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nicolem_young's reviews
169 reviews
The Daughter-In-Law by Diana Diamond
2.0
⭐⭐
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
2.5 Stars
I found this book to be a very slow burn At some points is would just drag on and lose my interest. This was more of a family
drama story than a murder thriller story. I had to push my was through and it did finally get good around the last 50 pages or even less. The story has so much potential and just fell flat.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it will not discourage me from reading others by her.
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
2.5 Stars
I found this book to be a very slow burn At some points is would just drag on and lose my interest. This was more of a family
drama story than a murder thriller story. I had to push my was through and it did finally get good around the last 50 pages or even less. The story has so much potential and just fell flat.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it will not discourage me from reading others by her.
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 Stars= It was a very good read. Might read it again.
4 Stars= It was a very good read. Might read it again.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
This was the first Ruth Ware book I’ve read and I wasn’t thrilled with it. It was one of those books that I didn’t love but didn’t hate. I just…liked if. It was an enjoyable enough read but I felt the real “WOW” moment never came and the ending was a bit rushed. If it’s in your TBR pile by all means read it. Just don’t expect too much.
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
This was the first Ruth Ware book I’ve read and I wasn’t thrilled with it. It was one of those books that I didn’t love but didn’t hate. I just…liked if. It was an enjoyable enough read but I felt the real “WOW” moment never came and the ending was a bit rushed. If it’s in your TBR pile by all means read it. Just don’t expect too much.
It by Stephen King
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
3.5 Stars
I read this because my husband LOVES Stephen King and highly recommended this book. It's one of his favorites. I don't hold that against him. Different strokes for different folks. I'm glad he and others were able to enjoy the story. I have enjoyed other Stephen King books that I have read and do think he is an amazing author. This particular book was just not it for me. No pun intended.
First off, I want to make it clear that I went into this book thinking that it was more of a horror story and less a coming of age one. If you go into realizing that it is a coming of age story with some horror sprinkled in you might enjoy it more than I did.
King did an amazing job with character development. King fleshed out each individual character beautifully (as he always does). That being said I feel like this book was just way too long. In my opinion the story could have been told in a third of time. Some parts had me wondering what Stephen King was even thinking when he wrote them and just seemed unnecessary. Like what the children did to find their way out of the tunnels when they got lost. WHAT WAS THAT!?
There are parts of the story that included fairly detailed violence towards animals, specifically dogs, and animal cruelty as well as detailed domestic violence. If those are sensitive subject matters for you. You might want to either skim over those parts of the story or skip the book all together.
The bottom line is I didn't love or hate this book. I just felt meh about it.
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
3.5 Stars
I read this because my husband LOVES Stephen King and highly recommended this book. It's one of his favorites. I don't hold that against him. Different strokes for different folks. I'm glad he and others were able to enjoy the story. I have enjoyed other Stephen King books that I have read and do think he is an amazing author. This particular book was just not it for me. No pun intended.
First off, I want to make it clear that I went into this book thinking that it was more of a horror story and less a coming of age one. If you go into realizing that it is a coming of age story with some horror sprinkled in you might enjoy it more than I did.
King did an amazing job with character development. King fleshed out each individual character beautifully (as he always does). That being said I feel like this book was just way too long. In my opinion the story could have been told in a third of time. Some parts had me wondering what Stephen King was even thinking when he wrote them and just seemed unnecessary. Like what the children did to find their way out of the tunnels when they got lost. WHAT WAS THAT!?
There are parts of the story that included fairly detailed violence towards animals, specifically dogs, and animal cruelty as well as detailed domestic violence. If those are sensitive subject matters for you. You might want to either skim over those parts of the story or skip the book all together.
The bottom line is I didn't love or hate this book. I just felt meh about it.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
4.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really like this book . It’s a very enjoyable story, but just short of epic. Certain areas may not be as fulfilling as they could have been. I’m not quite as captivated or blown away, but still had a great experience. I’d recommend this book to others and continue reading from this author. I would probably re-read it.
I really like this book . It’s a very enjoyable story, but just short of epic. Certain areas may not be as fulfilling as they could have been. I’m not quite as captivated or blown away, but still had a great experience. I’d recommend this book to others and continue reading from this author. I would probably re-read it.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
2.0
⭐⭐
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
4.0
⭐⭐⭐
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn’t quite live up to. It’s a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
The Husband by Dean Koontz
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 Stars = It was a very good read. Might read it again.
TRIGGER WARNING: MURDER, TORTURE, VIOLENCE
POV: Dual, third-person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Part of an interconnected series: No
Safe or Dark: Darkish (see trigger warning above)
My Grandma used to lend her books to people all the time. She would write what she thought of them on the very first page of the books. On this one she simply wrote "very good" and she was absolutely right.
This is my first Dean Koontz book and it certainly won't be my last. The way Koontz tells a story is amazing. He paints a vivid picture that puts you right in the middle of things. This book was fast-paced, entertaining, and got you thinking. How far would you go to bring a loved one home? What are we capable of doing and what dark corners of our mind are we willing to go to when it comes to protecting our spouse?
I had a hard time putting this book down when I had to and holy cow, that twist! I didn't see that coming from a mile away, even with binoculars.
This book had it all. Action, mystery, suspense, and love. A great read that is worth checking out!
If I had any complaint about this book it would be that the ending was a tad rushed. But that would be all!
Damn, my Grandma had great taste in books. I miss her.
4 Stars = It was a very good read. Might read it again.
TRIGGER WARNING: MURDER, TORTURE, VIOLENCE
POV: Dual, third-person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Part of an interconnected series: No
Safe or Dark: Darkish (see trigger warning above)
My Grandma used to lend her books to people all the time. She would write what she thought of them on the very first page of the books. On this one she simply wrote "very good" and she was absolutely right.
This is my first Dean Koontz book and it certainly won't be my last. The way Koontz tells a story is amazing. He paints a vivid picture that puts you right in the middle of things. This book was fast-paced, entertaining, and got you thinking. How far would you go to bring a loved one home? What are we capable of doing and what dark corners of our mind are we willing to go to when it comes to protecting our spouse?
I had a hard time putting this book down when I had to and holy cow, that twist! I didn't see that coming from a mile away, even with binoculars.
Spoiler
I was on Anson's side right up until the big reveal. I was team big brother all the way. When he was revealed to be a manipulating scum bag I was FLOORED!This book had it all. Action, mystery, suspense, and love. A great read that is worth checking out!
If I had any complaint about this book it would be that the ending was a tad rushed. But that would be all!
Damn, my Grandma had great taste in books. I miss her.
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 Stars= It was a very good read. Might read it again
TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL AND PHSYICAL ABUSE, HOMOPHOBIA, POLYGAMY, MURDER, RELIGION!
POV: Single, First Person (Present storyline), Multiple, First Person (Historical storyline)
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Part of an interconnected series: No
Safe or Dark: Darkish (See trigger warning above)
First and foremost, I want to say that I respect all religions. People are free to believe and have faith in whatever they want, as long as it isn't hurting themselves or someone else. Polygamy included. With that being said, I do believe the FLDS (NOT THE LDS) are a harmful organization and view them as a cult. While this does not affect my review of the book, I just felt the need to make that clear.
I picked up this book because I have been interested in learning about the earlier days of different religions and enjoy learning about religions and even cults. My husband's surname is Young, he is a descendent of Nicholas Ephraim Young (the first commissioner of baseball), and for some insane reason I am wholeheartedly convinced that he is also in some way related to Brigham Young. Therefore, I have been doing a bunch of research to try and find an answer to that. It is my new life goal.
While I enjoyed the story overall, I found myself more interested in the historical parts of the book (Ann Eliza Young's story, Chauncey Webb's diary, etc.) than the "mystery" aspect of the story set in the present. (Although, I could have done without the parts of Kelly Dee’s master’s thesis. Those essays of hers sure did drag on. I could have done without some of the family member’s letters as well.) Even though we do not know how historically accurate any of the information given in the story was, what was true and what was fabricated by David Ebershoff? It was entertaining regardless.
The transition between past and present flowed nicely together. It didn't feel like the timeline was jumping around too much or too choppy. However, the current story that Ebershoff spun about Jordan Scott, his mom, and the FLDS just didn't have enough excitement for something that was supposed to be a murder mystery, but in the end we get all the answers we were looking for, so I suppose that is something.
The book did get me thinking about Ann Eliza Young and her standing in history. It has made me want to read her book, Wife No. 19. Which I am sure will also leave me and other people wondering what parts of her story are true and which are pure fabrication. We weren't there, so we will never know. Was she truly a pioneer for women's rights and the abolishment of polygamy? Was she truly treated this way by Brigham Young and his harem of wives, or was she a woman who felt wronged by her husband(s) and religion, spewing out lies? But I digress.
I enjoyed this book, and I think it is worth a read.
4 Stars= It was a very good read. Might read it again
TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL AND PHSYICAL ABUSE, HOMOPHOBIA, POLYGAMY, MURDER, RELIGION!
POV: Single, First Person (Present storyline), Multiple, First Person (Historical storyline)
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Part of an interconnected series: No
Safe or Dark: Darkish (See trigger warning above)
First and foremost, I want to say that I respect all religions. People are free to believe and have faith in whatever they want, as long as it isn't hurting themselves or someone else. Polygamy included. With that being said, I do believe the FLDS (NOT THE LDS) are a harmful organization and view them as a cult. While this does not affect my review of the book, I just felt the need to make that clear.
I picked up this book because I have been interested in learning about the earlier days of different religions and enjoy learning about religions and even cults. My husband's surname is Young, he is a descendent of Nicholas Ephraim Young (the first commissioner of baseball), and for some insane reason I am wholeheartedly convinced that he is also in some way related to Brigham Young. Therefore, I have been doing a bunch of research to try and find an answer to that. It is my new life goal.
While I enjoyed the story overall, I found myself more interested in the historical parts of the book (Ann Eliza Young's story, Chauncey Webb's diary, etc.) than the "mystery" aspect of the story set in the present. (Although, I could have done without the parts of Kelly Dee’s master’s thesis. Those essays of hers sure did drag on. I could have done without some of the family member’s letters as well.) Even though we do not know how historically accurate any of the information given in the story was, what was true and what was fabricated by David Ebershoff? It was entertaining regardless.
The transition between past and present flowed nicely together. It didn't feel like the timeline was jumping around too much or too choppy. However, the current story that Ebershoff spun about Jordan Scott, his mom, and the FLDS just didn't have enough excitement for something that was supposed to be a murder mystery, but in the end we get all the answers we were looking for, so I suppose that is something.
The book did get me thinking about Ann Eliza Young and her standing in history. It has made me want to read her book, Wife No. 19. Which I am sure will also leave me and other people wondering what parts of her story are true and which are pure fabrication. We weren't there, so we will never know. Was she truly a pioneer for women's rights and the abolishment of polygamy? Was she truly treated this way by Brigham Young and his harem of wives, or was she a woman who felt wronged by her husband(s) and religion, spewing out lies? But I digress.
I enjoyed this book, and I think it is worth a read.
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
2.0
⭐⭐
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.