Lauren
3.5 and rounding up.
Despite having figured out the big plot twist early
on, this was still a great read. So much so, I might even continue with the series.
I didn't despise the writing from a talent/skill perspective, but I am horrified at the use of the n-word, the constant stream of racism and misogyny and the absolute tedium of having to deal with the last 3rd of the book which once again brings the unbearable Tom Sawyer to the front and center.
If you like National Treasure you'll like this
I listened to the AUDIOBOOK version of DOURADO.
If you are a fan of National Treasure, the DaVinci Code and the like then you'll enjoy DOURADO.
I feel it's a series that'd be very well suited to YA boys who are looking for action and adventure.
The narrator, Jeffrey Kafer, did a very good job in capturing each character uniquely. His accents were great and not distracting, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere he created with the subtle effects he added to indicate when characters were talking on the phone or in a flashback. It was extremely effective!
A must read.
Seriously...if you think of yourself as an ally you need to read this book.
Then get out there and start organizing, volunteering, and mobilizing people to make real change to the systemic racism that still permeates every are of our life here in the USA.
Thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling style.
I love the moral questions that it poses and how it all ends up playing out.
A fun ride, and the narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.
I'd be interested in listening to more by this author.
2.5 I'm not a fan of the movie, but liked this a lot more. I've had a string of disappointing reads of classic books this year. It's hard to get past all the racist comments and descriptors that get casually thrown around.
Eye-opening.
For anyone interested in breaking free of diet culture and to understanding more about how the body works and how it responds to the food we do or don't put into it, you'll get a lot out of this book.
The misinformation we've been told about food and dieting, (speaking to my fellow Millennials) has completely skewed our view of food and the way our bodies should natural regulate themselves.
I found this exasperating to read.
I was able to figure out the killer very early on and the rest of the story just seemed to drag and drag. The main character was infuriating which I could get past if the story wasn't such a slog. I don't understand how his partner put up with it. If the rest of the series were to follow the partner I would consider continuing.
I don't say this a lot, but this book made me cry.
My heart will be aching over this one for awhile.
ANYBODY WANT A PEANUT?
As a super fan of the movie, I was so excited to listen to the behind the scenes stories of the actors during the production.
Cary Elwes is charming, and a lovely story teller.
A great listen for any fan.
Wow. A must read.
This is the first book of Dr. Kings that I've read and it is still so relevant 55 years later.
There are many impactful quotes from this book and a really important examination and call in for anyone who identifies as a white liberal.
I started and stopped this one so many times. The first few chapters it just felt difficult to stay engaged with the audiobook. I'd say around the 40% it got easier. Perhaps it was because I was grasping the concepts betters. Interesting stuff, just tough to keep reading.
If you're a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, I think you will probably enjoy this. It's funny and puts a unique spin on the mystery genre. I always think it's fun when the MC engages with the reader. I think there will be a lot of cozy mystery readers who will like this series.
With that said, I personally didn't enjoy this very much. The tone and humor just wasn't for me, and the mystery just felt way too obvious from the beginning.
***Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
So good. If you've been waiting for a sign to pick this one up, consider this your moment.
As a kid, I would have LOVED reading a book like this. I remember when I first started understanding the concept of what a million and a billion meant, and reading this stirred up all those feelings again.
I read this with my 5 year old, and we had a blast counting out the zeros to each number as it got bigger. It made a very complicated concept a lot more understandable and the factoids dispersed throughout were a great way to visualize the sheer enormity of these numbers.
This is the kind of gem I love to find in self published children's books: an easy to read story, sweet illustrations and as a bonus there is also supplemental resources available on the website.
I would recommend this book for kids in the 7-10 range, but younger kids will also learn and enjoy the story as well.
When we finished, I asked my kiddo their thoughts on the book:
“I liked that it helped me understand math better. It was fun learning lots of new facts about the planet and the things that live on it. I think other people should read this book because it's a fun way to learn big numbers, especially if you're interested in space.
***Thank you to Joey Benun for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is a very academic text, but works well as an audiobook if you're interested in the period and/or subject matter.
The book explores real accounts from police & madame records along with historical accounts of the lives of the dames entretenues of Eighteenth-Century Paris. It can be a little dry when you first start out, but once you begin to understand the dynamics of the story telling and writing the style begins to flow. It's really an interesting look into the sexual and social politics of the time and there are “cameos” of some well known names including Casanova.
Sally Martin does a GREAT job with all the french pronunciation, and I swear you'll begin to believe that YOU TOO can speak the language. (I've been walking around saying dames entretenues for weeks because it's so much fun!)
NOTE: I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com
3.5 If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes and all the modern adaptations, this is a good twist on the series. I think my favorite part though was the definitely all the little details about Chinese life and the atmosphere of London at the time this was taking place. For anyone familiar with the influence of opium on China during this time and England's role in that will appreciate the weaving of it into this story.
I did find the action scenes a bit hard to follow on audio, which is why I'm rounding down my rating, but it's a solid mystery and I would certainly be willing to pick up book 2 in the series and give it a shot.
***Thank you to RB Media for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
3.5 A great read for anyone interested in understanding the limitations of genetic testing and how important it is to listen to tribal voices.
This book made me lose my appetite, but holy moly that was a quite the book.
If you can stomach body horror and bug stuff, I think you'll find this to be a 5 star read.
But I'd recommend this over LORD OF THE FLIES any day of the week.