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Using Sources Effectively: Strengthening Your Writing and Avoiding Plagiarism
Book
Now in its fifth, expanded edition, Using Sources Effectively, Fifth Edition targets the two most...
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Surgeon (Rizzoli & Isles, #1) in Books
May 22, 2019
Gore heavy police procedural
This is the first book in the Rizzoli and Isles thriller series, apparently there is a TV series based off this but I’ve never seen it so went into this blind. Isles does not appear as a character in this book and even RIzzoli is more of a secondary character.
Catherine Cordell is a skilled surgeon working in Boston where she fled to following a horrific attack two years ago. Although she killed her attacker her exterior confidence hides the continued fear the trauma has instilled in her everyday life. When the impossible seems to occur and the killer returns to stalk her, Detective Moore is determined to protect along with fellow officer Rizzoli.
The villain and what he does is full on terrifying and creepy as hell (just the way I like them.) However if you are in any way squeamish and don’t like a lot of blood and gore you should probably avoid this book. There is a lot of graphic descriptions of injuries of people coming into an emergency room, surgery and torture. Rape is also a central theme and again descriptions can be disturbing so be warned.
This felt like a very solid police procedural book. The style will be familiar with Criminal Minds fans in that you get to see a bit behind the curtain. I didn’t feel there was a lot of puzzling mystery, but you were swept along in the investigation to find the unsub.
My main hope with this series is Rizzoli becomes a bit more human, in this book I just wanted to slap her for being such a cow to both victims and colleagues. Her constant internal moaning about how bad she is treated because she’s a woman made me laugh, it seemed more to be just because she isn’t a very nice person. She doesn't come across as a very good cop at all, poor at doing interviews, following procedure, working as a team. Meanwhile Moore was a much more sympathetic character.
Looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here.
Catherine Cordell is a skilled surgeon working in Boston where she fled to following a horrific attack two years ago. Although she killed her attacker her exterior confidence hides the continued fear the trauma has instilled in her everyday life. When the impossible seems to occur and the killer returns to stalk her, Detective Moore is determined to protect along with fellow officer Rizzoli.
The villain and what he does is full on terrifying and creepy as hell (just the way I like them.) However if you are in any way squeamish and don’t like a lot of blood and gore you should probably avoid this book. There is a lot of graphic descriptions of injuries of people coming into an emergency room, surgery and torture. Rape is also a central theme and again descriptions can be disturbing so be warned.
This felt like a very solid police procedural book. The style will be familiar with Criminal Minds fans in that you get to see a bit behind the curtain. I didn’t feel there was a lot of puzzling mystery, but you were swept along in the investigation to find the unsub.
My main hope with this series is Rizzoli becomes a bit more human, in this book I just wanted to slap her for being such a cow to both victims and colleagues. Her constant internal moaning about how bad she is treated because she’s a woman made me laugh, it seemed more to be just because she isn’t a very nice person. She doesn't come across as a very good cop at all, poor at doing interviews, following procedure, working as a team. Meanwhile Moore was a much more sympathetic character.
Looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here.
The Controversy Over Marine Protected Areas: Science Meets Policy
Alex Caveen, Nick Polunin, Tim Gray and Selina Marguerite Stead
Book
This book is a critical analysis of the concept of marine protected areas (MPAs) particularly as a...
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece
Book
Lord Byron described Greece as great, fallen, and immortal, a characterization more apt than he...
Deborah (162 KP) rated Daughters of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #2) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
This is the second book in Quinn's Rome series, but confusingly the action here takes place chronologically before the first one. The setting for this book is 69AD - the Year of the Four Emperors, so plenty of plotting and back stabbing all round.
Many of the characters in this novel did exist historically. Obviously the further back in time you go, the less information there is generally available about what actually went on, which I suppose is a good thing for the historical novelist! The novel centres around four female cousins; two sisters and their two first cousins to be precise. The sisters really did exist, although more is known about one than the other (this is clear when you have read the book and read the historical note at the end). The cousins are invented to drive the plot along; Lollia starts off almost like a WAG - seemingly a bit empty headed and marrying whoever is in favour that month, but she does develop into a more likeable, rounded character. While Diana is difficult to dislike she is a pretty flat character; she's beautiful and completely obsessed with horses and 'The Reds' chariot racing team - a bit like a football bore today I suppose! The sister-in law, Tullia, is another very one-dimensional character, probably best summed up as 'fishwife'.
Many events are based on historical fact, but there are some bits, like the cousins escaping from Rome, that seems a bit unrealistic.
Overall, I found this quite a quick (for a 400 page novel) and entertaining read, but I suspect that like Quinn's Mistress of Rome, I may well be pushed to remember any plot details in a few months time and I probably wouldn't read it again.
Many of the characters in this novel did exist historically. Obviously the further back in time you go, the less information there is generally available about what actually went on, which I suppose is a good thing for the historical novelist! The novel centres around four female cousins; two sisters and their two first cousins to be precise. The sisters really did exist, although more is known about one than the other (this is clear when you have read the book and read the historical note at the end). The cousins are invented to drive the plot along; Lollia starts off almost like a WAG - seemingly a bit empty headed and marrying whoever is in favour that month, but she does develop into a more likeable, rounded character. While Diana is difficult to dislike she is a pretty flat character; she's beautiful and completely obsessed with horses and 'The Reds' chariot racing team - a bit like a football bore today I suppose! The sister-in law, Tullia, is another very one-dimensional character, probably best summed up as 'fishwife'.
Many events are based on historical fact, but there are some bits, like the cousins escaping from Rome, that seems a bit unrealistic.
Overall, I found this quite a quick (for a 400 page novel) and entertaining read, but I suspect that like Quinn's Mistress of Rome, I may well be pushed to remember any plot details in a few months time and I probably wouldn't read it again.
Saving a Sick America: A Prescription for Moral and Cultural Transformation
Book
Nationally syndicated radio host and columnist Michael L. Brown provides a handbook for a...
Listed Volatility and Variance Derivatives: A Python-Based Guide
Book
Leverage Python for expert-level volatility and variance derivative trading Listed Volatility and...
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Why I Loathe Sterling Lane in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
I'm still in a reviewing funk of sorts, so I'm playing with style to keep my funk at bay. The funk is a horrible, horrible thing. It's crawled into my life like Medusa and turned my reviewing styles into stone.
Weird analogy. Anyways.
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>Three Reasons to Read <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i></b></h3>
<b>Kendall's dynamic with Harper</b> - they're two completely different people who hate each other at a distance by the mere idea of the person. Seeing Kendall and Harper getting thrown together and their friendship develop is personally my favorite part of reading the book.
<b>Enemies to Lovers</b> - I'm usually not a fan of this trope, but I'm not really complaining since Sterling makes Harper less of a stick in the mud as she may appear to be early on in the book.
Admittedly, I'm also watching <i>Boys Over Flowers</i>, which is way too cute and hilarious.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/317/2017/06/swan-boys-over-flowers.gif"; width="320" height="209" border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="500" /></div>
<b>The format</b> - Each chapter is based off a rule Harpers that she came up with from early in her life. I think it gave a better understanding of who Harper was and what kinds of rules she had in her life (that would definitely be something I would want to know if they weren't mentioned).
<b>Overall:</b> <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i> is a slow book to love, but the story picks up after a few rough patches and is perfect for those who enjoy a love-hate relationship between love interests.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-why-i-loathe-sterling-lane-by-ingrid-paulson/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
I'm still in a reviewing funk of sorts, so I'm playing with style to keep my funk at bay. The funk is a horrible, horrible thing. It's crawled into my life like Medusa and turned my reviewing styles into stone.
Weird analogy. Anyways.
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>Three Reasons to Read <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i></b></h3>
<b>Kendall's dynamic with Harper</b> - they're two completely different people who hate each other at a distance by the mere idea of the person. Seeing Kendall and Harper getting thrown together and their friendship develop is personally my favorite part of reading the book.
<b>Enemies to Lovers</b> - I'm usually not a fan of this trope, but I'm not really complaining since Sterling makes Harper less of a stick in the mud as she may appear to be early on in the book.
Admittedly, I'm also watching <i>Boys Over Flowers</i>, which is way too cute and hilarious.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/317/2017/06/swan-boys-over-flowers.gif"; width="320" height="209" border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="500" /></div>
<b>The format</b> - Each chapter is based off a rule Harpers that she came up with from early in her life. I think it gave a better understanding of who Harper was and what kinds of rules she had in her life (that would definitely be something I would want to know if they weren't mentioned).
<b>Overall:</b> <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i> is a slow book to love, but the story picks up after a few rough patches and is perfect for those who enjoy a love-hate relationship between love interests.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-why-i-loathe-sterling-lane-by-ingrid-paulson/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
The Alpha Beta Book: An Introduction to Ancient Greek
Book
Can learning Ancient Greek ever be fun? Keith McCrary sets out to show: of course it can! The book...
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated The Orphan's Tale in Books
Dec 13, 2018 (Updated Dec 13, 2018)
Intensely compelling
This was a heart-stopping and painful read but there are no regrets in reading it. THE ORPHAN'S TALE broke my heart at the beginning and it didn't stop there. The premise for this story had me searching for the history behind the start of the book; a boxcar of babies on their way to be transported to a concentration camp and a young infant saved. This was based in reality and I can say this book was very well researched and the story throughout felt so tangible.
The two main characters in this book, Noa and Astrid are two women brought together through the rough and barren circumstances of war. They develop that kind of bond that feels like sisterhood. The main story centralises around a circus, such a contrast to war and occupation but this wasn't a joyful, fun life. These two aerialists, learner and mentor, continued in this world just to survive. There was a wonderful cast of characters both in the circus and also along their travels; the character development was superb.
This book provoked such emotion, making the reader really feel the desperation, attachments and loss and hope in 1940s war time Europe. This story was not neatly tied up to make the reader satisfied. Any discomfort or sadness I felt was necessary and right. I don't want to feel my emotions smoothed over for a more comfortable experience, I want to vicariously feel the experiences of these characters cast from real history....and I did.
Pam Jenoff has excelled in her writing, concept, story and character development. This is her best work yet.
The two main characters in this book, Noa and Astrid are two women brought together through the rough and barren circumstances of war. They develop that kind of bond that feels like sisterhood. The main story centralises around a circus, such a contrast to war and occupation but this wasn't a joyful, fun life. These two aerialists, learner and mentor, continued in this world just to survive. There was a wonderful cast of characters both in the circus and also along their travels; the character development was superb.
This book provoked such emotion, making the reader really feel the desperation, attachments and loss and hope in 1940s war time Europe. This story was not neatly tied up to make the reader satisfied. Any discomfort or sadness I felt was necessary and right. I don't want to feel my emotions smoothed over for a more comfortable experience, I want to vicariously feel the experiences of these characters cast from real history....and I did.
Pam Jenoff has excelled in her writing, concept, story and character development. This is her best work yet.