ZoeDennison
Fraser Valley Regional Library
ZoeDennison's Completed Shelf
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ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Nov 29, 2023
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Nov 29, 2023
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Feb 11, 2023
Comment:
Greatly enjoyed this book. Reminded me of later A.S. Byatt. Not really about WWII, more that war comes and the characters are in it. Well done atmosphere and moments of creative weirdness. Last part and end is not as strong as the first half of the book, but still good. Highly recommend (but not if you like thrilling war stories and fast paced plots:-).Greatly enjoyed this book. Reminded me of later A.S. Byatt. Not really about WWII, more that war comes and the characters are in it. Well done atmosphere and moments of creative weirdness. Last part and end is not as strong as the first half of the…
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 23, 2023
Comment:
Well done! Plot is good balance of elements of the case and of the main character (Cupidi). Writing is well done and story seemed realish. I recommend this author!
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 23, 2023
Comment:
Well....sometimes a first book is amazing (e.g. Dervla McTiernan). This is not that! This book falls into that camp of authors who think all they need for characters to be interesting is issues in their past like addiction (for a better demo of how that is done, try 'Sometimes People Die'), but the writing remains trite. Also, using new and unusual adjectives and adverbs doesn't actually make you a good writer :-), more the reverse.Well....sometimes a first book is amazing (e.g. Dervla McTiernan). This is not that! This book falls into that camp of authors who think all they need for characters to be interesting is issues in their past like addiction (for a better demo of how…
Seven and A Half Lessons About the BrainSeven and A Half Lessons About the Brain, Book
by Barrett, Lisa FeldmanBook - 2020Book, 2020
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 05, 2023
Comment:
Sadly, the title of this book should be shortened to 'half lessons about the brain..'.
Some of what the author 'debunks' is correct, but unfortunately she is wrong as often as she is right, which is a bit misleading if you're not a neuroscientist. Her smarmy tone as she declaims she will set us right about myths and the errors of others should be embarrassing to her, given her own errors...Sadly, the title of this book should be shortened to 'half lessons about the brain..'.
Some of what the author 'debunks' is correct, but unfortunately she is wrong as often as she is right, which is a bit misleading if you're not a neuroscientist.…
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 04, 2023
Comment:
I found this book pretty disappointing. There are about 3 pages on each song, one of which is Dylan's retelling of the lyrics in prose....then he has a few thoughts and some casual social history. I found each entry had a sentence or two worth reading. Admittedly, I only read about 10 before giving up. If the rest of the book is fabulous, it is my loss :-).
Having read those 10 though, I can say I retain almost nothing about them.....my mind or his writing?I found this book pretty disappointing. There are about 3 pages on each song, one of which is Dylan's retelling of the lyrics in prose....then he has a few thoughts and some casual social history. I found each entry had a sentence or two worth…
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2023
GrantchesterGrantchester, DVDThe Complete 7th Season
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2023
The Socialite's Guide to MurderThe Socialite's Guide to Murder, BookA Novel
by Golden, S. K.Book - 2022Book, 2022
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2023
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jan 03, 2023
Comment:
Mostly a good read, creative use of pronouns and gender, interesting projections about where environmentalism could go as it intersects with social structures, though the love interest with aliens seemed unnecessary.
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jul 23, 2022
Comment:
Enjoyed the family characters and interaction, and the plot development, but the author also squeezed in a little over-the-top romance. The plot would have perhaps been better without it, but if you like a bit of unrealistic romance to round the story out :-), you might like this book. It is still an enjoyable read but not complex.Enjoyed the family characters and interaction, and the plot development, but the author also squeezed in a little over-the-top romance. The plot would have perhaps been better without it, but if you like a bit of unrealistic romance to round the…
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jul 23, 2022
Comment:
Jonathan Franzen writes well, and this book demonstrates his impressive ability to create characters in depth and work with them to explore human nature. I only gave it a 3 star rating though as, in the end, most of the characters were awful. The understanding of the delusions that we employ to explain our choices in hindsight is well done, but is there is little kindness or honour in Franzen's worldview.Jonathan Franzen writes well, and this book demonstrates his impressive ability to create characters in depth and work with them to explore human nature. I only gave it a 3 star rating though as, in the end, most of the characters were awful. The…
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jul 23, 2022
Comment:
Sadly, while the plot premise is interesting, the writing is poor. Repetitive and banal phrasing and (the method of a poor writer) stretching for metaphors that end up being awkward. I couldn't finish it.
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2021
Comment:
The best book I have read in a while. Something about the whole package (the writing, the characters, the setting, the pace of the plot) is captivating to me. I find most books I read kind of mediocre, so this one was a gem to me.
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added May 06, 2021
Comment:
I enjoyed this book with its low key style. The characters develop slowly and they have some unexpected facets. It meanders a bit, as life does, but ends up at a satisfying place.
Mostly well written.
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added May 04, 2021
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Apr 25, 2021
Comment:
Interesting idea, but badly written and shallow.
Little to no character development, and the 'mathematical' model for murder mysteries is barely that.
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Dec 16, 2019
Comment:
I looked forward to this book, being a long time fan of Grimes' series, but this is a weak effort that will disappoint any new readers and only vaguely amuse dedicated fans. The plot is thin and the characters either rest on their laurels from previous books or are described briefly. The new characters, on whom the plot hinges, get a few paragraphs each scattered throughout the short book.I looked forward to this book, being a long time fan of Grimes' series, but this is a weak effort that will disappoint any new readers and only vaguely amuse dedicated fans. The plot is thin and the characters either rest on their laurels from…
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective AgencyThe No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, DVDThe Complete 1st Season
DVD - 2009DVD, 2009
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Oct 05, 2019
Comment:
This was so bad I was confused , I kept thinking 'it must improve....'. But no! It is simplistic and cheesy. The others watching with me agreed that it was boring also.
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Oct 05, 2019
Comment:
Moderately interesting in plot, not much that is original, but I did not like the style in which is was written. I usually try to read the whole book, but I found myself flipping pages with this one, looking for a part that was interesting to read.
It does provide a good 'internal' look at the POV of the main character, I won't say more so as not to spoil the plot.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book much and won't read more of this author.Moderately interesting in plot, not much that is original, but I did not like the style in which is was written. I usually try to read the whole book, but I found myself flipping pages with this one, looking for a part that was interesting to…
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Aug 19, 2019
UnforgottenUnforgotten, DVDThe Complete 3rd Season
DVD - 2019DVD, 2019
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Aug 19, 2019
Fleishman Is in TroubleFleishman Is in Trouble, BookA Novel
by Brodesser-Akner, TaffyBook - 2019Book, 2019
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Aug 19, 2019
Comment:
This book is almost entirely about the banal thoughts of some uninspiring characters, all of whom spend most of their time thinking about themselves. The writing is not bad, but the experience of reading it left me with a sense of having wasted the time. If you like books that are about the thoughts and occasional realizations of petty folks with too much money and not enough sense, this is for you!This book is almost entirely about the banal thoughts of some uninspiring characters, all of whom spend most of their time thinking about themselves. The writing is not bad, but the experience of reading it left me with a sense of having wasted the…
ZoeDennison's rating:
Added Aug 15, 2019
Comment:
KInd of wish I had not read this book. The characters are uniformly unlikeable and neurotic. Bleak ending to a bleak book.
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