Gone Girl

September 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Marriage can be a real killer.
One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

I have been reading but not posting any reviews in a long time.  So I thought while this is fresh in my mind I would share my thoughts.

I just finished this book on Sunday and I have to tell you about me first. I tend to stay away from the NYT bestseller list. Much of the time, I do not like the books they have on the list. I also believe I don’t like to be told what I should enjoy reading.  I always peak at the list but vary rarely am persuaded to read something from the list.  I also find that over the years I have become very sensitive to violence and vulgar language. Probably from being a mom of two young children and watching a whole lot of cartoons.

So when my bookclub selected this book, I kind of went into it reluctantly.  Despite all of the praise from some close friends who had already read the book.

So I may be from the unpopular  opinion that did not enjoy the first 200 pages of the book. I probably would have put it down had it not been our reading selection.  Which is one of the main reasons I joined a book club – to grow my reading genres.  When I reached 200 I finally got engrossed in the tale laid out by Ms. Flynn.  I always believe I can solve a mystery before a book ends but I can tell you that rarely happens.  And I did not see many of the twists coming in this book.

This book had so many twists and turns and possibilities that it keeps you reading. I enjoyed the second half of the book but I am not sure if the ending worked for me.  I am still processing.

Overall a good read if you can get yourself past the gore and vulgarity and past page 200.

I just read online that there are rumors that the following might be cast for the movie version:

Ben Affleck could play Nick Dunne

Rosamund Pike as Amy

Emily Ratajkowski as Andie

So I will keep my eyes out for the movie release.  In the meantime, I am off to go read on my deck!

Happy reading!

Belinda

Filed Under: Belinda's Book Nook Tagged With: ,

Belinda’s Book Nook Review – The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

Verity Grey is thrilled to be asked to join archaeologist Peter Quinnell’s dig in the Scottish borders, but after her first day she isn’t so sure. Quinnell, having spent his whole life searching for the resting place of the lost Ninth Roman Legion, is convinced he’s finally found it – not because of any scientific evidence, but because a local boy has seen a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel who guards the bodies of his long-dead comrades. The worst thing is that Verity believes in Peter, and the boy, and even in the Sentinel, who seems determined to become her own protector…but from what?

This is my second book by Susanna Kearsley and again another enjoyable read. I really gravitate to historical fictions because they take me away on an adventure and allow me to have fun while learning bits of history. This book allowed me to explore a bit about the field of archeology and a bit about the Ninth Roman Legion. Something I don’t recall reading about in history classes.

What I enjoyed most about the book is the building up of the main characters and the setting for the dig. I felt the characters were all fully developed. Verity Grey (the main character) is another strong female character that the is an archaeologist by profession who is originally from London.   It was fun learning they frequently used Scottish words the local characters used throughout the book.

And what would a good historical fiction be without a  little romance in there to keep the story moving. The book went at a nice pace to keep you engaged with the story while sprinkling in some history.

I would give this book 4 stars.

Next on my list from Kearsley is ” The Rose Garden” which I will definitely will be looking forward to read.

Happy Reading!

Belinda

Filed Under: Belinda's Book Nook, Projects Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Unmasking Maya by Libby Mercer

April 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Unmasking MayaHello! Welcome to another Belinda’s Book Nook Review.  Today I part from my historical fiction to a light romance. The book is called “Unmasking Maya” written by Libby Mercer. This is my first Mercer book.

I downloading this book on my nook a while back but decided to take a peek yesterday while at pick up for the boys at school. I tend to go about 45 minutes early to secure a good spot (pathetic I know) and to get some reading in. So I began to read and you know how good books draw you in and the surrounding sounds begin to fade and all you are left with is the characters and you are there? Well usually I hear all the cars arriving or the middle-schoolers cutting through since they get out earlier than elementary students.  I did not look up once. I was completely absorbed.

I enjoyed Maya’s character a great deal. She was fun and to watch in the different scenarios and I liked the way Derek was introduced in the book. As I said, this book is a stray from my usual historical fiction or mystery although there was a little mystery in this book.  As I have gotten older, I often like historical fictions because I can still have fun and feel like I am still using my time to learn something.

But I also believe that books like this give you the escape that is pure fun even if predictable.  I liked all the characters in the book and of course was on the edge of my seat at pick up waiting for sparks to fly.  I somehow managed to tear myself away and get the boys on time then quickly drove home and after they had their snacks, I dove back in for round two and can I tell you again, everything faded around me (and that’s tough to do with two young boys in the house) and finished the book.  I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend it as  fun beach read type of book.

Filed Under: Belinda's Book Nook, Projects Tagged With: , , , , ,

Belinda’s Book Nook – Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

March 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I am having so much fun using Overdrive to check out ebook out of public libraries to read on my Nook HD.  You don’t always find the latest books but the process always puts me on the doorstep of a new author or story that I have not been blessed to have read.

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

I stumbled across this book, Marianna in one of my searches and boy am I happy I did.

The new owner of a 16th-century Wiltshire farmhouse, Julia finds herself transported back and forth in time to the life of a woman named Mariana. Enthralled with the long-ago world, in love with a man who lived centuries before, Julia must lay the past to rest if she is to find love in the present.”  –

I enjoy when a book can take me somewhere else. I like when I feel attachment to the characters. Well I felt this way with this book.  I would read it during pick-up for the boys and  at night before I go to sleep.  Each time, I felt drawn in and wanting to find out more when I had to put the book down. (It wouldn’t go over well if I were late for school pick up!)

Again one of my favorite things about historical fictions is that it allows you to learn more about history without the stuffiness of a history text book.  I don’t know much English history so this was a little peek into some history.  The characters were rich and the details allowed me to really be there while I was reading it. It also had some light romance in it too. Without spoiling the book, I will say there is a major twist in the book that knocked me off my seat and I felt good with it once I read a few reading guide questions that helped me to process my reaction better.  Are  you curious now? Go ahead and read it and tell me what you think.

I am on the hunt for a new book now and will be back to share my thoughts with you soon.

Happy Reading!!

Belinda

Filed Under: Belinda's Book Nook, Projects Tagged With: , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers: