This book had a great premise. The characters were developed, the plot was engaging, and I was genuinely interested in the mystery. I picked this up tThis book had a great premise. The characters were developed, the plot was engaging, and I was genuinely interested in the mystery. I picked this up thinking it would be more of a thriller, and while there were definitely some adrenaline-packed moments, overall it had a bit of a slower pace, which really helped with character development. While the conclusion felt a little lackluster, I could see what Hawley was doing and appreciated it. Altogether this was a perfect summer read!...more
A modern-day historian stumbles across an old photograph that compels her to investigate the woman in the picture. A little girl travels from India toA modern-day historian stumbles across an old photograph that compels her to investigate the woman in the picture. A little girl travels from India to England to start boarding school. A ghostly spirit follows a mysterious man around her home. A man grieves the loss of his brother. A mother and her children flee to the countryside seeking refuge from the aerial bombings in WWII-era London. A group of Victorian painters gather to paint and find inspiration with their muses and models. At almost 500 pages, Morton’s latest tome contains many, many stories all woven together. I have enjoyed all of her books up until this point, but The Clockmaker’s Daughter really fell short.
The pace was slow. Some storylines seemed irrelevant. Most of the characters were one-dimensional. A lot of the plot was unresolved by the end. The book felt rambling and uncompelling. This is an author who has hit it out of the park with back-to-back bestsellers, and this was just such a disappointment from an otherwise talented author. While I would gladly recommend her other books, I’m afraid this one wholly missed the mark. ...more
Something about this book fell flat for me. I didn't connect with the characters, I didn't care for the story, and while the premise was intriguing, iSomething about this book fell flat for me. I didn't connect with the characters, I didn't care for the story, and while the premise was intriguing, it just didn't meet expectations. ...more
I'm not a huge fan of short stories in general because I find them too easy to set down and never pick back up again, but B.J. Novak's book read more I'm not a huge fan of short stories in general because I find them too easy to set down and never pick back up again, but B.J. Novak's book read more like a series of jokes. Some were a bit... different, others were more sad than funny, but in general, it wasn't bad for a collection of short stories. I definitely wouldn't pick up another book of Novak's, but it was okay. ...more
I loved this book and finished it in a day. Picture a fast-paced combination of Agatha Christie and Black Mirror. At first, this book was slightly conI loved this book and finished it in a day. Picture a fast-paced combination of Agatha Christie and Black Mirror. At first, this book was slightly confusing, but enough clues are scattered around the book that you begin to pick things up gradually. The ending had some killer plot twists that I absolutely loved, and I genuinely enjoyed my read throughout its entirety. I attended a book club after finishing the book, and those who had read the book multiple times ended up with way more insightful observations, so I think it's definitely something I'll return to in the future to get a better grasp of the details knowing the full story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and can keep up with multiple moving pieces at once (because it has a VERY busy plot)....more
When I picked this book up, I was in a bit of a rut. I'd abandoned a few thrillers for having protagonists that were overly naive and wanted somethingWhen I picked this book up, I was in a bit of a rut. I'd abandoned a few thrillers for having protagonists that were overly naive and wanted something to draw me back into the genre. Initially, I thought An Anonymous Girl would be it, as Jessica seemed to be street smart and savvy. Unfortunately, she seemed to become less savvy as the book continued, and for being someone with such a strong sense of self at the start, it was really frustrating to see her so easily gaslighted towards the middle and end. It wound up taking me over a month to finish this, and I did so begrudgingly because I felt like I'd already invested too much time into it. I do not recommend. ...more
I picked up this book because I love Gary's Instagram, and a lot of people seemed to post about how good it was. Unfortunately, I just did not enjoy tI picked up this book because I love Gary's Instagram, and a lot of people seemed to post about how good it was. Unfortunately, I just did not enjoy this short, short book. Again, it feels weird to rate a memoir, like I'm judging someone's life, but it was not as humorous as I thought it would be. Also, I have been keeping up with BradBucks during this quarantine, and Gary is just so impossible to please. Knowing how picky he is about how Brad stirs his espresso or pours his ice cubes kind of tainted my read because he also seems totally impossible to please in his book. This memoir was shallow and boring. I do not recommend. ...more
A very haunting thriller indeed! The book was fast-paced and interesting with some supernatural elements that were more interesting than cheesy (whichA very haunting thriller indeed! The book was fast-paced and interesting with some supernatural elements that were more interesting than cheesy (which is a difficult balance to strike). While I did question some dumb character decisions, I thought the characters were pretty well-developed and thought the book was well-written with a satisfying ending. There were a couple odd occurrences that were left unexplained, but it just added to the spooky feel of the book. In general, I really enjoyed this read. ...more
Shona Rhimes is an American treasure. Responsible for some of the most iconic shows of this generation, she has played a major role in shaping poplar Shona Rhimes is an American treasure. Responsible for some of the most iconic shows of this generation, she has played a major role in shaping poplar culture. From the first page, Rhimes is instantly relatable. Her memoir is loosely based on a year she spent saying yes to every opportunity that came her way; however, it encompasses a lot more. She talks about her family, her childhood, and a LOT about her shows. I have never watched Grey's, but the book seemed to have a lot of behind-the-scenes stories that any fan of the show would appreciate. This was a genuinely enjoyable read that made me appreciate this remarkable woman even more. I both purchased the book in hard copy and got the audiobook. I started my read with the physical book but found the audiobook much more enjoyable. It's narrated by Shonda herself, and it felt like sitting down for a conversation with an old friend. While I don't think it's a book that will stick with me in the long-term, I found it enjoyable. If you're a Grey's fan, you might enjoy it even more. ...more
I love JVN, and I think his presence in the world makes it a better place. I hate reviewing memoirs and autobiographies because it feels like I'm ratiI love JVN, and I think his presence in the world makes it a better place. I hate reviewing memoirs and autobiographies because it feels like I'm rating someone's life rather than the book itself. I found Jonathan's book to be honest and compelling, and I loved how he kept his optimism through the many trials he's faced. He really found a way to instill his spirit into his writing. That being said, I can't say I really enjoyed my read. I think it could stem from the fact that I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Jonathan. Sometimes it felt like his relentlessly cheery voice made some parts of the story ring inauthentic, which is crazy because it's not like I found the book to be fabricated at all. Something about the book just didn't draw me in. That being said, I have a lot of respect and appreciation for him and how openly he shared his story. ...more
This is a perfect read. My coworkers recommended it to me, and we all thought it was a highly enjoyable read. Twisty, suspenseful, mysterious; it's thThis is a perfect read. My coworkers recommended it to me, and we all thought it was a highly enjoyable read. Twisty, suspenseful, mysterious; it's the epitome of a psychological thriller, and I would recommend it to anyone. ...more
This book satisfied my need for escapism during this lengthy quarantine. State of Wonder takes the reader on an enchanting journey through the South AThis book satisfied my need for escapism during this lengthy quarantine. State of Wonder takes the reader on an enchanting journey through the South American rain forest as the protagonist, Marina, searches for answers about her late coworker's demise. I did not find the characters to be very interesting, but I was instantly taken with the setting. I didn't rush through this read but enjoyed the steady pace of the book and the journey it took me on. However, I have to say: the ending really sucked. After such a slow, steady pace, the last few pages were pretty crazy, and the book ended with a lot of unanswered questions. It almost ruined my whole read; I was pretty frustrated that there was no resolution. I could not believe Patchett just ended the book without any other explanation....more
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