Beautiful, heart-tugging (because I get the feeling like a beached whale???), and a protagonist to cheer for. Amazing that Wally Lamb can write from a...moreBeautiful, heart-tugging (because I get the feeling like a beached whale???), and a protagonist to cheer for. Amazing that Wally Lamb can write from a woman's point of view ... not many men do it so successfully! I see glimpses of myself throughout Deloris' life ... but especially her feelings, her development. Laughter and tears are close to the surface. Note: Not a kid's book -- sexual themes and language. But beautifully written. A good find for me!(less)
I love Frank McCourt! " 'Tis " is the rest of the story of this amazing man's life. His imagery, his run-on sentence structure leaves you pa...moreI love Frank McCourt! " 'Tis " is the rest of the story of this amazing man's life. His imagery, his run-on sentence structure leaves you panting and laughing, and crying for your Irish whiskey. McCourt spins a story like few others ... and his story is the story of so many of us "Americans". Thoroughly enjoyed 'Tis, and wishing he'd written more for me to consume!!!(less)
Love me some Hunter Thompson, but unfortunately ... this one was simply OK in my book. Some of Thompson's imagery is fabulous. And occasionally, his q...moreLove me some Hunter Thompson, but unfortunately ... this one was simply OK in my book. Some of Thompson's imagery is fabulous. And occasionally, his quirky philosophy slapped me in the head, and gave me some memorable lines. But the plot twists were more like slow curves, and predictable would be the ending. Still ... glad I read it, and glad to be back in the Caribbean (fictionally speaking) for a while!(less)
**spoiler alert** The second book in this series, Russell really comes into her own through her characters and plot. The continuing saga of Sandoz, an...more**spoiler alert** The second book in this series, Russell really comes into her own through her characters and plot. The continuing saga of Sandoz, and chronicles his journey through recovery -- not only of the disastrous trip to Rakhat, but also his lifetime of struggles, deception by "the church," and hatred toward God. Powerful, compelling, and beautifully written. It gives closure to the hungry gap of closure left by "The Sparrow."
Read both, though, or you'll be lost on the story and the characters. Again, this is an amazing book, but not for a "young" reader.(less)
Wow! Not what I expected at all. I'm not normally a sci-fi kind of girl, but this was an interesting read. Not only the premise -- contact through mus...moreWow! Not what I expected at all. I'm not normally a sci-fi kind of girl, but this was an interesting read. Not only the premise -- contact through musical presentation, picked up from a remote monitoring station in the Caribbean, by five unlikely friends, a protagonist who is an agnostic Puerto Rican priest fraught with sexual tension, and a time-bending excursion to a planet of beautiful, cannibalistic aliens -- but the way it moved me was totally unexpected. The second book in the series is better ("Children of God"). Warning: there are graphic scenes and copious amounts of questionable language in this book, and it is in no way a "religious" book, but the story IS spiritual, and it's a great read.(less)
I really enjoyed this book, although was not crazy about the "dream" sequence toward the end ... I guess maybe I didn't expect it to be so p...moreI really enjoyed this book, although was not crazy about the "dream" sequence toward the end ... I guess maybe I didn't expect it to be so pivotal? It left me thinking, and really, really enjoyed the parallels between this one and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Absolutely love young protagonists!(less)
Wow! A psychotic ride through excess and paranoia, done only like Thompson can do. What amazed me about this book the most was not its obscenities and...moreWow! A psychotic ride through excess and paranoia, done only like Thompson can do. What amazed me about this book the most was not its obscenities and excess (I expected that -- although it was a bit much even for me), but the deep, head-banging truths that he sneaks in when you least expect it. Seriously, he was amazing, and his whole "Gonzo" image was only a small part of the genius that was Hunter S. Thompson. I "liked" it, but say so with extreme caution to those who read it. If you've never been exposed to HST before, it's not "nice" literature. But it is gut-wrenching, sense-assaulting writing that leaves you with unexplored and beaconing images and ideas that can only lead to future expeditions deeper into your own mind.(less)
**spoiler alert** I enjoyed this book, but compared to "The Secret Life of Bees," I think Kidd took a step backwards. I guess I'd like to s...more**spoiler alert** I enjoyed this book, but compared to "The Secret Life of Bees," I think Kidd took a step backwards. I guess I'd like to see the characters expanded, and perhaps simply a longer book, with more focus on the internal struggles of Whit and Hugh. I do enjoy her rich, descriptive detail of life on the island, and the intimate way she deals with the relationship between Whit and Jessie. "The Secret Life of Bees" was a tough act to follow, and while making a good attempt, I think "The Mermaid Chair" falls short.(less)
This was an insightful proposal ... what have we lost because of the lack of understanding of native populations in the Americas? As much conjecture a...moreThis was an insightful proposal ... what have we lost because of the lack of understanding of native populations in the Americas? As much conjecture as fact (although he's done extensive research -- check out the appendices and bibliographies in the back!), this is a great read for anyone interested in finding out more about what our out-dated history texts don't teach us about the "other" mother cultures right here in our back yard. Kudos to Mann for taking the time to explore and write down for the "rest of us" things we won't be reading about in mainstream cultural reading for a long time still. (less)
Here's the thing that has struck me the hardest so far: "In January 2006, the corruption [in Chad:] became so apparent that the World Bank, w...moreHere's the thing that has struck me the hardest so far: "In January 2006, the corruption [in Chad:] became so apparent that the World Bank, which helps finance Chad's oil boom, suspended $124 million in loans and grants, and stopped payment of an additional $125 million in oil royalties after the government resisted pressure to invest its oil profits in projects to aid its impoverished people, who survive on an average income of $30 a month. Chad's president, Idriss Deby, threatened to shut down the country's oil production unless the WB released the funds. The WB stood firm. Deby then demanded that Chad's oil consortium, led by U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil, pay at least $100 million to tide the country over until the WB released Chad's royalities. U.S. diplomats acted on behalf of American oil companies. Deby received his money, thank you very much, and the roads, hospitals, running water, schools remain little more than dusty dreams..." (p. 61). Learning a lot -- about writing styles, word usage, and America's attitude in world affairs as perceived first-hand by these writers. Great read thus far!(less)
Great reminder to "do the important things" and not get caught up in the urgent. This book has a bunch of great ideas ... some I'd thought ...moreGreat reminder to "do the important things" and not get caught up in the urgent. This book has a bunch of great ideas ... some I'd thought of, some I hadn't. I'm going to re-read it later and finish my list of 100 things to do before I die. I've only got ten on the list (which is provided in the back of the book) right now. I'm putting thought into it, because I'm planning on completing the list! Easy read, fun to go through, and helps you put things into good perspective.(less)
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