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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2377 KP) rated Worlds Apart in Books
Apr 9, 2018
I Can’t Imagine the Possibility of Fans Being Disappointed by this Book
With the fictional and non-fictional worlds now separate, Owen finds he has lost his imagination, not that he can imagine how that would be a problem. However, when Kara shows up and takes him 5 years into the future, he sees how things have devolved. Meanwhile, Bethany’s fictional half is enjoying her new life until her father is shot by a mysterious ray gun. What is Nobody’s plan doing? Can Owen and Bethany stop him?
If this isn’t making sense to you, don’t jump in here. This is the final book in the series, and it builds on everything that came before it. However, fans who have read the previous four books in the series will be delighted. We get another wild, fast paced ride. Almost all the characters we’ve met along the way are back for this book as well, and I loved seeing them all again. The climax is wonderful and wraps up the series well. Along with the fun and some meta laughs, we get some interesting thoughts on the importance of both imagination and reality.
If this isn’t making sense to you, don’t jump in here. This is the final book in the series, and it builds on everything that came before it. However, fans who have read the previous four books in the series will be delighted. We get another wild, fast paced ride. Almost all the characters we’ve met along the way are back for this book as well, and I loved seeing them all again. The climax is wonderful and wraps up the series well. Along with the fun and some meta laughs, we get some interesting thoughts on the importance of both imagination and reality.
Bubblesreview (110 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Feb 6, 2019
Intelligent writing (2 more)
Realistic mental health issues
Fandom representation and fanfiction
Wow. Just wow.
The synopsis for this book was very short, precisely 9 lines. The synopsis made me expect to read a book much like paper towns where they go on an adventure, detective style and find the missing person. However, this book was something so much more than that. The main concept of the book I felt was actually about the mental health of the main character Aza. Aza has severe intrusive thoughts that take control of her life. Near to the end of the book a sudden and dramatic incident occurs and you're left unknowing what the outcome will be. Although I wish it never ended, John Green ends the book perfectly.
When a book has help line contact details in the authors notes, you know it's going to be a serious book.
It took me less than 24hours to finish this book, I physically couldn't put it down. John notes in the AN that it took 6 years to finish the book, I can completely understand why. Just wow
When a book has help line contact details in the authors notes, you know it's going to be a serious book.
It took me less than 24hours to finish this book, I physically couldn't put it down. John notes in the AN that it took 6 years to finish the book, I can completely understand why. Just wow
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated The Watch on the Fencepost in Books
Mar 5, 2019
A WATCH THAT REVEALS MORE THAN JUST THE TIME . . . A mysterious gold watch propels 27-year-old Kathryn Frasier into a quest to prove her parents’ recent deaths were not an accident. Following a trail of cryptic clues, she encounters a remarkable cast of characters, including an actress with a talent for disguises, a politician with a dark secret, and a handsome businessman who shows a sudden romantic interest in Kathryn. Can she solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?
My Thoughts: This is an excellent mystery that not only keeps the readers' interest but actually keeps them glued to the book. The amusing idea of the hunt for clues was fun for myself and I believe other readers will enjoy that also.
The readers will fall in love with the characters Kathryn and Cece, since they both have interesting personalities that the readers will enjoy.
This was a charming read a story of a young woman losing her parents, but gaining so much more as she learns to trust God and the people around her.
A great read for anyone, especially those who love a good mystery with a smidge of romance added in.
My Thoughts: This is an excellent mystery that not only keeps the readers' interest but actually keeps them glued to the book. The amusing idea of the hunt for clues was fun for myself and I believe other readers will enjoy that also.
The readers will fall in love with the characters Kathryn and Cece, since they both have interesting personalities that the readers will enjoy.
This was a charming read a story of a young woman losing her parents, but gaining so much more as she learns to trust God and the people around her.
A great read for anyone, especially those who love a good mystery with a smidge of romance added in.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated The Mending Of Lillian Cathleen (The Women of Rock Creek #2) in Books
Mar 5, 2019
It’s 1914. American women are demanding the vote. And the first flames of the Great War are
igniting Europe. But a battle of a different sort rages in Oklahoma. The thermometer registers one hundred six degrees, an out-of-the-ordinary occurrence even for the twenty-eighth day of July. But this is no ordinary day. The jury has reached a verdict. Lily fidgets in the old church pew. Her name has clotted into a by-word. Her blood is tainted. Can she right the wrongs? Or will her past forever define her? She eyes the judge. And the courtroom holds its breath.
My thoughts : This is an interesting story of a young woman struggling with her past. Her.
father beat her and now she is afraid for her brother. Lilly heads to Texas where a job awaits her, but God has other plans.
This is a good story. I like the mystery of the sea chest and reading the ancient journal Lilly`s mother left her.
What I saw in this story was a young woman find I ng her way in the world, and finding God. A story of love, and letting go of the past.
igniting Europe. But a battle of a different sort rages in Oklahoma. The thermometer registers one hundred six degrees, an out-of-the-ordinary occurrence even for the twenty-eighth day of July. But this is no ordinary day. The jury has reached a verdict. Lily fidgets in the old church pew. Her name has clotted into a by-word. Her blood is tainted. Can she right the wrongs? Or will her past forever define her? She eyes the judge. And the courtroom holds its breath.
My thoughts : This is an interesting story of a young woman struggling with her past. Her.
father beat her and now she is afraid for her brother. Lilly heads to Texas where a job awaits her, but God has other plans.
This is a good story. I like the mystery of the sea chest and reading the ancient journal Lilly`s mother left her.
What I saw in this story was a young woman find I ng her way in the world, and finding God. A story of love, and letting go of the past.
Lindsay (1771 KP) rated Snowbound With A Stranger in Books
Apr 9, 2019
I was somewhat interest what was going to happen when I started to read this. I could tell it was about two people trapped in a snowstorm by the name of the book along with cover.
What did not expect was up and down my emotion did with this book. I was going are they going to get together or break up. They both had their attraction to each other but did not seem not to want to have each other or at least Dannie did not want to admit that she could love someone.
Lee had gotten to save Dannie during the storm. Though her first thoughts were it was bear was coming to get her. She soon found out it was Lee. He seem to be prepared with a walkies talkie and she was a little befuddled about that. Before they had up to the cabin, Lee get talks to Stevens. If you really want to know what happens I suggest you read the book. It a great book to read. Just be prepared to have your emotions go for a ride or a roller coaster ride of up and down with them.
What did not expect was up and down my emotion did with this book. I was going are they going to get together or break up. They both had their attraction to each other but did not seem not to want to have each other or at least Dannie did not want to admit that she could love someone.
Lee had gotten to save Dannie during the storm. Though her first thoughts were it was bear was coming to get her. She soon found out it was Lee. He seem to be prepared with a walkies talkie and she was a little befuddled about that. Before they had up to the cabin, Lee get talks to Stevens. If you really want to know what happens I suggest you read the book. It a great book to read. Just be prepared to have your emotions go for a ride or a roller coaster ride of up and down with them.
Dana (24 KP) rated Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror in Books
Mar 23, 2018
"Versions of cities flattened under the equalizing night.
The summer demands and takes away too much,
But night, the reserved, reticent, gives more than it takes."
- As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
There are so many emotions in this collection: loneliness, grief, sadness, hope, longing, fear--they are all so strong but not overpowering.
I love whenever he talks about stillness and silence. Those moments are so peaceful and full of possibility. It almost makes you ache to be in one of those moments.
His thoughts on writing and what it takes to be a writer and writes are so perfectly beautiful.
There seems to be a theme of forgotten moments and trying to recapture those moments.
Any time he mentioned the night or any water, I just loved. Mainly because I love both of those things, but also because there was so much care in those details that they become so realistic.
My Favorite Poems from the Collection:
As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
A Man of Words
Grand Galop
River
The One Thing that Can Save America
Ode to Bill
The summer demands and takes away too much,
But night, the reserved, reticent, gives more than it takes."
- As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
There are so many emotions in this collection: loneliness, grief, sadness, hope, longing, fear--they are all so strong but not overpowering.
I love whenever he talks about stillness and silence. Those moments are so peaceful and full of possibility. It almost makes you ache to be in one of those moments.
His thoughts on writing and what it takes to be a writer and writes are so perfectly beautiful.
There seems to be a theme of forgotten moments and trying to recapture those moments.
Any time he mentioned the night or any water, I just loved. Mainly because I love both of those things, but also because there was so much care in those details that they become so realistic.
My Favorite Poems from the Collection:
As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
A Man of Words
Grand Galop
River
The One Thing that Can Save America
Ode to Bill
So I did not like this book of poetry as much as I have liked the previous ones I have read. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat and did not resonate the same way as the other ones have. While I found the poem and the form to be interesting at times, it was not as cohesive or connected as I typically enjoy. I realize that was probably the design of the writer, but it did not work for me.
The first section was easily understandable. It was pretty straightforward, a woman's husband died and she was mourning for him, going through their memories together. But then the second section was almost unintelligible. Which, again, I understand was most likely what the author wanted to do, being that grief takes reason and understanding and throws them out the window, but still, it did not work for me.
I enjoy being able to actually read what is on the page, not have scraps of words thrown together without much cohesion. Obviously, this is not a poem that I enjoy and I am sorry if you feel the opposite, but these are my thoughts on the matter.
The first section was easily understandable. It was pretty straightforward, a woman's husband died and she was mourning for him, going through their memories together. But then the second section was almost unintelligible. Which, again, I understand was most likely what the author wanted to do, being that grief takes reason and understanding and throws them out the window, but still, it did not work for me.
I enjoy being able to actually read what is on the page, not have scraps of words thrown together without much cohesion. Obviously, this is not a poem that I enjoy and I am sorry if you feel the opposite, but these are my thoughts on the matter.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Dandelion Dead (A Natural Remedies Mystery #4) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I jumped in at the middle again this is book #4 in the series, but the first one that I read. Although some characters did share a history, I had no problem figuring out who was who, or how they related to each other, so you dont have to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one.
Cafe owner Willow, her animal rescuer boyfriend Jackson, and winemaker (and Willows ex-boyfriend) Simon are a great team. Each brings a unique set of qualities to the table, and they work well together.When Lily, one of Willows employees, is accused of murder as well as a second attempted murder, the police are convinced that theres no need to look for other suspects. The three friends decide to investigate on their own, both to keep Lily out of jail, and to stop the real killer from finishing the job he started.
Dandelion Dead is a fun read, both for the mystery and the info on edible plants and natural remedies.
<i>NOTE: I was provided with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Cafe owner Willow, her animal rescuer boyfriend Jackson, and winemaker (and Willows ex-boyfriend) Simon are a great team. Each brings a unique set of qualities to the table, and they work well together.When Lily, one of Willows employees, is accused of murder as well as a second attempted murder, the police are convinced that theres no need to look for other suspects. The three friends decide to investigate on their own, both to keep Lily out of jail, and to stop the real killer from finishing the job he started.
Dandelion Dead is a fun read, both for the mystery and the info on edible plants and natural remedies.
<i>NOTE: I was provided with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Address to Die For (A Maggie McDonald Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This first book in the Maggie MacDonald series has Maggie moving to Silicon Valley to start a new life with her husband and two sons in the house that her husband inherited from an aunt. Between finding a body in the basement and a vandal wreaking havoc on their new place, Maggie is having second thoughts. While her husband is away on business for his new job, she throws herself into the renovations to try to make their new house a home for her family. Just when she thinks things are looking up though, a second murder leaves her unsure of who in town she can trust, so she decides to do a little snooping around on her own to get to the bottom of things.
This was a great start to a new series, and a great introduction to a cast of characters I expect to be seeing more of in the near future. I loved that I wasn't sure who would still be around next time until almost the end of the novel!
<I>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All remarks and opinions are my own.</I>
This was a great start to a new series, and a great introduction to a cast of characters I expect to be seeing more of in the near future. I loved that I wasn't sure who would still be around next time until almost the end of the novel!
<I>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All remarks and opinions are my own.</I>
HLD (99 KP) rated Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in) in Books
Jun 26, 2018
It's engaging (1 more)
As a show - without the b.s. of pretending they care about suicide prevention, it is actually quite good
Mixed feelings about it
As someone who has struggled with suicidal thoughts for over a decade, I cannot say that this show brings any kind of awareness. It is a show; nothing more, nothing less. Don't omit this as the holy grail of mental health advertising, because it isn't.
It is an interesting show with an interesting plot. Too many viewers, and those involved with production, felt the need to blow the meaning of '13 reasons why' out of proportion.
It is not going to shine a light on those in your family that want to take their own life. I would also argue it is not going to influence someone to take their own life.
Not everybody is the same, I know. But I was engaged until the very end, and the urge I have had to end my life was no greater and no lesser after having watched the show.
It is an interesting show with an interesting plot. Too many viewers, and those involved with production, felt the need to blow the meaning of '13 reasons why' out of proportion.
It is not going to shine a light on those in your family that want to take their own life. I would also argue it is not going to influence someone to take their own life.
Not everybody is the same, I know. But I was engaged until the very end, and the urge I have had to end my life was no greater and no lesser after having watched the show.