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chaptersoncapecod's reviews
426 reviews
Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to Liz Moore for writing such an incredible book!
I was so excited when I saw this as a BOTM pick, and I knew I had to select it. "The God of the Woods" takes place in 1975 at a summer camp. One of the campers goes missing, and we find that her younger brother had also gone missing many years before from the same area, as her family owned the land nearby and the summer camp. I'm personally enjoying stories that take place before the tech boom lately. If you know what I mean, it's nice to take a break from the world of influencers and smartphones. These characters are living in the moment.
This was my first book by Moore, and her writing style is unflawed. Her attention to pacing, plot lines, and suspense is done well. This slow burn weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, and it doesn't end how you expect. I heard feedback from others that it went on too long, but I don't see it this way. This is a sad story. It has a strange albeit realistic ending. Things aren't always what they seem. The book's length keeps you connected to the characters and the story - you're invested in this sad tale.
I was so excited when I saw this as a BOTM pick, and I knew I had to select it. "The God of the Woods" takes place in 1975 at a summer camp. One of the campers goes missing, and we find that her younger brother had also gone missing many years before from the same area, as her family owned the land nearby and the summer camp. I'm personally enjoying stories that take place before the tech boom lately. If you know what I mean, it's nice to take a break from the world of influencers and smartphones. These characters are living in the moment.
This was my first book by Moore, and her writing style is unflawed. Her attention to pacing, plot lines, and suspense is done well. This slow burn weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, and it doesn't end how you expect. I heard feedback from others that it went on too long, but I don't see it this way. This is a sad story. It has a strange albeit realistic ending. Things aren't always what they seem. The book's length keeps you connected to the characters and the story - you're invested in this sad tale.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Something new that I'm trying is forcing my family to read a book for a "family book club" book discussion while on vacation. Since we're going to Maine next week, this seemed like the perfect book for all members of my husband's family to read.
Before reading the book, I had never heard of Christopher Knight or the "hermit" up in Maine. The description seemed too wild to be true—a man who leaves society for almost 40 years and never interacts with a soul? It's perplexing and mysterious.
I listened to the audio of this book, and it tells the story from the investigator's perspective on the case. Knight was living in the wilderness, ironically, not far from society at all, but he was so well hidden up in rural Maine. The investigator details how Knight survived for so long and his existence's impact on society because, yes, folks in Maine knew of his allusive existence.
The latter parts of the book delve more into psychology and try to understand Knight's mental state, which I found interesting. He clearly enjoyed being alone, but he didn't exhibit some other typical behaviors of someone who is neurodiverse.
As someone who enjoys both being around people and solitude, this book is a fascinating look at someone who couldn't be a part of society, and so he forged his own path. Probably the line that stuck out to me the most was about learning to live with what's missing vs. seeking out what's missing for all of our years. We get one go-around; let's not waste it.
Before reading the book, I had never heard of Christopher Knight or the "hermit" up in Maine. The description seemed too wild to be true—a man who leaves society for almost 40 years and never interacts with a soul? It's perplexing and mysterious.
I listened to the audio of this book, and it tells the story from the investigator's perspective on the case. Knight was living in the wilderness, ironically, not far from society at all, but he was so well hidden up in rural Maine. The investigator details how Knight survived for so long and his existence's impact on society because, yes, folks in Maine knew of his allusive existence.
The latter parts of the book delve more into psychology and try to understand Knight's mental state, which I found interesting. He clearly enjoyed being alone, but he didn't exhibit some other typical behaviors of someone who is neurodiverse.
As someone who enjoys both being around people and solitude, this book is a fascinating look at someone who couldn't be a part of society, and so he forged his own path. Probably the line that stuck out to me the most was about learning to live with what's missing vs. seeking out what's missing for all of our years. We get one go-around; let's not waste it.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Review: One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Rating: 3⭐️
I’ve been a Ruth Ware fan ever since I read “The Woman in Cabin 10,” and “The IT Girl” was one of my fav reads in 2022. “One Perfect Couple” missed the mark for me, which I’ll tell you about, but I’ll also share what I enjoyed.
What I enjoyed:
- The setting! Give me a closed door mystery any day and I’m in. All hail the Queen, Agatha!
- Tropical island, which I guess is also the setting, but I liked the summery setting and this incredibly remote island.
- Girl pact vibes - I love a good female friendship or females become friends storyline. The friendship evolution was well written and even surprised me towards the end
Where this fell short:
- Is anyone else tired of reading about influencers? Granted, probably seems hypocritical since I’m posting on a bookstagram vs a private account, but I’m tiring of the influencer characters. They don’t always feel real to me, which I have a hard time feeling as though any influencer “sees me” and I can “relate to them,” because they’re just trying to make money
- It wasn’t realistic enough - I’ll avoid spoilers here but the actual setting upon arrival to the island wasn’t believable.
- We find out the killer almost too early, definitely way earlier than when Agatha lets on. I think Ware could have gone a different direction and truly fooled us…
So because of the latter three points, I’m giving Ware’s newest ⭐️⭐️⭐️. A quick palate cleanser if that’s what you need!
Rating: 3⭐️
I’ve been a Ruth Ware fan ever since I read “The Woman in Cabin 10,” and “The IT Girl” was one of my fav reads in 2022. “One Perfect Couple” missed the mark for me, which I’ll tell you about, but I’ll also share what I enjoyed.
What I enjoyed:
- The setting! Give me a closed door mystery any day and I’m in. All hail the Queen, Agatha!
- Tropical island, which I guess is also the setting, but I liked the summery setting and this incredibly remote island.
- Girl pact vibes - I love a good female friendship or females become friends storyline. The friendship evolution was well written and even surprised me towards the end
Where this fell short:
- Is anyone else tired of reading about influencers? Granted, probably seems hypocritical since I’m posting on a bookstagram vs a private account, but I’m tiring of the influencer characters. They don’t always feel real to me, which I have a hard time feeling as though any influencer “sees me” and I can “relate to them,” because they’re just trying to make money
- It wasn’t realistic enough - I’ll avoid spoilers here but the actual setting upon arrival to the island wasn’t believable.
- We find out the killer almost too early, definitely way earlier than when Agatha lets on. I think Ware could have gone a different direction and truly fooled us…
So because of the latter three points, I’m giving Ware’s newest ⭐️⭐️⭐️. A quick palate cleanser if that’s what you need!