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Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated How to Murder Your Life in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Compulsively readable, feels more like a novel than an autobiography. At times I found myself able to relate to her or almost feeling sorry for her, at least in regards to her childhood, while other times I found her to be truly obnoxious and off-putting, especially in not accepting responsibility for her actions. However, I enjoyed her style of writing and I commend her bravery in putting her life and her struggles with addiction out there for the world to see, and judge. I imagine that every author dreads the bad reviews but when it's a book about your life that has to sting twice as hard. Hopefully her story will inspire others dealing with the same issues to turn things around. Curious to see if/how she will continue her literary career, perhaps a novel will be in her future (I certainly hope so!) *Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!*
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated The Wanderer in Books
Oct 7, 2018
Not A Lot Going On
This book is intended for middle grade readers, so I was expecting a simple story. It ended up being to simple. The author underestimates what the reader will follow and comprehen, and the story greatly suffers because of this. The characters were interesting, but I would have liked the writer to spend more time explaining the characters past and showing them develop new relationships. Cody and his dad particularly had a relationship that I would have liked to know more about.
I did enjoy the story style of change back and forth between Cody's and Sophie's journals. They both had unique views on the events happening around them, and Cody's point of view gave the reader some much needed insight on Sophie.
Overall this was a quick read, and it did have some strong points; however the story feels as if its missing something that keeps it from being anything special.
I did enjoy the story style of change back and forth between Cody's and Sophie's journals. They both had unique views on the events happening around them, and Cody's point of view gave the reader some much needed insight on Sophie.
Overall this was a quick read, and it did have some strong points; however the story feels as if its missing something that keeps it from being anything special.
Lee (2222 KP) rated I Kill Giants (2017) in Movies
Oct 28, 2018
I KILL GIANTS is a movie I'd never heard of before until I stumbled across it on Netflix. Based on a graphic novel, I Kill Giants tells the story of Barbara, a young teen who lives with her older sister and brother. Barbara doesn't really have any friends, is bullied at school, is thought of as weird by everyone and is currently seeing the school psychologist (when she can be bothered). She also sets traps and bait in order to catch and kill giants, researching the different types of giants and preparing herself for when the time comes that she must protect the town from a really big one. If you've seen A MONSTER CALLS then this movie treads very similar ground to that and is also similar in style. I wasn't quite as emotional at the end of this movie as I was at the end of that one, but I did find it just as enjoyable
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Maisy Goes to the Library in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Another cute little Maisy book which my daughter enjoyed. My local library has recently reopened after being closed for over a year for refurbishments so I thought I would celebrate with my daughter with a book about the library. It was cute and all done in the original Maisy style. There were only a couple things to do with the storyline which I wasn't so keen on. The book introduced us to some services that may not be available in your local library, so it might be worth having a read through first before reading it to a child as once you say 'oh, we can't do that at ours', you might have a disappointed kiddie. Also, I would of liked if the book focused more on the 'books' part of the library more than just messing around with friends. In my opinion this meant that this book missed some really good opportunities to make libraries more exciting for children.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Girl on the Edge in Books
Nov 30, 2018
CD Reiss has destroyed me yet again in this incredible book.
WOW, what an ending!? CD Reiss has destroyed me yet again in this incredible book.
In Girl on the Edge, we meet Caden and Greyson, a military couple, having found each other during the harsh realities of war. After returning home to New York to try and start a life as a married couple, everything begins to change, testing the limits of even the most hardened soldier. Watching these two fight for each other without limits, again and again, was beautiful and heartbreaking. Their commitment, strength and undying love overflowed from the pages and I was crushed at every obstacle they endured and my heart swelled with each step forward. Highly recommended author and book - I've been a fan of Christine's for years and she always finds some new creative twist and Girl of the Edge was no different! War, love and just the right amount of CD Reiss-style sass.. ;-)
In Girl on the Edge, we meet Caden and Greyson, a military couple, having found each other during the harsh realities of war. After returning home to New York to try and start a life as a married couple, everything begins to change, testing the limits of even the most hardened soldier. Watching these two fight for each other without limits, again and again, was beautiful and heartbreaking. Their commitment, strength and undying love overflowed from the pages and I was crushed at every obstacle they endured and my heart swelled with each step forward. Highly recommended author and book - I've been a fan of Christine's for years and she always finds some new creative twist and Girl of the Edge was no different! War, love and just the right amount of CD Reiss-style sass.. ;-)
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Night Voyage: A Magical Adventure and Coloring Book in Books
Jan 2, 2019
From the creative story to the detailed artwork, Daria Song has brought us another fantastic coloring book. Continuing with the dream style story and beautiful pages, this book is sure to keep me occupied for hours. Coloring has becoming a peaceful and quiet outlet for me over the past year or so. Expressing creativity on paper through color is one of my favorite things to do. If you have not experienced the joy of putting your pencil to page, Daria's series is an excellent place to start. I enjoy the intricate detail of her work. I have always had an obsession with stars and Daria's stars have a very unique personality which I love. Purchase your copy today and be whisked into a magical world of dreams and color.
I received a free copy of The Night Voyage from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a free copy of The Night Voyage from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Bluff in Books
Dec 11, 2018
A fun romp.
This book was so much fun, and made me wonder why I hadn't read any previous titles written by this author. It's almost like Jackie Collins Lite. A fun, fast-paced read during which the reader does not need to expend extra brain power to figure things out, Bluff begins with the high-society murder of the century, and takes you on a rollicking ride with Maud Warner, Jean Sunderland and Danya, and various other quirky characters who help to flesh out the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author's writing style. The story came together pretty seamlessly. There were several small reveals throughout the story, delivered in such a way that they didn't seem like reveals. One of them had me practically cheering out loud - hell yes, ladies!
While I do wish there had been more poker involved, the poker scenes that are included are well done and interesting.
Thank you to Bookish First and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARE!
I thoroughly enjoyed the author's writing style. The story came together pretty seamlessly. There were several small reveals throughout the story, delivered in such a way that they didn't seem like reveals. One of them had me practically cheering out loud - hell yes, ladies!
While I do wish there had been more poker involved, the poker scenes that are included are well done and interesting.
Thank you to Bookish First and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARE!
David McK (3369 KP) rated Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
"Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Riding throught the Glenn
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, and his bunch of blood-thirsty murderous outlaws ..."
Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?
"Outlaw" is the story of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Alan Dale. Like Bernard Cornwell's series of books about King Arthur (indeed, my copy of the book even had a "As good as Bernard Cornwell or your money back" sticker on it), Outlaw is a more earthy, more 'real', telling of the famous tale. All the famous characters are here: Robin Hood, Maid Marie-Anne (Marion), Little John, Friar Tuck, Guy of Gisbourne, and (obviously) Alan Dale himself.
Forget the recent BBC adaptation, or even the '91 film starring a not-very-English Kevin Costner; this is more what Robin Hood would have been like (if he ever existed) than the over-romanticised legendary figure.
Worth a read? If you like Cornwell (or Simon Scarrow's) style of historical fiction, then my answer is a definite yes.
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, and his bunch of blood-thirsty murderous outlaws ..."
Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?
"Outlaw" is the story of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Alan Dale. Like Bernard Cornwell's series of books about King Arthur (indeed, my copy of the book even had a "As good as Bernard Cornwell or your money back" sticker on it), Outlaw is a more earthy, more 'real', telling of the famous tale. All the famous characters are here: Robin Hood, Maid Marie-Anne (Marion), Little John, Friar Tuck, Guy of Gisbourne, and (obviously) Alan Dale himself.
Forget the recent BBC adaptation, or even the '91 film starring a not-very-English Kevin Costner; this is more what Robin Hood would have been like (if he ever existed) than the over-romanticised legendary figure.
Worth a read? If you like Cornwell (or Simon Scarrow's) style of historical fiction, then my answer is a definite yes.
David McK (3369 KP) rated The Maharajah's General (Jack Lark, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Following [a: Paul Fraser Collard|7024929|Paul Fraser Collard|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1368086413p2/7024929.jpg]'s [b: The Scarlet Thief|18752323|The Scarlet Thief|Paul Fraser Collard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1383577532s/18752323.jpg|24752025] (which dealt primarily with the Battle of Alma during the Crimean War), you would be forgiven for thinking that the Jack Lark series as a whole would be set during such war.
That's not the case.
Instead, in this, we move to an even further outpost of the British Imperial Empire: to India, to be precise, with Jack Lark impersonating a different officer than before.
I don't want to give too much away - suffice it to say that things do not always go to plan and that Jack finds himself caught up in the beginnings of the Indian Mutiny: a mutiny which, in retrospect, was no surprise given the way they were treated!
I have to say, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable 'Boys Own' style of read!
That's not the case.
Instead, in this, we move to an even further outpost of the British Imperial Empire: to India, to be precise, with Jack Lark impersonating a different officer than before.
I don't want to give too much away - suffice it to say that things do not always go to plan and that Jack finds himself caught up in the beginnings of the Indian Mutiny: a mutiny which, in retrospect, was no surprise given the way they were treated!
I have to say, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable 'Boys Own' style of read!
Deborah (162 KP) rated Belinda Goes to Bath (Travelling Matchmaker, #2) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Belinda Goes to Bath is the second in the Travelling Matchmaker series. I really enjoyed the first, Emily Goes to Exeter, but I think I actually have to give the preference overall to this second volume. Emily was quite difficult to like to start with but Belinda is much nicer, although the second hero isn't perhaps quite so dashing...
The cartoon-style covers of these new editions really suit the tone of the books I think. They are fun and lighthearted and some of the characters a bit too 'larger than life' to be real - the unpleasant Penelope in this book really is rather horrid!
This book has a bit of everything; romance adventure, out-and-out villany and of course a mad aunt who really does have bats in her belfry; great stuff!
Now I'm off to Portsmouth with Penelope (not the one from this volume, fortunately!) and Miss Hannah Pym!
The cartoon-style covers of these new editions really suit the tone of the books I think. They are fun and lighthearted and some of the characters a bit too 'larger than life' to be real - the unpleasant Penelope in this book really is rather horrid!
This book has a bit of everything; romance adventure, out-and-out villany and of course a mad aunt who really does have bats in her belfry; great stuff!
Now I'm off to Portsmouth with Penelope (not the one from this volume, fortunately!) and Miss Hannah Pym!