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vivalibrarian's reviews
519 reviews
Americus by MK Reed
3.0
Ah Tulsa, Oklahoma-how I have missed thee.
My initial impression of this book was that it was an over-the-top representation of middle America and the clash between the religious right and libraries. I rolled my eyes a lot and snicked at things like the pop being labeled Reagan Juice. Seriously?
Then I thought about my experiences in middle America and the clash between the religious right and libraries and realized tho it seems extreme-it really isn't. Then I was depressed and drank some Reagan Juice. Seriously, I wanted more from this book. I wanted the librarian to be more professional and I wanted it to not be so black and white because these things rarely are.
My initial impression of this book was that it was an over-the-top representation of middle America and the clash between the religious right and libraries. I rolled my eyes a lot and snicked at things like the pop being labeled Reagan Juice. Seriously?
Then I thought about my experiences in middle America and the clash between the religious right and libraries and realized tho it seems extreme-it really isn't. Then I was depressed and drank some Reagan Juice. Seriously, I wanted more from this book. I wanted the librarian to be more professional and I wanted it to not be so black and white because these things rarely are.
Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger
4.0
In the name of General George Washington, I laughed my ass off. This is good therapy for when everything seems to go wrong.
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
4.0
"Temptation turn you. It makes you into something you never dreamed, it presses you to give up everything you ever loved, it calls you to sell your soul... It makes you ache."
I think I would call that love. Just me? Ok, moving on then. The year is 1832, and Pippa is getting married in two weeks to a kind man that she feels nothing for. Pippa is considered odd by many-being more interested in science and research than parties and she knows she is lucky to have this opportunity. Can she help it if she feels she must research and understand romance before her wedding? Insert Cross, bad boy to the core with a reputation for wickedness. Pippa has a business proposition for him that might be more than either of them ever imagined.
I just described every romance known to man. I know. The emotional engagement by this reader was much higher than expected. I liked that they are both odd, quirky and wicked smart and they bring it out in each other. There is enough unexpected to bring the storyline to life. It also didn't hurt that the book is dedicated to girls who wear glasses. *swoon* Book 2 in the Rule of Scoundrels series.
I think I would call that love. Just me? Ok, moving on then. The year is 1832, and Pippa is getting married in two weeks to a kind man that she feels nothing for. Pippa is considered odd by many-being more interested in science and research than parties and she knows she is lucky to have this opportunity. Can she help it if she feels she must research and understand romance before her wedding? Insert Cross, bad boy to the core with a reputation for wickedness. Pippa has a business proposition for him that might be more than either of them ever imagined.
I just described every romance known to man. I know. The emotional engagement by this reader was much higher than expected. I liked that they are both odd, quirky and wicked smart and they bring it out in each other. There is enough unexpected to bring the storyline to life. It also didn't hurt that the book is dedicated to girls who wear glasses. *swoon* Book 2 in the Rule of Scoundrels series.
The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers
4.0
A sweet story that is reassuring in both the troubles of discovering your shadow as a kid and for us adults in facing your fears. Yeah, yeah, I'm hugely philosophical these days. I don't think that bad.
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
4.0
"Some knowledge, it eats you alive."
Disgraced journalist Scott McGrath has a not so pleasant history with Stanislas Cordova, a legendary and reclusive horror filmmaker that has reached cult-like status. When Ashley, Stanislas’ daughter, is found dead of an apparent suicide, McGrath believes there is more to her story and cannot resist digging for the truth. As he starts to uncover Ashley’s last moments, he acquires two younger assistants, Nora and Hopper, who have their own answers to find about Ashley. Endless twists and frightening turns leave the group questioning everything they know as they uncover more than they ever imagined.
Wow. An intricate, haunting and flat out creepy read. An intense and fast pace whips the reader through the story full of noir and even horror elements. The story is supplemented with visual aids-websites, photos, news articles. The visual element is enjoyable and not distracting from the storyline.
Disgraced journalist Scott McGrath has a not so pleasant history with Stanislas Cordova, a legendary and reclusive horror filmmaker that has reached cult-like status. When Ashley, Stanislas’ daughter, is found dead of an apparent suicide, McGrath believes there is more to her story and cannot resist digging for the truth. As he starts to uncover Ashley’s last moments, he acquires two younger assistants, Nora and Hopper, who have their own answers to find about Ashley. Endless twists and frightening turns leave the group questioning everything they know as they uncover more than they ever imagined.
Wow. An intricate, haunting and flat out creepy read. An intense and fast pace whips the reader through the story full of noir and even horror elements. The story is supplemented with visual aids-websites, photos, news articles. The visual element is enjoyable and not distracting from the storyline.
Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
3.0
"Well...he wonders at your marriage. And to be frank, Jane, I cannot blame him. You are the oddest couple that ever walked the earth."
The year is 1816, late spring and the snows still fall in England. Lady Jane and her husband Sir David Vincent are taking time to recuperate from previous adventures (this is book 3) at Jane's parents house but watching her younger sister grow more and more restless with no marriage prospects on the horizon, they take a glamour job in London so Melody may experience the season. As the unusual cold continues tensions rise with no one being safe from the fallout.
The author has stated that this series is an ode to Jane Austen. I would argue that while it is descriptive in the day to day regency life, the pace is more moderate for discerning readers that, ahem, perhaps feel their eyeballs glaze over trying to read Austen. (I'll turn in my librarian card posthaste) The characters are unique and intriguing. Jane and Vincent are a sweet and unusual couple but you could not imagine them being any better suited for each other. While not a romance there is definitely a strong romantic element to the storyline. Intrigue and prejudices move the plot along nicely.
I love the fluttery bluebirds on the cover.
The year is 1816, late spring and the snows still fall in England. Lady Jane and her husband Sir David Vincent are taking time to recuperate from previous adventures (this is book 3) at Jane's parents house but watching her younger sister grow more and more restless with no marriage prospects on the horizon, they take a glamour job in London so Melody may experience the season. As the unusual cold continues tensions rise with no one being safe from the fallout.
The author has stated that this series is an ode to Jane Austen. I would argue that while it is descriptive in the day to day regency life, the pace is more moderate for discerning readers that, ahem, perhaps feel their eyeballs glaze over trying to read Austen. (I'll turn in my librarian card posthaste) The characters are unique and intriguing. Jane and Vincent are a sweet and unusual couple but you could not imagine them being any better suited for each other. While not a romance there is definitely a strong romantic element to the storyline. Intrigue and prejudices move the plot along nicely.
I love the fluttery bluebirds on the cover.
The Black Box by Michael Connelly
3.0
There wasn't anything I didn't like about Black Box but by now, Harry Bosch is a bit predictable. He's kinda like the parent that we know well having grown up with them, listening to their stories and knowing the baggage they carry. We listen anyway because we love them and we all know, sometimes, the story changes.
Glass Wives by Amy Sue Nathan
4.0
What if your husband had an affair, left you, married the mistress and had another child? Oh, and then he died? Insert Evie Glass, mother of two, who finds herself not only dealing with the death of her ex-husband and the grief of her two children but also the current Mrs. Glass who considers them all to be one big happy family. As. If.
This book surprised me. Anyone who has been in a long term relationship that ended can imagine this scenario happening to them and when you start imagining it and how complicated and messy it would be the characters become an extension of your what ifs. Nothing is shiny, nothing is what anyone expected and that's the way it goes sometimes. How we deal with it makes for a good story.
A fairly quick plot and a somber tone with memorable characters.
This book surprised me. Anyone who has been in a long term relationship that ended can imagine this scenario happening to them and when you start imagining it and how complicated and messy it would be the characters become an extension of your what ifs. Nothing is shiny, nothing is what anyone expected and that's the way it goes sometimes. How we deal with it makes for a good story.
A fairly quick plot and a somber tone with memorable characters.
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
3.0
Amelia Peabody + Dragons. Sound interesting? Then you will probably love this.