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The Gifted School is a slow burn read, centered around friendship and family drama with a few twists to spice things up along the way.
As an educator for over 20 years I found the book very realistic in its portrayal of the behind the scenes look at the “gifted” label. It’s amazing what some people will do to try to have their child(ren) labeled as gifted when they are simply hard working, good students. So much pressure and impossible to meet expectations are put on these amazing children so they are left feeling inadequate and not good/smart enough. It’s sad.
What I enjoyed most was the varied POVs we got throughout the story. Once you get used to all the characters, it’s wonderful to have so much insight from the men, women & children. I loved how differently they saw things and processed what was going on.
The book is filled with so many characters that will have you shaking your head, thanking the stars above that this is not your family and these are not your friends. Yet, you’ll be drawn in by the drama and find yourself hoping for some redemption for these families. After spending so much time with them, I was definitely feeling invested.
This was a buddy read with some Instagram friends & it prompted some great group discussion. I think that definitely helped my overall enjoyment of the book because it was definitely long.
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
As an educator for over 20 years I found the book very realistic in its portrayal of the behind the scenes look at the “gifted” label. It’s amazing what some people will do to try to have their child(ren) labeled as gifted when they are simply hard working, good students. So much pressure and impossible to meet expectations are put on these amazing children so they are left feeling inadequate and not good/smart enough. It’s sad.
What I enjoyed most was the varied POVs we got throughout the story. Once you get used to all the characters, it’s wonderful to have so much insight from the men, women & children. I loved how differently they saw things and processed what was going on.
The book is filled with so many characters that will have you shaking your head, thanking the stars above that this is not your family and these are not your friends. Yet, you’ll be drawn in by the drama and find yourself hoping for some redemption for these families. After spending so much time with them, I was definitely feeling invested.
This was a buddy read with some Instagram friends & it prompted some great group discussion. I think that definitely helped my overall enjoyment of the book because it was definitely long.
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
Ten strangers are invited to Soldier Island under mysterious circumstances. Their unknown benefactor doesn’t show, leaving them to question the legitimacy of their invites which they all begin to realize belongs to someone they don't really even know - a Mr. or Mrs. U.N. Owen!
Things on the island immediately take a macabre turn. The guests start dying off, one by one, in eerie accordance with the Ten Little Soldier Boys poem that is posted in each of their rooms.
Ten little soldier boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were Nine.
Nine little soldier boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were Eight.
Eight little soldier boys traveling in Devon; One said he’d stay there and then there were Seven.
Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were Six.
Six little soldier boys playing with a hive; A bumble bee stung one and then there were Five.
Five little soldier boys going in for law; One got into chancery and then there were Four.
Four little soldier boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were Three.
Three little soldier boys walking in the Zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were Two.
Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was One.
One little soldier boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself
And then there were None.
With no host or hostess in sight, the guest soon realize their situation is dire indeed. There can be no other explanation - the killer is one of them. How will they survive their stay on Soldier Island when they don't know who they can trust?
This was my first foray into Agatha Christie and it was an absolute delight! Though I did have my suspicions as to who the culprit was I genuinely stumped and had to reread the ending twice to fully appreciate it all! I so enjoyed the quick progression of the story and how it all unfurled. Christie weaves an amazingly intricate, puzzling plot fraught with tense moments. This certainly won't be my last book by the Queen of Mystery!
Things on the island immediately take a macabre turn. The guests start dying off, one by one, in eerie accordance with the Ten Little Soldier Boys poem that is posted in each of their rooms.
Ten little soldier boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were Nine.
Nine little soldier boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were Eight.
Eight little soldier boys traveling in Devon; One said he’d stay there and then there were Seven.
Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were Six.
Six little soldier boys playing with a hive; A bumble bee stung one and then there were Five.
Five little soldier boys going in for law; One got into chancery and then there were Four.
Four little soldier boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were Three.
Three little soldier boys walking in the Zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were Two.
Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was One.
One little soldier boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself
And then there were None.
With no host or hostess in sight, the guest soon realize their situation is dire indeed. There can be no other explanation - the killer is one of them. How will they survive their stay on Soldier Island when they don't know who they can trust?
This was my first foray into Agatha Christie and it was an absolute delight! Though I did have my suspicions as to who the culprit was I genuinely stumped and had to reread the ending twice to fully appreciate it all! I so enjoyed the quick progression of the story and how it all unfurled. Christie weaves an amazingly intricate, puzzling plot fraught with tense moments. This certainly won't be my last book by the Queen of Mystery!
4.5 Brilliantly Executed Stars!
You guys this was like an episode of Criminal Minds and Law & Order all rolled into one but on steroids!!! What a wild ride and I loved everything about it!
Lawyer Eddie Flynn is working the celebrity murder trial of the century. Evidence points to Bobby's guilt, but as the trial begins so do a series of sinister incidents that can't be ignored.
Maybe the serial killer isn't on trial,
maybe he's on the jury...
Cavanagh spins such a clever tale here. He traps you in his web and there is no let up, until you turn the last page. This is a fast-paced legal thriller with some exciting twists and turns that kept me guessing.
I LOVE a good serial killer and Kane was exceptional - highly intelligent, cold, calculating, lacking remorse and completely unfeeling. Every bit of dark needs some light and Kane's counterpart was none other than our hero, Eddie Flynn. Eddie is a former con artist turned lawyer with a penchant for helping the underdog.
This is part of a series but I read it as a standalone and had no issues following along. If you enjoy a fast paced, twisty thriller - pick this one up! I'm just sorry I waited so long to read it.
Thank you to Steven Cavanagh, Flatiron Books and Macmillan Publishing for a copy of this book to read and review.
You guys this was like an episode of Criminal Minds and Law & Order all rolled into one but on steroids!!! What a wild ride and I loved everything about it!
Lawyer Eddie Flynn is working the celebrity murder trial of the century. Evidence points to Bobby's guilt, but as the trial begins so do a series of sinister incidents that can't be ignored.
Maybe the serial killer isn't on trial,
maybe he's on the jury...
Cavanagh spins such a clever tale here. He traps you in his web and there is no let up, until you turn the last page. This is a fast-paced legal thriller with some exciting twists and turns that kept me guessing.
I LOVE a good serial killer and Kane was exceptional - highly intelligent, cold, calculating, lacking remorse and completely unfeeling. Every bit of dark needs some light and Kane's counterpart was none other than our hero, Eddie Flynn. Eddie is a former con artist turned lawyer with a penchant for helping the underdog.
This is part of a series but I read it as a standalone and had no issues following along. If you enjoy a fast paced, twisty thriller - pick this one up! I'm just sorry I waited so long to read it.
Thank you to Steven Cavanagh, Flatiron Books and Macmillan Publishing for a copy of this book to read and review.
5 Embrace Your Bookish Life stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Abbi Waxman you have left me absolutely smitten! 💖 This story has sassy wit, laugh out loud humor and so much heart. Not only did I unabashedly adore Nina and wholeheartedly fall in love with Tom (he definitely made it onto my Top 3 Book Boyfriends List) but I was also completely enamored with the book's entire cast of zany and unique characters. This bookish girl read the entire book with a smile on my face. Each book nerdism, pop culture reference and mention of an introvert's view on life was so relatable!
As Nina's quiet, organized life is upset by the possibility of love, new family and work issues we watch her grow and adapt to the changes in her life in such a hopeful manner that it left me feeling so content. Book lovers this is a "must read" - you will recognize yourself in the characters, delight in the book and pop culture references, laugh with the wit and humor of the characters and fall in love with the budding romance. Nina Hill - I LOVED your bookish life! 🥰
Abbi Waxman you have left me absolutely smitten! 💖 This story has sassy wit, laugh out loud humor and so much heart. Not only did I unabashedly adore Nina and wholeheartedly fall in love with Tom (he definitely made it onto my Top 3 Book Boyfriends List) but I was also completely enamored with the book's entire cast of zany and unique characters. This bookish girl read the entire book with a smile on my face. Each book nerdism, pop culture reference and mention of an introvert's view on life was so relatable!
As Nina's quiet, organized life is upset by the possibility of love, new family and work issues we watch her grow and adapt to the changes in her life in such a hopeful manner that it left me feeling so content. Book lovers this is a "must read" - you will recognize yourself in the characters, delight in the book and pop culture references, laugh with the wit and humor of the characters and fall in love with the budding romance. Nina Hill - I LOVED your bookish life! 🥰
4.5 Stayed up late, made me sob and emotionally wrecked me stars
You guys I have been missing out on reading TJR! This was my first book by her and what an emotional roller coaster. It's a tale of love, loss and letting yourself love again. It was powerful. The idea that that all consuming, one true love of your life doesn't necessarily last forever, and that's not only ok - it just might be necessary. People change, our wants and desires for life evolve. It doesn't diminish who were were and who we loved in the past. It just might not be what we need in the next phase of our life.
What Emma, Jesse and Sam go through, together and apart, in this story is absolutely incredible. Their journeys were devastatingly emotional. I felt so torn, wanting happiness and love for all of them. Though I must admit - I was firmly #TeamSam. TJR - you sure know how to tug on a girl's heartstrings!
You guys I have been missing out on reading TJR! This was my first book by her and what an emotional roller coaster. It's a tale of love, loss and letting yourself love again. It was powerful. The idea that that all consuming, one true love of your life doesn't necessarily last forever, and that's not only ok - it just might be necessary. People change, our wants and desires for life evolve. It doesn't diminish who were were and who we loved in the past. It just might not be what we need in the next phase of our life.
What Emma, Jesse and Sam go through, together and apart, in this story is absolutely incredible. Their journeys were devastatingly emotional. I felt so torn, wanting happiness and love for all of them. Though I must admit - I was firmly #TeamSam. TJR - you sure know how to tug on a girl's heartstrings!
5 Harrowing, Heartbreaking and Unforgettable Stars for The Nickel Boys
To say that the abuse, corruption and violence in this book broke my heart and touched me to my core would be a grave understatement. Though it was a work of fiction - just knowing it was based on actual events which occurred at The Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, FL made it impossible not to think about all the boys that had suffered the kind of gruesome abuse I can not even fathom.
The majority of the story is told from the perspective of Elwood Curtis, an intelligent and idealistic boy who tries to live out the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King. He's the kind of boy you immediately open your heart to, an underdog you can readily root for to end up on top. Yet, I also found myself rooting for even the most jaded of Nickel's boys. No one deserves to endure the atrocities these boys were subjected to - no one!
In short, this is the kind of book that must be read by everyone! If you haven't read it yet - what are you waiting for?
To say that the abuse, corruption and violence in this book broke my heart and touched me to my core would be a grave understatement. Though it was a work of fiction - just knowing it was based on actual events which occurred at The Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, FL made it impossible not to think about all the boys that had suffered the kind of gruesome abuse I can not even fathom.
The majority of the story is told from the perspective of Elwood Curtis, an intelligent and idealistic boy who tries to live out the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King. He's the kind of boy you immediately open your heart to, an underdog you can readily root for to end up on top. Yet, I also found myself rooting for even the most jaded of Nickel's boys. No one deserves to endure the atrocities these boys were subjected to - no one!
In short, this is the kind of book that must be read by everyone! If you haven't read it yet - what are you waiting for?
4.5 Gave Me All The Feels, Emotional Stars!
Simply put Colleen Hoover does it again. This book about grief, love, friendship and family took me on such an emotional roller coaster. I loved the characters - CoHo has such a way of making her characters come to life. It feels as if you know them. I definitely felt that here.
There is a dual romance that worked really well within the story. You will find yourself invested in both these relationships and rooting for the characters to have a true shot at some well deserved happiness. The mother-daughter relationship represented really resonated with me and touched my heart.
Doesn't Hoover have a gift for thinking up the BEST leading men?! She knows how to make you fall for these fictional characters as if they were real. Both Jonah and Miles stole my heart. They now have a special space for themselves amongst my most beloved "book boyfriends". Trust me - you'll fall for them too. Just remember I claimed Jonah first!
Simply put Colleen Hoover does it again. This book about grief, love, friendship and family took me on such an emotional roller coaster. I loved the characters - CoHo has such a way of making her characters come to life. It feels as if you know them. I definitely felt that here.
There is a dual romance that worked really well within the story. You will find yourself invested in both these relationships and rooting for the characters to have a true shot at some well deserved happiness. The mother-daughter relationship represented really resonated with me and touched my heart.
Doesn't Hoover have a gift for thinking up the BEST leading men?! She knows how to make you fall for these fictional characters as if they were real. Both Jonah and Miles stole my heart. They now have a special space for themselves amongst my most beloved "book boyfriends". Trust me - you'll fall for them too. Just remember I claimed Jonah first!