X, it just goes to show that a 29 page diary, can be a story complete with depth, sorrow, heart, gore, and zombies. This quick apocalyptic story told X, it just goes to show that a 29 page diary, can be a story complete with depth, sorrow, heart, gore, and zombies. This quick apocalyptic story told from the POV of a fifteen year old girl is well worth the read. I’m going to be thinking about X for awhile�....more
I grabbed this off the shelf for “Q� to use for the A-Z Challenge. I had not read Meg Cabot before and decided why not. I can see why people like her I grabbed this off the shelf for “Q� to use for the A-Z Challenge. I had not read Meg Cabot before and decided why not. I can see why people like her style and I can see why some people might not. Just know what you’re reading if you’re not open to light fluff reads…pass and pass fast. The main character, Lizzie, is young just out of college and frankly inexperienced at life. She babbles word vomit when she’s nervous or upset hence the title. I liked this book because Lizzie grows herself a bit of a backbone before our eyes. The friendships were a great addition, I would’ve liked to have seen more from that. Her love of retro fashion and the drive to restore vintage pieces made her more interesting. This is one of those fluffy feel-good easy chick lit reads. (Just don’t expect it to be The Princess Diaries 2.0, this one definitely belongs in the adult section for content)...more
I initially grabbed Jewels of the Sun off my shelf because I needed a book beginning with the letter “J� for the A-Z reading challenge. No more thoughI initially grabbed Jewels of the Sun off my shelf because I needed a book beginning with the letter “J� for the A-Z reading challenge. No more thought than that went into selecting this novel. I’m glad I read it though. It’s full of Celtic folklore, there’s a colorful cast of characters, and the writing was easy to read. This is a book to slip into and disappear for awhile. The romantic aspects didn’t feel as cliche as they usually do in a lot of novels. Overall this story is mostly fluff, but it’s the excellent sort of fluff that does a mind good sometimes. I would gladly visit this little Irish village again. I’ll likely be checking out book 2 of the trilogy soon. ...more
The entire Inked Brotherhood series is about guys who have experienced hard times and trauma and their struggles to move toward on to something bette The entire Inked Brotherhood series is about guys who have experienced hard times and trauma and their struggles to move toward on to something better. Zane’s character is heartbreaking to read. He has lived through horrific circumstances and has the mental and physical scars to show for it. Here’s my issue, this guy is a teenager, he’s a survivor no doubt about that. However, there’s no journey showing how he copes or will cope in the future. There’s zero therapy or even any discussions about the ways he can grow as a man and cope with his past. Adding in a relationship won’t help someone in the long term who’s genuinely suffering like he is. He turns repeatedly to binge drinking and anonymous sex to numb himself. So what happens the next time he experiences something awful? His friends didn’t even notice he was suffering. And wouldn’t have if they weren’t looking for him to fix someone else’s issues. The characters in this series are all relatively young, and drowning in difficult circumstances. I want to see them succeed against the odds, but we need to see more about how they can actually do that. Falling in love simply isn’t enough, they need the tools to heal and grow. ...more
Not my usual read, but bring on the amnesia trope! It always sends my mind into “what if� territory. Stories should grab a reader and make them envis Not my usual read, but bring on the amnesia trope! It always sends my mind into “what if� territory. Stories should grab a reader and make them envision those circumstances and for me the whole amnesia trope does that. Weird, but true. The plot here is basic, Clem our MC, suffers from amnesia, after a vicious attack by an unknown assailant. She has retained knowledge of how to accomplish daily tasks like tying shoes and cleaning etc, but has no knowledge of the people in her life or her job. She researches her tattoo and locates the artist only to find out he’s her ex and angry. Ed, her ex, had me on the fence. Even after understanding their past together, I found some of his behavior to be unbelievable. Loads of drama happen naturally, but her discovering things she enjoys food, music, movies wise is fun. It would’ve been even better to see more of that in the story. There’s quite a few laughs in this one and that made the difference for me overall. I didn’t buy into certain characters� behaviors and the “villain� was sadly predictable, but I had fun reading this and turning over the “what if� questions in my mind. This is currently a freebie on audible and the narrator is a good choice for the material. This was my first book by Kylie Scott and I’d read something else by her. She pulls off dialogue heavy scenes well. ...more
A gripping story, but lacking character development, Verity, had me wondering…why even write this? There was a tremendous amount of build up and a flaA gripping story, but lacking character development, Verity, had me wondering…why even write this? There was a tremendous amount of build up and a flat lackluster ending that came across as a sad excuse for a “twist �. ...more
Now, this is a strong science fiction and horror tinged short story. Butler says a lot with few pages and it makes for a memorable read. I can see wh Now, this is a strong science fiction and horror tinged short story. Butler says a lot with few pages and it makes for a memorable read. I can see why Bloodchild won many much deserved awards. I’m going to be thinking about this story for weeks to come and isn’t that why we read. ...more
Heartbreaking and hilarious, Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, is a memorable read. This one will stick out in my mind for years to come. I love an underHeartbreaking and hilarious, Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, is a memorable read. This one will stick out in my mind for years to come. I love an underdog and if they are funny, well, I will love them even more. Daisy is a kid in the 1950’s growing up in a dysfunctional family. She is an optimist and a survivor. Parts of this book had me laughing out loud and not in a cute way. I’m talking about cracking up, eyes tearing, the whole deal. Fannie Flagg knows how to make you feel like you’re right there experiencing these people and places. This was her debut novel, and it is a true nod to life in the south. Be mindful that it is told from the POV of a child at age 11, throughout high school, and a bit afterwards. It’s also written in diary form. None of that was a factor or issue in my case, but if you only want to read exquisite prose, you won’t like this. I thought this story had a great deal to offer. ...more
First book read of the year for me, and what a powerful story it is. There’s a certain indescribable magic to some books. It’s what readers hope for eFirst book read of the year for me, and what a powerful story it is. There’s a certain indescribable magic to some books. It’s what readers hope for each time we crack open a spine or hit play on an audiobook. Carrie Soto is Back delivers that magic on every level. This story didn’t leave me wanting anything more it felt wonderful and complete. I have zero interest in tennis and it didn’t matter. This is a novel that reaches so far beyond the game at its core, and showcases characters that explode with development. I was engrossed by their growth. I rooted for them through the struggles they faced. I was excited when they experienced success. I couldn’t have asked for a better book to read at the beginning of 2023. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a true talent....more
I’m not usually not a big fan of the whole love triangle trope, but as always Taylor Jenkins Reid, writes an outstanding novel.
The book opens with EmI’m not usually not a big fan of the whole love triangle trope, but as always Taylor Jenkins Reid, writes an outstanding novel.
The supporting cast was just as incredible as the main characters and added some much needed humor. They truly made this book shine for me.
The sense of being fully immersed in Emma’s life was at the front of my mind while reading.
Grief is ugly and personal. No two people journey through its murky depths the same. It’s also one of the issues people cast a lot of judgement upon. I was proud of Emma for reaching towards something beyond her grief. I can’t even imagine, being in the situation she experienced, so I wasn’t throwing judgment at her less than stellar decisions. I think this would have been a very different story had she lacked a strong support system.
The timeline goes back and forth and shows how each relationship began. There’s a lot of witty banter and it makes for a fast read.
Overall the novel is well written with the kind of pacing, characterization, and tone that makes the reader feel connected and the pages seem to turn themselves. ...more
Pines is a genre bending, wild ride, read with twists happening at the drop of a hat. This eerie, unnerving story had me flying through the pages so fPines is a genre bending, wild ride, read with twists happening at the drop of a hat. This eerie, unnerving story had me flying through the pages so fast I often went back and reread paragraphs to make sure I was getting all the details because I couldn’t stand the thought that I might’ve missed even the smallest bit. Ethan Burke, the protagonist, is a veteran who’s currently employed with the secret service. His assignment is to locate two missing agents. He wakes up from an accident and nothing about the town he wakes up in seems quite right. Burke as a character is flawed, but brave. He’s smart, resourceful, and above all a survivor. It is easy to see why a television show was developed from this story. I will definitely be checking the rest of this trilogy soon. ...more
From the line, “We ought to palaver, you and me.� , I knew I was gonna love this book. Who writes a better villain than King? The Man in Black is bac From the line, “We ought to palaver, you and me.� , I knew I was gonna love this book. Who writes a better villain than King? The Man in Black is back and walking through Castle Rock. RF in any form and in any story is my favorite literary villain. He’s a less direct villain here, more of a puppeteer pulling strings, but isn’t that just what he does in the beginning. I got the impression that he was setting the stage for future events. “Step into my parlor, said the spider to the fly.� Gwendy’s Button Box is a coming of age fantasy novella with a twist of horror. Gwendy is a twelve year old girl given the immense responsibility of the button box. The box is powerful and she’s unsure of the consequences of using it initially. As time passes, we see the way the box works to a degree. I loved the journey of these characters and will definitely be reading the other two installments. The illustrations throughout the book were a wonderful addition. The black and white drawings were simple, yet, detailed and sucked me further into the story. I found the cover interesting and eye catching. I just had to have it in hardback. It just begs to be displayed and after reading it, I loved it even more. ...more
A story of a decadent fantasy world, told with dramatic flair, A Light in the Flame, is Armentrout at her best. How is it that such a large cast of chA story of a decadent fantasy world, told with dramatic flair, A Light in the Flame, is Armentrout at her best. How is it that such a large cast of characters starts to feel familiar and easy to mentally catalog? My guess is that the world as a whole is so engrossing I don’t want to miss a bit. The world building is stunning. As the characters reveal bits of their backstories, the story becomes more layered and developed. This series is flat out good. ...more
A solid mystery with plenty of laughs, A Hard Day For a Hangover, delivers from cover to cover. Jones knows how to develop characters that burst rightA solid mystery with plenty of laughs, A Hard Day For a Hangover, delivers from cover to cover. Jones knows how to develop characters that burst right off the page in the best way. A sense of humor is a must when reading her books. I devour everything she writes and this series has been loads of fun to read. ...more
Wow, what a ride! The Fireman is everything I love in a novel. The characters are brilliant and have realistic reactions. No one is perfect and nothinWow, what a ride! The Fireman is everything I love in a novel. The characters are brilliant and have realistic reactions. No one is perfect and nothing magically goes off without a hitch. The other shoe is always waiting to drop and actions have consequences. There’s a gritty thread of foreshadowing that is so well done, I can’t recall the last book I read that was on this level. Apocalyptic thrillers are a dime a dozen, but I love them anyway and The Fireman stands out as one of the great ones. ...more
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