A classic, but I read this in 2013, and so the contemporary (mid-'80s) part reads like history to me (blue eyeshadow? Curlers? Skinny jeans?). I prefe...moreA classic, but I read this in 2013, and so the contemporary (mid-'80s) part reads like history to me (blue eyeshadow? Curlers? Skinny jeans?). I preferred the medieval parts, especially the many careful details contrasting both the physical aspects--mud, blackened teeth, danger to women--and social expectations--i.e., everyone should know how to play a musical instrument, how exactly women should value themselves. This last was a good debate: Dougless "lives with" her boyfriend in the present, a boyfriend who treads all over her, and Nicholas points out that by doing that she devalues herself in the traditional-morality way and also emotionally. She doesn't have a good comeback, and neither did I, a position I found myself in more than once in this book.
Storywise, don't analyse it--it's a book you have to just ride along with. The power of Dougless's tears--and man, is she a mighty crier--is what pulls Nicholas to her time and again. That could be seen as romantic but it felt manipulative to me, like rewarding childish behavior. Also I don't favor the conceit of her appealing to God again and again, and getting an answer every time, and still insisting to herself that she has no value. Um, God apparently doesn't think so.
I loved the two lovers together, though, and watching the joy and confusion and eventual success as they crossed times. Dougless learns and grows, and Nicholas decides what is important to him. It's a very romantic book, though in modern taxonomy it might not be classified a romance, based on the ending. I would definitely call it a romance.
I'm glad I read it, and I'll go back to those historical settings again to see how she so successfully layered in all that great historical detail, using it in action or dialogue, making it part of the story. (less)
Like the many koans reprinted in it, this short book carries a heavy weight of suggestion but is rather light in the reading. She repeats and expands...moreLike the many koans reprinted in it, this short book carries a heavy weight of suggestion but is rather light in the reading. She repeats and expands on the idea of writing as process, like meditating, like slow walking, like life. It's a resonant idea, just as when I first read it in Writing Down the Bones.
I see this book as a conversation with an old friend, one who doesn't really ever stay on topic (or, even, put the verbs in sometimes) but one who flashes brilliance. It's a nonlinear trip, where you pick up writing prompts and a list of other authors to read. (less)
A traditional regency, with a twist. The Calcutta setting adds depth to a familiar tale, a young girl's learning how her heart works and a very lucky...moreA traditional regency, with a twist. The Calcutta setting adds depth to a familiar tale, a young girl's learning how her heart works and a very lucky young man. Reissue: I think its first title was Love of My Life(less)
Well-done long-form erotica. I especially enjoyed the way Eva and Gideon could describe what their personal hangups are (thanks to good counseling, ap...moreWell-done long-form erotica. I especially enjoyed the way Eva and Gideon could describe what their personal hangups are (thanks to good counseling, apparently) and Eva's working through how to set up boundaries.
"It doesn't matter whether I have something I don't want you to see. I have a right to space and privacy, and you need to ask before you help yourself to my information and my belongings. You have to stop taking whatever you want without my permission."
Also, the story makes the point healing from serious childhood wounds isn't a matter of "sex as a drug" but working slowly through triggers and talking it out (or, running and pouting, and then talking it out).
This is what made this erotic story much more interesting to me than others. Even with the great scenes and setups, I was bored with the sex at about the 2/3 point (repetition of anything can be numbing); many later sex scenes are quick-cut, closed-door, but still it does seem to drag on. I have a couple continuity quibbles (like, Eva observes Gideon's mom's express love for him and then says a half-page later "He'd never been loved.").
And again, the story isn't quite complete at the end; another setup for a series, pah. But I need satisfaction in this one to go on to the next, not just suspenseful questions. At this point, I won't read the next one. But I'm very glad I read this. Well written erotica, yea! (less)
I love productivity books, and try to read one at the start of every year. My take-away from this one is the value of the "two-minute rule": If you fi...moreI love productivity books, and try to read one at the start of every year. My take-away from this one is the value of the "two-minute rule": If you find out or decide something needs to be done and you can do it in 2 minutes, do it right now. If it takes longer to set up a note to remind yourself to do it than just to do it, ditto.
I also like the idea of dumping all the nagging to-do's into a file or list or file folder so they're off your mind but still accounted for. So far, a week into the experiment, it seems to be working. (less)
Brave, beautiful, delirious, harrowing, hopeful. The drawing gives us a glimpse into her moods and how she learns to manage them. Four years is a long...moreBrave, beautiful, delirious, harrowing, hopeful. The drawing gives us a glimpse into her moods and how she learns to manage them. Four years is a long time to persist, but I'm glad she did and can express her journey so well. Not so sure about the science parts, and the history of artists and their psychiatric diagnoses, but she's only following the "experts" there. Great storytelling.(less)
A good collection for a great cause. I thought my fave was the first one, "For the Love of a Book" by O.M. Grey, but as time passes I've found myself...moreA good collection for a great cause. I thought my fave was the first one, "For the Love of a Book" by O.M. Grey, but as time passes I've found myself thinking more about "One Escape at a Time" by Teel James Glenn. **Disclaimer: My own story, "The Lunchbox," is the last one in the book. (less)
Lovely writing and layered characters make this story of healing sing. I enjoyed the back-and-forth dialogue; the author takes the time to show reacti...moreLovely writing and layered characters make this story of healing sing. I enjoyed the back-and-forth dialogue; the author takes the time to show reaction as well as verbal byplay and how many off-hand remarks (like in life) have a different resonance for the hearer than the speaker intended. The lost in the desert part (or lost on the band's road trip, here) stretched a little long for me, and I wish I'd skipped the epilogue. Read the rest for the truth of the people and how bravely they face their pasts and tell their truths..
My copy is highlighted all over with great lines: Her invitation piqued him. She could tell, the way his neck and shoulders straightened and he rubbed at his jeans pockets. Boys were so easy to read.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked in a way that challenged her to be nicer.
She was staring. The girl who played with boys but was never fazed by them was staring at him like he was her guardian angel and she was his beauty school dropout. This was so wrong.
She'd never felt so much like anyone's gift before tonight.
"I'm the one who can't seem to get around herself to the good thing in front of her."
She had chosen to settle for the least level of discomfort in her world at the moment.
Sadness filled the seat beside her and she instantly fell out of sync with the sun.
Especially well-drawn male characters, each unique, each believable and shown in action with one another. I like romances that feel "real," and this r...moreEspecially well-drawn male characters, each unique, each believable and shown in action with one another. I like romances that feel "real," and this rang really true. Sorry it had the usual "series buildup" for the later books, but that's to be expected now, isn't it? (less)
Part Five - Story Structure is a big chunk of the book and was very helpful to me, as was the scene checklist. I didn't find much of the rest that use...morePart Five - Story Structure is a big chunk of the book and was very helpful to me, as was the scene checklist. I didn't find much of the rest that useful. Also, I read this first on Kindle, and it didn't seem to take; had to see it in print (and write on the pages) to get it. Unfortunately, you do see more of the repetition and extraneous arguments on the page that somehow you glance over on-screen. (less)
Read it for the true depiction of people who care about one another struggling and negotiating with love and respect. Thoughtful people practicing com...moreRead it for the true depiction of people who care about one another struggling and negotiating with love and respect. Thoughtful people practicing compassion and consideration--how rare these days. Don't read for plot or pacing, but to spend time with genuine and good people.(less)
Sweet, sexy story with a wild-child heroine and her gang of impecunious misfits coming up against a big, stuffy, yet beta-style hero. Plot-wise, a lot...moreSweet, sexy story with a wild-child heroine and her gang of impecunious misfits coming up against a big, stuffy, yet beta-style hero. Plot-wise, a lot of small, moving parts, as this is the first in a series and has to introduce characters and ideas galore. Even so, the main story takes its time and we get to watch Caro and Thomas travel an increasingly deep path to self-knowledge. Caro, especially, has a long road to travel in that department.
My favorite scene is near the start, when Thomas first sees the woman he thinks to be his intended bride and falls for her (physically), and then discovers it is Caro instead. I liked it as the excerpt before I started reading the book, and I liked it better in the text itself.(less)
Loading...
