L V
Scrolling through Libby and came across this little gem. What a great way to introduce the little ones to figures from other eras. I especially liked the included brief little time line of Bowie’s achievements, and the suggestions for further reads and songs of his to listen to. Where was the Little People, Big Dreams series when the kids in my life were small?? No matter. I’m going to use the series as palate cleansers whenever I hit that dreaded reading slump and ready myself for when the next generation of little ones bless our family.
Scrolling through Libby and came across this little gem. What a great way to introduce the little ones to figures from other eras. I especially liked the included brief little time line of Bowie’s achievements, and the suggestions for further reads and songs of his to listen to. Where was the Little People, Big Dreams series when the kids in my life were small?? No matter. I’m going to use the series as palate cleansers whenever I hit that dreaded reading slump and ready myself for when the next generation of little ones bless our family.
This is a re-read for me. It’s just as good as when I first read it back in 2013.
::Sigh::
You will not be able to not think about your first true love as you read this book. The butterflies in the stomach, how long the days seem when you are apart, the awkwardness and self-doubt, it's all there. And true to life, the course of things sometimes just lead you in different directions, and though that may mean never seeing each other again, it doesn't mean that you will ever forget your first true love and the magical time you spent together.
This is a re-read for me. It’s just as good as when I first read it back in 2013.
::Sigh::
You will not be able to not think about your first true love as you read this book. The butterflies in the stomach, how long the days seem when you are apart, the awkwardness and self-doubt, it's all there. And true to life, the course of things sometimes just lead you in different directions, and though that may mean never seeing each other again, it doesn't mean that you will ever forget your first true love and the magical time you spent together.
::Sigh::
You will not be able to not think about your first true love as you read this book. The butterflies in the stomach, how long the days seem when you are apart, the awkwardness and self-doubt, it's all there. And true to life, the course of things sometimes just lead you in different directions, and though that may mean never seeing each other again, it doesn't mean that you will ever forget your first true love and the magical time you spent together.
::Sigh::
You will not be able to not think about your first true love as you read this book. The butterflies in the stomach, how long the days seem when you are apart, the awkwardness and self-doubt, it's all there. And true to life, the course of things sometimes just lead you in different directions, and though that may mean never seeing each other again, it doesn't mean that you will ever forget your first true love and the magical time you spent together.
I am one of those who wants to read more of the classics but is totally intimidated by them. This book serves as the perfect solution. It provides brief synopses of great works and insight into the life and times of its authors. What’s really cool is that the author assumes you know the works being referenced. So, whenever I came across characters/events I wasn’t familiar with (almost half of the book), I’d look it up, read a little summary, and record the title of work to add to my potential Classics TBR list. This made for a fun scavenger hunt.
So much is covered in this entertaining read. Everything from The Aenid by Virgil to The Sign of Four by Sherlock Holmes. My favorite texts: Heathcliffe and Cathy professing their love for one another. Hilarious and the best summary of Wuthering Heights I’ve come across.
I read Daisy Miller ages ago and couldn’t quite recall what it was about. The texts by the mean girls refreshed my memory. Pretty sad. Hamlet was silly, as were the texts between Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter. Overall, a great read, especially if you pause and look up the pieces you are not familiar with. And I highly recommend you read along with the audiobook. The actors bring the book to life.
I am one of those who wants to read more of the classics but is totally intimidated by them. This book serves as the perfect solution. It provides brief synopses of great works and insight into the life and times of its authors. What’s really cool is that the author assumes you know the works being referenced. So, whenever I came across characters/events I wasn’t familiar with (almost half of the book), I’d look it up, read a little summary, and record the title of work to add to my potential Classics TBR list. This made for a fun scavenger hunt.
So much is covered in this entertaining read. Everything from The Aenid by Virgil to The Sign of Four by Sherlock Holmes. My favorite texts: Heathcliffe and Cathy professing their love for one another. Hilarious and the best summary of Wuthering Heights I’ve come across.
I read Daisy Miller ages ago and couldn’t quite recall what it was about. The texts by the mean girls refreshed my memory. Pretty sad. Hamlet was silly, as were the texts between Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter. Overall, a great read, especially if you pause and look up the pieces you are not familiar with. And I highly recommend you read along with the audiobook. The actors bring the book to life.
I examined the first set of drawings way too much before heading to the next page. Turns out I didn't really have to, but it was fun playing Sherlock for a bit. Everything unravels naturally, no loose ends.
Although I did manage to guess who did it (a first for me—a fluke), it was pretty fun/educational reading about the emotional and psychological states of each character and how it played a role in their actions. Wrapping up by explaining how each of the characters are tied together was extremely satisfying.
I’d recommend this read to anyone who wants to start or rekindle their reading journey but does not want to commit to anything too long to read and/or to those who are not into mysteries but want to explore the genre.
Two quotes that stood out to me:
“When faced with true sorrow, people lose even the strength to shed tears.”
“…for all life’s pain, there is just as much fun and joy to be found.”
I examined the first set of drawings way too much before heading to the next page. Turns out I didn't really have to, but it was fun playing Sherlock for a bit. Everything unravels naturally, no loose ends.
Although I did manage to guess who did it (a first for me—a fluke), it was pretty fun/educational reading about the emotional and psychological states of each character and how it played a role in their actions. Wrapping up by explaining how each of the characters are tied together was extremely satisfying.
I’d recommend this read to anyone who wants to start or rekindle their reading journey but does not want to commit to anything too long to read and/or to those who are not into mysteries but want to explore the genre.
Two quotes that stood out to me:
“When faced with true sorrow, people lose even the strength to shed tears.”
“…for all life’s pain, there is just as much fun and joy to be found.”
Wow, what a page-turner! This book was first published in 1953 and was the author’s first novel. He was 23 at the time—talk about knocking it out of the park.
The writing and clever plotting has held up well and definitely stands the test of time. It’s still as scandalous and intriguing as it was then. And if you like despicable characters, this book’s for you. Just savage.
A fast paced thriller filled with suspense and a satisfying-ish ending. Definitely have to read more of this author’s work and perhaps catch one of the movie adaptations to A Kiss Before Dying.
Wow, what a page-turner! This book was first published in 1953 and was the author’s first novel. He was 23 at the time—talk about knocking it out of the park.
The writing and clever plotting has held up well and definitely stands the test of time. It’s still as scandalous and intriguing as it was then. And if you like despicable characters, this book’s for you. Just savage.
A fast paced thriller filled with suspense and a satisfying-ish ending. Definitely have to read more of this author’s work and perhaps catch one of the movie adaptations to A Kiss Before Dying.
You could feel the hopelessness and desperation in each page. When you’re born with nothing, you have no mom or anyone who’d love you like a mom, and life doesn’t give you a chance to make it better, you can feel defeated and just give up. Lala is made of stronger stuff, and I want to think that in the end she finally finds her sliver of paradise. Sweep, my sister.
Lala lives in beautiful Barbados, but her life isn’t so picturesque. Set in the 1980s, Lala has to deal with domestic violence, poverty, dysfunctional family dynamics, motherhood and loss. Sometimes happiness comes with a cost, and she pays dearly (perhaps not as much as the ones who help her).
Greatest takeaway: In the end, when you truly love someone, you don’t care as much about yourself as you do for that person’s safety and wellbeing. You’d sacrifice most anything for that.
I highly recommend that you read this paired with the audiobook. The narrator's voice is like honey. Perfect tone and accent to capture the emotion the story conveys. It takes you to the sandy beaches and warm breezes of Barbados. Just lovely.
You could feel the hopelessness and desperation in each page. When you’re born with nothing, you have no mom or anyone who’d love you like a mom, and life doesn’t give you a chance to make it better, you can feel defeated and just give up. Lala is made of stronger stuff, and I want to think that in the end she finally finds her sliver of paradise. Sweep, my sister.
Lala lives in beautiful Barbados, but her life isn’t so picturesque. Set in the 1980s, Lala has to deal with domestic violence, poverty, dysfunctional family dynamics, motherhood and loss. Sometimes happiness comes with a cost, and she pays dearly (perhaps not as much as the ones who help her).
Greatest takeaway: In the end, when you truly love someone, you don’t care as much about yourself as you do for that person’s safety and wellbeing. You’d sacrifice most anything for that.
I highly recommend that you read this paired with the audiobook. The narrator's voice is like honey. Perfect tone and accent to capture the emotion the story conveys. It takes you to the sandy beaches and warm breezes of Barbados. Just lovely.
This one was a bit of a let down for me. The story began like a good friend just telling you about her day (in a fun and engaging way), it had promise. But then it turned into a ramble fest with no resolution and I lost interest fast.
This one was a bit of a let down for me. The story began like a good friend just telling you about her day (in a fun and engaging way), it had promise. But then it turned into a ramble fest with no resolution and I lost interest fast.
“It felt like such a waste. All of those words, those books, that love. All of it felt wasted on someone who didn’t want it. Someone who would let it all burn.”
I felt every bit of everything Adelaide endured. The emotional and physical pain of an unrequited love is too much to deal with, add to it everything else piled on top of her plate, and it’s almost unbearable. Thank goodness for loving friends and family members that are there to help you pick up the pieces; and for good doctors who listen before diagnosing and prescribing. Not many Adelaides have these blessings.
“It felt like such a waste. All of those words, those books, that love. All of it felt wasted on someone who didn’t want it. Someone who would let it all burn.”
I felt every bit of everything Adelaide endured. The emotional and physical pain of an unrequited love is too much to deal with, add to it everything else piled on top of her plate, and it’s almost unbearable. Thank goodness for loving friends and family members that are there to help you pick up the pieces; and for good doctors who listen before diagnosing and prescribing. Not many Adelaides have these blessings.
This is another audiobook I chose at random, and I’m glad I did. It’s unique in that most of the story is told through the family’s typewriter, Olivetti. Olivetti holds all of the memories and things everyone has typed into the machine. When a family crisis develops, he decides to break the typewriter code and begins to type out messages that can help pull the family through.
Beautifully told, and a reminder to respect animate and inanimate objects alike. The narrator was engaging and the book kept my interest from page 1. Would highly recommend it to the young and adults alike.
This is another audiobook I chose at random, and I’m glad I did. It’s unique in that most of the story is told through the family’s typewriter, Olivetti. Olivetti holds all of the memories and things everyone has typed into the machine. When a family crisis develops, he decides to break the typewriter code and begins to type out messages that can help pull the family through.
Beautifully told, and a reminder to respect animate and inanimate objects alike. The narrator was engaging and the book kept my interest from page 1. Would highly recommend it to the young and adults alike.
Poor Jeeves has to go out on the town and have the time of his life? The sacrifices this loyal man makes to help Bertie out of his jams. What a guy.
Poor Jeeves has to go out on the town and have the time of his life? The sacrifices this loyal man makes to help Bertie out of his jams. What a guy.
A beautiful story of new found friendship. Gorgeous illustrations. Will make for a family friendly Halloween read.
A beautiful story of new found friendship. Gorgeous illustrations. Will make for a family friendly Halloween read.
This is a sweet story about a dad and son who’ve recently lost their wife/mom in a tragic accident. The dad misses her everyday, but the stresses of keeping his head above water paying the bills and worrying about his son (who had stopped speaking completely since mom’s death) doesn’t allow the time they need to help one another grieve together and overcome the darkness that enfolds them.
A few unexpected things change all that and they begin to be there for one another and become the closest of friends. They share memories and talk about mom often, and in doing so, realize that mom will always be there with them.
I picked this audiobook randomly from Libby. And I do recommend it in audio form as the narrator was engaging and made the funny bits a delight.
This is a sweet story about a dad and son who’ve recently lost their wife/mom in a tragic accident. The dad misses her everyday, but the stresses of keeping his head above water paying the bills and worrying about his son (who had stopped speaking completely since mom’s death) doesn’t allow the time they need to help one another grieve together and overcome the darkness that enfolds them.
A few unexpected things change all that and they begin to be there for one another and become the closest of friends. They share memories and talk about mom often, and in doing so, realize that mom will always be there with them.
I picked this audiobook randomly from Libby. And I do recommend it in audio form as the narrator was engaging and made the funny bits a delight.
