This somewhat creepy tale of a third grade teacher who insinuates herself into a student's glamorous family left me feeling duped. Much is made of Nor...moreThis somewhat creepy tale of a third grade teacher who insinuates herself into a student's glamorous family left me feeling duped. Much is made of Nora's anger, and yet when the climax comes (way too late in my opinion) I was disappointed in the resulting action. Shallow, I know, but I definitely wanted more payoff for how long I had to listen to Nora's whining. However, the writing is spectacular, and I e-highlighted dozens of passages. But do not be fooled by the opening chapters, this book is all about the internal as opposed to the external. For a much better book on a parasitic outsider finding a family to feed on, try Alys, Always(less)
Meh. This "Gossip Girl for Grown-ups" suffered from my high expectations. I expect a lot when EW proclaims a novel the new Gone Girl, and in my opinio...moreMeh. This "Gossip Girl for Grown-ups" suffered from my high expectations. I expect a lot when EW proclaims a novel the new Gone Girl, and in my opinion this one didn't deliver. The prose was solid but unimaginative and the twists a little forced. And I did not for a moment believe the identity of the author of Gracefully. By far the best part of the book was Amelia's voice, which was smart and believable, and the book is worth reading (and three stars) for that. (less)
A very well executed doomed romance. I laughed and cried in all the right places. I was fully aware of the fact that I was being emotionally manipulat...moreA very well executed doomed romance. I laughed and cried in all the right places. I was fully aware of the fact that I was being emotionally manipulated but I didn't care because the writing was witty and the characterizations rang true. It reminded me of in tone of One Day and in content of The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving. Now that's two books I've read recently on unlikely caregivers having their lives changed by their quirky charges. An emerging trend or just my own morbidity? (less)
While I wish I had read the book before I saw the movie, the movie did intrigue me enough to want to read the book. The differences in characterizatio...moreWhile I wish I had read the book before I saw the movie, the movie did intrigue me enough to want to read the book. The differences in characterization and plot between the two mediums are minimal in the beginning, but then the plot takes a major turn in the book that made reading the book worthwhile. I liked both book and movie quite a bit for their honest portrayals of family dynamics and oddballs on the edge and would recommend both--but don't make the mistake I made. Read the book first. (less)
Moody, mysterious and imbued with a subtle humor, this story of a woman who turns up on her family's doorstep on Christmas Day after having gone missi...moreMoody, mysterious and imbued with a subtle humor, this story of a woman who turns up on her family's doorstep on Christmas Day after having gone missing for twenty years was the perfect holiday read. Tara, who disappeared when she was sixteen, appears twenty years later looking no older than the day she left. Her family and old boyfriend, now middle aged, can't believe the story she tells: that a man on a white horse took her away to a strange land for six months and while she was there, twenty years passed in their small English village. Are fairies real? Each member of Tara's family tries to come to terms with her sudden reappearance and the troubling fact of her still youthful appearance. Despite a not quite satisfactory ending, this lovely book held me in thrall with its suggestion that there is an unseen world just around the next tree trunk that would be open to us if we would only turn off all our little machines for a minute and look. (less)
A highly enjoyable spy caper. The domestic detail of an American family living abroad in Europe was engrossing, and the setting felt fresh and exotic....moreA highly enjoyable spy caper. The domestic detail of an American family living abroad in Europe was engrossing, and the setting felt fresh and exotic. While there were a few too many blind alleys that exCIA agent Kate Moore had to go down in order to find out if her mild mannered husband Dexter was as duplicitous as she, it was still an entertaining yarn that would make a great holiday gift for almost anyone who enjoys a page turner or needs a gripping story for train or plane travel. (less)
I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. Lizbeth is wonderfully drawn, other characters just meh. At least now I know what the story is about. But I doubt...moreI didn't love it, I didn't hate it. Lizbeth is wonderfully drawn, other characters just meh. At least now I know what the story is about. But I doubt I would have had the patience for all that financial scandal stuff in prose. I haven't read the books or seen the movies, mostly because I understood there to be some graphic violence against women. The violence here is also awful, but at least in a GN I can quickly skim over it. (less)
This graphic memoir about a young artist struggling with manic depression is like the chatty little sister to the works of Alison Bechdel. While Forne...moreThis graphic memoir about a young artist struggling with manic depression is like the chatty little sister to the works of Alison Bechdel. While Forney's work is less dense than Bechdel's, it is just as interesting and forthright. I initially picked this one up because Forney is the artist/illustrator of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. But I was quickly drawn into her tale of twenty-something angst where she tried to use her bipolar diagnosis to her creative advantage, exploring the number of artists who were also known to be suffering from manic depression. For anyone who's ever wondered where creativity comes from, how our emotions play into it, and whether or not modern therapeutic drugs dampen our imaginative impulses. (less)
I downloaded this book because I read somewhere how much Stephen King loved it. While this story of a haunted modern house is written in lavishly lave...moreI downloaded this book because I read somewhere how much Stephen King loved it. While this story of a haunted modern house is written in lavishly lavender prose, I couldn't put the damn thing down until I finished it in two days. Besides shivering at the schlocky shock value of how each family who lives in the house is systematically destroyed, I very much enjoyed picking out the details that marked this book as being published in 1978. There are lots of parties thrown with hostesses wearing silky pajamas, usually emerald green, and serving highballs while a fug of cigarette smokes hangs over the wet bar. Also, characters are constantly asking each other if they need to use the house phone, in case theirs isn't working or hasn't been turned on yet. It was sweetly nostalgic to read an exchange between the main character and a phone operator as she tried to find out her neighbor's new number. Ah, the days before cellies. Awesome, no? Yes, it was often silly in its earnestness and high seventies setting, but at the heart of the horror is a love story, narrated by the wife of a blessed couple who live next door to the baby Shining house. Their fulfilling, affluent life is also destroyed by the house, but it is touching how they cling to each other in its shadow. And there is a bit of message here under all the gruesome, which is that money and things can't protect you from tragedy (even if the tragedy here is paranormal). Entirely a fast food read, but I enjoyed every greasy bite. (less)
The plot of this novel (middle aged man tried to find himself though professional caregiving to a MS stricken teen after a horrible tragedy causes his...moreThe plot of this novel (middle aged man tried to find himself though professional caregiving to a MS stricken teen after a horrible tragedy causes his family to fall apart) belies it's..well, humor. For such a dark topic, it's really very funny, but I got doubtful looks every time I tried to sell it as such when I was reading it. So fine, if you like bleak books you'll like it, if you like coal black humor you'll like it, and if you like bleak books rife with coal black humor, well then you've hit the jackpot. I would have liked it a bit more had there been more focus on the snarky disabled teen, there was too much middle aged wallowing in some parts. But overall an enjoyable, thoughtful read. (less)
A truly masterful set of short stories from a true master. Donoghue's leitmotif of turning odd little snippets of history into revealing fictional por...moreA truly masterful set of short stories from a true master. Donoghue's leitmotif of turning odd little snippets of history into revealing fictional portraits is utterly fascinating. I enjoyed all the stories, but had a handful of favorites. "The Widow's Cruse" about a greedy lawyer who thought he could hoodwink a grieving widow but was instead taken for a ride and "Vanitas" about a spoiled Southern teen whose unthinking action causes a family to be torn apart were sharp and telling, but the best offering in my opinion was the accomplished "Counting the Days," in which a man and his wife, separated by a country and a sea, travel towards each other but are ultimately frustrated by unforeseen circumstances. Each paragraph switches back from one to the other seamlessly, creating one complete narrative of impassioned longing. Gorgeous. (less)
“We’re all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one...more“We’re all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one.” This moving, yet matter-of-fact memoir of a editor and his well traveled, well read mother’s book discussions during the last two years of her life while she was dying from pancreatic cancer was a surprisingly comforting Hurricane Sandy read. Will and his mother Mary Anne’s literary exchanges were poignant, insightful and a lovely homage to the power and solace of the written word. I couldn’t help but amass a huge list of “to-reads” as I went along, but if you don’t feel like jotting down or downloading titles as you go, there is a handy index in the back of all the books discussed. A wonderfully sad but satisfying book about books that would pair nicely with Francine Prose’s Reading Like a Writer:(less)
This slow burning domestic drama about a sparrow of a woman trying to pass herself off as a peacock reminded me favorably of Ruth Rendell's later work...moreThis slow burning domestic drama about a sparrow of a woman trying to pass herself off as a peacock reminded me favorably of Ruth Rendell's later work. I admired the author's ability to convey just enough detail about the privileged and luxurious family the protagonist is attempting to gain entrance to through nefarious means. A wonderfully insidious thriller for folks who think they don't like thrillers. (less)
I chose this stalker/revenge fantasy as a follow-up read to the very fine Gone Girl. I'll admit it, I wanted more twisted relationship thrills. But wh...moreI chose this stalker/revenge fantasy as a follow-up read to the very fine Gone Girl. I'll admit it, I wanted more twisted relationship thrills. But while DC reliably delivered on the goosebumps, it did so rather cheaply. I just don't have the stomach anymore for abusive-boyfriend-brutality, the graphic climax where the stalker does exactly what you know he's going to made me a little sick in a B-movie sort of way. What I did appreciate was the author's inventive execution (pre-attack party girl protagonist narrates parallel to post-attack paranoid protagonist) and the detailed description of the protagonist's OCD, which makes the reader feel as closed in and claustrophobic as she does. There are a couple of good twists near the end as well, but all in all, not much more than a quickie suspense story that relies a bit too much on our morbid fascination with the baser side of humanity. (less)
It's been a long time since I've been so singularly entertained by a novel. This story of a picture perfect marriage between two unapologetic liars th...moreIt's been a long time since I've been so singularly entertained by a novel. This story of a picture perfect marriage between two unapologetic liars that unravels in the most bizarre of ways surprises at every turn. Just when you think you know what's going on and who to root for, the plot flip flops on you and you find yourself suddenly cheering for the other team (who only seems slightly less crazy than the one you started out with). Librarian folk will especially love the detail that one of the main characters served as the inspiration for her psychologist parents' juvenile book series about "Amazing Amy." SVH, anyone? Sharp, revealing and just great twisted fun, Gone Girl is completely, thoroughly absorbing. This should be your first beach thriller of the season. I promise you won't be disappointed. (less)
A terrifying trip through Meangirlville. The writing is five star (I can't even count how many passages I highlighted) but not all the characterizatio...moreA terrifying trip through Meangirlville. The writing is five star (I can't even count how many passages I highlighted) but not all the characterizations rang true and the mystery had too many red herrings for me. In some ways, it reads like the grown up version of Daughters of Eve by Lois Duncan. The accompanying NYT article written by the author about cheerleaders is edifying supplemental reading: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/the...(less)
Dense, dark and deep. I didn't get the "comic" part of this "comic drama" unless it's the absurdity of the the uber-talented and tormented Bechdel try...moreDense, dark and deep. I didn't get the "comic" part of this "comic drama" unless it's the absurdity of the the uber-talented and tormented Bechdel trying and failing to elicit her somewhat cold and intellectual mother's love and then finally coming to terms with her mother's inability to react to her in the way she wants. I didn't think Fun Home (which I loved) was all that funny either, even though it was labeled a "tragicomic." These are both extremely personal stories of self enlightenment and analysis that make you turn a discerning eye on your own family relationships. Just like in Fun Home when Bechdel examines her father's life and lies using classic literature, here she dissects her relationship with her mother through the writings of Frued, Jung, Virginia Woolf and a 1920's pediatric psychologist named Donald Winnicott. All of the writing excerpts she includes makes me want to read more. In fact, this may be the book that finally moves me to read To the Lighthouse. Fascinating stuff, but certainly not an easy read or a light one. Though it can sometimes feel navel-gazing, I find Bechdel's willingness to publicly examine her life and therapy in minute detail incredibly brave. (less)
The writing in this memoir is as rich and ripe as the food the author describes. The way Hamilton ties together life, food and memory is nothing short...more
The writing in this memoir is as rich and ripe as the food the author describes. The way Hamilton ties together life, food and memory is nothing short of...delicious! I was captivated the entire time I was reading it by her luscious prose, which makes every experience she relates, whether it be taking orders as a coked up teenage waitress in Manhattan or clinging to the back of her husband's motorcycle in Italy, a sensuous experience that you can see, smell and above all taste. She's also tough and honest when it comes to telling the truth about her failed marriage, the exhaustion of motherhood and her fierce ambition. This is not a chronological narrative, Hamilton jumps around and captures significant moments in her life that she feels ended up influencing her choice to become a chef in some way. I'm just sorry I waited so long to read it when the honorable Laura Lutz (if you're not reading her food blog, Pinot & Prose, what are you waiting for?) recommended it ages ago. But one thing I won't wait to do is eat at Hamilton's restaurant, Prune. I finished the book yesterday and have reservations for tonight. And I have no doubt that the food is going to live up to the prose! (less)
A pitch-perfect tale of unrequited love. No one in the Peter Cameron's 1950's goth-y tale is happy, but oh, what splendid wallowing their miserable li...moreA pitch-perfect tale of unrequited love. No one in the Peter Cameron's 1950's goth-y tale is happy, but oh, what splendid wallowing their miserable lives make! While this at first seems like a simple historical fiction of intertwined lives and unexpected fates, Cameron's polished, confident prose takes it to another level and makes readers feel as though they have discovered a long lost classic. I only wished it was a bit longer.(less)
I chose this novel because it continued the lives of the characters from Emily, Alone. But every one in this modestly dysfunctional family is so disap...moreI chose this novel because it continued the lives of the characters from Emily, Alone. But every one in this modestly dysfunctional family is so disappointed in themselves and each other that it was hard to find someone to root for or deeply care about. My favorite by far was booky teenage Ella, who is struggling with her sexual identity and has a secret crush on her cousin Sarah. Reliably chock full of great O'Nan domestic detail, but ultimately unsatisfying as none of the characters resolves his or her quietly desperate issues by book's end. (less)
Both specific and sprawling, this exquisite 2012 National Book Award nonfiction winner examines the lives and hopes of a handful of families that live...moreBoth specific and sprawling, this exquisite 2012 National Book Award nonfiction winner examines the lives and hopes of a handful of families that live in a Mumbai slum with clear eyed compassion. Like many American readers, I was shocked by the amount of government corruption that impedes the progress of the lower class and in most cases, makes it impossible to for them to achieve any measure of safety or security. Hard reading, but a compelling and honest portrayal of unforgettable individuals struggling to survive in an unimaginable place where nothing is certain. (less)
Really, is there any author who tells a story as satisfyingly as Stephen King? No sleight of hand, no vague endings, just a compulsively readable stor...moreReally, is there any author who tells a story as satisfyingly as Stephen King? No sleight of hand, no vague endings, just a compulsively readable story, well told and always with a nicely tied up conclusion. I wasn't initially too excited about this time travel tale of an English teacher named Jake who is cursed with the task of heading back to 1963 in order to stop the Kennedy assassination. But I was drawn in by Jake's love of a simpler time and his naiveté that by simply resetting history he would be doing the world a great big favor. Of course, that's not how it goes down, and Jake soon learns that the past not only doesn't want to be changed, it has teeth and isn't afraid to do whatever it has to to maintain the status quo. There were some long middle sections about Lee Harvey Oswald, who Jake must learn everything about, that caused my eyes to glaze over some, but the shocking climax and bittersweet end more than made up for it. This is also a terrific love story about finding The One (Jake's 1960's squeeze, a swoony librarian named Sadie) and falling head over heels for a time and place that doesn't exist anymore. (less)
This gothic mountain tale about a pair of feral twins and the backwoods aunt who takes them under her wing after their mother is murdered by her redne...moreThis gothic mountain tale about a pair of feral twins and the backwoods aunt who takes them under her wing after their mother is murdered by her redneck lover is a much leaner, meaner read than the author's previous works, Cold Mountain and Thirteen Moons. Each character is fully realized (including a scene-stealing elderly pony named Sally) and the rural, 1960's North Carolina setting is beautifully evoked. The creepy black pond in the middle of nowhere that features prominently in the climax is particularly unsettling, and adds a sense of magically real menace. The ending wasn't quite as satisfying as I hoped, but Frazier's rich prose helped lessen the pain. If Cold Mountain was a better movie than book for you, give Frazier another chance with Nightwoods. A pitch perfect read for this spooky time of year. (less)
The Leftovers contains the usual solid, well constructed Perrotta prose. The premise was intriguing and unsettling, and Perrotta leaves readers with n...moreThe Leftovers contains the usual solid, well constructed Perrotta prose. The premise was intriguing and unsettling, and Perrotta leaves readers with no easy answers. Great potential for a book club--there is so much here to explore about religion, relationships, family and community. The three star rating is more reflective of my mood than the content--melancholy, haunting and spare, it was probably not the best book to be reading around the 10th anniversary of 9/11. (less)
I just love books that catalog domestic detail down to the last stamp licked and the last back door locked. Stories like this one of an aging widow wh...moreI just love books that catalog domestic detail down to the last stamp licked and the last back door locked. Stories like this one of an aging widow who is caring for both the large and small issues in her much reduced life just make me feel more connected to the human race. We are all on the road, just at different points. And we all have something to share with people who are further back or further ahead. Quiet and introspective, Emily Alone is a really outstanding slice of life read, but only if you don't require a rollicking plot. A calming read to help still the back-to-school jitters. (less)
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