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Review Date: 11/13/2014
This is one of those books that I want to share with everyone, but I just can't bear to part with. Even though the book is largely made up of anecdotes from the author's own life which has little in common with mine, every few pages I found myself thinking something along the lines of "Wow, that describes me exactly!"
Review Date: 12/8/2018
This is a really engaging book! The publisher's description makes it sound like a little kids' book, but I would categorize it more as Young Adult or preteen, due to a fair amount of violence, some sort of heavy existential/religious musings, and a few sexual innuendoes (Example: When the Captain begins transforming from a doll into a man, the workers at the orphanage are concerned because "there are the older girls to consider" and "he IS, after all, a sailor"). But seriously worth a read, even for adults.
Review Date: 11/18/2018
I got this book just to read "The Blazing World," but I found that particular story tedious (mostly, I think, because many of the "scientific" beliefs of Cavendish's day are so utterly ridiculous to me as a modern reader that I kept half-expecting the story to disprove them, although of course it didn't).
The other two stories included in this collection, however, are both pretty interesting, even if you know what's going to happen before you even start due to the editor's introduction at the beginning of the book. "Assaulted and Pursued Chastity" especially, in spite of the title and even the editor's description, is quite entertaining. If you can imagine Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" and L.A. Meyer's "Bloody Jack" series all rolled into one novella (it only takes up 74 pages), you have some idea of the shenanigans you are in for with that one. This is especially significant considering that the story was originally published 70 years before before "Gulliver's Travels" (and centuries before "Bloody Jack"). Seriously, I would recommend this book for those 74 pages. For that same reason, I can't bear to part with my copy.
The other two stories included in this collection, however, are both pretty interesting, even if you know what's going to happen before you even start due to the editor's introduction at the beginning of the book. "Assaulted and Pursued Chastity" especially, in spite of the title and even the editor's description, is quite entertaining. If you can imagine Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" and L.A. Meyer's "Bloody Jack" series all rolled into one novella (it only takes up 74 pages), you have some idea of the shenanigans you are in for with that one. This is especially significant considering that the story was originally published 70 years before before "Gulliver's Travels" (and centuries before "Bloody Jack"). Seriously, I would recommend this book for those 74 pages. For that same reason, I can't bear to part with my copy.
Review Date: 4/18/2013
Helpful Score: 1
Even though this book is a good 15 years old (I've had it since I was a "tween", and I'm now in my mid 20s), it is still relevant. It tells girls what they need to know about their bodies: not only the facts on puberty, but also healthy eating, fitness skin care tips, how to measure bra sizes, and more. And in a conversational style that makes you want to listen.
Review Date: 7/23/2016
I was really excited about this book because I really liked the first three in the series, but I was disappointed because of two things.
The first is its inconsistency with the first book: In "The Red Siren" (which I highly recommend), it is clearly stated that Charity's father forced her into marriage with an abusive and unfaithful man, while in "Charity's Cross" the story is that he begrudgingly gave his blessing to the union because of Charity's infatuation with the seemingly charming suitor. I feel this creates an entirely different dynamic and completely changes that characterization of the father.
The second disappointment is smaller, but I really hoped to see a return of two characters who were introduced in "The Blue Enchantress." (I had this same disappointment with "The Raven Saint.")
The first is its inconsistency with the first book: In "The Red Siren" (which I highly recommend), it is clearly stated that Charity's father forced her into marriage with an abusive and unfaithful man, while in "Charity's Cross" the story is that he begrudgingly gave his blessing to the union because of Charity's infatuation with the seemingly charming suitor. I feel this creates an entirely different dynamic and completely changes that characterization of the father.
The second disappointment is smaller, but I really hoped to see a return of two characters who were introduced in "The Blue Enchantress." (I had this same disappointment with "The Raven Saint.")
Review Date: 7/23/2016
Broke my fikfek (a word you'll learn in the book) heart, even if I did kind of see it coming.
Even so, I would have given it five stars if not for the overabundance of typos, some of which seemed to stem from the author's use of voice-to-text (example: "Dada" where, from context, I know she meant "data"). The publisher, Line by Lion, is essentially assisted self-publishing (I think); this story could have benefitted immensely from an actual editor, a good beta-reader, or even a careful final read-through by the author.
Even so, I would have given it five stars if not for the overabundance of typos, some of which seemed to stem from the author's use of voice-to-text (example: "Dada" where, from context, I know she meant "data"). The publisher, Line by Lion, is essentially assisted self-publishing (I think); this story could have benefitted immensely from an actual editor, a good beta-reader, or even a careful final read-through by the author.
Review Date: 6/16/2018
Very different from the first book in the series, but similarly engrossing. I need a third installment because there are still a lot of unknowns at the end.
Review Date: 7/17/2018
I for one LOVED this book. I don't really have anything in common with the situations of any of the characters and just decided to read it on a whim, but I found myself connecting deeply to almost all of them, especially Maryam. There were a few times that the writing stuck me as a bit awkward, but the story and characters were so compelling that that didn't matter to me. I actually got to the end and started wishing for a sequel, or at least an epilogue.
Expedition Whydah: The Story of the World's First Excavation of a Pirate Treasure Ship and the Man Who Found Her
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
5
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
5
Review Date: 8/4/2012
Just reading this book made me want to join Mr. Clifford's team. The most endearing aspect of the story (and he really does tell it as a story, not just a report of the excavation) is that he's not a Dr. of Archaeology, or History, or anything like that. He just followed (and is following, if I'm not mistaken) what he loves. But that doesn't make him a treasure seeker, at least not in the traditional sense, because he's more concerned w/ the significance of what he finds than it's monetary value.
If you're obsessed with (or even interested in) nautical history, like I am, then this is a must read.
If you're obsessed with (or even interested in) nautical history, like I am, then this is a must read.
Review Date: 11/18/2018
Surprisingly relatable. I couldn't put it down.
Review Date: 11/18/2018
My only significant problem is that the ONLY character who is described as dark-skinned or foreign is also the most evil--not nuanced, not complicated, not in over his head, just pure evil. Other than that, it's a pretty good story. And it wouldn't bother me (much) if it were an old book, but this was just originally published in 2012, which makes it seem like Brexit propaganda or something.
Review Date: 4/18/2013
I've tried to read through the book of Acts before, but always gotten bogged down trying to keep track of everything going on. The graphic-novel format of this made it much easier to follow without compromising the integrity of the Scripture. It's not a "Bible story book;" it has every verse of Acts printed in it (in an easy-to-read version), but with pictures & speaking bubbles to help outline the story. Reading this also made me want to buy a copy of the International Children's Bible, even as an adult, just to have the glossary and notes that it references.
Review Date: 5/21/2012
I LOVE this book! It took me a while to get through, but it is so worth it. It is at once convicting & encouraging, personal & universal, full of truth and humor. Fr. Martin shares the story of his own relationship with God (what we Protestants/Evangelicals would call his Testimony), as well as insights and episodes from those of others, all for the purpose of helping the reader to know God more.
Review Date: 11/29/2014
Informative & entertaining, but not what I would call "good." Also keep in mind that this edition came out in the mid-nineties, so of course anything after that is not mentioned.
Review Date: 7/3/2012
The story itself is pretty good, but there are some entirely unnecessary sexual scenes that are kind of explicit. And the story gives the impression that a successful romance can begin as just a "friends with benefits" relationship.
Review Date: 10/4/2013
I LOVED this book; I really cannot think of even one aspect of it that I didn't like. I highly recommend it to anyone how likes adventure, history, romance, supernatural, family drama, or intrigue, because it has it all.
Review Date: 7/23/2016
This book is a collection of short stories (all by Marian Allen), and reminded me why I don't usually read short stories: I always want more!
I did enjoy most of the stories, and especially liked the closing entry, which I hope Ms. Allen will expand into a novel in its own right.
I did enjoy most of the stories, and especially liked the closing entry, which I hope Ms. Allen will expand into a novel in its own right.
Review Date: 2/25/2017
If this book had been written in the past couple of years, I would think that it was a transparent metaphor for the most alarmist fears in the current US political climate, and dismiss it as such.
But the fact that it was written like 15 years ago makes the similarities striking (and a little scary). I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who doesn't understand how the anxiety that many people are feeling right now.
Plus it's an interesting and engaging story.
But the fact that it was written like 15 years ago makes the similarities striking (and a little scary). I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who doesn't understand how the anxiety that many people are feeling right now.
Plus it's an interesting and engaging story.
Review Date: 6/3/2017
I wasn't a huge fan of "Where is Joe Merchant?" when I read it a couple of years ago, so I wasn't all that excited going into "A Salty Piece of Land." But oh my goodness it is amazing. Likeable characters, connections to Buffett's songs and other pop-culture references worked in seamlessly, a compelling story, and of course great settings. I'm actually keeping my copy so that I can re-read it later.
Review Date: 4/21/2017
This book really draws you in. I had never really heard of the revolt of the Netherlands before encountering it, so even though it's a novel I feel like I learned a lot.
I do feel the need to add a "trigger warning" because there is a rather vivid--though I wouldn't say graphic--description of rape, including the rapist's rationalizations and the aftermath. (There is also a great deal of violence and death, but that is to be expected given the subject matter.)
I do feel the need to add a "trigger warning" because there is a rather vivid--though I wouldn't say graphic--description of rape, including the rapist's rationalizations and the aftermath. (There is also a great deal of violence and death, but that is to be expected given the subject matter.)
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