| | | | | 0593317378
| 9780593317372
| 0593317378
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464
pp
| 4.44
| 1,142
| Mar 26, 2024
| Mar 26, 2024
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it was amazing
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4.5 stars
I was too young at the time to have memories of Pete Rose’s baseball career but I do remember the controversy when he was banned due to his g
4.5 stars
I was too young at the time to have memories of Pete Rose’s baseball career but I do remember the controversy when he was banned due to his gambling on the sport. It’s fair to say Pete is his own worst enemy and honesty is not his strong suit. His spectacular fall from grace is on him and this nonfiction book about Pete’s childhood, professional career, and scandals makes that apparent. A well-researched book and a fascinating read even if you aren’t a big baseball fan.
Thank you to Pantheon for sending me a free advance reader’s copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Nov 28, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 9781250004925
| 1250004926
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320
pp
| 3.95
| 313
| Mar 19, 2013
| Mar 26, 2013
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liked it
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3.5 stars
So my dad recommended I read The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych as he said this former MLB pitcher made quite the impression even
3.5 stars
So my dad recommended I read The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fidrych as he said this former MLB pitcher made quite the impression even though his career was cut short due to injuries. Mark gained a reputation as being very likeable but a bit odd as during games he would talk to the ball or get on his knees and smooth out the pitching mound with this hands. Fans flocked to the games or turned on the television sets just to see him in action. An interesting individual and more importantly a kind person as well.
Average in terms of writing but if you like baseball, it's worth a read.
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1
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Oct 15, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 9781250248039
| B0BQGGXQQN
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818
pp
| 4.13
| 167
| Oct 24, 2023
| Oct 24, 2023
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it was amazing
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After reading Magic: The Life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson I have gained even more respect for the man. A good son and friend, Hall of Fame basketball pl
After reading Magic: The Life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson I have gained even more respect for the man. A good son and friend, Hall of Fame basketball player, smart businessman, and an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention, which I believe is his most significant role. While I grew up watching him play basketball, at least in the later stages of his career, I still learned a ton about him from this biography.
At 800 some pages, it's certainly a thorough look at his life. I was amazed at how the author was able to dig up so much info about his junior high and high school playing days. A good amount of family history dating back quite a few generations is also included. Some key takeaways I got from reading this biography are Magic is an active listener, placing value on others' opinions, and he really has a great supportive system when it comes to family, friends, coaches, etc.. His basketball talent was going to take him far but those other things were contributing factors to his success. He keeps a positive attitude at all times and uses disappointments and devastating news to fight harder which is truly admirable.
Highly recommend this biography.
Thank you Celadon Books for sending me an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Jun 20, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 9781668033425
| 1668033429
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400
pp
| 3.77
| 43,749
| Aug 29, 2023
| Aug 29, 2023
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liked it
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3.25 stars
I have mixed feelings about The Breakaway. While there were many things I liked about the novel, in some ways it missed the mark. Most of my
3.25 stars
I have mixed feelings about The Breakaway. While there were many things I liked about the novel, in some ways it missed the mark. Most of my issues can be traced back to the main character. The story does follow a few other characters along the way but it's a tough read when you find yourself increasingly irritated by basically the star of the show.
Thirty three year old Abby Stern is in her element when she hops on her bicycle and hits the wide open road. She agrees to lead a multi day cycling trip thru New York. Abby is in for quite the surprise as her overly critical mother has joined the trip. As if that wasn't bad enough, Abby learns a one night stand from a few years back, Sebastian, will also be a part of her group. Well, I'm sure this will be totally fun and not at all awkward for Abby.
One of the better aspects of the book is Abby feeling comfortable in her own skin. She's plus size but recognizes health is what matters and the amount of exercise she gets from bicycling means her fitness level is better than most. It was nice having a self-confident character who doesn't let others dictate how she should feel about her body.
With that being said, Abby is self-involved. Yes, she has her kind moments doing stuff for others but there are instances where it's like she doesn't grasp other people have feelings too. Or if she does she more brushes it off without much self-reflection. The second half of the book I really started losing interest in her. Oddly enough it's the mother's backstory that ticked me off the most as it really showcased that apparently Abby has never had any desire to get to know her mother better and who she is as a person. I'm trying to tiptoe around spoilers but what kid isn't at least somewhat curious about their parents and how they grew up? The whole thing was just weird to me and I guess I will leave it at that.
Not my favorite Jennifer Weiner novel but still an okay read.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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May 08, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 9781250834522
| 125083452X
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288
pp
| 3.85
| 2,561
| Nov 29, 2022
| Nov 29, 2022
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really liked it
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3.75 stars
As a kid growing up in the 1980s and 90s, I loved watching gymnastics. It's a sport that requires a high amount of physical and mental toug
3.75 stars
As a kid growing up in the 1980s and 90s, I loved watching gymnastics. It's a sport that requires a high amount of physical and mental toughness. Even at a young age I was aware of the fact certain gymnasts had the added pressure of competing not for themselves, but for their country.
This book follows eight year old Anya, who in the early 1970s was chosen to be part of the USSR gymnastics program. Raised by her father after her mother's disappearance, Anya often spends time with her elderly neighbor, Vera, who spent 10 years in a Gulag camp. But with Anya's duty to compete at the highest level, her world now revolves around gymnastics, with little to no time for anything else.
In addition to the 1970s time period, you also get glimpses of the country's history in the early and mid parts of the 20th century. While Vera's backstory was interesting and enhanced the overall story, the transitions from Anya to Vera's parts were clunky and disjointed at times, particularly in the beginning. It took awhile, maybe to about the halfway point, until I got into a good reading groove. It's a story worth sticking with though if you like learning about Russian history and are a fan of gymnastics. It really covers the intensity of the sport quite well.
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1
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Nov 25, 2022
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1982185503
| 9781982185503
| 1982185503
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336
pp
| 4.63
| 1,237
| Feb 07, 2023
| Feb 21, 2023
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it was amazing
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Oksana Masters was born in Ukraine with some radiation induced birth defects stemming from the Chernobyl disaster. She grew up in an orphanage under h
Oksana Masters was born in Ukraine with some radiation induced birth defects stemming from the Chernobyl disaster. She grew up in an orphanage under horrific conditions but at the age of 7 was adopted by a single American woman, Gay Masters. Oksana's legs were eventually amputated and she had surgery to modify her webbed fingers. At the age of 13, she was introduced to the sport of rowing and in 2012 competed in the London Paralympic Games.
I don't want to give away too much about her accomplishments in case you are learning about her for the first time, but wow, what an athlete! It really just goes to show you how sports can be life-changing and bring out the best in a person. Once Oksana got a taste of rowing it really fueled that inner drive and it's amazing and inspiring how she was able to push the limits as a competitor.
Overcoming adversity is a theme in her life and I can only imagine how difficult it would be to revisit old memories while writing her story. Oksana is a warrior and I highly recommend checking out her memoir.
Thank you to Book Club Favorites for sending me a copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Nov 14, 2022
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Hardcover
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| B09R2J1DXF
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671
pp
| 4.45
| 120,692
| 2022
| Sep 27, 2022
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really liked it
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4.5 stars
The Winners is the third and final book in the Beartown series. At 600+ pages it's a long read and perhaps could have been trimmed a bit in l
4.5 stars
The Winners is the third and final book in the Beartown series. At 600+ pages it's a long read and perhaps could have been trimmed a bit in length. But as someone who has loved the series, I also didn't want it to end. Fredrik Backman just gets human nature and that's why his writing resonates with me. As with his other books, be prepared to run the gamut of emotions. It's truly extraordinary how he brought this small Swedish community of diehard hockey fans to life.
Normally, I'd give some sort of synopsis in my review but it feels pointless to do so here. If you liked the first two books, by all means, read The Winners. It has the familiar cast of characters along with some new faces. Comparing the books in the series, I'd say this one is more similar to Us Against You rather than Beartown. All three are good reads but Beartown is the absolute gold standard in my opinion. It was a herculean task to top that book, but the author really did do an admirable job with the sequels.
The Winners is worth reading and this book just went to further cement the writer's status as one of my favorite authors.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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May 19, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 9780593158685
| 0593158687
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384
pp
| 4.21
| 551,718
| Aug 30, 2022
| Aug 30, 2022
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liked it
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3.5 stars
This book has left me with conflicted feelings. While Carrie Soto is one of Taylor Jenkins Reid's most memorable characters, I just don't thi
3.5 stars
This book has left me with conflicted feelings. While Carrie Soto is one of Taylor Jenkins Reid's most memorable characters, I just don't think this novel is her strongest work. Still a lot to appreciate though even if she didn't serve up an ace. (Yeah, I know what I did there. Come on, it's a book about tennis, I had to!)
When Carrie Soto retired she was the best tennis player the world had ever seen having won twenty Grand Slam titles. At age 37 and out of the sport for a number of years, she has a strong desire to make a comeback after watching Nicki Chan tie her record. Won't be easy jumping back into the world of professional tennis, but she'll have the help of her coach, aka her father, and the will to win.
Because Carrie lives, eats and breathes tennis all day long, the story revolves around practice and matches. I grew up playing the sport so my interest level was high. If you don't like tennis or understand that competitive drive, I honestly don't know if this is the book for you. Carrie is a fascinating character but again, there's a lot of tennis. TJR is a thoughtful writer and brings good things to the table but unfortunately it gets overshadowed by the tennis.
I binge read this book so I did like it but it didn't leave me with an emotional impact like some of the author's other books.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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May 19, 2022
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Hardcover
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| 9781501160790
| 1501160796
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448
pp
| 4.36
| 202,694
| Aug 21, 2017
| Jun 05, 2018
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it was amazing
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4.5 stars
Us Against You is the second book in the Beartown series. It had been well over a year since I read the first one but it was fairly easy to j
4.5 stars
Us Against You is the second book in the Beartown series. It had been well over a year since I read the first one but it was fairly easy to jump right back in this world. Even though the author does give you a bit of a recap, I'd strongly advise against reading this second book as a standalone novel. You really need to read Beartown first in order to appreciate the full scope of the story the author is trying to tell.
I was incredibly impressed the sequel felt like a natural continuation of the first book. Beartown is such a beloved book with purpose and meaning. I can't imagine the pressure Backman faced with trying to come up with a worthy second novel in the series but somehow he managed to rise to the occasion. Us Against You is a great novel. Maybe not perfect, as the slow moving pace can be frustrating at times. But if you can muster just a smidge of patience and put trust in the author, he'll take you on quite a journey.
I will absolutely be reading the 3rd book in the series as this town and the characters have a strong hold on me.
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1
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May 13, 2022
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Hardcover
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| 9781538716663
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368
pp
| 3.76
| 8,416
| Aug 17, 2021
| Aug 17, 2021
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really liked it
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3.5 stars
The Dating Playbook is the second book in The Boyfriend Project contemporary romance series. Three women discovered they were dating the same
3.5 stars
The Dating Playbook is the second book in The Boyfriend Project contemporary romance series. Three women discovered they were dating the same guy. They immediately ditched that loser and struck up a close friendship with each other. Each book features one of the ladies and a potential love interest.
Taylor Powell is experiencing some serious financial difficulties. Former NFL player Jamar Dixon wants to get back on the playing field. He's willing to pay Taylor some big bucks if she will be his personal trainer. A caveat is he wants to keep his comeback a secret for now. Everything seems to be going according to plan until they are seen in public together. Rather than blow his cover and admit they have a professional relationship, they go the fake dating route. Yeah, I'm sure this won't lead to them falling for each other or anything, right?
After reading two books by Farrah Rochon, I gotta say, I love what she is bringing to the romance genre. You get more than just a steamy love story as the lead characters do have interesting lives outside of the bedroom. They each have career goals. I also like how Taylor, London, and Samiah have a strong bond and support each other. Add in some good humor and these books are fun reads. Really the only thing missing for me was an incredible spark of chemistry between Taylor and Jamar. Don't get me wrong, I liked the pairing and their interactions but they just don't rank high on my list of favorite love matches.
I'm excited to see what the third book in the series brings with London as the main character.
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1
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Apr 01, 2022
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Paperback
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| 9781538760154
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384
pp
| 3.55
| 19,501
| Aug 07, 2018
| Aug 07, 2018
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really liked it
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Wow, that was one steamy romance! The two lead characters definitely had chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. It's a sweet second chance romance
Wow, that was one steamy romance! The two lead characters definitely had chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. It's a sweet second chance romance but yeah, there are some scenes that are graphic in detail. Just figured I'd mention that as I know some readers prefer more PG13 style stories.
Lilah and Ethan were high school sweethearts until he dumped her to focus on his hockey career. Eight years later, he's back in town wanting to start things up again with Lilah. Not so fast, mister! You're going to have to figure out a way to win back her heart.
So the title of the book is somewhat interesting to me because the whole good luck charm aspect doesn't really happen until quite a ways into the story. Every romance has a conflict or two on the road to happily ever after and that's one of the problems facing this couple. I actually preferred the other storyline of Lilah learning how to put herself first. The story alternates between Lilah and Ethan and they are both gosh, darn likeable characters.
If you can handle a romance that will most likely make you blush, I recommend reading this one.
Thank you to Forever for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Sep 14, 2021
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ebook
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| 9780063079960
| 0063079968
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416
pp
| 4.23
| 2,467
| Sep 21, 2021
| Sep 21, 2021
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it was amazing
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Rather than write a long-winded review, I'm gonna try and keep it short and simple for a change. Catch Us When We Fall is a novel featuring Cass Mackl
Rather than write a long-winded review, I'm gonna try and keep it short and simple for a change. Catch Us When We Fall is a novel featuring Cass Macklin, an alcoholic. Her long-time boyfriend, Ben, recently passed away due to his drinking problem. Cass is pregnant with his child and needs help in more ways than one. Ben and his brother, Scott, had a rocky relationship, but he's the only person she knows with the means to help her. They strike up a short term deal with the hope Cass will take control of her life.
Cass's journey affected me on an unexpected emotional level. To say I felt invested in her seems like such an understatement. This is a story that really just grabbed my heart and will stick with me for a long time. It was a powerful read and one that I highly recommend checking out.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Jun 30, 2021
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Paperback
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| 9780062973085
| 0062973088
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368
pp
| 3.82
| 13,872
| Jun 29, 2021
| Jun 29, 2021
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really liked it
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3.5 stars
When I saw the words; sports, romance, and Chicago in the publisher synopsis, I knew I should pick this book up. Adding an opera singer to th
3.5 stars
When I saw the words; sports, romance, and Chicago in the publisher synopsis, I knew I should pick this book up. Adding an opera singer to the mix along with a mystery incorporated into the story really made it a fun read. When Stars Collide is the 9th book in the Chicago Stars series but can easily be read as a standalone novel.
Pro football quarterback, Thad Owens, and opera superstar, Olivia Shore, are under contract to promote a luxury watch brand. One month of flying from city to city as brand ambassadors. Strictly business, right? Besides, these two can't have a thing in common. Oh, and by the way one of them is the recipient of some threatening letters. Sounds like it might lead to a dangerous situation or two.
The chemistry between Olivia and Thad was good and I did like their humorous banter back and forth. Olivia had a rich backstory but Thad didn't have much going on in regards to his background. Given the story alternates between the two character's perspectives, it was disappointing to feel like Thad was given the short end of the stick in terms of character development.
The mystery was interesting for a huge portion of the book but it eventually bogged down the story. Probably could have trimmed down the page length by at least 50 pages to keep the momentum going with the romance. Everything does seem to wrap up nicely in the end and overall I did enjoy the book. I'm glad I can add Susan Elizabeth Phillips to the rotation for romance authors for when I'm in the mood to read a book in that genre.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with a copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Jun 28, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 9781250220257
| 1250220254
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467
pp
| 3.77
| 374,946
| Sep 14, 2021
| Sep 14, 2021
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liked it
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2.5 stars
It really bums me out that Apples Never Fall didn't work for me. Liane Moriarty is a great writer and I've enjoyed other books by her. But wh
2.5 stars
It really bums me out that Apples Never Fall didn't work for me. Liane Moriarty is a great writer and I've enjoyed other books by her. But when it comes to this novel, it felt like a chore to get through and I contemplated more than once of placing it in the 'did not finish' pile. It was a very long journey and while the ending tied in everything nicely and was the highlight, by that point it was too little, too late.
Stan and Joy Delaney spent decades running their tennis academy before retiring and selling the business. Their 4 children, now adults, spent their childhood on the courts and while they were all great players, they never reached superstar level. One day a woman named Savannah shows up on the family doorstep. Months later Joy goes missing. What happened to Joy?
The story alternates between the past revolving around Savannah living with Stan and Joy, and the present in which people are looking for Joy. The 450+ pages covers a time frame of less than a year. It's too many pages! Yes, you get some background info as to what life was like for the kids growing up but the story drags on and on. Normally a cast of unlikeable characters doesn't bother me but the story has to be good or otherwise you lose my interest and that's what happened here.
What can I say? Lots of readers liked this book, I did not. Oh well, I'll still keep checking out other books by this author.
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1
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Jun 24, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 9780063019041
| 0063019043
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384
pp
| 3.70
| 1,598
| Apr 20, 2021
| Mar 25, 2021
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really liked it
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3.5 stars
I finished reading this book about a week ago and I wanted to hold off on writing a review in order to gather my thoughts on the story. The a
3.5 stars
I finished reading this book about a week ago and I wanted to hold off on writing a review in order to gather my thoughts on the story. The author draws much of the story from the big scandals in the U.S. Gymnastics program and that somehow manages to be both the strength and weakness of this novel. I'll try my best to explain what I mean by that in a bit.
Sera Wheeler and her friend, Lucy, have dreams of competing in the Olympics as part of the U.S. women's gymnastics team. They train for 30 hours a week, adhere to a strict diet, and constantly battle thru the pain of their injuries. Their families have made great sacrifices for them as well as it's not a cheap sport when you add in money spent on coaches, the travelling expenses for competitions, fancy leotards, etc.. When Lucy tells the adults running the elite gymnastics program that one of the doctors has been molesting her, Sera is faced with a decision to make. She can either speak up and back up her friend, or keep quiet so she doesn't make waves and potentially lose her spot on the team.
If you have followed the case in the news, it no doubt infuriates you that there were so many victims because adults decided to turn a blind eye. This story mostly follows Sera but there are some chapters devoted to her mother. Both the child and adult's perspectives serve a purpose as they show the intensity of that elite level of competitive sports and that win at all costs attitude. The author does a great job showing the contributing factors that led to this tragedy and why such evil people were able to get away with it for so long.
The book has a bit of a ripped from the headlines feel to it, similar to the famous cases the Law & Order shows tackle in episodes. While the names of the guilty were changed, the names of some current and former gymnasts appear throughout the story. The story feels like it belongs in both regular fiction and historical fiction genres. While I do think the book was written with the best of intentions, at times I felt uncomfortable reading it. I've been struggling to figure out the exact reasons for why I felt that way. I guess it's because I kept wondering if the victims are okay with essentially an outsider writing about this tragedy. I hope they see the value in this book rather than feel like it's exploitative in nature.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
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1
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Apr 10, 2021
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Paperback
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432
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| 4.29
| 460,555
| Sep 15, 2016
| Apr 25, 2017
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it was amazing
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It's always tricky when you finally sit down with a book that is beloved by so many readers. Your expectations are high and it's like you are on this
It's always tricky when you finally sit down with a book that is beloved by so many readers. Your expectations are high and it's like you are on this heightened alert to point out each and every flaw with the writing. Thankfully, the author really managed to deliver and I wouldn't change a darn thing.
In the small community of Beartown there isn't a whole lot going on except hockey. Everyone has placed their hopes and dreams on the junior level hockey team. You see, if the team wins the championship it makes the whole town a bunch of winners too. Talk about pressure. A violent act right before the big game rocks the community to the core.
The story alternates between many characters in the town but I found it easy to keep track of who was who. I love that the author took this approach in telling the story because you truly got a sense of this community and what makes it frustrating, maddening, horrifying, and a whole lot of other things is knowing you could substitute your town for Beartown. It might be a fictional story, but it certainly was not an unrealistic scenario.
A tough read given the subject matter but the author somehow managed to sneak in some beautiful moments as well. With this book being the second one I have read by this author, I think he really understands human nature. The good, bad, ugly, everything. I will definitely pick up the sequel to this book very soon.
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1
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Feb 15, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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| | | | | 1541672666
| 9781541672666
| 1541672666
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368
pp
| 3.95
| 257
| Mar 24, 2020
| Mar 24, 2020
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liked it
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While 1918 was the year the Great War, aka World War 1, ended, it was also the start of the Spanish flu pandemic which killed millions of people world
While 1918 was the year the Great War, aka World War 1, ended, it was also the start of the Spanish flu pandemic which killed millions of people worldwide. This book provides a bit of a look into how the city of Boston was hit by the pandemic but primarily provides focus on three men with Boston area connections. Babe Ruth helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 1918. Karl Muck was a German conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and there was a public uproar on whether he was loyal to the United States or Germany. Charles Whittlesey earned a law degree from Harvard Law School and led the "Lost Battalion" in the Meuse-Argonne offensive during World War 1.
This book was published in March 2020 and it's an eerie coincidence the book discusses the 1918 pandemic while in the present day the world has been turned upside down due to the Coronavirus. I would have loved for the authors to go into a little more detail about the subject as that was the main reason I was interested in the book. Most of the pandemic coverage is towards the end of the book and it was interesting to compare attitudes and actions taken back then vs now. So while the pandemic coverage is more of a snapshot look as to what was going on, the three men featured in the book are given more of a mini-biography level of material.
The book is informative but maybe not the most exciting nonfiction read. It's a book I read in bits in pieces over the course of a week or so instead of spending hours at a time fully engrossed in the material. I do think the authors picked 3 unique individuals to feature in the book. There might not be enough interest or even enough information to warrant individual biographies about Muck or Whittlesey but when you throw those two men in with Babe Ruth, it makes for a decent read. You can't help but draw parallels between then and now and for that reason this is a book that you might want to consider reading.
I received a free reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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1
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Jul 02, 2020
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Hardcover
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| unknown
| 3.76
| 710
| Sep 22, 2020
| Sep 22, 2020
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liked it
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I'll admit the reason this book initially caught my eye was learning the character was from Normal, Illinois as I am very familiar with the town. I en
I'll admit the reason this book initially caught my eye was learning the character was from Normal, Illinois as I am very familiar with the town. I enjoy reading books in the YA genre so I figured might as well give this one a shot. A decent read but not exactly memorable.
High school student Maddie McPherson is ready to leave her hometown of Normal, Illinois and move on to bigger and better things. She's landed a pretty cool summer internship at a sports marketing firm in Chicago. She is assigned a pretty big project as she will be working with teenage soccer star, Gabriel Fortunato, to develop content for his social media presence. And of course working together so closely, Maddie gets to really know Gabriel. Are they going to maintain a strictly business relationship or could it develop into something more?
By far the thing I loved most about this book was the fact it featured women working in what most people would consider a male-dominated industry. I'm glad the author had most of the plot revolving around sports marketing and working with athletes as I found it fascinating. Might not have been entirely realistic Maddie was given certain responsibilities given her age and inexperience, but I just rolled with it.
Unfortunately, I thought the romance elements of the story were somewhat lackluster. There was nothing significantly wrong with the two characters, it was more I just didn't pick up on a ton of sparks between the two of them. Thankfully there is a nice balance so it's not like the romance dominates the story.
I received an advance digital copy from Netgalley and the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
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Notes are private!
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1
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May 01, 2020
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1419734628
| 9781419734625
| 1419734628
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359
pp
| 4.27
| 1,805
| Nov 12, 2019
| Nov 12, 2019
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really liked it
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There were certainly many good moments that came out of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta such as Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic Cauldron during
There were certainly many good moments that came out of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta such as Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremonies and Kerri Strug competing on an injured ankle and securing a gold medal for the U.S. women's gymnastics team. However, tragedy also struck after a pipe bomb attack in Centennial Park killed one person, Alice Hawthorne, and injured 111 people. A cameraman also died when he suffered a fatal heart attack while running to the scene. Law enforcement rushed to figure out who was responsible for the attack and unfortunately the case turned into a gigantic mess.
Security guard Richard Jewell was working at Centennial Park the night of the bombing. He was the person who alerted higher ups of a suspicious looking bag that had been left unattended. While he helped secure the area, the bomb went off. Given the thousands of people in the park at the time, Richard was hailed a hero because without him taking action, the casualties could have been significantly greater. But within a few days, the FBI considered him a suspect and word leaked out to the media. Richard's world was turned upside down as the public perception of him quickly changed from hero to villain and he became a frequent punchline for late night comedians. Guess what? He wasn't the bomber.
I was a teenager back in 1996 and even decades later this still remains one of the more bizarre things I have ever seen played out in the media. First Richard is the man who saved lives with his quick thinking. Then because he fits the lone wolf type profile he turns into a suspect. Oh no, we hate him now! But wait, looks like after law enforcement searches his home and digs more into past, maybe he didn't do it. After some bombings in Alabama, the authorities move on to a new suspect. It's okay people, Richard really is a good guy. We can like him again. The whole sage was just a roller coaster and I can't imagine what it was like to be in Richard's shoes. And that's why I wanted to read this book, as I almost felt like I owed it to him to learn more about what he went through and hopefully get a more well-rounded view of him as a person instead of the more sensationalized version the media put out.
This is certainly a well-researched book and my guess is there probably will never be another book on the market that takes this close of a look into the case. While some of the key players involved are deceased, the authors were able to piece together the facts of the case by interviewing friends and family, combing through old news articles, watching television interviews, etc. Co-author Kent Alexander was actually involved in the case as he was the U.S. attorney who sent Jewell a letter formally clearing him. This was something negotiated ahead of time with Jewell's lawyers and after it was released it went a long way in shifting the public's perception of him as the man responsible for the bombing.
I think the authors do a good job in painting the picture of everything going on during this time period. They write about everything leading up to the Games, including the security measures that were put in place. The internet and cable news channels really starting to gain popularity at this time helped contribute to the 24-hour news cycle. Law enforcement needed to find the person or persons responsible for the bombing quickly in case future attacks had been planned. There was a lot going on as it was like the perfect storm and unfortunately for Richard Jewell he got caught up in the middle of it.
I think each reader will draw their own conclusions about the case. I think most of us can agree that Richard Jewell was put through the ringer which is extremely unfortunate given he was innocent. Now whether or not you can assign blame for what happened is where it becomes more of a grey issue. Was it law enforcement or the media that caused this absolute circus? Both? Should certain individuals take most of the blame like the reporter or the FBI agent? After reading the book, I can't say my opinions on the case have changed but I do think I have now gotten much more of a complete picture. The authors for the most part just present the facts without interjecting their opinions but I was left with the impression they didn't think too highly of a particular FBI agent.
Definitely recommend reading this book if you want a definitive look at the case. Obviously a big part of the story is Richard Jewell, but the book does go into detail about Eric Rudolph, the man responsible for the Olympic bombing as well as other bombings. Once law enforcement correctly identified him as a suspect, the hunt for him took years before he was successfully apprehended. Chances are you are like me and can never remember the name Eric Rudolph as the media coverage wasn't as extensive with him as it was with Jewell. And how many people out there incorrectly associate Richard Jewell with the bombing and as memories fade, forget he was innocent? Eric Rudolph is responsible for the Centennial Park bombing as well as three other bombings. I think we owe it to Richard to remember that.
Thank you to Netgalley and Abrams Press giving me an opportunity to read an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
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Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 04, 2019
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Hardcover
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| | | | | 1617757594
| 9781617757594
| 1617757594
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288
pp
| 4.31
| 203
| Sep 03, 2019
| Sep 03, 2019
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really liked it
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By the time I finished reading this book, I had tears in my eyes. Let me be clear, you do not need to be a sports fan to read this book. There is so m
By the time I finished reading this book, I had tears in my eyes. Let me be clear, you do not need to be a sports fan to read this book. There is so much more to Ryan than his career as a football player. This is the story of someone who didn't feel like he could live his life as an openly gay man. He thought death was the better option. Let that sink in. He was willing to kill himself because he didn't think people would ever accept the real Ryan O'Callaghan. Absolutely heartbreaking but thankfully he has realized his life is worth living and by sharing his story he will no doubt help countless others.
This book is full of just raw honesty which was very refreshing. One of the things I found fascinating was Ryan was never passionate about football. He had fun playing but he wasn't the type of athlete who lived and breathed the sport. He also didn't hesitate in calling out former coaches who he didn't get along with, but he was also generous with praise for the people who helped him along the way. His friendship with Aaron Rodgers is also discussed in the book as well as some of the rumors surrounding Aaron. I'm sure there's two sides to the story and all that, but Aaron's ability to just cut people out of his life with no explanation is so strange to me.
As the injuries mounted up, Ryan spiraled into addiction. He makes a valid point that the NFL needs to do a better job in taking care of its players. When you have players like Ryan who turn to large quantities of prescription pain pills because the league is okay with that but doles out suspensions for marijuana use, well, that's a problem. His journey into addiction is just another compelling story he has to tell.
I beg anyone who thinks athletes or other public figures should keep quiet about their sexuality, to read this book. I honestly don't see how anyone could listen to Ryan's story and see the damage "staying in the closet" caused and still have that opinion. Thousands and thousands of professional athletes in sports like football, basketball, and baseball, and yet only a few have ever come out. That's not right. We need to make it right so people aren't afraid to be who they are, and I think this book is a big step in helping accomplish that goal.
I won a free advance copy of this book from the publisher and LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I was under no obligation to post a review here and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
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Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 28, 2019
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Paperback
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