A white picket fence marriage with a little extra spice.
I made a reading rule a while back to avoid books such as this one because of how done to A white picket fence marriage with a little extra spice.
I made a reading rule a while back to avoid books such as this one because of how done to death they are. The only reason I caved in this instance was because of my teenage daughter. She had read it for a book report assignment and wanted to hear my thoughts on it. You read that right, a teenager willingly asking a parent their thoughts on something. What parent could resist? I immediately added it to my nightstand pile and promised her a review as soon as I got to it.
Her review: It was bland and it dragged on for too long. I feel like they could have shaved off a lot of extra time from the beginning to the end.
My review: I liked the spark of the story I glimpsed as I read through the first part. It had potential to be something a little different from the current psych thriller norm if executed properly. Sadly, this did not occur. The characters were poorly written and everything about the story became predictable in a hurry. What started as a possible page-turner ended up being a chore. The only redeeming quality it had was the time I spent discussing it with my daughter.
Two stars to a book that did not impress a mom & daughter dynamic reading duo....more
The book flips between past and present to tell the story of a young couple’s struggle to be together during a war.
I originally rated this read foThe book flips between past and present to tell the story of a young couple’s struggle to be together during a war.
I originally rated this read four stars, but the longer I thought on it the more I realized how wrong that rating was. Like a piece of popcorn stuck in the back of your throat, what I did not like about the read nagged at my mind.
THE GOOD: The parts of the story related to the past (and only the past) were interesting. The choice of location and the general flow of the story kept me engaged.
THE BAD: The parts of the story related to the present were terrible. I can and will put all the blame in how the characters were handled, mainly Alice. She was beyond annoying and every time her chapters came up I wanted to skim past them as quickly as possible. The supporting characters were excruciatingly flat and I could care less that they even existed. In fact, I can’t even remember their names.
Overall, this book gave a strong B performance in a few areas and a low D where it mattered most. I would only recommend it to those looking for a simple read with basic characters....more
I played the pick it up and put it down game with this book multiple times before finally deciding to go for it. I was afraid it would be dry, thankfuI played the pick it up and put it down game with this book multiple times before finally deciding to go for it. I was afraid it would be dry, thankfully it was not. What I should have feared was a poor ending. I was expecting only information on the past, maybe the present, but not the future. The final pages got lost in its own opinion of what the author thought the future might bring. I would have preferred a walk up to where we are now on the timeline and a “to be continued� for anything after.
Three stars to a book that offered up some much needed education on our biological roots....more
I do not want to accidently give anything away, so I am going to keep this review short and sweet.
The story pulls you in on the first page and does noI do not want to accidently give anything away, so I am going to keep this review short and sweet.
The story pulls you in on the first page and does not let go even after you finish the last page. (Two months later and I am still thinking about it.) It is a dark read with a full cast of captivating characters and the writing is phenomenal. I do recommend this book to others, but only if their reading tolerance rating goes past PG-13....more
A news delivering man traveling the countryside is asked to transport the surviving child of a murdered family to her relatives.
The characters werA news delivering man traveling the countryside is asked to transport the surviving child of a murdered family to her relatives.
The characters were the standout with this read and I instantly fell for the elder Captain and the young girl placed in his charge, Johanna. I have read other books that mention Native American tribes taking on outside members but not like how this one portrayed it. It made me ponder the impact that kind of thing can have on a person. Many layers of thinking on this one, because the child in this story had so many moments where the depth of her experience shined through and offered a different take on various interactions she had.
The only thing I struggled with had to do with the secondary characters. It was either a lot or a little with them and it left me feeling unsettled. With some it was an open window that allowed a sneak peek into their colorful existence (I wanted more), and with others there just wasn’t enough to see more of a wisp to what they were (I needed more). I would say the ending really stirred up the struggle because it had character updates which reminded me of how much wasn’t there for the ones I needed more on.
Four stars because overall, it was a worthwhile read....more
The behind the scenes on a rock band that made it big in the time of peace, love and happiness.
Interviewer: What did you think of the book?
Me: ThThe behind the scenes on a rock band that made it big in the time of peace, love and happiness.
Interviewer: What did you think of the book?
Me: This was a fun little read. Nothing complex or deep thought worthy. Decent writing done in an interview style format. Stereotypical characters that entertained but lacked what it took to form any kind of attachment. I felt the “made to be a movie� vibes instantly, and I am not too sure when it does hit the screen that I will see it.
Interviewer: Would you recommend it?
Me: To those that are seeking a quick break from their usual reading and don’t mind a predictable story with stock characters....more
Analyzing the bookshelves in my home is like an archeology dig into our family’s past. What I have discovered is that you can see a person’s life chanAnalyzing the bookshelves in my home is like an archeology dig into our family’s past. What I have discovered is that you can see a person’s life changes visible in their reading preferences.
ME: What once was a couple of shelves that mostly contained Stephen King mixed with a few classic favorites has expanded to multiple shelves of pretty much the same.
MY GIRLS: What once was four shelves of picture books changed to middle school aged reading, and then decreased to a half shelf of the favorite books mom and dad once read to them. It wasn’t that their reading stopped but that they wanted to take their young adult books to the privacy of their bedrooms where mom and dad are not allowed to venture.
MY HUSBAND: What once was a shelf of outdated sports related books changed into a bursting at the seams bookcase full of the latest and greatest coaching and team building books. It wasn’t that he didn’t read a lot before but that he began the process of refining a career and pursuing a passion to its fullest.
That is a very large amount of backstory to get to my main point which is that change happens. I could see a lot of change on the shelves of my loved ones but not much on mine. I picked this book up thinking it would be an interesting way to investigate my supposed stagnant shelf situation further. I promised myself that I would go into the read with an open mind and actually give the advice a fair shake, which I did. At the completion of the book, I realized that my shelf had actually changed over the years and that I needed to stop being so damn critical of myself.
Did the detailed steps for change given in the book get me there? NOPE
What did get me there was seeing the author be way too hard on himself at various points in his life which duh, was exactly what I was doing to myself.
The book contained very basic self-improvement concepts presented from a religious viewpoint. The core of it was a lot of stuff I have heard many times before in various formats. It wasn’t the worst version of it, but it wasn’t the best either.
Books are amazing in that what is good for you may be terrible for me and neither is wrong. This book was perfection for my husband and useless drivelBooks are amazing in that what is good for you may be terrible for me and neither is wrong. This book was perfection for my husband and useless drivel for me. He keeps pulling it off the shelf so he can share bits of wisdom with his staff and team, and I keep trying to figure out why I originally gave it two stars when it only deserved one.
This read was more about a coach’s career and less about the concept he authored. The little outside of that I did take from it was brand yourself before becoming a group/team leader. Have a catchy idea/phrase worked up and sell that. Once the group/team buys in, success will be yours.
Was that the message it intended? Probably not.
Would I recommend this book to others? Nope....more
An old hired gun has only one rule, that the target must be a bad person. He has one more job left in him, and it looks to be the perfect finisher�An old hired gun has only one rule, that the target must be a bad person. He has one more job left in him, and it looks to be the perfect finisher…until it isn’t.
This book was a quick slap of reality and it made me sad. Not because of the story itself but because of what was stashed behind the words. I love King and I’m fully aware I have repeatedly said it in my reviews past the point of annoyance (not sorry). To have one of his books remind me that he won’t be around forever to tell his stories, absolutely breaks my heart.
This book did not amaze me. It did not stay with me past the dejected feelings mentioned above. It was an extremely average read. I am not angry for the moments spent on it, but I am not super excited about it either. The characters were typical King but lacked that extra charm required to really endear the reader to them. The story was predictable and all could be seen a mile away. I don’t think it was meant to be a shocker, so I did exclude that when rating it.
Overall, I give this one a three star rating because it isn’t one I would recommend to others looking for a decent example of the author’s work....more
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but stories about sticks will never motivate me.
A quick read that would be beneficial to team leaders lookinSticks and stones may break my bones, but stories about sticks will never motivate me.
A quick read that would be beneficial to team leaders looking for ideas to strengthen their team. If presented as is, it should only be done with a younger audience. An older audience (me) would compare it to a time-wasting ice breaker activity and instantly be turned off....more
There are a handful of unsolved crimes and mysteries that I keep an eye on and the JonBenet Ramsey case is top of the list. I discovered this book exiThere are a handful of unsolved crimes and mysteries that I keep an eye on and the JonBenet Ramsey case is top of the list. I discovered this book existed while reading through comments on Reddit and decided to give it a go.
What I liked: The case details that I had not read/heard about before.
What I didn’t like: The author going on and on about his beef with people involved in the case and his constant self-aggrandizing. The book was poorly organized and contained entirely too much unnecessary content. An editor could have fixed a lot of the mess, but I have a strong feeling that the author would not accept constructive criticism.
I am a detail person when it comes to situations such as this. Present me with the facts and offer your theories separate from the fact sharing. This book has facts mixed with theories, mixed with pauses to take in the author’s amazingness, mixed with rants about how other people messed everything up, mixed with where did the rest of that train of thought go, mixed with oh wait there it is, why did it reappear two chapters later?
IF you are willing to spend the money and put in the work sifting through the author’s bullshit, the book is okay. Though honestly, you can probably find these same details by doing a deep internet dive into the case. It would be a cheaper venture but it would probably take more time and quite a few risky clicks....more
Left behind journals tell the story of a nightmare incident involving a volcano, a community of people and various woodland “creatures�.
What I likLeft behind journals tell the story of a nightmare incident involving a volcano, a community of people and various woodland “creatures�.
What I liked: The story concept.
What I didn’t like: Everything else.
The story had so much potential but the execution of this piece of work was terrible. The writing was basic without much substance which corrupted everything it touched. Attempts at cliffhanger chapter endings fell flat because the excited feeling of wanting to know what would happen next was thwarted by very obvious content. The characters, which can act as a lifeboat in situations like this, had zero impact. I did not care about a single one and I quickly gave up trying to keep up with where they were located in the community as well as the story. Maybe character A lived with character B or maybe they lived alone? Did the name of character C change or did I not pick it up the first time it was stated? These are things a reader should not have to ponder.
Throughout the story the author repeatedly described a distinct smell that the characters kept wandering into. I too kept happening upon a stench as I turned each page of a very disappointing read....more
This was an extremely informative read. It brought back fond memories of a college history class that I took a lifetime ago. Not necessarily the conteThis was an extremely informative read. It brought back fond memories of a college history class that I took a lifetime ago. Not necessarily the content taught but the way it made me feel as I furiously scribbled out the notes. There was so much information available and so many different directions a person could take in researching it. It was for sure one of those worldview shifting experiences.
The author of this book kept things to the point and he didn’t insert himself into it. It was just endless amounts of research and history that painted a completely different picture than what I was taught in elementary school. He did mention his travels some, but it was nothing that detracted from the main focus of the book. It was more to show one of the methods he used to obtain the information that was presented, physically going to the locations and meeting with the people researching and uncovering our past.
What I loved most was that it clearly stated that what we know about history at any given point can be altered by new revelations. We should all be open to the idea of changing the way we perceive things and not lock ourselves into believing that an item we learn at one point in time is the final say on it and anything past that is instantly wrong. I love that shit. I love having my beliefs challenged and I love opening my mind to new ways of thinking.
Five stars to a book that taught me so much and reset some earlier thinking....more
I can’t think of a way to write a brief teaser without giving away bits of the story. I also can’t think of a way to explain why I am knocking it downI can’t think of a way to write a brief teaser without giving away bits of the story. I also can’t think of a way to explain why I am knocking it down a star without doing the same. What I can say is that I enjoyed the story except for one thing that can be discussed by message for those who want to know. The plot, writing style and characters all get a double thumbs up from me. It was short, sweet and a welcome break from the books I have been reading lately....more
In July of 2000, a young woman named Lucie Blackman vanished in the city of Tokyo. She had recently moved there with her best friend to pursue a joIn July of 2000, a young woman named Lucie Blackman vanished in the city of Tokyo. She had recently moved there with her best friend to pursue a job that she had heard paid quite well. All was going as planned until that fateful day she stepped out of their rented room, never to return.
This book is more than just a detailed investigation into Lucie’s disappearance and the crime committed against her. The author digs deep into her life to give the reader a vivid impression of who she was. He also includes a lot of content involving her family and friends as well as the person accused of the crime, which adds so many layers to an already complex read.
The piece that stood out the most was the research done into the type of work Lucie and her friend were doing while in Tokyo. I found it to be quite fascinating.
Overall, I did consider the book to be a little dry and a bit heavy on the details. Trimming it down and reducing it by around fifty to one hundred pages would have made it a better reading experience.
I would recommend this one to true crime lovers that are all about detail diving expeditions....more
Loading...
