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The Book of Numbers
Jiu Ding and Tianxing Cai
Book
Natural numbers are the oldest human inventions. This volume describes their nature, laws, history...
Merissa (13319 KP) rated Smart Ass (The SPARK Files, #2) in Books
Oct 16, 2023
SMART ASS is the second book in The SPARK Files and it is just as good as the first. It also covers the same (ish) time period, so I definitely recommend you read Book 1 before this one.
Now then, Smart Ass. We met Ben in Evan and Quincy's story, but now we really get to know him. Him and Max. What a couple they are! Max is what is known as a Knowledge - a Spark without a body. Max is nothing if not inventive though and manages to make things work as is, much to Ben's delight. I loved reading about how their relationship worked, and the questions they both had, whilst neither of them gave up on the other. That last message? Gah, killed me!
This is not as light and fluffy as Garbage was, but it's absolutely amazing in its own right! I love that it was different and I really REALLY can't wait to see what comes next. Garbage was the first book by this author I had read. Now, they are a One-Click Author!
I really can't recommend this highly enough! Sheer perfection.
** 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!
Oct 16, 2023
Now then, Smart Ass. We met Ben in Evan and Quincy's story, but now we really get to know him. Him and Max. What a couple they are! Max is what is known as a Knowledge - a Spark without a body. Max is nothing if not inventive though and manages to make things work as is, much to Ben's delight. I loved reading about how their relationship worked, and the questions they both had, whilst neither of them gave up on the other. That last message? Gah, killed me!
This is not as light and fluffy as Garbage was, but it's absolutely amazing in its own right! I love that it was different and I really REALLY can't wait to see what comes next. Garbage was the first book by this author I had read. Now, they are a One-Click Author!
I really can't recommend this highly enough! Sheer perfection.
** 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!
Oct 16, 2023
Midge (525 KP) rated The First Time I Died in Books
Feb 4, 2019
Captivating An Engaging
I was completely (and unexpectedly) bowled over by this book! Why you might ask? It leapt out at me to be read as it is a thriller which is one of my favourite genres. My enjoyment was unexpected as I am usually wary of anything to do with the paranormal, but not on this occasion. It is not a crime novel where the reader is buried under loads of supernatural information. The thriller and mystery parts are well interwoven along with the paranormal aspects and as a result, I was hooked from the very beginning!
Garnet McGee returns to her home-town in Pitchford, Vermont, at the suggestion of her college professor, who thinks she needs some time away from her studies so that she can re-evaluate what she wants to do with her life. Whilst there, she vows to solve the mystery of a murder which shattered her life ten years ago. But after dying in an accident and being brought back to life, she starts hearing voices, seeing visions and experiencing strange sensations. Are these merely symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and an over-active imagination, or is she getting messages from a paranormal presence?
This is the first of Jo Macgregor’s novels I have read and as always when reading a mystery, I started guessing who the main suspect was. Well, I was wrong because it was someone else…
THE FIRST TIME I DIED is unusual in that I had imagined that it would be about Garnet's death, but it was, in fact mostly about someone else’s. I found that this gave the novel an edge that was both engaging and enjoyable. I found it easy to empathise with Garnet and I wanted her to succeed in what she was looking to achieve.
I loved Jo Macgregor’s writing style and some of her descriptions in the novel were so atmospheric, especially those about Plover Pond. The first half of the novel is written in alternating chapters of time, giving the reader clarity, which really worked for me. "Then" referred to a time period of ten years ago, when Garnet was a seventeen-year-old schoolgirl.
Jo Macgregor brought everything together for a fabulous conclusion even though I never did manage to accurately guess who was behind the murder. I haven’t got anything negative thing to say about this book. I loved it and it has left me eager to read more from this author. THE FIRST TIME I DIED is an exciting and action-packed crime/thriller that I highly recommend.
Thank you to Hidden Gems and the author for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
Garnet McGee returns to her home-town in Pitchford, Vermont, at the suggestion of her college professor, who thinks she needs some time away from her studies so that she can re-evaluate what she wants to do with her life. Whilst there, she vows to solve the mystery of a murder which shattered her life ten years ago. But after dying in an accident and being brought back to life, she starts hearing voices, seeing visions and experiencing strange sensations. Are these merely symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and an over-active imagination, or is she getting messages from a paranormal presence?
This is the first of Jo Macgregor’s novels I have read and as always when reading a mystery, I started guessing who the main suspect was. Well, I was wrong because it was someone else…
THE FIRST TIME I DIED is unusual in that I had imagined that it would be about Garnet's death, but it was, in fact mostly about someone else’s. I found that this gave the novel an edge that was both engaging and enjoyable. I found it easy to empathise with Garnet and I wanted her to succeed in what she was looking to achieve.
I loved Jo Macgregor’s writing style and some of her descriptions in the novel were so atmospheric, especially those about Plover Pond. The first half of the novel is written in alternating chapters of time, giving the reader clarity, which really worked for me. "Then" referred to a time period of ten years ago, when Garnet was a seventeen-year-old schoolgirl.
Jo Macgregor brought everything together for a fabulous conclusion even though I never did manage to accurately guess who was behind the murder. I haven’t got anything negative thing to say about this book. I loved it and it has left me eager to read more from this author. THE FIRST TIME I DIED is an exciting and action-packed crime/thriller that I highly recommend.
Thank you to Hidden Gems and the author for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
There Must be Evil: The Life and Murderous Career of Elizabeth Berry
8.0
Rate It
Book
In 1887, Elizabeth Berry, an attractive young nurse from the grim Oldham workhouse, found notoriety...
Meatspace
Book
The second novel from Costa First Novel Award shortlisted author Nikesh Shukla. 'The first and last...
The Magic of Terry Pratchett
9.0
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Book
About The Magic of Terry Pratchett The Magic Of Terry Pratchett is the first full biography of Sir...
Discworld Terry Pratchett Biography
David McK (3623 KP) rated The Protector (William Falkland #2) in Books
Jul 3, 2022
This is the second - and, to date, last - of S.J. Deas's William Falkland series (after The Royalist, at the end of which, and having discharged his investigative duties to Cromwell, William Falkland returned home in search of his wife and family.
As this starts, he has yet to find them.
It's into far into the novel before Cromwell again pulls Falkland into his orbit, offering his (and, by extension, Parliament's) help in discovering just what happened to Falkland's family and where they may be (perhaps in Oxford, the King's new capital?) as the First Civil War draws to a close - help that is, of course, contingent upon Falkland again carrying out an investigation for Cromwell: this time into just what happened to the sister of a prominent supporter of Parliament who has disappeared (abducted?): one Anne Agar, this sister of John Milton.
Yes, that John Milton. The author of Paradise Lost. Although that is never once mentioned here - I think (am nearly sure that) the setting here may be before he wrote that poem.
Once again, the narrative is told in the first-person view, with - once again - a warts-and-all picture given of life at the time, and with Falkland being both incredibly astute and incredibly blind at the same time! In other words, coming across as a 'real' person rather than as a literary construct.
I'm now going to go on record as saying: more, please!
As this starts, he has yet to find them.
It's into far into the novel before Cromwell again pulls Falkland into his orbit, offering his (and, by extension, Parliament's) help in discovering just what happened to Falkland's family and where they may be (perhaps in Oxford, the King's new capital?) as the First Civil War draws to a close - help that is, of course, contingent upon Falkland again carrying out an investigation for Cromwell: this time into just what happened to the sister of a prominent supporter of Parliament who has disappeared (abducted?): one Anne Agar, this sister of John Milton.
Yes, that John Milton. The author of Paradise Lost. Although that is never once mentioned here - I think (am nearly sure that) the setting here may be before he wrote that poem.
Once again, the narrative is told in the first-person view, with - once again - a warts-and-all picture given of life at the time, and with Falkland being both incredibly astute and incredibly blind at the same time! In other words, coming across as a 'real' person rather than as a literary construct.
I'm now going to go on record as saying: more, please!
You Know Me Well
David Levithan and Nina Lacour
6.5
Rate It
Book
Who knows you well? Your best friend? Your boyfriend or girlfriend? A stranger you meet on a crazy...
Debbiereadsbook (1539 KP) rated Rock Crush and Roll in Books
Jun 2, 2024
not overly explicit but very steamy in places!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
From what I can see, this is a debut author, and I enjoyed this!
Tyler has crushed on Cary for some time. And Cary has crushed on Tyler too, but they work together, sorta, and Tyler has a strict no musicians rule after being hurt badly by one. But with very little effort, they start to see the person behind the mask, and
maybe, just maybe, Tyler can find her Happy Ever After.
This is cute, it really is. I liked that Tyler and Cary knew each other for a long time before they started a relationship. I liked that both of them fell fast and hard. I liked that Cary tried to spoil Tyler, but she managed to not let him get away with too
much.
It’s not overly explicit, but it does get steamy in places. Just the right amount for these two, I think.
Both Cary and Tyler have a say in the third person, The change usually occurs as the chapter changes, but sometimes in the middle. Each change is clearly headed and I liked that.
Lots and LOTS of one liners from well-known songs (each with the artist named too) and some not so well known to me. Didn’t take anything away from the story, but I found myself trying to spot them all! And then to proceed to sing said song in my head til I
came across the next one!
I struggled a bit with the workings of the music industry and found Tyler’s boss a slimeball, but he does get his comeuppence!
A great start from this author. When I come across a new (or new to me) author, my first question is always “Do I want to read more by this author?” and my answer here is a resounding “yes!”
So cute, and warm and fuzzies and a good solid 3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
From what I can see, this is a debut author, and I enjoyed this!
Tyler has crushed on Cary for some time. And Cary has crushed on Tyler too, but they work together, sorta, and Tyler has a strict no musicians rule after being hurt badly by one. But with very little effort, they start to see the person behind the mask, and
maybe, just maybe, Tyler can find her Happy Ever After.
This is cute, it really is. I liked that Tyler and Cary knew each other for a long time before they started a relationship. I liked that both of them fell fast and hard. I liked that Cary tried to spoil Tyler, but she managed to not let him get away with too
much.
It’s not overly explicit, but it does get steamy in places. Just the right amount for these two, I think.
Both Cary and Tyler have a say in the third person, The change usually occurs as the chapter changes, but sometimes in the middle. Each change is clearly headed and I liked that.
Lots and LOTS of one liners from well-known songs (each with the artist named too) and some not so well known to me. Didn’t take anything away from the story, but I found myself trying to spot them all! And then to proceed to sing said song in my head til I
came across the next one!
I struggled a bit with the workings of the music industry and found Tyler’s boss a slimeball, but he does get his comeuppence!
A great start from this author. When I come across a new (or new to me) author, my first question is always “Do I want to read more by this author?” and my answer here is a resounding “yes!”
So cute, and warm and fuzzies and a good solid 3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Just Culture: Balancing Safety and Accountability
Book
Building on the success of the 2007 original, Dekker revises, enhances and expands his view of just...