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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2423 KP) rated I Sleep Around in Books
Jun 5, 2024
Honest Look at Van Life
In this memoir, authors Sue Ann Jaffarian talks about her decision to buy a camper van when she retired and hit the road full time. She discusses what lead to her decision and the steps she took to get ready for her new adventure before detailing what life was like that first year on the road. She talks about the joys (visiting beautiful places, making new friends) and the pitfalls (dangerously bad weather, problems with her van). She also talks about how her new life changed in 2020 as we were all trying to shelter in place.
As a fan turned friend, I have followed her journey from the time she first made the decision, and I was thrilled to read this book and get a good look at how she is adapting to his new life. The book is filled with practical advice and a realistic look at what life can be like. As I said, she covers the good and the bad, and I appreciated the balanced approach. Still, overall, she loves her new life, and that comes through. If anything, I wish we’d heard more about places she’s visited along the way, although the discussions we do get make me want to hit the road and see them for myself. If you want an honest look at the life of a full-time nomad, you’ll love this book.
As a fan turned friend, I have followed her journey from the time she first made the decision, and I was thrilled to read this book and get a good look at how she is adapting to his new life. The book is filled with practical advice and a realistic look at what life can be like. As I said, she covers the good and the bad, and I appreciated the balanced approach. Still, overall, she loves her new life, and that comes through. If anything, I wish we’d heard more about places she’s visited along the way, although the discussions we do get make me want to hit the road and see them for myself. If you want an honest look at the life of a full-time nomad, you’ll love this book.
Merissa (13298 KP) rated The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong (The Lost Arts #2) in Books
Jul 17, 2025
THE LOST ART OF FINDING WHERE YOU BELONG is the second book in The Lost Arts series that gives you Brannal and Perian as the main characters. It does follow on from the first book, so I would absolutely recommend you read that one first.
This book is told from Perian's perspective, and you find out just how he's fitting in at the castle, what others think of him, plus his relationship with Brannal. Now, I may be jumping to conclusions, but I am picking up hints about what the future might hold! 😁 I'm keeping everything crossed that what I'm thinking comes to pass, but I'm also happy to go wherever this story arc takes me.
This book isn't full of action and adventure, but rather seeing more of the day-to-day routine and different relationships Perian has. The one with Renny is so sweet, and I love how fiercely she defends him, even when it shouldn't be necessary.
I am loving this world and the characters who are there. With some seriously spicy scenes, this was a delight to read, and I can't wait to return and find out more. Definitely recommended by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 17, 2025
This book is told from Perian's perspective, and you find out just how he's fitting in at the castle, what others think of him, plus his relationship with Brannal. Now, I may be jumping to conclusions, but I am picking up hints about what the future might hold! 😁 I'm keeping everything crossed that what I'm thinking comes to pass, but I'm also happy to go wherever this story arc takes me.
This book isn't full of action and adventure, but rather seeing more of the day-to-day routine and different relationships Perian has. The one with Renny is so sweet, and I love how fiercely she defends him, even when it shouldn't be necessary.
I am loving this world and the characters who are there. With some seriously spicy scenes, this was a delight to read, and I can't wait to return and find out more. Definitely recommended by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 17, 2025
The Vampire's Delicious Fae (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala #2)
8.0
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I hate vampires. Well, just one in particular. But I do kinda love how his eyes follow me whenever...
MM Urban Fantasy Romance
Merissa (13298 KP) rated Gratification in Gluttony (Passing Through Cafe #2) in Books
Jun 16, 2025
GRATIFICATION IN GLUTTONY is the second book in the Passing Through Cafe series and features Jude and Toni.
While I loved the first book, I only enjoyed this one. And by that, I mean it's still very good, but it didn't tick all the boxes like the first one did. I think part of the problem might be that I've read this story already, so reading it from their perspectives, while good at times, means I already know most of it.
I also didn't connect with either Jude or Toni in the way I wanted to, although I thought parts of both of their stories were wonderful. Jude flows hot and cold most of the time, and Toni's 'quirk' of referring to himself in the third person quickly became annoying. There are good moments, both of them are more self-aware than are given credit for, but still...
What I did enjoy were seeing parts of the story that I hadn't seen in Oliver and Liel's story, as well as parts of Rusty and Gem's, although I don't have their book to read. I think some people will love it, but it just didn't work for me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 13, 2025
While I loved the first book, I only enjoyed this one. And by that, I mean it's still very good, but it didn't tick all the boxes like the first one did. I think part of the problem might be that I've read this story already, so reading it from their perspectives, while good at times, means I already know most of it.
I also didn't connect with either Jude or Toni in the way I wanted to, although I thought parts of both of their stories were wonderful. Jude flows hot and cold most of the time, and Toni's 'quirk' of referring to himself in the third person quickly became annoying. There are good moments, both of them are more self-aware than are given credit for, but still...
What I did enjoy were seeing parts of the story that I hadn't seen in Oliver and Liel's story, as well as parts of Rusty and Gem's, although I don't have their book to read. I think some people will love it, but it just didn't work for me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 13, 2025
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Hard to Hold (Black Ops Heros #1) in Books
Nov 9, 2017 (Updated Nov 9, 2017)
The action starts from the very first page when Anna nearly comes to a sticky end with a lorry, laying in the hospital her next of kin (according to her passport, that she hadn't changed) Nick, her ex husband comes strolling back into her life, it's a love hate relationship and Anna hasn't seen him in 5 years.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2017
Strong female characters (3 more)
Love Interest without a "damsel in distress"
Not too dark, and not too happy either
The most cohesive DCEU film to date
A Triumph for Women Everywhere (and the DCEU)
Gal Gadot is perfect. She kicks ass and looks great doing it, dominating every frame she inhabits. Thanks to Patty Jenkin's guiding hand, Gadot's iteration of Wonder Woman does so without becoming yet another one-dimensional sex symbol. The movie itself is the most cohesive and fun segment the DCEU has offered yet. Free of the glowering and overbearing lens Zack Snyder has placed over Superman and Batman, Wonder Woman touches on themes of hope and discovered humanity that were yet to be seen in DC's fledgling movie universe. Even if the story is a little basic, and a little reminiscent of Captain America: The First Avenger, it stands on its own two feet and puts up a good fight for two hours and twenty minutes.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Visionist in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was without a doubt a much different book than what I am used to reading. That is not a bad thing at all. This book tells the story of how 3 lives that seemed so separate suddenly crash together in very unexpected ways. The first is Polly a young girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is a worker & protector within her small, dysfunctional family. The next is Sister Charity. A young Shaker girl who holds a high esteem within her community until circumstances change & that changes in an instant. The last is Simon Pryor. A man who was forced into a position because he had tried to help out.
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
I love this book. There is a huge variety of large and small shapes, animals and flowers, ocean and sky. But they all go so well together, and they are all so fanciful with a touch of random goth. Upon first glance some of them look fairly normal, until you notice the little details hiding in the images, and they become something else entirely. Each of the designs are apparently pulled from the patterns in Tula’s different fabric lines. Each of the patterns are on the back of the page. (that being said, my quilting friends, check out Tula’s quilting books!)
The pages are perforated for easy removal, and are blank on the back side. The paper is a bit thin though so you’d have to avoid markers or pens.
With more than 75 designs, this book will keep me busy for a while. I’m loving it so far! Recommended for all ages.
The pages are perforated for easy removal, and are blank on the back side. The paper is a bit thin though so you’d have to avoid markers or pens.
With more than 75 designs, this book will keep me busy for a while. I’m loving it so far! Recommended for all ages.
Chelsea (166 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
May 2, 2018
Keeps track of your books & dates you read them (3 more)
Allows you to set goals
Links with other social media to see what friends are reading/recommending
Offers book suggestions
I love this app. I didn't realize at first that you could actually use it as more than a book reviewing site. You can add books you have read, books you'd like to read, and books you are currently reading. You can choose the edition of the book you're reading so it keeps an accurate account of how far you've made it through the book. I also really like that it keeps track of the dates you read the book. The app is linked to other social media accounts so you can see what friends are reading or wanting to read and vice versa. Goodreads offers suggestions of what to read next or books that are popular in your favorite genres. Honestly have nothing bad to say about it!
Domonique (0 KP) rated The Maze Runner in Books
May 12, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! I first heard about it via the movie of course and then once I was able to get a copy from the library, I started it immediately. And I was hooked! I love to read books told from the perspective of teenagers because it always amaze s me how perceptive and curious they can be. Even though I knew Thomas was supposed to be the hero and save everyone, there were still a few things I didn't see coming: the truth about the maze for one thing, where the kids came from and how they ended up in the maze to begin with and just the lengths people were willing to go to save humanity. It really makes me think about what would happen if the world as we know it suddenly was hit by a natural disaster that killed millions and created disease. How would we survive? It certainly makes you think and find out what happens next!