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One with Others: A Little Book of Her Days
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C.D. Wright's work is enormously varied: she is an experimental writer, a Southern writer, and a...
Midnight Tides
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The fifth awesome tale in Erikson's epic Malazan Book of the Fallen fantasy sequence After...
Merissa (12058 KP) rated Haunting You (Bewitching Women #2) in Books
Apr 12, 2023
It is bad enough trying to pass exams at the best of times, let alone when it is the Bar exam and you're being distracted by an angry ghost. This is what happens to Rachel all the time. Since someone very close to her died and she helped him to move on, she can't stop seeing ghosts. She pretends like she can't but some are very persistent. Enter Ella, a control freak ghost who needs someone to keep an eye on her irresponsible brother who is looking after her two sons.
This story is fun from the very start, although that is not to say that it is all light and fluffy. There is a dark element to this that I won't go into too much detail about so I don't ruin the book. The sexual tension is between Rachel and August from the start and Nicholas and Zach are there to help things along too.
It is well-written with plenty to keep you interested page after page. The characters develop as the story moves on and one of my favourites was Nicholas. There is suspense, family obligation and pressure, humour, and nosy neighbours - what more could you want?
Definitely recommended.
* 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!
September 14, 2016
This story is fun from the very start, although that is not to say that it is all light and fluffy. There is a dark element to this that I won't go into too much detail about so I don't ruin the book. The sexual tension is between Rachel and August from the start and Nicholas and Zach are there to help things along too.
It is well-written with plenty to keep you interested page after page. The characters develop as the story moves on and one of my favourites was Nicholas. There is suspense, family obligation and pressure, humour, and nosy neighbours - what more could you want?
Definitely recommended.
* 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!
September 14, 2016
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Those People Next Door [Audiobook] in Books
Feb 5, 2023
![Those People Next Door [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/ace/be1b0c79-fb0f-4df3-8ef5-1dfcb9f41ace.jpg?m=1675610582)
This is a tense story of how one seemingly innocuous action can spiral out of control resulting in tragedy and heartache.
Salma, Bill and Zain move into their new home in the hopes of making a fresh start. The move has stretched them financially but they are determined to make the best of things and when they are invited to a barbecue in order to get to know their neighbours, things appear to be going well. However, when Zain's banner is removed from their front garden and dumped on their lawn by their neighbour, Tom, things quickly start to escalate culminating in a horrendous incident which leaves on of the characters in a coma and another standing trial for attempted murder.
This a really tense and, sadly, believable story of how misunderstandings, intolerance and lies can ruin lives. The characters aren't particularly likeable and this did mean that I actually didn't care what the outcome was for any of them but I did enjoy getting there and the twists and turns along the way!
The narrator, Tania Rodrigues, was excellent and really brought the story to life.
I have never read or listened to anything by Kia Abdullah before but I will certainly be keeping my beady eyes and ears open in the future and I must thank HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of Those People Next Door.
Salma, Bill and Zain move into their new home in the hopes of making a fresh start. The move has stretched them financially but they are determined to make the best of things and when they are invited to a barbecue in order to get to know their neighbours, things appear to be going well. However, when Zain's banner is removed from their front garden and dumped on their lawn by their neighbour, Tom, things quickly start to escalate culminating in a horrendous incident which leaves on of the characters in a coma and another standing trial for attempted murder.
This a really tense and, sadly, believable story of how misunderstandings, intolerance and lies can ruin lives. The characters aren't particularly likeable and this did mean that I actually didn't care what the outcome was for any of them but I did enjoy getting there and the twists and turns along the way!
The narrator, Tania Rodrigues, was excellent and really brought the story to life.
I have never read or listened to anything by Kia Abdullah before but I will certainly be keeping my beady eyes and ears open in the future and I must thank HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of Those People Next Door.
Merissa (12058 KP) rated Cross Current (Olympic Cove #4) in Books
Mar 3, 2021 (Updated Aug 2, 2023)
CROSS CURRENT is the fourth book in the Olympic Cove series, and we find ourselves back in the war against Thetis. Matt has just finalised his divorce and is having downtime before he returns to his teaching job. So imagine his surprise when three Selkies and a Mer turn up on his doorstep. Oh, and his neighbours are gods, by the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the individuality of having a pentad, and how it worked for them. However, I didn't have as much of a connection with Matt and the others, as I have had in previous books. As I've said, I enjoyed how their relationship worked for them, but being as Matt was with Fionn and Ailith, I don't feel like I knew Duncan or Ceit as much as I wanted to.
This book does move the overall story arc along, but you could also read it as a standalone, as it is pretty much self-explanatory. I think this is a good addition to the series, but it just didn't grab me as much as the others. I still highly recommend it though, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 3, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the individuality of having a pentad, and how it worked for them. However, I didn't have as much of a connection with Matt and the others, as I have had in previous books. As I've said, I enjoyed how their relationship worked for them, but being as Matt was with Fionn and Ailith, I don't feel like I knew Duncan or Ceit as much as I wanted to.
This book does move the overall story arc along, but you could also read it as a standalone, as it is pretty much self-explanatory. I think this is a good addition to the series, but it just didn't grab me as much as the others. I still highly recommend it though, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 3, 2021
Bethy (8 KP) rated To Kill a Mockingbird in Books
May 13, 2019
Set in 1930's America, yet timeless and relatable
If I told you this book is written from the viewpoint of a child you might think it to be immature and frivolous.
If you skimmed the surface a suppose you could see it that way - you're guided through the everyday life of Jean Louise and her family, playing with her brother, petty school issues and fights.
It's an easy read because we can all relate to this little tom boy, from getting annoyed at being told what to wear, getting muddy in the yard, being excited about cake baked by the neighbours.
You find yourself rolling along with the kids, enjoying some nostalgia, only to realise an abundance of adult issues have been cleverly addressed throughout, racism, segregation, nazis, rape, death, drug abuse, isolation and loss.
The more you consider this concept, the more you realise how well written this book is! You feel safe, you are with the innocent and constantly told "it's not time to worry yet", all the while you are facing some of the worst human kind has to offer.
When you realise this you are left with a longing for the naivety of the young, an admiration for their ability to have everything made better with curling up on your father's lap and actually believing someone when they say "it's not time to worry yet".
Despite the adult content and melancholy, this book leaves you feeling warm and hopeful for the human condition.
If you skimmed the surface a suppose you could see it that way - you're guided through the everyday life of Jean Louise and her family, playing with her brother, petty school issues and fights.
It's an easy read because we can all relate to this little tom boy, from getting annoyed at being told what to wear, getting muddy in the yard, being excited about cake baked by the neighbours.
You find yourself rolling along with the kids, enjoying some nostalgia, only to realise an abundance of adult issues have been cleverly addressed throughout, racism, segregation, nazis, rape, death, drug abuse, isolation and loss.
The more you consider this concept, the more you realise how well written this book is! You feel safe, you are with the innocent and constantly told "it's not time to worry yet", all the while you are facing some of the worst human kind has to offer.
When you realise this you are left with a longing for the naivety of the young, an admiration for their ability to have everything made better with curling up on your father's lap and actually believing someone when they say "it's not time to worry yet".
Despite the adult content and melancholy, this book leaves you feeling warm and hopeful for the human condition.
Louise (64 KP) rated After Alice in Books
Jul 2, 2018
After Alice by Gregory Maguire is told from two alternating point of views, we hear from Ada who is briefly mentioned in Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll as one of Alice’s friends and from her older sister Lydia. Ada is setting off to deliver a package to her neighbours when she manages to escape the clutches of her housekeeper and accidentally falls into the world of Wonderland, and so, begins her mission to find Alice.
I thought this was going to be more of a retelling when I requested it, but it’s more of a sequel from other perspectives. Lydia’s point of view gives more of a background into their family life and the Victorian society, with even some famous names added into the mix.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and was hoping this would have a bit of a spin on it. The writing is very ‘Wordy’ so be prepared to get a dictionary out and the world building was a bit wishy washy, some bits were good and others I just couldn’t imagine. As well as the normal characters like the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat there were additional characters added, which was interesting and they felt right in the world of Wonderland.
I was very bored reading this book and it seemed all a bit pointless,I was expecting so much more from the man who created Wicked!
I rated this 2 out of 5 stars
I thought this was going to be more of a retelling when I requested it, but it’s more of a sequel from other perspectives. Lydia’s point of view gives more of a background into their family life and the Victorian society, with even some famous names added into the mix.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and was hoping this would have a bit of a spin on it. The writing is very ‘Wordy’ so be prepared to get a dictionary out and the world building was a bit wishy washy, some bits were good and others I just couldn’t imagine. As well as the normal characters like the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat there were additional characters added, which was interesting and they felt right in the world of Wonderland.
I was very bored reading this book and it seemed all a bit pointless,I was expecting so much more from the man who created Wicked!
I rated this 2 out of 5 stars
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