I thought that this might be a nice gothic romance, but the writing, the foul language, and the completely unlikeable characters made it impossible foI thought that this might be a nice gothic romance, but the writing, the foul language, and the completely unlikeable characters made it impossible for me to get very far into this story. I would only recommend this to readers that don't mind the afore mentioned elements, plus what I can only imagine must be a dark and twisted plot....more
I made it to page 11. I was lured in by a love for The Nutcracker and a desire for a magical holiday story. By page 11, I had had more than enough of I made it to page 11. I was lured in by a love for The Nutcracker and a desire for a magical holiday story. By page 11, I had had more than enough of the gruesome violence and the gratuitous sexuality. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the idea of The Nutcracker, but would actually rather read a fantastic dystopian romance involving the teenage daughter of the mayor/organized crime member....more
The Fault in Our Stars is not quite what you might expect when you pick up a novel about teen cancer patients that fall in love. Is it dreary and depressing? Not so much. Is it pretentious and offensively irreverent? Quite possibly, but that really depends on the reader.
The novel feels fresh and offers insight into the daily reality of growing up with cancer. The concerns of the characters, their relationships with their parents, and even their vocabulary has been affected by their illness. The story, though, is not about the daily life or treatment of cancer patients. The story is about two young adults meeting and falling in love, two young adults that are very intellectual, and philosophical, and existential, and irreverent. Their familiarity with the shortness of earthly existence greatly affects how they think, speak, and interact with each other. At the same time, they live as normally as they possibly can.
The religious views represented are actually the most depressing part of the story. Hazel's beliefs are nonexistent, and Augustus's are vague at best. In the end, I felt that there was too much mocking of religion, church, and people that fail to be the protagonists' intellectual equals (by their own standards, of course)....more
*I read "If I Stay" for a book club and then read "Where She Went" in order be able to recommend the sequel.*
"Where She Went" is written entirely from*I read "If I Stay" for a book club and then read "Where She Went" in order be able to recommend the sequel.*
"Where She Went" is written entirely from Adam's perspective, but much in the same style as the first, with the present day story taking place during a 24 hour period, during which the protagonist comes to terms with loss and flashes back to pivotal events in his past that shaped his life, relationships, and perspective. Adam loses Mia from his life, when she leaves for Julliard. They live separate lives for three painful years, until fate brings them to the same place at the same time.
The tone of the story is much different from the first book; Adam's voice is edgier and more poetic. The audiobook narrator completely embodied the Adam character and also did a pretty good job with the other characters; the audio version even features short guitar pieces between chapters. Personally, I liked the second book much better than the first.
My problems with the second book were similar to the problems that I had with the first book. **SPOILER** Mia has resented Adam for asking her to stay. Again this act of choosing, asking, and staying is oversimplified and restated in the same way, repeatedly. He asked her to stay, so she stayed and was forced to grieve over her loss and guiltily move on without her family. This caused her to be angry with him and choose a life without him. There is also, again, the undefined spirituality; Mia feels a strong connection to her family and feels that they are still with her, watching over her, and communicating with her, but that's it. There is still no religion, faith, or anything that governs this element of the story; it just vaguely exists. Mia has memories of things that people said to her while she was comatose, as well as memories of things that happened away from her, while she was in the hospital, but that's it; she doesn't know how she knows these things, and that's the end of it. So, I still find the supernatural element a bit lackluster, and in the end, disappointing and even anticlimactic.
If you really liked the first book, and you still haven't had enough pain, or you really want to read about the next chapter in Mia and Adam's lives, then you should definitely read "Where She Went". It's both interesting and disappointing, enjoyable and frustrating....more
*I read this for a book club, and it is not something that I would have chosen for myself, which in this case, is why I opted for the audio.*
The subj*I read this for a book club, and it is not something that I would have chosen for myself, which in this case, is why I opted for the audio.*
The subject matter is very heavy. The story tells pivotal moments during the lifetime of a seventeen year old girl, experienced as flashbacks during a twenty-four hour period surrounding a horrific car accident that changes her life irrevocably. The nonsequential past events alternate with the present, which centers around the accident and places the protagonist, Mia, comatose, in the hospital contemplating past events that shaped her life and perspective, while considering whether life will now be worth living.
The audio narration is an impressively delivered, emotionally charged, nearly 5 hour monologue that really does the characters and the subject matter justice. I only rated the book 2 1/2 stars for a few reasons. First of all, the car accident is unspeakably gruesome; the author chose to evoke horror and despair with nauseatingly graphic descriptions that the reader will wish that they could wipe from their mind.
Next, some of the elements of the storytelling didn't really work for me. The first is music being the means through which the characters interact with the world around them, including the love scene in which Mia and Adam touch one another like they would their musical instruments. (Yes they really did this, and no I did not think it was romantic.)
The next is the kind of undefined spirituality involved in Mia's out of body wandering and choosing whether to stay or not. The protagonist has no religious faith and doesn't know or understand what's happening or how to proceed. It would have been nice if the author had committed to a set of rules governing life and death. As it is, the supernatural element is secondary and used only as a story telling mechanism. It is used to address the question of whether someone would actually want to recover from a coma after such a tragedy. The constant mention of 'her choice' became redundant, but the low point for me was when she declared that it was NOT God's choice. Well, we all have free will, and technically anyone can choose to take themselves out of this world at any time. So, I was unimpressed by this underdeveloped element of the story.
It is really a simple story of a young woman dealing with loss, tragedy, and grief. What makes it unique is her age, the depth of her loss, the time frame in which she must come to terms with it, and her incredibly strong connection to music. This is a good book for anyone who likes really realistic, contemporary fiction (the opposite of what I usually go for) and a good cry, and of course for people that loved the film and want to get further inside the characters' heads. In the end, this book definitely makes you very grateful for the blessings in your own life, and like Mia, you're just glad that you survived....more
The Graveyard Book tells the story of a very young child who narrowly escapes a terrible fate and is given protection, and a new home, by the residentThe Graveyard Book tells the story of a very young child who narrowly escapes a terrible fate and is given protection, and a new home, by the residents of a historical graveyard. While under the care of two loving adoptive parents and one mysterious guardian, Bod Owens experiences an entirely unique upbringing, during which he gains the wisdom of the centuries spanned by the residents of the graveyard and goes on many supernatural adventures. Bod has many narrow escapes and becomes a hero, unwittingly fulfilling a destiny that was foretold years previous. The ending is bittersweet, and readers and listeners of this well told magical tale will be left wondering what other adventures are in store for Bod and just where they will lead him....more
"Didn't finish" is an understatement. I barely began this audiobook. The first few minutes were enough. I was hoping for a Hallmark-type holiday theme"Didn't finish" is an understatement. I barely began this audiobook. The first few minutes were enough. I was hoping for a Hallmark-type holiday themed romantic comedy. Unfortunately, it was obvious that it was a romance novel from the start. Once she wrapped up the rabbit in a cape, or whatever, and slung it over her shoulder, that was it. Instead of fun, holiday fiction, I found an uninteresting, romance, with ill treatment of animals, both of which I find intolerable....more
This is a great next read for Shopaholic fans. You're a probably Shopaholic fan if ... You can relate to terrible ordeals such as credit card debt, ovThis is a great next read for Shopaholic fans. You're a probably Shopaholic fan if ... You can relate to terrible ordeals such as credit card debt, overdrawn accounts, and unemployment. You understand the lure of store display windows, but know that family, friends, and staying true to yourself is more important than material goods. You feel that nothing can lift your spirits quicker than a tasty treat from Starbucks or a new wardrobe piece that defines who you want to be. You have followed Becky Bloomwood from London to New York and back, and now you're ready for a taste of Hollywood glamour.
In Shopaholic to the Stars, Becky takes her shopping addiction to the next level, when her family temporarily relocates for Luke's work. Becky becomes determined to break into show business as a celebrity stylist, but how far is she willing to go? When Suze's family comes for a visit, Tarkin takes to L.A. in unexpected ways. Will he ever be the same again? Then, Becky's dad unexpectedly makes the trip across the pond as well, but no one quite knows why it's so important that he reconnect with an old friend to make amends. Readers will laugh out loud with/at Becky, roll their eyes at quirky L.A. trends, and swoon over romantic Luke until the very end, which is 'to be continued'. I can't wait for the next episode in Becky's fabulous adventures!...more
Coraline is a sort of darker, nightmarish "Alice in Wonderland" type story, almost a horror story for children. Coraline is a girl who is often overloCoraline is a sort of darker, nightmarish "Alice in Wonderland" type story, almost a horror story for children. Coraline is a girl who is often overlooked or misunderstood, and while exploring her new home, comes upon a mysterious door. On the "other" side, she is tempted with a different life, one with food that is always to her liking, constant attention from her "other" parents, and brightly colored clothing that her own mother wouldn't buy for her. All of this is offered at a very high price, and this topsy-turvy world is not at all what it seems. Will Coraline ever be able to truly escape the clutches of her "other mother"? Readers will be on the edges of their seats by the end.
I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, who is a very good storyteller. The only thing potentially lost in the audio version is a sense of isolation and fear that young readers might sense while reading this book on their own. With audiobooks, readers are led through the story by a guide, rather than exploring it completely on their own. I would recommend the audiobook for younger readers or for anyone looking for a slightly scary story to listen to aloud.
Ian Fleming's classic tale is the story of a family that unexpectedly goes on a magical adventure. The Pott family acquires a car that is much more thIan Fleming's classic tale is the story of a family that unexpectedly goes on a magical adventure. The Pott family acquires a car that is much more than it first seems, and in no time it is taking them on an international caper, by land, air, and sea. David Tennant's energetic reading of the story, nearly fifty years after it was originally published, infuses it with enthusiasm and a sense of wonder. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a charming story that is delicious to the last bite, which is, in fact, a recipe for fudge. I would highly recommend it to children and adults alike, especially this audio version, which is not to be missed....more
Two weeks after Kami and Jared's magical connection was severed, they struggle to define their relationship, while working with the rest of their mystTwo weeks after Kami and Jared's magical connection was severed, they struggle to define their relationship, while working with the rest of their mystery-solving gang to protect Sorry-in-the-Vale from their growing number of enemies. Get ready for another cliff-hanger; I can't wait for part 3....more
Unmade is the heart-pounding conclusion to the scintillating Lynburn Legacy series. The third installment finally answers all of the questions that haUnmade is the heart-pounding conclusion to the scintillating Lynburn Legacy series. The third installment finally answers all of the questions that have been gathering in readers' minds. Can Sorry-in-the Vale be saved? How did Matthew Cooper and Anne and Elinor Lynburn save it once before? Will the townspeople ever stand up for themselves? What will happen between Kami and Jared?
Brennan delivers more of her trademark wit, humor, and heart-rending storytelling. The complex characters continue exhibit strength, courage, and intelligence, even when they must question what price they are willing to pay to defeat the evil sorcerers. I loved this book, as well as the rest of the series, but I was still left wanting more. Like any great book, it becomes part of you, so really, it's almost like the story never really ends....more
French Lessons sounded like a nice summer read. I checked out the audiobook from the library, thinking it would be like a mini vacation on my daily coFrench Lessons sounded like a nice summer read. I checked out the audiobook from the library, thinking it would be like a mini vacation on my daily commute. Unfortunately, I could tell from the beginning that this book wasn't for me. If I hadn't left my other book at home, I would have ejected the disc while the narrator was still introducing the philandering tutors. Instead, I continued listening to the story of the less than professional French tutors and their misguided students, even though it seemed impossible to like the characters or to enjoy the story. By the end of my drive I thought I might actually decide to finish the book, despite not really being into the characters or the writing, but that was before the sex scenes.
At first, I thought that maybe the author was trying to reveal more about the characters through the way in which they interacted. But it wasn't just one scene; it was scene, after scene, after scene. The author could have just said 'All they ever did together was have sex, everywhere'. Here is the synopsis of the first student's story: A smart young woman makes stupid choices and has an affair with a middle-aged man who says he's in love, mistakenly using that word as a synonym for lust.
I rarely leave any book unfinished once I decide to read it, and audiobooks are usually tolerable even when they're not exactly what you expected. This book was the exception. In honor of this book, I created a new GoodReads shelf for unfinished books, because life is too short. I can't imagine ever recommending this book to anyone. I don't read romance novels, but I'm pretty sure that if anyone ever asks me, I could find them a romance novel set in Paris that actually has an interesting story and likeable characters.
I never thought I'd watch a zombie movie, or read a zombie book, much less do both. But I did, and I loved it. I knew that there must be something morI never thought I'd watch a zombie movie, or read a zombie book, much less do both. But I did, and I loved it. I knew that there must be something more this 'zombie' story that Summit was serving up to their Twilight fans, but I was surprised at how much more.
There characters are relatable because they are victims of a society that lost sight of what was truly important and completely fell apart. Now the remaining citizens struggle to survive in a world made all the more bleak by the fact that that's become their sole purpose.
I was lured to the book by the movie. I loved the 'R' character, who felt trapped in his mortal body, separate from society, and unable to communicate who he really was and what he felt. I loved that he was saved by love, and that there was humor in dark times, and that there was a happy and hopeful ending.
The book showed more of how man and society became broken and fell, and what it was like living inside that broken world. The characters are good, but flawed individuals. The writing is beautiful, though some of the sparse dialogue is coarse. The ending is happy, but not perfect. I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing how the characters try to heal their world and each other.
Warm Bodies is more than a zombie story; it's a story of love and redemption, written with a deep understanding of the complexities and fragility of both nature and human nature.
"'Do you think we'll ever get things back to the way they were?'[Julie]...'I hope not.'['R']"
I didn't make it past the first disc of the audiobook. I didn't care for the narration at all. I might try it again next Christmas, with the print ediI didn't make it past the first disc of the audiobook. I didn't care for the narration at all. I might try it again next Christmas, with the print edition. The pace felt much too slow, and the tone of the reading too detached, for me to even be interested enough to really understand what was happening. If you're interested in this story, I recommend waiting until you have time to sit down and discover it for yourself and read it at your own pace....more
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