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B (62 KP) rated Pride and Prejudice in Books
Sep 30, 2018
I am so grateful to Jane Austen because this book changed my life and the way that I view the world. I simply do not have the words to explain what this novel means to me and to try to say as much would not do it justice. I feel like my life over the last 10 years has become centered around reading and rereading the Austen works and their adaptations as well as watching the films. Austen's witty and often sarcastic portrayal of the elegance and complex sinplicity of Regency England never fails to put a big stupid smile on my face. I feel like I have found kindred spirits in the foolish mistakes of Elizabeth Bennet and unsociable demeanor of Fitzwilliam Darcy. While I know this novel may not be everyone's cup of tea, I still highly recommend giving it a try.
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Perfect Liars: Perfect for fans of HBO’s hit TV series Big Little Lies in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I enjoyed Rebecca Reid’s compelling debut novel Perfect Liars.
Perfect Liars is a thoroughly satisfying character driven psychological thriller. It’s cleverly plotted and clear from the beginning, despite being paced on the slow side, that it is a compelling tale.
The characters are somewhat unlikeable in that they are typical stereotypical pretentious, entitled, self-centered women. The story is told using a dual timeline, past and present. Whilst they display a close friendship to the world it is deeply flawed.
There are certain parts of the storyline that I felt were a little too unbelievable and that is why this does not get a full five stars from me.
A fantastic debut by Rebecca Reid and I very much look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel at this time.
Perfect Liars is a thoroughly satisfying character driven psychological thriller. It’s cleverly plotted and clear from the beginning, despite being paced on the slow side, that it is a compelling tale.
The characters are somewhat unlikeable in that they are typical stereotypical pretentious, entitled, self-centered women. The story is told using a dual timeline, past and present. Whilst they display a close friendship to the world it is deeply flawed.
There are certain parts of the storyline that I felt were a little too unbelievable and that is why this does not get a full five stars from me.
A fantastic debut by Rebecca Reid and I very much look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel at this time.
This outstanding novel covers Adolf HitlerÕs meeting with Neville Chamberlain in 1938. The grave shadow of Chamberlain, deeply opposed to another conflict only twenty years after the Great War that had killed a generation of men. Against Hitler, 'the madman' ready to 'smash the Czechs' and blaze through new territories. This meeting in Munich is the focal point of the novel and Harris rewrites real events using two bystanders, one German, one English. Based on fact, Harris skilfully interweaves the lives of Hugh Legat and his English wife, rich, beautiful and unfaithful. Paul Von Hartmann and his lover, a secretary in the German foreign ministry, someone he may not entirely trust. It's Harris' attention to detail that makes this version of history so credible, right down to the description of the swastikas on the taps. A tightly woven thriller mixed with historical fact that will appeal to a lot of readers.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated The Silent Patient in Books
Nov 30, 2018
Incredible debut novel!
An incredible debut novel that has left me staring into the void, processing, after just finishing... After reading an excerpt, I was hooked and every page sucked me in deeper. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has felt drawn to Alicia Berenson's case since it began. A new job has provided him with the opportunity to help work towards some sort of breakthrough and he plans to do just that. Alicia, silent after being found with her husband dead at her feet, has been forgotten, no longer front page news, tucked away quietly in a psychiatric facility facing closure. This book touches on so many difficult topics, mental health, love, and betrayal. The author did a fabulous job of building the story and then twisting it in a way I never would have seen coming!? Highly recommended read and will be back for more from this author!
Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated The Hobbit in Books
Jan 11, 2019 (Updated Jan 12, 2019)
Plot (1 more)
Description
Regret not reading earlier
Now I love a fantasy novel as much as the next person and I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy this novel. I just wish I had read it when I was younger. Tolkien's description is elegant and beautiful. However, the only thing I found was that sometimes a bit of information is just thrown in there at a convenient time. Such as when Bilbo needs to do something, he suddenly has the necessary skill for the task. I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion but some of the language was also a bit childish for me. Of course, it is aimed at a younger audience which is why I wish I had read this earlier. I loved the story-line and found that it flowed well. I'm now going to try Lord of the Rings.
Sam (74 KP) rated Joe and Clara’s Christmas Countdown in Books
Dec 10, 2018
Lovable characters (1 more)
Perfect for reading through advent
THE festive romance
This is one of my absolute favourite festive books out there. It’s warm and snuggly and it is so cheerful that it makes me smile as soon as I open the book.
Joe and Clara are both wonderfully developed characters who steal your heart from their first introductions. There were little moments that got me giggling, and plenty of times where the novel was just purely heartwarming.
To me, this is what every festive novel should be. It is so feel-good and I love the way that every chapter counts down until Christmas. If I had the self-control, I would read a chapter a day through December but I know I would never be able to restrain myself that much!
This is definitely a Christmas book you have to experience.
Read the full review at:
Https://ohbookit.blog/
Joe and Clara are both wonderfully developed characters who steal your heart from their first introductions. There were little moments that got me giggling, and plenty of times where the novel was just purely heartwarming.
To me, this is what every festive novel should be. It is so feel-good and I love the way that every chapter counts down until Christmas. If I had the self-control, I would read a chapter a day through December but I know I would never be able to restrain myself that much!
This is definitely a Christmas book you have to experience.
Read the full review at:
Https://ohbookit.blog/
David McK (3623 KP) rated The Postman in Books
Jan 28, 2019
1986's winner of the 'Locus Award for Best Science-fiction novel' (same year as Orson Scott's Card's Ender's Game), this is also the basis for the Kevin Costner film of the same name.
Set in a post-apocalyptic America, this starts with Brin's central character of Gordon Krantz being robbed, and seeking to ambush his robbers. Losing his way when tracking them, he stumbles across a crashed post-van, with the uniform of the driver still intact, as is the mail to be delivered. Originally taking the mail to read for entertainment (and the uniform for warmth!), Krantz soon finds himself living the lie of being an actual postman for 'The Restored United States', heralding the (re)spread of civilization. The novel also hints that it might just be Krantz's actions that brings about that spread, acting as the catalyst for the reunification of several disparate communities.
Set in a post-apocalyptic America, this starts with Brin's central character of Gordon Krantz being robbed, and seeking to ambush his robbers. Losing his way when tracking them, he stumbles across a crashed post-van, with the uniform of the driver still intact, as is the mail to be delivered. Originally taking the mail to read for entertainment (and the uniform for warmth!), Krantz soon finds himself living the lie of being an actual postman for 'The Restored United States', heralding the (re)spread of civilization. The novel also hints that it might just be Krantz's actions that brings about that spread, acting as the catalyst for the reunification of several disparate communities.
David McK (3623 KP) rated T2: The Future War (Gollancz) in Books
Jan 30, 2019 (Updated Dec 13, 2020)
Final part of S.M. Stirling's trilogy of books that present an alternate story than that told in <i>T3: Rise of the Machines</i> and <i>Terminator: Salvation</i>.
Unlike the previous two entries (<i>T2: Infiltrator</i> and <i>T2: Rising Storm</i>), this is not so much the one-on-one of the Connors versus a single Terminator, but is rather humanity versus Skynet which, remember, had become sentient at the end of the last novel. While the beginning of the novel does take place pre-Judgement day, the bulk of it actually takes place during the war itself: a war only hinted at in the first two films.
I quite enjoyed this read, and how it tied into both the films and earlier novels. In short, one of the better expanded universe novels out there (though you would have to read the first two first).
Unlike the previous two entries (<i>T2: Infiltrator</i> and <i>T2: Rising Storm</i>), this is not so much the one-on-one of the Connors versus a single Terminator, but is rather humanity versus Skynet which, remember, had become sentient at the end of the last novel. While the beginning of the novel does take place pre-Judgement day, the bulk of it actually takes place during the war itself: a war only hinted at in the first two films.
I quite enjoyed this read, and how it tied into both the films and earlier novels. In short, one of the better expanded universe novels out there (though you would have to read the first two first).
ClareR (5996 KP) rated Elizabeth is Missing in Books
Jun 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this book - in a heart in mouth, trying not to cry kind of way. It was rather close to home for me. My grandmother had dementia, and I can clearly remember her slide into it. Like Maud, she would be able to reminisce about her formative years, but the present day was a mystery to her. This book was so sympathetically written, and the frustration of family members was so well put across too. The story running alongside that of the present day Maud, that of the disappearance of her sister, was well slotted in to the narrative.
I can see that this novel has has some very mixed reviews, and I can understand some of the reasons, but I'm a great believer in trying something out for yourself. And I'm glad that I did in this case. A lovely, sad, bittersweet novel.
I can see that this novel has has some very mixed reviews, and I can understand some of the reasons, but I'm a great believer in trying something out for yourself. And I'm glad that I did in this case. A lovely, sad, bittersweet novel.
Call Me Max - A Life in Radio
Book
In this Autobiographical Novel Max Hunloke charts his rise through the early period of Conurbation...