This final installment of Wayward Pines was fast-paced and well written, like the others. I can't say much, because what I'd like to say would contain spoilers, and I'm not a spoiler kind of woman.
This final installment of Wayward Pines was fast-paced and well written, like the others. I can't say much, because what I'd like to say would contain spoilers, and I'm not a spoiler kind of woman.
Wayward, the second book of the Wayward Pines Trilogy, had a bit of a different feel than book one. The first book had the main character asking "What is going on here? Am I crazy?" This second installment had him very much in the know, but also very much questioning the status quo.
Another good read.
(Audiobook)
I LOVED Burton-Morgan's debut novel, Memoir 'The Rural Diaries'. She is a natural writer and storyteller. Grimoire Girl has the same cozy, familiar quality of sitting down for tea with a friend. She lost me a bit on her descriptions of various gods and saints; these were concise and well written, but felt out of place to me for some reason. (I'm sure it's not her, it's me). Overall, worth the read!
Just finished reading this, and rushing through this review so I can start the second book in the series.
This book is crazy bananas. The more Blake Crouch I read, the more I think that I may really like the Science-Fiction genre. Then again, maybe it's just the Crouch is such an amazing writer. There were no dull moments, that's for sure.
I am sorry to those who love it; apparently, I am in the minority.
The first 75% of the book was kind of meh. The last 25% felt like a steaming pile of BS.
*SPOILER* "I thought she was you" has to be one of the most pathetic excuses for infidelity ever. It would have been more forgivable if he had just owned up to getting super drunk and making a bad choice. When they finally discuss it, 11 years later, she accepts this as a reasonable excuse. ?
Audiobook
Rom-Com with a side of sisterhood. I really liked this - and I'm really becoming an Emily Henry fan. It's definitely full of tropes, but there is also some depth. I'd describe it as the book equivalent of a hug. Comfort reading.
This is the second Feeney book I have bailed on. I just couldn't get into it (or Rock Paper Scissors). I've heard/read some good reviews on her books, but for some reason, they're not for me. 🤷♀️
This was my second time reading Dark Matter. It is fast paced from beginning to end. This novel is also where my fascination with the multiverse theories began. It encourages thought about the complexities of identity; What makes you, you? How would even the smallest choice set your life on an entirely different trajectory? What are you capable of, for better or worse, under the "right" circumstances?
I will probably read it again, again.
This one was fast-paced, unique, and kept me guessing throughout. Kubica hasn't let me down yet.
I did it again: I didn't read the synopsis first. This time, it resulted in genuine discomfort while reading. The Teacher kept me interested enough to continue reading through to the end, despite the uncomfortable topic of inappropriate teacher/student relationships. I did feel a bit like the last 1/4 of the book didn't quite match up to the first 3/4 of the book in some way, though I can't quite place my finger on why. Overall, not a bad read.
3.5/5
Audiobook
This was not a typical book choice for me, but I really enjoyed the Atlantic Canada-ness of it all. This coming of age story takes place in the 1960s, in New Brunswick. The story is told by a young girl in a small town that is about to be underwater - a calculated consequence of building the Mactaquac Dam. I enjoyed the audio, as the narrator's distinctly Maritime voice provided an extra bit of authenticity.
Ridiculous. It felt like the author was taking the book in one direction, then realized that wouldn't work, and added in some even more ridiculous BS. A couple of times.
The narrator/main character is neurotic, whiny, and frankly, I wanted to shake her most of the time. I almost bailed a few times, but it was like a train wreck I just couldn't look away from.
This short story gave me the feeling I remember having when reading Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. The narrator took me along with her on her descent into madness.
This was a pretty good "What in the heck is happening here?" read. I had many suspicions throughout, but I definitely didn't predict the ending
3.5/5
Is Pinkett-Smith the tough, no-nonsense woman the media portrays her as? Maybe. But she has earned it through years of life experience and a continued commitment to personal growth. It was really eye opening to learn about all of her earlier experiences and challenges.
There was something slightly preachy and self-help-y to her between chapter blurbs, which threw me a bit, but they're just short bits to an otherwise interesting read.
*Vague spoiler alert* ⚠️
This one was hard to put down. The protagonist was clearly an unintentionally unreliable narrator, unsure even herself if her behaviors and actions were symptomatic of her insomnia, or "going mad" as her mother did. Keep an open mind when reading this one, or the twist at the end might just turn you off. I personally enjoy twists that use time theories, so I really enjoyed how it all wrapped up in the end.
(Audiobook)
I grew up watching Full House, as many from my generation did. Uncle Jesse is more familiar to me than some of my own family members. Stamos has definitely lived a good life, and has some fun stories to tell, I guess I just have a hard time relating to the life of a super handsome, talented, rich, male celebrity? Decent read.
If you follow John Green on Tiktok, you know that he is incredibly intelligent and insightful. That shines through in his writing. He has such a beautiful point of view, and way of describing things, that is frankly quite poetic. I generally borrow my ebooks from the library, and if I like a book enough, I will buy a hard copy. This is one of those. Must annotate!!
The Hating Game is a very steamy take on the enemies to lovers trope. I thoroughly enjoyed it the whole way through. ❤️
This novel is heartbreaking. It dives headfirst into the psychological impact that a traumatic event has on a person - particularly a young one. It's a heavy read, but well written and endlessly insightful.
3.5/5
I have read quite a few Lisa Jewell novels, and I will likely read many more. They are well written, and she always gives good insight into the minds of her characters. This one is quite an elaborate story. It kept my interest and kept me guessing. It isn't one that's probably going to stick with me, but it was a worthy passing of time.
Despite my extensive interest and consumption of true crime, the case of "the Angel of Death" is not one that I knew anything about prior to reading this book. It reads more like a fictional story, partly because in this case, truth is stranger than fiction; partly because Graeber did such a good job of compiling everything about this case, and laying it out in a way that is both informative and entertaining.
The title is wholly appropriate. This collection of essays is poetic and profound, both in style and topic. Stand- up comedian, actress, and voice actress Jenny Slate is exceedingly quirky, and her way of wording things here amplifies that.
*Added bonus: At times while listening, my mind would begin picturing these words coming from Gidget, from the Secret Life of Pets, whom Slate voiced. It was quite a delightful juxtaposition.
4/5
The first chapter drew me in, and I was definitely invested in the characters and storyline from the beginning.
TWs: In typical fashion, this novel by Slaughter is quite graphic, including violence and SA.
5/5!
Wow...
My words won't do it justice. One of the best Thrillers I have ever read.
"It's not about making good choices. It's about having good choices".
Karissa Boudreau was a sweet, innocent 12 year old from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, whose life was senselessly ended by the one person who was supposed to love her most.
This book was well researched, annotated, and organized. It is insightful and encompasses all aspects of the tragedy, including, the long reaching and long lasting effects on family, friends, investigators, the community, the province, and beyond.
3/5
I just finished listening to the audiobook, and I have mixed feelings about this one. Interesting? Yes. Well thought out? Yes. Well written? Also, yes. And yet I found myself waiting impatiently for the end to come - not so I'd know the ending, but because I had already pretty much figured it out and wanted to move on to the next book. Not a bad book, just not really the book for me, I guess.
3.5/5
The Other Mothers kept me interested, and kept me guessing. Everyone is a suspect. Unfortunately, I found the wrap up just a teensy bit too outlandish and contrived for my liking. Overall, an enjoyable read if you're looking for something to keep you on your toes until the end.
Book #90
4/5
I finished this book, and I still have so many questions...
I was following Hank Green on Tiktok for months before I found out that aside from being ridiculously intelligent, well spoken, and funny, he is also an author. It has taken me another many many months to finally read this novel of his. It is definitely very intelligently written, insightful, and not like anything else I've ever read. I can't wait to read the follow up.
Book #89
4/5
This book is...strange and unique. Suffice it to say that, as the title hints, there is a lot of talk about death. The protagonist is a quirky hypochondriac, with extreme anxiety and mental health issues. A little bit of Plath's The Bell Jar, and a little bit murder mystery. I liked it, but if you suffer from extreme anxiety about death, this book may be a trigger.
Book #88
4.5/5
This audiobook was on my library holds list since it's release. When it became available to me a few weeks ago, so soon after his death, I jumped at the chance to borrow it. I don't know what else to say, other than to say that this memoir was very insightful and entertaining, and I would recommend it to any Chandler fan. ;)
Book #86
4/5
This memoir offers an in-depth account of a father's experience with his son's addiction. Sheff did a fantastic job of combining and balancing personal experience with statistical and objective research about drugs, parenting, interventions, and recovery, to name a few.
Book #84
3/5
I am finally finished this book, which I have been reading since August. Honestly, I had a hard time getting my footing on this one. I was constantly asking myself if this was meant to be a thriller or horror novel. Turns out it was a thriller. I definitely didn't know where it was headed, and I don't feel entirely at peace with how it ended, but it was definitely unique.
I've always been very interested in the psychology of celebrities, and Britney is probably one of the most interesting ones. Her memoir gives an extra glimpse into this.I am so glad that she has finally had the chance to share her story. She probably could have shared more dirt about others, but I guess the fact that she didn't is a testament to her character. I found parts of the writing a bit repetitive, but overall, it's a good read.
Book #82
4.5/5
I was completely convinced for the first half of the book that I knew exactly who dunnit. I wasn't entirely wrong, but there was a LOT more to it than what I thought. This book kept me guessing, and I was suspicious of several people before the pieces all cam together in the end. Definitely worth a read for fans of the thriller/mystery genres.
Book #81
I read this book today as self-directed PD. I love Moore's YouTube channel, 5 Moore Minutes, and this book incorporates her insights, storytelling, and clever way of developing elaborate metaphors for education. I most enjoyed the final two chapters, which focused on the importance of seeing more than just a "snapshot" of your students, and UDL (using a sweeper van metaphor).
Book #80
This is a really simple, and yet complex, YA book which I could have used when I was a kid. The main character is a young girl who is bullied by peers, and even family members. It is an insightful look into how society's deeply ingrained fat phobia manifests itself, and how those of us who struggle with our weight can be made to feel "lesser than". How we adapt by, for example, trying to make ourselves "small" or "invisible" to others.
Book # 79
4/5
The Honeymoon Crashers (not listed on Litsy for some reason).
This sequel, of sorts, to Unhoneymooners, is a good Romance read. As a disclaimer, Romance novels aren't typically my thing, but I've read a few by Christina Lauren, and they do not disappoint. I recommend reading Unhoneymooners first, but this one would also work as a stand-alone.
Book #78
4/5
You should read this book if:
- You have watched any of the Duggar specials or series
- You are currently, or have ever, deconstructed all or part of your faith
- You are interested in people. Period.
As always with memoirs, I recommend the audio book, as it is read by the author. (I borrowed this one online from the library).
Finally reading the book that inspired one of my favorite movies. ❤️
Book #76
It was okay. I liked the premise, and the writing was good. It just wasn't as "thrilling" as I would like from a thriller.
Book #77
4.5/5
Another great collection of essays by the fast talking TV mom (and so much more) Lauren Graham? Count me in every time. A big part of Lorelai is Lauren herself, and I love Lorelai, so it's a win-win.
As always, when consuming celebrity memoirs, I recommend the audio book.
This one kept my interest the whole way through. Hepworth's style is similar to Lianne Moriarty, and Lisa Jewell, switching back and forth between characters throughout. The different perspectives keep you guessing about the reality of what is happening.
Meh.
It was a bit difficult to empathize with the protagonist, as her poor decision-making skills played a big part in all of her problems. It's an okay read, but I wouldn't rush out to pick it up. Now I have to check out the show, because I do feel the storyline has potential.