jenbsbooks's Reviews (2.41k)

I've read a couple other books by Jason Reynolds, so when I found this at a thrift store, I picked it up and had it on my TBR. I like to get in a few YA books each month, and the topic ~ my youngest ran track his senior year, and just ran in his first college meet. This is set younger, 7th grade.

1st person, past tense, very conversational tone, like the MC (Castle/Ghost) is just chatting with us/the reader, telling us his story.  Like the other Reynolds books, there is some tragedy (our MC and his mother ran from his father as he was shooting at them. Dad is now in jail). On my original read (I got the audiobook and Kindle copy from the library, and went primarily with audio) ... while I liked it fine (thinking maybe 3*?), it didn't really stand out to me the way the other Reynolds books I've read (Long Way Down, All American Boys). But this is one of those books where the after/the extras, really bumped it up for me. 

As I looked over the Kindle copy, I noticed the Table of Contents, and the headers for each chapter  ...
1. World Records
2. World Record for the Fastest Tryout Ever
3. World Record for the Most Altercations4
4. World Record for the Worst Day Ever
5. World Record for the Most Runaways in a Single Day
6. World Record for the Longest Run After the Most Runaways in a Single Day
7. World Record for the Best Friday Ever After the Worst Wednesday and Thursday
8. World Record for Having the Best Secret
9. World Record for Cleaning the Dirtiest Car
10. Race Day

While the headers HAD been read in the audiobook, I don't know that I really registered them. Even seeing them at the beginning of the chapters, I don't know that I really saw them. BUT, looking at the TOC, and seeing them all together there (in the Kindle copy only, not in audio, not in the physical book) really made the "World Record" theme stand out and showcase how it all ties together; and I like looking at a TOC, and having headers that remind me of what happened in each chapter of the book. 

Then - there were discussion questions included at the end in Kindle and Physical (not in audio, which is just one reason why I always try to get the text in addition to audio). A "Reading Group Guide" and these questions really made me think of things I hadn't on my own, GREAT questions! It made me re-read portions of the book, and actually wish this had been a book club selection so I would have someone to talk to about it. 

While the goal when I pick up physical books is to put them in my Little Free Library ... I may just hang onto this one (selfish, I know). I can see myself flipping through it again, maybe encouraging my boys to read it. I don't know that I'll go continue on with the series ... we'll see. 

Kid appropriate - no proFanity or sex.

I selected this book to mark off one of the GoodReadsChallenge achievements (not realizing a book I'd just read but hadn't recorded yet already completed the challenge). It had been on my TBR, as I'd heard buzz about it. I was able to borrow the audiobook and Kindle copy from the library. I went primarily with the audio, but referred to the Kindle copy quite a bit afterward (review, some visuals, discussions, bibliography not included in audio). 

Narrated by the author ... it just felt a tad strange to have such a strong British accent when this was based in the US. Moore also has a bit of a lisp with her "s" sound that was very distracting to me at the start, but I think I got used to it. 

While the story was interesting and informative, it felt a bit clinical and distant. Factual, it was stated at the start "Every line of dialogue comes from a memoir, letter, trial transcript or some other record made by someone who was present at the time."  Elizabeth wrote a LOT, her notes, her book, and there is an extensive bibliography to document other sources. In audio, it wasn't as obvious when things were being quoted, and some things felt a little stilted (to me, likely just more used to the flow of fiction). 

I didn't feel the need to stop and make notes or highlights ... and the few things I did were portions before/after (author's notes) or direct quotes from others (while in the QUOTES section here, they aren't this author's words).  Per the author, this isn't really a book about mental illness,  but "a book about power. Who wields it. Who owns it. And the methods they use. And above all, it's about fighting back."

It was a fairly easy listen, I didn't feel the 500+ pages. I think it will stick in my memory. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to recommend it.  I can't help but wonder if a book club discussion would be about the BOOK, or the topic (and IS that the same thing?) I appreciated the discussion questions that were included in the Kindle copy. 

Six parts ... these had headers. 1. Brave New World  2. Dark Before The Dawn  3. My Pen Shall Rage  4. Deal with the Devil?  5. Turning Points  6. She Will Rise.  There were 56 chronological chapters running throughout. The audio showed the parts/chapters but did not include the headers. I felt the Kindle copy table of contents was lacking, ONLY showing the parts/headers, but no chapter listing.  

I'd just finished watching the TV series "Younger" which had a majority of the story taking place at a publishing house. I couldn't help but visualize them meeting with Elizabeth about her book, how they'd react to the 2500 pages! It was interesting to follow her publishing journey. 

3rd person. Past tense. 

I'd picked up a physical copy of this from a library book sale. It was also available to borrow from the library in audio and Kindle. I went primarily with the audio. What pushed this to the top of my TBR was that it fulfilled the "Essential Reader" achievement in the Jan-April Goodreads "Community Favorites" challenge (I've never paid attention to the challenges before, but figured I'd give it a go). 

I didn't love it ... it was a bit of a struggle to get into. 3rd person/Past tense ... mostly the POV of Adelaide (a few chapters in italics in print, same narrator but different voice in audio, different POV). Short chapters, 68 of them continuing chronologically through three parts (although I can't recall specific distinctions/divisions for those). No headers or anything. I found my mind wandering a bit as it began and had to pause the audio and give the Kindle copy a quick read to make sure I was on track. 

On the one hand, it seems a straightforward historical story, early twentieth-century, homesteading in Montana post-mining boom when people have mostly moved on. Something bad happened at "home" before Adelaide went went. There's SOMETHING in her trunk. There's a crew of "bad guys" and the expected difficulties of settling into a new town in a remote area. Then ... there was the whole horror/weird angle. I didn't really get it. Slight similarity to "When Women Were Dragons" which I finished, but also wasn't a favorite for me. More questions than are answered, but once the story strays from reality ... can you really expect "realistic" situations? SPOILER 

I just couldn't help but wonder how long the monster/Elizabeth could go without food/movement, being locked in the trunk for days/weeks/months?

 

I stopped a couple times to note/highlight
*when a child is thinking seriously, you do well to honor their questions
*There are two kinds of people in this world: those who live with shame, and those who die from it. Could there be a third kind of person? One who overcomes the shame?
*Hunger isn't the same as appetite
*(from the Author's interview at the end ...) "Monsters can mean a lot of things" ...

Adelaide is black, and does have some issues with race (and being a woman alone) along the way. There were some lgtbq situations as well.  

Overall, I thought the writing was well done, I just didn't fully connect with the characters or the story. I do think I'll remember that I read it. Sometimes with a book, I'll try (or it will just happen) to visualize it, like a movie ... here, I can't tell if it would be am effective horror movie, or if it would just end up one of those over the top, almost silly, even though it's trying to be serious, shake your head "horror" shows if converted to live action.  

Some slight irony in the title. Lone (singular), Women (plural) ...
I liked the cover (audiobook cover similar but slightly different). 

ProFanity x6. Violence. Some sex (not explicit).

I liked this a lot. Enjoyable and fun. I kind of wish there was a "clean" version (minus the profanity x78 and sex) and I'd recommend it to my mom and sister ;)  The story was cute, a bit of a GoodPlace vib for a bit (waking up in the Afterlife). In the end, it was a bit convoluted and coincidental, but I found myself smiling as I was listening to the audiobook, and will remember it fondly.

I'm not big on reading challenges, but per the Jan-April Goodreads Community Favorites challenge that popped up, I figured I'd try to complete all six. This was my selection for the "Sweet and Spicy" ... I'd already read several, but was glad for the nudge to get to this one.

It had the "lonely individual suddenly connects and makes a variety of friends" trope ... and totally "ahh" as Delphie cared for her neighbor Mr. Yoon. Loved the introduction of the VOCA (voice output communication aid) which reminded me of the similar device in "Out Of My Mind". 


1st person/present tense
Words I note: Careen, rifling, snuck
LVCC Library borrow, easily available there, but less available at other libraries

I'd heard this mentioned enough and saw the high ratings, that it was on my TBR. When I found a hardback copy in a Little Free Library, I took that as my sign to push it to the top of the list. I was able to get the audiobook and Kindle copy from the library, so I had it in all three formats. I went primarily with the audio, narrated by the author. 

While this wasn't a " oh I LOVED this" book, I feel like it deserves a 5* rating, as it checks my boxes (kept my interest, I think I'll remember it, I stopped to make notes/highlights, many discussion possibilities, good use of tense: past tense in Part 1, present tense in Part 2). Well written, although I was pretty aware of the present tense in the second half (a little jarring).  I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to recommend it, and I don't feel the need to keep my copy, I'll be "letting it go" in my LFL for the next reader. 

It's interesting to read about a life of someone you don't know ... everyone does have a story, but how much do I care? I did grow to care about the people (not "characters, as it's non-fiction). Reading the Q&A on GR, MANY got very connected to "Will" ... Life doesn't always happen the way it might in a novel. 

Part one (past tense) sets up the author's earlier life, how the illness started and was diagnosed, and goes through all the struggles and treatment. Part two ... it can't really be a spoiler to say she survived can it (as this book exists) and her life after illness, some travel, meeting some of the connections she's made earlier on. 

The cover reminds me of the 2007 movie poster for The Wild (VW bus, person sitting on top), and honestly, Part2 was a tiny bit similar in story (he was a wanderer, meeting a bunch of people while traveling).  The title "Between Two Kingdoms" was a good tie in, very representative of the philosophy along the way. 

I do have some negative feelings the book created in me ... just that personal "I wouldn't have been able to do that, I would have just died, I wouldn't be worth the time and money investment" and just general frustrations and worries about health care and health problems. 

proFanity x 17 and some sex/nothing explicit

I snagged a freebie Kindle copy, and as the owner of a Little Free Library, I'll admit, the whole "telephone box library" was what pulled me in (there is one locally/in Utah, a UK box that has been converted into a LFL). But honestly ... it just wasn't really about a little library, that just wasn't essential to the story (in my opinion). It was more a romance, and also a bit of a "WW2 memories" tale, and I just wasn't sure it all flowed together enough. The three bits were connected, but ...

Very British ... I noticed the spelling variations (manoeuvre, kerb, jewellery, coloured, pyjamas) and other words (trolley, prise, bunking off, sloes, a hedgehog house?). There were some fun/unique descriptions/action words, I don't know if they are British, or just something this author used (scudded, pootled, clonk, chuntering, plonked, scarpered, beetled off) and phrases, some I have never heard of and really didn't even understand?
*they'd been at daggers drawn (I can figure the meaning, but is this a common phrase?)
*bog-standard
*a hiding to nothing
*falling to rack and ruin
*are you taking the mickey?
*the feeling of being baked in a waterproof
*no need for waffle or politeness
*a potted history
*before we get stuck in to the tea and cakes
*thick puffa jacket (typo? puffer?)
*trying to get as many people as she can on side (on "her" side?)
*plarstic (in italics, was this an indication the character meant plastic but was pronouncing it plarstic?)

There were some acronyms that I didn't understand, and don't think were ever explained. WHAT was the WI? It was used a ton and I had no idea what it meant?  FTR was mentioned, but that was explained (failed to return). PMT (pre-mensuration time?) ARP?

I loved the Mr. Darcy reference. Zumba mentioned. Other quotes ...
*"You know how I feel about organized fun."
*she says I must Behave Appropriately. (The capitalization, reminds me of Emma M Lion).  
*"I'd rather like the right of reply"
*Libraries are not just a place to borrow books, but a hub of the community, and somewhere people can get together.

No proFanity. Other words I notice: cerulean, careered, bespoke, insouciance, rifling, detritus, cacophony, dais and other even less common (a couple I had to look up) querulously, obstreperous, moue,  parlous, moquette, gamine 

Reading this (no audio, at least not in the US) it took me a while to get through, and I felt I had to push a bit to finish.

I'm not really a big fan of fae ... and while I've heard a TON about ACOTAR, I haven't gotten to that series (yet?). Yes, the title feels so familiar to that. I have read FourthWing, and this had a similar feel (I realize this was written before Fourth Wing). 

There are two audio editions ... regular narration, and graphic audio. The library only had the graphic audio, so I went with that. I was able to get the Kindle copy, as it was included in Prime Reading. This had the full cast, sound effects, but also most of the text description still, our MCs stream of consciousness talking? The audio was a little too much, breathless, noisy. I think I would have preferred a simple/standard presentation. 

As for the story, I struggled a bit to learn the characters (Kallik, also called Alli, and honestly I'd be hard pressed to remember the other names). I never really got that pulled in ... until the end. There was some action there that caught me attention. Enough for me to continue on with the series? Not sure about that ...

A little too much (unexplained) tie-in for the title ... felt like it was pushing it JUST for a title tie-in. I like the cover/fonts.  Basic numerical chapters (27 of them). First person (all from Kallik's POV), past tense.

ProFanity x44. 

I don't know that I LOVED this, but it checks off enough boxes that I feel like it earned a 5* rating. I had this in all three formats, and went primarily with the audiobook. I had quite a few quotes/notes and although discussion questions weren't included with the book, I was able to find some online (https://www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/cutting-for-stone/guide). Lots of things to think about. Is it okay to hide a diagnosis? How strong is psychosomatic suggestion? A one-year (renewable) marriage contract? 

Most of the book is told in 1st person by Marion, although the first half feels more 3rd person.  The book is presented as Marion telling the story, writing it down and the first several chapters detail his birth (and before), focusing on Sister Mary and Thomas Stone. I was a bit confused at chapter 5 when the scene shifted to onboard an airplane, to another character Hema ... but those chapters soon crossed. There were four PARTS, and Marion's real 1st person story begins in part 3/chapter 17. The chapters ran chronologically (55 chapters) and I liked that there were chapter headings ... as I finished the book, I read over the headings and could remember what happened, little memory nudges. 

Set in Ethiopia for much of the story, it was interesting to learn a little about the country and history. Huge focus on medicine/surgery as well. Interesting and informative. 

There were some twist and turns I wasn't expecting. I did get involved emotionally. 
 
There was some proFanity (x6) and some sex (one scene I found distasteful).
Words I note: hedgerows, ululations, preternatural, snuck, apogee, dais, cacophonous, perchance, pellucid, swath

I noted mention of the Baobab (ever since I read [book:Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree|36099188] that stands out to me), CookCountyHospital - can't remember why that stuck in my memory. A mention of SLC, Utah. I liked the alliteration of "a cascade of catastrophes".  

Ironically, the yellow cover (with silhouette of two boys and a dog) is the same image as on one of the covers of Wrapped in Rain, which I just read! When I came here to update, the image was just so familiar to me, and sure enough - exactly the same! My physical book has the green/red umbrella image ... which just doesn't do anything for me (I don't care for it, but also feel like the yellow cover doesn't really represent the story).   The title tie-in ... there could be discussion there. I liked it. 

I can see that some people would like it, but it wasn't working for me. Part of this I think, was the audio. Not that the narrator (the author) was bad, but I needed more distinction between the people writing in (a male narrator for the letters from guys, another female narrator for letters from women) and the author's answers. Popping in and out of the audiobook, I wouldn't remember if I was in the letter or the answer portion, it all sounded the same (as the answers were often their own tales of woe). It's much more clear in print (I had a physical copy, and the Kindle copy) ... but narration aside, I just wasn't feeling it.

To have this random individual, just doing her best, with her life history, to give advise. Is it good advise? Is it better than if one were to ask anyone else? Is it even about them, as every answer seemed to turn into an exposition into her own life. It just seems odd ... if I were to come to someone for help, and they made it all about them?

I can't remember how far I got into it ... as it wasn't a "story" I thought maybe I'd come back to it as a palate cleanser between other books, just listening/reading a submission and response. But I didn't really WANT to come back to it. I guess I've lived a pretty uneventful life, and having all these sad stories (both sides) was more depressing than inspirational. 

There seem to be a LOT of book featuring the old curmudgeonly character, isolated, who somehow connects with a younger person, lives changing for the better. Add this one to that trope - not at all a bad thing. It's one I enjoy. Uplifting. 

I can't remember how this one popped up on my radar ... I had it on my "maybe spend a credit on Audible" list, as the audio was not available at the library. As Spotify has added 15 hours of an audiobook to their premium plan, I peeked there, and they had it, so ... my March pick! The Kindle copy was also not available at the library, but was only $.99 for the purchase. I like to have both the audio and text. 

A single narrator in audio, which was okay, as it was 3rd person. It switched between the POVs of Frank (older) and Red (six years old). No numerical chapters, just the POV headers evenly alternating. Four "parts" - although there didn't seem to be distinct separations to me.  Just a note on Spotify's audio (not sure if this would be the same on Audible, I don't think so) there were basic "tracks" ... but being able to easily find my place between formats would not happen! Probably some learning curve, but not really a fan of Spotify for audiobooks (although I'll struggle through for free hours). 

Even though Frank sees and talks to his dead wife ... she's not a "ghost" per se. I have this book shelved on my "realistic" not "paranormal" shelf :) Frank knows he's just imagining seeing her, talking to her, that it's all in his head. 

While agoraphobia isn't mentioned by name, Frank hasn't left the house in ages. Having this intrusion of the little boy next door is not something he wants ... but it was so fun to watch it unfold.  There is an allusion to "To Kill a Mockingbird" as another character refers to Frank as Boo Radley.

I don't do TikTok, but Mammy Banter's little reels have showed up on Instagram and Facebook (I do those) and I've fallen a little in love with them (especially the ones featuring the teacher and the four kids). Heavy Irish accent, not "clean" (language, inappropriate content) ... the little "Jimmy" featured in these is much MORE than little Red, but still, I think I created a bit of an association in my mind! 

Lots of POKEMON! My boys loved(love ... still, even though they are grown they still play) Pokemon, and I play PokemonGo (my son got me into it, now I'm more into it than he is). Just a fun  little connection. 

Song sung - just a tiny tidbit. "Feed the Birds" and some fun alliterative noises (the SPROING of the trampoline) in audio. 

In print ... there are some "handwritten" portions, an addressed letter, Red's school journal. I was glad I happened to notice this (as I'd gone primarily with the audiobook). 

Listening to audio, I didn't get to save quotes/make notes like I would reading on my own. I did stop and locate a couple, and I checked out the QUOTES section on Goodreads and found some more I remembered. 

There was some proFanity (x9) ... other words I notice: sneaked, rifled, careen

The title isn't super clever, but, it represents the book. I liked the cover art. 

Thumbs up - would definitely recommend.