Disappointed. This had a good premise but it was not well developed and not well written. Really no likeable characters and the conclusion was not satDisappointed. This had a good premise but it was not well developed and not well written. Really no likeable characters and the conclusion was not satisfying. It was not fun to read. There are better novels with a similar plot. I do not recommend this at all. ...more
I love this book and I'm 64 years old! 'Books carry stories around�' This book has an excellent story, fun illustrations, and clever definitions bordeI love this book and I'm 64 years old! 'Books carry stories around�' This book has an excellent story, fun illustrations, and clever definitions bordering the pages that should not be overlooked! This picture book shows how amazing words are and that stories are made by placing words side by side. I'm not sure when I fell in love with words but the way this book imagines that world will delight readers and story tellers. I definitely recommend this book!...more
Excellent format. Lots of healthy recipes, with photos for each. I liked the notes and shortcuts - the options felt like real life and make the recipeExcellent format. Lots of healthy recipes, with photos for each. I liked the notes and shortcuts - the options felt like real life and make the recipes approachable. This seems like a doable plan for anyone needing this kind of menu guide. Every Danielle Walker cookbook has been great, and definitely worth a look....more
I enjoyed this novel and kudos for the great WTF moment near the conclusion. Didn’t see it coming. The multiple narratives and timelines are the only I enjoyed this novel and kudos for the great WTF moment near the conclusion. Didn’t see it coming. The multiple narratives and timelines are the only reason why my review is not five stars. I did like the characters and felt the relationships, and the grief, were believable. The settings were well described and seemed real. This author delivers compelling fiction. I recommend this book....more
This took me longer than usual to read since, while I was into the creepy premise, the execution was not that great with multiple POV's and timelines.This took me longer than usual to read since, while I was into the creepy premise, the execution was not that great with multiple POV's and timelines. For some reason this book is in demand at my library and I was pressed to finish it but it was a chore. The twists weren’t surprising. None of the characters were likeable. Did I mention this was disappointing? There was some dark humor, but I still can’t recommend this novel. ...more
Well. This novel is quite a meandering tale, which I became impatient with at times. Haig balances the magic with math/science; I initially found thatWell. This novel is quite a meandering tale, which I became impatient with at times. Haig balances the magic with math/science; I initially found that interesting but then felt that too was repetitive. I received the messages about enjoying your life with all your senses, letting go of grief and having an open heart but I don’t typically read fantasy and those elements didn’t work (for me) as the story went on. I liked Grace and most of the other characters but didn’t feel like the villain and that conflict was necessary. I would have enjoyed this novel if it had better focus and editing....more
This book didn’t work for me. Great premise but it wasn’t fully realized; I felt like I was reading a series but missed the first book that introducedThis book didn’t work for me. Great premise but it wasn’t fully realized; I felt like I was reading a series but missed the first book that introduced the characters and the setting. I felt there were a lot of inconsistencies. These stories are simple, easy bedtime reading - I expected much more from an adult novel. Disappointed. ...more
Stellar. It all falls into place - yes, a lot of characters and storylines but so well written I wasn’t confused. There was one moment, but it makes pStellar. It all falls into place - yes, a lot of characters and storylines but so well written I wasn’t confused. There was one moment, but it makes perfect sense how it fits into the story. This hit every possible feeling for me. I won’t go on and on - read this book. ...more
This a novel featuring shallow women in the world of social influencing - so all the characters are self involved and not very likeable. Still it’s enThis a novel featuring shallow women in the world of social influencing - so all the characters are self involved and not very likeable. Still it’s entertaining to glimpse what their world might be like and the pressure to create content while looking perfect. Really interesting how the manipulation of social media is fueled by public opinion regardless of fact. I don’t follow any personalities or influencers so I’m not the targeted reader! I liked the twist but I was ready to leave these people behind by the last page....more
This is a very chatty Chicago style cookbook. It succeeded in making me hungry, and I snapped a few recipes. I have an issue with his overnight dehydrThis is a very chatty Chicago style cookbook. It succeeded in making me hungry, and I snapped a few recipes. I have an issue with his overnight dehydrating method of uncovered seasoned meat or poultry - I just won’t do it. I’m not familiar with this chef as a personality but would recommend this cookbook for fans.
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This is a very chatty Chicago style cookbook. It succeeded in making me hungry, and I snapped a few recipes. I have an issue with his overnight dehydrating method of uncovered seasoned meat or poultry - I just won’t do it. I’m not familiar with this chef as a personality but would recommend this cookbook for fans....more
As a retired Library Technician, this book reminded me of 'my people' - devoted book readers. I mostly enjoyed working at the library though there wasAs a retired Library Technician, this book reminded me of 'my people' - devoted book readers. I mostly enjoyed working at the library though there was a lot of staff dysfunction and poor management. I loved the true diversity of the job: unpacking brand new books, glueing old books, creating displays, locating and routing requested items, helping people with websites and documents, seeing children grow up, receiving entire collections when someone passed away…the stories in this book highlight some of the great parts of the jobs in the book world, and some of the not so great. It’s truly a profession of passion for books and providing service. I recommend this collection of stories....more
Something completely different from the usual fiction - bite sized tales of excellent food with each having a small mystery element. Good to read if y
Something completely different from the usual fiction - bite sized tales of excellent food with each having a small mystery element. Good to read if you need a break from the usual fare....more
I’m not a vegetarian and didn’t find any recipes in this book that I felt interested in. I viewed an ebook format loaned from my library. Not all reciI’m not a vegetarian and didn’t find any recipes in this book that I felt interested in. I viewed an ebook format loaned from my library. Not all recipes had photos, otherwise it was formatted fine. I think this is an error: gastroesophageal reflex disorder (page 17) should be 'reflux'. ...more
This is a mature novel. It blew me open, it cut me apart, it stitched me back together. The incredible lyricism of the beauty of nature, of the covenaThis is a mature novel. It blew me open, it cut me apart, it stitched me back together. The incredible lyricism of the beauty of nature, of the covenant of love. Each character's point of view was full and real. Their grief and sorrow were shared yet separate to each of them. I felt the exhaustion, the deep sadness, the yearning for release and forgiveness that they needed to give to themselves. People do not live this way in our times; there is so much external noise and filler to our lives that this deep reflection isn’t something people do. Families are not knit together this way anymore. Yet this gave me insight into myself and my own shortcomings and loss, and insight into my parents and grandparents. We do all do the best we can. And I believe acceptance is a form of forgiveness. Read this incredible novel....more
I hadn’t read this author before. Very easy uncomplicated novel, with a nice focus on excellent food and a cooking competition. Not quite 'Top Chef' lI hadn’t read this author before. Very easy uncomplicated novel, with a nice focus on excellent food and a cooking competition. Not quite 'Top Chef' level but I still found it fun. Kind of amazing to imagine their apartment complex with built in supportive friends! This definitely felt like fiction throughout but a nice change from heavier novels. If you’re looking for something light, this is it! It’s also part of a series with some crossover characters if you’re looking for that kind of comfort reading. ...more
2.5 stars I zipped through this ebook. I found the format with three different authors somewhat confusing, especially as an ebook. I didn’t get any ne2.5 stars I zipped through this ebook. I found the format with three different authors somewhat confusing, especially as an ebook. I didn’t get any new information or inspiration. I felt there was a lot of self promotion referencing their other books.
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2.5 stars I zipped through this ebook. I found the format with three different authors somewhat confusing, especially as an ebook. I didn’t get any new information or inspiration. I felt there was a lot of self promotion referencing their other books....more
I found this novel occasionally funny, but often mean spirited. There were a lot of characters and relationships to keep track of. Also: slavery, rapeI found this novel occasionally funny, but often mean spirited. There were a lot of characters and relationships to keep track of. Also: slavery, rape, Nazis, extremists, suicide, dementia� I’m glad I stayed with it, the twist and the conclusion are satisfying. I didn’t get escapism from this, since it’s dealing with political unrest and bias with people believing what they want to believe. Too close to reality for me. Some good observations about how we are all more alike than not, four stars for the insight but I’m mostly feeling three stars overall....more
This was okay. It all went pretty predictably. I stayed interested just because I could imagine myself as both the mother and the daughter (since I amThis was okay. It all went pretty predictably. I stayed interested just because I could imagine myself as both the mother and the daughter (since I am both things). I liked the point that our kids don’t really know us, don’t know what we do, what we’ve done, what’s been done to us. And we as parents try to keep them safe from mistakes and danger but it’s impossible. As far as the plot, I didn’t like the different time lines of each chapter trying to amp up the suspense. A lot was jumbled in - infidelity, money, murder, neglect, social services, dating apps, Big Pharma, teenage behavior, oh and the missing mother! It still played out almost exactly like I figured, I had hoped it might be a bit more clever. ...more
This novel had an interesting premise, featuring both forensics and DNA profiles. I found the chapter headings with the date (sometimes present and soThis novel had an interesting premise, featuring both forensics and DNA profiles. I found the chapter headings with the date (sometimes present and sometimes past) and 'six days earlier' (an example of the subheadings) confusing. The timeline didn’t work for me but I understand it was used to build the tension. I liked the pacing otherwise, and liked the short chapters that compelled me to keep reading! The conclusion was mostly satisfying but wrapped up pretty quickly even with the chapter set at a future date....more
This book had some basic information, recipes, meal plans, and exercise suggestions. I didn’t find anything revelatory or inspiring. I found their chaThis book had some basic information, recipes, meal plans, and exercise suggestions. I didn’t find anything revelatory or inspiring. I found their chatty informal delivery fine at first, but it does somewhat discount the information. I wish I could recommend a better book on this topic. I haven’t found it yet.
Merged review:
This book had some basic information, recipes, meal plans, and exercise suggestions. I didn’t find anything revelatory or inspiring. I found their chatty informal delivery fine at first, but it does somewhat discount the information. I wish I could recommend a better book on this topic. I haven’t found it yet....more
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