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I read this book because I recently listened to a podcast on Judy Blume. However, when I went to the library to get "Are You There God? Its Me Margaret" I realized I'd already read this book. So Beverly Cleary it was.
I would've enjoyed Beezus and Ramona a lot more as kid, I think. It's definitely for younger readers, and its sweet that the themes are so pure. No cyberbullying here, just good old fashioned children's problems, like Beezus asking "Why can't I love my little sister?" Cleary writes about sewing potholders for favorite aunts, for goodness sakes. Definitely a reminder of simpler times.
That being said, I definitely identified with Beezus. Ramona annoyed me so much. (!!!!!) Why does that child had to take things so literally, like putting heads in ovens and locking dogs in bathrooms? As I kept reading, I realized.. maybe thats why I didn't read Beezus and Ramona. Gives me too much anxiety :)
Quotes:
Beezus looked uncertain. It was a nice change to have a grownup tell her she didn't have to be neat, but she didn't understand how she could paint a good picture unless she worked at it. If only she had some imagination, like Ramona - but no, Miss Robbins said everybody had imagination. Well, if she had imagination, where was it? (page 54)
I would've enjoyed Beezus and Ramona a lot more as kid, I think. It's definitely for younger readers, and its sweet that the themes are so pure. No cyberbullying here, just good old fashioned children's problems, like Beezus asking "Why can't I love my little sister?" Cleary writes about sewing potholders for favorite aunts, for goodness sakes. Definitely a reminder of simpler times.
That being said, I definitely identified with Beezus. Ramona annoyed me so much. (!!!!!) Why does that child had to take things so literally, like putting heads in ovens and locking dogs in bathrooms? As I kept reading, I realized.. maybe thats why I didn't read Beezus and Ramona. Gives me too much anxiety :)
Quotes:
Beezus looked uncertain. It was a nice change to have a grownup tell her she didn't have to be neat, but she didn't understand how she could paint a good picture unless she worked at it. If only she had some imagination, like Ramona - but no, Miss Robbins said everybody had imagination. Well, if she had imagination, where was it? (page 54)
A classic whodunit, with clues sprinkled here and there, a great read to puzzle over on a Friday night. P.D. James writes with purpose and clarity, and with such insight into the thoughts of the characters, it took me some time to get them all straight, but by the end, I was pretty sure I knew who did it. I read the book in two settings. :)
Quotes:
Memory, selective and perverse, invested what had been a perfectly ordinary dinner party with an aura of foreboding and unease. It became, in retrospect, a ritual gathering under one roof of victim and suspects, a staged preliminary to murder. (page 9)
"They can be cruel, too, if you put them to work with an older woman. Have you seen young hens pecking away at an injured bird? Well, we only employ old birds here." (Miss Molpas, page 196)
Recommended if you liked Susan Cooper's series, The Dark is Rising.
I read this book because it was on one of those lists, "What to Read After You Finish Harry Potter." Fyi, its a totally different type of magic. No wands or spells here; there are bells and necromancers. Its not familiar magic, and it reminded me a lot of The Dark is Rising series. Its more cerebral, less physical. Very descriptive, not as action-packed. Kinda like movies were before CGI. Its like comparing The Iron Giant to Transformers. Its not as flashy or expensive, but still awesome in its own way.
I read this book because it was on one of those lists, "What to Read After You Finish Harry Potter." Fyi, its a totally different type of magic. No wands or spells here; there are bells and necromancers. Its not familiar magic, and it reminded me a lot of The Dark is Rising series. Its more cerebral, less physical. Very descriptive, not as action-packed. Kinda like movies were before CGI. Its like comparing The Iron Giant to Transformers. Its not as flashy or expensive, but still awesome in its own way.
This book reminded me of a kids' book series. Flavia de Luce is cocky, vindictive, and self-important. She schemes against her two older sisters who, to be fair, scheme back at her. But seriously, who puts poison ivy in their sister's lipstick? Flavia has elements of Beezus and Ramona, Matilda, etc. But I just didn't buy Flavia's smarts when she's only 11 years old. She's too wise - not about chemistry, which I can understand as I was a nerd too - but about adult matters, such as love, grief, and revenge.
Let me start by saying that I first happened upon Miss Fisher on Netflix, and I was hooked from the start. It's glitzy and glamorous and sassy and flamboyant. Its like Downton Abbey's bada** little sister.
The book didn't disappoint. I loved the slangy style and the vocabulary; I had to look up several words (antimacassars and macadamized anyone?). I enjoyed how the fashion was included in the book, but it wasn't heavy-handed (Louis heels! Camiknickers!). The book is quite short, 175 pages, but that's something I didn't mind because Kerry Greenwood writes so succinctly. A lot of meaning can be conveyed in just two words, and she definitely uses that style. (See the quotes below for example.)
Highly recommended if you enjoy the TV series, some witty writing, learning new vocabulary, vintage fashion, and a little glamour in your life.
Quotes
'I wonder what I want to do?' Phryne asked of herself. 'It has all been quite interesting up until now, but I can't dance and game my life away. I suppose I could try for the air race record in the new Avro - or join Miss May Cunliffe in the road-trials of the new Lagonda - or learn Abyssinian - or take to gin - or breed horses - I don't know, it all seems very flat.' (page 7)
Had she been at all used to blushing, she would have blushed, but she wasn't, so she didn't. (page 10)
Phryne, who was adamant that the possession of pretty clothes was the second-best sustainer of a young woman's morale in the world. (page 49)
What an excellent opportunity for a little polite blackmail. (page 83)
'You are magnificent. I, also, am magnificent. We shall be magnificent together,' he concluded placidly.. (page 91)
The book didn't disappoint. I loved the slangy style and the vocabulary; I had to look up several words (antimacassars and macadamized anyone?). I enjoyed how the fashion was included in the book, but it wasn't heavy-handed (Louis heels! Camiknickers!). The book is quite short, 175 pages, but that's something I didn't mind because Kerry Greenwood writes so succinctly. A lot of meaning can be conveyed in just two words, and she definitely uses that style. (See the quotes below for example.)
Highly recommended if you enjoy the TV series, some witty writing, learning new vocabulary, vintage fashion, and a little glamour in your life.
Quotes
'I wonder what I want to do?' Phryne asked of herself. 'It has all been quite interesting up until now, but I can't dance and game my life away. I suppose I could try for the air race record in the new Avro - or join Miss May Cunliffe in the road-trials of the new Lagonda - or learn Abyssinian - or take to gin - or breed horses - I don't know, it all seems very flat.' (page 7)
Had she been at all used to blushing, she would have blushed, but she wasn't, so she didn't. (page 10)
Phryne, who was adamant that the possession of pretty clothes was the second-best sustainer of a young woman's morale in the world. (page 49)
What an excellent opportunity for a little polite blackmail. (page 83)
'You are magnificent. I, also, am magnificent. We shall be magnificent together,' he concluded placidly.. (page 91)
Recommended if you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, if you like lots of action, if you enjoy gizmos and gadgets aplenty.
This book is kind of like The Da Vinci Code, Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Mission Impossible all rolled up into one. While I loved all three, the combo of this book was a bit much. I got confused by all the historical, religious, and mythological references. I never quite understood what the Sigma team was searching for. Maybe if I had read this book more slowly, it would have sunk in. However I expected the fast-paced action of Dan Brown, with lots of Magi 101 and Gnosticism 101 explanations. The book was mostly action, blowing things up, and fast driving. Comparable to The Bourne Identity. So if you like your books kinda like movies without all the dialogue, this book is for you.
This book is kind of like The Da Vinci Code, Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Mission Impossible all rolled up into one. While I loved all three, the combo of this book was a bit much. I got confused by all the historical, religious, and mythological references. I never quite understood what the Sigma team was searching for. Maybe if I had read this book more slowly, it would have sunk in. However I expected the fast-paced action of Dan Brown, with lots of Magi 101 and Gnosticism 101 explanations. The book was mostly action, blowing things up, and fast driving. Comparable to The Bourne Identity. So if you like your books kinda like movies without all the dialogue, this book is for you.
I really enjoyed The Bone Collector, so I wasn't sure if this book would live up to my expectations. Jeffery Deaver probably figured that most fans would feel that way, because The Coffin Dancer started off with a bang. The best part was Stephan Kall and his psychological warfare with himself. The worst part was Amelia and Lincoln's romance, with Amelia acting bada** as a cop and so whiny around Lincoln. Deaver is a man, so I give him some allowance for writing Amelia that way. Hopefully she'll get better as I read more Lincoln Rhyme mysteries. Loved the twists and turns; this novel is an easy read that'll keep you guessing.
Soldier, your job is not to understand. Your job is to infiltrate, evaluate, delegate, isolate, and eliminate. That is your only job. (page 57)
He was looking for Lincoln the Worm. The man who'd out-thought him once again. Who was he? Which of them? Cringey. Lincoln ... Prince of Worms. (page 355)
The proof of God, for Percey Clay, could be found in the humn of servomotors and the buoyancy of a sleek metal wing at that instant when the airfoil creates negative top pressure and you become weightless. (page 408)
"I'm ready. Hope you are. Don't drop your candy." Roland Bell (page 410)
Who knew a foot could be so mysterious? This is one of Reichs' better tales, IMHO. Lots of colorful characters, good science, mysterious deaths, and oozing forensics. I read a lot of detective novels, but this one kept me guessing until the end.