Toil & Trouble: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Brilliant! It was absolutely beautiful. I remember seeing something about it and so I put it on hold at the library. That was awhile ago, so when it popped up in my Kindle, I loved the title but I had no recollection what it was actually about. When I started reading it, it read a lot like fiction, but then when I checked out the author, it all came back to me that it was a memoir and then I was really intrigued. Especially since I had read Running With Scissors years ago and hadn't made the connection that it was the same author. Anyway, throughout the entire book I was just swept up in the storytelling, the imagery of the house and his upbringing, not to mention his abilities. Even if you are a skeptic, which I most certainly am, he still tells a damn good story. So vivid are the details, his humor is dry and sarcastic, I want to go back and read all of his works leading up to this one. Reading this was so much fun and delightful and I wish we were friends because he sounds like he would be so much fun to sit with and chat. Check out my notes for the book for a few of my thoughts throughout the novel. View all my reviews
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12/12/2019 0 Comments The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
My rating: 2 of 5 stars Dear Ron Charles with the Washington Post, you are quoted saying, "...a long novel that never feels long," in regards to this tome of adjectives that equals 771 pages. You are WRONG. This book feels like EVERY single one of those 700 plus pages, and it didn't need to be this way. This book could have been awesome, and by all accounts of its awards and acclaim, apparently it is, but maybe I'm too stupid to realize its greatness. However, I don't believe I am stupid, or ignorant, or uneducated, but what I do believe is that there is an unnecessary elite that comes with writing a long, drawn out, fatalistic piece that has other authors and critics falling all over themselves to adore. Why? Yes, the story, the bare bones beginning, middle, climax, resolution, it was good, something I would have enjoyed reading, but it was the nonstop depressing rain of descriptions upon descriptions, drawn out conversations that had me screaming in my head, "Just shut up already!" Again, I wonder, as I do with so many other books that I read and come away dissatisfied, yet feeling so strongly, is this the point the author is trying to make, the impact they so desire? Is it the point to elicit such intense feelings, whether it be love or hatred? I don't hate the book, there were parts I enjoyed, characters I loved, in its entirety, it inspired to want to write more on my own, but is it really as great as some would lead you to believe? I don't think so, but again, what do I know, I'm a stay-at-home mom writing reviews in my spare time. View all my reviews 12/12/2019 0 Comments My Favorite Children's Books
A little bit about me, I have five, that's right, FIVE kiddos, so I read A LOT, a lot of board books, Dr. Seuss, Sandra Boynton, Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, we have BOXES of books for kids. I got tired of cleaning them all off the floor so I had to start rotating them seasonally. Below I've compiled a list of authors and books that I love reading over and over.
12/8/2019 1 Comment Dark Hollows by Steve Frech
Dark Hollows by Steve Frech
My rating: 4 of 5 stars I found Dark Hollows while scrolling through Twitter. The name was the first thing to jump out of me, I’m a huge fan of books that have “dark” and “hollows”, it’s the recipe for a great read. Since it was a NetGalley retweet that had featured this title, I jumped over to see if I could snag it for myself, and I rejoiced when I was approved to read the title. From the beginning, I was in love. Set in a Vermont small town in October with detailed descriptions of an east coast autumn, small town main street, and a bustling coffee shop, it wasn’t long before I was craving a cup of joe and the cozy firepit mentioned early on in the story. Mysteries abound in this tale of a past that has caught up with the future, taunting and threatening to expose horrible truths. A classic battle of conscience, where the truth will set you free, sort of. Murders and kidnappings, sabotage and car crashes, this page-turning thriller has everything to keep you entertained to the very last word. This story flows effortlessly, the transitions between the past and present are innovative and add life to the page. Steve’s writing is like a familiar friend, it’s comfortable in its skin, it’s your favorite sweatshirt, perfectly broken in. He masterfully crafts suspense in a way that is not easy in written form. I couldn’t read it fast enough but was upset when it ended so quickly. What I found especially fun was being able to interact with Steve via Twitter while reading. I enjoy following the authors I read, and am thrilled when they follow back, even more so when they interact with my posts as I always want to discuss the book I am currently reading. I am thankful to have found a community on Twitter where I can share what I’m thinking and sometimes receive feedback and commentary. Reading and reviewing becomes so much more fun when you can build a relationship with readers and writers. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
12/4/2019 0 Comments I Choose You by Gayle Curtis
I Choose You by Gayle Curtis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars The story was good, the mystery was strong, I wanted to keep reading and discover the resolution. However, it was like watching a scary movie on TV with commercials, broken up, losing the necessary tension and flow to maintain the delicious suspense. Just when I was getting into something, it would rip me out and put me somewhere else, leaving me discombobulated and frustrated. Perhaps this was the effect the author was trying to achieve, in which case, she was successful. Gayle has a talent with description, one could easily see the dreary English landscape through the familiar gray-blue filter. The stress throughout the novel was palpable, the grief was tangible. It left you clawing for the surface, desperate for the air of your own reality. You know someone is a great writer when they affect your mood, either good or bad. Each character was laden with secrets that wove together an extremely rich and complex novel. I could relate to the mothers and their despondency over failure, vacillating between whether you were helping or harming your child by being present, if they were better off without you. There was the tiniest feeling of hope, enough to make you think that things may turn out okay. My overall takeaway was that this story starts out good, ends well, but can become disjointed in the middle, but I look forward to reading more of Gayle’s work in the future. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
11/25/2019 1 Comment The Golden State by Lydia Kiesling
The Golden State by Lydia Kiesling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars My very first thought, only a few pages in, was, “Where in the heck is this going?” That was also my thought about midway through, as well. Yet, I was compelled to continue reading because, well, I wanted to figure out where it was going! Before I finished I finally realized it was less about the destination and more about the journey. Cliché, but it fits. Really, though, it makes sense, because when does life ever come to one conclusive climax? Obviously, our lives, in the grand scheme of things, are a bunch of tiny zeniths in the timeline of the universe, and our own timelines replicate that in the span of our lifetime. However, I’m not here to get all existential. Daphne is a relatable main character, generally happy but with her own set of troubles. Married, working mom, trying to figure out what she’s doing in any given space or time. Is she making an impact? Is it a good impact, or bad? Is she ruining her child’s life, her husband’s, her own? From the very beginning you see her semi-life crisis begin as she ditches work, grabs her kid, and heads for the hills, literally. There begins the journey, one that carefully and successfully balances the banal yet passionate duties and love of a (relatively new) mother, the necessary and claustrophobic tasks of a stay-at-home housewife (even for a short time), and the inner turmoil of a woman who is dealing with the loss of family, coworkers, friends, and the looming and consistent nightmare of her husband being stuck overseas because his green card has been illegally confiscated. On a personal level, I was sucked in so much that I was tempted to up my Zoloft dosage. At some point in my own life I had felt the loss and conflict that plagued Daphne throughout the entire story. Being a mother of five, I could relate with the little successes of an on-the-fly healthy lunch, long naptime, embarrassment beyond belief at the behavior or actions of your own small child. The relationships presented were real life, nothing fake or hokey. Real-time interactions in believable ways with stuff that people actually say, as opposed to carefully crafted or overly thought-out sentences that oft times plague novel characters. I had met Alice, the old crone and I knew Cindy, the malcontent neighbor. I rooted for Daphne’s marriage, celebrated the highs, dreaded the lows, encouraged her to try something new or stretch out of her comfort zone. Sadly, the story ends, as they all do, and without a hard conclusion, I was left wanting more. It needed to continue because I was now invested in Daphne, and win or lose, succeed or fail, I wanted to be there to cheer her on. This story is not a traditional page-turner, you’re not anxiously reading at the edge of your seat. Instead, you’re turning the pages because you want to, out of sheer curiosity, because you want to follow Daphne through her every day moments, because she is your friend and you care. I look forward to reading more from Lydia Kiesling, her writing was inspirational and a delight to absorb. View all my reviews 11/22/2019 0 Comments #AMREADING
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11/18/2019 1 Comment No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert
No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Incredibly written, one of the best books I've read all year. It's the kind of book that provokes thought and encourages growth. I have so many more questions that I would love to ask and answers I am curious to hear. You will experience anxiety, disgust, and disbelief when reading this book. Only disbelief that people can act this way, not that it doesn't happen. I know it happens. Nothing encompasses the turmoil and unrest of our current social climate like this book. View all my reviews
The Witch's Kind by Louisa Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars This novel was not at all what I was expecting based on the title, but it was a pleasant surprise. Anticipating black magic and cauldrons, I instead got a love story of accidental loss and perseverance despite recurring tragedies. Barrie Anne was raised by her aunt after her parents die in an accident when she is a young girl. Just as she was reaching adulthood, World War II begins and she puts college on hold to marry her sweetheart before he heads to war. However, her handsome husband has a dark side and a hidden past, disappears soon after he ships off in the Navy, and Barrie Anne, left with more questions than answers, continues on with her life at home with her Aunt Charlotte. One day her husband mysteriously reappears with little explanation and buys an old farmhouse off the beaten path near the Hood Canal in Washington State. They attempt to start over as farmers but soon her husband's reconciliatory attitude turns sour and she leaves him to stay with her aunt once more. This time, though, she's pregnant with his child. When the Navy shows up at her aunt's door looking for her husband, she shows them to her house where he is no longer staying and instead of letting them take her back, she decides to stay in her farmhouse and make it on her own. Filled with grit and determination, maternal instinct and a little something else, Barrie Anne is an inspirational character and The Witch's Kind is a story that will leave you feeling warm all over. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Timeless and creepy. I checked this out from the library as an ebook and had no idea when it was written. The only thing that alerted me that it might be written awhile back was a lack of personal electronics, but otherwise, this book could have taken place at any time, anywhere. It has all the earmarks of a creepy “moving to a small town in the country” story, but it maintained an originality that kept me steadily turning pages. You can see where many modern horror movies could have received inspiration. View all my reviews
Chaos by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Probably the worst of the entire series. Moved slowly but still managed to lack depth. The narrative was choppy with no flow. I miss the early days of the series, there was a villain and a chase, a mystery solved, the psychology of a demented mind, the forensic anomalies. I’m tired of hearing about the angst of each individual character; it no longer gives them life but instead makes the story drag and bores the reader with extraneous drama. View all my reviews
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Haunting and horrifying. A mystery that soon turns into a nightmare when the main characters try their best to do the right thing. View all my reviews
Little Voices by Vanessa Lillie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Interesting and twisted but the “little voice” throughout the story is annoying. It was a quick read that still managed to surprise me. View all my reviews
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars An enlightening period piece that details the struggles of women trying to break free of domestic roles during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Unconventional love stories and perpetual tribulations move the story along while recurring characters endear the reader and have them rooting for the underdog. View all my reviews
The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars The twists and turns is this book will surprise even the most skeptical and prolific readers. Superb character development and perpetual events propel you through the pages. Mysterious and macabre yet spiritually fulfilling in a unique way that doesn’t stifle. With just a touch of gruff romance to round out the loneliness felt by the main character. I was pleasantly surprised by this tale. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Transparency Tonic by Frank L. Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Great middle-grade read! Humorous and exciting, Cole accurately captures the awkwardness of eighth grade with a magical twist. You can't help but be hooked by Gordy's adventures as he meticulously balances his life between his normal middle school life and his not-so-normal life of potions and dark villains. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Circe by Madeline Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Few books in the literary fiction genre succeed in transporting you to a world that is not your own. I felt like a kid again reading about gods and goddesses, witches and monsters. Miller’s prose brings this otherworld to life so vividly that you can taste, feel, and smell all that is described. Despite being full of well-known mythology, the original storyline kept me guessing and I never knew what was happening from one event to the next. This story is transformative and unforgettable, and I wanted to read it forever. View all my reviews
Transcription by Kate Atkinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book was “meh”. Just enough in the characters and plot to keep me reading, but it suffered from an extreme case of dysthymia. There was no hope, no charm, no spark. Just doldrums until a lame climax and an ambiguous resolution. For a WWII fiction, you really need to go above and beyond to set yourself apart, and this book fell flat. View all my reviews |
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