Dreaming Pages
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The Barber's Conundrum and Other Stories by John Hartnett
What I didn’t like … The usage of hyphens and exclamation marks were slightly annoying. There were too many exclamation marks and the spacing between hyphens was not consistent. You have some with a single space and others with more. One or two, even three are forgivable but multiple times and you start mentally correcting it and get distracted from what you are reading.
Favourite chapter …. For this reader, “How Bananas Almost Destroyed My Marriage” was roll-on-the-floor-laughing material especially when he says, “Which one of us is right? Aha! All couples on the dance floor,please.” If you have lived with someone, you will know that it is the smallest sometimes most insignificant of habits that can be the most annoying and there is a point you snap. Loved the way Hartnett wrote this.
Favourite quote … If you ever hear the automated words, “Your call is important to us,” that’s a company run by aliens from outer space. Hang up and don’t try again - The author points how “aliens” have taken over the entire customer service industry since the mid-eighties. This is a chapter most readers can relate with because hey, who hasn’t had to deal with customer service of some kind?
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Jack Canon's American Destiny
Is the story plot or character driven? It was character driven for me. Jack's politcal ambitions are pretty straight forward but he (and the reader) soon becomes caught up in a series of political shenanigans that will make you wonder, what do politicans really do? What did you think of the ending? I felt that the ending was too rushed and left many questions unanswered. Other than that, I really liked the book, the author's writing and Jack as the main character.
Overall thoughts about the book? A few of the other book club members mentioned that the book drew on some rather accurate facts about Jack Kennedy. I haven't finished looking into this but I do believe my main question would be why did the author copy so much of Jack Kennedy's life?
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Portals to the Vision Serpent
Was it a good book? Many of the book club members enjoyed this book for the way it was written and for the research that was poured into it. For me, I loved the fact that the author took a simple everyday story about a man discovering his past and filled it with historical and cultural elements that so many of us know so little about.Would you recommend it? Absolutely. For anyone who likes historical fiction, this book is a must read. I must also stress that this book is centred on the personal journey of one man who grows and changes from the information he receives so you can expect a lot of drama which makes the book even more interesting.
What did you like about it? The first thing that made me fall in love with Preston's story was the writing. It's soft and gentle amidst sharing painful truths about the past. The other thing I liked about the book was the setting. Each scene was located against a backdrop that had you learning something new while providing readers with a sense of mystery about what else Preston was going to learn about his father.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Serving Time (Servants of Time)
Reviewer's Note - None of us at the Quality Reads UK Book Club has finished reading or discussing Serving Time by Nadine Ducca. We have been asked to post our reviews early. This review is based on the first 60% of the book and may change at a later date once we finish reading and discussing the book.Favourite location / setting … When Robert and Time are talking about searching for the "True Self". I know many of the book club members adored Time, I didn't really like her. She seemed to have one too many layers for me and she was so high and mighty. I know this and I know that but I'm not going to tell you. Initially, it was all mysterious, then it just dragged. I did like this discussion because the search for our own "true self" is never easy either and found this chapter particularly amusing.
What did you like most about the book? Hmmm, so only one thing. I would say the writing. Every single one of us at the book club are enjoying this book. The editing is polished and the formatting is easy to read. The story is captivating and each page makes you think about your own life or situations you have already experienced. Whether this was the author's intention, I do not know but it definitely had that effect for a lot of us at the book club.
Favourite quote … "All defective souls are eventually pruned and shipped to the Repository; it's how the universe functions. Why should you worry about the fate of one faulty True Self?" "Because in the case of this True Self, the fault is mine." If you think Time has no regrets, well, think again.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
The Hunter's Son (JC Mather, #1)
Tell in your own words the beginning of the book. JC & James had just moved into another new house. They were unpacking boxes.Describe how the main character felt. JC was lonely and confused. He was always alone. Never had any other family or friends.
What did the title have to do with the book? James was a creature hunter and JC was his only son.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Her Books Presents: Book Club Picks
What kind of book is this? I loved each and every sample in this book and if I had to pick one, I would choose The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge by Christine Nolfi. It is fiction story that has a very Nora Roberts feel to the story and Nolfi is an excellent novelist.What was the author's purpose or purposes in writing this book? The Fagan family lost their son Jason 15 years ago when he was murdered. Now, when their other son is supervising renovations, Ourania who is a family friend, finds letters that can change their lives. I think the purpose of this book is to highlight the importance of family and how much damage secrets is caused from keeping secrets.
If you could continue the story, what events would you include? I don't think this story needs any further additions. The characters were well-developed, the plot flowed from beginning to end in a strong, non-predictable manner and each scene left this reader with a lasting impression.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Straight Dope A 360 degree look into American drug culture
Did this book give you any new ideas about yourself? Just thankful I never had the desire to try any drug and end up like these inmatesWhat would the main character be likely to do if s/he visited? Tell about lots of people's addictions and the incidences that led them on that path.
What lesson did you learn from the story? Just a reminder that drugs are bad and people should stay away from them.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
White Chalk
What kind of book is this? I think because a few of us at the book club have read other books by this author, we were all set for a fantasy read. Yes, assumptions. We were wrong. This is not at all fantasy. It's gripping real life about what teenagers go through and what happens when no one helps them. Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? Troy. To Chelle he was more than a crush, he was hope and when he left, even the reader feels somewhat cheated.
In your own words how did the setting of the story make it more interesting. School life. How much more complicated can it be? Chelle is the outcast and not entirely because of her doing. From this, the story then expands to her school crush, heartbreak, neglect and a tangled web she gets lost in.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Redwood Violet
What would the main character be likely to do if s/he visited? Katie would talk and remind us to tell our children to never be alone. To not allow them to walk down to the store, ride their bike or anything by themselves. She would tell us how important it is to protect our little ones.At the end of the book, do you feel hope for the characters? Only hope I feel is that readers will not know who kidnapped Katie. We are left to wonder who did this.
What makes a minor character memorable? How they help the main character during troubling times. Avery is the perfect example. He was helpful and even went so far as to provide Katie a book so she could learn more about investigations.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Book of Paul
Did you like the way the book ended? Ending was perfect, so glad to know the author did not leave a major cliff-hanger.Would you recommend it? I recommend this book to people who enjoy a dark fantasy.
Tell in your own words how the setting of the story made it more interesting. All the scary settings helped with the mystery, and the darkness of Paul.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Beckoning of Beautiful Things (The Beckoning Series)
Favourite character(s) … This is a cross between Marissa, Sober Dober and Daniel. If I truly had to pick one it would be Marissa, she is so lost and expected to learn so much in just a few days. What did you think of the ending? I liked how the author wrapped everything up, but I wonder if she left a tiny opening so there can be another book and create a series.
What is the time period in which the book happens? No exact time period is offered by the author but readers assume it is modern times, with talk about computers, airplanes, and Marissa being a graphics artist.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Some Are Sicker Than Others
Top 3 things I liked about the setting in this book –The Sanctuary and only this was my favourite setting.
Why would you recommend or not recommend this book?
I don't think I would really recommend this book to anyone, I know. Just not the people, I associate with.
What kind of book is this? List three evidences of this
Fiction - I know it, because the author says it.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Be Good
Did you like the way the story ended? Yes, loved the ending. So glad Brett made the right decision.What do you think is the climax of the book and why. Anna finding Brett and Rebecca together. Shows how much a real guy Brett is.
Compare two of the characters in this book. Anna – party girl, always out for a good time, barely squeaking by in life. More interesting in her drug of choice (sex) than being an adult.
Rebecca – supposedly has it all together, works in Washington DC, what some would classify as miss goody, goody too-shoes.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
How You Leave Texas
Favourite location / setting …When the priest Nicky is talking to reminds her that youth, money and a good tan are not the only things you need in Los Angeles. I liked that the setting for this scene was a bus stop. In the midst of talking about changing lanes in life, the location meant everything to this little bit on advice Nicky received.Favourite scene … When Camille is arrested. Reading this scene, although predictable, was nail biting to me because it felt so much like a scene from "Locked Up Abroad".
Favourite quote … Remembering the day she’d had, she wanted to cry, but her tears were jammed somewhere. Spoke volumes to me and yes, we've all had days like this.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Refuge
Top 3 things I liked about the whole book. Good solid book with clear images. Forbidden love. The humility of it all.Is the story plot or character driven? Plot driven, but the characters were very strong.
Did the book end the way you expected? No, it didn't end at all the way, I thought it would.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy (The Shadow of the Unicorn Series)
Did this book give you any new ideas about yourself? Yes, to not be greedy about that new electronic coming out. Or think I need the latest unique animal Is the plot well-developed? Everything is believable. Enjoyed the author’s ideas on the ice age. Book really did not have an ice age, but it was very interesting.
Formatting / Appearance – Formatting was a little off on my kindle, but the book club was provided a pdf copy of the book.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
