**spoiler alert** Larson has researched this in great detail. It's dense information that took a while for me to get through, but I enjoyed it.
Reader**spoiler alert** Larson has researched this in great detail. It's dense information that took a while for me to get through, but I enjoyed it.
Reader Advisory: I hope this isn't considered a spoiler, as "murder" is in the title, but there are detailed descriptions of murder, including of children, and body decomposition....more
Classic chick-lit, but I read the whole thing, so that's saying something. There were definitely some tropes I could have lived without. I feel like tClassic chick-lit, but I read the whole thing, so that's saying something. There were definitely some tropes I could have lived without. I feel like the development of the female lead was basically a female author's interpretation of what all men must see as "the perfect woman": isn't too girly; likes Quentin Tarantino movies; banters with quick wit and sarcasm. I didn't care for all of that, or even for the meet-cute setup, but I do have to give credit that the characters did have more layers than just that. (Not crazy depths, but some.) So, in summation, good enough for a light vacation read or a mental-escape-from-Covid read. And the author had definitely won me over by the end. (I especially appreciated the author's note at the end of the book, which genuinely felt like a personal message from a friend. My thanks to Ms. Jimenez for the thoughtful words to close things out.)
Film rating: R? PG-13? Swear words are a regular part of the dialogue, but they're not used in a particularly crude way. They're just ubiquitous. There are sex scenes that are not short and not indirect, but they're not overwhelmingly descriptive; kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure level of description: the reader can more or less decide how many details they want to fill in in their mind while reading those scenes....more
The opening chapter felt really strong, but the rest of the book just didn't satisfy the setup for me. It might have just been as simple as the subjecThe opening chapter felt really strong, but the rest of the book just didn't satisfy the setup for me. It might have just been as simple as the subject matter not being a good match for my reading preferences. The book certainly does pose questions that make you think deeply, What would I do if that were me? But the philosophical questions the book raises outshine the plot or characters themselves, IMHO.
Rated PG-13 for occasional swearing (including 6 f***s); sex jokes and sexually related teasing from high school students; consensual sex scenes (though some underaged) with PG-to-PG-13-level descriptions; (view spoiler)[ abortion (hide spoiler)]....more
Simultaneously modern and timeless. The main character describes moments of being under the influence of various substances, and sometimes as I read tSimultaneously modern and timeless. The main character describes moments of being under the influence of various substances, and sometimes as I read those passages, I found myself having a similar experience with the book itself causing a sense of intoxication: reading it was not a joyous or uplifting thing, but I couldn't stop reading; I was thoroughly engulfed in it. I was probably more paranoid and pessimistic about the world around me on days that I read this book, and yet I can't say I have any regrets about my time spent reading the lengthy work. It was such a pleasure to get lost in. The characters are so different from me and their experiences are often so far from anything I've experienced myself, and yet I lived a certain deja vu thoughout the book as I read fictional characters capture dialogue and mannerisms that are perfectly familiar from people I've crossed paths with in my own life. The writing struck deep and universal chords within me about the human condition and experience.
Film rating: R. Plenty of language, including F*, C*, and N*. Very heavy drug and alcohol use, including by underage characters. Crude phrases used casually. (view spoiler)[ Physical abuse of minors. Vivid descriptions of disaster victims. (hide spoiler)]
A note for those curious about LGBTQ+ moments within the book, including possible discussions parents might want to address with younger readers: (view spoiler)[ Thanks to Stranger Things' success and Finn Wolfhard starring in the movie, I was ready for quite the LGBTQ+ love story. However, the big moment, a clip that had been uploaded multiple times on YouTube, was quite minor, and I personally did not get any sexual undertones from it. (Lots of talk of sex elsewhere, but not same-sex relations like I expected from this particular scene.) This might have been interpreted differently in the movie, which I have not seen (nor the clips), but in the book, this incident was so mild that I would not have even included the same-sex moment in my film rating explanation except for the fact that I'd heard about it and had been waiting for it, wondering about it. Therefore, I'm including my quick take here for any parents: there would be plenty of other heavy topics to address from the book, but this is not the one I'd be worried about. (hide spoiler)]...more
An enjoyable read with great character development. The author did a superb job of giving each character their own voice and using those voices to paiAn enjoyable read with great character development. The author did a superb job of giving each character their own voice and using those voices to paint vivid portraits of these colorful personalities. Extra props for getting me to dream of visiting Antarctica--I can't say it had ever really been on my bucket list before I read this book.
Film rating: PG. I think. I feel like I remember a swear word or two, but not much more. A lot of it is told through the eyes of a tween girl. If I forgot something though, please message me so I can update this!...more
I did it. I judged a book by its cover. And this cover made me think I'd be in for some fluffy chick lit, but from what I read, it probably would be mI did it. I judged a book by its cover. And this cover made me think I'd be in for some fluffy chick lit, but from what I read, it probably would be more appropriately categorized in the erotica genre. Which is just not my bag. So I'm writing a review not at all about the writing but for the sole purpose of providing my two cents on the parents' guide (that I wish came with all books): don't let your kids read this one.
A very descriptive read that really will carry your mind away to the French countryside. In direct correlation to that, the level of detail in the wriA very descriptive read that really will carry your mind away to the French countryside. In direct correlation to that, the level of detail in the writing made this a very slow read. I realized it wasn't until I was well past page 200 that I got to the point that during the day I would find myself looking forward to picking it up again in the evening.
A beautiful portrait, but a sad one. Not a lot of levity or reprieve from the despondence. But that's probably a good artistic choice when an author chooses this particular period to depict.
I'm always hesitant to get too involved with literature by someone who is known for being "ex-Mormon" (not because they're not entitled to their own pI'm always hesitant to get too involved with literature by someone who is known for being "ex-Mormon" (not because they're not entitled to their own path, but just because when they tout themselves as such, I find that often what they present can feel a bit aggressive). In this case, I probably didn't need to worry. The author even makes a separate note at the end of the book about how while the religion is a shaping influence and discussed often in the book, it is not meant to be presented as a positive or a negative thing, and I think that for the most part, she achieved that impartiality. I can see how everyone reading the book who doesn't have their own experiences with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could draw some extreme conclusions about its teachings, but I think the book did a good job of indicating that the circumstances in which the author was raised were shaped as much by her father's own interpretation of the religion as anything.
Definitely an interesting read. Very captivating. It felt like the book version of some of these TLC shows, like "Alaskan Bush People": a very different way of living from most of us, and it's thought-provoking to assess those differences and imagine yourself in the situations. (I know ABP differs from the Westover family in many important ways, but I'm basically saying if TLC was wondering what their next show should be....)
I had a hard time getting through the last book I read before this one. Not because it was dense or difficult, but I guess I just wasn't that into it. I was worried maybe my millennial attention span had finally snapped and maybe I just don't read with the same joy I used to? (Because I was very excited about the other book.) This book, on the other hand, had me playing the "just one more chapter" game and had me picking it up every night. It was fun to know I can still get that type of excited over a good read.
Film rating: A mature PG. Occasional swear words and violence. Medical treatments (or their alternatives) are a theme of the book, so treatments for illness and injury is often described, and some of those injuries are very harrowing to picture. The themes in general will take a certain maturity to appreciate, and for that reason, I wouldn't recommend this as a book for young readers....more
I've said before that I only give five-star ratings to books I think everyone should read. I'm backtracking on that today, because while I don't thinkI've said before that I only give five-star ratings to books I think everyone should read. I'm backtracking on that today, because while I don't think every reader needs to read this book--there will be plenty for whom the slow pace and focus on the surrounding nature will not be a good fit or who do not care for the idea of a murder mystery--I would still recommend it as a master study for anyone invested in the art of storytelling and crafting a mystery for readers. It is absolutely excellent in that regard.
(view spoiler)[For the record, when I started reading the second to last chapter, I had decided that this was a terrible way to write the ending to a mystery. I was convinced it was just the worst! Introducing new tragedies this late in the book instead of resolving my questions? But by the time I finished the last page, I did a total 180 and came to the conclusion that it was the most perfectly crafted ending to the story that satisfied every dynamic thought I'd wondered about during my time with the book. (hide spoiler)]
Film rating: PG-13 for some language (at least three F--- words, adult themes (a main plot point, which is introduced in the very first chapter, revolves around solving a potential murder case), (view spoiler)[ physical and sexual abuse, (hide spoiler)] relatively mild but descriptive scenes of sexual (or near sexual/foreplay) encounters....more
Let me supplement my relatively low rating by admitting upfront that SciFi isn't really my thing. So, if you're really into SciFi, you might love thisLet me supplement my relatively low rating by admitting upfront that SciFi isn't really my thing. So, if you're really into SciFi, you might love this! I found it just engaging enough that I wanted to finish it and see if anything unexpected happened. As far as the plot goes, the protagonist did not develop much and faced very few challenges on his journey. The concept was creative, and I love the idea of commentary on social media's prominence and the power we're giving it! But the story itself seemed too predictable with too many cliches and too few surprises. The idea had real potential, but I wish it had been developed more as a commentary or else presented with more obstacles to make it a real adventure.
Film Rating: PG-13. Language throughout and there are crude references to sex and self-pleasure. The book does pose interesting questions (i.e., how will advancements in technology affect, for example, sex dolls used with haptic feedback), but this does not further the story and is not explored enough to call any of it truly thought-provoking. All it really is, is just risque enough to catch you off guard and wonder, "Do my kids know what that is?"...more
If you want a comprehensive description of the founding fathers, Chernow is the man for the job. I read this and wonder how it is even humanly possiblIf you want a comprehensive description of the founding fathers, Chernow is the man for the job. I read this and wonder how it is even humanly possible for one man to know so much about the subject. Every sentence is packed with details and nuances in addition to the main narrative that reveal just how knowledgeable the author really is. Even regarding knowledge of words and definitions! If you love vocabulary words, there are lots of new ones--or new to me, at least--in this book.
Be forewarned that this is *not* a quick read. I know you expect that when you see a book that counts in at more than 800 pages, but beyond the page count, it is dense in information. Skimming or speed reading won't be of much use here. I wouldn't consider the writing style to be "reader-friendly," which is the reason I can't give this a full five stars. The breadth of information is the best there is, but the writing itself could stand to be a bit more accessible.
But this is just me nit-picking. Which I do. Especially after the author threw some shade at copy editors in the introduction: "I have also cured many contemporary newspaper editors of their addiction to italics and capitalized words." Pshh. It is taking every ounce of restraint to not italicize the word "cured" there, both for emphasis and irony. That was the first major impression I received from this author, and yet, he still won me over!
Parental Guide Rating: PG? If I'm being completely honest, it took me so long to finish this book that I can't remember anymore if there was any questionable material. I don't remember anything too explicit, more academic mentions of affairs (the lyrics to "Say No to This" make me blush more than anything in the book) and scandals, brief mentions of some of the atrocities that were simultaneously occurring in France, but there could be something that I've simply forgotten over the time it took me to finish the book.
P.S. Lin-Manuel Miranda said Hamilton was one of the original embodiments of hip-hop. Though it doesn't sound nearly as cool, I actually think Hamilton is the O.G. blogger, he just had to do it without the help of the Internet. (Anyone else who has read this who sees this, too?)...more
I love the writing on Parks and Rec, so I thought I'd enjoy this as a light-hearted read as well. Unfortunately, it just felt like an entire book of nI love the writing on Parks and Rec, so I thought I'd enjoy this as a light-hearted read as well. Unfortunately, it just felt like an entire book of name-dropping.
I did enjoy the chapter with "pudding" in the title, about awards shows. That section was much more like what I was hoping for. If you're flipping through at Barnes and Noble, that is the chapter I'd recommend to read.
Film rating: PG-13 for occasional language, drug use, and some crass sexual humor. It seems to be an attempt to regress to the pre-Leslie Knope portrayal of Poehler, which is too bad, because I think the optimistic, uplifting Leslie Knope brand is good on her.
You could skip the chapter on sex advice. This would not only reduce the degree of questionable content, but it would also save you time, because, unfortunately, it just wasn't that funny, IMHO....more
If you're into Romeo and Juliet stories or slightly angsty teen lit, you might be into it. I can see how a younger reader might enjoy it, but the Meh.
If you're into Romeo and Juliet stories or slightly angsty teen lit, you might be into it. I can see how a younger reader might enjoy it, but the content then seems a little mature for the age group that I would think would most enjoy it.
Early in the book, a character suggests that Shakespeare was actually mocking Romeo and Juliet, trying to illustrate that their problems weren't as bad as they thought. So, then I had to wonder if that's what this was as well. Did I just spend my whole road trip listening to satire? I really can't tell. I might just not get it. That's super possible as well.
Film rating: PG-13. I think more than one f* word is supposed to require an R rating, and for curse words it's definitely R. But sex and violence content is much more suggestive than explicit. FWIW, the opening scene is probably about 40 percent curse words. I was about ready to turn it off, because if that's what the whole book would be like, it was just too out of control! But the rest of the book is not like that. Pervasive language, but not as bad as in the very first chapter....more
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