Man, I have the worst role models. Whatever. I love this guy.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was fun - though I'm so used to Tony'...moreMan, I have the worst role models. Whatever. I love this guy.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was fun - though I'm so used to Tony's voice right now, I don't think I missed much by reading Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly on my Kindle. Narration aside, I think Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook is a better book. Tony names names this time around, and most of his subjects are well-known nationally or internationally, as opposed to just part of the NYC food scene. He also goes beyond his personal experience and takes on a lot of foodie and non-foodie topics (i.e. tasting menus) in a way that really resonated with me, even though I don't work in a restaurant.
This was delightful to read. The "story" takes the form of a tour through the headquarters of a fictional cartoonists' society, and it's so ...moreThis was delightful to read. The "story" takes the form of a tour through the headquarters of a fictional cartoonists' society, and it's so satisfying to be fully immersed in that slightly absurd world. Unlike a lot of more narrative graphic novels, I didn't find myself glossing over the art in order to get through the story - Seth's panels are just too engaging for that.(less)
After listening to Bossypants, I was pretty sure audio was the only way to go with this one. Might not be enjoyable for anyone who isn't familiar with...moreAfter listening to Bossypants, I was pretty sure audio was the only way to go with this one. Might not be enjoyable for anyone who isn't familiar with The Office or some of her pop culture references, but I loved the way her passion for comedy came through. (less)
Incredibly engaging - the comparisons to black and white cinema are spot on. I loved David and wished I could reach in and pull him out of his nightma...moreIncredibly engaging - the comparisons to black and white cinema are spot on. I loved David and wished I could reach in and pull him out of his nightmare childhood. On the bright side, it seems like he grew up to be a great guy.(less)
Compulsively readable, in part because there are no chapter or section breaks in the story - just the relentless recounting of life with illness. ...moreCompulsively readable, in part because there are no chapter or section breaks in the story - just the relentless recounting of life with illness.
Similar to Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic in that both show how early family experiences led to becoming cartoonists, but much more repetitive than Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. I wasn't all that interested in David's dreams once he became an adult, and I wasn't totally satisfied with the fact that he presented them as a kind of resolution to the story.(less)
This was just okay. It's a speculation about how Shakespeare might have written The Tempest, had he been shipwrecked in Bermuda and then traveled to J...moreThis was just okay. It's a speculation about how Shakespeare might have written The Tempest, had he been shipwrecked in Bermuda and then traveled to Jamestown. There aren't a lot of parallels to the play, though, beyond a rapey Caliban-type sailor and an obsession with the name Miranda.(less)
Two and a half stars. The author introduced some amazing concepts, and then... kept the protagonist in a limbo between all of them. A limbo of horrifi...moreTwo and a half stars. The author introduced some amazing concepts, and then... kept the protagonist in a limbo between all of them. A limbo of horrific, unrelenting violence from which there is really no break. As mean as it is, I think Patrick Ness needs to take an intro to screenwriting course and learn to tighten up his story structure. This book could have been SO much shorter.
I'm really torn on whether or not I should continue with this series. After almost 500 pages, I finally see the story going somewhere. Then agin, what if where it's going is to hundreds more pages of walking? Crazy as it may sound, cliffhanger endings turn me off most of the time - if an author can't manage at least a semi-satisfying conclusion, I don't want to give him or her any more of my time.
I'm pretty envious of Ian McEwan. He can write the most shocking stuff like it's completely normal. I love the way the parents are rendered, even thou...moreI'm pretty envious of Ian McEwan. He can write the most shocking stuff like it's completely normal. I love the way the parents are rendered, even though they're not in much of the book. There aren't a lot of words spent on the how or why things turn out the way they do, but it still all makes sense.(less)