David
Seems almost everyone loved this book, sadly I was not one of them. I'm not saying it was bad, it just wasn't for me. It seemed overly long and the marsh ecosystem descriptions went on and on and on..ok we get it!
It was only after the fact that I learned that this first time fiction author is an actual wildlife scientist...that explains it!
If you took out the history of viruses, US/Russia relations, and the inner workings of domestic politics from this book, you would have a somewhat compelling novella.
Pulitzer Prize winning author Lawrence Wright makes his 2nd foray into fiction and it didn't really work for me. There are moments that stretch believability and in one instance, an irrelevant flashback that only serves to pad the anemic story.
That said, it's a timely one!
With nods to Rebecca and Dracula, this dark, funny and atmospheric gothic tale set in the 1950s is about a spoiled debutante who travels to a remote castle to save her cousin who may or may not be in serious peril. This page turner gives us wonderful characters and writing that transports the reader to this misty gothic landscape of castles, graveyards and things that go bump in the night.
An interesting read into the history of the Trump Dynasty and how it led to the thing that currently lurks in the Oval Office.
While at times the book is disjointed with it's various recollections, at it's heart, we get insight into what made Trump who he is today. Mainly, a terrified little boy with serious daddy issues. A bully who is always right, because admitting otherwise is a sign of weakness. A boasting incompetent charlatan who owes all his success to his father's money and support along with the media and banks that propped him up and never questioned his tall tales, lack of business acumen or common decency.
Unpopular opinion ahead:
This book just wasn't for me. It seemed like a collection of common sense things one should do and to strive for them in order to be your true and authentic self. So with that in mind, I thought about giving it 3 stars because if I gave it 2 people would think I was some sort of soulless monster. Then I thought, wait a second, who cares what others will think...be true to yourself! So 2 it is.
Or maybe this book didn't speak to me because I am perfect...at least that's what my mother tells me.
It's bad enough having to live during a deadly virus outbreak, but it's even worse when you are pregnant and the birth of your child is imminent. This is where we find ourselves as we navigate the horrors of a society in collapse in Paul Tremblay's latest page-turner. It goes without saying, but being in the midst of a real-life pandemic makes this book all the more harrowing and relatable.
If you have a tween/teenage daughter, this book is for you! In clear and concise language, Dr. Damour walks us through the 7 stages of adolescence with relatable scenarios and suggestions on what to say when the time comes. This will definitely be a book we will be going back to over the coming years!
I enjoyed all 4 stories although the “If It Bleeds” story is a continuation of The Outsider with Holly Gibney so there was a familiarity with that one whereas the others for me were fresh and exciting.
“Mr. Harrigan's Phone” was my favorite of the 4 due to it's strange mix of morbidness and nostalgia, followed by the bizarre and philosophical “The Life of Chuck” and then “Rat” which gives us an inside look at the struggles of a writer trying to complete his first novel.
A thought provoking read that examines the life of 15 year old Vanessa Wye and her relationship with her older teacher. The story juxtaposes her past as a teenager and her present as a young adult and the effects that relationship has on her and those around her. Was she abused? Was it consensual? Was she a victim? Was she the instigator? These are the questions she must grapple with.
A little longer than it needed to be, but beautifully written with flawed, yet compelling characters.
Where to begin? First and foremost, the writing is exquisite and a delight to read. The many characters featured are interesting and fleshed out. However, I found their criss-crossing storylines and time jumps a tad puzzling and in the end this story of loss, regret and “what ifs” felt slightly pointless with an ending that was a bit anticlimactic.
While at times a bit jarring in structure and flowery in prose, this account of what many consider the Golden Age of Hollywood is a fascinating look at the movers and shakers who brought Chinatown to the screen. From the horrific murder of Sharon Tate to Roman Polanski fleeing the country and everything in between, this book is like being at a fabulous dinner party with fascinating guests who have amazing stories to tell.
At around page 200 of this 720 page behemoth, I almost threw in the towel. It was slow moving and I didn't see myself getting more invested in the story despite what others had said. But taking their advice, I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. A moving and devastating examination of the lives of 4 friends over a span of 40+ years. A story that will stay with you. Bring some tissue.
This work of speculative fiction was a short quick read that explores motherhood and the anxieties that come with it. It quickly turns into a Twlight Zone-type story and an ending that left me scratching my head...not a fan of those ambiguous endings. That aside, based on reviews, this is a polarizing book, but it is one that kept my interest to the end.
A quick, enjoyable read about a woman who gets hired by her former schoolmate who in turn is married to a wealthy Senator and is hired to be a nanny/governess to her stepchildren who have a habit of combusting into flames.
While I found this quirky story to be thin on plot and not as laugh out loud funny as advertised, I did enjoy the characters and the insights into class divide and unconditional love.
A story that centers around a haunted house? Sign me up!
Another page turner from Riley Sager that had me trying to figure out the mystery behind the story. Told in the present day by our heroine Maggie and flashing back to her father's perspective by means of excerpts from his best-selling book about their experience in the house. Did the events in the house really happen or was it all an Amityville Horror-style ruse? That question is what propels Maggie to return to her childhood home to find out the answers. I'm not saying anymore than that, so you'll have to find out for yourself when the book comes out on June 30th!
