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BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Caraval in Books

Nov 9, 2017 (Updated Sep 15, 2020)  
Caraval
Caraval
Stephanie Garber | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
5
8.1 (97 Ratings)
Book Rating
A world you could truly get swept away in.
I find rating Caraval pretty hard and keep bouncing between 3 and 4 stars on goodreads because, on one hand, the world the Garber built was absolutely amazing it had everything I could have wanted from a book like Caraval. But and let me tell you it's a giant but, I found myself getting so frustrated throughout the book with the main character Scarlett and the frankly half ass attempt at the romance part of the plot I just never really bought the chemistry Garber tried to create between Scarlett and Julian.

I did love the whole mystery of Legend though, so between him and the world of Caraval I will more than likely be reading the next book.
  
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LucyB (47 KP) rated The Essex Serpent in Books

Jul 23, 2017  
The Essex Serpent
The Essex Serpent
Sarah Perry | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.1 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Beautiful, prosaic writing (0 more)
There were moments where my attention wandered (0 more)
Expertly written, but I struggled to get into it.
Sarah Perry definitely has a way with words. There was much about this book that I found very evocative, on occasion lyrical. Also, what a great backdrop for a story - the wilder parts of Essex, not to mention ancient folklore! As an Essex-born gal myself (and a sucker for anything mythical / legendary), this was music to my ears.

To be honest, I felt ever so slightly disappointed by the book as a whole, though... though I suspect this might be a case of 'it's me, not you'. I found it tricky to get into, and didn't really engage much with any of the characters. There were moments of absolute brilliance (the 'beast' washed up on the shore was so wonderfully depicted, as was the laughing scene in the school), but these were mired in content that I found a little distancing.

I don't want to be harsh at all, because I think it's clear that Perry is a master writer, and judging by all the other glowing reviews, this clearly is just me not 'getting' the book. Perhaps I'll pull it off the shelf at a later date and give it another go, it may well be that I just wasn't in the right frame of mind at present.
  
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SWalker (0 KP) rated Throne of Glass in Books

Mar 10, 2018 (Updated Mar 10, 2018)  
Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass
Sarah J. Maas | 2012 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
8.7 (91 Ratings)
Book Rating
Plot (3 more)
Characters
Writing style
Everything
I’m usually a bit hesitant to stray from my favorite authors and this time was no different. However, I’m soo glad I did! You want action, mystery, romance, betrayal? It’s all here. The best part is that it’s all here without the usual angsty cliches normally found in books that are listed as YA. I’m not going to recap the book, you can read the cover yourself. Read the book, read the series, you won’t regret it!!
  
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Book, Social Networking
8
8.8 (453 Ratings)
App Rating
The ability to track your reading (0 more)
The Recommendations (0 more)
A Useful Reading App
I've used this app/website to track my reading for many years and I have found that this has been the most user friendly of all book type tracking tools. It's very easy to find and you have many different editions to choose from, so that you can get your page count correct.

I like that you can add tags and organize your book shelves in whatever categories you want and the reading challenge function is fun.

I don't really use the group interaction part of the website, but I imagine this would be a great way of meeting people, who like reading similar authors and books as you.

My only gripe is the boxes that come up around the website, with recommendations and book awards. I don't really pay much attention to the recommendations, I read what I want to read and only take book recommendations from friends. I also don't select my reads, based on popularity or book awards. So, I would prefer it if there was some way of taking this off of your profile.

This is a must have app/website for all book lovers.
  
No Such Thing As A Fish
No Such Thing As A Fish
Comedy
6
8.9 (15 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Quite Interesting (QI) (0 more)
A bit smarty pants (0 more)
The podcast brought to you by the QI Elves (those that write the questions on popular TV panel show QI), can be interesting at times. However, as with Answer Me This, I quickly found the presenters to not have enough charisma and just come across as smarty pants (I get enough of those people at work!). The reason Stephen Fry is so good on QI is because he matches intelligence with personality. Remove the latter and you just have a smug know-it-all.
  
L&
Lost & Found (Lost & Found, #1)
10
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
found this book by accident and I'm so glad I did. this book had me hooked from the first page, I became engrossed in the characters and the story line. this book will leave you wanting more. the romance between the characters grows throughout the book. if your looking for a swoon worthy cowboy and lots of romance then this is the book for you. the book is well written and will be defiantly reading more from this author
highly recommended
https://www.facebook.com/obsessedbookreviews
https://obsessedbookreviews.wordpress.com/?s=nicole+williams
  
My Time At Portia
My Time At Portia
2018 | Casual, Simulation
Relaxing And Fun Game
I love this game because of how much there is to do in it, but it gives you a relaxed feel like Stardew Valley. If you like Stardew Valley and Minecraft you will like this game. The game allows you the freedom to explore and take your time with it. There are fun festival days and you can get to know your neighbors as well as romance specific characters with your male or female character. There are a few build missions that are timed, but the game doesn't really punish you if you miss the deadline. There are fun mini games too as well as dungeon crawl areas where you can battle monsters and earn rewards. The game has a ton of things to do and it can feel a little overwhelming, but if you take your time with it you find a rhythm that works. I found I really liked just gathering materials for my workshop and crafting. It's a fun and relaxing game that offers a lot of different things for everyone.
  
Before I Fall (2017)
Before I Fall (2017)
2017 | Drama
6
6.6 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
It's valentines day and after been in a car crash a teen keeps repeating the same day over and over. In order to carry on with her life she must figure out what needs to change in order for her to move on.
I found the movie OK, I would guess that the writer of this movie must have been a fan of groundhog day. The repeating the same day idea is the only thing that resembles that movie though as this does have its own storyline, you start to feel just as frustrated as the main character as even think of what she should be doing to rectify this and then get annoyed when she doesn't. I found the ending very disappointing indeed.
  
The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green | 2012 | Children
10
8.2 (185 Ratings)
Book Rating
Title: The Fault In Our Stars

Author: John Green

Read Dates: May 28th-31st

Why did I choose to read this book?

I chose to read this book because I just had thyroid removal surgery because of a tumor that was size of a tennis ball and was pushing my windpipe and stuff back that I found out is either cancer or precancerous also have other medical issues like my brain tumor. But read this because I felt I could relate to it.

Did I like it? Yes

Four things I liked about this book:
1. I can relate to how she is feeling. For example how she says she feels like a grenade I feel the same about my medical issues and don't want to hurt my family/friends either. It was very emotional.
2. I love the love story between Hazel and Augustus
3. I like how she doesn't give up
4. I like the thing Augustus did for her at the end

One thing I disliked: That Augustus dies it made me cry

Do I recommend this book? Yes

Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book?
2. Can you relate to the book as well?
3. Recommend a similar book.