kikkrareads's Reviews (743)

Hannah wakes one perfectly ordinary day only for it to end in confusion and worry. Her husband is missing and he leaves her with only a short note. From then on Hannah tries to protect and comfort a step-daughter who challenges her while trying to find out what happened to her husband.

I enjoyed this story. I listened to it as an Audiobook and rather enjoyed the narration of it all. I found it was jumpy at times, and could have had more detail or structure. I was frustrated with how much of the story was in the past and there were a number of times where I just signed in frustration at Hannah and her actions.

I wouldn't say it was my best read of the year, but isn't by far the worst either. I have not yet seen the TV series, but it is on my watch list.

I wonder why it took me so long to read this book. Once I started it, I simply could not put it down. Scout and Jem Finch became my newest friends while I was transported back to a time where equality was but a dream.

I adore the way Harper Lee was able to give Scout such depth and knowledge. In her young age, she can see how the world needs to change and that there are injustices at play. Scout has hope for a better world, and more importantly, hope in her father. She knows he will do what is right, and what he says she believes.

The characters in this text are rightfully flawed and realistic. I can see why this is a text that has been studied for years and years. I can also see how it would make some fearful of a positive change (thus making it a banned book).

5 stars and I will be reading again!

This book was selected for us to read as a class text for Year 6. I agreed, even though I had never read it before. My students and I were hooked from the very beginning. This Australian classic had me feeling all the emotions.

Storm Boy loves like no other. He loved his Dad, his friends and his Pelican. I have to admit I was worried about how this book may come across as cheesy but it wasn't at all. For such a short read, it had such wonderful character development and depth.

Again, this is a book that does have a movie adaptions, two in fact. I have yet to see any of them but I just may need to. I also returned my borrowed copy but purchased a new copy for myself... This is book I will be reading again and again. I think it may also be a book I gift this Christmas. A great book for all ages.

A death from 20 years ago is brought back into the spotlight after the suspected suicide of a young man. Cormac Reilly is in a new role, and as he navigates the job, he finds himself thrown back into the past.

I will say I loved the way Ireland was brought to life. This is the first mystery novel, I've read, that is set in Ireland and I really enjoyed it. Cormac is an interesting character, one I want to know more about... which means I will probably read more books in this series.

The narrator did an excellent job. I loved her accents for each character, including the Australian accent for a particular character. I feel that really helped with the way I experienced this book.

This book was a free book for Audible members. This review is my honest opinion.

In short: I read it, I finished it. There were parts I liked about this book. but I wasn't a fan of more.

This is a story of healing and redemption. Both our main characters, Torin and Maya, are running from things that are out to kill them. Both are hiding from fear and doubts, but once thrown into each others paths they begin to see that they are deserving of so much more.

I enjoyed that the book started with some back story. It allowed the reader to get an idea of what Torin has experienced and so we weren't shocked but his attitudes and behavior's. I also enjoyed that Maya's story unraveled to us slowly. This allowed for some mystery and speculation.

I didn't like how there was no character development. It went from "I hate her" to "LOVE". It was just so instant and lacked reality, which I do need a bit off in my contemporary romances. The spice seemed to be overly exaggerated with language that seemed to be thrown in there just to 'increase' the spice but to me it did nothing. I felt that the language just didn't flow or was needed. I am not a prude and swearing does not bother me but how it was used in this book just seemed out of place, reputative and unnecessary.

The story as a whole had plot holes. Parts that were rushed, needed more time and care, where as areas that were written with precision were just not needed.

All in all the story had great potential, I just feel it lacked OMPH.

2.5 Stars
2 Chili spices

This sweet story is written in free verse. The use of poetry is used to tell the tale of Odder, the Sea Otter who just loved the play and dance and who had to fight against odds to be herself.

Odder was a brilliant text. I found it while at the school bookfair and I purchased it for my classroom. I decided to read it first and I am so glad I did. I was hooked from the first poem and found myself discussing it non-stop with students. Once I finished the book I passed it on, as did others in the class, and before I knew it more than 75% of my class have devoured it.

It is an easy read, and the use of free verse makes it easier still. It lyrical texts allow for pictures to be built up in the mind of the reader with ease.

This is a book I will continue to recommend, for all ages!!

A memoir that a lot of the world waited for with baited breath. I will admit I had the Audiobook preordered and started listening to it on day one. I smashed it out in 4 days but what did I think?

I felt it was very much a story that went on for too long and went around in circles. There was always someone to blame and he was never at fault. There was never a moment in which he could have been better, he was just, always innocent.

Prince Harry plays the role of the victim in every scenario of this book. He speaks like a spoilt child who knows the right words to use in order to gain the most sympathy. I do not deny that life of a royal would be hard, but I do not appreciate the fact that he is unable to own up to any of his actions, they are all the fault of someone else.

I also fail to respect someone who is willing to throw their entire family under the bus numerous times, and then play victim while crying "I am not included". I feel a majority of this book was simply crying victim and blaming others. I know I am repeating myself, but I guess that is in spirit of the book itself.

I wanted to like it. I really did. I just... couldn't.

A month of Sundays brings together four women who are so different to one another it's hard to imagine how they would work. These ladies have been connected by their virtual book club for years. when the opportunity presents itself for them to go away together for a month, we bare witness to their reactions and the lead up to the get away.

We then become the silent, 5th member of the book club as they navigate their every changing world. Not only do they learn more about one another, but they also learn to lean on each other and, in turn, become stronger withing themselves.

A Month of Sunday's allows the reader to see the true value of friendship. It allows them to bond with characters who fear change yet want to embrace it.

It is a book that made me appreciate my own friendships, and embrace, even more so, the virtual groups I am apart of.

So I decided to try the whole Booktok thing and this was a book that kept popping up so I just had to give it a go.

I enjoyed how the FMC wasn't a sap. She had a backbone and took to the twists and turns really well. I will admit, while I had a few guesses as to how the book may end I was surprised at the very end.

The book was a real page turner. Once I started I couldn't stop. But I did have some issues with the way it was written. Rushed at times, lacking strength, depth and continuation. I feel the writing needed to be greatly improved, If it were better the story would have been incredible!

3.5 stars
It wasn't the best written book but I also couldn't put it down.

The name of the book had me interested, the blurb drew me in and then by the end of chapter 1 I was hooked! This book is more than just about a group of women who come together to crochet. It is about friendship, love, trust, relationships, grief, dealing with the past, confronting the future.

For each character, there was a moment where I felt a connection, and understanding with them. I moment where I could relate and understand. I laughed and cried with these women. I was just so invested in this book, I want to read it again and again.

Being set in Australia, made it all the more special. I liked that I could really see these women in my day to day world. I also felt that the issues that were brought up are those that we are seeing all over the country.

Kate Solly has written a beautiful story. One that I REFUSE to stop bragging about! I cannot wait to see what she has up her sleeve next, and I wouldn't be upset if it meant revisiting the Copeton Craft Resistance.

I adored this book so much