There were typographical errors that drove me batty, but otherwise I loved this book. Why? I used to work in a television newsroom. True, not national...moreThere were typographical errors that drove me batty, but otherwise I loved this book. Why? I used to work in a television newsroom. True, not national, but the stories run the same. We didn't call Carter a molester, but we sure did mess up some chyrons over the years. I laughed my way through this book because I could see some of my ex-coworkers in the various characters.
Will I see the movie? Of course. I adore Rachel McAdams. (less)
This was a fun little book. I was kind of shocked the first time I died, but I laughed and started over. As with every single book I read, of course,...moreThis was a fun little book. I was kind of shocked the first time I died, but I laughed and started over. As with every single book I read, of course, there's an adoption storyline in there... and it's actually the first path I ended up on. Figures. But who doesn't like a choose your own adventure book? Except for sassymonkey?(less)
I liked it. I was tentative about liking it as I began, wondering how the book would portray various characters. While the book claims to have no hero...moreI liked it. I was tentative about liking it as I began, wondering how the book would portray various characters. While the book claims to have no heroes or villains, I disagree. However, I really liked the take that we're all human. This book might prey on the fears of adoptive parents, except for the fact that the adoptive parents in this book are also not perfect. In fact, very few people in this book are faultless. That's what I liked.
If I could give it less than one star, I would. Shockingly, my low-star rating has nothing to do with the adoption storyline. I found that to be mostl...moreIf I could give it less than one star, I would. Shockingly, my low-star rating has nothing to do with the adoption storyline. I found that to be mostly interesting, if slightly cliched. The absentee father bit -- birth and adoptive -- is overdone. We already saw the skeezy, creepy adoptive dad in Juno, so that was absolutely unnecessary. The neurotic adoptive mom was equally overplayed. But I liked the story and how it all played together. Even though the author didn't come up with new ways to fit adoptive storyline characters together, she handled the story in a decent way. I was intrigued, and I kept reading.
I'm sensitive to adoption storylines, but this one didn't really push any of my buttons. The cliches and stereotypes and overplayed nonsense kept the book at a safe distance, I assume. I didn't feel personally attacked. Quite honestly, I enjoyed the conversations on race, ethical issues in the adoption industry and questions about all of these things brought up by character exchanges. I thought that this was the first book I've read that really addressed both topics (adoption and race) in such an in-your-face type way. I really, really wanted to like this book for accomplishing that difficult task.
However, the downfall of the entire book is, sadly, the writing. Someone in another review referred to the writing as unpretentious. Lies. The unnecessary subplots. The tedious descriptions of nothingness. I was so bored with her wording near the end of the book that I couldn't wait for it to simply end.
What an unfortunate book to have purchased rather than borrowed. This one is going in the "for sale" pile. (less)
One of my new favorites. I am sad that I borrowed this from the library instead of purchasing it. I will likely make the purchase in the near future.
J...moreOne of my new favorites. I am sad that I borrowed this from the library instead of purchasing it. I will likely make the purchase in the near future.
Just when I thought the book couldn't get any better, Dilloway switched point-of-view and took the book to the five star level. I really have no complaints about this book, from writing style to storytelling. The inner stories were well developed. The plot was believable. The whole thing was simply amazing.
I disliked the way the stereotypes of the mountain people were never refuted in conversation or in general. I disliked the main character immensely. I...moreI disliked the way the stereotypes of the mountain people were never refuted in conversation or in general. I disliked the main character immensely. I strongly disliked the ending. If I hadn't read her second book first, I wouldn't have read it at all. (less)
I love Beth. I love poetry. I love the subject of motherhood. But something in me kept having a negative reaction to her words. It was, perhaps, the m...moreI love Beth. I love poetry. I love the subject of motherhood. But something in me kept having a negative reaction to her words. It was, perhaps, the miscarriage subjectry. I am still not able to handle it well. The positives reactions won out in the end but I care not to reread this particular book. (less)
This memoir was a roller coaster that I enjoyed, hated, enjoyed, cried on and enjoyed again.
My husband served in the Army for 8 years. He stayed on t...moreThis memoir was a roller coaster that I enjoyed, hated, enjoyed, cried on and enjoyed again.
My husband served in the Army for 8 years. He stayed on two years more than his required six, leaving only when I was pregnant with our second son. I related to so very much in this book, from the feelings of alienation to being different to the constant feeling of fear.
I feel that Burana is a wonderful, witty writer and, as a freelance writer, I loved how she said she got writer's block with her first assignment. (I can write until the cow's come home unless I have a BIG PROJECT on the line. Figures!) I felt that the way she described so many things was spot on and I commend her bravery in attempting this book. Personally, I haven't written much about my time as an Army Wife. Even though my husband is no longer in the Army, I still have a healthy fear, which any military wife understands.
I do love this book. I almost wish I had purchased it instead of borrowing it from the library. I just wish I could meet Burana and tell her my own story, share a bit and give her a great big hug. While I may not have been a stripper, I had my own skeletons in the closet that I deeply feared being found out at the time. I think, perhaps, so many of us, Army wives or otherwise, feel that fear so deeply. We're never alone and this book hits that truth so perfectly.(less)
I really liked the writing of this book/author. The story itself was intriguing though I had a love-hate relationship with the main character. Mainly,...moreI really liked the writing of this book/author. The story itself was intriguing though I had a love-hate relationship with the main character. Mainly, I hate whining. (less)
I understand why this book is widely acclaimed. However, I struggled with liking it. I wanted to; I really did. The anti-climactic nature and the gene...moreI understand why this book is widely acclaimed. However, I struggled with liking it. I wanted to; I really did. The anti-climactic nature and the general tone left me disappointed at the end. (less)
Despite the presence of some hard issues for me (9/11, ALS), this book ranks as one of my new favorites. A complex, difficult read, I couldn't put it...moreDespite the presence of some hard issues for me (9/11, ALS), this book ranks as one of my new favorites. A complex, difficult read, I couldn't put it down. Not difficult in the fact that it was hard to read either in content or skill of writing. It was difficult because of how it made me feel on moral, ethical and emotional levels. It was a book that made me question how I would react, how I would feel given the same circumstances.
I borrowed this book from the library and I really might just have to buy it. (less)
I had read about this book on a blog and then saw it in my son's book order. I had to buy it. Reading it was like being transported back to fourth gra...moreI had read about this book on a blog and then saw it in my son's book order. I had to buy it. Reading it was like being transported back to fourth grade. I want to get all of the books out of my parents' attic now. (less)
I normally read the book first and then watch (and hate) the movie later. This is one of the rare ones in which I watched the movie first, having seen...moreI normally read the book first and then watch (and hate) the movie later. This is one of the rare ones in which I watched the movie first, having seen it in the theater with my girlfriends. I liked the movie but I loved the book. Grogan's writing was easy to read and quite addictive. I cried like a baby through the ending of the book.
I do think I'm cured, for the moment, of wanting a dog though. (less)
I don't normally read books in the "mystery" genre. To be honest, there was a little too much gun action for my normal taste but I also couldn't put i...moreI don't normally read books in the "mystery" genre. To be honest, there was a little too much gun action for my normal taste but I also couldn't put it down. It was a less than 24 hour read for me because I had to know how it turned out. I would have given it five starts except that the final paragraph pissed me off to no end. Anyone touched by adoption and/or fertility issues will understand why I was so angry/annoyed. (less)
A hard read for me. War trauma, death, abandoned baby, adoption, kidney disease, weight and eating disorder issues, and even more. It was, however, we...moreA hard read for me. War trauma, death, abandoned baby, adoption, kidney disease, weight and eating disorder issues, and even more. It was, however, well-written, even more than most Christian fiction. Pleased with the read. (less)
I read this in two hours while I cooked supper and later as the boys ran circles in the yard. I cried a bit. I laughed a bit. I fell in love with Corr...moreI read this in two hours while I cooked supper and later as the boys ran circles in the yard. I cried a bit. I laughed a bit. I fell in love with Corrigan all over again. (less)
I blew through this book in seven hours. It has been awhile since I've read a memoir that I didn't find trite or even annoying at times. This particul...moreI blew through this book in seven hours. It has been awhile since I've read a memoir that I didn't find trite or even annoying at times. This particular one had me laughing, crying, laughing again and mostly nodding my head. While my living children are still with me, I have endured two family deaths in less than a month. The grief has been overwhelming at times. I simply needed this book at this point.
I came across it only because I randomly stopped on a radio talk show in which Rosenblatt was discussing his book as well as taking calls from others enduring the grieving process. I listened, unable to change the channel. Similarly, I read, unable to put the book down.
The book offers no answers. Death is complicated. Grief is more so. What the book does offer is something many grieving need to understand. Memories come up. Life goes on. Trouble arise. Life still goes on. I am so glad that Rosenblatt first wrote the essay and was encourage to continue on with the entire memoir. (less)
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