Reviews by Andrea (69)

Andrea 2024-03-09 How to be good

Funny and rather thought provoking

How to be good

Can anyone really be "all good?" In this story, a "good" woman with a grumpy husband is about to leave him when he undergoes a transformation at the hands of a hippie guru of sorts. Suddenly, he's "all good." The result is some truly hilarious scenarios that would make for a great comedy movie. And the truth it exposes is that we need to be at least a little bit selfish or "bad." Loved this book! I also found it interesting that a male author can write from a woman's perspective and still be absolutely convincing. It's a pet theory of mine that only really good authors can develop characters of the opposite sex believably. Hats off! This isn't great literature, but its a brilliant read!

Andrea 2024-03-08 What if? 2

A fun way to learn real science

What if? 2

A NASA roboticist tackles the real answers to weird "what if" questions complete with stick diagrams. I laughed so much I had to start reading it aloud to family which slowed me down a little. They loved it too. I'm going to hunt down the first book in this series! A great mood lightener!

Andrea 2024-02-13 Lucy by the Sea

A Gentle, Easy Read

Lucy by the Sea

This account of a family in lockdown and how they rethink their choices is quite engaging but not particularly exciting. All the same, it's a pleasant book with likable characters. I would class it as "women's fiction," or possibly even "older women's fiction." Not bad, but not memorable. All the same, relaxing and not demanding in any way - which can be nice. It won't keep you up at night at all events!

Andrea 2024-02-09 Shrines of Gaiety

Not Great Literature but Worth Reading

Shrines of Gaiety

I found this book interesting in more ways than one. Set against the backdrop of post-WW1 London nightlife, what you decide it's about might end up being up to you. "Villains" in stories are all too often two-dimensional, but not in this one. There are several central characters, both "goodies" and "baddies," and some of them are very engaging while others are tragic or at least, relatable. The story includes mystery, romance, and plenty of surprises in a rich tapestry of interwoven plots. It takes a few chapters to get into, but after that, it rushes along at a spanking pace. I recommend it!

Andrea 2024-01-29 Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Do I understand it? Only in the broadest terms. Did I love reading it? 1000 times yes!

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

When I got home after spending the "loot," I was eager to dive into this book, and at the same time, a little afraid of what I would find there. It turns out that Stephen Hawking is a gentle good-humoured soul who used simple language in an attempt to describe incredibly complex things. In this book, written shortly before his death, he answers the really big questions like "Can one predict the future?" and, in the gentlest most humble way possible: "Is there a God?" Each chapter features a really short answer and a longer explanation of how he arrived at his conclusions. I will have to read it at least six times and possibly more - and I will enjoy it every time even if I never fully understand it.

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