jeanie123
Burnaby Public Library
jeanie123's Completed Shelf
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jeanie123's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
VanderbiltVanderbilt, eBookThe Rise and Fall of An American Dynasty
by Cooper, AndersoneBook - 2021eBook, 2021
Available
jeanie123's rating:
Added Mar 04, 2024
Comment:
This book was a bit of a chore to read. Some parts are interesting, some read like an encyclopedia and others are bordering on inane. A book should be able to weave the story together coherently and should not need to include asides such as [more on this later]. It's too long and includes detailed accounts of events that could have been summed up in one paragraph, like the America Cup Yacht Race. I was also puzzled by the inclusion of a long discourse on Truman Capote. Yes, he was a friend of Gloria's and he betrayed her but it could have been limited to their relationship and not an entire biography of a non-related person in a book about the Vanderbilts.This book was a bit of a chore to read. Some parts are interesting, some read like an encyclopedia and others are bordering on inane. A book should be able to weave the story together coherently and should not need to include asides such as [more on…
The Lincoln HighwayThe Lincoln Highway, eBook
by Towles, AmoreBook - 2021eBook, 2021
All copies in use
Holds: 1 on 1 copy
Holds: 1 on 1 copy
jeanie123's rating:
Added Feb 19, 2024
Comment:
I enjoyed reading this novel which is a sort of fantastical confabulation. In the fables of the heroes there is always a flaw and so it is with the characters of this novel.
The WagerThe Wager, eBookA Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
by Grann, DavideBook - 2023eBook, 2023
All copies in use
Holds: 10 on 15 copies
Holds: 10 on 15 copies
jeanie123's rating:
Added Feb 14, 2024
Comment:
I was a bit disappointed since it felt like this whole survival saga (and the review) was building up to a dramatic showdown of conflicting stories by the two groups that returned to England but it didn't really play out that way. David Grann's telling of the story is so well-researched and explained it is hard not to be impressed by this book. The details of how people suffered, both physically and mentally, from starvation and scurvy was very informative and quite grisly. I did not enjoy this book as much as Killers of the Flower Moon, but it was a great read nonetheless.I was a bit disappointed since it felt like this whole survival saga (and the review) was building up to a dramatic showdown of conflicting stories by the two groups that returned to England but it didn't really play out that way. David Grann's…
jeanie123's rating:
Added Feb 01, 2024
Comment:
I finished with questions that I could find no answer for and also wondered why so many meaningless details were included. I thought the ending was kind of ridiculous.
The Art ThiefThe Art Thief, eBookA True Story of Love, Crime, and A Dangerous Obsession
by Finkel, MichaeleBook - 2023eBook, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jan 05, 2024
Comment:
Interesting account of the exploits of this prolific thief compelled to steal works of art and antiquities around Europe. The writing was a bit too matter of fact for my taste and focused heavily on the psychology of theft, influence and obsession.
jeanie123's rating:
Added Dec 02, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Sep 13, 2023
Finding the Mother TreeFinding the Mother Tree, eBookDiscovering the Wisdom of the Forest
by Simard, S.eBook - 2021eBook, 2021
jeanie123's rating:
Added Aug 29, 2023
Comment:
I was glad I read the ebook version of this book because I made extensive use of the options to look up definitions and do google searches directly from the text of the book. It is very well presented and definitely increased my deep respect and admitation for diverse life, both seen and unseen, in the forests of British Columbia.I was glad I read the ebook version of this book because I made extensive use of the options to look up definitions and do google searches directly from the text of the book. It is very well presented and definitely increased my deep respect and…
jeanie123's rating:
Added Aug 12, 2023
The Watchmaker's DaughterThe Watchmaker's Daughter, eBookThe True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie Ten Boom
by Loftis, LarryeBook - 2023eBook, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Aug 06, 2023
Comment:
A meticulously researched biography of Corrie ten Boom and her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The unflagging faith and courage of this entire family in the face of suffering and evil is inspiring and enviable.
The Boy in the WoodsThe Boy in the Woods, eBookA True Story of Survival During the Second World War
by Smart, MaxwelleBook - 2022eBook, 2022
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jul 31, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jul 25, 2023
Comment:
I really enjoyed the rich and layered writing style in this novel. The characters are full and interesting each in their own way. Families are so complicated and people react differently to situations, even if they've had the same upbringing. No one can predict emotions and there is no one correct way to respond. Very well done.I really enjoyed the rich and layered writing style in this novel. The characters are full and interesting each in their own way. Families are so complicated and people react differently to situations, even if they've had the same upbringing. No one…
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jul 16, 2023
Comment:
The author's writing style is easy to read and there are some amusing situations but some uncomfortable ones as well. Overall I'd say this book is looong and harps on the same themes over and over and over and then some more.
Killers of the Flower MoonKillers of the Flower Moon, eBookThe Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
by Grann, DavideBook - 2017eBook, 2017
All copies in use
Holds: 2 on 7 copies
Holds: 2 on 7 copies
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jul 12, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jul 07, 2023
Comment:
I found the plot and circumstances of this book ridiculously implausible, even laughable at times, like when a character magically guesses a fairly complex and random password. All of the characters are unlikeable and uninteresting. The "deep secrets" are pretty shallow and the "big twist" was no surprise to me. Definitely not as good as The Hunting Party.I found the plot and circumstances of this book ridiculously implausible, even laughable at times, like when a character magically guesses a fairly complex and random password. All of the characters are unlikeable and uninteresting. The "deep…
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jul 03, 2023
Comment:
Honestly, what a waste of time this book is, and stealing the John and Yoko story was kind of unforgivable for me. The pandemic is not a topic I wish to re-hash and the author presents a very one-sided narrative wrapped up in a fantasy.
Hidden Valley RoadHidden Valley Road, eBookInside the Mind of An American Family
by Kolker, RoberteBook - 2020eBook, 2020
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jun 26, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jun 14, 2023
Comment:
2021 Booker prize winner. Not the first time I have wondered what the Booker jury were drinking. It's a very odd book to read. It moves from first to third person in jarring ways with no transition. Not one of the characters are the least bit likeable. Strange religious themes thoughout. It takes place in South Africa during and after Apartheid and involves a family of white landowners and a promise made to their black housekeeper that only the youngest daughter wants to keep.2021 Booker prize winner. Not the first time I have wondered what the Booker jury were drinking. It's a very odd book to read. It moves from first to third person in jarring ways with no transition. Not one of the characters are the least bit…
jeanie123's rating:
Added Jun 03, 2023
Comment:
This is a great memoir about Toby Neal's very unstable childhood growing up on Kauai. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her and also to admire her courage and determination to rise above her raising and keep pushing for the life she dreamed of. She experienced poverty, hunger, homelessness, addiction, abuse and discrimination and somehow emerged with over-arching love for the family she came from, especially her younger sisters.This is a great memoir about Toby Neal's very unstable childhood growing up on Kauai. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her and also to admire her courage and determination to rise above her raising and keep pushing for the life she dreamed of. She…
Overture of HopeOverture of Hope, BookTwo Sisters' Daring Plan That Saved Opera's Jewish Stars From the Third Reich
by Vincent, IsabelBook - 2022Book, 2022
jeanie123's rating:
Added May 29, 2023
Comment:
While it is clear that the author did an incredible amount of research for this book, she could not bring it all together into a readable narrative. If you have a strong connection to opera and music in the 1920s and 30s you may enjoy this book. If you are interested in the lives of Clemens Krauss and Richard Strauss in particular, who well-were known to the Cooks, a large part of this book is about them. It seems that not much is known about the two sisters and a complete list of the 29 people they are purported to have saved does not exist. Nonetheless, the stories of those who are known to have been saved are compelling and emotional in many cases. The Cook sisters were indeed daring and courageous but there is not enough substance in their story to command this book.While it is clear that the author did an incredible amount of research for this book, she could not bring it all together into a readable narrative. If you have a strong connection to opera and music in the 1920s and 30s you may enjoy this book. If…
The Devil and the Dark WaterThe Devil and the Dark Water, eBook
by Turton, StuarteBook - 2020eBook, 2020
Available
jeanie123's rating:
Added May 14, 2023
Comment:
Really long, confounding, complicated mystery. I read it as fast as I could because I knew I was going to lose the trail if I didn't. I still don't know what happened to some of the characters. The ending was kind of lame and non-redemptive. Not a complete waste of time, but time would have been better spent on a lot of other great novels.Really long, confounding, complicated mystery. I read it as fast as I could because I knew I was going to lose the trail if I didn't. I still don't know what happened to some of the characters. The ending was kind of lame and non-redemptive. Not a…
Daisy Jones & The SixDaisy Jones & The Six, eBookA Novel
by Reid, Taylor JenkinseBook - 2019eBook, 2019
jeanie123's rating:
Added May 04, 2023
jeanie123's rating:
Added Apr 10, 2023
Comment:
A very honest and courageous memoir that is also very inspirational. Canada truly lost a beautiful diamond when Candy Palmater left us.
Comment: