(2.5 stars) This wasn't what I was expecting and ultimately didn't thrill me as much as the other Ishiguro books I've read. I did love Axl and Beatrix(2.5 stars) This wasn't what I was expecting and ultimately didn't thrill me as much as the other Ishiguro books I've read. I did love Axl and Beatrix though....more
Based on actual events in 17th century Norway, The Mercies dives into what happens when all of a village's men are wiped out by a freak storm. The preBased on actual events in 17th century Norway, The Mercies dives into what happens when all of a village's men are wiped out by a freak storm. The premise is what drew me in, but I stayed for the characters, for the setting. I enjoyed learning about how these women lived day to day. (view spoiler)[And the end, just devastating. I kept checking how many pages I had left because I just couldn't fathom how everything was going to wrap up. (hide spoiler)] If you liked Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, give this one a go....more
This was fine. I know why kids love it - it's suspenseful and action packed. Of course, Michael's parents have to just basically (view spoiler)[ trainThis was fine. I know why kids love it - it's suspenseful and action packed. Of course, Michael's parents have to just basically (view spoiler)[ train him up in spycraft and then abandon him once the stakes get too high so he can save the day. Pretty common kids lit trope. That being said, I am disappointed that the one Jewish person who's perspective we get in this is pretty unceremoniously killed off (hide spoiler)]. Give this to kids who love WWII, but also hand them The Boy on the Wooden Box, The Nazi Hunters, The Book Thief - anything from this list of Selected Holocaust Books for Young People - https://jewishlibraries.org/selected-......more
While I appreciate any author who writes stand alones instead of the seemingly inevitable trilogy, I feel like this was overlong and poorly edited. ThWhile I appreciate any author who writes stand alones instead of the seemingly inevitable trilogy, I feel like this was overlong and poorly edited. The premise is fascinating and the first third is really good, but the plot seems to meander and there are almost too many hurdles for the Eastwood sisters to overcome. There are times mid to late book where all of a sudden a character is referred to only by her last name instead of Miss something or other or her first name which was altogether jarring, especially while listening. I was like, who? Oh....wait.... (view spoiler)[ I feel like the ending was a bit of a cop out too - Juniper dies okay (sad and with all the magic at their disposal I would have though they could have come up with something else) but then she just gets to be a spirit and hang out at the tower to see her niece anyway? shrug. Takes a little impact out of that death. (hide spoiler)]...more
If you like Maisie Dobbs, give Electra McDonnell a try. This was fine. I enjoyed the setting and the set-up - two safecrackers are caught in the act aIf you like Maisie Dobbs, give Electra McDonnell a try. This was fine. I enjoyed the setting and the set-up - two safecrackers are caught in the act and blackmailed into cooperating with some undercover work for the British government. (view spoiler)[The stakes didn't quite feel high enough here and the book more bumbled along than anything. I would have KILLED for some more Major/Ellie encounters because they had sparks! Hoping that book two has the thrill that book 1 was lacking. (hide spoiler)]...more
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up, but damn, Taylor Jenkins Reid can really write characters into life. I would read another book aboI wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up, but damn, Taylor Jenkins Reid can really write characters into life. I would read another book about the Riva kids (and I'm so intrigued that Mick Riva appears in her other works that I would pick up the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo on that premise alone [even though I do just really enjoy her writing]). It was fun to see how all the puzzle pieces eventually fell into place....more
Wonderful. I had no idea that there was a community of deaf and hearing individuals on Martha's Vineyard who lived together in harmony - who had theirWonderful. I had no idea that there was a community of deaf and hearing individuals on Martha's Vineyard who lived together in harmony - who had their own island sign language. Very well done....more
I really REALLY was disappointed there wasn't an afterword with information about the actual historical person this book is based on. Will be doing myI really REALLY was disappointed there wasn't an afterword with information about the actual historical person this book is based on. Will be doing my own research (in a not creepy right wing way). This works as an audiobook because the narrator is amazing, but really there isn't much actual dialogue, lots of third person omniscent stuff. ...more
Another delightful tale from Justina Ireland. I was relatively sure I had everything figured out and then she threw a twist at me right at the end. HiAnother delightful tale from Justina Ireland. I was relatively sure I had everything figured out and then she threw a twist at me right at the end. Highly recommended for kids who don't mind a little fantasy in their history....more
This is wonderful. The story is unique and intriguing. I love a good mystery and this intersected with my other reading in interesting ways. The storyThis is wonderful. The story is unique and intriguing. I love a good mystery and this intersected with my other reading in interesting ways. The story is set on Jeju, the titular island of The Island of Sea Women>/i> which I have read and also adored. My boyfriend and I also recently finished watching Kingdom on Netflix which is also set during the Joseon dynasty. I love that the protagonists are teenage girls who take the reins of their own lives. In 15th century Korea no less. The audiobook narrator was wonderful to listen to, her voice was soft and smooth like honey. Two thumbs up....more
I picked this up after Victoria Schwab recommended it as a sort-of read-a-like for Piranesi. I can see why the recommendation works and I loved parts I picked this up after Victoria Schwab recommended it as a sort-of read-a-like for Piranesi. I can see why the recommendation works and I loved parts of this book. I loved how the landscape was a powerful character. The story starts with a quest and slowly unravels the threads that set that quest in motion. The characters grow and change and start to understand their complicated history and how they are related to the land and also sometimes not at all. (view spoiler)[ All that being said, I hated the ending so much. Of course, Lucy would do anything for Sam, but I just wanted something nice for them. Couldn't there have been just a smidge of happy? (hide spoiler)] For fans of literary westerns, people interested in untold histories, and those who enjoy a great setting....more
I can't wait to add this to my library collection. The Legend of Auntie Po is a fascinating, nuanced story of Mei, a young queer Chinese girl growing I can't wait to add this to my library collection. The Legend of Auntie Po is a fascinating, nuanced story of Mei, a young queer Chinese girl growing up in a logging camp. Auntie Po is the gender-flipped, Chinese version of Paul Bunyan and with Minnesota's love of Paul and history of logging, I think kids will connect with this story. I love how it tells this story that has been overlooked and relegated to the sidelines. I'm glad to know more about Chinese cooks and laborers in logging camps. The illustrations of this text are gorgeous and convey so much atmosphere and emotion. A wonderful addition to middle grade literature....more
I enjoyed this - a wonderful folktale about the value of old women. These two tough ladies were abandoned by their tribe because they were seen only aI enjoyed this - a wonderful folktale about the value of old women. These two tough ladies were abandoned by their tribe because they were seen only as mouths to feed, not equal contributors. At first they were stunned. They were elders! How dare they! But soon, both women knew that if they didn't act, they wouldn't survive. I liked how these women found strength within themselves, even though they thought there wasn't any there. They persevered through hardship and came out the other side with a better understanding of themselves and their value. (And so did The People!)...more
Miss Benson's Beetle was not at all what I expected going into it. I started the book and was like, "I don't know if I really like EITHER of these womMiss Benson's Beetle was not at all what I expected going into it. I started the book and was like, "I don't know if I really like EITHER of these women....." but as I went along, pulled by Joyce's words and my never-ending desire to find out what happens next, I started to understand. And as each woman reckoned with her demons, parts of their ugly shell fell away. As someone who does not easily make true friends, I did see kindred spirits in Enid and Margery. The last 1/3 of the book I was riveted to the page and loathe to put the book down. Though (view spoiler)[I too don't know if I can ever forgive you, Rachel Joyce, for Enid. I was heart broken when Margery found her. (hide spoiler)] This isn't a book for everyone, but if you've ever felt like no one understands you and you long for a friend, you might find Enid and Margery balm for your soul. (Also "The Photograph That Inspired a Novel" is lovely and gave a nice new spin on the book.)...more
Nice little read - wish there had been more with Talas, but I get it. Most of the stories in these volumes show the bride's story through her interactNice little read - wish there had been more with Talas, but I get it. Most of the stories in these volumes show the bride's story through her interactions with other women and there weren't any other women in this volume. ...more
![乙嫁語り 11 [Otoyomegatari 11] (A Bride's Story, #11)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546569935l/42966146._SX50_.jpg)
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