These seriously are some of the best essays I've ever read in my life. I can't even say how much I loved this book, and now Jo Ann Beard. What a fanta...moreThese seriously are some of the best essays I've ever read in my life. I can't even say how much I loved this book, and now Jo Ann Beard. What a fantastic writer. Every single essay in this collection made me laugh AND cry.
Thank you, Mike Reynolds for such a wonderful gift. (I finally read it! )(less)
Who knew Patrick Hamilton had such a rough, crazy life? Here's a few nuggets I read in his author bio after opening the cover:
His father was a bullyin...moreWho knew Patrick Hamilton had such a rough, crazy life? Here's a few nuggets I read in his author bio after opening the cover:
His father was a bullying alcoholic comedian and historical novelist; his mother, a sometime singer.
After his mother withdrew him from Westminster School at the age of fifteen...
In 1927 Hamilton fell unhappily in love with a prostitute...
In 1932, he was badly injured and permanently disfigured after being hit by a car.
Hamilton died of cirrhosis of the liver and kidney failure after a lifetime of heavy drinking.
An alcoholic, asshole dad? Forced to drop out of school at fifteen? Fell in love with a hooker? Disfigured after being hit by a car?? (Further reading showed it was a facial disfigurement-!!!) Pretty much drank himself to death at the age of 58? Damn, Mr. Hamilton, I'm sorry. But at the same time, if any of the above events in any way inspired your writing, I feel almost grateful.
The Slaves of Solitude have some of the most real, identifiable, and loathsome characters I have ever read about. I mean, E-V-E-R. There were so many times reading about Miss Roach and sometimes even Mr. Prest, I felt like I was reading exact thoughts I've had myself. I also have never felt such raw, burning hatred for a character as I did while reading about Vicki Kugelmann. Mildred from Of Human Bondage comes close, but if given the choice, I would rather have a giggling, girly slumber party with Mildred than have to even be in the same room for a minute with VK. Really, she was awful--but believable.
The story itself is great; the descriptions of everything were perfect. I loved that this was my intro into Hamilton's work, which I will now be finding more of, and very soon.(less)
There is no way I could end up not loving this. A book about old letters, books, and friendships made because of them? Sign me up. Really, it was beau...moreThere is no way I could end up not loving this. A book about old letters, books, and friendships made because of them? Sign me up. Really, it was beautiful. The edition I own on the other hand, not so much:
Not the best book porn, I admit--especially when reading about the beautiful antique editions Helene Hanff was receiving from the Marks & Co. bookstore. I ordered this from Better World Books (I'm a sucker for their free shipping) and ended up with this 1974 library edition. Although, as I read this last night, the horrible cover and the library markings became kind of endearing to me.
It made me wonder: was this wonderful book only checked out one time?? Did it sit on the library shelf for years unnoticed until it was discarded? Or did the student at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio love it so much that they just couldn't return it by May 12, 1989? I'm hoping it was the latter (sorry, library people).
This was a very quick read that could be done in one sitting, but this sweet story is one of the best things I've read all year. I highly recommend it--in any edition you can find.(less)
This book was crazy-good. I almost wish I could go hide out in some dark and dreary place (not as dreary as the lime works--nooooo thank you) for a da...moreThis book was crazy-good. I almost wish I could go hide out in some dark and dreary place (not as dreary as the lime works--nooooo thank you) for a day and re-read this in one straight shot. While reading this, I would immeadiately be so immersed in the story that even the smallest distraction would annoy me to no end. God forbid anyone tried to talk to me while I had this book in my hands; they certainly got the ol' stink-eye. This was basically a 241-page narrative--no chapters, no paragraphs. Just an incredible look into obsession and insanity.
What fascinated me most about this was not only the main character's obsessiveness with his idea and life's work, but how his obsession could twist around to such an intense procrastination. I think everyone may feel somewhat like this at times; I know I do (not in a bat-shit crazy way, though). Putting off an idea or distracting yourself with something else always seems a lot safer and easier than having to admit your idea could be a complete failure. Fear is a difficult emotion to handle, and denial seems to be a quick go-to method when it emerges.
There was so much in this book I loved, it's hard to express it all. If you haven't already, check out David's fantastic review, which was the reason I picked this up in the first place. Thanks, DK!
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I read it about ten times last night and didn't even get tired of it. My 7 year old son, who doesn't get humor and joking a lot of t...moreI LOVE THIS BOOK! I read it about ten times last night and didn't even get tired of it. My 7 year old son, who doesn't get humor and joking a lot of times, laughed throughout the entire thing. It was awesome. One of my favorite children's books, ever.(less)
Sorry Greggers, I have to read this now. It sounds like it would even be better than getting to meet Mary Lou Retton. _________________________________...moreSorry Greggers, I have to read this now. It sounds like it would even be better than getting to meet Mary Lou Retton. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
I love to people-watch. Even as a little girl, I remember seeing people in stores, walking down the street, or even in passing cars and be fascinated with the thought that they had actual lives they were living, just like me. I would imagine what kind of house they lived in, how they got along with their family, what they liked to eat, and wonder if I would ever come across those same people later in my life. Does this have anything to do with the fact I love, love, love connecting short stories? Stories that in the slightest of ways join people together? I'm not sure, but I do know they get to me every time, and more than likely end up on my favorites shelf.
Throughout the book, each story connects characters in some small way, but honestly, this didn't jump to a 5 star rating for me until the very last chapter. Seriously, that last part in itself was Pulitzer-worthy. Showing a glimpse of our probable-not-so-distant-future, Egan totally blew me away. I was enthralled and a little sick at the same time.
Not being too technology savvy, I only recently bought a Droid phone. Before that, I had the type of phone most parents buy for their first-graders. My kids also have a pretty basic phone, but constantly tell me they need a new touch-screen phone or an iPad. Oh, how I laugh. Sorry, not gonna happen. I don't care how many of your friends have them. It has amazed me that every single time I set my new phone down, I'm now bombarded with all of them circling me like vultures, "Can I see your phone, can I see your phone, can I see your phone?" Um, no. Go do your homework, grab a book, or go clean something (yes, my kids are mad at me a lot of the time).
Egan gives a depressing and almost frightening look at what our society is gradually becoming. Just today, while reading NPR's "What We're Reading this Week" post on facebook, a lady commented that she wasn't reading anything at the moment because she was waiting for her new iPad to be delivered since her iPhone was too small. Really, lady?!? Ever hear of a book??? Hell, I'll even send you one (not this one though, it's a keeper).
I realize all these changes are inevitable, but really, e-readers, text speak, our growing inability to actually talk to another person, it all makes me sad. At least it inspires me to continue my already out-of-control book buying (you know, just to make sure I'll always have enough), and truly appreciate this site and fellow goodreaders. I love you, booknerds.(less)
I still have no idea how to express my love for this book without giving anything away.
But I can say this: Ralph Waldo Emerson was not plagiarized in...moreI still have no idea how to express my love for this book without giving anything away.
But I can say this: Ralph Waldo Emerson was not plagiarized in this book.(less)
A couple weeks ago, since my daughter had decided on a birthday party at Build-a-Bear Workshop, we had to take a trip to the dreaded mall. I don't lik...moreA couple weeks ago, since my daughter had decided on a birthday party at Build-a-Bear Workshop, we had to take a trip to the dreaded mall. I don't like the mall. There's always parents screaming at their kids, it smells wierd, there's now monitors throughout, advertising and blaring even more shit that you just have to buy. Groups of girls hanging out, but not even talking to eachother since they're all too busy texting and walking at the same time. (How do they do this?) I even spotted an angry-looking kid wearing a shirt that stated, "I ♥ TATTOOED BITCHES", with a girl who couldn't have been more than 14 hanging all over him. Ugh.
Point being, whenever I'm feeling sickened by humanity, the best cure for me seems to be an amazing book and a hefty dose o' goodreads. Winesburg, Ohio was that amazing book.
The characters in this book are not likeable; all of them clearly have serious issues going on. And that's what I loved. They were so identifiable, that days later, I'm still thinking about it.
"The thing to learn is to know what people are thinking about, not what they say."
Sherwood Anderson knew how people thought, and reading each story completely blew me away. I think I'm probably one of the last people on goodreads who hadn't read this yet, but if not, I highly reccommend it.(less)
I'm not even going to attempt an actual review on this, but I can say there is no way I can give this less than 5 stars. I want to give it more....moreWhew.
I'm not even going to attempt an actual review on this, but I can say there is no way I can give this less than 5 stars. I want to give it more. I had read DFW's Consider the Lobster earlier this year as kind of an introduction to his writing style, and I ended up liking it, but nothing could've prepared me for this. Nothing.
I couldn't get over how funny it was. Even parts that I wasn't sure were intended to be funny had me laughing--even when I was surrounded by other people. You know how that gets all awkward and they think you're a freak? It was even more so with this book. Mini-conversations like this happened a lot:
Me: (Giggling--trying to keep it down, but failing)
Random Person: Wow, you're really into that book. What's it about?
Me: Uh...well, it's uh...it's kind of hard to explain...but, uh...it's just so good...
RP: Oh...cool (awkward silence while I just smile and go back to reading)
Despite the enormous amount of time it took me to get through this, I'm still kind of sad I'm finished; I totally understand how karen has read this seven times. This was honestly one of the best reading experiences I've ever had.
I have a confession to make that I'm sure will drive some of my GR friends crazy. I wrote in this book. A lot. And not even that, this book is now fil...moreI have a confession to make that I'm sure will drive some of my GR friends crazy. I wrote in this book. A lot. And not even that, this book is now filled with notes, underlining, and...dog eared pages.
*braces for attack*
I couldn't help it. You know how sometimes when you're reading a book, and a line hits you on such a personal level, you have to pause, really take it in, and then just sit and re-read it over and over again? That happened to me on almost every page of this book.
Standing in line at the post office yesterday, trying to hide the tears streaming down my face while reading this, I had that same nauseous feeling in my stomach that only a broken heart can give you. I had heard and thought so many of the exact same things in this story, it made me feel like I was going through it all again.
I'll have to come back to this review to add some of my favorite quotes when I have the book with me, though that might make this pretty long-winded! This book was amazing, and I can't recommend it enough.(less)
I finished this last night. At about 1:30 in the morning. Honestly, I have no idea how to even begin a review for this book. I kind of have the same p...moreI finished this last night. At about 1:30 in the morning. Honestly, I have no idea how to even begin a review for this book. I kind of have the same panicky feeling I had when people would see me reading and ask what this book was about. I started blurting out incomplete sentences and even stammering all the while. I knew there was no way I could convey the brilliance of this book in just a couple light-conversational sentences. I think that might be the same case here, so my apologies in advance.
Okay, I've been sitting here for awhile trying to get my thoughts together, and I realized I'll have to get the book out and go over the insane amount of notes I took while reading this to make any sense. And while I've gotten pretty good at pretending to work while I'm actually playing around on Goodreads, I'm not that good...yet.
I think I went through an entire thing of Post-Its, that are now sticking out of the book every which way covered with crazy quotes and questions. (Here, I'll sneak a pic for a visual aid)
I don't think I've ever gotten so involved in a story before. Frantically taking notes, decoding a 3 page letter, and getting out of bed at midnight last night to play a sequence of notes on the piano...it really made me identify with Johnny's obsession. This book really isn't one of those supernatural/gory/monster horror novels, but more of a oh-my-god-I'm-losing-my-mind horror, which to me is one of the scariest things of all. (less)
Sometimes, I'm actually grateful for when good ol' insomnia kicks in. I can deep clean my kitchen without any distractions, play catch-up with the nev...moreSometimes, I'm actually grateful for when good ol' insomnia kicks in. I can deep clean my kitchen without any distractions, play catch-up with the never-ending, nervous-breakdown-inducing amount of laundry I have, and even try to finally watch a movie (surprisingly, even snooze-worthy The Wolfman couldn't get me to sleep). And of course, I can read. Sure, I hate myself in the morning and feel like crap all day, but there's times that it's worth it. Especially when the book I'm reading is as good as this.
I loved all the characters in this just as much as I did in Foer's Everything is Illuminated. Admittedly, when I first started, I was thinking, "This Oskar kid is supposed to be nine years old??? Really?" But the more I read, I didn't care; I totally bought it. Bringing to life not only the events on 9/11, but also the Dresden bombings, Foer does show that some good can come out of such horrors. Which I think is really the only thing any of us can do--continuing to live while trying to comprehend something so unimaginable would be almost impossible.
While finishing this early this morning, my son came in to sneak in bed with me, not knowing I was still awake. He saw me, and quietly crawled under the covers. I hugged him so hard and didn't let him go. Though I tell him all the time, this morning I told him over and over how much I loved him, to the point where he got annoyed, rolled over, and went back to sleep-with me still hugging him. That's what this book did to me. As much as we don't like to think about it, the unimaginable does happen, and I just want people to know. This really was an inspiring, beautiful and touching story. Another member for TEAM FOER checking in.
Side note: This is the only book where font size has made me cry. This should have never even been released in audio format. Just sayin'...Ben.(less)
David Mitchell is really closing in on the top spot for being one of my favorite authors, ever. The man can write anything. I know this is only my sec...moreDavid Mitchell is really closing in on the top spot for being one of my favorite authors, ever. The man can write anything. I know this is only my second time around with Mitchell, but in both novels I've read (Cloud Atlas and the above), I've realized Mitchell can write about any subject, venture into any genre, and do it with jaw-dropping awesome-ness. Yes, I have myself an author-crush.
The book is similiar to Cloud Atlas in that it is basically nine very different short stories making up the novel. Reading through them, picking out the pieces that connect all of these stories just blew me away. I'm sure my love of LOST influenced how much I loved this book as well. All of the characters in different places and times are so intertwined in such a signifigant way, yet they never are even aware of it. Toss in a dash of end-of-the-world doom, and we have ourselves a winner, ladies & gentlemen.
Well, I've waited a few days to get my thoughts together on this and to try and write a review, but I still have no idea where to even start. And now...moreWell, I've waited a few days to get my thoughts together on this and to try and write a review, but I still have no idea where to even start. And now I've forgotten most of the quotes that I wanted to include, and of course don't have the book with me now. I've only read JSF's Eating Animals before, so I really didn't know what to expect from this being fiction. I've read a lot of the Foer love/hate comments, but not a whole lot on what this book was actually about.
I finished this pretty late on New Year's Eve-thank God I was alone, because I was an emotional wreck. Seriously, for me, this book was pretty damn near perfect. It was one of those where I didn't ever want it to end, but I couldn't stop reading. I fell in love with each and every character in the book, to the point where I want spin-off novels on each of them to expand on more of their story. (Feel free to start on that anytime, JSF...thanks)
This was so good, I almost immeadiately wanted to pick up Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which I've heard from a lot of people is even better than this one. I've decided to wait a little bit, since the thought of having read everything Foer has published so far kind of makes me sad. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold out for though...(less)
Perfect last novel from one of my very favorite authors. This is the first time I've re-read this since Vonnegut passed, which made this book even mor...morePerfect last novel from one of my very favorite authors. This is the first time I've re-read this since Vonnegut passed, which made this book even more amazing. I've been yelling, "I FRY MINE IN BUTTER!" all week now, making many people think I'm even more "special" than they had originally assumed.(less)
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