This eventually became a bit of a soap opera. I saw Ron Charles give a positive review on CBS Sunday Morning, and figured this would not be his usual This eventually became a bit of a soap opera. I saw Ron Charles give a positive review on CBS Sunday Morning, and figured this would not be his usual genre, and was pleased that I was able to get it on NetGalley. I did have to remind myself at times who was who when. As this was an advanced copy, I did note a couple of mistakes, which does not detract from my rating. It was Shelby's flashdrive, not Jewel's that was mentioned, and at one point in the past it uses Declan when it should have used Chance. You get some parts of the story from 3 different points of view, which was repetitive at times. I did appreciate that there was no swearing, limited sex, and some humor....more
Tying together two tragic events cannot be an easy task, and I think Meissner did a suitable job. I really did not know much about Ellis Island and thTying together two tragic events cannot be an easy task, and I think Meissner did a suitable job. I really did not know much about Ellis Island and the hospital, and learned a bit more about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Clara's constant deliberations got a bit old, and I had a hard time figuring out what Ethan saw in her. For most of their interactions early on, I thought, "Can't he take a hint?" Such occurrences as depicted in the book really make you think, "What if?" What if Taryn had had her phone with her on 9/11? Had not been called to pick up the scarf? The insertion of the attorney and the quick resolution of that situation seemed a bit jarring after many things had moved much more slowly, especially when Clara had less initiative. I listened to about 50% of this and finished with the eBook. I thought the narrator did a good job with both male and female voices; it was not hard to even differentiate Ethan and Andrew....more
This book has a very authentic feel, and reading through the notes at the end, you can appreciate how much research Anderson put into this. I just wisThis book has a very authentic feel, and reading through the notes at the end, you can appreciate how much research Anderson put into this. I just wish there had a been a little more about what was going on in the war at the same time, although this could be a reflection of how little the citizens of Boston knew at the time as well. I really liked the use of quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and the depiction of the way townspeople were confused as to which "side" they should be on. It was not unusual for people to "switch" sides and end up estranged from other family members due to their differences....more
Such a nice variety of illustrations that are still cohesive as a whole. Even the endpapers are glorious. This does a nice job of telling Bayne's storSuch a nice variety of illustrations that are still cohesive as a whole. Even the endpapers are glorious. This does a nice job of telling Bayne's story with just the right amount of information. The endnotes are not overwhelming, but important....more
Listening to this could not have been more timely, although I wish I had read it earlier. Currently helping my 95-year-old father determine our next sListening to this could not have been more timely, although I wish I had read it earlier. Currently helping my 95-year-old father determine our next steps, as he is still in good health but having vision problems, it gave me even more to think about while helping me with questions we need to answer. Having had a mother who spent 9 months in hospice in a hospital, and a sister who died with home hospice after an 8-year battle with cancer, it made me think back to decisions that were made. I especially appreciated his use of stories of patients and acquaintances, including his own father....more
3.5 Only my second Emily Henry book. Contrary to some, I enjoyed the backstory, and often compared the Ives mansion to San Simeon. The romance part se3.5 Only my second Emily Henry book. Contrary to some, I enjoyed the backstory, and often compared the Ives mansion to San Simeon. The romance part seemed overdone, but I guess that really is an Emily Henry trademark. I did enjoy the final letter....more
Another case of too-high expectations. This has been on my radar for some time. Some cute illustrations and a story that's all over the place. Some kiAnother case of too-high expectations. This has been on my radar for some time. Some cute illustrations and a story that's all over the place. Some kids might be a bit confused....more
This book was a lot of fun! Even though it had some serious plot turns, it was just the right amount, and not too heavy-handed. At first I thought mayThis book was a lot of fun! Even though it had some serious plot turns, it was just the right amount, and not too heavy-handed. At first I thought maybe the humor would best be enjoyed by more teachers than students, but then I realized that many middle-level readers could relate some of it to their own grandparents. Some characters change, some for the better, some for worse, but it was not too far-fetched. I listened to the audiobook, which was very well done. The order of multiple narrators and viewpoints seemed very logical....more
This book did reel me in, and it was interesting how it was plotted to keep you guessing even who was on trial and who was dead. A few things seemed jThis book did reel me in, and it was interesting how it was plotted to keep you guessing even who was on trial and who was dead. A few things seemed just a bit improbable, like how Frank was so good, what Nina saw in Jimmy, and a few spoilers I won't mention. I started and ended with a print version, with some audiobook in the middle. The narrator was very good....more
At first I found this somewhat hard to believe-- and then I looked at the pictures on Zenato's website! I wonder if she has ever been injured by a shaAt first I found this somewhat hard to believe-- and then I looked at the pictures on Zenato's website! I wonder if she has ever been injured by a shark. The statistics and pictures of all of the hooks she's removed are amazing. I did feel like the illustrations were a bit primitive....more
Our church book club had a nice discussion about this, finding it very appropriate for our meeting the day after Easter. Some of our members have readOur church book club had a nice discussion about this, finding it very appropriate for our meeting the day after Easter. Some of our members have read several of Austin's books, and/or plan to read more....more
There are many things to love about this book, including the power of language, poetry, and a shared reading experience. I made note of some of the exThere are many things to love about this book, including the power of language, poetry, and a shared reading experience. I made note of some of the excellent questions that Harriet used with the book club. I even liked most of the characters. With the exception of one bad turn by Violet (who was still young and vulnerable), I really enjoyed it. The final chapter perfectly tied things together, and makes me want to revisit Spoon River Anthology. I did a combination of listening/reading; the narrator does a good job....more
This story has a lot I would like, even a librarian main character, and a nice homage to Michigan. If you like books full of self-doubt and charactersThis story has a lot I would like, even a librarian main character, and a nice homage to Michigan. If you like books full of self-doubt and characters you would like to shake some sense into, this is the book for you. That got so monotonous; even the witty repartee got tiresome at times. Julia Whalen does a nice job with the narration; however I finished with the eBook so I could finish it more quickly and move on....more
It's over; it's finally over. It did not live up to the hype for me. I got pretty invested, even took some notes as I tried to surmise what would happIt's over; it's finally over. It did not live up to the hype for me. I got pretty invested, even took some notes as I tried to surmise what would happen, but by the end, it didn't really matter. Yes, there were even some laugh-out-loud parts, many to do with Sammy and Charlotte. It was just too convoluted and long....more
Gentleman in Moscow is one of my favorite books-ever- but this was just too disjointed for me. I do enjoy reading stories about New York City, althougGentleman in Moscow is one of my favorite books-ever- but this was just too disjointed for me. I do enjoy reading stories about New York City, although I found the Timothy Touchett vignette rather dull. I did want to know more about some of the characters, and felt like I didn't really even know Eve after it was half the book. The novella just dragged on a bit too long, and I didn't find the "mystery" part of it that compelling. I found that lack of quotation marks (dashes instead) somewhat annoying. As I read this for a book club, I think it would be very interesting to ask each person which story was their favorite, and why....more
Continuing the 'W' alliterations, this book is wonderful! The illustrations go so well with the story, and the text is very honest in its portrayal ofContinuing the 'W' alliterations, this book is wonderful! The illustrations go so well with the story, and the text is very honest in its portrayal of Wilson's troubles and success. I really enjoyed the back matter and the photographs of Rawls, including information about his family's Cherokee background, and the fact that perhaps all of the stories he told were not actually true. My only quibble: at times it seemed like the font could be a little larger or a bit more contrasting. Some students might have difficulties reading it. I received this as an advanced copy from Edelweiss....more
As others have said, you are better off knowing nothing about this book when you start. Fortunately, the GoodReads summary does not give away too muchAs others have said, you are better off knowing nothing about this book when you start. Fortunately, the GoodReads summary does not give away too much, unlike some other books. Some things are just a little too improbable, but I liked reading something a bit different. I do like it when a book makes you think of so many possibilities on how something can happen, especially when a secret is involved. I did question something about the timing in the end....more
Not my usual read, but because this won several awards, I wanted to read it. A few nice twists that eventually got a little convoluted, but I'm probabNot my usual read, but because this won several awards, I wanted to read it. A few nice twists that eventually got a little convoluted, but I'm probably not the intended audience....more