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#47
Really enjoyable

I‘ve read a couple of books by this author and enjoyed them but this one didn‘t do it for me. Nothing happens until the last 50 pages or so, and the ending is blah.

#bookspinbingo

Fortunately this doesn‘t happen very often - the storyline is great, there is a villain, MC is a little flawed, but likable and then the ending is just blah. I feel there were too many things that didn‘t fit - why the obsession with the videos, why the MS‘s kinda sorta reclusiveness, and a terrible incident from the past that almost seems gratuitous. This story had a lot of unrealized potential.

A nor‘easter is drenching New England with torrential rain and snow right now. My storm supplies are in place: a fully charged e-reader, a stack of hardcovers, a fuzzy blanket and a full pot of tea. Let me know when the storm is over. Or...don‘t. I‘m good. 👍🏼

We were supposed to be touching down in Santorini right about now 😩 so I picked a “summery” read. This started out promisingly enough but then sort of fell apart. There were real moments of humor and some great insight into the dynamics of blended families but the plot faltered halfway through and never recovered.

I think I have read all of Ms. Leary‘s book and can honestly say I enjoyed them all. On the surface her stories seem conventional, but she adds a little twist here and there and the story jumps off the page to be forever in your head.

An engaging story of a weirdly blended family with a touch of intrigue. You can tell that something happened to these kids as they grew up. However it is told from one POV so you can‘t “hear” what is in everybody‘s head. #goodread #2018christyread

As usual, I am impressed by Ann Leary. I enjoyed this very much, but I wanted more complex and complete wrap up. I dk the exact motivations of the antagonist? How/why were victims chosen? What explains such personal cruelty? I also don‘t understand Charlotte‘s borderline agoraphobia. I thought there would be a thematic or moral spin on the blog. It was so well done. The ending being less so was mildly disappointing. But still def worth the read.

I have really, really liked this. Ann Leary is one of my favorite authors. But as I‘m getting closer to the end, I‘m fighting the fear of disappointment. I really hope there are surprises coming. I need to understand this Matt character better. I need to understand why the antagonist specifically targets the characters the antagonist does.

This book refers to her mother and father by their first name. I've NEVER referred to my mom by her first name. It's annoying and confusing! My last book did this, too. Why?!?

About 20% in. Not sure where this story is going, but it is written well and it's short, so I'm sure I'll finish it.

2.5⭐️ was a pick for me. I hated the ending, which kind of ruined the rest of the book for me. It was obvious and kind of an 🙄🙄. The journey to get there was fun though! On to Dead Letters on the Kindle and Eleanor Oliphant in text, as soon as I pick it up from the office tomorrow!

Tomorrow is a company-wide day off for the afternoon picnic, which features a pretty famous performer. 🎉 Here's to sleeping in, reading, and afternoon fun! #weekend

At home with a migraine so severe that it awakened me from sleep. I can't stand even the smallest noise. Obviously I couldn't go into work. 😞👎🏻 On the good side, this has spurred me to get a doctor here in SC to help! So I'm just sitting quietly reading The Children and hoping it goes away soon. #LitsyMigraineClub

The lives of a blended family that is both eccentric and conventional are impacted by an outsider, Laurel, who becomes engaged to youngest son Spin. The long-time family lakeside home in a northwestern Connecticut town, and the family's ties to the community, enhance the story.

#MarchintoReading #DidntlikeitStillfinished
@RealLifeReading
Kept slogging through but hard to stay engaged with characters. Almost bailed entirely. Persevered because I had tickets to hear author speak at local library but got sick & couldn't attend!!

Story began with a great premise but fell absolutely flat. Boring characters and predictable climax make for a disappointing book. It counts for my January totals but I wouldn't recommend it at all. #wonderwomancouldntsaveit

Record keeping old school style. Title, author, pages, my synopsis and opinion. What else should I document? #Moleskine #formyeyesonly #2017goals

Not quite sure how I feel about this book, despite positive reviews. Took awhile for me to get into it; almost dumped it but was intrigued by the character, Charlotte. Eventually the eccentric family drew me in, but the "mystery" was too easy for me to figure out - In the end, glad I persevered but not sure I would recommend to a friend. Thoughts of those who have read it? #wishywashy

Having a tough time engaging with this book. Characters interesting but not sure why I feel the urge to toss it- not far yet... only p.54... maybe gets better? Or is it just a causality of the post election blues? Woke ready to act today; good sign.
On the other hand, I am enjoying Liberty's Exiles. #nonfictionnovember#recoveringfrompostelectionblues

#photoadaynov16. Escaping onto this #bookandbrew for the night. @RealLifeReading

I am happy this book is over. This book is like a salad you order for lunch. It's okay, but it isn't tasty. This book has so much potential. The story is great- a man raises his step daughters along with his own kids and then he dies ... But this book couldn't decide what to be. It was everywhere and then the ending dared to be rushed after the author filled the book with other info for more than 1/2 of the book. It drove me insane!

As one of my favorite new books of the summer, I was surprised, but happy, to see it offered as a Kindle daily deal today! I love her unique writing style and the story was interestingly different. http://southerngal-lisa.blogspot.com/2016/09/review-children-by-ann-leary.html?m...

Tempted! Worth it?

This is a very compelling, kind of creepy novel about a family crumbling as quickly as the dilapidated home in which they're living. Liars, scammers and cheaters all set in an idyllic lakeside home with a deep history. Just a great page turner.

I was not sure I was going to like this book giving the moderate reviews. Was it the best book I ever read, no, but enjoyable otherwise. Good literary fiction, had a lot of mystery and intrigue that kept it moving.

Going to try to knock this one this beautiful Sunday Morning.

📚#Recommendsday !📚This book is vivid, fun, interesting, a quick read–—didn't drag. Unique, but the twist was predictable. Made me laugh, gasp, spurt profanities. I enjoyed spending time w/ these characters at the beautiful lakefront property where this story takes place…but I didn't like the ending. It was a successful one, but not a happy one—I like happy ones, unrealistic or not. Thus, 🌟🌟🌟🌟. Would've been 5 if the end didn't make me sad.

Maybe it's because I'm a reader that I don't love small talk...anyone else ever feel this way? 😂

Subliminal message: READ MORE BOOKS! 😉

A lovely Friday night with @MrBook at our favorite local pub. My first foray with their famous fresh fried fish & chips. 😋 (Note what it says on the back of MrBook's book...how fitting!)

I think my Litsy friends will appreciate this quote! ☺️ I took this photo at the iconic Strand bookstore in NYC, in the Rare Book Room—my favorite spot in the entire "18 miles of books" housed here. ?❤️ #librarygoals

After reading The Girls by Emma Cline which I ❤️, I asked Litsy peeps what else I should read that's similar-ish. I was recommended 2 books: Arcadia by Lauren Groff and The Children by Ann Leary. I just finished Arcadia and really enjoyed it. ✌🏻️Now on to this one! I've only just started it, but it's already made me laugh out loud! 😄
Any other suggestions, my wonderful Litsy friends? 📚

Not only did I win this book but I knew nothing about it aside from enjoying another book by the same author. I became quite caught up in the story. Great twists and turns along the way too.

A summer setting is great for summer reading!

Reading about unconventional families with problems makes me feel more normal about mine.

I really wanted to like this because I loved the good house. However it was just so slow. I wanted more to happen. Maybe next time

Big swings between hilarious and weepy in this one.

This book just didn't have much of a plot. Sooooooo slow. Wouldn't recommend.

#funphotoFriday. This is my bookmark philosophy. The best found bookmark I ever had looked like something you get at the zoo, one of those tilt back and forth and the animal moves. It was an Elephant scratching his backside on a tree! 😆

Current read

Although this wasn't as compelling as The Good House, I enjoyed this book. Charlotte was an interesting character and I was kept guessing as to where the book was heading. It's a quick listen. Gretchen Mol was a good match for the book. One small section with a British accent was my only complaint.

Finishing up this audiobook and crocheting. A nice, bookish, crafty Friday evening.

While the girls are taking their riding lessons, I'm working on an afghan for my cousin who is getting married in August. New audiobook for a new project. I'm liking it. 😊

Decent book. I found it slow at times and I didn't care for the ending. However, I will try another book by Ann Leary.

"I learned to look more upon the bright side of my condition, and less upon the dark side, and to consider what I enjoyed, rather than what I wanted..."
Robinson Crusoe

Another witty, smart and fantastic read from Ann Leary. Read it!

This was a fast read and a great story! There a pieces of everyone's family in these characters and the descriptions of the house and life around the lake made me nostalgic for summer vacations. Great reveals in the plot and a realistic and satisfying wrap up. Recommend to all!

I got a new book today! Another Litsy user was nice enough to send it to me. 😃 I don't know if she's okay with me sharing her name, so I won't, but I'm really excited to start reading it!

This is some great audiobook mail. I'm looking forward to listening during #audiobookmonth. The Good House was a favorite of mine a couple of Audie seasons ago. #JIAM

Keeping the fun in dysfunctional! I do love a good family drama... Throw in a lake house, a trust fund, secrets and deception, all written by a trusted author, and you've got a winner.