Another October, enjoyable Hercule Poirot mystery, though can we agree that his "Watson" is inspid and infuriating?! The audiobook narrated by Hugh FrAnother October, enjoyable Hercule Poirot mystery, though can we agree that his "Watson" is inspid and infuriating?! The audiobook narrated by Hugh Fraser is impeccable....more
I watched this movie So. Many. Times as a kid, and somehow never read the book! It's a delightful (if quite bonkers) story, completely spellbinding. II watched this movie So. Many. Times as a kid, and somehow never read the book! It's a delightful (if quite bonkers) story, completely spellbinding. I can see why kids have loved this for decades! There are some problematic elements that do not stand up to modern scrutiny. I listened to the audiobook which came complete with sound effects, which was very fun. My favorite part that wasn't included in the movie was about the "square candies that look round."...more
I read this graphic novel version of one of my favorite books to my son(!). Some sections were rendered better than my imagination, and other parts noI read this graphic novel version of one of my favorite books to my son(!). Some sections were rendered better than my imagination, and other parts not as well (in my completely unfair, subjective opinion.) My son’s opinion was that he wanted to eat the pages (shrug)....more
I'd never read this Beverly Cleary Newbery award winner, and I can't say it's the type of book I probably would have been drawn to as a kid, but oh, iI'd never read this Beverly Cleary Newbery award winner, and I can't say it's the type of book I probably would have been drawn to as a kid, but oh, it got me as an adult. It's slow, and a bit quiet, but the way Cleary builds the character of Leigh and his backstory through his letters and diary entries makes you become so invested, wanting so much better for him. A really wonderful story. (I listened on audiobook and it was great there too)....more
Annual "spooktober" Agatha Christie read! This one, while less creepy, has the same claustrophobic feel as And Then There Were None, with the cast of Annual "spooktober" Agatha Christie read! This one, while less creepy, has the same claustrophobic feel as And Then There Were None, with the cast of characters (including the murderer and corpse) stuck on a stopped train together. While the plot ends up being a bit outlandish, it still makes for a fun cast of characters and a twist that's so preposterous you don't see coming (and is still satisfying)....more
3.5 stars. I think I probably would have loved this as an emotionally volatile early teenager-- there are *a lot* of raw emotions here! It feels very 3.5 stars. I think I probably would have loved this as an emotionally volatile early teenager-- there are *a lot* of raw emotions here! It feels very unlike the children's/YA books being written today, there's an elegance to the writing, a maturity of subject matter and way of dealing with it that made it feel more like an adult book than a book for children. Not exactly an enjoyable read (though not devastating like Bridge to Terebithia), but perhaps worthwhile for the young person trying to grapple with the confusing emotions and circumstances of growing up. ...more
3 stars, not 5 stars, because the narrator of the book drove me *crazy*. 3 stars, not 1 star, because the twist at the end was so good, I never saw it3 stars, not 5 stars, because the narrator of the book drove me *crazy*. 3 stars, not 1 star, because the twist at the end was so good, I never saw it coming. So you know, a decent, though not favorite, Agatha Christie for my Spooktober read!...more
Like so many of us, I read this in high school, and remember feeling pretty neutral about it. When I recently heard there was a free audiobook versionLike so many of us, I read this in high school, and remember feeling pretty neutral about it. When I recently heard there was a free audiobook version narrated by Michael Shannon (thanks Spotify), I took a listen, and am glad I did. It really is a gorgeously written book, and seems just as astute about reckless wealth, the empty promises of the American Dream, and amorality as it was a hundred years ago. I also was struck on this reading how acquiring wealth for Gatsby was just a means to an end, namely, acquiring Daisy, an unrequited love that was more love of an idea of her than the woman herself. I was struck by how sad it was that his single-minded obsession could twist something that otherwise could be so pure and beautiful, love. ...more
4.5 stars. This was the most fun Austen book I've read! More than any other, I felt like Austen was having so much fun writing this, by celebrating co4.5 stars. This was the most fun Austen book I've read! More than any other, I felt like Austen was having so much fun writing this, by celebrating contemporary novels while also skewering her culture that looked down on them, spoofing the Gothic genre, and exploring the usual issues of class, money, and manners. It's also a short, quick read (I read it in four days), and while extremely enjoyable to read, I dock half a star because Austen's narration is a little uneven and intrusive, though since this was the first novel she wrote (though not first in publication date), it makes sense that she was still honing her craft. ...more
Masterful writing. I loved the characters McMurtry created, especially Clara... and as for those cowboys, Gus and Newt. I might have appreciated it moMasterful writing. I loved the characters McMurtry created, especially Clara... and as for those cowboys, Gus and Newt. I might have appreciated it more if I knew more about the Western genre and what McMurtry was trying to subvert, but it is a sweeping epic that lives up to the hype. (Not to mention the sense of accomplishment I feel at finishing an 850 page book!)...more
A delicious, slightly Halloween tinged mystery, perfect for mid-October. The story was just okay-- the ending was satisfying, but I just found myself A delicious, slightly Halloween tinged mystery, perfect for mid-October. The story was just okay-- the ending was satisfying, but I just found myself not caring about anyone or their fate much. ...more
Somehow I missed reading this one in high school, but I'm glad to have remedied that. The prose was beautiful, if dated at times, but the premise defiSomehow I missed reading this one in high school, but I'm glad to have remedied that. The prose was beautiful, if dated at times, but the premise definitely stays relevant all these years later. I do think that with the current popularity of books like The Hunger Games, I found this to be pretty tame (let's just say I wasn't expecting such a happy ending), but it was an interesting exploration of human nature and civilization....more
Octavia Butler is simply a masterful writer. Her plots are original, her characters well-developed, her prose captivating without being pretentious, aOctavia Butler is simply a masterful writer. Her plots are original, her characters well-developed, her prose captivating without being pretentious, and her social commentary still as relevant nearly 30 years after this was published. If you enjoy/appreciate Margaret Atwood, you are probably ahead of me, but I hope you are reading Octavia Butler. Like Handmaid's Tale, this is often incredibly difficult to read, and in large part because Butler's vision of the future is not far off from our current reality. Still, it is as much sounding a warning for us today as it was in the early 90's. Content warning: this book is violent, graphic, and has multiple disturbing scenes that this sensitive reader had to skim over....more
Bradbury is one of my all-time favorite authors. Though I have read many of Bradbury's novels and short stories as an adult, like many of us, I read FBradbury is one of my all-time favorite authors. Though I have read many of Bradbury's novels and short stories as an adult, like many of us, I read Fahrenheit 451 in high school. My hazy memory was that this was a book about censorship and book burning, and I was pleased to see it was so much more than that. I was also pleasantly surprised to see how relevant it still felt-- especially about the bombardment of entertainment. At the end of the day, the message isn't that physical books are sacred, but that having space for critical thinking, for meaningful conversation and relationship, and the importance of learning is something that we all still need to be reminded of (myself included)....more
I think I would have enjoyed this more in a class where we could have discussed the deeper themes. I wasn't sure what it all added up to, in the end, I think I would have enjoyed this more in a class where we could have discussed the deeper themes. I wasn't sure what it all added up to, in the end, and why I should care what happened to these characters. There was little danger, few stakes, little growth. A bit dull....more
There is so much to love about this book, and so much to fear. But overall, Atwood's classic feminist dystopian book holds up all these years later, pThere is so much to love about this book, and so much to fear. But overall, Atwood's classic feminist dystopian book holds up all these years later, perhaps even more so in our current world....more
I thought this was a very well done book, and holds up surprisingly well for being published in 1979. If you are a fan of Underground Railroad, you shI thought this was a very well done book, and holds up surprisingly well for being published in 1979. If you are a fan of Underground Railroad, you should read this book. It's listed as "science fiction" because there is an element of time travel, but I wouldn't classify it as such. The time travel is mostly a device to show the atrocities of slavery through "modern" eyes....more
A somewhat odd time travel/historical fiction novel! It played with some interesting themes of escape, friendship, love, and addiction, but neither thA somewhat odd time travel/historical fiction novel! It played with some interesting themes of escape, friendship, love, and addiction, but neither the characters nor the plot really grabbed me like I hoped. ...more
I guess since it took me two years to read this, one star per year is appropriate. I love Great Expectations, and Hard Times was one of the few assignI guess since it took me two years to read this, one star per year is appropriate. I love Great Expectations, and Hard Times was one of the few assigned books I actually enjoyed in high school. So as a rule, I tend to like Dickens. But I really did not like this book! Maybe being shackled to David's perspective was part of the problem, but I felt like we were dealing with a whiny, spineless, passive to the point of allowing others to get hurt, bad decision making protaganist ... for EIGHT HUNDRED PAGES. I know, I could have jumped ship at some point, but there were pieces that kept me going. I loved his relationship with Peggotty and enjoyed the scenes set in Yarmouth with that lovable, rag-tag crew. I LOVE Betsey Trotwood, and am currently looking to find a real life version to adopt me. Mr. Micawber is also a fun character, if tiring at times. Don't get me started on the ridiculous love stories (with Em'ly, Dora, and Agnes), or how many side characters could have been cut to make this book move along much quicker. I probably would have enjoyed this better in a class with some discussion around themes and helpful context....more
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