I dared to Google “Why is Freida McFadden so popular” because truly, my mind? She be blown. The first response (from Reddit – oh how I love the subReddits) states “I get why it's popular because it's fast paced and a very easy read but the plot is so derivative and the writing style is so annoying.” To that I say – PREACH.
Talk about an easy reader. The plot (LOL plot!) here starts with a body being buried in the woods. You then meet the “teacher” (teacherS in this case since Eve is married to a fellow educator named Nate) and their student Addie. It doesn’t take much of an I.Q. to figure out EVERYTHING that is going to happen so I have no idea what “twists” people cream their jeans over. Maybe they are contained in her other books???? (Sidenote to anyone thinking of making a drinking game every time “shoes” are mentioned. Don't do it. You will die from alcohol poisoning.)
Apparently she has a real rabid fanbase so I guess I can look forward to potentially getting trolled for eternity like I have for nearly a decade by the Cohorts (note to trolls - I delete and block you rather than engage so have a blessed day and maybe go outside and touch some grass). It also appears from my quick one minute search of the interwebs that she apparently is a copycat so the half that don’t love her want her cancelled. Bottom line? No matter what we readers/reviewers can’t win. But before any of you go all keyboard commando please note that popcorn thrillers like these are a dime a dozen and trying to claim Freida steals from Riley Sager, an author who admittedly makes his millions reimagining others’ tales, isn’t gonna hold up in court. I was looking to venture out of my comfort zone of listening to memoirs during my “Walk ‘n Talk” and this was so easy to follow while I attempted to kiss every dog that crossed my path on the trail at the park that I will most likely end up picking her stuff up over and over again. And most likely also give them 2 Stars max.
Here’s the thing. Jojo Moyes needs zero of my help selling her books and since I loved Me Before You, Still Me and One Plus One I am not su
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Here’s the thing. Jojo Moyes needs zero of my help selling her books and since I loved Me Before You, Still Me and One Plus One I am not super interested in dissecting all the reasons this one didn’t work for me. Some books just aren’t for some people and for me that has a lot to do with the characters. I didn’t much care for doormat Sam at all and thought Nisha was a real See You Next Tuesday throughout the entire story (even though an attempt was given at providing her a redemption arc). The plot didn’t really tickle my fancy either and it was waaaaaaay too long (especially when things went all “Three’s Company” while attempting to steal back the shoes in the hotel). So that’s that and on to the next.
A Man Called Ove but make him from the West Indies. I mean really that’s all I have to say. There is absolutely not one thing wrong with this story – A Man Called Ove but make him from the West Indies. I mean really that’s all I have to say. There is absolutely not one thing wrong with this story – Fredrick Bachman simply did it better and maybe there’s only room for one lonely curmudgeon on my favorites list. I’m also not a fan of a “twist” in books that aren’t in the mystery/thriller genre so the big reveal towards the end really went off like a fart in church for me . . . .
The Goodreads’ “if you liked this, read these” recommendations are really spot on and I did love quite a few of those selections (and have at least one on my soon-to-read list) so if you love to read about these hermit-like peeps there’s a bounty of options out there.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
If I had known this was a recommendation from the BookTok world I would like to think I would have known enough to stay far away, buu
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It me!
If I had known this was a recommendation from the BookTok world I would like to think I would have known enough to stay far away, buuuuuuuuut I did not and I’m a sucker for the cartoony cover so of course I read it. And here’s the thing. There’s nothing wrong with this book. If you love fake dating/friends to lovers/sportsball tropes, PG-13 smexuals and a what you see is what you get cutesie type of story, this one is probably for you. However, it’s becoming apparent the more romances I read lately that I want some more meat on the bones when it comes to plot. Old age – she’s a bitch, kids! This might have hit better for me had I been poolside getting my tan on during the summer rather than enduring never-ending Midwestern winter, but I have no sense and request all the things from the library and have to read them when my turn comes around.
Everyone and their dog has been falling all over the place expressing their love for Barbara Kingsolver’s latest release. And then there’s me . . . . Everyone and their dog has been falling all over the place expressing their love for Barbara Kingsolver’s latest release. And then there’s me . . . .
I’m not here to yuck your yum so Imma keep it real short. In a nutshell, Kingsolver is an author who is consistently trying to write the “Great American Novel” and nothing demonstrates that more than her undertaking a modernization of David Copperfield. In short, I just don’t think she’s my jam. Nearly 25 years ago The Poisonwood Bible knocked my socks off, but it’s a book I could never re-read in fear that I wouldn’t have the same reaction a second time around.
My main issue with this one is that I am so over clichéd, stereotypes of Appalachia. Boy oh boy did Demon Copperhead deliver them in spades. Our impoverished lead goes from bad to worse when it comes to an abusive household, to being orphaned, to one awful foster home situation to another (but don't worry - it ends at neglect - Kingsolver isn't ready to go to the darkest of locales when it comes to Demon's childhood). Eventually genetics get on young Demon’s side and he becomes a local high school football hero . . . until, you guessed it, his knee gets blown out and he becomes an addict. But don’t worry – he still gets a fairly happy ending and sees the ocean *eyeroll*
In addition to the been there/done that feel of this entire story, you can’t re-write history in an attempt to prove how “woke” you are. A high school English teacher (and a black teacher in the middle of the Holler, at that) in the early to mid-1990s wouldn't have dared to explain the movement of literature changing the term “black” to “Black.” Not to mention how regular folks were not aware of the dangers of opioids or how Big Pharma was controlling the narrative when they first hit the market, but the nurse in here was 100% in the know of what's going down. You want to learn more about the modern-day drug crises and how it came to be? Read Dopesick....more
As much as it physically pains me to do so, I’m going to have to agree with my pal Dan 2.0 when it comes to Tiffany McDaniel’s style . . . it’s probabAs much as it physically pains me to do so, I’m going to have to agree with my pal Dan 2.0 when it comes to Tiffany McDaniel’s style . . . it’s probably not for me. I looooooooooved Betty and agree that there is an excellent story within the pages of this latest release regarding a series of prostitutes who are found in Chillicothe, Ohio (inspired by the true tale of the “Chillichothe Six”). Unfortunately, it was so mired in the purple prose that I could not feel all of the feels that I was supposed to be feeling. I have actively avoided The Summer that Melted Everything for fear of being a wrongreader and I will probably continue to do so for the foreseeable future since the main complaint was regarding how it too was overwritten.
Also, I already dislike a face cover, but if you're going to commit to one at least get it right. One sister lipsticked her TOP lip, the other the BOTTOM. Stuff like that drives me batshit.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I wrongread the crap out of this one. I totally get why this has been such a hit for others. I mean, the world is shit and fiction is a gre
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I wrongread the crap out of this one. I totally get why this has been such a hit for others. I mean, the world is shit and fiction is a great place to turn when you need something hopeful. I’ve fallen victim to the right time/right place heartstring-tugger a time or twelve myself. (See A Man Called Ove, The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Guncle, etc.) And like everyone else, I loved Marcellus and heard the “Sad Cat Diary” narrator each time he voiced a chapter that really brought a smile to my face . . . .
But oh my god how did y’all tolerate Cameron? Freaking spoiled manbaby! So sorry your momma was a deadbeat and ditched you as a kid, but it’s not like you got dumped into the foster care system to rot. No, you were left with an aunt who not only loved you but coddled your ass into your dang 30s. Grow up, butthole! I broke my normal routine and poked around a few reviews since everyone but me loved this and I’ve noticed most don’t even mention him at all – despite him being a main character in the story. Maybe you all were simply able to ignore him???? I love a loveable loser, but this dude was a user and no redemption arc could make me like him.
About a billion and a half years ago I wrongread Station Eleven. That ancient review has picked up speed once again lately due to the HBO series, but About a billion and a half years ago I wrongread Station Eleven. That ancient review has picked up speed once again lately due to the HBO series, but luckily people who read “smart” books tend to acknowledge others are allowed to have opinions that are different than their own and I have not been trolled (winner!). Due to Emily St. John Mandel’s fanbase not consisting of a bunch of rabid foaming at the mouth trolls and her having a new release that’s been popping up all over Goodreads and The ‘Gram I thought I would give her another shot. And yeah . . . . .
Seriously though, it’s totally me. I get why people like this author. She definitely has writing chops. Unfortunately for me, I was not a fan of alllllllllll the goings on here. It started with the catalyst behind the whole story and the ”why don’t you swallow broken glass” writing on the hotel window. Talk about a lackluster threat. And speaking of the hotel, it was in the book for like five or ten pages. Then you have a bad batch of ecstasy going around that never amounts to anything. A woman who disappears from a ship that doesn’t really amount to anything. A Ponzi scheme that doesn’t really amount to anything (aside from pages upon pages of paper shredding where zero details have been provided for most of the other goings on). An artist with a copyright infringement problem that doesn’t really amount to anything. And on and on and on. It all comes together in the end, sort of, but the destination didn’t end up really being worth the journey for me. Obviously your mileage may vary and again I understand why this author is such a hit for so many. Different strokes/different folks and all that....more
Yep, I really sucked a turtle on this cult classic. Trainspotting popped up because the film was showing on one of the twelve billion channels we overpay for and rarely watch which led me to do what I do best – not watch the movie and instead check out the book.
Be forewarned before beginning that this undertaking is not for the faint of heart. And I’m not talking about the content. I’m not a reader who complains about stories written using accents, but boy oh boy does this one require your undivided attention for a bit before you settle in to the flow. As far as the subject matter goes? I seriously channeled my inner Captain Murtaugh here. The only thing I recall from the movie 100 years ago was the dead baby scene, but even that didn’t have the emotional impact on paper for me. I’m all about uncomfortable subject matter and unlikeable characters, but this one just left me feeling “meh.” Nearly 30 years ago I’m sure this was as fresh and innovative as declared on the bookjacket. Reading it today where opioid addiction has touched nearly everyone in some way, shape or form - these very unconnected vignettes embracing the addict/criminal/rapey/uggo lifestyle was more like reading some sort of shockporn . . . .
I know! Trust me, no one is more upset about this crappy rating than me. Good news is it looks like I read it wrong . . . or in this case m
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I know! Trust me, no one is more upset about this crappy rating than me. Good news is it looks like I read it wrong . . . or in this case maybe just too often . . . . and that’s why I didn’t love it. Better news, is Peter Swanson has a bunch of other books and they are all great so go buy his stuff or check it out from the library. He’s worth your time.
I think my main failure when it comes to Nine Lives is that the inspiration came from one of my all-time favorites - And Then There Were None. I’ll go on record and say I probably won’t ever stop reading ANY book that is either a revamp or pays homage to that story, but the apples vs. apples comparison tends to not be great because Christie is simply perfection. The big reveal here was less than stellar for me and the offing of each victim proves that maybe Swanson is simply too nice of a human to write a story like this because talk about dullsville. If you’re worried about the high character count, have no fear. The entire purpose of this is for these folks to start dropping like flies. The wannabe serial killer dude, though? WTF was that? Talk about some unnecessary page wasting.
I’m assuming most everyone else’s mileage will vary with this one . . . .
I mean to each his own, but I don’t get it. I was all about picking up a story about a serial killer’s daughter, but could she maybe not be some pill popping alky cliché in this supposedly “fresh” debut????
Not to mention the suspension of disbelief that has to occur in order for (i) this chick who is clearly not right in the head to be able to not only hide the above, but somehow become a highly successful psychologist, who (ii) apparently has not ever Googled anyone ever and (iii) remained completely oblivious of the whodunit despite the fact that it was . . . .
If you are new to mysteries or are a person who can simply enjoy super farfetched storylines and/or have no interest in playing couch detective and spoiling things for your own dang self immediately only to be annoyed you wasted two days to discover your first thought was 100% spot on then maybe this will be a winner for you??????
But seriously though, people really and truly didn’t know who the bad guy was right away????
From trains to windows, those betches couldn’t do their peepery without a handful of pills and/or gallons of wine. Lately the trend has turned to . . .
And I’m going on the record to say I don’t love it. The “Girl” here has been dead for ages and our preggo leading lady Hannah is questioning exactly what she saw the night said It Girl April was murdered now that the alleged guilty party has died in prison.
Okay, so there are so many problems. First, gal is borderline preeclampsia, but totally willing to risk her life/her baby’s life to do some sleuthing. Second, why the hell would she start second guessing after the dude who proclaimed his innocence for the duration has now kicked the bucket. Third, although not technically a “closed door” mystery there are only so many players here and the whodunit was pretty apparent to me almost from the beginning. Fourth, I don’t always love the wibbly wobbly timeline. This go around I was digging the “before” but really struggled with the “after” (present). Fifth, it took waaaaaaay too long to start bringing up the shitty parts of April’s personality which would offer motive to pretty much any of the characters. And finally, once again TOO LONG. I’m a firm believer that a 325-350 page count is pert near perfect for a mystery/thriller – once it gets over 400 there’s almost always some lag in the flow.
Ruth Ware is a hit or miss author for me. While I never hate anything she writes, I don’t really looooove them either. But she’s good enough to keep me reading. This one was a right down the middle 2.5 Star rating for me, but rounded up because as I said I’ll definitely read whatever she writes next. ...more
“There’s a monster inside each of us,” he says. “If you let yours out, Ted, it might not eat you.”
Shelby and I were talking earlier this week abou“There’s a monster inside each of us,” he says. “If you let yours out, Ted, it might not eat you.”
Shelby and I were talking earlier this week about when people say things like “after 150 pages it REALLY picks up” or “once you get to book four in the series it hits its stride.” My response to that is . . . .
I am a spoiled entitled first world type of big fat baby. I want instant gratification. I don’t want to haaaaaaaaaave to go in blind (even though I rarely read blurbs or reviews so I tend to go into nearly everything blind). I don’t want shock and awe to be the driving force behind the masses offering up all of their Stars to a book. I don’t want to muddle through nearly half of a story before it picks up steam (actually I made note that it was the 71% marker where things were finally getting interesting) – only to feel like it’s dragging on for eternity by the time I’ve consumed the next fifty pages. I don’t personally want trigger warnings, but I feel sorry for those who do that end up stumbling upon this story because everyone and their cat (hyuck hyuck see what I did there?) is saying it’s a must read and, as aforementioned, to go in with no prior knowledge of what you’re about to experience.
I’m going to go ahead and simply plagiarize my pal debra’s review . . . .
Original story, well written, but unlike the rest of the whole, complete, absolute entire, far reaching, and wide ranging world I didn't enjoy it.
2.5 Stars for presenting a pretty quality red herring that had me only partially correct in my guess of what was going on, but rounded down because it was such a slog for me. I’m filing this in the same cabinet as Razorblade Tears. I think a lot of readers will surprise themselves of what types of subject matter they are able to stomach when it comes to this selection, but I have to channel my inner Lydia Deetz and simply state . . . .
Dark plotlines are my wheelhouse and, as I said above, shock and awe just doesn’t cut the mustard for me. Nearly all of my friends gave it 5 Stars, though, so obviously I read it wrong.
This is your friendly reminder that not all authors are for all people.
I really dug People We Meet On Vacation, fell into the middle-of-the-road cateThis is your friendly reminder that not all authors are for all people.
I really dug People We Meet On Vacation, fell into the middle-of-the-road category with Beach Read and didn’t like this one much at all. I think it’s safe to say at this point Emily Henry probably just isn’t for me . . . .
^^^^Actual footage of me coming here to write this review when my friends’ collective rating is at a freaking 4.86.
Razorblade Tears is the story of Ike and Buddy Lee – polar opposites in all ways aside from the fact that their sons were married to each other and got murdered. When the local yokels seem to wash their hands of the case based on lack of evidence Ike and Buddy Lee decide to take matters into their own hands.
Okay, so herein begins the problem. I have said it before and apparently I will be saying it again. Revenge stories aren’t really my jam. I’m all for a little vigilante justice, but I like it to be real quick and not drawn out as the entire storyline. I’m also not a fan of reading action/fight scenes. In all honesty I’m not a huge fan of watching them in movies either. It just seems like filler to me when it goes on too long. So there’s two things already not working for me when it comes to this book. The whodunit part was okay and there were times I was truly sucked in to the story . . . but then more drawn out fight scenes would burst my reading bubble or even worse . . . .
I’m all for informing the ignorant, but Cosby’s style was sooooooo condescending. And as always the people who really need information like the following examples spoonfed to them most likely wouldn’t ever read this book to begin with . . .
They don’t look gay, Ike thought. As soon as the idea entered his head it seemed like he could hear Isiah’s voice. How exactly did someone look gay? Did he expect them to have tattoos carved into their foreheads that declared their sexuality?
“Wait, so she’s a he?” Buddy Lee asked in a low tone. “No. She is a she who has not had gender-reassignment surgery yet,”
“You called her a she. But she still has a…” Ike said. He let the statement hang in the air. “She is presenting as a woman. She seems to be living as a woman. So she is a woman,”
“Thank you, S.A. Cosby for making me so woke!” said no bigot ever.
So as I said, this was off the charts for all my pals and then there’s me . . . .
The violence didn’t bother me. I simply could not get past the stereotypes with the extra helping of cheese. I own Blacktop Wasteland so eventually I’ll get around to reading that one. Hopefully it will work better for me....more
EVER.Y.ONE. loved this book. All y’all. You raved about it. It broke your heart and made you feel hopeful. You found it inspiring. It made you feel all the feels. And then there’s me . . . . .
Seems once again I’m a bit of a wrongreader here and didn’t fall over myself about this recent Reese’s Book Club selection like all the other2.5 Stars
Seems once again I’m a bit of a wrongreader here and didn’t fall over myself about this recent Reese’s Book Club selection like all the other horny housewives did. Mainly due to the fact that you can’t write about stupid shit such as clothing like this . . . .
Draped in a long-sleeve paisley maxidress plunging to her navel (vintage Dior) and shoulder-skimming beaded earrings (Nairobi street market) …
In suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch detail, but then gloss over the “before” section where two high schoolers meet, bang for a week in a drug addled and self-harm stupor and yet have hardly any pages written about all that.
So the story here is Eva and Shane met as mentioned directly above and then 15 years went by without them ever speaking. It’s hinted that he “broke a promise” which, of course, takes an eternity to ever get around to disclosing and winds up being a trope contained in approximately 112% of all romance novels that could have been wrapped up had the two main characters taken Khalid’s sage advice of . . . .
But I digress and back to the plot. Eva and Shane have both grown up to be successful writers. He’s a Colson Whitehead literary sort, she writes “supermarket checkout porn.” They wind up at a black author book convention where the reader learns that they have both spent their careers writing about the other and eventually they commence the re-banging. Then stuff and things happen and in the end it was just aiiiiiight for me.
I think I need to lower my expectations or fight the FOMO when it comes to Reese’s picks. While I really loved Such a Fun Age, most of her choices seem to miss the mark a bit for me. Most likely because when I see the words “Book Club” my brain wants to go in that Colson Whitehead type of direction or at least be a story that makes you think about things like social issues, race, wealth, bias, etc. all wrapped up in an easy-to-read format as with Such a Fun Age. I read a lot of smut and included in that has been a handful of literary porn too. At the end of the day this was simply a romance that could have used A LOT more pages to fill in the details in what became a very disjointed now/then narrative for me.
I was gifted a copy of Big Summer by one of my bosses at Christmastime and was totally blown away by how much I enjoyed it once I finally got around tI was gifted a copy of Big Summer by one of my bosses at Christmastime and was totally blown away by how much I enjoyed it once I finally got around to picking it up a couple months ago. Jennifer Weiner has been a hit or miss author for me, but suffice it to say I was pleasantly surprised by my reaction and made sure I was first in line on the library waiting list for this latest release. But then I read it . . . .
I will most likely continue picking up books by this author, if for no other reason than the dreaded fear of missing out, but I have made it perfectly clear what my feelings are about rape being used like a tired trope . . . . .
This is not an exception to that rule. And to be even more horrible than I already am – if you want to wage a years’ long internet battle regarding not being declared as one of the “greatest authors of modern time” maybe pick a subject that hasn’t been beaten like a dead horse for the past couple of years or at least take a fresh spin on things. Jonathan Parks-Ramage certainly managed to do it with his debut novel Yes, Daddy so it can absolutely be done. ...more
Kelly (and the Book Boar)
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