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cgj13's reviews
588 reviews
The City by Dean Koontz
3.0
It's been such a long time since I read a Dean Koontz book that I can't quite remember if this deviates from his normal MO or not. Over all, it was a great book and kept me interested. I thought it could have used more of scifi aspect to it. And I was left wanting more of that. Other than the light touch of Miss Pearl and the "magical" lucite heart. I really thought there would be something more mysterious behind the dealings of Lucas, Fiona and Tilton. That left me let down and they never really explained the cause.
I am happy to note though that Jonah's dad did not bring him to his demise or I might have thrown my nook across the room. But I guess as I was reading it, I knew it couldn't have happened because we know that the narrator lives to be much older and see many things. I feel like that main theme in here is that even though fate may have something in store for you, You do have the power through your actions to change your destiny.
I love the intergenerational friendship that developed, and that it became a source of comfort and healing to both of them. And the easy friend ship of Jonah and Malcom.
Some great quotes in here:
"The next day was better--magical, one of those days that my friend Malcolm calls a butter-side-up day. Trouble was coming, sure, but it's always coming, and meanwhile it's best to live with a smile."
"the truth is, to this day I still pretty much operate under that assumption. If chaos plagues the world--and it does--and if there's any benign power that wants the world to survive, then stability will be encouraged and rewarded. Maybe not all the time. But most of the time."
"The news isn't all the news...It's just what the reporters want to tell you about...Millions of people are doing nice things for one another, making, sacrifices, mostly small things, but it's all those little kidnesses that hold civilization together..."
"Surrendering to fear destroys many lives. Indulgence in Stubborn anger destroys even more. But guilt, Jonah, is no less a destroyer of lives...Fear can be overcome. You may let go of anger. And guilt can be forgiven."...."You must remember the love you had for the one you lost....Remember that adoration Do not let your feelings of guilt turn her out of your heart. Open your heart to her, and bring her back...Guilt forbids her entrance. Sorrow instead would be a gift to her, a way forward that allows the hope of happiness."
And my favorite:
"One of the many wonders of this world is that, if we allow it to happen, anyone newly met can all but overnight become a central figure in our lives, hardly less essential to us than air and water. Although we've made it a world of hatred and envy and violence, the preponderance of evidence proves to me that it is a world created to inspire friendship and love and kindness."
I am happy to note though that Jonah's dad did not bring him to his demise or I might have thrown my nook across the room. But I guess as I was reading it, I knew it couldn't have happened because we know that the narrator lives to be much older and see many things. I feel like that main theme in here is that even though fate may have something in store for you, You do have the power through your actions to change your destiny.
I love the intergenerational friendship that developed, and that it became a source of comfort and healing to both of them. And the easy friend ship of Jonah and Malcom.
Some great quotes in here:
"The next day was better--magical, one of those days that my friend Malcolm calls a butter-side-up day. Trouble was coming, sure, but it's always coming, and meanwhile it's best to live with a smile."
"the truth is, to this day I still pretty much operate under that assumption. If chaos plagues the world--and it does--and if there's any benign power that wants the world to survive, then stability will be encouraged and rewarded. Maybe not all the time. But most of the time."
"The news isn't all the news...It's just what the reporters want to tell you about...Millions of people are doing nice things for one another, making, sacrifices, mostly small things, but it's all those little kidnesses that hold civilization together..."
"Surrendering to fear destroys many lives. Indulgence in Stubborn anger destroys even more. But guilt, Jonah, is no less a destroyer of lives...Fear can be overcome. You may let go of anger. And guilt can be forgiven."...."You must remember the love you had for the one you lost....Remember that adoration Do not let your feelings of guilt turn her out of your heart. Open your heart to her, and bring her back...Guilt forbids her entrance. Sorrow instead would be a gift to her, a way forward that allows the hope of happiness."
And my favorite:
"One of the many wonders of this world is that, if we allow it to happen, anyone newly met can all but overnight become a central figure in our lives, hardly less essential to us than air and water. Although we've made it a world of hatred and envy and violence, the preponderance of evidence proves to me that it is a world created to inspire friendship and love and kindness."
The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince by Serena Valentino
3.0
It's an entertaining read, but falls way short in comparison to "Fairest of them All". I really started to like the back story of Beast and Circe, but I feel like all of the character connections lacked depth to them. And there were large jumps in the story--that a reader can fill in because it follows the disney movie so closely. I would have liked the story to be more in depth to his life before Belle. It seems as if the author wanted to focus more on the three sister, and that might be a more interesting story. It's obvious that her next book will be about Ursula, and I hope it is more like Fairest than Beast.
I do like the tie in of the three sisters and the magic mirror to Fairest.
I do like the tie in of the three sisters and the magic mirror to Fairest.
Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving and Not Lose Your Job, Family, or Sanity by Sarah Bowen Shea, Dimity McDowell
3.0
This book was highly recommended. Well I thoroughly enjoyed some parts, others just fell flat. Dimity and Sarah both shared some great insight into distance running and navigating running with husbands and children. I can't quite put my finger on what I didn't like, but it towards the end, it just dragged on and I skimmed most of the last 4 chapters. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind. I did manage to find a great non-gym strength training workout that I am going to try.
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
4.0
Cute! It was a fun book. And my first graphic novel. And I think it's perfect for the tween/teen group as it easily goes through the topics of braces, crushes and the evolution/ending of bad friendships. I am glad though that my daughter already went through getting her braces before reading this, or she might not have been so eager.
I thought the flow of the "novel" (is that what you would call it--novel, book) was a little disjointed on places, but after reading the authors note on how it was originally a serial publication then it made sense.
Telgemeier's accounts of growing up seem very spot on to what all kids feel. Smile is very relatable. I'm glad she didn't gloss over how "friends" change and can turn mean on one another and she/her character broke free and found new friends who shared her interests and supported her. I'm remember struggling through this at that age and hope it shows the youth of today that they do have to power to change the environment around them for the better.
I thought the flow of the "novel" (is that what you would call it--novel, book) was a little disjointed on places, but after reading the authors note on how it was originally a serial publication then it made sense.
Telgemeier's accounts of growing up seem very spot on to what all kids feel. Smile is very relatable. I'm glad she didn't gloss over how "friends" change and can turn mean on one another and she/her character broke free and found new friends who shared her interests and supported her. I'm remember struggling through this at that age and hope it shows the youth of today that they do have to power to change the environment around them for the better.
The Mutts Diaries by Patrick McDonnell
4.0
Oh Mooch. He reminds me so much of my cat. I love the drawing.
Happy Cat, Happy You: Quick Tips for Building a Bond with Your Feline Friend by Arden Moore
3.0
Cute little book with lots of little tidbits Especially good if you have a kitten.
The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell
5.0
I love love love reading this book from my childhood. I was trying to read this with Hannah but that was going to slow, so I said enough of that and read the rest on my own.
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
5.0
Found this on a recommendation of audio books for family car trips. It was a great listen and had us laughing often. I actually only heard the first half, as I ended up taking a nap. Had to relisten to it today. I've not read any other Neil Gaiman, but this was a fun fantastical story that he wrote. Neil is also the narrator of this version--and has a pleasant voice that was easy to listen to.
The crazy story the father makes up to explain to his kids why he was late bringing home the milk is hilarious and kept us laughing. It's just the type of story I could see a parent inventing for their kids.
The crazy story the father makes up to explain to his kids why he was late bringing home the milk is hilarious and kept us laughing. It's just the type of story I could see a parent inventing for their kids.
Painting Successful Watercolours from Photographs by Geoff Kersey
4.0
I did a quick skim through of this book. As I had to return it to the library.
It's not a technique book. The first 15 pages go over some techniques he used.
I like how he showed how and why he modified the photographs in his final watercolor. He starts often with a value sketch--which is what I need to start doing. While he doesn't show step by step techniques, he does show many different techniques as well as some instruction--even if it is barebones. He does show his color scheme. Which is helpful.
It's not a technique book. The first 15 pages go over some techniques he used.
I like how he showed how and why he modified the photographs in his final watercolor. He starts often with a value sketch--which is what I need to start doing. While he doesn't show step by step techniques, he does show many different techniques as well as some instruction--even if it is barebones. He does show his color scheme. Which is helpful.