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A coming of age story
A coming of age story, set between Ghana and London, this is the story of Belinda, a housegirl, who moves to London to help the daughter of her employers friends. Amma (the friends daughter) has become withdrawn and is struggling with something in her life - not her studies though, she's a straight A student. She won't talk to her parents about it, and to begin with, it doesn't look as though she'll talk to Belinda either. Their friendship builds over a period of weeks and months. In this time, Belinda goes back to school in order to gain some qualifications. She seems to feel guilty of having left her fellow housegirl, who she refers to as sister (even though the 12 year old Mary is not her sister by blood, they have bonded over being in the same circumstances of separation from their families at young ages).
This novel explores African attitudes towards sexuality, family and responsibility. It's funny at times, but also incredibly moving. I really enjoyed it. We can see the contrast between life in a Ghanaian city and village, and the difference again between those places and London. A fascinating novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this fantastic book.
This novel explores African attitudes towards sexuality, family and responsibility. It's funny at times, but also incredibly moving. I really enjoyed it. We can see the contrast between life in a Ghanaian city and village, and the difference again between those places and London. A fascinating novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this fantastic book.
Bubblesreview (110 KP) rated A Note Of Madness in Books
Feb 9, 2019
Mental health awareness (1 more)
Likeable chapters
This novel was the authors debut, for a debut novel it's well written and flows fairly well. The portrayal of bipolar disorder / manic depression is realistically unsettling. It really shows how damaging a misdiagnosis could be and the serious effect of being dismissed. To avoid spoilers I'm not going to say if this story ends with a happy or an unfortunate end. I will advise you NOT to read this if you suffer from a mental illness and are triggered easily, this could be a serious trigger.
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Following on, although I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and really appreciate the mental health awareness in it which is a rare find in a book, I found this a hard one to score higher than 7/10. This is solely due to the fact that the chapters are long, ranging on average at about 25+ pages. This made it difficult to stay focused and I found myself having to read back a couple of pages to recap. This is completely my own problem as I enjoy shorter chapters and I really dislike stopping half way through a chapter.
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Overall I 100% recommend this book. It's very underrated and deserves more awareness
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Following on, although I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and really appreciate the mental health awareness in it which is a rare find in a book, I found this a hard one to score higher than 7/10. This is solely due to the fact that the chapters are long, ranging on average at about 25+ pages. This made it difficult to stay focused and I found myself having to read back a couple of pages to recap. This is completely my own problem as I enjoy shorter chapters and I really dislike stopping half way through a chapter.
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Overall I 100% recommend this book. It's very underrated and deserves more awareness
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Mind Games (Kaely Quinn Profiler, #1) in Books
Mar 5, 2019
FBI Behavioral Analyst Kaely Quinn’s methods may be highly unorthodox, but her talent is undeniable. She’s done her best to establish a new life for herself after being demoted and transferred to St. Louis when a reporter revealed she’s the daughter of an infamous serial killer. But when that same reporter claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, it seems her old life has followed her. When a body is found that fits the poem’s morbid predictions, Kaely and her new partner, Special Agent Noah Hunter, are forced to move past his skepticism of her approach and work together to unravel the deadly riddle. With a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else, including Kaely, is killed.
My Thoughts: This is a great suspense novel written by a good author. It's full good mystery, intrigue and keeps the reader guessing.
Nancy Miehl has a wonderful style of writing that keeps the reader entertained. Truly a great book from start to finish. I look forward to read more from Nancy Miehl
A wonderful novel for suspense lovers.
My Thoughts: This is a great suspense novel written by a good author. It's full good mystery, intrigue and keeps the reader guessing.
Nancy Miehl has a wonderful style of writing that keeps the reader entertained. Truly a great book from start to finish. I look forward to read more from Nancy Miehl
A wonderful novel for suspense lovers.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) in Movies
Mar 9, 2019
Stays true to the book
This is by far the best adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel and aside from the hilarious Dracula: Dead and Loving It, there has never been a decent Dracula film since. The fact that it stays true to the novel is the best thing about this, there’s very little difference between this and the book and I’m so grateful about this. The effects are very old school and in parts a little bit cheesy and very dated watching it back now, but I think that’s part of the charm. It was made in the early 90s after all.
Gary Oldman does a fantastic performance and Anthony Hopkins too is wonderful as Van Helsing, and it’s these two that really make this film as good as it is. The rest of the cast range from good (Richard E Grant), unremarkable (Cary Elwes), to downright awful. And yes, I am talking about Keanu Reeves. I know he was a big star when this was made, but he really is a terrible actor. And he’s even worse when he’s trying to put on a horrendous English accent. I wish they’d have found a decent actor to play Harker, if they had I would’ve scored this a little higher!
Gary Oldman does a fantastic performance and Anthony Hopkins too is wonderful as Van Helsing, and it’s these two that really make this film as good as it is. The rest of the cast range from good (Richard E Grant), unremarkable (Cary Elwes), to downright awful. And yes, I am talking about Keanu Reeves. I know he was a big star when this was made, but he really is a terrible actor. And he’s even worse when he’s trying to put on a horrendous English accent. I wish they’d have found a decent actor to play Harker, if they had I would’ve scored this a little higher!
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This review is really hard to write mainly because I did not have any feelings about this book after I read it. It was a quick read, only taking me two hours; yet it was hard to stay focused. I felt so unmotivated to read this book, which I sometimes had to force myself to keep going.
I am not saying it is a bad book. In fact, I think quite the opposite. While it was not anything to heavy or thought provoking, Brewer did a good job at creating a practical storyline with realistic characters and an in-depth vampire society I felt that she teased us with all the glimpses into the vampire society. It was obvious this novel was the first in the series. We are introduced to Vlad and the people important to the storyline. I wish she had shown us more because I am not interested in reading the rest of the series to find out.
The only thing that truly annoyed me, however, was Brewers lack of subtly. She brings up subjects that are supposed to be revealed later in novel/series, but she makes it so obvious that you are supposed to be interested.
I am not saying it is a bad book. In fact, I think quite the opposite. While it was not anything to heavy or thought provoking, Brewer did a good job at creating a practical storyline with realistic characters and an in-depth vampire society I felt that she teased us with all the glimpses into the vampire society. It was obvious this novel was the first in the series. We are introduced to Vlad and the people important to the storyline. I wish she had shown us more because I am not interested in reading the rest of the series to find out.
The only thing that truly annoyed me, however, was Brewers lack of subtly. She brings up subjects that are supposed to be revealed later in novel/series, but she makes it so obvious that you are supposed to be interested.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated To Sin With a Stranger (Seven Deadly Sins, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
After reading the second, I decided I should probably read the first. After reading the second, which immediately captured my attention, I found it so difficult to get into this novel. It starts out with Siusan sewing up Sterlings knuckles, which I had to actually skip over because I could not stomach reading about it.
After that the story progresses with Sterling actually fighting some Irish man to win money to help support his siblings. After Isobel interrupts the fight and is embarrassed by Sterling, he goes on to win the fight and donate some of his winnings to Isobels cause. Sterling then makes the bet at Whites and proceeds to woe Isobel.
Honestly, I grew bored with this novel. I actually found myself skipping over passages and conversations without meaning to. It was actually depressing after reading the <i>The Most Wicked of Sins</i>, which had me hooked. I loved reading about Ivy and Nicks developing relationship and them falling in love. Sterling and Isobels story, however, was just flat. I dont why, but I just found that I could not care less about them falling in love, or Sterling seducing Isobel.
I was greatly disappointed.
After that the story progresses with Sterling actually fighting some Irish man to win money to help support his siblings. After Isobel interrupts the fight and is embarrassed by Sterling, he goes on to win the fight and donate some of his winnings to Isobels cause. Sterling then makes the bet at Whites and proceeds to woe Isobel.
Honestly, I grew bored with this novel. I actually found myself skipping over passages and conversations without meaning to. It was actually depressing after reading the <i>The Most Wicked of Sins</i>, which had me hooked. I loved reading about Ivy and Nicks developing relationship and them falling in love. Sterling and Isobels story, however, was just flat. I dont why, but I just found that I could not care less about them falling in love, or Sterling seducing Isobel.
I was greatly disappointed.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Pleasure Dome in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This novel had such potential. After reading the synopsis, this novel sounded right up my alley and I couldnt wait to read it. Sadly, the leads ruined it for me. My main beef concerns a wishy washy female lead who is so indecisive I want to slap her. I felt that she wanted her cake and eat it too. After a couple chapters of this and her jerking the mail lead around, I couldnt take much more. The story is filled with interesting characters, creatures, and planets and I would love to read more about them. However, I just cant deal with the female lead. I couldnt relate to her at all or understanding why she went from hot to cold in a matter of sentences. It was aggravating to read about her teasing the male lead then when he comes to see her, she hides. Dont play with fire if you cant handle the heat! Overall, her personality was just abrasive to me.
It wasnt just her either. I felt that the author introduced the male lead with a very specific demeanor and personality as well, but did not stick with it. As soon as they had sex, he became a completely different character than originally described.
It wasnt just her either. I felt that the author introduced the male lead with a very specific demeanor and personality as well, but did not stick with it. As soon as they had sex, he became a completely different character than originally described.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Guilty One in Books
Feb 13, 2018
The advertising for this book states that a man is on a bridge, waiting to jump, if the woman on the other end gives him the go ahead. That woman is Maris, whose life fell apart when her daughter, Calla, was murdered. Allegedly, Calla was killed by her boyfriend, Karl. It is his father, Ron, who stands on the bridge, calling Maris.
However, said advertising for this novel is rather misleading. I don't think it gives much away to say that the bridge scene leads off and takes about 2 seconds of the novel. The rest of the book alternates between Ron's story and Maris'. It's interesting, seeing the story unfold from their perspectives, but lags a bit, and Ron's sections drag somewhat. There isn't much that pushes the plot forward -- while billed as a thriller, there doesn't seem to be much mystery here, just psychological issues. I enjoyed Maris' scenes, for the most part, and the people she met along her journey, but perhaps didn't grasp the entire point...
Anyway, this one didn't really do it for me. It had its good moments, but overall wasn't my favorite.
(I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
However, said advertising for this novel is rather misleading. I don't think it gives much away to say that the bridge scene leads off and takes about 2 seconds of the novel. The rest of the book alternates between Ron's story and Maris'. It's interesting, seeing the story unfold from their perspectives, but lags a bit, and Ron's sections drag somewhat. There isn't much that pushes the plot forward -- while billed as a thriller, there doesn't seem to be much mystery here, just psychological issues. I enjoyed Maris' scenes, for the most part, and the people she met along her journey, but perhaps didn't grasp the entire point...
Anyway, this one didn't really do it for me. It had its good moments, but overall wasn't my favorite.
(I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Sarah in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Also read my review here: http://bookbum.weebly.com/book-reviews/sarah-by-jt-leroy
Wow I don't know what to say really.
I think that most people rating this book have judged it based on the author's hoax at claiming this was a true story but if you ignore all that mess, what you find here is a really weird, heart breaking and hilarious novel. I think people need to start looking at this as a stand-alone novel and push the whole scandal to the side to see how brilliant this book actually is.
I wasn't sure why I decided to request this from Netgalley because it's the sort of book I'd normally steer clear of, but I'm glad I left my comfort zone to read this, because it was worth it.
Sarah will take you through every single emotion you can possibly think of, from love to terror to hope and you'll find yourself a bit lost once it's all over. I have another JT LeRoy book to start next, I'm hoping I like it just as much as this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Wow I don't know what to say really.
I think that most people rating this book have judged it based on the author's hoax at claiming this was a true story but if you ignore all that mess, what you find here is a really weird, heart breaking and hilarious novel. I think people need to start looking at this as a stand-alone novel and push the whole scandal to the side to see how brilliant this book actually is.
I wasn't sure why I decided to request this from Netgalley because it's the sort of book I'd normally steer clear of, but I'm glad I left my comfort zone to read this, because it was worth it.
Sarah will take you through every single emotion you can possibly think of, from love to terror to hope and you'll find yourself a bit lost once it's all over. I have another JT LeRoy book to start next, I'm hoping I like it just as much as this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Candy Corn Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #22) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This is the 23rd Lucy Stone mystery, but it works fine as a standalone story. You don't need to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one.
For the first 2/3 of this novel, I thought the whole mystery was the identity of the individual who was sabotaging the pumpkin festival. This didn't seem like much of a crime for a mystery novel, but the real thing comes along later in the story. Most of the action happens in the last quarter of the book, but I never felt like the story was dragging. The beginning has enough conflict and backstory to keep it moving along.
Lucy is a very down-to-earth sort of character, and she is easy to like and commiserate with. She has her hands full with her catapult-building husband, two daughters, and a grandson who is temporarily living in her home while his parents are out of the country, as well as her full time job as a reporter with the local paper. It's that job that gives her an excuse to get close to people who may have something to hide, and helps her track down a killer in the end.
***I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
For the first 2/3 of this novel, I thought the whole mystery was the identity of the individual who was sabotaging the pumpkin festival. This didn't seem like much of a crime for a mystery novel, but the real thing comes along later in the story. Most of the action happens in the last quarter of the book, but I never felt like the story was dragging. The beginning has enough conflict and backstory to keep it moving along.
Lucy is a very down-to-earth sort of character, and she is easy to like and commiserate with. She has her hands full with her catapult-building husband, two daughters, and a grandson who is temporarily living in her home while his parents are out of the country, as well as her full time job as a reporter with the local paper. It's that job that gives her an excuse to get close to people who may have something to hide, and helps her track down a killer in the end.
***I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***