This one kept me reading and had twists and turns I didn't see coming, but was completely forgettable when I'd finished.This one kept me reading and had twists and turns I didn't see coming, but was completely forgettable when I'd finished....more
Twists and turns with neuro-divergent characters, close siblings, and an unreliable narrator? Sign me up!
Wow! I had a hard time putting this one down.Twists and turns with neuro-divergent characters, close siblings, and an unreliable narrator? Sign me up!
Wow! I had a hard time putting this one down. Though I did start to guess some of the twists before the end, I was almost 80% of the way through. I loved the characters, it just felt so real to me. I highly recommend this book!...more
Barclay and his friends have to save the sea in this second installment of the Wilderlore series. There's adventures and excitement and fun animals anBarclay and his friends have to save the sea in this second installment of the Wilderlore series. There's adventures and excitement and fun animals and mysteries to solve. There's also new characters and stress on the old friendships. While I enjoyed this book well enough, and will probably continue the series, I didn't find it to be nearly as compelling as the first book. 3 solid stars...more
A very readable introduction to the concept of white supremacy and how it effects our society on multiple levels. I appreciated the accessibility of tA very readable introduction to the concept of white supremacy and how it effects our society on multiple levels. I appreciated the accessibility of the information and the inclusion of groups other than African Americans (although this book definitely didn't go into any great depth on any group other than African Americans). Fleming made a lot of unproven assertions (that I believed because they made sense, but the references in the back weren't always detailed enough to know for sure how reliable they are). There was an extensive notes section in the back and had the references she listed that I checked been more impartial, it would have lent more credibility to what she was saying. For example, she listed other activists as her source several times on things that should be actual facts (like statistics). It would have been far better to list the actual study the activist was referencing so the reader knows that the information is unbiased and accurate. When your source is obviously biased one direction or another, your argument cannot be taken at face value. So, this one gets 3 stars from me instead of 4. Still, it's worth your time as an introduction and a call to activism. I particularly appreciated the 5 steps in the back of practical steps readers can take to fight white supremacy....more
My least favorite of the series so far, this one dragged on too long and then the ending wasn't satisfying. I figured out who did it within the first My least favorite of the series so far, this one dragged on too long and then the ending wasn't satisfying. I figured out who did it within the first third of the story. The best part was how much Frank loved his little girl and how hard he worked to raise her properly. 3.5 stars...more
Written as a series of stories or conversations (or poetry) from parents to their children, this powerful little book explores the causes, the effectsWritten as a series of stories or conversations (or poetry) from parents to their children, this powerful little book explores the causes, the effects, and the systemic nature of racism in a way that middle grade kids can understand. Reading this book together would be a wonderful way to introduce these kinds of conversations and issues to children. Highly recommended!...more
This book was just a joy to read. It may not change your life, but it will leave you smiling and feeling better about humanity in general. It's just aThis book was just a joy to read. It may not change your life, but it will leave you smiling and feeling better about humanity in general. It's just a beautiful, eye-opening, uplifting journey and I highly recommend it!...more
I'm really vacillating between 3.5 and 4 stars for this one. It wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be: I'm a sucker for stories about siblings (I I'm really vacillating between 3.5 and 4 stars for this one. It wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be: I'm a sucker for stories about siblings (I have 5 of them) and families and I love the 80s; I have never surfed, but I lived in Hawaii for 3 1/2 years and I love the ocean; from all the hype over this book; and from how much I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I did enjoy it and it kept me coming back, but I wasn't wowed.
The siblings were all likeable, despite their flaws. I struggled, however, to have any sympathy for the parents. I could tell that Reid worked hard to make them more sympathetic, but I just wasn't buying it. I think my favorite part of the book was something Nina says near the end (view spoiler)[the speech she gives Mick about how feeling capable of being a parent is irrelevant - you ARE a parent so you step up and be one. "Capable is a question I never had the luxury of asking. Because my family needed me. And unlike you, I understand how important that is. ...Must be nice to be able to be weak, I wouldn't know." p. 340-341 Oh snap! (hide spoiler)] #Truth
There was a couple other places that were really poignant, thoughts about allowing others to serve you and how it's mean and selfish not to do so. The book wove between the "before" story about how things got to the way there were on that fateful August night, and the day of the party. That part was well done, as was the switching from one POV to another. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters a little better. The extra information about the random party guests was irrelevant and could have been left out, but there you have it.
This was a good read and I enjoyed it. If you have siblings or are part of a family, no matter how messed up, (aren't we all?!) then I recommend this book to you - for the ending if nothing else....more
This prequel was a super quick read that was entertaining and set up the characters for the first book in the series. Enjoyable and fun, but not as goThis prequel was a super quick read that was entertaining and set up the characters for the first book in the series. Enjoyable and fun, but not as good as the full novels....more
This is definitely a book that requires concentration and effort, but Lippmann makes some very valid points that are even more relevant today than theThis is definitely a book that requires concentration and effort, but Lippmann makes some very valid points that are even more relevant today than they were when he wrote it in the 1920s. I found it a bit depressing because I don't see any positive change happening any time in the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, the news has become an entertainment/money-making business instead of an information business. Lippmann makes some great points about how crucial it is in a democracy for the news to actually be facts, not opinions or "alternative facts."
If you have any interest in journalism, propaganda, and politics, you may find this book enlightening! I did....more
This book was just a joy to read. Silly, fun, and heartwarming, it also tackles the topics of prejudice and abuse with a light touch. While the plot wThis book was just a joy to read. Silly, fun, and heartwarming, it also tackles the topics of prejudice and abuse with a light touch. While the plot was predictable, the reader doesn't care because the characters are so quirky and fun that the journey just flows along.
Klune is a master at making the ordinary seem extraordinary. I love how the book makes you want to reexamine how you're living your life and make sure that you're focusing on what's really meaningful. That's a lesson we all know we need to learn, but this book teaches it by making you smile.
Although marketed to adults, this book could easily be enjoyed by anyone. I would recommend it for ages 12+. I don't think I'll ever reread this one, but I would absolutely read a sequel if Klune wrote one. It was just a light, happy read. 4 1/2 stars...more
This book won't change your life or your political/religious opinions or provoke deep thoughts, but it will keep you reading! While I admire Bruno's gThis book won't change your life or your political/religious opinions or provoke deep thoughts, but it will keep you reading! While I admire Bruno's goals and intentions, I'm still not sure I like him. But I'm definitely putting the next installment of the series on my tbr....more
Unique premise, quirky characters, and a feel good, but realistic ending. This was just a light, happy read for me. If that's what you're in the mood Unique premise, quirky characters, and a feel good, but realistic ending. This was just a light, happy read for me. If that's what you're in the mood for, I highly recommend it! 4.5 stars...more
In this, the sixth installment of the series, the relationship between Anna and Charles has progressed to where it isn't the focus of the book, the myIn this, the sixth installment of the series, the relationship between Anna and Charles has progressed to where it isn't the focus of the book, the mystery is, which I loved. When an entire settlement of people disappears, the FBI seeks out help from Charles and Anna. Accompanied by Tag, they set off for the wilds of northern California where something has been asleep, until now. Along the way they find both help and hindrance from humans and members of other magical groups.
The character development from the previous books continues in this installment and we learn more about Bran's mate Leah and her past. I particularly enjoyed that - it's something I have been waiting to learn for a long time through both this series and the Mercy Thompson series.
If you enjoy Briggs' books, then you will love this one, it's more of the same. One of my favorite things about the world Brigg's has created, is that it's so believable. Her characters are so real. The plotting is intricate, even more so now that the two series have begun to overlap, referencing each other in every book with a few characters that appear in both regularly. This is a strong addition to the world of werewolves Brigg's has created and I highly recommend it! 5 stars!
However, if you haven't read the other books, DON'T start with this one!! Start with Moon Called!
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Re-read 6/2/2024: Loved it just as much this time around!...more
Based on a real reform school in Florida that wasn't shut down until 2011, this is the fictional story of Elwood and Turner, two Black boys sent to thBased on a real reform school in Florida that wasn't shut down until 2011, this is the fictional story of Elwood and Turner, two Black boys sent to the Nickel Academy. It is absolutely horrific and terrifying that these things can and did take place, especially in the so recent past. It's important that books like this tell these stories and that we, as Americans, confront our past and figure out how to fix the systemic problems we have. But that is a discussion for another forum, this is just a book review. So, on to the writing, plot, and characterization and such. I'm only giving this book 3 stars because, although the subject matter is important, I found myself more bored than enthralled by the book. Though I felt sorry for the boys and wanted to hate the school staff, no one ever actually came off as well-rounded, fleshed-out characters. I wasn't drawn into the story and wasn't ever excited to pick the book back up. It was blessedly short and the twist at the end was one I didn't see coming. So, 3 solid stars....more
Light and fluffy brain candy that has very little to do with a bookshop, but entertaining nonetheless. I listened to the audio and loved the Scottish/Light and fluffy brain candy that has very little to do with a bookshop, but entertaining nonetheless. I listened to the audio and loved the Scottish/English accents!...more
There was no real conflict or action in this book. I felt like it was an excuse to tell Marcus' backstory and give an HEA to Matthew and Diana. IntereThere was no real conflict or action in this book. I felt like it was an excuse to tell Marcus' backstory and give an HEA to Matthew and Diana. Interesting enough to finish, but not to lose sleep over....more
This was an unusual read for a murder mystery, since at 36% I was still waiting for the murder to happen. Overall, definitely not my favorite CI GamacThis was an unusual read for a murder mystery, since at 36% I was still waiting for the murder to happen. Overall, definitely not my favorite CI Gamache book, but I enjoyed it. I just love the characters....more
Fascinating and informative - this book is so timely and should scare the heck out of all of us paying attention to the United States supposed modern Fascinating and informative - this book is so timely and should scare the heck out of all of us paying attention to the United States supposed modern "democracy." Every citizen could benefit from reading and understanding what demagoguery is and how it threatens democracy - no matter what your political beliefs!...more
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