Wonderful read. Lots of great history of immigration and New York City. The only drawback to it is that I would have appreciated a last chapter that...moreWonderful read. Lots of great history of immigration and New York City. The only drawback to it is that I would have appreciated a last chapter that somehow summarized the book and the people we are introduced to - it ended rather abruptly for my taste.(less)
Someone I know thought this was the basis of a musical called Pippin. I'll have to look it up. It's clearly a political satire that I missed a good ...moreSomeone I know thought this was the basis of a musical called Pippin. I'll have to look it up. It's clearly a political satire that I missed a good deal of - don't know if it's because it's dated; or I'm not that well read in politics!(less)
A goofy little book to buy at the Border's going out of business sale - but fun! It just might tempt you to try making an edible fruitcake! (And, I ...moreA goofy little book to buy at the Border's going out of business sale - but fun! It just might tempt you to try making an edible fruitcake! (And, I guess some would say it's written by a bit of a fruitcake character!)(less)
I picked this book up at a used book store simply for its cover art and that I really enjoy Sendak's artwork. It is a "grimm" tale - a Czec...moreI picked this book up at a used book store simply for its cover art and that I really enjoy Sendak's artwork. It is a "grimm" tale - a Czech folktake - that is right in your face about human stupidity and unkindness. It's a good read, if you like reading old tales, but unnerving. Sendak's illustrations are beautiful!(less)
A really enjoyable autobiography -- well written, informative and fascinating. I read a lot of biographies and am always pleased to come across one w...moreA really enjoyable autobiography -- well written, informative and fascinating. I read a lot of biographies and am always pleased to come across one where I wasn't aware of the person it is about - and this was the case. A really good read.(less)
I'm a Shaker enthusiast, and enjoy reading anything by and about the community. There's some great recipes and some great stories and memories. As p...moreI'm a Shaker enthusiast, and enjoy reading anything by and about the community. There's some great recipes and some great stories and memories. As part of a study group, I can spot some inaccuracies, but no written history is totally accurate! It's a great book for cooking.(less)
I don't think I've read Hemingway since I had to in high school or college. I didn't really love it -- if I had picked up another version, I don't th...moreI don't think I've read Hemingway since I had to in high school or college. I didn't really love it -- if I had picked up another version, I don't think I would have finished it. But this version came with a personal foreword by a son and edited by another son, and had some unfinished pieces. It was more an interesting look into the man for me.(less)
If I had not met the author, I would not have purchased this book (only because the title and book cover didn't really entice me; although I might hav...moreIf I had not met the author, I would not have purchased this book (only because the title and book cover didn't really entice me; although I might have borrowed it at the library!). I had the pleasure of hearing the author read selections and talk about her process at a recent seminar on the Shakers. One of the characters in her book ends up caring for the last Shaker at a community in Kentucky and supposedly learning a few life lessons therein.
It was an uneven book, with great potential from my point of view. The writing flows and is descriptive, lovely to read and enticing to the ear. But the chapters jump amongst the characters and the characters just aren't as developed as I think they could and should be. To be fair, I love Dickens; but I still think the book needed to be twice as long. In some ways, I think it's a good high school read. I chatted with a few fellow attendees at the Seminar and it was our take that the book suffers from today's publishers and readers: people don't read in depth, they don't use big words and they want to finish something quickly. The book had the potential, and the very intelligent author could have created a really important novel about racism, peace and life lessons.
But, it is a good read -- so do put it on your leisure reading list.(less)
I purchased this after seeing it on Facebook posted by the author - who was at my high school. I haven't had chance to find my yearbooks and figure o...moreI purchased this after seeing it on Facebook posted by the author - who was at my high school. I haven't had chance to find my yearbooks and figure out if I had him - although I think I did for Sophomore English.
It's part memoir, part advice to new teachers (which is why I bought it). As a teacher educator, it has some good points. But, I think he should have stuck with either memoir or advice - I think doing both weakens it.
I enjoyed this immensely. It's a compendium of pieces that were published elsewhere (The New Yorker for one, I think.), about his choice to take his ...moreI enjoyed this immensely. It's a compendium of pieces that were published elsewhere (The New Yorker for one, I think.), about his choice to take his wife and new child to live in Paris for a year. SOmething I'd have loved to do! It's a great look at Americans, Parisians, and history. Very well written. If you love Paris, you'll like this book. If I get to Paris again, I've marked some things he mentions in the book to go experience.(less)
Very similar to a few other currently popular books that have gorgeous young couple in love trying to solve the origins of a mystery that goes back to...moreVery similar to a few other currently popular books that have gorgeous young couple in love trying to solve the origins of a mystery that goes back to Christ (got a guess?). It was a great read until the last 10 pages -- the ending was really way too religious for me.(less)
My summation of this book: Even good writers can write not so good books. I finished this book because I had hopes it would at some point get better....moreMy summation of this book: Even good writers can write not so good books. I finished this book because I had hopes it would at some point get better. It didn't. While some truth was mixed in, the life of the main character rolled out rather conveniently - and the end was solved with death -- my least favorite way to get out of a plot line. I have a decent background in art history and the offbeat way of portraying some important artists really put me off. I read it -- I didn't like it.(less)
I won this book - thanks GoodReads! And so what I think is based on this book and not having read the previous title. Sometimes these type books are f...moreI won this book - thanks GoodReads! And so what I think is based on this book and not having read the previous title. Sometimes these type books are full of such "simple" messages that they border on sap -- this one on occasion does. Yet, I work with folks who, for many, still have basic reading skills and they need books like this to engage them in the art of reading and the art of applying the written word to their lives. This book is good for that. Some of the story line is a bit too pat and easily solved for me; but as a supporter of giving to others and not becoming self-centered; the message works in the end.
My favorite quote: "We climb mountains because the valleys are full of cemeteries. The secret of survival is to climb, even in the dark, even when the climb seems pointless. The climb, not the summit, is the thing. And the great don't just climb mountains, they carve them as they go." As a proponent of process over product - love the sentiment in this one. (less)
Great read! I'd never read the original, and am currently looking for a copy of the movie just to see how it differs. I know that I've seen the movi...moreGreat read! I'd never read the original, and am currently looking for a copy of the movie just to see how it differs. I know that I've seen the movie, and my memory leads me to believe that it's not at all the same. It's statement about slavery and the ownership of people is something I didn't expect when I began the book.(less)
I read this quite some time ago now - I think when it was first published. It's a really well-supported creative idea of how life can lead people's c...moreI read this quite some time ago now - I think when it was first published. It's a really well-supported creative idea of how life can lead people's choices.(less)
It was an interesting read. A bit predictable but enjoyable. As an art lover; the biggest plus for me was the actual reproductions of art as they ap...moreIt was an interesting read. A bit predictable but enjoyable. As an art lover; the biggest plus for me was the actual reproductions of art as they appeared in the storyline - at least some, anyways, I think there was room for more.(less)
I am thrilled that I won a First Reads edition of this book!!! It was a really good read. I really enjoy historical novels and this was well done. T...moreI am thrilled that I won a First Reads edition of this book!!! It was a really good read. I really enjoy historical novels and this was well done. The plot was believable - that of the doctor who cared for Vincent Van Gogh the summer that he killed himself. I don't want to spoil it for others; but I will say that what the author claims the doctor did for Van Gogh was too pat, too easy a way to go at the end of the book. I also just finished An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin and thought that Leaving Van GOgh would have really benefited from the inclusion of some of Van Gogh's paintings - just a few well placed. Good read -- pick it up for your summer list.(less)
"We knew that the forces of nature demanded respect. We knew that waste was an archenemy. We knew that cooperative effort was imperative -- onl...more"We knew that the forces of nature demanded respect. We knew that waste was an archenemy. We knew that cooperative effort was imperative -- only by working together could we survive."
The message that is a very important part of this book. It's simply written, very interesting, and you'll learn a lot that your history class never taught you about the state of ALaska and it's people.(less)
A great mystery I stumbled upon while looking for books about Alaska in preparation for a trip there. It's well written; historically accurate with n...moreA great mystery I stumbled upon while looking for books about Alaska in preparation for a trip there. It's well written; historically accurate with notes at the end, and solved believably (something I really appreciate in a good mystery!). I'll read more of hers eventually.(less)
This book is a great revisit to the 70s for me. Not many people know or even remember that Apple sold memory boards during the days of the Home Brew...more This book is a great revisit to the 70s for me. Not many people know or even remember that Apple sold memory boards during the days of the Home Brew Club movement in now Silicon Valley first in the Byte Shop of Palo Alto and I was the person who sold them. I went to Jobs' family garage and picked them up (and occasionally experienced Jobs and Woz do their relationship thing - at times not a pretty sight) when I had orders -- all part of the emerging small computer world of the 70s. I keep to myself my personal opinion of the now famous and infamous Jobs -- but just know I didn't end up one of the first millionaires out of the deal! If you want a great history of Apple, and the early days of a "computer for everyone", very well written by the way, you'll like this book.(less)
An absolutely delightful collection of pieces from women writing about their grandmothers with a recipe for each. They are diverse in character; and ...moreAn absolutely delightful collection of pieces from women writing about their grandmothers with a recipe for each. They are diverse in character; and each recipe is diverse. Many of the recipes are enticing and will encourage you to try them! I appreciated that there was an assortment of grandmothers presented, and memories of them: not all grandmas are sweet collections of humanity.(less)
I love reading cookbooks; and while this does not sell itself as one; it is full of recipes shared between two girlfriends. The book is likeable; nic...moreI love reading cookbooks; and while this does not sell itself as one; it is full of recipes shared between two girlfriends. The book is likeable; nice beach/summer read or a cool rainy day off read (I read it in about two hours); but disappointing. The recipes are simple; yet somewhat ordinary and the inclusion of them often seems forced. It is written in a email/letter between friends format which is very refreshing somehow. The ending is a bit pat and predictable -- but do enjoy it on your day off.(less)
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