readingwitherin's reviews
1608 reviews

Backman's ability to tell a story in very few words is one that is amazing. He is able to make you feel all of the emotions, from anger, to frustration, to sadness all while showing different people's lives in this story. While we are told time and time again the power of the word "No" this story brings it to life, because if he had just said No from the start it would have ended and he would not have gotten dragged into the situations that our main character was. Having said that though this book also shows how easy it is to get involved in something you want no part in because of just being nice. While being nice is important, saying No can also be important in order to protect your peace. 

Great story and I highly recommend it. 

This was a rather creepy book that I had no real idea where it was going at any point in time. Being hired to haunt homeowners for a tv show is something that I've never heard of before but it is an interesting idea. The ways they did the 'haunting' were interesting, and the little twists between the tv crew that were happening were interesting as well. 
I feel like I'll need to re-read this one in the future to pick up on more clues of the mystery aspect. 

In my effort to go back to reading more non-fiction again I decided to pick this one up. 

It was very interesting to see how the strong men are all similar throughout history. They surround themselves with others who they believe will help them strongmen ideals, while they themselves have multiple different addictions outside of that to authority. This book is one that I feel will become more and more relevant as time goes on and we learn more about the history of different countries and the smiliarites between their leaders. 
 

While in the first two volumes, we only really focus on Nicholas and his fencing abilities and get little side stories. This one we finally get to start to learn more about Seiji, as he starts to take an interest in Nicholas's fencing abilities. This interest is one that is in part because they share a room, but also because Seiji starts to notice how absolutely determined Nicholas is to get better and to beat him. 

The growth is continuing in this volume and I think we'll start to see that growth paying off in the next volume. 

Wisteria is the conclusion to the Belladonna trilogy. I'm not going to lie I was not fully looking forward to this book because I knew fate who I have not enjoyed at all was going to be one of the main focuses of the book. Having said that though after I got about a quarter into it and we see Blythe and Fate having to start dealing with each other more and we see Blythe start standing on her own more I enjoyed the book more and more. 
Blythe is a very strong character, and while not surprising I wasn't sure she was going to be able to do all that she did. Then when she finally figured out the true extent of what she could do things really take off and the rest of the story goes by so fast due to fate and death bickering, and fate and Blythe bickering. While all this bickering might get old for some people for me it worked because I loved the banter between all of these characters and the way they were able to get under each others skin while still showing that they cared about the other one. 

Overall this was a good conclusion to the story. 

P.S. Death is still my favorite character. 

My nephew loves this entire series so I thought I'd pick it up to see why he likes it so much. 

I can see how this is a good horror book for preteens and teens alike. It has creepiness, and just enough childhood nostalgia to make it more realistic. In this one the characters involved start to remember and realize things from their childhood, they realize things weren't what they thought. It isn't until they go back to the pizza place though that they really start to remember what happened and are able to put the pieces together for where their missing friend has been all this time. 

Told in dual pov's of Stella and Luke. 

Stella is a school teacher in the small town of Black Berry Beach, and Luke is returning retired Navy Seal who has no idea what he wants to do with his life after having retired from service. What the two of them know though is that the entire town is trying to match them up with different people, which brings on the showmance of fake dating in order to get people to leave them alone. Along the way these two gain understanding and see what they actually want/need out of a relationship in order to thrive. 
Overall this story is one that is heartwarming. Stella is a character that I love, she cares about those around her, and just wants a second chance at love. Luke is a character that I was okay with, he is one that is struggling with different areas of his life, but throughout this book we see him start to open up and see what he wants actually to do and not feel so guilty for everything. These two worked really well together and I hope to see them again as side characters in the next Black Berry Beach book. 

- Family
- Small Town
- Fake Dating

I remember this book being very popular several years ago which is why I put it off because I didn't want to be disappointed. I get the hype surrounding it now, but I am still glad I waited a while to read it.

This book while short is one that is powerful because it hits on the hard things about life, and gives good little reminders that while things are tough, as long as we show compassion and love we can get through them. That one person can light a spark that will helps someone grow and know they are cared about. 

Its a perfect read for those of us who are feeling rather melancholy right now and need a pick me up.  

I love how much about fencing I am learning from this series. 
In this one we learn more about the characters and the dynamic over the team. We see how Nicholas is starting to grow more in his fencing and getting comfortable at this school. The friendships are starting to grow stronger in this book as well and we are seeing how those play into how they fence as well. 

- Friendship
- Fencing
- Determination

Seeing the boys grow throughout this series has been fun. We now see them getting even more serious, and looking towards their futures. While they still want to and plan to be together, they are also learning and realizing that they need to focus on their own wants and interests right now in order to be happy further down the line. This volume was a great reminder that sometimes you must be a part in order to be able to be together later on. That long distance can work, and that as long as you both are willing to work together anything can happen.