EliK1
Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative
EliK1's Completed Shelf
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EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Jan 14, 2021
EliK1's rating:
1 out of 5 stars
Added Dec 30, 2021
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EliK1's rating:
0.5 out of 5 stars
Added Dec 16, 2020
Comment:
This was the absolute worst book I've read in a long time.
The premise was intriguing at first, but then it all became very cliche.
The characters are hard to like. I don't believe Emily's character to be real (the pieces just don't fit together to form a whole).
The blog-like format of some of the chapters is unnecessary. It does not bring anything to the table. Instead, it just makes this basic book more basic.
It seemed as if the author had no idea what the book was going to be like. She just had a premise and went from there. Whatever twist was needed to get her out of an issue, it was implemented. It was all unnatural and forced.
Potential spoilers:
If Emily is a total psychopath (as we hear all of the stories from her life), she should not be so caring towards her son. It just doesn't make sense how nothing else moves her, but somehow the child is her kryptonite.
Stephanie is a ditz. OK, we get it. But was it really that easy to have her push a car with a dead person off a cliff? Not the soundest of logic.
And Sean. So strong, yet so weak and clueless about everything.This was the absolute worst book I've read in a long time.
The premise was intriguing at first, but then it all became very cliche.
The characters are hard to like. I don't believe Emily's character to be real (the pieces just don't fit together to…
EliK1's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added Dec 3, 2020
Comment:
I enjoyed the marriage advice that was artfully woven into this book. It was quite the page-turner for the most part, having me curious where both of our main characters would end. The ending was somewhat lacking.
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EliK1's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 12, 2020
Comment:
This is a sequel to "Good girl, bad girl." I have to say that I liked book no.2 much better. We focused more on Evie and the backstory was still... about Evie, which made the book cohesive (unlike book no.1). While it does help to read book 1 before book 2, it' still not an issue to treat book 2 as a standalone. A lot from the previous installment is summed up here and there throughout this book so it doesn't feel like you've missed too much.
The one thing I found odd was Cyrus' age. I thought he would have been in his late 40s, early 50s, not 30s.This is a sequel to "Good girl, bad girl." I have to say that I liked book no.2 much better. We focused more on Evie and the backstory was still... about Evie, which made the book cohesive (unlike book no.1). While it does help to read book 1 before…
Name of the WindName of the Wind, BookThe Kingkiller Chronicle ; Day One
by Rothfuss, PatrickBook - 2007
EliK1's rating:
2.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 25, 2020
Comment:
I found myself leafing through the pages, hoping for the story to begin. There are a few moments that you think it will finally pick up and then it just doesn't go very far. The ending leaves room for a more interesting story (sequel), but since I didn't enjoy this one as much, I will not be picking part 2 up.
Some strange things happen at the beginning and then we find ourselves listening to a tale about someone's childhood. Yes, I know how it sounds, but it's a bit like a wannabe Harry Potter with a school for special kids, secrets are hidden underground, and masters who might be not what they seem.I found myself leafing through the pages, hoping for the story to begin. There are a few moments that you think it will finally pick up and then it just doesn't go very far. The ending leaves room for a more interesting story (sequel), but since I…
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Sep 3, 2020
Comment:
Not sure how I feel. It started off interesting but it finished flat.
About two people who decide to leave their spouses and move in together. As you can guess, things do not go according to plan. There was one or two things that aren't answered at all, which can be good (left to your imagination) or bad (lazy writing). Otherwise, you kind of can predict most of the plot.Not sure how I feel. It started off interesting but it finished flat.
About two people who decide to leave their spouses and move in together. As you can guess, things do not go according to plan. There was one or two things that aren't answered at…
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 29, 2020
Comment:
Normally not something that would interest me, but I picked it up to study one of the characters as recommended by a friend.
It's about women who seem to want to reconnect. We're not sure why they "broke up" in the first place. As the story continues, we find out that all of them have something to hide. The mystery is being shoved in your face from the very start. It's not for people with weak nerves.Normally not something that would interest me, but I picked it up to study one of the characters as recommended by a friend.
It's about women who seem to want to reconnect. We're not sure why they "broke up" in the first place. As the story…
EliK1's rating:
2.5 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 29, 2020
Comment:
The book is divided into chapters from the past and from the present. Both are told by different people. You know they will have to be connected but you don't know how. As the book goes on, you get more and more hints. Some twists you some coming sooner than others. It's a rather easy read. However, it did not suck me in. I read just to finish it.The book is divided into chapters from the past and from the present. Both are told by different people. You know they will have to be connected but you don't know how. As the book goes on, you get more and more hints. Some twists you some coming…
EliK1's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 29, 2020
Comment:
This book was published in 2012 but it's somehow all the rage in 2020. Everyone seems to be reading it. I'm not sure what prompted that. I usually do not like non-fiction books, but this was a great read. VERY informative. It gives plenty of examples of how introverts act and how they are perceived when compared to extroverts. There's plenty of scientific research quoted to support the claims.
The only downsides of this book for me were:
1. The author often writes something along the lines: "But we will explore that further in chapter 7." It's distracting and makes you want to flip to chapter 7, but it also makes you want that info right there in chapter 3.
2. There is SO much information there that you can't really read it in one sitting.
I'm considering buying this just so that I can bookmark certain passages so I can return to specific details in the future when I need it.This book was published in 2012 but it's somehow all the rage in 2020. Everyone seems to be reading it. I'm not sure what prompted that. I usually do not like non-fiction books, but this was a great read. VERY informative. It gives plenty of…
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EliK1's rating:
2.5 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 5, 2020
Comment:
I wonder if this book was written by a (different) ghostwriter.
To me, this had a rather predictable plot.
The ending was so expected and cliche.
I kept reading because of the author and to see how things would resolve, but it was far from a page-turner.I wonder if this book was written by a (different) ghostwriter.
To me, this had a rather predictable plot.
The ending was so expected and cliche.
I kept reading because of the author and to see how things would resolve, but it was far from a…
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EliK1's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Jun 5, 2020
Comment:
A great finish to the trilogy. Although I have read the previous two books, this could do well as a standalone. Things from the past books are neatly brought in without making it sound boring and repetitive.
Questions are answered but not spoon-fed. I thought the ending/ reveal was a little rushed.
What I wasn't a fan of were timelines. Apparently, things did not occur as the chapters went but sometimes jumped before the previous chapter, which was slightly confusing. I'm assuming that way the point.
Great character creation. I was invested in all of their stories.A great finish to the trilogy. Although I have read the previous two books, this could do well as a standalone. Things from the past books are neatly brought in without making it sound boring and repetitive.
Questions are answered but not spoon-fed.…
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EliK1's rating:
2 out of 5 stars
Added May 14, 2020
Comment:
WARNING: explicit male on male action (aggressive at times)
I was not prepared for it. I wish I knew about it, then I would not have picked this book up.
That aside, the book was very mediocre. Very predictable. I did not relate to any of the characters. I wasn't rooting for them. I didn't care what happened to them. Apparently, every "regular" person in this book is able to escape the law, terrorists, and spies. It felt like a superhero-themed book. Unbelievable.WARNING: explicit male on male action (aggressive at times)
I was not prepared for it. I wish I knew about it, then I would not have picked this book up.
That aside, the book was very mediocre. Very predictable. I did not relate to any of the…
EliK1's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added May 8, 2020
Comment:
2nd part of a trilogy.
SO much went on in this installment. It was definitely a page-turner for the most part.
While we got some answers, most things still remain unanswered.
I feel like the first part ended in a way that didn't require you to read the next two books, which I liked. I picked up the second book on my own. I wasn't forced to. This one, however, is different. It ends on such a cliffhanger that you HAVE TO pick up book number three.
There's this one plot (the fair/ amusement park) that I find boring and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere really. I assume that book 3 will have more of it, which I'm not necessarily keen on.2nd part of a trilogy.
SO much went on in this installment. It was definitely a page-turner for the most part.
While we got some answers, most things still remain unanswered.
I feel like the first part ended in a way that didn't require you to read…
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added May 5, 2020
Comment:
From the very beginning, I wondered what the title had meant. After finishing the book, I have to say that now I know and I think it's a clever title.
As far as the story is concerned - rather average. We know what happened and who did it from the very start. I kept reading the book, hoping for more mystery but didn't really get it. It was a rather boring tale up until the end. Then, you kind of can see the ending coming. Disappointing.From the very beginning, I wondered what the title had meant. After finishing the book, I have to say that now I know and I think it's a clever title.
As far as the story is concerned - rather average. We know what happened and who did it from the…
Cross Her HeartCross Her Heart, Downloadable AudiobookA Novel
by Pinborough, SarahDownloadable Audiobook - 2018
Available
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 28, 2020
Comment:
The book begins with a bang. It definitely ramps up the anticipation for things to go south. The first part of the book is rather uneventful. Then, things take a somewhat unexpected turn. As things unravel, you get to figure out some things before the book reveals those secrets to you. Somewhat predictable but entertaining.The book begins with a bang. It definitely ramps up the anticipation for things to go south. The first part of the book is rather uneventful. Then, things take a somewhat unexpected turn. As things unravel, you get to figure out some things before…
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 14, 2020
Good Girl, Bad GirlGood Girl, Bad Girl, Downloadable AudiobookA Novel
by Robotham, MichaelDownloadable Audiobook - 2019
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 6, 2020
Comment:
For those wondering - part 2 of the series is coming out July 2020.
I have to say that I enjoyed the ending more than the entire story, which is unusual.
It's quite a lengthy book.
There are multiple plots in this story. One - a murdered/raped girl. Two - a traumatized girl. To me, the first one felt unnecessary. Even though it was interesting, it was a filler plot. One I could do without. I would much rather have the author focus on the traumatized girl, the psychologist, and the woman who saved her back in the day. The first plot was solved, the second not at all.For those wondering - part 2 of the series is coming out July 2020.
I have to say that I enjoyed the ending more than the entire story, which is unusual.
It's quite a lengthy book.
There are multiple plots in this story. One - a murdered/raped girl.…
The GirlfriendThe Girlfriend, Downloadable Audiobook
by Frances, MichelleDownloadable Audiobook - 2018
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 5, 2020
Comment:
A bit of a cliche. Boy meets girl. He is rich while she is poor. Boy's mother and the girl clash, fighting for the top spot of the boy's priority list.
I did enjoy the story because it kept me guessing what would happen next. What exactly one or the other would do.
Makes you wonder how far people will go to accomplish their missions.A bit of a cliche. Boy meets girl. He is rich while she is poor. Boy's mother and the girl clash, fighting for the top spot of the boy's priority list.
I did enjoy the story because it kept me guessing what would happen next. What exactly one or…
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Someone We KnowSomeone We Know, Downloadable AudiobookA Novel
by Lapeña, ShariDownloadable Audiobook - 2019
Available
EliK1's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 2, 2020
Comment:
The woman who narrated this audiobook was amazing. Making every emotional clear.
The opening scene definitely hooks you right in. It's a murder mystery. Throughout the course of the investigation, we find out all the secrets people from that neighborhood keep. Everything feels so real. Like we could touch it. As if we were a part of it all. The characters are masterfully created.
You think you know the answer to the question, but you keep on reading to see how it all unfolded.
The ending, however, wasn't my favorite. We got an answer, but not everything was explained. Some things were left for us to try and imagine. I'm not sure if that was necessary. It only served as an explanation to how the whole book made us feel about one character in particular.The woman who narrated this audiobook was amazing. Making every emotional clear.
The opening scene definitely hooks you right in. It's a murder mystery. Throughout the course of the investigation, we find out all the secrets people from that…
EliK1's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 5, 2020
Comment:
Best book I've read in half a year or so. The plot started early on, and as the book went on, things only got more interesting. The only negative about it is that not everything was answered at the end. We got closure with the "main" mystery, but not with the side stories. The book is the first part of a trilogy, so that answers that. I can't wait to read book no.2 to see if it's as good as this one.Best book I've read in half a year or so. The plot started early on, and as the book went on, things only got more interesting. The only negative about it is that not everything was answered at the end. We got closure with the "main" mystery, but…
EliK1's rating:
2 out of 5 stars
Added Feb 20, 2020
Comment:
I'm really tired of hearing about great books that turn out to be flops.
The book is about a man taking his wife out of town for the weekend. He is determined to make it "the best day ever." However, it is clear from the very beginning that he is less than a perfect husband. His character flaws are revealed more abundantly as the story goes on. The wife seems hellbent on destroying their day/weekend, but he clenches his jaw and deals with it.
It's a story about revenge. While you are bound to be shocked by at least one thing in the story, the rest is rather predictable.
What bothered me the most is that the story dragged. It could have been told in half the number of pages.I'm really tired of hearing about great books that turn out to be flops.
The book is about a man taking his wife out of town for the weekend. He is determined to make it "the best day ever." However, it is clear from the very beginning that he is…
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Feb 20, 2020
Comment:
The beginning of the book almost made me throw it out the window. I didn't like the style one bit. The main character basically writes (and rewrites) a letter (letters?) to an attorney she hopes might take her case. She claims that she did not commit the crime for which she had been arrested.
She tells her story from the very beginning. If you're writing a plea letter to a lawyer, you do not write a book... but it's supposedly so that the lawyer can know all the details and see her innocence.
It starts off slow. We wait for something to happen, but there really isn't anything. Weird things that happen are few and far between. It picks up about half way. We see that things get crazy and we're not sure what to think. We're hooked.
And then the ending happens. There is an explanation of sorts which you might not have seen coming, which I enjoyed, but it's really not all that vital to the story and what happened. The ending is rushed. Things are basically spelled out to you. Some things are said which are unnecessary.
It had some good moments, but the beginning and the end were weird.The beginning of the book almost made me throw it out the window. I didn't like the style one bit. The main character basically writes (and rewrites) a letter (letters?) to an attorney she hopes might take her case. She claims that she did not…
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Feb 4, 2020
Comment:
I'm rather torn about this book. I wanted it to be good, but it just did not deliver.
Right from the start, we know that Martha's dead. Max keeps repeating it over and over again. She just "knows." I wanted to discover Martha alive. Turns out, she really was dead. No plot twist there. The book starts with Martha threatening her brother that she would reveal his secrets. I wanted to find out what those were. No luck.
We never find out who is the real friend of Max and Eve. I guess it doesn't matter, but it seems to be a theme - so many potential promising twists that never come.
I enjoyed it, trying to get to the twists. But those never came. I'm not sure what the point of this book was.I'm rather torn about this book. I wanted it to be good, but it just did not deliver.
Right from the start, we know that Martha's dead. Max keeps repeating it over and over again. She just "knows." I wanted to discover Martha alive. Turns out, she…
EliK1's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Feb 4, 2020
Comment:
A classic, which I decided to tackle no matter what. While I focused on the romantic part of the plot, I dismissed the talks about society. It wasn't something that interested me. I have to admit that Anna was probably my least favorite of characters. While I wasn't upset with the ending, I felt like the whole was for nothing if it was going to end that way. So useless.A classic, which I decided to tackle no matter what. While I focused on the romantic part of the plot, I dismissed the talks about society. It wasn't something that interested me. I have to admit that Anna was probably my least favorite of…
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