Fascinating! I couldn't put it down. The author's straightforward writing style made this a quick read, despite a lot of medical information. If you l...moreFascinating! I couldn't put it down. The author's straightforward writing style made this a quick read, despite a lot of medical information. If you like medical mysteries, you will appreciate this book. I will definitely be reading it again or even purchase a copy of my own. (I checked this out from my local library). Especially interesting to me were the incorrect diagnoses and reversible autism link associated with this. Susannah Cahalan was so fortunate to have such a great support system.(less)
I kept procrastinating with this one, but once I started it I couldn't put it done. Very well done and enjoyable! Now the long wait for book 2 to come...moreI kept procrastinating with this one, but once I started it I couldn't put it done. Very well done and enjoyable! Now the long wait for book 2 to come out...(less)
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Amazing. As I was reading it, I was wishing I could read faster! In the "Author's Debriefing"...moreThis is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Amazing. As I was reading it, I was wishing I could read faster! In the "Author's Debriefing" at the end, Elizabeth Wein tells the reader, "this book is not meant to be a good history but rather *a good story*"--and a good story it is!
I highly recommend this book to anyone. But if you appreciate such books as Sarah's Key or Between Shades of Gray, Code Name Verity is not to be missed. This is a different kind of story, and so well researched and well told.(less)
Remember the movie Mask with Cher and Eric Stoltz? It was based on a true story about a boy with a medical condition (I don't recall what exactly) and...moreRemember the movie Mask with Cher and Eric Stoltz? It was based on a true story about a boy with a medical condition (I don't recall what exactly) and he had facial abnormalities. I loved that movie and couldn't help being reminded of it as I read this book.
Wonder was excellent and can probably be read in one sitting. As I was reading it, I was keeping in mind that if it was age appropriate, I would like my younger son to read it also. Then something happened in the book (the "Halloween Incident") that almost made we want to stop reading it. I'm glad I didn't!
The movie Mask came out in the politically incorrect 1980s and I was a teenager at the time. Even so, this movie had a big impact on me. But as I read Wonder I read it through a completely different lens. I read it as a mom of two young boys. I read it as the mom of a son with a severe developmental disability, with a sibling who will all too soon be navigating through the rough waters of middle school. I read it in 2012 where bullying just doesn't happen in school, but happens everywhere--on Facebook and through texts. I read it in a time where more and more headlines shock us with the fact that young children are taking their own lives as a result of bullying. As a parent this weighs on me, it keeps me up at night. I applaud R.J. Palacio by taking this subject on with finesse.
***mild spoiler below***
Unlike Mask this book had a happy ending, to my relief. It was inspirational and uplifting and I loved it! While my son isn't old enough to read this yet, I will introduce him to this book in the future, as it has a great message. I would recommend it to any preteen, parent, and teacher.
I really enjoyed this book and especially the writing style. It was told from three different perspectives, but you stayed with each character for sev...moreI really enjoyed this book and especially the writing style. It was told from three different perspectives, but you stayed with each character for several chapters so it didn't jump around too much. I had some unanswered questions but I thought it was very well done.(less)
Wow, Suzanne was right, this is a great book! It was sad, which I usually love, and very powerful. I also grew up in this same time also in a small to...moreWow, Suzanne was right, this is a great book! It was sad, which I usually love, and very powerful. I also grew up in this same time also in a small town in the Midwest. It was very sad to think that this may have so closely reflected real life at that time. I read it very quickly and will likely re-read at some point. Highly recommend.(less)
Wow. This book certainly had its troubling moments. Moments where I had to close it and just take a little break. (Page 70, for example.) But what an...moreWow. This book certainly had its troubling moments. Moments where I had to close it and just take a little break. (Page 70, for example.) But what an inspirational story from Liz Murray!
Many have compared this memoir to The Glass Castle. I've read both and I didn't really like The Glass Castle. I questioned the author's motives for writing it and the tone of that memoir just kept me from connecting with the author in the way I'm sure she wanted readers to connect with her.
Breaking Night was an amazing story of overcoming obstacles with a great payoff ending. I really liked Liz, too. I will say that her time from high school to college graduation was covered in a very short amount of pages and glossed over, really. I did appreciate the details of her childhood and background and perhaps she is saving her college years for another book? The focus was through about 1999 or so and according to the jacket, she graduated from Harvard in 2009, so that is a significant gap in time. So much time was spent on her mother's illness and death and much less so on her father, as another example. I wanted to hear more.
Liz Murray is a perfect example of why becoming a product of your environment or a victim is an easy out for so many young people. She's a great role model--she's not perfect--she made mistakes--but at a young age, she decided to turn things around for herself and turn things around she did! I can't imagine living through what Liz lived through as a child, her innocence stolen and I don't think she even realized it. But if there is a message here--without being thumped over the head with it and without being preached to--you *can* overcome a crappy hand if that's what you were dealt in life.
I appreciated it more and more as I read on. It should give anyone who reads it hope.(less)
This is one of the best books I've read in quite a while. I flew through it and it was compelling and tragic. I understand how some of the reviewers w...moreThis is one of the best books I've read in quite a while. I flew through it and it was compelling and tragic. I understand how some of the reviewers were left wanting more details at the end. But I thought it was a great book--I find myself wishing I could plan a trip to Lithuania, and it is definitely one of those books that left me wanting to learn more!
For me, it was on par with Moloka'i, as it relayed a period and place in history that I was previously ignorant of. It was also on par with The Kite Runner and Sarah's Key as far as storytelling. I would also equate this book with all three of these titles, as far as tragedy and sadness. If that level of tragedy is not your cup of tea, then this book is not for you. I loved this book and am so glad that I read it.(less)
All I can say is that this book broke my heart. Over and over again.
It reminded me of my response to the book The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sw...moreAll I can say is that this book broke my heart. Over and over again.
It reminded me of my response to the book The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, as it shed light on a time and place in history in which I was very ignorant. In the course of reading The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, I learned something about the Internment of Japanese Americans (in Seattle area) during WWII.
In the case of Moloka'i, I learned much about the leper colony on this small island of Hawaii in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Moloka'i, by contrast was a much more intimate and raw account of these events, in my opinion. It was also very detailed and many of the political figures and certainly the locations were factual. I am sure Rachel's story is not unique and not entirely fictitious, which is just a haunting and heart-wrenching thought.
It did have a nice ending. But the 380+ pages in between were nothing less than tragic and emotionally exhausting. If you are interested in stories of perseverance, discrimination, real human survival, and family ties, you will so appreciate this book! I highly recommend it. (But keep a box of tissue at the ready!) This is also a great read for men as well as women.(less)
Tough subject matter, very well done, completely tragic.
Update: Two weeks later, I can't stop thinking about this book, changing my initial rating from...moreTough subject matter, very well done, completely tragic.
Update: Two weeks later, I can't stop thinking about this book, changing my initial rating from 4 to 5 stars.(less)
This book was great. So many things I hadn't thought of during the course of reading this book. I thought it was the perfect balance of heart-break, r...moreThis book was great. So many things I hadn't thought of during the course of reading this book. I thought it was the perfect balance of heart-break, reality, and dignity. Prior to reading this book, I knew very little about Alzheimer's Disease and even less about early-onset AD. I couldn't help putting myself in Alice's shoes. Lisa Genova, well done!
Update: Not sure what kept me from giving this book 5 stars in the first place. Changing my rating from 4 to 5 stars. (5.27.2012)(less)
Okay, I wish I could give this book more stars. I liked it. But after more than 600 pages, I expected some answers, damnit! Call me crazy.
The writing...moreOkay, I wish I could give this book more stars. I liked it. But after more than 600 pages, I expected some answers, damnit! Call me crazy.
The writing was very good and I enjoyed the story. But was really disappointed that after reading such a hefty book, I felt no closure and no conclusion. But I am basking in the afterglow of reading it and oscillating between accomplishment (I read a book over 600 pages--Yay for me!) and frustration (where are the answers, what was the point to all the winding stories--where is my conclusion? Did it take the author this long just to set up for the next book?)
I really did like it. But at the same time, very disappointed by lack of conclusion.
Added some time (weeks) later:
Okay, I felt I needed to add this portion to my review after reading the second book. When I picked up Name of the Wind, I didn't know it was the first in a trilogy. So when I finished it and it didn't resolve anything, I felt cheated (though I still gave it 4 stars). I went into the second book with a different set of expectations, knowing it was #2 in the series. And I was able to enjoy the story much more. And what a story it is!
So, to be fair, I am very tempted to change this rating to 5 stars. The only thing holding me back is the second book is a 5 star book and better even than this one. I don't know how Patrick Rothfuss can write like this! The writing is amazing. And when you set up a book that is told by a "master storyteller", well, you are setting the bar high and Rothfuss lives up to it. The language is stellar and his imagination and attention to details are phenomenal. I enjoyed this book and was impressed by it. Even after 600+ pages I still wanted more!
I don't know how long it will take Rothfuss to write the third book, but it won't be fast enough for me.
I got lost in the Name of the Wind and really appreciated it. After my initial review, I want to make sure that this message comes out loud and clear.(less)
I loved this book! I was a little worried that I would have trouble keeping track of the cast of characters as the letters were sent back and forth, b...moreI loved this book! I was a little worried that I would have trouble keeping track of the cast of characters as the letters were sent back and forth, but this was not a problem. I thought it was very clever and the characters were so endearing. The epistolary format did not detract from the storytelling, I think it served the novel well. I didn't have any expectations going into this and I really enjoyed it.(less)
Wow. This book was a-maz-ing! And amazingly heart-wrenching. (I do think "heart-wrenching" is an overused term, but if there is any time it applies, it...moreWow. This book was a-maz-ing! And amazingly heart-wrenching. (I do think "heart-wrenching" is an overused term, but if there is any time it applies, it would be to define this book!)
I listened to this on audio and the narration was wonderful. I am so glad I had the audio version. Sometimes you wonder if a book would be better in print and that never crossed my mind while listening to this book.
The storytelling was rich and powerful and the characters were also wonderful. I cannot remember a time when I so hated a character in a book as I did Marshall Pyke. The women in this book were endearing and the story sucked me in. It was all both believable and unbelievable--in the very best ways.
If you liked The Help, you will love this book, though it is much more heartbreaking and tragic than The Help. I can't wait for this author's next book! I'd read a grocery list if Kathleen Grissom wrote it!
Upon completing this book, I felt satisfied, sorry it was over, and purely exhausted. My final thought was this would make a *great* movie! (less)
I really liked this book. It was fast-moving and the characters were well-developed and likable. If you're looking for a light, fantastical story that...moreI really liked this book. It was fast-moving and the characters were well-developed and likable. If you're looking for a light, fantastical story that's imaginative and provides a nice escape, this is it. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.(less)
I loved, loved, loved this book! I love Helene Hanff! I love that this book couldn't even have been written today, as such relationships and handwritt...moreI loved, loved, loved this book! I love Helene Hanff! I love that this book couldn't even have been written today, as such relationships and handwritten exchanges no longer exist. I loved Helene's banter and I cried at the end. I also went immediately to Wikipedia as soon as I got done reading this and before I came here to write this review. (And I cried again when learned that the bookstore is now a Pizza Hut!)
I am sure I'll read it again before I turn this copy in to the library. Even though it's only May, I am planning to give a copy of this book to all the book-lovers on my Christmas list!
***spoilers below***
I was so upset when I read that Frank died and that Helene published this book before having the chance to visit 84, Charing Cross Road! I wish she had forgone the dental work! So sad.(less)
I loved this book and anyone who knows me well won't be surprised. I love math (& baseball) and I found this to be a very touching story! It was a...moreI loved this book and anyone who knows me well won't be surprised. I love math (& baseball) and I found this to be a very touching story! It was a quiet and charming little book and the ending was bittersweet. (less)
Why did I wait so long to read this book?! I loved it. It was densely saturated with information and details--the research done by Erik Larson is so i...moreWhy did I wait so long to read this book?! I loved it. It was densely saturated with information and details--the research done by Erik Larson is so impressive. But it was never dry or boring, it read like fiction. Being from the Chicago area, I also loved the local references (to Dwight and around Chicago). I never realized the scale and scope of the fair and I think also that the author did a great job of weaving in the two stories between the World's Fair and the story line of Holmes. I will definitely read more from Erik Larson and most likely reread this book.
I read this for a local book club read and most of the people did not like the Holmes/serial killer story line. I did. I don't think a book entirely about the fair would have been as interesting to me and I think the influx of people in Chicago at that time allowed for Holmes not getting caught right away.(less)
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