The Beauchamp woman, Mother Joanna and daughters Freya and Ingrid, live on the tip of Long Island, New York. They seem to be regular family, but they The Beauchamp woman, Mother Joanna and daughters Freya and Ingrid, live on the tip of Long Island, New York. They seem to be regular family, but they are actually a family of witches who cannot use their powers. Ingrid, the youngest daughter, is getting married to the wealthy Bran Gardiner, but things do not go as they should at their engagement party. The Beauchamp women all end up using their powers to help the people around them, but their helping hands seem to have negative consequences.
de la Cruz’s attempt at writing adult fiction falls flat. As with her Blue Bloods series, she writes about two different types of mythologies together. Not only are these women “witches” they are actually goddesses from Norse mythology. However, if you are looking for a book with actual characters (besides names) from Norse mythology this is not it. The characters are flat and rather irritating and do not act as adults, but rather a group of adolescents. It is as if she just looked up the various gods and goddesses from the Norse mythology pantheon and wrote aspects of their characters from some list. Not much actually happens in this story until the end when the reader is slammed with numerous references to Norse mythology where we discover this really isn’t a book about witches. There are even characters from the Blue Bloods series that pop in for no reason whatsoever which detracts from the narrative (what there is of narrative). This is nothing more than another Blue Bloods novel with more explicit sex scenes in it. Definitely a novel to skip and no need to continue reading the series....more
Barbara Covett is a single and rather lonely teacher at St. George’s school. When Sheba Hart joins that staff as the new pottery teacher, Barbara takeBarbara Covett is a single and rather lonely teacher at St. George’s school. When Sheba Hart joins that staff as the new pottery teacher, Barbara takes notice of her and anxiously waits for Sheba to notice and become friends with her. As their friendship develops, unbeknownst to Barbara, Sheba also began a relationship with one of her students, Steven Connolly. When the affair is discovered and Sheba’s life is turned upside down, Barbara is there to take care of Sheba and chronicle her secrets.
Written as a personal chronicle of scandalous events, Heller presents facts from the narrator, Barbara’s, point of view. The reader is painted a picture of the steadfast Barbara and often spacey and selfish Sheba. Some of Barbara’s past is revealed, but ultimately she makes herself out to be some kind of heroine of the narrative. What makes this such a fascinating read is that Heller leaves the audience hang as to the outcome of events. It is a novel that makes one look deeper into the circumstances and makes one think deeply about events and the various relationships in the story. A definite interesting read that will make you think....more
From the start we are given an elegant view into the lives of women during seventeenth-century China. Peony is from a noble family and is kept hidden From the start we are given an elegant view into the lives of women during seventeenth-century China. Peony is from a noble family and is kept hidden from the world around her. She is educated and very emotional, which worries her mother. Her mother wants her to become a good wife, but all Peony can think of is that she is being handed over to a strange family through marriage. For her sixteenth birthday, Peony's father puts on a production of the opera, The Peony Pavilion, which changes her life forever. We then follow Peony on the journey through her young death, and extensive afterlife and she how she and others change in the afterlife.
The world that Lisa See created was beautiful. Through her writing, we are transported to another time and place. See most definitely did her research and it shows. However, I still found the novel predictable and lagging at times. I also found some of the choices that Peony made to be strange, but I admit that may be a cultural difference. Overall, this is a good novel that was well written. ...more
A captivating mystery that begins in the present and continues on in the past. There are two storylines that go on throughout the book and the future A captivating mystery that begins in the present and continues on in the past. There are two storylines that go on throughout the book and the future does impact the past. For the most part, I found this to be a captivating read. Once you start reading, you don't want to stop. My one complaint is that it was difficult to figure out there were two different storylines going on. Once you get the pace of the novel, it becomes interesting. The characters were great and well developed. I would definitely read this again....more
This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. The only reason I finished it was because it was a book club pick. The whole book is filled wiThis has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. The only reason I finished it was because it was a book club pick. The whole book is filled with anti-Semitic slurs. I couldn't care less about any of the characters. It was difficult to find a redeeming quality to anyone. Also, certain facts are never discovered (what was Seigl's disease and who tattooed the girl and why???) I really wonder if the person who wrote the blurb on the book cover read the same book that I did. It was nothing like the book at all. Unfortunately, this was my first Oates book and to be honest, it may be my last. I would most definitely pass this book up....more
I really enjoyed reading this book. I knew that this was popular with the young adults from my time at Borders, and now I know why. The romance betweeI really enjoyed reading this book. I knew that this was popular with the young adults from my time at Borders, and now I know why. The romance between Edward and Bella is just very well written. Meyer did a wonderful job creating her characters and making the audience really care what happens to them. As for a vampire story, it was very interesting her version of the vampire lore. The notion that it is venom that causes vampires to be made instead of just a bite is very interesting. Actually, I found most of her "rules" to be interesting. I am excited to read the next installments to see what is in store for these characters....more
This was my first time reading anything by Patterson. I have to admit that I'm hooked. It was a fairly decent story. There were things that made me grThis was my first time reading anything by Patterson. I have to admit that I'm hooked. It was a fairly decent story. There were things that made me groan and I did figure things out. However, there were a few surprises thrown in there. It was somewhat difficult for me to get over comparing his novel to how things really work in the criminal justice system. That is just something I always have problems with though. I really don't think that a cop would ever make friends with a reporter like that. When I worked for the P.D. I was sick to death of the press. I do like the idea and it makes great fiction. I thought the story was really interesting and I was captivated the whole time. The ending was a bit predictable, but on the whole not bad. All in all, not a bad read. I will definitely continue on with the series....more
I enjoyed this book, as much as you can enjoy a book written about the rape and murder of a 14 year old girl. The subject matter is not light, but it I enjoyed this book, as much as you can enjoy a book written about the rape and murder of a 14 year old girl. The subject matter is not light, but it was a really good read. I had to keep listening until it was done. I was so intrigued as to what would happen. The characters were written well and I really felt for them (or had strong opinions about them). I hope the movie adaptation will be as good as the book. ...more
The book had a good premise, but I feel that it fell short. The beginning was good and it I was really into the story. Then somewhere through the agesThe book had a good premise, but I feel that it fell short. The beginning was good and it I was really into the story. Then somewhere through the ages I got a little bored with it. After awhile it seemed to take forever to finish it. It ended with the 9/11 attacks, which I felt were handled very well. I am curious as to what the original ending was though. ...more
I will admit it took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did I found it very interesting. I liked the voice it was written in. Its not somethinI will admit it took me a bit to get into this book, but once I did I found it very interesting. I liked the voice it was written in. Its not something for everyone, but I did enjoy it....more
After hearing so many good things about this book, I had to check it out for myself. I guess I am still feeling a little divided as to how I really feAfter hearing so many good things about this book, I had to check it out for myself. I guess I am still feeling a little divided as to how I really felt about his book. I mean, I found it enjoyable; however, I feel it was hyped up a bit too much. The story is basically Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen modernized. Yes, there were parts of the book that made me laugh out loud, but all in all I think it was just okay....more
The subject matter of this book is not to be taken lightly. It is not a light hearted book. To be honest, there wasn't much to it. It was formatted asThe subject matter of this book is not to be taken lightly. It is not a light hearted book. To be honest, there wasn't much to it. It was formatted as if it were a journal of experiences. I finished this book in about 2 hours total. It was interesting and sad, but nothing out of the ordinary. The book seems to have been given great reviews and all 15 reviews on Amazon.com were very positive. I think it was good, but perhaps a bit overrated....more
This is actually the second time I've read this book. For a first novel, it is outstanding. I was completely engrossed in the story. I really love hisThis is actually the second time I've read this book. For a first novel, it is outstanding. I was completely engrossed in the story. I really love history and the whole Dracula lore. I thought it was a great mix of both. It added a lot of suspense that made me read it with the lights on. I think I read it in about four days, I just couldn't put it down. I will say this though, if you are not really into history or researching, I would skip it. If you are wanting to read it just because it has to do with Dracula, I would pick a much smaller book. However, I just love history and research (duh, I work in a library) so it was right up my alley. Actually, I'm doing a little research on it myself. I did read some of the comments on Amazon.com and wasn't exactly surprised by the comments. It was either a "love it" or "hate it" book. That is why I throw my caution out there. Basically, people who didn't enjoy it were out for a Dracula story and thought the history was "a drag". I'm really into history so I thought it was pretty damn good. I will say I did discover a few historical inaccuracies, but I think I'll let them fly for now. ;) All in all, a good read, especially for a rainy day....more
I had not read anything by Capote before I read this book for my book club. I have to say, I really enjoyed his style. It made me want to read just abI had not read anything by Capote before I read this book for my book club. I have to say, I really enjoyed his style. It made me want to read just about everything that he has ever written. The stories were quite delightful. I have naturally seen the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's many times before. Personally, I like the story much more. I still like the classic movie; however, there was more to the story that wasn't socially "acceptable" at the time so it was cut out. I think Capote created a very interesting character with Holly Golightly. I think everyone should read this book at some point in their life. ...more
This was a fun and quick read. It can be a bit confusing as the author skips around from ruler/mistress throughout different times. Some people may fiThis was a fun and quick read. It can be a bit confusing as the author skips around from ruler/mistress throughout different times. Some people may find it a little easier to follow if they take notes on who is who. The information was really interesting and entertaining. The only real negative aspect of the book for me was the way it was organized. Otherwise, I found it to be quite delightful and worth buying from the store....more
The novel was an interesting idea. Take a real event/person from history and make a novel about them. However, if you have read The Diary of Anne FranThe novel was an interesting idea. Take a real event/person from history and make a novel about them. However, if you have read The Diary of Anne Frank you may not exactly like how this book pans out. The story basically focuses on Peter after the events that transpired in Diary and into his later adulthood. It is a big "what if". Personally, I would just read Diary and skip this novel altogether. ...more
I had the audio book version of the book and it was outstanding. They did a great job with it and made it very entertaining. I think it is very relevaI had the audio book version of the book and it was outstanding. They did a great job with it and made it very entertaining. I think it is very relevant to read for anyone who has been in an office setting. I definitely could relate to much of what went on. I think it is an interesting take on how mega corporations are turning their employees into nothing but cogs in a wheel....more
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