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3.5 Heartwarming Stars (rounded up)
This was my first Katherine Center book and it certainly won't be my last. It's clear message of choosing to live life with joy presented a pleasant and much welcome escape from our reality right now. This was a slow burn story, centered more of community than a love story - although it did have that too. The community at this school and all the secondary characters were what made the story special in my opinion. I was endeared to the quirky characters, especially little Clay.
While the storyline does deal with some emotional and heavy themes such as death and school safety, it does so in a way that brings hope front and center.
I had an opportunity to chat with Katherine Center about the book, her writing and an array of other topics. She is a lovely person and it is evident that she pours her heart into her characters and books. I will certainly be reading her other books which seem to have many rave reviews.
Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.
This was my first Katherine Center book and it certainly won't be my last. It's clear message of choosing to live life with joy presented a pleasant and much welcome escape from our reality right now. This was a slow burn story, centered more of community than a love story - although it did have that too. The community at this school and all the secondary characters were what made the story special in my opinion. I was endeared to the quirky characters, especially little Clay.
While the storyline does deal with some emotional and heavy themes such as death and school safety, it does so in a way that brings hope front and center.
I had an opportunity to chat with Katherine Center about the book, her writing and an array of other topics. She is a lovely person and it is evident that she pours her heart into her characters and books. I will certainly be reading her other books which seem to have many rave reviews.
Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.
Pip is a modern day, smart and fearless Nancy Drew straight outta an Agatha Christie book.
This is Holly Jackson’s 2nd book in the
This is Holly Jackson’s 2nd book in the
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The backstory you didn't even know you were missing
I enjoyed this well enough but I didn't love it. It's focused on Snow so it lacks something major that the other books have - characters we love and root for. Yet, I did enjoy the backstory of the games and seeing how they began, knowing how they had evolved over time to Katniss' time.
It's also different because we get the perspective of a mentor versus that of the tribute. And it's Snow who we all hate. The book does nothing to endear him to readers. Instead we see how his desire to get ahead and keep up appearances ruled him, above all else. We are in his mind as he becomes increasingly accepting of the Capitol's views and becomes more ruthless, denying himself love, friendship and even family with the singular focus of one day having power.
I enjoyed this early days view of Panem but I couldn't help but miss the large scale danger of the Hunger Games we all know, the brave acts of rebellion and honestly the characters we all came to love so much throughout the series. The characters here were interesting, if somewhat tame in comparison to the rest of the series, but that fit because it was the early days of the rebellion.
Not my favorite book but I was glad I read it though it definitely could have been shorter. There were times where it felt long and drawn out which is something I never felt reading this series. It could also just be because I wasn't as invested in what happened to these characters. Katniss forever!
I enjoyed this well enough but I didn't love it. It's focused on Snow so it lacks something major that the other books have - characters we love and root for. Yet, I did enjoy the backstory of the games and seeing how they began, knowing how they had evolved over time to Katniss' time.
It's also different because we get the perspective of a mentor versus that of the tribute. And it's Snow who we all hate. The book does nothing to endear him to readers. Instead we see how his desire to get ahead and keep up appearances ruled him, above all else. We are in his mind as he becomes increasingly accepting of the Capitol's views and becomes more ruthless, denying himself love, friendship and even family with the singular focus of one day having power.
I enjoyed this early days view of Panem but I couldn't help but miss the large scale danger of the Hunger Games we all know, the brave acts of rebellion and honestly the characters we all came to love so much throughout the series. The characters here were interesting, if somewhat tame in comparison to the rest of the series, but that fit because it was the early days of the rebellion.
Not my favorite book but I was glad I read it though it definitely could have been shorter. There were times where it felt long and drawn out which is something I never felt reading this series. It could also just be because I wasn't as invested in what happened to these characters. Katniss forever!
In Lisa Jewell's world you can always expect the unexpected. What secrets lurk behind the curtains of this idyllic London street lined with grand houses? Lots!
Saffyre Maddox was ten something terrible happened to her. She's carried the pain of it with her and began harming herself. Her family takes her to therapy where Owen Pick seemingly works miracles on her and teaches her how not to self harm.
Yet, once he ends their therapy sessions Saffyre can't seem to let go. She starts watching him, following him, all while remaining invisible to him and those around her. No one knows that she is struggling or the secrets she uncovers, until the day she goes missing.
I have to admit that at the midway point of this book, I was feeling a bit underwhelmed, sure I had it all neatly figured out. By the end, I was nodding my head in appreciation of the tale Jewell had crafted.
This book makes you think about how well you really know anyone. Everyone has secrets, some are just much better at wearing a mask than others. And sometimes the most outwardly beautiful/handsome/put together appearances are hiding the darkest secrets/desires.
This was a twisty dramatic suspense with short chapters and alternating POV’s which made for a quick read with a satisfying conclusion.
That you to Lisa Jewell, Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy of this book.
Saffyre Maddox was ten something terrible happened to her. She's carried the pain of it with her and began harming herself. Her family takes her to therapy where Owen Pick seemingly works miracles on her and teaches her how not to self harm.
Yet, once he ends their therapy sessions Saffyre can't seem to let go. She starts watching him, following him, all while remaining invisible to him and those around her. No one knows that she is struggling or the secrets she uncovers, until the day she goes missing.
I have to admit that at the midway point of this book, I was feeling a bit underwhelmed, sure I had it all neatly figured out. By the end, I was nodding my head in appreciation of the tale Jewell had crafted.
This book makes you think about how well you really know anyone. Everyone has secrets, some are just much better at wearing a mask than others. And sometimes the most outwardly beautiful/handsome/put together appearances are hiding the darkest secrets/desires.
This was a twisty dramatic suspense with short chapters and alternating POV’s which made for a quick read with a satisfying conclusion.
That you to Lisa Jewell, Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy of this book.
A timely, thought provoking, heart wrenching, desperate tale of 3 teens trying to cross the Mexican border into the US for safety and a future that will viscerally tear through your heart.
Jenny Torres Sanchez has literally ripped my heart out with this book! Pulga, Chico and Pequeña’s journey brought up so many emotions in me - I ugly cried, I laughed, I felt horror, I felt hope but above all I felt such admiration and love for these characters.
This is a reality we hear often in the news - immigrants desperately trying to cross into US borders. This story brings this to life in such a vivid, emotional way. We experience why these teens need to leave everything and everyone they know and love. We are with them every step of their perilous, often daunting journey and feel all their loss and their unyielding desire to survive.
Jenny Torres Sanchez has literally ripped my heart out with this book! Pulga, Chico and Pequeña’s journey brought up so many emotions in me - I ugly cried, I laughed, I felt horror, I felt hope but above all I felt such admiration and love for these characters.
This is a reality we hear often in the news - immigrants desperately trying to cross into US borders. This story brings this to life in such a vivid, emotional way. We experience why these teens need to leave everything and everyone they know and love. We are with them every step of their perilous, often daunting journey and feel all their loss and their unyielding desire to survive.
A forbidden love story that will have you feeling so invested in the characters you almost forget it’s also a tale of adultery.
I listened to the audio of this amazing book (thank you librofm) and I was smitten with Mallory and Jake. Listening to their love story unfold over one magical long weekend in Nantucket, year after year, for 28 years both broke my heart and filled it up.
Based on the film
I listened to the audio of this amazing book (thank you librofm) and I was smitten with Mallory and Jake. Listening to their love story unfold over one magical long weekend in Nantucket, year after year, for 28 years both broke my heart and filled it up.
Based on the film
A must read novel, in verse, about family, loss, grief and forgiveness.
Elizabeth Acevedo is a must read author for me. I have read and loved all her books but her books told in verse (
Elizabeth Acevedo is a must read author for me. I have read and loved all her books but her books told in verse (