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Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power
9.0
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Sixteenth-century Europe: Renaissance masters paint the ceilings of Florentine churches, kings...
Non-fiction France Spain Scotland England 16th Century Europe
Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen
10.0
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Elizabeth I is one of England's most famous monarchs, whose story as the ‘Virgin Queen’ is well...
ClareR (5955 KP) rated Hard By A Great Forest in Books
Mar 10, 2024
I turned the last page of Hard by a Great Forest by Leo Vardiashvili, and felt like my heart had been well and truly put through the wringer. This is going to be one of those books - you know the ones: this book has broken my heart and destroyed me - here! You MUST read it!
Saba, his brother and father escaped the conflict in post-Communist Georgia when he was a child, leaving behind their mother because they couldn’t afford the bribes. Saba’s father never recovers from having to leave her behind, and when things in Georgia start to settle down more, he returns there. However he goes missing, Saba’s brother goes to look for him and he goes missing too. So Saba goes to look for them both.
Saba’s head is full of the voices of his past, people who are no longer living and stories that his mother used to tell him. His brother leaves Saba a paper trail of clues, including the play that their father wrote, and parts of fairy stories and Shakespeare quotations from their childhood.
This is an emotional novel. There’s the constant feeling of being watched, danger is around every corner. The police are corrupt, and you don’t know if friends are really friends or working for the police.
Saba’s journey is both cathartic and dangerous. It takes him and his friend into the danger zone through a military blockade. It was so tense. Throughout, Saba has to deal with the trauma of his childhood and it’s impact on his adult life. He may have survived the war, but will he survive the trauma and the quest to find his father?
I loved this. I was rooting for Saba throughout, and I feel that I learnt a lot about what has happened in Georgia (considering I knew nothing beforehand). It’s wonderful book.
Saba, his brother and father escaped the conflict in post-Communist Georgia when he was a child, leaving behind their mother because they couldn’t afford the bribes. Saba’s father never recovers from having to leave her behind, and when things in Georgia start to settle down more, he returns there. However he goes missing, Saba’s brother goes to look for him and he goes missing too. So Saba goes to look for them both.
Saba’s head is full of the voices of his past, people who are no longer living and stories that his mother used to tell him. His brother leaves Saba a paper trail of clues, including the play that their father wrote, and parts of fairy stories and Shakespeare quotations from their childhood.
This is an emotional novel. There’s the constant feeling of being watched, danger is around every corner. The police are corrupt, and you don’t know if friends are really friends or working for the police.
Saba’s journey is both cathartic and dangerous. It takes him and his friend into the danger zone through a military blockade. It was so tense. Throughout, Saba has to deal with the trauma of his childhood and it’s impact on his adult life. He may have survived the war, but will he survive the trauma and the quest to find his father?
I loved this. I was rooting for Saba throughout, and I feel that I learnt a lot about what has happened in Georgia (considering I knew nothing beforehand). It’s wonderful book.
Lindsay (1774 KP) rated Too Hurt to Stay in Books
Aug 14, 2025
We are introduced to Casey and her family at the beginning, and we learn that she was on a break when she received a call.
That call seems to be from John, who is a link to some of the children who need help.
But will Casey and Mike take on this little boy?
We see a boy named Spencer and his way of life. We see he is polite and friendly. However, that may not be all it seems.
We see Spencer having a side, but he seems to be stealing and taking. However, there is a hole in their bedroom where he is sleeping. What is the cause of Spencer's behaviour?
We see a bit more of Spencer and his behavior. He seems to follow the rules. However, he also has a habit of stealing and taking things that belong to others.
What could be causing the home to do this? And Why? We see more of Riley and her two children. We also see Kerion and his girlfriend, Lauren. Kerion seems to have Asperger's. I'm not sure if we can find that out in one of the author's earlier books. It was a surprise mention in this book.
When Spencer School calls and finds that Spencer may be stealing, I can understand Kieron when he is a bit upset.
Well, we see what Spencer is up to, and he gets a little weekend away. However, its antics and behavior seem to come to a sudden halt.
When he goes to visit this family, something is off about his mother. And when they come back to get him. He's gone, where did he go, and what about his mother not stopping him? Though Casey may have found something of interest when they came to the door. They want to talk to Kerry's husband. What's going to be like?
That call seems to be from John, who is a link to some of the children who need help.
But will Casey and Mike take on this little boy?
We see a boy named Spencer and his way of life. We see he is polite and friendly. However, that may not be all it seems.
We see Spencer having a side, but he seems to be stealing and taking. However, there is a hole in their bedroom where he is sleeping. What is the cause of Spencer's behaviour?
We see a bit more of Spencer and his behavior. He seems to follow the rules. However, he also has a habit of stealing and taking things that belong to others.
What could be causing the home to do this? And Why? We see more of Riley and her two children. We also see Kerion and his girlfriend, Lauren. Kerion seems to have Asperger's. I'm not sure if we can find that out in one of the author's earlier books. It was a surprise mention in this book.
When Spencer School calls and finds that Spencer may be stealing, I can understand Kieron when he is a bit upset.
Well, we see what Spencer is up to, and he gets a little weekend away. However, its antics and behavior seem to come to a sudden halt.
When he goes to visit this family, something is off about his mother. And when they come back to get him. He's gone, where did he go, and what about his mother not stopping him? Though Casey may have found something of interest when they came to the door. They want to talk to Kerry's husband. What's going to be like?
The title says it all, on which side will you STAND?
I have loved this book from the first moment I picked it up and couldn't put it down, over 20 years ago . How could you not love a epic novel about the end of the world and the fight between good and evil? The characters are so very human, just a few on the side of good, the matriach, the unwed mother, the good ol' boy, the deaf mute, the judge, the soul singer. The demon/devil, ex-con, former cop, party girl, crazy arsonist are just a few on the dark side. They survive the plague and then have to take a "stand" (and pick a side) and survive the war between good and evil.
SummerLGrant (185 KP) rated Top of the Lake - Season 1 in TV
Aug 1, 2017
Build up of the story (3 more)
Setting
Elizabeth Moss
Brilliant support cast
A slow burner
A fantastic but disturbing story about a small town in New Zealand, following Robin Griffin as she returns home to visit her ill mother but is pulled onto a case when a 12-year-old girl is found (alive) in a lake. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout and there's an intensity that's slowly bubbling away.
At times it does get a bit slow and at the beginning it can be hard to get into, but the brilliant cast of actors - led by the absolutely fantastic Elizabeth Moss - keep it going and turn it into something brilliant. Some of the characters are disturbing but believable and it winds up to an eventful finale.
At times it does get a bit slow and at the beginning it can be hard to get into, but the brilliant cast of actors - led by the absolutely fantastic Elizabeth Moss - keep it going and turn it into something brilliant. Some of the characters are disturbing but believable and it winds up to an eventful finale.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Three Daughters of Eve in Books
Sep 17, 2017
Wonderfully weaved story of past and present life
Elik Shafak has a beautiful way of writing very delicate narratives. In this case, it's a story about an indecisive Turkish woman reminiscing about her past mistakes and confusions, attempting to reconcile her faith and her disbelief at every given turn.
She is now a housewife with children, when she vowed never to be such, and she has issues with her religion and questioning her belief after living between a devoutly Muslim mother and a secular father. These issues rise up again when she studies a "God" seminar at Oxford and she is pitted against her atheist Iranian friend, her Muslim housemate and her enigmatic older professor.
It is a remarkably contemporary story, weaving political attributes and current affairs. Intriguing but could have a been a little shorter.
She is now a housewife with children, when she vowed never to be such, and she has issues with her religion and questioning her belief after living between a devoutly Muslim mother and a secular father. These issues rise up again when she studies a "God" seminar at Oxford and she is pitted against her atheist Iranian friend, her Muslim housemate and her enigmatic older professor.
It is a remarkably contemporary story, weaving political attributes and current affairs. Intriguing but could have a been a little shorter.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Magic Hour in Books
May 25, 2018
I have read a lot of Kristin Hannah's books, loved them all, and this one definitely did not disappoint.
This book was well written, and the flow of the story was very satisfying. It's a wonderful, magical story about the love between several pairs/groups: mother and child, father and child, two sisters, and some long-time friends. There was just enough mystery to keep me intrigued and engrossed in the story, and Julia's relationships were well-crafted and beautifully developed.
I did get into the story a little slower than most of her books, I think because the character development was a bit more complicated than others - but I'm OK with that. Once I got into it, it was hard to stop! It's definitely a great romantic beach read and a wonderful escape from reality that I enjoyed very much.
This book was well written, and the flow of the story was very satisfying. It's a wonderful, magical story about the love between several pairs/groups: mother and child, father and child, two sisters, and some long-time friends. There was just enough mystery to keep me intrigued and engrossed in the story, and Julia's relationships were well-crafted and beautifully developed.
I did get into the story a little slower than most of her books, I think because the character development was a bit more complicated than others - but I'm OK with that. Once I got into it, it was hard to stop! It's definitely a great romantic beach read and a wonderful escape from reality that I enjoyed very much.
Lindsay (1774 KP) rated Asia's New Wings in Books
Apr 9, 2019
This is a lovely book. It shows how her parents dealt with their little girls death. It shows the process of how each person who loved Asia began healing.
It also helps other parents who had to deal with loss. What a way to celebrate a child's life in the best way. It talks about the foundation they created in her name.
It references Asia saying's though out the book. It surely amazing that what Asia said to her parents or mother came true as Asia had known she be leaving this world.
I really enjoyed it. It sure has the history of that day. It tells the story of September 11, 2001. It is told in a way a parent loses someone special. The children are more loss to any parents and this book is meant to help them deal with it.
It also helps other parents who had to deal with loss. What a way to celebrate a child's life in the best way. It talks about the foundation they created in her name.
It references Asia saying's though out the book. It surely amazing that what Asia said to her parents or mother came true as Asia had known she be leaving this world.
I really enjoyed it. It sure has the history of that day. It tells the story of September 11, 2001. It is told in a way a parent loses someone special. The children are more loss to any parents and this book is meant to help them deal with it.
Lindsay (1774 KP) rated Terry Treetop and The Little Bear in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Children will learns the signs up spring in this book. Terry spots little bear in his backyard. He wants to play with this little bear. Mother bear calls her little cub back to the woods. Something goes wrong. Will Terry be able to help?
Boys and girls will learn about the bears and their habitats. They will also learn about spring as well. The picture are done well once again. The author will learn though this book. The story is also quite quick read. Young readers will be able to read this book themselves. They also can learn about the environment and the world around them.
It enjoyable read. It also an even good for parents to read to their children. Children can have an adventure and learn to help and learn to make new friends.
Boys and girls will learn about the bears and their habitats. They will also learn about spring as well. The picture are done well once again. The author will learn though this book. The story is also quite quick read. Young readers will be able to read this book themselves. They also can learn about the environment and the world around them.
It enjoyable read. It also an even good for parents to read to their children. Children can have an adventure and learn to help and learn to make new friends.