Classy Book Reviews

Books reviewed. That's it.

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ada Santorini escapes her stressful existence on the East Coast and moves to Seattle's “Boat Street,” a houseboat community on Lake Union. Within her houseboat, she discovers a previous owner's trunk. This previous owner was Penny Wentworth, a young newlywed in the 1950s. Ada's imagination and curiosity are sparked, and what follows is Ada's experience of discovering Penny's fate on Boat Street.

This is my first time reading a Sarah Jio novel, and I was both surprised and disappointed. It took some adjustment at first, but I eventually appreciated her very plain and straightforward writing style – conversational rhythms. The beginning of this novel, though, was almost painfully slow for my taste. There is a lot of detail I could have done without. However, probably because of the careful detail, I became very invested and attached to the primary two characters and their compelling stories – both wrapped in love and mystery. Overall, it is a nice book to curl up with. I rather enjoyed my time on Boat Street.

** Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me a free advance copy to read in exchange for an honest review.**

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐

(Yes, one star. No joke.)

Aimee and Matthew take a large step in finally moving in together, but of course, their happiness all too good to be true. Soon, strange occurrences start happening and they are driven from their home.

I was really looking forward to reading a few spooky books this October, but this one was a HUGE disappointment. Right from the start, I hated Matthew. He is a jerk. He is chauvinistic and self-absorbed. He is a stereo-typical immature male. I hated him.

Another very significant gripe I have with this story, is that it is incredibly predictable, bland, and cookie-cutter. Maybe if this was the first ghost story I've ever read, I might think differently, but if you have read more than three ghost stories before, don't waste your time with this crap. Honestly, other than that the writing is semi-decent at some points, it's just trash.

(Plus, the cover photo is a stock image, just saying. Maybe from that alone, I should have known what quality of book I was about to read.)

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐

3.5 stars (rounded down)

It was a quick read, kept me engaged and wanting more, was thoroughly researched, and utterly entertained. The main reason it isn't a four star: I had a difficult time trying to imagine the actual historical Freud as the Freud in this book. The writing didn't take me there. It was almost too easy to read with relatively little about Freud's theories, even though the Freud character is supposed to be obsessed with his research and work. Honestly, if the names of the characters were changed and if it wasn't intended to portray an historical figure of importance the novel would have been more enjoyable. Definitely a book to read when you need a break from "meaty" literature, but don't expect it to be exceptionally memorable.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

My first ever Goodreads giveaway win from 2013, and my first thought was “Oh… That wasn’t the book I was REALLY hoping for…” On a whim, I had entered the giveaway thinking that I probably wouldn’t win and if I did get it, the book might be interesting to peruse – I knew I had already found my Element. I began reading without having a clue who Ken Robinson is or that he had written ‘The Element.’ I quickly realized that in order to maximize my reading experience I needed to completely involve myself in the text, and I’m glad I did. I learned a lot about myself and people in general, and it inspired me to do additional research and re-explore many of the topics he discusses (e.g. aptitudes, passion, happiness, personality types, learning styles, creativity, mindsets, positive psychology, perspective, etc.). I completed almost all of the fifteen recommended exercises and thought and/or wrote answers to many of his chapter end questions (this led me to some productive introspective reflection). I enjoyed his encouraging tone and practical, comprehensive approach. The citations and recommended resources and books were very helpful, and the examples, quotes, and stories were interesting to read and consider (my favorite was Hans Zimmer’s story). Another well-done aspect of this book is its organization and pacing (my three favorite chapters were 4, 3, and 5 – in order of most, second, and third favorite). I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you are an educator and even if you think you have found your Element, as it takes you on a personal quest of self-discovery and understanding. And as Robinson reveals, “Finding your Element is about discovering what lies within you and, in doing so, transforming what lies before you.”

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Eva awakes in a hospital bed, not knowing why she is in so much pain. She quickly learns she was struck by lightening and that her mother died the same night. Unfortunately, Eva cannot remember any of it. Soon, a ruthless cop with a Boston accent is doing all he can to arrest Eva as her mother's murderer. Eva strives to regain her memory, and she uncovers secrets and lies from throughout her life. Just as she thinks she's come completely unglued, the drama escalates. Did Eva murder her mother? And if so, why? And if not, who did? Could this same person be after her too?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has so many aspects of a great psychological thriller. In fact, my greatest criticism is that it was not longer. It probably seemed even shorter to me because I devoured the story and looked forward to each of my reading sessions with this book. It was expertly crafted, in my opinion. The plot, the pace, the storytelling, the characters, the foreshadowing, and the superb writing came together in such a way that I felt propelled forward in my reading. What moved the beginning along was mainly the alternating viewpoints between Eva and her mother, Kat. As the present-day storyline of Eva playing detective of her lost memory unfolds, the reader also learns of Eva and Kat's long ago history through Kat's eyes. Unfortunately, however, once the stories align and both Kat and Eva are alternating the telling of Kat's final moments, it tended to get confusing.

This is a thrilling thriller, for sure, and I cannot emphasize enough how fabulous I found this novel to be. I highly recommend it to all adult readers who enjoy a good mystery and high suspense because it certainly meets my criteria for a psychological thriller: twisty and turny and unputdownable!

**Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.**

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Drew, a survivor of domestic violence, and her 10 year-old son, Michael, have been on the run for almost a decade. Understandably, Drew is suffering from the mental toll of it all and has kept her son in the dark about his father and his early life. But then they move to a new town where Drew is trying to seek out answers. And both Michael and Drew begin to form meaningful, healthy relationships. Unfortunately, though, there is a price that will need to be paid for the hope of happiness and closure of the past.

This books falls firmly in the "psychological thriller" genre and has almost all the elements I desire for this type of work of fiction. It was a page-turner, but I also felt squeamish at points because of the descriptions surrounding abuse. Therefore, I would caution domestic abuse survivors about reading this book. It's sickening to me that although this was fiction, there are people out there that actually abuse their partners in ways described here. It's so dark.

Actually, the only part of this book I didn't care for was the ending. It wasn't satisfying enough for me, based on the drama leading up to the end. It almost would have been better if the author had ended the book sooner and left out the follow-up details.

Overall, I do recommend this book to those who enjoy dark, psychological thrillers, and I will be looking forward to rereading it again at some point down the road.

**Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Knowledge is power" and so is hope.

Much of this book is about these two overarching themes.

The story is set in the future in the northern part of the Scandinavian Union (controlled by the state of New Qian), and water is the most precious and sought-after commodity. Noria Kaitio, the seventeen-year-old protagonist of the novel, is studying to become tea master in order to carry on the vocation of her father, but with this role comes great responsibility.

I really enjoyed this book but it often left me wanting more: more narrative, more character development, and more information about context.

I do look forward to reading any future books by this author, as well as rereading this one. If you enjoy dystopian novels, you will most certainly like this book.

*I was provided a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.*

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

In a time after the Catastrophe, a secondary scribe at the Guild of Historians is sent by his LoreMaster on a mission to find one particular woman, Vincha, who knows the story of Rafik. Rafik was a puzzler, marked, as they say, and a key for the Salvationists. His fate could directly relate to the continued survival of humanity, but the Guild of Historians scribe will have to figure out what happened to Rafik and if there is a way to save the human race.

I was very surprised how much I enjoyed this novel. The world building and character development was fascinating. The author does a fabulous job of creating this post-apocalyptic society with evil and dangerous Lizards, the Skint addicted Trolls who have Tarakan technology augmentations attached to their bodies (I imagined right away that they have a steam-punk look to them), and many other particular-to-this-world characters. I think my favorite individual, though, is probably Vincha. (I imagined her to look very similar to Lisbeth Salander, actually.)

I also very much enjoyed the frame narrative of Rafik (told by Vincha). That part, in particular, sets up for the mission the characters embark on toward the end of the book. It ends up being an exciting, even nail-biting most of the time, adventure that leaves you wanting to have the next book of the series to read. In fact, I will be keeping tabs on when the next book will be released. That is how much I got into this story.

The only downside to this novel is how long it is. Rafik's “origin story” gets a bit long-winded. I wish that part had been a bit shorter. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book to both YA and typical adult readers who enjoy action and some science fiction.

** Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Goodreads for providing me with an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.**

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Duke, a sideshow circus performer, became a famous sword swallower but not without paying the price of living in the limelight. His story is exciting, sad, inspiring, and enlightening. His life in the circus started when he was young and left a tumultuous home life. Duke luckily found purpose and a family. Drugs and alcohol, however, played a large role in his life too, and before he took his final bow, Duke found himself in precarious situations.

Gary, a fictionalized version of the author, also lived a life where drugs and alcohol brought him strife and other challenges. He partied his way through his education and couldn't seem to hold a job after graduating college. It was not too soon that he finally meets the man that will change his life. Gary finds a much needed mentor in Duke, but Duke is sick and Gary is teetering on complete self-sabotage.

By far, Duke is the star in this book, and I loved reading about his time in the circus. It gave me an inside view of the circus that I had never experienced before. The history, the people and their relationships, the logistics, and the overall atmosphere of the circus were fascinating. The other main part of this book I loved was the wisdom Duke imparts on Gary toward the end of the book.

On the other hand, I didn't care for the very first chapter (and I almost missed reading it entirely because the Kindle version of the book automatically begins at chapter two). I felt it was ultimately unnecessary and confusing, so my advice is to just skip it entirely. I also found all of the details in Part Two to be annoying. Gary was just so unlikable in his life before meeting Duke, but the author does make his point of how messed up Gary's life is.

In the end, I really enjoyed this book, and I implore you not to judge this book by it's cover or it's corny title. Just be aware there is drug use and some cursing. Otherwise, I think that this story had something for every adult reader.

For my full, complete review please find it here:

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=108608

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐

What makes us who we are? And how much of that is based on the moments that make life "sweet?" This short book explores these two questions in the form of a list -- a list of those experiences in life where and when we feel and can practice mindfulness. It's not an exhaustive list, but takes the reader through a variety of feelings associated with different moments. Some of these are universal, and others are very specific. I was reminded of times when I was happy, sad, content, and entertained. I re-experienced sights, sounds, tastes, sensations, and smells. The best aspect of this book was the memories and relatable moments (especially the times when I laughed or sighed). The two downsides of this book, however, were that several of the items listed were completely foreign to me and that this book was translated into English from French. Because of this fact (and because a few times the wording seemed very strange), I kept wondering if some of the nuances were lost in translation. Overall, I think that this book was a little different (and not quite "my thing" -- although oddly refreshing) but I can definitely see how others would find it to be very meaningful.

*Thank you to the author, publisher, and Goodreads for providing me with a copy to read and give an honest review.*

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The best way to describe this book is as a psychological thriller, but it is also a love story, despite the main character telling the reader that it's not. Saskia, an eclectic Australian woman, goes missing. This novel begins at the police station where Angela, Little John or LJ, is being interrogated about the disappearance. Most of the book, then, is the story of LJ beginning in her sophomore year of high school until the present. As one reads, a complex story of relationships develops and by the end, it can become murky as to who the "bad guy" is.

I really enjoyed the writing and overall story! It kept me wanting to read more, mostly to see the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences among the characters. Unfortunately, though, there were points while I was reading when I got a little bored. Nay could have done a better job of keeping the story moving. That was the only reason it took me a little longer to finish.

Lastly, I'm not exactly sure how I feel about the ending. I kind of enjoyed the darkness, but I also would have been satisfied with other resolutions to the story. My recommendation? Read it yourself and decide. No, really, read this book.

*I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway and agreed to read and review it. The review I have given here is my honest opinion of this book.*

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐

Life is full of lessons that shape us and deeply influence our view of the world. Personal journeys, struggles, triumphs, losses, and relationships can be very profound experiences. Coming in a close second, though, is hearing about and learning from the stories of others, and Jeff Brandt has a notable story to tell. His journey was extraordinarily difficult: raising troubled stepchildren, his wife attempting suicide, dealing with an affair between his wife and her therapist, navigating a divorce, losing meaningful relationships, and finding a way to cope with it all. While the story is heavy, the chapters are short, manageable, organized, and easy to read, except for about the last quarter of the book which feels rather frantic and “jumpy.” It also took me until near the end to relate to the author because it felt vengefully biased at times making the reader question the accuracy of his account. My favorite part, however, is the first appendix entry, “What I Learned on My Journey: Tips for a Bright and Responsible Life.” The advice is generally uplifting and valuable, especially in light of Brandt’s preceding narrative. The book as a whole was worth the read, and I feel that it has the potential to be very influential for many individuals. Thank you for sharing your journey, Jeff. There is a lot to learn from what you experienced.

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐

Diana, an agent at Global Incentives, has an acute awareness of details and badly longs for human connection. When she receives an anonymous email that catches her attention, she engages. Especially because he also plays “the same puzzle Game with the world” where snippets of data are gathered to create a larger picture. Eventually, Diana meets her stranger. His name, he reveals, is David, and he has crucial information about Diana that she is unaware of. David reveals that Diana is actually a clone, but even more frighteningly, the company behind the clone productions is hunting her, and her fellow clones, with orders to kill on sight. A few of the clones are still alive, though, so Diana, David, and a man David claims to be his father go on a mission to save the clones.

This story is definitely action-packed. Cover to cover there is fighting, running, explosions, and so much more. I was definitely entertained by the characters being on the run and dealing with very sticky situations. On the other hand and because of the sheer amount of action, I felt the author sacrificed developing the characters' personalities. The beginning of the novel started out spectacularly with copious amounts of information about Diana. Although, this “Game” she plays and continues to play throughout the book is sort of ambiguous and confusing. I utterly disliked that aspect.

Overall, I felt the writing was fluid, the dialogue was believable, and the plot was acceptable, but it did come across as a rejected Black Mirror episode. With that being said, I think this could have been a very effective novella instead of a full novel.

I would recommend this book to those inclined to enjoy an action/adventure book, unless you are sensitive to curse words. I would also not recommend this book to those looking for fleshed-out characters and a well-developed plot.

* Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. *

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hattie Breckenridge has special intuition and is able to know certain things about the future. Early in the twentieth century in rural Vermont, Hattie warns that there will be a devastating fire at the local schoolhouse. When her prediction comes true and children are killed, the townsfolk blame Hattie and rally to deliver justice. Claiming she is a witch, the people hang Hattie.

Almost a century later, Helen and Nate quit their teaching jobs and decide to build their own country house. The land they purchase for their dream house, however, is said to be haunted by a “witch ghost,” Hattie Breckenridge. While the couple begins to build, Helen is fascinated and fervently throws herself into finding out more about Hattie. Nate also finds joy in their new environment, observing and recording details of the local wildlife. But tension develops as the two continue to build and Helen starts to incorporate Hattie-related building materials in their house. Spirits of Hattie and her descendants are unearthed and settle in Helen and Nate's residence. As the past and the present seem to blur together, secrets emerge, the townspeople resist, and Hattie's communications become urgent. Something important and terrifying is obviously looming, but is the spirit or human world to be feared? Or both?

I was so excited about this book because I really enjoyed The Winter People. I am not disappointed. The writing, as was expected, is brilliant. So many times while I was reading, I just stopped and appreciated how much I was enjoying myself and could just feel that this is a great book. For this reason, I allowed myself to savor my reading experience.

Part of what made the writing so good was the way McMahon wrote about the characters. Helen was my favorite, and my heart ached for Olive and her father. I do wish, however, Olive's development of her maturity was made more prominent.

And as much as I enjoyed this book, there were a few times it felt like it dragged. All of the information in the story was important, but it was drawn out to a point that I felt the pace slowed down. The ending, though, was paced perfectly. Although I suspected the twists, I can't say they were obvious and I did waver on a few details as I went along.

McMahon, this was another great book and I'm so satisfied. Job well done.

Readers out there, if you haven't read her books before, I encourage you to give one a go. The Invited is a terrific place to start because it has so many elements from different genres.

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐

2.5 stars (rounded up)

Two rich businessmen each receive a package with an item and a note on a slip of paper. Both notes read, “I remember. M.” But “M” is dead, so who else knows their secret, and who sent the packages?

Embla is a Detective Inspector with the mobile unit in Gothenburg, Sweden. Every year, she takes a vacation to join her friends and acquaintances on a moose hunt. Shortly after the hunt begins, peculiar occurrences start happening, and they reach a climax with two missing hunters. As the remaining hunters search for their comrades, one of the dogs indicates he has found something at the bottom of the drop off. Upon further inspection, Embla discovers one of the missing men dead and floating in the water face down. Embla calls in for backup from the local police and her co-workers with the mobile unit. Instead of hunting moose, she is now hunting a killer.

Embla is a new favorite fictional character of mine. She is a little bit edgy and very likable. The other characters in this novel, though, are mostly not noteworthy. In fact, the culprit of the crimes is painfully obvious once s/he is introduced. The mystery in this story is mostly how all the details fit together, not “whodunit.” Unfortunately, this made for a pretty dull read. The writing itself is easy and enjoyable to read, but that could be the work of the translator. That's probably the only point that allowed me to finish the book so quickly. All in all, my experience with this novel is quite unremarkable. It's not bad, but it's not good, either. I'll be quite surprised if any other books from the series are released in English.

* Thank you to Goodreads, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review. *

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Larkin, a writer in New York, is called home to South Carolina because her mother has gone missing. Shortly after she arrives, Ivy, Larkin's mother, is found unconscious and wounded from falling through the floors of her family's old dilapidated and fire-damaged plantation house. The mystery remains as to why she was there in the first place, so, while Ivy is in a coma in the hospital, Larkin begins digging into a past from even before her mother was born and back to a time when three young women endured very real and difficult trials of love, friendship, family, and loss.

I enjoyed this book very much. The writing is absolutely superb, which I was not expecting as I was going into this with the idea that it is just another "chick lit" novel. I actually tend to only occasionally read in this genre. I was glad, though, that I requested this one from my local library based on a promo email I received from the publisher regarding the release of a paperback version of the book. What a surprise it was to have such a great experience!

I have to admit, I've spent very little time in the southern United States, being a northern Midwesterner myself, and yet, it felt comfortable to step into Larkin's and Ivy's southern world -- that's a rarity in my (very little) history of reading southern literature. I also fell in love with all the women characters. I felt for them and identified with the struggles they faced. The men, on the other hand, I just wanted to shake my fist at, especially Jackson, but he was really the only character I disliked, which was intentional by White.

I only have two aspects of Dreams of Falling that I did not care for. The main complaint is that the novel felt too long. I had too many times while I was reading that I felt like the story wasn't moving along fast enough for my taste. It probably could have been perfect if it had been about 100 pages shorter. My second disappointment was with the lack luster "reveal" at the end of all the secrets. I felt let down after the build-up. Couldn't there have been a more sinister revelation? Oh well, I'm just a sucker for dark drama.

I highly recommend this book to all adult women. It resonated with me and had some profound moments of insight into female relationships. I'm so glad a stumbled upon Karen White. I will be following her from here on out.

[bookreviewsfromthebibliophile]

⭐⭐⭐

2.5 stars (rounded up)

A burnt out ER doctor, Erin, living in Boston is tendering her resignation when her best friend Jenna reveals she has terminal cancer. Erin decides she must return to New Dublin, Wisconsin (her hometown) to help care for Jenna, but Erin will have to face elements of her past once back in Wisconsin. Immediately upon her arrival, she is thrown into trying situations, one of which being a budding relationship with Luke, a detective and one of her childhood friends. Amid her priority to be there for Jenna, Erin also gets wrapped up in Luke's newest case, one of crime and corruption. But all the while, Erin is learning about her past, how to love herself and others, and finding her “eternity in each moment.”

Erin is a very likeable, relatable protagonist who seems to have crises follow her, so it's pretty apropos for her to be an ER physician. The book begins with medical drama, in fact, and once she is in New Dublin, Erin deals with more. The drama throughout the novel isn't strictly medical, either. The first half of the book focuses on her forming a relationship with Luke. And in the second half, the focus shifts to a mystery/crime thriller feel with Erin trying to figure out the secrets of her family and also cope with past trauma. While investigating, though, she plays a part in what's happening with a murder case. It probably sounds like a lot goes on in this book, and that is very accurate. This is also my biggest complaint as a reader. In my opinion, this novel was actually two books in one: the first a romance and then the second a mystery/thriller. On top of that, there are some elements that could have been left out entirely, the primary example being the paranormal angle. The author makes a point of discussing this at the end of the narrative, so it's understandable why she felt compelled to add the paranormal parts. However, I felt it was unnecessary to the story.

Altogether, I mostly enjoyed my experience, especially the second half, and I think the writing flowed well. It is definitely an adequate first novel. I'll be interested to read the second book (as this novel is meant to be the start of a series) to see the growth in the writing as well as the continuing mystery of Erin's past and family history.

* Thank you to Goodreads, the author, and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. *