Telly Says.....

I read, I knit, I crochet, I wife, I mother, I grandmother, I foster hospice cats, I am.

 

Reviews Published25 Book ReviewsFrequently Auto-ApprovedProfessional Reader80%

 

"Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book."

–Author Unknown

Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed a Presidency

Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed a Presidency - Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard I have to give credit where credit is due....while Bill O'Reilly is not one of my favorite people, he does write really good books.

The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark

The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark - Meryl Gordon Ok, call me nosy but I enjoy a look into people's windows. I suppose that actually would make me a Peeping Tom. Listening to this book was like sitting in the audience of a theater show. I enjoyed being there but I admit at times I totally zoned out. A bit slow moving and confusing. I came away with more questions than answers. Just an ok listen for me.

Managing Bubbie

Managing Bubbie - Russel Lazega Thump, that is the book hitting my "not for me" pile. It sounded like something that I would enjoy, maybe even get a little laugh from but after 5 chapters I gave up.

No rating from me and as always, read and decide for yourself.

You Should Have Known

You Should Have Known - Jean Hanff Korelitz No rating on this one. I tried very hard because the synopsis sounded good but after listening to 10 chapters I threw in the towel.

What doesn't work for me may be your favorite book so give it a go if it sounds like a book you will like.

Only Daughter

Only Daughter - Anna Snoekstra description

One word review? WOW

Now that I've picked myself up from the floor I will share more words.

In all honesty when I started this book I did not think I would like it. It starts with a bang right into the story. I kept trying to go back to the cover because I was sure I was missing the first chapter or the prologue. (When reading an advanced copy the formatting is not always perfect) I thought to myself that if I could not even follow the first pages there was no hope for me and this book.

BUT, as quickly as it took off it came together. I only had to be patient and trust the author to tell her story. The story sweeps back and forth between the voice of "Fake Bec" whose name we never learn. Her story of course takes place in the present time, and the real Bec whose story takes place eleven years ago and slowly unfolds telling us what really happened when she disappeared.

I found myself in those last few chapters to be holding my breath and wanting to speed read to find out what was going on. I forced myself not to do that and to savor and enjoy all of the suspense. I have mixed feelings about the ending but that is just because of how I am, nothing that the author did or did not do.

I really enjoyed this book and will look for more from the author.

One thing I did not love was the fact that even when Bec knew her brothers were little, evil, deranged jerks, she did nothing! How can you find them torturing animals the way they did and turn a blind eye? For me this was not very believable and I hope that if any one of us encountered something like this we would do the right thing. I have a hard time with any kind of animal cruelty and reading it is so hard for me. That is the only part of the book that I did not like.

I received this book free of charge from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Malala: Activist for Girls' Education

Malala: Activist for Girls' Education - Raphaële Frier, Aurélia Fronty This was a nice little book that introduces children to Malala, who she is, what she stands for and what her life is about. Malala is very brave and her story empowers young girls to stand up for their rights and what they believe in even when it is not easy.

Very nicely illustrated, written in simple terms that will appeal to children and help teach them about things that are not easy to talk about. This book is also a reminder to our children that the things they may take for granted are not available to other children in the world. It can open up discussions on many levels about many world issues.

Highly recommended for all children, especially little girls.

**Received free from Netgalley for an honest review**

Between Sisters

Between Sisters - Cathy Kelly This was free from Netgalley for an honest review.

I tried very hard to get into this book. I put it down, picked it up, forced myself to go one more chapter until I just could not do it anymore. I do not blame the book nor will I say anything negative. Sometimes a book and I just don't click.

THE GIRL WHO STOLE THE APPLE a gripping psychological thriller full of twists

THE GIRL WHO STOLE THE APPLE a gripping psychological thriller full of twists - Peter Tickler I did not finish this book so it would be unfair of me to rate it. I gave it my best but for me it seemed very disjointed and hard to read. I was confused right up until I decided to put it down.

Now none of this means it was a bad book. It was just not one that talked to me at this moment. I may pick it up again later down the road and try again.

Bach Flower Remedies: A User-Friendly Guide

Bach Flower Remedies: A User-Friendly Guide - C. M. Barrett Bach flower remedies (BFRs) are solutions of brandy and water—the water containing extreme dilutions of flower material developed by Edward Bach, an English homeopath, in the 1930s. Bach claimed that dew found on flower petals retain imagined healing properties of that plant.

flow·er es·sence
noun
a substance prepared from a flowering plant and used therapeutically for its alleged beneficial effects on mood, outlook, etc.


If you are interested in flower essence and using them this is the perfect book to begin with. The author speaks about each of the 38 Bach remedies, gives you fictional case studies to help you identify conditions in yourself and others. Each section ends with assignments that include questions to answer.

I found it be be a nice quick go to book. It is very user friendly as the title says.

No More Scaredy Cat: The easy, step-by-step program that puts an end to stress, fear and anxiety for the cats you love (Mini Kitty Books)

No More Scaredy Cat: The easy, step-by-step program that puts an end to stress, fear and anxiety for the cats you love (Mini Kitty Books) - Sara Goldenthal This was a nice book. Not very long but full of useful information that is especially useful for those not familiar with how much essences and touch can help. Not only animals for humans too though the book is for cats. It is not an overnight fix but it does work.

Never Binge Again(tm): Reprogram Yourself to Think Like a Permanently Thin Person(tm). Stop Overeating and Binge Eating and Stick to the Food Plan of Your Choice!

Never Binge Again(tm): Reprogram Yourself to Think Like a Permanently Thin Person(tm). Stop Overeating and Binge Eating and Stick to the Food Plan of Your Choice! - Glenn Livingston Interesting book. I found it more funny than helpful. I do have to say the ideas/mind tricks presented in the book make sense and could very well work. I have not tried them so I an unable to comment on the effectiveness. I can say I had many laughs while reading it.

Getting in TTouch with your Cat

Getting in TTouch with your Cat - Linda Tellington-Jones I stumbled on a you tube video showing this technique and I wanted to learn more. I thought it would be helpful with our cats and the rescue cats. I already to kitty massage but I always want to learn more.

While the book has adorable photos and lots of information, it is not all information that you can grab onto and use. I felt that it was too busy assuring us that TTouch is wonderful and can work miracles but not enough step by step information on how it is put into practice. It would probably be better for someone who had a working knowledge of the touches already but want to center around cats.

With that being said I think if you are familiar with cats and how they work it's not very hard to learn the different touches and try them out adjusting to what works for your kitty friend.

the petting zoo

the petting zoo - peter niverville Ok, I liked this one. If you have any phobia for spiders do not even attempt this story.

The Last Night of the World

The Last Night of the World - Ray Bradbury I am not a short story person but I am trying to branch out and try new things. This was highly recommended and short 7 minutes and 36 seconds for the audio.

It was ok. Maybe it better people were narrating it would have made it better. It was free so I have no right to complain.

Dark Matter: A Novel

Dark Matter: A Novel - Blake Crouch Dark Matter will keep you turning pages into the night while it screws with your head. Not a great book, but not a bad book either. Worth reading if you are into the alternate reality type of thing. I am and my head was still spinning.

Disappearance at Devil's Rock: A Novel

Disappearance at Devil's Rock: A Novel - Paul Tremblay Hmmmm, I finished this up yesterday, the same day that I started it. That alone says it is a book that was hard to put down. Having said that I can't say that I loved it.

That sounds strange to say about a hard to put down book but the story just was hard for me to lose myself in. I found the characters to be quite unreal and I didn't care what happened to them. The creepy factor was certainly strong throughout the book, I enjoyed that. I was jumping at the natural thumps and bangs that happen in a house while I was reading. The creepiness and suspense is what kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.

If you like creepy suspense, give it a read.