This weekend's post is a mix of genres. I have been enjoying reading books that I would not normally choose.
Painting Water by Teresa Waugh was originally released as a hardback book in 1985. It has recently been re-released as an e-book. I was very interested to read the book as it was described as woman looking back over her life as she lay dying. This is not exactly true. It is simply the story of a woman (Alice) and her family/friends. She only looks back over her life at the very end. I was disappointed in the story line. To me it was nothing more than people complaining about their own lives as well as the choices those around them made. The whining seemed endless. I lean toward the side of finding contentment in life, and none of the characters were content at all. At the same time they did nothing to change the situations. As much as I wanted to like the book, I just hated it.
I have mixed feelings about My Holiday in North Korea by Wendy E Simmons. I thought this would be an interesting look into a country that I will never visit. While I did find some of the stories and descriptions in the book compelling, I was put off by the writer. She goes on and on with how empathetic she is. Considering actions speak louder than words, I am not convinced she possesses that character trait. Ms. Simmons did choose to travel to North Korea for 10 days. Her handlers/guides live in North Korea. I was also put off by the author's unnecessary use of profanity. In the end I found this book to be just average.
Morgue by Dr. Vincent DiMaio and Ron Franscell is not for everyone. While not overly gory, some of the descriptions may be upsetting to readers as they are true stories. I enjoyed reading about Dr. DiMaio's process. The cases cover a wide time frame. It also brings to light how the smallest detail can be the difference between an innocent person being free and going to prison. This book was easily my favorite of the three books I read this week. I stayed up much too late reading as it was so hard to put down.
disclosure: I received these e-books from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews. All opinions are my own!
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Weekend Book Review: The Daughters of Red Hill Hall
Best described as a historical mystery/thriller, The Daughters of Red Hill Hall by Kathleen McGurl spans two generations of friends as close as sisters. First Rebecca and Sara and then Gemma and Nat are friends who grew up to be closer than many sisters. Sadly jealousy began to seep into the bonds of friendship and tear apart the relationships.
The story goes back and forth between 1838 and 2015. The change in time is marked by the change in chapters so it is easy to keep track of what is happening. I enjoyed the story of Rebecca and Sarah a bit more than the one of Gemma and Nat . The main reason for this was Gemma's lack of fight or even the slightest ability to stand up for herself. She basically allowed herself to be a doormat, and I found that part very annoying.
The mystery was good. I stayed up much too late one night reading as I was so caught up in the story. While not a fluffy book, this would be a great summer read!
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
The story goes back and forth between 1838 and 2015. The change in time is marked by the change in chapters so it is easy to keep track of what is happening. I enjoyed the story of Rebecca and Sarah a bit more than the one of Gemma and Nat . The main reason for this was Gemma's lack of fight or even the slightest ability to stand up for herself. She basically allowed herself to be a doormat, and I found that part very annoying.
The mystery was good. I stayed up much too late one night reading as I was so caught up in the story. While not a fluffy book, this would be a great summer read!
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Weekend Book Review: No Cats Allowed
No Cats Allowed by Miranda James is one of my favorite cozy mysteries that I have read recently. I was introduced to Maine Coon Diesel and his owner Charlie Harris. The story opens with a new library directory who seems to be more interested in making enemies than friends. When he ends up murdered, the suspect list is endless.
Each chapter was like a mini-cliffhanger. I simply could not put the book down. I wanted to read just one more chapter to see what would happen next. That only led me to need to read "just one more" until I finished the book.
While this is book seven in the Cat in the Stacks series, it easily stands on its own. This book alone makes me want to read the rest of the series featuring Diesel and Charlie. I would give it more than five stars if I could! No Cats Allowed is due to be released next month. If you are a cozy mystery fan, it should definitely be on your reading list.
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
Each chapter was like a mini-cliffhanger. I simply could not put the book down. I wanted to read just one more chapter to see what would happen next. That only led me to need to read "just one more" until I finished the book.
While this is book seven in the Cat in the Stacks series, it easily stands on its own. This book alone makes me want to read the rest of the series featuring Diesel and Charlie. I would give it more than five stars if I could! No Cats Allowed is due to be released next month. If you are a cozy mystery fan, it should definitely be on your reading list.
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Book Review: Murder Most Finicky
Murder Most Finicky by Liz Mugavero is Book 4 in the Pawsitively Organic Mystery. This book easily stands on its own so readers do not have to be familiar with books 1-3 to enjoy it. After reading this one, I am on the lookout for the other books though. The main character Stan (Kristan) has attracted the attention of a celebrity chef with her pet pastry shop. The weekend getaway for her and other chefs does not go as anyone planned. The book combines murder, a healthy dose of family drama, and gourmet pet food recipes to keep readers' attention. A nice side of pet rescue was a winner with me. I have my eye out for the previous books in this series. If they are anything like Murder Most Finicky, I cannot go wrong!
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Book Review: The Mexican Slow Cooker
I will start this by saying technically this book does not count toward the agreement to try not to buy any more cookbooks. First I had requested it prior to my agreement. Second I did not actually buy it. (Those are valid arguments, right?) Onto the book....
The Mexican Slow Cooker by Deborah Schneider caught my eye as it combines two things I adore - Mexican food and the slow cooker. The recipes do require more hands on work/time than a normal slow cooker recipe. This might hinder someone who needs to throw everything in before heading out for work. Since I am home most of the time, I am okay with that.
My favorite section has to be the "Basics, Rice, Beans, and Other Sides". These items are the building blocks for many other recipes in the book. They can also easily be used as the base of your own creations. The Mexican Slow Cooker also covers street foods, soups, and even desserts.
Some of the recipes use ingredients with which I am not 100% familiar. My style of cooking leans toward make do with what I have so this also is not a major hindrance for me. A few of the items - poblano peppers and Mexican oregano - are staples in my garden. If you are a cook who needs to follow a recipe precisely, this might not be the cookbook for you.
While this might not be my favorite cookbook, it does have enough redeeming qualities that I would keep it. I will definitely use the recipes in the "Basics...." section. That alone will earn it a permanent home on my bookshelf.
disclosure: I received this book from Blogging for Books but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
The Mexican Slow Cooker by Deborah Schneider caught my eye as it combines two things I adore - Mexican food and the slow cooker. The recipes do require more hands on work/time than a normal slow cooker recipe. This might hinder someone who needs to throw everything in before heading out for work. Since I am home most of the time, I am okay with that.
My favorite section has to be the "Basics, Rice, Beans, and Other Sides". These items are the building blocks for many other recipes in the book. They can also easily be used as the base of your own creations. The Mexican Slow Cooker also covers street foods, soups, and even desserts.
While this might not be my favorite cookbook, it does have enough redeeming qualities that I would keep it. I will definitely use the recipes in the "Basics...." section. That alone will earn it a permanent home on my bookshelf.
disclosure: I received this book from Blogging for Books but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Book Review: Death Crashes the Party
Death Crashes the Party by Vicki Fee is Book 1 in the Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery Series. Liv McKay is a party planner in the very southern town of Dixie, Tennessee. While with her high maintenance clients, two bodies turn up. As any small town southerner knows, life is rarely as calm and quiet as it appears on the outside. Liv and her friend, Di, are caught up in a murder mystery that also includes drug smugglers and a variety of colorful southern characters.
The plot was fast paced with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the characters as well as the setting for the book. At the end, readers are given tips for hosting their own Moonshine and Magnolias party. The preview of the next book in the series left me wanting more of Liv and Di.
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
The plot was fast paced with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the characters as well as the setting for the book. At the end, readers are given tips for hosting their own Moonshine and Magnolias party. The preview of the next book in the series left me wanting more of Liv and Di.
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review. All opinions are my own!
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Book Review: Andy and Don
I would not call myself a huge fan of The Andy Griffith Show, but I did enjoy watching the entire series from beginning to end on Netflix a couple years ago. I was interested in learning more about the friendship of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show by Daniel de Vise was a great first choice on the subject.
The book opened with the early years of Andy and Don from their Southern roots to their first trips to New York City. As the book transitioned in the years of The Andy Griffith Show and shortly after, I started to regret my choice. The author did not sugar coat how Andy and Don truly were which was not the idyllic life portrayed in Mayberry. I wanted to remember the pair in good terms without all of the bad things. The further in I got the more I realized they were truly normal people and responded to fame as most people do.
By the end of the book, I was nearly in tears. Changes occurred in the lives of Andy and Don in their later years. I understood that one constant through everything was their genuine friendship. While the classic TV show may be the most common remembrance, their relationship was so much more. The book was everything I had hoped and then some. Be prepared for some unexpected stories of the pair. Otherwise the book in a wonderful tribute of friendship!
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review All opinions are my own!
The book opened with the early years of Andy and Don from their Southern roots to their first trips to New York City. As the book transitioned in the years of The Andy Griffith Show and shortly after, I started to regret my choice. The author did not sugar coat how Andy and Don truly were which was not the idyllic life portrayed in Mayberry. I wanted to remember the pair in good terms without all of the bad things. The further in I got the more I realized they were truly normal people and responded to fame as most people do.
By the end of the book, I was nearly in tears. Changes occurred in the lives of Andy and Don in their later years. I understood that one constant through everything was their genuine friendship. While the classic TV show may be the most common remembrance, their relationship was so much more. The book was everything I had hoped and then some. Be prepared for some unexpected stories of the pair. Otherwise the book in a wonderful tribute of friendship!
disclosure: I received this e-book from NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for this review All opinions are my own!
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