75 Books...More or Less! discussion
Archive (2018 GR Challenge)
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Juli's 2018 Musings
Mod
The Time Machine3/5 stars
This gets 5 theoretical stars based on historical relevance and the fact that this story shaped any sci-fi tale since its publication.
In reality, this story gets 3 stars from me because to me it was just ok. There were really interesting parts and some that were just plain boring. I wanted to love it but I ended up just feeling meh.
Mod
The Time Machine3/5 stars
This gets 5 theoretical stars based on historical relevance and the fact that this story shaped any sci-fi tale since its publication.
In reality, this story gets 3 stars from me because to me it was just ok. There were really interesting parts and some that were just plain boring. I wanted to love it but I ended up just feeling meh.
Mod
The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee4/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This book is, plainly speaking, a hoot. The Wimple family is made up of lovable characters. They adore each other and are thick as thieves. India enters the national spelling bee at the urging of her brother. The story is predictable. India does well at the bee, adventures are to be had, obstacles are to be overcome, and the family loves each other more than before. That is not what makes the book special.
What makes it special is the author's knack to introduce big words, difficult words, unusual words, and complicated words into her story all under the guise of the spelling bee but really to make learning new words fun. And herein lies that value of this book!
I think this book is a great example why reading matters! We need more of those! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to broaden their horizon and learn many more interesting words. This book is well suited for kids up to early middle grade. I'd say older than that and the story itself won't be compelling enough anymore. I also think this book is fun for any parent to read to their child. I learned new words! I will definitely add this book to my niece's bookshelf.
Mod
Misery5/5 stars
Gah, this book is good! I listened to it as an audiobook while knitting and I got so caught up, I could not stop. Indeed, I got quite a bit of knitting done over the weekend. Audiobooks are generally not my thing, but Lindsey Crouse did a fantastic job. I will definitely add this book to my actual library at home.
Mod
Misery5/5 stars
Gah, this book is good! I listened to it as an audiobook while knitting and I got so caught up, I could not stop. Indeed, I got qui..."
So good!
Mod
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane6/5 stars (yes, this has been added to my all-time favorites)
I'm not crying. You're crying. This has now been officially added to my all-time favorites! I lost a bunny rabbit stuffed toy as a child and I like to imagine that this was his journey.
Mod
The Girl Who Drank the Moon5/5 stars
Lovely. Dark. Magical. And much more adult than expected. At times it reminded me of Stardust by Neil Gaiman and at others of Momo by Michael Ende. The language is intricate. The story is mysterious. What a wonderful book!
Mod
Sour Candy4/5 stars
The story was imaginative and believable. The writing was good. But it just lacked something, the something that made it really special. The cover, however, is absolutely magnificent!
Mod
The Orphan Band of Springdale5/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what a complex book. This book is so much more than a middle-grade book. The story takes us to Maine (and to be honest pretty much the reason why I wanted to review this book in the first place, I am only slightly obsessed with everything Maine). Springdale is a small, non-coastal, working-class town. We find ourselves on the eve of US's involvement in WWII - the townspeople worry about unregistered aliens, being drafted, and the first signs of communist ideas such as union uprisings. Gusta's papa is a fugitive with union ideas and a German background. Gusta's mama is holding down the fort in New York City. Gusta was sent to live in Springdale with her grandma who runs an orphanage. There she searches for a special coin that her sea captain great-grandfather hid.
During the story, we follow Gusta as she gets used to living away from her mom and dad, tries to fit in with her new peers in her new school, and constantly searches for that wish-granting coin all the while she is growing up and learning that adults aren't always rational, that they aren't always fair, and that they aren't always good!
I loved this book. While reading, I tried to remember if I ever had read such a deep middle-grade novel when I was the target age and I couldn't come up with an example. And even if I had, I probably would've had to admit that it went over my head a bit. I am glad that authors now challenge kids of all ages to think and muddle their way through complex storylines and plots. I also think that this book will reach older audiences that other middle-grade books probably wouldn't. All in all, this is a great novel and well worth your time.
Mod
Fury Of The Orcas3.5/5 stars.
This story was odd, in a good way. I loved how relevant it was - should we really keep orcas in captivity? Sadly, the story was also convoluted with sex, sexy talk, and stranger inner dialogue about the protagonist's budding relationship. Generally, those things aren't bad and make a character more complex, but in this case, they often felt wrongly timed and superfluous.
The imagery and descriptions of the orca attacks and the feelings of the human bystanders, however, were creepy and well done. I will for sure seek out this author again and see what his other books are about.
Mod
The Three-Body Problem4/5 stars
This book is important. What would you do if you knew Earth would be invaded by an alien species in the future, a future far enough away to not affect you or your children or their children but many generations after that? How would you feel? This concept is really scary to me. Thinking about that frightens me at times and the author accomplished that on several occasions.
For the most part, I enjoyed reading this novel. There were moments where I was bored - I'm not sure if that is because the writing style is so different or if the plotline was just slow. I loved all the analogies and flowy language to discuss hard science. The contrast works great and gives emphasis on the human experience even during scientific advancements.
I will read the next two books in this trilogy. This book is really only the set up for the story. Most of the action happens in the last 20% of the book.
Mod
Shadowsong5/5 stars
This. Book. Is. Everything.
I'm not sure I can actually describe why I loved the sequel so much. It's dark and magical. It's twisted and odd. It's history. It's home.
Der Erlkönig is one of my favorite poems. Like in the first book, I found myself in the story. I couldn't get enough. I couldn't stop turning the pages.
Many other folktales found their way into this sequel and each one touched my heart. It felt real. Liesl is amazingly complex and a well thought out character. So are Josef and the Goblin King. Reading the authors foreword gave the book more depth and her choice to have Liesl and Josef portray different stages of Bipolar Disorder are nothing short of genius.
I can only recommend this book. I urge you to read it.
Mod
The Flight of the Silvers3.5/5 stars
The plot was super engaging. The protagonists were interesting. I definitely enjoyed this book and will read the next one in the series. There were just certain things that irked me and I couldn't let go of them.
Mod
Will Grayson, Will Grayson3/5 stars
I enjoyed reading a book written by two authors. Sadly, I found most of the characters not very believable. The story itself was endearing.
Mod
Six of Crows5/5 stars
Gosh, I don't even know where to start. I guess by saying I LOVED THIS book. I was sucked into the story from the opening sentence of Joost's lack of mustache. The characters were well thought out. The story was so damn solid. And the world building was incredible. Someone asked me who my favorite character was and I couldn't even pick one. We have strong female and male leads, each one special in their own way and very relatable. I definitely need to get my hands on the second book ASAP.
Mod
Milk and Honey6/5 stars - made it into the all time favorites!
I did not see this work coming. Darn it, it was so special. I was so surprised by the sheer volume of emotions it caused within me. I even teared up a little. I will read these poems over and over again and I am so thankful a good friend of mine gifted me this book!
Mod
The Doll's House5/5 stars
I just adore this series. It's so weird and dark. Just once, I want to be inside Neil Gaiman's head. What is his mind like????? Of course, he had me confused about what is actually going on until about halfway through the novel and then it all seamlessly came together. I really need to read on instead of waiting another year to buy volume 3. What I specifically loved about this book though was the font. Who would've thought that font choice adds so much to a story?! As usual, the illustrations were great.
Mod
The Master and Margarita3.5 or 4/5 stars
This book was funny at times and long-winded at others. I am wavering between 3.5 or 4 stars for it. I loved how it played up all the things that were wrong with the Soviet Union, especially it's rigid bureaucracy in the name of the country. I had a few favorite characters and I wanted to read more about them. I loved the symbolism and the weirdness of the plotline but it was still a fairly slow and strenuous read for me. I think if you loved Catch-22, you would love this book. It's full of sarcasm and dry humor.
Mod
The Key to Every Thing3/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I gotta be honest, I was a bit lost. We sort of get thrown into the story without knowing much about the characters and really not finding out that much more throughout the book. That does seem like real life, it's not like we have this narrative about everyone we meet, but it makes for harder reading. It also makes it difficult to get emotionally invested in the protagonists. I wanted to love Captain Jackie - I mean, come on, she's an agoraphobe who lives with (made-up?) magical creatures like a dolphin-dragon and her best friend is an 11-year-old autophobe (Tash, Tasha, Kid - she has many names). I wanted to love Tash as she is stubborn, wild, and quirky, and has a lot of growing up to do.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the characters. I liked the story. I liked the themes. BUT I just couldn't make myself care. I do think that children may not need the backstories and reasons why characters are the way they are, so I bet they'd love the book - us adults have a much harder time suspending disbelief. So, all in all, to me, this is a fairly solid novel with important themes and I would recommend it to children and think middle-grade libraries should stock this book.
Mod
The Sun and Her Flowers5/5 stars
What a follow-up to Milk and Honey. Rupi Kaur has quickly emerged as one of my favorite poets. She gets it. She gets the struggle. She gets the love. She gets humanity. I will reference her poems time and time again.
Mod
Interview with the Vampire 4/5 stars
I quite loved this despite it being such a slow read for me.
Mod
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer5/5 stars
This has got to be the best non-fiction book I've read. Michelle McNamara's writing is beyond fabulous. I couldn't put the book down. She smartly intersperses facts and stories about the Golden State Killer with her own memoir-type anecdotes and confessions. I was hooked right from the beginning. I wish I could have a conversation with her and pick her brain. And I wish even more that she could've witnessed the arrest of the GSK. 10/10 would read again.
Mod
Late Night Partners3/5 stars
Full review to follow. Really talented writer but wish there would've been fewer descriptions and more plot.
Mod
The Outsider4.5/5 stars
This was so darn good until the very end. Sadly, the big reveal felt rushed and too short, thus a half point deduction to 4.5 stars. Up until that moment though this was some of King's best writing I've read so far. I devoured this book. The story was riveting and utterly scary. King did it again!
Mod
Laurie 5/5 stars
I loved that King wrote about a dog and its power to make a difference in a humans life. I found Lloyd endearing and Laurie fun and sweet.
Mod
'Salem's Lot4/5 stars
This novel has the slowness and deliberateness of Stoker's Dracula but also King's signature creepiness, otherworldly elements found in It for example (which of course came after this one but I read prior), and some heroes but mostly death (or undeath on this case). I love a good vampire story and I specifically love a methodical, old-school Dracula and Barlow here did not disappoint.
Mod
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine5/5 stars
First of all, this was a great book to listen to as an audiobook, and I am glad Reese Witherspoon will star in the movie. The world needs more spotlights on mental illness. Being depressed in this case (but really this applies to any mental illness) doesn't make you crazy, doesn't make you abnormal, and doesn't brand you as a bad/odd/different person. Secondly, this feels like a very personal story. It's a story of strength and redemption, of hope, of finding yourself, of accepting who you are, and of understanding that your past doesn't define you. I believe everyone can relate to that to a certain degree. I enjoyed listening to the book as it almost felt like I was seeing the therapist and I was working through my feelings and thoughts. It made me feel less alone when I struggle through life, no matter how minor my problems. I highly recommend this book to anyone as it will teach you something.
Mod
Laurie 5/5 stars
I loved that King wrote about a dog and its power to make a difference in a humans life. I found Lloyd endearing and Laurie ..."
I loved it too!!
Juli wrote: "Book #55 'Salem's Lot4/5 stars
This novel has the slowness and deliberateness of Stoker's Dracula but also King's signature creepiness, otherworldly e..."
One of my favorites. That grave digging scene can still get my pulse racing and I always want to yell at the guy to hurry up and finish before...! LOL!
Mod
The Great Gatsby2/5 stars
I've known the story for a while. I've watched the movies. I never liked the characters in the movies and was hoping that Fitzgerald's writing would make up for how despicable they all are. Well, it didn't. It was an ok read and I completely understand why it is a classic. But it just wasn't the book for me.
Mod
The Strange Library4/5 stars
Truly strange but oh so fun to read! I picked this book because I love libraries and stories that are weird. This one has both things combined: a very odd library with a very cruel keeper of the books. Although this was a short read, it was rich with words and descriptions. I love Murakami's writing style; it's ethereal in a way and quite light. Coupling that with strange, creepy, and mystical happenings makes for a really good story.
Mod
The Boy on the Bridge3/5 stars
This was an audiobook. Not sure how I feel about this one. Is it a true prequel to The Girl With All The Gifts? Is it a parallel timeline? Some overlap, no overlap, who knows?
I liked the ending. That was probably my favorite part. There was definitely quite some lull in between but then there were also really exciting sections.
Mod
Matchmaking for Beginners4/5 stars
I quite enjoyed this story. There was a lot of plot and it was a bit overwhelming in the beginning but once Marnie started to find herself again I couldn't put the book down. I loved all the non-conventional personality traits of Blix and her tenants. Brooklyn sounds lovely in the story and who wouldn't want to live in a brown stone filled with love and laughter?!
Mod
The Song of the Orphans5/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I quite loved the second book in this series. Similarly, to the first book, it took me a bit to get into the story - I don't know why the start seemed so slow but then it took off. But opposite to the first book, there were no real issues with the plot. Yes, I still think the whole "making babies" because the Pelletiers want that is gross, but I am less irked by that as there is a purpose to it. In book #1, all the lovey-dovey stuff felt unnecessary YA.
The Song of the Orphan also presented some really good character development giving the protagonists a lot more depth. As in the first book, we encountered a lot of plot twists and a few of them were quite surprising. Additionally, I liked the introduction of several new characters. I'm especially partial to Rose Tyler now! The author showed a good sense of humor as well - I am honestly still laughing about the Stephen King reference - this might be one of my favorite jokes in any book.
Overall, I found this book engaging, a fast read, and one I'd like to discuss with friends. I am really looking forward to the final installment of this trilogy!
Mod
A Murder in Music City: Corruption, Scandal, and the Framing of an Innocent Man3.5/5 stars
3.5 or 4 stars? I'm not sure yet about my rating. The story itself is a 5-star rating. Reading about Nashville's corrupt government and law enforcement, about its apparent prostitution and gambling business, and about the calculating nature of some of its citizens was an eye opener and utterly fascinating. Knowing almost all locations mentioned in the book made it even better and I'm going to be thinking about Printer's Alley, Music Row, Crieve Hall, and Vanderbilt in a new light for a while. Sadly, the writing itself just wasn't anything special and that took away from the experience of the book, particularly since I just read I'll Be Gone in the Dark, which I devoured and which almost read like a novel rather than a true crime telling. I guess that set the bar high for any future crime stories I'll be reading and this one didn't compare that well to it. Still, you should read this book, solely so that you can learn about how power and corruption can lead to arrest and conviction of the wrong person - something that happens more often than it should. Yet this book also shows that justice prevails, even if that only happens 50+ years later.
Mod
Scrappy Little Nobody4/5 stars
This was another good audiobook option. Anna read the book and she is animated, engaging, and frankly quite real. Also loud. I loved it. She's from Maine and talks about Maine a lot, which gives her instantaneously plus points from me. Her book is full of anecdotes which seem randomly strewn over the pages creating a bit of a manic plot that seems to fit the author perfectly. If you want to know more about her beginnings as a Broadway star, her move to LA and transition to film, her first orgasm, her struggles with her child-like body, her thoughts about designer fashion, and how she used to get high, this is the book for you.
Mod
The Marriage Pact2/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This story wasn't for me. The concept intrigued me at first and there is definitely some suspense but I didn't like the characters, not even the protagonist couple, and I certainly got tired of The Pact.
I don't want to give anything away, so talking about why I didn't enjoy the story is difficult. To me, the whole driving force of the novel, this pact that is supposed to ensure a happy marriage, turned out to be silly, inconceivable, at times so far fetched I had to stop reading, and just very over the top. The book synopsis also promised a sort of slow build up - the couple being seduced into the pact by the glamorous members, their parties, and the fun they have until one of them breaks a pact rule and things turn sinister. In my opinion, this slowness (in a good way here) didn't happen. At least the husband started questioning things right away and he felt at the very least socially uncomfortable at these parties. I think this book could've benefited greatly from the plot being actually what it pledged to be. Lots of thrillers are fast-paced and it is good that they are, but this story would've been perfect for an almost leisurely pace where the reader, along with the protagonists, discovers what The Pact is actually about. A building crescendo, where the pace might speed up at the end, would've felt more authentic. I do believe that is what the author was trying to do, it just didn't come across right. What did come across is the author's knack for prose. Michelle Richmond's literary voice is well-fitting for mysteries and thrillers and I think I will read other books by her.
Mod
Scrappy Little Nobody4/5 stars
This was another good audiobook option. Anna read the book and she is animated, engaging, and f..."
I love her!
Mod
Scrappy Little Nobody4/5 stars
This was another good audiobook option. Anna read the book and she is animated, en..."
So do I!
Mod
Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge3/5 stars
This book was entertaining. I got into the story eventually. I've never seen Buffy but if the show is like this book I definitely would watch it for pure entertainment value.
Mod
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them4/5 stars
What a delightful book to listen to. I appreciated all the sound effects during the beasts descriptions.
Mod
Vision in White4/5 stars
And so it begins, another Nora Roberts series for the summer. This one, as promised, was cheesy and over the top. I loved it.
Book #70
Bed of Roses4/5 stars
Friends who start to date. Will it turn into a happy-ever-after? I really enjoyed this second book in the series. Yes, it's cheesy and over the top, but the underlying romance actually felt real.
Book #71
Savor the Moment3/5 stars
Fun read but less believable than the first two books. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed the quarrels between the couple but overall I didn't feel the romance to be as real as it should've been. Plus the end needed more suffering :p
Book #72
Happy Ever After3/5 stars
I loved the biker dude and the uptight rich girl trope. These two are one of my favorite couples of this series. But I was a bit disappointed there wasn't more conflict and brooding. I was looking forward to their romance and thought it would be a twisted path to it. It seemed a bit too straight. Bummer.
Mod
The Transfigured Hart5/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This story was plain and simply magical. I read it during a beach vacation and it was perfect. It grabbed me right from the beginning. The imagery is exquisite and the plot flows with ease. It's one of those books that you could read as a kid and later as an adult and it will feel new and different and relevant each time. I love that the reader never really knows what's real and what's imagination created by the main characters. Is there a unicorn? Is there not? It perfectly embodies this idea that we should keep our child-like moments at heart, that we should not lose the ability to daydream, that we should savor childish play and make-believe, and that we should listen to our intuitions and not out-logic everything.
This is for sure a book everyone should have on their shelf!
Mod
Summer Desserts3/5 stars
Over the top romance perfect for the summer. This was a super fluff read. Everything about it was cheesy. I still loved it for what it was. I just have a real soft spot for Nora Roberts.
Mod
Trapped in Room 2174/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I had to just review this book - horror for middle-grade. Um, yes, please! I love how this series is based on real-life places and events. This was a fun read and I think it's perfect for that age group. I do wish the story would've been longer because I enjoyed it so much. Of course, it could've been scarier, too, but I realize that might not be appropriate for middle-grade. So, what I am trying to ask is, Thomas Kingsley Troupe, could you please write some adult horror? Wouldn't the Haunted States Series be perfect for that? You could have the middle-grade version and the adult version! I'd read both.
But back to this book. The Walters family temporarily moves in The Stanley Hotel and of course, get assigned room 217 - unbeknownst to them one of the most haunted rooms in America. Soon, Jayla and Dion noticed odd ongoings and start to explore the hotel. Both kids especially get attached to the female ghost appearing every night in their room. Why is she there? What does she want from them? With those questions in mind, the adventure begins and we learn the woman's story throughout the book. It's spooky and would be a perfect Halloween read - I am even thinking it would be great for reading it aloud during family time.
Trapped in Room 217 has me intrigued to check out the rest of the series and I hope you do, too.
Mod
My Friend Fear: Finding Magic in the Unknown5/5 stars
This book hits hard. It speaks the kind of truth that is difficult to hear but will carry you forward. Meera Lee Patel created a feast for the eyes with her beautiful illustrations but more importantly, she created a feast for your heart with her beautiful words.
Mod
Ghoulia5/5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I don't think I can begin to describe how wonderful this book is. The illustrations are beautiful and special, the message and story are important and relatable, and the writing is quirky and fun. This is the first book in a series and I predict that this series will be a big hit. Ghoulia wants to feel normal and make friends - who doesn't feel that way at times? She might look different on the outside but she is the same as the other children on the inside. The best part is the others accept her for who she truly is and isn't that something we should all strive for?! In the horror genre, zombies are generally my least favorite but after reading this even I want to be a Ghoulia. So, when I found the how-to-be-Ghoulia instructions for Halloween at the end of the book, I made sounds of pure glee. I can already see myself reading this book with my nieces and I sure hope they want to play dress-up after!
Mod
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?3/5 stars
This was a bit of a struggle bus for me. I enjoyed the story enough to follow it but it didn't grip me. I can see how this was novel and innovative when it was first published, so I definitely appreciate the history behind the story, but I just didn't enjoy the writing as much as I had hoped. On top of it, the character's are odd and feel underdeveloped - although I loved the androids. I couldn't relate to Decker but I understood his struggle. For what it's worth, I do believe this is a book everyone should read but I've read much, much better sci-fi.
P.S.: I listened to this as an audiobook, because I couldn't make it through the eBook.
75 Books...More or Less!
Books mentioned in this topic
One Day in December (other topics)One Day in December (other topics)
Magician: Apprentice (other topics)
Magician: Apprentice (other topics)
Saga, Volume 2 (other topics)
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5/5 stars
This was so lovely. Reading this through Ivan's voice and viewpoint was perfect. S..."
It has a great lesson embedded in it!