Astonishing. After reading Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland, I was curious why the third victim featured in it so little, although all of the gAstonishing. After reading Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland, I was curious why the third victim featured in it so little, although all of the girls seem to be on good terms and wish each other well. In reading this, it's clear that the perpetrator's first victim had already suffered so much before she ever even got into the car with Ariel Castro (bitter poverty, abuse, homelessness, having her son taken by CPS), and that she was isolated from the other girls and treated very differently. It makes total sense to me that she chose to write her own story, and I hope that she and her son have the chance to connect sometime when he's older.
I have such admiration for how resilient all three of these girls are, and how incredibly open and generous and forgiving they all seem to be towards each other and towards what happened to them. The fact that these horrific things happen are just--unimaginable to me, but hearing these stories of survival are both touching and awe-inspiring.
A note the writing: it's remarkably concise and clear-headed, as well as riveting. Both this book and HOPE are well-structured and written, in a way that many of these memoirs are not, so hat tip to both sets of collaborators on helping these girls tell their stories. ...more
Loooved this. Reminded me of elements I love from Edward Eager, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Roald Dahl,and Philip Pullman--and I do not make any of those rLoooved this. Reminded me of elements I love from Edward Eager, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Roald Dahl,and Philip Pullman--and I do not make any of those references lightly. Whimsical and humorous (view spoiler)[FLYING POLAR BEARS, WHOA (hide spoiler)], yet weird and dark and slightly twisted at the same time, with unusual characters and a surprisingly complex, engrossing plot. The writing is sure-footed and subtle, and the story quite masterfully plotted, even if it gets a little confusing towards the end.
Middle grade like this is rare, and had I read this as a kid I would have read it a dozen times over. I regret not having had a chance to get this one last year, but now I don't have to wait to read the sequel! :D Onto The Whisper soon.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review....more
As much as I enjoy fantasy and adventure, I love everyday stories about childhood. This ended up being much more serious and moving than I expected, hAs much as I enjoy fantasy and adventure, I love everyday stories about childhood. This ended up being much more serious and moving than I expected, however.
I listened to much of this audiobook as I was huddled under the covers in the dark in my own nest, much like the ones Chirp finds comfort in when she feels alone. Jenna Lamia does a beautifully subtle reading (at one point I skipped back so I could listen to hear her charming rendition of a horned owl again), though she also made me tear up at the emotional scenes.
A really lovely book that takes the time to let its story breathe, and a really lovely audio experience.
Why can't all books have sky dragons and pegasi and impossible romance? *sigh*Why can't all books have sky dragons and pegasi and impossible romance? *sigh*...more
I'm pretty sure that if this book accidentally fell open in your lap, a million little hearts would fly up into a cloud surrounding you in all the sweI'm pretty sure that if this book accidentally fell open in your lap, a million little hearts would fly up into a cloud surrounding you in all the sweet, good-natured adorableness that is this story.
14 POVs, yet none of them from the two lovebirds, and two of the POVS are so patently ridiculous that they should absolutely not work--and yet they do, they do, they do. So flipping cute!
3.5 stars very strong stars. And it makes my 2014 favorites list, even though other more highly rated books did not. Go figure! It makes sense to me.
Well, this was fun! I had heard such great things about this book from my friend Karen at FWIW, but I approached this with some trepidation since I waWell, this was fun! I had heard such great things about this book from my friend Karen at FWIW, but I approached this with some trepidation since I wasn't a huge fan of UNDER THE NEVER SKY. This turned out to be such a flirty and sexy story, though, and a really enjoyable addition to the NA genre. Plus it's actually about that age post-college when you're embarking on your career. There's some escapist/strains credibility rom-com type stuff, but I didn't really mind that. And big, big points for elements of the Los Angeles/art/entertainment/corporate settings and intern/job experience being handled with a lot of authenticity.
One quibble: after such great build-up with sexual chemistry/tension, I think the actual sex could have been a little better, and maybe more of it. Still, a really fun romance...and I'll definitely be reading more books from these authors in the future....more
If you had hoped for something more from the much-lauded Landline, look no further than Liane Moriarty. She writes well-plotted, engrossing, and increIf you had hoped for something more from the much-lauded Landline, look no further than Liane Moriarty. She writes well-plotted, engrossing, and incredibly funny stories with believable women that also happen to put marriage and friendship under a microscope. Every book I've read by this author has been terrific. ...more
I don't even care, I can't stop thinking about this book so I'm bumping my original 4.5 star rating to a 5. Plus it made me cry! I don't think anotherI don't even care, I can't stop thinking about this book so I'm bumping my original 4.5 star rating to a 5. Plus it made me cry! I don't think another 2014 book has done that this year.
I cannot believe these were written as prequels, they give readers such an enormous breadth of understanding for Celaena's character and history, as well as enormous sympathy for what she's been through, faults and all.
4.5 stars This book is nothing short of spectacular. It is insanely well-researched, and it's impossible not to be charmed by Mark Watney's hilarious 4.5 stars This book is nothing short of spectacular. It is insanely well-researched, and it's impossible not to be charmed by Mark Watney's hilarious sense of humor, or jeez-MY-brain-is-filled-with-absolutely-useless-information-impressed by his smarts, ingenuity, and spirit.
I will say that after a few chapters, I started skimming some of the more technical parts of what he was doing to survive. I normally love this stuff, and certainly I absolutely DID enjoy much of what was here and sincerely appreciated the amount of research and experimentation that went into his Mark's scientific calculations. But there is a lot of it, hah, and I started feeling a little antsy, even with the irrepressibly funny narrative. SO MUCH MATH.
Fortunately, the POV then switches and we start seeing what's happening on the ground and other places. The action-packed plot is streamlined and exciting, the characters are memorable, and overall, the writing is immensely engaging and entertaining.
Highly recommended if the summary intrigues you at all, and obviously a must read if you're a fan of science fiction or survival stories. And the ebook's only $2.99 right now! That's a fucking bargain for the amount of awesome crammed into these pages.
So impressed this was a debut--I hope we get many more books by this author in the future. And this is going to make one hell of a movie....more
So, so cute. It's so nice to see a book that gives you appropriate background for Carl Sagan's beginning interest in the cosmos, and takes a dreamy, wSo, so cute. It's so nice to see a book that gives you appropriate background for Carl Sagan's beginning interest in the cosmos, and takes a dreamy, wondering approach towards science rather than just relating facts and figures--so appropriate for the subject of the book!
Loved the illustrations and thoughtful story, and I very much appreciated the additional notes included in the back, particularly the one about how Sagan inspired her to think differently about the universe. This is a book that is totally age appropriate for kids but can also be enjoyed by adults. Such a great gift for anyone who's a space enthusiast, too.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review....more
After being disappointed or so-so on so many YA scifi novels, I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. This is a high concept story that reAfter being disappointed or so-so on so many YA scifi novels, I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. This is a high concept story that really works, with well thought-out technology, nuanced characters, and an engaging plot. And a standalone! And a book with something to say, but doesn't hammer you over the head with it!
Review to come. But definitely put this on your list if you enjoy dystopian thrillers....more
I haven't read a YA paranormal romance that I enjoyed in awhile, but this one was excellent. Nice worldbuilding, magic, and characters who all have agI haven't read a YA paranormal romance that I enjoyed in awhile, but this one was excellent. Nice worldbuilding, magic, and characters who all have agency, and a sort of love triangle that I didn't mind at all. (view spoiler)[Mostly because it's clear where she's going to end up, and you understand her feelings/attraction for both. (hide spoiler)]
Quibbles--there were a few too many flashbacks/cutting to the villain POV for my taste, to the point where it interrupted the flow of the story. I think the ending could have been smoothed out, too. There are also definite triggers because there's an imbalance of power in the master/slave relationship, and there's some possible Stockholm syndrome stuff happening with it, so your mileage may vary depending on how much that upsets you. (view spoiler)[I suppose this felt more like mature YA/nearly NA romance to me, so that didn't raise the usual flags for YA. I do understand the criticisms about the abusive love interest. (hide spoiler)] But I quite enjoyed this overall, and totally recommend it if you're curious.
I think it would have been really interesting if this story had been written as a New Adult title, by the way. There are some nicely sparky scenes between our heroine and the two guys, and that could have been taken even further for an older age group....more
Wendy Darling
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2014-favorites
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