Kiwiria's April Reads
May. 4th, 2022 12:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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christianreaderA bit late this time around, but I finally got around to finishing it :-D
Across the Green Grass Fields - Seanan McGuire, 4/5, 174 pages
While I've (so far) enjoyed all the books in this series, this is definitely one of my favourites. It is very much a companion novel, as we don't get to meet the other Wayward Children at all, but I'm certain that we'll hear more about Regan in future books. She's adorable, and I loved her way of showing trust to and making friends of pretty much everybody she met.
As always, it ended very abruptly, but that seems to be par for the course in this series.
On the Island - Tracey Garvis Graves, 4.5/5, 328 pages
It's been a long time since I dove into a book and got so thoroughly hooked that I finished it in a day! But though I can see its flaws, this book just worked for me, and I couldn't put it down.
The writing style took a bit of getting used to. It seemed almost diary-like in style, and occasionally glossed over things, without going into depth with them. But to be fair, that was necessary for this kind of book! The plot took place over the course of 4-5 YEARS, and it would have been way, way too long (not to mention tedious) to be detailed about everything. Some parts were somewhat unbelievable, but they worked within the scope of the book, so I'll allow it ;)
The relationship really worked for me. I know some people will have reservations about the age difference going into the book, but trust me - it works. It's tastefully done, and faced head on.
I tend to love Robinson Crusoe-type stories, and this was no exception. That it also had shades of two of my other favourite books (a Danish one, and one that is still unpublished) only improved my reading experience.
This might just have to go on my wish list for books to add to my physical library.
Still Life - Louise Penny, 3/5, Audiobook ~11hrs
Not my usual fare (I tend to stay away from detective novels), but it came highly recommended and I liked it. It was such a relief to read a crime novel where the emphasis was on solving the case, and not on how much blood and gore was encountered along the way.
I liked inspector Gamache and the citizens of Three Pines. There was a thread or two left hanging, but they might be picked up in a later book.
Stay Close - Harlan Coben, 2.5/5, 399 pages
The third book I've read by Harlan Coben and unfortunately the weakest. Can't put my finger on why exactly, but part of it is definitely that it came across as a lot less realistic than the others... especially when it came to 'Ken' and 'Barbie'.
I'm glad this isn't the first book I've read by him, or I probably wouldn't have continued with any of the others. Now I'm more inclined to give him another chance.
Lock Every Door - Riley Sager, 2.5/5, 381 pages
Very readable, but I ended up being less than impressed with the plot. It was just.... WAY too far-fetched. I walked away from the grand reveal thinking, "What? Really?"
Tell Me It's Real - T.J. Klune*, 4/5, 350 pages
The Queen & the Homo Jock King - T.J. Klune*, 4/5, 350 pages
Seeing "Kinky Boots" on stage made me want to reread this series. I could definitely see Sandy/Helena Handbasket as Simon/Lola :-D
Just One Damned Thing After Another - Jodi Taylor*, 4/5, Audiobook ~11hrs
Just as good as the first time around - and the foreshadowing is just as annoying as the first time around :-P I really loved it otherwise though. The book had great characters, twists and turns galore, lots of lovely snark and a visit to the Cretaceous Period to boot - what's not to like?
Books Read Total: 36
Across the Green Grass Fields - Seanan McGuire, 4/5, 174 pages
While I've (so far) enjoyed all the books in this series, this is definitely one of my favourites. It is very much a companion novel, as we don't get to meet the other Wayward Children at all, but I'm certain that we'll hear more about Regan in future books. She's adorable, and I loved her way of showing trust to and making friends of pretty much everybody she met.
As always, it ended very abruptly, but that seems to be par for the course in this series.
On the Island - Tracey Garvis Graves, 4.5/5, 328 pages
It's been a long time since I dove into a book and got so thoroughly hooked that I finished it in a day! But though I can see its flaws, this book just worked for me, and I couldn't put it down.
The writing style took a bit of getting used to. It seemed almost diary-like in style, and occasionally glossed over things, without going into depth with them. But to be fair, that was necessary for this kind of book! The plot took place over the course of 4-5 YEARS, and it would have been way, way too long (not to mention tedious) to be detailed about everything. Some parts were somewhat unbelievable, but they worked within the scope of the book, so I'll allow it ;)
The relationship really worked for me. I know some people will have reservations about the age difference going into the book, but trust me - it works. It's tastefully done, and faced head on.
I tend to love Robinson Crusoe-type stories, and this was no exception. That it also had shades of two of my other favourite books (a Danish one, and one that is still unpublished) only improved my reading experience.
This might just have to go on my wish list for books to add to my physical library.
Still Life - Louise Penny, 3/5, Audiobook ~11hrs
Not my usual fare (I tend to stay away from detective novels), but it came highly recommended and I liked it. It was such a relief to read a crime novel where the emphasis was on solving the case, and not on how much blood and gore was encountered along the way.
I liked inspector Gamache and the citizens of Three Pines. There was a thread or two left hanging, but they might be picked up in a later book.
Stay Close - Harlan Coben, 2.5/5, 399 pages
The third book I've read by Harlan Coben and unfortunately the weakest. Can't put my finger on why exactly, but part of it is definitely that it came across as a lot less realistic than the others... especially when it came to 'Ken' and 'Barbie'.
I'm glad this isn't the first book I've read by him, or I probably wouldn't have continued with any of the others. Now I'm more inclined to give him another chance.
Lock Every Door - Riley Sager, 2.5/5, 381 pages
Very readable, but I ended up being less than impressed with the plot. It was just.... WAY too far-fetched. I walked away from the grand reveal thinking, "What? Really?"
Tell Me It's Real - T.J. Klune*, 4/5, 350 pages
The Queen & the Homo Jock King - T.J. Klune*, 4/5, 350 pages
Seeing "Kinky Boots" on stage made me want to reread this series. I could definitely see Sandy/Helena Handbasket as Simon/Lola :-D
Just One Damned Thing After Another - Jodi Taylor*, 4/5, Audiobook ~11hrs
Just as good as the first time around - and the foreshadowing is just as annoying as the first time around :-P I really loved it otherwise though. The book had great characters, twists and turns galore, lots of lovely snark and a visit to the Cretaceous Period to boot - what's not to like?
Books Read Total: 36
