This was not the kind of book that I would normally pick up but I am glad that I did. IThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was not the kind of book that I would normally pick up but I am glad that I did. I think that it is good to step outside of your comfort zone from time to time and try something new. It keeps things interesting and allows me to see how my tastes may have changed. If you had told me that I would enjoy a book that contained a fair amount of poetry, I wouldn’t have believed you but that is exactly what happened. I found this to be a rather enjoyable read overall.
This was an interesting collection of letters, poems, recipes, and essays that came together to tell a story of love. I probably haven’t read any poems since I was in school and they forced it upon me (unless you count the occasional greeting card, which I do not). These were so much better than the poems that I remember and I loved the way that they came together to tell a story. We see the author’s childhood, his relationship with his parents, the love he had for his wives even if the marriages ended in divorce, and the love he has for his daughters. I really liked how the author included recipes since we often share our love through food. I am glad that I took a chance and decided to give this one a try.
I received a review copy of this book from Little, Brown and Company....more
I really enjoyed reading this book! My family is probably glad that I finished it sinceThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I really enjoyed reading this book! My family is probably glad that I finished it since I wouldn’t stop talking about it on the days that I was reading it. Of all of the classes I took in college, the ones that have stayed with me are the ones dealing with the anatomy of the human body. For some reason, it has always been fascinating to me. I jumped at the chance to read this book and found it to be both informative and entertaining.
I liked the way that the book was laid out with each chapter being dedicated to a section on the body. The author uses real cases to illustrate the topic being discussed which I found incredibly interesting. A few of the situations that were highlighted in the book were stranger than anything that I could imagine and I enjoyed the explanations regarding how science could both identify an individual and their cause of death. I felt like the author presented the information in a manner that would work well for the average reader.
I would recommend this book to others. I don’t read a lot of non-fiction but this book was definitely my kind of book. I applaud the author for sharing parts of her own life and for giving me something to think about. I would not hesitate to read more of Sue Black’s work.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Skyhorse Publishing....more
This was incredibly interesting! I don’t read a lot of non-fiction but every once in a This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was incredibly interesting! I don’t read a lot of non-fiction but every once in a while I come across a book that calls to me and I feel compelled to pick it up. I have no idea why I was drawn to this book since I don’t really pay attention to art but I am so glad that I decided to give it a try. I was captivated by Tony Tetro’s story and didn’t want to stop reading once I started.
If you had asked me what an art forger does before picking up this book, my answer would have been very different than it is now that I have read it. It is not just the process of copying art. I learned that provenance is even more important than the actual art being made. Mr. Tetro went to a lot of work establishing provenance for his pieces which is one reason he was so successful. It was very eye-opening to learn what went into making a piece look older than it really was. I was surprised that I was able to relate to Mr. Tetro because I too tend to almost obsess over problems until I figure out a solution. I guess it is a good thing that the things I am usually trying to figure out are much tamer than those Mr. Tetro dealt with.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narration was very well done. Richard Ferrone handled the bulk of the narration and I thought that he helped bring the book to life. I really felt like I was right there listening to Mr. Tetro tell me exactly how he did what he did for so many years. I thought that the narrators had very pleasant voices which added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very interesting and sometimes thought-provoking look at a crime that I never really considered before. There were a few times in the book when I felt like the author’s point of view was somewhat biased. I will definitely look at art a little differently after reading this book.
I received a review copy of this book from Hachette Books and purchased a copy of the audiobook.
Initial Thoughts This was incredibly interesting! I don't read a lot of non-fiction but every once in a while I come across a book that just calls to me as this one did. I am not a huge fan of art and wouldn't consider myself artistic in any way but I couldn't stop listening to Tony Tetro's story of his life as an Art Forger. A whole lot of work went into what he did and there were times that I could easily relate to his desire to figure everything out. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a fantastic job with this book....more
I liked this book! If you have been following my reviews for any amount of time, you haThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I liked this book! If you have been following my reviews for any amount of time, you have probably noticed that I am a fairly eclectic reader but I tend to stay within the realm of fiction. Every once in a while, I am drawn to a non-fiction title and it is usually books that tell the story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things that I choose to pick up. This book features not just one member of the Feehan family but 4. I learned a lot about the history of the New York Fire Department along with some of the experiences this family has had while doing the job.
As a general rule, I don’t cry over books. I have cried while reading but it is not a common occurrence. For the first time in quite a few years, I found a book that made me cry. This novel touches on 9/11 early on and it really transported me back to that day. I vividly remember watching that second plane hit while packing my lunch to go to work, knowing how terrible it was. Only to realize how much worse it could be when those towers fell. This book made that scene come alive and I guess it is safe to say that I am not completely over those feelings from that time.
This book covers a lot of ground going back to the very early days of NYFD to 9/11 and after. There were some events that were touched on that I remember making the national news when they occurred but it was eye opening to get the perspective of someone tasked with dealing with these scenarios. I liked the camaraderie that the members of the fire department shared and how serious they were about their responsibilities. There was some politics in the discussions of how the department has changed over the years which I found interesting.
P.J. Ochlan did a great job with the narration of this book. I believe that this is my first experience in listening to this narrator but I thought that he was a good choice for this particular book. I found his voice to be pleasant and I had no problems listening to this book for hours at a time, except that one time that I stopped to cry for a bit.
I think that a lot of readers will find this book interesting. There are photos in the hardcover which really help to make the members of this family come to life. I am glad that I decided to give this book a try.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central publishing and purchased a copy of the audiobook.
Initial Thoughts This was interesting. Early in the book, I shed a few tears and I almost never cry over books. I think that all of my feelings surrounding 9/11 came flooding back as they talked about a few details from that day. While 9/11 is covered in the book, this book covers so much more and I really felt like I got a nice history lesson about the New York Fire Department. The four generations of the Feehan family chronicled in this book were all very brave men that served their community well. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with this book....more
I really liked this book! I had no idea who Paul Holes was when I picked up this book bThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I really liked this book! I had no idea who Paul Holes was when I picked up this book but it didn’t take long before I was captivated by this book. It is still kind of amazing to me that the same person would have been a part of so many high-profile cases. This was the kind of book that I would think about when I wasn’t reading so I can understand why Mr. Holes had a hard time getting these cases out of his head. I am so glad that I decided to give this book a try.
Paul Holes is credited with helping to catch the Golden State Killer. One might say that he was almost obsessed with finding who was responsible for these rapes and murders and sometimes pursued leads against the directions of his superiors. A lot of this book is dedicated to detailing these crimes and what went into breaking the case. I found all of this to be very interesting since I knew little about these crimes. He was also a part of the investigation of the Laci Peterson and Jaycee Dugard cases which were well-known. Those aren’t the only cases covered in the book and many of the others were not only eye-opening but heart-breaking. I should also note that Paul Holes worked in the crime lab so science plays a role in this book and I really liked seeing how forensics helps to solve cases.
We also get to see Mr. Holes’s personal life and how his job impacted his family life. I was impressed that he shared so many personal details in this book. He gave so much to his job that there was often not much left to share with his wife and children. He acknowledges his obsession with finding these criminals and how it took over his life. I also appreciated his candor when discussing the obstacles he faced when trying to work with other municipalities in trying to solve cases.
I would highly recommend this book to others. It was the kind of book that made me think and also appreciate the people who put so much of themselves out there to help make the world a safer place.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from Celadon Books....more
I enjoyed this book! I don’t usually read celebrity memoirs. In fact, this is the firstThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this book! I don’t usually read celebrity memoirs. In fact, this is the first celebrity memoir that I can remember reading even though I do occasionally pick up memoirs written by people who are not famous. I am not even sure why I was drawn to this one. I like Andrew McCarthy well enough but I wouldn’t call myself a big fan or anything. I am glad that I went with my instinct and gave this book a try.
This is a relatively short book so it was a very quick read for me. The book starts during Andrew’s childhood focusing on his journey to becoming an actor. There were photos scattered throughout the book which helped to tell this story. I felt like we really get to know him during this book while we see his acting develop. There were some lucky breaks on his path to stardom but there was also a lot of work. Andrew wasn’t always confident and was often very hard on himself.
Once he landed his first movie, extraordinary things started to happen. Some of the stories that he tells in this book were just amazing. It is kind of amazing just how lucky he was in some situations. There is no doubt that he worked incredibly hard to get where he was and it could be hard to read some of the passages about the things he did that were essentially self-sabotage. I went into the book knowing next to nothing about Andrew McCarthy and learned a lot about him in these pages.
I would recommend this book to others. I think that anyone that has seen any of his films will enjoy some of the background information presented in this book. Even if you are new to his work, I think that there is something to take away from this book. Who knows maybe I will open my mind to reading more celebrity memoirs moving forward.
I received a copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing.
Initial Thoughts I don't think that I have ever read a celebrity memoir before but for some reason, I knew that I had to read this one just as soon as I saw it. I wouldn't consider myself a big Andrew McCarthy fan but I have enjoyed several of his movies. This was an interesting look at his life in the early stages of his career. I found it to be well-written and quite enjoyable. ...more
It's no secret that I love dogs. There is just something I cannot resist when it comes This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
It's no secret that I love dogs. There is just something I cannot resist when it comes to these furry little (or not so little) beings. I am lucky enough to live with three of these wonderful animals and my life revolves around them. It probably is no surprise that I felt like I needed this book in my life. I found this to be an enjoyable and sometimes rather humorous book.
This book is a collection of short essays dedicated to the author's dog, Peter. The author's love for her pet was very clear throughout this book. I was able to relate to so many things in this book. We have a large collection of chewed up pieces of dog toys in our house, similar to Peter's. I haven't tested the DNA of any of my dogs but I could understand her desire to do so. All three of my dogs are mixes and one dog is so mixed that the vet told me I could just pick a breed for the chart because she had no idea. There were also a few things that I couldn't see myself doing. Dance lessons would be a prime example. The world does not need to see me or my dogs trying to perform a dance routine.
There were some really amusing moments in the book. When the author described the sweater she bought for Peter and his reaction to it, I couldn't help but laugh. I liked the way that she tackled pet psychics and thought it was great that she really explored just about every possible aspect a dog owner might encounter. There were some more emotional parts of the book when the author was worried about her dog that really hit home for me as well
I would recommend this book to dog lovers. This is a lighter read that I found quite entertaining. I am happy to report that the book ends on a very positive note. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of this author's work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing....more
There was a time in my life where I read a lot of true crime books. I haven't picked one up recently but something made me decide to give this book a There was a time in my life where I read a lot of true crime books. I haven't picked one up recently but something made me decide to give this book a try. I always find it interesting to learn a little more about individuals capable of committing terrible crimes. I just couldn't resist listening to the story of Katherine Knight who is a known killer. I found this book to be rather interesting.
The bulk of this audiobook looks at the time before Katherine actually killed her boyfriend. The book first takes a look at the life of Katherine's mother and then paints a picture of the home Katherine grew up in. The book then takes a look at Katherine's relationships and we see some of the violence she was capable of. It was kind of amazing how much she was able to get away with over the years. The actual murder is pretty much explained in the book's description so there weren't a lot of surprises to be found there.
I thought that Steve White did a fantastic job with the narration. I am sure that I enjoyed the book more than I would have if I had read a print copy due to his narration. He had a very pleasant voice and read the book at a very nice pace. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to his work again in the future.
I did find myself wondering about the author's sources. I would have liked to know where the information was coming from and if there was anything new that was learned about Katherine or her crimes. I think that the book would have been stronger if sources for the information would have been included since I found that I wondered how the author would have known some of the things included in the book.
I think that fans of true crime will enjoy this book. It was a quick look at a killer that I knew nothing about before picking up this book.
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author/narrator via Audiobook Boom and have voluntarily left this review.
Initial Thoughts Although I haven't read any true crime books lately, there was a time when I read a lot of the genre. I am not sure what it says about me but I was pretty eager to give this book about a cannibal killer a try. It was a pretty short book and the narration was very well done. The actual murder that this book leads up to is pretty much described in the book's description so there weren't a lot of surprises there. It was an interesting look at a killer that I didn't know anything about before picking up this book. I found it to be an interesting way to spend a few hours....more
I really enjoyed this book! If you follow my reviews, you probably already know that myThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I really enjoyed this book! If you follow my reviews, you probably already know that my taste in books is pretty eclectic. While I am willing to read anything that sounds interesting, I don't read a lot of memoirs because they rarely appeal to me. I have zero desire to read about celebrities which eliminates a lot of memoirs. A story about a normal person doing extraordinary things is exactly the kind of thing I can get into so I went with my gut and gave this book a try and I am so glad that I did. Once I started reading this book, I didn't want to stop and ended up reading the whole book in a single day.
Keena's childhood was quite unique. Her parents studied animals in their own environment and took the whole family with them. She spent the first few years of her life in Kenya but most of her childhood was split between Botswana and Philadelphia. While in Baboon Camp in Botswana, Keena and her family lived in tents and had to watch out for lions, elephants, and buffalo. While in school, she had to deal with kids who liked being mean to anyone who was a little different. From her descriptions, I would have preferred life with the lions over going to high school as she did.
I loved getting to know Keena through her stories. There were times that I worried about her and feared that she would get hurt. I sympathized with her when she struggled to fit in at school. I was a little jealous of her when she described the days that she would spend the day in a tree reading while at camp. I was amazed by her ability to think clearly in highly stressful situations. The descriptions in the book are very well done and I felt like I had a good idea of what life was like at camp. I loved that there were a few photos scattered throughout the book to help illustrate some of the things discussed in the book.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this book to be very entertaining and I feel like I learned a few things in the process. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from Keena Roberts in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing.
Initial Thoughts I really enjoyed this book. I don't read a lot of memoirs but when I do decide to pick one up it is usually about a normal person doing extraordinary things instead of anything dealing with a celebrity. I couldn't imagine growing up like Keena did before reading this book. I understood her love of nature and animals while struggling to fit in during her times in the United States. I thought that she did a fantastic job of letting the reader see what both aspects of her life were like. I was worried about her safety at times and her emotional welfare at others. I am so glad that I decided to give this one a try....more
This was such an interesting listen! I have been wanting to read this book since I learThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This was such an interesting listen! I have been wanting to read this book since I learned of its existence. I find the way that we handle death as humans to be a topic that I never tire from. When I first picked up Caitlin Doughty's debut novel, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, I had my doubts but decided to read a few pages just to see what I thought. I couldn't put it down and it is a book that I frequently recommend to others today. I went into this audiobook with pretty high expectations and I am thrilled that the book was able to meet them.
In this book, the author travels the world to see how death is handled in a variety of cultures. It was a very eye-opening journey for me. I had no idea how little I actually knew about this topic. I thought that in the United States the options for dealing with a loved one's remains consisted of a choice between burial and cremation. I had no idea that in one community, residents have the option of an open-air pyre. Why don't we have this everywhere?
I was amazed by the variety of customs associated with dying. In this book, we see communities that keep the corpses of loved ones with them for rather long periods of time continuing their relationship with the deceased. There were a variety of rituals from around the world explained. Some of the scenes were quite vivid. While I don't think that I want to rush to practice some of the traditions explained in this book, I really liked being able to see how variations of how people around the world look at the process of death. In some ways, I think that a lot of cultures have a much healthier relationship with the dead. They prepare the bodies and care for the dead while in the United States, we are removed from the process leaving it to the professionals.
This book is narrated by the author. I think that she did a great job with the reading of this book. The book covers things and events that the author has seen so I think that she was able to deliver the story in a manner that nobody else would have been able to do. I thought that she had a very pleasant voice and I found it easy to listen to this book for long periods of time. I ended up listening to the entire book in a single day and found that I liked the narration more and more as I made my way through the book.
I would recommend this book to others. I love the way that this author is able to educate others on the process of death and dying in an entertaining manner. I found this book to be quite thought-provoking and I feel like I learned a thing or two. I could easily see myself reading this book again at some point in the future and I can't wait to check out some of the author's other works.
Initial Thoughts This was really interesting. I think that there are a lot of problems with the way that death is handled in the US. I found some of the practices in other countries were very eye-opening. I am not going to sign up for a lot of the rituals described in this book but it did make me think about what kind of changes I would like to see closer to home. The author did a good job narrating the book.
I am a bit surprised by how much I ended up liking this book. This book was quite a bitThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I am a bit surprised by how much I ended up liking this book. This book was quite a bit different than my usual reads but once I started reading this book I didn't want to put it down. This may not be a book for everyone but it definitely worked for me. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read Mike's story.
I grew up watching the TV show Emergency and have been known to watch a re-run of the show every once in a while. I like watching a medical team in action working to save a life and it is really interesting to see how things have changed in the field in such a short amount of time. I was really quite interested in this memoir of an ambulance worker in New York City in the late 60's because that just sounds like an incredibly difficult job to have.
This book is made up of really short chapters with each chapter covering a different call. If you are looking for resolution on every case, it isn't going to happen in this book. The author takes the reader through the ambulance worker's role which ends at the hospital. These are not boring cases being covered in this book and there were more than a few scenes that may be too much for any reader that is a bit squeamish. I like a little bit of blood and gore so it worked well for me.
I think that one of the main strengths of this book was the author's ability to really bring these situations to life. The descriptions were very well done and I was able to easily visualize the scenes as Mike went through his days on the job. As the book progresses, we also see what kind of impact this difficult job has had on the young man just trying to do a good job. It was really very interesting to me how much this work has changed over the years and couldn't imagine having to do this kind of work without some basic precautions such as gloves.
I would recommend this book to others. There are quite a few scenes in this book that will stay with me for a long time. I have a lot of respect for anyone that works in the medical field day in and day out and think that the obstacles facing an ambulance worker out in the field would make the job quite challenging. Mike Scardino has a gift for words and has told a very memorable tale in this book. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of his writing in the future.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Initial Thoughts This was one of those books that I found to be hard to put down. This will not be a book for everyone but it definitely fit my tastes. Each chapter takes us on a call on a New York Ambulance in the late 60's. There is really a little bit of everything packed into this quick read and I would have to say that some sections can be a bit intense. ...more
I don't read a lot of non-fiction books but for some reason as soon as I saw this book This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I don't read a lot of non-fiction books but for some reason as soon as I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it. I love learning about anything medical or science related so it was as surprising of a choice as you might think. I have always said that I read a little bit of everything and this book is proof positive of that fact. Cannibalism is a really interesting subject and I learned a lot while listening to this book. It was really an enjoyable experience.
I have to admit that as soon as I saw this book, I started thinking about criminals who practice cannibalism. If you are looking for a book that chronicles the actions of serial killers, this probably isn't the book for you. There is a little bit of those kind of stories in this book but very few. The author actually makes a point to explain why he chose not to focus on criminals. This book instead deals with many other topics pertaining to cannibalism.
If you are interested in learning about cannibalism in nature, look no further because this book is full of that kind of information. This books covers cannibalism in fish, birds, tadpoles, insects, and spiders. It discusses why it might be advantageous for animals to cannibalize others creatures of their own species sometimes including their own offspring. I can honestly say that I learned more about cannibalism in nature than I even knew that I wanted to know.
I really enjoyed the sections of the book that involved human cannibalism. The very few sections that did discuss criminal cannibalism were very interesting. At the very beginning of the book, I learned that the book Psycho is based off a true story of a man that killed and cannibalized his victims. Survival cannibalism was another very interesting topic. I had never heard of the Donner party prior to listening to this book but I was captivated and saddened by their story. There is a section that discusses the eating of one's placenta, not something that I ever gave any thought to before this book but interesting nonetheless.
I thought that Tom Perkins was the perfect narrator for this book. It almost felt as if I were listening to a nature show on television. His voice is exactly the kind of voice I think of when imagining the voice over sections in any nature program. This book had a lot of details and was full of information but I never tired of listening to it largely because of the narrator's skill.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic. It is a heavy subject but it is delivered in a very readable manner. There are a lot of details but it is presented in an entertaining manner. I was entertained and learned a few things. This is the first book by Bill Shutt that I have read but I would consider his work in the furture.
I received a review copy of this book from HighBridge Audio via Audiobook Jukebox.
Initial Thoughts This was an interesting book. I learned quite a few things and was entertained. There were some sections that were a bit too detailed for my tastes but overall this was a good listen. I am ready for a cannibalism category in the next trivia night I attend! ...more
This was the best little book that I didn't even know that I wanted to read. I have to say that I wThis review was also posted at Carole's Random Life
This was the best little book that I didn't even know that I wanted to read. I have to say that I would have probably never picked this book up for myself. I didn't even know that this book existed until it showed up at my house a couple of weeks ago. My initial impression of the book when I received was lackluster at best. I thought it was an advance copy of a book at first because the cover looks just so unfinished. Nothing about this book screamed "Read Me" at first glance. But then I decided to pick it up and my thoughts changed very quickly.
Whatever stars lined up on the day this book found its way to my home, I can't say but I am very grateful. This really is the perfect book for me. I have a slight fascination with death. My favorite class in college was Death Education. When the local coroner came to class to give a presentation complete with slides, I was completely impressed. I have never worked in the death industry but my husband actually has delivered caskets part-time for the past couple of years.
This book deals with a difficult subject in a way that really pulls the reader in. I think everyone could find something in this book that they would relate to in these pages. I liked that this book made me think and it also made me laugh. I didn't think that this was a sad or depressing book at all which is kind of surprising when you think of the subject matter. I learned a lot from reading this book. There are so many misconceptions regarding death and the funeral industry. I do think that most people really would appreciate this honest look at the subject.
Each of the people that are in this book really add to the overall story. Everyone from Caitlin's co-workers to the families who have lost someone they loved really had a story to tell. I liked the parts that featured Caitlin's co-workers because I feel like it takes a special kind of person to want to do this kind of work. People who work in the funeral industry really see people when they are at their worst but they must stay at their best. It has to be incredibly hard to do that day after day. I really appreciated the parts of the book that really let us see how much this kind of work affected the author.
I liked the way that this book was written. I was completely engaged in the book from the very beginning. I think it reads almost like one of your friends are telling you a story. Even the more educational sections that gave some history were completely mesmerizing. There was enough lighthearted and funny moments to balance out the sections that were really anything but funny.
I would highly recommend to others. I think that this is a topic that we need to know more about and this is an entertaining way to get a peek. This is the first book by Caitlin Doughty that I have read but I would definitely read more of her work in the future.
I received a copy of this book from W.W. Norton & Company for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts I loved this book! This isn't a book that I would have ever picked up for myself but it was a great fit for me....more
I am terribly disappointed by the fact that I did not fall in love with this book. When I was chThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I am terribly disappointed by the fact that I did not fall in love with this book. When I was choosing a book to read, I took one look at the ratings for this book on Goodreads and knew that I had to read this book right away. Seriously, every single one of my friends on Goodreads gave this book either a 4 or 5 star rating. And they said it was funny. I love funny. I knew that I would just love this book.
I didn't love it. I was actually bored for most of this book. I do admit that this isn't the kind of book that I usually read but a humorous non-fiction story about hiking the Appalachian Trail sounded fabulous. I really did enjoy the parts of the book that focused on Bill and Stephen's adventures on the trail. I just wish that the focus of the book would have stayed with Bill and Stephen.
The problem was that there was just too much other stuff crammed into this book. I sometimes felt like I was reading a textbook....a well-written textbook...but a textbook nonetheless. In this short little book, I learned about the history of the Appalachian Trail, some geology, information about bears, trees, the National Park Service, birds, and various other things. A lot of the time the book just felt dry and information packed. I was glad that some of this information was shared in a fun way that actually put a smile on my face. All too often, I felt like skipping entire sections of the book so that I could get back to the actual hike.
I had hoped that this was going to be one of those side splitting funny kind of books. It had its moments of humor but nothing that made me do anything more than crack a smile. There was no laughing out loud and the parts that were funny seemed to be rather sparse. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that Bill Bryson is a very funny guy but I need a lot more of those kind of moments to offset the parts of the book that were dry.
I did notice that there is a movie based on this book that is soon to be released. I actually am looking forward to that movie because I suspect that it will focus on the parts of the book that I really enjoyed....the actual hike. I don't think that there will be too many geology or history lessons found in the film. I am thinking that I actually want to go an see the movie when it comes out and I never go see movies.
I am not going to be recommending this book but I am seriously in the minority with this one. I would tell readers to pick it up if it sounds interesting to you. You may be one of the many who really love it. I still really wish that I was one of the many readers who love it.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of providing an honest review....more
This book brings back a lot of fond memories for me. I used to adore reading the choose your ownThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
This book brings back a lot of fond memories for me. I used to adore reading the choose your own adventure books as a child although I would never choose the right option and always ended up dying of thirst or some other horrible death. I would eventually give up on my ability to make the right choices and try to figure out what I needed to choose by working backwards in the book. Despite my poor decision making skills, I never gave up on these books. Every time I brought home a Scholastic flyer from school, I would end up picking out another one of those books. I am the same age as Mr. Harris so it makes some sense that he would fondly remember these books as well as I do and I just love the fact that he used this approach in this book.
There is just something about Neil Patrick Harris that seems to be almost universally appealing. I am not a biography reader. I probably read a few back in high school and college because I had to but I can't think of a time where I picked one up to read for entertainment as an adult....but I wanted to read this book as soon as I heard about it. I am not exactly sure what I find so entertaining about Mr. Harris. Sure I have watched and enjoyed some of his work. His portrayal of Barney Stinsen is...wait for it....legendary. I loved him in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. I just have never considered myself to be a huge fan though. If he is on, I'll certainly watch him but I don't go out of my way to be sure to catch him either. I still knew that I had to read this book because there is just something about the way that he tells a story.
One thing that I think is genius about this book is the fact that I will certainly be picking it up quite a few more times. It is a choose your own adventure so you have to read it several times just to make sure that you have read every option available. This is a book that I recommend reading as intended with all of the jumping around and choices because it just makes it so much fun. I have been through quite a few options so far with a few ending in a less than ideal manner. I don't think that the book would be nearly as appealing if it were to be read cover to cover.
Neil Patrick Harris does have an interesting story to tell. He is a child star that I will always think of as Doogie to some extent. He also talks about his sexuality, his family, and all the things that make him who he is. Some of the parts in the book are simply silly and I liked those just as much as anything else. The book itself looks wonderful. I just love the cover and the section in the center of the book filled with photos is nice to have.
I would recommend this book to others. It is witty, funny, touching, and sometimes thought provoking. Plus it is just a lot of fun! This is the first book by Neil Patrick Harris that I have read but I look forward to see what kind of original spin he might apply to a novel in the future.
I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of providing an honest review....more
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
4 Stars
I do not read this type of book very often. I am really more of a fiction reader because my reading goal is simply to be entertained. Every once in a while a book outside of my usual fiction reading catches my attention as this book did. A book that tells the story not of someone who suddenly goes blind and must adapt but of someone who is told at a very young age that she has only a few years of sight left.
This is Nicole's story. Nicole is diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at age 19. She is told that she will be blind in a decade or so. Nicole shares her diagnosis with her family but otherwise keeps her declining vision to herself. As a result of her lack of sight, she does have a few close calls but few know about her problem.
Nicole eventually marries and becomes a mother which bring on more challenges. The author is a remarkable story teller and I found myself pulled into her story. I will admit that I did not understand why keeping her diagnosis secret was so important to her.
I would recommend this book. It was a quick read and told an interesting story. I found myself wondering what I would have done had I found myself in Nicole's place. I could not even imagine what I would attempt to do if I learned that I only had a limited time to see the world. This was the first work by Nicole C. Kear that I have had the chance to read. I would be interested in reading future works by this author....more
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