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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Sarah in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Also read my review here: http://bookbum.weebly.com/book-reviews/sarah-by-jt-leroy
Wow I don't know what to say really.
I think that most people rating this book have judged it based on the author's hoax at claiming this was a true story but if you ignore all that mess, what you find here is a really weird, heart breaking and hilarious novel. I think people need to start looking at this as a stand-alone novel and push the whole scandal to the side to see how brilliant this book actually is.
I wasn't sure why I decided to request this from Netgalley because it's the sort of book I'd normally steer clear of, but I'm glad I left my comfort zone to read this, because it was worth it.
Sarah will take you through every single emotion you can possibly think of, from love to terror to hope and you'll find yourself a bit lost once it's all over. I have another JT LeRoy book to start next, I'm hoping I like it just as much as this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Wow I don't know what to say really.
I think that most people rating this book have judged it based on the author's hoax at claiming this was a true story but if you ignore all that mess, what you find here is a really weird, heart breaking and hilarious novel. I think people need to start looking at this as a stand-alone novel and push the whole scandal to the side to see how brilliant this book actually is.
I wasn't sure why I decided to request this from Netgalley because it's the sort of book I'd normally steer clear of, but I'm glad I left my comfort zone to read this, because it was worth it.
Sarah will take you through every single emotion you can possibly think of, from love to terror to hope and you'll find yourself a bit lost once it's all over. I have another JT LeRoy book to start next, I'm hoping I like it just as much as this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Nashville is the next stop on the summer camping trip. After introducing the reader to Nashville hotspots, a trip to a famous honky-tonk bar leaves Irma and by extension Mabel and her camping buddies with the task of discovering who murdered two people two decades ago.
“If you like wacky characters, quick-witted banter, and crooners with a twang, then you’ll love Rita Moreau’s clever caper…”
It is always fun when a promise is made and kept. This book is full of wacky characters with snappy dialogue that makes turning the page a privilege rather than a chore. The well-written, quirky characters are the core of the story and with a couple of new additions to those returning from book one, there is more to love this time around.
The mystery comes at a fair pace and makes this book a quick steady read. This is the second book in the series and reads well enough as a standalone, but for the full effect of the camping summer of fun picking up book one is recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
“If you like wacky characters, quick-witted banter, and crooners with a twang, then you’ll love Rita Moreau’s clever caper…”
It is always fun when a promise is made and kept. This book is full of wacky characters with snappy dialogue that makes turning the page a privilege rather than a chore. The well-written, quirky characters are the core of the story and with a couple of new additions to those returning from book one, there is more to love this time around.
The mystery comes at a fair pace and makes this book a quick steady read. This is the second book in the series and reads well enough as a standalone, but for the full effect of the camping summer of fun picking up book one is recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated The Liar's Girl in Books
Jan 31, 2019
The Liar’s Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard is another one of the books that ended up on the backburner during my health issues lately. Yesterday, I picked it up with exactly half of it left and hungrily finished it. Needless to say, I truly enjoyed the book.
The main character, Alison Smith, is well-written. She has feelings and emotions like we all do, and they are portrayed in a manner that is realistic and believable. My heart ached with hers, and later on in the book I became genuinely worried for her. Unfortunately, she and her friend Liz are the only characters that felt that thorough–thus preventing me from giving this a five star rating.
As for the plot, it was consistent. There are several things that are given away early on in the book and because of that, I was worried about whether or not the book would hold my interest through until the end. Surprisingly, despite the amount that’s given away, Howard manages to continue to surprise the reader. Nothing went the way I expected it too and the twists and turns were refreshing.
The Liar’s Girl is a wonderful mystery book and definitely worth reading if whodunnits are your type of book. I’d like to thank Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main character, Alison Smith, is well-written. She has feelings and emotions like we all do, and they are portrayed in a manner that is realistic and believable. My heart ached with hers, and later on in the book I became genuinely worried for her. Unfortunately, she and her friend Liz are the only characters that felt that thorough–thus preventing me from giving this a five star rating.
As for the plot, it was consistent. There are several things that are given away early on in the book and because of that, I was worried about whether or not the book would hold my interest through until the end. Surprisingly, despite the amount that’s given away, Howard manages to continue to surprise the reader. Nothing went the way I expected it too and the twists and turns were refreshing.
The Liar’s Girl is a wonderful mystery book and definitely worth reading if whodunnits are your type of book. I’d like to thank Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Girl on the Train in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This rating is actually a 2.5 but we still can't do half stars on here, so I rounded up.
So I read this book before I read Gone Girl, but even with that, I was expecting an amazing book full of suspense and plot twists and just general intrigue. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the potential for me.
I did not like the characters at all. They fell flat for me and were too whiny and clingy for my taste. I especially did not like the main character.I have a feeling there was a point to her being unreliable, probably to show that she most likely knew what happened but couldn't remember, but I just found it annoying. I am not one to judge a character by their actions, like drinking excessively, but this felt a little overdone in this book.
Even the plot twists I kinda saw coming. Like, from the beginning. There wasn't enough suspense for me to really get into the book and enjoy it. By the end, I just wanted to confirm my suspicions.
Overall, it just wasn't my kind of book, I guess.
So I read this book before I read Gone Girl, but even with that, I was expecting an amazing book full of suspense and plot twists and just general intrigue. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the potential for me.
I did not like the characters at all. They fell flat for me and were too whiny and clingy for my taste. I especially did not like the main character.I have a feeling there was a point to her being unreliable, probably to show that she most likely knew what happened but couldn't remember, but I just found it annoying. I am not one to judge a character by their actions, like drinking excessively, but this felt a little overdone in this book.
Even the plot twists I kinda saw coming. Like, from the beginning. There wasn't enough suspense for me to really get into the book and enjoy it. By the end, I just wanted to confirm my suspicions.
Overall, it just wasn't my kind of book, I guess.
Rachel (48 KP) rated The Second Sister in Books
Jun 17, 2017
Very Interesting
I enjoyed this book hugely, after getting used to the constant dialogue to a character who isn't there!
There are some flaws that stopped me from rating it 5*. Occasionally the actions and dialogue are not natural at all, especially when it comes to a couple of peripheral characters.
Although the ending was very well written and exciting to read I was disappointed by the identity of the perpetrator. There are some hints about past actions right at the end of the book that I with had been detailed a little more - that would have been very interesting.
Altogether, though, this novel is extremely well written and the pace is just right. The characters well rounded and very sympathetic, I cared about what happened to them and always wanted to know more.
Even the bit part character's were interesting - especially the rose carver. The mixture of pity and menace was perfect.
I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers, mysteries and suspense. I am definitely going to purchase the authors first book and any future ones
There are some flaws that stopped me from rating it 5*. Occasionally the actions and dialogue are not natural at all, especially when it comes to a couple of peripheral characters.
Although the ending was very well written and exciting to read I was disappointed by the identity of the perpetrator. There are some hints about past actions right at the end of the book that I with had been detailed a little more - that would have been very interesting.
Altogether, though, this novel is extremely well written and the pace is just right. The characters well rounded and very sympathetic, I cared about what happened to them and always wanted to know more.
Even the bit part character's were interesting - especially the rose carver. The mixture of pity and menace was perfect.
I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers, mysteries and suspense. I am definitely going to purchase the authors first book and any future ones
The Basic Book of Digital Photography by Tom and Michele Grimm
Genre: Educational, Artistic
Rating: 4.5/5
Tom and Michele Grimm have compiled a magnificent handbook for any photographer, beginner or otherwise. This book has everything in it—from how to pick the best camera for you, to when and where to shoot, to editing, to timing… the list goes on and on.
The book is packed with photos, both color and black and white, examples, footnotes, and easy to read and understand text. At first glance it may seem intimidating, but it is so incredibly reader friendly that it’s suitable for almost any age.
The only thing about this book that I didn’t like was that there were only some pictures that were color, and most of them were black and white.
Recommendation: Ages 10+ to anyone interested in digital photography, whether they have been snapping photos for years or whether they’ve never even picked up a digital camera.
**Thank you to FSB Associates for providing my review copy!**
Genre: Educational, Artistic
Rating: 4.5/5
Tom and Michele Grimm have compiled a magnificent handbook for any photographer, beginner or otherwise. This book has everything in it—from how to pick the best camera for you, to when and where to shoot, to editing, to timing… the list goes on and on.
The book is packed with photos, both color and black and white, examples, footnotes, and easy to read and understand text. At first glance it may seem intimidating, but it is so incredibly reader friendly that it’s suitable for almost any age.
The only thing about this book that I didn’t like was that there were only some pictures that were color, and most of them were black and white.
Recommendation: Ages 10+ to anyone interested in digital photography, whether they have been snapping photos for years or whether they’ve never even picked up a digital camera.
**Thank you to FSB Associates for providing my review copy!**
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated John Dies at the End in Books
Mar 15, 2018
DNF at 78%. I usually don't rate books I haven't finished but I think I read enough of this trash to give it a rating.
It's taken me 4 months to realise I'm just never going to finish this.
I was really, <b>really</b> looking forward to reading this book, and for quite a long time I really was enjoying it, but then it just kept going and going and there were all these stories that didn't fit together that Wong tried to fit together and it was just torturous to read.
Don't pick this up, just don't bother. Read something else.
It's taken me 4 months to realise I'm just never going to finish this.
I was really, <b>really</b> looking forward to reading this book, and for quite a long time I really was enjoying it, but then it just kept going and going and there were all these stories that didn't fit together that Wong tried to fit together and it was just torturous to read.
Don't pick this up, just don't bother. Read something else.
I don't have the first 2 reviews, but I do have the review for the third book. Oh... and the rating is just the average of all 3 books.
<b>Beautiful Chaos</b>
Blog: <a title="Beautiful chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl" href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-beautiful-chaos-by-kami-garcia-and-margaret-stohl.html">http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-beautiful-chaos-by-kami-garcia-and-margaret-stohl.html</a>;
Goodreads: <a title="Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl" href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406032603">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406032603</a>;
<b>Beautiful Chaos</b>
Blog: <a title="Beautiful chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl" href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-beautiful-chaos-by-kami-garcia-and-margaret-stohl.html">http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-beautiful-chaos-by-kami-garcia-and-margaret-stohl.html</a>;
Goodreads: <a title="Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl" href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406032603">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406032603</a>;
Weekends to Brag About: 100 Adventures in Britain's Great Outdoors
Book
A comprehensive handbook for adventure sports' enthusiasts and thrill-seekers encompassing...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Dark Soul Vol. 1 (Dark Soul, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
I finished this about two hours ago on my break at work and wanted to scream because I didn't have the other volumes to finish the series.
I'd been wanting to read a book by this author for a while now after seeing all my Goodreads friends giving his books good rating so when I saw this free on Amazon I got a little giddy.
I wasn't sure at the start whether I'd like it but boy did I get drawn in quick! I really need to see what happens next with these two!
Off to check the price right now :-)
I'd been wanting to read a book by this author for a while now after seeing all my Goodreads friends giving his books good rating so when I saw this free on Amazon I got a little giddy.
I wasn't sure at the start whether I'd like it but boy did I get drawn in quick! I really need to see what happens next with these two!
Off to check the price right now :-)