readclever's reviews
337 reviews

I love reading memoirs and autobiographies. Remini's history, living in a cult, was part of my interest; however, as a child of the 1980s, I recognized her throughout my childhood as that actress everyone casted for a Brooklyn edge. I respected her on authenticity as an actress as well as a human after watching her on The Talk. Reading the chapters about her career, especially The Talk, really earned her more respect for sticking up for what's right. It's not always easy in her industry, to keep that empathetic yet ethical troublemaking part.

I won't talk much about Scientology as a religion since most of the information has been covered on her show as well as other ex-members. What I focused on was how she managed to deprogram herself over time, without intervention, because of a solid knowledge in who she is. When they pushed doubt, broke the very core part of that personality, she rallied. That's not easy. And it's even harder to be honest in her 'sins,' like dating and falling in love with a married man. That's not an easy thing to openly admit and take responsibility for.

It's also hard to accept that flawed parents can lead to too adult situations for children, like her mom and father. While she's obviously forgiven them, there's a part of that hurt in the book. It reads raw, valid, and heartbreaking for the little girl that used to be. Choosing to stay in a religion, in a cult, to stay with family and help support is a very mature decision.

I walked away with a lot of respect I didn't expect to find. Definitely recommend this book.

I wanted to like the book because I love Martin as a writer and the series. Unfortunately, the mystery plot felt empty at the end. There was nothing to connect the Blackbirds with the society that'd been built up around them. Even knowing the back story, it was still lacking the heart. I wanted more on Orlando and the past, how the world worked, instead of the consistent show-don't-tell. There was a lot missing in the winding history of the Blackbird society. Not a recommended book. Sad to say.

This is the first Pratchett I've finished.

It was a quick purchase a local thrift store for .25 cents and well worth it. I appreciated the characters, especially the distinctions, and the circular finish by the end. The only part that didn't really appeal to me was the sometimes dry descriptions. A bit more show would have improved some of the information overloads about the clacks.

Really loved the Golems and their central focus, not just Mr. Pump. And the clear moral lines about 'owning' a person as property. Seems extremely relevant in today's society where many enslaved people help keep capitalism running. I liked Moist von Lipwig for the most part. His ingenuity and unexpected honesty gave him a real kind of balance. And the postal workers, Mr. Groat and Stanley, really kept the ruins running. Stanley's growth from boy to man definitely made the right points. And Mr. Groat completing a legacy's work offered a look at hope and the future of a new world.

I usually appreciate more women characters to round out. I would have liked at least one to offer a different perspective than Dearheart and Maccalariat's more severe natures. To see the other side of society, a counterpart like Moist. Felt like a spiraling tug would have finished out the mens' lessons on accountability (financial and moral) as the story went round and round. Reacher Gilt's guileless charm and cunning sabotages acted as a great foil to Lord Vetinari (not so much Moist as the story implied). The Patrician picked a great pawn in choosing Moist, though. Tyranny is not held with just violent tendencies but seeing the vulnerabilities of pawns.

Overall, I felt like morality reigned when least expecting it. A positive thing given the nature of the current world. Then again, philosophy and ideology were established early with clear hints of German prosaic philosophers in the names and theory. Pop culture review of what we (the readers) hold dear and why. I'd definitely read more Pratchett, and intend to. Just waiting for the right one to pop up at the shop.

I picked up this book at the local thrift store for a cheap price. I know why someone didn't want to read it. It's entirely rapey, the hero is out to ruin the daughter of the man who had titles stripped, and sells her to a brothel...to ruin her reputation. A woman who did nothing except be born to the wrong sort.

I wanted to like Lady Regina Wharton, Reggie, because she had the makings of a good character. Seemed to be smart, known as the Ice Princess, understood why marriages were so important. Unfortunately, she loses most senses within the first few minutes of meeting the Earl of Carlisle. The man that her father, the Duke of Blackthorne, stripped of all titles, money, and supposedly his wife and kids. He's transported to Australia, makes a fortune, Blackthorne has the titles returned, and Clayton (Carlisle) decides it's best to make the innocent daughters pay for her father's sins.

Great. Good idea. So he's going to bankrupt one twin daughter (Rebecca, "Becky") through her husband. And sells the woman he's courting, Reggie, to a brothel to ruin her reputation. Becky's peerage husband also beats her, leaving marks, and gets a weird subplot of love with the son of an Irish 'whore' who turns out to be a peer after all. Leaving Becky and Mick (Micheal) to be in love. I don't know how that turned out. I gave up when they were kissing in public, at a park no less.

After all that, I was done. I got a whopping 115 pages in and stopped. If I could give zero stars, I would. I realize the book was written nearly two decades ago, but the sheer lack of character development, plot holes, exploitation of women for a happily ever after, domestic abuse, and the worst romance devices is far too much. Nope. Done. First book of the year that I've put in the Did Not Finish pile. I usually get one or two a year, if that.

Good first novel

I loved Pixie's impertience and her realistic view of what her life was gonna be like. But I felt like the book wasn't as tight in the relationship and the HEA felt rushed because the page count ran out. I was much more interested in his sister's love story and her healing process. But it was a good first novel.

Sisters and sass

Quinn learns everything she knew was wrong. Different. And a whole new world opens up. Quinn, her little sister Tilly, and deceased sister Beth all have their own voices. Quinn learns to love after Beth's death, Tilly finding life after both parents are gone, and Beth helping Quinn to see the world beyond fear. The collection of side-characters, including accidental and reluctant friend Lena, sets up an easy world to visit. The romance was a bit more off-screen than I'd liked but fit the more women fiction (versus romance). It's a solid story about sister rollercoaster that makes up a family. Solid 4 outta 5.

If you like gaslighting men..

You'll love Zane. I got through chapter 4 ans had to DNF. Willow was a perfect heroine until she lost all courage when Zane appeared. Nothing felt authentic. And he felt like a stereotypical A lister who didn't know to keep being honest with bestie Willow. Premise was sound but execution lacked. Also: is there an Adam's apple fetish out in the world?