** 2 stars
Such a strange book. I'm still not sure if it was a satire or not. The author seemed to want to be one of the "primates" while also ridiculing them. I guess her stance was to be like the anthropologists who go live among the great apes, or what have you, but I'm not sure it entirely worked. I did sort of like the voyeuristic aspect of the peek into the super rich of Manhattan.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
This is Your Life, Harriet Chance! by Jonathan Evison
*** 3 stars
I wasn't sure I could get past the stilted style (second person) of most of the book but it was okay. That device will never be my favorite but the story was pretty engaging. I'm glad I read it; it was a quick read.
I wasn't sure I could get past the stilted style (second person) of most of the book but it was okay. That device will never be my favorite but the story was pretty engaging. I'm glad I read it; it was a quick read.
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar
*** 3 stars
Good non-fiction read. I had never heard of this mountaineering tragedy. It might have been a little dry in spots but the central mystery was so interesting, I was happy to keep moving. The author proposes an interesting solution to what happened to the mountaineers.
Good non-fiction read. I had never heard of this mountaineering tragedy. It might have been a little dry in spots but the central mystery was so interesting, I was happy to keep moving. The author proposes an interesting solution to what happened to the mountaineers.
All the Stars in Heaven by Adriana Trigiani
**** 4 stars
This was a great read; a fictionalized account of old Hollywood days and relationships among several movie stars. I don't know enough about the history of Loretta Young and Clark Gable to comment on the depiction in this book. It was a fun read, though and I enjoyed the story.
This was a great read; a fictionalized account of old Hollywood days and relationships among several movie stars. I don't know enough about the history of Loretta Young and Clark Gable to comment on the depiction in this book. It was a fun read, though and I enjoyed the story.
The Everything Brain Strain Book by Jake Olefsky
** 2 stars
Fun book to browse through; I picked through and thought about the brain teasers which seemed interesting and skipped a lot!
Fun book to browse through; I picked through and thought about the brain teasers which seemed interesting and skipped a lot!
The Unraveling of Mercy Louis by Keija Parssinen
** 2 stars
Started out strong with a lot of potential but dissolved into a bit of a mess. Don't look for the primary (as in the first) mystery to be resolved with any satisfaction. Now that I think of it, it's kind of offensive to use that issue (fetal demise) as a plot device without resolution.
Started out strong with a lot of potential but dissolved into a bit of a mess. Don't look for the primary (as in the first) mystery to be resolved with any satisfaction. Now that I think of it, it's kind of offensive to use that issue (fetal demise) as a plot device without resolution.
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
*** 3 stars
Gotta love a new book by King. Like almost all short-story collections, it was a little uneven. A few of the stories had been published before (Blockade Billy - ugh), but most were new. A few were really, really good. A couple (did I mention Blockade Billy?) not so much.
Gotta love a new book by King. Like almost all short-story collections, it was a little uneven. A few of the stories had been published before (Blockade Billy - ugh), but most were new. A few were really, really good. A couple (did I mention Blockade Billy?) not so much.
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Sea World, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish by John Hargrove
*** 3 stars
This was an interesting read, even though it was not particularly well-written. There seems to be a bit of padding; it probably could have been a magazine article rather than a whole book, but I am interested enough in the topic, I could overlook those issues. The author seems trying to convince himself, more than the reader, but the behind the scenes look at Sea World and its policies was insightful.
This was an interesting read, even though it was not particularly well-written. There seems to be a bit of padding; it probably could have been a magazine article rather than a whole book, but I am interested enough in the topic, I could overlook those issues. The author seems trying to convince himself, more than the reader, but the behind the scenes look at Sea World and its policies was insightful.
Lost by Sharon Bolton
0 stars
So, thought perhaps the diminishing quality of the Lacey Flint books was in my own head. This book was just dull. I found I was forcing myself to read a chapter or two but I never looked forward to picking it up. I got way into it, at least halfway, before I gave up. Ugh.
So, thought perhaps the diminishing quality of the Lacey Flint books was in my own head. This book was just dull. I found I was forcing myself to read a chapter or two but I never looked forward to picking it up. I got way into it, at least halfway, before I gave up. Ugh.
The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick
0 stars
Another did-not-finish. My teenage daughter recommended this to me but I found it to be too obscure and weird.
Another did-not-finish. My teenage daughter recommended this to me but I found it to be too obscure and weird.
Dead Scared by Sharon Bolton
1 star
Somewhat confusingly, this author has changed the way her name is listed on her books. I think "Sharon Bolton" is the current, preferred name. Before that, she used "S.J. Bolton". I did not like this book one bit. I'm kind of mad that I even wasted the time to finish it. I found the entire plot to be beyond ridiculous. The actions of the police and university were completely outlandish as well.
Somewhat confusingly, this author has changed the way her name is listed on her books. I think "Sharon Bolton" is the current, preferred name. Before that, she used "S.J. Bolton". I did not like this book one bit. I'm kind of mad that I even wasted the time to finish it. I found the entire plot to be beyond ridiculous. The actions of the police and university were completely outlandish as well.
If Snow Hadn't Fallen by S. J. Bolton
*** 3 stars
This short novel/long standalone story was a quick read. I found it to be interesting and kept me willing to read on in the series. That might not have been a good thing!
This short novel/long standalone story was a quick read. I found it to be interesting and kept me willing to read on in the series. That might not have been a good thing!
Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
0 stars
A did-not-finish for me. Tried to read this while in the hospital. The situation and my inability to concentrate much could be the sole factor in me losing interest, but I don't think so. The book jumped around between two main stories, one of which was more interesting than the other. Apparently, they would eventually connect but the story didn't connect with me, so I moved on.
A did-not-finish for me. Tried to read this while in the hospital. The situation and my inability to concentrate much could be the sole factor in me losing interest, but I don't think so. The book jumped around between two main stories, one of which was more interesting than the other. Apparently, they would eventually connect but the story didn't connect with me, so I moved on.
Now You See Me by S. J. Bolton
*** 3 stars
I liked but did not love this, the first Lacey Flint story by Bolton. It really strained the bounds of credibility for me and over-reached in trying to be twisty and tricky. However, it did seem there was enough potential to try the others in the series.....
I liked but did not love this, the first Lacey Flint story by Bolton. It really strained the bounds of credibility for me and over-reached in trying to be twisty and tricky. However, it did seem there was enough potential to try the others in the series.....
Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton
***** 5 stars
I loved this tricky, atmospheric novel. Set in the remote Falkland Islands, it was sort of spooky and creepy. Don't want to say a lot as would not want to spoil it, but even if you don't like the Lacey Flint books by this author (which, I've discovered I don't), I think you would like this one!
I loved this tricky, atmospheric novel. Set in the remote Falkland Islands, it was sort of spooky and creepy. Don't want to say a lot as would not want to spoil it, but even if you don't like the Lacey Flint books by this author (which, I've discovered I don't), I think you would like this one!
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
*** 3 stars
I read this years and years ago when the first movie came out. Thought it would be fun to revisit it as we re-watched the original film trilogy in preparation for Jurassic World (which I still haven't seen; I guess I'd forgotten just how scary the first film was and I'm such a big wimp!). Any way, this was fun, a bit dated of course, but still lots of fun.
I read this years and years ago when the first movie came out. Thought it would be fun to revisit it as we re-watched the original film trilogy in preparation for Jurassic World (which I still haven't seen; I guess I'd forgotten just how scary the first film was and I'm such a big wimp!). Any way, this was fun, a bit dated of course, but still lots of fun.
Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery
*** 3 stars
I remember almost nothing about this book which is no reflection at all on the book. I read it the morning after my surgery while in the hospital (or maybe it was the day after that....) Anyway, it was a pleasant diversion for the situation. There are more books in the series (Bakery Sisters) and I expect I'll get to them. It shouldn't be hard to follow the series and it's your pretty standard romance fare.
I remember almost nothing about this book which is no reflection at all on the book. I read it the morning after my surgery while in the hospital (or maybe it was the day after that....) Anyway, it was a pleasant diversion for the situation. There are more books in the series (Bakery Sisters) and I expect I'll get to them. It shouldn't be hard to follow the series and it's your pretty standard romance fare.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
*** 3 stars
This was the October book club choice. I liked it even though it meandered and I'm not sure the point was especially clear or well-made. But it was entertaining enough. One book club member had gone on to read the follow-up, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, and said it filled in more of the story. I'm not in an especially big hurry to read that one myself, but perhaps I'll pick it up one day.
This was the October book club choice. I liked it even though it meandered and I'm not sure the point was especially clear or well-made. But it was entertaining enough. One book club member had gone on to read the follow-up, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, and said it filled in more of the story. I'm not in an especially big hurry to read that one myself, but perhaps I'll pick it up one day.
Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig
**** 4 stars
I am so behind on posting my books! I went in for surgery in mid-October and I am finding my recall of events before and during that time are a little sketchy! So, my reviews might be a little thin here...
I really liked this book even though it turned out to be pretty darn hefty considering the subject matter. It was charming and engaging. I have never read anything by this author before but I might have to catch up on his backlist. He passed away earlier this year.
I am so behind on posting my books! I went in for surgery in mid-October and I am finding my recall of events before and during that time are a little sketchy! So, my reviews might be a little thin here...
I really liked this book even though it turned out to be pretty darn hefty considering the subject matter. It was charming and engaging. I have never read anything by this author before but I might have to catch up on his backlist. He passed away earlier this year.
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