I wasn't sure how many stars to rate this book. I didn't enjoy it enough to give it 3 stars but the story sounded decent enough. Then I saw t2.5 stars
I wasn't sure how many stars to rate this book. I didn't enjoy it enough to give it 3 stars but the story sounded decent enough. Then I saw that I noticed that Krueger is also the author of This Tender Land, which I was also excited to read but ended up missing the mark.
I listened to the audiobook which failed to grab my attention until I reached around 75% of the book. This is never good because I kept replaying some chapters since I often got distracted listening to the audio (although I was not doing anything but riding a bus).
I also felt that the story wouldn't progress. Too many unnecessary details about every single character we were introduced to and it was difficult for me to keep track amid useless information.
The last few chapters were the best part of the story. The book feels more like a historical drama than a thriller actually since it's heavily focused on the characters. The audio narration was decent but I think Krueger's writing style is simply not for me....more
I picked up Looking for Jane because it was on the GR choice awards list. I listened to the audiobook and all three perspectives had the same narratorI picked up Looking for Jane because it was on the GR choice awards list. I listened to the audiobook and all three perspectives had the same narrator. The story was interesting and admirable. The three timelines were linked well even though I suspected the plot twist early on. I don't think we needed it though.
The characters were okay, not annoying but not memorable. It was the audiobook picked randomly right after finishing The House of Eve. Frankly, I didn't know much about these kind of houses. I knew they existed but not the physical and emotional hardships the girls and women endured there. I'm really glad to see authors continuing to write about dark and unpopular parts of history.
The narrator however sounded too weird when trying to speak like someone is sad and it made me cringe. Nonetheless, it’s usually the type of audiobook I enjoy listening to. It didn't affect my overall experience but definitely removed any possibility of feeling much of a connection to those emotional moments....more
Go as a River started slow. I read the description just before starting the book and it was quite vague. I didn't know what to expect. And I agree, thGo as a River started slow. I read the description just before starting the book and it was quite vague. I didn't know what to expect. And I agree, this book flows like a river. While the pace is steady, it is also filled with different events covering almost two decades.
I liked Victoria, her relationship with her father was an interesting one. I have assumed he's "a bad guy" but I was misguided. Later on, I wished she had more time with him alone.
I also wanted this book to be longer. The ending was well done but I wanted more. I was waiting to see what would happen next and then it was the end, sadly. ...more
Very interesting story. Sadly, I didn’t particularly connect to any of the characters, which left me detached from the book. I empathised wit3.5 stars
Very interesting story. Sadly, I didn’t particularly connect to any of the characters, which left me detached from the book. I empathised with that they had to go through, yes but I appreciated this read mostly thanks to what I learned from it....more
I honestly didn’t know about this book until the movie came out. And what a miss. I’m honestly at a loss for words since the whole reign of terror. I I honestly didn’t know about this book until the movie came out. And what a miss. I’m honestly at a loss for words since the whole reign of terror. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for an interesting, eye opening non fic that is well narrated.
I can’t believe Leo was a good guy when I watched the trailer (with zero knowledge about the real story).. ...more
I bought this book many years ago. It stayed there sitting on my shelf until my friend asked to borrow it. I started reading it then (for some reason)I bought this book many years ago. It stayed there sitting on my shelf until my friend asked to borrow it. I started reading it then (for some reason) and was in for a long multigenerational story with lots of ups and downs. rtc....more
I found Lady Tan's Circle of Women to be an exceptional read. Set against the backdrop of 16th-century China, the narrative unfolds as a young woman sI found Lady Tan's Circle of Women to be an exceptional read. Set against the backdrop of 16th-century China, the narrative unfolds as a young woman starts her journey into Chinese medicine at the age of 14, breaking societal norms as she balances her roles as a wife and mother. The vivid depiction of the era, including the unsettling details of feet binding, highlights the author's ability to capture the complexities of historical practices. Lady Tan emerged as a compelling lead, and her journey became a focal point that left me eager to unravel more about her life as the story progressed. Overall, this book is a testament to the author's skill in crafting a narrative that is not only historically rich but also emotionally resonant, making it a highly recommended and rewarding read.
This book reignited my interest reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, particularly after having lost enthusiasm for reading this genre despite owning the book for years. I ususally tend to read this genre in the form of audios.
The audiobook, in particular, stood out with its impeccable narration, making it a noteworthy recommendation for audiobook enthusiasts. Lady Tan's Circle of Women not only captivated my attention but also proved to be an enlightening and educational experience. The writing was superb, seamlessly blending historical context with a gripping storyline, ensuring that it never felt like a dry history lesson. Instead, I found myself empathizing with the intricately portrayed characters, each with their shades of good and bad....more
I wanted to like this book so much so that I was sitting and forcing myself to FOCUS. Yet, no matter how much I tried, Horse failed to grab my interesI wanted to like this book so much so that I was sitting and forcing myself to FOCUS. Yet, no matter how much I tried, Horse failed to grab my interest. After listening to 65% of the book, I had to give up. I feel like I am wasting my time because I'm not engaged in the story even though the premise is very interesting. ...more
I am highly enjoying Sepetys YA historical fiction portraying different countries through their challenging times. Especially the historical part sincI am highly enjoying Sepetys YA historical fiction portraying different countries through their challenging times. Especially the historical part since I rarely connect with the characters. ...more
4.5 stars Yes, I do get the hype and I wholeheartedly support it. This was such a good book dealing with an important topic, women in science, in well 4.5 stars Yes, I do get the hype and I wholeheartedly support it. This was such a good book dealing with an important topic, women in science, in well executed way. It will make you sad, concerned, smile, and well, furious. Highly recommended and yes, the audiobook is terrific. You can give it a go because the narrator told the story as a character (not in a cringe way) and not just as an outsider.
On a side note, this book would make an excellent choice for a gift!...more
I enjoyed this audiobook more than a Gentleman in Moscow. Nonetheless, it dragged and I didn’t feel anything towards the characters.. more th2.5 stars
I enjoyed this audiobook more than a Gentleman in Moscow. Nonetheless, it dragged and I didn’t feel anything towards the characters.. more thoughts to follow...more
This book was interesting but I lacked any connection to the characters. I liked learning about the SCOPE project but I know nothing has stayed with mThis book was interesting but I lacked any connection to the characters. I liked learning about the SCOPE project but I know nothing has stayed with me. I wish the story was more focused on Eleanor. I am tired of these double timelines, especially since the PoVs in the past are more interesting. In this case, I'd believe a chronological story with Eleanor as a MC might have been better or maybe Kayla could've been more interesting......more
I mentioned last year that I wanted to take a break from WWII books but nonetheless, I chose to read this book because of its interesting story. It's I mentioned last year that I wanted to take a break from WWII books but nonetheless, I chose to read this book because of its interesting story. It's based on the true story of a renowned Ukrainian sniper during the war. I haven't heard of Mila Pavlichenko before this book and it's always interesting to see historic figures brought to life in fiction. So it was a real plus for Quinn in this book, that and her strong writing style.
Other than that, however, I must admit that I couldn't connect with the characters and sometimes even if my mind wandered while listening to the audio, I wouldn't feel lost at all (nor care honestly). So the idea was really nice and the story is good for what it is not in its details, was it connecting to the characters or a gripping plot.
The audiobook's narration was excellent. If you're considering reading this book in this format, you wouldn't go wrong by choosing to listen to the audio!
I don't have much to say about the book other than the points I mentioned before. I'm glad I now know her story for sure. I just hope Quinn decides to write outside of WWII because she has a big potential and I would like to read her books if set during a different time period. I truly like how she chooses a heroine figure from the war and brings her to fiction work but I've read enough books set during that time and would prefer to explore different historical events....more