***** 5 stars
Another winner! Boy, my reading was sure elevated this vacation week. What a pleasure!
Seems I've been on a bit of theme with the darkly comic and the unreliable narrators. I read Koch's newest book a few weeks ago and really liked it. I think I liked this one even better as it seemed more disciplined. I liked the structure of the tale around a literal dinner. The story unfolded gradually and I always like that dawning awareness as we learn, along with the narrator, the true and full story.
Reminded me, too, of Defending Jacob which I read quite some time ago. The premise of your child having possibly been involved in something awful is downright chilling to me. Compelling read!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
**** 4 stars
This book has one of the highest ratings on Goodreads I've ever seen. It's consistently marked as a 4 or 5 star read and seems to be a beloved classic of a niche genre, the Christian romance. I had never read anything by Rivers before.
It's really a lovely book about the power of love and forgiveness and redemption. I'm finding myself at a loss for words to really describe the impact of this book. It was a humbling experience to read it; I guess that's one way to describe it. It was a humble reminder that unconditional love does exist; it even exists in my own life. It was a reminder about the importance of having a generous spirit and how forgiveness benefits both the forgiven and the forgiver. I can see why it is such a favorite of so many and I look forward to reading other books by Rivers.
This book has one of the highest ratings on Goodreads I've ever seen. It's consistently marked as a 4 or 5 star read and seems to be a beloved classic of a niche genre, the Christian romance. I had never read anything by Rivers before.
It's really a lovely book about the power of love and forgiveness and redemption. I'm finding myself at a loss for words to really describe the impact of this book. It was a humbling experience to read it; I guess that's one way to describe it. It was a humble reminder that unconditional love does exist; it even exists in my own life. It was a reminder about the importance of having a generous spirit and how forgiveness benefits both the forgiven and the forgiver. I can see why it is such a favorite of so many and I look forward to reading other books by Rivers.
The Good House by Ann Leary
**** 4 stars
I struggled a little bit to get into this book; I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I had just come off of reading two really strong and entertaining reads, so a slight book hangover might have handicapped me a little bit. But I pushed through (I might not have, except this is the book club choice this month) and I'm glad I did.
I think I saw the main character described as an unreliable narrator; maybe she is. I'm not sure. Hildy doesn't hide anything from us; she is as honest with us as she is with herself. And there's the "unreliable" part, I guess. I think it takes real skill on the part of an author to provide layers to a character this way. There's the layer with the "real" voice but we see a subtext that's closer to the truth. Marian Keyes does this really well, too. We see subtly how other characters reaction to the narrator and how situations unfold based upon the narrator's actions. I love books like this and I'm always in awe of how an author manages that.
Great book. Very sad but funny in a wry and dark way.
I struggled a little bit to get into this book; I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I had just come off of reading two really strong and entertaining reads, so a slight book hangover might have handicapped me a little bit. But I pushed through (I might not have, except this is the book club choice this month) and I'm glad I did.
I think I saw the main character described as an unreliable narrator; maybe she is. I'm not sure. Hildy doesn't hide anything from us; she is as honest with us as she is with herself. And there's the "unreliable" part, I guess. I think it takes real skill on the part of an author to provide layers to a character this way. There's the layer with the "real" voice but we see a subtext that's closer to the truth. Marian Keyes does this really well, too. We see subtly how other characters reaction to the narrator and how situations unfold based upon the narrator's actions. I love books like this and I'm always in awe of how an author manages that.
Great book. Very sad but funny in a wry and dark way.
The Circle by Dave Eggers
**** 4 stars
Another great read for vacation. I really enjoyed this sly satire on social networking, being "connected" and the impacts of technology. It was a lively read with serious undertones that really made me think. The plot lagged a little near the end; it got a little bit silly, honestly. But the vision of The Circle's universe was so creative and compelling, I didn't mind very much. Glad I read this one!
Another great read for vacation. I really enjoyed this sly satire on social networking, being "connected" and the impacts of technology. It was a lively read with serious undertones that really made me think. The plot lagged a little near the end; it got a little bit silly, honestly. But the vision of The Circle's universe was so creative and compelling, I didn't mind very much. Glad I read this one!
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
***** 5 stars
A great start for my week of vacation reading! I received an ARC of this from First to Read and hoarded it for vacation. It was hard to wait and I started it on the plane! From my perspective, Jojo Moyes came out of nowhere with Me Before You last year which I loved, loved, loved! In the meantime, I've picked up some of her previous titles and enjoyed them to one degree or another. But they didn't quite match the magic of Me Before You.
One Plus One did! I just adored this cute and charming book. Although it does deal with some tough stuff, poverty, single parenting, blended families, hard (and bad) choices, it had such a delightful tone. The characters were so realistic; they seemed like people you know or would want to know.
I know people say "LOL" a lot (I'm guilty of it, too), but I really did laugh out loud in a couple places. Jojo is my new literary best friend! Madcap, quirky, charming and surprisingly heartwarming are all great words to describe this book. I even love the title and how it plays into the math theme with the little girl. Love!
A great start for my week of vacation reading! I received an ARC of this from First to Read and hoarded it for vacation. It was hard to wait and I started it on the plane! From my perspective, Jojo Moyes came out of nowhere with Me Before You last year which I loved, loved, loved! In the meantime, I've picked up some of her previous titles and enjoyed them to one degree or another. But they didn't quite match the magic of Me Before You.
One Plus One did! I just adored this cute and charming book. Although it does deal with some tough stuff, poverty, single parenting, blended families, hard (and bad) choices, it had such a delightful tone. The characters were so realistic; they seemed like people you know or would want to know.
I know people say "LOL" a lot (I'm guilty of it, too), but I really did laugh out loud in a couple places. Jojo is my new literary best friend! Madcap, quirky, charming and surprisingly heartwarming are all great words to describe this book. I even love the title and how it plays into the math theme with the little girl. Love!
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Ruin Falls by Jenny Milchman
** 2 stars
Meh. Rather a disappointed as the set-up was pretty good. The initial premise with the children disappearing from a locked hotel room was so promising but the whole thing devolved into a real mess. The plot points involving the villain and his/her backstory were outlandish. There was just too much going on with the history and character of this person. A simpler motivation would have kept me interested but as the story wore on and I got a sense of where we were going, I was like "meh". I have the author's first book on my TBR shelf, but I won't be in a particular hurry to get to it.
Meh. Rather a disappointed as the set-up was pretty good. The initial premise with the children disappearing from a locked hotel room was so promising but the whole thing devolved into a real mess. The plot points involving the villain and his/her backstory were outlandish. There was just too much going on with the history and character of this person. A simpler motivation would have kept me interested but as the story wore on and I got a sense of where we were going, I was like "meh". I have the author's first book on my TBR shelf, but I won't be in a particular hurry to get to it.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
0 stars
Another non-starter. Just kind of talky and didn't grab me. I'm short on patience, perhaps. Ready to move on to something a bit more vibrant.
Another non-starter. Just kind of talky and didn't grab me. I'm short on patience, perhaps. Ready to move on to something a bit more vibrant.
Remember Me Like This by Bret Anthony Johnston
0 stars
Won't be finishing this. Just didn't grab me.
Won't be finishing this. Just didn't grab me.
The Execution of Noa P. Singleton by Elizabeth L. Silver
**** 4 stars
This book suffered a little bit unfairly, I'm afraid, because I was reading it while I was also reading Until You're Mine. Both books had similar themes and literary tricks and techniques, so sometimes it was hard to keep them separate.
A twisty, tricky tale with an unreliable narrator (or was she?). I love reading these kinds of books where the plot unwinds gradually and the story is teased out. Another great summer read!
This book suffered a little bit unfairly, I'm afraid, because I was reading it while I was also reading Until You're Mine. Both books had similar themes and literary tricks and techniques, so sometimes it was hard to keep them separate.
A twisty, tricky tale with an unreliable narrator (or was she?). I love reading these kinds of books where the plot unwinds gradually and the story is teased out. Another great summer read!
Eula Shook by Grant Jerkins
**** 4 stars
I think I've said it before; Grant Jerkins is the best writer you probably aren't reading! Why is he not more famous! So, I would pretty much read anything he writes, including his grocery list.
This was a Kindle short story. I found it creepy and sad and powerful. A quick read to tide me over until his new novel is out in January. January!
I think I've said it before; Grant Jerkins is the best writer you probably aren't reading! Why is he not more famous! So, I would pretty much read anything he writes, including his grocery list.
This was a Kindle short story. I found it creepy and sad and powerful. A quick read to tide me over until his new novel is out in January. January!
Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes
**** 4 stars
This was a fun, twisty and tricky little read! I very much enjoyed it and found it quite surprising. It's hard to review books like this without disclosing too much but let's just say I was satisfied. There were items which stuck out for me as plot problem but which turned out to be clues. Fun!
I don't believe I have ever read anything by this author before but I would definitely seek her out. I did not realize this book is the first of a series, so I will have to check out what she does next after I catch up with her other books!
Anyway, lots of fun and just about a perfect read for a summer holiday weekend.
Please note -
I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.
This was a fun, twisty and tricky little read! I very much enjoyed it and found it quite surprising. It's hard to review books like this without disclosing too much but let's just say I was satisfied. There were items which stuck out for me as plot problem but which turned out to be clues. Fun!
I don't believe I have ever read anything by this author before but I would definitely seek her out. I did not realize this book is the first of a series, so I will have to check out what she does next after I catch up with her other books!
Anyway, lots of fun and just about a perfect read for a summer holiday weekend.
Please note -
I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
**** 4 stars
Cute, cute, cute, cute. I just adored this charming read. The premise was a little silly maybe; did we really have guys monitoring our email in 1999? Maybe. The author did make a good case for this premise but it was kind of silly. But! Once you buy that, the characters and the story are just delightful.
It was also surprisingly tender and wise. I really loved this sweet book and cannot wait to read her other books.
Cute, cute, cute, cute. I just adored this charming read. The premise was a little silly maybe; did we really have guys monitoring our email in 1999? Maybe. The author did make a good case for this premise but it was kind of silly. But! Once you buy that, the characters and the story are just delightful.
It was also surprisingly tender and wise. I really loved this sweet book and cannot wait to read her other books.
The Martian by Andy Weir
**** 4 stars
I loved this crazy book! So much fun! I'll be honest, a lot of the science went over my head but I was willing to take a lot of that detail on faith and enjoy the ride! I loved the narrator's voice and personality; both were so distinctive and entertaining.
I will say, though, it's not a perfect book (what is?) and the seams show a little bit. There's an unpolished quality to it which, honestly, is part of the charm. It's definitely the word of a time/place/generation. The hipster talk reminded me a lot of Ready Player One (which I also liked a lot even while having to bypass some of the subtleties....)
So, yeah, this is definitely going to be a movie, right? Awesome and just plain fun!
Please note -
I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.
I loved this crazy book! So much fun! I'll be honest, a lot of the science went over my head but I was willing to take a lot of that detail on faith and enjoy the ride! I loved the narrator's voice and personality; both were so distinctive and entertaining.
I will say, though, it's not a perfect book (what is?) and the seams show a little bit. There's an unpolished quality to it which, honestly, is part of the charm. It's definitely the word of a time/place/generation. The hipster talk reminded me a lot of Ready Player One (which I also liked a lot even while having to bypass some of the subtleties....)
So, yeah, this is definitely going to be a movie, right? Awesome and just plain fun!
Please note -
I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)