Take a photo of a barcode or cover
booklistqueen's Reviews (634)
I'd give it six stars if I could!
Hauntingly beautiful writing with a drifting plot
After the success of her novel Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel's newest novel was my most anticipated of the March 2020 book releases. Mandel starts you off with a teaser - a woman falling into the ocean with a few flashes along the way. Then she slowly unravels a story of Vincent, a hotel bartender, and Jonathan Alkaitis, a rich financier running a Ponzi scheme.
After reading the book, I'm having difficulty deciphering my feelings. Her writing is exquisite - both haunting and soulful. Yet, the story drifts along without an anchor. Although the characters are connected, the narrative doesn't have any driving force, lacking a central message. If you plan to read it, I suggest tempering your expectations.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Knopf Doubleday Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
After the success of her novel Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel's newest novel was my most anticipated of the March 2020 book releases. Mandel starts you off with a teaser - a woman falling into the ocean with a few flashes along the way. Then she slowly unravels a story of Vincent, a hotel bartender, and Jonathan Alkaitis, a rich financier running a Ponzi scheme.
After reading the book, I'm having difficulty deciphering my feelings. Her writing is exquisite - both haunting and soulful. Yet, the story drifts along without an anchor. Although the characters are connected, the narrative doesn't have any driving force, lacking a central message. If you plan to read it, I suggest tempering your expectations.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Knopf Doubleday Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Mother/Daughter Thriller about Munchausen by Proxy
For her entire childhood, Rose Gold thought she was sick until as a teenager she realized her mother was actually poisoning her. After five years in prison, Patty Watts walks out of prison and into Rose Gold's life again. Rose Gold is no longer a child and is now ready for her dear old mother. Wrobel's thriller is told from a split perspective: Patty's modern-day viewpoint and Rose Gold's story from the last five years. While Wrobel has some tricks up her sleeves, the story overall is too predictable. I wanted more suspense and more debate on Rose Gold's motives. Among the huge wave of exciting March 2020 book releases, this middle of the road thriller fails to stand out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
For her entire childhood, Rose Gold thought she was sick until as a teenager she realized her mother was actually poisoning her. After five years in prison, Patty Watts walks out of prison and into Rose Gold's life again. Rose Gold is no longer a child and is now ready for her dear old mother. Wrobel's thriller is told from a split perspective: Patty's modern-day viewpoint and Rose Gold's story from the last five years. While Wrobel has some tricks up her sleeves, the story overall is too predictable. I wanted more suspense and more debate on Rose Gold's motives. Among the huge wave of exciting March 2020 book releases, this middle of the road thriller fails to stand out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A cozy read in the vein of A Man Called Ove
Septuagenarian Julian Jessop feels like the world lacks authenticity. So he writes his deepest truths in a notebook which then gets passed along from stranger to stranger adding their own truths. Along the way, they will find connections they didn't realize they were missing.
Despite its poor cover art, The Authenticity Project was unexpectedly a delight to read. The heartwarming interaction between the characters reminded me of Fredrick Backman's A Man Called Ove. With a light love story and a few fun surprises, Pooley has penned the perfect little cozy read for winter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pamela Dorman Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Septuagenarian Julian Jessop feels like the world lacks authenticity. So he writes his deepest truths in a notebook which then gets passed along from stranger to stranger adding their own truths. Along the way, they will find connections they didn't realize they were missing.
Despite its poor cover art, The Authenticity Project was unexpectedly a delight to read. The heartwarming interaction between the characters reminded me of Fredrick Backman's A Man Called Ove. With a light love story and a few fun surprises, Pooley has penned the perfect little cozy read for winter.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Pamela Dorman Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
