| | | | | 0399158251
| 9780399158254
| 0399158251
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400
pp
| 4.03
| 6,137
| Jan 03, 2017
| Jan 03, 2017
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it was amazing
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A beautiful but tragic story set in the 1950s about a young woman who returns to her home in Kenya and realizes everything has changed in her absence.
A beautiful but tragic story set in the 1950s about a young woman who returns to her home in Kenya and realizes everything has changed in her absence. After the death of her mother, Rachel is sent to live in England with her grandparents while her father remains in Kenya on their family's farm. Upon returning, not only have things changed on the farm but also throughout the country as the Mau Mau attempt to overthrow the white settlers. This is a story of a young woman discovering how to stay true to her belief system even when it might be in conflict with those she loves.
Prior to reading this book, I knew very little about the conflict in Kenya in the 1950s but this book made me more interested in the topic. The sign of a good historical novel for me is when after completing the book I am eager in finding out more about the events it was based on. And because the author gave such beautiful descriptions of the country, it makes me want to visit Kenya as well.
Initially, I was unsure whether this book could sustain my interest. Thankfully, I found this to be a real gem of a book and I would definitely recommend to anyone that is looking to maybe branch out of their reading comfort zone and try something a bit different. The author conveys thoughts and emotions in such a realistic way and I am looking forward to checking out her previous novel.
I received an ARC of this book and this review contains my fair and honest opinions.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 09, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1458220435
| 9781458220431
| 1458220435
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204
pp
| 3.30
| 20
| unknown
| Oct 21, 2016
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liked it
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Camille is a 17 year old living in Paris in the 1920s when she meets a 45 year old painter named Risto. Even though Risto is married, the two begin an
Camille is a 17 year old living in Paris in the 1920s when she meets a 45 year old painter named Risto. Even though Risto is married, the two begin an affair that leaves her cut off from her family. This story is loosely based on Pablo Picasso and his relationship with Marie-Therese Walter.
The story itself is fairly predictable even if you aren't familiar with Pablo Picasso's love life. The character of Risto is obnoxious and annoying and you root for Camille to figure out that she could do much better. I found Camille's interactions with other characters to be far more interesting than when she was alone with Risto. Overall, the book is fairly entertaining and is a quick and easy read.
I received a free copy of this book and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 25, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 0062431315
| 9780062431318
| 0062431315
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224
pp
| 3.23
| 39
| Apr 26, 2016
| Sep 02, 2016
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it was ok
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Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 18, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 0997998504
| 9780997998504
| 0997998504
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34
pp
| 4.57
| 7
| unknown
| Oct 08, 2016
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it was amazing
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4.5 stars
An adorable and charming new take on the popular Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Cute doodles of roosters, chickens, and even
4.5 stars
An adorable and charming new take on the popular Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Cute doodles of roosters, chickens, and even a penguin make this a book you will want to share with a child in your life. Adults and kids alike will have fun singing along to this creative spin on the classic song.
I won a free copy of this book and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 15, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 0316347744
| 9780316347747
| 0316347744
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304
pp
| 4.32
| 329
| Nov 03, 2015
| Nov 08, 2016
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really liked it
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Political analyst and former presidential campaign manager, Bob Beckel has had a life long struggle with alcohol and drugs. This book takes you throug
Political analyst and former presidential campaign manager, Bob Beckel has had a life long struggle with alcohol and drugs. This book takes you through his childhood being raised in an abusive home with alcoholic parents to right around the time he parted ways with Fox News.
Even if you disagree with his left-leaning politics, Bob is the type of person that most people can't help but like. That is clear in the fact that he has maintained friendships with people who are on the opposite side of the political spectrum. He isn't shy with his opinions and doesn't hold back on sharing the good, bad, and ugly events that have shaped him as a person.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in political campaigns since Bob shares many of his stories from the campaign trail. I also think this book will appeal to those that are struggling with addiction. Bob is very candid about his road to recovery and the many setbacks he faced along the way.
I received a free copy of this book and that is my honest and fair review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 25, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 1630478601
| 9781630478605
| 1630478601
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38
pp
| 4.00
| 12
| unknown
| Sep 27, 2016
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really liked it
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Sweet and beautifully illustrated story about the relationship between humans and their family pets. I would highly recommend this book to any family
Sweet and beautifully illustrated story about the relationship between humans and their family pets. I would highly recommend this book to any family considering adding a pet to their household. The book does a good job showing that although a new pet might take a bit of time to adjust to their new home, they will soon show their love and loyalty to their new family. Overall, a really cute story!
I won this book in a giveaway and that was my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 10, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 0316300675
| 9780316300674
| 0316300675
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320
pp
| 3.90
| 1,722
| Sep 27, 2016
| Sep 27, 2016
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really liked it
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The life story of Ryan Speedo Green is simply remarkable. He grew up in an abusive home and spent time in a juvenile facility. Despite the challenges
The life story of Ryan Speedo Green is simply remarkable. He grew up in an abusive home and spent time in a juvenile facility. Despite the challenges of his upbringing he became a rising star in the opera world. And let's face it, when you are an African-American male, that world is not the easiest to crack into.
I might not consider myself an opera fan, but I was drawn to the parts of the book that described the process Ryan went through to learn how to sing this very different musical style. And of course I loved reading about the people who saw the potential in Ryan and helped him along the way. But most of all it was Ryan who kept me interested in learning about his journey. How could you not root for him to succeed?
If there is one criticism I have of the book it is the lack of an introduction. It felt a little jarring when I would be reading and out of nowhere the author would pop up in the book as a character in the story. I just think a little introduction to how the author came to interview Ryan and his family and friends, would have been helpful to the reader.
I received a free copy of this book and that is my honest and fair review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 04, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1487001088
| 9781487001087
| 1487001088
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168
pp
| 4.21
| 746
| Apr 26, 2016
| Mar 14, 2017
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it was amazing
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At the age of 37, Teva Harrison was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. With the use of illustrations and short stories, she shows what it is lik
At the age of 37, Teva Harrison was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. With the use of illustrations and short stories, she shows what it is like to be living with an incurable disease and how it may or may not change some of her beliefs.
As a long-time vegetarian she makes the hard decision to use experimental drugs that have been tested on animals. She also describes what it is like to be an atheist when for most people in her shoes it is a time to embrace the idea that there is an afterlife. These are just some of the insights she shares that set this memoir a bit above others in this genre.
I would recommend this book to anyone, not just those that are personally dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The author is a talented artist and she is able to convey her thoughts and feelings in a way that I thought gave a fresh perspective to this horrible disease.
I received an ARC of this book and those are my fair and honest opinions.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 04, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 1632159252
| 9781632159250
| 1632159252
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136
pp
| 2.93
| 55
| Oct 26, 2016
| Oct 26, 2016
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liked it
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The Saviors is a collection of issues #1-5. According to the author's note at the beginning there were plans to have more issues, but sadly due to low
The Saviors is a collection of issues #1-5. According to the author's note at the beginning there were plans to have more issues, but sadly due to low sales the series was ended. However, the author does hint at the possibility of continuing on with the series. Also included in this collection are some rough draft sketches of the characters and some teaser pages of what a future issue might have contained.
The main character, Tomas likes to smoke marijuana. Life is good until aliens invade the planet. With the help of a few sidekicks, Tomas tries to defeat these creatures that are threatening his way of life.
I would not say this is a bad series, but it doesn't really have anything that makes it stand out either. If the topics of alien invasion and marijuana use interest you, give this series a shot. However, if those topics aren't appealing you will want to give this series a pass.
I won this collection in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 01, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 110187421X
| 9781101874219
| 110187421X
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351
pp
| 3.42
| 511
| Jan 31, 2017
| Jan 31, 2017
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really liked it
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Calvin and Betsy Kusek decide to move their family from New York City to South Dakota. The family tries their best to fit in with the mostly Republica
Calvin and Betsy Kusek decide to move their family from New York City to South Dakota. The family tries their best to fit in with the mostly Republican community despite being strong Democrats. They settle into life on a ranch with Cal eventually seeking political office. The book follows the family from the time the Kuseks fell in love and got married in the 1940s to 1985 when a terrible crime is committed in the home of the Kusek's son, Lance. The story switches back and forth a bit on the timeline so if that drives you nuts, you might want to avoid reading this book.
While this book deals with the fear that was associated with McCarthism back in the 1950s, you will find that there is a lot of similarities with our current political climate. I'm not sure when the author started writing this book but it certainly came out at a time when it is relevant. This book was also based on a real life case which makes the story even more tragic.
I thought the author did a great job showing how fear can overtake a person's judgement of character. If I have one minor complaint it would be the reveal of the person who committed the crime in 1985. It just didn't seem to fit in well with the rest of the story. Since this was loosely based on a true story, I'm not sure if the author stuck with the original perpetrator or chose an alternative ending.
I won a free ARC in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 27, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1608092003
| 9781608092000
| 1608092003
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400
pp
| 4.03
| 35
| unknown
| Sep 06, 2016
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really liked it
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Alex Klear is given the task of finding out if an old Army buddy was really killed by an Afghan soldier or was he murdered because of his investigatio
Alex Klear is given the task of finding out if an old Army buddy was really killed by an Afghan soldier or was he murdered because of his investigation into fraud at the Kabul Bank. While in Afghanistan Alex isn't quite sure who he is working for but realizes quickly that not everyone is happy that he is there trying to find answers.
This was a good thriller that incorporated some of the real life events of the fraud going on at the Kabul Bank. Unfortunately, the fact that hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars went missing was one of those news stories that wasn't covered entirely well and got lost in the shuffle. The book also highlights the relationships between U.S. and Afghan soldiers and how there is a legitimate fear that one could be killed by someone who is supposed to be on their side.
I won this book in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review. I noticed on the back of the book it mentioned this being part of the Alex Klear series and I am looking forward to more books with this character.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 24, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1250089794
| 9781250089793
| 1250089794
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256
pp
| 3.16
| 367
| Sep 26, 2016
| Sep 27, 2016
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really liked it
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Rose McEwan can't stop running into famous people. This book follows her throughout her lifetime of celebrity encounters. Some of the people included
Rose McEwan can't stop running into famous people. This book follows her throughout her lifetime of celebrity encounters. Some of the people included in these short stories are John Updike, Taylor Swift, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. The stories range from ordinary type encounters to scenarios so far-fetched they are amusing.
The stories featured in this book are a bit hit or miss. Overall, almost all the stories were interesting to read and it was fun to see which celebrity would pop up next in Rose's life. My main complaint is that I felt the idea that a celebrity would have a second, more ordinary job was used too many times throughout the book. Other than that, I did enjoy reading these fictional situations with a wide range of celebrity characters.
I received a free copy of this book and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 23, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1250095662
| 9781250095664
| 1250095662
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320
pp
| 3.76
| 1,503
| Jan 24, 2017
| Jan 24, 2017
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really liked it
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This story is like The Little Engine That Could but for grown-ups. Take some optimism and courage and you too can build a house with your four childre
This story is like The Little Engine That Could but for grown-ups. Take some optimism and courage and you too can build a house with your four children despite having no prior experience. Except I would say most of us could not do what Cara Brookins and her family accomplished which is what makes this real life story so incredible.
After surviving failed marriages that included domestic violence and mental illness, Cara Brookins is looking for a fresh start. With their current house filled with bad memories, Cara and her children set out to build their dream home. The book alternates between chapters featuring the home building process and memories of the past and what led to their motivation to take on the enormous task of construction on a home with no experience and limited money and resources.
This book is inspirational and really showcases the love between a mother and her children. The older kids should be especially commended for all of their hard work and dedication. I can't imagine spending all of my free time for months doing manual labor while all my other friends were having fun.
I won an advanced copy of this book in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 19, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 0062394134
| 9780062394132
| 0062394134
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368
pp
| 4.19
| 780
| Nov 15, 2016
| Nov 15, 2016
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really liked it
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For me, one of the best things to do when traveling is to try the local cuisine. While details of famous landmarks will escape my memory, I always rem
For me, one of the best things to do when traveling is to try the local cuisine. While details of famous landmarks will escape my memory, I always remember a good meal. This book is like a love letter to the food and culture of Spain.
Matt Goulding, a food writer and current resident of Spain, sets off to show that while the many regions of Spain have similarities when it comes to food, they are also unique in their own way. One of my favorite parts of the book was getting to know the people Matt came across such as the sisters that hunt for barnacles every day and the cave-dwelling relative of his Spanish wife. Another strength of the book, is the articulate descriptions of the food. He is definitely one of the best food writers I have come across and hope he continues on with this series of books.
I won an ARC of this book in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 17, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1101987669
| 9781101987667
| 1101987669
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400
pp
| 4.10
| 181
| unknown
| Sep 06, 2016
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really liked it
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Elizabeth Rynecki has spent decades searching for some of her Polish great-grandfather's paintings that have been missing since the start of World War
Elizabeth Rynecki has spent decades searching for some of her Polish great-grandfather's paintings that have been missing since the start of World War Two. She realizes the importance of recovering his art not only for the Jewish community but the world at large. So many pieces of art were either stolen or destroyed during the war that she realizes finding any of his artwork will be an enormous challenge.
I have read books before written by a family member about their family history. Sometimes what might be interesting to the family doesn't translate very well in the book. Thankfully, the author does a wonderful job detailing her family's history and why it is so important to her to preserve the past for future generations.
I am so thankful I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway because this is a story that needs to be shared with the world. The photos of some of Moshe Rynecki's artwork included in the book are beautiful. I recommend this book not only to art lovers but to anyone interested in reading about the history of those who lost their lives in The Holocaust.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 13, 2016
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1510712348
| 9781510712348
| 1510712348
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320
pp
| 4.09
| 844
| Sep 02, 2014
| Sep 20, 2016
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it was amazing
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Easily one of my favorite books I have read this year. This is not only an excellent middle grade book, it is just a good book in general for anyone w
Easily one of my favorite books I have read this year. This is not only an excellent middle grade book, it is just a good book in general for anyone wanting to read historical fiction about 9/11. The author managed to convey perfectly the mood and atmosphere of the nation during the days after the attacks.
Jake Green's biggest problem before September 11, 2001 was wanting to beat a member of a rival cross-country team in the next race. However, the attacks on U.S. soil change everything including relationships he has with his family and friends. When Jake's best friend, Sam Madina, is beaten up for being an Arab Muslim, he fights right back to defend him. The FBI soon goes after Sam's father and many people including Jake's mother wonder what the Madina family is hiding. Did Mr. Madina help some of the hijackers before the attacks?
What I enjoyed most about this book was how it captured the feelings and actions of people in this nation after the attacks. It showed the kindness people had to one another. It showed how some people outwardly displayed their hatred of Muslims. And it also illustrated the fear that kept people from wanting to associate with anyone they thought was Muslim.
While I won this book in a giveaway, that in no way influenced my thoughts and opinions. I truly loved this book and am thankful I was given the opportunity to read it.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 09, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 1519102100
| 9781519102102
| 1519102100
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208
pp
| 4.76
| 21
| unknown
| Dec 13, 2015
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really liked it
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I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying this personal collection of essays (or messays as the author likes to call them). There is real hon
I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying this personal collection of essays (or messays as the author likes to call them). There is real honesty in the author's writings that is very comforting. She is able to find a deeper meaning after certain situations when most people wouldn't realize it was there. That's not to say that the book is all serious because the author's fun sense of humor is sprinkled throughout. By the end of the book, you wish that Pamela Capone was your friend or neighbor.
I won this book in a giveaway and that was my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 07, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 0578164906
| 9780578164908
| 0578164906
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336
pp
| 3.74
| 57
| unknown
| Jun 16, 2016
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really liked it
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While this book is a work of fiction it is based on a real life rape case in Minnesota. A man has pled guilty and sentenced to prison for the rape of
While this book is a work of fiction it is based on a real life rape case in Minnesota. A man has pled guilty and sentenced to prison for the rape of his daughter. A new defense attorney is hired after the defendant's father convinces him that this is not an ordinary sexual assault case and deserves another look. The book follows the new trial and its' controversial conclusion.
At first I was apprehensive about reading a book featuring the defense lawyer for an admitted child rapist. However, the more I read, the more I realized this was unlike any other case I have read about. It is certainly ripe for debate about the ethical concerns this case brings up. If Law & Order: SVU hasn't already featured this case in an episode, they should.
The strength of the book is essentially the case itself. Most of the book reads more like a trial transcript than a book. I personally enjoyed that it was written that way because it felt like you were right there in the courtroom.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 06, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 153721733X
| 9781537217338
| 153721733X
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392
pp
| 4.21
| 68
| unknown
| Aug 22, 2016
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it was amazing
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I can't remember the last time I cried reading a book. I must have had a lot of tears saved up because man, did I unleash them towards the end of the
I can't remember the last time I cried reading a book. I must have had a lot of tears saved up because man, did I unleash them towards the end of the book.
I'm not quite sure how to label this book because the main character, Hannah, is very loosely based on the author's grandmother. So while some of the events in the story are true, there are many things that are fictionalized as well. The characters though were so realistically written it felt like you were glimpsing into the life of this family as if you were their lifelong next door neighbors.
The strength of this book is the relationships between family members and how family dynamics can change throughout one's lifetime. Family relationships can be complicated no matter how much love is involved.
It was a real treat to win a copy of this book in a giveaway and have the opportunity to read it. I might not have ever come across it otherwise. I am looking forward to the author's future books, including the one that will feature a character from this novel.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 05, 2016
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Paperback
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| | | | | 0692766189
| 9780692766187
| 0692766189
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262
pp
| 3.70
| 37
| unknown
| Aug 08, 2016
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really liked it
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The most important thing I can say about this book is that it will not appeal to everyone. In fact, I would guess most people would be turned off by t
The most important thing I can say about this book is that it will not appeal to everyone. In fact, I would guess most people would be turned off by the crude language and sexual situations. By about page 20 I was ready to toss the book and declare the main character (which according to the author is him) the scum of the earth. But something kept me reading. Even though his thoughts and actions towards women were horrible throughout most of the book, I could at least appreciate his honesty.
I found myself disgusted and yet entertained while reading this book. Definitely one of the more unique books I have read this year. And while there is some humor throughout the book, the highlight for me was one of the lifeguard character's being named Mitch Buchannon.
I won this book in a giveaway and that is my fair and honest review.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 04, 2016
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Paperback
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