Day 56 – Ordinary Hazards: A Novel

May 10, 2020March 30, 2025 / Brienna / Leave a comment

This book was so boring. Emma, our narrator, alternates between telling us real-time events happening in the small town dive bar, The Final Final, and showing us flashbacks of her life.

It appears to be a typical city-slicker moves to the country type of story. I wouldn’t know what it actually is because I only read the first third of the book. I kept waiting something, anything interesting, and in its absence, I quit reading.

I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Farzaneh and the Moon

May 22, 2019March 30, 2025 / Brienna / Leave a comment

Farzaneh and The Moon by Matt Wilven

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher (through NetGalley) in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The book opens with N burying Farzaneh under the light of the full moon. It’s very mysterious and sets a fantasy-like tone for the novel. However, the fantasy disappears after this intro, only to reappear in the last few pages.

I almost quit reading this book several times. Our narrator and main character, N, is a new University student and struggling to fit in. At first, it was interesting, but as he becomes involved in a relationship, I started to lose interest. The girl he’s dating definitely has some issues, and he’s clearly not happy, and stays just to be in a relationship. Ugh.

We don’t get much background on N. No indication as to why he’s chosen to study for philosophy, and not much in the way of character development. He’s just a guy who goes from one twisted, somewhat co-dependent relationship to another even more twisted relationship.

N wanders through life examining things through the eyes of his philosophy course work. When he meets Farzaneh, they have a strong connection and the book really picks up here.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clearer and clearer that Farzaneh is mentally unstable. There is nothing magical or fantastical about her, she comes across as deluded, maybe manic.

The main story of the book does not fit with the introduction and the ending. It’s possible this is the author’s intent, and we are supposed to question the reliability and sanity of our narrator, N. For me, it fell flat and would have been hugely disappointing had I not been immensely relieved that the book was finally over.

Perhaps more introspective into the psyche of N, letting us in on why he believes that reality only exists for him through Farzaneh, would have helped. Perhaps not.

I would not recommend this book.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

July 1, 2018March 30, 2025 / Brienna / Leave a comment

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher (through NetGalley) in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’ve read and enjoyed several other books by Emily Giffin, so when All We Ever Wanted popped up on NetGalley, I jumped on the opportunity to read this one before it was release.

All We Ever Wanted tells the story of a teenage girl, Lyla, who is the victim of bullying. Finch, a boy she has a crush on, shares a compromising photo of her with his friends via text message. The photo quickly spreads, and Lyla’s father, Tom, and Finch’s mother, Nina, get involved.

This incident shows some of the pitfalls of the technology era we live in, where teenagers think it’s acceptable to take and share less than appropriate photos of themselves, and others, online. It reminds me of !3 Reasons Why, and the important message of why we should have zero tolerant for bullying.

Alternating view points, the story centers on Lyla, and her desires to fit in and forgot about the incident, while Tom and Nina feel justice is deserved and want the truth to come out. Having the story told from these 3 view points was essential to the story, showing how different parents and children react to situations.

The book also touches on racial and class bias. Lyla is half Brazilian, and she and Tom live on the poor side of town, while Nina and her son Finch, live in mansion and attend the local country club. Tom is sure Windsor Academy, the prestigious private school Lyla and Finch attend, will fail to punish Finch appropriately since his parents have the means to make large financial donations to the school, and have done so in the past.

Overall, was very engaging, and a quick read. The only drawback, in my opinion, is that after the slow buildup of the characters and events, the ending feels rushed and unsatisfactory. I wanted more depth and substance. The flash forward in time was nice, but felt lacking.

School for Psychics

March 25, 2018March 30, 2025 / Brienna / Leave a comment

School for Psychics by K.C. Archer is a fast, fun read. Teddy, our main character, has always been able to sense when people are lying. Using this to her advantage, she’s gotten into a bit of trouble in the casinos of Las Vegas. Worried about the impact to her adoptive family, she’s in it for one last big gamble.

When a strange man rescues her and offers a place at Whitfield Institue for Law Enforcement Training and Development (i.e. a School for Psychics), Teddy reluctantly applies.

What follows is entertaining and fun. At the Institute there is intrigue and mystery surrounding the forces behind the school and disappearing students.

As Teddy struggles to find her place, she learns about her psychic abilities, her past, and her birth parents. I’m curious to see where the series will go and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.