BookFox
This fun page-turner delves into the morally murky world of vigilantes and law enforcement. I enjoyed the more realistic look at forensic science in contrast to the dramatized and belief-stretching portrayal in TV shows. The author is an actual forensic scientist so the science in the books rings true. While the book was at times a little slow and predictable, I was never bored and raced through to the end. I would definitely recommend it for fans of crime fiction, and I look forward to the next installment in the series!
I love the Sherlock Holmes stories, and this is a fun modern take on the Holmes and Watson duo. In this universe, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson were real people, and Arthur Conan Doyle was the literary agent who helped Watson publish his stories. Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson are their descendants, and they both end up at a small boarding school in Connecticut, where Sherlockian mystery ensues. The story focuses a bit more on teen angst and drama than the actual solving of the mystery, but other than that it is an enjoyable read.
A beautifully crafted story about love, loss, identity, and the circle of life, The Star-Touched Queen features a strong female lead and enchanting descriptions of various worlds. At once a romance, a mystery, and a coming-of-age story, there is something for everyone in this book. It is also a delightful immersion into Indian mythology, which is underrepresented in the YA genre. A very enjoyable read!
This book was enjoyable, but did not quite live up to the expectations generated by it's description. It promised strong female characters, but the two main female characters spent quite a lot of time doubting themselves and mooning over lost loves. The strongest women were the evil ones. That said, the mystery part of the story was decent, and I am willing to read the next installment before giving up on the series.
Not your typical alien/robot story! Told entirely through a compilation of documents - interviews, journal entries, mission logs, etc. - the reader feels almost like a detective piecing together the events surrounding the discovery of stunningly advanced alien technology on Earth. While the format is refreshing and enjoyable, the large time gaps between some of the documents somewhat diminish the scope of the story. There are several strong female characters, and the storyline is engaging. A worthwhile read - I look forward to future installments!
I love David McCallum from his role on NCIS, but I did not enjoy this book at all. The story follows a struggling young actor who inadvertently gets mixed up in the affairs of a crime family trying to dismantle their illegitimate operations. While a fairly creative story, it was convoluted and at times hard to follow. The perspectives switched at odd times, and there were several lengthy tangents that did not significantly enhance the plot. The best part of the experience was listening to the author's familiar voice and all the different accents he used for the various characters (I listened to the audiobook version).
Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was a little apprehensive about reading this modern version. I quickly realized that I need not have worried, because I loved every minute of this book! I read it in about 2 sittings because I couldn't wait to see how each piece of the original story would be re-imagined. If you think knowing the story means you can predict this book, guess again! I was taken by surprise more than once by unexpected plot twists that still somehow preserved the essence of the original work. A quick, delightful read for Austen fans and laypeople alike!
I really enjoyed this book when I read it 5 years ago, because the relationship between the two main characters was so sweet. However, I recently learned that there is a lot of racism throughout the book, particularly in terms of Park's character. I failed to adequately see it when I read it, and need to do better about that. I wanted to acknowledge it now that I have learned about it, and recommend that anyone reading this book look at this thread for an overview of the racist issues: https://twitter.com/naomigiddings/status/1128704083106377729?s=21
Nine Women, One Dress is essentially a cross between The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Love Actually. The readers gets a glimpse into the intersecting lives of a handful of New Yorkers, all connected by a designer little black dress. It involved a little too much infidelity for my taste, but overall is it a sweet, lighthearted story about love and the situations that bring people together. A perfect book for the beach!
A star-crossed lovers story set in the Maryland suburbs of DC, The Lovely Reckless chronicles the challenge-filled romance between a former private school girl from the wealthy neighborhood and an embattled boy from the poor neighborhood. While a page-turner, there were a few too many cheesy moments and a serious case of insta-love that detracted a bit from the overall book. However, I enjoyed the variety of characters and the sweetness of the relationship between Frankie and Marco. A fun YA read that will also appeal to fans of car racing.
Paul Dini's blunt and candid tale of survival and healing is accompanied by wonderful illustrations in this powerful graphic novel. It is courageous of Dini to share the struggles of his recovery, and I think many will find inspiration in his story. I imagine the narrative will resonate particularly with others who have grown up with the Batman characters as their imaginary companions. At the end, Dini poses the question: “Who cares about my story?” He answers: “I care.” That care and determination shines through in this moving work.
3.5 stars A House of Ghosts is a paranormal mystery set during the turmoil of World War I. Lord Highmount lost both his sons in battle, and has invited a group of acquaintances to his remote island estate for a seance. Kate Cartwright, works as a codebreaker for the British military, and also happens to have the ability to see ghosts. She is sent to the island by her boss, along with her ex-fiance and a mysterious man called Donovan. Events at the estate quickly turn deadly, and with a storm preventing anyone from leaving it is up to Kate and Donovan to solve the mystery before it's too late.
Despite occasionally stilted writing and a romantic angle that felt a bit forced, this book was an entertaining read. The multi-perspective format with short chapters keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next, and there are a few twists to keep you guessing. A fun, quick read for anyone in a bit of a spooky mood!
Truly Madly Guilty examines the ripple effect that one event can have on the lives of a group of people. It also offers a realistic portrayal of the messy relationships between friends and family. At once a family drama and a suspense story, Truly Madly Guilty will ensure you never think about a neighborhood barbecue the same way again.
Jules and Will seem to be the perfect celebrity couple, and their wedding on a starkly beautiful island off the west coast of Ireland is on track to be just as perfect. However, as guests begin arriving the tensions start to rise as actions people thought they had left buried in the past come back to haunt them. The Guest List has an “And Then There Were None” vibe, albeit with a much lower body count. The short chapters and rotating perspectives pull you through the action and make for a quick, exciting read. You will be left wondering how well you really know your friends!