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court_of_stars's reviews
598 reviews
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
3.0
Of the three books I have read during the "Big Strong Yes" podcast series over the past year, I would put Shonda Rhimes's "Year of Yes" at the bottom of my list for a few simple reasons:
1) The first two-thirds of the book is a combination of politics and the musings of an egotistical/repetitive/manic writer. Rhimes repeated herself enough to drop 50 pages from the book. Due to the repeating I struggled with staying in her story and following along.
2) Rhimes discusses the story behind three of the speeches that she has given recently in her "Year of Yes" and then proceeds to just print the speeches.
3) I love her concept of spending a year (or a lifetime) saying yes to the things that scare you. This takes you from dying into living in a magical way.
4)I loved reading about her writing process and how she was inspired to create all of her television shows (even though I really haven't watched any of them).
Overall, Rhimes left me encouraged and I will continue my own year of yes throughout 2018. The final 100 pages of her book were lovely. One of my favorite parts was her showing that it is okay to be different. Doing thing that "normal" people do isn't for everyone.
Be proud of who you are, and don't be afraid to say yes to facing your fears and living a fuller life because of it.
Happy Reading!
1) The first two-thirds of the book is a combination of politics and the musings of an egotistical/repetitive/manic writer. Rhimes repeated herself enough to drop 50 pages from the book. Due to the repeating I struggled with staying in her story and following along.
2) Rhimes discusses the story behind three of the speeches that she has given recently in her "Year of Yes" and then proceeds to just print the speeches.
3) I love her concept of spending a year (or a lifetime) saying yes to the things that scare you. This takes you from dying into living in a magical way.
4)I loved reading about her writing process and how she was inspired to create all of her television shows (even though I really haven't watched any of them).
Overall, Rhimes left me encouraged and I will continue my own year of yes throughout 2018. The final 100 pages of her book were lovely. One of my favorite parts was her showing that it is okay to be different. Doing thing that "normal" people do isn't for everyone.
Be proud of who you are, and don't be afraid to say yes to facing your fears and living a fuller life because of it.
Happy Reading!
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
5.0
It is funny. There is so much I want to say, and yet I find myself speechless. I absolutely devoured "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell. I love Rowell's writing style. She has a brilliant balance of description to dialogue and writes about subjects that are for lack of a better term "so me!"
The main character, Cath, is so much like me I found myself agreeing with the things Cath said and did. Rowell got me to actually FEEL for the characters, and that is something I love.
If you are a lover of FanFic, you will LOVE this book! In fact, you should probably just buy it or borrow it from the library now if you've never read it before. You won't be disappointed!
Happy Reading
The main character, Cath, is so much like me I found myself agreeing with the things Cath said and did. Rowell got me to actually FEEL for the characters, and that is something I love.
If you are a lover of FanFic, you will LOVE this book! In fact, you should probably just buy it or borrow it from the library now if you've never read it before. You won't be disappointed!
Happy Reading
A Girl in Exile by Ismail Kadare
1.0
Sometimes, when I am at the library, I go through the new book section to see if anything stands out to me or appears remotely interesting. I am very familiar with the phrase never judge a book by it's cover, but that is the first thing I see and it draws me in. From the darkened image of the girl falling, to the font of the title "A Girl in Exile" to the color of the background, or the author's name (Ismail Kadare) in red, it called out to me. I read the inside jacket and decided that it had piqued my interest and I would give it a go.
It was 177 pages of a man's descent into madness that ended with him wanting to marry a dead girls spirit (spoiler alert)... No interesting content. No surprises. Nothing engaging.
I know the translation from Albanian to English brings with it its own issues, but there was so much reading and rereading to figure out who was talking, what they were talking about, and why I gave a flying fart about it.
I will still continue seeing out foreign authors as I want to expand my knowledge, but this was rough. I should have stopped reading before I started. I cannot recommend this. At all. To anyone.
Happy Reading (Anything else)!
It was 177 pages of a man's descent into madness that ended with him wanting to marry a dead girls spirit (spoiler alert)... No interesting content. No surprises. Nothing engaging.
I know the translation from Albanian to English brings with it its own issues, but there was so much reading and rereading to figure out who was talking, what they were talking about, and why I gave a flying fart about it.
I will still continue seeing out foreign authors as I want to expand my knowledge, but this was rough. I should have stopped reading before I started. I cannot recommend this. At all. To anyone.
Happy Reading (Anything else)!
Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie
4.0
I cannot say it enough, I love Jennifer Crusie. Her novels are fun and flirty. She creates dynamic characters (both human and dog alike). I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of "Tell Me Lies" as I did with "Crazy for You". It adds a new depth to the story line and keeps me turning page after page.
Did I guess part of the mystery VERY early on? Yes. Did I guess all of it? I did not. Thankfully so.
I picked up a few more of her books at the local bookstore and I'm sure I will be reading more of her work very soon!
Happy Reading!
PS. It's an easy read. I'm not really sure why it took me six days to read. Very unlike me.
Did I guess part of the mystery VERY early on? Yes. Did I guess all of it? I did not. Thankfully so.
I picked up a few more of her books at the local bookstore and I'm sure I will be reading more of her work very soon!
Happy Reading!
PS. It's an easy read. I'm not really sure why it took me six days to read. Very unlike me.
Magic in the Wind by Christine Feehan
4.0
A delightful introduction story to the Drake Sister series by Christine Feehan.
I greatly enjoyed the attention to detail of the nature surrounding the story. I thought the characters were unique and compelling. The dialogue was engaging and the story flowed as seamless as the "Magic in the Wind".
I want to visit the clifftop manor in all its mystery and magic.
I look forward to reading the next in the series!
Happy Reading!
I greatly enjoyed the attention to detail of the nature surrounding the story. I thought the characters were unique and compelling. The dialogue was engaging and the story flowed as seamless as the "Magic in the Wind".
I want to visit the clifftop manor in all its mystery and magic.
I look forward to reading the next in the series!
Happy Reading!
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
5.0
4.5 stars.
Excellently written book about how to get your finances in order and to become debt-free.
Dave Ramsey's "Total Monday Makeover" was some a plan that has been at least a year in the making for my husband and I; however, now that I have read the book, I am fully on board about getting our finances on track and getting out of debt.
Ramsey is not pushing a get rich quick scheme, he is offering the knowledge to take an average income, and not only get yourself out of the grasps of debt, but open your future up to bright possibilities.
The only reason this didn't get five stars is because he got a little religious/preachy at the end. He also repeated himself on multiple occasions throughout that book that were not necessary for me; however, I fully understand why he said what he said.
Overall, great read and so much useful information. Personal finance needs to be taught more than a half a semester in high school.
Happy reading!
Excellently written book about how to get your finances in order and to become debt-free.
Dave Ramsey's "Total Monday Makeover" was some a plan that has been at least a year in the making for my husband and I; however, now that I have read the book, I am fully on board about getting our finances on track and getting out of debt.
Ramsey is not pushing a get rich quick scheme, he is offering the knowledge to take an average income, and not only get yourself out of the grasps of debt, but open your future up to bright possibilities.
The only reason this didn't get five stars is because he got a little religious/preachy at the end. He also repeated himself on multiple occasions throughout that book that were not necessary for me; however, I fully understand why he said what he said.
Overall, great read and so much useful information. Personal finance needs to be taught more than a half a semester in high school.
Happy reading!
Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
5.0
"Mine Till Midnight" is my first Lisa Kleypas book, and the first in the Hathaway series. This book was recommended by my amazing friend, Alice. (Thanks girl!!!)
I love Victorian English novels.
I love a good romance story.
I love well developed characters.
I love compelling dialogue.
This book had it all. I loved the introduction and incorporation of the Roma/Gypsy culture and the line between this life and the afterlife. I simply cannot wait to read the next in this series.
Happy Reading!
I love Victorian English novels.
I love a good romance story.
I love well developed characters.
I love compelling dialogue.
This book had it all. I loved the introduction and incorporation of the Roma/Gypsy culture and the line between this life and the afterlife. I simply cannot wait to read the next in this series.
Happy Reading!
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
5.0
"Moon Called" is my first Patricia Briggs novel and my first true dip into Urban Fantasy.
I read the first two-thirds in a couple of days and it took the better part of the rest of the week for me to finish it. I was devouring Briggs' writing style, loving her characters. I'm a huge Mercy fan, and as of the first book, totally team Adam.
I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the werewolf, vampire, and fae world. There is plenty of mystery and intrigue that keeps you wanting more. I thought there were only four books in the series and was delighted to know there are eleven out.
I seriously cannot wait to read everything this brilliant woman has written! Highly recommend if you're an Urban Fantasy fan.
Happy Reading!
I read the first two-thirds in a couple of days and it took the better part of the rest of the week for me to finish it. I was devouring Briggs' writing style, loving her characters. I'm a huge Mercy fan, and as of the first book, totally team Adam.
I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the werewolf, vampire, and fae world. There is plenty of mystery and intrigue that keeps you wanting more. I thought there were only four books in the series and was delighted to know there are eleven out.
I seriously cannot wait to read everything this brilliant woman has written! Highly recommend if you're an Urban Fantasy fan.
Happy Reading!
Brave by Rose McGowan
1.0
I'll keep this short.
The writing style in this memoir was almost completely unbearable.
I don't disagree that she had an emotionally and physically challenging life. Most people do.
I read this book as a cry for help and less a declaration of truth
Every story appeared to be so fantastical that I found it difficult to find roots of reality. Because of this, I was disconnected tremendously from the author.
It is hard for me to accept one persons truth as a be all/end all truth.
Mental illness is a serious and considerably overlooked.
I hope she find the the peace and joy she deserves.
The writing style in this memoir was almost completely unbearable.
I don't disagree that she had an emotionally and physically challenging life. Most people do.
I read this book as a cry for help and less a declaration of truth
Every story appeared to be so fantastical that I found it difficult to find roots of reality. Because of this, I was disconnected tremendously from the author.
It is hard for me to accept one persons truth as a be all/end all truth.
Mental illness is a serious and considerably overlooked.
I hope she find the the peace and joy she deserves.
Grey's Anatomy 101: Seattle Grace, Unauthorized by
3.0
An interesting collection of essays regarding earlier season of Grey's Anatomy. I found some of the arguments interesting and a few eye rolling.
This is the first collection of work regarding a show that I have read and it was nice seeing other people's perspectives. I particularly like the discussion regarding the cast as a pack of wolves and how they would be ranked if they were werewolves.
Overall, decent read. Probably not something I would reread, but glad I read in the first place.
Happy Reading!
This is the first collection of work regarding a show that I have read and it was nice seeing other people's perspectives. I particularly like the discussion regarding the cast as a pack of wolves and how they would be ranked if they were werewolves.
Overall, decent read. Probably not something I would reread, but glad I read in the first place.
Happy Reading!