Gate 76 - by Andrew Diamond
Available June 1, 2018 - Stolen Time Press
This advance reader digital copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
Overall Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A good thriller with a solid plot and complex characters, that will keep you turning pages.
Freddy Ferguson is a rough-around-the-edges P.I. who finds himself at the airport boarding a plane at the same time another flight is boarding. Like any good detective, Freddy takes in his surroundings and the people in them. Particularly the blonde in front of him who appears to do a quick change and get on a different plane than the man who escorts her thinks she does . When tragedy strikes, and the other flight crashes into the ocean, Freddy finds himself working on the case on behalf of the airline; but instead of doing background checks on passenger lists, Freddy starts looking into who this mysterious woman was, and whether there is any connection to the apparent bombing of the plane.
I really enjoyed the character development in this book. The main characters had depth and complexity, Freddy particularly. Despite being the hero of the story, Freddy has some character flaws. A short fuse makes him hard to like at times, but all in all, he is a good guy and you do end up liking him.
Thank you to Netgalley for this advance reading copy.
Happy Reading!
Teenie
Book reviews of Print, e-Book, and Audio books, Old and New, as well as my Ramblings on other bookish adventures. Favored Genres include General Fiction, Fantasy, and Thriller/Suspense - but I have been known to stray to other genres on occasion.
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Review: Vinyl Café Unplugged – by Stuart McLean
Vinyl Café Unplugged – by Stuart McLean
2000 – Penguin-Viking
Print edition
Winner of the 2001 the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour
The Vinyl Café series of books is based on the Canadian radio show of the same name. This is the third book.
Overall Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vinyl Café is a charming collection of stories based on the radio show by the late Stuart McLean.
The stories all focus on Dave and Morley, as well as family and neighbors, so there is a definite cohesiveness to the collection.
I had never really listened to the radio shows, but I knew a lot of people who did. Much of the material from the radio broadcast is available to listen to on Spotify. In fact one of my favorite episodes appears in this book; titled “Odd Jobs". If you have ever loved a man who could turn an odd job into a major project, or if you are a man who has either done that, or helped a friend who has done that – listen to that episode! You won't regret it.
The book opens with a story titled “Arthur" that literally had me chuckling out loud. Arthur is the family dog, and like any dog, he is quite the character.
Despite this book being categorized as Humour, some of the stories Will tug at your heartstrings. I think for me that was part of the real charm of this book. In life, there is always joy and sorrow. Neither exists alone.
Seriously though read or listen to “Odd Jobs" and “Arthur” if you haven't already, because everyone can benefit from a good laugh once in a while.
Happy Reading
Teenie K
2000 – Penguin-Viking
Print edition
Winner of the 2001 the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour
The Vinyl Café series of books is based on the Canadian radio show of the same name. This is the third book.
Overall Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vinyl Café is a charming collection of stories based on the radio show by the late Stuart McLean.
The stories all focus on Dave and Morley, as well as family and neighbors, so there is a definite cohesiveness to the collection.
I had never really listened to the radio shows, but I knew a lot of people who did. Much of the material from the radio broadcast is available to listen to on Spotify. In fact one of my favorite episodes appears in this book; titled “Odd Jobs". If you have ever loved a man who could turn an odd job into a major project, or if you are a man who has either done that, or helped a friend who has done that – listen to that episode! You won't regret it.
The book opens with a story titled “Arthur" that literally had me chuckling out loud. Arthur is the family dog, and like any dog, he is quite the character.
Despite this book being categorized as Humour, some of the stories Will tug at your heartstrings. I think for me that was part of the real charm of this book. In life, there is always joy and sorrow. Neither exists alone.
Seriously though read or listen to “Odd Jobs" and “Arthur” if you haven't already, because everyone can benefit from a good laugh once in a while.
Happy Reading
Teenie K
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Review: The Silent Wife - by A.S.A Harrison
The Silent Wife - by A.S.A Harrison
2013 Blackstone
Audio book - Performed by Karen White and Donald Corren
Overall Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐
A good book, but not spectacular. It is not one that will stand out in memory for the long term.
Jodi and Todd have been a couple for 20 years. Jodi has always been silent about Todd's indiscretions - but when one of his affairs threatens their outwardly idyllic life together, things spin out of control for them both.
One of the things about this book that I wish the author had done different, is that you know who dies at the beginning. I really think that is a disservice to the book. There really was enough anger between the players that it would have been easy to have the reader wondering well into the book, frantically turning pages.
The performances for this audio book were good. The story was very centered auround the two main characters and was narrated by each in turns. While this was no great test of the limits and ranges of the narrators' skills, they were solid in their performances.
All in all, a good debut novel.
Happy Reading
Teenie K
2013 Blackstone
Audio book - Performed by Karen White and Donald Corren
Overall Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐
A good book, but not spectacular. It is not one that will stand out in memory for the long term.
Jodi and Todd have been a couple for 20 years. Jodi has always been silent about Todd's indiscretions - but when one of his affairs threatens their outwardly idyllic life together, things spin out of control for them both.
One of the things about this book that I wish the author had done different, is that you know who dies at the beginning. I really think that is a disservice to the book. There really was enough anger between the players that it would have been easy to have the reader wondering well into the book, frantically turning pages.
The performances for this audio book were good. The story was very centered auround the two main characters and was narrated by each in turns. While this was no great test of the limits and ranges of the narrators' skills, they were solid in their performances.
All in all, a good debut novel.
Happy Reading
Teenie K
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
On returning to Blogger and "Reading" on the drive to and from work.
I used to blog about books. I used to meet local bookcrossers every month at a local coffee shop to enjoy a fancy coffee and trade and discuss books of all sorts. What they were about, where to find a good deal for them and all other aspects. Indeed, after attending these monthly meetings over time, most of us would go to a meeting knowing who in the group would most likely enjoy whatever offerings we brought with us. Then my relationship became serious and I moved in, and after a time, we eventually had a beautiful son. While I still read a fair bit during the first part of all this, I didn't take the time to blog and review. Then, after my son was born, I was too busy and too tired to read much - shocking as that seems, let alone take the time to update a blog.
When my eyesight became an issue, and surgery was required, I wondered how I would spend those first few light sensitive days afterward. I decided the best thing to do in a darkened room, was "Read". Audiobooks that is! I chose and downloaded a few audiobooks from the local library via the overdrive app. and was gratefully entertained while in my darkened room Once recovered from the surgery, I realized how much I missed my bookish adventures. My son was still young enough that reading was still difficult, but "where there is a will..." they say - so armed with my Overdrive app, and an audible subscription, I continued to get my book fix while commuting to and from work every day. I stream an audiobook from my smartphone and rather than listening to the same music over and over again every morning, I would listen to my book.
My life is now centered more at home. My son is old enough to allow me at least a little reading time every day again, (and I think it is important for my son to see that adults sometimes read for no other reason than to enjoy a book!) and even a little time to blog - I have been typing the occasional brief review, but sometimes on audible, and sometimes on Goodreads, etc. and a blog allows for one location where I can be sure to find my thoughts on any book. I can always copy and paste to those other places ;-) I have started this fresh new blog, rather than try to breathe life into the long neglected original "The Last Page Turned" - but the address is https://lastpageturned.blogspot.com/ if you really are inclined.
I still listen to audiobooks while I drive - it just means that now I more inclined to be "reading" 2 books at the same time.
I hope you are able to find time and a way to enjoy the stories that make you happy.
Happy Reading,
Teenie
When my eyesight became an issue, and surgery was required, I wondered how I would spend those first few light sensitive days afterward. I decided the best thing to do in a darkened room, was "Read". Audiobooks that is! I chose and downloaded a few audiobooks from the local library via the overdrive app. and was gratefully entertained while in my darkened room Once recovered from the surgery, I realized how much I missed my bookish adventures. My son was still young enough that reading was still difficult, but "where there is a will..." they say - so armed with my Overdrive app, and an audible subscription, I continued to get my book fix while commuting to and from work every day. I stream an audiobook from my smartphone and rather than listening to the same music over and over again every morning, I would listen to my book.
My life is now centered more at home. My son is old enough to allow me at least a little reading time every day again, (and I think it is important for my son to see that adults sometimes read for no other reason than to enjoy a book!) and even a little time to blog - I have been typing the occasional brief review, but sometimes on audible, and sometimes on Goodreads, etc. and a blog allows for one location where I can be sure to find my thoughts on any book. I can always copy and paste to those other places ;-) I have started this fresh new blog, rather than try to breathe life into the long neglected original "The Last Page Turned" - but the address is https://lastpageturned.blogspot.com/ if you really are inclined.
I still listen to audiobooks while I drive - it just means that now I more inclined to be "reading" 2 books at the same time.
I hope you are able to find time and a way to enjoy the stories that make you happy.
Happy Reading,
Teenie
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