This was so good! I am so happy I finally got around to read this little book, it was a nice change from what I've been reading lately!
I would say thiThis was so good! I am so happy I finally got around to read this little book, it was a nice change from what I've been reading lately!
I would say this book has just the right amount of quirkiness. I tend to find quirkiness in books pretty gimmicky, but the unusual aspects of the style I found really added to the story this time. Something I liked in particular is the distinct voices each narrator had. It was very obvious when you were reading the different sections that the narrator had changed (a pet peeve of mine is when books have narrator's whose voices are too similar)
I found the plot was sad, and I really felt connected to the different characters. Although I could guess what the twist was, to be honest, it didn't bother me. I even (almost) teared up at one point, which is very rare for me when it comes to books (or movies, for that matter.)
One aspect I didn't like as much is how I find that Krauss pretty much spelled out why certain characters acted certain ways (especially Leo Gursky.) It would have been nice for things to have been more subtle, so that we as readers could come to our own conclusions about why he acted out in certain ways. I also felt that Alma's mother was a bit underdeveloped, but that could be because we see her only through Alma's eyes.
Overall this was a quick and captivating read, and I definitely look forward to reading more of Krauss' work! ...more
I was really excited to read this when I first heard about it, and it definitely did not disappoint! I think everyone should read this, if only for thI was really excited to read this when I first heard about it, and it definitely did not disappoint! I think everyone should read this, if only for the fact that the main character is an awesome Pakistani-american girl who kicks butt and gives such an interesting perspective on the world. ...more
This was a beautiful, short, sad novel. I don't have much to say about it, to be perfectly honest, but I found what really stood out to me is how muchThis was a beautiful, short, sad novel. I don't have much to say about it, to be perfectly honest, but I found what really stood out to me is how much we learned about George from spending this one day with him. The writing was beautiful-but not overdone, and I found the novel flowed very well, and was quite well-paced. Sometimes short novels leave me wanting more, but in this case I found the length was suited the book perfectly....more
This was a really good collection of short stories that follow Dominican and dominican-American characters and their day to day lives. About half of tThis was a really good collection of short stories that follow Dominican and dominican-American characters and their day to day lives. About half of the stories are narrated by Yunior, the narrator of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, and the stories not narrated by him are often somehow connected to him or his family.
As usual, Junot Diaz's writing style is just great. The stories all flowed well, with great pacing. I really enjoyed how conversations were integrated into the prose, without any quotations. I found this aspect made the prose flow nicely and seamlessly.
We really learn a lot about Yunior through these stories- his experiences, his family and in many ways get to understand why he acts the way he does. I would say my favourite story was the last one, which was specifically about Yunior's father. This story seemed to have a similar purpose the stories about Yunior had, namely, for the reader to better understand these characters, their struggles, and why they act the way they do.
Part of me wishes the whole book had been about Yunior and his family, the stories dealing with other characters just weren't as compelling overall in my opinion and dragged the book down a bit. I feel like either Yunior and his family should not have had such a large focus, or the whole book should have been about them. Because the book fell somewhere in the middle, it seemed more like a random patchwork than a seamless collection at times.
Honestly, I would rate this more 3.5/5 for the reason stated above. I decided to bump it up to 4/5 mostly for the style, and how much I enjoyed Yunior's stories. I definitely recommend this for anyone who likes short stories, enjoys immigrant narratives, or who has read and enjoyed Diaz's work in the past!...more
I picked this book up on a whim while shopping a couple of weeks ago and I'm glad I chose to buy it! I vaguely remembered hearing good things about itI picked this book up on a whim while shopping a couple of weeks ago and I'm glad I chose to buy it! I vaguely remembered hearing good things about it, and the cover and title intrigued me. I started the first story in this collection of short-stories yesterday morning, and I could not put it down! I found each story mesmerizing, full of characters who seemed to real and fragile.
I would say I enjoyed each of the 7 stories, but those that stick out in my mind are Bobcat, the title story, as well as The Banks of the Vistula and Min. I found that the stories all complimented each other, as several dealt with topics such as marriage and relationships, and several were set at universities.
I really enjoyed Rebecca Lee's writing style: well crafted, but not too fussy at the same time. I found it easy to get lost in each of the stories. The stories were each around 30 pages long, which I liked because there was enough time to get invested in the characters and plotlines.
I look forward to reading more of Rebecca Lee's work, and reading more short-story collections in general as well!...more
I would say I have been a pretty passive fan of Amy Poehler. I've never seen Parks and Recreation, although I've been meaning to for years. I enjoyed I would say I have been a pretty passive fan of Amy Poehler. I've never seen Parks and Recreation, although I've been meaning to for years. I enjoyed everything I've seen her in, but I wouldn't say I've ever sought out a movie she's been in purely because she was in it. Despite this, the minute I heard she was coming out with a book, and after seeing the title, cover and her author photo, I knew I had to read it!
The book did not disappoint. Just from an aesthetic point of view, the book is awesome. The dust jacket is bright and loud, the book is heavy and the pages are thick and shiny. There are photos, bright motivational pages, and excerpts of scrips. It's just a really cool book to flip through. It is heavy, so keep that in mind. It definitely isn't the kind of book you can hold with one hand (if you are me, anyway.)
I started out reading the book not sure if I would like it or not. I have to be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the first section where Amy Poehler discusses how hard it is to write a book. It was equally refreshing- and slightly annoying because it could have been edited down.
I really enjoyed Amy's chatty voice throughout the novel, and I found is was a fun and interesting read. I especially liked reading about Amy's adventures in Chicago and her early years in New York. I almost wish we had learned more about this time of her life.
Overall, I think fans of Amy Poehler would really like this book. Even if you aren't a huge fan, you should still check it out, though!
I found this book slow at times-especially towards the middle. I really liked the writing however, and I found the last couple of chapters very grippiI found this book slow at times-especially towards the middle. I really liked the writing however, and I found the last couple of chapters very gripping as I was nervous about the aftermath of the hurricane. I wish the novel had been longer, I felt like it ended too early....more
Beautifully written, and very sad. I didn't love it as much as Giovanni's Room, but this was very well paced and makes me want to read more Baldwin!Beautifully written, and very sad. I didn't love it as much as Giovanni's Room, but this was very well paced and makes me want to read more Baldwin!...more
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the written, and found it quite hilarious at times! It was fun reading a book that must have been so shocking to I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the written, and found it quite hilarious at times! It was fun reading a book that must have been so shocking to people when it was first published! I really liked how the narrative jumped to the past in quite seamless way, as sometimes this writing style can be confusing. Jong's writing style is quite quick and witty, which worked great with the subject! ...more
This was such a great novel! I usually don't like child narrators, but it worked perfectly in this novel because Baby was just so believable. Bab4.5/5
This was such a great novel! I usually don't like child narrators, but it worked perfectly in this novel because Baby was just so believable. Baby clearly grows and evolves throughout the novel, quite slowly and steady, so the reader barely notices at first.
The topics discussed were tragic, and at times the novel made me want to cry, whereas other times I laughed out loud! I couldn't put this book down, I got so wrapped up in the story.
O'Neill's writing style is great, I'm very much looking forward to reading her latest novel!
As usual with essay collections, I really loved some essays, and didn't really care for others!As usual with essay collections, I really loved some essays, and didn't really care for others!...more
I first heard about this novel from Ronlit (her review for Hello Hemlock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OconP...) and I've been meaning to read it eI first heard about this novel from Ronlit (her review for Hello Hemlock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OconP...) and I've been meaning to read it ever since. By chance, I found a copy recently at my local thrift shop and decided now was the time to read it- and it was so great!
The novel has so many things that I love: political themes, strong characters, great writing and great atmosphere. Also, I love reading books set in Montreal, so this book was basically right up my alley. I really liked how Whittall discussed the Quebec referendum of 1995, she really showed it to be the crazy-complicated issue that it was. As I was very young during this period in Quebec history, a lot of the political events discussed in this novel (especially relating to gay and lesbian movements) were new to me and I found that aspect really interesting.
In some ways, this book reminded me of Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather McNeil, mostly because of how Eve grows throughout the novel. I also found Eve's voice similar in certain ways to Baby's.
I found we really got to know the characters throughout the novel, and despite how short it is, there is so much that goes on! I found Eve's and Della's relationship really interesting, and even though I hated Della at some points, I could still sympathize with her.
Certain parts of this book really broke my heart, so be prepared if you plan on reading this!
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the ending, I felt kind of let down at first, but the more I think about it, the more it seems to fit the novel....more
I found Bowen's writing to be very beautiful and gripping. I am still trying to figure out what I think about the story itself... I found Bowen's writing to be very beautiful and gripping. I am still trying to figure out what I think about the story itself... ...more
This was such a cute, charming read! I really enjoyed reading this novel. I found it clever and funny and just very pleasant! I especially enjoyed theThis was such a cute, charming read! I really enjoyed reading this novel. I found it clever and funny and just very pleasant! I especially enjoyed the illustrations peppered throughout the story, I found they really added to the charm of the novel.
Elli (The Bibliophile)
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