Search
Search results
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Mistress of the Ritz in Books
Oct 5, 2020
When it comes to the French Resistance of WWII, the names Blanche and Claude Auzello aren’t all that well-known. Thankfully, Melanie Benjamin has just written a biographical, historical fiction novel about them, and especially about Blanche, who during the Nazi occupation of Paris, was known as the “Mistress of the Ritz” and she was the wife of the hotel’s manager, Claude. You can find my review of this amazing book on my blog here (Thanks for the free book, @PRHGlobal/@prhinternational.) https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/05/24/puttin-on-the-resistance/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Forest Dark in Books
Oct 6, 2020
Nicole Krauss' long awaited fourth novel is, to my mind her best yet. In this book, Krauss gives us parallel stories of two characters that travel from New York to Tel Aviv, while neither of them ever meets the other. Despite these disconnected tales, Krauss leads us to draw our own comparisons and contrasts with what she both reveals from and hides underneath their adventures. Read more about my thoughts about this book, which could very well be Krauss' masterpiece, in my review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/07/22/two-paths-that-never-converge/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated A Well-Behaved Woman in Books
Oct 6, 2020
During the Gilded Age, New York’s high-society shunned the “Nuevo Riche” no matter how much wealth they had. This was true until Alva Smith decided to turn around both her own fortunes and the standing of the Vanderbilt family by marrying their last eligible son, William. Author Therese Anne Fowler tells this story in her latest book “A Well-Behaved Woman,” and you can find my review of this historical fiction novel, on my blog now.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/10/06/the-gilding-of-a-lady/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/10/06/the-gilding-of-a-lady/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Kennedy Debutante in Books
Oct 7, 2020
(Thanks for the free book, @PRHGlobal / @prhinternational) The name Kennedy is known worldwide, and descendants of that famous family are in the public eye to this day. However, there’s one Kennedy who we know little about, mostly due to her early demise. She was named Kathleen, but everyone knew her as Kick. Kerri Maher’s debut book “The Kennedy Debutante” is a biographical historical fiction novel about this fascinating woman, and you can read my review of it on my blog now. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/10/27/home-again-kathleen/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Lido in Books
Oct 7, 2020
They say “it takes a village to raise a child,” but further to that, I think it takes a worthy cause to build a community. Libby Page’s debut novel “The Lido” is about the fight to save a local swimming pool that brings two women together in this common struggle, despite the sixty-year age difference between them. You can read my review of this book that is being called the “feel-good debut of the year” on my blog here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/08/11/diving-in-together/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The First Emma in Books
Oct 7, 2020
4.5/5 stars
If you've never heard of Emma Koehler, then you know nothing about the beer industry in San Antonio Texas. But even if that subject matter doesn't interest you, Emma should, because she had both a fascinating and tragic life. Camille Di Maio does a lovely job of taking little to no information about this real-life personality and turning it into a biographical, historical, women's fiction novel. Read more about it in my #bookreview here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/05/08/lady-bastion-of-beer/
If you've never heard of Emma Koehler, then you know nothing about the beer industry in San Antonio Texas. But even if that subject matter doesn't interest you, Emma should, because she had both a fascinating and tragic life. Camille Di Maio does a lovely job of taking little to no information about this real-life personality and turning it into a biographical, historical, women's fiction novel. Read more about it in my #bookreview here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/05/08/lady-bastion-of-beer/
Erika (17788 KP) rated Fools and Mortals in Books
Jan 24, 2021
I've never read anything by Bernard Cornwell, but I have heard good things about him.
This probably wasn't the best book of his to start with, I didn't read any reviews prior to starting this. Had I, I probably would have opted out.
The novel is centered around Shakespeare's younger brother, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Richard Shakespeare wasn't a really interesting character, and had an insta-love story, in the middle of the mystery of the stolen plays.
Overall, just meh. Maybe I'll attempt to read something else by Cornwell? Maybe not.
This probably wasn't the best book of his to start with, I didn't read any reviews prior to starting this. Had I, I probably would have opted out.
The novel is centered around Shakespeare's younger brother, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Richard Shakespeare wasn't a really interesting character, and had an insta-love story, in the middle of the mystery of the stolen plays.
Overall, just meh. Maybe I'll attempt to read something else by Cornwell? Maybe not.
David McK (3372 KP) rated Around the World in 80 Days (2004) in Movies
Jan 19, 2021
2004 reimagining of the classic Jules Verne novel, and I do mean reimagining: sure, the basic premise is the same (a bet is made during Victorian times that a man can travel around the world in 80 days), but the particulars are quite different in this than in the source.
This stars Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan, both playing exactly the type of roles you would expect from each, with plenty of cameos (including Arnie Schwarzenegger!) sprinkled throughout. It's an OK film, but I did find myself zoning out at several points.
This stars Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan, both playing exactly the type of roles you would expect from each, with plenty of cameos (including Arnie Schwarzenegger!) sprinkled throughout. It's an OK film, but I did find myself zoning out at several points.
AT (1676 KP) rated My Sister, the Serial Killer in Books
Oct 8, 2019
As frustrating as this novel was, I enjoyed the read. It was such a quick read, too. I still haven't sorted out how I feel about the ending, as I just closed the book. The sister is a definite sociopath, which causes a world of stress and hardship for her older sister, who is constantly cleaning up her messes. I thought this book was interesting, unique, and wildly upsetting, all at the exact same time. I appreciated the easy read, while requiring a deeper level of emotion and thought at the same time.
Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief review
This book is such an amazing, attention gripping story about the adventure of half blood Percy Jackson. The link between the real world and the fantasy world of Greek mythology makes this novel stand out amongst others, it makes the whole plot of the story much more exciting as well as being educational about Greek beliefs in mythology.
