Search
Search results
Win or Learn: Mma, Conor Mcgregor and Me: A Trainer's Journey
Book
Conor McGregor's trainer tells the amazing story of his long road to success in the world's...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Where the Crawdads Sing in Books
Aug 12, 2021
A haunting story of survival
Kya Clark is very young when her mother leaves, abandoning her to their marshland home and her violent father. His presence is in her life is scattered, at best, and Kya mostly raises herself, learning about the land, the wildlife, and the swamp on her own. She forms attachment to few, but meets two very different young men from town whom she feels drawn to. In 1969, one of those men is found dead and Kya--always a source of gossip among the locals--is the prime suspect.
I'm not sure there's much I can add to the many reviews of this popular book. I read it as part of my new reading project--choosing books off my shelves based on their Goodreads rankings. This is my third book of the project, forcing me out of my comfort zone and to try books in genres I don't usually read! I'm glad I finally read it-- it's a very mesmerizing tale, and Kya's improbable life on the marsh quickly drew me in.
This is part a character-driven and coming of age story combined with a mystery and courtroom drama. It covers a lot of Kya's life, but focuses on her growing up in the marsh. There's a lot that seems hard to believe--especially that no one does anything to help this parent-less child, growing up alone in the marsh. The book covers a lot of heady topics, including racism, sexual assault, and more. Its description of nature and the marsh are beautiful. At the heart of the story is Kya, and it's impossible not to root for our heroine. She's tough and smart, and the way she loves her marsh is simply beautiful.
Overall, rating on pure enjoyment, I really liked this book. If I don't delve too deep into pondering about the inner workings of the plot, this was a great read--mesmerizing, haunting, and lovely. 4+ stars.
I'm not sure there's much I can add to the many reviews of this popular book. I read it as part of my new reading project--choosing books off my shelves based on their Goodreads rankings. This is my third book of the project, forcing me out of my comfort zone and to try books in genres I don't usually read! I'm glad I finally read it-- it's a very mesmerizing tale, and Kya's improbable life on the marsh quickly drew me in.
This is part a character-driven and coming of age story combined with a mystery and courtroom drama. It covers a lot of Kya's life, but focuses on her growing up in the marsh. There's a lot that seems hard to believe--especially that no one does anything to help this parent-less child, growing up alone in the marsh. The book covers a lot of heady topics, including racism, sexual assault, and more. Its description of nature and the marsh are beautiful. At the heart of the story is Kya, and it's impossible not to root for our heroine. She's tough and smart, and the way she loves her marsh is simply beautiful.
Overall, rating on pure enjoyment, I really liked this book. If I don't delve too deep into pondering about the inner workings of the plot, this was a great read--mesmerizing, haunting, and lovely. 4+ stars.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Thirteenth Tale in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book is like several stories woven together - Margaret's story, Vida Winter's story, and the story that Vida tells to Margaret. There was so much to keep track of that I really took my time reading and digesting the book.
Before Margaret meets Vida, the reader learns about Margaret's childhood filled with books, growing up in an antique bookstore with a book trader for a father - so many things for a bookworm to envy! Her love of nineteenth century literature seeps through the pages of the book in subtle ways, and I doubt I picked up on all of the hints.
Vida draws Margaret into her world through secrets, ghosts, and promises of some greater truth. Margaret is suspicious enough of Vida's story to do her own investigative work into Vida's past, which reveals more secrets and ghosts, as she is also battling with her own personal ghost.
The "thirteenth tale" is the big mystery and hook for Margaret, and very little of the book is predictable, so I was just as surprised by how it all ends as Margaret is. Margaret's dedication to Vida' story and her past goes way beyond that of a simple biographer, and I can't help but root all her varied efforts in tying up all the loose ends before Vida expires.
The over-riding theme of the book is the duality of twins, which makes for a very interesting concept and plays into so many sub-plots throughout the book. Without giving it away, uncovering the big revelation is worth the 400-plus page read!
Before Margaret meets Vida, the reader learns about Margaret's childhood filled with books, growing up in an antique bookstore with a book trader for a father - so many things for a bookworm to envy! Her love of nineteenth century literature seeps through the pages of the book in subtle ways, and I doubt I picked up on all of the hints.
Vida draws Margaret into her world through secrets, ghosts, and promises of some greater truth. Margaret is suspicious enough of Vida's story to do her own investigative work into Vida's past, which reveals more secrets and ghosts, as she is also battling with her own personal ghost.
The "thirteenth tale" is the big mystery and hook for Margaret, and very little of the book is predictable, so I was just as surprised by how it all ends as Margaret is. Margaret's dedication to Vida' story and her past goes way beyond that of a simple biographer, and I can't help but root all her varied efforts in tying up all the loose ends before Vida expires.
The over-riding theme of the book is the duality of twins, which makes for a very interesting concept and plays into so many sub-plots throughout the book. Without giving it away, uncovering the big revelation is worth the 400-plus page read!
White Beech: The Rainforest Years
Book
One bright day in December 2001, sixty-two-year-old Germaine Greer found herself confronted by an...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2538 KP) rated Word to the Wise in Books
Mar 26, 2021 (Updated Mar 26, 2021)
Stalking Lindsey
It all starts innocently enough. Lindsey Norris is more than happy to help out Aaron Grady when he walks into the library asking for help with his roses. But when he begins to show up with roses to offer to her as a thank you, she begins to grow concerned. Despite repeated confrontations, Aaron doesn’t take no for an answer and shows up in places he doesn’t belong. Until he turns up dead behind the library. Lindsey’s fiancé, Sully, quickly becomes the prime suspect. Lindsey knows that Sully wouldn’t have killed Aaron despite the growing evidence. So, what is really going on?
This book is definitely a cozy with a thriller edge to it. It worked for this fan, and kept me glued to the book until I reached the very end. I did have a problem with how a couple of minor characters reacted to Lindsey’s situation, mainly because I found it unbelievable given their position. Then again, maybe it’s just wishful thinking that they’d react like I would in that situation. I did feel things were slowing down a tad at one point, but then the plot kicked into high gear and didn’t slow down again. All the series characters are here and are just as charming as usual. The new characters fit in well. We have the usual assortment of extras at the end of the book. This may be a more serious book, but we get some humor, and the two were balanced perfectly. Once again, this is a book that fans will enjoy.
This book is definitely a cozy with a thriller edge to it. It worked for this fan, and kept me glued to the book until I reached the very end. I did have a problem with how a couple of minor characters reacted to Lindsey’s situation, mainly because I found it unbelievable given their position. Then again, maybe it’s just wishful thinking that they’d react like I would in that situation. I did feel things were slowing down a tad at one point, but then the plot kicked into high gear and didn’t slow down again. All the series characters are here and are just as charming as usual. The new characters fit in well. We have the usual assortment of extras at the end of the book. This may be a more serious book, but we get some humor, and the two were balanced perfectly. Once again, this is a book that fans will enjoy.
Manifesto: On Never Giving Up
9.0
Rate It
Book
The powerful, urgent manifesto on never giving up from Booker prize-winning trailblazer, Bernardine...
Memoir Non Fiction Feminism Social Justice Race Writing
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Freak Show ( Harem of Freaks book 1) in Books
Jan 27, 2022
17 of 230
Kindle
Freak Show ( Harem of Freaks book 1)
By Crystal Ash
Who knew cages and freaks would set me free?
Growing up in trailer trash hell, the carnival was my only happy memory as a child. I held onto the magic of that memory until I could finally escape. And like Alice down the rabbit hole, I entered a world beyond my wildest dreams. A world with a shiny, colorful exterior, but filled with rot and corruption underneath.
But no matter what these people put me through, I can’t go back to my life before.
The man with the biggest secret is the only one I can trust. He’s dangerous, but he’s safety to me. He’s broken, but he put me back together. I’ll keep his secret. My heart hopes he’ll keep me. But in a hall of mirrors, how do you know what’s real or an illusion?
Every grueling night onstage is building up to a final show: The Wolf Man. Is he real or a hoax? Why do I feel such a pull to find out his truth?
Care to join me on this wild ride? Step right up.
I love this author she always manages to make me smile while reading. This was set in a carnival environment which I also love reading it had an unlikely hero that came through despite his disability a plucky heroine and some werewolf action what’s not to love? Definitely recommend it took me an hour to fly through as I couldn’t put it down.
Kindle
Freak Show ( Harem of Freaks book 1)
By Crystal Ash
Who knew cages and freaks would set me free?
Growing up in trailer trash hell, the carnival was my only happy memory as a child. I held onto the magic of that memory until I could finally escape. And like Alice down the rabbit hole, I entered a world beyond my wildest dreams. A world with a shiny, colorful exterior, but filled with rot and corruption underneath.
But no matter what these people put me through, I can’t go back to my life before.
The man with the biggest secret is the only one I can trust. He’s dangerous, but he’s safety to me. He’s broken, but he put me back together. I’ll keep his secret. My heart hopes he’ll keep me. But in a hall of mirrors, how do you know what’s real or an illusion?
Every grueling night onstage is building up to a final show: The Wolf Man. Is he real or a hoax? Why do I feel such a pull to find out his truth?
Care to join me on this wild ride? Step right up.
I love this author she always manages to make me smile while reading. This was set in a carnival environment which I also love reading it had an unlikely hero that came through despite his disability a plucky heroine and some werewolf action what’s not to love? Definitely recommend it took me an hour to fly through as I couldn’t put it down.
Twilight Heist (Outlaws #2)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Heist rule number two? Never fall for a lone wolf. A blast from Tuck’s circus past draws Tuck...
MM Romantic Suspense
If I Were A Weapon (All These Gifts #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
See the future. Set things on fire. Fall in love? A superpowered sci-fi romance. When dying alien...
Science Fiction FF Romance
Perry Larkin (8 KP) rated Rainbow by Kesha in Music
Dec 12, 2017
I wasn't sold on this album by my first listen, but with time every song grows on you as a favorite. Watching Kesha live really sold me a few songs I didn't understand. Learning that her mom is also a songwriter and that they wrote songs like Hymn together to talk about how Kesha felt growing up as an outsider gives a new appreciation. Praying is the anthem she needed to tell the world how she feels still waiting to triumph over her struggles. In a time of the "me too" wave, let's all just put on the song Woman and blast it. Boots and Boogie Feet are the songs a Kesha fan is looknig for when they want to shake it out and hit the dance floor. Learn To Let Go is also another anthem in Kesha's struggles, but it speaks to everyone for any daily pain or major life obstacle. Thank You Kesha, Rainbow in my top three albums of the year.