Take a photo of a barcode or cover
mrs_a_is_a_book_nerd's Reviews (456)
As an aficionado of true crime and murder mysteries, this was a fun read about the evolution of criminal investigation and crime science. I recognized several cases I had heard about on the crime podcasts and TV shows I've enjoyed, and many more cases I had not heard of, all while learning about the development of the tools that help investigators figure out crimes.
Well, I finished it in 24 hours, if that tells you anything! I loved this book, its characters, its flavor...all of it! Highly recommend!
This was my least favorite of the 4 Sepetys books I've read: the history was mostly tangential to the story--not nearly as compelling an element as her other books. The historical documents included were distractions more than compelling contextual elements. There were unresolved/underdeveloped plot pieces... Overall, there were things I liked, but Fountains was kind of a YA Nicholas Sparks set in post -WWII Spain.
I didn't love the narrator's voice, but enjoyed the book. It's hard-hitting, weaving in a gamut of issues facing America through the lens of the protagonist's experiences trying to win freedom for her father, who is on death row. Kim Johnson has a lot going on in this novel, and it's an important addition to the genre.
This could be the grammar instruction book I've been waiting for!
Well, I really wanted to like this book...and I did, in parts. The beginning ended up feeling a little redundant; it seemed like it was going to be Cussy Mary/Bluet delivering books to her patrons on repeat. Then, there was an interesting series of plot developments that moved the book into a bit of a page-turner. But the end of the book spiraled into a strangely plotted conclusion that was unsatisfying and rushed.
This was a decent read with a novel premise: a black boy playing with a toy gun is shot by a white police officer. As a ghost, he meets the ghost of Emmitt Till and a host of other "ghost boys", along with the one living person who can see and hear him: the daughter of the officer who shot him.
The story introduces deep ideas about race and discrimination, and how the people on both sides are harmed by them.
Although I understand the book was written for a younger readership, I got hung up on the simplicity of narration and basic sentence structures. For me, that made it good, but not great.
The story introduces deep ideas about race and discrimination, and how the people on both sides are harmed by them.
Although I understand the book was written for a younger readership, I got hung up on the simplicity of narration and basic sentence structures. For me, that made it good, but not great.
I thoroughly enjoyed Julia's narrative voice. Her character is equally alive and vibrant in her witty snark as in her deep angst. I appreciated the varying perspectives: ama', Lorena, Juango, apa', the uncovered life of Olga, tia Fermina, and mama' Jacinta providing a layered view into culture clash of undocumented/traditional persons and the first-generation offspring who feel strangled by a home world that doesn't "fit" in the world outside it. Connor's character allows us the differing perspective of the have-nots confronted with the benignly ignorant haves.
Weave in elements of mystery and issues of mental health, and there's a complex and engaging tapestry to lose yourself in.
I just didn't care for the ending...it felt underdeveloped.
Weave in elements of mystery and issues of mental health, and there's a complex and engaging tapestry to lose yourself in.
I just didn't care for the ending...it felt underdeveloped.
Another great whodunit from Holly Jackson! This book took a bit longer for me to get into than the first novel, but I enjoyed the plot twists once the narrative really got rolling! I liked the way Jackson wove in a lot of current apps and technology elements to the story; the photo elements, however, felt amateurish to me.
Overall, a satisfying and enjoyable follow-up to Good Girl's Guide!
Overall, a satisfying and enjoyable follow-up to Good Girl's Guide!