The Barber's Conundrum and Other Stories by John Hartnett
Did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book? I enjoyed this book a great deal and I didn’t for a single minute feel like I was forced to read it. While some chapters seem light, funny they do provide the reader with an opportunity to think, discuss and develop their personal character. This is a funny book one should not take lightly. Did the actions of the characters seem plausible? All the chapters are scenes from Hartnett’s personal life so their actions were plausible. I have read other “journal” like books but none so funny. I really didn’t want this book to end. Did you feel you were experiencing the time and place in which the book was set? More than experiencing the time and place, I was able to relate to Hartnett’s experiences and his reactions taught me how to better my own actions in the future. Very inspiring author. Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
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Malled
What did you like about the main character - Hector is conflicted in many different ways so you are able to see that there is more than one side to him. I liked that he loved Janey so much he wasn't able to turn away from her. Obviously, the relationship they have is like no other and I really liked this element of the story which keeps the reader guessing until the end if they will stay together. Was the plot satisfactory? The premise is original and interesting. When you have something you love taken from you, logic doesn't necessarily apply. All scenes in the book are well delivered and brought to life in an impressive manner. Will definitely be looking for other books by this author.
Cover - Honestly, I didn't quite get it. I understood the title with dripping 'blood' because that is what happens in the book. Other than that, the cover is nice to look at but it didn't really connect for me.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Serving Time (Servants of Time)
Top 3 things I liked about the main character - Time. She has regrets, felt that she has made mistakes and feels more comfortable when she cannot be publicly seen by others. Sounds almost human, don't you think? Robert (her sort of butler) and she have some deep conversations that allow the reader to think and contemplate about their own lives.Top 3 things I liked about the setting in this book - There were some elements of the setting that I found confusing but I think this was because you are so wrapped up in the characters, you tend to lose track of which background you are in. The backgrounds are out of this world fantastic so you need to understand this before you actually read the rest of the scene.
Cover - I loved the shades of purple and the figure of the women. You don't understand the combination of this and the title until you read the book and then "time" makes complete sense. I liked it and the formatting is also clean and polished with almost no errors. We haven't got to the end of the book so I can't say for sure.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
The Hunter's Son (JC Mather, #1)
What did you like most about the book? It was an exciting and fun read with strong characters and a out of this world settings. What have you read that is similar to this book? Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus. Both have sons who take on creatures not from this world with the the support of their fathers.
What did you like most about the main character? JC was resilient and he tried his best to make friends and fit in with the rest of the crowd.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Tainted Waters
What did you think of the story structure? The story structure was entertaining and lively. With people dying at the bat of an eyelid, you would want some answers as well.Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? Her dad. He was dead from the start but his death wasn't as it appeared .
What did you think of the ending? I liked the ending. All questions were answered and all loose ends tied up.
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book from the author via Orangeberry Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Her Books Presents: Book Club Picks
List the five major events in the story. Emma is missing. She is found living with Jack and Dottie. Dottie has dementia and took Emma thinking it was her granddaughter. The family thinks that having Emma back is the end of their nightmare but soon find that with Emma back at home their journey of healing and forgiveness is only just beginning.What kind of book is this? This is fiction story about a little girl who disappears only to be found living with an elderly couple a few years later. I'm not too sure if I understood the timeline correctly but I think the child is found about three years later, although if she was only 5, then some of her emotions did not seem realistic. So yes, the timeline isn't as clear as I would like it to be.
Tell in your own words the beginning of the book. Megan and Dottie are both thinking about Emma. Dottie writes about Emma being her second chance at motherhood and Megan is in bed with Emma asking her to bake cookies. Different ages, and different thoughts but they were all bound together by one particular incident.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
List the places mentioned in the book. Villa Caterina, Sicily, Bagheria, Genoa, France, Prizzi, Boston, New Orleans, New York, Europe, Egypt. What did you think of the story structure? I felt that the story was told in chunks and it was effective for this story, although I felt it got stunted in some sections but only very slightly.
Which did you find more appealing, the introduction or the conclusion? The conclusion was wonderful as everything was wrapped up nicely
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
y1
Favourite setting … Friday, December 31, 1999 - when everyone watches TV and are nervous about the world coming to an end. It's sentiment many of us can relate to.What did you like most about this book? It's original concept. I have never read a book like this and probably never will. It had the innonence of Harry Potter that crossed paths with Star Trek. Absolutely fantastic read.
Favourite quote … "
And Chloe thought to herself, It's okay. After ten years I am finally going to get to see my dad.
And Joy thought to herself, It's okay. After four months I am finally going to get to see the man I love and never told.
And Zane thought to himself, This is nuts." Funny, how we can be so close to a person and yet be thinking different things about the same situation.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Big Book of Dumb White Husband
What were the main themes of the book? Humour, marriage and life. The author shares his thoughts on real-life situations but does so in a way that will have you laughing out loud.Describe 2 different settings or locations. When Erik calls Chris. This conversation is more typical than people realise. When Erik and Chris are having a conversation about man caves and space. I think this applies to more than men.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Definitely. Some book club members noted that this book seemed targeted at Americans, but so many situations in the book are faced by couples and husbands worldwide.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Straight Dope A 360 degree look into American drug culture
What were the main themes of the book? The book was about drugs. Addicts' point of view. The author did many interviews with addicts. He did a pretty good job.Describe 2 different settings or locations. Gary's house - Rival gang broke in destroyed his house and shot his girlfriend. Drug house -Cutting drugs, weighing and getting ready to distribute.
Were you able to connect with the main character and why? Not really, the main characters were all addicts so for anyone who has recovering addicts in the family, this would be a good read to understand what they are going through.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Sin of Forgiveness
Able to connect with main character and why? I was able to connect with the author. He was factual. Based all his views from scripture.What were the main themes of the book? It was about religion. The bible and it's teachings. The author executed his ideas well.
Time period? The book is based on teachings from the bible for current day. The content of the book can be applied to any time.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Spare Change
Favourite character(s) … Olivia, she is so strong and independent. A women that showed she did not need anything but herself.Which secondary character resonated most with you and why? Jack Mahoney, he was true to his oath to protect and serve.
Tell five ways the main character is like you. Strong, independent, caring, dependable and friendly
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
White Chalk
Describe 2 different settings or locations. When Chelle gets out of Troy's truck and she says, "I expected to feel happy but instead I felt kind of sad and really tired." When Chelle's father finds Troy in her bed. Both scenes were strong contrasts of emotions but had one thing in common, they displayed Chelle's sadness. If you could rewrite the ending, would you? When I got to the end, I wanted to scream, "no" but then as I digested each part of the book and I did think about rewriting the ending, I realised I couldn't. It had to end the way it did. Sometimes, there isn't a way out.
List the five major events in the story in the correct order. Chelle's home life is a wreck. She meets Troy who seems to be her knight in shining armour until she finds out that he doesn't feel the same way. Troy starts to date Xiu. Then, there's Mr.Harris, the only person who seems to offer her some kind of support. Chelle starts to slip in ways many teenagers do.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Evergreen (A Serial Killer Thriller)
Similar books? Not read anything like this.What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader? A thrilling fear.
Climax and why? When Patrick's mom told him why she killed everyone. Gave him all the answers about his past.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
Tainted Love: The Faith McKenzie Story
Did you like the ending? Honestly, I didn't. She finally found happiness and he found her and killed her. However, as much as I didn't like the ending, it was a real ending. Not all abuse stories have a happy ending. Question to author? If she knew someone that went through this? Was this personal experience?
How would you rewrite story? I would have put Cal in jail for all the abuse. Faith and her children would have remained with John.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.
The Book of Paul
What did you think of the ending? I liked the ending. It ended with love and happiness.What is the time period in which the book happens? Doesn't give a time period and these incidences can happen at any time.
5 ways the main character is like you. Martin is a strong man. He loves hard and he's loyal. He tries to do the right thing. He is a protector.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.