* 1 star
I was surprised by all the glowing reviews on Goodreads for this book. I found it to be quite dull and struggled to get through it. I felt the writing was cold and mechanical and I never connected in any way with any of the characters. Very disappointed. I have the author's other book on my TBR shelve but I don't believe I'll be picking it up.
Please note -
I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
This House is Haunted by John Boyne
*** 3 stars
This book surprised me by how readable it was. I worried that the old-fashioned setting and language would be off-putting, but that was not the case at all. It was an easy read with just enough of a creepiness factor for me (I'm a pretty big wimp!)
This book surprised me by how readable it was. I worried that the old-fashioned setting and language would be off-putting, but that was not the case at all. It was an easy read with just enough of a creepiness factor for me (I'm a pretty big wimp!)
Donna Bell's Bake Shop: Recipes and Stories of Family, Friends and Food by Pauley Perrette
*** 3 stars
A nice cookbook with mostly baked-goods. The photos were nice, that's usually a favorite part of a cookbook for me. The stories were okay; I did enjoy hearing how the friends got together but I would have liked more stories about the food. I suspect the recipes aren't as authentic to "Donna Bell" (the person) as the store owners would like you to think. But it was a nice read.
A nice cookbook with mostly baked-goods. The photos were nice, that's usually a favorite part of a cookbook for me. The stories were okay; I did enjoy hearing how the friends got together but I would have liked more stories about the food. I suspect the recipes aren't as authentic to "Donna Bell" (the person) as the store owners would like you to think. But it was a nice read.
Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay
*** 3 stars
This is the first Barclay book I've read and I'm sure to pick up others. A fun, easy read with some intriguing elements. It wasn't anything earth-shattering but a good solid thriller.
This is the first Barclay book I've read and I'm sure to pick up others. A fun, easy read with some intriguing elements. It wasn't anything earth-shattering but a good solid thriller.
Around the World in 50 years: My Adventures to Every Country on Earth by Albert Podell
0 stars
I couldn't even get into this one; I wonder if it is actually a series of essays or columns all stuck together. I expected a bit of a lead-in to the "adventures" but felt dropped in mid-stream with no context.
I couldn't even get into this one; I wonder if it is actually a series of essays or columns all stuck together. I expected a bit of a lead-in to the "adventures" but felt dropped in mid-stream with no context.
Elliot Allagash by Simon Rich
** 2 stars
Pretty weird little book. I much preferred Rich's story collections but I do want to give his other novel, What in God's Name, a try.
Pretty weird little book. I much preferred Rich's story collections but I do want to give his other novel, What in God's Name, a try.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Decoded by Mai Jia
0 stars
Can't even get into this one; reviews are mixed anyway. I'm already struggling through a kind of boring, dry read for book club, so I'll pass on this one and move on to something more plot-driven and compelling.
Can't even get into this one; reviews are mixed anyway. I'm already struggling through a kind of boring, dry read for book club, so I'll pass on this one and move on to something more plot-driven and compelling.
You by Caroline Kepnes
0 stars
Abandoning this one; it's just too weird and icky. And it seems to be first in a series. Not grabbing me, so I'm moving on.
Abandoning this one; it's just too weird and icky. And it seems to be first in a series. Not grabbing me, so I'm moving on.
Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich
** 2 stars
This was okay, pretty fluffy and silly but okay. I was vaguely embarrassed the whole time I was reading it, I think because of the stupid title. I thought Holly was kind of funny but I didn't really see the appeal of the guy; he seemed shallow. I know we were supposed to see his emotional growth but it was all handled rather poorly. Just okay.
This was okay, pretty fluffy and silly but okay. I was vaguely embarrassed the whole time I was reading it, I think because of the stupid title. I thought Holly was kind of funny but I didn't really see the appeal of the guy; he seemed shallow. I know we were supposed to see his emotional growth but it was all handled rather poorly. Just okay.
Consequences by Aleatha Romig
** 2 stars
Kindle-freebie. Happened upon the title on a list of "Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down." Well, that was mainly true; this book was horribly written and read like a toned-down "50 Shades of Grey" but there was something quite readable about it.
I don't think I'll go on to the next books in the series as I find that, only a few days after finishing it, I've not spent even one second thinking about it until it came time to make this blog entry. My library doesn't carry these books and I wouldn't imagine paying for the next books; not when there are so many other books available.
Kindle-freebie. Happened upon the title on a list of "Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down." Well, that was mainly true; this book was horribly written and read like a toned-down "50 Shades of Grey" but there was something quite readable about it.
I don't think I'll go on to the next books in the series as I find that, only a few days after finishing it, I've not spent even one second thinking about it until it came time to make this blog entry. My library doesn't carry these books and I wouldn't imagine paying for the next books; not when there are so many other books available.
Gathering Prey by John Sandford
**** 4 stars
Entertaining Lucas Davenport story with all the typical elements.
Entertaining Lucas Davenport story with all the typical elements.
The Fold by Peter CLines
**** 4 stars
This read like it's just begging for a movie treatment (and maybe it is!). Lots of fun, crazy plot line and crazy science. I enjoyed the build-up a lot more than the ending; I don't really do so well with "action-y" sequences. I always find them kind of boring and find I tend to skim them. But this was a great summer read.
This read like it's just begging for a movie treatment (and maybe it is!). Lots of fun, crazy plot line and crazy science. I enjoyed the build-up a lot more than the ending; I don't really do so well with "action-y" sequences. I always find them kind of boring and find I tend to skim them. But this was a great summer read.
Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris
**** 4 stars
This was a fun memoir of life as a copy editor. Read a bit like a collection of short stories as the chapters were almost self-contained. I really want to get a box of Black Wing pencils. Who knew there was so much mystery and intrigue and cult-status around a pencil!
This was a fun memoir of life as a copy editor. Read a bit like a collection of short stories as the chapters were almost self-contained. I really want to get a box of Black Wing pencils. Who knew there was so much mystery and intrigue and cult-status around a pencil!
The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook: Wickedly Good Meals and Desserts to Die For by Kate White
**** 4 stars
Pretty much a straight-up cookbook with recipes from various mystery authors. I liked all the pictures and the accompanying text with little stories about the food.
Pretty much a straight-up cookbook with recipes from various mystery authors. I liked all the pictures and the accompanying text with little stories about the food.
Spoiled Brats by Simon Rich
***** 5 stars
So, so funny. I especially liked the story of the pickled grandpa; so cute. A fun and quick read. I don't read a lot of short stories but sometimes they are really fun. Having an assortment and moving through them quickly is an enjoyable reading experience.
So, so funny. I especially liked the story of the pickled grandpa; so cute. A fun and quick read. I don't read a lot of short stories but sometimes they are really fun. Having an assortment and moving through them quickly is an enjoyable reading experience.
Finders Keepers by Stephen King
**** 4 stars
I enjoyed this read! It was fast-paced and pretty clever. I liked the riff on the Misery theme; sort of the dark side of being a fan and when enjoying a story crosses the line. I hadn't realized that Mr. Mercedes was the first part of a trilogy and I had sort of lost track of the Bill Hodges character but I'm glad to know there will be more!
I enjoyed this read! It was fast-paced and pretty clever. I liked the riff on the Misery theme; sort of the dark side of being a fan and when enjoying a story crosses the line. I hadn't realized that Mr. Mercedes was the first part of a trilogy and I had sort of lost track of the Bill Hodges character but I'm glad to know there will be more!
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