Very cute, fun, fast read with very likable characters. Although a little predictable, sometimes it's nice to read a book that's just wholesome, light...moreVery cute, fun, fast read with very likable characters. Although a little predictable, sometimes it's nice to read a book that's just wholesome, light and feel-good.(less)
Beautifully written, but too slow and wordy for me. I wanted it to be over well before it actually was. I know you lovers of literature will think I'm...moreBeautifully written, but too slow and wordy for me. I wanted it to be over well before it actually was. I know you lovers of literature will think I'm crazy, but the writing felt a little pretentious to me - does that make any sense? All the contemporary and literary references just didn't work for me.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the imagery, but I need more of a plot than this. Plus, it didn't help that I had such a difficult time with the character Charity.
Stegner's insight is superb, and there was much depth about our relationships to learn from, but I had a hard time wading through the slowness and dislike of certain characters to really love that part.(less)
Really enjoyed this book. The plot was great, and the writing was great too, although quite verbose. There were several times I just wanted to get on...moreReally enjoyed this book. The plot was great, and the writing was great too, although quite verbose. There were several times I just wanted to get on with it. But, I loved it, and would probably read it again sometime.(less)
I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this book. It is a more thorough account of the Edwardian Era and WWI, (at least from the eyes of Britain's...moreI really enjoyed the historical aspect of this book. It is a more thorough account of the Edwardian Era and WWI, (at least from the eyes of Britain's very rich,) than I have ever read. And it is fun to see that there truly is a real-life inspiration for Downton Abbey. There are a lot of parallels to the series, such as: the actual estate becoming a place to take care of soldiers during war, some of the personal lives of the servants, and even Almina's bout with Spanish Influenza that resembles Lady Grantham's same illness.
Though at times, it felt somewhat jumbled, due to some name-dropping, and attempts to foreshadow. The foreshadowing only sort of works, and mostly ends up just muddling up the event at hand with the random interjection of a future event or person of whom we have yet to learn. I also found it to be a bit slow at times, but I think that might be because I have a lot on my mind lately, so I've been wandering a bit. It's probably not the fault of the book. But who knows? :)
A good read if you're interested in WWI history at all. (less)
I really thought this book was great. I loved how the author kept us guessing with the way she wrote little pieces of each story line at a time. I tho...moreI really thought this book was great. I loved how the author kept us guessing with the way she wrote little pieces of each story line at a time. I thought the characters were so interesting - I can honestly say I HATED Adeline, though. A very enjoyable read. (less)
Such a cute book. I especially appreciate the author's efforts to come up with such an original twist on Cinderella. I mean, Cinder's a cyborg! That's...moreSuch a cute book. I especially appreciate the author's efforts to come up with such an original twist on Cinderella. I mean, Cinder's a cyborg! That's awesome! This book is the best of both worlds for me: Fairy Tales and Sci Fi - it wasn't too surprising for me to really enjoy it. I can't wait to see where the whole series is going. I wish the ending wasn't such a cliff-hanger though. I hate waiting so long 'til the next book! (less)
This book was so fascinating! My husband and I listened to it together, and both of us have referred to it often in the last couple of months. GOod re...moreThis book was so fascinating! My husband and I listened to it together, and both of us have referred to it often in the last couple of months. GOod research, interesting case studies, and Gladwell really makes a clear argument for his Outliers theory. I view a lot of successful people, differently now, honestly. I even have better ideas for the opportunities I want to give my children. It really is a great read.(less)
Though beautifully written, I guess I had too high expectations for it. Tons of people gave it 5 stars, so I was expecting it to be fantastic, but I w...moreThough beautifully written, I guess I had too high expectations for it. Tons of people gave it 5 stars, so I was expecting it to be fantastic, but I was disappointed. It wasn't a book with a plot, if you understand what I mean. It was a wonderful story about a relationship of the father and son - but not much more than that. I realize it was the author's intent to juxtapose this beautiful, loving, sacrificial relationship in this harsh, brutal and unforgiving environment, but I just wish it was more plot driven. Not my favorite type of book.(less)
I loved this book. The writing was just plain great, and the characters were so endearing. I also really enjoyed learning about an aspect in history t...moreI loved this book. The writing was just plain great, and the characters were so endearing. I also really enjoyed learning about an aspect in history that I never really knew anything about - the repercussions of the Bolshevik revolution on the Russian aristocracy. Since it's fiction, I don't know how much of it is exactly true, but I figure that the premise seems to be based on some legitimate circumstances. Well, and even if it wasn't, I felt it was fascinating nonetheless... :)(less)
I read this with my 7-yr old. I picked it because it was an award winner for near his age group, it was relatively short, and it's about dragons! He l...moreI read this with my 7-yr old. I picked it because it was an award winner for near his age group, it was relatively short, and it's about dragons! He loved it, of course. But it was pretty lack-luster for me. I thought the writing was only so-so, and one of the main characters, Emmy, was so incredibly annoying - you just don't care about her well-being at all. But good for the kids, I'd say.(less)
If I could give this 3.5 stars, I would. I really did like the clever modern twists for this Beauty and the Beast re-telling. And I really like how it...moreIf I could give this 3.5 stars, I would. I really did like the clever modern twists for this Beauty and the Beast re-telling. And I really like how it was kind of juxtaposed with Jane Eyre. Overall, I thought it was a fun read - but I read it because it was just fluff. And because I'm a sucker for fairy tales...(less)
I'd like to give this 3.5 stars. It was actually quite good. The puzzles weren't exactly my thing, (and probably mostly over the head of my 7-yr-old),...moreI'd like to give this 3.5 stars. It was actually quite good. The puzzles weren't exactly my thing, (and probably mostly over the head of my 7-yr-old), but the story was really good, and it was nicely written. My son loved it; he was on the edge of his seat through the whole thing! It was fun! (less)
I originally picked up this book for my husband to read - yes, I do this because he doesn't have time to go to the library very often. I thought I'd r...moreI originally picked up this book for my husband to read - yes, I do this because he doesn't have time to go to the library very often. I thought I'd read it too, just because I could. I liked it. It was a simple, coming of age kind of story. The writing isn't overly impressive or anything, but the author's first-hand insights into the world of football were pretty interesting. I read the bio on the author, Tim Green, and I am very impressed - he's a bit of a renaissance man. (less)
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