Chris
I really enjoyed this one. If you liked The Stand and enjoy a good distopian zombie-esque (new word! ) story, you'll like this one. I listened to this one in the car - audio book is well done. There's a bit that drags about a third of the way through...but it picks back up again, so hang in there! . I look forward to jumping in to the next one in the series.
Absolutely fabulous! It's a coming of age tale set in 1964 in Alabama told from the point of view of 11 year old Cory Mackenson. Cory is a budding writer - and knows how to spin a story - and as he's 11, there's still a fair bit of magic in the world. The story is a series of vignettes that are strung together with a mystery that Cory and his father need to get to the bottom of. The vignettes expand on all the unique characters in this little Alabama town - from the milk man, gas station owner, piano teacher, the local vet, the local witch, the girls at the house of ill repute, a former gunslinger, and the eccentric son of the wealthy owner of most of the town (who has issues with his wardrobe) - and thus build this world well. If you liked the style of “To Kill a Mockingbird” you will enjoy this one as well. I listened to this one from Audible - and it's very well done. I will surely pick it up and re-read (or re-listen to) it again in the future.
Fun read. Don't let the cover throw you....book is not about a heavily made up woman in the woods. (Am not sure what would work for a cover - perhaps the folks at deviantart will come up with something ) The story is about a rather interesting community of shapeshifters and the prophet/human who takes a job as a mail clerk/liason. She's learning about them, they're learning about her, and they've got to ultimately get through a crisis - the world building is terrific in this. I have happily jumped into the sequel.
Decided a little comfort reading was required to get me to the end of the year. Opted to jump back and re-read the Harry Potter series. Had recently re-watched all the movies - and had forgotten how much simpler HP#1-the-book was compared to the film (in a good way) - also very interesting reading the book through again knowing how it will all shake out in HP#7... 1 really does tie quite well into 7. At any rate - I really enjoyed re-reading this one and can't wait to dive into HP2.
I listened to this one in the car. The book takes place in a seaside village and covers about a year in the life of Sally and her little brother Ernie during the time before and after the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. The children are evacuees from London's East End and are placed in the loving home of Peggy Reilly and her family. I liked the characters and the setting - and overall the story was a sweet little vacation for me. I really enjoyed this one and will be reading the rest in the series. If you enjoy reading Maeve Binchy, I think you'll like this one.
Really enjoyed this one. Reads like a mystery. Alice loses 10 years of memory after a fall and has to piece together what went wrong/right with her life. It's a fast breezy read. I raced to the finish. Really enjoyed the characters and the relationships they have with one another. Story is told from Alice's perspective, her sister's perspective, and their grandmother's perspective.
Never a good sign when I keep anxiously checking my book on tape to see how much closer I've gotten to the end.
I really wanted to like this one. There are so many many 5 star reviews!
The book drags for the first 7 chapters. Main char suffers from being the best at everything. The women ... a mere handful, mind you - all need to be saved. There's a big ol' chunk of the book I had to just try to ignore because it was so completely implausible (main char is the best at everything he does... yet, in spite of that, THIS happens... it makes the story work better for having happened, but it's so very very hard to buy into.) There are long meandering dialogues between characters that appear to be there as a writer's poetic exercise... these are distracting and don't seem to advance the story in any way.
But all that said - there were moments when the story picked up and I really enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy it enough to even consider picking up book 2, however. I'll just head to the wiki if I'm ever curious how it all works out in the end.
Listened to this one in the car. It drags at the beginning...until Sonny perks up...then it's very enjoyable. Things get a bit muddy and bloated towards the last quarter...there were several times I thought the story was going to end, but the more bits are tacked on. Not as much fun as the Dept Q books, or Dragon Tattoo, but enjoyable.
Listened to this one in the car. This is the sequel to Katherine Wentworth. Much more romantic - and as such, it's pure cotton candy. But - it's more fluff than substance, and I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first book, which had a definite theme that ran through it (the value of personal freedom - and what looks easy isn't necessarily ‘freeing'). This book takes puts the same characters through their paces by dropping in several stressful situations. It's entertaining to see how things shake out.
Like comfort food. Very enjoyable light reading by D. E. Stevenson (writer of the ‘Miss Buncle' series). It's a story about a woman raising her step-son and twins. Katherine and her step-son face several choices and both consider the potential impact those choices may or may not make on their own personal freedom. It also gives them perspective on their own blessings. The story is romantic and set in Scotland. The characters well described and memorable. So fix yourself a nice pot of tea and sit back and relax. If you are a fan of Maeve Binchy or Rosamund Pilcher you will probably enjoy this one.
I really enjoyed this - not quite as much as Pride & Prejudice - but it's a close second. Like the annotated P&P - the annotations in this book are a wonderful addition. The left page is the story - the right page contains annotations and illustrations that help define word usage, period customs, historical tidbits, and reminders for what transpired earlier in the story. I think what really strikes me about this book as well as P&P is how believable the characters are even though the stories are 200 years old. It's easy to understand how these stories can be used as a framework for a film that takes place in a more modern era. This story involves a couple of sisters - the older sister who takes a calmer and more logical approach to issues that arise, and the younger sister who takes a rather impractical romantic approach to everything (a cultural affectation of the time - and something Austin is quietly mocking in the book). The book's annotations do a nice job of explaining this juxtaposition of both sister's differing approaches to resolving issues.
As to the condition of my brand new paperback when I finished reading it - the book is over 700 pages and a tad unwieldy - and I had the unfortunate luck of buying an edition with inadequate glue in the spine: I'm afraid I had to chuck the disintegrating fluttering mess into the trash.
Listened to this one in the car. The reader on the audio book is very good, btw. The story moves along at a pretty good pace, but there's a good chunk of the book devoted to world building - which pays off at the end as it all comes together. It bounces back and forth between the main story and ‘interlude' flashbacks on the main character's early life. I found that a bit jarring at first, but got used to the rhythm of it after awhile. Enjoyed this one - and I look forward to the next one in the series.
‘Pygmalion' meets ‘Love Story'. Was concerned this one would be complete sop, but I listened to it on my regular commute - and enjoyed it. Lou is a very likable character. I enjoyed watching her character change and develop as her horizons are widened by the events in the book.
The story is told almost entirely from Lou's point of view...but randomly, the point of view shifts to another character. It's a tad jarring (particularly in audiobook form...the change is marked by a completely different actor). I liked the additional detail given to Lou's character from the point of view of other people.
The issue and resolution in the story will give your book club plenty to discuss.
This one has been sitting on the ‘to read' shelf for a few years. Had purchased it after some family members commented how much they enjoyed it, but indicated it was ‘heavy'. The first bit got me to buy it, the latter bit is what had me passing over it to read something else. So, with a sigh, I finally decided to dive in. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. Was pleasantly surprised with the humorous insights of Little Bee which helped balance what is ultimately a pretty weighty topic. I'll say no more on that. This one is excellent book club fodder - there's lots to talk about.
Firstly: I love this series. (and this is a series - not a group of stand alone books with the same main character - you really need to read them in order since each book builds on what came before it) But I'd have to say that although I enjoyed the book, this one is my least favorite. I would agree with one of the prior reviewers - it's a 3.5 - 3 seems a little harsh, and it's definitely not a 4.
I really had to completely suspend disbelief at several points. Maisie is absolutely shoehorned into this set of circumstances. Her decisions are not particularly true to the character (she's smarter than this) - and I'm still scratching my head over some of the character's decisions. I enjoyed book #11 quite a bit (many did not) - mainly because it covered a bit of history I know little about (and made me interested enough I sought out more information)
Do read the series. Maisie is a wonderful character. This installment is a bit weak - but it appears the series might be back on the rails for #13 (if there is a #13).
Listened to this one in the car. I was hesitant to start it - concerned it would be too technical to enjoy. Boy, was I wrong. It's a fascinating book - and very well written. I looked forward to my morning commute. There's a point about 2/3rds of the way through that gets very technical (and it's necessary)- but I let the audiobook pull me along which helped me stick with it - and I did get a better understanding of that particular area the book was explaining and was glad to have hung in there. Excellent read!
