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misajane79
For pure mystery fluff, this was not bad at all. The mystery was complicated enough, and the characters were fun. Plus, there was a crazy director of a historical society!
Not so good that I'll be seeking out others in this series, but not so bad that I wouldn't read another if it was put in my lap.
Not so good that I'll be seeking out others in this series, but not so bad that I wouldn't read another if it was put in my lap.
Highly predictable and trying too hard. I adore this time period, but I kept thinking of Edith Wharton. The two do not begin to compare.
It is set up beautifully for sequels, and I am mildly intrigued in what happens next, but not so much to officially add those books to the to-read list.
It is set up beautifully for sequels, and I am mildly intrigued in what happens next, but not so much to officially add those books to the to-read list.
I did a lot of flipping through home-buying books and first-time homebuyer books before choosing this one. No regrets at all with the choice--lots of great advice, real world examples (including mistakes) and practical lists. Highly recommended as a way to get familiar with all the intricacies of the homebuying process.
This book still sits on my nightstand--and probably will until I close on the house.
This book still sits on my nightstand--and probably will until I close on the house.
I read this book in delightful bits and pieces before bed. And then I'd be trying to sleep and thinking about food and the fabulous Cajun place (opened by New Orleans transplants) that is about a block from my apartment. Lots of cravings while reading this book!
Framed in chapters about key dishes in New Orleans, this is much more than a book about amazing food. She writes about trying to make a home in a place that feels very foreign. Through it all is Katrina--the before and after and the still-dealing with aspects of the storm. Funny (love the chapter about a crawfish boil) and touching (stories of some of the older food icons got me) and full of wonderful characters (try not to fall in love with some of them!)
At the end of the book, I was deeply satisified, yet longing for a visit to New Orleans. Definitely recommended.
Framed in chapters about key dishes in New Orleans, this is much more than a book about amazing food. She writes about trying to make a home in a place that feels very foreign. Through it all is Katrina--the before and after and the still-dealing with aspects of the storm. Funny (love the chapter about a crawfish boil) and touching (stories of some of the older food icons got me) and full of wonderful characters (try not to fall in love with some of them!)
At the end of the book, I was deeply satisified, yet longing for a visit to New Orleans. Definitely recommended.
As a sucker for WWI, this collection of diaries and letters fromthe author's parents seemed right up my alley. And it many ways it was. Kathleen and Frank's story is lyrical and tragic. Both were great writers (not always the case in diaries), and the interuptions by Christopher added depth and context to the story.
But it is a very long book, one that I think could have been easily cut by at least 100 pages. When I picked it up, I thought much more of the book would be about WWI, when in reality the vast majority is about their prolonged courtship.
Recommended, but it's a commitment.
But it is a very long book, one that I think could have been easily cut by at least 100 pages. When I picked it up, I thought much more of the book would be about WWI, when in reality the vast majority is about their prolonged courtship.
Recommended, but it's a commitment.
Book club book. . .
It's been years since I've read this, and after reading some other Alcott, it's definitely not her best. However, reading it still brought back some warm fuzzies--Uncle Alec and his treasures! Mac and his eyes! Camping on the Island!
Though this book is supposedly about Rose, I think the main character is really Uncle Alec. We see more inside of his character than of Rose--she certainly changes, but she's never much more than a "good" girl.
Doesn't begin to compare to some of my other favorite orphan books of this era, but it certainy makes for some interesting contrasts. Will probably have to read Rose in Bloom soon.
It's been years since I've read this, and after reading some other Alcott, it's definitely not her best. However, reading it still brought back some warm fuzzies--Uncle Alec and his treasures! Mac and his eyes! Camping on the Island!
Though this book is supposedly about Rose, I think the main character is really Uncle Alec. We see more inside of his character than of Rose--she certainly changes, but she's never much more than a "good" girl.
Doesn't begin to compare to some of my other favorite orphan books of this era, but it certainy makes for some interesting contrasts. Will probably have to read Rose in Bloom soon.
Another time where I'd love a half star option.
I'm so torn on this book--parts of it I really liked, and other parts just didn't quite work.
Set in a fictional Port Fairview, TX during WWII (which is probably Beaumont), it's the story of a young couple who just got married--he's the epilectic son of the richest family in town, she has a Past. Throw in an affair, a teenage boarder, some race riots, and you've got quite a story.
It drags in places, and it's hard to truly like any of the characters. But it was an interesting read and worth checking out if you're a fan of WWII homefront stuff.
I'm so torn on this book--parts of it I really liked, and other parts just didn't quite work.
Set in a fictional Port Fairview, TX during WWII (which is probably Beaumont), it's the story of a young couple who just got married--he's the epilectic son of the richest family in town, she has a Past. Throw in an affair, a teenage boarder, some race riots, and you've got quite a story.
It drags in places, and it's hard to truly like any of the characters. But it was an interesting read and worth checking out if you're a fan of WWII homefront stuff.
Plane book--completely hooked! Going to have to add a few things to my netflix list.
This was a real page turner. Though I know a bit of film history, I didn't realize how much I didn't know until I picked this up. The intersections, challenges, insights, and the sheer drama of making movies make for a great read. So many movies still to see! At least I had seen 3 of the 5 discussed.
Highly recommended for anyone that loves Hollywood or 1960s history.
This was a real page turner. Though I know a bit of film history, I didn't realize how much I didn't know until I picked this up. The intersections, challenges, insights, and the sheer drama of making movies make for a great read. So many movies still to see! At least I had seen 3 of the 5 discussed.
Highly recommended for anyone that loves Hollywood or 1960s history.
Loved, loved, loved. Set during WWII in England, Doreen is evacuated by her single mother to the country to escape the raid. The couple she ends up with has desperately wanted a child, and Doreen becomes that child--which leads to all sorts of complications with Doreen's mother. And in the center is Doreen, who loves both lives.
Lots and lots to think about here--class, the lines that parents have to draw, and what it must have been like to grow up in London during WWII. I've become more than a bit curious about evacuee history and will have to see what I can dig up.
Lots and lots to think about here--class, the lines that parents have to draw, and what it must have been like to grow up in London during WWII. I've become more than a bit curious about evacuee history and will have to see what I can dig up.