I’m not a big fan of fantasy romance. I thought the end of this book was better than the beginning. The plot centers around the romance and there isn’I’m not a big fan of fantasy romance. I thought the end of this book was better than the beginning. The plot centers around the romance and there isn’t much character development except overcoming trauma and grief. I didn’t think the twist 3/4’s through the book believable. I had issues with some other plot choices. The end is full of action and the romance melodramatic if you like that type of story....more
I liked this better the second time I read it. Perhaps that I’m 20 years older and could relate more to the girl cursed in an old women’s body! Haha. I liked this better the second time I read it. Perhaps that I’m 20 years older and could relate more to the girl cursed in an old women’s body! Haha. I enjoyed all the references to other fairy tales. This is uniquely its own. Funny and well written....more
A girl has hung out with the same friends since elementary school but as they enter middle school new friends join them and the friendships change. ThA girl has hung out with the same friends since elementary school but as they enter middle school new friends join them and the friendships change. The protagonist gets sick, moves to a new house, and a nasty ghost begins to haunt. Intense and well crafted, this ends on a creepy note....more
A terrific nonfiction book about teenage girls that decoded during WWII. Fleming always has a clear message and these unsung heroes who helped shortenA terrific nonfiction book about teenage girls that decoded during WWII. Fleming always has a clear message and these unsung heroes who helped shorten the war is powerful and moving. Another winner by a fantastic writer. The audience is young readers but adults will enjoy it as well....more
This is my third reading of this book and I did not remember it having that many Christian references. It’s interesting that it’s always on banned booThis is my third reading of this book and I did not remember it having that many Christian references. It’s interesting that it’s always on banned book lists. I’ll have to find out why. A great book that broke new ground in the science fiction genre for children. ...more
The murder mystery is good in this Nordic Noir. The characters don’t have a strong character arc. I liked learning about Icelandic history and cultureThe murder mystery is good in this Nordic Noir. The characters don’t have a strong character arc. I liked learning about Icelandic history and culture. I was turned off by male character. What should have been a romance came off as sexual harassment and the female character has some body shaming going on....more
An interesting nonfiction book on creativity and how to express it. The beginning is more of a pep talk and the rest is nuts and bolts with examples oAn interesting nonfiction book on creativity and how to express it. The beginning is more of a pep talk and the rest is nuts and bolts with examples of what others have done. I tidbit on Michelangelo being a millionaire was enlightening. I have always read he wasn’t. I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book....more
This author writes YA historical fiction. The plot centers around a woman pilot trying to break into a male dominated career in 1937. The woman is in This author writes YA historical fiction. The plot centers around a woman pilot trying to break into a male dominated career in 1937. The woman is in a flying contest as someone is trying to murder the participants. Throw in some political tensions and you have a fast-paced novel. The author tends to explore the themes of being an outsider in a foreign country. She captures it so well. I can relate as I lived overseas for many years. A fun story....more
Written in 1965 there are some things that are stereotyped such as the loose young woman who is raped. The suspense was well done but the character anWritten in 1965 there are some things that are stereotyped such as the loose young woman who is raped. The suspense was well done but the character and his family isn’t wrapped up and the interrogations of suspects got repetitive. I was glad it was a quick read....more
Another Nordic noir. This one was dark and the love interest didn’t come across as authentic. Some parts are confusing. The mystery has you guessing tAnother Nordic noir. This one was dark and the love interest didn’t come across as authentic. Some parts are confusing. The mystery has you guessing throughout....more
I’ve been getting hooked on these Nordic noir books. They’re similar to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. This was entertaining. The hard-nosed detectiI’ve been getting hooked on these Nordic noir books. They’re similar to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. This was entertaining. The hard-nosed detective is solving a missing person case. The villain was easy to figure out. The twists were fun. ...more
A book that makes you think about ecology and how to help the world as habitats and biomes become diminished as populations grow. This consists of plaA book that makes you think about ecology and how to help the world as habitats and biomes become diminished as populations grow. This consists of planting native plants that support the most birds, animals, insect life. My husband and I ended up taking an inventory of our yard and looked at bushes to replace that are best for the place where we live. It takes research but has been fun. The author equates landscaping with ecological restoration....more
An excellent nonfiction book that shows how small steps by anyone at any age can help preserve the planet. I think this is a great compliment for clasAn excellent nonfiction book that shows how small steps by anyone at any age can help preserve the planet. I think this is a great compliment for classroom curriculum for upper grade/middle school students. You can use with topics such as: environment, climate, biomes, activist. Just choose the chapters that support your topic you’re teaching....more
Great plot, world building, pacing, and twists but this author’s writing was hard for me to read. His first person narration is loaded with sentences Great plot, world building, pacing, and twists but this author’s writing was hard for me to read. His first person narration is loaded with sentences that start with “I”. I counted 50 “I’s” on 3 pages. His dialogue has a lot of unnecessary adjectives that explains an attitude already shown within the dialogue. Annoying. It gets better toward the end or I got used to ignoring it. Either way it’s minor because he tells a good story and pulls off sounding like an expert in rockets, science, chemistry, etc. All the elements of a good story just clunky sentence structures. Oh ya, the humor is fun too and the character arc is clear. He also is great at writing suspense that makes this a page turner....more
Part memoir, part history this skims the surface and doesn’t go into great depth. I didn’t really learn much but I did learn who the author likes and Part memoir, part history this skims the surface and doesn’t go into great depth. I didn’t really learn much but I did learn who the author likes and doesn’t like. A quick read....more
The world building is fantastic in these books. I read them out of order and I liked this one the least. There is one character that is so romanticizeThe world building is fantastic in these books. I read them out of order and I liked this one the least. There is one character that is so romanticized and stereotyped as the perfect “angel” it made me roll my eyes several times in their sockets. The author goes on and on objectifying her. Ugh. The pacing suffered at the start because of this choice....more
Authors that create historical narratives well amaze me. I would think getting the story down accurately would be really difficult. This author combinAuthors that create historical narratives well amaze me. I would think getting the story down accurately would be really difficult. This author combines the 1893 Chicago world’s fair from the architect’s that created this great fair with a serial killer who kills hundreds of women. The contrast between being great or destructive in living life. He shows characters that are flawed whether it’s an architect with an inferiority complex or a killer with no conscience and just manipulates others for power and gain. I liked how he frames the story with the Titanic. Clever....more
This didn’t quite come together well. She tries to make it epic but the plot is forced in spots making some things too coincidental and loose threads This didn’t quite come together well. She tries to make it epic but the plot is forced in spots making some things too coincidental and loose threads not wrapped up. I liked book 1 the best....more
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