I have been a fan of Nina Kenwood since 2019 and her debut It Sounded Better in My Head. She has written only three books so far, but I like that she I have been a fan of Nina Kenwood since 2019 and her debut It Sounded Better in My Head. She has written only three books so far, but I like that she takes the time to write them. I find it refreshing that she isn't overwhelming a reader with e.g. sex scenes, complicated backgrounds, or angsty drama. She finds a balance between an enjoyable romance and a believable story. And, what is sadly increasingly rare in the genre, she just gave me enough understanding of the character's past without unnecessarily adding another hundred pages with specifics.
Anna, Mac, and the other characters were like someone one knows. Whose life and decisions could have been ours. There were lovely encounters, funny moments, and interesting twists. I loved how it evolved....more
It wasn't a great ending of the series. I hoped for more, not sure for what, but it was the worst part of the series. It was still a good novel, just It wasn't a great ending of the series. I hoped for more, not sure for what, but it was the worst part of the series. It was still a good novel, just not as satisfying (especially the second half of the book)....more
I needed it to remember why I appreciate Penny Reid so much. Her latest books (since the Knitting in the CitI didn't know how much I needed this book.
I needed it to remember why I appreciate Penny Reid so much. Her latest books (since the Knitting in the City and Winston Brother series - the original ones) were enjoyable, but none of them was a "wow" to me.
I needed it to regain faith in the genre, modern romance with wit and a deeper topic, where characters develop, where is a bit of action, some swoony moments, and something to think through.
I have big hopes and anxieties about Ava and Des' story. So big, that the ebook waited for me since its premiere on my Kindle. I was afraid I would be disappointed. But I wasn't, far from it. Penny Reid gave me the story that I fell in love with, that we, fans of the above-mentioned series, deserved. The author managed perfectly the characters in the background (not overwhelming with old friends, but also not writing like they were not important). And those few talks between Des and Quinn - simply perfection.
I could praise here how brilliantly Penny Reid captured (again) mental illness. How wonderfully she created an enjoyable and mature love story. How funny were some scenes, how much fun I had. But I won't. You read it, and I will dream thinking of it ;-)...more
I thought it would be some kind of a call to not eat eggs, meat, etc. but it was a tale about prejudice, unfairness of life, segregation,A nice story.
I thought it would be some kind of a call to not eat eggs, meat, etc. but it was a tale about prejudice, unfairness of life, segregation, and also a bit about freedom, love, and parenthood. It can be inspirational, and did capture my attention, yet, there was no "wow"....more
A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used mostly Lidia Ostałowska's work about the topic. Her materials, interviews, and observations. I will have to check her books someday.
Yet, personally, the parts about Ostałowska disrupted the flow and muddled my interest.
Still, it is always a pleasure to pick Tochman's book, although the topics of his stories aren't pleasurable.
Well-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad foWell-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad for many years, to tell it mildly. Ignacy Dutkiewicz proved why it is so. There isn't an easy answer, that allows to easily make changes. The corruption and distortion of ideals are so deep they will require many years of hard work and fundamental changes. Personally, I am not even sure if it is worth it.
The main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justiceThe main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justice to this great idea for a book. The reading was very fast but without a feeling of attachment.
The "orphan train" was at the center for a part of the story, and then it was like a speeded summary of Vivian's life (especially the last part).
I understand, I think, why the author added Molly, but again, it was wasted, not to mention, rather badly done.
Moreover, I felt that there was something wrong with the narration. Once I thought the narrator (no matter if it was Molly or Vivian) had the perspective of a child, a sentence, or a few later, it was an adult and all-knowing narrator.
Not getting too much into it, I would say formally it was ok (and probably well-researched), but I didn't feel a touch of a good novelist.
I don't recommend it if you want to learn about Orphan Train - better go on Wikipedia.
I will try another novel someday, where the topic is a part of the storyline, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty - I hope it will be more engaging.
"But we'll never be the same." "Do you have to be?"
Another good story by the author. I recommend never reading a blurb for her books, just pick one
"But we'll never be the same." "Do you have to be?"
Another good story by the author. I recommend never reading a blurb for her books, just pick one and read, that way there are more fun and surprises.
I was gripped by this novel too. I loved the characters. There were a few important messages. The romance was lovely too (although, I miss Higgins' first books, where I read more romantic scenes, etc.)
Yet, I found a bit annoying some repetitions. E.g. repeating that Lark's first love started in kindergarten or Ellie's fixation "Did he sleep with her or not?". But I have finished the novel in two days, so perhaps if I read it slower I wouldn't have seen those things.
So, not one of my favourites by the author, but still a great novel. [4-4.5 stars]...more
In this collection of three theater plays, Mateusz Pakuła used nonsense and insolence in the best style to show us, or rather to ask us the importanceIn this collection of three theater plays, Mateusz Pakuła used nonsense and insolence in the best style to show us, or rather to ask us the importance of science.
There are too many people in the world who want to be right and too few who just want to know.
I adore his wit, and the way his mind works, although I can't tell I understand it fully. But definitely, in many ways, it is similar to mine, so I am always resonating with his "fantasy world".
I can't get out. From a black hole. My insignificance.
An interesting historical fiction. A promising author. Important, hurtful historical events, lives full of "crumbs of dreams". One of my favorite stylAn interesting historical fiction. A promising author. Important, hurtful historical events, lives full of "crumbs of dreams". One of my favorite styles of writing: direct, minimalistic, and sparse.
Sadly, the contemporary plot, especially the missing child, sounded rather flat. I don't understand why the child behaved as she did, and I didn't buy the behavior of the mother or the police officer either. The idea was good, but it needed a different approach or/and specifics.
Nonetheless, I am going to try more by Maja Wolny in the future.
4-4.5 - for historical fiction part 2-2.5 - for the contemporary part...more
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to thA superb compilations of reportages.
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to their stories, often long, complicated, and always fascinating. The title audit was a revision of the lives of those humans.
On the other hand, the title audit was also a check-out of how Polish transformation (from Soviet influences into a free and democratic country) went out.
Sharp wit, uncompromised style.
I learned about people who lived (some still live) next to me, but I never met them. I only knew they existed. Thanks to Jacek Hugo-Bader I understand now better not only them but also the Polish society.
My second book by the author, and for sure not the last....more
An interesting dive into the world of Polish "Covid deniers" in the first two years of the pandemic. It was also horrific. Yet, today, I could read itAn interesting dive into the world of Polish "Covid deniers" in the first two years of the pandemic. It was also horrific. Yet, today, I could read it with less anger than I would have two years ago.
Of course, not all was new to me. Nonetheless, I have been avoiding the deniers, as a rule. So, some connections, and aspects were new to me.
I liked the author's irony (even his bitterness), although I am surprised that some people wanted to speak to him after what he told them.
I hoped the book would have been about two sides of the divorce/ending of the marriage, and I think it was the author's initial idea. The final effectI hoped the book would have been about two sides of the divorce/ending of the marriage, and I think it was the author's initial idea. The final effect was more about a marriage that was doomed to failure from the beginning, where there was a guilty side. In a way, it was a story in the style "men are from Mars women are from Venus".
There was a slow pace, one could say that nothing much happened, but I didn't mind at first. Then I was so far into the story that I just continued listening. But, I agree with Jessica Woodbury, I don't advise against it, but I don't recommend it either.
In this collection, some stories were more interesting, some less. Most of them were a great start for a discussion, about our society, about humans, In this collection, some stories were more interesting, some less. Most of them were a great start for a discussion, about our society, about humans, about law, about guilt, etc.
There wasn't a "wow" for me, yet, the simple style allowed a fast read, concentrating on the story and then on thinking through what I thought about what happened.
One can't even imagine how it is to find out (after years) that your father was a war criminal. Then, it is also hard to imagPowerful. Rough. Hurtful.
One can't even imagine how it is to find out (after years) that your father was a war criminal. Then, it is also hard to imagine how it was to live in Yugoslavia in the second half of the XX century. In a country that consisted of a few nations, that didn't like each other. Balkans are (and almost always were) the most conflicted regions in Europe.
Vladan's struggles with past and present, with what was real and what was a lie, with feelings for his family, and with his conception of his own identity were priceless. Sorrowful, wrathful, and very needed for all "Vladans" (all over the world).
Goran Vojnović's style of writing, his metaphors, description, wit are remarkable. I love such styles, that "don't take hostages", that makes me feel.
[I don't know] in which of the unburned silences our story burned out.
Do I understand better Balkans nations and people? I don't think so - one or two books aren't enough. But I have a deeper feeling about how complicated their relations are. I have to read more about the Balkans....more
I am a big fan of Hazelwood's novels, especially those in a more chick-lit style. But even when she chooses a bit of a different genre, like vampires I am a big fan of Hazelwood's novels, especially those in a more chick-lit style. But even when she chooses a bit of a different genre, like vampires and werewolves in Bride or erotica vibe in "Not in Love", I still have fun.
I like the wit and friendship dynamics between characters (especially those supporting). I prefer less erotica and more other encounters and conversations in a romance. And, although, I did enjoy reading this story, I got the feeling it wasn't fully thought through or was written too fast. I saw the complexity of Rue (the way she coped with shyness), the potential of Eli as a romance hero, and the interesting topic in the background. Yet, somewhere through creating a novel something was lost.
It wasn't a fully objective study of Irish Catholic history, I think. The author (like probably most Polish readers) is too deep A very gripping read.
It wasn't a fully objective study of Irish Catholic history, I think. The author (like probably most Polish readers) is too deep in our own Catholic culture to be able to be calm on this topic. Still, Marta Abramowicz didn't hide her opinions, so one could easily separate her anger from facts.
I am not sure you can read it without emotions. I couldn't. The oppressiveness, the unfairness, and the violence were too overwhelming to stay calm. I had to make often breaks in listening to an audiobook.
Ireland got up from her knees, I hope Poland does it too. In Poland, there were no Magdalene Laundries or Industrial schools, and for a half-century of the Polish People's Republic (being one of the Eastern Bloc countries) the Roman Catholic Church was blocked from growing in power, still, for the last three decades the RCC has been trying (with some success) to turn the country back a century or two.
Believe in what you want to, just allow others to do it too.
This book consists of reportages telling the stories of people who lived in the Chech part of Czechoslovakia (independent from 1918 to IIWW, and beingThis book consists of reportages telling the stories of people who lived in the Chech part of Czechoslovakia (independent from 1918 to IIWW, and being a part of the Eastern Bloc until 1989). I knew a little bit about Czechs because it is hard not to know at least something about neighboring countries. Yet, there wasn't much. Now, I know and better feel Chech's soul and their attitude toward life.
I loved the author's wit and the way of storytelling.
First of all, Krzysztof Skonieczny as a narrator of the audiobook was brilliant. I am sure, I would have abandoned the novel if I had read it by myselFirst of all, Krzysztof Skonieczny as a narrator of the audiobook was brilliant. I am sure, I would have abandoned the novel if I had read it by myself. His timbre, his reading for different voices were marvelous. And his Dario... Well, I had gooseflesh.
The story was interesting (also brutal, foul-mouthed), and the characters were complex. Jakub Żulczyk seems to be able to create intriguing metaphors and comparisons like it is the easiest thing. Moreover, in his style of writing (at least in this book) was a kind of melody, there was an atmosphere that made me feel the stuffiness, tension, harshness, and violence of the captured world. And the scenes were very film.
But, it looked like he couldn't stop himself. Many parts were like essays (he wrote columns in many newspapers, so he has experience). I like good essays, but putting them in a novel made it tiring. As I wrote, only thanks to Skonieczny's reading I finished it and I was able to enjoy it....more
Loading...
