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
Sumptuous illustrations that allow you to appreciate the brushstrokes, with a very pleasing color pallet. So glad this included some photographs as welSumptuous illustrations that allow you to appreciate the brushstrokes, with a very pleasing color pallet. So glad this included some photographs as well, as illustrations can easily exaggerate. Now I want some soba!...more
This was so entertaining, and a different way to learn a little about history. Seeing time and changes through Barbie's fashion was interesting. I lovThis was so entertaining, and a different way to learn a little about history. Seeing time and changes through Barbie's fashion was interesting. I loved all of the photographs of the outfits, but was surprised that I didn't recognize anything beyond the first bathing suit! At one point, I had Barbie, Midge (never mentioned in the book), and Skipper. Recognizing that collectors were an important part of the business and adjusting to that was very insightful as well....more
I was a little disappointed; I've enjoyed all of Cleary's books on parts of speech, but this one did not seem that unique. I also questioned some of tI was a little disappointed; I've enjoyed all of Cleary's books on parts of speech, but this one did not seem that unique. I also questioned some of the choices to demonstrate fractions, like the 1/2 on the hourglass (the parts did not look equal) and a measuring spoon marked 3/4 tablespoon and a 2/3 cup of flour that was basically full....more
I was excited to see a book by Rebecca Stead while I was searching NetGalley. The book left me feeling a bit empty, and I felt that the jumbled illustI was excited to see a book by Rebecca Stead while I was searching NetGalley. The book left me feeling a bit empty, and I felt that the jumbled illustrations had something to do with it. Some pages are very sparse, while others are an almost cacophonous jumble. I did really like the dad's answer to a request to "go home."...more
I have to admit that I did not know much about the history of Venice before reading this. I understand how Chevalier skipped time to avoid having to iI have to admit that I did not know much about the history of Venice before reading this. I understand how Chevalier skipped time to avoid having to introduce even more characters, but in the end with the final dolphin, the difference was a little weird. The glossary did not have to be that explicit; I had some ideas without seeing some of the translations in print....more
I read this book as a part of a "Battle of the Books" to come up with questions. There are parts of this book that would be fun to watch as a movie, eI read this book as a part of a "Battle of the Books" to come up with questions. There are parts of this book that would be fun to watch as a movie, especially the grocery store and the chess games....more
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