Some of us are born into splendor with a free ride to anywhere we want to go.
Some of us are born into nothing with all modes of escape layered in a stSome of us are born into splendor with a free ride to anywhere we want to go.
Some of us are born into nothing with all modes of escape layered in a struggle.
Some of us have that great life mixed with poor luck, some of us have that misery mixed with exceptional luck and vice versa.
This book marked me. It made me think a lot about the above. I was fired up, I was pissed off and I was enthralled. Here are the thoughts I jotted down while reading. The last two sentences were more about me sassing off in the moment than the actual truth. I am choosing to leave them because it shows the true range of my feelings in that moment.
“People that say that they were born into a less than stellar situation and tell everyone to look at what I have made of myself are still not grasping that it is so much more than that. That they still happened into luck that changed their life path for the good. I wanted to reach into the book and slap him at times because he does kind of get it more than most, but he still isn’t there. To have random dreams and run away to places like the Amazon to clear your mind every so many years is not a norm. He implies you can do the same thing within your means but I’m going to call bullshit on that one. It is not an equal comparison because the experiences themselves are not equal. It is frustrating to happen upon stories like this time and time again. We are all not created equally, are not living equally and when you start at a kicked in the ass level and continue to get kicked all the way through life you aren’t going to feel like you are living the best life. I guess maybe that is the real truth behind this book. Read about somebody that lucked out because you did not.�
Experiencing contradictory thoughts and feelings while reading something does not always mean it is a terrible book. A reader should be stirred up now and then to feel the full range of emotions available. I like to laugh, I need a good cry now and then and I for sure need to get angry about a sudden gut check with my current way of thinking. Maybe I defend it and nothing changes because my thoughts are valid or maybe it opens doors into new realms and my thoughts shift because a change is necessary.
McConaughey did an exceptional job with this book. He has lived a fascinating life or at least the version of it he is telling the reader about is. (He does admit early on that “storytelling� is something his family is known for.) His life stories, his views on life and the above deep thoughts reading about it all triggered came together to be a perfect reading experience. If I had to knock it down a star it would be for that damn dust jacket....more
THE NEGATIVE: The book could be quite dry at times. It was a real struggle to read through it when it got lost in its own factual based presentation. THE NEGATIVE: The book could be quite dry at times. It was a real struggle to read through it when it got lost in its own factual based presentation. I am not saying it needed to be filled with BS, tons of fluff or only the author’s take on things; but I do think it needed more of a break here and there to keep the reader engaged. There were far too many nights I fell asleep while reading and that is never a good sign.
THE POSITIVE: The book made me think a lot about Lincoln as a person and how open his mind was to change. Most of the people I have encountered in life are pretty set in their beliefs and won’t budge an inch when introduced to a new idea that is different from their own way of thinking. I cannot imagine the emotional and mental struggles he had the entire time he worked through it all. It takes a special person to be open like that. It was interesting, very interesting.
OFF-THE-WALL THINKING: While reading this book I was also watching various things on Ted Bundy. One random thought led to another and before I knew it I was comparing the two people. I know what you are thinking, what in the world could I possibly be going on about and did it occur in relation to drug use? I assure you that no drugs were used in the making of this rabbit hole. It was a thing that entered my mind one night as I turned off the nightstand lamp, and it did not flutter away after a visit to dream land. Both names are well known at this point in history. One person devoted his life to pursuing things that positively impacted society, while the other devoted his life to pursuing his own desires that negatively impacted society.
What strange paths the mind can meander down....more
Some things should remain unseen. Some stories should remain untold.
The continuation of the story from the first book in the series to this crapfeSome things should remain unseen. Some stories should remain untold.
The continuation of the story from the first book in the series to this crapfest became a monster of its own, far more world ending than the monster represented in its pages. Book one was an experience I will not soon forget because it was a great piece of story that captured my attention and did not let go. Book two will be seared into my memory for completely different reasons, mostly to do with the butchering of everything the first book established.
Malorie was a shadow of herself and was more joke than badass. Her children were as memorable as their original names, boy and girl. The same can be said about all of the other components of this book. The story told was a lame duck, not engaging at all and the writing was missing what made it pop previously. The whole thing felt like a cash grab or a rushed to print idea. Like a parent that has just caught their child in a lie, I am utterly, without a doubt, disappointed. The only difference is that earning back my trust in this situation is an impossibility. There are too many books in this world to waste my time on anything more this author has and will produce. I know this sounds harsh but between all I listed above and the general tone of the author’s words at the back end, I feel it is best to part ways now....more
This book read the same as the first so all that charmed me before lost its luster.
The top two thiThe group is back to investigate another crime.
This book read the same as the first so all that charmed me before lost its luster.
The top two things I have to say:
Slow start and monotonous middle and end.
Predictable formula.
The endless amounts of side story that delayed the finish still haunts me. I had a chant going in my head as I read: get to the point, get to the point, get to the point. It didn’t help matters that I tried to watch the television series at the same time which was as dry as the scorched earth in the heat of a Midwest summer.
This reader needs more so in the middle rating bin it goes....more
It was a Sunday evening when my daughter suggested that we should watch the series. It was instant love which led to a binge-watching spree that we boIt was a Sunday evening when my daughter suggested that we should watch the series. It was instant love which led to a binge-watching spree that we both thoroughly enjoyed. We were a few in before I realized a book existed so the out of order thing I despise had happened. BUT, time spent with people I love always ranks higher, so the irritation was quickly forgotten. So many months later I finally made my move and gave the reading game clock a quick tap and well...
This book surpassed by expectations.
Every piece of this was well crafted. The lead character was an instant win, and the inner workings of her mind were spectacular. The only thing about her that gave me pause was the insane number of eggs she consumed. Not sure if the author has an addiction himself or if that was an accurate representation of what most people ate at that point in time. Either/or it caught my attention in an odd way and now every time I eat eggs I think of this story.
Five eggstatic stars for a very eggworthy read....more
Everyone knows what this one is about by now and is looking at me thinking, “What rock were you hiding under?� So yeah, no teaser sentence required.
I Everyone knows what this one is about by now and is looking at me thinking, “What rock were you hiding under?� So yeah, no teaser sentence required.
I did avoid reading book reviews and watching the movie until I read it myself, so I truly had no idea what I was getting into which is exactly how I prefer it. The book brought its A game and started me on a reading craze that lasted up until the point of me writing this review. The chapters are short but end with just enough left hanging to make you read one more and then one more until before you know it, half the book is gone and you are up way past your bedtime.
PERFECTION.
The characters were enough and the writing style equally so. I was not left wanting in either department so all the thanks to the author for that. The story was engaging, and I look forward to getting my hands on the sequel.
Five stars to a book that ended a reading slowdown rut. ...more
This book contains 52 entries that consist of short stories and tidbits of novels from Gaiman’s career to date (1984 � 2018). I went into this book wiThis book contains 52 entries that consist of short stories and tidbits of novels from Gaiman’s career to date (1984 � 2018). I went into this book with the hopes it would be mostly new to me stories but that was not the case. For a person that does not like doing rereads, I still managed to enjoy the journey so there is that. I did consider for a moment breaking this review down by entry but felt that would be overkill because I have already done reviews on most of them. If that disappoints you then comment below and I will do nothing.
I think this would be the perfect book for somebody that is brand new to the author as well as the reader that is already familiar with him. It would probably be a terrible book for somebody that loathes him and/or his writing. In conclusion, I am recommending it to new and existing readers but not to haters. Step off haters....more
“The what about Bob question is answered as we get to know more about one of Ivan’s besties.�
This was a cute story but not what I thought it was “The what about Bob question is answered as we get to know more about one of Ivan’s besties.�
This was a cute story but not what I thought it was going to be. The charm of the first book did not carry over to the second and it lacked the heartstring tug that I needed. My daughter and I bonded over the first so when she found a sequel existed, she made it very clear we had to continue on the journey ASAP. She immediately started reading it the second we got home from the bookstore, but then crickets soon followed and I should have realized that was a warning to what was to come. Three months later and she still has not finished it. I am waiting to compare notes with her once she does but I am pretty sure they will not be good ones.
A woman on a plane, train or in the window always watching.
I am tired of the twists and tuI am so very tired of this type of book.
Women. Wine. Murder.
A woman on a plane, train or in the window always watching.
I am tired of the twists and turns that you can see coming a mile away. The endless pages to get to the obvious. Cliffhanger chapters and everything falling into place for the drunk and/or supersleuth to become the star.
Maybe all of the authors woke up on the same day with the same idea.
Maybe one started the trend and the others thought they could do it better.
I wanted so very much to see this book as a five star read. I spent weeks after I finished it trying to convince myself that it was, to quiet the pickI wanted so very much to see this book as a five star read. I spent weeks after I finished it trying to convince myself that it was, to quiet the picky portion of my personality. I thought letting a little time pass might shed some light on things I had missed, that reading other books after it would make me look back and see it differently. Sadly, that was not the case.
The story itself is powerful. Lale Sokolov experienced so much hardship during his time in the concentration camps but kept his mind focused on surviving and doing all that he could to help those around him. I was blown away by all that occurred, and the strength and resilience of the people involved. The sharing of his story is a gift to all of us.
The writing style left a lot to be desired. I would have preferred to hear this story told through a mature voice to match the strength of the story. I say mature because the voice I heard sounded like it was coming from a child. Simple words used to tell a complex story and the contradiction between the two was a huge distraction.
Overall, I will place this book in the three star category. What it lacked in technique it made up for in content, and for that I will stay it was well worth the time spent reading it. ...more
A group of where did these people come from gather to investigate a crime involving a group of people that few care about.
While I was typing that A group of where did these people come from gather to investigate a crime involving a group of people that few care about.
While I was typing that sentence my brain flashed through scenes from the movie Mystery Men and I honestly cannot think of anything else right now. The whole interview process at the table scene really sticks out the most because that pretty much matches how some of the characters walked into this story.
The top two things I have to say:
Slow start.
Great character development.
The beginning was a bit of a wet blanket but it didn’t stay damp for long so that transgression was easily forgiven. The characters were really the shining light in this story, and I can’t say there was a single one I wasn’t enthralled by. The mystery was a good one and all the components (plot/characters/writing style) came together to form a powerhouse read.
Five stars to the Mystery Men & Women minus the flatulence....more
In my early years I thought all families were the same and would get quite confused when I happened upon somebody in a different set up. I didn’t put In my early years I thought all families were the same and would get quite confused when I happened upon somebody in a different set up. I didn’t put much thought to it at the time, just stored it away in my “think on it later� box.
In my teen years I realized the differences were many and struggled with how best to counsel or be the best shoulder for crying on when friends unloaded their feelings and frustrations. I put a lot more thought to it all and assumed the answers would be available in adulthood.
In my current years I realize that family is extremely complex, and nobody has a perfect one. What I give my daughters is flawed even though I try with all my heart to make it not so. The things I swore I would not repeat and have not, are creating their own ripples and waves of things my daughters will swear to not repeat which will then inadvertently become the repeated mistakes of my grandparents that my parents swore not to make.
This book reminded me of all of this. It was well written with riveting characters that created an intricate piece of art full of swirls of new and shaded spots of misunderstandings. One family who on the surface is the textbook perfect family meets another who checks all the opposite boxes. When the two tracks collide, so does their past, present and future.
The one issue I had with this book was the excessive number of detailed references to pop culture from the 90s. A few can decorate a story nicely but too many and I feel like the author is trying to trick me into liking the story based on my own triggered past memories of a favorite song/movie/clothing style or that they are riding the current nostalgia train. I will forever be against this type of thing so down a star it goes....more
This year has been a real bitch year for reading in Never Mandy land. Worry Monsters from the north are camped out on the edge of the Lake of TranquilThis year has been a real bitch year for reading in Never Mandy land. Worry Monsters from the north are camped out on the edge of the Lake of Tranquility and the Work Trolls from the south are patrolling all paths to Bliss Meadows. It is a real mess of bullshit and the mind has chosen to hunker down into the cave of Netflix reruns and failed start exercise goals. I have tried to entice her out with gifts of Tito’s and new books, but not even that new page smell will get her to budge.
The last time I was in a reading slump this bad the first book in the series came out and pulled me from it. I was buried under adult responsibilities and needed a slap in the face to remind me that a person can carve a little bit out of each day for themselves. A few chapters into the first book of the series I was instantly hooked and by the end of it I was Team Edward all of the way. I am not going to lie, my hopes for this one to rescue me were high. Maybe not as high as Bella had for Edward saving her from her boring life in Forks but still, high enough.
This book is written in the perspective of Edward and rehashes the parts of the story we already know with a little bit of bonus content. The first and middle sections of the book were extremely boring and the last bit (way too late in the game) did bring me some joy but not enough to make a huge difference. I am sure true fans will eat this shit up and I am now realizing I do not fit into that category. It did not hold the same power over me that the first few book did which means it did nothing for my reading slump. The caved mind will toss this one into the three star burn pile and wait patiently for the one true knight in shining armor book to come along and rescue her....more
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