Nerd Girl Loves Books

1.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sigh…I wanted to like this book. I think the concept of the book is good. The execution, however, is not. The writing style was painful and not fun to read. I read a lot of books. I read a lot of young adult books. I even read a few books for younger readers just to see what’s out there these days. That said, I couldn’t figure out who the audience was for this book. The writing style is definitely not something adults would enjoy, and it’s not sophisticated enough to compete with the myriad of outstanding young adult books out these days. It was hard to make myself read this book. Ultimately, I had to give up about half-way through. There are so many books to be read – I just couldn’t waste any more time on one I wasn’t enjoying.

5 stars

This book is even better than I thought it would be. Al Franken’s writing is effortless and he makes even the most boring subjects understandable and enjoyable to read. The book is an entertaining look into his first Senate election and his years as the junior Senator from Minnesota. He provides insights into the inner workings of the federal government and speaks of the need to work with Republicans, despite huge philosophical differences. I highly recommend you read this book.

4 stars

This was our September book club book. I really enjoyed the book. The writing is different, but it didn’t bother me. The writer starts the book off in the middle of the story and tells it in a series of flashbacks. The writer also builds up to revealing some clues as to why the society is set up the way it is. I can understand some people’s frustration that it takes too long to explain what is going on. But, I can see why the writer did it. Continue reading “The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood” →

4 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book and had a hard time putting it down. The story opens with a jogger finding the body of a young high school drama teacher, Rosalind Ryan, floating face down in a lake in a small town in Australia. The lead homicide detective assigned to investigate the case, Sgt. Gemma Woodstock, went to school with the victim. They had a complicated history, which Gemma has to face while trying to find the killer. The victim was beautiful and popular, but a mystery with secrets that start to unravel the more Gemma investigates. What was Rosalind up to, and did anyone really know or understand her? Continue reading “The Dark Lake (Gemma Woodstock #1) by Sarah Bailey” →

4 stars

This is book 5 of the Kingfountain book series. The action picks up right where the last book left off. Trynne is the Lady of Averanche and has been traveling the ley lines to familiarize herself with the Kingdom. But Gahlatine, the King of the East Kingdom, continues to conquer Ceredigion’s allies and take the fight to her Kingdom. Trynne’s father is still missing and her mother sets off on a journey to find the Deep Fathom. Trynne is forced to defend her land and King against enemies and treachery alone. There is plenty of action and several twists and turns to keep the reader’s attention. I can’t wait to see how the series ends.

3.5 stars

This book is well written and is full of action. It’s a dystopian book set in the not-to-distant future. The Great Library holds all the knowledge in the world and dispenses it to the world. Original books are contraband and are searched out and confiscated by the Library soldiers, called the Garda. The main character, Jess, is the son of a prominent book smuggler. Jess and his twin brother Brendan work for their father, who is an unloving and demanding father. Continue reading “Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine” →

5 stars

At a certain age almost all the questions a person asks himself are about one thing: how should you live your life?

I give very few 5 star reviews, but I LOVED this book. It is so beautifully written and so engaging that I couldn’t put it down.

Britt-Marie is certainly not the kind of person who judges other people. Far from it.
But surely no civilized person would even think of arranging a cutlery drawer in a different way from how cutlery drawers are supposed to be arranged?
We’re not animals, are we?

Continue reading “Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman” →

3 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A popular high school teacher in a private school is accused of sexual misconduct with several of his female students during a ski trip. The book follows the fall-out of his arrest on his immediate family.

This book started out promising and I really thought I was going to like it. Unfortunately it started to drag in the middle of the book. About 60 % into the book I didn’t like any of the characters and just wanted it to be over. Then I got my wish, because all of a sudden the book rushed to an end. It was really jarring. The end of the book also seemed like a huge cop out and I literally rolled my eyes. In addition, the author left several storylines hanging with no closure. So disappointing.

3.5 Stars

This is another good book in the series. The story takes placed many years after the defeat of King Severn. Tryneowy Kiskaddon is the daughter of Owen and Sinia. She is just starting to learn about her Fountain-blessed powers and training to be a Wizr like her mother. But Trynne’s heart isn’t in learning to become a Wizr, but rather a knight that fights to protect her kingdom. Ceredigion has enjoyed a time of peace and prosperity under young King Drew, but as he celebrates his wedding, Sinia receives a terrible vision. War is coming to the Kingdom and the fate of those she loves is in danger.

This is another fun, quick read in the book series. The characters we’ve come to know and love are a bit older and wiser, and we are introduced to a new batch of future heroes and villains. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.