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crackedchelle's reviews
139 reviews
Duma Key by Stephen King
4.0
Three characters are drawn together to Duma Key by a far-reaching force that not only affects them, but their family and friends. It must be stopped. But how?
One thing I have always loved about Stephen King’s stories is how they grab you straight away. I picked this book out of my ‘to read’ pile and just meant to have a quick look at the first couple of pages to get a feel for what it is like – and didn’t put it down again for about an hour.
The story simmers along a bit after that. I was beginning to think I wasn’t going to like this story as much as other Stephen King pieces, but then the story almost suddenly changed, and I was hooked.
Another thing I love about Stephen King’s writing is that it is always clever. He uses no-nonsense language to deliver complex and highly imaginative storylines. There is no wastage of words; no ‘purple prose’ to yawn over. He is my favourite author in that regard, and when I start writing in earnest, I hope to be guided by his wisdom. This story does not divert from this pattern.
I especially liked that each section of the story is started with a memory, and these memories suddenly make sense later on as they are pulled together like gathering stitches. This was thrilling.
My true rating for Duma Key is 4.5 stars. I did love the story, but it was one I was able to put down and get on with life occasionally. I was sad when the most loveable character died, but as I approached the end of the book, I did not have that feeling of loss I often feel when the book is over and I realise I am not going to hear from the characters within the pages again. All the same, I recommend the book and look forward to my next Stephen King read.
One thing I have always loved about Stephen King’s stories is how they grab you straight away. I picked this book out of my ‘to read’ pile and just meant to have a quick look at the first couple of pages to get a feel for what it is like – and didn’t put it down again for about an hour.
The story simmers along a bit after that. I was beginning to think I wasn’t going to like this story as much as other Stephen King pieces, but then the story almost suddenly changed, and I was hooked.
Another thing I love about Stephen King’s writing is that it is always clever. He uses no-nonsense language to deliver complex and highly imaginative storylines. There is no wastage of words; no ‘purple prose’ to yawn over. He is my favourite author in that regard, and when I start writing in earnest, I hope to be guided by his wisdom. This story does not divert from this pattern.
I especially liked that each section of the story is started with a memory, and these memories suddenly make sense later on as they are pulled together like gathering stitches. This was thrilling.
My true rating for Duma Key is 4.5 stars. I did love the story, but it was one I was able to put down and get on with life occasionally. I was sad when the most loveable character died, but as I approached the end of the book, I did not have that feeling of loss I often feel when the book is over and I realise I am not going to hear from the characters within the pages again. All the same, I recommend the book and look forward to my next Stephen King read.
Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café by Jessica Redland
4.0
A delightful story of two beautiful but tragedy affected individuals who find love and work for it even though it may not be easy… and a shared dog.
This was one of those books I became mad at occasionally and therefore had to force myself through a few sections. Life can be so unfair, sometimes, and I think because I was having struggles of my own while reading this, I was less able to handle the struggles of the characters than I usually would have been. But the intrinsic story is quite delightful, really, so I wanted to work on it - as the characters worked on themselves and each other to gradually reach perfection.
The storyline is quite believable, and this made it easier to read through. There were a couple of factual errors and errors of logic which could have been eliminated with better research, but they don’t take away from the story particularly.
If you love a clean, slow-burning romance (ie high sexual tension!), I think you will enjoy this. If you need to read simple, peppy stories where everything goes right and the world is sunshine and rainbow unicorns, you may not appreciate this story as much. I did like it and will probably read the book again one day, although I am probably not going to continue with the series, so I rated this story 4 stars.
This was one of those books I became mad at occasionally and therefore had to force myself through a few sections. Life can be so unfair, sometimes, and I think because I was having struggles of my own while reading this, I was less able to handle the struggles of the characters than I usually would have been. But the intrinsic story is quite delightful, really, so I wanted to work on it - as the characters worked on themselves and each other to gradually reach perfection.
The storyline is quite believable, and this made it easier to read through. There were a couple of factual errors and errors of logic which could have been eliminated with better research, but they don’t take away from the story particularly.
If you love a clean, slow-burning romance (ie high sexual tension!), I think you will enjoy this. If you need to read simple, peppy stories where everything goes right and the world is sunshine and rainbow unicorns, you may not appreciate this story as much. I did like it and will probably read the book again one day, although I am probably not going to continue with the series, so I rated this story 4 stars.
Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies by Kitty Flanagan
4.0
I love Kitty Flanagan; she has been my favourite comedian for a number of years.
This time last year, I read 488 Rules For Life and loved it, and because I read books by Australians in January, I chose to read this one.
I was not disappointed. Kitty provides us with stories from her own life which are not only very funny, but show just how ‘normal’ she is, and in fact how normal we all are.
For example: I met Kitty Flanagan when I was working at a deli stall in the Adelaide Central Market in 2018 during the Fringe season. A co-worker tapped me on the shoulder and hissed in my ear, ‘Look! It’s Kitty Flanagan!’. I was star-struck and didn’t know what to say. Good thing I wasn’t the one serving her - it would have been one awkward conversation! It relieved me to find out from reading that Kitty suffers the same thing herself. As it was, my boss and other co-workers swamped her and asked her about 1052 questions. Kitty did not look at all comfortable. She wanted some good quality deli items, not the Spanish Inquisition!
I recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with Kitty Flanagan.
One last thing… to the author: Thanks, Kitty. Now I’m craving a Pizza Pete, but I have Coeliac Disease ;D
This time last year, I read 488 Rules For Life and loved it, and because I read books by Australians in January, I chose to read this one.
I was not disappointed. Kitty provides us with stories from her own life which are not only very funny, but show just how ‘normal’ she is, and in fact how normal we all are.
For example: I met Kitty Flanagan when I was working at a deli stall in the Adelaide Central Market in 2018 during the Fringe season. A co-worker tapped me on the shoulder and hissed in my ear, ‘Look! It’s Kitty Flanagan!’. I was star-struck and didn’t know what to say. Good thing I wasn’t the one serving her - it would have been one awkward conversation! It relieved me to find out from reading that Kitty suffers the same thing herself. As it was, my boss and other co-workers swamped her and asked her about 1052 questions. Kitty did not look at all comfortable. She wanted some good quality deli items, not the Spanish Inquisition!
I recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with Kitty Flanagan.
One last thing… to the author: Thanks, Kitty. Now I’m craving a Pizza Pete, but I have Coeliac Disease ;D
The Lost Letters of Playfair Street by Michelle Montebello
5.0
This is the best book I have read in about three years, and the best work of fiction I have read since Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' came out years ago.
I think it helps that I am Australian and am vaguely familiar with The Rocks area of Sydney where the story is set. It just happens it is in the exact same area that Ruth Park's 'Playing Beatie Bow' is set, and that is another book I have loved. Because real places and street names were used, I enjoyed using Google Earth to 'follow' the characters wherever they went, and was able to visualise the story more accurately.
This book is full of mystery, hope and love, as well as some shock and heartbreak. The story is written both in the present time, and reflects back to the life of a different (but related) set of characters in the 1920s.
I was unable to put the book down when I needed to, and I thought about the characters when I was going about my day - and these two criteria are my main ones for awarding a book 5 stars. I would actually rate this one a 5+, because it has easily made my 'favourites' list.
I think it helps that I am Australian and am vaguely familiar with The Rocks area of Sydney where the story is set. It just happens it is in the exact same area that Ruth Park's 'Playing Beatie Bow' is set, and that is another book I have loved. Because real places and street names were used, I enjoyed using Google Earth to 'follow' the characters wherever they went, and was able to visualise the story more accurately.
This book is full of mystery, hope and love, as well as some shock and heartbreak. The story is written both in the present time, and reflects back to the life of a different (but related) set of characters in the 1920s.
I was unable to put the book down when I needed to, and I thought about the characters when I was going about my day - and these two criteria are my main ones for awarding a book 5 stars. I would actually rate this one a 5+, because it has easily made my 'favourites' list.
Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family by Helen Brown
5.0
This is the first audiobook I ever listened to, and I am sure the experience was 10 times better because it was narrated by the author. I will try to do this as much as possible in the future when choosing audiobooks.
The story of how a cat managed to help a family to heal was itself a delight. It was gut-wrenchingly sad at times, as life is, but also full of humour and thoughtfulness. I’d recommend this true story to anyone who loves animals, especially cats, and to those who celebrate all of life - the good, the wonderful and the awful.
The story of how a cat managed to help a family to heal was itself a delight. It was gut-wrenchingly sad at times, as life is, but also full of humour and thoughtfulness. I’d recommend this true story to anyone who loves animals, especially cats, and to those who celebrate all of life - the good, the wonderful and the awful.