Anastasia

Mixed Bag

Revisado: 04-15-25

I see I'm in the minority- I got this based on the recommendation of someone's review of a different book and saw all the really great reviews (and I am now personally baffled by them). I actually liked the story/plot, twists and turns and I didn't guess who dunnit. However, in my opinion the execution was really bad. I did not expect this to be a "cozy" mystery but I think that's what it is. And it was really cheesy. There were descriptions of the FMC's romantic interest's "full" or "shapely" lips and all sorts of silly misunderstandings preventing them from realizing their love for each other. I was kind of grossed out by the parallel unfolding of the mother's and daughter's romantic awakenings (literally parallel, as in at point we got to dramatically hear about each one's similar experience every other sentence). I wont be continuing the series.

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Underrated Author

Revisado: 03-20-25

I read Archangel shortly after it was published in the 90s. I don't remember the story, except for the first few paragraphs and I absolutely remember the feeling the book gave me. I was/am a voracious reader and, at the time, it was in my top ten. So I was happy to see this one that I'd never heard of available on Audible. I'm writing a review for anyone who is hesitant to get this book because of the lack of reviews (looks like I'll be the second rating and the first to review). Reviewers in the 90s said this story lacked a plot and was really just niche about a fishing subculture. It's true that this book is not plot driven, but it's character and feeling driven, it's the atmosphere. I read his books for the journey. The narrator is great as well- which is so nice because really good narrators are rare. He doesn't just read the book- he tells the story. If you are affected by animal welfare- it is hard to listen to how the fish are treated- but it's not gratuitous, it really is what happens in the industry so you might have to power through that if you're sensitive (like me).

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For those that want to know- graphic animal abuse

Revisado: 03-17-25

I listened to "I Am Not a Serial Killer" and I would give it three stars ("pretty good"). It was interesting enough that I wanted to see the development and got this one. I quit about a third of the way in with the graphic description of the protagonist killing an animal. Frankly, I'm surprised that no previous reviewers commented on it, because that's something that people usually warn others about (like child sexual abuse- even if the commenter can handle it) and which I look for in the reviews. Some of us don't want to read about that, even knowing it's fiction (the reason we enjoy reading and movies and being scared is because our brains don't really differentiate between experiences that are fictional versus those we experienced in reality). The description was not necessary because we already knew the character was highly flawed and his struggle with his pathological tendencies is constantly explored. Dexter was obviously the influence for this book, and Dexter's previous explorations into that subject were alluded to, but not described. That enabled us to maintain some empathy for/connection to Dexter- but, for me, the protagonist in this book lost any value. Additionally, I must say the narrator was not bad, except when it came to situations that involved yelling- in which case he yelled each and every time the same way as though it was the most intense scene ever- no variation. There's a big difference between your mom yelling at you to not ignore her and yelling because you quite literally are in a murderous rage because someone harmed a family member. Doesn't seem like a big deal, but there's enough yelling in these books that it became a real distraction. I'm hoping to return this one.

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Get It!

Revisado: 10-15-24

I love to learn and love the idea of non-fiction, but 90% of the time I'm so disappointed that now I almost never purchase a non-fiction book anymore. They are either 1) poorly organized/ rambling/ stream of thought, 2) the author just waxes on about themselves and how great they are, or 3) they are just so speculative. I saw this one on my Bookbub deals and checked to see if Audible had it (as a busy mom I don't get time to myself to read, but I can always listen when I'm driving and doing chores). It happened to be in the free member library until the end of the month so I got to listening right away. I love it. It's very accessible and easy to understand for a lay person (that's been one of the criticisms by lower reviewers- but I don't think the target audience is someone that already has really in-depth knowledge who's ready for lots of sciency language and concepts and I've learned a lot that I've now been able to research myself further for more detailed information). It's really humorous and fun. It's really well organized with great logical flow from one topic to the next. I liked it so much- I think I'm going to go ahead and purchase it and re-listen (something I almost never do). I think this author did a really excellent job of introducing the audience to new concepts and to get it thinking in new directions!

A note about some of the lower reviews- I'd say they are a bit unfair. One was about the evolution agenda- but I don't think you can read a book about how microbes shaped us without discussing evolution so if you can't get into that, then this just isn't going to be for you. Several commented that the author was "promoting" the use of parasites in healthy bodies and has lost site of the fact that we are now more healthy and live longer than ever without them. In fact, the author specifically states that he hasn't bought into the concept, but that those who have have certainly presented enough hypothesis and evidence that it deserves further scientific inquiry, energy and resources that it's not getting. Another criticism is that much of what he discusses are just untested hypotheses and speculative. He's quite open about that and discusses the scientific process and it's limitations as well as what evidence, whether it's paper thin or substantial, was used by various scientists to formulate their ideas.

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Ruined by narration

Revisado: 10-06-24

I'm three chapters in but done. The narration is comical. She describes the appearance of men lecherously, she's overly dramatic (I dont know if this is supposed to be a romance but it sounded like it with her breathy overdramatization) and then when she started imitating a male British accent that sounded like it should be in a cartoon, I was done. I have no idea if the story will be fun or interesting despite the largely positive reviews because I can't go on!

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Bravo!

Revisado: 08-31-24

I almost never get autobiographies because they tend to be shallow (barely scratching the surface of what there is to discover) and idealistic (painting the subject in the most positive light). Thusbwas true of the one I listened to most recently by Crystal Hefner. This one seemed sincere to a fault (I could never have written this if I had kids). Some negative reviews were based on perception of her character- but I think we got what was represented, an honest and deep review of her experiences. Definitely explicit. Funny, sad, frustrating. Great job.

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Great

Revisado: 08-27-24

Fun, interesting. My only complaint was that it was too short! I would have loved even more detail! However, I usually have a hard time with nonfiction being so terribly disorganized and, frankly, boring (even though I I'm super intersted). This was neither!

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Nowhere, nothing

Revisado: 08-16-24

Uhmmm...there were two parallel stories. They never merged. Nothing was ever explained about the first story and character. There was no ending- just ended in the middle of a sentence. Other than the son having changed his name and trying to keep his identity hidden, this book is NOTHING about being the son of a serial killer. Oh- and if you jave ANY experience with law or children's services, you will be so annoyed at how obvious it is that the author did not use a legal consultant. His descriptions of what would happen to the protagonist and his family in his probation situation were completely ludicrous. I have about 3,000 books in my library and listen constantly. This is one of the most disappointing books ever. Complete waste of time.

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Nothing...happens

Revisado: 03-13-24

Nothing but depressing melancholy. I trudged to the end thinking something would happen! I guess it did resolve, we weren't left hanging but it should have been a short story instead of hours of dull nothing to end up with nothing. Perhaps the narrator was on point for the mood, but she was breathy, which always annoys me.

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Shallow

Revisado: 02-29-24

I generally don't like memoirs because they never seem to ring true or give as a great an insight as I had been hoping for and this hasn't really changed my mind. Don't get me wrong- the book was enjoyable and worth the credit (a two star rating is not "bad," it's "it was ok"). My biggest criticism is that it was shallow, it really only provided material that skimmed the surface of Crystal's or anyone's experience. Additionally, I also understand this was Crystal's story, but Crystal's story was interesting because of her experiences regarding who she was with and where she was and there really wasn't a lot of that. I'm not a fan of PB or HH, but I would love to have known more about what drove him and what his perceptions were and how people interacted with him, what he shared with her about his past. Any insight into HH seemed totally obligatory and totally devoid of real comprehension. It may be that she really didn't have any insight, though as it seemed she really was just another girl living at the mansion and wife in name only. Her story lacks any depth except with respect to her own reflections on how she got there and why she stayed (which is fine if that's what you're looking for- but I wanted to know everything!). Her story is also remarkably similar to Holly's, so I felt like there wasn't an awful lot that was new.

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