Lisa's comments (member since Feb 17, 2009)

Lisa's comments from the Bookmarks Subscribers group.

Stitches A Memoir by David Small

This was a book selection last month for another group I'm a part of, but I was unable to find it in my entire library consortium. (Rather disappointing, since it's an award winner.) I finally decided to purchase it for myself and read it in one sitting. I give it a solid ****.

This is my second graphic novel, also done as a memoir, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the graphics conveyed the sense of darkness and emotional upheaval better than any words could describe. The drawings were chilling and haunting. Small's mother and grandmother were terrifying as he pictured them. If I were seeing them through the eyes of a child as was Small, it would have been difficult to put into words the sinister feelings they evoked. That's why I find this graphic novel so effective. You get the sense that these people are very disturbed, but it's not at first spelled out for you. You can only imagine the things you can't understand.

Towards the end of the novel, when Small's father confesses his guilt about David's cancer, there is a picture of David with a big black blotch running down the center of his face. The blotch appeared to me to look like a Rorschach inkblot, which I thought was clever, because I felt David was saying, "Try to interpret how I was feeling when my father finally told me the truth." Having his ability to speak removed during surgery has not kept Small's from being able to communicate. This graphic novel was well done!

@ All My Bookmarks Friends

I haven't read it, but I keep picking it up at Goodwill. I thought it was a Bookmarks reviewed book, however I kept forgetting to check it when I got home. I'll be interested to see how you like the book. If you give me the thumbs up, I'll be certain to pick it up the next time I'm in GW, if someone hasn't beaten me to it.

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

rhyming words: heaven/seven

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

I picked this up recently at Goodwill for a guilty pleasure read.

Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs

rhyming words: Crake/break

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles Dealing with Dragons / Searching for Dragons / Calling on Dragons / Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

I'm a Stranger Here Myself Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away by Bill Bryson

rhyming words: ranger/stranger

Thanks for another push in the Esme Lennox direction Mary!

Kate wrote: "My husband had mentioned that I didn't really ask for much, so I WENT FOR IT -- gave him the order form for back issues of BOOKMARKS with certain issues circled -- and I think he got the hint!!!!!!..."

A perfect gift!

My sister gave this to me for my birthday in October and I still haven't read it. I can't keep putting it off. I'm just going to pretend I didn't read your review Steph or I'll never get to it.

Christine wrote: "Cherylann wrote: "I just finished . This is a great read! It makes me thankful that times have changed, or my family may very well have locked me i..."

A friend passed this on to me and I need to read it. Thanks for the push in that direction.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Getting It Through My Thick Skull Why I Stayed, What I Learned, and What Millions of People Involved with Sociopaths Need to Know by Mary Jo Buttafuoco

rhyming words: solved/involved

What a title!

I can't wait for it to come out.

Raymond, I love lists..........to do lists, grocery lists, but especially book lists. I always appreciate reading over someone's compilation of best books or recommended books. I have a Pavlov's dog response to any mention of a book list, so by all means keep sharing! :D

I hope you enjoy it Amy!

I'll have to add this to my TBR. I read a Nevada Barr many ages ago, so long ago I don't recall the title or even if I liked it. I love thrillers, so I think I'll give Barr another try. Thanks!

I read this back in June, loved it, and have been recommending it to friends since then. I also gave it *****. Here's my review:

This is one of my best reads of the year. Kathryn Stockett, in her debut, described the relationship between maids and their white employers and families in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi.........and she nailed it! She brought the characters to life without making them caricatures. I was drawn into the ambiguities of life in this very southern town during the time of civil rights. The subjects of racism and feminism were considerately examined. The story was rich with emotion and evoked feelings of indignation, humor, love, pride, exasperation and admiration. I look forward to reading more of Stockett's work in the future.

HaHa! I didn't peek. Great minds read alike! ;D