Liz

I have seen several TV adaptations of Elizabeth George's work but this was the first time I read anything of hers. I like her writing style and I liked the mystery but this had entirely too much sex in it. I can handle a bit here and there but that was what the whole thing felt like it was about but it wasn't, not really. So I decided I am going to pick up another one of her books and hope that this was just a plot point in this one and not the standard brew.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed the narrator. I think I'd listen to anything she narrates. I love the interplay between Beryl and Edwina. The mystery was fun. Great cozy read

This was a suggestion that I got from a friend. It is really a children's book not even young adult but it was a great fun quick read. I hope my son likes fantasy because if he does he will love this book.

I love the idea. The whole world within a world thing was fascinating but there were so many questions at the end of this book. I am fine with an open ending but this was just ridiculous you never find out the answers to anything. Why did the Warden do the crazy things he did? What happened to Sapphique, who was he, where did he go? Who was Riz, why was he important (for a seemingly inconsequential character he had a lot to do with the end)? Was Finn really Giles? Who is Attia? Why did Keiro become the Apprentice? What's up with Claudia and Jared? I honestly could go on and on with questions that apparently will never have any answers because this was a two book series. That is fine, I can accept a two book series IF a few questions were answered. I gave it two stars because the idea was fascinating I just wish I actually got an answer or two.

I have never read an Ian Fleming book so I have nothing to base the comparision on ... does he stay true? I don't know. I do know I did like the characterization of Bond. Somehow he came across as vunerable, yet swaggering at the same time. I don't want to spoil anything but I didn't like the representation of the female double 0 (I hope that is ambiguous enough) she just wasn't cool enough and she was emotional and slightly blubbering. But other than that and the abrubtness at the end I enjoyed it.

As a general rule, I don't really read ‘romance' novels but if all romance novels were like this one, I would read far more. If you think too much about it you will find flaws, so just don't think. Enjoy it. I did. I love Lady Julia and all the crazy Marches. I think Brisbane is a fantastic ‘tall, dark and handsome' interest.

So in need of a light mystery with a dash of romance, then read this fun series. Off to get the next one...

I like Dorothy Sayers. Her books are interesting and fun and laugh out loud hilarious at certain points. The only thing that bothers me is the dialogue when a person is supposed to have an accent and she writes it in that accent. I know it was all vogue to write that way back in the day but wow it drives me nuts. Nevertheless, I really liked the story and I can't help but love Peter Wimsey.

The idea of this book grabbed me, a mystery set in the world of rare book dealers, but it wasn't as captivating as I hoped. I stopped several times but because it was the only audiobook on my phone, I went back to it several times and managed to finish. The end does get more interesting but even so I didn't love it.

3.5 stars. I like the main character. I think the twists were interesting. But it felt like a lighter book and then the twists are really heavy. It seemed jarring to me. I will try to the second book.

I should really not read when I am in a bad mood. Sometimes reading takes me out of the bad mood and others it settles its bad self into the book and ruins it for me. That happened with two books this past weekend. This book was destined to be disliked. I was in a terrible mood when I picked it up hoping beyond hope that I could be whisked away into another world instead I just got angry and then angrier. Ok, ok so the kid got hit with the ugly stick. Too tall, too wide, too many freckles, blah, blah, blah. I get that she wasn't pretty but that she was horribly maimed that people did not want to have her serve them. But really, she WASN'T that hideous - she felt that hideous and I can accept that – but making it seem like the entire world stopped and said, ‘wow this chick is ugly' just seemed a bit like overkill. So I finally got past the she is the ugliest creature on the planet and then the prince falls instantaneously in love with her. Um, what? I thought she was the most hideously ugly creature on the planet. So he fell in love with her voice, he is such a saint that he saw past what everyone else failed to look past. I don't know. Everything fell into place just a little too smoothly; it felt like a block puzzle for toddlers. I don't know – again I blame my bad mood because I have several friends who loved this book, people who I generally agree with on literature so I am chalking it up to my bad mood. I am going to put this book away for a while tucked quietly on my shelf to be read again in the future, most definitely on a day when I am not in a bad mood.

Maybe it is unfair to try and read a book in the middle of NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) but I did start this book before. I just could not get into it and finally when the second notice came from the library to please return this book I took it back without finishing it. I may give it another try in a few months or maybe not.

It was ok. I am not going to run out and get the second book because I just can't wait to read the next one. But I probably will read the series ... eventually. I thought there were a few random topics that were handled in an odd way. I know the author was developing the characters and ‘showing' why they behaved they way they behaved but it was just odd. And I thought a few topics were pretty dark heavy things (like being abused in foster care) that were handled lightly, almost as a joke. In the end I was not put off by it I was wrenched from the story when I thought ‘hey that is a pretty heavy topic to be treated so lightly'. So fair warning. Interesting book.

I really liked this book. I can feel the tension building even after the book is finished WWII is coming. I am interested to see how the future develops for Miss Maisie Dobbs.

I did not get through this book. It did not take me long to realize that the “boss” was also her stalker and then when I skipped ahead (something I don't normally do) I found that she married him and they remain partners. The final dip inside his mind was creepy! Stalker meets 50 shades of horrible meets murder mystery. No thanks.

I'm always a little worried to read a sequel when I adored the main character. Cimorene was even better. If you liked the first book in the series you will love the second.

Usually I read a new book in about a day or two or maybe three if the book is ‘literary' - this has taken me weeks (practically forever in my world). I thought since I enjoy a good fantasy novel, that I would understand and like the whole alternate reality thing, but obviously I am not as smart as I thought. I continually felt lost. There were parts that I felt were beautiful but most of the time I was re-reading wondering, ‘what the hey is going on?'

I read a review after I finished, the reviewer compared Chabon to a person leaving their house and looking in the mirror and taking off an accessory. He should have taken off a few accessories. I loved that review because I agreed wholeheartedly. The bones of the story were interesting but I found the bones lost amongst the twinkling jewels.

I know this is a play turned into a book but it read just like a play. It was hard to get into it. I don't think I will read anymore plays turned into novels.

I enjoyed this book, very interesting. A little more gritty than my usual cozy fare but I liked it. (For those of my friends that like clean, no bad words, cozy type mysteries this may not be for you :) )

I will definately read Kate Atkinson again.

Ready Player One was amazing. I just could not get into this book. The beginning was entertaining but it fell flat less than half way through. I didn't even want to finish. Read Ready Player One and leave Armada on the shelf.

I liked this book a cross between Beauty and the Beast and the myth of Psyche. I thought the book flowed well and I was interested in the characters.

This is just a fun book. I think I want to move to Lumby.

I can't remember who suggested this book to me but I did pick it up. I don't generally read romance, I am not a romance kinda girl but I do love a good fantasy novel. This book started out with a lot of promise for me. I love Rain Tairen Soul with all his hunger and control. He made this story for me. Ellie started off ok but her “I am weak no wait I have power” stuff got on my nerves. So what she is poor, so what she is adopted it just got old. But I still gave it three stars because of Tairen. I just might even read the next one in the series to see if Ellie can grow on me...

I liked it. Now to see the movie...

I liked the letters but the over compilation and commentary were lacking.

It was a fun read.