katietotallybooked's Reviews (785)

Okay, so the movie version of Ready Player One is being released in two weeks which meant the clock was ticking for me to read this book. What happens to me is that if I don't read the book before I see the movie, I rarely end up reading the book. Because then I just feel like I'm reading a movie. Does that make sense? So, Ready Player One has been on my to read list since 2013 so I've definitely left it to the last minute!

But what can I say other than it was fantastic! I was so entertained by this book, it was definitely a thrill and an adventure that I haven't had from a book in a long time. I was engaged from the very first page. There are so many pop culture references to the 80's, from movies to music to video games and technology. Not that I really understand or know all of the references, because I'm not THAT big of a geeky tech nerd, BUT, I enjoyed it and having a boyfriend who is very into video games, retro and new, I wasn't completely clueless while reading which probably helped me be able to enjoy the book even more!

The story is set in the future, year 2044 and it centers around Wade Watts on his search for a special egg in a worldwide virtual reality gaming competition. The first person to find the special egg inherits the fortune left by the game's creator. Like every coming of age, adventure-type story, Wade has a reliable group of friends and fellow gamers to aid him in the quest, an enemy target and villain, and a willingness and determination to meet his goal by using his brain and his brawn (well, virtual brawn in this case). For a first book, I think that Cline did a really great job because the writing is intriguing, page-turning, and it makes the story flow really well. and I actually am going to put his newest book, Armada, on my to-read list.

It's a plot-driven adventure story that is science fiction, but even if you aren't a huge fan of that genre, I think you'd enjoy this book if you at least have an appreciation for retro gaming and pop culture. There were only a few parts where the sci-fi tech speak was too over my head. Plus, I just have to say that the idea of living in The Stacks, where mobile homes and 5th wheel trailers are literally stacked on top of each other, and in order to get to your home you just have to scale really tall ladders, is crazy! I really hope that is not our future way to build new communities.

I now can't wait to see the movie! I know that the trend is for movies to never live up to the books their based on. But, I am excited to see this story come to life on the big screen, especially with the ability to portray futuristic technology and virtual aspects in that medium.

Finishing this book on my comfy couch with a local craft beer and my Apple Tv was a great way to spend a Friday night at home

Beartown has been a pretty buzzed about book since its release, all because of Fredrick Backman's previously best-selling title A Man Called Ove. I haven't read A Man Called Ove, but I did try one of his other books "My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry" and I couldn't get into it. But the reason I wanted to try Beartown is because it's about a small-town hockey based community where the hockey club and the sport are the community's main drive, focus, and source of hope for the future. Being from a small-town, hat concept appealed to me.

If you like Fredrick Backman and you like his writing, then you'll probably like Beartown. The writing itself is good and Backman does do an excellent job portraying the characters. He makes sure there is plenty of detail and depth so that as a reader you can feel the emotions of each character and develop an empathetic understanding of them. What I didn't like is that there are way too many characters. This book isn't about just one or two hockey families - it's about an entire community and all of the different stakeholders that have an interest and investment in the hockey club. From the bar owner to the grocery store manager, to the families of several hockey players and the club manager. There was so much to keep straight so it took me a long time to get into it because I was struggling to do that.

If you have a short attention span and enjoy a novel that is written as a complicated cobweb where characters and plot are tied together in a complex, non-linear way, then I think you will also like this novel. While there is a main story line that progresses logically, the majority of the writing switches perspectives constantly. From paragraph to paragraph, you are looking at a different character from the omnipresent point of view because you have full access to the thoughts and emotions of all characters in the story, which as I said before is A LOT of characters! So it was just really difficult for me to keep it all straight and therefore I did not enjoy the writing style.

The story line did keep me interested and I was caught up in the main story with a few of the major characters, such as Maya, Kira, Kevin, Amat, and Peter. But there really was a lot going on in the book. Now, timing does play a role in reading and because I've had a lot going on in my personal/professional life it just might not have been the right time to read this book. Most of my reading has had to be in small spurts and times where I am easily interrupted which could be part of the reason why I've had trouble with it.

If you like mainstream fiction, you have an interest in Backman's books and this type of writing style, and can relate to a small-town hockey community then I would suggest this sweet read to you.

Well, I would definitely say I am late to the party on reading this book. As often happens, I meant to read it before the movie came out, but that was two years ago. So I saw the movie, really liked it, but then had to wait until the story wasn’t so fresh in my mind to be able to enjoy it. So, here we are in 2018 and I can finally say that I have read this book!

Unfortunately though, I wasn’t thrilled. This was my first book written by Jojo Moyes that I’ve read, and I don’t know what her other books are like but I didn’t find the writing that grand and wonderful. It too felt simple. I think the characters were lacking depth and fullness in how they were portrayed. Plus, I think there could have been more information and facts brought in to the story on assisted suicide and quadripligia. But then again that might have made the book more of a Jodi Picoult-style than a Jojo Moyes-style. Plus, it would have put more focus on Will’s character than Louisa’s, and since there are now 3 published books featuring Louisa, I’m thinking Moyes wanted her to be the main character. Just a hunch there…

But even though I felt the book was lacklustre, I still liked it. It was great to see a character like Louisa grow and blossom as a woman and also discover real love in an untraditional way. I think the book sends an important message that sometimes the only thing holding us back from living our lives to the fullest is ourselves. We have to not be afraid to take chances, to form relationships and bonds even when they have an expiration date, and to not be afraid to love and be loved. We must not get stuck and keep our world’s safe and small. We must be bold and brave!

I’m not sure if I’m going to read the next two books in the series, After You and Still Me. I’m kinda curious what happens to Louisa, but since I didn’t love the writing, I don’t know if it’s worth it.

Ok, so this was the third Evergreen nominee that I read (#2 was a dud for me - I couldn’t get passed the first couple of chapters). If you’ve been reading my reviews you know I’m a pretty honest reviewer. To tell you the truth about this book? This one was kind of a dud too but I got through it. I thought overall, for lack of better adjectives, it was kind of stupid? The story lacked depth. It felt like too easy of a read, and I am kind of puzzled as to how it ended up on the top 10 Evergreen list because I didn’t think it was that fantastic. Maybe just because of the topic and the relevance?

Here is what it is about: Jess, an older adult loses her job and struggles to get back into the job market given her age. So, she starts to grow pot in her basement and run a grow-op. With the help of her friends, she becomes successful and is able to turn her life back around and enjoy the journey of growing weed.

It’s a pretty simplistic plot line. The characters were intriguing but because of the shorter length of the novel (242 pages), I felt there wasn’t much time as a reader to really understand and get to know them on a deeper level of connection. So, I have to think that this book made it to the finalist of the Evergreen nominees because of the legalization of marijuana topic that has been in discussion in Ontario for the past few years.

Now, granted I did read this book over this past week, which was also my first week in a brand new public librarian position. So my brain has been very overwhelmed. But I still am confident that my review is accurate enough of the book regardless of my brain’s state while reading.

So unless you enjoy light, shorter novels that feature unconventional characters and unique but simple plot lines, I wouldn’t bother with this book.

I think my opinion on this book is unpopular and that it may contradict the majority. But that’s okay because I am an honest reviewer. So here goes...I was not “thrilled” by this thriller in the least.
It had an intriguing premise or so I thought when I added it to my to-read list last year. Four high school friends, one dark secret, a game and web of lies, and years passing by before they reunite by one simple text phrase “I need you.”
But that was all the book had going for it. The writing is slow moving, the mystery/shocking reveal is predictable and not surprising to the reader. The worst part for me though was the characters.
**Spoiler Alert: I was not pleased with Isabel’s behaviour in the least...she doesn’t fight for her marriage to Owen, she isn’t honest (well really none of them are - it is The Lying Game after all), and she isn’t faithful. I can’t believe she almost cheated and didn’t feel any guilt! She cares for her baby daughter Freya to the point of over protectiveness and basically doesn’t allow Owen to be a fully involved father. Her behaviour was so infuriating to me - I wanted to give her head a shake!
The rest of the characters, including Kate, were just unfulfilled and there wasn’t much depth to the writing. Add in Luc, the troublemaking stepbrother who really just remained a mystery the whole novel and you have a book that certainly didn’t leave me wanting more. All you learn from this book is something that every one knows: it does no good to lie. And one lie causes another lie and another lie, until this tangled web is woven and people get hurt.

I am disappointed that it took me almost two weeks to read this book, especially given that I didn’t enjoy it that much. But once I had time this week to relax and read for solid amounts of time, I was able to get through it pretty quick and I’m just glad I finished. Through writing reviews I’m also learning the kinds of books I really enjoy and two factors are standing out: I like books with rich character development. I like writing that has depth and substance, and that’s more than just plot. So here’s hoping my next book breaks my slump of less than stellar sweet reads!

This book was mostly consumed over quiet lunch hours spent in my car the past few weeks. It may seem odd but I’ve really come to value that break in my work day. I can get outside where the sun is mostly shining and enjoy some me - time.

This book was great! I felt it was very well-written with lots of detail in the plot and depth to the characters. I identified with Olive and Jonathan as they learn to deal with their grief. I can’t imagine how much harder it is to grieve when the one you love goes missing and is presumed dead without a body being discovered, because the finality of a death would be lacking. Then to have the suspicions and beliefs that perhaps Billie, the wife and mother who goes missing, maybe isn’t actually dead at all? Unbearable. But I think Janelle Brown captures these roller coaster emotions authentically and well. My attention was kept the whole way through and its plot is unique from other psychological fiction that I’ve read.

“As mothers and daughters we are connected with one another. My mother is in the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is in my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is in the beating of my heart.”
I was challenged to read a mother-daughter story for book club this month. I say challenged because since losing my Mom to cancer almost 3 years ago, these aren’t always the easiest of books for me to read. So I went to a favourite author and I chose a mother-daughter story that I knew a) would be good b) that I’d enjoy the writing, and c) that portrayed a relationship that was different than my own experience. This mother daughter were distant, resentful, and full of anger and hatred towards one another. But beautifully over the course of the novel, there develops an understanding between them and a bond that grows again. Throw in long-lost romances, family secrets, and illness and you have this novel. The characters are realistic and flawed, just like real human beings. Published in 2001, It wasn’t as great as some of her latest novels, but I still enjoyed it greatly. I can see how Hannah’s writing and storytelling have grown as she’s progressed in her craft as an author. Reading this book made me feel even more grateful that I had a close bond and relationship with my Mom because that isn’t always the case.
It’s a good story - somewhat Hallmarky, but that’s my cup of tea most times. If you’re a Kristin Hannah fan, be sure to give it a try!

Wow - that one word sums up this book! Recommended to me by a dear friend, this book is shockingly good with buildup and development in the story that will leave you saying “wow”, “what?!?” And “no way!”. The writing is excellent - Lupton builds detail and description into her story that is intriguing and a joy to read. I think it’s more well written then some of the trendy psychological thrillers I’ve read lately. I don’t have a sister of my own but I can understand the bond of sisters a bit better after reading this novel. Kindred spirits who are so connected emotionally that you truly are the ones who know and understand each other best. I highly recommend this book!

Definitely not the story that I was anticipating. I’m still going to give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars but it certainly did not meet my expectations. I was anticipating a survival story - a summer read - an adult novel about young girls persevering on a camping trip gone wrong. Yes, there is that in the book but it probably equals about 25% of the story. The other 75% is broken up into vignettes of each girl’s life post Camp Forevermore. You get some insight into how the camping trip may have changed the trajectory of their adult life, but more often than not you’re wondering about the relevance of everything you are told about the characters. It’s an interesting way to tell the story and I’m not sure it was told in the best way possible. When you’re nearing the last 50 pages, it also becomes slightly predictable as to how the Camp Forevermore Story is going to end.
With all this being said though, I still enjoyed the book. If you’re a character-driven reader, you’ll find each characters story enlightening and I think you’ll get the most satisfaction from this novel. It’s short, a fast r

What a read! Quite eye-opening into the livelihood of one Morman family in rural Idaho. However, I’m weary of whether the truth was stretched during the writing of this memoir. On one hand, it’s quite believable that Tara’s family would live in fear of Government influence, wanting to be 100% self sufficient, totally isolated from a community, and prepare for The End of the World by gathering resources and preparing for survival. I know those are beliefs of some. But for her parents to go so far as to not allow Tara and her siblings to gain any sort of formal education or seek medical attention by professionals (even during serious car accidents and personal injuries!), that’s what makes me think critically about Tara’s gripping story. Plus, Tara even admits that some of her quotes from communication with family and some of her memories of certain incidents are written as interpretation and a recount of events that may not be 100% correct. So that just leaves extra room to wonder what the “real” truth is. I’m proud of Tara for seeking an education and discovering her own truths about society. I’m sad for her about it’s cost in her life and what she had to sacrifice for it though.

Regardless, I enjoyed the book. It’s very well written - lots of detail and literary language. It’s certainly worthy of the buzz it’s getting this year as a memoir of 2018 to read. And Tara does state in the afterward that she had a fact checker who was detailed and critical, as well as the support of two of her siblings who shared memories and information with her regarding their upbringing.
If you enjoy non-fiction, you’re interested in hearing about one’s life struggles and the hurdles often overcome to get to where one is at present, then check out this book. I’d also compare it to The Glass Castle if you’re looking for a readalike.