John Boyne is incredible. Challenging to read in that parts of his books are uncomfortable. Brilliant in that his characters are multi-faceted and uglJohn Boyne is incredible. Challenging to read in that parts of his books are uncomfortable. Brilliant in that his characters are multi-faceted and ugly and real. At a point in this book I had to put it down for a couple of days. I was so pissed. But the ending was delicious - literally had me grinning ear to ear.
I look forward to reading everything Boyne. He’s an institution. ...more
I’m a fan. This author’s voice rings true to me. And she took us in directions I didn’t anticipate. (It may have helped that I didn’t read the blurb bI’m a fan. This author’s voice rings true to me. And she took us in directions I didn’t anticipate. (It may have helped that I didn’t read the blurb before requesting this one).
There’s an underlying honesty in the way Ms Straub writes, and I thoroughly connected to this book. ...more
So I’m reading this thinking “that’s not the way to handle that.” Which leads down a rabbit’s warren of thoughts about what right I have to think thatSo I’m reading this thinking “that’s not the way to handle that.” Which leads down a rabbit’s warren of thoughts about what right I have to think that. Aspects of this book were uncomfortable - because of the topic and the intensity brought to it.
I like the tone of this author’s books while not necessarily enjoying the stories. This was over the top. Dramatic. And honestly I would have liked to read about Daisy arriving at her own decisions absent the compulsion.
I liked the characters. I enjoyed the writing. I’ll absolutely reach for this author again when I want this undemanding drama. ...more
I found this to be a very simple and pleasant read. At times I worried for Molly. At times I got frustrated with her. And the ending…had some weird moI found this to be a very simple and pleasant read. At times I worried for Molly. At times I got frustrated with her. And the ending…had some weird moments. But this was different. Easy to read. Engaging.
ETA - Something was tickling my brain last night and this morning after I’d written this review. It came to me a moment ago - this book is what it would look like if you wrote a murder mystery starring Amelia Bedelia. So if she’s not your jam I’d avoid this bad boy. (Whew. It feels good to have made that connection and written it down.)...more
A lot of the things that were fun in The Guest List are too much here. Short chapters. Lots of similar characters. Bouncing back and forth. Twists. CoA lot of the things that were fun in The Guest List are too much here. Short chapters. Lots of similar characters. Bouncing back and forth. Twists. Confusion. It got boring and stayed that way. ...more
This was the apex of stories that have built throughout this series. So many pieces painstakingly braided and brought together beautifully.
I’ve been This was the apex of stories that have built throughout this series. So many pieces painstakingly braided and brought together beautifully.
I’ve been reading slowly lately. Cork’s books feel like something I can meander through. The books are nearly entirely character-driven. But with this one I was absorbed into the mystery - and my suspicious bounced all over throughout the read.
I was crushed near the end. And then elated at the very end. Thrilled for our Cork and loving being on this journey with him. ...more
The mystery was really obvious in this one. But the personal stuff - I was worried it would be dragged out agonizingly - but we got some great resolutThe mystery was really obvious in this one. But the personal stuff - I was worried it would be dragged out agonizingly - but we got some great resolution. I also really enjoyed the seemingly disparate storylines that really weren’t. ...more
The first book in this series had a lot of world-building responsibilities. And it needs, I suspect, to lay groundwork for several storylines that wilThe first book in this series had a lot of world-building responsibilities. And it needs, I suspect, to lay groundwork for several storylines that will wind through the series. This book was free to launch full-force into adventure. And boy did it.
We were high-octane adventure nearly out the gate. And I got all of the gritty wilderness adventure my heart could desire. I also thoroughly enjoyed the other parts to the story - involving family…of all kinds.
Cork remains delightfully understated. He’s a strong character in a cast of strong characters - and i never felt he dominated this book.
Books 3 and 4 are on my nightstand - and I look forward to more time with Cork and all of the people of Aurora. ...more
I got a little frustrated with this book and put it down for a few days. I made some assumptions (valid!) about where the story was going. I almost diI got a little frustrated with this book and put it down for a few days. I made some assumptions (valid!) about where the story was going. I almost didn’t pick it up again. But I was wrong. And this ended up being a good read - with crying! And then an extra great ending. ...more
You know what they say about a book and its cover. Goodness. I started this thinking I was reading something sassy. Something quirky. And I suffered rYou know what they say about a book and its cover. Goodness. I started this thinking I was reading something sassy. Something quirky. And I suffered repeated emotional blows. At one point I nearly gave up. There was no chance either the book or I was going to recover from this overwhelming bleakness.
But about halfway the strange short chapters had come to feel like home. And there was joy in the oddest parts of the story.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in 2022. Astonishing in its intelligence and depth - in its message. I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite character. (Who am I missing? It’s totally six-thirty). The book is long without being dense. Smart without being boring. Touching without being preachy.
A book packing this kind of emotional wallop was very much not in the reading plan. I guess im a little thankful I prejudged this one by its cover. ...more
This is perfect. Gritty and descriptive and page-turning. A mystery where the mystery is the least-compelling aspect of the book. I didn’t see the endThis is perfect. Gritty and descriptive and page-turning. A mystery where the mystery is the least-compelling aspect of the book. I didn’t see the ending coming - and i feel like it set us up for a number of possibilities.
I thought Cork’s flaws were remarkable. He admitted things about himself that made him vulnerable and made the book better than it should have been.
I suspect I’ll be lost here with Cork for a while. ...more
That was excellent writing. It was, I think, impassioned and moving but not flowery. A rather direct juxtaposition to the book I read just before. BotThat was excellent writing. It was, I think, impassioned and moving but not flowery. A rather direct juxtaposition to the book I read just before. Both of them 5 stars though for very different reasons. ...more
That was wonderful. Smart and sweet and hard and interesting. This was a long book - but it filled its space - slowly unwinding at a pace that gave thThat was wonderful. Smart and sweet and hard and interesting. This was a long book - but it filled its space - slowly unwinding at a pace that gave the characters time to come into themselves and their stories.
World War II stories are an enormous personal favorite. The stiff upper lip in the face of hardship is intoxicating - particularly now. And it’s wonderful to see characters come out the other side and to thrive.
It took me a week to read it - only bc I started it the night before we left on vacation. I ended up reading the bulk of it on the couch of a North CaIt took me a week to read it - only bc I started it the night before we left on vacation. I ended up reading the bulk of it on the couch of a North Carolina cabin - a lovely vacation read. I don’t think the mystery was much of a mystery. Any number of things were just too far a stretch. And I didn’t understand the actions of one of the characters. But it was a lot of fun to read. ...more
I had some hesitation going into this one: The concerns that arise with a book with this much hype. Comments from other readers about how much they loI had some hesitation going into this one: The concerns that arise with a book with this much hype. Comments from other readers about how much they loved the setting and beautiful writing. (These are reader red flags for me.) The fact that a good handful of folks loathe the book.
But there’s not much to be lost in trying a book. So I got it from the library today (after the obligatory wait) and didn’t make it past page 50.
The dialogue was unreadable. I don’t know who talks like that. I don’t know why it had to be this odd stilted miserable garble that was the book equivalent of catching a pinkie toe on an ottoman. But I am not wasting this one wild and precious life reading dialogue so bad it makes my sinuses sting.
Also - it was sad and boring. But those honestly seemed like small potatoes in comparison.
(Can someone with an e-reader tell me how often the words “like” and “so” were used in this book? It has to be in the millions.)...more
This was an odd one. Maybe a mystery? Maybe a family saga? It picked up after the first 200 pages but was never excellent. Still, Moriarity is just a This was an odd one. Maybe a mystery? Maybe a family saga? It picked up after the first 200 pages but was never excellent. Still, Moriarity is just a weird joy to read - with such crappy characters. It did feel like the book lacked any oomf. It was just…there unfolding in odd odd ways. ...more
*The Angry Reader*
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Books:
2022
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