Romance! Not really my thing. So how did I end up with this? Who knows, I knew the name (and I thought VERITY wasn't bad), so I picked it up. And to bRomance! Not really my thing. So how did I end up with this? Who knows, I knew the name (and I thought VERITY wasn't bad), so I picked it up. And to be honest, I got about halfway then decided to hang it up. That's not to say the writing or even the story was bad, cause it wasn't. but the premise to me was too farfetched and unrealistic (to me), and I just didn't feel invested in even finding out the results. That being said, I didn't feel like I should give a bad review, and I liked what I read well enough, and I definitely think younger readers will likely love it, so I gave decent stars. ...more
I don't like that much horror, and while I think the writing was very good, I didn't love the story. I think many people will, however, so don't be diI don't like that much horror, and while I think the writing was very good, I didn't love the story. I think many people will, however, so don't be discouraged by my review. ...more
There are some qualms about the book, basically a collection of tall tales of mostly humorous stripe that are both entertaining and in the end, to me,There are some qualms about the book, basically a collection of tall tales of mostly humorous stripe that are both entertaining and in the end, to me, about pending loss of a loved one. As well, perhaps, about the effect parental decisions have on one's offspring, and that of absence. Some parts felt like myth, such as when Edward faces elusive creatures (like the mermaid), or is heroic or stays true to himself. Overall I liked it. ...more
At first I wasn't digging it that much but I kept with it and in the end I liked this debut novel. He certainly seemed to know Miami and the EvergladeAt first I wasn't digging it that much but I kept with it and in the end I liked this debut novel. He certainly seemed to know Miami and the Everglades environs, which is usually a good way to start off one's first book. . .write what you know. If he didn't know the area, he did a heck of a lot of good research. Having been raised in an area full of Cuban-Americans (in my case Tampa), the story had many resonances. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with in his next work....more
A pretty good little thriller mystery that I thought meandered a bit but was enjoyable and quick. Perhaps a little repetitiveness and a few other weakA pretty good little thriller mystery that I thought meandered a bit but was enjoyable and quick. Perhaps a little repetitiveness and a few other weaknesses, but then I don't read too many books of the genre. Wouldn't be surprised if Donlea returned to some of the characters in some way. I think most readers will enjoy it. ...more
I went to see Moreno-Garcia at the local library and I found her surprisingly (for me at least) funny and engaging. I enjoyed her talk/interview. My eI went to see Moreno-Garcia at the local library and I found her surprisingly (for me at least) funny and engaging. I enjoyed her talk/interview. My experience with her books has been somewhat mixed. I enjoyed most CERTAIN DARK THINGS. This one, not nearly as much. I'm not the biggest fan of intertwined narrators. It lacked some of the fire and intensity I would have expected, and I kinda knew who the bad person was going to be. But it still was a decent read that many people will enjoy. I hate to say I kind of wanted it over, which is a sure sign that I am not enjoying something as much as I would wish. ...more
The latest from one of my favorite authors and for the most part this collection didn't disappoint, with varied contributions often exhibiting his masThe latest from one of my favorite authors and for the most part this collection didn't disappoint, with varied contributions often exhibiting his mastery and humor. The novella was a welcomed continuation of the story of a character from one of his earlier books (note how I am not spoiling). I very much enjoyed three short stories, "The Line," "Hasta Luego," and "The Bootlegger." Fans of Towles will be glad to see him back and I hope new readers give this a try and find themselves going back to his previous works....more
A nice little collection of connected short stories (3) that were a tad repetitive but interesting, giving the reader a different view of a kind of shA nice little collection of connected short stories (3) that were a tad repetitive but interesting, giving the reader a different view of a kind of short Japanese purgatory (in a transitional way) and an insight into Japanese culture, methinks. The stories left me a little sad though, but that's on me I suppose (as these types of movies and shows tickle my depressive side). ...more
A delightful addition to the Rivers of London books, a story that introduced a new area and some new characters. I really like this series. Light, oftA delightful addition to the Rivers of London books, a story that introduced a new area and some new characters. I really like this series. Light, often humorous and, in this case particularly, WOKE---and I love it. Can't wait until the next one drops....more
What an amazing, entertaining, fun book about. . .the end of humanity. And yet there is a single domestic crow holding out hope for human kind while aWhat an amazing, entertaining, fun book about. . .the end of humanity. And yet there is a single domestic crow holding out hope for human kind while also being heroic in other ways (don't want to spoil), in a story told from the view of many animals caught up in the drastic changes to the world. I really enjoyed it, even if there are also sad parts, and not a few unbelievable ones as well. And I've already anticipating getting my hands on the sequel. ...more
I was very much in the "Wow" category up until the latter third of the book, though it still impressed me and kept my interest. It ticked off many of I was very much in the "Wow" category up until the latter third of the book, though it still impressed me and kept my interest. It ticked off many of my interests: academia, research, climate change, dystopia (?), etc. I was interested in the whole cast of characters, even the ones I didn't much like or whose actions disappointed me. If I had stopped reading before the last part I probably would have loved it more. Some parts may trigger some readers, which may mean some should read an outline perhaps before attempting it, though I would discourage no one from giving it a go. Set in the future (roughly a century) with English professors looking back at a group of writers and academics (mostly) and an unpublished poem read only to a small gathering that has garnered much speculation. I've read a few of McEwan's books and I think this might be his best....more
Odd that I picked this up having never read (though I watched both the Swedish and American movies), and while I thought it was ok, I had this feelingOdd that I picked this up having never read (though I watched both the Swedish and American movies), and while I thought it was ok, I had this feeling the series should end, maybe one last hurrah to end some of the story lines. ...more
I have very much enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Unlike some science fiction-fantasy, Scalzi does not try to overwhelm tI have very much enjoyed this series and look forward to the next installment. Unlike some science fiction-fantasy, Scalzi does not try to overwhelm the reader with science but tells an enjoyable (often humorous and interesting) story whose main characters you root for. Like a lot of his other books. There are enough twists to keep one engaged and the writing keeps us moving forward, not bogged down in scientific minutiae. There is action, but also a lot to think about how authoritarian governments control their people, and also insights into how people relate to each other in cultural and colonization efforts. Smart, but still fun. ...more
This is one of those historical fiction works that I felt as if I were being kind of lectured to on the culture(s) the main character is experiencing.This is one of those historical fiction works that I felt as if I were being kind of lectured to on the culture(s) the main character is experiencing. No doubt some will look quizzically at the fact it is written by a white male (no matter his scholarly background), which is certainly allowable but gave me pause. Regardless, it was pretty good and interesting. A bit repetitive though, such as her giving the two-finger to the noggin to signify understand, and the like. How many times do we need to know she can shoot a beaver's eye out at 500 paces. Still, I think readers, especially younger ones, might like it. For me, it was ok. ...more
It is a long-standing fictional exercise to write stories about characters from other books, often from cherished stories, with widely varied results.It is a long-standing fictional exercise to write stories about characters from other books, often from cherished stories, with widely varied results. Of course, doing so opens the author to possible criticism and praise. This one focuses on Huckleberry Finn's rather despicable father, who only gets a little mention by Twain. Coming on the heals of reading JAMES, which seems to have garnered widespread praise, as this one also seems to have, I wasn't as enamored, probably because Finn is not a very appealing character. Been a long time since I read the original, so I'm not totally sure if Clinch took too many liberties, but I kind of felt he didn't stray too far in developing the narrative arc. Some parts are difficult to read, and some readers may be disgusted. I found it interesting in some regards, as it does reflect true sentiments of the era. ...more
I had resisted reading this classic for a very long time, and too refused to watch the film. I just didn't want to read about child abuse, no matter hI had resisted reading this classic for a very long time, and too refused to watch the film. I just didn't want to read about child abuse, no matter how wonderfully the story was presented. Some friends tittered at my reluctance to take it up over the years. Then recently two friends insisted I try it. So, with some trepidation I picked it up. My mind wasn't changed as to the repugnance of the topic, made even worse for me when the victim was even younger than I had imagined her to be (pre-teen as opposed to latter teen). And yet, what extraordinary writing. As bad a man as Humbert was, Nabokov's words in his mouth were amazing. . .witty, perverse, beautiful in their alliteration and pop. I chuckled quite often at his descriptions of Lolita's behaviors, observations on their long-distance journey, his jealous angers at rivals real and imagined. There's even a thread of sadness to it. Some people will dislike the frequent interjections of French (they could be irritating) and failing, but I ended up liking the story. Still, I refused to give it the 5 it probably deserved just for Nabokov's decision to take up the topic. ...more
Not something that needs a lot of commentary. It's pretty much along the lines of his other efforts: enjoyable for the most part, somewhat bloated. A Not something that needs a lot of commentary. It's pretty much along the lines of his other efforts: enjoyable for the most part, somewhat bloated. A lot going on, of course, a deep dive for conspiracy-minded readers, bad guys, twists. . .well, you know....more
I love me some Christopher Moore. And although he always seems to have a horndog character or two and is a bit risque, be forewarned and follow his adI love me some Christopher Moore. And although he always seems to have a horndog character or two and is a bit risque, be forewarned and follow his advice at the beginning of the book if you may be triggered by certain inappropriate behaviors and violence. Cause we gots lots. Even I was a bit disturbed by some age-related shenanigans.
That being said, I loved it. There is a ton of humor and I liked almost all of the characters, and there are some twists. Without spoiling too much, this story falls well withing his latter stage of stories where he mixes both real-life historical humans with well-known fictional characters from a rather famous nineteenth-century gothic/horror novel, and I'll leave it at that, as well as mixing in First Nations religious beliefs and budding philosophical/psychiatric studies during the time frame. Yes, it is a typical Moore production that seems to pull from several of his latest boos, such as SACRE BLEU. I'm certain most Moore fans will love this. In my mind I was thinking, if I were a literary critic I'd have a good feminist paper in the offing. But as just a casual reader, I'm glad Moore's back. Now I have to go back and read the one book of his I somehow have overlooked....more
Although this young-adult novella has received criticism from different groups, when considering its date of publication and what I see as a plea for Although this young-adult novella has received criticism from different groups, when considering its date of publication and what I see as a plea for better racial relations (though it reflects the racial views of its time, the 1940s), I thought it was a decent little story that many young readers would enjoy and maybe raise questions for them to pursue, both historically and personal. It probably would have been a book I would have enjoyed had I been given it (not likely in Charleston though). It does have a somewhat dated feel to it, an older-style story from the time. ...more
Other than the effort to explain and defend the preservation of sacred Navajo sites along (and under) Lake Powell, this was to me a decent but not greOther than the effort to explain and defend the preservation of sacred Navajo sites along (and under) Lake Powell, this was to me a decent but not great mystery story. I pretty much knew who the perp was almost from the beginning, or at least early on, and I kind of felt as if it was originally a novella and they convinced the author to expand it with a story involving his wife. That might be unfair, but that's kind of how it felt. Many series efforts get repetitive, but in this case a lot of the repetition was within the book. I mean, how many times do we have to be told of traditional Navajo ways of greeting, or that they missed each other, for instance. Fans will enjoy it, newbies too if they pick it up, but it wasn't the best effort....more