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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
My bookclub’s first book club selection of 2020 is The Joy of Missing Out by Tonya Dalton. We wanted something inspiring and motivational to kick off the new year. The majority of us are moms so we can totally relate to the content of this book. There are so many things to juggle between sports schedules, school, work, etc… This book shows readers how to prioritize the important items in life-how to put what is important, front and center. With this overwhelming world, we often lose belief in ourselves and we lose focus on what really matters. We begin to limit ourselves and find that our lives are defined by our choices. Tonya Dalton gives examples and provides many different scenarios within the book. The focus is to use our most precious commodity, time, more wisely.
I was so so excited about this book and honestly, it is great. Especially for those who struggle with organizing their time and just feel like they could barely keep their head above water. Unfortunately, nothing in this book is really groundbreaking. It says the same old thing other self-help books have said but just focuses on motherhood. That being said, I have implemented many of these techniques LONG before I knew this book existed. Many times I found myself waiting for the “AHA” moment. It never came. The book starts off incredibly strong and ends beautifully. The middle left me struggling to pay attention. The examples she uses are not relatable. Sorry, but I don’t plan to be Warren Buffet, nor do I want to be. I just want to successfully get through each day feeling like a great person and a great mom. I often found that the examples and the scenarios were a little privileged. This book is not for the mom who has to work 2 or 3 jobs and has to choose between bills and food. I have been in that situation and if I would have read this book then— I would have thrown it across the room.
The author is the narrator and I know she hosts a podcast. But honestly, the narration was a problem for me. She accented certain words. For example, “We are LIMITING ourselves.” or “LET’s focus ON what REALLY matters.” It drove me nuts, so I probably won’t be listening to the podcast. It just wasn’t for me. Since the podcast is successful, I am assuming it is just a me thing. Anyway, I almost rated this book 2 stars based on my enjoyment. But then I thought about it. The ideas and tips are great and could be helpful. I just already do most of what is suggested. This book also comes with a reading guide for readers to help put these tools to the test. So I actually rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I hope this book helps others to find their North Star.
I was so so excited about this book and honestly, it is great. Especially for those who struggle with organizing their time and just feel like they could barely keep their head above water. Unfortunately, nothing in this book is really groundbreaking. It says the same old thing other self-help books have said but just focuses on motherhood. That being said, I have implemented many of these techniques LONG before I knew this book existed. Many times I found myself waiting for the “AHA” moment. It never came. The book starts off incredibly strong and ends beautifully. The middle left me struggling to pay attention. The examples she uses are not relatable. Sorry, but I don’t plan to be Warren Buffet, nor do I want to be. I just want to successfully get through each day feeling like a great person and a great mom. I often found that the examples and the scenarios were a little privileged. This book is not for the mom who has to work 2 or 3 jobs and has to choose between bills and food. I have been in that situation and if I would have read this book then— I would have thrown it across the room.
The author is the narrator and I know she hosts a podcast. But honestly, the narration was a problem for me. She accented certain words. For example, “We are LIMITING ourselves.” or “LET’s focus ON what REALLY matters.” It drove me nuts, so I probably won’t be listening to the podcast. It just wasn’t for me. Since the podcast is successful, I am assuming it is just a me thing. Anyway, I almost rated this book 2 stars based on my enjoyment. But then I thought about it. The ideas and tips are great and could be helpful. I just already do most of what is suggested. This book also comes with a reading guide for readers to help put these tools to the test. So I actually rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I hope this book helps others to find their North Star.
It is pretty obvious by now that I have become quite obsessed with Karin Slaughter. I am currently reading her Will Trent Series. Broken is book 4 in the series. This book begins with a character that has already been introduced, Dr. Sara Linton. She is coming home for the first time in years and is haunted by her husband’s murder. Grant County is small and the police protect themselves. When a young woman’s body is pulled from the lake, an arrest is made, but the suspect kills himself in his cell. Dr. Sara Linton knows the detectives are protecting each other and that the real killer is still out there. So she calls Will Trent to help investigate.
One thing I love about Karin Slaughter is that she is not afraid to take her books to the next level. Her characters, plot, and twists are complex. Every detail is important and has meaning. This book is even more interesting because it starts to dive into Sara Linton’s past-which is apparently the focus of the Grant series. (I already added it to my TBR.) There is more to Sara than meets the eye. She has a dark past, that continues to haunt her future. I love how both Will and Sara have to peel back all the layers of this community to discover the secrets. Every character seems connected, but the conclusion is not predictable.
Will Trent as always, is fabulous. This book really shines a light on his chemistry with Sara, even though he is still married to Angie. UGH! Angie has been gone for months, she only comes around when she needs Will. Needless to say, I am not a fan of her… *ahem* ANYWAY. Will still struggles to keep his struggles with dyslexia under wraps. But without his partner, his struggles start to reveal themselves to Sara.
The only letdown in this book for me is the lack of Amanda Wagner. She is my favorite in this series and I really missed her in this book, good thing she is in the next book. I did miss Faith too, but she will be back in the next book as well. So as always, Karin Slaughter knocked it out of the park for me. 5 out of 5 stars!
One thing I love about Karin Slaughter is that she is not afraid to take her books to the next level. Her characters, plot, and twists are complex. Every detail is important and has meaning. This book is even more interesting because it starts to dive into Sara Linton’s past-which is apparently the focus of the Grant series. (I already added it to my TBR.) There is more to Sara than meets the eye. She has a dark past, that continues to haunt her future. I love how both Will and Sara have to peel back all the layers of this community to discover the secrets. Every character seems connected, but the conclusion is not predictable.
Will Trent as always, is fabulous. This book really shines a light on his chemistry with Sara, even though he is still married to Angie. UGH! Angie has been gone for months, she only comes around when she needs Will. Needless to say, I am not a fan of her… *ahem* ANYWAY. Will still struggles to keep his struggles with dyslexia under wraps. But without his partner, his struggles start to reveal themselves to Sara.
The only letdown in this book for me is the lack of Amanda Wagner. She is my favorite in this series and I really missed her in this book, good thing she is in the next book. I did miss Faith too, but she will be back in the next book as well. So as always, Karin Slaughter knocked it out of the park for me. 5 out of 5 stars!
I have been spending too much money on audiobooks recently, so I decided to give the app, Libby a try. I love it. It connects to your library card and there are many electronic ebooks and audiobooks available. I found A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier, narrated by Esther Wane on Libby and I was immediately drawn to the cover. It is gorgeous. AND it is a fairytale retelling. Not just any fairytale, it is a 12 Dancing Princesses retelling. That is one of my favorite fairytales and I rarely see it as a retelling. This story is the first book in the Beyond the Four Realms series. Apparently, there is also a Four Realms series, which I already purchased the first book. Anyway, this book begins with twin princesses, Liliana and Sophie arriving on a diplomatic trip to the country of Marin. Upon arriving, they are forced to participate in an ancient tourney called by the cursed prince of Palinar. No one knew this tourney would be called, but they have to abide by the ancient laws or lose their life. No one but the princesses know what the tourney involves and they are sworn to secrecy. However, no one knows that Liliana and Sophie have the gift of telepathic communication. The princess who wins the tourney will be engaged to the cursed Prince of Palinar. Each event will test their strength, wit, courage, and compassion. Liliana is determined to win to spare her sister and the other girls from an unwanted marriage, even though it will break her heart to also lose the man she soon falls in love with…
I LOVE fairytale retellings. Are they unique? Definitely. Are they predictable? Of course. But I still love them. This version is not that different but I love it. It really highlights how there are more to these girls than pretty dresses and ballroom knowledge. These girls are fierce, smart, clever, and they care deeply for one another. I also love how the men respect them and know they are more than just a pretty face.
My favorite part is the connection between Lily and Sophie. They are sisters, twins, and already have that connection but their gift takes it a step further. They have always been together and connected. This tourney will test them and show them that they are individuals as well. They have to learn independence if they are going to thrive. As I said, I already purchased the first book in the first series so I can go through and read them all. They are quick reads or in this case, listens. Oh! That brings me to the narrator, Esther Wane. She is a wonderful narrator. She expressed the perfect amount of emotion and grasped each individual character. Bravo!
Overall, this is an entertaining read! I rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars.
I LOVE fairytale retellings. Are they unique? Definitely. Are they predictable? Of course. But I still love them. This version is not that different but I love it. It really highlights how there are more to these girls than pretty dresses and ballroom knowledge. These girls are fierce, smart, clever, and they care deeply for one another. I also love how the men respect them and know they are more than just a pretty face.
My favorite part is the connection between Lily and Sophie. They are sisters, twins, and already have that connection but their gift takes it a step further. They have always been together and connected. This tourney will test them and show them that they are individuals as well. They have to learn independence if they are going to thrive. As I said, I already purchased the first book in the first series so I can go through and read them all. They are quick reads or in this case, listens. Oh! That brings me to the narrator, Esther Wane. She is a wonderful narrator. She expressed the perfect amount of emotion and grasped each individual character. Bravo!
Overall, this is an entertaining read! I rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars.
"Readers will love to read this alternative view of American history."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/november/viewer/desktop/#page/66
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/november/viewer/desktop/#page/66
"Mystery, Suspense, and steamy romance...who could ask for more!"
Check out my full review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/december-january/viewer/desktop/#page/98
Check out my full review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/december-january/viewer/desktop/#page/98
It is official. I am halfway through the Will Trent series. I should be all caught up for when book 10 is released this year. Fallen by Karin Slaughter has to be the most suspenseful book in the series yet. In true Karin Slaughter fashion, the book begins with Faith Mitchell heading home from training and her mother, who is watching her daughter, isn’t answering the phone. She gets home and discovers a bloody handprint on the door and her mother gone. Her daughter is safely tucked away in the shed. Faith has now gone from GBI Investigator to the victim, and also a suspect. Only Will Trent, Sara Linton, and Amanda Wagner can help. However, can Faith put her trust in them to bring her mother home?
YES. YES. YES. I have a confession. I LIVE for Amanda Wagner. Sure, she has her faults but she doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks and will take down anyone in her way. She is my hero and I want to be her when I grow up. After a serious lack of her character in the previous book, it was so refreshing to see her more often in this book. She takes on a bigger role since she is best friends with Evelyn Mitchell, who is Faith Mitchell’s mother. I swear Karin Slaughter if you kill her off in future books, I will crawl into a hole and cry for weeks. But you have my full permission to kill of Angie, Will Trent’s good-for-nothing ex-wife.
As always, the cast of characters is fantastic and has a great dynamic. I love seeing them all have to team up and work together. They are like the dream team. Will Trent has a lot to deal with in this book. Faith is his partner and he refuses to lose her. But then there is the growing chemistry with Sara and the Angie problem. The growth over the last few books is fantastic.
This book is just a huge avalanche of suspense. There is not a moment to breathe, so it causes problems when it is time to put the book down. Again, the ending is shocking and not even remotely predictable. I love it. I already borrowed, Snatched, from the library, which is book 5.5 in the series. Obviously, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
YES. YES. YES. I have a confession. I LIVE for Amanda Wagner. Sure, she has her faults but she doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks and will take down anyone in her way. She is my hero and I want to be her when I grow up. After a serious lack of her character in the previous book, it was so refreshing to see her more often in this book. She takes on a bigger role since she is best friends with Evelyn Mitchell, who is Faith Mitchell’s mother. I swear Karin Slaughter if you kill her off in future books, I will crawl into a hole and cry for weeks. But you have my full permission to kill of Angie, Will Trent’s good-for-nothing ex-wife.
As always, the cast of characters is fantastic and has a great dynamic. I love seeing them all have to team up and work together. They are like the dream team. Will Trent has a lot to deal with in this book. Faith is his partner and he refuses to lose her. But then there is the growing chemistry with Sara and the Angie problem. The growth over the last few books is fantastic.
This book is just a huge avalanche of suspense. There is not a moment to breathe, so it causes problems when it is time to put the book down. Again, the ending is shocking and not even remotely predictable. I love it. I already borrowed, Snatched, from the library, which is book 5.5 in the series. Obviously, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Calling all Halloween fans. This book is for you! Grace Coffin and the Badley-Sewn Corpse by Winter Fox is a dark fantasy story about a young girl named Grace Coffin. (Isn’t that ironic?) She moves into a new house, but there is nothing normal about this new home. It once belonged to a dead man. He is dead but not gone. He was a good man but comes back to seek revenge on those who killed his wife. Grace Coffin doesn’t make friends easily but the boy who lives next door will help her with the mystery of Cormac.
Well, now. This book is definitely unique. I would say young adults and fans of dark fantasy would eat this book up. I think my favorite aspect of this story is the dark humor. While the author discusses some serious themes, the dark humor lightens the story. It also has some serious Halloween vibes. So if you are making your Halloween TBR, you should add this series!
It did take me a while to get into the story. The beginning is slow, even though I did enjoy all the pop culture references. From there, the story jumps around. Unfortunately, these jumps are jarring. It gave an unorganized feel to the story. However, I must say the overall storyline is unique. I also really enjoyed the characters. Grace Coffin is relatable. Even Cormac is relatable with his search for vengeance. Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book!
Well, now. This book is definitely unique. I would say young adults and fans of dark fantasy would eat this book up. I think my favorite aspect of this story is the dark humor. While the author discusses some serious themes, the dark humor lightens the story. It also has some serious Halloween vibes. So if you are making your Halloween TBR, you should add this series!
It did take me a while to get into the story. The beginning is slow, even though I did enjoy all the pop culture references. From there, the story jumps around. Unfortunately, these jumps are jarring. It gave an unorganized feel to the story. However, I must say the overall storyline is unique. I also really enjoyed the characters. Grace Coffin is relatable. Even Cormac is relatable with his search for vengeance. Overall, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book!
I love a good mystery and I have seen The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton all over Bookstagram. I decided to get an audiobook copy from Libby. The book is narrated is Jot Davies. Where to begin? Well, Stephen Bell wakes up in the forest with no memories, except for the name Anna. He wanders through the forest until he comes to a manor called Blackheath. He meets a wide cast of characters. One character, in particular, is disguised in a plague doctor’s mask. He informs him that he isn’t Stephen Bell at all. His named is Aiden Bishop and tonight Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered and it is his job to find out who commits the murder. Every day he will go into a new host until he solves it. If he doesn’t, the mystery starts over again. However, there are others who will do anything to make sure the mystery is never solved.
When I started this book. It did not click. It was slow, brutally slow. I actually almost DNF’d it. Then somewhere around 15% in…, it clicked. The storyline started to pick up and I was completely addicted. I listened to this book while running and quite honestly, I could have kept running until I finished the book. This book has by far one of the most complex and intense plots I have ever read. And I don’t say that lightly because I am extremely picky when it comes to thrillers and mysteries. This book is far from predictable, which is a huge win. Some people may get distracted because there are so many different plots going on, but just keep with it. The pieces come together so perfectly. I am still in awe of how the story just comes together.
If that hasn’t convinced you this book gives off serious “Groundhogs Day” meets “Clue” meets Agatha Christie vibes. This book is so good that I plan to buy it so I can read it again and again. My husband is not a reader and I usually tell him about what books I am currently reading and even he was impressed with the storyline. We are both hoping that this book gets a mini-series! I would love to go into all the stellar characters and descriptions but I seriously don’t want to give anything away. It is that good. I would rate this book more than 5 stars if I could, but alas, it is 5 out of 5 stars.
When I started this book. It did not click. It was slow, brutally slow. I actually almost DNF’d it. Then somewhere around 15% in…, it clicked. The storyline started to pick up and I was completely addicted. I listened to this book while running and quite honestly, I could have kept running until I finished the book. This book has by far one of the most complex and intense plots I have ever read. And I don’t say that lightly because I am extremely picky when it comes to thrillers and mysteries. This book is far from predictable, which is a huge win. Some people may get distracted because there are so many different plots going on, but just keep with it. The pieces come together so perfectly. I am still in awe of how the story just comes together.
If that hasn’t convinced you this book gives off serious “Groundhogs Day” meets “Clue” meets Agatha Christie vibes. This book is so good that I plan to buy it so I can read it again and again. My husband is not a reader and I usually tell him about what books I am currently reading and even he was impressed with the storyline. We are both hoping that this book gets a mini-series! I would love to go into all the stellar characters and descriptions but I seriously don’t want to give anything away. It is that good. I would rate this book more than 5 stars if I could, but alas, it is 5 out of 5 stars.
"This is one of those romance stories that will have readers aching for the hero and heroine to be together!"
Check out my full review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/december-january/viewer/desktop/#page/68
Check out my full review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/december-january/viewer/desktop/#page/68
It is the last weekend of February and I am ending the month with A Touch of Death by Rebecca Crunden. This novel begins a thousand years in the future. The world has collapsed but a kingdom has been established. There is only one language, one religion, and the king is the center of it all. However, the kingdom is split into the wealthy and the poor. Nate Anteros speaks out against the king and is sentenced to death. He is in luck because he is the son of the king’s favorite. Years later, he reappears, a mistake is made, and he is on the run with Catherine Taenia, who happens to be his brother’s fiance. The kingdom is evil but the Outlands are filled with more danger…
This book has so many elements that caught my attention. It is not only a dystopian novel but it has romance and science fiction tones. I did enjoy the world-building! Some of the things were pretty typical for a dystopian world but it did leave me wanting to know more, especially the history of how it all came to be. I did love the characters. They have lived a life of privilege and it shows, especially when exposed to the suffering of others. The two main characters did bicker quite a bit and something of it was a little repetitive.
The major issue I had is the beginning can be confusing. The characters and world aren’t fully explained and left a lot of unanswered questions. I think this is a great series for those who love dystopian novels and it has the potential to be a phenomenal series. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars!
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read the book!
This book has so many elements that caught my attention. It is not only a dystopian novel but it has romance and science fiction tones. I did enjoy the world-building! Some of the things were pretty typical for a dystopian world but it did leave me wanting to know more, especially the history of how it all came to be. I did love the characters. They have lived a life of privilege and it shows, especially when exposed to the suffering of others. The two main characters did bicker quite a bit and something of it was a little repetitive.
The major issue I had is the beginning can be confusing. The characters and world aren’t fully explained and left a lot of unanswered questions. I think this is a great series for those who love dystopian novels and it has the potential to be a phenomenal series. I rate it 3 out of 5 stars!
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read the book!