedian wrote this. Some of the observations were really funny, and the timing was perfect.
It’s a touching, funny novel, and one I’d recommend without hesitation.
Charlotte (209 KP) rated Parsnips: Buttered: Bamboozle and Boycott Modern Life, One Email at a Time in Books
Jan 7, 2018
funny and engaging throughout (3 more)
fun illustrations throughout!!
incredibly readable format with short chapters makes it a really flexible read
i’m sure joe would hate this review for no real reason & i love and respect that
(bonus tip: read it in his voice for the full effect)
Obsessed book reviews (49 KP) rated Brazen (B-Squad, #1) in Books
May 7, 2019
this is a fast and funny read that will keep you hooked till the end. another fab read by this author. the author has a fab way of writing that sucks you in and keeps a hold of you till the last page. this book is definitely a hot sexy read. the author writes so you get to understand every characters not just the main ones within the story
highly recommended
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Chloe (778 KP) rated Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine in Books
Jun 11, 2019
Different (3 more)
Fast-paced
Easy to read
Insightful
Too short (1 more)
Blunt
Not my usual read but I heard about it through a number of people so I thought I would give it a go. It was well written, funny with good plot twists. The characters were believeable and I felt great empathy with them. My only criticism is that the ending seemed a little rushed but perhaps that is because I was enjoying the book so much
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated I Funny: A Middle School Story (I Funny, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jamie Grimm is a middle schooler who has learned to deal with the sorrow in his life by telling jokes. Then he hears about a contest for kid comedians. Should he enter? I enjoyed the books and the humor definitely made me laugh. However, the plot introduced several potential conflicts only to drop them without any development at all.
<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-i-funny-by-james-patterson.html">My full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-i-funny-by-james-patterson.html">My full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated The Man with the Iron-On Badge in Books
Mar 9, 2018
This spoof of PI conventions centers on a security guard who thinks he has what it takes to be a real PI. After all, he's watched every PI show on TV he could find. How hard could it be? A bit dark for my usual tastes, I still enjoyed this funny look at the PI genre.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-man-with-iron-on-badge-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-man-with-iron-on-badge-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated M Is for Mama's Boy (NERDS, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The NERDS team is back and on the trail of a bank robber using squirrels as his accomplishes. Is it an old friend turned villain? This Bond spoof for kids is a very funny ride that I completely loved. Definitely consider it for kids in life, but read it yourself first. You'll love it, too.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-nerds-m-is-for-mamas-boy-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-nerds-m-is-for-mamas-boy-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Danielle Harris (16 KP) rated Irish Affair (The Claddagh Series) in Books
Oct 17, 2018
This will definitely be in my top favorite book of the year. Amanda blew me away with this story. It's cute, funny and this brings the scorching heat waves!
Amelia has had a troubled past by men. She makes a decision to leave New York to visit Ireland. Something happens and her plans turn for the worst, until a sexy Rory comes along.
I'm so excited to see more from these characters. The chemistry is out this world hot
Amelia has had a troubled past by men. She makes a decision to leave New York to visit Ireland. Something happens and her plans turn for the worst, until a sexy Rory comes along.
I'm so excited to see more from these characters. The chemistry is out this world hot