I wanted to love this book, but I think I was just a bit too old for it. Trigger warnings: animal abuse, animal cruelty, animal death
Pros: Own voicesI wanted to love this book, but I think I was just a bit too old for it. Trigger warnings: animal abuse, animal cruelty, animal death
Pros: Own voices; Black history; general history; excellent audiobook reader; explores racism's many faces; shows that family isn't always just your blood relations; imaginative, spunky heroine who is being raised to expect freedom and respect.
Cons: There was an awful lot of history packed into this book, and at times it seemed to interrupt the flow of the story. The ending wrapped things up in a confession by one of the villains, which was too convenient. Some of the issues explored in the book were not as fully covered as I was expecting. And there was a fairly graphic (for kids) scene in a butcher's shop dealing with the killing of a chicken as well as abuse and death of a family pet.
Not a bad book, nor is it badly written or plotted. Perhaps I went into it with too many expectations, but I found it just ok....more
Lost Girls delves into the discovery of multiple female bodies in Long Island. Who were these women? Why were they murdered? Why are they dumped in thLost Girls delves into the discovery of multiple female bodies in Long Island. Who were these women? Why were they murdered? Why are they dumped in this place? Is there one serial killer, multiple murderers...or both? Why haven't the cases been solved?
Author Robert Kolker attempts to answer all of these questions, with varying levels of success. As he sketches the details of the people involved, and the community nearest the body dumps, a picture begins to emerge. Unfortunately, Kolker cannot truly provide an ending for this book, leaving it up to the reader - and hopefully future investigators - to make that call.
This audiobook was well read and the book was very well laid out. Most importantly, the stories of the women are told with care and respect.
Wilde Childe, the newest novel by Eloisa James, is a fairly standard historical romance. What pulls it up above the rest is the quality of the writingWilde Childe, the newest novel by Eloisa James, is a fairly standard historical romance. What pulls it up above the rest is the quality of the writing and the character development. Both are superb and make this an incredibly readable book. ...more
The Burning Girls is a mystery influenced by a historical tragedy and a more recent disappearance in the small town of Chapel Croft. The new vicar andThe Burning Girls is a mystery influenced by a historical tragedy and a more recent disappearance in the small town of Chapel Croft. The new vicar and her daughter move in and almost immediately experience strange occurrences.
To say more would give away too much. Tudor gives the reader most of the clues they need to solve the mystery, and I figured out a bit, but there are so many elements to the mysteries that I didn't see some of them coming....more
The incredible but true story of the widespread drug abuse of the Nazi regime. Whether it was to keep soldiers awake for long stretches, cure aches anThe incredible but true story of the widespread drug abuse of the Nazi regime. Whether it was to keep soldiers awake for long stretches, cure aches and pains, or to pep up and look lively for visiting dignitaries, all levels used morphine, cocaine, and especially methamphetamines. Millions of troops were issued the drugs without knowledge of what it was, what it did, or how to use it. This explains SO MUCH of WWII! Highly recommend....more
In the ever-increasing wealth of true crime book choices, The Babysitter stands out. The memoir is riveting, layering the memories of the author with In the ever-increasing wealth of true crime book choices, The Babysitter stands out. The memoir is riveting, layering the memories of the author with their newfound knowledge of the serial killer who befriended her. The writing is superb and I was swept up in the story. I highly recommend this title to fans of I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara....more
Rai's new addition to the Modern Love series features characters whose romance builds gently and slowly. Dev, actor and grandson of a Bollywood star, Rai's new addition to the Modern Love series features characters whose romance builds gently and slowly. Dev, actor and grandson of a Bollywood star, is making the move to U.S. cinema. He meets Jai, a youtube star and influencer, at a party and can't get the brief encounter - and the girl - out of his mind.
What starts as anger and humiliation on Jai's part becomes something more as Dev's true character is revealed. Dev seems to reciprocate, but is it all just acting?
Wonderfully developed characters populate this sweet own voices novel about falling in like, then love. ...more
Lawson's newest memoir is full of laughter and heartache. Stories of awkward and humorous episodes in her life are interspersed with essays on her phyLawson's newest memoir is full of laughter and heartache. Stories of awkward and humorous episodes in her life are interspersed with essays on her physical and mental health struggles. As always, she ends everything with hope. Reading this book is like getting a hug from Jenny Lawson, and as close to it as we'll get since we're all too anxious to leave the house.
I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts expressed above are my own....more
Was great to catch up with Half-Moon Hollow and all my favorite vampires and werewolves. The story centers around Tylene McClaine (Jolene's cousin) anWas great to catch up with Half-Moon Hollow and all my favorite vampires and werewolves. The story centers around Tylene McClaine (Jolene's cousin) and her struggle to live her own life apart from what her parents and the pack are pushing her to do - including dating a vampire instead of settling down with a nice werewolf boy.
While I liked the book okay, it definitely isn't up to the usual Half-Moon Hollow standards. The character development and romance felt very forced and rushed, and the writing wasn't as witty as usual. Additionally, the plot seemed to meander around and the "villain" never really had a definite presence or menacing quality. There were also a lot of typos for a finished version, which makes me wonder if this one wasn't edited as closely as past books.
If you love the Hollow, read it. If you haven't read the Hollow, start with Jane Jameson and work your way through chronologically. ...more