This was an incredibly fast read. I finished it in a few hours today. The beginning feels a bit trite. It reminded me strongly of Fried Green Tomat...moreThis was an incredibly fast read. I finished it in a few hours today. The beginning feels a bit trite. It reminded me strongly of Fried Green Tomatoes, but with, of course, a male perspective and slightly different setting. There were a few things that I felt the book suffered from: * poorly developed relationships (view spoiler)[* No reason given that the main villain of the story is kept around by anyone. What was he so good at? Why couldn't he be replaced given the trouble he seemed to cause? I can't imagine that any businessman who made a huge investment in an animal would have let it be mis-handled so terribly, especially when he has a willing vet on staff and the ability to hire better trainers for it. * The fact that Marlene seemed to need a man to rescue her bothered me. She's a strong horsewoman in the depression. Yet, she seemingly had no interest in leaving (despite having seen August's cruelty before) until Jacob came along. Leaving on her own, without Jacob, never even comes up and yet, that would have been the best solution and probably would have saved several lives. (hide spoiler)] * I had trouble liking the main character (Jacob), even though I'm clearly supposed to feel like he's awesome.
All that having been said, it was an enjoyable piece if only for the insight into circuses. The author seems to have done a fair amount of research into circus trains from this era, and I do trust that it was portrayed with a reasonably dramatized level of accuracy.
As a heads up, if you're sensitive to animal cruelty, this book may be triggering to you. After having read it, I have almost no interest in seeing the movie, simply because I don't think I could stand seeing those scenes. I have no doubt that it's accurate to the conditions and time period. That doesn't stop it from being distasteful. (less)
This was good, but I became frustrated at the "OMG She is SOOOO AWESOME" of the main character. Seriously, she's good at everything. She's...moreThis was good, but I became frustrated at the "OMG She is SOOOO AWESOME" of the main character. Seriously, she's good at everything. She's attractive to everyone. It starts feeling very Mary Sue after awhile.(less)
The 4-year-old voice/conceit got old about 3/4 of the way through the book, but other than that, it was an excellent story told from a fresh perspecti...moreThe 4-year-old voice/conceit got old about 3/4 of the way through the book, but other than that, it was an excellent story told from a fresh perspective. It was enthralling in the first half but admittedly dragged a bit in the second half. The ending also felt like a bit of a letdown, though I can't put my finger on why. (less)
I was surprised to enjoy this book. I decided to read it after seeing the Google interview with Tina Fey. Before that, I'd avoided it because 30 Rock...moreI was surprised to enjoy this book. I decided to read it after seeing the Google interview with Tina Fey. Before that, I'd avoided it because 30 Rock often bothers me, and I rarely find it funny. However, I found this book touching and enjoyable. It's definitely a feminist point of view of working in a male-centric environment, which appealed to me personally. Fey speaks in a familiar tone and keeps the insane humor to a minimum, so it never feels self-indulgent. (less)
As a young adult book, this was very good. The lead character is active and resourceful. She isn't perfect, but she has admirable qualities that go b...moreAs a young adult book, this was very good. The lead character is active and resourceful. She isn't perfect, but she has admirable qualities that go beyond physical beauty. Some of the side characters are constructs, but given the target audience, I'm not terribly bothered by that. This book also grabs onto you. I finished it maybe a day or two after starting it, simply because I couldn't let it go.(less)
So far, this is just as engaging as the first book! I'm so glad they finally put it out for Kindle. I'm sure I'll be done with this by the weekend a...moreSo far, this is just as engaging as the first book! I'm so glad they finally put it out for Kindle. I'm sure I'll be done with this by the weekend at this rate. I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep last night. ==== Well, that didn't take long. I basically rushed home to be able to curl up with this book again. All I can say is that if you liked the first one (and could tolerate Katniss' occasional myopia when it comes to what's going on around her), you'll enjoy this one. I'm about to start devouring Mockingjay. :)(less)
I can't talk about this without spoiling it. As should be obvious by how quickly I devoured it, and the five star rating, it was good. But, what I w...moreI can't talk about this without spoiling it. As should be obvious by how quickly I devoured it, and the five star rating, it was good. But, what I want to discuss about it involves the ending. Friends who have read it, feel free to chat me up. :)(less)
While I enjoyed this book, I felt like there was too much of Zeitoun's background. At least one third of the book takes place before Katrina hits and...moreWhile I enjoyed this book, I felt like there was too much of Zeitoun's background. At least one third of the book takes place before Katrina hits and much time is spent on Zeitoun debating with his wife about whether to leave. (Debating? He basically refuses to leave, for understandable reasons, but we didn't need pages of discussion on it.) I found myself clicking through very quickly when it would flashback to his youth. Having not read most of the flashbacks, I can say in confidence that the book is completely enjoyable without them. The background on his wife and how she came to be Muslim was interesting but almost felt like it didn't belong in this book.(less)
This was a very interesting portrait of life in SE Alaska. After going on an Alaskan cruise this past summer and being enchanted by the beauty of the...moreThis was a very interesting portrait of life in SE Alaska. After going on an Alaskan cruise this past summer and being enchanted by the beauty of the place, this was a very good reality check. (less)
This series has just gotten worse as it goes on. Do yourself a favor and watch True Blood instead...and cross your fingers that it doesn't start to s...moreThis series has just gotten worse as it goes on. Do yourself a favor and watch True Blood instead...and cross your fingers that it doesn't start to suck, too.(less)
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