I will be continually adding reviews to this page, whenever I finish a book.
Stay tuned! 😉
( 1 )
Here we have the fifth book in the Odd Thomas series. Again, this book picks up shortly after where the last left off (Odd Interlude), with Odd and Annamaria now staying at an estate called Roseland. Oddly enough, there are no actual roses in Roseland, and that's not the only weird occurrence about this mysterious place.
The first Odd Thomas book has been bumped down to second place after reading this suspenseful and intriguing tale! By far, my favorite, as it is such a unique telling of Odd's creepiest adventure yet. I loved the time-travel aspect and the effect it had on the estate, in regards to keeping it clean and orderly. I wouldn't mind having that in my own house, never having to wash pots & pans, do laundry or clean anything ever again! Haha. It was extremely interesting how Koontz intertwined the work of Nikola Tesla (and the man) into the book as well.
I loved the character development of Timothy and the difficulties he faced, regarding his parents, and how he copes with the intense sadness that their interactions evoked. It was refreshing to see the change in him also, upon leaving the Roseland estate for good, and I love that he will be included in Odd's next adventure, although I'm not sure in what capacity until I start reading that one. I'm still waiting to find out exactly who (or what) Annamaria is, but I have a feeling I won't get a definitive answer until the very last book...
The first Odd Thomas book has been bumped down to second place after reading this suspenseful and intriguing tale! By far, my favorite, as it is such a unique telling of Odd's creepiest adventure yet. I loved the time-travel aspect and the effect it had on the estate, in regards to keeping it clean and orderly. I wouldn't mind having that in my own house, never having to wash pots & pans, do laundry or clean anything ever again! Haha. It was extremely interesting how Koontz intertwined the work of Nikola Tesla (and the man) into the book as well.
I loved the character development of Timothy and the difficulties he faced, regarding his parents, and how he copes with the intense sadness that their interactions evoked. It was refreshing to see the change in him also, upon leaving the Roseland estate for good, and I love that he will be included in Odd's next adventure, although I'm not sure in what capacity until I start reading that one. I'm still waiting to find out exactly who (or what) Annamaria is, but I have a feeling I won't get a definitive answer until the very last book...
Read from December 29, 2017 to January 29, 2018
( 2 )
Now, you may be confused as to why I'm reading this book, considering the fact that I'm not over 50 years old and I'm not single. Heh. Well, I received an email from the author offering me a free copy of his book in exchange for an honest review, after he'd seen another review that I'd written on Amazon. So I figured, what have I got to lose? I can keep an open mind while reading this and help out the author in the meantime!
I actually really like his comedic approach to the aspects of dating later in life and I've had plenty of actual laugh-out-loud moments while reading the informative & entertaining chapters of the book. It's an easy read that will feel like hanging out with an old friend, rather than reading yet another self-help book, which is exactly what is needed at this stage of a person's life, when he/she feels like their once-stable world has fallen apart at the seams.
Even though this book is obviously written for a person around 20 years older than myself, I still found it easy to relate to most of the advice that was given. Maybe it's the fact that I was forced to grow up at an early age, that has provided me with this more mature perspective and outlook on life. I could see both of my parents described in certain parts of the book as well, and it has opened my eyes to the difficult times they have faced throughout the years. Mr. Brook is extremely "real" with his readers and not afraid to tell it like it is, which is a refreshing style to use for a book of this fashion.
I really enjoyed the chapters containing examples of real experiences that people have had with online dating. Some of them were harmlessly amusing, others deserved a wide-eyed 'WTF' moment, and a few were just downright disturbing! Overall, it's an incredibly useful tool in getting back out into the dating world, with confidence and perseverance in your mission to find happiness once again.
I actually really like his comedic approach to the aspects of dating later in life and I've had plenty of actual laugh-out-loud moments while reading the informative & entertaining chapters of the book. It's an easy read that will feel like hanging out with an old friend, rather than reading yet another self-help book, which is exactly what is needed at this stage of a person's life, when he/she feels like their once-stable world has fallen apart at the seams.
Even though this book is obviously written for a person around 20 years older than myself, I still found it easy to relate to most of the advice that was given. Maybe it's the fact that I was forced to grow up at an early age, that has provided me with this more mature perspective and outlook on life. I could see both of my parents described in certain parts of the book as well, and it has opened my eyes to the difficult times they have faced throughout the years. Mr. Brook is extremely "real" with his readers and not afraid to tell it like it is, which is a refreshing style to use for a book of this fashion.
I really enjoyed the chapters containing examples of real experiences that people have had with online dating. Some of them were harmlessly amusing, others deserved a wide-eyed 'WTF' moment, and a few were just downright disturbing! Overall, it's an incredibly useful tool in getting back out into the dating world, with confidence and perseverance in your mission to find happiness once again.
Read from January 1, 2018 to January 8, 2018
( 3 )
📚 So here we have the first B&N Readouts selection for 2018, a mystery revolving around jealousy and murder, although the two are not in relation to each other. I'm enjoying the process of imagining the setting of this book, as it takes place in the Scottish Highlands, which sounds just beautiful (albeit dangerous) so far.
Although I'm beginning this series with the 19th book, so I suppose there are quite a few details and events that I've missed, regarding the main character, Hamish Macbeth. But, I never felt lost within the story and it was intriguing to see how the mystery played out. There were some definite twists and turns that took me by surprise as well. I did not care for the characters of Jenny Ogilvie or Pat Mallone, who were pretty much made for each other, both being incredibly jealous and vindictive in getting what they wanted, but I was happy that at least Pat got exactly what was coming to him in the end. I thought the mystery of the poison pen writer was well-planned and I liked the way Hamish went about solving it.
I enjoyed the Scottish slang in the book as well, although I had to resort to asking my 100% Scottish mother-in-law what "scunner" meant. However, I could pick up the gist of the meaning via the context it was used. (It's a not-so-nice description for a person, btw.) Overall, it was a nice read, and a fun glimpse into the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands!
Although I'm beginning this series with the 19th book, so I suppose there are quite a few details and events that I've missed, regarding the main character, Hamish Macbeth. But, I never felt lost within the story and it was intriguing to see how the mystery played out. There were some definite twists and turns that took me by surprise as well. I did not care for the characters of Jenny Ogilvie or Pat Mallone, who were pretty much made for each other, both being incredibly jealous and vindictive in getting what they wanted, but I was happy that at least Pat got exactly what was coming to him in the end. I thought the mystery of the poison pen writer was well-planned and I liked the way Hamish went about solving it.
I enjoyed the Scottish slang in the book as well, although I had to resort to asking my 100% Scottish mother-in-law what "scunner" meant. However, I could pick up the gist of the meaning via the context it was used. (It's a not-so-nice description for a person, btw.) Overall, it was a nice read, and a fun glimpse into the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands!
Read from January 1, 2018 to January 21, 2018
( 4 )
This book starts out with a bang, as an Amish girl runs through a cornfield, and gets shot in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun. Newly-appointed sheriff Serenity Adams discovers the body, believing that her death is more than just a hunting accident. She ventures into the Amish community to investigate further, after being warned that the Amish authorities may not be keen to cooperation, yet she refuses to treat them differently than any other citizen.
Stories involving the Amish are always intriguing to me, because of how different their way of life is. It's interesting to be brought into that world via reading, but I feel like I'm perfectly happy to remain on the outside, as I don't think I could survive in that type of lifestyle. Especially after reading this book and seeing how narrow-minded their views come across. I feel for Naomi Beiler and her struggles with her family life, and I don't blame her one bit for wanting to escape, after she gets her first taste of life 'on the outside.' It's a shame that her plans never played out, because I feel that she would have been truly happy with Will, if only she could have made it through that cornfield. The way their relationship blossomed throughout the book instantly brought me back to memories of my teenage self, experiencing the euphoria of love and longing for the first time.
I enjoyed the way that the story flashed back to Naomi's viewpoint and what she experienced that led up to that fateful night of her untimely death, amid the present investigation as Serenity finds different ways to slip past the secretive manner of the Amish community. The built-up tension at the end of the book, as the mystery unfolds in a disturbing revelation, had me not being able to put it down until I'd read the last words. There's just something that fascinates me about that secretive Amish community and their way of life. It was a captivating read that I will be looking into exploring further, via the next books in the series.
Stories involving the Amish are always intriguing to me, because of how different their way of life is. It's interesting to be brought into that world via reading, but I feel like I'm perfectly happy to remain on the outside, as I don't think I could survive in that type of lifestyle. Especially after reading this book and seeing how narrow-minded their views come across. I feel for Naomi Beiler and her struggles with her family life, and I don't blame her one bit for wanting to escape, after she gets her first taste of life 'on the outside.' It's a shame that her plans never played out, because I feel that she would have been truly happy with Will, if only she could have made it through that cornfield. The way their relationship blossomed throughout the book instantly brought me back to memories of my teenage self, experiencing the euphoria of love and longing for the first time.
I enjoyed the way that the story flashed back to Naomi's viewpoint and what she experienced that led up to that fateful night of her untimely death, amid the present investigation as Serenity finds different ways to slip past the secretive manner of the Amish community. The built-up tension at the end of the book, as the mystery unfolds in a disturbing revelation, had me not being able to put it down until I'd read the last words. There's just something that fascinates me about that secretive Amish community and their way of life. It was a captivating read that I will be looking into exploring further, via the next books in the series.
Read from January 13, 2018 to January 19, 2018
( 5 )
Briefly before reading this installment, I glanced at the reviews on Goodreads... and now that I've finished the book, I don't see where these so-called fans of the Odd Thomas novels are getting such adamantly negative opinions about the content. It's much the same type of style as the previous books, narrated by Odd himself and I never heard any underlying pretext of how horrible our world has become. It's all in Odd's perspective, which in most aspects, his world has become that dismal. The brief references that Koontz added in, regarding humanity outside of Odd's world, I found them more amusing than upsetting.
Anyway, this book introduces yet another new ally for Odd, whom he meets [seemingly] at random during his conquest of pursuing another evil-doer who is planning multiple gruesome murders, involving children. Odd has a vision of these crimes when he happened to make contact with the "rhinestone cowboy," as he is referred to, throughout the majority of the book. And so this sets up his mission of preventing that event from happening, while running into a whole mess of spooky situations on the way, eventually leading him to an intense rescue and escape attempt at a residence full of creepy, highly deranged cultists.
I loved the twist regarding the lingering dead that Odd interacts with in this book though, it was really nice to finally be able to see a different side to them. And seeing the purpose of Boo, the ghost dog that has been with Odd since he left the monastery in book three; it was such a sweet farewell. One small annoyance I had with Odd was how he consistently refused to call Mrs. Fischer by her first name, after she repeatedly asks him to. I think it annoyed me so much because after the first couple times, it just made him seem rude and disrespectful, even though I know his reasoning for not complying is the complete opposite.
The only problem I really had with this book is how vaguely explained some of the circumstances are. You think that you'll get a definitive explanation at some point, but then the book ended and I still have questions that I want answered! I guess that is the beauty of keeping a reader interested though, and I suppose it's kind of a recurring theme in the Odd Thomas series, but still, inquiring minds wanna know! 😊 I'm really hoping that this last installment will bring me the answers that I've been wanting since around the 4th book...
Read from January 29, 2018 to February 6, 2018
( 6 )
📚 February's B&N Readouts selection is a tale of a fierce woman named Olivia Moreland, descending from a family with a reputation of peculiarity, who spends her time disproving the abilities of charlatans around London in the late 1800s. The book steps right into the action, with Olivia attending a séance and attempting to discredit its host, but instead gets thwarted by Stephen St. Leger, who is attending the event for somewhat similar reasons, to prove that they are frauds, after the way one of them has been influencing his grieving mother. He mistakes Olivia for a conspirator working with the charlatan, instead of a woman simply trying to disprove her alleged 'skills.'
And so begins their unique love affair. Once he learns what she actually does, Stephen invites Olivia to his estate, named Blackhope, to help him prove to his mother that the medium she believes is contacting her dead son is in fact a fraud only after their money and a fabled "Martyr's Treasure" hidden within the estate, of which only Stephen knows how to access. I loved how the romance blossomed between Olivia and Stephen, even from the start, and how the author intertwined those feelings with the relationship of a knight and Lady Alys, the lady of the castle from hundreds of years ago. They watch the romance play out through uncanny dreams and Alys's lingering spirit, who still lurks about the house.
There are a several important plot twists, most of which I never saw coming, and one that held sort of a brief suspicion until it was confirmed throughout the story. The character development was excellent, and I loved learning more about the Morelands and what gave their family the reputation of being "mad."
Read from February 1, 2018 to February 21, 2018
( 7 )
And now for the conclusion to Odd Thomas's story, once and for all. I went through this book fairly quickly, although part of me tried not to, because I knew I'd miss Odd and his quirky and sweet nature.
This book started out with Odd revisiting the devastating scene from the very first memoir, the Green Moon Mall, where the tragedy stole the lives of nineteen Pico Mundo residents, including the one most important to Odd. The building has been abandoned and is scheduled for demolition. He encounters three people in the midst of the debris, who end up being members of the same cult that Odd encountered in the previous book. They've come to Odd's hometown to wreak some havoc, in an attempt to hurt him and the people he loves most.
So of course, this puts Odd on a collision-course to thwart them at every possible chance. His determination to prevent another horrible tragedy in his hometown is fiercely enforced and the tension builds rapidly throughout the course of this eighth and final memoir. I have a love/hate relationship with the ending, though I figured something like that was going to happen, but it doesn't make it any less sad. I liked the inclusion of Ozzie's perspective in one of the chapters as well, and although I did finally get the answer to one of the lingering questions I'd had for a while, it wasn't the answer I was expecting or hoping for.
YOU ARE DESTINED TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER—and I dare to believe that it means not just Odd and Stormy, but all of us.
Read from February 6, 2018 to February 19, 2018
( 8 )
📖 Prompt: BOOK WITH AN ANIMAL ON THE COVER
From the first chapter, I feel like I am going to learn a lot about the intricate details of the training of dogs for search and rescue teams & law enforcement. This story begins in a sweet way, with one of Jamie Flint's rescued shelter dogs, Phantom, discovering a couple of orphaned fawns, tangled in some underbrush of a Maine forest.
This book definitely did not disappoint! It had an intriguing mystery, bone-chilling suspense, gruesome horror, a glimpse into the supernatural and even a touch of romance as well. I was surprised to be leaving Odd Thomas, only to jump right into the story of multiple people, all sharing similar "unique" abilities, which only helped the mystery to be even spookier than it would be otherwise.
My favorite character developments were the relationships between the dogs and their handlers, without a doubt. Being a dog-lover, I can relate to those special types of bonds that humans can develop with their dog, albeit not a search-and-rescue kind, but still, the same general principle applies. And I loved how the dogs' roles in the story were intertwined with what was happening at the time. It added to the emotional pull of the scenes, at least for me. The only complaint I have is that it felt as if the ending was slightly rushed, after the mystery was solved and everyone was able to get back to their normal lives. But at the same time, it didn't take away from the book as a whole.
The style of writing kept me coming back to it every day, anticipating what would happen next for Jamie and her team. I would recommend this to anyone who's even slightly a fan of any of the genres that I mentioned previously!
Read from February 21, 2018 to March 4, 2018
( 9 )
📚 On to March's B&N Readouts selection, which is a tale of Sherlock Holmes and a case that leads him and Dr. Watson to Paris, at the request of a cabaret singer, who claims that her son has been kidnapped. My first impression of this book is that I LOVE that cover! But after briefly glimpsing the reviews on Goodreads, that seems to be the best thing about it. However, I will still give the story a chance.
I have always held that life with Holmes is a bit like walking across a suspension bridge that hangs from ropes over a jungle chasm. The adrenaline may be invigorating, but one never knows what lies beneath, and one is constantly in danger of losing one's footing.
-CHAPTER 12
Upon finishing the book, it only proves once again that I cannot take Goodreads reviews at face value, to tell me what I am going to like, because this was a wonderful addition to the Sherlock Holmes collection. The story involves abuse within—as well as outside of—the family. And the sad truth is that there are sick and twisted individuals like this in the real world, not only in this fictional universe. That being said, there's a plethora of aspects to enjoy when reading this novel: the suspense of an enthralling mystery with a surprise villain that I never once suspected, a touch of romance rooted in despair and distress, even a glimpse of comedic relief via the ever-present banter between Holmes & Watson.
-CHAPTER 12
Dr. Watson's continuous concern for his eccentric friend and the sometimes-dangerous tactics he employs to get to the truth was admirable. Everyone should have a friend like that, looking out for them when they're too lost in their thought process to do so themselves. I really liked the character development regarding the cabaret singer, Cherie Cerise, and the relationships within her broken family life. She is written as a fiercely devoted and strong woman that will do anything to protect her son, even though he is unaware that she is his real mother. This turned out to be a wonderfully twisted, but enjoyable read.
Read from March 1, 2018 to March 24, 2018
( 10 )
📖 Prompt: BOOK WITH MY FAVORITE COLOR IN THE TITLE
My initial impression from this book, after reading the foreword, is that it reminded me of the movie Wind River, which explores the absolute disregard for crimes within Indian reservations, and how they are often simply overlooked. That is what I found intriguing about the book as well, before actually diving into it.
Let me be honest, I had a difficult time coming back to this book every day. Mainly because of the unrealistic aspect of how the dialogue is written. It comes off as a bit amateur-ish. For example, people don't really say 'LMAO' out loud when they're talking, considering that it is usually used as an abbreviation for the act of finding something extremely funny and laughing about it. But they don't say it. Granted, there was only one instance of this, but it was in the beginning, ending up putting a damper on the rest of the book for me.
As far as the actual content, it was interesting enough for me to overlook the dialogue issue. I enjoyed how Thaddeus's two separate cases were intertwined, although I found it a little odd that we don't actually find out for certain what happened to the actual shooter in Turquoise's case. But I suppose, in the long run, that's not what was important in her case. The suffering she had to put up with for six years was heart-wrenching to read about, and I found it satisfying that her uncle got what was coming to him. The whole book delves right into the effects of sexual abuse, on the victim and the attacker, and is pretty disturbing to read. But there is definitely a sense of gratification upon finishing the story, knowing that everything worked out as it should.
Read from March 5, 2018 to April 1, 2018
( 11 )
First off, this book was written by a friend of mine, for last year's NaNoWriMo event during November. He was kind enough to share it with me, even though it hasn't been officially published yet. I'm including it here because that fact doesn't exclude it from being a viable book for this challenge. [Also, I designed the cover! 😊]
It's the introductory tale of a teenage boy (Shawn) who discovers that he was born with special powers that allow him to travel within dreams. He quickly encounters what is known as the Shadow King, who has been imprisoned in a shadow realm for many years, and intends to use the boy as a tool for shrouding the world in darkness. Yet Shawn is determined to gain control of his powers and utilize them to prevent that from happening, even when the stakes are raised by the Shadow King, in taking one of his best friends hostage.
There could have been more character development, regarding Shawn, but I did like what was already there and I feel that readers will get to know more about him through his future adventures as well. The Shadow King's depth of character was interesting to read, especially the flashback into the past and what initiated his hatred of humans. I enjoyed his interactions, though it was somewhat creepy, but in a good way, if you know what I mean. It's also nice how the ending left things open for more tales about this unique 'shadow shaman' and his future endeavors. He's still very much a teenager just wanting to live a normal life, but he realizes that he was born with a purpose far more significant than simply worrying about girls and grades.
Read from March 9, 2018 to March 20, 2018
( 12 )
📚 April's B&N Readouts selection is a bit more out-of-the-ordinary, considering it is an amusing tweak of the historical tragedy of Lady Jane Grey, who was queen of England for nine days in the 1500s, at only sixteen years old. The book includes a twist to historical facts, by giving the characters the ability to transform into animals at will (or, in some cases, a forced change that they cannot control), known as E∂ians (pronounced Ethians). There's another group, referred to as Verities, who oppose everything having to do with E∂ians and set out to burn them at the stake, for their 'abominational' nature. This results in the E∂ians having to hide their true selves, for fear of persecution.
I have to say, I was slightly skeptical of this book at first, but the more I read, the more I really enjoyed it. The tweak on historical facts, and adding in that hint of fantasy only enhanced the story even more. I loved Jane, I could identify with her on so many levels! The way her 'forced' relationship with Gifford Dudley develops throughout the book was interesting (and quite amusing) to keep coming back to every day.
This is just a delightful take on what should have happened for Jane Grey, if she had survived. She was definitely my favorite character, although I enjoyed Gracie McTavish as well, the snarky Scottish pickpocket that Edward comes to grow quite fond of. I loved how things ended up working out for them at the end of the book. There were plenty of strong, independent & sassy women in this read and it was written in a way that gives them a high dose of credibility, without utilizing the usual in-your-face feministic manner.
Read from April 2, 2018 to April 29, 2018
( 13 )
📖 Prompt: BOOK CONSIDERED TO BE A CLASSIC
"Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, his dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged; petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral; while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying, enchanting, obsessing, even corrupting readers for more than a hundred years."
Read from April 4, 2018 to June 30, 2018
( 14 )
A Trace of Smoke (Hannah Vogel #1) by Rebecca Cantrell
📚 Set in Berlin, Germany in 1931, smack in the middle of the rise of the Nazis, May's B&N Readout selection is a crime thriller that follows a hardened crime reporter through an ordeal that she isn't quite sure she can handle. The book has an intense beginning, with Hannah finding a photograph of her brother among the 'Unnamed Dead' and attempting to thwart the detectives from catching on to who it is, seeing as the two siblings have already lent their identification to Hannah's friend (and her son), a Zionist troublemaker forbidden to travel, who are escaping to the United States.
I have to say, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this story! The style of writing really grabbed my attention and helped in providing the anticipation of finding out what happens next. It was easy to develop a connection with Hannah and her concern for her brother, especially when she is surprised by a child that she never knew existed. It's sweet to read how she comes to care deeply for the boy and his well-being, after living the first 5 years of his life in the care of a prostitute, which left him hungry and alone.
There are so many layers to the mystery of her brother's murder as well, and it was interesting to discover each one along with Hannah, fueling her desire for justice (and a slight hint of revenge) for the death of her brother. The book ends in the same intense fashion as it started, along with a cliffhanger that makes me want to continue the series, to see how things end up working out for Hannah Vogel and her new 'son.'
Read from May 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018
Legend: 📖 = reading prompts 📚 = B&N Readouts
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