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ClareR (6250 KP) rated Ordinary People in Books
Apr 6, 2018
This isn't necessarily a book about race, even though it's set just as Obama becomes US President, and the main protagonists of the book are black. It's primarily, in my opinion, a story of relationships, and specifically the relationships of two couples: Melissa and Michael, and Stephanie and Damien. I was really looking forward to a book set in London (my home town) in the relative present day, but i have to admit that i felt very little joy when reading this book. I get that it's not necessarily a happy story; but it made life in a relationship and life with children seem so utterly depressing. No one seemed to be happy, and they all seemed to be completely incapable of speaking to one another. Small things become big things, big things become insurmountable. I felt like shaking them, to try and knock some sense into them - on many occasions!
Don't get me wrong - I liked it (a Goodreads 3 stars, which is a 'like'), but I didn't LOVE it. And I felt it could have been so much more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.
Don't get me wrong - I liked it (a Goodreads 3 stars, which is a 'like'), but I didn't LOVE it. And I felt it could have been so much more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.
Bubblesreview (110 KP) rated The Alchemist in Books
Feb 12, 2019
Easy read (1 more)
Only 158 pages
Simple language (2 more)
Short
Unbelievable
Short and sweet
My standards were high for this book, everyone refers to it as a 'must read', in a sense it could be, for some people. If you are a bit lost in life, feel like you've hit a wall in your career or life and need a bit of inspiration to carry on and achieve your dreams then this is the book for you.
Don't get me wrong, it did make me smile and it is a beautiful book to read, but it's very short and very simple. The main character is referred to as the boy so you can't really build a relationship with the character, but then I guess that is the moral of the book and the lesson we should take from it.
For me, this book hasn't changed my life, but I feel pretty happy with my life right now so maybe I read it at the wrong time. If I ever become stuck in life and need a lift I will reread this as I feel it could be much more appreciated in times of need
Don't get me wrong, it did make me smile and it is a beautiful book to read, but it's very short and very simple. The main character is referred to as the boy so you can't really build a relationship with the character, but then I guess that is the moral of the book and the lesson we should take from it.
For me, this book hasn't changed my life, but I feel pretty happy with my life right now so maybe I read it at the wrong time. If I ever become stuck in life and need a lift I will reread this as I feel it could be much more appreciated in times of need
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Delayed Justice (Hidden Justice #3) in Books
Feb 25, 2019
Cara Putman has created another amazing novel. She filled this one with her trademark twists and turns and kept this reader very hooked from start to finish! I found myself on the edge of my seat on more than one occasion with this story.
Jaime and Chandler were beautifully chiseled. They were perfect for their roles and really became a part of me as I followed along side them. I felt their relationship grow like it was my own, I felt their hearts beating like mine as they helped the victim. And Aslan....oh how my heart loved that therapy dog! Of course, I'm a sucker for all animals!
Once again, 5 stars to the talented Mrs. Putman. Her story will take you on a journey you won't soon forget. The pages turned long into the night for me, and before I knew it, Jaime and Chandler's story came to an end. Definitely recommending this one with hats off and two thumbs up.
*I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE PUBLISHER AND WAS UNDER NOT OBLIGATION TO POST A REVIEW, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.*
Jaime and Chandler were beautifully chiseled. They were perfect for their roles and really became a part of me as I followed along side them. I felt their relationship grow like it was my own, I felt their hearts beating like mine as they helped the victim. And Aslan....oh how my heart loved that therapy dog! Of course, I'm a sucker for all animals!
Once again, 5 stars to the talented Mrs. Putman. Her story will take you on a journey you won't soon forget. The pages turned long into the night for me, and before I knew it, Jaime and Chandler's story came to an end. Definitely recommending this one with hats off and two thumbs up.
*I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE PUBLISHER AND WAS UNDER NOT OBLIGATION TO POST A REVIEW, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.*
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Upside of Unrequited in Books
Jan 31, 2018
The Upside of Unrequited follows Molly, a girl who has had 26 crushes (and counting). She’s never been brave enough to put herself out there, never told any of her crushes how she felt and has never been rejected. But will everything change with crush 27?
This book is great because it has diverse people represented and seems authentic to each of their individual personalities and struggles. It is nice to see such a well-developed collection of people introduced to readers because sometimes readers aren’t always able to find a character they can relate to in a book. I hope that this book is not one of them.
Although Molly thinks she might like two different boys at one time, this isn’t a book that revolves around a love triangle. Molly struggles with her changing relationship with her twin sister. Her sister explores her own romantic feelings. Her parents balance their lives with a new baby and a very happy occasion on the horizon.
This is a cute, quick read about crushes, first loves, family, friends, and life. Highly recommended to young adult/teen readers who enjoy happy contemporary books.
This book is great because it has diverse people represented and seems authentic to each of their individual personalities and struggles. It is nice to see such a well-developed collection of people introduced to readers because sometimes readers aren’t always able to find a character they can relate to in a book. I hope that this book is not one of them.
Although Molly thinks she might like two different boys at one time, this isn’t a book that revolves around a love triangle. Molly struggles with her changing relationship with her twin sister. Her sister explores her own romantic feelings. Her parents balance their lives with a new baby and a very happy occasion on the horizon.
This is a cute, quick read about crushes, first loves, family, friends, and life. Highly recommended to young adult/teen readers who enjoy happy contemporary books.
Despite the hype and excitement, I was disappointed by The Cursed Child, but only because it tried to do too much. I loved returning to the wizarding world and seeing the world through the eyes of Albus Potter, but at the same time, I couldn't quite picture it as important scenes were hurried through, I thought, and I found it difficult to become fully submerged in it - but this may be because it is a screenplay rather than a novel.
I loved the interaction between Harry and Albus, their troubled relationship is at the heart of the play, and I enjoyed the banter between Albus and Scorpius. They are a right playful, troublesome pair indeed, complete opposites to their fathers in every way. It was a delight to see into the married life of Ron & Hermione and Harry & Ginny. Even after all this time, they have profound love and duty to one another. It was wonderful to see the ships still sailing.
Now on the whole, there is much JK could have done to make it better, but for the reasons I have highlighted, it is a brilliant additon to the Harry Potter series.
I loved the interaction between Harry and Albus, their troubled relationship is at the heart of the play, and I enjoyed the banter between Albus and Scorpius. They are a right playful, troublesome pair indeed, complete opposites to their fathers in every way. It was a delight to see into the married life of Ron & Hermione and Harry & Ginny. Even after all this time, they have profound love and duty to one another. It was wonderful to see the ships still sailing.
Now on the whole, there is much JK could have done to make it better, but for the reasons I have highlighted, it is a brilliant additon to the Harry Potter series.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Sightseers (2012) in Movies
Mar 8, 2018
Extremely offbeat study in British eccentricity works better as a very black comedy than a horror movie, but the level of gore suggests it really wants to be the latter; animal lovers may want to look away at some points, too. New-minted couple embark on caravan tour/erotic odyssey around northern England and manage to find time for a little light serial killing, too.
Attention to detail and atmosphere mean that this is a consistently funny film, with great performances from the two leads - it's really much more about their relationship than the campaign of bloody slaughter which ends up becoming a significant element of their holiday. This is excruciatingly well-observed and in some ways rather more disturbing than watching various characters get their heads smashed in. Micro-budget nature of the film is never in doubt, but also never really a problem. The ending is a bit arbitrary and abrupt, but not to the point where it's a major flaw in the film. By anyone's standards but Ben Wheatley's, this would be a fairly extraordinary little film, but for this director the extraordinary is actually fairly ordinary.
Attention to detail and atmosphere mean that this is a consistently funny film, with great performances from the two leads - it's really much more about their relationship than the campaign of bloody slaughter which ends up becoming a significant element of their holiday. This is excruciatingly well-observed and in some ways rather more disturbing than watching various characters get their heads smashed in. Micro-budget nature of the film is never in doubt, but also never really a problem. The ending is a bit arbitrary and abrupt, but not to the point where it's a major flaw in the film. By anyone's standards but Ben Wheatley's, this would be a fairly extraordinary little film, but for this director the extraordinary is actually fairly ordinary.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated A Room With a Brew (Brewing Trouble, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Max O’Hara is getting ready for an Oktoberfest celebration in her brewpub, and part of that is going to listen to the band she’s hired. The evening ends on a weird note when a member of the band claims to recognize one of Max’s friends, something the friend denies. Then a member of the band wants to meet with Max, and a dead body turns up. Can Max figure out what is happening?
This book starts strong and never lets up. I couldn’t put it down, and raced through it, enjoying the twists and turns along the way. I love the characters we’ve met in this series, and they are in top form here. That includes Max’s large family and her relationship with her boyfriend. The new characters are just as fun. This book does spoil quite a bit of the first in the series, so start there. You won’t be sorry since all three books in this series are great.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-room-with-brew-by-joyce.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book starts strong and never lets up. I couldn’t put it down, and raced through it, enjoying the twists and turns along the way. I love the characters we’ve met in this series, and they are in top form here. That includes Max’s large family and her relationship with her boyfriend. The new characters are just as fun. This book does spoil quite a bit of the first in the series, so start there. You won’t be sorry since all three books in this series are great.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-room-with-brew-by-joyce.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Clock and Dagger (Clock Shop Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ruth has a very busy week ahead of her getting ready for the grand reopening of Cog & Spocket. Tonight, however, she is working on the launch of a promotion to help all the businesses in town by cross promoting each other. The giant open house goes off well, until Ruth finds a dead body as the evening is winding down. The pocket watch next to the victim intrigues her. Is it a clue?
The book starts a little slowly reintroducing us to the characters while planting a few seeds for the mystery. Once it gets started, however, the plot picks up speed and heads in some surprising directions. I had a hard time putting it down at that point. I absolutely love this characters, and it was wonderful to spend time with them again. One of the strengths is the relationship that Ruth has developed with her step-grandmother, and I loved how it was strengthened here.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-clock-and-dagger-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book starts a little slowly reintroducing us to the characters while planting a few seeds for the mystery. Once it gets started, however, the plot picks up speed and heads in some surprising directions. I had a hard time putting it down at that point. I absolutely love this characters, and it was wonderful to spend time with them again. One of the strengths is the relationship that Ruth has developed with her step-grandmother, and I loved how it was strengthened here.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-clock-and-dagger-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Shadow Of Doubt (The Carol Childs Mysteries, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Carol Childs is making a career change to reporter for a talk radio station in Los Angeles, and she jumps on any scoop she can get. Which is why she uses her relationship with her neighbor Samantha to get inside scoop on the death of Sam’s aunt Pepper Millhouse, one of Hollywood’s top agents. However, when what appeared to be an accident looks like murder, Carol begins to wonder if she is in over her head. Can she use her insider status to uncover the truth?
I really enjoyed this debut. It starts strong and never lags as we go from one twist to another until we reach the ending. Along the way, we get to know the cast of characters, all of whom come across as developed here. I did find one character, a psychic, more annoying than entertaining. Additionally, the book had several handfuls of typos scattered throughout the book, which annoyed me. Still, both of these were minor, and I will be reading about Carol’s further adventures soon.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-shadow-of-doubt-by-nancy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really enjoyed this debut. It starts strong and never lags as we go from one twist to another until we reach the ending. Along the way, we get to know the cast of characters, all of whom come across as developed here. I did find one character, a psychic, more annoying than entertaining. Additionally, the book had several handfuls of typos scattered throughout the book, which annoyed me. Still, both of these were minor, and I will be reading about Carol’s further adventures soon.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-shadow-of-doubt-by-nancy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The story was so fresh and different than what I have been reading recently. Plus, it's a standalone!!
I enjoyed how Mead attempts to put words to gaining the ability of hearing after coming from a society that has been deaf for centuries. It explored how a person would be able to deal with suddenly being able to hear out of nowhere.
Though I enjoyed this novel, it was not my favorite of hers. There were moments, especially at the end, that I would have liked to see expanded and explained more. I felt like there wasn't enough build up to it for the ending she gave it. It was very reminiscent of a fairy tale where everything gets resolved very quickly.
I wished that more of the magical aspects that were introduced into the story were both introduced earlier and worked into the story more.
That being said, I loved the relationships between the characters, especially between the two sisters. Fei's relationship with Li Wei could have been built up and explained a bit more, thought.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but, like I said, it wasn't my favorite.
I enjoyed how Mead attempts to put words to gaining the ability of hearing after coming from a society that has been deaf for centuries. It explored how a person would be able to deal with suddenly being able to hear out of nowhere.
Though I enjoyed this novel, it was not my favorite of hers. There were moments, especially at the end, that I would have liked to see expanded and explained more. I felt like there wasn't enough build up to it for the ending she gave it. It was very reminiscent of a fairy tale where everything gets resolved very quickly.
I wished that more of the magical aspects that were introduced into the story were both introduced earlier and worked into the story more.
That being said, I loved the relationships between the characters, especially between the two sisters. Fei's relationship with Li Wei could have been built up and explained a bit more, thought.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but, like I said, it wasn't my favorite.