Member Profile

Name : Cindy B.

My Reviews

 
Interesting, Slow, Unconvincing
Not much going on

This book slips around a lot. It focused more on the marriage of Laura & Theodore than the mystery. I liked the ending but the "twist" was kinda predictable.

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Inspiring, Interesting

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Adventurous, Interesting
Beautiful passages but weak ending

I really enjoyed the first part of this book. The writing about grief was amazing. Then the action for going and it was quite fun, but the ending was a disappointment.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Informative, Fun
Cool & creepy

Parasites & fungi can take over your brain! Lots of interesting facts, but not as much depth as I would have liked. I enjoyed all the references to pop culture though.

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Dramatic, Adventurous
Exploration and exploitation

Fascinating look at the 17th century spice trade. Naval warfare between England and the Netherlands, lots of violence and disease, colonialism in Indonesia.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
 
Slow, Confusing, Dark
Not as described

This was much too slow and not what I expected at all. I thought the library would be a bigger part of this story than it was. Boring mystery. The only part I really liked was the historical setting and the character of the father. But there's a lot of misogynistic stuff in here and adult content.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Dark, Difficult
Grim subject but well done

From the very first chapter it's obvious this is going to be a difficult read. It is full of racial slurs, implied violence, and actual violence. If you can get through it, the rewards are worth it. The story is well written, but it's the characters that make it so good.

 
Dark, Scary, Dramatic
Very difficult book

This was hard to rate. I did like the character of Netty/Rhett. But the sexual assaults in this made it a very tough read, and not a series I want to continue with. I appreciate the representation in here, but horrible things happen to these characters and I don't want to read more.

 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Interesting, Adventurous

Forty Thieves by Thomas Perry
 
Unconvincing, Fun
Fun but nothing more

This book was OK. The author could definitely have done more with the premise. Also the diamond thefts don't come into the story until last the halfway point.

 
Book Club Recommended
Addictive, Dramatic

The Wife Between Us: A Novel by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Addictive, Dramatic
Hard to put down

Some good discussion points, but the ending dragged.

 
Informative, Insightful
Incredibly detailed

This book is huge. I found it worked well to switch between print & audio, but I admit to getting a bit bogged down with the names and details. At times it felt like it was strangely organized, but on the whole I came away with So much information about the Middle Ages, especially England and France, but also Flanders, Italy, and parts of Germany. But it took forever to finish, so I think it would be a poor choice for a group.

 
Slow, Dark, Gloomy
Bitter and sad

Mary is the most bitter character I've ever encountered. The writing is clear and effective, and the setting is so well described I felt like I was there. But I hated this book.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Fun
Neat little mystery

Nice mystery about a female painter whose brother is murdered and his rooms burgled. A valuable painting goes missing and it becomes a matter of dispute.

 
Unconvincing, Graphic

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Adventurous
Brilliant children's series

Great fantasy book for middle grade readers, but start with book 1.

 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Fun
Dads are great

My kids convinced me to read this one and I'm glad they did. Unlike most of Dahl's children's books, this had no magic. No talking animals, no candy factory, no giant insects. Just an amazing father and his only son. It does have plenty of humor & a detestable villain. Definitely worth reading.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
 
Dark, Dramatic, Interesting

Never Look Away: A Thriller by Linwood Barclay
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dramatic

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Fun, Interesting
Exciting fantasy series

Great magic system, but it's the friendship that really makes the book. I'm excited to read more!

 
Book Club Recommended
Epic, Dramatic, Adventurous

 
Dramatic, Epic, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Dramatic, Addictive
Dystopian Western

Set in the American Southwest after climate change & war has ruined most of the planet. Ancient tribal powers - good & evil - have changed society forever. It's from & violent so I wouldn't recommend it to my book club, but if you're looking for something really different, this is hreat.

The Warden (Penguin Classics) by Anthony Trollope
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Inspiring, Slow

The Dead Key by D. M. Pulley
 
Slow, Boring, Interesting

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
 
Dramatic, Confusing

Veins of Gold by Charlie N. Holmberg
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Fun
Light magical romance

A twist on the Gold rush story set in Salt Lake. Not too deep, but a fun story. If your group includes teens, they might like this.

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Informative, Interesting

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Dramatic, Addictive

The Boy in the Suitcase (A Nina Borg Novel) by Lene Kaaberbol, Agnete Friis
 
Addictive, Interesting, Dark

The Sound of Glass by Karen White
 
Dramatic, Unconvincing, Insightful

The Starless Sea: A Novel by Erin Morgenstern
 
Beautiful, Boring, Pointless

 
Unconvincing, Confusing, Fantastic

 
Book Club Recommended
Difficult, Dark, Insightful
Not for everyone

Easy has just lost his job thanks to “mouthing off” to his White supervisor at the plant when he gets word that another White man wants to hire him to find a missing woman. It’s not easy (forgive the pun) surviving as a Black man in 1950s Los Angeles, but Rawlins is about to find out how hard it is when everyone wants to kill you.

This was on my TBR for a long time, as it won a lot of awards and started a whole trend opening up POC as detectives. However, it was a lot grittier than I like in a mystery. I’m glad I read it, as the issues of race are really front and center in the story and they couldn't be more timely. It was an eye-opener about how violent and hopeless the Black community could be at the time and how little some things have chaned. But I didn’t care for the style and I don’t think I’ll continue with this series.

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Romantic, Beautiful

Dry by JANE HARPER
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Addictive

 
Book Club Recommended
Difficult, Insightful, Informative

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dramatic, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Adventurous, Dramatic

Man of the Family by Ralph Moody
 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Optimistic, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Insightful

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Informative, Inspiring

Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Insightful, Informative

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Insightful, Interesting
Not for everyone

I am glad I read this, but my book club would hate it. It is really bleak.

 
Interesting, Informative, Difficult
Slow to start

It definitely took me a couple of chapters to get into this. He has a unique style. But it was full of information.

 
Difficult, Brilliant, Dark

 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Interesting

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Insightful, Dark

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
 
Book Club Recommended
Romantic, Dramatic, Beautiful
I can't believe I'm first

It seems like everyone I know has read this book, so I'm really surprised there are no other reviews. This one started out a little slow, but I'm glad I pushed through. It reminds me of Arabian Nights x The Neverending Story. There are some dark themes though so no for young kinds.

 
Dark, Informative, Graphic

 
Book Club Recommended
Scary, Adventurous, Dramatic

 
Slow, Interesting, Insightful
Good stuff but

I really enjoyed this, and feel like I learned a lot, but it was MUCH too long.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
 
Book Club Recommended
Addictive, Fun, Scary

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Fun

 
Book Club Recommended
Epic, Dramatic
Loved everything

Great conclusion to the series. Can't stop thinking about it. Such a great ending.

Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
 
Unconvincing, Inspiring, Informative

 
Fun, Insightful
Definitely not for everyone

I absolutely loved Jasper Fforde, but I think this would just confuse half my book club. It's a very clever satire that reminded me a bit of Franz Kafka but so funny.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Adventurous, Addictive

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Interesting, Inspiring

 
Interesting, Slow
Good but incomplete

I enjoyed this book set in the same world as Thorn, but you wouldn't want to read it as a stand alone. Trigger warning for physical abuse.

 
Unconvincing, Fun, Brilliant
Loved the first two

One of the very few Sanderson books that let me down. I really liked the first two, was loving the third, but that ending was all wrong.

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dramatic, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Confusing, Informative, Dramatic

The Great Passage by Shion Miura
 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Insightful, Beautiful

SLAY by Brittney Morris
 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Insightful, Fun

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Informative

 
Informative, Beautiful, Dramatic

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Fantastic
Great mood lifter

Loved the audio! This whole series is amazing.

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Adventurous

 
Confusing, Dramatic, Adventurous

End-Game: A play in a act by Beckett Samuel
 
Pointless, Confusing, Boring

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Fun, Addictive

The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss
 
Book Club Recommended
Slow, Inspiring, Informative

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Insightful

 
Dark, Confusing, Adventurous

Disappointing conclusion to the series.

 
Poorly Written, Fun, Adventurous

Racist language ruined it for me.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
 
Book Club Recommended
Slow, Difficult, Beautiful

It's like a puzzle - take your time with it.

Dead Heat (A Dick Francis Novel) by Felix Francis Dick; Francis
 
Book Club Recommended
Confusing, Interesting, Dramatic

Steelheart (The Reckoners) by Brandon Sanderson
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dramatic, Adventurous

Nation by Terry Pratchett
 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Fun, Adventurous
great book for discussion

 
Book Club Recommended
Fantastic, Dramatic, Brilliant

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Interesting, Fun

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Epic

 
Dark, Dramatic, Adventurous

Well Met by DeLuca Jen
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Romantic

 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Inspiring, Beautiful

 
Book Club Recommended
Slow, Informative, Adventurous

Firefight (The Reckoners) by Brandon Sanderson
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Epic, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Insightful

 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Inspiring, Fun

Winter Wheat by Mildred Walker
 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Inspiring, Slow
Coming of age in the west

Reminded me a bit of Willa Cather, but of course more modern. Slow build.

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Fun, Adventurous

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Adventurous, Brilliant

The Sight of You by Holly Miller
 
Unconvincing, Pointless

Dial A for Aunties by Q. Jesse Sutanto
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Addictive, Romantic

Magic for Liars: A Novel by Sarah Gailey
 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Fun

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dramatic, Adventurous

A Gentleman in Moscow by AMOR TOWLES
 
Book Club Recommended
Beautiful, Brilliant, Insightful

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Romantic, Fantastic

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Interesting, Informative
Made for a great discussion

We had a big group come and there was plenty to talk about - faith and healing and expectations and grief. Really deep stuff. I like that the author doesn't force her views on the reader.

Calamity (The Reckoners) by Brandon Sanderson
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dramatic, Adventurous

Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women & Witchcraft by Brenna Yovanoff Shveta; Thakrar Robin; Talley Ren; Nova Suma Lindsay; Smith Kay; Tehlor Mejia Anna-Marie; McLemore Elizabeth; May Emery; Lord Kate; Hart Andrea; Cremer Zoraida; Córdova Brandy; Colbert Jessica; Spotswood Tess; Sharpe
 
Fun, Interesting, Confusing
A mix

Some strong stories here, but some that were rather poorly written. Overall, it might be good for some clubs but I don't think ours would like it.

 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Inspiring, Insightful

Run: Book One (Run, 1) by Andrew Aydin John; Lewis
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Inspiring, Informative
Felt unfinished

I love John Lewis. His series March is amazing. This one was good, but it felt unfinished. I know he passed away before the book was done, so that's part of the reason. But it also felt like the story wasn't quite finished either, like there was more to come. I think my frustration with the story echoed how Lewis was feeling about then, when so many of this former associates were turning their backs on him. Well done

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Interesting, Fun

 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Insightful, Informative

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Adventurous

Conjure Women: A Novel by Atakora Afia
 
Dark, Boring, Slow

 
Book Club Recommended
Difficult, Inspiring, Informative

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Dramatic, Informative

Yonder: A Novel by Jabari Asim
 
Book Club Recommended
Scary, Inspiring, Addictive

 
Informative, Interesting, Dark
Hard, hard read

This was such a difficult read. Very dark and much too close to home. When they started with the ECT treatments I almost put the book down for good. Infuriating lack of consent sometimes and the revolving hospital doors made me want to scream. Mental health treatment is a joke. At least they may have found a way to prevent most instances of this disease. That was the only positive in this super depressing book.

Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights by Dovey Johnson Roundtree, Katie McCabe
 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Insightful, Informative
A woman of conviction

I enjoyed this book from a woman's perspective about the Civil Rights era. It was a great read for Women's History Month. Her time in the Army during World War II was my favorite part, although her relationship with her family was really touching. The writing was a little dense though and I got bogged down in places.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review

The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
 
Book Club Recommended
Slow, Insightful, Beautiful
Quick and powerful read

Short little jewel of character study. So many ways to love and to suffer.

 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Informative, Dramatic
Great maritime drama

England and Spain have never been best friends, to put it nicely. Occasionally they've broken out into actual war. This book centers around a time of such conflict, when in the 1740s England decided to commission a fleet led by a Commander Anson to go after Spanish galleons and loot them for their gold.

It was a disaster. By the time they actually set sail, they were headed for the worst weather of the year around the Cape Horn. There were already problems before they got there, including scurvy, but by the time they got to the bottom of South America, the fleet had broken up and one of the ships, The Wager, ran aground. Mayhem and mutiny ensued, along with starvation and murder.

I don't know why I love these nautical disaster books so much. I'm a total landlubber. I can't even swim. I didn't even see the ocean until I was an adult. But for whatever reason, I love reading these books. This one definitely did not disappoint. It was full of drama and emotion, and the best part was that it was all true and taken from the accounts written by the actual survivors. If you like tales of shipwreck or disaster, add this one to your list. I raced through it and I'm so glad I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book. This did not affect my review.

Any Dream Will Do: A Novel by Debbie Macomber
 
Unconvincing, Inspiring, Interesting

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
 
Book Club Recommended
Epic, Dramatic, Addictive

Only the Strong by Jabari Asim
 
Book Club Recommended
Persuasive, Dramatic, Addictive

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Interesting, Optimistic

 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Fun, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Fun, Adventurous

 
Epic, Brilliant, Unconvincing
Not his best

I don't know why everyone recommends this when David Copperfield is RIGHT THERE. Pip is a boring character and his relationship with Estella is unconvincing.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps
 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Dramatic, Beautiful
Good for kids

A little out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed the positive representation of therapy. Well drawn characters - I HATED the mother.

 
Unconvincing, Informative, Fun
Didn't enjoy it

I felt the author jumped to conclusions so often he must be part grasshopper. I did finish it though.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
 
Book Club Recommended
Difficult, Dramatic, Addictive

Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia Wrede
 
Romantic, Adventurous, Slow
Good retelling but slow paced

Nice retelling of the fairy tale. I would have rated it higher except for two problems: the archaic vocabulary in the dialogue really put me off and the story was slow and repetitive. I got bored often. It wasn't until I was halfway through that I was really invested.

 
Scary, Brilliant, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Addictive, Dramatic

 
Fun, Unconvincing

 
Book Club Recommended
Scary, Insightful, Dramatic

The Witness for the Dead by Addison Katherine
 
Book Club Recommended

At the End of the Matinee by Keiichiro Hirano
 
Confusing, Slow

The Water Dancer: A Novel by Ta-Nehisi Coates
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dramatic, Adventurous

 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Fun, Beautiful

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Addictive, Fantastic

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
 
Book Club Recommended
Confusing, Fun, Adventurous
For YA minded book clubs

I wasn't crazy about this one, but I think it would work for the right club. Reads young.

Becoming by Michelle Obama
 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Insightful, Interesting

 
Book Club Recommended
Epic, Dramatic, Addictive
3 book set

I think you could get away with just reading the first book, but why?

 
DNF

Didn't finish this one but there was a lot of trigger warnings.

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Informative, Dramatic

The Exes' Revenge by Jo Jakeman
 
Book Club Recommended
Addictive, Scary, Dramatic

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Paul Christopher Curtis
 
Book Club Recommended
Dramatic, Insightful

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dramatic, Epic

 
Book Club Recommended
Slow, Fun, Adventurous
Reads young

Definitely YA, first part of a series. Check the trigger warnings.

The Girl in Red by Christina Henry
 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Adventurous, Addictive

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Interesting

 
Romantic, Interesting, Dramatic
IDK

I really enjoyed this when I read it, but it hasn't stuck with me. Very original, I remember that.

 
Book Club Recommended
Brilliant, Adventurous, Addictive
Great queer mystery

Really original. Loved the plot and the characters. Can't wait to read more by this author.

 
Book Club Recommended
Persuasive, Inspiring, Dramatic

 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Fun, Dramatic
Works as a stand alone

Part of a great series, but it doesn't have to be read in order. Really liked the plot and I loved the characters.

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Brilliant, Dramatic
Made for a great discussion

We all enjoyed this one. I hear the second book is just as good.

The Puma Years: A Memoir by Laura Coleman
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Insightful, Adventurous

Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck
 
Book Club Recommended
Informative, Insightful, Beautiful

The Living Stones Of Marrakech by Gould Jay Stephen
 
Boring, Informative, Insightful

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Dramatic, Graphic

 
Book Club Recommended
Confusing, Difficult, Fun

The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose
 
Book Club Recommended
Optimistic, Interesting, Fun
Entertaining

Very entertaining, if a little slow. I liked Molly. I see that some reviewers had problems with this book, but I found it entertaining, if a little unbelievable. A nice escape.

 
Dark, Difficult, Dramatic

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Adventurous
Entertaining

Not the best Terry Pratchett, but still very funny. I love Twoflower.

 
Book Club Recommended
Inspiring, Insightful, Beautiful
Worth reading

I really enjoyed this collection. Even though I didn't know many of the contributors, their stories were fascinating and complex. I really loved the Audi version. It added so much to hear everyone tell their stories in their own voice. Definitely recommended.

Small Spaces by Arden Katherine
 
Book Club Recommended
Adventurous, Fun, Scary
Creepy fun


Good and creepy. This one is a perfect read for autumn. Watch out for scarecrows!

The Club: A Novel by Ellery Lloyd
 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Addictive
Read straight through

Probably more like a 3.5. All right, it wasn't Great Literature, but it was a good time.

Vox by Christina Dalcher
 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Poorly Written, Insightful
Ironically lots to talk about

Thought provoking but bleak. Very timely right now. A great reminder to vote, to speak up while we still can.

 
Book Club Recommended
Dark, Fun, Addictive
Great summer fun

I love these juicy family dramas, and this one was pretty solid. It kept me guessing until almost the end. One thing I didn't love was the narrator. She did an okay job with the characters, but her narration was pretty flat. I think I would have enjoyed it more as a physical book.

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Beautiful, Dramatic
Glad I picked this up

The first book in a while to make me tear up. You definitely want to consume this one as an audio book. Nettie and her cousins stole my Southern heart.

Armada: A Novel by Ernest Cline
 
Unconvincing, Dramatic, Adventurous
Fun but Unbelievable

The best part of this book was the characters. The plot was a little shaky and definitely derivative, but the pacing was good. It was Clines characters that really made the book. They were believable and it made you care about them.

 
Unconvincing, Confusing, Adventurous
No as good as I hoped

I was sure I was going to love this book. Everyone was reading it and talking about it and it sounded funny. But it just wasn't for me. I didn't really like Finlay. The plot was all over the place. I am disappointed.

The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton
 
Slow, Dramatic
Not what I hoped for

I wanted to love this book. I love Shakespeare retellings. I love magic. It seemed like a perfect combination.

Instead I am conflicted. The characters were well done. But the story was SO SLOW. Elia dithered for hundreds of pages. The writing was beautiful, but sometimes too much. So many descriptions! And then so many POVs. I mostly enjoyed that part.

This one is hard to rate. I feel like it will really stick with me, but it had too many flaws for 5 stars. And the ending made me mad. So I'm going to leave it at 3.5 for now.

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Dark, Dramatic
Unexpected

Wow, this book! Some major twists I didn't see coming! However, I set it down for a few days and didn't feel any urge to pick it back up, so I markedly down. Good ending though.

The Turn of the Key by Ware Ruth
 
Book Club Recommended
Interesting, Dark, Dramatic
Not my favorite

Well, I finished it and it kept my attention, but I feel like it was lacking something. IDK. I'm not sure I bought the ending. And I definitely couldn't deal with those parents. Who hires a nanny and just leaves them with your kids after a day? Crazy people, that's who! I might try another book by this author. I'd give it 3.5 Stars

 
Book Club Recommended
Fun, Adventurous, Fantastic

 
Book Club Recommended
Insightful, Dramatic, Adventurous

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