Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:
5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)
The Weed That Strings the Hangman- Alan BradleyI first met Flavia deLuce last year with, Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, and truly loved her personality, quirkiness, and the setting of the book. Bradley hit another home run with his second book in this series. We meet back up with Flavia and she takes us on quite a journey through the countryside of Bishop's Lacy. I felt that this murder/mystery plot was much more enjoyable than the previous book and I actually picked up on a few clues that Flavia reveals in the last pages. I only have one problem with this series and that is how Flavia is portrayed as a chemistry genius.....plus, all of that seems to fly right over my head and is slightly distracting to the rest of the story. This is a series that I will continue to read, but I'm hoping that Bradley will tone down the chemistry formulas in the next one!
My Rating:
Lots of people think cheese factor when you mention Sparks, but I don't care because his books always touch my heart and make me very emotional. I started this one in the morning and finished it before I went to sleep the same evening. I loved the storyline....teen filled with anger towards parent, refuses to talk to her dad for years, and then ends up having to spend her summer with him. At times this story is predictable,but that never detracts from the overall enjoyment of the book. By the end of the book, I so loved Ronnie and how she matured over the summer and into the fall. The story will make you cry, but it will also make you think about how you treat those that you love!
My Rating:
P.S. I watched the movie last week...IMHO Miley Cyrus is a sucky actress and she almost ruined this movie for me. If it wasn't for the other outstanding actors I would totally rate this movie a D-....... As usual, the book is so much better than the movie!
I, Alex Cross by James Patterson
I've said this on numerous occasions that I know Patterson can be mindless and unoriginal, but that will never ever stop me from continuing my long love affair with Alex Cross. I enjoyed this book in a Playaway version while walking after work. I'm sure people thought I was crazy because there were times I would gasp out loud, shout "NO!" at certain parts, and then jump up and down like a mad person (this occurred during the very last chapter of the book). This story is filled with many twists and turns, some of them you do see predict ahead of time, but there are plenty of moments that the story catches you off guards. I love Alex Cross...I will never tire of this series, and now I've found another great way to enjoy his story...AUDIO!! I've often wondered who should play Alex Cross in a series....so far I've tossed around Omar Epps and Denzel....if you follow Cross, who do you think would be the right actor for this part?????
My Rating:
Looks like you had a good week of reading! I've never read Sparks, but the movie version of THE NOTEBOOK is a guilty pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI only read Sparks' Message in a Bottle and loved it, I wept like a crazy person :)
ReplyDeleteI have Last Song on audio and will be listening to it soon.
P.S.
I also don't care what's being said about his writing style, I think a book like his needs to be read from time to time.
I just finished Sweetness at The Bottom of the Pie and what is so funny is that my review is sort of the opposite of what you're saying - I liked the chemistry parts best! :--)
ReplyDeleteI love these 6-sentence reviews! I can't take Flavia. I know that I'm in the minority but there it is. I've actually never read one of Nicholas Sparks' books, but I've enjoyed a couple of the movies. I feel the same way about Alex Cross, formulaic mostly and sometimes trite, but I'll read this series to the end.
ReplyDeleteMorgan Freeman has played him, but he's getting a little old now. Either of the actors you listed although Omar might be a little young.
Nicholas Sparks is always good for a quick easy read. Did you see the movied Nights in Rodanthe? That was a good one! Somewhere I read that Cyrus was "wooden" in her performance but I haven't seen the movie so can't comment. You had some good ones this week, glad you liked them so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices today! I have not read Sparks since Message In A Bottle. I love Alex Cross too!
ReplyDeleteDenzel!!! Alex Cross is the perfect role for him. I envision him in my mind when I read.
ReplyDeleteI love your Six Sentence Saturday. You scored on books this week!
I was wondering if U had seen the movie....the book does sound good....but I would be afraid to see miley in a movie...i can barely sit through a hannah episode!! LOL!! Great reviews as always my dearest! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Last Song, so glad to see you also enjoyed it! I was with a friend last night who didn't like it at all. I was shocked! :)... then she reminded me that she has three girls between 16-20 and kept thinking about the drinking in the book.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I love talking about books - everyone has a different view and often it depends on where you are (stage of life) at the time you read the book.
You had a good week in books! I just got The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie in audio, and hopefully I'll like it enough to continue with the series.
ReplyDeleteYou had a great reading week - all fours. Good for you. I like Alex Cross too and I think someone should make this into a series. I like the guy who plays on the new NCIS Los Angeles. I think he's a former(?) rap star but his character, at times, can be very serious, deep, compassionate.
ReplyDeleteI want to read all those books! They all sound great, love Sparks books.
ReplyDeleteNatalie
I need to "meet" Flavia soon!
ReplyDeleteI also think that a Nicholas Sparks book can really hit the spot. I really liked The Last Song and I sometimes wondered if I was in the minority about liking it!
ReplyDeleteGreat week Staci! I am so pathetically behind in posting book reviews :(
ReplyDeleteI've actually never read anything by Sparks. I know, I don't know how that's possible. I feel I need to read something by him just so I can join the heartwarming vs. cheese conversation :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear the new Flavia book didn't disappoint. I've got to get started on this series.
ReplyDeleteI want to read The Last Song. I haven't read Nicholas Sparks yet, but I did win Dear John audio CD but haven't listened to it yet.
ReplyDeleteI will have to read James Patterson too!
Great reviews and I like the new picture of Bruce and Pistol!
I haven't read Flavia yet, but you've made me nervous since chemistry has always gone right over my head!
ReplyDeleteI've never read Sparks either although I do have a few on my shelves. I have low expectations.
Omar Epps for sure. Love everything he is in.
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews, as usual, and love the new picture of the sleeping kiddies.
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that Bradley's follow-up to Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is a hit. I can't wait to get my paws on this book. I love Flavia!
ReplyDeleteAnd, thank you. I think. :) You've almost convinced me to read another Nicholas Sparks book. I swore him off years ago, but this sounds like it might be an enjoyable "beach read."
I love the card rating system - so awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteI really need to get The Last Song read. This is the first time in a long time I'm behind on a Sparks book. I don't know if I'll be able to see the movie. I'm so not a fan of Mylie Cyrus.
ReplyDeleteI still have the first Flavia book TBR and can't wait to read it. I haven't read a Sparks book for years although I did enjoy the ones that I read. Too bad that the movie wasn't as good as the book but from the reviews I saw I was wondering about Miley Cyrus and her acting!
ReplyDeleteI received The Last Song to review, but I've been hesitant because I don't like Miley Cirus and don't want to picture her while I'm reading! LOL Sparks' books have declined in recent years, in my opinion, but they're still good, emotional cheese. ;)
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric