It’s been days since I finished this book and I still can’t find the words to write a review. I’m still processing the heartache and despair felt at tIt’s been days since I finished this book and I still can’t find the words to write a review. I’m still processing the heartache and despair felt at the end. ...more
This book is absolutely amazing. Peter Guralnick is a master of his craft in putting together the complexities of Elvis Presley's early life and careeThis book is absolutely amazing. Peter Guralnick is a master of his craft in putting together the complexities of Elvis Presley's early life and career and presenting the information in a compelling, and engaging manner.
The book is based on facts, not opinions. You can find over 50 pages of notes at the end with all the sources of his research. I love this about this book. He does not take a side in the story. Guralnick takes us by the hand and describes in words all the events that lead to the rise of the musical phenomenon that became Elvis back in the 50s. His descriptions are so good that you can feel yourself present in the scene he describes. When you pull the footage or photos of the event he describes, you can see the accuracy in the carefully crafted sentences.
This is the second time I read this book, but I almost feel like it's the first time around all over again. I read this back in 2011, before ŷ. This book was my introduction to Elvis' life. By now, both this book and Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley are considered the absolute and unquestionable biographies of The King of Rock and Roll for a reason. I decided to read it again after watching the new Baz Luhrmann movie.
Gosh! Baby boy was so wholesome and full of life when it all started. The sky was the limit and he was catapulted into stardom in an unprecedented way. That charming young man had no clue he had made a deal with the devil.
To be able to travel back in time and witness it all!
I loved the TV miniseries back in the 80s when I was a kid. This was a story that always lived rent-free in my head. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant.
I loved the TV miniseries back in the 80s when I was a kid. This was a story that always lived rent-free in my head. The book is marvelous. I thought I would struggle to keep up with all the characters and family lines, but somehow I could keep them straight. The audiobook narrator is phenomenal. Especially when reading Lord Toranaga's lines. For the 53 hours of audio this title lasted, I was transported to a different world of long ago.
Oh, dear, dear Joe! What are we going to do about you?
What a wild ride with this book. I had to take breaks because it gave me so much anxiety.
CarolOh, dear, dear Joe! What are we going to do about you?
What a wild ride with this book. I had to take breaks because it gave me so much anxiety.
Caroline Kepnes does it again. I'm not sure where this woman comes up with so much madness, but the book is flawless. Santino Fontana's narration of the audiobook just makes it even better....more
One of the best books I’ve ever read. It makes me want to go through my shelves and reconsider all other books I’ve rated with five stars. This one isOne of the best books I’ve ever read. It makes me want to go through my shelves and reconsider all other books I’ve rated with five stars. This one is a rare gem simply incredible.
I listened to the audiobook version. The narration is flawless....more
Oh, St. Stephen, I will keep lighting a candle at your altar. Than you for delivering so much joy and creepiness in my life during these weird times. Oh, St. Stephen, I will keep lighting a candle at your altar. Than you for delivering so much joy and creepiness in my life during these weird times. You truly are the King.
1. Mr. Harrigan's Phone Freaky. King is such a master at toying with your emotions. The sweet and longing moments of childhood spiced up with a healthy dash of creepy. 5/5
2. The Life of Chuck Thought-provoking. It is unlike any other King story. Told in a three-part unconventional format, this story had me thinking about life, how we perceive it, and what we make out of it. And that is if our lives are truly ours. What if we're just characters in someone else's story? 5/5
3. If it Bleeds Holly Gibney. I enjoy this character. I've followed her since Mr. Mercedes, and I like her. I can see why King is fond of her too. I like the two versions of her as well (TV Holly Gibney is very different than book Hollyberry). The story was good, overall. It missed something for me. I needed a bit more. 3.5/5
4. Rat. Creepy AF. I read this one faster than the others and at night, lol. This story is a classic King from long ago. Not only I was already freaked out with the stupid rat, but then I realized it's on the cats face in the cover... noooooooo! 5/5
I took my sweet time reading this book. No need to rush it. I savored each story and let it sit until I was ready for the next one. Final verdict 4.5/5 rounded to 5 shiny stars.
Stay away from snotty bandanas! ...and keep washing your hands, folks. (those who know will understand). ...more
Update February 2023: I’m not sure why I gave 4 stars to this audiobook the first time I listened to it. It’s a solid 5 stars, and much more enjoyable Update February 2023: I’m not sure why I gave 4 stars to this audiobook the first time I listened to it. It’s a solid 5 stars, and much more enjoyable the second time around
I may have said a few times how much I avoid uber-popular books. I'm bitter and grouchy that way. However...what called my attention to this one was the polarized reviews about it. People seemed to love it, or openly hate it. I suppose enough people liked it to win the ŷ Award for fantasy, yet it still didn't change the fact that many of the peeps I follow didn't finish it or said it was terrible.
Surprisingly, I liked it. It was a fun story. This is my first Leigh Bardugo book, and I know she has a strong base with her previous books. I may check them out after all. I listened to the audiobook version, and the narrator is phenomenal. She brought the characters to life and engaged me in their journey. In the end, there's an interview with the author, and I found out that these "societies" are real! That's super cool. I need to do some Googling to see the "tombs."
I can't add anything about the book that hasn't been said already. You may like it or not. For me, it was a good choice....more
St. Stephen, I can call myself a true Constant Reader now. This is one of the best stories I've read from him. Why did it take me so long? No idea. AlSt. Stephen, I can call myself a true Constant Reader now. This is one of the best stories I've read from him. Why did it take me so long? No idea. Also, now I can finally watch the movie. I've been waiting to watch it until I read the story.
The Reckless Oath We Made is Bryn Greenwood's sophomore's novel. After the massive success of her first novel, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things(whichThe Reckless Oath We Made is Bryn Greenwood's sophomore's novel. After the massive success of her first novel, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things(which I personally loved), the expectations on this new novel are incredibly high. Bryn Greenwood delivers. No question about it.
This is a very different book from her first novel. I read a few other reviews before typing my thoughts about my experience with the story. Yes, it is a love story. It is just not an ordinary love story. Zee is struggling to survive in Wichita, KS in any possible way. Her family was marked from the start, as her father spent life in prison until his death. Her mother is dysfunctional, her sister enmeshed in an unhealthy relationship with the father of her son, Marcus.
Zee meets Gentry one day, and he introduces himself in a peculiar way. Gentry is not an ordinary man. He has his own quirks and perks for you to discover, but above all, Gentry speaks in Middle English. This is where the book almost lost me. I do not have an issue with that kind of language after reading all the Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) books. I just found it a bit mind-bending to swap from modern English to Middle English in the same book. I hesitated for half a day considering to continue or giving up. I did not want to give up! I have been waiting a while for this book, and I was given an ARC from NetGalley. I decided to trust Bryn Greenwood, and I kept going. I should have known better than to doubt the Lady Greenwood. I was rewarded with an outstanding story about love, loyalty, and acceptance.
In Greenwood's universe, princesses can be waitresses with frizzy hair and thick thighs, and champions do not require to be "oh-so-hot" and filthy-rich. She writes about real people struggling with real issues (including drugs, jail, mental health), and still is capable of delivering a fairy tale. Don't fool yourself thinking All the Ugly and Wonderful Things was not a love story as well. It was, just like her new book. There is abuse, there are drugs, there are criminals, just like in her first book. The romance part is just more prominent, and the characters are both age-appropriate.
If you are on the fence of reading this book due to the Middle English part of it, I invite you to give it a chance. She is so talented and made it work using a lighter version of it well adapted for modern readers (English is my second language, and I got it. I believe you can get it too). This story is filled with real emotions and struggles. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons in exchange for an honest review.
Once in a while, there is something new and unique out there. A story that has not been told. These books are rare. They don't remind you of anything Once in a while, there is something new and unique out there. A story that has not been told. These books are rare. They don't remind you of anything you have read before. They cannot be compared to anything else, because they are exceptional and shine a light of their own. Katherine Arden has achieved this feat with her Winternight trilogy. The minute I stumbled upon The Bear and the Nightingale, I knew I had a treasure in my hands.
It can be hard to let our favorite things go. I love this trilogy so much! I even procrastinated an entire year to read the third installment pretending I could avoid the inevitable. This was a wonderful journey. The Winter of the Witch is the last installment of the trilogy, and it is here where historical fiction meets folktale to deliver a conclusion to this wonderful story. I spent most of the book a bit resentful with Arden for doing something that greatly displeased me, but she redeemed herself at the end.
Even though there is nothing formal about this recommendation, I think these books read better during wintertime, under warm covers, and with a hot beverage at hand.
During 2018's time for "best books I've read," I found this little gem in Kelly (and the Book Boar)'s summary and it caught my attention. The cover, hDuring 2018's time for "best books I've read," I found this little gem in Kelly (and the Book Boar)'s summary and it caught my attention. The cover, her review, and my natural instinct toward dysfunctional families and the such were immediately attracted to add it to my TBR pile.
Last week I finished Call Me by Your Name and I was in such a book hangover and fragile mental state after stepping out of that world. I didn't want my next book to be similar. I didn't want to read my go to thriller stuff. I discover Audible had the title and decided to give it a shot.
OHMIGOSH, why did I never see this book going around on ŷ?! How is it possible that not more people I know have even heard about it?! This book is truly a rare case of amazingness. Kelly is so picky about giving the 5 stars, and I know I'm more lenient, but seriously, this book deserves all the stars out there. The Audible version is narrated by Katie Schorr. Through her voice, Elvis, our 10 y/o protagonist becomes real and carries you through her (and her family's) grief process after losing their mom, Eva. Her narration is flawless. I felt as if Elvis was sitting next to me in the car as we went running errands while she told me the story herself.
The Babbit's have an unusual way of grieving in the family, including their dog Bummer and their bird, Ernest Hemingway. Elvis is a precocious, smart as hell kid, and I didn't expect the book to reach the tender souls of my heart (hidden from sight most of the time). Do yourself a favor, and read this book....more
This book kept popping up E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. with raving reviews, and I won't waste much time reviewing it because other people have done so with beThis book kept popping up E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. with raving reviews, and I won't waste much time reviewing it because other people have done so with better words and all.
I listened to the Audible version and Edoardo Ballerini and Graham Winton brought the story to life. I couldn't put it down. I see from the title that this will have a sequel. I'll be excited to continue the adventure. The creepiest thriller I've read in a long time, and I read lots of thrillers. ...more
Oh my goodness! She did it again. Katherin Arden is such a storyteller.
First and foremost, thank you to Del Rey/Random House for the Advanced Copy ofOh my goodness! She did it again. Katherin Arden is such a storyteller.
First and foremost, thank you to Del Rey/Random House for the Advanced Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. It took me longer than I expected to complete it, but I enjoyed every page of it.
In the second installment of this trilogy, we find Vasya engaging in adventures beyond what she may have expected when she left Lesnaya Zemlya at the end of The Bear and the Nightingale. Solovey, her faithful companion is invaluable as he is witty, considering he's a horse.
We certainly get to know more about the whereabouts of Sascha and Olya, and it may not be exactly what Vasya or us--the readers--may have imagined. Being the middle book in a trilogy, the story is full of action, and unanswered questions. Magic is still present but in unexpected ways. I was happy to see more Domovois (I simply love them) and chyerti. We'll have to wait another long year to find out what happens with these beloved characters and (please, please, please) Morozko. I would not recommend reading this book without reading the first book first. It will still make sense, but there would be too many unanswered questions.
Katherine Arden has brought back my childhood passion for fairy tales. Her setting in remote, ancient Rus' (Russia) feels like a historical fiction story even though she's made it clear it isn't. I was lost in the forests and killer winters of a land I've never met. Her descriptions are so vivid and clear, one is transported to the setting. I can imagine myself reading the trilogy around Christmas time for years to come. wrapped in my blanket with a hot cup of cocoa. Thank you for writing such a wonderful tale.
Michelle Only Wants to Read
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