I remember how much I enjoyed this author’s book, “The Coincidence of Coconut Cake,” so much so I asked my husband if he would be willing Catching up…
I remember how much I enjoyed this author’s book, “The Coincidence of Coconut Cake,” so much so I asked my husband if he would be willing to make her actual recipe coconut cake. He did. After all, he is the baker in our family. And, it actually was very good.
So, when I received this book as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, I was hopeful that maybe this one may also be a delicious addition. Of course, it did have recipes, Anniversary pie (lemon), lemon syrup and whipped cream. ...more
This is truly a very popular children’s book. It won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2005. And, it has been “checCatching up…
This is truly a very popular children’s book. It won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2005. And, it has been “checked-out” of my Little Free Library Shed over the past couple of years.
I am always surprised when it comes back after a period of time. One of my “regulars” is a pre-school teacher who takes a pile of books from my LFL for her classroom and then returns them at the end of the school session. She always donates quite a few books, as well. So, it is a wonderful reciprocal relationship! ...more
Let me start this review by saying I believe I am going to be an outlier when it comes to this book. So, please feel free to look at other reviews.
VeLet me start this review by saying I believe I am going to be an outlier when it comes to this book. So, please feel free to look at other reviews.
Very pregnant Alice and her boyfriend Joe decide to leave London and move to the suburbs where they think they will have an easier lifestyle.
No sooner does Alice settle into her prenatal class, than all the mothers-to-be are setting out to solve the murder of the proprietor of the business. This leads them to a commune, more death, far-right politicians and some other hinky individuals and secrets to be revealed.
What will Alice learn about Joe along this journey?
In my opinion, the beginning of the story tried too hard to be funny, the middle moved quite slowly, but the last third of the book, went a tad better.
Still, the story felt a bit disjointed, and took too long to get to the point, and there were way too many characters. So, the soap opera-ish drama took away from the clean-up ending conclusion.
Oh, and in due course everyone had their babies. I think. I lost track of who’s who and eventually lost interest, too.
I love Thursdays. They are my day to go to my local public library to pick up books. I feel like a young kid going into an ice cream store ready to piI love Thursdays. They are my day to go to my local public library to pick up books. I feel like a young kid going into an ice cream store ready to pick out my favorite ice cream. What flavor should I choose today?
When I saw this book, I was intrigued. I have never read this author before, and according to the side flap it sounded like magical realism, one of my favorite genres.
When I went to check my books out, the librarian said, “oh you must read this book first, there is already someone who is waiting to read this one right after you.” Which means I only get 3 weeks to finish it! So, with my large pile of books, I put this one at the top of my reading pile to begin reading first.
So, I did. Begin. To read it. First.
Well, where do I begin?
What I understand is that this is the author’s first novel. She has typically written contemporary short stories fiction. So, as a first novel, she decided to make this a 600-page story. Now, after having the experience of “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese, I have been more willing to venture into larger novels, as long as I have felt the story had meaning and purpose.
But where was this one going? I felt confused, and…well, it was strange. And I was having difficulty finding my way through the pages.
There appeared to be some drama, and grief, and resilience, and a supernatural presence which seemed menacing, and wanted the characters to explore what it truly means to be alive.
But it was really hard to understand how to connect to the characters when I didn’t really know what their purpose was for being. Are they dead or presumed dead? Are they missing or are they not? Are they on a mission or in some alternate reality?
Where am I as the reader?
I felt so off balance I am sorry to say that I had to abandon the book when one character said, “do you want to be dead, because I don’t. I want to avoid being dead for as long as possible.”
What?
Maybe it would have been easier for me to understand had this been a short story? Then maybe the author could have gotten to the point sooner.
Well, I hope the next reader who is so anxiously waiting for this book from my local public library, will be excited to get it earlier when I drop it off today....more
I was originally looking forward to reading this story, especially with its 1947 post-war New York setting. Its premise sounded interesting and the seI was originally looking forward to reading this story, especially with its 1947 post-war New York setting. Its premise sounded interesting and the series sounded like it had potential with two Holmesian-type detectives searching for a missing woman.
And then I opened its pages and the author had provided two pages worth for a “cast of characters.” We were not off to a good start.
Of course, as I shared, this is a series, and if you aren’t familiar with the characters, it doesn’t help that it doesn’t read like a stand-alone, so readers who haven’t read the earlier books, will feel like a fish out of water.
So, I tried, and hoped for the best in understanding these humanly-flawed protagonists.
But then the author delivered something that spoiled everything for me. (And forgive the spoiler, for which I don’t typically offer.) A cliffhanger. And to me, that is the worst sin of an author.
In his acknowledgments, the author says, “I know – a cliffhanger. Please don’t hate me. There was no other way to do it. The stakes are about to get raised for our heroines, and I hope you’ll stick around for the ride.”
Well, I disagree! There are other ways to do it. In my opinion, stories should have a beginning, a middle and an end. There is absolutely no excuse for a cliffhanger with a book. To leave readers suspended this way, I feel, is detestable.
And for when we come into a series in the middle (yes, I know we shouldn’t), the least an author can do is catch us up with a few lines within the current story. And, I don’t think it should be in the list of the cast of characters where all the nuances attached to the character’s name should give readers all the clues about who they are and how we should know them.
Yes, I realize we should read the series from the beginning, but when our library doesn’t have the first books, we would appreciate at least a little help in this way from authors.
I also realize not everyone may agree with what I share here – I am obviously an outlier. I get it.
This is not an author/series I will be following. So, for anyone who is interested in this series, or who has rated it higher, this is my reason for not. ...more
The author won the Booker Prize for 2023 for this story. But does that mean he won my heart for best book to read?
This book was prominently displayedThe author won the Booker Prize for 2023 for this story. But does that mean he won my heart for best book to read?
This book was prominently displayed in my local library as I perused the bookshelves. On the cover it said, “The Booker Prize 2023 Winner.”
Now, to be honest, being a book award winner has never impressed me. Leading a Library Book Discussion group for 12 years, we have often read and discussed Pulitzer and Booker Prize winners, and at the same time wondered what those committee members were thinking when they selected some of those books!
Still, that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to take this book down off the shelf, in the hurry I was in, and add it to my pile of books to check out.
So here I am, ready to discuss this book with you.
First, for those who aren’t aware, the Booker Prize is an award given every year to the best English-language fiction published in the United Kingdom and Ireland in a given year.
And, second, since it is considered one of the literary world’s most prestigious awards, this is quite the accomplishment even to make the shortlist!
But even after sharing all that, it was interesting to note, before opening one page of this book, that not all reviewers were kind. Especially since this is somewhat of a dystopian novel. Not my favorite genre. I’m being honest.
So, after I opened the book for myself to read, will I be kind?
The story is set in contemporary Dublin, Ireland. There is a reference to a “virus” to set the tone for the story about a pandemic as a backdrop. We get the sense of a free society with a constitution and a rule of law, but there is a chaos descending created by a “political” crisis. But the fight between who and what is rather vague. There is also a moral ambiguity.
And then there is more frustration that comes up for this reader. Dialogue is not punctuated with quotation marks. How am I to know the difference between a thing said and a thing thought? This brings on headaches for me.
The book continues into chaos. The story, and my attempt to read it.
There are also no paragraphs, only continuous sentences that refused to find an ending – barely. This reader/reviewer did what I could only do…I turned my last page about half way through and DNF’d it.
I think this is it in my Jodi Picoult phase of reading and re-visiting her books. I almost feel like after re-visiting so many of her pastCatching up…
I think this is it in my Jodi Picoult phase of reading and re-visiting her books. I almost feel like after re-visiting so many of her past books, I have been sitting with an old friend and conducting a heart-felt conversation about all these different characters that have been in this amazing author’s repertoire.
And now, I come to this book. Her debut novel. This was our introduction to her. She was unknown to the world. How would we react to her?
For many, this book wasn’t noticed initially. It probably took a few more Picoult novels before this one was even read. And then, when it was finally read, it may not have been particularly cared for because of the multiple P.O.V.’s. (5).
And because each narrator had a story to tell, it wasn’t even clear whose story was in current or past tense. So, by the time we got to the end of the story, we weren’t sure if there was any satisfactory resolution, for any of the characters.
And for this reader, I felt completely left in the dark. Which considering the subject matter, was not a safe place to be left.
I had so many questions. To reveal my questions would give away spoilers.
Let’s just say, this is a story of love, loss and self-discovery. It is also a story of abuse.
The characters felt shallow, oblivious and flat, and unlikable for the most part. So, whether my questions get answered or not, I’m not sure I would be invested enough to care.
Sadly, this was not a great debut. Thankfully, Picoult grew as an author with later novels and found a way to create better voices for her characters in future stories. ...more
The title is truly a good question, because this plotless un-novel makes me wonder if I need to go elsewhere to find iWhere do I begin with this book?
The title is truly a good question, because this plotless un-novel makes me wonder if I need to go elsewhere to find it.
The author interchanges the novel between first-person narration and email format third person narration which created a confusing flow reading dynamic for me. I will try to explain.
I am not a fan of reading conversations without quotation marks telling me where it begins or starts for one.
And I’m not even sure the conversation banter that took place within this novel was something to be enjoyed.
Let alone the mindless sex. The author’s writing about sex is rather direct. There was nothing fun about it. I don’t know what I was looking for, but it was like someone was just telling me it happened and well they were done. Okay, got it.
Of course, I was doing my best to like and understand these characters through the mains email letter writing, and that wasn’t exactly easy, either.
If the characters were trying to connect, or be funny or smart, or show love or caring toward one another, it was awkwardly frustrating to watch and read.
Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me. Which most likely makes me an outlier here. Your best bet is to go read others reviews before judging this book....more
And then there was “The Maidens.” Could it be as good as “The Silent Patient?” No. I didn’t really care for this one. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Was I ready to give up on Michaelides yet?
When I started reading some of my Goodreads friends mixed reviews, I became concerned. I rearranged my question from ‘was I ready to give up on Michaelides yet’ to, should I even bother to read this one?
Well, I decided to read it, especially when a friend donated the book to my Little Free Library Shed.
What was I in for?
The narrator, Elliot Chase, lets readers know right away that “this is a tale of murder.” But he is also clear in his telling of this story, that he is an unreliable narrator. So, there are lots of moments in which readers are left to wonder, did this really happen as he is describing?
Still, so much of the plot seemed like a movie I had already seen or a book I have already read. How many times have we been told this story?
And unfortunately, how could readers become invested in it with such a floppy plot, and unbelievable, one-dimensional characters?
It didn’t take long for me to stop wondering who was going to be murdered or why. I just didn’t care any longer. As far as I was concerned, murder the lot of them! No one was particularly likable!
Lastly, ‘the fury’ refers to a malign Aegean wind. But, by the end of this soppy mess, I think the real fury was me, angry I had wasted my time.
What happens when our main character believes her brother-in-law killed her sister (his wife)? In this instance, she does everything to get him convicWhat happens when our main character believes her brother-in-law killed her sister (his wife)? In this instance, she does everything to get him convicted. The problem is there is no evidence.
So now what?
She leaves her home in Minnesota for Ireland.
But it doesn’t erase her need for answers, so she returns 3 years later. Determined to put the case to rest.
The problem is, her brother-in-law is planning to marry someone new, and leave the country, leaving our character searching for answers, and concerned about the safety of her niece.
And she is only given a few days to solve this case before he leaves.
And then there is another murder – similar to how her sister was murdered.
So now what?
I seem to ask that a lot, don’t I?
Are we heading back to Ireland?
Well, let’s just say that the novel starts quickly and grabs readers as more clues become obvious with each turning page. With a lot of attention to forensic details. Along with scenic views of St. Paul’s river, and the sea in Ireland.
This story is…Family drama. Murder. Tons of mystery. Irish folklore (think selkies, mermaids and changelings). Oh, and did I mention a little romance? All of this could very well keep readers engaged and hopeful for resolution.
If any of this sounds interesting, be patient with this book. I wasn’t. It was too much of a convoluted plot (in my opinion), and thus a disappointment for me. And, apparently this is a series. But it wasn’t obvious to me. Would it have been better for me if I read book 1 & 2 first?
Apparently, this book is part of the author’s Alaska Wild series, the 5th in the series. Which means, people like me, who haven't read 1-4, might be aApparently, this book is part of the author’s Alaska Wild series, the 5th in the series. Which means, people like me, who haven't read 1-4, might be a little bit confused.
Who is who and what is what?
And…
Who can anybody trust?
For those who are reading this mystery series for the first time, don’t start here.
Although…
The scenic rugged setting of Alaska lends atmosphere…
Was it enough?
There were so many plotlines, I was getting whiplash trying to keep up. A character’s convoluted story of why she is where she is, a character’s disappearance, and the main protagonist having so many connections with her past and… (no spoilers)
So…
Many secrets and back stories of residents. How could I keep step with all of this?
Plus…
Then the author did what I absolutely hate…
She provided a cliffhanger ending.
Would it have been different had I read the earlier books?
I don’t know.
But…
This book didn’t encourage me to feel any allegiance to the series, past or moving forward. Especially, with a cliffhanger ending.
Thus…
This book for me is one and done.
By the way…
Other reviewers felt differently.
So…
If you are interested in considering this series, read their reviews first.
If you are wondering why the author’s name is familiar, you are right to wonder. This is Sir Michael Caine, CBE the Oscar winning actor for the film “If you are wondering why the author’s name is familiar, you are right to wonder. This is Sir Michael Caine, CBE the Oscar winning actor for the film “Hannah and Her Sisters.” He even had a movie out in 2023, the year he celebrated turning 90 years old.
I wanted to read this one, because of his notoriety and my curiosity about him as a writer. And this is his debut work of fiction.
But as I dove into it, I couldn’t help but wonder, would this have been published if it hadn’t of been written by a famous actor?
Premise: His protagonist hero is a 45-year-old DCI Harry Taylor. Old school cop. Tough with a good heart. And he happens to be on the trail of some missing uranium with a lot of suspects.
So how did it do?
I felt it was poorly written, predictable and contrived. Unfortunately, it did not keep me engaged.
Let’s just say, it was a slog read. Difficult to enjoy, despite the twists and turns thrown at us readers. I think it wanted to be an exciting thriller, but it was more of a yawner for me.
You are probably wondering how I was able to read 1125 books this year, right?
Let me explain. It might take a minute.
This is…
My first real year oSo…
You are probably wondering how I was able to read 1125 books this year, right?
Let me explain. It might take a minute.
This is…
My first real year on Goodreads…
Even though I officially joined in 2022. I have been learning how to navigate this site this year. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy Goodreads until this year, when I decided to become friends with you.
When you asked me to be your friend…
I was so grateful.
And…
When you accepted my friend request, I felt so appreciative.
This experience with you has been so thrilling at so many levels because of you. I always look forward to our shared comments under each other’s reviews.
And…
Your recommendations for books have enhanced my reading experiences immensely.
Also…
I have met some amazing authors, been offered some incredible books to read, and made some lifelong friends through this community.
So…
Thank you for accepting me into your reading world.
This year… as of December 31 I have read and re-visited 363,921 pages, 1125 books.
The shortest book I read was 16 pages – Frog and Toad Alone by Arnold Lobel. The longest book I read was 1,376 pages – Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. It says that my average rating was 3.8, although it would be nice if the rating system here on Goodreads actually showed more than a 1-5 rating.
When I first started the reading challenge, I put in that I was only going to read 200 books.
But…
I surpassed that number rather quickly…
And…
I was told by one of my friends that I needed to up that number…
So…
I did, to 850.
Which…
I obviously surpassed again.
But…
I need to be clear that the reason that this number of books is so high is because I am catching up with all the books, I have read over the past several years. All I am trying to do is to get all those past books I have already read (by revisiting them) and then providing written reviews for Goodreads.
And…
At the same time be able to read current books…
And…
Review them, too.
I know, quite the workload, right?
This may take a while. At some point, I may give up on those past books, who knows!
I am not going to list the books I have read (here), I encourage you to go to my page, if you are interested to check them out. I am rather an eclectic reader. I will read anything and everything…from children’s books, to YA novels, to mysteries, to historical fiction to magical realism to non-fiction to memoirs and more.
And…
I also prefer print books. I like the feel of a book in my hands. I am old-fashioned that way.
Mostly…
I want to thank you. Thank you for making this experience so meaningful. I look forward to reading and sharing 2024 with you.
Because…
You make this fun. I love discussing books with you. Without you…why write reviews?...more
This was a short debut novel that was written during lockdown. It tracks 3 wealthy, well-educated Britons of Nigerian descent – a married couple and tThis was a short debut novel that was written during lockdown. It tracks 3 wealthy, well-educated Britons of Nigerian descent – a married couple and the wife’s manipulative best friend – over the course of a single day.
The result of that alcohol-fueled day is more discomforting than amusing.
Each of the 3 characters takes a turn sharing their perspective, beginning with the pretty unnamed wife, who doesn’t work or do much, but exercise and get soused with her disruptive best friend from childhood who her husband dislikes.
Temi, the only named character, shows up regularly to the couple’s nice home, in a gated community. She routinely overstays her welcome and baits, insults and enrages the mild-mannered husband, which the wife finds amusing.
What’s with Temi anyway?
Well…
It isn’t until the 3rd half of the novel that readers hear her voice.
But…
By the time her reveal comes, readers are already on to her. There is a selfishness about her that expects total allegiance to her.
Men?
Were they ever part of her plan?
So…
What does the wife do about Temi?
Will she save her marriage, despite her?
It is hard to like a book when the characters are so unapologetically unlikable. Manipulative and controlling. And/or even allow themselves to be (manipulated and controlled), as in the case of the wife.
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed.
I only acknowledge that I read this book so I can say Catching Up...
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed.
I only acknowledge that I read this book so I can say how much I hated it.
The two main characters are completely unlikable, one for being completely self-absorbed and selfish, and the other for being so spineless and whiny. So spineless, in fact, that the action of her sleeping with her friend's fiancé wasn't even a credible one.
I finally skipped to the end to see if it was a happy ending, and I guess by chick-lit standards, it was…
But...,
This isn’t the way to achieve it.
By the way, this is also a movie starring Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, and John Krasinski. ...more
I read this awhile ago. I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
I'll start by saying that I thought the first book in this series, The House of Silk,I read this awhile ago. I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
I'll start by saying that I thought the first book in this series, The House of Silk, was so wonderful that I was really excited about Moriarty. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm a keen Holmes fan and in addition to reading all the originals, I've read a number of Holmes novels which have been written by other people.
I am also an Anthony Horowitz fan, so why not try Moriarty?
The short version is that it's not as good as the previous one and suffers (I think too heavily) from an overly contrived attempt to shoehorn a completely non-Holmes novel into a Holmes series.
After all we were warned with the words: Holmes is dead and darkness falls.
The phrase above is written on the book’s cover. Not mine, but I saw it on an advertisement of the book.
The book is named ‘Moriarty’. All the clues are there. Literally and figuratively right in front of my eyes.
And yet, what did I do?
Throughout the book, I waited for Sherlock to appear.
I know, stupid, right?
A Sherlock Holmes novel minus Sherlock Holmes himself.
This book was just a big disappointment for me as a reader, to the point where I started skimming and hoping for it to pick up like it did at the end.
Speaking of which…. the ~surprise plot twist~ just made me angry.
I had been staying up in bed to try and finish this book when the twist hit. I didn't feel wonderfully tricked and surprised.
No, I felt cheated and annoyed at what felt like a last-ditch effort to make this story interesting.
But some of you may feel differently. You may like the reminiscences of Sherlockian characters throughout. I did not. It didn’t work for me. ...more
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