myz

Gripping and Depressing in Turn

Reviewed: 10-31-22

Oh, boy....Though little in it is surprising, it still has the ability to unsettle and disturb. I read this in conjunction with watching the Netflix series, "The Comey Rule" (based on his book, "A Higher Loyalty", of which I was admittedly critical), and am left with profound relief that our president now is Joe Biden, and not that selfish, vain and dangerous man, who haunted many of us for the better part of five years. If you want to know the details behind the election year, as well as much more about the background of Biden, and the way in which Trump and Biden's attitudes and approaches differ so wildly, this is certainly an intriguing read!

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Surprisingly Great!

Reviewed: 10-31-22

Though I'm not a big Foo Fighters Fan, I do like Nirvana and I was intrigued by the book. I'd recommend going with the audiobook, because Grohl reads it himself, and he does so well. It really feels like he's telling you stories of his life. He personable, strange, funny and engaging, and though I imagine he can be a handful and a bit exhausting, too, I came away from the book with respect for him, his achievements and what he has learned in his life. He acknowledges mistakes and shortcomings as well as repeatedly expressing how fortunate he feels to have led the life he has led. Overall, an engaging read and one I'd recommend to fans of his, but also to anyone who love music and just enjoys a good story.

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Clever and entertaining!

Reviewed: 10-31-22

This is only my second Stephen King book, because I am not a fan of horror, but it makes me wonder whether I need to explore more of his work. Which is to say, I really enjoyed it! It's a little slower moving at times than I expected it to be, but held me attention from start to finish. I liked Billy, such an strange, unique and memorable character - deeply flawed, violent and sly that he could be. King did a great job with character development there, and I have already got my Dad reading the book now. I don't want to give too much away about the plot, but it kept me on my toes. All in all, a great read and one I felt was not overrated!

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A Winner!

Reviewed: 10-31-22

After my disappointment with Weir's book, "Artemis", which followed "The Martian", I wasn't sure I wanted to read his latest, but I am glad I did. In "Project Hail Mary", Weir's wit and creativity shine again and he takes us on a crazy journey to outer space in a story that is just begging for a film adaptation. Though this book is very much about extraterrestrial life, it is, at its core, about humanity, friendship and love. I got to see Any Weir speak a few years ago, and he was so personable and charming, I am thrilled to be able to give his latest book a glowing review. Looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next!

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Memorable!

Reviewed: 10-31-22

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, and wasn't in the mood for something too bleak, but the reviews were so promising that I thought I'd give it a try. I am certainly glad I did, because the book hooked me from the star and didn't let go until the end. It is told both by Ansel, the man on death row, and the women who in some way touched his life. The multiple POVs were perfectly written and the time jumps were smooth, not jarring as they can sometimes be. I liked the quiet tone of the book, the atmosphere of tension slowly building. The writing is elegant and though, in some ways, the story moves slowly, I felt engaged throughout. My only niggle is that I felt the ending was a little abrupt, given all the build up. Overall, I feel this lived up to the hype, and I look forward to reading whatever Kukafka comes up with next!

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Worthwhile!

Reviewed: 10-31-22

Thoughtful and thought-provoking, After the Fall is another success for this talented writer. I first became aware of Ben Rhodes on the podcast, Pod Save America, and he always struck me as very eloquent and measured, which comes across in his writing. I like that he isn't given to hysterics, tying to understand what went wrong instead of merely airing his grievances. His reflections in this book cover a wide range of topics, and I would go so far as to call it a must read for fans of political nonfiction. There is a bit of despair in his words, sure, but there is hope, too, something we can all surely use more of these days.

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Excellent!

Reviewed: 10-31-22

Insightful, empathetic, moving are just a few words I would use to describe this book. Readers should probably be aware of a little of Nick Cave’s music and career to fully appreciate it, but you don’t have to be a superfan to be moved by this thoughtful exploration of life, love, art and grief. Cave has a lyrical way of speaking that is somehow still quite accessible. He comes across as thoughtful, but also very willing to acknowledge his flaws and weaknesses. The conversation between him and O'Hagan seemed very organic, and few subjects, if any, seemed out of bounds. Absolutely recommended!

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Fantastic!

Reviewed: 01-20-19

Oh, I just LOVED this book! The hype is well deserved! I don't even know quite how to review it yet, but if you haven't read it, don't be daunted by the length, in the end, you'll wish it were longer. Boyne has a beautiful way of writing and giving each of the many characters a compelling and unique voice. It's early, I know, but this has got to be among my top three reads of 2019. It's a wonderful, moving, thought-provoking and completely entertaining book!

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1 person found this helpful

Fascinating Listen!

Reviewed: 01-05-19

"The textbook of fear is the same everywhere."

Bassem Youssef has a unique voice and a great way of telling a serious, important story without being horribly depressing. He is a comedian and uses his wit and intelligence to explain how his life in Egypt changed with the Arab Spring and ensuing troubles. As someone who has always had a particular interest in Egypt, this was a truly gripping, eye-opening read. I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to better understand the conflicts and history of this country.

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Atmospheric Mystery!

Reviewed: 01-05-19

I really enjoyed The Blackhouse, a book with a gripping plot, multi-faceted protagonist and deeply atmospheric setting. The writing was engaging, and I felt immersed in the story, which shifted from past to present. Though the ending wasn't as spectacular as I had hoped, given the intensity of the built up, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and would read the others in the series as well. Recommended!

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1 person found this helpful