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ClareR (5686 KP) rated The Secret Life of Bees in Books
Dec 31, 2017
Audiobook edition
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The narrator, Jenna Lamia, was an excellent choice in my opinion. She sounded just like I thought she should sound, and added a lot of emotion to the story. I admired the main characters strengths (all of them!) - they were all very strong female figures. They probably had to be in the situations that they all found themselves to be in. I'm not big on regurgitating what a story is about - you only have to look at the book description above, but for me, this was very much an educational story. Having been brought up in the UK, I have never seen any of the situations described in the book - not to the extent that they are here anyway. That's the privilege I have of being middle classed, white and living in the UK I suppose (although I can remember a black teenager being shadowed around a toy shop by a member of staff for no reason at all. When I pointed out to them that their time might be better spent stocking the shelves, they didn't seem to have an answer for me as to why they felt the need to follow one customer around).
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Daytripper in Books
Feb 7, 2018
Absolutely beautiful work of art and fiction
Daytripper was one of those books that I've not only had on my to be read list for a long time but also on my actual bookshelf but I just never got around to reading it even though people have been telling me to read for just about as long as I've owned it, and finally I decided to pick it up.
From start to finish you just can't help but be drawn into the absolutely gorgeous world that Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon have created in just 256 pages, the story is all about life and death, beginning and ending and the moments that make up our lives and how different choice can truly change who we are as a person.
Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon manage to create a realm of fantasy realism that I just have not come across before and I can honestly say I don't think I'll come across again but I sure hope I do.
Daytripper was a very beautiful story but for me what really stood out the most was the art which was just absolutely breathtakingly beautiful after finishing the book I found myself flipping through the pages again just to really take in the artwork.
From start to finish you just can't help but be drawn into the absolutely gorgeous world that Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon have created in just 256 pages, the story is all about life and death, beginning and ending and the moments that make up our lives and how different choice can truly change who we are as a person.
Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon manage to create a realm of fantasy realism that I just have not come across before and I can honestly say I don't think I'll come across again but I sure hope I do.
Daytripper was a very beautiful story but for me what really stood out the most was the art which was just absolutely breathtakingly beautiful after finishing the book I found myself flipping through the pages again just to really take in the artwork.
Sammeh Lowry (15 KP) rated Love Letters to the Dead in Books
Jul 13, 2019
The last 100 pages saved this book from a 3 star! Laurel is given an assignment in school which is to write a letter to someone who is dead. She chooses Kurt Cobain, who she feels as a lot in common with her sister May who died young just like she did. Soon she begins writing to lots of other famous people who have died too, through her letters to get to know about her life and her thoughts and feelings. I found Laurel to be very dislikeable at the start, she lives in her sisters shadow but it so caught up in trying to be her she becomes completely wrapped up in it. After finishing this book I can understand why she was portrayed this way to begin with, as the story developed I gained more of an understanding into who she is away from her sister. I loved her relationship with Sky and I love the friendships she also gained (I wasn't too sure of them at first) I felt at times it dragged but the last 100 pages really did it for me and I ended up loving how it all came together. Its definitely worth a read stick with it you won't be disappointed.
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Orbit: A Lunar Wolves Novella in Books
Jul 4, 2023
ORBIT is a Lunar Wolves Novella - it says so in the title. It is also the first book I have read in this series or by the author. I was told I wouldn't need to read the series to enjoy this book but I'm afraid I think that was wrong.
This is a short novella and, for me, you really didn't learn anything about the world or the characters so having some knowledge would have been helpful. Callum and Vaughan were a cute couple but also a paradox. On the one hand, they communicated nicely. Callum, in particular, helped Vaughan with his social anxiety. But then, on the other, neither of them talks when there's a problem, which I found odd, especially when it could be linked to said social anxiety.
The ending is quite abrupt. I'm guessing we will see more of them in future books but, as a novella, it's more of a meet-cute and not much more.
A good read but I would definitely recommend reading the series.
** 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!
Jul 4, 2023
This is a short novella and, for me, you really didn't learn anything about the world or the characters so having some knowledge would have been helpful. Callum and Vaughan were a cute couple but also a paradox. On the one hand, they communicated nicely. Callum, in particular, helped Vaughan with his social anxiety. But then, on the other, neither of them talks when there's a problem, which I found odd, especially when it could be linked to said social anxiety.
The ending is quite abrupt. I'm guessing we will see more of them in future books but, as a novella, it's more of a meet-cute and not much more.
A good read but I would definitely recommend reading the series.
** 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!
Jul 4, 2023
Sam (74 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Mar 27, 2019
When I heard about Turtles All The Way Down being released, I didn’t know how I felt. It sounded like a book I would like, but at the same time it was by John Green and I had a strict policy to myself that I wouldn’t get it until it was in paperback and in the sale.
And I kinda stuck to that. I didn’t buy it for myself. I got it for Christmas because I decided that I actually quite wanted to read it and for once I could try and throw my prejudices away.
Aza and her best friend Daisy decide to try and find out where a missing billionaire has gone. This billionaire is coincidentally Aza’s childhood best friend’s father, and the reward for finding him is $100,000.
Aza struggles with mental health illnesses throughout the book, and the book includes narratives between Ava and her thoughts which perfectly show how mental health effects people and what it actually feels like to not be in control of your thoughts. It also shows how your mental health affects people around you, even if it’s a bit brutal when it comes to that.
I love that Daisy is constantly writing fanfics throughout the novel and found her whole attitude entertaining. She’s the typical fictional best friend and is so lovable despite her flaws. She’s one of those characters who is impossible to hate.
I’m a convert. I love John Green now and I may go and try his other books again because Turtles All The Way Down is one of my top books of 2017.
And I kinda stuck to that. I didn’t buy it for myself. I got it for Christmas because I decided that I actually quite wanted to read it and for once I could try and throw my prejudices away.
Aza and her best friend Daisy decide to try and find out where a missing billionaire has gone. This billionaire is coincidentally Aza’s childhood best friend’s father, and the reward for finding him is $100,000.
Aza struggles with mental health illnesses throughout the book, and the book includes narratives between Ava and her thoughts which perfectly show how mental health effects people and what it actually feels like to not be in control of your thoughts. It also shows how your mental health affects people around you, even if it’s a bit brutal when it comes to that.
I love that Daisy is constantly writing fanfics throughout the novel and found her whole attitude entertaining. She’s the typical fictional best friend and is so lovable despite her flaws. She’s one of those characters who is impossible to hate.
I’m a convert. I love John Green now and I may go and try his other books again because Turtles All The Way Down is one of my top books of 2017.
Debbiereadsbook (1171 KP) rated The Tryst List (Spicy Standalone #3) in Books
Apr 15, 2024
3 good, but not for me, stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This book seems to be a spin-off form the author's series Less Than Zero. Those guys pop up here, but I didn't think I missed anything by not reading them before this one.
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book, and you all know I'm all about sharing the book feelings. So, I'm gonna say what I liked, and maybe what didn't work will wing it's way out.
I liked that both Jordan and Peter are given a voice, although that first meeting was all from Jordan. I loved that we did NOT get that first meeting, in all its glory, right as it happened. I loved that it comes in memories from both of them. I think had we had it all at the beginning, I might have dumped this one, so well played to the author for not doing that. I loved the way it all comes out along the way.
It's steamy and smexy, oh yes but I found the emotional connection a little lacking in the beginning. But then again, 10 years since their first encounter would stunt anyone's connection.
There was a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication between these two. I'm not sure whether that worked for me or not, to be honest!
I'm gonna wrap up: I liked this book, I finished it. Will I go back and read the series this spins off? Not at this time.
3 good, but maybe not for me, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewher
This book seems to be a spin-off form the author's series Less Than Zero. Those guys pop up here, but I didn't think I missed anything by not reading them before this one.
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book, and you all know I'm all about sharing the book feelings. So, I'm gonna say what I liked, and maybe what didn't work will wing it's way out.
I liked that both Jordan and Peter are given a voice, although that first meeting was all from Jordan. I loved that we did NOT get that first meeting, in all its glory, right as it happened. I loved that it comes in memories from both of them. I think had we had it all at the beginning, I might have dumped this one, so well played to the author for not doing that. I loved the way it all comes out along the way.
It's steamy and smexy, oh yes but I found the emotional connection a little lacking in the beginning. But then again, 10 years since their first encounter would stunt anyone's connection.
There was a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication between these two. I'm not sure whether that worked for me or not, to be honest!
I'm gonna wrap up: I liked this book, I finished it. Will I go back and read the series this spins off? Not at this time.
3 good, but maybe not for me, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewher
Amy Norman (1042 KP) rated The Haunting of Bly Manor in TV
Oct 10, 2020 (Updated Oct 10, 2020)
Ok wow. There is so much to deconstruct from 'The Haunting of Bly Manor'.
*there will be no direct spoilers but I will be talking about indirect spoilers*
Indirect spoilers to me are still spoilers, as they change the way you view what piece of media you are consuming! So fair warning here, don't read on if you want to watch Bly unencumbered, or directed towards certain aspects.
The first thing I hope that everyone appreciates about Bly is that it is not a carbon copy of 'The Haunting of Hill House', it is a beautiful piece of its own theatre, and should be appreciated in its own right e.g. each individual season of American Horror Story.
If you are looking for more jump scares, and something more akin to Hill House, then you need to look else where.
Bly is such a delicate and deliberate story, that unfurls so slowly, it crawls. I understand some will find this boring, and will likely give up watching after the first 3 episodes, but it is so perfectly placed, I would implore you to watch on until the end.
*Every* detail within Bly is precise.
I constantly felt like the walls, the flooring, paintings, and general decor were changing, but it was so subtle, and often hadn't at all, it is purposefully disorientating.
Even the camera angles are ever so slightly askew between each shot, the cinematography is unfalteringly gorgeous as a whole anyway.
The colour palate, and colour itself, becomes a character of its own, and was a joy to watch, and take note of.
The dark corners are so black, and add to the heaviness and gravity of any particular scene, leaving you constantly second guessing if you saw a ghost in the background, or if something did subtly change, and then importantly why.
For me, a great many of the characters are heart achingly powerful to watch. I was mesmerised by certain scenes, and I was so drawn in, I sometimes forgot they were delivering an absolutely powerful monologue, and haven't interacted with another character for a while.
For me this was absolutely an ensemble piece, it would not have worked without each moving part, and I would struggle to choose an outstanding performance, as they all delivered.
Some noteworthy topics!
The background ghosts blend in so sublimely, I am sure I missed plenty of them, including some obvious ones, but again that is all part of the absolute majesty of Bly, or 'The Haunting' series.
I would advise to try not to look for them on a first watch through, and let them come to you organically.
I've already seen some mention of this, and I expect it will become a bone of contention - the accents.
I will admit, at first I found some of the accents difficult to listen to, but they are so important, and key to a much larger arc. At first I thought someone needs to fire that voice acting coach! However, what they have done is actually absolutely stellar.
I could gush about the programme for a while but I will leave it here, and let each person decide for themselves what they enjoy about it!
Overall, the whole series is surprisingly poignant and heartfelt - not a lot of titles in the horror genre can claim that. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will likely rewatch, something I haven't been overly inclined to do in recent years.
I so hope that audiences will enjoy this for what it is, and it won't be downplayed as being 'not as good as Hill House', as they are non-comparable to me.
Masterful! Please enjoy for the utter eye candy the whole thing is.
*there will be no direct spoilers but I will be talking about indirect spoilers*
Indirect spoilers to me are still spoilers, as they change the way you view what piece of media you are consuming! So fair warning here, don't read on if you want to watch Bly unencumbered, or directed towards certain aspects.
The first thing I hope that everyone appreciates about Bly is that it is not a carbon copy of 'The Haunting of Hill House', it is a beautiful piece of its own theatre, and should be appreciated in its own right e.g. each individual season of American Horror Story.
If you are looking for more jump scares, and something more akin to Hill House, then you need to look else where.
Bly is such a delicate and deliberate story, that unfurls so slowly, it crawls. I understand some will find this boring, and will likely give up watching after the first 3 episodes, but it is so perfectly placed, I would implore you to watch on until the end.
*Every* detail within Bly is precise.
I constantly felt like the walls, the flooring, paintings, and general decor were changing, but it was so subtle, and often hadn't at all, it is purposefully disorientating.
Even the camera angles are ever so slightly askew between each shot, the cinematography is unfalteringly gorgeous as a whole anyway.
The colour palate, and colour itself, becomes a character of its own, and was a joy to watch, and take note of.
The dark corners are so black, and add to the heaviness and gravity of any particular scene, leaving you constantly second guessing if you saw a ghost in the background, or if something did subtly change, and then importantly why.
For me, a great many of the characters are heart achingly powerful to watch. I was mesmerised by certain scenes, and I was so drawn in, I sometimes forgot they were delivering an absolutely powerful monologue, and haven't interacted with another character for a while.
For me this was absolutely an ensemble piece, it would not have worked without each moving part, and I would struggle to choose an outstanding performance, as they all delivered.
Some noteworthy topics!
The background ghosts blend in so sublimely, I am sure I missed plenty of them, including some obvious ones, but again that is all part of the absolute majesty of Bly, or 'The Haunting' series.
I would advise to try not to look for them on a first watch through, and let them come to you organically.
I've already seen some mention of this, and I expect it will become a bone of contention - the accents.
I will admit, at first I found some of the accents difficult to listen to, but they are so important, and key to a much larger arc. At first I thought someone needs to fire that voice acting coach! However, what they have done is actually absolutely stellar.
I could gush about the programme for a while but I will leave it here, and let each person decide for themselves what they enjoy about it!
Overall, the whole series is surprisingly poignant and heartfelt - not a lot of titles in the horror genre can claim that. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will likely rewatch, something I haven't been overly inclined to do in recent years.
I so hope that audiences will enjoy this for what it is, and it won't be downplayed as being 'not as good as Hill House', as they are non-comparable to me.
Masterful! Please enjoy for the utter eye candy the whole thing is.
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Debbiereadsbook (1171 KP) rated Becoming His Perfect Daddy (Unlikely Daddies #1) in Books
May 19, 2024
bloody LOVED this book!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Let me just put this out there, Ok?? I'm a straight cis woman, on the wrong side of 50. I read a lot of MM books, and have read some with trans main characters. I have not ever read a T4T (my apologies if this is incorrect, but I'm trying!) book, never. So I went into this with an open mind and an open heart and an open book brain.
But let me tell you about this book!
There is a bit at the beginning of this book, that the author wrote. I don't usually bother with those, unles my book feelings tell me to read it, so I did and it gave me a much better insight into Sam and Cameron, but also into this author, as some of this book is their story. (again, apologies is this is incorrect, but I couldn't find your preferred pronouns, so went with the best option!)
And what that bit does, my good peeps, is set it all out for you, in a way a lay person like myself can understand the terms, words and difficulties being a trans person comes with.
While this book is set over a long period of time, over a year, I was surprised at the speed at which things moved for Sam, once he made the decision to become himself. I know in the UK these take a long, LONG time, so that surprised me.
Sam and Cameron are perfect for each other! Cameron has already transitioned, and Sam has the dawning realisation that he is not in the right body after reading one of Cameron's books. That CAMERON makes him see who he really should be, a man and a Daddy. These two are absolutely perfect for each other, they really are! Loved how the D/b relationship developed.
I will be honest, I wasn't sure the smexy times would work, I don't know WHY I thought that, but you know me and my book brain, but bloody hell! They work, trust me! Super spicy smexy times!! Loved that!
You get deep into the psyche of being trans with these two. The emotions are deep and heavy in places. Made me cry in some places, it really did, the weight of feelings that these men have about themselves. It's really painful reading in parts, and I think you need to be aware if you have any triggers regarding body dysmophia.
I LOVED this book, in case I didn't say it yet!
I see two pairings among the side characters, one set have their book next and I will be reading that book, and any more that come along! I also found that this is only the author's second book, with a short before this one. And bloody hell, they smashed it out the park!
I cannot give it anything other than. . .
5 full and super shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Let me just put this out there, Ok?? I'm a straight cis woman, on the wrong side of 50. I read a lot of MM books, and have read some with trans main characters. I have not ever read a T4T (my apologies if this is incorrect, but I'm trying!) book, never. So I went into this with an open mind and an open heart and an open book brain.
But let me tell you about this book!
There is a bit at the beginning of this book, that the author wrote. I don't usually bother with those, unles my book feelings tell me to read it, so I did and it gave me a much better insight into Sam and Cameron, but also into this author, as some of this book is their story. (again, apologies is this is incorrect, but I couldn't find your preferred pronouns, so went with the best option!)
And what that bit does, my good peeps, is set it all out for you, in a way a lay person like myself can understand the terms, words and difficulties being a trans person comes with.
While this book is set over a long period of time, over a year, I was surprised at the speed at which things moved for Sam, once he made the decision to become himself. I know in the UK these take a long, LONG time, so that surprised me.
Sam and Cameron are perfect for each other! Cameron has already transitioned, and Sam has the dawning realisation that he is not in the right body after reading one of Cameron's books. That CAMERON makes him see who he really should be, a man and a Daddy. These two are absolutely perfect for each other, they really are! Loved how the D/b relationship developed.
I will be honest, I wasn't sure the smexy times would work, I don't know WHY I thought that, but you know me and my book brain, but bloody hell! They work, trust me! Super spicy smexy times!! Loved that!
You get deep into the psyche of being trans with these two. The emotions are deep and heavy in places. Made me cry in some places, it really did, the weight of feelings that these men have about themselves. It's really painful reading in parts, and I think you need to be aware if you have any triggers regarding body dysmophia.
I LOVED this book, in case I didn't say it yet!
I see two pairings among the side characters, one set have their book next and I will be reading that book, and any more that come along! I also found that this is only the author's second book, with a short before this one. And bloody hell, they smashed it out the park!
I cannot give it anything other than. . .
5 full and super shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Toxic (Ruin, #2) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
If I'm honest, I can't remember much about the first one apart from the fact that i truly fell for Wes and it made me cry like a baby when i realised he was sick. And that i wanted to read Gabe's story.
This one also made me cry a lot. It just seemed very unfair that Gabe had been going through all this crap emotionally for the past four years. I wanted him to be happy but he seemed determined to live with the guilt and in a way that annoyed me because I'm pretty sure that Kimmy would have wanted you to be happy.
Then we met Saylor. She initially semed like some sort of band geek but she gave as good as she got--and good for her! I'll admit i got the initial attraction but then when they confessed their falling for each other i was a little sceptical because they'd hardly spent that much time together and were always arguing in that time, apart from once, i think.
It put me through the emotional wringer and last night i had to put it down as all the crying was giving me a headache. Saylor was being amazing when she found out the truth and was trying to be there for him but i still didnt really get it.
And then that end bit. Really? I think that's his MO.
I loved the first one but i was a tad disappointed by this one. Maybe Lisa's story will be somewhere in the middle.
This one also made me cry a lot. It just seemed very unfair that Gabe had been going through all this crap emotionally for the past four years. I wanted him to be happy but he seemed determined to live with the guilt and in a way that annoyed me because I'm pretty sure that Kimmy would have wanted you to be happy.
Then we met Saylor. She initially semed like some sort of band geek but she gave as good as she got--and good for her! I'll admit i got the initial attraction but then when they confessed their falling for each other i was a little sceptical because they'd hardly spent that much time together and were always arguing in that time, apart from once, i think.
It put me through the emotional wringer and last night i had to put it down as all the crying was giving me a headache. Saylor was being amazing when she found out the truth and was trying to be there for him but i still didnt really get it.
And then that end bit. Really? I think that's his MO.
I loved the first one but i was a tad disappointed by this one. Maybe Lisa's story will be somewhere in the middle.