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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Six Sentence Saturday- 3 very different books

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.
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:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Happy that I read it...a good read.

2 of Hearts- Just O.K but nothing to write home about.
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)



Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (click on title for synopsis)
Source: Shelf Awareness ARC
I have read Picoult for a long time now and for the most part she has delivered good solid reads. This one is no different in that sense. As for me, I think I'm burnt out on the same scenarios she presents in her books- controversial subjects, bad guy, good guy, and a battle in court. I don't know why I wasn't drawn to this story as I expected to be...I found myself not connecting with the characters and I pretty much knew how the story was going to turn out.  Not a terrible read but not one that will stay with me down the road.
My Rating:


Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell (click on title for story synopsis)
Source: Kindle free download offered by Sourcebooks
I have become addicted to Jill Mansell!! Her books are fun, fast, and she really spins a great story! I totally enjoyed the complications that her characters experienced in their lives. There were so many fun moments and a few of those "aha" ones to boot. Who can resist characters that pop off the pages and really pull the reader into their tale? Mansell delivers another solid Brit Chic adventure and I can't wait to read another one of her books!
My Rating:

Choosing to See: A Journal of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman (click on title for synopsis)
Source: My public library
Read because of these fellow bloggers reviews:
My Friend Amy, & Lynne's Book Reviews
I've been a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman for over 15 years and when I heard about the accident that killed their youngest child my heart hurt for the entire family. This is Mary Beth's (his wife) story about how she and her family have made it through the last two years. This book had me blubbering at the prologue! It's heart wrenching to read but it also left me with a heart that swelled with hope! Mary Beth is honest about the struggles her family encountered and never tries to sugarcoat her anger, despair, and her questioning God's will.  I'm glad that I read this book....it's made me ponder things in my own life.
My rating: 

17 comments:

  1. I love the Six Sentence concept - some bk reviewers can go on too long and I get impatient for a quicker summary. I agree with your comments on Jodi Picoult - I love her bks and always learn something new from whatever 'subject' she has chosen to explore. BUT I knw the formula back to front now and I really have to be in the mood for her stuff now. Mansell - always in the mood for her light and fun romance.
    Always enjoy your blog.

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  2. That is a bummer about the first one you reviewed as it looks promising! And I didn't know the Chapman's had a book out....I am a HUGE fan of his and was also saddened by their DD's death... I will have to read that one! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  3. I have a few Jodi Picoult books at home, but I haven't had the chance to get to any of them yet. Choosing to See sounds sad, but I really do enjoy reading memoirs and stories of real life like this. I am going to put this on on my to read list (maybe I will get to it by the time the girls are in college! LOL!)

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  4. I've read one Picoult novel and enjoyed it. Too bad they are formulaic. Nixce set of a variety of books!

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  5. I'm beginning to wonder if Jodi Picoult hasn't hit her peak. I think she is going to have to rethink her formula, because even though she's not a mystery writer, it's kind of the same as when one of them grows stale. I have this book, but haven't felt the urge to pick it up yet.

    Glad you enjoyed the book by Mary Beth Chapman. I like his music too and their story is so sad.

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  6. I have read Picoult in years. She writes from a formula and her books have become repeatitive for my taste. If she has a subject matter I'm interested in I would give her another try though.

    SOrry you didn't like this one.

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  7. Great minis :)
    I do have to try this one day, would be fun, and it seems like a challenge to write short

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  8. I'm excited to see that you enjoyed Miranda's Big Mistake as I have it on my shelves. It has been awhile since I read anything by Picoult but eventually I would like to read this one. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Guess I need to read some Jill Mansell books. I have not read any of Picoults book for that very reason. As a mom whose child died, I am sure I would cry through Mary Beth's book too.

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  10. I've given up on Jodi Picoult's books for the same reason. I'll have to keep an eye out for Mansell's books.

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  11. I've read a few of Picoult books and agree, they are all kind of the same.

    I haven't read any Mansell - yet! I have a few on my iPad. One day . . .

    Choosing to See was on Dateline or 20/20 (or a show like that), but I didn't know Mary Beth wrote a book about her struggles. I used to listen to Steven a lot, too.

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  12. Sorry Sing You Home didn't do it for you, I do have it but it's not a priority at the moment. I think I'd like to read Choosing To See. Enjoyed the reviews, as always :)

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  13. I've got a couple of Jill Manell books on my Kindle too. I think I'm saving them for a time when I want to completely escape. I'm glad the Beth Chapman book is good. I love his music.

    Love Six Sentence Reviews.

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  14. I'll have to read that last one :)

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  15. I haven't read any of Picoult's books. I just haven't been able to get it to her style. Will definitely check out Mansell. Heard good things about her.

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  16. I haven't read enough Picoult to tire of her yet, but I've read the same burn out complaints from other bloggers. Still have to read Mansell, but that last one would be way too much for me right now!

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  17. I love Jill Mansell, too! Glad you enjoyed this one.

    I read a few Picoult books and enjoyed them, but I did grow tired of her formula. I admire how she tries to get readers to see the gray areas, but it does get old after awhile.

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