bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)

Zoe and her mom have moved to a crappy city in Norther New York after Zoe's mom FINALLY figures out Zoe's overbearing business-guy dad is cheating on her. Starting a new high school is never easy, and Zoe really just wants to move back to NYC and attend a prestigious private school that will hopefully get her into Princeton. Mostly friendless, Zoe floats through the first few weeks of school, until one day Digby tumbles into her bedroom. Outfitted in a black suit, Digby draws Zoe into his orbit. He's on a mission, and he needs her help. Too bad for Zoe, this may mean a lot more trouble then she ever intended.

This was so much fun. It reminded me of a John Green road trip novel crossed with Veronica Mars meets the Breakfast Club. The characters were all vividly portrayed, and the hint of romance is just the right amount, especially since these characters are in high school! Don't even get me started on the 1920s themed-Prom and the hijinks that ensue. While many plot points are so over the top (see plastic explosives)and it was a bit hard to follow the threads of the mystery, I loved this! I hope Tromly writes more.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I listened to the audiobook, and Wil Wheaton's narration is spot on. I've upped my overall review of the book to 4 stars because I had a damn good time listening to this during my daily commute. I still wish Cline had done more with this, because I think he really had something with the

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idea of the government using video games to secretly train an army to fly drones

.

Let's be honest. I LOVED [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One|Ernest Cline|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg|14863741]. It is my favorite audiobook of all time, one I press on any willing soul who'll listen. So, Armada had a lot to live up to. I had fun reading it and I'm super looking forward to hearing it narrated by [a:Wil Wheaton|37075|Wil Wheaton|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1356706649p2/37075.jpg] (same narrator as RPO).

That said, I think the reason I LOVED Ready Player One versus my more lukewarm reaction to Armada is related to the type of video gamer I am. When I do play video games (which is rare post-N64) I like puzzle solvers, RPGs, or "second lives." These type of games don't rely on reflex or other players much like in RPO which is set in a fictional reality called the Oayses. I think gamers who enjoy massive online games, like World of Warcraft, or those who like first person shooters and games like X-Wing Rogue Squadron or Mech Warrior will LOVE Armada.

Still super enjoyable, I was so pleased when I could say "I got that reference" and I loved how Cline was tweaking his nose at the "Video Gamers save the world" tropes prevalent in pop culture. I just wanted more; more depth, more character development, and more time.

I'll save the rest of my thoughts for after I listen to the audiobook.

Thank you to Read it Forward for the free copy of Armada!

Not my favorite in the Searching For series, but still a delightful read on a super hot summer day. We finally find out more about Arilyn and her cheating, horrible Yogi Teacher lover who she has finally ditched for good, and we get to see her meet and fall in love with brooding, anger management student Officer Stone Petty. Lots of simmering sexual tension, and a lovely ending.

Delia and Paul have been together for ten years. They have a delightfully goofy old dog named Parsnip, a lovely house, and are comfortably happy. Delia loves Paul and is ready for marriage. She even has the ring picked out and the money saved to buy it, and so goes ahead and proposes. While out celebrating their engagement, Delia receives a text message from Paul, but it isn't for her. It's for his secret lover.

Thus launches a delightfully quirky romance story about a woman who decides comfortable isn't quite good enough for her anymore. There's a crazy boss, a charmingly annoying reporter, and a fun cast of supporting characters.

What kept me from LOVING this was

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the sort of creepy friendship Delia develops with an online troll who turns out to have a heart of gold. Really? Also, the take down of her her shady boss and her shady new job took up way more time then developing her relationship with the guy she ends up with.

To be perfectly honest, if this book wasn't set in Milwaukee I'm not sure how I would have liked it. The overall arc of the romance was a bit shallow and I wanted a bit more depth to the main characters, chef Lou and the "Sardonic British transplant" Al. They were really cute and I rooted for them, but found a bunch of things a little too unbelievable

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especially the fact they both are okay with hiding what they do for a living while 'dating' and how quickly Lou goes from being engaged to her shitty fiancee to being over it. Yes, he's shitty, but he's almost too shitty to make it believable that she was with him in the first place.'

That said, Reichert excels at making Milwaukee seem like a culinary delight, a place everyone should want to visit, or maybe even stay. She describes the pretty, shiny version of Milwaukee that we all wish it could be every day.

I'm curious to see how Non-Milwaukee and non-native Wisconsite's will review this book, because I'm certainly biased.

I would recommend for a quick read while camping or commuting.

Maybe I need to try harder to become "one with the universe," but this did not speak to me. I wasn't very inspired by the assignments nor the illustrations. And call me juvenile, but to title a chapter "Start yourself on Fire!" just made me laugh and think what if someone ACTUALLY set themselves on fire because of this book?!

A truly luminous graphic biography of Marie Curie, Pierre Curie, and their work. The graphics immersed you into this book, as well as the clever way Redniss interspersed the linear timeline of Marie Curie's life with seemingly random (but highly relevant) vignettes regarding radiation, accidents, and science.

There was just enough details to give me an understanding of Curie's work without devolving into a scientific treatise. I was left wanting to know more and wondering why Hollywood has completely failed to bring this important woman to life on the silver screen. The tragedy of the untimely death of her husband, her highly controversial love affair with fellow scientist Paul Langevin, and the fact she is the first PERSON (let alone woman) to win two Nobel Prizes would make for a thrilling film adaptation.

My library is featuring this work as our Book to Art Club selection, and I could not be more pleased. I hope our club enjoyed it as much as I did!

An intriguing start to a new series, there were many things I loved about The Highway Man, and a few details that irked me.

There was a refreshing difference to this romance, including Farah's job at Scotland Yard and the fact Dorian is the one with a damaged heart, body, and soul (and huge sexual hangups).

Slight spoilers ahead, but if you didn't realized this straight off, please.

What I didn't like was the absurd notion that Farah doesn't realize who Dorian is. He remembers her and can identify her as an adult instantly, but throw an eye patch on this guy and she has no clue. Seriously?

I think the overall love story would have been more satisfying for me if the characters had known each other better (not just based everything off a couple of weeks as children).

Still, a lot of fun. Recommend for those who also love [a:Sarah MacLean|1598076|Sarah MacLean|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1216068049p2/1598076.jpg]'s books.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Finally, Zoe Stone sister to Wyatt and Emily from previous books, has the house to herself. Trouble is, she's lonely, broke, and can't admit she might not be able to take care of it all herself. When she offers to let a friend of Wyatt's room with her for the summer, she figures all Forestry Agent Parker will need is a room and her skills as a private pilot.

When she mistakes Parker for her blind date and lays a smoochie on him at the door, sparks fly. Zoe's summer may be interesting then she could have hoped for.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Alexa's first kiss was amazing, until Nick ruined it all by breaking her heart immediately afterwards.

Fast forward fifteen years later, Nick needs a wife to fulfill a clause in his Uncle's will, but he only needs a wife for one year. Alexa needs $150,000 to save her mother's home. They strike up a bargain and quickly get married, despite their disdain for each other and of course their COMPLETE LACK of chemistry. Sounds like the perfect bargain, until their hearts get involved.

The entire premise was preposterous, including the ruse to trick the family. However, the banter and steam made up for the absurdities. Perfect book for reading in the yard while keeping one eye on a wily three year old.