Tracy C
What an amazing story, and a small glimpse into Afghan culture. So much anxiety, heartbreak and humanity.
This book is very deep and thought provoking. Thought I could get through it quickly like most of the other books that I read or listen to. This one, however, brings forth a lot of topics and ways of thinking, or philosophies maybe, that need to be mulled over and pondered. I appreciate my initial listen of this book for giving me this insight. But this is a book filled with information that I want to review, probably several times. For this reason, I will be purchasing a digital copy so that I can read it on my Kindle and highlight the passages that strike me, or take notes where I have comparisons to make or other things to add.
People are eff'd up. I know this was turned into a movie, but I never saw the movie. Wondering if I want to now, to see how they presented this.
Not exactly what I expected. Not just Mindful Eating... more of the mindful life... How to live and do everything mindfully. To savor life to its fullest! It's another one of those books that I could listen to several times, and come away from with something new every time.
Great book. I'm not really into sci-fi or fantasy, but this book was really engaging. The characters were very well formed, and the history and the story itself were easy to buy into. You kind of get the feeling that it's “old time”, but then again, the story is kind of “timeless”. There isn't anything to indicate specifically, that I can remember, that this has taken place in any particular time period. Alamancy... somewhat like Alchemy... It's interesting, and captivating. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Excellent story around some rather potentially triggering events for some. The characters were developed very well. I felt like I was in Savannah with them. The ending was somewhat of a stretch... but given the right circumstances, the right people... it could be possible.
Highly recommended. and free this month from Libby. I'm definitely going to be looking for other books by Torah Shelton Harris.
I expected this to be a whiney complaining book about how Prince Harry was the “Spare”... but I didn't find it to be that way. I think that Harry embraced his role as the spare, but felt hobbled by that role at the same time. He wanted to do his own thing, and do good in the world. He was kept “in his place” though, by the position he was born into. I felt sorry for him. I still do. But I also applaud him for having the bravery to step out from under the shadow that he was born under.
Just when you think you have it all figured out, she throws you for a loop! Wow!
I really enjoyed this book. Although my initial and follow-up thoughts were somewhat dismissive, there was a plot twist—and then another. Frieda McFadden definitely keeps you guessing.
Great writing and great character development.
And Laura Howard's narration was good as well.
Honest “story” of friendship. Will need to read/listen to this again. Love their differences and how they play off of each other. Different, but the same. Highly recommend. Going to see if I can find the painting Jason's art. :-)
Forward and back in time, sometimes difficult to tell “when” you were. Also, the names made it difficult to follow and keep track at times. OK story... but not “captivating”.
Wow!
I grabbed this on an “available now” option from the Libby app. Not one I would have chosen had I read the back. But... It was a good book. The change in narrator sometimes bothered me. But overall I liked the book. Good, but not great.
I never saw the ending coming.
Wow! Another excellent book! Not quite 5 star, but close!
A great whodunnit!
I was captivated by the book from the beginning and I couldn't stop listening. You think you know what's going to happen, but then you're thrown for another loop.
Some of the relationships in the book were a bit glossed over, but overall, I think the characters were pretty well defined. Believable? In everyday life for most of us, no... but in the lives of the “upper crust” where they are spoiled and have rich parents who can afford to send them on semester-long cruises? Maybe!
Very interesting book. Not what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. It opened my eyes to all different kinds of cultures and norms. To me, it highlighted how beautiful all people and relationships can be. We don't need to fit into neat and tidy little boxes.
I really enjoyed this book. The reading itself was very easy... the research done on bees was enough to make this all believable, but not so much that it was overwhelmingly detailed. Some of the story-telling was predictable, but the overall book was thoroughly enjoyable.
Like many of the other readers/reviewers of this book, I would like to see a sequel as well. I'd like to know what happens to some of the characters. I didn't want the story to stop. I wanted to find out what happened with Lily and August...
My book club was reading this on a sidebar, so I thought I'd give it a shot too. I wish I hadn't wasted an Audible Credit on it, and I don't even like horror books or movies! This started out with a couple of good scares, and seemed like it could go places, but then just turned into a horrible B movie type thing. I'm glad it at least went quickly. I don't do DNF's, so I had to finish it... this one I actually wish I hadn't.
It's difficult to judge a book that's an autobiography. I don't want to judge Helena's story itself. Each of our stories are ours, with all of our ups and downs. So I'll try to base this on how I think she told her story. I was sucked in and wanted to hear what she had to say, so it wasn't difficult get through or anything. I think she presented her story well, but in some areas I think she went into greater detail than was necessary, and I would have liked her to dive a bit deeper in others. I understand she was trying to protect some people, so in that sense I get it. But the areas she dug into weren't the kind of details that most people would get (medical stuff). She went through a lot in her life and came out on the other end of things OK I guess.
How can you rate a book someone writes about themselves and their journey? I did find it rather insightful, though. There is so much controversy surrounding Trans people right now. Whether kids should be supported, and if so, how? I come from a mindset where I think people know who they are, and when they tell you, you should listen. I also think that kids should be at the age of consent, at least, before any transition (surgical) should be made. That's just my own perspective. I would not stop anyone from making decisions that make sense for themselves and their own situations. If there are people you know who are struggling, be there for them and be supportive. This book provided insight into what Ellen Page went through in the process of becoming their true self: Elliot Page. If you have trouble understanding what would make someone go through a process like that, this book would be a step toward understanding.
I absolutely LOVED this book, and I'm sad that I'm done reading it. The way Barbara Kingsolver gave voice to Demon was amazing! I wanted to continue hearing all about his stories, with his language (somewhat vulgar, but honest and realistic for a kid who grew up the way he did), and his way of telling them. I loved whenever vs. when. If you read this, you'll get it. One of his nuances.
Barbara also did a great job of modernizing David Copperfield. Demon came up on my book club's list, and after hearing that it was based on David Copperfield, I gave that one a read first. I'm glad that I did. The result was being able to compare and contrast the two and see how she followed the original storyline but kept it present-day. This method of “twisting” books (my term) might get more people interested in reading the classics.
Kind of a spoiler, but more a trigger warning
A note though, that for people whose families are affected by addiction, and our current drug epidemic: this book might be triggering for you. One of the more modern scenarios that Barbara makes use of is the way drugs have made their way into our lives.
Very good book. I got through this one quite quickly. Took a number of turns that I wasn't expecting. Nice little “wrap-up” at the end (epilogue), to pull everything together.
Such a heart-wrenching book. What some people go through to just have a “life”. We take so much for granted... these types of books help to bring awareness to the plights of others. I wish I were a millionaire to help all of these people. It sounds “trite”, but it's a genuine sentiment.
A lot of people don't like this book and the format in which it was written. I didn't let it bother me (I didn't focus on how many days... blah blah blah... it just keeps moving backward. You don't have to bother with exactly how far!
I was captivated by the story and how the McAllister wove it all together from the end to the beginning.