31/2 stars: I bought this by accident - my fault for not paying attention - but since I paid for it, I decided to give it a try. While it started out 31/2 stars: I bought this by accident - my fault for not paying attention - but since I paid for it, I decided to give it a try. While it started out OK, by the middle of the book I was about to DNF, but I snuck a peek at the acknowledgments and found that the author was basing part of it on true stories of folklore and fairies from her childhood. The book grew on me - and yes, it had some romance which was a stretch, but all in all - if you're interested in the folklore of Ireland and the stories of fairies, this won't disappoint....more
The story of Sunday, a young girl who is very tech savvy. Her family returnes to Malagash, Nova Scotia to be with her father who has late stage cancerThe story of Sunday, a young girl who is very tech savvy. Her family returnes to Malagash, Nova Scotia to be with her father who has late stage cancer. As a way of dealing with the imminent death of her father, Sunday comes up with the idea of recording everything her father says from random conversations to profounds ideas and everything in between. She not only wants to have something to remember her father by, but she wants him and his voice heard around the world and to do this she will turn these recordings into a sort of virus that will hit practically every computer on earth.
Because my father was terminally ill since I was a little girl and died when I was 12 just years old, I hoped I would find some resonance with the book. I didn’t, although many people did. ...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
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
When I heard about this book from a podcaster (and sadly I don't remember which one), I just had to read it, as part of the book takes place in Chile,When I heard about this book from a podcaster (and sadly I don't remember which one), I just had to read it, as part of the book takes place in Chile, the place where I was born. The tale of two friends, one obsessed and hiding some major secrets, the other dependent on the friend. The story twists and turns, there are intrigues and murders, coded messages and a little romance. At times is a bit hard to believe, but in the end I listened to this in 2 days and thought it was fun, if not a literary masterpiece....more
This was a fun listen. I was sick and needed a quick entertaining book to listen to and this one fit the bill perfectly. Fast paced with just enough cThis was a fun listen. I was sick and needed a quick entertaining book to listen to and this one fit the bill perfectly. Fast paced with just enough characters that I could keep track of the names, a plot that was well developed and an ending that was surprising, but totally plausible. ...more
I had seen so many great reviews and so much buzz on this book that I wanted to read it and love it. Unfortunately I DNF'd it at about 70%. It just reI had seen so many great reviews and so much buzz on this book that I wanted to read it and love it. Unfortunately I DNF'd it at about 70%. It just really didn't care and felt bored with the characters and wound up going days reading other things instead or listening to book podcasts. Not a good sign....more
This was an interesting, short read about 2 sisters, estranged after the death of their parents, who wind up owning a bookstore. It takes the daughterThis was an interesting, short read about 2 sisters, estranged after the death of their parents, who wind up owning a bookstore. It takes the daughter of one of the sisters to attempt a reconciliation. The story was quite touching, though not particularly memorable....more
Light on the restoration and heavy on the cultural differences, this was a quick, enjoyable book - however, I would have to say, not memorable. I feltLight on the restoration and heavy on the cultural differences, this was a quick, enjoyable book - however, I would have to say, not memorable. I felt like DePree pretended to not know what a jumper was, or that the 1st floor in England is our 2nd floor in the States. Really? He had just travelled through Europe and that's fairly common all over Europe. Being from Hollywood maybe he had never seen a British movie? It felt like he put it in there for laughs from folks equally ignorant of British idiosyncracies. Having said that, some of the characters were terrific - specifically the caretaker and the undertaker - both gems....more
“At long last, I was in Paradise. When I reached the shore, I threw myself against the ground and hugged it with all my might.”
Umar Ousman’s memoir de“At long last, I was in Paradise. When I reached the shore, I threw myself against the ground and hugged it with all my might.”
Umar Ousman’s memoir details his life in 140 pages, from an almost illiterate boy living in Ghana dreaming of a better life to the founder of a non-profit looking to improve the lives of Ghanaians. At the age of 12, he started the long, violent and dangerous journey to a better life. On his 5 year road to “Paradise,” aka Spain, Ousman endured unimaginable hardship, loss, and cruelty as well as the kindness of strangers. Having a 3rd-grade education in Ghana and not knowing a lick of Spanish, Umar eventually overcame these hurdles through determination, hard work, and eventually, education. As a young boy, he had no idea of what a “flying machine” was. As a young man in Spain, he had never seen nor imagined what a city the size of Barcelona looked like, with escalators, elevators, and tall buildings. His dreams of paradise did not always pan out in reality, but with the help of an incredibly sweet, generous couple, and Umar’s hope, he traveled full circle, perhaps not in the way he had once dreamed of, but in an inspiring and very hopeful life journey.
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