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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated As I Lay Dying in Books
Oct 25, 2017 (Updated Oct 25, 2017)
A timeless American classic
This is a classic among American literature - as with most of William Faulkner's novels, it can be hard work at times, but it is tragic, darkly funny and full of compelling characters.
It begins with the death and burial of Addie Bundren, the matriarch of the family. Members of the family narrate the story of carting the coffin to Jefferson, Mississippi, to bury her among her relatives. And as the intense desires, fears and rivalries of the family are revealed in the vernacular of the Deep South, Faulkner presents a portrait of extraordinary power.
The narrative, told from each character's perspective, yet often about the same event, left the reader to interpret the underlying motive or conflict of feelings within the Bundren family. It is intriguing but requires careful reading of the dense prose.
It begins with the death and burial of Addie Bundren, the matriarch of the family. Members of the family narrate the story of carting the coffin to Jefferson, Mississippi, to bury her among her relatives. And as the intense desires, fears and rivalries of the family are revealed in the vernacular of the Deep South, Faulkner presents a portrait of extraordinary power.
The narrative, told from each character's perspective, yet often about the same event, left the reader to interpret the underlying motive or conflict of feelings within the Bundren family. It is intriguing but requires careful reading of the dense prose.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Dust (Dust, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Dust by Joan Frances Turner
Genre: Adult fiction, Zombie
ISBN: 9780441019281
Pub date: September 7, 2010
Rating: DNF
Dust was a great idea, had great potential for a plot, and had great characters. But all I was reading were run-on sentences, fragments, and comma splices. Although I understand that writing novels allows for more creativity and independent writing style, I had trouble understanding it because it was so hard to read.
I hate not being able to give this book more than 35 pages (ARC) but in all honesty, a book that is hard to understand and frustrates me is not one I can enjoy anyway, no matter how good the story is.
Dust is published on September7th. Check out some other reviews before making a final opinion.
This review is copyright Haley Mathiot and Night Owl Reviews.
Genre: Adult fiction, Zombie
ISBN: 9780441019281
Pub date: September 7, 2010
Rating: DNF
Dust was a great idea, had great potential for a plot, and had great characters. But all I was reading were run-on sentences, fragments, and comma splices. Although I understand that writing novels allows for more creativity and independent writing style, I had trouble understanding it because it was so hard to read.
I hate not being able to give this book more than 35 pages (ARC) but in all honesty, a book that is hard to understand and frustrates me is not one I can enjoy anyway, no matter how good the story is.
Dust is published on September7th. Check out some other reviews before making a final opinion.
This review is copyright Haley Mathiot and Night Owl Reviews.
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated Diary of a Femen in Books
Apr 10, 2018
I love graphic novels, they are a way to quickly submerse myself into the world and visions of the author/illustrator. Diary of a Femen opened my eyes to a whole different world and awakened in me the realisation that as much as the world has progressed in the past 100 years since women in the UK gained the vote, the opinions, comments and actions of men and women are keeping a faster pace of progress at bay, definitely a novel to make a girl think! Whilst at times I got a little confused between the characters being followed once it focused on to a single narrative line I rapidly became engrossed and willing femen on.
Would I recommend this book? too right I would, men and women should read, think and talk about this book and the issues it raises.
Would I recommend this book? too right I would, men and women should read, think and talk about this book and the issues it raises.
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Furthest Station (Peter Grant, #5.5) in Books
Feb 19, 2019
I read the first entry in Ben Aaronovitch's Peter grant series (Rivers of London) a few years back.
It was an OK read, but didn't really grab me enough to want to go out and pick up others in the series.
However, this novella was recently on sale on Amazon Kindle a while back for something like 99 pence, so I thought I would give it another go. And what is immediately obvious is just how much I've missed by skipping those full-length novels in-between Rivers of London (#1) and this (# 5.5).
Which is probably why I struggled to get into this: as before, I found this an OK read (once I got past the initial "who's s/he now? What're they talking about?" confusion, but nothing that would pull me back into the world of PC Grant
It was an OK read, but didn't really grab me enough to want to go out and pick up others in the series.
However, this novella was recently on sale on Amazon Kindle a while back for something like 99 pence, so I thought I would give it another go. And what is immediately obvious is just how much I've missed by skipping those full-length novels in-between Rivers of London (#1) and this (# 5.5).
Which is probably why I struggled to get into this: as before, I found this an OK read (once I got past the initial "who's s/he now? What're they talking about?" confusion, but nothing that would pull me back into the world of PC Grant
Dana (24 KP) rated Little Knife (Grisha Verse, #2.6) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This is one of the companion stories to the Grishaverse novels, and I loved it.
I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.
I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.
I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.
I loved the twists and spins in the story.
Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.
I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.
I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.
I loved the twists and spins in the story.
Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Fallow in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I have been a big fan of cross-country, road-trip type novels ever since reading The Talisman, so I was excited to get my hands on this book. Fallow was some trip! The details of the incident that landed Mikey in jail are fed to the reader bit-by-bit, and the more you start to realize what happened, the harder it is to put this book down. Once I spotted the twist headed my way, I had to keep reading until I got to the end. I just had to know what exactly happened years ago, and how it would all end up in the present. This was a thrilling debut novel, and Ill be watching for more from this author.
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.</i>
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.</i>
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Reading Up a Storm (Lighthouse Library Mystery #3) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Reading Up a Storm focuses more on characters outside of the library staff than the first two novels in the series, and Lucy has a new friend in this one who is accused of murder. Of course she doesn't trust that the police will see past her friend Stephanie's apparent motive for the crime, and is soon getting herself into trouble asking questions and trying to solve the case by herself. She probably figured it out long before I did, but it was gratifying to find that the killer was the person I suspected, for once.
And for those of you who enjoy a little romance with your cozy mystery - I love where the author has taken the romantic triangle that was developing in the first two books. I can't say anything more without spoilers, but I was very pleased with the outcome.
And for those of you who enjoy a little romance with your cozy mystery - I love where the author has taken the romantic triangle that was developing in the first two books. I can't say anything more without spoilers, but I was very pleased with the outcome.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Book Club Murders (Oakwood Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Charley joins a book club in the hope that making friends with the towns elite will drum up business for her clothing store. She finds that she isnt really fitting in with the Agathas, as the members are known, but sticks with it anyway. It isnt long, however, before murder victims start turning up arranged just like the victims in the novels that the book club is reading. Charley manages to use her status as a member of the club to convince a detective to let her help with the investigation, but puts her own life in danger in the process.
This is a fun start to a new series with a great main character cozy fans will love it!
<i>Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review</i>
This is a fun start to a new series with a great main character cozy fans will love it!
<i>Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review</i>
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I picked this book up on Netgalley by randomly looking through the graphic novels section on the website. This looked interesting and honestly, I'm really glad I took the time to read it. Gavin Aung Than was able to perfectly illustrate the struggle that many creative individuals have. It was truly inspiring. I think many people are scared to begin a project, or take a step out and create something different. This book has shown that you're not alone and the great creators in the world dealt with the same things that you are going though.
The artwork in this graphic novel is really fun. I enjoyed looking at the artwork and I really loved how it was illustrated.
All in all, the artwork, the words, everything was perfect.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
The artwork in this graphic novel is really fun. I enjoyed looking at the artwork and I really loved how it was illustrated.
All in all, the artwork, the words, everything was perfect.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha Reece (16 KP) rated Dark Protector (Paladins of Darkness, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018
This book has a very original idea to it! The Paladins protect Earth from the Others who live on the other side of some sort of barrier. I had two problems with this book. First off, I have way too many unanswered questions as to what is going on in the world around the two characters. I understand the Paladins are protectors and the Others are evil, but I want to know more about them. Maybe some background and where they came from would be nice. But, this all could come in the next novels. Secondly, I felt the main characters, Devlin and Laurel, were very two-dimensional. I didn't feel too much emotion from them, and they just felt flat. However, I will read the next book because I do believe there is hope for this series!