“Forget You Know Me” has been labeled as a thriller by the publisher. I would have to disagree with this. I’ve had this occur with several books recently: The genre label for marketing the book is, in my opinion, inaccurate, which results in a lower rating than it probably deserves. This novel is labeled as mystery and thriller, and I didn’t see it as either.
There is a lot going on in this book. Too much. Think extortion, deadly fire, adultery, mystery medical issues, embezzling, romance, as well as deadly loan sharks. I had a difficult time getting into the book, starting it several times and putting it aside. I eventually did get into it, but must state that there was simply too much in this novel to really enjoy it. I didn’t like any of the characters, except for the kids. It was difficult to invest in caring what happened to any of them, and caught myself more than once, skimming ahead. I would have trouble recommending this book to anyone, with so many excellent books out there that demand more from the reader than sloshing along waiting for it to be over. I am not typically one to give poor reviews, as I feel an artist’s work should be respected and set aside for those who can appreciate it better than I. This time, I just want to state that this one should likely be skipped. Forget you saw it. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #ForgetYouKnowMe
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Sometimes you simply need a beach read that reconnects you to a simplistic time and place in your life. Set in Martha’s Vineyard, this novel is a great escape, starting with a hard look at the childhood you left, and ending up home again. This book will have you connect with Joanne, Hank, and the island of Martha’s Vineyard in a way you’ll likely see characters from your past. It nearly comes to a charming end, but not before the journalist Joanne tries to make ethics a spectator sport.
My Mom Always Looks After Me So Much is a delightful book for young children. The story is about a young gorilla and his mom, on a journey to get a shot, hence the mom taking care of him. The main character is scared, but knows mom always takes care of him.
The book tries to take on more themes which leaves the reader a bit confused. Children won't notice it and the main theme of mom taking care of her child is prevalent. The illustrations are lovely and there are many opportunities for families and teachers to discuss other things in the book. As a speech language pathologist, there are many opportunities to encourage spatial concepts, colors, and overall language development. Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman continues the legacy of Alex Delaware, the psychologist working with LAPD. The book is written in true Kellerman style, but I found this one to be slightly confusing. More than once, I found my self flipping back and forth to determine who was who. As a successful writer, Kellerman shouldn't still be having those concerns. A little editing would have helped immensely.
The book is about a wedding "crasher" who is discovered in the ladies room dead. Let the games begin. While the character of Alex Delaware is a recurring character in many of Kellerman's books, this book can and will stand alone. You don't need to reed the other, what 30?, to understand the character. Called in to work along side the LAPD, Dr. Alex Delaware, assists with the psychological profiling and understanding the why of the murders. And there are MURDERS. Dr. Delaware leads us through the mind of a serial killer as he helps to solve the crime, and make connections with other murders. You won't confuse this with literary fiction, but consume it as I did, in a single reading on a rainy Sunday. It's fun, and you will want to stay up late until you find out whodunit. I totally enjoyed the book, even though there were slow points in the book. It's a great escape novel, which is exactly what it was meant to be. Thanks to #TheWeddingGuest #NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 4 Star read!
Even If I Fall, written by Abigail Johnson, is written well for a YA story, but had some flow concerns. Starting out with an odd scene with the main character and a friend driving a new car, which looking back was relevant, but oddly placed within the book. The author didn’t reveal names for the characters for a while and it was difficult to be drawn in to the book as a result. The scenes were choppy for the first 25% of the book, but did start to make sense after that. It took away from the story, in my opinion.
The story was about a family member who committed murder, which may be relevant for many teens. This book addresses the bullying and survivor guilt. The characters were moderately well developed, but most were unlikeable. The story within the book, Even If I Fall, is heartbreakingly beautiful and compelling. Overall I didn't love the book but I did like it. I don’t often read YA books, but on occasion, I enjoy them. This was one that I did enjoy and would recommend to young people. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free e copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I had a great month of reading. I highly recommend the two favorite books I read this month. John Boyne, who wrote "A Ladder to the Sky" is becoming my new favorite author. An Irish author, I have yet to read less than a five star book he's written.
"The Road to Jonestown" is about the cult leader Jim Jones, who murdered his follows in Guyana. I remember watching that horror unfolding on TV in November 1978, as a very young Speech Language Pathologist in Terre Haute, Indiana. I learned quite a few new facts about this cult and their leader and really couldn't put the book down. I have managed to pull five books off the bookshelf this month and sent them to loving homes, having only fostered them for a while. Each month, I want to get more out of our space, so that I won't have to be sad in December, when very, very few books will be saved to my tiny library. I have been donating to different charities each month, Broward County Florida public library being the latest recipient for their library sales. What have you read lately that thrills you? #MountTBR I have been very behind in reading both my pre-publication books as well as the mountain of books that I have owned for a bit, otherwise known as #MountTBR (TBR=to be read).
As a member of three, sometimes four, in real life bookgroups, I have those books each month to read, which usually are new downloads/purchases. So....it is sometimes difficult to get to all the reading I want to do each month. In January, I have tackled five of those #MountTBR. I find that disappointing, as I'd like to read more. The first I read from my pile of clutter (really...books are NOT clutter) was a great novel by Amor Towles, "Rules of Civility". Many of you might know his more popular book, A Gentleman in Moscow. I really liked the book, as the characters were so flawed. I can relate to poor decision making so well. Set in New York City from New Year's Eve 1937 to New Year's Eve 1938, it was set against the recovering economy to pre-war Europe. 4 Stars! The four remaining books off my "not clutter" pile are "Robin "by Dave Itzkoff. A biography of Robin Williams. Amazing. Sad. Revealing. Difficult. Read it if you are a true fan, as it is detail heavy, which add to the complete genius which is Robin Williams. RIP. Reading an "Orchestra of Minorities" by Chigozie Obioma was difficult for me. While many loved this book, I sadly was not among them. I think this is a book that in the correct mindset, I may think differently. Too much magical thinking in this one for me. Told through the narrator's chi, I had difficulty relating. Lots of people love it. You might be that person. Without doubt, the best of these #MountTBR books, was John Boyne's latest book, "A Ladder to the Sky. " I want to give this book all the stars. Easily my new favorite author, John Boyne writes to show us that "The Heart's Invisible Furies" was not a fluke. Written from the main character who is simply despicable, it was a page turner and finished it in two days. At 366 pages, that is difficult to do. Unless it's John Boyne. About the publishing and writing world, it explores ethics and morality and what is an author's story. Go buy it if you can't get it from your library. 5 +++ stars! The last of the January #MountTBR reads was "Sing, Unburied, Sing." by Jesmyn Ward. Beautifully written, gorgeous language, I think I have overloaded on these type of stories in 2018. Set in Mississippi, it's about a dysfunctional family, looking for hope, and finding struggle. You will love it. There is a reason it won awards. But be prepared for ugly truths. 4 Stars. Off to work on our new RV, so that this blog can get on the road. Leave a note...what have you read off your #MountTBR As of January 16, 2019, we are the proud owners of this RV. We have some upgrades in the interior to be made, such as hardware, curtains, flooring, so that it becomes our home. We will be spending(literally$$) time to work on her and make some changes. We have some reservations locally to take her out and work on cleaning/maintenance prior to making any big trips. Watch this space......
As a pediatric speech language pathologist, I work with all types of children that have challenges. Using literature to expand awareness and skills is a passion of mine. Small Voice Says is an excellent way to increase children's awareness of conscience and empathy for others. Written for young children, the words of the story are easily understood and the illustrations match the text and help comprehension.
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AuthorReader, Traveler, Reviewer. Come join us as we travel the US in our RV. I review books. Archives
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