When 3 men stumble upon a downed plane in the middle of a field, their lives are changed forever. Their fates decided and forever intertwined. For insWhen 3 men stumble upon a downed plane in the middle of a field, their lives are changed forever. Their fates decided and forever intertwined. For inside that plane lies a dead pilot and a duffle bag full of money. How much money? Approximately $4.5 million total.
What would you do? Turn it in? Call the police? Keep it?
Hank, his brother Jacob and his brother’s best friend Lou are faced with this dilemna. After counting the money on the side of the road and discussing it they formulate a plan- a simple one. Hank, the “reasonable accountant” will hold on to the money for 6 months. If nothing comes of the downed plane, or missing $4.5 million, they’ll split the money amongst themselves and go their separate ways.
But things are never that simple, are they?
After agreeing to not tell their significant others, Hank immediately tells his wife Sarah. Lou tells his as well. Jacob, the loner, has no one to share the secret with. Lou is a heavy drinker, has a bit of a gambling problem and a big mouth to boot. He mentions to another buddy that he’s coming into some money. The fear of being caught and the paranoia that follows lead to a whole new chain of events that none of them foresaw.
The saying is typically said incorrectly that money is the root of all evil. It’s the greed of money that is the root of evil. The desire to keep this money, the future it held for them all leads this group down a very dangerous and evil path. They make decisions before thinking through their options. They are ruthless and stop at nothing to protect their stake in the money.
It’s easy for me to sit in my relatively comfortable life to think that I could do the right thing. That I would see that bag full of money and call in to report it. But seeing all that money would probably trigger some deeply rooted longing in me. A longing stemmed from a childhood of growing up without all the new and flashy things my friends had. But the reality is we really don’t know what we would do if faced with this kind of money or what decisions we would make thereafter. This was a pantless buddy read with some great friends that had us all in heated(friendly heated, of course!) discussion. Exactly the type of book that makes reading with a group so much fun!
It’s trivia night at the local elementary. There’s a lot of alcohol and the food truck has been delayed. The night ends in murder. But who is murderedIt’s trivia night at the local elementary. There’s a lot of alcohol and the food truck has been delayed. The night ends in murder. But who is murdered? Who committed the murder? Good luck figuring it out.
The story is told in reverse- meaning that you’re told of a murder and then the story backtracks to a few months before until it catches up with the murder. You get interviews with the police of varying parents. And then you get the perspective of our three main characters: Madeline, Celeste and Jane.
Celeste is a beauty who makes everyone stop and stare whenever she approaches. Add to that a deliciously sexy husband who is so rich it’s almost unfathomable. She has twin boys that are wild but sweet. She lives the perfect life in this rich Austrailan beach town. Or so one would think. But Celeste is hiding a dark secret, one she isn’t proud of.
Madeline is an absolute riot. She’s loud and obnoxious. She speaks her mind with a carelessness I can’t help but envy. Her “I don’t give a shit” attitude is what made me love her. Nothing anyone did or said ever phased her or slowed her down. She’s a fierce and loyal friend. A mother of two, her ex-husband and his new wife move to the area. This is probably the one thing that gets under her skin throughout the whole book- her ex and his new found love of the family life.
Then there is Jane. Jane is a young single mom who moves into the area for a fresh start. Her son, Ziggy, is a sweet young boy. Or so she thinks. But on the morning of orientation at his new school, he is accused of trying to choke a little girl. He swears it wasn’t him and of course, Jane believes him. But why would this little girl lie? Soon the parents are divided on sides and it spirals on from there as someone keeps hurting this little girl at school. Jane has her own dark secrets and reasons for wondering whether Ziggy is telling the truth or not. But Ziggy is such a kind boy….isn’t he?
I was surprised with this book. It isn’t a book I would normally pick up. I don’t normally fall into Chick Lit too often, but had heard good things from people I trust. It also was apart of a BOGO sale on Audible and I said what the hell. An excellent choice on my part, if I do say so myself. I found it suspensful and very intriuging. I liked how real all of their scenarios felt. We each know what happens in our own little worlds behind closed doors. We all have our own little secrets to keep. It was a very good listen on audible. I will most likely check out a few more of this author’s books. ...more
I may be wrong, but I feel like Pet Semetary is one of King’s more underrated books. When people talk about the “best” King books all you hear is- theI may be wrong, but I feel like Pet Semetary is one of King’s more underrated books. When people talk about the “best” King books all you hear is- the Stand, Salem’s Lot, the Shining, It. Now don’t get me wrong, those are all worth reading and all wonderful in their own way, but man… there is something too real about Pet Semetary. A book that makes you question all that you thought you knew is a rare find. Pet Semetary makes you question yourself and how you would react.
When Louis Creed moves his family to the country, he thinks it’ll be the best thing for them. A nice quiet old farmhouse and friendly neighbors to boot. Sure the truckers drive a little too fast up their road, but it’s a small price to pay to have such a lovely lot of land to share with his family. The Crandells come over to introduce themselves and Louis can’t help but feel love for Jud. He’s the father Louis always wanted.
Louis’ wife takes the kids to visit her family and while they’re gone, the family cat, Church, is struck and killed by a car. Maybe even a truck, who can be sure? Louis’ daughter, Ellie calls frantic with panic she can’t explain. She’s had a dream you see, and in that dream Church was dead. Tell me he’s not dead, Daddy. No, dearheart, Church is fine, say thankya. Louis doesn’t wantto upset his daughter while she’s away. He’ll wait and explain things to her when she gets home.
But according to Jud, he may not have to. There’s an old indian burial ground up behind the house. The kids like to take their pets up there to the Pet Semetary. Just follow me, and I’ll show you the way, Louis. Just follow me, and mayhap you won’t need to tell Ellie anything at all.When Ellie returns home, she finds Church home and safe. A little smelly, sure, but he’s alive.
One day while flying a kite, Gage, their 2 year old son, goes running after the kite. 2 year olds fall, everytime they run. (trust me, I have one.). But Gage doesn’t fall this time and what waits for him is a fate so dark, I hate to think of it.
So ask yourself this- in the midst of your grief, what wouldn’t you do to have your child back. The child that was so sweet and innoncent. If given the chance, would you take him up to that old burial ground and see if you could get him back?
I read this back when I was 14 or 15 working a summer job at the beach. I spent my break with my nose stuck between its pages loving every word of it. Going back to it now as an adult, an adult with a 2 year old nonetheless, resulted in a much different reading experience. Even the thought of losing my son is enough to reduce me to tears. I used to think to myself that there’s no way in hell I would try something like that, but I am not even half as sure about that as I was. Now, I think there is nothing I wouldn’t do to get him back to me. No matter the cost.
I think this book contains some of King’s most profound insights into human nature. It plays so deeply on our emotions that I can’t really question any of what happens in it. It made a lot more sense to me now than it did the first time around. And for that it scared the everliving fuck out of me, say thankya.
I strongly recommend snagging a copy of this on audio. It's narrated by Michael C. Hall- aka Dexter Morgan. UGH! I would listen to that man read a grocery list. ...more
Gone Girl left a really nasty taste in my mouth when I finsihed it. So much so, that I refused to read any book by Gillian Flynn for a long, long timeGone Girl left a really nasty taste in my mouth when I finsihed it. So much so, that I refused to read any book by Gillian Flynn for a long, long time. After hearing from just about everyone that her other two books- Sharp Objects and Dark Places- were much better I decided that maybe I could give her another chance. But still I waited. Then I heard that they were making a show on HBO of Sharp Objects and I thought to myself- Hmmm, maybe that might be worth it. But still I waited. But then I heard Amy Adams was cast as the main character and I was officially ready. I am glad I gave this author another shot because i loved this book.
Camille Preaker is a journalist in Chicago. She’s also a functioning alcoholic. Camille has had a rough life and her body shows it. Camille is a cutter. She carves words into her body. So many words they literally cover the entirity of her body. Except for her face/neck area and one small patch on her back. One spot of smooth, bare skin.
When Camille is assigned a job in the small country town of Wind Gap, she is not happy about it. You see, this is where she grew up. And while most of us have a sense of nostoligic love for our quiet little hometown, it brings nothing but pain for Camille. Her sister died when she was only a kid. She has a very difficult relationship with her mother. She has a half-sister she barely knows. And she has memories of when the cutting first started. This isnt a place she wants to go.
Wind Gap is a quiet town in Missouri. When one young girl is murdered and left with no teeth in her mouth people are shocked. When yet another young girl goes missing, the town is officially panicked. And Camille is being sent to report on the stories. Her boss thinks that her being from there will help her chances of getting a story. What he doesn’t understand is that there are some really dark demons hiding in Wind Gap. Demons Camille doesn’t want woken up; ones she has tried to drink away.
This story! Ugh! I can’t even.
There were times that I was reminded of growing up in a small town. One so small that our averge graduating class is around 25-30 students. One so small that your parents find out about what you’re planning to do before you even planned to do it. I was reminded of my youth. When I was young, attractive and way too sexualized for my age. When I could just give someone a look and get something I wanted. That’s how Camille’s younger sister is. Young, beautiful and aware that she can use her beauty to keep people wrapped around her finger. Drinking and partying and tempting fate at every turn. It made me feel those thinsg all over again, and also brought a level of disgust and shame to me aboutthe person I once was.
I really enjoyed this story, but I did have a pretty good idea of who had committed the crimes. I was able to decipher that fairly early on. I didn’t have the logistics of it or the why though. And honestly, even knowing, I loved it. What I did not appreciate is the same thing I complained about in the Weight of Blood- the ending got wrapped up way too abruptly. Slow burn the whole time, rich and atmospheric, and then BAM ending. Clean and tidy wrapping with a bow on top. For such a great buildup, the ending could have been drawn out a litle better. Overall I found the characters to be both compelling and believable. I will definitely be checking out Dark Places in the near future too!
Side note- the show was fantastic as well. Amy Adams nails the part. ...more
While things get harder and harder for our Tribulation Saints, the story gets darker and darker. Each trial and tribulation is proving to test our groWhile things get harder and harder for our Tribulation Saints, the story gets darker and darker. Each trial and tribulation is proving to test our group members in different ways forcing them to search for a strength they don’t know if they have. If you plan on picking this series up, I would stop reading this review because there are potential spoilers ahead.
In our last installment Rayford was having an internal struggle with himself. Dealing with grief and anger he decided the only way to appease these feelings was to murder the Antichrist. Leaving both Leah and Buck stranded in different parts of the world, he goes rogue and purchases a gun on the black market. Not just any gun, but one that is guaranteed to have devastating effects on its target. This gun, coincidentally, is the same on the Antichrist used to murder the two witnesses in Jerusalem.
Rayford, having made up his mind, attends the Gala with the intent to kill Carpathia. Only the gun won’t fire when he has an open shot. Then he gets bumped by someone- was that Hattie? Couldn’t be! She’s been captured by the GC and is being held against her will! The gun goes off. Chaos ensues. There is madness everywhere as people flee the area. Assassins left off with us not knowing who actually killed Carpathia. As there were a few different people with ample opportunity to pull the proverbial trigger, it’s the ultimate cliffhanger and whodunit.
Unfortunately, the Indwelling does not come right out and give away all the secrets. The first few chapters go over the details of what may or may not have happened. Then as the story unfolds, it is finally revealed somewhere in the middle of the book. But the GC is still spinning its own web of lies and laying the murder at the feet of Rayford Steele. After all, there is video evidence of him aiming a weapon at Carpathia.
As everyone else is out on secret missions, Chloe and Tsion are tasked with holding down the fort. The two of them are caring for Chloe and Buck’s son, Kenny. Trying to make sense of all that is being played out on national television about the murder of Carpathia and Rayford being the accused, Chloe comes to a very difficult decision. She informs Tsion of her intentions and asks him to carry out her plan in the event that she is unable to. So distraught at the mere thought of her son being taken into GC custody, she intends to kill her son and then herself if their safe house is discovered.
The GC community is planning for the grandest of all funerals. The Tribulation Force is once again scattered everywhere. There is an extreme amount of pressure and stress on all of them for their own reasons. On top of that they are concerned for their brothers and sisters who are spread so wide. The time is coming where the believers are going to be forced into hiding because they will require a mark to make purchases in the GC. Those that are hiding their identities as believers are coming to terms that their lives are soon to be turned upside down.
We have some major revelatory moments in this one. An out-of-this world experience for one of our believers. An almost-rebirth of another. A fresh start for two. And a brand spanking new believer. But amidst all of this, we lose yet another valued member.
These books continue to captivate me. Right time, right place kind of thing? Who knows? All I know is that I am enjoying the ever-loving shit out of them. I had to take a brief hiatus while I read another book with some pantsless people but I can’t wait to get back into it. As I have already said before, I am excited to see where the series goes. ...more
With Origin, Dan Brown went back to his roots and it is a beautiful thing. His last two in the Robert Langdon series were mediocre at best. They left With Origin, Dan Brown went back to his roots and it is a beautiful thing. His last two in the Robert Langdon series were mediocre at best. They left most of his readers with a bitter taste in their mouths knowing he could do better. Now, I know I do not speak on behalf of all fans of the series, but I am merely speaking from my own encounters.
Robert Langdon has been asked to attend an event at the bequest of billionaire scientist Edmond Kirsch. Kirsch is a former student of Langdon’s who as gone on to do truly remarkable things. He is a futurist and an atheist. He claims to have found the origin of life. This is a pretty bold proclamation. And one that will have some pretty big repercussions.
Where do we come from? Where are we going?
This is the recurring theme throughout this book. It is during the presentation that a shot rings out ending the life of the brilliant scientist. The promised discovery of life’s true meaning is left unsaid. As chaos ensues, Langdon of course makes his way out.
And on we go. You guys know the deal. Langdon and a beautiful woman. This time her name is Ambra. She is the fiancé of Spain’s royal family and a good friend of Edmond Kirsch. She also was the curator for the museum in which the event took place and was the sole organizer for this event. They go on a wild goose chase to find Edmond’s discovery so that they can share his legacy with the world.
There’s bad guys with guns. There’s a shootout or two. There’s an international story being broadcast on every television screen pointing fingers at Robert Langdon. There’s science talk. There’s the good old debate of science vs religion. And there is a damn fine and satisfying ending, I must say.
I did figure it out. I kind of said it in my head jokingly and then was right which kind of sucked. But shit happens. And it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book at all. And while I was right about the who I was wrong about the how. It was nice to see Dan Brown get back to writing books that are satisfying. They are fun and exciting even if the details aren’t 100% accurate. ...more
I’ve been in a mood to re-read lately. Alright, time for honesty. I love re-reads. Go ahead, judge me. There’s just something comforting about slippinI’ve been in a mood to re-read lately. Alright, time for honesty. I love re-reads. Go ahead, judge me. There’s just something comforting about slipping back between the pages of a good book that I’ve already read. And I find that re-reads allow me a different perspective on the same piece of work. Sometimes this is for the good, and sometimes it’s for the worse. One of my favorite ways to re-read is via audiobooks. Since I have been flying through audiobooks this year, I thought what the hell? Let’s squeeze in some re-reads!!
Under the Dome. The show was a complete fucking disaster. Don’t even get me started. No, don’t. The only good thing about the show was the casting of Mike Vogel as Dale Barbara. That’s all I will say about the pitiful excuse of the show.
Moving on.
The book opens with Dale Barbara, known as Barbie, trying to hitchhike his way out of town. A cute blonde in a pickup truck taps her breaks but changes her minds and keeps on cruising. Who knows what would have happened had she stopped and whisked him away. Alas, that’s a discussion for another day. She continues on her path, he on his. You see, Barbie had been in a 3-on-1 altercation at a local bar. The three that took him on are the hometown favorites. He, being the outsider, is immediately in the wrong. He thinks the best thing he can do is get out of dodge before things get ugly.
But his plans are ruined when the Dome drops. There’s a helicopter crash. There’s broken noses. Vehicle accidents. An exploding pacemaker. People have no idea what the fuck is even happening. There’s an invisible barrier preventing them from going forward, almost like a force field.
No one, and I mean no one, does the breakdown of society any better than Stephen King. He is the King. He understands how the human mind works, but also, how the masses and their communal thought work. It’s amazing. If you need a better example than this book, read the first few chapters of the Stand. *shudders*
What we have is one Big Fish in a very small pond. James “Big Jim” Rennie. Big Jim owns a car dealership. He’s a local and that matters. What matters more is that he was heading a meth production company that no one, other than the few on his payroll, knew anything about. And what’s worse? The town is now trapped under a cotton-picking dome, people! If there is one thing I hate more about Big Jim than his oversized ego, it’s his annoying habit of using stupid little phrases like cotton-picking. Big Jim is a man of God, you see. And he won’t have any of that type of language around him. For fuck’s sake, get a grip. You’re running a meth lab!!!!
Big Jim has a son, Junior. Junior was a football star for the home team. He’s a young, good-looking kid with a big future. There’s only one problem…he’s a fucking lunatic. Crazy. Loco. OUT of his goddamn mind. Like, fucking corpses kind of crazy. How’s that do ya? And the show!!!! Made. Him. A fucking. Dreamboat. Broken soul. Type. GAHHHHHHHHHHHH
*takes deep breath*
Anyway. What we have here is the perfect storm. We’ve got our good guys trying to figure this out. We have the bad guys trying to maintain control while keeping their secrets buried. And what secrets come seeping out they try to pin on the good guys. There’s so much tension and built up suspense. It’s a great read.
I have my gripes with it. I have my gripes with a lot of books. But overall, I like the book a lot. I’m glad I did re-read it though. The audio wasn’t the best, but it was far from the worst. If you’re looking for a good end-of-days type of book that has a nice slow burn that develops into a raging fire, then this is your book. King does a marvelous job of capturing the charm of living in a small town. ...more
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