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robin

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  • Baby Teeth

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Zoje Stage
  • Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
  • Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars 111
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 99
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars 100

Suzette knows her clever and manipulative seven-year-old daughter doesn’t love her. She can see the hatred and jealousy in her eyes. And as Hanna’s subtle acts of cruelty threaten to tear her and her husband apart, Suzette fears her very life may be in grave danger....

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Had me hooked!

  • By Becky Jones on 2018-08-04

First half intriguing, then it was drawn out

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 2019-02-18

I think this book would have been good it if was half as long. The dynamic in the family was really interesting in the beginning, especially the mother and daughter. Then it just got really drawn out and repetitive, almost like it had many climaxes of the same thing that never really peaked. The last few chapters were very boring with unnecessary detail that was not filled with any suspense.

  • The Butterfly Garden

  • Written by: Dot Hutchison
  • Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo, Mel Foster
  • Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 26
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 24
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 24

Near an isolated mansion lies a beautiful garden. In this garden grow luscious flowers, shady trees...and a collection of precious "butterflies" - young women who have been kidnapped and intricately tattooed to resemble their namesakes. Overseeing it all is the Gardener, a brutal, twisted man obsessed with capturing and preserving his lovely specimens.

  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Enjoyable book, potentially triggering, bad ending

  • By robin on 2019-02-11

Enjoyable book, potentially triggering, bad ending

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 2019-02-11

The concept for the story was unique and interesting, although a big drawn out. The protagonist was likeable to an extent. I don't think it was overly reflective of what it would be like in such a psychologically disturbing place. Definite trigger warning for rape, sexual violence, and sexual coercion. The ending had so much potential, and I was expecting a big, dark twist. Alas, the twist was stupid and irrelevant. Hardly even consider it a twist I guess.

  • Can't Hurt Me

  • Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
  • Written by: David Goggins
  • Narrated by: David Goggins, Adam Skolnick
  • Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars 2,315
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars 2,090
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars 2,082

For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare - poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a US Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • one of the best books I've ever read (listened to)

  • By Anonymous User on 2018-12-05

Very enjoyable and extreme

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 2019-02-11

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It provided an amazing story (seriously didn't think stuff like that was possible) and overall good advice.

I'd warn people the first chapter or two are heavy and detailed on child abuse and domestic violence. It adds to the story, but I wish I expected it more.

I think one of the general themes of pushing yourself so hard you get extreme physical injuries isn't the best for one's future health. I saw this as a traumatized, powerless boy who grew into a man addicted to hurting himself through extreme exercise to gain the control/power his father took from his. Perhaps that is not the case, but either way it is an interesting book.