*** 3 stars
Okay, I do have to confess to being a teeny bit disappointed with this one as I have heard over and over how amazing it is. It was good; I enjoyed it (as much as one can "enjoy" a book about dying teenagers.) I am generally a big sap who can cry easily at a sad book or movie but I did not cry once during this book. I think the very nature of the characters which made them so charming, their wry humor, their sophisticated wisdom, also prevented me from feeling sentimental about them. Again, an easy and quick read but it did not have the same impact on me as it has had on so many others.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle
*** 3 stars
A well-crafted and perfectly fine family drama. I like this author; she is very capable with multiple voices and view points. An easy read.
A well-crafted and perfectly fine family drama. I like this author; she is very capable with multiple voices and view points. An easy read.
The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani
**** 4 stars
It was great to revisit Valentine and her family. This is definitely a bittersweet book and it doesn't really feel like the end to Valentine's story. I do hope there are more books in the series but I think I've seen it described as a trilogy. The Valentine books are easily my favorite of Trigiani's books.
It was great to revisit Valentine and her family. This is definitely a bittersweet book and it doesn't really feel like the end to Valentine's story. I do hope there are more books in the series but I think I've seen it described as a trilogy. The Valentine books are easily my favorite of Trigiani's books.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
The Whole Golden World by Kristina Riggle
**** 4 stars
How interesting that a book with the same essential story as Tampa (which I found utterly repellent and had to drop like it was covered with dog poo after about 10 pages) is so much more readable. It's true that the dynamics of this book are flipped (a male teacher and a female student vs a female teacher and a male student) but I don't think that is a factor at all. This book, unlike Tampa, is a thoughtful exploration of about four sides of the issue, the teacher, his wife, the student and her mother.
I thought the author was particularly skillful in creating well-defined characters with flaws as well as strengths. It would be a really good book club read as there are many issues to discuss. It was not an easy book to read; the subject matter is difficult but I can say I enjoyed this read as it was thought provoking and well-written. I have made a note to pick up Riggle's other titles.
How interesting that a book with the same essential story as Tampa (which I found utterly repellent and had to drop like it was covered with dog poo after about 10 pages) is so much more readable. It's true that the dynamics of this book are flipped (a male teacher and a female student vs a female teacher and a male student) but I don't think that is a factor at all. This book, unlike Tampa, is a thoughtful exploration of about four sides of the issue, the teacher, his wife, the student and her mother.
I thought the author was particularly skillful in creating well-defined characters with flaws as well as strengths. It would be a really good book club read as there are many issues to discuss. It was not an easy book to read; the subject matter is difficult but I can say I enjoyed this read as it was thought provoking and well-written. I have made a note to pick up Riggle's other titles.
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall
0 stars
What a bummer...I'm giving up on this one. I read and loved Udall's The Lonely Polygamist several years ago and knew he had written this first. Our library never had a copy but I happened to stumble upon it at a used book sale. It rested on my to-be-read shelf for a long time and I kept wanting to read it. Finally picked it up. Sadly, I'm not going to finish it. There's nothing exactly wrong with it, it is just not engaging me.
It's an endless (or perhaps, more kindly, picaresque) tale of a young boy in all kinds of unusual circumstances. Edgar's voice shifts, seemingly at random, from first person to third and I found that sort of odd. I'm sure there's a point to it and all other things being equal, it probably wouldn't have bothered me. But I'm ready to move on.
What a bummer...I'm giving up on this one. I read and loved Udall's The Lonely Polygamist several years ago and knew he had written this first. Our library never had a copy but I happened to stumble upon it at a used book sale. It rested on my to-be-read shelf for a long time and I kept wanting to read it. Finally picked it up. Sadly, I'm not going to finish it. There's nothing exactly wrong with it, it is just not engaging me.
It's an endless (or perhaps, more kindly, picaresque) tale of a young boy in all kinds of unusual circumstances. Edgar's voice shifts, seemingly at random, from first person to third and I found that sort of odd. I'm sure there's a point to it and all other things being equal, it probably wouldn't have bothered me. But I'm ready to move on.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
** 2 stars
Two stars is actually pretty generous. The only things I really liked about this book were the all-too-few discussions of, you know....books! I was actually surprised how much I disliked this book. I felt uncomfortable reading this book; I feel the author disclosed more about his mother's character and his relationship with her than he really meant to. The mother was not a very nice person; she came across as snobby and superior without much real warmth for her family.
The elitist attitude of both the author and his family was really off-putting. I couldn't wait to finish this book; I did add a few titles to my to-read shelf and I did enjoy the mention of books I have already read. I felt the books were really beside the point and not well-integrated into the dynamic between mother and son. Essentially a big disappointment.
Two stars is actually pretty generous. The only things I really liked about this book were the all-too-few discussions of, you know....books! I was actually surprised how much I disliked this book. I felt uncomfortable reading this book; I feel the author disclosed more about his mother's character and his relationship with her than he really meant to. The mother was not a very nice person; she came across as snobby and superior without much real warmth for her family.
The elitist attitude of both the author and his family was really off-putting. I couldn't wait to finish this book; I did add a few titles to my to-read shelf and I did enjoy the mention of books I have already read. I felt the books were really beside the point and not well-integrated into the dynamic between mother and son. Essentially a big disappointment.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
December Reads - a Post for Catching Up!
Whoa! Am I ever behind in entering my current books here! Good thing I have a back up (good ol' fashioned paper and pen!) December has been a whirlwind with an unexpected trip added to the general chaos of holiday preparation. I'm looking forward to a bit of quiet time post-Christmas for some quality reading. To bring us up to date (in no particular order):
**** 4 stars
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
I actually read this back in October but neglected to enter it here (or on the backup paper/pen!) This was a fun, quirky and quick read. It's been compared to Gone Girl; this seems to be handy (and lazy) marketing shorthand for any new thriller. I personally did not really see the relationship, other than 1) it's a pretty darn good read and 2) it's about a marriage. Sadly, we won't see anything else from this author as she passed away after this, her first book. :(
0 stars
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian
Tried listening to an audio version of this; couldn't get into it. It might be a better read as the narrative shifts voices and time frames (I think). Sometimes that is hard to follow in an audio book.
** 2 stars
Cemetery Girl by David J. Bell
This was just okay; also an audio book. Not sure if that is why if felt far too long. The premise was quite interesting but I'm not sure the execution of the story fulfilled the promise. It felt very talky and there were many things which really defied reality. I'm not at all sure a situation like this would have unfolded as it was depicted here.
0 stars
Happily Ever After by Harriet Evans
Book club read for January (we double-booked and skipped a December meeting). Really lost interest in this one; just went on and on and I lost track of the characters. I never really connected with anyone in the book and found I never wanted to pick it up. Gave up about 1/3 into it. Far too long and dull for a fluffy read.
*** 3 stars
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
This was pretty good and a fun read. Thought I could pass it on to my young teen daughter but some of the elements are a bit too mature. It would be better for an older teen. Not very inclined to keep going in the series but I enjoyed it for the most part.
***** 5 stars
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
I'm sorry it took me so long to read this; I guess I hesitated because it's a book about war. It's really not; it's really a story of a remarkable man in remarkable situations. Just an amazing read and I loved it. I've been recommending it to all kinds of people; readers and non-readers alike.
*** 3 stars
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
I had to sort of slog through this but it was pretty good. Was more serious in theme than I would have thought and it made attempts to relate the vampire issue with other issues of the day. I think, for the most part, the history was quite good.
** 2 stars
Matched by Ally Condie
My daughter loves this series. I thought it was just okay; some interesting elements but didn't engage me quite as much as it does her. Not sure I'll read on.
0 stars
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
Couldn't get into this one; it's getting some mixed reviews. Some people think it is brilliant; others think no so much. Usually I like to make my own opinion but I found it kind of dry and boring at the start.
***** 5 stars
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield
Loved this excellent book club choice. I felt there were loving surprises along the way in terms of the characterization of the people in the book. Often these Southern, rural, whatever you'd like to call them, books feature a crackpot father, a religious zealot, etc. It was nice to see genuine affection and love between the parents and a flawed but faithful man. It was a gripping read, too. I was captivated as I watched how the elements of the story wove together. Really loved this book and am looking forward to the book club conversation about it.
*** 3 stars
These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
Good domestic mystery; perfect for a plane ride. Not terribly taxing; very readable. Sometimes that is exactly what you need. I would probably read other books by this author. I would compare her to Jodi Picolt, which is not always a compliment in my mind. Picolt often over-reaches for a twist or to be edgy and surprising. But I think there's a similarity with the handling of family issues, etc.
**** 4 stars
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
I actually read this back in October but neglected to enter it here (or on the backup paper/pen!) This was a fun, quirky and quick read. It's been compared to Gone Girl; this seems to be handy (and lazy) marketing shorthand for any new thriller. I personally did not really see the relationship, other than 1) it's a pretty darn good read and 2) it's about a marriage. Sadly, we won't see anything else from this author as she passed away after this, her first book. :(
0 stars
The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian
Tried listening to an audio version of this; couldn't get into it. It might be a better read as the narrative shifts voices and time frames (I think). Sometimes that is hard to follow in an audio book.
** 2 stars
Cemetery Girl by David J. Bell
This was just okay; also an audio book. Not sure if that is why if felt far too long. The premise was quite interesting but I'm not sure the execution of the story fulfilled the promise. It felt very talky and there were many things which really defied reality. I'm not at all sure a situation like this would have unfolded as it was depicted here.
0 stars
Happily Ever After by Harriet Evans
Book club read for January (we double-booked and skipped a December meeting). Really lost interest in this one; just went on and on and I lost track of the characters. I never really connected with anyone in the book and found I never wanted to pick it up. Gave up about 1/3 into it. Far too long and dull for a fluffy read.
*** 3 stars
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
This was pretty good and a fun read. Thought I could pass it on to my young teen daughter but some of the elements are a bit too mature. It would be better for an older teen. Not very inclined to keep going in the series but I enjoyed it for the most part.
***** 5 stars
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
I'm sorry it took me so long to read this; I guess I hesitated because it's a book about war. It's really not; it's really a story of a remarkable man in remarkable situations. Just an amazing read and I loved it. I've been recommending it to all kinds of people; readers and non-readers alike.
*** 3 stars
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
I had to sort of slog through this but it was pretty good. Was more serious in theme than I would have thought and it made attempts to relate the vampire issue with other issues of the day. I think, for the most part, the history was quite good.
** 2 stars
Matched by Ally Condie
My daughter loves this series. I thought it was just okay; some interesting elements but didn't engage me quite as much as it does her. Not sure I'll read on.
0 stars
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
Couldn't get into this one; it's getting some mixed reviews. Some people think it is brilliant; others think no so much. Usually I like to make my own opinion but I found it kind of dry and boring at the start.
***** 5 stars
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield
Loved this excellent book club choice. I felt there were loving surprises along the way in terms of the characterization of the people in the book. Often these Southern, rural, whatever you'd like to call them, books feature a crackpot father, a religious zealot, etc. It was nice to see genuine affection and love between the parents and a flawed but faithful man. It was a gripping read, too. I was captivated as I watched how the elements of the story wove together. Really loved this book and am looking forward to the book club conversation about it.
*** 3 stars
These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
Good domestic mystery; perfect for a plane ride. Not terribly taxing; very readable. Sometimes that is exactly what you need. I would probably read other books by this author. I would compare her to Jodi Picolt, which is not always a compliment in my mind. Picolt often over-reaches for a twist or to be edgy and surprising. But I think there's a similarity with the handling of family issues, etc.
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