Search
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated How A Good Person Can Really Win in Books
Aug 21, 2018 (Updated Oct 26, 2018)
I have received ‘’How A Good Person Can Really Win’’ through Goodreads, in exchange for an honest review. I will honestly have to say that I had a very hard time finishing this book, and even that took me months, while I was reading other books inbetween. My full rating is 3 out of 5 stars and here is why:
About the book:
How a Good Person Can Really Win is a self-help book that is supposed to help the good people to win in life. It is a book that is designed to show you how you can be one of those people that isn’t bad, but still be successful and prosper in life. The book is split into three parts, and it focused on both the bad and the good persona, comparing both sides and pointing out the differences between them.
The Good and the Bad
The thing that put me off this book a lot was the focus of the bad person. Yes – I do realise that the book is split into a half bad / half good part, and yes – I do realise that we need to see the difference. But when you consider yourself a good person, and have this book in your hands, that is supposedly made to make you realise how you can win, all you read is about how bad the bad person is, and the response (solution) to this is an advice for the bad man to change.
This has occurred on so many occasions, that made the book feel useless for me.
Even though I have to agree that the ending is focused on the good persona and there are actually a few tips on how you can win over the bad guys – most of the advices were for the bad people to not do those nasty things they keep doing.
So my question to the author here is: Who would be the target audience in the book? The logic answer is – the people that claim themselves as good-makers and believe in a better tomorrow. But what the book says is – a book that tells bad people what they are doing and how that is wrong in 100 different ways. Too bad that those people are not the ones reading the book.
On the other side though, I have to admit that there were many excellent examples of real life, and many situations that were realistic and relatable. There were a few very excellent advice as well, and I am sure that I have learned a few things from this book.
About the book:
How a Good Person Can Really Win is a self-help book that is supposed to help the good people to win in life. It is a book that is designed to show you how you can be one of those people that isn’t bad, but still be successful and prosper in life. The book is split into three parts, and it focused on both the bad and the good persona, comparing both sides and pointing out the differences between them.
The Good and the Bad
The thing that put me off this book a lot was the focus of the bad person. Yes – I do realise that the book is split into a half bad / half good part, and yes – I do realise that we need to see the difference. But when you consider yourself a good person, and have this book in your hands, that is supposedly made to make you realise how you can win, all you read is about how bad the bad person is, and the response (solution) to this is an advice for the bad man to change.
This has occurred on so many occasions, that made the book feel useless for me.
Even though I have to agree that the ending is focused on the good persona and there are actually a few tips on how you can win over the bad guys – most of the advices were for the bad people to not do those nasty things they keep doing.
So my question to the author here is: Who would be the target audience in the book? The logic answer is – the people that claim themselves as good-makers and believe in a better tomorrow. But what the book says is – a book that tells bad people what they are doing and how that is wrong in 100 different ways. Too bad that those people are not the ones reading the book.
On the other side though, I have to admit that there were many excellent examples of real life, and many situations that were realistic and relatable. There were a few very excellent advice as well, and I am sure that I have learned a few things from this book.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill (Tales from Ivy Hill, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Before you tar and feather me for giving a Julie Klassen book a three star rating, please hear me out. As stated in my rating system post, "This is reserved for books that I look upon with pleasure, but do not produce the feelings of complete adoration." The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill was unique and enjoyable to read, however it did not move my soul.
The first thing that I noticed about this book that is different from any other of Mrs. Klassen's books, is the the point of views are strictly female. Alternating between three women, we get a unique look into life in a small village set in England during 1820. I learned a lot about the inner workings of the inn and got explore the lives of these different women who represent very different personalities and stations in life. Reading through the eyes of these three women also added an extra sense of mystery. Because we don't know what is going on in the minds of the gentlemen in this story.
Julie Klassen does take on some heart wrenching topics in this book. Specifically, difficulties with pregnancies. I will not sugar coat it, descriptions are detailed and quite graphic in my opinion. Please proceed as you feel appropriate. I just know that for myself, it was difficult to read those scenes and I feel it only fair to give my fellow readers a heads up. I never had any complications with pregnancy, but have had a lot of medical trauma with our second son, during and after delivery(everything is OK now). Therefore, I find it hard to read about anything at all happening to children in books.
Overall, I enjoyed Mrs. Klassen's book in her very first series and I will read the next books. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hall was an entertaining book and I look forward to what comes next.
I received a complimentary copy of The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
The first thing that I noticed about this book that is different from any other of Mrs. Klassen's books, is the the point of views are strictly female. Alternating between three women, we get a unique look into life in a small village set in England during 1820. I learned a lot about the inner workings of the inn and got explore the lives of these different women who represent very different personalities and stations in life. Reading through the eyes of these three women also added an extra sense of mystery. Because we don't know what is going on in the minds of the gentlemen in this story.
Julie Klassen does take on some heart wrenching topics in this book. Specifically, difficulties with pregnancies. I will not sugar coat it, descriptions are detailed and quite graphic in my opinion. Please proceed as you feel appropriate. I just know that for myself, it was difficult to read those scenes and I feel it only fair to give my fellow readers a heads up. I never had any complications with pregnancy, but have had a lot of medical trauma with our second son, during and after delivery(everything is OK now). Therefore, I find it hard to read about anything at all happening to children in books.
Overall, I enjoyed Mrs. Klassen's book in her very first series and I will read the next books. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hall was an entertaining book and I look forward to what comes next.
I received a complimentary copy of The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Jenny Houle (24 KP) rated Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree in Books
Jan 13, 2018
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley for an unbiased opinion.
Agatha Raisin is at it again. Following a hanging from tree locally infamous as "The Witches' Tree" in a neighboring Cotswold village, Agatha is hired to solve the case.
To those who've been with the series from the beginning, I found this book to be the best in awhile. Over the past few books, I've felt strongly that the changing backstory of a few primary characters (Simon and Charles specifically) was starting to detract from my enjoyment over the series. This time, while both were very present, Beaton left out the details that bothered me.
Additionally, this case truly was solved by Agatha and her agency (she's often accused of bumbling along until she stumbles upon the answer, only to need police rescue for herself as well... definitely not the case in this book).
And one more reason this book got a 5 out of 5 rating from me: Agatha doesn't fall in infatuation in this book. She does date, she does acknowledge that she's happiest when she's in love, but there was no "strong woman becomes blithering idiot" subplot this time.
Characters I wish I'd seen more of: Bill and Alice. Through the last few books, Bill's clearly been distancing himself from Agatha. Hope soon his romance with Alice will grow more and he can resume a more steady role in the books as Agatha's friend.
Agatha Raisin is at it again. Following a hanging from tree locally infamous as "The Witches' Tree" in a neighboring Cotswold village, Agatha is hired to solve the case.
To those who've been with the series from the beginning, I found this book to be the best in awhile. Over the past few books, I've felt strongly that the changing backstory of a few primary characters (Simon and Charles specifically) was starting to detract from my enjoyment over the series. This time, while both were very present, Beaton left out the details that bothered me.
Additionally, this case truly was solved by Agatha and her agency (she's often accused of bumbling along until she stumbles upon the answer, only to need police rescue for herself as well... definitely not the case in this book).
And one more reason this book got a 5 out of 5 rating from me: Agatha doesn't fall in infatuation in this book. She does date, she does acknowledge that she's happiest when she's in love, but there was no "strong woman becomes blithering idiot" subplot this time.
Characters I wish I'd seen more of: Bill and Alice. Through the last few books, Bill's clearly been distancing himself from Agatha. Hope soon his romance with Alice will grow more and he can resume a more steady role in the books as Agatha's friend.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Rise of the Hearts: Rebirth in Books
Mar 11, 2019
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Rise of the Hearts: Rebirth is the second book in Antoine Bonner's Rise of the Hearts series. Using Goodreads' rating system, I gave this book 3 stars. I gave the first book only 1 star. It was a challenge to even finish the first novel.
I liked Rebirth and do not think it was because I was familiar with the characters since I could not relate to them in the first novel. The writing improved since the last novel. In the first one, the story did not flow but it flowed well in Rebirth.
The first novel is NOT intended for Young Adults. Based on the description, I had mistakenly thought it was appropriate for younger readers. There are several passages that are not appropriate for young adults. I cannot think of any passages that would not be appropriate in the second book but still feel the series in not a young adult series.
This novel is only 100 pages long and is a very quick read. The story felt as if it was an episode in the middle of a television series. It felt as if it was only part of a story. I would read the next episode.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/11/19.
Rise of the Hearts: Rebirth is the second book in Antoine Bonner's Rise of the Hearts series. Using Goodreads' rating system, I gave this book 3 stars. I gave the first book only 1 star. It was a challenge to even finish the first novel.
I liked Rebirth and do not think it was because I was familiar with the characters since I could not relate to them in the first novel. The writing improved since the last novel. In the first one, the story did not flow but it flowed well in Rebirth.
The first novel is NOT intended for Young Adults. Based on the description, I had mistakenly thought it was appropriate for younger readers. There are several passages that are not appropriate for young adults. I cannot think of any passages that would not be appropriate in the second book but still feel the series in not a young adult series.
This novel is only 100 pages long and is a very quick read. The story felt as if it was an episode in the middle of a television series. It felt as if it was only part of a story. I would read the next episode.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/11/19.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Thief With No Shadow in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I can understand why some other readers gave this such a low rating, but I enjoyed the book. It was slower paced than other books I have read but I finished it rather quickly. Each passage serves some purpose, whether its building the world, progressing the story, or familiarizing the reader with the characters. The characters had more self-loathing than I have read in any book but it was understandable considering what they have been through. I dont think some of the reviewers actually understand how the human mind works. With what these people have had to deal with in their life, they are actually well adapted.
There is also a lot of sex in this book. More than I expected there to be. And half of it is interspecies. I appreciate that the author had the decency not to describe one of them but I could have done without the other. I agree there definitely should be a warning about those scenes. Nowhere is there a warning that there are graphic scenes of any kind.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I loved the mythology. The plot wasnt overly complicated but it kept me interested even through the slow parts. But mainly, I was so invested in the characters having their happy endings that I couldnt put the book down. However, I can definitely tell why its not for everyone.
There is also a lot of sex in this book. More than I expected there to be. And half of it is interspecies. I appreciate that the author had the decency not to describe one of them but I could have done without the other. I agree there definitely should be a warning about those scenes. Nowhere is there a warning that there are graphic scenes of any kind.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I loved the mythology. The plot wasnt overly complicated but it kept me interested even through the slow parts. But mainly, I was so invested in the characters having their happy endings that I couldnt put the book down. However, I can definitely tell why its not for everyone.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Papercutting Geometric Designs Inspired by Nature in Books
May 26, 2020
Perfect for people who are proficient at papercutting.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
It has been years since I tried papercutting designs. Of course, back then, they were basic and straightforward designs that anyone could do. When I saw Papercutting Geometric Designs Inspired by Nature by Patricia Moffett, I figured this was my chance to really try it.
I was hoping for step-by-step, easy to follow directions for beginners. Instead, Moffett provided an in-depth look at amazing but intricate geometric designs. The book gave me the feeling I was reading someone's term paper for an advanced class whose audience was other students with the same knowledge. The designs were too challenging for me to do.
This book would be perfect for someone who has already been papercutting. However, if you are a beginner, I would suggest you look for something else.
The rating given is three stars. On Goodreads, three means I "liked it." I did like looking at the beautiful designs and, if I become proficient in papercutting, I will come back to Moffett's book and try them again.
For now, Moffet has illustrated several interesting coloring/activity books that are more my speed. My favorite is The All-Round Activity Book: Get Creative with Activities, Games, and Illusions All Based on Dots.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/25/20.
It has been years since I tried papercutting designs. Of course, back then, they were basic and straightforward designs that anyone could do. When I saw Papercutting Geometric Designs Inspired by Nature by Patricia Moffett, I figured this was my chance to really try it.
I was hoping for step-by-step, easy to follow directions for beginners. Instead, Moffett provided an in-depth look at amazing but intricate geometric designs. The book gave me the feeling I was reading someone's term paper for an advanced class whose audience was other students with the same knowledge. The designs were too challenging for me to do.
This book would be perfect for someone who has already been papercutting. However, if you are a beginner, I would suggest you look for something else.
The rating given is three stars. On Goodreads, three means I "liked it." I did like looking at the beautiful designs and, if I become proficient in papercutting, I will come back to Moffett's book and try them again.
For now, Moffet has illustrated several interesting coloring/activity books that are more my speed. My favorite is The All-Round Activity Book: Get Creative with Activities, Games, and Illusions All Based on Dots.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/25/20.
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated Silent Weapon (Street Soldier #2) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I received an arc copy from Netgalley of this book for an open and honest review.
I was surprised to find that I really liked this book, more than I expected too. It was well written and interesting. The plot was current and hits home as to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to thwart terrorism and I love how 2 different departments worked together. Its scary and real about radicalisation and I was plesed to see there were no type casts in this story.
There were a few things that made this a 4 star rating- in some areas I felt the story was perhaps a little rushed (near the beginning) and some parts could have been more polished. As I was reading this I felt I had missed something (I didn't know there was a prequel to this) I didn't know the whole background story which threw me off.
But the storyline was greatc and kept me hooked :)
I was surprised to find that I really liked this book, more than I expected too. It was well written and interesting. The plot was current and hits home as to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to thwart terrorism and I love how 2 different departments worked together. Its scary and real about radicalisation and I was plesed to see there were no type casts in this story.
There were a few things that made this a 4 star rating- in some areas I felt the story was perhaps a little rushed (near the beginning) and some parts could have been more polished. As I was reading this I felt I had missed something (I didn't know there was a prequel to this) I didn't know the whole background story which threw me off.
But the storyline was greatc and kept me hooked :)
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated The French Kiss in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I have enjoyed all the James Patterson’s novels I have read to date.
This was the first of his BookShots that I had bought and when I saw it on audible.co.uk and lasted just over 3 hours I thought it would be perfect for a drive I had ahead of me. However, I was disappointed. The story itself is fast paced and in well-known Patterson style but I found it to be a weaker plot with predictable conclusion. I found the narrator, Jean Brassard, difficult to follow at times as he spoke with (in my opinion) a poor French/American accent. I think I would have preferred to read it rather than listen in this case.
MoMo Book Diary gives the audiobook a 3* rating – as I did not enjoy the narrator and found the book to be lacking in James Patterson’s normal style. This review is also published on my blog momobookdiary.com and Amazon websites.
This was the first of his BookShots that I had bought and when I saw it on audible.co.uk and lasted just over 3 hours I thought it would be perfect for a drive I had ahead of me. However, I was disappointed. The story itself is fast paced and in well-known Patterson style but I found it to be a weaker plot with predictable conclusion. I found the narrator, Jean Brassard, difficult to follow at times as he spoke with (in my opinion) a poor French/American accent. I think I would have preferred to read it rather than listen in this case.
MoMo Book Diary gives the audiobook a 3* rating – as I did not enjoy the narrator and found the book to be lacking in James Patterson’s normal style. This review is also published on my blog momobookdiary.com and Amazon websites.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated What Suki Wants in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I would say more of a 2.5 rating. It took me a long time to finish this novel as I couldn't get into it at all, I couldn't relate to the characters as I found them to be quite shallow and whiny. (If I had a quid for every time the name Magdalen was mentioned...I'd be rich!)The reasons why I actually gave it any stars was because some of the twists and turns were good, in the sense that they stopped me from just giving up on the book (I was very close)I found some parts very out of place and unrealistic yet I have to say those parts just about interested me as the smut scenes (although some very out of place) were for the most part quite well written. It was good to see Suki's character develop more towards the end of the book (and I mean RIGHT at the end) but for me she was just too annoying and whiny.
Contest Theory: Incentive Mechanisms and Ranking Methods
Book
Contests are prevalent in many areas, including sports, rent seeking, patent races, innovation...