This was a fun read that kept me guessing until the very end.
I did find it to be a little confusing, and I kept reading primarily just because I wanted to know what the heck was going on.
All in all, it’s a good middle ground thriller. Good enough to keep you interested, but it didn’t blow me away.
Feeney’s writing is good and I look forward to reading more of her work!
“I thought how strange it had never occurred to me before that I was only purely happy until I was nine years old.”
I’ve been meaning to read The Bell Jar for years, and I’m glad I finally did. Plath’s writing is engaging and easy to read. Esther Greenwood is a likable character, and I found myself rooting for her the entire time.
I think this book will resonate with anyone who has experienced anxiety or self doubt; a lot of Esther’s thoughts really hit the nail on the head when it comes to believing we aren’t enough. (I don’t have any personal experience with depression so I don’t want to comment on that.)
I think, even given the time in which it’s set, this book tackles mental health issues pretty well.
Commonwealth had my interest at the beginning, and slowly lost it as the book went on…eventually losing it completely by the end.
The characters are barely likable. The overall vibe is just kind of odd and depressing and seemingly unrealistic. I feel like important details aren’t explored enough, and unimportant parts are brought up again and again…and again.
“You start out with an idea you like. You write that idea down. You let it sit for five days, and when you come back to it, the words have rearranged themselves on the page. Now it’s shape-shifted into the dumbest idea you’ve ever seen.”
SSDGM is the perfect companion to My Favorite Murder. It’s best enjoyed by people who have been MFM fans for a long time (or at least have listened to a sizable chunk of episodes) – there are a lot of references to the podcast, inside jokes, etc.
Karen and Georgia have managed to write one of the funniest/saddest books I’ve ever read. It feels like you’re sitting down with your two cool, older sisters and getting valuable life advice.
Overall, totally worth the wait and the hype.
“We barely get any time on this planet. Do not spend it pleasing other people. Fuck politeness. Live life exactly how you want to live it so you can love the life you make for yourself.”
“I’ve seen people make those choices. Maybe they love their families. Love their pets. But that doesn’t stop them from being monsters when they get the chance.”
I finished Stillhouse Lake and immediately downloaded and read the second book. This story didn’t quite captivate me as much as the first, but it was a good continuation of the story.
The depravity of Melvin Royal goes much deeper than anyone knew. I didn’t LOVE the more investigative, detective angle of this book but I think it wrapped up nicely.
I look forward to reading the third book!
“But the past never leaves us. It’s in every breath, every cell, every second. I know that now.”
“Normal life. Comfortable life. Not perfect, of course. Nobody had a perfect marriage, did they?”
This book is bananas! My heart was pounding for the last few chapters and it leads perfectly into the second book (which I’ll probably pick up next).
Gwen is a badass. She’s a survivor. She’s done what she needed to do to protect herself and her children. She finally settles down in a nice, peaceful community. Then, a body is found in the lake next to her house. And the nightmare starts all over.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers, crime shows, true crime, etc. It has an action movie element to it that I feel a lot of thrillers sometimes lack.
“There is a problem with that island. It is an accident waiting to happen.”
Jurassic Park has been one of my favorite movies for as long as I can remember. I first saw it in theaters when I was six – I was obsessed with dinosaurs. I don’t know if it was my age, or if it was just a “thing” in the early 90s, but it seemed that dinosaur mania had taken over. Dinosaurs were EVERYWHERE. And as a kid, that was awesome.
I’ve seen Jurassic Park more times than I can count. I know the movie backwards and forwards. But for some reason, I had never read the book.
I am kind of glad I waited until I was older to read the book. It’s amazing – it’s much more in depth than the movie. Some parts are scarier. It’s gory. It’s tense.
I didn’t think the ending was as impactful as the movie, but it was still good.
I’m a Jurassic Park purist. I think the first movie is perfect on its own, and the sequels are pure entertainment (but unnecessary). However, I will definitely consider picking up The Lost World (and checking out more of Crichton’s books).
I know the T-Rex is always a fan favorite, but the raptors steal the show – both on screen and in the book.
“Believe me, all the problems we have so far, are nothing compared with what we’d have if the raptors ever got out of their holding pen.”
“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”
I’m so glad I finally read Anne of Green Gables this year, and I’m excited that I was able to find a boxed set of the series!
Anne of Avonlea was a lovely, cozy book, although not *quite* as magical or memorable as the first (but still good!)
I found myself laughing out loud while reading. I loved my journey back to Avonlea and catching up with the characters I grew to love in the first book.
Anne is such a delightful character – I love how she’s able to find goodness in joy in everyone and everything.
This book is good. The characters are well-developed, their struggles are realistic and the setting is lovely. It’s a great summer read.
I really enjoyed Lu’s chapters the most, and I thought her friendship with Anthony was sweet and relatable.
The story wasn’t incredibly exciting, but I don’t think it needed to be. When I was about a quarter of the way in I was waiting for something to “kick in” but then I realized it’s simply a book about people and is 100% character driven.
The Islanders is a light, easy read, either for people who gravitate toward these types of books, or for readers like me who need a palate cleanser between thrillers/mysteries.
I received an ARC of this book from William Morrow as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
There are some great lines in this book, and some of the perspectives are interesting, but that’s about it.
Sally Rooney is a good writer. But I just couldn’t connect with this story. I honestly think I’m too old for it – I probably would have loved this book if I could have read it 10 years ago.
Read with Aimee 