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Amber R. (ambydawn) - Reviews

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The Accidental (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Review Date: 8/27/2012
Helpful Score: 2


I really wanted to like this book, but it just left me shrugging my shoulders and ready to move on. The presentation was unique in that each character had very distinct "voices" that evolved along with the book. However I couldn't give this book more stars because the plot, though initially promising, left me uninterested in how it would end up and I disliked each of the characters... literally every single one! I couldn't go so far as to say don't listen to the book (or read if you're so inclined), but do so at your own risk.


ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
Author: Kathleen Nadeau, Judith Kolberg
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 2/10/2016


Great info! So many situations I encounter on a daily basis, but never really thought about how my ADD might be the root. I rented the audio version from the library to listen to on my commute, but liked the book so much I came in search of a hard copy for reference. I had mainly wanted to get my finances in control, but found instead a variety of tips and specific steps to take that will help in all area of life that can be problematic for those with ADD. Highly recommend!


Angels in the Gloom (World War One, Bk 3) (Audio CD) (Abridged)
Review Date: 10/22/2013
Helpful Score: 3


Not my favorite in the series, but I will keep on with it as I really liked the first two books. Frankly, I'm getting really tired of Joseph, the chaplain. He is really a bore and always comes off (literally) preachy. There was also an awkward attempt to get older sister, Hannah, into the plot. Overall, I have more of a "to be continued" feeling with this one than the first two. I hope the next book gives a little more balanced attention to all four siblings and gets back to what drew me into this series to begin with.


Astray (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Review Date: 4/5/2016


This is a collection of short fiction stories based on true people/situations. Very interesting and different! Each story really makes you think, some more than others. Though I'm no immigrant, I'm an avid traveler and enjoyed how the theme of hope and trials of starting over in a new land are loosely woven though each of the stories. I actually owned the hardback book but opted to rent the audio version to listen to on my commute instead. The afterword read by the author was interesting as well. I look forward to reading more of her work!


At Home: A Short History of Private Life. Bill Bryson
At Home: A Short History of Private Life. Bill Bryson
Author: Bill Bryson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 6/1/2013


Very interesting book about the history of how mundane household items came into being, and how the home itself has evolved over time. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by the author himself. Probably a good idea NOT to read the chapter on the bathroom while having a snack...


At Some Disputed Barricade (World War One, Bk 4) (Audio CD) (Abridged)
Review Date: 3/4/2014


My favorite of this series, other than book 1. The end was a little anti-climactic, but the plot was well-developed and the split between subplots well-timed. I would have like more time with Matthew Reavley though, there was very little time spent in London with this book.


The Big Both Ways
The Big Both Ways
Author: John Straley
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 1/12/2012


This book is at times bizarre, fascinating, eye-opening, and filled with descriptive narrative that can make your stomach turn. The middle was really show, but overall the book was interesting and I'm glad I stuck it out. If you enjoy the Cecil Younger series (I had only read one of the series) you will probably like this because his writing style is so unique. Also provides an interesting perspective on unions in the 1930s, something I know very little about.


Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin : Writers Running Wild in the Twenties
Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin : Writers Running Wild in the Twenties
Author: Marion Meade
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 12
Review Date: 2/15/2012
Helpful Score: 1


I really enjoyed this book and learning about women who led such atypical lives when "proper" women still married and settled down early. I do agree that men were generally portrayed poorly... not sure though if that is mainly due to the author or the men themselves. Also, it was a tad depressing at the end. Obviously Fitzgerald's story is a bit gloomy, but the overall tone used toward the end of the decade was a real downer.


Centuries of June: A Novel
Centuries of June: A Novel
Author: Keith Donohue
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 11/12/2011


Very interesting concept for a book. I don't like giving away plots, and figuring out what the heck is going on is part of the "experience" of it, so I won't expand very much. All of the characters were interesting and the stories told to the main character were wonderfully descriptive. My only problem was that the actions of the "storytellers" were bizarre to say the least. Perhaps this is because a male author is writing about women? Overall a good read, and the fact that it is broken up into stories makes it easy to read slowly.


Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
Author: Chelsea Handler
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.1/5 Stars.
 43
Review Date: 7/16/2012
Helpful Score: 2


Very funny book! I didn't really have high hopes for this due to the fact that I generally dislike her tv show. Some of the stories were not my type of humor, but most of them had me laughing out loud. I liked it enough that I may seek out her other books.


Chomp
Chomp
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/22/2013


Cute book. I didn't even realize it was a young adult book at first. I read Nature Girl by the same author a few years back, and this book definitely has a lot of similarities. Well written and fast-paced audiobook... made my commute fly by!


Falling off Air
Falling off Air
Author: Catherine Sampson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 11/25/2011
Helpful Score: 1


Good storyline and keeps you guessing until the end. While the "killer" is not all that hard to figure out, the overall mystery is clever and creepy at the same time. I have to admit that I found the main character not entirely likeable, which kept me from caring a whole lot what happened to her. Overall, however, the book was a good pick!


Let the Great World Spin
Let the Great World Spin
Author: Colum McCann
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 203
Review Date: 10/11/2011
Helpful Score: 2


I don't normally write book reviews, but this isn't the normal book. It actually took me about 6 months to finish the book because I found it slow at first, but once I got going I couldn't stop. I loved how the author varied his narrative based on the character presented. It does leave you with a bit of an unfinished feeling, but that is what I think is the intent.
Essentially, if you like your books wrapped up neat and tidy by the end and leaving you with a warm and fuzzy feeling in your chest, this book probably is not for you. Otherwise, give it a chance!


The Mapping of Love and Death (Maisie Dobbs, Bk 7)
The Mapping of Love and Death (Maisie Dobbs, Bk 7)
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 52
Review Date: 10/14/2011


My first go at this series. I really like the writing, plot development, and the characters! I will be looking into other books from the series as well!


No Rest for the Dead
No Rest for the Dead
Author: Andrew F. Gulli (Editor), Lamia J. Gulli (Editor)
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 41
Review Date: 10/14/2011
Helpful Score: 1


I enjoyed the concept of the book. All the authors had different writing styles, but there was a great flow to it. I was mildly disappointed with the ending though... the introduction hypes it up so much maybe I was overestimating the plot twist at the end. I also would have liked to see a little more character development, as the main characters were pretty one dimensional aside from the (ex) detective. Overall, very good for a modern crime/mystery book.


Review Date: 12/14/2013


Interesting book, somewhat long-winded in parts and caused me to space out during entire segments in which the author expounded on research studies and/or examples, but the material was interesting and humorous at times. The main point is that everyone is different, and some people thrive on less organized living and working than others. Obviously the guy who wrote the earlier review didn't really listen to the book, as there were various real life examples that I though were pretty believable. I know I work better with a small amount of "clutter" on my desk, as I tend to never revisit items I've filed away. But, again, we're all different. I don't think I would have read this in print, but it made for interesting insights during my commute.


Quiver : A Book of Erotic Tales
Quiver : A Book of Erotic Tales
Author: Tobsha Learner
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.8/5 Stars.
 14
Review Date: 7/21/2012


Very interesting book... some of the stories were misses for me (in that I found them a bit boring) but overall very good. The stories don't need to be read in order, but the last should be saved until the end. FYI, you may be skipping a lot if you are only looking for heterosexual storylines.


The Return of Captain John Emmett (Laurence Bartram Mystery)
The Return of Captain John Emmett (Laurence Bartram Mystery)
Author: Elizabeth Speller
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 8/16/2013


Very Maisie Dobbs-esque, in fact several very similar plot lines come together in this book. In fairness to the author, I imagine these are pretty popular themes from the aftermath of WWI, so I'm not saying they are lifted from Winspear's series but some very similar situations. The plot kept me guessing and did a pretty good job of tying up the loose ends. I also enjoyed the narrator, as this can make or break an audio book... I did tend to get lost a few times as the main character would lapse into memory without notice. I really enjoyed the character of Charles, and hope he plays a bigger role in future books.


Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary
Author: David Sedaris
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 2.9/5 Stars.
 107
Review Date: 11/3/2012
Helpful Score: 1


I love David Sedaris' work usually, but this wasn't my style. I generally consider myself to have a dark sense of humor, but this one was a bit too much for me. Kinda reminds me of old-school fairy tales (not the disney versions but the dark and gorey ones) rather than a comedy book. While there were a few stories I thought, "yeah I know somebody like that," I never actually laughed at all. The stories are short and easy to read but I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone just looking for some light comedy.


Surrender
Surrender
Author: Kimberly Zant
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 149
Review Date: 10/7/2017


Basically lots (and lots) of sex is what you're going to get here. Very graphic, without much tension building before scenes. The ending was pretty ridiculous, but it had to end so it may as well be a happy one. A quick read anyway.


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