What started out to me as a horribly derivative series grew on me a lot. It had an ending to the series I was happy with. It distinguished itself fromWhat started out to me as a horribly derivative series grew on me a lot. It had an ending to the series I was happy with. It distinguished itself from HP, creating its own culture, monsters, conflicts. It's still a lot like HP and HP did the same stuff better I think, but it's separate enough that I could enjoy it. The kids acted like I would expect kids now to act--if those kids had magic and had to fight for their mage world. ...more
The series has grown on me. It started out being horribly derivative of HP but fortunately has moved into a more moving tale of friendship, sacrifice,The series has grown on me. It started out being horribly derivative of HP but fortunately has moved into a more moving tale of friendship, sacrifice, and what it means to be good or evil. ...more
Not what I was expecting, but maybe at least a little bit of what I needed.
This book was not what I thought it would be when I got a copy. I had assumNot what I was expecting, but maybe at least a little bit of what I needed.
This book was not what I thought it would be when I got a copy. I had assumed (admittedly without much basis) that this was going to be more of a memoir. It had those elements to it, but it is more of a self-help book. And that type of book I've never really read. I enjoyed hearing about DDP's life, childhood, his journeys through pro wrestling and then wellness. He's an impressive guy, no doubt about it and I admire his grit and--more importantly--the heart he has under that tough as nails exterior.
I liked the first half better than the latter half. I'm applying some of the positivity principles, goal setting, and attitude adjustments. The latter half had a bit of a sales pitch vibe to it, which--don't get me wrong, that's totally cool especially since I didn't look at the description before delving into this. But I think I'm going to get more out of the advice from the first half of the book than the latter half. I understand the points made about nutrition, but putting some of that into practice would be a bit more than I could handle every day.
That being said, you can bet your butt I'm going to check out the DDPY book. Give that a shot. And yes. I will look more closely at those labels. That's doable for sure....more
This was an interesting end to the trilogy. I liked the different POV on this one involving more of the interaction of the wolves... among the wolves.This was an interesting end to the trilogy. I liked the different POV on this one involving more of the interaction of the wolves... among the wolves. Julie is there, but she's not as big as the other books. The involvement of (view spoiler)[rabies and its affects on the wolf packs (hide spoiler)] added a new element and tension.
That being said, I felt like the ending of this one was a bit of a let-down. ...more
And I loved it for that. Boyo, I barely know were to start in describing Earthlings. I don’t want tThis is the craziest damn thing I’ve ever seen!
And I loved it for that. Boyo, I barely know were to start in describing Earthlings. I don’t want to give too much away because even a basic plot description’s likely to give you some spoilers.
But it struck me as part social commentary, part effort to shock you with a literary kick to the nads. I am presuming it was meant, at least in part, as a commentary on Japanese society. I can’t know that for sure. But when you start labeling society (any society) as “The Factory,� kinda seems like a safe inference. And one thing I took away from it is that perspective can be everything. When that perspective is someone who doesn’t fit the norm, who hasn’t gone through what most people experience (or not experience) then there are naturally going to be radical departures from social norms. (I’m struggling to write this because it is just sooooo different.
But if you take a moment, damn, it seemed pretty thought provoking.
It’s got some edgy material in it to say the least, but that should not dissuade anyone in my humble opinion these days. We need stuff that’s out there and explores what norms are, why they exist, conformity, families, etc. And wow, is this some family. Oof.
I went into this one almost blind, knowing only a little bit about AJ Mendez Brooks aka AJ Lee, moA fabulous memoir by a really remarkable person.
I went into this one almost blind, knowing only a little bit about AJ Mendez Brooks aka AJ Lee, mostly that she’d wrestled for WWE. Personally, I’d seen only maybe a handful of her matches. I knew nothing of her personal life, background, or what she does now.
If you’re expecting to read a typical “jock� type memoir, you’ll be disappointed.
But if you want an inspiring story by a brilliant person who had to change the perceptions, mold, and business practices of a huge corporation that operates in the public, then you’ll love this. If your life could use an example of someone who has an endless amount of courage and resilience, then you’ll love this. If you want to hear about a remarkable lady give an irreverent, funny as hell take on life and all the wrongful crap and hypocrisy that women have to endure every moment of every day, then you’ll love this.
I loved this book. It was even better for her own narration of the book. I went into it wanting to learn and I sure did. A lot. I have so much respect for AJ Mendez Brooks. To overcome and succeed through sheer force of will. That’s pretty damn amazing and I feel like I’ve improved as a person through osmosis. So thank you for that AJ Mendez Brooks. I wish you all the respect and success in the world. ...more
My intro to SGJ's work. Did not, unfortunately, care for this one. It had nothing that hooked me in. I kept waiting for it to become exciting, immersiMy intro to SGJ's work. Did not, unfortunately, care for this one. It had nothing that hooked me in. I kept waiting for it to become exciting, immersive, or even interesting. It never happened. I could never really focus on it. It just never clicked. And also unfortunately, I found the narration completely lifeless.
I know he's got other books, so I know I will try something else too. No worries. ...more
I read this book as a kid. I have to confess I recalled none of the details of it. This was cool going back as an audiobook and I was delighted to seeI read this book as a kid. I have to confess I recalled none of the details of it. This was cool going back as an audiobook and I was delighted to see this is actually a trilogy. I'd only ever read the first book.
This was an engaging tale of a young girl who is trying to escape a situation she doesn't like. It has a main character who ends up straddling three different lives: (1) her life as a first nation person in Alaska trying to make her own way in the world; (2) her life in what will be in the continental US with people she knows; and (3) her life as a member of a wolf pack. The balance and perspectives and inner conflicts I found quite something in this book.
Although Everly is not my favorite cozy sleuth and Charm isn't my favorite settings of the places I've read about, I did overall enjoy this series. I Although Everly is not my favorite cozy sleuth and Charm isn't my favorite settings of the places I've read about, I did overall enjoy this series. I actually really appreciate that the Seaside Cafe Mysteries are a contained series with its own arc that has a beginning, middle, and end. The series is done and this book does a great job of wrapping that series up. I mean, I'm sure Murder She Wrote was a great series on TV, but as I've heard it joked, how can there be that many murders in a small quaint village and have anyone standing or the feds not declare the place a national emergency. The threads and story lines sounded like they were wrapped up.
It's formulaic but a decent story. That being said, you'd think by this point Everly and/or Det. Grady would have gotten Everly to a point where she'sIt's formulaic but a decent story. That being said, you'd think by this point Everly and/or Det. Grady would have gotten Everly to a point where she's packing heat for all the times she gets in jeopardy when she discovers the killer.
And why the heck hasn't she turned these impressive, innate sleuthing skills to find out who's doing the anonymous Charm blogger so she can root that part out of what gives her grief?...more
I'm afraid I just don't have the same affinity or appeal for this book that a lot of other folks have. That's totally cool. To each their own. I'm afraid I just don't have the same affinity or appeal for this book that a lot of other folks have. That's totally cool. To each their own. ...more
I learned a lot. She's a remarkable person that has gone through success and horrors and seems like all kinds of stuff in between. I wish it had talkeI learned a lot. She's a remarkable person that has gone through success and horrors and seems like all kinds of stuff in between. I wish it had talked just a little bit about the time she was in the Remo Williams movie. But it was well done....more
Good story. Changed up a few of the typical formulaic elements of a cozy mystery which I really appreciated. I like the series and the characters. I lGood story. Changed up a few of the typical formulaic elements of a cozy mystery which I really appreciated. I like the series and the characters. I like Willa and her unique, diversely talented team.
But the real star here was the narration. Oh my. The narrator does a fantastic job of having distinct voices that really let the story come alive. The characters you want to like sound good. Down to earth and sympathetic. Entertaining. The characters that should be annoying... well, the inflections really bring them to life too! Wow. The narrator NAILED the rich, social "princesses."
I like the team approach to these cozies. This is the only series I have personally come across that does that. Willa's still the MC, but she activelyI like the team approach to these cozies. This is the only series I have personally come across that does that. Willa's still the MC, but she actively works with and the other supporting characters are integrally a part of the investigation. Willa couldn't and doesn't do it alone. Makes it more interesting. ...more
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