This was a mixed bag for me. It was our August bookclub pick which I felt I should finish,, but I never felt compelled to read another chapter. I feltThis was a mixed bag for me. It was our August bookclub pick which I felt I should finish,, but I never felt compelled to read another chapter. I felt the book was overlong, could have used a bit of editing and for a story that takes place in England, too many Americanisms were used in place of British words - like serving fluffy biscuits with dinner, (biscuits are cookies in England). I would have liked to go deeper into the historical facts of Operation Pied Piper and less into the romance of Hazel and her two romantic interests. ...more
This was a fun read, excellent on audio. My issue with the story is the 3 page wrap-up explanation at the end. The characters are believable, their y This was a fun read, excellent on audio. My issue with the story is the 3 page wrap-up explanation at the end. The characters are believable, their youth shines through in their relationships, as friends, as boyfriend-girlfriend, as mother-daughter. What wasn't very satisfying was the end, the way the crimes were solved, the motivation for the crimes. Fun, no doubt, but didn't leave me wishing for another book from this author. ...more
I was looking for a short legal thriller on audio when I stumbled upon this book. It peaked my interest because I have a son who was on the partner trI was looking for a short legal thriller on audio when I stumbled upon this book. It peaked my interest because I have a son who was on the partner track in NYC as well as a good female, Asian-American friend on the same track. The book actually mentions the two IRL firms where they worked. Both have since left law firms to work in corporate companies and are much happier.
There were aspects of the book that felt like I was listening to my son and our mutual friend complain about work - and I felt those aspects were very authentic. I was less interested in the romantic relationships although I'm sure this occurs at law firms everywhere. ...more
This kept my interest and would have gotten 4 stars but ended abruptly with a questionable aspect. However, it was an interesting premise on the part This kept my interest and would have gotten 4 stars but ended abruptly with a questionable aspect. However, it was an interesting premise on the part of the mother. Read on a plane. ...more
While I really enjoyed the book while I read it, I am hard pressed to understand the hype it had at the time it was released. It was a finalist for thWhile I really enjoyed the book while I read it, I am hard pressed to understand the hype it had at the time it was released. It was a finalist for the National Book Award and various publications named it their best book of the year.
It’s a quiet book without drama nor crisis but with the ups and downs, enjoyment, fulfillment, heartbreak and daily life of Marie, a Brooklyn, NY woman. She’s of Irish heritage and a devout Catholic in a changing world. ...more
I'm 150 pages in and running hot and cold with this one. I don't think I'd continue with it if not for the fact is next week's book club pick.
I ran hoI'm 150 pages in and running hot and cold with this one. I don't think I'd continue with it if not for the fact is next week's book club pick.
I ran hot and cold with this book. First the cold: It took a whopping 200 pages to figure out what was happening and why; the book got preachy and Backman mansplains constantly. He also introduced characters that had no relevance to the book.
The hot: He fleshed out his characters beautifully. You really got a sense of who they were and why they acted the way they did.
Neither hot nor cold: I was fairly shocked at the locker room antics and talk as well as the afterparty talk and what went on. Those boys needed throttling and not coddling - jail time would have been good as well. ...more
I found this book in Basalt, Colorado at a library book sale for 50ç and decided to see what all the fuss was about with this author. I was on vacatioI found this book in Basalt, Colorado at a library book sale for 50ç and decided to see what all the fuss was about with this author. I was on vacation and binged it in a day. However - the ending. I just found so many holes in the ending - and bits in the middle as well - that I wonder how it ever became a best-seller. The premise is interesting but implausible. A fun read, but not worth the hype IMHO....more
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