3.5 stars. First off, I loved Mattie’s spunky personality. It makes for an excellent telling of her story, though I was wishing that it was a little l3.5 stars. First off, I loved Mattie’s spunky personality. It makes for an excellent telling of her story, though I was wishing that it was a little longer and more developed. Also, the audiobook narrator did a bang up job with the voices but because of the dated technology at recording, the publisher needs to go back and re-edit to clean it up. You can easily hear her mouth sounds, which, especially in the beginning, kind of skeezed me out....more
What a trip! I’d heard that this book was a departure from typical Liane Moriarty fare and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I loved it. You definitely What a trip! I’d heard that this book was a departure from typical Liane Moriarty fare and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I loved it. You definitely have to sign on and just go with it, but it is a ride worth taking. This would make an excellent book club choice, not because there would be differing opinions for discussion but because it’s a storyline that screams to be talked about....more
3.5 stars, rounded up. Based on friends reviews, I didn’t expect to like this book but I really kind of did. It was a super fast read, especially sinc3.5 stars, rounded up. Based on friends reviews, I didn’t expect to like this book but I really kind of did. It was a super fast read, especially since I was able to tag back and forth between the audio and the hard copy. My only big gripe is that the ending had too much of a bow tied on it. I mean, I like closure and all but it didn’t have to be so neatly tied. ...more
Enjoyable story with a likable character, but it felt like two different arcs were competing with one another rather than telling one cohesive story. Enjoyable story with a likable character, but it felt like two different arcs were competing with one another rather than telling one cohesive story. I enjoyed the audiobook narrator and the authors note at the end is not to be missed....more
I’ve followed Lysa TerKeurst for years and when I read about what’s been going on in her life, I wanted to hear it from her. What could’ve easily beenI’ve followed Lysa TerKeurst for years and when I read about what’s been going on in her life, I wanted to hear it from her. What could’ve easily been a victim’s cry came out as a gracious testament to her faith and a desire for restoration and redemption. I loved listening to this as an audiobook as her voice lends so much to the telling of her heart....more
YA is not typically my genre, but the draw of a girl lost in her book dreamy world was too much to resist. While there is a good amount of angst, I waYA is not typically my genre, but the draw of a girl lost in her book dreamy world was too much to resist. While there is a good amount of angst, I was able to get past it for the parts I loved. Also, I don’t know how many books have hoarding as the issue du jour, but I found it a refreshing change of pace....more
2.5 stars. I loved Carnegie’s Maid and The Other Einstein, so my expectations were high, but this one fell flat for me. Both the outside and inside co2.5 stars. I loved Carnegie’s Maid and The Other Einstein, so my expectations were high, but this one fell flat for me. Both the outside and inside cover indicate the science-y part of Hedy Lamarr’s life but the book covers that in about 15 pages. Earlier in the book, she talks about staying home from parties to “work on her science experiments” but the rest of her story is about her pretty face. Which I get is part of the author’s point, but it fell flat for me....more
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the story but I don’t think it has the stick with you factor that I was looking for. Still though, excellent historical fi3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the story but I don’t think it has the stick with you factor that I was looking for. Still though, excellent historical fiction that would help kids understand the plight of the Irish farmer after the potato famine....more
I’ll wager there aren’t many Americans who haven’t been touched by the opioid epidemic, myself included. And I’ll admit to not taking the time to undeI’ll wager there aren’t many Americans who haven’t been touched by the opioid epidemic, myself included. And I’ll admit to not taking the time to understand what my family member was going through as they were trying to break the cycle. This heartbreaking, maddening book will help you see just what the addicted have experienced, as well as lead to the underlying causes that started this drug crisis to begin with. I tagged this back and forth between Kindle and audio and they were done equally well. I’d recommend it in either format....more
After rereading the first BSC, I thought it’d be fun to compare it to the graphic novel. You know what? It was great! I wasn’t sure how well the formaAfter rereading the first BSC, I thought it’d be fun to compare it to the graphic novel. You know what? It was great! I wasn’t sure how well the format change would work or if key parts would be omitted, but it held up remarkably well. My 12 year old (who already owns and loves the graphic novels) now has her interest piqued and wants to do her own chapter by chapter analysis with the original....more
My entire seventh grade memory bank revolves around The Babysitters Club, and I’m pretty sure I spent every penny I could scare up at Waldenbooks thatMy entire seventh grade memory bank revolves around The Babysitters Club, and I’m pretty sure I spent every penny I could scare up at Waldenbooks that year. Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey were my homegirls. And when you’re 12 and you really GET someone (even fictional), they stick. Needless to say, it was fun to reacquaint myself with the gang some 30 years later, and my adult self saw just what my middle school self did: kids breaking into their next phase with all the laughs, bumps and bruises that the tween years bring. ...more
3.5 stars. At first, this story felt juvenile and soft but as the story continues, so do the layers deepen. The kids crackpot schemes may seem like po3.5 stars. At first, this story felt juvenile and soft but as the story continues, so do the layers deepen. The kids crackpot schemes may seem like poor choices but make perfect sense through the lens of a kid whose been jerked around by the system. This is definitely on the glossy side of real, but would serve as a gentle introduction to the foster care system for kids who aren’t ready to go deeper....more
2021: Audiobook with my 14 year year old for our kids book club. This book was an even better read for me the second time around. There were some nuan2021: Audiobook with my 14 year year old for our kids book club. This book was an even better read for me the second time around. There were some nuances that passed by me that I really enjoyed catching this time, and my daughter, of course, adored this book. One of the other things that struck me was what a great choice it made for a book club get together — we had the kids duel in Shakespeare insults, create their own box pun images, and find something funny to do with a banana peel. Once the contest was over, they worked together to build their own Paulie statue and make up their own dances. All in all, it was a super fun day celebrating a great book.
2019: What a great story for the middle school years! Not only is it quirky and fun, but it also tackles topics like fitting in and finding your place and what it means to do that with integrity. Reading this book, I couldn’t help but think of the kid who got picked on in my own middle school, and wondered if reading a book like this would’ve made me brave enough to befriend her all those years ago. I wish I would’ve made that choice. It’s not often you come across a book that helps kids to see outside of themselves in such a way as this. Highly recommend....more
Orbiting Jupiter will rip your heart out, but in a way that is so, so worth it. I tore through this one in a day and just couldn’t put it down. It’s sOrbiting Jupiter will rip your heart out, but in a way that is so, so worth it. I tore through this one in a day and just couldn’t put it down. It’s settled, I am forever a Gary D Schmidt fan....more
2021: Reread with my 14 year old, and I was thrilled that she loved it just as much as I did originally. We listened to the audiobook together, which 2021: Reread with my 14 year old, and I was thrilled that she loved it just as much as I did originally. We listened to the audiobook together, which was especially well done....more
Perfectly cast and masterfully produced, this is going down as one of my fave audiobooks of all-time. And the story itself was written so well, I had Perfectly cast and masterfully produced, this is going down as one of my fave audiobooks of all-time. And the story itself was written so well, I had to check Google to make sure it wasn’t actually real (it isn’t). Highly recommend!...more
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