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A dense, rich plot (1 more)
Tons of interesting cultural glimpses
I loved this book. Translated works can sometimes be clunky, with little nuances lost along the way, but this one was so smooth and evocative that it didn't really feel translated at all. Kudos to Jonathon Lloyd-Davies.
The basic plot involves 2 missing girls: the 1989 kidnap and murder of a 7 year old and the more recent disappearance of Press Director Mikami's teenage daughter. With the anniversary of the original crime coming up, Mikami is charged with organizing a PR visit by the police commissioner to the family of the murdered 7 year old and discovers a previously unseen clue in the case files along the way. The insight into the minutiae of Japanese daily life is fascinating: the sense of failure Mikami feels from having been transferred to criminal investigations to press director, cops stopping to purchase a visiting gift of rice crackers before stopping at the victim's home, Mikami's knowledge from the glimpse of a home shrine that a key witness has passed away.
While this can be a slow read, I suggest sticking with it. Take it in small doses. It's worth it.
The basic plot involves 2 missing girls: the 1989 kidnap and murder of a 7 year old and the more recent disappearance of Press Director Mikami's teenage daughter. With the anniversary of the original crime coming up, Mikami is charged with organizing a PR visit by the police commissioner to the family of the murdered 7 year old and discovers a previously unseen clue in the case files along the way. The insight into the minutiae of Japanese daily life is fascinating: the sense of failure Mikami feels from having been transferred to criminal investigations to press director, cops stopping to purchase a visiting gift of rice crackers before stopping at the victim's home, Mikami's knowledge from the glimpse of a home shrine that a key witness has passed away.
While this can be a slow read, I suggest sticking with it. Take it in small doses. It's worth it.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Christmas Wedding in Books
May 10, 2018
Gabby Summerhill is getting married. The question is, to whom? Will it be Marty, Tom, or Jacob? Each one has proposed to her, but she isn't revealing who the lucky groom will be until Christmas Day when her whole family is gathered together. Gabby hasn't spent a Christmas with her whole family since her first husband passed away. Once they are all gathered, Gabby will reveal the lucky man. Each one of Gabby's four kids has their own life and Gabby is always up to something quirky she even has her kids and grandkids call her by her first name.
I'm trying to get through all the James Patterson books I haven't read by listening to a few. I have long enjoyed his books and this one was alright.
Gabby is a high school teacher and a mother of 4. She is also a grandmother. Planning her wedding is quite an adventure and everyone seems to comply with the crazy idea of waiting until the wedding day which is also Christmas to reveal who sh is going to marry, even the groom doesn't know. It's fun to see how the story unfolds with nods to subjects like divorce, grief, and teenage angst.
I'm trying to get through all the James Patterson books I haven't read by listening to a few. I have long enjoyed his books and this one was alright.
Gabby is a high school teacher and a mother of 4. She is also a grandmother. Planning her wedding is quite an adventure and everyone seems to comply with the crazy idea of waiting until the wedding day which is also Christmas to reveal who sh is going to marry, even the groom doesn't know. It's fun to see how the story unfolds with nods to subjects like divorce, grief, and teenage angst.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Santa Clarita Diet - Season 1 in TV
Apr 14, 2019
A comedy with bite
My wife watched this when it first came out and I didn't bother. Kinda looked like a lame rom com. That was until I caught the end of a season 3 episode she was watching and laughed my arse off. So I went and watched season 1 in 2 days - its soooooo good. IRS the story of a nice suburban family Drew Barrymore & Timothy Olyphant with their teenage daughter. They are real estate agents and have a good if simple life. This all changes when Barrymore, after feeling a bit unwell, vomits (A Lot) during a house viewing. So much so she dies however then comes back to life - except shes now undead and can only eat human flesh. The star of the show is Olyphant. He has never really been a comedic actor but he is hilarious as Joel coming to terms with his wife's new condition and (trying) to help her find food is brilliant. Also there is a lot of really good gore. Like REALLY good and is often unexpected which adds to the comedy. At 30 mins an episode this is perfect for binge watching and will leave you hungry for more!!
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Tick Tock (DS Grace Allendale #2) in Books
May 22, 2019
TICK
In the city of Stoke, a teenage girl is murdered in the middle of the day, her lifeless body abandoned in a field behind her school.
TOCK
Two days later, a young mother is abducted. Shes discovered strangled and dumped in a local park.
TIMES UP
DS Grace Allendale and her team are brought in to investigate, but with a bold killer, no leads and nothing to connect the victims, the case seems hopeless. Its only when a third woman is targeted that a sinister pattern emerges. A dangerous mind is behind these attacks, and Grace realises that the clock is ticking
Can they catch the killer before another young woman dies?
A solid second book in the DS Grace Allendale series.
This was a tense story with the clock ticking for DS Allendale to solve who is killing apparently random victims.
Absolutely gripping from the start.
I love the plot so very well written and paced.
Lots of action with twists and turns.
I like the development of the characters.
Highly Recommend Reading... I love all Mel Sherratt novels!
Thank you to Net Galley, The Publishers and of course Mel Sherratt for my ARC. This is my own honest voluntary review.
In the city of Stoke, a teenage girl is murdered in the middle of the day, her lifeless body abandoned in a field behind her school.
TOCK
Two days later, a young mother is abducted. Shes discovered strangled and dumped in a local park.
TIMES UP
DS Grace Allendale and her team are brought in to investigate, but with a bold killer, no leads and nothing to connect the victims, the case seems hopeless. Its only when a third woman is targeted that a sinister pattern emerges. A dangerous mind is behind these attacks, and Grace realises that the clock is ticking
Can they catch the killer before another young woman dies?
A solid second book in the DS Grace Allendale series.
This was a tense story with the clock ticking for DS Allendale to solve who is killing apparently random victims.
Absolutely gripping from the start.
I love the plot so very well written and paced.
Lots of action with twists and turns.
I like the development of the characters.
Highly Recommend Reading... I love all Mel Sherratt novels!
Thank you to Net Galley, The Publishers and of course Mel Sherratt for my ARC. This is my own honest voluntary review.
Scarlett doesn't remember anything before the age of four, which she doesn't find too unsettling, until, as a teen, a car accident jars her memory and makes her start wondering what happened to her as a kid. Around the same time as her accident, Scarlett meets Noah, a new kid to town, and falls for him immediately. Noah tries to help Scarlett remember her past, but does he have her best intentions at heart?
Not really sure how to explain this book. The story itself is odd - another quick teenage romance, with a cult thrown in! However, it is oddly compelling in its own strange way - I read the book in about a day or so. The writing is rather silly and disjointed at times and the plot seems unbelievable. It's not even the cult aspect, per se. It seems weird that Scarlett focuses so much on not being able to remember things before the age of four (is that really so strange)? The end of the book ties up awfully easily, without much semblance or adherence to legal niceties. All in all, while the book moves quickly, not sure it's worth that little amount of time.
(Note: I received an copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Not really sure how to explain this book. The story itself is odd - another quick teenage romance, with a cult thrown in! However, it is oddly compelling in its own strange way - I read the book in about a day or so. The writing is rather silly and disjointed at times and the plot seems unbelievable. It's not even the cult aspect, per se. It seems weird that Scarlett focuses so much on not being able to remember things before the age of four (is that really so strange)? The end of the book ties up awfully easily, without much semblance or adherence to legal niceties. All in all, while the book moves quickly, not sure it's worth that little amount of time.
(Note: I received an copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Lindsay (1727 KP) rated A Gift of Grace (Kauffman Amish Bakery, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
The start with several different issues are address in this first book in the series. Rebecca is first having trouble conceiving a child of her own. She get a letter or will after her older sister and brother in law are killed in as automobile accident. She is left to raise two teenage girls.
Jessica and Lindsay are force to move and live with their Aunt and Uncle in this Amish Community. Jessica has a hard time adjusting to live in this small community. Jessica is found guilty of doing just about everything wrong. Lindsay on the other hand is adjusting just fine and fitting in with where is living. Lindsay start wearing plain dresses and start doing things the Amish way. Lindsay goes to work with Rebecca at the bakery for she likes baking. Jessica is sent to work with her Uncle Daniel at the Furniture store as an accountant. Though Jessica does not understand that she and Lindsay are done school though the Amish way of live. Lindsay does not seem to mind. Lindsay by the way try to make new friends and meeting her cousins and other family members. Can it be possible that Lindsay and Jessica are complete opposite of each other and every simpler to Rebecca and Grace?
Jessica and Lindsay are force to move and live with their Aunt and Uncle in this Amish Community. Jessica has a hard time adjusting to live in this small community. Jessica is found guilty of doing just about everything wrong. Lindsay on the other hand is adjusting just fine and fitting in with where is living. Lindsay start wearing plain dresses and start doing things the Amish way. Lindsay goes to work with Rebecca at the bakery for she likes baking. Jessica is sent to work with her Uncle Daniel at the Furniture store as an accountant. Though Jessica does not understand that she and Lindsay are done school though the Amish way of live. Lindsay does not seem to mind. Lindsay by the way try to make new friends and meeting her cousins and other family members. Can it be possible that Lindsay and Jessica are complete opposite of each other and every simpler to Rebecca and Grace?
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Astonishing Color of After in Books
Mar 29, 2018
Evocative descriptions (1 more)
Good characters
Just WOW. The Astonishing Color of After is about a teenage girl, an artist, dealing with her mother's depression and ensuing suicide. Part of what makes the book so fascinating is Leigh's constant description of colors. She uses color as shorthand for emotions - her grandmother might have a vermilion expression on her face, or she might be feeling very orange while staring at her mother's coffin at the funeral. Between colors-as-feelings and her insomnia-induced hallucinations (or magic - the book is deliberately, I think, noncommittal on whether some things only happen in her head or not) the entire book feels a little surrealistic. But grief and mourning DO feel surrealistic. The book is amazingly evocative and emotional and I absolutely adore it. This, along with City of Brass and Children of Blood and Bone, are definitely on my Best of 2018 list.
As an added bonus, the author is the American child of Taiwanese immigrants herself. So all the ghost traditions and folklore from Leigh's journey to Taiwan are from her ancestry as well.
This book was gorgeous. It may need a trigger warning for depression and suicide. If you can handle those themes, read it.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
As an added bonus, the author is the American child of Taiwanese immigrants herself. So all the ghost traditions and folklore from Leigh's journey to Taiwan are from her ancestry as well.
This book was gorgeous. It may need a trigger warning for depression and suicide. If you can handle those themes, read it.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) in Movies
Mar 31, 2018
Unique and wonderful
Certainly not for everyone, The Killing of a Sacred Deer tells the story of a cardiologist and his family who befriend a teenage boy only to discover he has secrets to tell. His involvement with the family becomes more profound having grim consequences once his true motives are revealed. The doctor has to make some extremely difficult choices, not only to clear his conscience, but to save his family as well.
The screenplay for the film was remarkable in many ways mostly using awkward conversations and unique and interesting situations to move along the plot. The deadpan acting choices by the actors and "The Lobster" director Yorgos Lanthimoskeep you from being bored as the story moves through as you don't know where the twists and turns are going.
I would equate somewhat to the recent films, "Mother!" or maybe "Under the Skin" as in reactions to this film will tend to be extreme in loving it or hating it. Having seen so many films throughout my life, I am at the point now where anything interesting and unusual stands out.
I enjoy the occasional CGI explosionfest as much as anyone, but usually strive for something more interesting.
The screenplay for the film was remarkable in many ways mostly using awkward conversations and unique and interesting situations to move along the plot. The deadpan acting choices by the actors and "The Lobster" director Yorgos Lanthimoskeep you from being bored as the story moves through as you don't know where the twists and turns are going.
I would equate somewhat to the recent films, "Mother!" or maybe "Under the Skin" as in reactions to this film will tend to be extreme in loving it or hating it. Having seen so many films throughout my life, I am at the point now where anything interesting and unusual stands out.
I enjoy the occasional CGI explosionfest as much as anyone, but usually strive for something more interesting.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Project ELE (ELE, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely LOVED this book! It pulled me in from the beginning, and I would've read it all in one sitting if I hadn't started it so late in the evening and needed sleep!! Still, I finished it the next day, and I desperately need the next one. I laughed, I cried, I thought back to how I felt during my first "real" relationship, and I pondered what I would do if I had to deal with the types of things that Willow and her friends see on a daily basis. I honestly don't think I could, and that's what pulled me into the story so much: The fact that these teenagers are having to live through this world, losing their family members to a virus, or having to leave them on the outside while they survive in this shelter. The relationships, whether just friends or otherwise, are exactly how I remember my teenage relationships (friendly, kinda awkward, but definitely "real" and "true", as much as they can be at that age), and I can't wait to see how they continue into the next book!!!
5 stars all the way!! =)
I absolutely LOVED this book! It pulled me in from the beginning, and I would've read it all in one sitting if I hadn't started it so late in the evening and needed sleep!! Still, I finished it the next day, and I desperately need the next one. I laughed, I cried, I thought back to how I felt during my first "real" relationship, and I pondered what I would do if I had to deal with the types of things that Willow and her friends see on a daily basis. I honestly don't think I could, and that's what pulled me into the story so much: The fact that these teenagers are having to live through this world, losing their family members to a virus, or having to leave them on the outside while they survive in this shelter. The relationships, whether just friends or otherwise, are exactly how I remember my teenage relationships (friendly, kinda awkward, but definitely "real" and "true", as much as they can be at that age), and I can't wait to see how they continue into the next book!!!
5 stars all the way!! =)
Isabel Smith (34 KP) rated The Neighbors in Books
Jul 4, 2018
You never know who will move in next door...
Hannah Mary McKinnon’s second novel, The Neighbors, is a domestic drama that explores past, lost, and present loves and what happens when they all collide.
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but what about your exes? Most people seem keen on keeping their exes as far away as possible. That’s a little hard to do when your ex happens to be your new next door neighbor. When Abby’s old flame, Liam, moves into the house next door she knows she’s in trouble. Both she and Liam are married to other people; however, the flame that existed between them has never fully burnt out. Thus, thing are bound to get messy.
Told in alternating points of view between Abby, her husband Nate, her teenage daughter Sarah, and Liam’s wife Nancy, this novel explores the traumatic events that have shaped Abby’s past and how they influence what is happening in the present day. The author doesn’t shy away from using heartbreak and dismay to highlight love affairs that have been and shouldn’t have been. At once suspenseful and sorrowful, The Neighbors explores the complexities of relationships and the consequences of withholding the truth from those you love.
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but what about your exes? Most people seem keen on keeping their exes as far away as possible. That’s a little hard to do when your ex happens to be your new next door neighbor. When Abby’s old flame, Liam, moves into the house next door she knows she’s in trouble. Both she and Liam are married to other people; however, the flame that existed between them has never fully burnt out. Thus, thing are bound to get messy.
Told in alternating points of view between Abby, her husband Nate, her teenage daughter Sarah, and Liam’s wife Nancy, this novel explores the traumatic events that have shaped Abby’s past and how they influence what is happening in the present day. The author doesn’t shy away from using heartbreak and dismay to highlight love affairs that have been and shouldn’t have been. At once suspenseful and sorrowful, The Neighbors explores the complexities of relationships and the consequences of withholding the truth from those you love.