randombookswithmj's reviews
519 reviews

 

In a beautiful writing style Khabushani has written a book that needs to be read, especially in today’s political climate. 

It is a heartbreaking story of a gay boy growing up in the US, with Iranian parents and the difficulties such a background would create. It is written as if it is the author’s autobiography and I felt such a connect to the main character. Though a sad story the book is written in a very hopeful way. 

One consideration before picking up this book is that there are two fairly graphic moments in the novel that I found difficult to read. They were appropriate to the story being told, but it was just a lot for me. 

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the opportunity to read and review this novel. 

 It was so strange to read a murder mystery and not even know who was murdered. Yes, that is right, the reader doesn’t know who the murderer was or who was murdered! 

The Block Party was definitely a page turner, with a diverse cast of characters. It is a great summer or vacation read, you know light but keeps your interest, and an ending the reader will be satisfied with. 

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

 If you are beginning an intermittent fasting lifestyle this book is a great place to start. Stephens really does explain how this plan can be personalized for each of us and what works of us as individuals. The 4-week plan is also very flexible and if one decides it isn’t working it is ok to take a break and resume later. It can also be incorporated into most people’s lifestyle very easily. 

One valid complaint I have read is that the book very much encourages the purchase of her book Fast, Feast, Repeat. The book is good and a great compliment to this book. However, there are other authors with books that would compliment this book similarly. 

Thank you @netgalley and @stmarintspress for my free e copy of this book for my review. 

 First, I want to say thank you to all the #sqafbookclub who have now introduced me to Katherine Center! I just found another vacation read author! Katherine Center is right up there with Elin Hilderbrand in authors I am going to be making sure I have in my pile of books to read on vacation, and when I just want a feel-good read.

The SQAF Book Club had a chance to chat with Center about her work (swipe to see the screen shot). Just like Hello Stranger, Center is full of positive vibes and I love that. She wrote about a traumatic situation, the main character Sadie suffers brain trauma, but in a very cheerful and heart-warming way. It is really a feel-good story.

The book’s optimistic nature actually reminded me of the strategies that Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale recommends in her Science of Well Being Course. It’s like Center took the course. The book actually helped me recall these strategies so I can remember to utilize them in my everyday life to ensure I am living my happiest life.

One aspect of our chat that I really enjoyed was when Center discussed the difference between her books and books that have more spice to them. She said that she really likes to write about the anticipation. From reading Hello Stranger I could really sense that, and I myself really enjoy the lead up. She also brought up how difficult it is to write a romcom with both anticipation and surprise, which really is so true. It is clear that Center spends a great deal of time thinking about her stories, how to write, how to improve on writing, what is appropriate for the genre she is writing. Definitely marks of an author who is trying to improve her writing for her audience.

The topic of face blindness was also so interesting. I had never heard of the condition and it was fascinating to experience it through Sadie’s eyes. Center herself spoke to Sadie Dingfelder, who has prosopagnosia, to ensure she had the details right. I really appreciate when an author does the research so the facts are accurate even in a fiction book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel and Katherine Center for the opportunity to chat with you.

 

 OMG READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE THRILLERS. This book was totally unputdownable. In typical Jewell fashion there are twists and turns and you are never sure what is the truth and what is a lie. In fact, I might venture to say this is my favourite Jewell that I have read to date…but that might not be the total truth. She just writes thrillers so well. 

Thank you to Atria Books and to Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this novel. 

 For anyone who is Intermittent Fasting or considering it this is such a useful resource. There are lots of tips and tricks to help during difficult times or just to inspire and motivate. Ramos presents herself as someone who truly wants to help those reading. She uses fact based, sound advice. 

Included in the book are anecdotal experiences from Ramos herself as well as some of her patients that have used intermittent fasting. It was nice to read snippets of other people’s experience beginning and who continue to use this method years later. 

One of my favourite aspects of the book is the discussions on flexibility while using this method. I do find it very easy to incorporate into everyday life. As well, I love how Ramos demonstrates how we all mess up from time to time, and that is ok, but we just need to move on from it. 

This is defiantly a book I would recommend to those using IF or considering it. I know it is a resource I will refer back to time and time again. 

Thank you to @greystonebooks, @netgalley, and @meganjramos for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

 The Woman Inside is a gripping thriller that captures the reader's attention from the start with its multiple perspectives and complex characters. 

With a wealthy couple murdered in the nicest part of town, the story unfolds as we follow the lives of those involved in this terrible crime. While the plot may be predictable at times, the story is still compelling and will keep you on edge as you try to solve the puzzle. 

Unfortunately, the characters do not seem to be very well developed, and many of them are not very likable. Karla, however, stands out as a character that is easy to feel sorry for and root for throughout the book. 

Overall, The Woman Inside is a compulsively readable, page-turning thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. While the plot and character development could have been stronger, the multiple points of view and suspenseful storytelling make this book a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.