4/29/2020 0 Comments New Releases!Check out the store for this week's new releases!Pandemic Reads!Come back each week for a newly picked list of newly released titles.
0 Comments
4/24/2020 0 Comments My bookstore is LIVE!I've always wanted to own a bookstore, and while I don't technically own one now, this is the next best thing! Through Bookshop.org, I have specially curated lists that I have put together based on my own reading and recommendations. You can access my newly formed list, Pandemic Reads, or find everything I've read this year. I will be adding new lists periodically, or you can browse their entire selection. Everything you purchase through my shop will give me a small commission that will help support my own book buying habit.
Check out the shop HERE or click the link on my homepage. 4/17/2020 0 Comments Have You Seen Me? by Kate White![]() My rating: 1 of 5 stars This book dragged along at a glacial pace, which is unfortunate, because the premise excited me. It finally picked up near the end, but by then, I was incensed and just glad that there was some sort of conclusion. By “some sort”, I mean that the mystery was solved, but there was so much going on near the end that the excitement and drama of the resolution was watered down. The writing was also mediocre, the prose was peppered with tired cliches, overused idioms, and an adjective overload. It reads like a Lifetime movie with B-list actors whose lines all fall flat. Dialogue between characters via text or email used a vernacular that wasn’t natural or common in the age group that was being represented. It was like a parent trying to be “hip” and sound like their kids. With better editing, this could have been so much better. View all my reviews 4/14/2020 0 Comments Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner![]() My rating: 4 of 5 stars What starts out as an inspiring story of a girl overcoming her insecurities about weight, who turns a viral situation into an influencer sensation, soon becomes a shocking tragedy that reveals a multitude of secrets and coverups. A revealing social commentary about the realities of social media, Big Summer appealed to me instantly because of my own desires to increase my Instagram following among #bookstagram. I just recently read a book that dealt with a similar topic, albeit a much more annoying influencer, and where that one showed a much uglier side of that life, Big Summer manages to embrace the good while exposing the bad, and really, it does just all come down to balance. Daphne’s life is fraught with heartbreaking middle school experiences, mostly because of her supposed friend, Drue, but even among the cringeworthy stories, there are moments when you can see the good person beneath what the money and privilege has twisted into a nasty façade. The memories she has with her father, of Sunday Dinners, were fun and inspiring. Her friendship with Darshi is real and refreshing. However, the meat of the story is around the tumultuous relationship between Drue and Daphne, their falling out, their reconciliation, and a death that reveals that nothing is ever what it seems. Big Summer is a series of flashbacks, bouncing back and forth from middle school, college, elementary school, Christmases, summer vacations, and can at times be difficult to follow. More than once I would forget that I was reading something that had happened in the past until she’d snap back into the future. Otherwise, the story moves along at a steady pace, picking up about midway where you can’t put it down until the finale. I very much enjoyed Big Summer, it was full of surprises but still had plenty of depth. It was a wonderful harmony of humanity and thrill that can appeal to almost anyone’s tastes in literature. You can recommend this book to all your friends, whether they regularly read crime novels, beach reads, or romances, this book has something for everyone. Thank you to Atria Books for the free Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews ![]() My rating: 4 of 5 stars From start to finish, this book was superb. My favorite part of this story was its consistency. From the beginning, and all the way through to the end, the author manages to drop in just enough of a hint or plot point to keep you engaged. There are no dragging moments where you're just in it for the end result. Throughout the story line, I was second guessing my predictions and wondering if I was being led on in the wrong direction. Was I being told to look right when the story was going left? Is this person as sane as they think they are, or are we being given a normal narrative from an insane character? You never find out until the end. The author did a fantastic job filling out each character without bogging you down with details. No character was too minor or insignificant. You could recall each person with familiarity, even if their role was small. Jackie Kabler has written the epitome of a psychological thriller. Many thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews ![]() My rating: 5 of 5 stars First of all, if you aren't following James on any social media, I would start, immediately. Not only is he hilarious, he's EXTREMELY relatable. Anyway, I follow him on Twitter and Instagram so when I saw him advertising this book for kids, I pre-ordered it right away. Then it shipped and I was freaking out because I had forgotten I'd ordered it and Alexa is telling me to expect a package and I'm wracking my brain trying to remember what this package was, how big was it, where could I hide it from my husband... Oh, it's a book I ordered a month ago. Whew. I've always loved journaling, so I was looking forward to my child enjoying the same activity as me, because that always works out the way you envision. I don't even know if she's opened it, but she's nine, not exactly a discerning consumer. When I looked through it, though, I wanted to instantly steal it and fill it out myself. I might still do that, or at least save it for a daughter (or son) that will appreciate it, unlike the one for whom it was originally purchased. It has so many fun prompts and questions for your burgeoning writer, or any kid that enjoys doing creative things, which my oldest daughter loves to do, hence the state of her bedroom, so why she instantly rejected this book, I won't ever know. Just the fact that I bought it for her specifically and was excited about it probably tipped her off that she should make an effort to NOT even open the book. DO NOT let my daughter's reaction to this gift scare you off of buying this book. She has TERRIBLE taste, so let it ENCOURAGE you to buy this fun and engaging journal for your kiddo. View all my reviews |
DISCLOSURE: This site uses affiliate links. (What is an affiliate link?) I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Purchasing through an affiliate link does not cost more or less than purchasing through a non-affiliate link. Your purchases help support a myself and my family and ensure that I can continue to bring you fresh and exciting content. Thank you for your support.
PRIVACY POLICY: Never will I share your personal information with third parties. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on January 30, 2024. If you have any questions, feel free to email me directly. © Heather Gadd and Literary Gadd, 2016-2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Heather Gadd and Literary Gadd with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. |
Proudly powered by Weebly