I must have tried 20 books. I quit all of them. Then I tried this one and I could not get enough of it! What a beautiful and moving novel! I ended up I must have tried 20 books. I quit all of them. Then I tried this one and I could not get enough of it! What a beautiful and moving novel! I ended up savoring the last part of it because I didn’t want it to end. I have been in a book rut for months.
I had no idea what this was about. I just decided to try it. It’s best not to read too many reviews. You do not need to love sci-fi to enjoy this one. A little suspension of disbelief and you’re golden!
I listened to the audio version. It’s fabulous! I can’t recommend this one enough! Please give it a try. ...more
Bam! All the freaking stars!!! Why do we read? I'm serious? Why? Because books like these exist! "My Absolute Darling" in my humble opinion is a moderBam! All the freaking stars!!! Why do we read? I'm serious? Why? Because books like these exist! "My Absolute Darling" in my humble opinion is a modern masterpiece! An absolute, all consuming, beautifully written work of art! I loved it so much!
I'm completely exhausted. This book was all consuming. I wanted to save Turtle from her monster father all throughout this book. I wanted her to run and get help when she could have. Most of this novel is dark and disturbing but there are glimmers of joy, especially when Turtle is with Jacob. The writing is some of the finest I've ever come across in modern literature, and I dare say it actually got me out of the book rut I was in.
There will be much debate about this book to come. Some will absolutely love this novel and others will be absolutely disgusted by the scenes that have graphic abuse of a minor and the language Gabriel Tallent uses to convey them. I do feel these scenes were appropriate because they show the depravity of Turtle's father, Martin.
I want to put this out there, if this is a made into a movie I think Michael Shannon should play Martin. I think he would be perfect.
I listened to the audio version. The beginning is shaky because the narrator has a husky voice but within the first hour she had me hooked and did a great job with all of the characters voices.
Highly recommended for literary fiction fans with an err on the side of caution for people with triggers. ...more
I have goosebumps right now! Hands down "The Lost Letter" is my favorite book of 2017 and I'm not a big fan of historical fiction! If I could give thiI have goosebumps right now! Hands down "The Lost Letter" is my favorite book of 2017 and I'm not a big fan of historical fiction! If I could give this novel 10 stars I would! "The Lost Letter" has all the feels, beautiful writing, and a fantastic story!
There are two storylines in this novel. Part of this book takes place in 1989 and the other part takes place in 1938.
In one storyline Katie lives in California and is the daughter of a stamp collector. It's 1989 and she comes upon an unopened letter with an unusual stamp on it. She is going through a divorce and her father is living in a home due to his late stage of Alzheimer's.
In the other storyline it's 1938 and The Faber Family is living in Austria. They are a Jewish family. Kristoff, is Frederick Faber's apprentice. He is learning to be a stamp engraver. He eventually finds himself falling in love with one of Frederick's daughters and becomes involved in the resistance.
These two storylines eventually come together. The author, Jillian Cantor, does a fantastic job of making this happen, smoothly.
I listened to the audio version. It's fabulous! The narrators are terrific. I highly recommend this version if you enjoy audio!
By the way, I think this would make for a great book group discussion. I also think it would make a great movie! Do not miss out on this book! It's wonderful!
This could be a spoiler review.... Don’t read on if you are afraid... OK so the first half of the book for me felt almost like a YA book. I give it 3 This could be a spoiler review.... Don’t read on if you are afraid... OK so the first half of the book for me felt almost like a YA book. I give it 3 1/2 Stars. YA for me almost never works. The Ellen Diaries at first didn’t work for me. The second half of the book for me was a 5 Star book. Things came together and even The Ellen Diaries came together. I would love to have read this book in my later teens or early 20’s because I experienced domestic abuse from my first husband.
I listened to the audio. This is the second book I have read by Colleen Hoover. I didn’t like it nearly as much as the first, “November 9”.
I’m late to the party but I would highly recommend this book for women 17-30. Learn about the cycle of abuse early. People don’t change. History repeats....more
All The Stars for "Playing With Fire"!!! I absolutely loved this book! Major feels! I was still crying during the author's note. I listened to the audAll The Stars for "Playing With Fire"!!! I absolutely loved this book! Major feels! I was still crying during the author's note. I listened to the audio version. Julia Whelan is the narrator of one of the two points of view. She is my absolute favorite narrator. There are two storylines going on in this novel. The historical fiction aspect is a complete 5! The other storyline was a mystery and that was a 4.5 for me. Although I didn't figure the mystery part out so I'm giving this novel in total a 5!
Julie is a violinist who finds a piece of music in a book that she purchases in Rome. While home in Massachusetts she plays this music and things begin to change in her life. Crazy things begin to happen. Things that her three year old daughter seems to be doing, but is she? This causes her to embark on a journey to Venice in hopes of finding out more about the music that seems to be causing so much havoc!
The book takes place in both Italy and the US. It also takes place in present day and during WWII. We have two narrators, two points of view, and two stories that do come together in the end.
This is a my first Tess Gerritsen novel but it will not be my last! It's a short audiobook. Just about 7 hours long. It's easy to follow and well narrated by both narrators. I needed this book to be good because I felt myself falling into a rut. I'm so glad I listened to it! I think it did the trick for me. I loved it!!!
Highly recommended for historical fiction lovers who don't mind a bit of modern day mystery/thriller mixed in!...more
I'm late to the party but I'm so happy that I went! This book was awesome! I mean so great! Sharon Kisses, yes Kisses, and Mel Vaught made me laugh anI'm late to the party but I'm so happy that I went! This book was awesome! I mean so great! Sharon Kisses, yes Kisses, and Mel Vaught made me laugh and they made me cry! This book did what every reader is looking for. It. Made. Me. Feel! All the feels!!!
I listened to the audio version. Looking for a good audiobook? This is a hot one! Alex McKenna brilliantly narrated this novel! When she read the voices of Sharon's friends and family in Kentucky she had me laughing so hard I was rolling on the floor, especially the voice of her mother! Just fantastic!
I must have tried over a dozen books before I tried this one. I've been in and out of a rut. This book grabbed me from the very beginning and never let go.
I still can't believe this is a debut. Highly highly recommended!!!...more
5 Stars!!! I just spent 3 days being read to by Colin Firth and it was fantastic!!! This is the best narrated audiobook I have ever listened to!!! Now5 Stars!!! I just spent 3 days being read to by Colin Firth and it was fantastic!!! This is the best narrated audiobook I have ever listened to!!! Now let me say a little about the book itself. I loved it! From the first sentence I was entranced in this complicated love affair. The writing is exquisite! It grabbed my soul and set me on fire!
"This is a record of hate far more than of love." - Maurice Bendrix
"The End of the Affair" is about a writer named Maurice Bendrix. Maurice is a very jealous man. This is quite ironic because he is jealous of Sarah, the married woman he has had an affair with. Sarah ended this affair with Maurice suddenly one day in 1944. Maurice is obsessed with Sarah. He is so obsessed and jealous that he even hires a detective to spy on her. That is all I'm going to say about the book. If I go any further I will get into spoiler territory.
I need to read more classic literature because this book just took my breath away!
Highly recommended to fans of classic literature and/or fans of Colin Firth. To get the full experience listen to the audio version with Mr. Firth's narration!!!
- Just a side note that was brought to my attention. The book does deal with God and Christianity, specifically Catholicism. ...more
This is a 5 Star audiobook! Julia Whelan is my favorite female narrator! She takes books to higher levels! The book itself is 5 Stars for giving me alThis is a 5 Star audiobook! Julia Whelan is my favorite female narrator! She takes books to higher levels! The book itself is 5 Stars for giving me all the feels!!! This is my second novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid and I loved it even more then I did the first, "Maybe in Another Life". "One True Loves" is the perfect summer read!!! It's chick lit, but boy is it well written, smart, and touching!
Emma is engaged to Sam. She is a widow. Her husband, Jesse, died in a helicopter crash, but wait, it gets complicated because Jesse is still alive! (This is not a spoiler. We learn it right away). The themes are a bit familiar. Let's say Castaway/The Notebook. If you can get past that I think you just might really enjoy this book.
I am just coming off a heavy read so this worked well for me. I truly loved it!
"Lily and the Octopus" was hysterical before it became sad! The audio version is as good as audio gets! Actor, Michael Urie, absolutely hit this out o"Lily and the Octopus" was hysterical before it became sad! The audio version is as good as audio gets! Actor, Michael Urie, absolutely hit this out of the ballpark!!! People tell me they don't like audio, they tried audio a long time ago but it didn't work for them or they ask me what book is good on audio since I listen to so many of them. I'm here to tell you that THIS BOOK is 10 Star audio! If you want to give audio a try look no further. Michael Urie makes this story come to life!
So why 4 Stars instead of 5? For me personally the story lost me a little while they were battling the octopus. Now, that doesn't mean it's going to be like that for others. I personally have a hard time with magical realism.
Ted is in his early 40's and is still reeling from a breakup with his boyfriend. He has a crappy therapist, Jenny, and now his dog, Lily, is sick. Lily is his everything. He's had her for all her 12 years. She even talks! Which I found quite clever because if you have a dog it's likely you have a voice for that dog, too! Am I right!?
Now some Goodreads friends of mine along my journey with this novel said they won't read this if Lily is going to die. We know right away she is. This is not a spoiler. I'm here to tell you it's OK to read this. Every once in awhile (seldom) my mother shared wisdom. She once said, "Having a dog is good for children. It shows them the cycle of life". That's what this book does, but for adults. So I say read it or listen to it, don't be afraid. It's worth the journey!
Oh, one fact I learned from this novel. Rorschach from the Rorschach Test was hot. Like Brad Pitt hot! This is true! I googled it! Lol!
I am a mess! I mean an emotional wreck! I have a migraine from crying! This is the best book that I have come across since "A Little Life". If I couldI am a mess! I mean an emotional wreck! I have a migraine from crying! This is the best book that I have come across since "A Little Life". If I could give it 10 Stars I would! 11? I cannot believe that this is a debut novel!
I'm not going to give a plot summery. I think this book transcends it's plot. I want to share my feelings. This book moved me in a way I haven't been moved in so long. I listened to the audio version. For an audio to be this good it takes one heck of a narrator. Mark Bramhall told this story with such feeling. I can't even begin to describe how this book consumed me for the past few days.
I do want to share Larry Hoffer's review with you. Please read it. It gives a more thorough synopsis of the book and it is the reason I purchased this audio. Here it is...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I don't understand why this is not on more people's radar!? It needs to be read!!! Forget the Devil accepting an invitation to come to this town in Ohio. This book is so much more!
Tiffany McDaniel has one Hell of a career ahead of her. No pun intended! Lol!
This book made me think a lot about what is going on politically right now. All the fear and hate. How love can conquer fear.
Put it at the top of your to read list!!!
** Note that there is the death of an animal in the book....more
I’m late to the party but I’m so happy I took a chance and went to it! This was a 4 Star book for me until the last two and a half hours and then it tI’m late to the party but I’m so happy I took a chance and went to it! This was a 4 Star book for me until the last two and a half hours and then it took a full 5 turn! I’m therefore giving it all the stars!
This is not my normal genre. I will definitely read/listen to more books like these because this novel helped me escape from all the awful news and it gave me lots of feels!
The audio was fabulous! The two narrators performances were amazing!
Bravo! Bravo Ms. Mackintosh for completely blowing my mind and making me an emotional wreck! 4.5 Stars rounded up to 5! 5 ++++ Stars for phenomenal naBravo! Bravo Ms. Mackintosh for completely blowing my mind and making me an emotional wreck! 4.5 Stars rounded up to 5! 5 ++++ Stars for phenomenal narration! I didn't figure this one out! Fantastic book! Wonderful audio! I can't believe this was a debut!
This is a hard book to review without giving away spoilers. What I will say is that this novel starts out as a simple but devastating crime of hit and run. A five year old boy is dead. Jenna Gray's life is changed forever. She runs off to a seaside town in Wales and begins to start her life over again. Then bam!!! A major twist happens in the story and everything changes. The book then takes off and twists and turns.
That's all I'm going to say about "I Let You Go". Stop reading reviews and get this book!!!
The only reason I docked this book half a star was because of the pacing in the beginning. I thought it was just a tad slow until part 2, but boy did part 2 make up for part 1!!!
Highly recommended to fans of psychological thriller/mystery books!!!...more
This is an absolutely beautiful story of two people who give comfort to each late in life. I laughed and I cried! I just loved this novel! It is so weThis is an absolutely beautiful story of two people who give comfort to each late in life. I laughed and I cried! I just loved this novel! It is so well written and so lovely!
Louis and Addy are living in Holt, Colorado. They've known each other for many many years. One day 70 year old Addy approaches Louis and asks him if he will come stay with her at night to sleep with her. This is not a sexual thing. Addy is having trouble sleeping. Louis ends up going along with this.
I loved the stories that they told to each other, including their tragedies that made me cry. I also loved Addie's curious Grandson and the dog that they got him. The neighbors gossiped, but that didn't keep them apart.
I listened to the the audio version of this book. It is exquisitely narrated by Mark Bramhall. This is a short book. It is only three and half hours long, but there is a lot of meaning and substance to it.
I'm ashamed to say that I have never read a Kent Haruf novel. Since he has passed on, I will have to start reading some of his older works.
Highly recommended to everyone who has yet to read it. I am late to the party again, but I'm so happy that I went! I have a feeling these characters are going to stick with me for a very long time....more
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