kae

Yo. This book StReSsEd Me OuT BrO. Honestly this had some serious ‘Gone Girl' vibes but I think the execution was even better. You think you know what is happening until the very and then literally the last 10 pages, it all gets turned on its head. It made me question everything that I read before. Like if I went back I could have analyzed each character trait and behavior so differently and picked up on subtle things. As someone who reads a lot of Psych thrillers... this was fantastic. READ IT FOR BOOKCLUB and then discuss the madness with wine and cheese. Ugh, so good! Will be exploring more of this author for sure!

I didn't really think that this book was very good, and now I understand the mixed reviews from everyone that have been floating around since this hit the shelves. Ruth, my girllllll, what happened here. I hated this girl from the beginning. And the book was pretty predictable. The last couple chapters did take me by surprise, but not enough to offset the disappointment from the rest of the book. I feel sad that it had to end this way, but once you find out the ending you find the characters thinking back to certain things that happened and trying to pass them off as “clues”. Nah, half baked. Shallow who-dun-its are actually the worst.

4.5/5 stars. Typical detective novel but what struck me was how gritty and dynamic the characters were. I listened to this and the narrator did a fantastic job as well. Predictable? Maybe a little, but I continued because of the subplots to the murder case. Would read again and am looking forward to “The Likeness” (#2) as well as others by this author.

Lol. Wouldn't it just be great to run away from all your problems repeatedly and then just have everyone end up being like “well that's just Kaeli being Kaeli”. I found this book incredibly good at points (being the aspiring architect I am) when the author is talking about Bernadette and her career. It was also very quirky, which at times was entertaining, but at other times really has me lost as a reader. The narrator for the audiobook was ANNOYING AF. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT listen to this. All in all this was probably a 2.75/5 on the first read through. I am excited to read this again in bookclub because physically reading it may be a much better experience for me. However, I still believe this: too many loose ends untied or unexplained, missing puzzle pieces, unrealistic reactions of teenagers and husbands. Nothing about this book seemed typical, and it was beyond the realm of explanation. To clarify, all of the characters were developed and you as the reader understood mostly what each character stood for. But, the characters were not explained so fully in their quirkiness that you could actually see them having the reactions to the bizarre situations the author threw them into in the book. I really just don't think this was a well thought out play, personally. It didn't make it awful, it just was incomprehensible at times. This book was just one incredible convoluted, mal-grammared run-on sentence.

As a professional who has 5 years of experience in the field after completing ehr Masters degree in architecture, I can honestly say that I am burnt out. I saw Jake and his profile on LinkedIn and immediately became a connection. He and his team's postings about real life truths involving architecture as a profession, burnout, deception, confidence and breaking down of skills lead me to this book. Jake and Erin's retelling of multiple types of stories involving the mistreatment, gaslighting and hard truths of the industry attempt to snuff out innovation and ethics to administer the mass agenda made me feel super seen and validated.

I feel like there was a point in my career where I was asking myself “have I made a mistake? Is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?” It was fantastic to be reassured that my (very expensive) degree hasn't been wasted, even though I feel as though the profession no longer represents the pathway and ideals I desire for a career path. This book is a refreshing take on shaking things up and how to make your degree for work you, rather than slaving away for the sake of a label on a degree. I highly recommend to anyone at any stage of their architectural or design career. The perspective and narrative shifts in this book foster a flexibility of the mind. A big aid in open-mindedness, synergy and general well-being in the design field as a whole. Thank you for all you have shown light on in the profession!

WOW! I am so happy that I picked up this book. It is so nice to hear someone who is closer to my body size advise on fitness and health. I learned so much from this book in terms of equipment, supplements, workouts, workout terms and most importantly, experiencing it all with respect. I have always had a really bad relationship with exercise. I would probably go as far as to say that it was worse than my relationship with food, because I only ever did it out of punishment to my body. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the soccer games with teammates and the look on everyone's faces when they knew I ran that marathon in high school. But it was all for other people. I literally ran that marathon in high school because I thought that people thought I was too fat to do it (in my 160 lb frame, oh my sweet summer child). I did it because I thought that it would make my varsity coach proud of me because she would see me as worthy of her love like the other skinny athletic girls on the team, and not just a charity case. I broke down as the end of the year because she had this speech about how proud she was of me. It was exactly what I wanted and what I did it all for... so why wasn't I happy? Because I didn't do it for me. I was left empty. In healing my relationship with food, my body and my relationship with exercise, I now move in a way that celebrates it. It's hard to forget your old ways when you have been conditioned by yourself, your family, society to see yourself as flawed. This book was amazing because Meg describes that there are no such thing as flaws, just being and being all without judgement. I wish to read more from her and would welcome any suggestions from anyone about books similar to this! I love weightlifting and I am into this way of teaching! Recommend me all the books!!

I liked this book but honestly it was a lot of things that I already knew through my yoga/meditation journey. In my opinion, also just being interested in this and doing a quick google search, you could get the gist of what this 182 page book is about per reading a generic article about the same thing in cosmo mag. There was a lot of good into like what poses to do and also I loved that at times the author really offered words of down-to-earth encouragement. This books started out strong by packing in a lot of info like having you ID your sleep type, personified by different animal types. This was useful because along the way, there were ‘case studies' for this so you could apply your animal type to the new information she threw at you. It was a quick read, but it really didn't need to get 182 pages. It could have been 150 and it would have been better. Soft ball and intro people interested in this topic: this book is for you. People who are looking for some in-depth knowledge about the direct effect of psychological and biological influences on yoga and vice versa for improved sleep: please look elsewhere for advanced info. 3 stars/5

I Loveddd this book. I thought it was extremely well done and totally captivating throughout the entirety of the story. It has something for everyone here: action, an underdog, betrayal, quest, love, friendship, hardship, etc. This book was unlike anything I have ever read. Set in a futuristic world, there was also some alarm as it did a really good job of potentially predicting what the world may look like in the 2040s. I do think we are progressing that way technologically. I don't want to dive in too much, but if you are looking for a sci-fi quest novel with the above themes that is equal parts endearing and entertaining, then look no further! Highly recommend for al geeks/nerds, and lovers of all things 1980s.

This book was pretty good. I am really into the art historical language and references and this book definitely delivered in a clever sort of way. However, it lacked a LOT compared to the hype. For one, there is minimal character development. Besides Sophie's lost family and Robert's Mickey Mouse watch there really isn't a lot of meat there. Also... has Dan Brown gotten laid like ever in his life? This is a book of sexual innuendos. Sex goes hand and hand with art but when a man stand up out of his chair do you have to say “he stood erect”? Jesus Christ... Literally. Not a super stimulating (ha) read for all the hype over the years.

I don't know if I got the unabridged version or not, but it seems like for the beginning of a very famous series there wasn't much initial character development. I felt like all I really knew about Robert Langdon as the adventure started was that he was a Professor of Art History at Harvard. However, having studied a lot of art history, this book was really well developed. I liked all the interwoven references to famous sculptures and architecture. All and all pretty good. But also lacking at the ending. You can totally tell the end was written by a male.... all the girl wants to do is bang her “hero”, even though her dad with whom she had a very close relationship to was just brutally murdered. But I guess “c'est la vie” ? Lmao.

Alright. So. This book was literally 50% a Cinderella rip-off, 50% a lesson in consent. I'm so disappointed because Benedict is my favorite Bridgerton! Let's be real... drool THUS I am thoroughly disappointed in his judgemental, impatient and blind to consent nature in this book. Honestly though, I'm just reading these so that I have a background for when the show progresses to each season. I really did not have high expectations for this author after reading the first book in terms of writing quality, but I continue to have high expectations for the Netflix series as I LOVED Shonda Rhimes' adaptation. 3 stars because I love Benny, -2 because I like him in the show better (sad face).

I have to say when I first started this book, i was unsure about it. Mostly because the plot seemed unconvincing (especially for someone who mainly reads psychological thrillers). However, this book was a quick obsession. The way Morgenstern writes is in depth, but not straight George RR Martin. She describes the scenes with extra care, however, leaves some to the imagination. I really think that this was a very well written book. It actually reminded me of something that could be from the Harry Potter universe, with that fantasy/ magic edge to it. I would highly recommend. The character development over the book's life is wholesome and does the plot and its many many characters justice. Can't wait to read her next one!

5 stars for SURE. This was a fantastic book about something that I have no knowledge of. My extent of Japanese history does not extend past an art history class that I took when I was a senior in college. A refreshing change to my usual historical novels, this book was incredibly tragic but summed up in a tone of ‘this is just how life is'. The cultural differences and the absolute resiliency of women in Japan in both the past and present cease to amaze me. The telling of this story was truly a look inside some of the deepest roots. The impacts of actions and how all things are intertwined in this culture, as well as the setting taking place during World War II just magnified the tragedy. It was really heavy to hear the author basically say that her life is not her own. Duty over love, and hiding of emotions. Very raw and intimate. I would highly recommend this book and will continue to seek out the subject matter to learn more in additional research and novels.

I have so many problems with this book. From character behavior, to overuse of the miscommunication trophe (even tho mind talking is a thing?), to inconsistent storylines to straight up plot holes. All my friends know and I don't want to waste my breath hashing it out here (because that in itself would be a novel).

TLDR: first one- amazing, this one? Just ok. Loved the secondary characters more than the primary. Would I continue with the series? Yes. Is it my favorite? Not even close.

Dragons are cool tho.

This was a really good book. First off: I think I actually liked this more than ‘the Duke and I'! Second off: I am enjoying these Bridgerton books a lot more than I thought i would and ya girl has NO SHAME. ZERO!

Anyways, this book follows the life/love of Anthony Bridgerton, which given if you watched the show also, was a great way to sequence because through Daphne finding her love in the first book, you find out a lot about Anthony.

Anthony meets Kate aka the BEST woman so far in the series (except Violet. Personally I like how the show version of her is more casual but I admire her strength and fierce loyalty to her family.) Kate is incredibly down to earth and I am sue that every women who reads this book will find at least 1 characteristic of Kate relatable. This to me is a big thing because these [eriod dramas (at least to me) can be rather cold. Meaning, there isn't but character to viewer kindship. Yes, we watch and all admire the characters for who they are and how they fit in the story, but I haven't found someone as relatable as Kate.

Modern twist on a tale as old as time. He finds her the annoying sister of the girl he is courting based off his “standards”. And she finds him to be a total ass. Thy get into it and possessive over the girl in question and then end up being frenemies. Th smolder burns and from there the fire takes root and the rest is history. There are several twists and turns along the way.

Like I said earlier, I have been finding these to be incredibly satisfying reads partially because I have no expectations for romances/historical fiction like I do my psychological thrillers. These have been nice breaks from the drama that is the world and my usual reading hit list. Would highly recommend (especially now that the show has been renewed to season 4! This means we get breath quickens Benedict (swoon) and Colin (which is you all have been reading the second epilogues in the book and know what went down in season 1 finale of the show, SHOULD BE A TREATTTTTTT).

This book gives Crescent City #1 vibes for the first 60 pages. It's choppy, tons of characters, worlds, lore— all being introduced to you at once. Pro tip: there is a glossary in the back that I didn't realize was there until about 3/4 through the book.

Once I heard this was a Reylo fanfic I completely understood the angle that this was coming from. The worlds are not fantasy primarily, to me it's more a sci- fi with fantasy overlayed.

Genuinely I loved this world and the artistry the author paints the characters with. They are conflicted, funny, lost, hopeful yet tormented, and i enjoyed them all. Really sad I have to wait awhile for the next book to come out.

I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of meat in it. I first came across Lisa when she was interviewed as part of the Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I loved her voice and her ability to weave words together like a warm blanket that can surround a nourish the soul. This book was no different. I appreciated how raw her openness with her stories are - this woman lived a hard life! Through the action steps she suggests in the book, one can work their “other” group of muscles (determination muscle, I know like I know muscle, self-love muscle, acceptance muscle) to really flex on them haters (including yourself). Haha in all seriousness though, I will definitely read this book over again as I can gather that I would identify and give attention to something I missed the previous times because it is more applicable to my life. Definitely a great read and I would highly recommend.

THIS AUTHOR DUDE. Honestly, this book was unlike anything I've ever read before. This fantasy world Craig has woven up is so intricate and precise, vivid and wicked. Gods are amongst men and it's unknown what is real vs. not. HIGHLY recommend the Sisters of the Salt series... I'm so sad I have to wait until 2026 for the next book! It's hard to surprise me when I feel like I've read/am familiar with everything fantasy has to offer... but this was shockingly devourable. The only thing I would critique... can you throw your fans a bone and provide a map to this amazing world you've created??? I need to know proximities and such! You can leave it blank and add to it when a new book comes out... so you don't spoil it !

This was probably the best I've read of the series yet. It follows the HBO show season 3 pretty well, however, I found that the epilogue was probably one of the most compelling parts of the book. Hinting at parts that weren't fully explored in the show (obviously). I listened to this book, and though that Roy Detrice (butchered that) was fantastic. Really happy with how this turned out to be, because it's such a large chunk of time and that would have sucked if it ended up like a Clash of Kings (yikes).