Jenny has
406 books
(63 selected)
—
compare books
|
stats
| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
date
|
date purchased | owned | purchase location | condition | format | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 052595127X
| 9780525951278
| 3.90
| 23,278
| 2009
| Aug 06, 2009
|
This is one of those books I that I really enjoyed, yet I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what to say about it! I felt like, in a way, it was per...more This is one of those books I that I really enjoyed, yet I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what to say about it! I felt like, in a way, it was perfect. I loved the author's writing -- the way he put his thoughts into words. I loved his wit... his insight... his view of the world. I loved the way the book was organized... the pacing. The characters were real, crazy, likeable. And how the author managed to balance a topic that was so tender, and sometimes sad, yet also made it hilarious I don't know, but he sure did! The humor was, at times, subtle and, at other times, simply laugh-out-loud. So now you're wondering, "but what is it about??" (at least those of you who haven't already read a ton of wonderful reviews for this). Judd Foxman is the narrator and main character. We learn at the beginning that his father has passed away and his last dying wish was that his family would sit shiva for him. For those who don't know, like I didn't, shiva is, in Judaism, the seven day period of mourning that the immediate family/first degree relatives spend together. It was sort of neat to learn about this tradition during which the family sits in low-to-the-ground mourning chairs and accepts visitors throughout the week. BUT, the problem is that Judd Foxman has quite the dysfunctional family. And he just recently caught his wife in bed with his boss. And apparently it's been going on for a while. And now she's pregnant. Oh yes, and each member of Judd's family has their respective dysfunctions that when put together makes this book so hilarious. The book is written through the seven days the family is together. In that seven days they manage to learn more about each other (since prior to this they really hadn't spent much time together). This book sort of reminded me of the National Lampoon vacation movies -- but more dysfunctional and funnier. There were two quotes I wanted to include that were observations I could relate to. If they're letting her cry anyway, I don't really see the point of the baby monitor, but that's one of those questions I've learned not to ask, because I'll just get that condescending look all parents reserve for non-parents, to remind you that you're not yet a complete person. p.42 No offense to parents, really, but I was able to relate to that quote quite a bit and so I thought it was hilarious. (But if you didn't find that funny, no worries, Tropper really does add quite a bit of more obvious hilarity!) Here's another I thought was fairly insightful but not one of the funny ones: "It would be a terrible mistake to go through life thinking that people are the sum total of what you see." p.69 The only thing I would warn readers of is the large amount of talk and reference to sex. This didn't bother me, but I do remember reading this in other reviews and there was certainly a focus on it. I wouldn't necessarily lend this to anyone very conservative. But I definitely loved this book and am looking forward to catching up on the author's backlist! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1934781630
| 9781934781630
| 4.12
| 32,336
| Jan 01, 2009
| Jul 15, 2009
|
Though I had been intrigued by this book for some time, I admit I was was in the consensus of some other readers and bloggers who were hesitant for fe...more
Though I had been intrigued by this book for some time, I admit I was was in the consensus of some other readers and bloggers who were hesitant for fears of what it would contain. First of all, it took me a good minute, before deciding if I wanted to read it, to figure out if it was fiction or non-fiction (it's non-fiction, but narrative in style). I was afraid it would be too heart wrenching or distressing for me to read about the tragedy that befell the people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. And I was also afraid it would be fraught with too much anti-establishmentarianism and that it would be too preachy in this manner that I would be turned off. I wish I would have listened to the scores of bloggers who said it was none of this and to READ it because it was really good.... because they were right, of course! I didn't feel that it was any of those things that I mentioned. Zeitoun was a straightforward story, engagingly told, about the Zeitoun family and the events that took place following Hurricane Katrina. Sure, there were some parts that I felt sad, frustrated, or upset, but that's a given with the topic. But never once did I feel distressed, like I was being manipulated by the author in any way. I thought this was an authentic telling of what happened. Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun and their four children are a Muslim American family who resided in New Orleans in August of 2005. They were fairly well off family with a succesful painting and contracting business, Zeitoun A. Painting Contractors, LLC. They were well-known and respected in New Orleans. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Abdulrahman (typically referred to by just his last name, Zeitoun), stayed behind to keep an eye on their home, their clients' homes, and their properties. Zeitoun is famous for riding around in his canoe in the water after the storm helping out stranded people and animals. But this book isn't so much about the actual storm itself but other events that took place that were connected to the storm occurring but weren't directly related. These other, horrid, acts against human rights somehow managed to elude my knowledge at the time. Maybe it's because around August of 2005 I didn't watch as much news as I do now. Who knows. But I am a little horrified that I was ignorant of these events. For those who aren't aware I don't want to "spoil" the story for you, but for those of you who do know, it had to do with the acts at "Camp Greyhound" and Hunt Correctional Center. Combined with the the story of these specific events is woven in the story of Zeitoun's family and what it's like living as a Muslim in America. His wife, Kathy, is a Caucasian American and also has stories of discrimination she has endured. Though not preachy in any way, I managed to learn a lot about Islam through reading this book and feel I have even a better understanding of their religion (or it may just show how ignorant I've been of it until now). The Zeitoun family is one I came to know and love through reading their story. They represent wonderful people who deserve the love around them, who do what they can to help others around them, and who also represent a great work ethic that is inspirational. They're a family I would love to know in real life and who will stay with me for a while. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has the slightest interest in it as well as those who aren't interested at all... ;) The writing is engaging, and despite some more difficult parts, it didn't stress me out the way I feared it would, but ultimately warmed my heart because of the people at the center of the story. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0060928514
| 9780060928513
| 3.88
| 2,328
| 1996
| Jul 18, 1997
|
This book had been on my "must-read" list (self-appointed just because it looked interesting, not because I'd heard anything about it) for quite some...more
This book had been on my "must-read" list (self-appointed just because it looked interesting, not because I'd heard anything about it) for quite some time. I finally sat down and read it, and I have to say, I'm not sure that I got it. Maybe it went over my head, or maybe I'm over-analyzing something that wasn't meant to be that profound. There were parts that really engaged me, while other parts that didn't were interesting enough for me to keep on going, but ultimately I'm not sure that it was quite what I was expecting. Well, I know it wasn't, but what I'm not sure of is what I was expecting. Lying on the Couch follows the stories of two psychoanalysts, Ernest Lash, and his therapeutic supervisor, Marshal Streider. Marshal is a pretty old-school psychoanalyst with rigid boundaries who is fairly narrow minded about different techniques. Though seeking training and supervision, Ernest is more thoughtful and open-minded about the topic and has been leaning towards more honesty in the therapeutic relationship and more of an authentic relationship between therapist and client. A main focus of this book was the lives of the therapists themselves and their dynamics with their clients, as well as the behind-the-scenes look into therapy or what the therapists were thinking about during the sessions and outside them. We also learn about a few of the clients they are seeing; for instance, Ernest is seeing a woman, Carolyn, who unbeknown to him is the forsaken wife of a previous client of Ernest's -- a client whom Ernest had encouraged to leave his wife. Carolyn has her own dirty reasons for entering therapy with Ernest and in being not quite honest with him, and this leads to some interesting therapeutic dynamics, especially when Carolyn's plans don't necessarily pan out. We also meet one of Marshal's clients, Shelley, who enters therapy because of a gambling problem but not really to overcome it -- more to improve it. And, of course, neither Ernest nor Marshal are impervious to their own demons that eventually manage to play out while in the course of providing therapy to others. Was this a character study, a therapy study, or something else? I'm not sure. Maybe both. As a budding therapist, myself, I did find the "case studies", if you can call them that, interesting. I imagine that any fan of psychology would, in that sense, enjoy this book. I did find that the content felt a little "heavy" at times, but that may be more attributed to comparison of the light content and writing of some books I just recently finished. One interesting writing technique the author employed was providing a thorough glimpse into conversations; each person's contribution to the conversation would be a large paragraph, and the entire conversation would be played out. You don't typically see this in a lot of fiction as they tend to focus on just the most purposeful parts of the conversation. At times I felt it made things long, but, in another sense, it was refreshing to hear everything being said. I'm familiar with some of Yalom's theory of the "here and now" in therapy as well as the relationship between the therapist and client. I've only read probably about half of his non-fiction book of an open letter for the new therapist, and I have to say there are some things he says that I completely relate to, but other things are a little too much for me. I'm not at a point where I feel the client and therapist should focus quite so much on their relationship rather than the client's issues. That's how I feel in general, and since there was a lot of focus on moving in that direction (at least for the therapist, Ernest) in the book, I couldn't completely relate to everything in the book. And there was this one small part of the book where the most experienced therapist of all the characters, Marshal, is essentially obtaining therapy from a lay person (well, when it comes to therapy, at least), and the whole point of that confused me. So those are my thoughts on this novel, where Lying on the Couch means more than just physically "lying"... despite my mixed feelings on it, Yalom did prove himself to be a smart, engaging writer, so I still plan on reading at least another of his books. For now, I'm satisfied with knowing that even experienced therapists have struggles they must work on for themselves. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0525423648
| 9780525423645
| 3.76
| 172,122
| Nov 30, 2010
| Nov 30, 2010
|
Matched by Ally Condie was one of the most hyped up books at 2010's Book Expo America. It's the first in a planned trilogy about a dystopian society w...more
Matched by Ally Condie was one of the most hyped up books at 2010's Book Expo America. It's the first in a planned trilogy about a dystopian society where the government matches people up with who they are to marry, what jobs they'll hold, etc. Except, for Cassia, the main character in this book, it all goes terribly wrong when something malfunctions and, while viewing the micro-chip that holds all the information about the boy she is matched with, she sees a second person's face for a split second. I've seen some wonderful reviews for this, including being listed on many "best of" lists, but it just really didn't do it for me. Learning about the rules and functioning of this society was pretty interesting, but ultimately I didn't feel like there was really a whole lot to it. I did think the author did a good job of depicting how one small event or glimpse can cause someone to obsess over another and for feelings to build when they might not otherwise have. I could think back to my teen years and relate to this dynamic. But other than that this was just an okay read for me. I finished reading it a couple weeks ago and my memory about it is already fairly vague. I will say I didn't think the ending was a cliffhanger like some reviewers said. I do agree with some reviewers, though, that some parts dragged slightly. I think I would have liked this book more if it had been maybe 75-100 pages shorter and more action packed. I would think this might be a better book for younger young adult readers except that I've read some good reviews by adults. I may read the second book to see where it goes, but I'm not dying to read it. I was wondering, though... are we choosing teams for this one? Because if so, I'm Team Xander!! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0758246641
| 9780758246646
| 3.64
| 438
| Jan 25, 2011
| Feb 01, 2011
|
Delirious is the perfect name for this psychological thriller from author, Daniel Palmer... after all, I was in a state of delirium the entire time I...more Delirious is the perfect name for this psychological thriller from author, Daniel Palmer... after all, I was in a state of delirium the entire time I read this book -- engrossed, thrilled, and in a frenzy to find out where the story was headed, I read it late into the night and then late into the next morning. (Hey, running late to work every now and then isn't such a bad thing, right?) Charles Giles, the main character, works high in the ranks at a large electronics firm after selling his own start-up electronics company with his technologically advanced product, InVision. Charles is proudly successful after overcoming a difficult past that included his father physically abandoning him after a psychotic break and his mother emotionally abandoning him to devote her energy into Charles's brother, Joe. First suffering from a form of epilepsy related to their father's abandonment, Joe falls in their father's footsteps by later being diagnosed with Schizophrenia. In psychologically terrifying fashion, things start to spiral out of control and lead Charles to realize he is going crazy... I don't want to give it all away here, but let's just say strange things happen that have accompanying proof Charles did it -- and then it becomes more serious -- Charles's life comes crashing further down as his co-workers start dying and he becomes the prime suspect. Everyone believes Charles is guilty, and while he doesn't recall much, he is also sadly aware that with Schizophrenia running in his family and his being intensely overworked, he may be succumbing to the symptoms of a similar psychotic break. As the evidence against him continues to pile higher, Charles sets out to determine whether he truly is going crazy - delirious - or if someone is out to get him. The author did such a fantastic job putting this story together. I spent the entire reading experience completely enthralled by what was happening and determined to read more so I could figure out where it could possibly be headed. One of the things I really appreciated about this book was the mental health aspect. It fit so perfectly into the story and added such an interesting dimension to the regular thriller. I also learned a little about musicogenic epilepsy, when a song triggers a seizure, that was fascinating. Palmer maintained a level of suspense that was well done and didn't seem forced at all. This book has also been referred to as "techno-savvy". I would say that's a fairly accurate description. I think I feared that it would be drenched in technological terms that would distract from the reading, but it wasn't like that at all, and really gave me some things to think about! According to Daniel Palmer's website, Delirious is the first of a three book contract with Kensington all of which have some type of techno-focus. After reading this, I'm really looking forward to his next book which will reportedly explore the effects of "sexting". Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0425232034
| 9780425232033
| 3.87
| 791
| Dec 23, 2009
| Jan 05, 2010
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 110113612X
| 9781101136126
| 4.09
| 1,840
| Aug 29, 2009
| Sep 01, 2009
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| B003F3PMFC
| 3.90
| 20,749
| Jan 01, 2010
| unknown
|
In honor of the season and my return to the blog after a short hiatus, I've decided to feature a book that incorporates this wonderful time of the yea...more
In honor of the season and my return to the blog after a short hiatus, I've decided to feature a book that incorporates this wonderful time of the year! Though probably slightly cheesy or too innocent for some, I thought Dash and Lily's Book of Dares was so adorable and fun. Keep in mind, of course, that it takes place at Christmas time in New York City -- two of my absolutely favorite things mixed into one fun young adult book about two slight misfits looking for love. The first scene takes place at famous NYC bookstore, The Strand. While browsing the shelves, Dash comes across an ominous red notebook. In it is a list of clues and a dare for the person who finds the book to complete. The book turns out to be one that was left by Lily via another dare. She and Dash end up passing the book back and forth across various New York City locations as they share more clues and learn more about each other. Much of what takes place isn't at all realistic, and how coincidental that Lily and Dash both have families that have decided to leave their teenager home alone for the holidays. Dash is your typical insightful grown-up-more-than-any-kid-I-know teen and Lily is a very naive but optimistic teen... I think as long as you're willing to accept that and you're willing to take yourself back to young love, you'll thoroughly enjoy this book! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1594489505
| 9781594489501
| 4.28
| 388,593
| Jan 01, 2006
| May 22, 2007
|
This had been recommended to me by pretty much everyone for a long time. And it was one of those I kept meaning to read but that sat on my shelf forev...more
This had been recommended to me by pretty much everyone for a long time. And it was one of those I kept meaning to read but that sat on my shelf forever -- until just recently when I joined the world party reading challenge. October happened to be Afghanistan so what a perfect reason to pull this off the shelf and read it! A Thousand Splendid Suns gives you not just a glimpse, but a wide eyed look at life in Afghanistan over the past 20 or so years. It's one that I almost wish I had read more slowly just so I could savor the story and characters more. (I always find the concept of reading more slowly sort of strange because I typically want to finish each book as fast as I can, but now I find myself missing this book... and yet, I wonder WHY?! do I feel this way... because the story itself is pretty horrifying). I suppose I won't say too much since even the publisher's summary doesn't give away a lot. Basically it's about two different characters, Mariam and Laila, who we get to see quickly grow from children into adults. Mariam is a generation older than Laila. So part one focuses on Mariam, part two on Laila, and parts three and four on both. Mariam's and Laila's life circumstances bring them together, and through these characters we learn the history of Afghanistan and the terrors of the wars that have raged there. One of the things that freaked me out was watching the progression of years; it was well paced so nothing ever seemed to drawn out, and even though a few years were skipped at a time here or there, it wasn't anything noticeable. But imagining the horrors Mariam and Laila dealt with -- the barbaric rules and nefarious manner in which they were treated just because they were women -- and then watching the years go up to 1999, 2001, etc. That wasn't a long time ago! Essentially that's now! Because of the Taliban these women weren't allowed to be outside without the companion of a man?! And if they were found they were questioned and often beaten. They had to wear a burqa everywhere they went. And because of this attitude towards women, domestic violence ran rampant and was accepted. The amount of physical abuse towards these women sickened me. And though I knew about some of the things happening in that part of the world, I don't think it really hit home how extreme it was. And them doing all that while I was out with my friends, driving myself around, graduating from high school, then college. It just doesn't seem right. And it's not, but this book really brought it home for me. Of course, now I feel frustrated because what can I do? Really? And is it still like that now? I don't know! Anyway, Mariam and Laila are characters who had a significant impact on me. I don't think I realized how much of one until after I finished the book and, later, wanted to return to it. And while the ending wasn't a big punch or anything, I became emotional the minute I closed the book. And I hadn't cried during any other part of it. A Thousand Splendid Suns was an amazingly well-told story. The author utilized some subtle and basic literary techniques that I really appreciated. I've seen this book on some "school lists" at different bookstores and wholeheartedly agree this is a great book to be read by students in an effort to learn about the rest of the world. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0307587878
| 9780307587879
| 3.86
| 1,371
| Oct 12, 2010
| Oct 12, 2010
|
I had the opportunity to see Ms. Rice speak during the author's breakfast at last year's Book Expo America (May 2010) in New York City. She gave a com...more
I had the opportunity to see Ms. Rice speak during the author's breakfast at last year's Book Expo America (May 2010) in New York City. She gave a compelling speech that even led Jon Stewart, host of the breakfast, and political adversary - if you will - to state, "Don't.Make.Me.Like.You...." I think hers was a story worth telling, for sure. She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama during the 1960's in the middle of the civil rights movement. Yet, her parents didn't allow the discrimination, inherent at the time, to stop them from achieving success. Much of this book seemed a tribute to Ms. Rice's parents. She wrote about her childhood and the wonderful influence of her parents. Parents who insisted she achieved an education, they provided her with all their love and made her believe through their encouragement and nurturing that, despite the racial tensions and, despite any and all possible barriers, that she could be whatever she wanted. There's a picture of Condoleezza standing in front of the White House when she was about 8-years-old; though she doesn't remember it, Condoleezza stated her parents reported her saying she would work there one day. And as we all know, she was right! "Condi's" story is also, then, a testament to the power of education. One of the aspects of this book that I really enjoyed was getting to know her parents. For me, personally, it was inspiring to see an example of really good parenting and how well the child turned out. Considering I teach parenting and work fully in the field of child welfare, where people believe that a child can't be raised well without beating into submission, or feel that there are just too many barriers to even dream of any success, or feel that criticizing or ignoring their children is better than encouraging and supporting, this story was a breath of fresh air. I think that almost no one can compare themselves to Condi growing up during that time in the United States and excelling to where she is now, and abjectly state that there's just too much to overcome. But that being said, there were moments when I felt Condoleezza chronicled her childhood a little too thoroughly. Then, contrastingly, the second half of the book jumped through the rest of her years to where she is now. I had invested so much time into her grade school years that to fly through her twenties, thirties, and forties was a little disconcerting. In the second half of the book, she talks more about her education in soviet policies and her political work at the White House. I did find this part interesting, to a degree, but felt it didn't flow well with the nature of the first part of the book. She could easily have made this book into two. So, while I felt these aforementioned things, I still would definitely recommend this book for those interested in Condoleezza's background or for those looking for a good memoir about how she overcame obstacles to find the success she has today. There is also apparently a young adult version of this book, Condoleezza Rice: A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me, that may be a good way to reach those younger readers (though it should be noted I haven't read any of that version). Taken from www.takemawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0064407314
| 9780064407311
| 3.64
| 22,888
| 1999
| May 08, 2001
|
I had my eye on this one for a while and finally decided it was time to pick it up. This would have made a great read-a-thon book because of its uniqu...more
I had my eye on this one for a while and finally decided it was time to pick it up. This would have made a great read-a-thon book because of its unique and engaging style of writing. Ah well. But it's definitely a quick and enjoyable read that also gives you something to think about. Steve Harmon is a 16-year-old African American boy on trial for a murder he may not have committed. Steve has been sitting in jail awaiting his trial and is terrified at the thought of being sentenced to 25 years to life. Prior to going to jail, Steve was a high school student and enjoyed his film class. So in order to quell his anxiety, Steve turns his trial into a movie script. Each chapter started off with a few pages of Steve's writing that are either similar to a journal entry or are in the form of "notes". The following pages of each chapter are the movie script of what is going on around him, including the production instructions including what camera angles to use... (focusing in on the jury, long shot of the courtroom, close up of the defendant, etc. etc.) The majority of the script is the trial itself which is the mechanism through with the reader learns what may have happened (keeping in mind, of course, that not all the witnesses may be motivated to tell the truth). In a few scenes, Steve flashes back to give the reader a glimpse into what his life was like prior to being arrested. Monster lacked the big punch at the end that I had somewhat anticipated but did contain some more subtle messages about truth and prejudice. For instance, Steve's attorney, though creating a great defense, actually believes he committed the crime because of her prejudice. Though this isn't a major part of the story in any way, it contributes to the illustration of this concept; and in one moment near the end, Steve finds himself confused at her actions because of his naivete to said concept. Monster was an easy read but one that clearly presented some social issues that could lead to discussion! Monster was the winner of the Michael Printz Award for Young Adult Literature in 2000, was a National Book Award finalist in 1999, and was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book in 2000. Definitely worth checking out! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0007311001
| 9780007311002
| 3.40
| 12,251
| Aug 10, 2010
| Aug 10, 2010
|
Last Night at Chateau Marmont was a fairly straightforward novel about the effects of celebrity on a marriage. By straightforward I mean that the plot...more
Last Night at Chateau Marmont was a fairly straightforward novel about the effects of celebrity on a marriage. By straightforward I mean that the plot followed the typical formula (not a bad thing) of a woman who marries a man, he shoots to stardom, it's fun until they realize the negative aspects of said stardom, rumors start circulating in the tabloids, and they reap the consequences of said benefits. Last night didn't have any crazy twists but was, rather, a typical chick lit that I really enjoyed reading. For a moment I worried about the direction of the book and how I would like it, but I ended up being happy with where it ultimately went. I read this during my vacation in North Carolina and all I wanted to do the whole time there was return to the story! This book was also a great representation of New York City. I felt like through the actions of the characters, I was given quite the immersion into the city. I felt like I was right there alongside Brooke Alter in the beginning as she follows Julian, local singer/songwriter/musician, around to all the NYC dive bars for his gigs. Eventually they meet and marry. The book opens up to when they've been married for five years. Brooke is working two jobs to support her musician husband but feels no resentment as she is genuinely passionate about her career. Brooke and Julian seem like the perfect couple. One of the things that impressed me was that the author was given 300-400 pages to illustrate the jump start of a career and then show the slow disintegration of the marriage. Lauren Weisberger paced it so well that I never felt things were unnecessarily rushed. Sure, you might have to suspend belief slightly at how fast the jump to stardom, but even that didn't come off as far-fetched. I've read throughout the blogosphere regarding other readers who intensely dislike reading about affairs or any type of cheating. While I won't go into how this relates completely, there is talk and mention of it in this book that might make those readers feel uncomfortable. However, this concept was vital to the plot... if you pay any attention to the tabloids, pop culture, celebrity entertainment, then I'm sure you would understand that it shouldn't be skipped over in this story because temptation abounds in the land of celebrity for sure! In all, Last Night at Chateau Marmont was a fairly typical chick lit story, but one that engaged me and had me returning for more. About three quarters through the book the tension rose and I had conflicted feelings, but that was right on cue for the pacing. And though I worried about where it was going, I have to say I really enjoyed the ending. But bet that will be a hot point for many readers to debate! Recommended for readers who enjoy chick lit and/or have enjoyed Weisberger's previous books. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0061120081
| 9780061120084
| 4.22
| 1,404,071
| 1960
| May 23, 2006
|
I didn't quite read this in time to join the 50th anniversary festivities put on by Harper Collins but did make it during its 50th year. And despite h...more
I didn't quite read this in time to join the 50th anniversary festivities put on by Harper Collins but did make it during its 50th year. And despite having to read this for school in 7th grade and then going to see the play, this is the first time I truly have read it all (and didn't have any memory of any parts I may have read before!) This is also my sister's favorite book so we did a mini read-a-long together. I'm so glad I finally read To Kill a Mockingbird! The amount of social commentary hidden behind the plot and the young girl's education about life surprised me, and I realized why this has been hailed as an American classic! This was a book about the treatment of people and the hypocrisy by many; it had remnants about the judicial system and its merits and faults; it was about society as a whole that, despite being set in the 1930's and published in 1960, is sadly depictive of today. While laws have changed and people may have come a long way, there are many areas of the country and many people who still prescribe to prejudice. And Harper Lee artfully illustrated all of this through the innocent eyes of a girl from the age of six to the age of ten: ages during which minds are impressed upon and beliefs are developed. What I believe many people love about To Kill a Mockingbird is also the characters. Scout (otherwise known as Jean Louise Finch) is a naive, inquisitive, tomboy of a girl. She adores her older brother, Jem, and her father, Atticus, and considers herself engaged to their summer visitor, Dill. I mentioned to my sister after reading approximately 50 pages that Scout is a brat! But as I read further I realized Scout is just very young in thought and questioning the world around her (rightly so!) And I know others love the character of Atticus. Raising his children on his own after his wife's death (with no little help from the housekeeper/nanny, Calpurnia), he embodies the true Christian attitude of love for others and doing what is morally right. He treats his children well and teaches them to do the same for others. One thing I didn't really get was how Scout referred to her father by his first name. It wasn't really explained, either, except for one short paragraph where a neighbor reprimands them for calling their father by his first name. I gathered from that paragraph and conversation with my sister that it had to do with his laid back style of parenting (which was frowned upon by others in the community) and the fact that there was no mother in the picture. However, I think Atticus is a great example of a parent who raises his children well. Another example of a parental role-model even for people in the current day. I felt this was truly an important book and could clearly see why it is a classic. I will say, however, that 7th grade is likely too young to read and thoroughly appreciate this book... at least, in my case it was but I am so glad I returned to it as an adult. Taken from my blog at www.takemawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1594487561
| 9781594487569
| 3.94
| 16,920
| Apr 29, 2010
| Apr 29, 2010
|
I'd been interested in reading this book since it came out but kept putting it off because I wondered if it would be too similar, for me, to other boo...more
I'd been interested in reading this book since it came out but kept putting it off because I wondered if it would be too similar, for me, to other books I've read recently about the Asian culture. I ended up reading it, though, and am so very glad I did because it quickly became one of my favorite reads this year!! I love, love, loved it!! I absolutely adored this book and the character of Kimberly Chang, the author's techniques in showing us this world, and watching Kimberly grow up. Girl in Translation tells the story about Kimberly Chang and her mother who move to Brooklyn from Hong Kong in the 1970's. Back in Hong Kong, Kimberly is a very smart girl who excels in school. But due to the language barrier once in New York, Kimberly struggles academically. Her experience as an immigrant to the United States is further thwarted and made difficult by the cultural differences she experiences in school, in her living arrangements, being forced to work "under the table" in a sweatshop, etc. The book starts when Kimberly is in the sixth grade, goes through her experiences in high school, and gives us a snapshot of what happens after that. The author, Jean Kwok, did a fantastic job of bringing the situation to life. She showed me (and helped immerse me in) the world of an immigrant to the United States. She illustrated the cultural differences and adjustments Kimberly and her mother had to make, as well as the importance in the Asian culture of education and "saving face". She also provided an inspiring character that I loved and rooted for and absolutely admired. At the same time, I felt for her as a child trying to protect her mother while trying to fit in at school. Another thing I loved was how the author used dialogue between the characters to display some of the Chinese culture. Much of the time, the Asian characters spoke in proverbs and metaphors which was normal (and considered clever) for their language but, interpreted to English, made them even more of outsiders than they were. This too, however, exemplified the significant factors of their culture. The author did a fabulous job of explaining things to the reader while keeping it a part of the story. Despite the extreme poverty that Kimberly and her mother lived in, and the awful ways they were sometimes treated, they were also very lucky because of Kimberly's motivation and intelligence. I got a an insightful (and scary) glance into what things could be like for many immigrants, especially those who didn't embody the skills and drive that Kimberly did. I loved everything about this book! At times it reminded me of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn -- after all, it's about a young girl coming of age in Brooklyn after her family immigrates to New York. Call it the Asian ATGiB, if you will... especially if that entices you to read this gem! I have been wanting to read this again from the moment I finished! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0307716139
| 9780307716132
| 3.61
| 211
| Jan 01, 2010
| Sep 28, 2010
|
A few months ago I reviewed Somewhere Inside by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling about Laura's captivity in North Korea for five months. Euna Lee was the film...more
A few months ago I reviewed Somewhere Inside by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling about Laura's captivity in North Korea for five months. Euna Lee was the film editor also on that trip who was captured as well. I won't recap the whole story or the tid bits I included about North Korea, but it's really interesting so please refer to the linked review above and go read that first! But back to this review, I definitely think The World is Bigger Now is absolutely worth reading even if you've already read the memoir by Laura Ling; in fact, I pretty much believe that if you're going to read one you should read them both, as they complement each other and are riveting memoirs in their own rights. Euna Lee had experiences during her captivity in North Korea that were similar to Laura Ling's but ironically were also vastly different. Somewhere Inside focused largely on the political aspect of the events and the measures that were taken by Lisa Ling and the government of the United States in order to contribute to the release of the women. Euna Lee was in the shadows for a large part of these political movements since Laura's involvement was due to her sister. In Euna's memoir, then, the focus was much more on her emotional and psychological reactions to her confinement. Her reactions were genuine -- on the verge of a mental breakdown on many occasions and alternating days of depression with days of hopefulness, I agonized along with her while reading about her experience. Stories like this really illustrate for me the strength of the human spirit because I cannot imagine going through a fraction of what she did. And though she didn't go into it too much, the effect this had on her 4-year-old daughter gave me more to think about as well. The writing style of both books was different, too, which very likely exemplifies the different women they each are. Euna Lee also was treated somewhat more harshly throughout the ordeal because as a native Korean (despite being from South Korea, not north) she was considered a betrayer to people of her own blood. She spoke, throughout the book, about her conflicting feelings of hatred for the country she was in but the simultaneous reminders of her childhood. North Korea is so stuck in time without the progression of the rest of the world that in many ways the country reminded her of growing up in South Korea. Euna Lee is also a devout Christian and talked about this in some parts. This section was mild enough that non-Christians won't at all be put off. But for those who are Christians, I believe this aspect of the book will be very inspiring. Euna vacillated between having absolute faith and feeling completely abandoned by God which I feel is an aspect some readers will definitely be able to relate to even without having been in her situation. There was no lack of tears from me while reading this book, that's for sure! It was definitely an emotional read in some aspects. I'm glad I was able to read about this experience from her perspective as well. Interesting side note... I went back and read my review for Somewhere Inside to compare to this one and noticed I used the words/phrases "riveting" and "human spirit" when writing both reviews, lol. But they're both relevant! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0061189529
| 9780061189524
| 3.61
| 3,458
| Apr 01, 2007
| Apr 03, 2007
|
This is a memoir about the best summer of the author's life (1945) when she worked at Tiffany in New York City. She and her friend, Marty, journeyed f...more
This is a memoir about the best summer of the author's life (1945) when she worked at Tiffany in New York City. She and her friend, Marty, journeyed from Iowa to NYC together to spend a fabulous summer there. I read a review for this by Jennifer at Justice Jennifer Reads and decided I needed to read this too. What could be more fun than to revel in the shared love for the best city ever? Then when I was browsing the local bookstore one night I was trying to remember the name of the author; I randomly looked up from the books I was looking at and saw this book sitting on a special end cap display! I kid you not, it was literally when I was already thinking about it. I really can't think of a whole lot to say about this book except that I really enjoyed it. It was a fast read (I read it in less than a day) and read like fiction. The author did a great job of putting the reader in 1940's New York along with her and her friends as they fell in love (with the city and with men). Marjorie Hart had an experience that every young woman dreams of having and now has fabulous stories to tell her grandchildren about. And she has personal experience working in the best jewelry store ever! A delightful, engaging read! And I just wanted to point out the cover. That's an actual picture of Tiffany in NYC during the 1940's. Love it! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316102865
| 9780316102865
| 3.80
| 2,705
| Sep 01, 2010
| Sep 01, 2010
|
The tag line says it all: The couple who slays together slays together. LOL! Hilarious! Sarah and David are a Seattleite married couple on the verge of...more The tag line says it all: The couple who slays together slays together. LOL! Hilarious! Sarah and David are a Seattleite married couple on the verge of divorce after six unsuccessful months of couples therapy. On the way to what may be one of their last therapy sessions before the inevitable D word takes place, they notice that the normal downtown Seattle traffic is unusually sparse... as is their therapist's office. Where's the security guard? Or the receptionist? Annoyed at the rude lack of punctuality by their therapist, they walk in her office to find her essentially "eating" her last clients. The next thing you know, Sarah and David are battling a zombie apocalypse. Married With Zombies was a fun and comical story that was a mix of the movies Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Shaun of the Dead (or maybe just that and Dawn of the Dead). This was a quick, short read that was a fun departure from all the seriosity (yes, I made that word up) that we often read and/or deal with in real life. Each chapter is titled with a piece of "marriage advice" related to Sarah and David's situation at hand. For example, Chapter 2 is entitled "Balance the workload in your relationship. No one person should be responsible for killing all the zombies." I enjoyed each and every one of these titles, as well as reading the situations that filled each of the chapters. This is actually the first book in a series called Living With the Dead. The second in the series, Flip This Zombie comes out in January 2011. You know, I might have to take back what I said when reviewing The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead Tossed Waves that I wasn't a zombie person.... because I really, really liked this book too!! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0399156372
| 9780399156373
| 3.61
| 5,387
| Jul 23, 2010
| Aug 05, 2010
|
I wanted to read this book ever since I saw that it was an upcoming TLC book tours book but was too late to make it for the tour. I eagerly read every...more
I wanted to read this book ever since I saw that it was an upcoming TLC book tours book but was too late to make it for the tour. I eagerly read everyone else's reviews and saw how wonderful everyone thought this book was and knew that I had to read it. Especially after reading the reviews by Meg at Write Meg! and my good friend, Jennifer at Crazy-For-Books. I had other reading commitments, though, so I wasn't able to read it the second it came out like I wanted to. At this point it's only been out a month and I felt like I had to wait an eternity to read it! One of the reasons I wanted to read this book so badly was because of how personal it sounded to me. How to Be an American Housewife tells the story of a Japanese mother, Shoko, and her half-Japanese/half-American daughter, Sue. Though it's mainly a story about Shoko's past and her potentially last wishes, as she is ill, it's also a story about a mother and a daughter, their differences, and the difficulties they experience from experiencing two different cultures. There were a lot of similarities in this book to myself and my mother. In the story, Shoko marries an American GI partly to move to the United States for a better life. She has a daughter, Sue, who she has trouble understanding because of her American ways and vice versa. My mother is Korean and she married my father who was in the Air Force (though they married for love). We've certainly experienced differences and misunderstandings throughout the years due to the cultural differences of having grown up in Korea (for her) and in the states (for me). On top of that, my husband's mother is from Thailand, and she married an American Air Force man then moved to the states and had two sons (the second one being my husband). While my mother and my mother-in-law are two extremely different people, if you combine their experiences, you would find something close to Shoko's in this book. I really enjoyed reading about the smallest nuances that I could relate to. I'm sure I can only think of a few right now; things like it being rude to stick your chopsticks straight up and down in your rice... that was something I learned a long time ago but it never made sense to me -- I mean it's so convenient! There were lots of those kinds of moments throughout the book when I could laugh in appreciation of the nuance. Sue mentioned a few times in the book how she wasn't close with any relatives and all they had was their immediate family -- again, same here. Oh other things like always taking your shoes off in the house, cleaning the floors not with a mop but on your hands and knees with a rag, etc. I even have vague memories of the short time we lived in Korea when my dad was stationed there when my sister and I were young and I pictured my grandparents' home in the scenes when Sue returns to Japan -- the wooden framed doors with the rice paper screens, etc. Oh, there's a scene where Sue's daughter is interacting with some students in Japan and they are all touching her hair and it reminded me of when I was little and we visited a school in Korea; the kids there were fascinated by my half-American features, and I distinctly remember them rubbing my cheeks and my hair.... it freaked me out! But it made me laugh to remember this during that scene. In another scene she talked about playing the Japanese game "Jan Ken Poi" which is what we know as "Rock Paper Scissors"... That was funny to me because before I ever knew that game with the English title, I knew it as "Gai Bai Boe" which is the Korean version. And that was with me growing up in the states! In fact, here's the part where she talks about this: One of my favorite Japanese games was rock-paper-scissors, or, as Mom had taught me, Jan Ken Poi. "In Japan, use this for everything, even businessmen," Mom had told me. Jan Ken Poi became a special game, done to break ties and decide between an eight o'clock and an eight-thirty bedtime. (pg. 177) I love how I was able to relate to the significance of such a "game". It was all these little things that I really appreciated in this book. On the flip side, looking at things from Shoko's perspective made me incredibly sad -- I can't imagine the things she experienced in Japan and then trying to assimilate in a country where being different wasn't appreciated. This is also another one of those stories where you realize, again, that your parents truly had other lives before you were born and that there is this entire history we aren't always completely aware of. In How to Be an American Housewife, Shoko asks her daughter, Sue, to return to Japan in her place to reunite her with her brother, Taro, with whom she has had an estranged relationship for over 30 years. In doing so, Sue embarks on a journey not only geographically but also in her relationship with her mother as well. Each chapter of the book starts from a quote from a fictional non-fiction book based on an actual non-fiction book basically about how to be a housewife (redundant, eh?) These quotes were all interesting because they gave insight into the thought process behind the way to assimilate into American culture... some may be surprised at the things they say, but I don't think there was one quote that I didn't understand on a somewhat personal level. So in all, I definitely enjoyed this book. It was a fast, engaging read. The only thing I would have probably liked better was if the focus had been more on Sue (but only because I could relate better) and the relationship. Instead it was pretty much more focused on Shoko's past, her brother, and Sue's quest to help her mother which ultimately has a significant effect on her own life. Definitely a must read! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| B003TLN0JK
| unknown
| 4.03
| 988
| Aug 03, 2010
| unknown
|
I don't know how Katrina Kittle does it... this is the third book of hers that I've read (with her first published book recently added to my TBR) and...more
I don't know how Katrina Kittle does it... this is the third book of hers that I've read (with her first published book recently added to my TBR) and I have absolutely adored all of them. The Blessings of the Animals was no exception. It's just something about the way she brings the characters to life and makes them (and everything about the novel) feel so genuine. There was just a certain quality to this book (and the others I've read) that sets it apart from many of the other books I've read, but I haven't quite put my finger on what it is specifically. I just loved it! The Blessings of the Animals is about a veterinarian, Cami, who also volunteers for the Humane Society rescuing animals who have been abused and neglected. Cami is shocked when her husband leaves her, and she turns to her friends and family, but especially her animals, for love and healing. It's so true that animals/pets can be healing. Reading this made me want a farm full of animals, including a horse, and I'm not a "country" type of person, lol! Even the characters of the animals in this book were each unique and well defined! Whether it was Moonshot, the initially angry but loving to Cami horse, or Muriel, the HILARIOUS goat that they keep finding in the funniest places, or Gerald, the three legged cat. Blessings had a great cast of characters in addition to Cami and the animals to love including the 17-year-old daughter, Gabriella, who is an independent, lovable, deep thinker kind of girl whose character I loved as well. The main subject of this book, however, other than animals' abilities to heal was that of marriage... What does marriage mean? What's the purpose of it? Can it really last? etc. I found this topic fascinating as Cami's marriage ends and she embarks on this philosophical journey. A variety of other couples and relationships were scattered throughout the book that provided different perspectives to think about. Cami's brother is part of "The Davids" as he and his partner are both named Dave, and they battle with the inequalities of the laws of marriage; another couple chooses not to marry despite making a commitment to each other; Gabriella deals with young love and heartbreak, and she enacts a "marriage ban". It was an interesting topic to read about and one that would be great for book clubs. One other aspect I thought was well done was the narration; the book was mainly narrated in first person by Cami. Then every once in a while there would be one chapter narrated in third person from the perspective of another character. There were probably five (or so) of these. It was a great way to get a sneak peek into what the other person was thinking while maintaining the majority of the story from the perspective of Cami. In all, such a well written novel with characters you will love. The reading is engaging from the very beginning and just flowed so well. Cami's growth throughout the book was inspiring as well. Must-Read book by a Must-Read author! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
| 1416563628
| 9781416563624
| 3.62
| 1,197
| Jan 01, 2000
| Mar 03, 2009
|
Starvation Lake was a great, solid, mystery novel that read not just like a mystery genre book, but with more literary elements -- a story about a sma...more
Starvation Lake was a great, solid, mystery novel that read not just like a mystery genre book, but with more literary elements -- a story about a small town with great characters encountering a mystery of their own. Though this was only his debut, Bryan Gruley has already been compared to the likes of Dennis Lehane. (For the record, I haven't read any of his books yet but have heard wonderful things)! Starvation Lake centers around the town of the same name. Gus Carpenter is the editor of the local newspaper, The Pilot, which is sort of bittersweet for him. He was able to escape from his small town years prior, but after a scandal he became involved in at The Detroit Times, he was forced to return home shamefacedly to his peers who never left. So while he has risen to status of editor, he is still running from the drama that ensued in Detroit, wishing he could do more with his career. Ten years prior to the start of the novel (the actual novel, not the epilogue), a popular hockey coach is killed in a snowmobile accident when the snowmobile goes down in the lake. At the beginning of this novel, the snowmobile miraculously surfaces -- only it's on a different lake miles away from where it went down. What does this mean?? Why was the snowmobile never found in the first place? Rumors abound about underground tunnels connecting the lakes or alternate theories to the death of the hockey coach. I was so engaged while reading this novel. Mystery lovers will enjoy the mystery involved, but lovers of fiction in general, especially those of small towns, will also find something to love about this book. Each of the characters had their own quirks; they were greatly defined and contributed to the story so well. Hockey is a huge part of this novel as it sounds like it's quite the popular sport in Michigan. It's the football of Friday Night Lights. If you love hockey or watching sports this whole factor of the novel might reel you in. One of Gus's flaws as emphasized by the rest of the town was his failure, as goalie, to stop the last goal from being made against his team during the championship game when he was a kid. Even though he's grown up and plays for an adult league for fun, he has never lived down the event in itself or the manner in which it effected his self-esteem, knowing he is to blame for disappointing the dreams of the entire town. Another aspect I really enjoyed that I haven't seen much in other books was the behind-the-scenes look at putting together an entire newspaper. They had the job of the typical media wanting to be the first to get certain news out, but being in a small town, they also had to deal with politics in what scandals they published. And if Gus Carpenter was okay with something he still had to run it by the big guys who didn't always see things the same way. I think the thought of being a journalist is so fun and interesting, so seeing it from this perspective was one of my favorite things about this book. They get to write, they get to interview people, investigate situations, etc., and when they decide to report on the story of the previously submerged -- newly surfaced snowmobile, they run into secrets that are scandalous and dangerous. This is definitely the beginning of a series to pay attention to! The second book in this series just recently came out and I can assure you I will be reading it soon, so look out for that review! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0061859478
| 9780061859472
| 3.26
| 218
| 2010
| Jun 29, 2010
|
I almost ended up not participating in this tour because of some postal mishaps that led me to initially not receive this book. But thankfully everyon...more
I almost ended up not participating in this tour because of some postal mishaps that led me to initially not receive this book. But thankfully everyone involved made sure I was still able to get a copy of this debut which I'm thankful for because I would have really missed out had I not read this one. Commuters tells the story of a family of three generations -- it begins with the wedding of Winnie and Jerry, a widow and widower in their late 70's. It's an elaborate wedding, at least considerably so for their ages -- according to most of the younger characters in the story. One of the main issues with this new family is the financial aspect -- Jerry is apparently a wealthy man whose money his daughter, Annette, fears will be distributed otherwise than the initial plan. This leads her to make decisions that only tear her and her father apart, and put strain on the rest of the family. But Winnie's children (well, really just her daughter, Rachel) aren't too much better. They are dealing with their own family turmoil after Rachel's husband suffers a mysterious injury. And then there's Winnie, herself, adjusting to her new way of living and insisting on building an underground pool in her front yard. It's difficult to describe this story and its plot because of its quiet, observant nature. Not that it's devoid of plot, because that's not the case; instead, it's more broad; it's about a family and their difficulties adjusting to changes in their lives -- changes which are enhanced by the marriage of the grandparents but which really just shines a light on what issues were there all along. And though this didn't affect my reading of it, it's also difficult for me to relate, personally, to any of the characters because of my own family situation. I am in a small family with little to no interaction with any extended relatives; therefore, the dynamics of all three generations were those that I'm unfamiliar with but that, I think, others who can relate would appreciate. Along those lines, I'm very unfamiliar with talk of money and wills and who's going to be in the will, etc. though I've had these conversations with friends. All those thoughts are so surreal to me. Maybe it's because I'm not from a wealthy family, but this aspect of the family was fascinating to me -- it's hard for me to imagine having a care or thought about that, but for some families it must be significant... SO THEN imagine your elderly parent basically marrying into another family and how difficult it must be in that sense... forget that you're in your 40's and now have new step-siblings... Anyway, the story is told in 3rd person but from three different points of view: Winnie, the grandmother and new bride; Rachel, her daughter and wife to a man who is no longer working due to that mysterious but significant injury he sustained; and Avery, the young man looking for meaning in his new adult life. (He lives in New York City so that was a surprise treat for me in this book... hehe). The author, Emily Gray Tedrowe, truly did an excellent job with this book; the writing was great and everything was well-paced. And I truly liked the characters and wanted to continue on to see what happened to them. Ironically, I think my least favorite character was the elderly grandfather, Jerry... I don't necessarily think he was meant to be portrayed in a negative light, but I didn't like the role he assumed in the marriage. He seemed sort of controlling to me, sort of like his wife was not an equal in the marriage -- maybe this is due to their age and what they were used to... not sure. But then my favorite character was the 20-year-old Avery. He's sort of stuck in the middle of his mother, Annette, who is not a likable character, but one I bet many can relate to, and his grandfather. Ah, now I seem to be rambling. Basically, if you like enjoyable characters or stories of "family portraits" and the dynamics among family members, you can't go wrong with this thoroughly satisfying, observant story of "commuters". Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0061684228
| 9780061684227
| 3.72
| 334
| May 05, 2009
| May 05, 2009
|
Wowzas. It has been a while since I've read a great fast-paced thriller with lots of action and a strong female character. This was also the first boo...more
Wowzas. It has been a while since I've read a great fast-paced thriller with lots of action and a strong female character. This was also the first book I've read in a while (because of my own crazy schedule and all) where I constantly wanted to pick the book back up and didn't find myself distracted with other thoughts. Running From the Devil takes off right from the first page with a plane being hijacked and crashing into the mountains of Colombia near the Venezuelan border -- an area known for the paramilitary groups and drug cartels that do their business in that region. Emma Caldridge has the fortune to be immediately separated from the rest of the passengers (most of whom do survive), as Emma remains unseen while the rest are taken hostage by Colombian guerrillas. Emma also has the extreme fortune of being an ultra-marathon runner, having the endurance and experience of running up to 100 miles at a time. This is sure to help her, of course, as she tries to travel through the jungle to find rescue while evading her own capture by the guerrillas. The Colombian government, despite alliances with the United States may not be as willing to take part in the rescue of Emma and the other passengers as the U.S. is led to believe. The Department of Defense and a private special forces team they contract with is aware of the situation and battles out the decisions on their end regarding sending it rescue forces or not. Emma has some secrets too though... she had her own agenda for the trip, which was initially supposed to be from Miami to Bogota. As a chemist for a cosmetics company who is constantly working with plants to develop formulas for better skincare and make up, she has already found herself in political danger which she was hoping to put an end to with this trip. There was a fairly balanced mix of Emma's experiences in the Colombian jungle and the political scenes back in DC. I actually enjoy these political scenes in thriller fiction so I, personally, would have enjoyed a tad bit more focus on that, but the rest was great too. I think those who typically read adult books and/or thrillers but enjoyed The Hunger Games will like this book -- it's also like a mix of that and the show Lost (but without the confusing sci-fi aspect). Sure, there were moments where things weren't quite as realistic as I would imagine, but who cares? It was fun and completely enjoyable, and I found a new strong female character to admire. The one thing that did irritate me about her, though, was the dichotomous thoughts she battled about not wanting to kill someone "in cold blood" as opposed to the necessity of saving herself.... I can only imagine that if I were stranded in the jungles of Colombia that were riddled with drug lords and guerrilla who were out to capture, hurt, kill me, etc. and I were in possession of a firearm, I wouldn't have trouble pulling the trigger -- buuuut I haven't been in that position and Emma Caldridge has, so who am I to say? I thought the random ways Emma used plants in the jungle (remember, she's a chemist) were interesting and I liked that the author included in her note at the end of the book where she learned all that information from and how much was true and what had been fictionalized. Very interesting stuff though! This was the first in the series so some of these characters will appear in the next book.... I sort of foresee a love triangle coming which should be fun... we shall see! The second book, Running Dark, was released in June, and I also have a copy of that to review so look out for it because I'll probably be reading it soon! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1400068916
| 9781400068913
| 3.55
| 1,058
| Jul 09, 2010
| Jul 13, 2010
|
What a unique and interesting book this was.... The Thieves of Manhattan is one of those cleverly written books that sort of has a book within a book....more
What a unique and interesting book this was.... The Thieves of Manhattan is one of those cleverly written books that sort of has a book within a book. Sort of. It's hard to explain unless you read it. But basically it is a satirical take on the cutthroat publishing world which, of course, takes place largely in New York City. This book clearly also makes a mockery out of "fake memoirists" such as the famous A Million Little Pieces by James Frey scandal (which if you've been a reader for a while I'm sure you know about but if not it's an author who released a memoir, was on Oprah and all that, then it was learned it was not true and he fabricated much of the main parts of the book). In fact, the author writes a lot about genuineness and the ironies associated with that. And in the end I'm not entirely too sure what the author's stance on it is... I think the purpose of him doing this was more an observation of the publishing industry itself rather than his opinion, per se. The main character is Ian Minot who is an unpublished writer working at Morningside Coffee to pay the bills. He is dating a Ukranian woman, Anya, who is also a writer, and he despises Blade Markham, the latest celebrity memoirist whose memoir Ian thinks is a load of crap. Ian's short stories about his life haven't been picked up by any literary agents because while the writing is okay, there's just nothing exciting about it. Then a run-in with "the confident man" who thoroughly irritates Ian by spending time drinking coffee at Morningside Coffee while reading Blade Markham's book sends Ian's life in a tail spin that leads to his dreamt of involvement in publishing but also leads much further, threatening his life in addition to his integrity. The Thieves of Manhattan is also very creatively done. The author included a 2-3 page "glossary of terms" in the back of the book to explain the words he's renamed according to their literary counterparts: he sleeps on a "proust": n. A bed, particularly when used as the locus of inspiration, taken fro the favored location of the author Marcel Proust. (pg. 258) He hopes that if published he will earn a large "Frazier": n. a particularly large advance for a book, from Charles Frazier, author of Cold Mountain, who was rumored to have received a healthy seven-figure advance for his follow-up novel, Thirteen Moons. (pg. 256) And he jeers at those novelists who try to appear stylish by wearing "Franzens": n. the sort of stylish eyeglasses favored by the author, Jonathan Franzen. (pg. 256) Langer "name drops" throughout whenever he's at some type of publishing party -- he refers to actual people/authors, literary agencies (and possibly agents though I couldn't be sure), and publishers. It made me wonder if he had to have their permission or not, but it was interesting to see everyone appear in the book (including a literary agency I've reviewed books for!). The book is broken up into three parts, and each part is broken up into short "chapters" which are titled and appear randomly wherever they start on the page (meaning the chapters aren't necessarily broken apart by a page). The style made it an easy read. I admit some parts of the book made me laugh out loud and other parts had much more subtle humor, some of which probably flew over my head since I'm not really in the industry. However, I do wonder if those completely outside the industry (because as a book blogger and a wannabe one day author I have actually learned an immense amount about how things work) would be that interested in the plot of this book. It's hard for me to be objective and decide. The ending (like the last fourth or so) was strange for me because it was unrealistic -- which is ironic, but I can't say more to explain that.. you'd have to read it -- cryptic enough? LOL. All in all, was an interesting and creative book. Ultimately, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I had expected, but it was still good. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0394726413
| 9780394726410
| 3.67
| 10,801
| 1984
| Aug 12, 1984
|
In the mood to read another New York book, I picked up Bright Lights, Big City the modern classic published in 1984 about a young man, lost in life, t...more
In the mood to read another New York book, I picked up Bright Lights, Big City the modern classic published in 1984 about a young man, lost in life, trying to find himself in NYC. This book has been lauded by the likes of authors Jonathan Tropper and Jen Lancaster (who titled her book after, Bright Lights, Big Ass, in reference to it). Time magazine also named it one of its nine generation-defining novels. Therefore, I had big expectations for this novel. For the most part it met my expectations. The author, Jay McInerney, described the 1980's New York nightlife where everyone snorts cocaine mindlessly on the regular. His wife, who works as a model, calls from France to tell him she's staying there and basically hopes his life goes well for him. He works for a fact department in an agency where he reads through other people's fiction to correct any incorrect "facts" but it hasn't helped him rise to the fiction department which was his goal in the first place. His friend, Ted Allagash, calls him up every night to party at random clubs. While I found the 182 page romp through 1980's New York interesting, I'm fairly certain I read it much too superficially. The significance of most of it probably slipped through my fingers. Just from the little I've read written about it on various websites, I see that I didn't "get it". I wonder if some of what was so loved about this book was that it was innovative and enlightening for its time. (?) Anyway, even though it was an "easy" read, I feel like some cliff notes might help me out a little. Unless any of you have read it and can explain to me what I was supposed to have gotten from it? Oh! I almost forgot to mention this book is written in second person. It might be the first book I've read like this, and while I normally wouldn't like it, it worked for this book, and I still felt like I was reading about another person rather than feeling like I was him. It's almost like I'm reading something he wrote to himself. Sounds strange but it actually worked out fine, lol. Anyway, I'm way behind the times on this because apparently there was a movie based on this book with Michael J. Fox and Keifer Sutherland from 1988, an off-broadway musical for a little bit in 1999, and was performed on stage in the UK in 2009 (just last year!) I guess that's how out of the loop you can get when you're only 2-years-old when the book is published, lol. But apparently they are also re-making the movie, set to release in 2013. So... I will be watching the original movie soon and will return here to review it! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1935597043
| 9781935597049
| 3.13
| 156
| Jul 13, 2010
| Jul 13, 2010
|
Unless you're new to reading my blog, you're probably aware of my love for all things New York City. There is something so real about the city, and it...more
Unless you're new to reading my blog, you're probably aware of my love for all things New York City. There is something so real about the city, and it's full of such history. And the variety in culture and people in New York is something that continues to draw me to it. My family makes fun of me for a remark I made after returning from my first trip to NYC when I said that I felt like I "belonged" in NYC more than I do here in Florida where I grew up. (But it's true). On my most recent trip to the city, I was able to spend some time with a good friend of mine in Queens. She took us on a tour of the borough she absolutely loves and calls home. Her passion for this part of New York was contagious. I could have walked around the streets of Queens all day just taking in the world around me. I feel this way about all the parts of the city I've visited so far. So it only seemed natural that I would feel the need to read The Last Block in Harlem by Christopher Herz -- his own love story for yet another part of New York City. Coincidentally, the same friend from Queens (Sarah) and I had a conversation that day about the gentrification of Harlem. Say the world, Harlem, and look at the automatic thoughts that run through your mind. It's probably thought of as a rough kind of place and dangerous. So for some, the thought of beautifying the city and transforming it into a new safe place to live might be desirable. But then what happens to the culture, the history? Or the people who have spent their entire lives in Harlem and can no longer afford the lofty rent payments, increased by the said gentrification of the city? The Last Block in Harlem explores this topic, the connection a group of people has to their neighborhood, which is an extension of their lives. This book is narrated in first person and is about a man who takes it upon himself to start cleaning up the streets of his block in Harlem. He doesn't do it for payment or rewards of any kind. It's merely for him and his home. This contemporary novel has some existentialist themes running through it reminding me in parts of the main characters from The Unnamed and The Financial Lives of the Poets. Our main character is tired of his meaningless life as a copywriter for an advertising agency and decides to leave his job to focus on finding meaning in his life; and it just so starts with his cleaning up his block. But these actions lead to media attention and ultimately real estate agencies start looking into Harlem and its real estate potential. This man then has to turn things around and find a way to bring the block's inhabitants together to protect their homes from being taken over. Though short, at only 215 pages, The Last Block in Harlem is thorough and complex and can't necessarily be considered a light read. There isn't a large amount of action at any given time; in fact, much of the mentioned plot doesn't occur until halfway through the book. In the way that many books are character studies, this one is, in a sense, a "neighborhood study", with snapshots of the people that make up the neighborhood. Alongside this storyline and complementing the character's period of enlightenment is that of the man's relationship with his wife, Namuna. That he is absolutely in love with his wife is never in question -- but how he shows his love for her while going through this part of his life is. The storyline between the two of them did confuse me at times, and the place where their relationship ultimately goes was strange to me. Because there's so much to contemplate in this book, it's possible I didn't catch on to the significance of this part, so for me it's the only part I would have maybe preferred to be different. I was certainly taken away to the streets of Harlem while reading this book and could feel Herz's love for the city. The descriptions painted for me a clear picture of the neighborhood, and the dialogue between all the characters contributed to the atmosphere of the novel. And I can't fail to mention how much I love the cover of this book! I also can't finish this review without mentioning a little about the author. I had the opportunity to meet him at the book blogger convention this past May. He talked about how when he first wrote this book, he walked the streets of New York City every day selling it individually to anyone who was willing to listen to him. He was even featured in an article in Publishers Weekly and shortly after was offered a publishing deal from Amazon's new publishing house, Amazon Encore. On his blog, Herz Words, the author has placed pictures with a short caption of all those individuals who bought the copies of the book that he hand sold individually. It's sort of fun, so check it out. The Last Block in Harlem exuded for me a passion for that block in New York City. It was a deep, thoughtful read that I feel could really use a second read through to truly grasp everything the author intended. Those who love this city or can relate to the passion for one's own neighborhood will likely enjoy this book. Same for those who enjoy reading about a person's search for their true identity and meaning in their life. Great debut.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0439023491
| 9780439023498
| 4.30
| 926,108
| Sep 01, 2009
| Sep 01, 2009
|
With the release of the final book in the trilogy right around the corner in August, I figured now would be a good time to read Catching Fire, the sec...more
With the release of the final book in the trilogy right around the corner in August, I figured now would be a good time to read Catching Fire, the second in the Hunger Games trilogy. You can check out my "mini-review" of The Hunger Games here. As you can tell from that review, or in case you didn't read it, I had mediocre feelings about the first book after reading it. It was okay once I got into it, but I didn't exude the passion for the book that so many did. But I have to say maybe because of that Catching Fire exceeded my expectations and was a fun and thrilling read. I have tried my best to keep this review spoiler-free... you can at least rest assured that I include less information than what you'll find in a synopsis online. Rebellion. Uprising. Defiance. All words that the government of Panem doesn't want to hear. After all, wasn't that the point of the Hunger Games in the first place? To show who's in charge and let the citizens of Panem know who has all the power? Catching Fire starts off after the Hunger Games has ended. The victors and families are living in the Victor's Village, and they embark on the traditional victor tour to all 12 districts and to the Capital. Without necessarily meaning to, Katniss has incited the start of a rebellion. Her actions during the games sparked some thoughts in the citizens of some of the districts and now they're starting to rebel. President Snow has to stop this, of course, so he makes a visit to Katniss to impart some "advice" to her. But Katniss doesn't realize the significance her role, or that of "the mockingjay", has played in the different districts. On top of that, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Hunger Games. Each "quarter quell" has a new twist to it, and this year's twist shocks everyone and sets forth an entirely new set of dynamics. The love triangle between Katniss with Peeta and Gale continues as well, and some new characters are introduced that you might love or might hate. For me, The Hunger Games was almost about getting your feet wet -- just testing out the water to see how cold it is. Maybe slowly easing yourself in as your body temperature adjusts to the shocking cold of the water. While it was a novel in itself, The Hunger Games, turned out to be merely an introduction to the story of Panem. Following this example, Catching Fire, is about immersing yourself in the water, swimming and throwing around a beach ball and timing how long you can tread water just for fun (Jackie, Jessica.... if you're reading this.... ) and gasping for breath when after 15 minutes no one has dropped out yet.... I felt the story in Catching Fire was more sophisticated and involved -- and will make you grasp for breath as well. ;) The pace was fast because it seemed there was so much more to fit into this story. There were random twists (or simple cliff hangers) that shocked me. And as for this love triangle... in The Hunger Games I couldn't decide if I was Team Peeta or Team Gale because I didn't really care -- I lacked a connection to most of the characters. But this time I felt more invested -- this time my decision wavered between the two because I want to be both! (Though I think I'm leaning towards Team Gale). I thought this was a great sequel for all these reasons. It had more social and political themes. Action. Twists. And yet maintained the important parts of the first book. Now, I know people have mentioned they were glad Mockingjay comes out in August and they can read it soon, but I don't recall reading any reviews that warned readers that we should hold out on reading this one until closer to August if at all possible... because while The Hunger Games does end on its own, Catching Fire doesn't so much; instead it stops at what might be a good stop to put the book down if you need to check on dinner real quick. It's not really an ending and THIS IS WHY you will want to go out and buy Mockingay right away! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0385527691
| 9780385527699
| 3.66
| 1,706
| Jan 01, 2010
| Jun 15, 2010
|
I thoroughly enjoyed Carolyn Parkhurst's first 2 books, Dogs of Babel and Lost and Found, which were both fast paced, light, and intriguing reads, so...more
I thoroughly enjoyed Carolyn Parkhurst's first 2 books, Dogs of Babel and Lost and Found, which were both fast paced, light, and intriguing reads, so I was excited when I heard she had a new book coming out. The idea was certainly unique; the different nature took a bit to get used to but was engaging after that. Octavia Frost is the best-selling author of 7 novels who has just traveled to New York City to personally hand in the manuscript for what she hopes will be her next novel. In an unprecedented twist, Octavia has changed the endings to all of her novels and compiled them in her new book she's entitled The Nobodies Album in reference to a conversation she once had with her famous rock star son, Milo Frost; the book is also an indirect attempt to re-initiate a relationship with her son with whom she has been estranged for the past 4 years for reasons that are cleverly intertwined with the other plot points. Upon walking through Times Square, Octavia is gobsmacked when she reads on the news ticker (I assume above the Good Morning America studio -- go GMA! check out my love for GMA and all things New York here) that her son has just been arrested for the murder (MURDER?!) of his girlfriend, Bettina Moffett. Octavia quickly drops her manuscript with her agent, canceling lunch, and rushes out to California where she hopes for the chance to support her son and prove what must be his innocense. Mingled within the story of Octavia and her son, are the original and revised endings to her previous novels. Each novel is introduced with the title and year of publishing followed by the synopsis from the jacket cover. We then read the entire original ending, and, after that, the parts she changed. This was initially difficult to get used to because of its choppy nature in the narrative and also because I didn't find most of the first featured novel that interesting. After that, though, I was surprisingly entranced within the endings of the other stories, finding that I almost forgot I was reading a slice of a novel within another novel. The story of Octavia and her son, however, was even more interesting than those endings and was the driving force that kept me hooked. Parkhurst evoked such genuine emotion in her character, Octavia, that I felt as though I were reading the deeply personal reflections of a mother's struggles to reconnect with her son combined with her regrets over her actions that led to their estrangement; the emotions were so genuine that for the majority of the novel I confused myself on more than one occasion, feeling as though I were reading non-fiction. She describes, without necessarily stating bluntly, the way in which she walks on thin ice around her son for fear that if she says or does something wrong she'll be alienated from him again. In addition to the strained nuances of the mother/son relationship, Octavia delves deeply into the life of a writer and cogitates on what it's like to be a writer and how each book is and is not an extension of the authors themselves. The Nobodies Album was an interesting and satisfying read. While reading it I felt like though I enjoyed it, it wasn't as much as I did with her previous novels. But the more I've thought about it since completing this book, the more I realized how well-done this novel was and how it deserves it's own consideration rather than being compared to the other novels. The one thing I didn't quite catch on to was what each of the stories had to do, if anything, with the primary storyline. They all related in some way to the author's life, but I feel like maybe I missed some of the significance. Regardless, a good read -- Carolyn Parkhurst has a part of her site dedicated to this book... it's set up like the website for Octavia Frost, and they even have covers to some of the novels we read about in The Nobodies Album. It's sort of fun... check it out! Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 067002189X
| 9780670021895
| 3.47
| 987
| Jul 01, 2010
| Jul 08, 2010
|
I'd like to set the tone for this review by quoting the (perfect) first paragraph of this book which immediately hooked me for it's beauty and its app...more
I'd like to set the tone for this review by quoting the (perfect) first paragraph of this book which immediately hooked me for it's beauty and its appeal. (You can read the entire first page at the author's website as well). "On the day Contess Carolina Fantoni was married, only one other living person knew that she was going blind, and he was not her groom. This was not because she had failed to warn them. 'I am going blind,' she had blurted to her mother, in the welcome dimness of the family coach, her eyes still bright with tears from the searing winter sun. By this time, her peripheral vision was already gone. Carolina could feel her mother take her hand, but she had to turn to see her face. When she did, her mother kissed her, her own eyes full of pity. 'I have been in love, too,' she said, and looked away." (pg. 1) The Blind Contessa's New Machine is a charming and elegantly told novel about a young woman, Carolina Fantoni, in 1800's Italy who realizes she is going blind. She exemplifies strong human spirit and courage despite virtually lacking the support most people would find essential to make it through something so drastically life-changing. She tries to tell her loved ones (including her fiance, Pietro), but they're all sadly dismissive of her and think she's making something out of nothing. Only one person really believes and understands her -- her childhood friend, Turri, from whom her mother has warned her against since he is married and it wouldn't be good to start any rumors. Years later Turri, with his predilection for invention and in an act of love, provides Carolina with a writing machine he's created so that she can write and communicate with the world. This story is based on the true history of one of the first typewriters that was, indeed, made for an Italian woman who was going blind. This unique and compact story is full of such beautiful and lyrical prose that, if for no other reason, it should be savored for the writing alone. And Carey Wallace has such an enchanting style of storytelling with subtle humor (from Pietro's clueless-ness to the widespread jealousy over Carolina's writing machine) and alluring descriptions which are used increasingly as Carolina's sight fades more and more and her memories and dreams take on new significance. Here's an example: "Silk whispered as it rose from her floor and sighed faintly when put to rest in her wardrobe. Cut-glass bottles of perfumes and cream clanked gently. The panels of her curtains brushed the floor as they were drawn open. Wind poured through the window, bringing with it the memory of the long green slope of the yard. The wind was bitingly cold; Carolina's mind instantly stripped the summer trees of their leaves and blanketed the gardens with snow." (pg. 82) And in another example of her writing, this is a description of how enamored the girls are over a young Pietro. "A girl could live for weeks on a single glance from him. His small compliments and offhand remarks formed a new scripture, and in breathless conversations and lonely, dream-drunk nights they built whole theologies from them. Any real attention paid to one girl -- two dances in an evening, a flower broken from a bush to decorate her dress -- was liable to elicit tears or bitter jealousy from the others, and in one case, a fit of fainting, although Pietro seemed blissfully unaware of the reason for the scuffle even as the unfortunate girl's father and brother carried her from the party. He thereby revealed a lack of self-consciousness about his own powers that only further endeared him to both the ladies and his friends." (pg. 25) Throughout the course of The Blind Contessa's New Machine, the reader is taken on a journey with Carolina. In addition to being blind, Carolina deals with romance and a love triangle involving a passionate affair and a love that is, over time, unrequited on her part. The storytelling was intelligent and there was more to the story than what was on the surface -- though I have to admit there were moments when it went over my head... but that's due to fault of my own and not any of the author, and at least I recognized that. =) The Blind Contessa's New Machine is a beautiful example of literary fiction that will find a place in your heart from the first paragraph. Check out this page on the author's website to see a copy of one of the first letters written on this real life typewriter as well as other information about herself and the book. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1429972378
| 9781429972376
| 3.96
| 18,489
| Jul 06, 2010
| Jul 06, 2010
|
The pre-release buzz for this book has been astounding! The author even went on a pre-publication tour already for this book. It has been featured in...more
The pre-release buzz for this book has been astounding! The author even went on a pre-publication tour already for this book. It has been featured in magazines already and is on everyone's must-read list. And what do I think? Well, when I first started reading it, I thought "no, I don't even know if I want to read the rest"; then later I thought "yes, definitely, it's a MUST read, it's so good! Can't wait to finish reading it!"; and now that I'm done, I'm somewhere in the middle... it is good so if you like the genre, definitely read it and that way you'll at least be in the know. If you don't like this genre already, this may not be the book for you. It starts out with Realtor Annie O'Sullivan finishing up an open house she was working that day. One last straggler comes to check out the house; he is handsome and charming, and Annie agrees to show him around. The next thing she knows this man has abducted her and is holding her captive in a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. He wants her to submit to him like a "good wife". "The Freak", which is how Annie refers to him, holds her captive for a year while messing with her psyche -- he creates a routine for her, bathes her himself, only allows her to pee on schedule, etc. The reader knows from the outset that Annie has escaped this situation. In a creative manner, each chapter is a new session for Annie with her therapist (or "shrink" as she refers to her). She begins by speaking to her therapist about present day issues and how she is adjusting, and then she returns to telling the history of her entire captivity. The therapist does not have a voice in this novel which works well since it's Annie's story that we're interested in; nevertheless, the reader has an idea what the therapist tells Annie based on her reactions and thoughts. My initial thoughts after the first 20-40 pages was to question why I even chose to read this. I feared that the entire book would be a graphic description of what "The Freak" did to her during that year. The tone of the novel was so angry, too, that I didn't think this would be an enjoyable read in any way, and I almost set it down. I figured out shortly after that I needed to separate myself from the character rather than empathizing with her like I would most characters because otherwise what she endured felt too personal and difficult to read. Once I did that, I was able to return to the reading (but with some trepidation). It was easier to read after that and I became HOOKED! I HAD to know what else happened, how and when did she escape, and then what happened after that?? There were moments that I still think some readers will have intense difficulty reading about, but it wasn't as horrific as I'd imagined; I continued to feel anxious reading on, though, because I was afraid of what was to come next and whether it would be too graphic or creepy for me to read. This novel certainly had a unique premise, and it kept me engaged and wanting to learn more. Even after her release (which surprised me even though I knew it was coming) the story kept moving as the motivations behind the kidnapping were investigated. But then the ending.... The way the mystery wrapped up and the reasons behind it.... I just didn't buy it (or like it, for that matter). It felt too random, despite the explanation; even though I usually don't guess the endings, this was certainly not expected, and it didn't seem to connect to anything else to give me an "ah-ha" moment. It just was. And why?! (Why?? I'd like to discuss this with others so let me know when you've read it!) I was thoroughly engrossed in this book until the moment the mystery was solved -- and then I felt confusion which was followed shortly thereafter by disappointment. Despite my utter disappointment at the ending, I would still recommend this book because it was one of those that (after the first 40 pages anyway) I looked forward to reading, and I wanted to sneak in as much time as I could during every free moment to read more -- not because I needed to finish it for review, or because I felt obligated to read it, but because I was genuinely absorbed in the story. In that sense, Still Missing, was a true thriller, and fans of the genre will enjoy this thrilling read. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 0345471016
| 9780345471017
| 3.79
| 9,244
| May 2010
| May 04, 2010
|
What a fabulously, well-crafted novel this was! Despite being an utterly city-obsessed girl myself, I was absolutely drawn into the life of the charac...more
What a fabulously, well-crafted novel this was! Despite being an utterly city-obsessed girl myself, I was absolutely drawn into the life of the characters in this small Kansas town. The Scent of Rain and Lightning starts out in the present time. Jody Linder (29-years-old) is approached at her home by her three uncles who inform her that Bill Crosby, the man who has served 26 of 40 years in jail for murdering her father (and potentially her mother), has been released due to his sentence being commuted. This scandal rocks the small farming town where everyone knows everyone. In fact, Jody has grown up alongside Collin Crosby, son of the infamous Bill Crosby; Collin, now a fledgling attorney, has used his new litigious skills to secure a new trial for his father in an attempt to prove his innocence. The book then returns back 26 years to the days leading up to the murder of Jody's father. This portion of the novel takes up much more than I expected; in fact, after the first chapter, the rest of the first half of the book focuses on this time frame. This book was not a quick whodunit type of mystery -- and thank goodness, because had it been that, the reader would not have had an opportunity to relish Nancy Pickard's fantastic storytelling. Through deliberate pacing, Pickard crafted a story full of unearthed family secrets and snapshots of small town/country living. And like the tornadoes so well known to Kansas, Pickard sweeps the reader up into the atmosphere of her story. I adored getting to know the characters in this town as well as observing the dynamics in the Linder family. The mystery picked up more near the end and, although I thought I had guessed the ending, I was still caught off guard which contributed to my enjoyment of the novel. The tension between families was also an interesting observation, as Jody had to grow up with not only those who interacted with both her family and that of the convicted murderer, but his actual son as well. I most definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy reading fiction in general. I listened to the audio version of this book and thought the production was wonderful. Tavia Gilbert narrated well, and I liked most of the character voice changes; the one that kept pulling me out of the story was her interpretation of 3-year-old Jody -- but I'll admit half the time it hit me as strange but at other times it was sort of cute and worked. Taken from my blog at www.takemeawayreading.com(less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
|
Jun 12, 2011
| Hardcover
|
Loading...
