Amy’s Comments (group member since Oct 08, 2009)

Amy’s comments from the Bookmarks Subscribers group.

I think Tana French is a fantastic writer! I think of all of them, may be my all time favorite. But, this new one is a close second. Although, honestly, I've really loved them all. I love the idea of a series that isn't really a traditional series! :)

I just finished which I really enjoyed. I love Tana French!

I just finished A Game of Thrones and loved it!

I am so not a fan of the Flavia series ... I just couldn't ever get into them. I gave up after the first one!

Karli wrote: "@Cathy - my mom is anxious to get that one...which means I have to get it for her. :P

I just finished A Red Herring Without Mustard and I'm just not much of a fan of this series...."

This is sitting on my bedside table! I can't wait to get it. I've heard great things!

5 stars from me!

I've heard fantastic things about Jon Clinch so I was really looking forward to Kings of the Earth. It sounded like something right up my alley. And it really was a great read ... it was fantastic!

Jon Clinch is a very talented writer ... his writing just made the scenes come alive for me. I didn't want to put the book down ... the writing, the character development, the weaving of time ... it's all wonderful! Clinch brought the world of the three brothers alive for me and I felt as ...moreI've heard fantastic things about Jon Clinch so I was really looking forward to Kings of the Earth. It sounded like something right up my alley. And it really was a great read ... it was fantastic!

Jon Clinch is a very talented writer ... his writing just made the scenes come alive for me. I didn't want to put the book down ... the writing, the character development, the weaving of time ... it's all wonderful! Clinch brought the world of the three brothers alive for me and I felt as if I was part of the book myself at times. The squalor and poverty were so beautifully portrayed that I almost felt as if I could feel and smell the farm. At first I was worried about the way that Clinch tells the story - through multiple voices that jump around in time. However, it was ultimately a really effective tool and gave the book something special. And, I never became confused or frustrated by the jumping. Clinch did a masterful job of weaving the story together into a cohesive and outstanding story.

In the end, I was sad to put it down ... I didn't want the narrative to end. The complexity of the storytelling and the writing made this book one of my favorites of the year! I can't wait to go pick up Finn which I also hear is fantastic! This is a great novel that I definitely recommend!

I just finished this one ... wow! I really enjoyed it. 5 stars from me. My review is below.

I was a bit worried about this book despite the rave reviews I'd read from a few other bookish friends ... the size of the book was intimidating and I'm not sure I was up for another Holocaust book. But, wow, was I surprised! This book was nothing like I'd imagined. It was a wonderful read that I didn't want to put down for a moment. The novel was the perfect combo of great writing, storytelling and historical information! The book is a commitment due to its size but I felt the time was well spe...moreI was a bit worried about this book despite the rave reviews I'd read from a few other bookish friends ... the size of the book was intimidating and I'm not sure I was up for another Holocaust book. But, wow, was I surprised! This book was nothing like I'd imagined. It was a wonderful read that I didn't want to put down for a moment. The novel was the perfect combo of great writing, storytelling and historical information! The book is a commitment due to its size but I felt the time was well spent!

I cannot believe that this is Julie Orringer's first novel. She is quite a talented writer and I cannot wait to see what she has for us as she grows as a writer. She has a way with words ... she kept a very long novel compelling to me in part because I wanted to keep reading her prose. Her writing is simply fantastic! Her ability to spin a tale is excellent. Orringer's ability to balance the optimism of the book with the inherent despair and darkness surrounding the characters without resorting to melodrama really makes this novel something special. It has all the elements of a good melodrama but none of the overdone emotion.

The novel is romantic, epic, painful, dark, difficult while also being informative. The characters were one of the things that made this novel just 'sing.' The dimension that each character (major and minor) have just jumps off the page! Yes, it is a Holocaust novel but it is also so much more. And, I would venture to say that its a Holocaust novel that is not like most other Holocaust novels that I've read. There is something special about this one! I had never fully understood Hungary's role in World War II so the historical aspects of the novel were quite new and interesting to me.

Although I certainly loved the book, there were flaws ... the book was not perfect. I think it could have been edited a bit and some of the novel could have been condensed without taking away from the overall novel. Although I didn't find the relationship in the novel to be sappy, I can see why some have described it that way. Sometimes the language did venture into the excessive - but I was not bothered by that because I really loved her writing overall. I enjoyed the level of detail. However, I can see why someone might be put off by that aspect of the novel, particularly given its size.

And so ... in the end, I recommend this book with a note that it is a commitment to read this book. It's not a quick, easy read. But, if you put in the effort, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

@Betsy - I've been wanting to read that one ...

Wow, Lisa! You've been BUSY! Can't wait to see your reviews :)

I also liked this one. And would recommend it!

LynnB wrote: "Last night I finished [image error]The Scent of Rain and Lightning: A Novel a stand-alone novel by Nancy Pickard which I..."

I really want to read this one!!!

Kate wrote: "A Confederacy of Dunces

Just finished this WONDERFUL 5 star read. I found myself giggling, underlining, and re-reading."

I'm so happy to hear that a couple of you loved this. I HATED this book with a passion. Didn't sit well with me from page one and I ended up throwing it down in disgust. It was a book club book selection and it was the first (and only) BC book that I didn't finish. Interestingly, no one in my book club liked it. I have found that you either love it or hate it!

Stephanie wrote: "@ Amy and Lisa

Keep rubbing in your Nook love! I am doing well in my NCAA brackets, so hopefully I win some Nook dough!"

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, Stephanie!!!!

I also like being able to see the covers in color on the touch screen.

And, Lisa, I think I'm FINALLY getting the hang of the swiping!

Miriam wrote: "I'm curious to know why you chose the Nook instead of the Kindle."

Personally, I chose the Nook for 2 reasons - 1. The Nook allows me to continue to utilize my local library. I like the diverse types of files I can view on the Nook. The Kindle doesn't allow downloading from places other than Amazon. 2. I like that I can replace my own battery without sending the unit in as you have to do with the Kindle.

There were other reasons but in the end, those are the two things that pushed me over the edge.

Lisa wrote: "Amy wrote: "I'm having to do the same thing, Lisa. All I want to do is read my Nook and yet I have all these books piled on my bedside table. I think I'm going to have to have both going on at the ..."

So true!!! I know exactly what you mean :)

Lisa wrote: "I just bought a Nook last night and I'm afraid I'm going to neglect some of my real books while I play with it. I think I will keep a book going on the Nook and a hard copy going at the same time."

I'm having to do the same thing, Lisa. All I want to do is read my Nook and yet I have all these books piled on my bedside table. I think I'm going to have to have both going on at the same time!!

I think I've read about 5 of these. Off to check out the rest & get some of them read. Little Bee is the one I'm most looking forward to reading ... off to put it on hold at the library!