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katietotallybooked's reviews
741 reviews
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Wow, I started off not sure about this book but by the end, I was so captivated by Richard’s story that I couldn’t put the book down.
I knew very little about ALS before picking up this book. Now, I’m heartbroken at the thought of someone having to live with this horrible disease. It seems truly horrific to experience.
Both Richard and Karina were such intriguing characters to read. I can’t imagine caring for an ex-husband in this regard, yet if I knew I was all they had, perhaps I could imagine it.
As a pianist in my own childhood, I enjoyed the piano references and themes in this book as well. It added a unique element to the storytelling.
Lisa Genova told this story so simply, yet it was so truly powerful. I think it will be a book that sticks with me, just as most of her other books have that I have read already.
I knew very little about ALS before picking up this book. Now, I’m heartbroken at the thought of someone having to live with this horrible disease. It seems truly horrific to experience.
Both Richard and Karina were such intriguing characters to read. I can’t imagine caring for an ex-husband in this regard, yet if I knew I was all they had, perhaps I could imagine it.
As a pianist in my own childhood, I enjoyed the piano references and themes in this book as well. It added a unique element to the storytelling.
Lisa Genova told this story so simply, yet it was so truly powerful. I think it will be a book that sticks with me, just as most of her other books have that I have read already.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
5.0
Wow. Wow. Wow. I loved this.
Now I know there are other opinions out there and I totally get their points. I read a few negative reviews and they make sense.
But my ratings come mainly from my enjoyment of the book, and I really loved reading this - even though Kristen was pissing me off half the time! Abby kept me on my toes too as I did not see most of her plot twists coming. I felt very invested in all of the characters and I was rooting for them at different times throughout the book.
I know sometimes happy endings don’t come this easy, but sometimes they do. Aren’t those times worth highlighting too?
I will definitely pick up more books by Abby Jimenez, and I look forward to reading more about Sloan in The Happily Ever After playlist.
Now I know there are other opinions out there and I totally get their points. I read a few negative reviews and they make sense.
But my ratings come mainly from my enjoyment of the book, and I really loved reading this - even though Kristen was pissing me off half the time! Abby kept me on my toes too as I did not see most of her plot twists coming. I felt very invested in all of the characters and I was rooting for them at different times throughout the book.
I know sometimes happy endings don’t come this easy, but sometimes they do. Aren’t those times worth highlighting too?
I will definitely pick up more books by Abby Jimenez, and I look forward to reading more about Sloan in The Happily Ever After playlist.
Lady Sunshine by Amy Mason Doan
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.5
An enjoyable summer read. I was hooked in to the story and the atmosphere of the book from start to finish.
And that last 25%? Wow I’m glad I could read that section in mostly one sitting because I didn’t see it coming.
There is such a strong theme of how vital it can be to resolve our past actions and deal with grief and trauma from childhood in this novel. Families aren’t perfect and this is demonstrated here. I loved Willa and Jackie’s bond and friendship as well.
I do enjoy Amy Mason Doan’s stories and I’ll continue to pick them up. If you are looking for a good summer read with a bit of music, romance and mystery well here you go!
And that last 25%? Wow I’m glad I could read that section in mostly one sitting because I didn’t see it coming.
There is such a strong theme of how vital it can be to resolve our past actions and deal with grief and trauma from childhood in this novel. Families aren’t perfect and this is demonstrated here. I loved Willa and Jackie’s bond and friendship as well.
I do enjoy Amy Mason Doan’s stories and I’ll continue to pick them up. If you are looking for a good summer read with a bit of music, romance and mystery well here you go!
The Reigning and the Rule by Calia Read
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I have to hand it to Calia Read, she knows how to end a book with an intriguing cliffhanger!
However, this book felt really long and slow. I am sure part of that is because life has been busy and it's taken me 12 days to read this book. But it's also because this is the 2nd book in a trilogy, and it fell into the common trap Book#2s can fall into of being not overly exciting.
I continue to root for Serene and Etienne. I continue to be intrigued by the story and the family mystery and the time travel. I continue to enjoy Calia Read's writing. I wrote down a handful of quotes from this book that spoke to me while reading. When I can connect to a book like that, I always give it a higher rating.
I am not sure how soon I will get to Book #3 but it will be exciting to see how this series wraps up.
However, this book felt really long and slow. I am sure part of that is because life has been busy and it's taken me 12 days to read this book. But it's also because this is the 2nd book in a trilogy, and it fell into the common trap Book#2s can fall into of being not overly exciting.
I continue to root for Serene and Etienne. I continue to be intrigued by the story and the family mystery and the time travel. I continue to enjoy Calia Read's writing. I wrote down a handful of quotes from this book that spoke to me while reading. When I can connect to a book like that, I always give it a higher rating.
I am not sure how soon I will get to Book #3 but it will be exciting to see how this series wraps up.
Chaos Theory by Nic Stone
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beyond the Wand: The Magic & Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard by Tom Felton
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This book was very enjoyable and it is a must-read for any Harry Potter fan. I loved all of his behind the scenes stories from days on set filming the movie series. I appreciate his open candidness about his struggles with addiction, depression and mental health.
I enjoyed the audiobook and I definitely recommend that format to get the most enjoyment out of his memoir!
I enjoyed the audiobook and I definitely recommend that format to get the most enjoyment out of his memoir!
The 100 Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5