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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Nearness of You in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Suzette and Hyland have a happy marriage and a busy life when Hyland surprises his wife with the news that he really wants a child. Married fifteen years, children had always been off the table, as Suzette did not want to pass on the genes of her mother, a woman who gave Suzette a horrifying and unstable childhood and eventually wound up in a mental institution. But Hyland proposes a new solution: what if they use a surrogate, with his sperm and a surrogate's egg? Suzette, a busy and successful heart surgeon, reluctantly agrees. Even though there are some red flags, the couple eventually chooses young Dorrie, a woman who wants to use the surrogate fees to go to college. Dorrie and Hyland bond, and Suzette realizes she must get on board with the idea. But soon Dorrie will make some decisions that will affect everyone in this new trio.
I am a bit conflicted about this novel. Ward wrote [book:The Same Sky|22716408], which is a beautiful novel and one everyone should read in this current political climate. It's hard not to compare others to that magical book, and this one did fall short. She does, however, have a way of weaving stories with her words, and while I wasn't nearly as attached to the characters in this novel, I still found myself reading the last half of the book somewhat compulsively.
The novel started out slow, but picked up about 1/4 through, with a twist in the plot. It's told from a shifting rotation of perspectives, including Suzette, Dorrie, and Hyland. There are some large shifts in time as the novel progresses, which did make it harder to attach to some of the characters. None of the plot twists are exactly surprise, as they are foreshadowed a bit in each character's description: this is more of a character-driven novel versus a shocking dramatic novel. Still, even though I tore through the last half of the novel, I just felt the book lacked something, and I felt a tad let down by a story and characters that weren't completely fully developed (the ending is a bit abrupt as well). I enjoyed the perspectives on motherhood that the novel offered, but felt there could be more. That's not to say the novel isn't worth reading; Ward is a wonderful writer, but I just felt a little perplexed and frustrated when this one ended. I had hoped for more.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 02/21/2017.
I am a bit conflicted about this novel. Ward wrote [book:The Same Sky|22716408], which is a beautiful novel and one everyone should read in this current political climate. It's hard not to compare others to that magical book, and this one did fall short. She does, however, have a way of weaving stories with her words, and while I wasn't nearly as attached to the characters in this novel, I still found myself reading the last half of the book somewhat compulsively.
The novel started out slow, but picked up about 1/4 through, with a twist in the plot. It's told from a shifting rotation of perspectives, including Suzette, Dorrie, and Hyland. There are some large shifts in time as the novel progresses, which did make it harder to attach to some of the characters. None of the plot twists are exactly surprise, as they are foreshadowed a bit in each character's description: this is more of a character-driven novel versus a shocking dramatic novel. Still, even though I tore through the last half of the novel, I just felt the book lacked something, and I felt a tad let down by a story and characters that weren't completely fully developed (the ending is a bit abrupt as well). I enjoyed the perspectives on motherhood that the novel offered, but felt there could be more. That's not to say the novel isn't worth reading; Ward is a wonderful writer, but I just felt a little perplexed and frustrated when this one ended. I had hoped for more.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 02/21/2017.
Kaz (232 KP) rated The Diving-bell and the Butterfly in Books
May 15, 2019
Being only 139 pages, this book may be short, but the impact it had, was enormous. This is an extraordinary memoir of a man who had a stroke and was left unable to move or talk. He dictated this novel to someone, using eye movements to indicate letters on an alphabetic board.
Whilst this book doesn't have a linear story as such, this is a beautifully written novel about the writer's day to day experiences in the hospital he is being treated in and, in the most mundane or saddest moments, there is humour and insight. This is a very interesting and poetic novel.
My Rating ****
Whilst this book doesn't have a linear story as such, this is a beautifully written novel about the writer's day to day experiences in the hospital he is being treated in and, in the most mundane or saddest moments, there is humour and insight. This is a very interesting and poetic novel.
My Rating ****
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty (Sleeping Beauty, #1) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Anne Rice has a beautiful way with words. This is definitely a BDSM novel. It deals with submission, domination, bondage, masochism etc.
If you're looking for a novel along the lines of "Fifty Shades" you may not want to read this. I say that because "Fifty Shades" eases you into the idea, this book smacks you in the face with it.
This was a fascinating book. I found myself horrified and curious while reading this book. It forces you to look at society. I found myself enthralled with this novel. I couldn't help but read this book with a psychological approach. It was truly entertaining and fascinating.
If you're looking for a novel along the lines of "Fifty Shades" you may not want to read this. I say that because "Fifty Shades" eases you into the idea, this book smacks you in the face with it.
This was a fascinating book. I found myself horrified and curious while reading this book. It forces you to look at society. I found myself enthralled with this novel. I couldn't help but read this book with a psychological approach. It was truly entertaining and fascinating.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Hounded in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I would really only give this novel 3 1/2 stars.
I really wasn't all that impressed with this novel. I felt that there was very little imagery in the novel. The descriptions were very poorly done in my opinion. I will say that I found the plot line very interesting and found myself wanting to learn more about the characters, even though I found them to be depthless.
I think this was a good start to a series. I am not sure if I will continue on in the series. I guess if I'm looking for a quick read I might pick up the next in the series.
I really wasn't all that impressed with this novel. I felt that there was very little imagery in the novel. The descriptions were very poorly done in my opinion. I will say that I found the plot line very interesting and found myself wanting to learn more about the characters, even though I found them to be depthless.
I think this was a good start to a series. I am not sure if I will continue on in the series. I guess if I'm looking for a quick read I might pick up the next in the series.
David McK (3676 KP) rated Reliquary (Pendergast, #2) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
This is Lincoln Preston's (collaboration of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child) sequel to their earlier novel <i>Relic</i>.
As befits any sequel, the canvas is larger this time around, with the novel set in (and below) the entirety of Manhattan rather than just in Manhattan's Museum on Natural History (where <i>Relic</i> was set). It seems there are monsters in the sewers now ...
The novel also pretty much the same cast as the earlier book (Dr Frock, Margo Green, Bill Smithback, Lieutenant D'Agosta and Special Agent Pendergast), not all of whom who are who they appear to be, and is indeed a pretty gripping read!
As befits any sequel, the canvas is larger this time around, with the novel set in (and below) the entirety of Manhattan rather than just in Manhattan's Museum on Natural History (where <i>Relic</i> was set). It seems there are monsters in the sewers now ...
The novel also pretty much the same cast as the earlier book (Dr Frock, Margo Green, Bill Smithback, Lieutenant D'Agosta and Special Agent Pendergast), not all of whom who are who they appear to be, and is indeed a pretty gripping read!
David McK (3676 KP) rated Heat Stroke (Weather Warden, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
At the end of the previous book ('Ill Wind'), weather warden Joanne Baldwin had died and been reborn as a Djinn (or Genie).
What follows in this not only expands on the background story of that first novel, but is also told from a unique perspective: from the point of view of a Djinn, rather than as a mere mortal. Setting itself up nicely for the next book in the series, I actually found this to be both faster (I read it in two days flat) and more enjoyable than the previous novel - no mean feat as that novel was also a very enjoyable read.
What follows in this not only expands on the background story of that first novel, but is also told from a unique perspective: from the point of view of a Djinn, rather than as a mere mortal. Setting itself up nicely for the next book in the series, I actually found this to be both faster (I read it in two days flat) and more enjoyable than the previous novel - no mean feat as that novel was also a very enjoyable read.
The Changing Earth Podcast, Survival Fiction & Fact
7.0
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Podcast
Stories bring meaning to facts and that's what this podcast is all about. The Changing Earth Podcast...
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
7.9
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Book
re You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a 1970 book by Judy Blume, typically categorized as a young...
The Ipcress File
Book
Len Deighton's classic first novel, whose protagonist is a nameless spy - later christened Harry...