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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.2 (101 Ratings)
Book Rating
This year I have challenged myself into reading novels that are not the typical novel that I would have picked up. This was one of those novels that I just never really thought I needed to read. The characters are very developed and the main character was very realistic to me. I found myself enthralled by the characters and how it is true to high school friendships.

This book deals with some mature topics and can be a trigger for anyone who has been sexually abused. I thought that this book dealt nicely with the character's faults and his significant life problems. This was nothing like I expected. By the end of the novel I felt kind of numb and on the verge of tears.

I think this is a very powerful novel. I am glad that I gave this book a chance. I would definitely recommend this book.
  
FM
Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, #2)
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
<updated review in 2019>

I read the graphic novel version when I accidentally purchased the Dresden Files Omnibus from Comixology, thinking it contained new stories (it doesn't: it contains 'Storm Front', this ('Fool Moon') and the short story 'A Restoration of Faith'). While it's been a few years since I last read the actual novel, from what I remember, the graphic novel sticks pretty close to the original source material. I still have trouble as seeing Harry Dresden as any other than Nicolas Cage from the film 'The Sorceror's Apprentice', though ...

<original review>

Second entry in Jim Butcher's Dresden files series, building upon and expanding the world first introduced in "Storm Front", and in which Harry Dresden - Chaicago's only professional wizard in the phone book - ends up involved in a case to do with Werewolves (of which there are more types than your classical bi-morph).
  
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David McK (3377 KP) rated Better than Life (Red Dwarf #2) in Books

Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Sep 8, 2019)  
Better than Life (Red Dwarf #2)
Better than Life (Red Dwarf #2)
Grant Naylor | 1993 | Humor & Comedy, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
7.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
A straight sequel to 'Red Dwarf: Infinity welcomes careful drivers', this novel starts with the crew of Red Dwarf still trapped inside the hologrammatic computer game Better Than Life, with that taking up (roughly) the first third of the novel.

Unlike its predecessor, which at times seemed to be cramming as many episodes as possible into its length, this novel instead seems to primarily focus on 3 main aspects (episodes) from the TV series on which it is based: Better Than Life, Garbage World and Polymorph. As such, it's also quite a quick read, only taking me something like 1 day to read from start to finish. Ending on a cliff-hanger, this is also the last Red Dwarf book that both Rob Grant and Doug Naylor worked on together, with the next 2 books ('Backwards' and 'Last Human') each written by a separate one of those two authors.
  
I Am Alfonso Jones
I Am Alfonso Jones
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Would you pay more attention to police brutality, racism, and the #blacklivesmatter movement if everywhere you walked was the blood stains and plaque telling you another life that didn't have to be lost?

I loved this graphic novel, I believe it to be an incredible important read. Those comparing it to The Hate U Give is doing this novel injustice. This is just as impactful without the 400+ pages. The message gets across to the reader in the same way I know a lot of teens that would not sit and read that but may pick up a graphic novel.

The art style I really enjoyed though sometimes it did make a scene hard to understand. I also enjoyed the changing of timeline. We followed a lot of characters but the important one's stand out and don't seem to get lost in all the movement of the story.
  
TO
Thirst of Steel (The Tox Files, #3)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sweet Lord Above. Yes, that's the best way to start this off as I reflect back on all that I just read in the final Tox File novel by the brilliant Ronie Kendig. Lord have mercy on my soul, she absolutely took my breath away with this incredibly moving, powerfully suspenseful, amazingly addictive novel. Ronie Kendig is a master of epic proportions when it comes to writing a Christian romantic suspense novel. This book will leave you like me: reflecting and wanting more.

The characters within this book are wonderful. They are created with a  real-to-life feel about them, and when I followed their story, I felt every emotion, every action, every message they did. The intensity of the suspense, the splash of the romance, the powerful faith that flows with Kendig's words is beyond captivating. I loved these characters, and I don't want to say goodbye! 

Mrs. Kendig has created a final addition to the Tox Files that is worthy of the highest recommendations. Her research, her creativity, the way she knows what to give her fans, is awe-inspiring. I loved every second of this 5 star novel and I can't wait to recommend it to everyone that asks for one of my top reads of the year. Hats off to you, Mrs. Kendig and I can't wait to see what you have in store for you fans. Bring on another fantabulous novel please! 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
Never Tell (Detective D.D. Warren #10)
Never Tell (Detective D.D. Warren #10)
Lisa Gardner | 2019 | Mystery, Thriller
8
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Includes Detective D.D. Warren, Flora Dane, and FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy (1 more)
Can stand alone
A stand-alone, multi POV novel and the 10th novel in the Detective D.D. Warren series.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

I was not my parents' favorite child. I was not even the favorite daughter. Let me say my family has a strange sense of humor so my dad bought me Lisa Gardner's novel "The Other Daughter". I laughed and let the book sit for a few years. When I eventually read it, I knew I found an author I would definitely read again.

Never Tell by Lisa Gardner can stand alone. The multi POV thriller is the 10th novel in her Detective D.D. Warren series. It includes Flora Dane who was first introduced in Find Her, the 8th novel in her Detective D.D. Warren series.

In Find Her, Dane was kidnapped while on spring break and held for 472 days. Since then, she in now working as Warren's unpaid Confidential Informant). The agent who was instrumental in rescuing Dane was FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy, daughter of FBI Profiler Pierce Quincy, a main character in Gardner's FBI Profiler series. Kimberly Quincy also returns to assist with Warren's case.

It might be difficult to understand the connections I mentioned if you have not read prior books. The book does stand alone and will make you want to go read the others.


Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/27/19.
  
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Kaz (232 KP) rated Shadows of the Wind in Books

Jul 28, 2019 (Updated Jul 28, 2019)  
Shadows of the Wind
Shadows of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafón | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
The writing, the story, characters (0 more)
It's a bit slow in a couple of places (0 more)
A fantastic Novel
I was recommended this book by a friend who has read this book, and its follow up books, many times.

When I first started reading this, I thought that it was going to be a fantasy novel. It's a lot more than that.

Firstly, I thought that the writing was fantastic. This novel was originally written in Spanish, but the English version I read was very well translated. It was poetic and beautiful. This story is a brilliant mixture of suspense, humour and intrigue, which has vivid, almost noir depictions of Barcelona which I loved. I loved how the plot weaved, twisted and turned and still remained understandable. Occasionally the plot slowed a little, but actually, I liked that, because it meant that you could really take in the atmosphere, the writer was creating. In fact, I slowed down whilst reading this, so that it wouldn't end.

I loved the characters in this novel. Even though Daniel is the main protagonist in this novel, for me Fermin, was better. I loved his humour and, even though he is a homeless person, he was still portrayed as incredibly intelligent.

I've read a lot of books in my time, but by far, I think this is the best book I've ever read. I think this is going to be a book that I'll read again and again. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the novels in this series.