This one is a petite mystery. Fabulously good. I didn't know that J.D. Robb could write miniatures.
Goodreaders, it's fascinating. This brief mystery iThis one is a petite mystery. Fabulously good. I didn't know that J.D. Robb could write miniatures.
Goodreaders, it's fascinating. This brief mystery is designed and executed superbly, in a short form manner that lacks:
* The magnificently distinctive random characters, * The love-and-sometimes-hate suspects, * And even the (usually) obligatory scene when the person who loved the murder victim most - Ahhhh- cries and cries and cries in front of Dallas and Peabody.
I've come to enjoy that victim's ritual:
- How Peabody comforts and comforts. - How Dallas acts all business. - In a way, setting the stage for the also obligatory part or parts later in the book, where Eve relives her horrible childhood and Roarke commiserates.)
Such a creative story! Brilliantly executed. Thank you, Nora Roberts.
FIVE STARS and, as usual with Robb, shelved under WRITING. She is just soooooooooo good....more
Robb shows tremendous affection toward most characters, and a very satisfying contempt for those she doesn't much like.
Writing is superb here, as everRobb shows tremendous affection toward most characters, and a very satisfying contempt for those she doesn't much like.
Writing is superb here, as ever. I read for the plot but even more I savor the vignettes, little scenes among characters. Believable scenes, to me; scenes improved by the extraordinary talent of narrator Susan Ericksen.
Just because J.D. Robb is so prolific doesn't lessen my respect for her novels. None seems formulaic to me. Each one is a unique adventure, with familiar faces to make me feel at home, helping me to expect the excellent read she always delivers....more
Are you looking for a primer on how to analyze yourself into the consciousness lifestyle of Psychological Overwork? Here's your treasure, then.
At firsAre you looking for a primer on how to analyze yourself into the consciousness lifestyle of Psychological Overwork? Here's your treasure, then.
At first I thought this was just a novel, and novel with a clever premise. There was a certain self-conscious skill in the narration and dialog. It was a little studied, a little stiff. But the clever plot kept me hooked for the first couple of CDs.
Eventually I felt I was being sucked in to the makeup artist's self-scrutiny, her over-wrought self-analysis about moralily. That's when I said, "Sayanora," and plucked the ongoing CD from my appliance.
RATING THIS BOOK
Unless I absolutely love or loathe a book, my policy is to rate it in terms of my imagined response of the intended readers. Clearly, these readers would be folks who are way curious about what it would be like to be PAID for private sessions with a psychiatrist who charges over $400 an hour.
I imagine, they want to be sucked into self-scrutiny, as though it will bring them perfection.
Further, I imagine they would LOVE this book and give it FIVE STARS, so I'll do that -- although personally I disliked the audiobook more with every passing CD.
From my perspective, as an expert at discerning consciousness lifestyles, this isn't a book that will help any reader with true self-actualization. But it can land you -- or land you deeper -- into a spiritual aide trip that dumps you into the consciousness lifestyle of Psychological Overwork. Good luck!...more
What a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive.
Fox's initial lie came easy. The rest turned out to be pretty darned complicated.
Oddly, Fox sWhat a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive.
Fox's initial lie came easy. The rest turned out to be pretty darned complicated.
Oddly, Fox seems to have no qualms about his smooth prevarications. Nor does he appear to have any inner life whatsoever. (I know he's a child, since he's drawn like a fox wearing clothes. ;) ) But real children do make faces and move differently when they start feeling weird inside. Why not Fox?
It takes pretty far into the book before we readers encounter these little sentences:
That night, Fox starts feeling bad about all the promises he made to his friends. Only he knows the real truth: he's never met Superturtle. In fact, he's not even sure she really exists.
But Fox doesn't want everyone to think he's a liar.
IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS STORY WELL EXECUTED?
Not to the satisfaction of this Goodreader. Even worse...
UGH, I FIND THE ENDING UTTERLY UNCONVINCING
For instance, there's plot (a clunky plot) but there is no growth. Neither for Fox nor for his friends. Such a missed opportunity!
Down goes this rating to THREE STARS.
Merged review:
What a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive.
Fox's initial lie came easy. The rest turned out to be pretty darned complicated.
Oddly, Fox seems to have no qualms about his smooth prevarications. Nor does he appear to have any inner life whatsoever. (I know he's a child, since he's drawn like a fox wearing clothes. ;) ) But real children do make faces and move differently when they start feeling weird inside. Why not Fox?
It takes pretty far into the book before we readers encounter these little sentences:
That night, Fox starts feeling bad about all the promises he made to his friends. Only he knows the real truth: he's never met Superturtle. In fact, he's not even sure she really exists.
But Fox doesn't want everyone to think he's a liar.
IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS STORY WELL EXECUTED?
Not to the satisfaction of this Goodreader. Even worse...
UGH, I FIND THE ENDING UTTERLY UNCONVINCING
For instance, there's plot (a clunky plot) but there is no growth. Neither for Fox nor for his friends. Such a missed opportunity!
A tale of misery. All I could take ws 19 min. of listening to this as an audiobook.
Round trip to the grocery store, and I'd had enough.
A most depressiA tale of misery. All I could take ws 19 min. of listening to this as an audiobook.
Round trip to the grocery store, and I'd had enough.
A most depressing start to a novel, with unsympathetic characters. Like an anorexic 17-year-old daughter who promises her mother to eat her breakfast omelet. Then after her mother leaves, the daughter doesn't eat a bite but dumps the eggs into the trash.
RATING THIS NOVEL
Unless I absolutely love or loathe a book, my policy is to rate it in terms of my imagined response of the intended readers. I thought this one was excellent -- as a novel for depressives. FIVE STARS. Just don't expect me to read any more of this misery....more
I expected literary mastery and being changed by reading a masterpiece. Sadly, I found a static, self-conscious exercise that involved excessive refinI expected literary mastery and being changed by reading a masterpiece. Sadly, I found a static, self-conscious exercise that involved excessive refinement.
Yes, the sentences were built out of wit and music and extreme refinement of manners. I managed to get through the extended, mega-depressing scene between Milly Theale and her father. Then I reconsidered going further.
Choosing not to read more, sigh! The thing is, that scene was like a psychodrama, one constructed ahead of its time. Regarding the twists and turns of that conversation between Milly and her dad -- they were dispiriting, pointless, dishonest, and sometimes even cruel.
Imagine Jane Austen, only lacking her sense of humor, and also affection for most of her characters. Replace that with a self-absorbed writer with, perhaps, an excessively high opinion of himself.
Not bitterly dissapointed, but saddened: Nonetheless, when rating this book, I rate it in terms of the intended audience. Seems to me they want a tragedy of manners. They would give this book FIVE stars, though I found that the great Henry James was not for me....more
So far, I've finished only the first CD of this 10 CD set. I'm going to share some of my experiences aThis could be the best novel I've read in YEARS.
So far, I've finished only the first CD of this 10 CD set. I'm going to share some of my experiences as I continue to read.
Already I can tell that this novelist, this Pete Hamill, is a master novelist.
* Not just that his characters are vivid. What they do and say is so alive, beyond believable. Real. * The flow of plot seems natural and as inevitable as anything else that happens in reality. * Pete has made this a historical novel, starting in 1934. My parents grew up then. * I love how the novel is set in New York City. My parents grew up there. So did I, for that matter, though I haven't called NYC my home since 1970.
What a book! And what a discovery of an author.
Regarding the narrator, Henry Strozier, he is beyond good. He's invisible, while he brings each character fully to life.
What a treasure it is to read a good novel! And this one has all the markings of a GREAT novel. I can't wait to read all of Pete Hamill's other published novels....more
Back in high school, did you ever want to be one of the cool kids. That's Spenser, a cool kid grown up.
In this thriller he's a detective known for havBack in high school, did you ever want to be one of the cool kids. That's Spenser, a cool kid grown up.
In this thriller he's a detective known for having killed someone who really deserved it;' he's a man of his word, a gourmet cook. In his spare time, he's an excellent detective.
As readers, we learn plenty about El Greco, and one of his masterpiece paintings, which has been stolen. We endure many conversations where Spencer bests underworld dealers. Unfortunately, we are required to listen to his seductive conversations with his partner Susan, a psychotherapist who knows everything.
I used this audiobook as my companion while driving. I kept waiting until I liked the story. That never happened, but I did get hooked enough to hear this improbable tale through to the end.
RATING THIS BOOK
As usual, unless I absolutely love or loathe a book, my policy is to rate it in terms of my imagined response of the intended readers. These readers love a good tale, with plenty of danger, preferring a novel with a dry sense of humor -- that oozes plot twists.
They find smug Mr. Spencer to be charming and knowing. Whereas I find him smug and obnoxious. Still, I'm not one of the intended readers.
Ace Atkins succeeds in the manner of Robert B. Parker, whose novels I didn't like either. One or two of Parker's was enough for me. Now, one of Ace's is plenty for me as well....more
An airborne poison that turns ordinary people into psychotic murders
The killing scene -- always a premise in these books, and right up front -- was spAn airborne poison that turns ordinary people into psychotic murders
The killing scene -- always a premise in these books, and right up front -- was spectacularly unpleasant.
Nonetheless, I'm glad I kept reading. As usual, it was a tightly plotted thriller -- this one with a surprising twist near the end. As usual, characters brought the story alive, amplified by the brilliant narration of Susan Erikson.
Small scenes with distinctive characters tend to be my favorite aspect of these books about Lt. Dallas, her assistant Peabody, and her husband Roarke.
Somerset, who runs the mansion where Roarke and Dallas live, draws closer to Dallas, and vice versa. Insights into his character were another favorite aspect of this book for me.
This book is personal to me. Applause to Rosemary Wells!
Yes, it's a triumph that Yoko stays in school, even when the other kindergarten kids make fun This book is personal to me. Applause to Rosemary Wells!
Yes, it's a triumph that Yoko stays in school, even when the other kindergarten kids make fun of her for writing her name in Japanese, and reading a book Japanese style -- back to front.
Yoko receive helps from her Mama, some assistance from Yoko's teacher Mrs. Jenkins, and good will from her classmates as they grow and learn.
WHY PERSONAL TO ME?
Because I made 15 round trips to Japan, teaching workshops for VOICE (the seminar company) and facilitating sessions -- all with the help of talented interpreters.
My life has been immeasurably enriched by my time in Japan, and the people I met.
Japanese children would not be so shockingly rude as Yoko's classmates were to her, early in this story.
Another superbly written, tautly paced thriller by Nora Roberts.
The character vignettes were, as usual, my favorite part.
The audio narration by Janet Another superbly written, tautly paced thriller by Nora Roberts.
The character vignettes were, as usual, my favorite part.
The audio narration by Janet Erickson was terrific, too.
SO WHY DO I GIVE THE BOOK FOUR STARS
On a minor note, I couldn't stand the character Nixie. She was a plot convenience yet, in terms of the Survival of the Fittest, she was a candidate for early death. Grrr.
On a major note, the cartoonish-and-grotesque violence toward the end of the book was practically akin to violent movies. Gross and disgusting. Nora could heve made better choices. I wish she had.
We can enjoy fabulous stories without such scenes. I don't believe they are good for us. They are not okay....more
Another beautiful, straight to the heart, picture book by Rosemary Wells.
Milo is scared to start kindergarten. The night before that dreaded event, hiAnother beautiful, straight to the heart, picture book by Rosemary Wells.
Milo is scared to start kindergarten. The night before that dreaded event, his dreams are scary.
He worries about all the ways that things could go wrong when he starts school.
Before leaving for school on that momentous day, Milo practically begs Mama and Daddy to come with him. But no such luck. How can Milo face kindergarten all on his own?
Yet he does.
RATING THIS BOOK
FIVE STARS because I just love it. Adults may forget how frightening big milestones can be to a kindergartener, but don't we adults work ourselves up just as much when we have a new milestone to face?
Rosemary Wells is becoming one of my favorite writer-illustrators of picture books....more
What a mess Dolores makes when she disobeys authority, sneaks around, and never seems to feel a twinge of remorse!
Personally I'm not a fan of that. I What a mess Dolores makes when she disobeys authority, sneaks around, and never seems to feel a twinge of remorse!
Personally I'm not a fan of that. I really dislike the ending, too.
Dolores causes havoc wherever she goes. Not that she ever offers to pay for the wreckages.
Also: Why is this positioned as a "gift book"? I don't get it.
RATING THIS BOOK
Unless I absolutely love or loathe a book, my policy is to rate it in terms of my imagined response of the intended readers. I don't exactly loathe this one. It's so clearly not for me.
How about the intended readers? They may think it's cute to lie and to "borrow" things that don't belong to them. Dolores might even be a hero to them. On their behalf, FIVE STARS.
What don't these hypothetical readers know? Any more than the author knows it, evidently . . . .
We get karma for everything we say and do. No matter how clever and hilarious our deceptions; no matter if we believe that other people's rules will never-ever have to apply to us....more
Here's a picture book with a great message, and not just a great message for kids.
Some little ones want to be princesses; others want to be dragons. THere's a picture book with a great message, and not just a great message for kids.
Some little ones want to be princesses; others want to be dragons. The message of this book is that you can actually be a bit of both!
And then there's the larger message: Many a false choice may tempt you, but get wise to fake alternatives. Sometimes you do better with a bit of this and a bit of that.
There is only so much pink that even princesses can take.
Let's begin with the synopsis provided by our Goodreads blurber:
It’s kitten delivery day, but—SURPRISHow delightful is the humor in this book? To you.
Let's begin with the synopsis provided by our Goodreads blurber:
It’s kitten delivery day, but—SURPRISE. Congratulations on your new LION! We know you ordered a kitten, but we ran out of those. Fortunately, the big cat comes with instructions—like, try very hard NOT to look like a zebra. Or a gazelle. And give your lion PLENTY of space to play. But soon the feathers and fur start flying and everything’s in chaos. Is there any way a lion could actually be a child’s purr-fect pet?
Now for my personal thoughts.
In life, humor isn't always delightful. It can be used as:
* A weapon * A way to put down somebody who talks to you * How to waste your life, due to excessive detachment
I think author Tammi Sauer really crossed a line in this book. Sometimes I like her picture books, sometimes not. This is the first time, though, I've thought this prolific author crossed a line.
Lions are dangerous animals. It's unthinkable that a kind would get a lion by mistake.
Although I appreciate the attempt at satire, it falls really flat to me. Children need to learn certain words from adults, like:
1. Danger 2. Not funny 3. Overly detached from reality
Everything in life is NOT a joke, not for a responsible adult. Or even for a sensitive, thoughtful child.
RATING THIS BOOK
2 stars. When we write books for children, or read them aloud, we are teaching those kids about life. Let's not raise them to be excessively jokey....more
Tammi Sauer may have withheld the more interesting story. See what you think by the end of this review.
Mia and her mama used to live in an apartment wTammi Sauer may have withheld the more interesting story. See what you think by the end of this review.
Mia and her mama used to live in an apartment with just a few windows. This, of course, was part of a big building where many other people also rented apartments.
Now, with no explanation, the two of them have a house. Their own house. A huge house.
That house has many more windows than the apartment. There's also a yard, and that yard has a mango tree.
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS HOW? AND WHY.
The heck with the mangoes already. What happened? Where did the money come from?
What, what, what?
I grew up in an apartment too. By now I live with my husband in a small house in the Virginia suburbs. It didn't just happen. Our house isn't huge, either. It has maybe eight windows, not eleven.
Back at cute little Mia and her surprisingly resourceful Mama, who did what that landed them in a house with so many windows??? Inquiring minds want to know.
Instead we're given a blandly sweet tale of a little girl who discovers mangoes. Okaaaay.
RATING THIS BOOK
Unless I absolutely love or loathe a book, my policy is to rate it in terms of my imagined response of the intended readers. I imagine these readers as very young children who like to eat fruit and are generally pretty clueless about money or other aspects of adult reality.