Thoughts Of A Bookworm

My reviews about books I read... also maybe just some random stuff about my life

[annmariemo]

My favorite passage so far…

[annmariemo]

NOW A SIX-PART MINISERIES ON MASTERPIECE ON PBS

The only completely unabridged paperback edition of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece—a sweeping tale of love, loss, valor, and passion.

Introducing one of the most famous characters in literature, Jean Valjean—the noble peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread—Les Misérables ranks among the greatest novels of all time. In it, Victor Hugo takes readers deep into the Parisian underworld, immerses them in a battle between good and evil, and carries them to the barricades during the uprising of 1832 with a breathtaking realism that is unsurpassed in modern prose.

Within his dramatic story are themes that capture the intellect and the emotions: crime and punishment, the relentless persecution of Valjean by Inspector Javert, the desperation of the prostitute Fantine, the amorality of the rogue Thénardier, and the universal desire to escape the prisons of our own minds. Les Misérables gave Victor Hugo a canvas upon which he portrayed his criticism of the French political and judicial systems, but the portrait that resulted is larger than life, epic in scope—an extravagant spectacle that dazzles the senses even as it touches the heart.

Translated by Lee Fahnestock and Norman Macafee, based on the classic nineteenth-century Charles E. Wilbour translation

Inlcudes an Introduction by Lee Fahnestock

and an Afterword by Chris Bohjalian

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The playlist

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Final Thoughts

This was my third William Goldman book; but my first spy novel. I had mixed feelings about this book. The writing was well done but the story dragged on in areas. It kept me engaged in the world Goldman had created. Some scenes were really intense and I had to put the book down and step away for a second.

Some of the plot twists I could see coming while others completely took me off guard. Babe the main character was very naive for someone so brilliant and never knew when and where he should ask for help. With most books that flip between points of view it's easy to get lost. For the most part it was easy to keep track of who's point of view you were in. I did get lost a time or two and had to reread a few pages.

I am giving this book 3 stars. I really enjoyed it but it wasn't a book I was fighting to get back too. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes thrillers or spy novels.

[annmariemo]

William Goldman's remarkable career spans more than five decades, and his credentials run the gamut from bestselling novelist to Oscar-winning screenwriter to Hollywood raconteur. He's beloved by millions of readers as the author of the classic comic-romantic fantasy The Princess Bride. And he's notorious for creating the most harrowing visit to the dentist in literary and cinematic history--in one of the seminal thrillers of the twentieth century. . . .

MARATHON MAN

Tom "Babe" Levy is a runner in every sense: racing tirelessly toward his goals of athletic and academic excellence--and endlessly away from the specter of his famous father's scandal-driven suicide. But an unexpected visit from his beloved older brother will set in motion a chain of events that plunge Babe into a vortex of terror, treachery, and murder--and force him into a race for his life . . . and for the answer to the fateful question, "Is it safe?"

[annmariemo]

The Playlist

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Final Thoughts

I didn’t really have any expectations of this book. Many people told me how much they loved the movie and were eager to hear about the book. I only vaguely remember the movie so there really was no compare and contrast between the two for me. 

I’m going to be giving this book a 2.5 out of 5. It was an impeccably written piece of literature and the story moved at a really pleasant pace. However this book has a very masculine tone which I just couldn’t get into. I found it to be very hard for me to get through the book. I was elated when I read the last page and closed the book. 

I didn’t find any of the characters remarkably likable or endearing. Brody was the only character I could mildly sympathize with. He was a decent man that tried to do the right thing and was met with resistance and anger thrown his way. He was the absolute perfect flawed Hero. 

I didn’t understand why Benchley would write Ellen to be this undeniable beauty that was sought after by many in their small town. If she really was that beautiful and from one of the affluent families that frequently vacationed in Amity I find it difficult to believe she would have ended up with Brody. Realistically they may have enjoyed a fling that would have fizzled out. The interaction between Ellen and Hooper was odd for me. It made no sense and contributed nothing to the original storyline.( The shark) 

Quints I found to be cruel and callous. He really had no regard for life and felt entitled to do as he pleased, laws be damned. He was the only character I had no sympathy for and got what he deserved in my opinion. 

This book is definitely written for men to be its target audience. It was such a difficult read for me and I will honestly never pick this book up again. 

[annmariemo]

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The shark-versus-man classic that inspired the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie—now in a fiftieth anniversary edition with an exclusive foreword from the author’s wife, renowned ocean conservation advocate Wendy Benchley

“A tightly written, tautly paced study of terror.”—The Washington Post

A great white shark terrorizes the beautiful summer getaway of Amity Island, and a motley group of men take to the water to do battle with the beast. A heart-pounding novel of suspense and a brilliant meditation on the nature of humanity, Jaws is one of the most iconic thrillers ever written.

In addition to Wendy Benchley’s foreword, this edition features bonus content from Peter Benchley’s archives, including the manuscript’s original typed title page, a brainstorming list of possible titles, a letter from Benchley to film producer David Brown with candid feedback on the movie adaptation, and excerpts from Benchley’s book Shark Trouble, highlighting his firsthand account of writing Jaws, selling it to Universal Studios, and working with Steven Spielberg.

After writing Jaws in the early 1970s, Peter Benchley was actively engaged with scientists and filmmakers, and over the ensuing decades, joined many expeditions around the world as they expanded their knowledge of sharks and shark behavior. He encouraged each new generation of Jaws fans to enjoy his riveting tale and to channel their excitement into support and protection of these magnificent prehistoric apex predators.

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The Playlist

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Final Thoughts

I had really high hopes for this book… And it delivered!

Before I knew Leslie Odom Jr as Aaron Burr I knew him as Sam on the show Smash. (Sam was one of my favorite characters on the show.) I was a very obsessed theater geek when that show was on the air. If I wasn’t blasting the songs continuously I was making sure I was home and ready to watch the drama unfold. I was so upset that we only got two seasons.

I was so excited to see Leslie's book finally make it to the top of my very extensive TBR. I really enjoyed his narrative style. It flowed really well and easily. It felt like I was at a convention just hearing him give a lecture. (I mean that in the very best way.) He does a really great job articulating the struggle, grit, and determination it takes to not only be a success but to also stay true to yourself as an artist. (An almost impossible task.) And how draining and unfulfilling it can be when you don’t. It was so neat to read about his early life and the journey he took to be where he is now. Leslie gives some really sound advice on how to push past some of the roadblocks and doubts we place upon ourselves. 

I’m giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was a fun and easy read. It took me about a week to finish. All in all, it was such a fun and pleasant read. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves theater, Broadway, or the entertainment industry in general. 

[annmariemo]

Perfect for graduation and milestones both big and small, this powerful book by star of stage and screen Leslie Odom, Jr - now in paperback - will inspire you to take the next big step in your life - without fear.

Leslie Odom Jr., burst on the scene in 2015, originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical phenomenon Hamilton. Since then, he has performed for sold-out audiences, sung for the Obamas at the White House, and won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. But before he landed the role of a lifetime in one of the biggest musicals of all time, Odom put in years of hard work as a singer and an actor.

With personal stories from his life, Odom asks the questions that will help you unlock your true potential and achieve your goals even when they seem impossible. What work did you put in today that will help you improve tomorrow? How do you surround yourself with people who will care about your dreams as much as you do? How do you know when to play it safe and when to risk it all for something bigger and better?

These stories will inspire you, motivate you, and empower you for the greatness that lies ahead, whether you’re graduating from college, starting a new job, or just looking to live each day to the fullest

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The Playlist

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Final Thoughts

Oh my lanta! This book is my favorite book I’ve read so far this year. I’m only sad I didn’t buddy read this, so I had someone to chat with. This book has everything a historical romance reader could want. A spirited heroine, mysterious and complex duke, an English estate, and all the trappings of aristocratic English society. Need I say more… Swoon!

I was a bit worried at first that Daisy Goodwin’s writing was going to be too detailed for me. I like details but sometimes I feel like they hinder the flow of a story instead of enhance. This is not one of those times; Daisy sets the scenes, clothing, and atmosphere so well you are pulled into the ballrooms instead of out of the book. I honestly had such a hard time putting this book down for long. (Much to my husband's annoyance.)

Cora and Ivo’s love story was so complex that I was constantly questioning whether he truly loved her; or had in fact just married her for her money. The complications of Teddy and Charlotte made me question things even more. I also enjoyed watching Cora mature and grow from a semi- vain young heiress to a wellbred duchess in her own right. With that came the development of her relationship with Bertha. They had to truly find a new balance Bertha, while yes being a ladies maid, was also her closest confidant in America, that wasn’t how it was done in England. Distancing herself from Bertha was a struggle for the new Duchess at first. By the end of the book I think they had found a new understanding for each other. Oh my I could babble on about this book all day.

I’m giving this book a 5 out of 5. My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough. I could have easily devoured a series about Cora, Ivo and their social circle. I will most definitely be adding more Daisy Goodwin books to my TBR.

[annmariemo]

Now including an excerpt from VICTORIA: A Novel, by Daisy Goodwin, the Creator/Writer of the Masterpiece Presentation on PBS.

"Anyone suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms (who isn't?) will find an instant tonic in Daisy Goodwin's The American Heiress. The story of Cora Cash, an American heiress in the 1890s who bags an English duke, this is a deliciously evocative first novel that lingers in the mind." --Allison Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of I Don't Know How She Does It and I Think I Love You

Be careful what you wish for. Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts', suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage.

Witty, moving, and brilliantly entertaining, Cora's story marks the debut of a glorious storyteller who brings a fresh new spirit to the world of Edith Wharton and Henry James.

"For daughters of the new American billionaires of the 19th century, it was the ultimate deal: marriage to a cash-strapped British Aristocrat in return for a title and social status. But money didn't always buy them happiness." --Daisy Goodwin in The Daily Mail

One of Library Journal's Best Historical Fiction Books of 2011

[annmariemo]

The Playlist

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Final thoughts

I absolutely devoured this book. ( Well as quickly as a mom of two active little monsters can.) This fantasy YA novel was so compelling and I struggled to put it down. It’s either hit or miss with YA novels and this one is definitely a hit. 

The Chapters aren’t very long and for the target demographic I think that works really well. Perspective bounces between characters; when it was just Emil and Brighton I really enjoyed it. I did begin to get annoyed and pulled out of the story when other characters began to get their own chapters. I felt like everyone's tone of voice began to blend together and I found myself having to flip to the beginning of the chapter just to remind myself whose perspective I was reading. I personally would have preferred it stayed with just Brighton and Emil. 

The world is really well structured and Adam Silvera does a fantastic job throwing enough history that we understand all the struggles our characters are facing. I hope that more of that is explored in the next few books. The complexity of all the characters and how they interacted with each other was also well done. We truly see the struggle between doing what's right vs doing what you think is right. Watching Emil and Brighton’s relationship change and evolve as they try to come to terms with everything that’s being thrown at them was interesting. While Emil begins to find some semblance of strength and duty we see Brighton’s descent into envy and coveting the notoriety his brother is beginning to develop. It shows that fear of the unknown or misunderstood can make people do things you didn’t know they were capable of. Adam Silvera did an amazing job showing us how envy can disintegrate even the deepest of bonds. 

I am giving this book 4.5 out of 5. There were many things that I really enjoyed, and the story was really intriguing. The switching of too many perspectives pulled me from the world a little too much for my liking. Overall, it was a very well written and interesting story. I have already added the next book to my TBR. I can’t wait to continue to read what unfolds for Emil and Brighton.

[annmariemo]

A New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and IndieBoundbestseller!

Balancing epic and intensely personal stakes, bestselling author Adam Silvera’s Infinity Son is a gritty, fast-paced adventure about two brothers caught up in a magical war generations in the making.

Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.