Showing posts with label 2.5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2.5 stars. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Christopher Rice - A Density of Souls: A Novel

74. A Density of Souls: A Novel by Christopher Rice (2000)
Length: 307 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 20 November 2015
Finished: 24 November 2015
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 June 2015
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Christopher Rice is a new author for me.

Meredith, Brandon, Stephen and Greg were practically inseparable as children; playing hide and seek and constantly riding their bikes together through the New Orleans woods. The four friends shared an unbreakable bond and an undeniable connection with each other that they all believed would last forever. Such strong friendship should last forever; but teenagers can be fickle.

By the time Meredith, Brandon, Stephen and Greg enter high school, something has changed within the dynamic of their friendship. Suddenly, the four young friends are living drastically different lives; and deep feelings of envy, rage, and secret passions have succeeded in tearing their friendship apart. Soon, two violent deaths irrevocably disrupt the core of what these friends once shared, and they all go their separate ways - certain that they will never see each other ever again.

Five years later, the friends are reunited with each other. And, when one of the mysterious deaths that initially drove them apart is discovered to have actually been murder, secrets once thought to be deeply buried begin to unravel. And the casual cruelties inflicted by thoughtless high school students from the past, suddenly have the potential to develop into acts of brutal violence that threaten to engulf an entire city in the present.

First of all, let me say that I initially thought that this mystery was really quite good. I wanted so much to like this book. I thought the premise was intriguing and I found myself really feeling for the characters and what they were going through. However, by about halfway through the book, I noticed that the story was starting to slide slightly off track for me.

I wasn't quite sure why I felt this way at first, but was finally able to put my finger on the specific reason for these feelings. In my opinion, as a debut novel, this began off as an intriguing mystery and initially had such promise. However, I must say that I found Mr. Rice's writing style to be incredibly detailed and somewhat overwritten at times - some of the overly descriptive passages were hard for me to follow. Overall, I was disappointed to discover that this book was ultimately just not my cup of tea - I had to give it a C!

C! - (70-75%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Maeve Binchy - The Return Journey

55. The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy (1998)
Length: 225 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 23 November 2011
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 August 2011
Why do I have it? I love Maeve Binchy as an author and I have read several books by this author in the past.

This is a collection of short stories in which Maeve Binchy introduces us to sons, brothers, fathers, mothers, sisters and lovers. She looks at the relationships and the affect of love on her characters. I have to say that although I usually love Maeve Binchy as an author and am definitely willing to give anything she has written a fighting chance to take me away; I found this particular book lacking in parts.

I had read this book before several years ago and of course had forgotten what it was like. I will definitely still read Maeve Binchy again but, in my opinion, this was a weak book. I give it a C!

C! - (70-75%)


Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Maeve Binchy - Aches and Pains


51. Aches and Pains by Maeve Binchy (1999)
Length: 96 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started: 6 November 2011
Finished: 8 November 2011
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 20 October 2011
Why do I have it? I love Maeve Binchy as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

This is a short book which tries too hard to be humorous. The author writes little hints and tricks about what to do when going into hospital. I generally like Maeve Binchy as an an author, however I wouldn't say this is her best book. I give it a C!


C! - (70-75%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Monday, February 1, 2010

Rosie O'Donnell - Celebrity Detox: (The Fame Game)

8. Celebrity Detox: (The Fame Game) by Rosie O'Donnell (2007)
Length: 224 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started: 30 January 2010
Finished: 1 February 2010
Where did it come from? From a Library Book Sale
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 20 November 2009
Why do I have it? I've always been really curious about Rosie O'Donnell's life


This story is about Rosie O'Donnell's life. It covers everything from her mother's death to the feud on The View. I thought this book was a bit ho-hum for me. I didn't really like all the blogging breaks that she took in the story and she had quite a number of hang ups in the book. I give it a C!

C! - (70-75%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Susan Howatch - Call in the Night

21. Call in the Night by Susan Howatch (1967)
Length: 239 pages 
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 6 September 2009
Finished: 10 September 2009
Where did it come from? Borrowed from the library
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 1 August 2009
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and do like Susan Howatch as an author

From halfway around the world, American Claire Sullivan jets to Paris on the basis of a desperate phone call that she received from her glamorous sister Gina. However, when she arrives, Gina is missing and her trail leads to a mysterious boyfriend, Garth Cooper now living in London with a secret to hide. As time passes, Claire begins to realize that Gina's sudden disappearance is not another one of her sister's harebrained stunts.

I usually enjoy Susan Howatch's books, but I think that this book was one of her weakest. I give this book a C!

C! - (70-75%)

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight