Listened to audiobook, which was excellent. Overall, this book was nearly perfect, although there were times, toward the end, that it became so dark aListened to audiobook, which was excellent. Overall, this book was nearly perfect, although there were times, toward the end, that it became so dark and depressing I nearly gave up. Well-written, well-researched, learned a great deal about this history that I did not know before. ...more
Irreverent (!) hilarious, well-grounded in a thorough knowledge of scripture and the way it has been manipulated to suit cafeteria Christians who pickIrreverent (!) hilarious, well-grounded in a thorough knowledge of scripture and the way it has been manipulated to suit cafeteria Christians who pick and choose which precepts to follow. Should be of interest to people of faith as well as skeptics. Highly recommended. ...more
This brought me as close to the war as I hope I will ever be. I was on the home front--protesting against the war as friends were sent to fight in it.This brought me as close to the war as I hope I will ever be. I was on the home front--protesting against the war as friends were sent to fight in it. I had a soldier penpal for a while. I will never understand those who blamed these drafted soldiers for the actions of our administration. ...more
Ever read a book where you somehow like the setting more than the characters? The sheep farm in Dorset, the aristocrats in the nearby estate, the viviEver read a book where you somehow like the setting more than the characters? The sheep farm in Dorset, the aristocrats in the nearby estate, the vivid portrayal of farm life in the 1960s--that all worked so well for me. Halfway in, though, it began reminding me of my frustration with characters in daytime dramas. I found myself saying, 'Why are you doing this? It can't possibly end well. You're destroying someone who doesn't deserve it." So had trouble aligning with Beth. Even though I know that people do this sort of thing all the time in real life--I don't have to like them. But, overall, I did enjoy the read and the twisty twists at the end. ...more
Intriguing premise. At times I had difficulty recalling which of the three tracks I was on here, but I put that at the feet of the reader rather than Intriguing premise. At times I had difficulty recalling which of the three tracks I was on here, but I put that at the feet of the reader rather than the author. Very much enjoyed. ...more
This book was a page-turner for sure. There were times that connections and coincidences strained credibility, and it didn't quite give me the happy eThis book was a page-turner for sure. There were times that connections and coincidences strained credibility, and it didn't quite give me the happy ending I was looking for, but overall it was a great read....more
Immersive, high-stakes fantasy with lots of sexual tension (enemies to lovers) spice. I have read that Ms. Yarros is a pantser, and it shows in highlyImmersive, high-stakes fantasy with lots of sexual tension (enemies to lovers) spice. I have read that Ms. Yarros is a pantser, and it shows in highly-detailed, complex yet coherent world building. Well done. Now my husband is reading it....more
This is one more entry in a collection of works that demonstrate the magic of reinvention--the notion that we are never finished. At whatever age we hThis is one more entry in a collection of works that demonstrate the magic of reinvention--the notion that we are never finished. At whatever age we happen to be, it may be too late for some things, but it is never too late to transform ourselves. At age 67, having birthed 11 children and divorced an abusive man, Emma Gatewood set out to make her mark on the world--and she did. This author skillfully weaves together Emma's past with her accomplishments on the Appalachian Trail and elsewhere in a way that made me want to keep turning the pages. As a septuagenarian, that is the gospel that I spread. I began writing in 3rd grade and never stopped, though I had a career in health care and university teaching. And then, at age 54, I published my first novel. I published my fifteenth novel last year. ...more
This was my first visit to the Irish village of Faha, just before Christmas. I've always been fascinated with small towns, because people are not lockThis was my first visit to the Irish village of Faha, just before Christmas. I've always been fascinated with small towns, because people are not locked into enclaves--people of all ages, professions, and situations interact. Mr. Williams' prose is luminous, although there were times that I found myself entangled in a thicket of a paragraph. Well done. ...more
A compilation of Appalachian magical beliefs and practices with a special focus on omens. Useful as an introductory text, but it was off-putting to meA compilation of Appalachian magical beliefs and practices with a special focus on omens. Useful as an introductory text, but it was off-putting to me for some reason. It might be the fact that it was written before I was born by someone descended from an Appalachian family but who never actually lived there. I kept catching a vibe of condescension, as if these were colorful practices described by an outsider. ...more
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