Books matching: mixed reactions from readers
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The Forty Rules of Love is a novel that weaves together multiple narratives, including the story of a literary agent who falls in love with an author, a modern love story intertwined with a medieval one, and the teachings of Sufi wisdom by Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. The book explores themes of love, spirituality, forgiveness, and transformation, taking readers on a journey through different time periods and characters while incorporating elements of mysticism and religious teachings.
There was a big house with a courtyard full of yellow roses in bloom and in the middle of the courtyard a well with the coolest water in the world. It was a serene, late-autumn night with a full moon ...- #2
'This Is Halloween' by James A. Moore is a collection of Halloween-themed short horror stories that cater to readers with a love for the spooky season. The book contains tales that range from classic supernatural elements to dark and disturbing themes, creating a diverse reading experience for fans of horror. The writing style is described as descriptive yet not overwhelming, evoking childhood nostalgia with a twist suitable for adult readers.
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Breathless by Anne Stuart is a dark and complex romance novel that follows the story of Lady Miranda Rohan, who is ruined and outcast from society after a night gone wrong. Lucien de Malheur, known as The Scorpion, seeks revenge on the Rohan family and uses Miranda as a pawn in his vengeful plans. The book delves into the intense and forbidden attraction between Lucien and Miranda, as they navigate a tumultuous relationship filled with revenge, mind games, and a deep emotional connection. The writing style is described as addictive, with a gripping plot that keeps readers engaged till the very end.
She expected brutality. She expected force. She didn’t expect the featherlight brush of his mouth against hers, a whisper of a touch. His hand cupped her chin, holding her loosely, knowing she wouldn’...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The House of Rohan ) - #4
The novel "Meet Me in Monaco" by Hazel Gaynor is a charming historical fiction set in the beautiful Cote d'Azur, intertwining the real-life love story of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco with a parallel romance between a French perfumier and an English photographer. The story follows the interactions between Grace, Sophie, and James, with Grace's presence adding heart and soul to the narrative. The book captures the essence of Old Hollywood glamour and explores themes of love, fame, and personal fulfillment against the backdrop of Grace Kelly's royal wedding.
The plot alternates between Sophie and James' perspectives, as they navigate their own romantic entanglements while being drawn into Grace Kelly's world. The book expertly weaves together historical details, engaging characters, and a touch of romance, creating a light and enjoyable read that transports readers to the enchanting settings of Monaco and Cannes in the 1950s.
Each scent holds a mystery, its own story. That was the first lesson Papa taught me. “To be a parfumeur is to be a detective, Sophie,” he’d say, bent in deep concentration over the mixing tube with a ... - #5
'The Lovely Bones' by Alice Sebold is a poignant and haunting story narrated by a murdered fourteen-year-old girl, Susie Salmon, speaking from heaven. The book explores the aftermath of her death on her family and friends as they cope with the tragedy and try to find her killer. The unique perspective of the deceased protagonist offers a fresh and emotional insight into grief, loss, and the struggle for justice. The writing style is described as beautiful, clear, and powerful, creating a compelling narrative that delves into both the heartbreaking and hopeful aspects of the story.
The plot of 'The Lovely Bones' unfolds through Susie's observations from the afterlife as she watches over her loved ones and the man who took her life. The book touches on themes of coping with loss, seeking redemption, and the impact of a tragic event on relationships. Despite some readers finding certain aspects disturbing or slow-paced, the overall story is praised for its unique perspective, emotional depth, and thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the human experience.
My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. In newspaper photos of missing girls from the seventies, most looked like me: white girls ... 'Syrup' by Max Barry is a fast-paced and humorous novel that delves into the cutthroat world of marketing. The story follows the protagonist, Scat, a marketing graduate who goes by the name Scat to market himself better, as he navigates through the corporate world filled with quirky characters like the beautiful 6 and Sneaky Pete. The book is filled with witty dialogue, clever marketing strategies, and satirical elements that provide a humorous take on the marketing industry. The plot is engaging and keeps the reader entertained with its fast pace and humorous storytelling style.
The narrative of 'Syrup' is laced with barcodes marking the chapters and marketing case studies interspersed throughout the tale, adding an innovative touch to the storytelling. The book also explores themes of love, humor, and the complexities of the corporate world, all while providing a fun and amusing reading experience that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
If I’d been fooling myself, I’d been fooling them worse. They were already picking me out a dorm at Harvard and talking about Stanford as a “backup.” It was a little difficult for them when I broke th...- #7
Delta of Venus by Anais Nin is a collection of interrelated short stories that explore eroticism and sexuality through various characters and scenarios. The stories range from sensual and sultry to disturbing and thought-provoking, covering taboo subjects like incest, pedophilia, and unconventional sexual behaviors. Anais Nin's writing style is described as sensual, exotic, and well-crafted, with a focus on human emotions, relationships, and sexual psychology. The book is a mix of literary erotica and psychological exploration, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of desire and human nature.
A book collector offered Henry Miller a hundred dollars a month to write erotic stories. It seemed like a Dantesque punishment to condemn Henry to write erotica at a dollar a page. He rebelled because... - #8
'The Ritual' by Adam Nevill is a horror novel that follows the story of four friends who embark on a camping hiking trip in Sweden, near the Arctic Circle. As they take a shortcut through a forest, they encounter strange ruins and an impossibly dense forest, leading to disorientation, hostility, and physical exhaustion. The novel is split into two sections, with the first covering the failed camping trip and the breakdown of the group, while the second takes a ghastly turn as they face a final fight for survival against a predator living in the forest. The author, Adam Nevill, creates a pervading sense of dread from the beginning, building unrelenting intensity and terror throughout the story.
At midday, Hutch stopped walking and turned to look back at the others; three colourful figures appearing insignificant upon the misty vastness of the rocky landscape they meandered across. They were ... - #9
In the book Wanderers by Chuck Wendig, a cataclysmic event unfolds where people across America begin sleepwalking, showing resistance to injury and exploding if interfered with. As the CDC investigates this mysterious phenomenon, a new fungal disease threatens humanity. The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including a rock star, an AI, and a racist militia, as they navigate the chaos and unravel the apocalyptic puzzle. Wendig's writing style is described as realistic, with dynamic characters and a gripping plot that delves into social commentary and plausible scientific speculation.
Last night’s amateur astronomers got a treat in the form of clear skies, a new moon, and Comet Sakamoto. The last three Great Comets were Lovejoy in 2011, McNaught in 2007, and the famous—or infamous?... - #10
The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva is a World War II spy thriller set in the days leading up to the Normandy invasion. The plot revolves around a network of spies and counter-spies from both the German Abwehr and British MI5, with a focus on the desperate attempt to keep the location of the planned invasion of Europe a secret. The book features a mix of real and fictional characters, including a university professor turned spy catcher, a German sleeper agent posing as a Dutch tourist, and a master spy trainer struggling with his loathing of Hitler. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, espionage, deception, and the race to uncover crucial information that could determine the outcome of the war.
Twenty minutes before her death she stood at the dreary bus stop and read the timetable in the dim light of the village’s single streetlamp. In a few months the lamp would be extinguished to conform w...