Classic Crichton. Smart, fast-paced, impeccably researched. The thing about a Crichton novel is you can't help but learn a lit while also being thorouClassic Crichton. Smart, fast-paced, impeccably researched. The thing about a Crichton novel is you can't help but learn a lit while also being thoroughly entertained.
This one has it all: A murder mystery, political intrigue, a race to solve the crime.
Seems a little weird at first, with a current reading, as Japan is no longer the powerhouse of economy that it was the the '80's and '90's. But the foreign relations concepts are still quite valid.
Don't miss the teeny note in the front papers that notes, amazingly, how much of the background facts in the tale are true. An extensive bibliography completes the back....more
THE GOOD: An amazing glimpse into the life of 15th and 16th Century peoples, in particular the medical practices available to women.
THE BAD: While notTHE GOOD: An amazing glimpse into the life of 15th and 16th Century peoples, in particular the medical practices available to women.
THE BAD: While not overly descriptive to the point of gore, the scenes of foot binding, info on the lives of eunuchs, and references to terminating pregnancies were a bit nauseating.
CONCLUSION: Beautiful scenery, fascinating clothing, and peek into the Milk Days to Sitting Quiet Days of Tan Xunxian, written as a lively yet caring woman. Recommended....more
An adequate take on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, with a twist. A remote and exotic island, three beautiful women, two rich boyfriends. An adequate take on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, with a twist. A remote and exotic island, three beautiful women, two rich boyfriends. Who will remain standing?...more
Wow. Simply amazing. Jamie Ford hits it out of the park again!
I am so entranced with this idea of genetic memory. I'm stil**spoiler alert** *SPOILERS*
Wow. Simply amazing. Jamie Ford hits it out of the park again!
I am so entranced with this idea of genetic memory. I'm still not sure exactly how Dorothy's treatment helped her, but perhaps she reimagined her ancestors' past in order to improve her own.
As to a stranger searching for her in each timeline, I feel like I didn't see that for most of the timelines. It was definitely there for Faye., though. And some "echoes" for both Dorothy and Annabel. Each timeline definitely had interactions that were searching in some sense - for friendship, for love.
Parts of the story still "hurt my brain". Much like I was always disturbed over how Marty McFly could be both in the future and the past in Back to the Future. Thinking to myself: How could this happen if it didn't happen? I'm also still not sure how Zoe fits in. Was she Faye's daughter she gave up for adoption?
Some excellent sci-fi-like elements were included for the timelines in the future, making the timelines feel more authentic.
Giving 4 stars instead of 5 as the book unfortunately fell subject to the current day "diversity points scale". There was no need for the forced-in male/male married couple. Also, a little creeped out by the teacher/student love story timeline.
Overall, very well crafted, atmospheric for sure, and one that will stick with you. Reader Beware on the wokeness dosing in, however.
If you read White Amy, looking to explore themes of Chinese Americans, and were disappointed, then Peach Blossom Spring is the book for you.
While thisIf you read White Amy, looking to explore themes of Chinese Americans, and were disappointed, then Peach Blossom Spring is the book for you.
While this is fiction, according to the author Melissa Fu, it did read a bit too autobiographical for my taste. Also, as a multigenerational story with three main narrators, it was a bit hard for me to feel completely immersed in any one character. Although I would love to know more about the first character, and grandmother, Meilin. American-born granddaughter Lily, however was a bit bratty and spoiled. Due to the somewhat lack of bonding to characters and storyline, I award this novel four stars. That said, it is well done and I don't think readers will be disappointed.
In the end, the ending is satisfying, as Lily finds the Chinese part of her past she's been seeking for so long. And Henry/Renshu finds peace in a Peach Blossom Spiring....more
Originally marketed as a true account, then very shortly thereafter as a novel, Typee is Melville's travelogue of 4 weeks (presented as 4 months on thOriginally marketed as a true account, then very shortly thereafter as a novel, Typee is Melville's travelogue of 4 weeks (presented as 4 months on the tale) in the South Pacific island of Nuka Hiva (which Melville refers to as Nukaheva) in the Marquesas.
A fascinating deep dive into the islander culture, laid out in a series of essay-like chapters, arranged by topic. Thus it definitely does not read like a novel, in the way a present-day reader would think of it.
First published in 1846, Melville's writing style can come off a bit dry and long-winded, so perseverance is sometimes needed to keep going. Yet, when I finished the book, I found my mind kept wondering, "Why am I no longer in the South Pacific?"
Highly recommended to lovers of classics, history, geography, and/or the South Seas....more
A quick page-turner, The Last Thing He Told Me is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. It reminded me of John Grisham’s The Fugitive or Scott TurowA quick page-turner, The Last Thing He Told Me is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. It reminded me of John Grisham’s The Fugitive or Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent, but without the murder-mystery part, and, like the aforementioned, would make a great movie.
Hannah, an artist living on a beautiful houseboat in the San Francisco area, opens the door one day to a young woman with a note in her husband Owen’s handwriting that reads simply, “Protect her”. Hannah instinctively knows that the only “her” being referred to is her stepdaughter Bailey, Owen’s teenager daughter who is not exactly Hannah’s biggest fan. But that is all Hannah knows. She begins to question who Owen really is and if she really knows him at all. And Hannah and Bailey embark on dangerous quest to dig into Owen’s past to find the answers they seek, as well as the man they both love.
A recommended read, The Last Thing He Told Me was also big hit with the book club circuit, being selected by such heavy-hitters as Book of the Month Club and Reese’s Book Club.
A big thank you to Laura Dave, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for this review.
An entertaining novel with a genuinely surprising climax and conclusion.
Dog walker, Jane, can’t believe her luck whe**spoiler alert** *SOFT SPOILERS*
An entertaining novel with a genuinely surprising climax and conclusion.
Dog walker, Jane, can’t believe her luck when she catches the eye of the wealthy – you guessed it – Mr. Rochester (Eddie). As Jane gets to know Eddie, she yearns to more about his recently deceased wife, Bea, who died in a boating accident along with her best friend Blanche.
In this version, Jane solves the mystery of what really happened to Bea and Blanche, and finds herself in a life or death situation as well. The question – who really are Eddie, Bea, and Blanche – and will Jane get to keep the security she’s always longed for, that Eddie finally provides.
A decent entry into the popular Jane Eyre copycat market, and another in a recent spate of quasi-psychopathic, female, lead characters, such as the also recently released White Ivy and Bad Habits. Yet, I would have enjoyed more without the comments peppered throughout that bashed Southerners, Republicans, and “rich white dudes”. Ladies, I realize you are fictional, but perhaps your problems are your own and not the result of “the man”. (Seriously, I’m not even sure how these blame game comments made sense with the plot at all.)
Also, of note, for the readers who do not care for crass or crude language, there were several spots of vulgar word choices.
As I was surprised and entertained overall, awarding four stars.
A big thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this honest review.
What an adorable book this is! I sat down on a Saturday afternoon before Christmas and read the whole thing in one sitting! A cross between A ChristmaWhat an adorable book this is! I sat down on a Saturday afternoon before Christmas and read the whole thing in one sitting! A cross between A Christmas Carol and Groundhog Day, this one is sure to keep you smiling!
Four families have spent every Christmas for the past 30 years at “the cabin”. Now it appears everything is at risk. For Maelyn, the cabin IS Christmas. Yet, this year, she finds herself dazed and confused when, tipsy from eggnog, she makes out with her childhood friend Theo. How can this be when she’s always had her heart set on Theo’s older brother Andrew? Still reeling from this alternate reality of her own making, Mae wakes up on the airplane next to her little brother – six days earlier.
Stuck in a time loop of repeating the same weeklong vacation all over again, Mae isn’t sure whether to cringe at the thought of having to repeat her terrible choices, or whether this is a chance at a new beginning.
In a Holidaze is as sweet as a peppermint candy cane and as cozy as a fireplace on a snowy day. You’ll laugh and cheer along with Mae as she struggles to make the right choices – and ultimately to choose to do and to be what makes her happy. I really liked this book and hope you do too!
Get your copy of In a Holidaze, and see more of Desiree Reads’s 2020 recommendations, at https://bookshop.org/lists/top-books-... – BookShop.org - the online bookstore that donates 75% of the book’s profit margin to indie bookstores!...more
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