http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/351510 en-US Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:03:10 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 21208944 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:03:10 -0700
author: Chip Kidd
name: Susan
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/20/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 8314448 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:11:22 -0700
Beside being distracted by the rambling sentences, I didn’t love - or - hate this book. The characters, while they may be unbelievable for some readers, were oddly real to me with one exception. I’ve met self-absorbed, over-educated, loosely held-together individuals with a sense of entitlement. I didn’t question Marina’s skewed perspective of the world outside her own. Nor did I question Julius’ free fall into a financially comfortable but superficial relationship or Danielle’s confusion about to whom she should bestow her respect and love. Even Murray’s pomposity and ardent belief that his theories are, in fact, truths, he overcomes with just enough charisma to make the masses fall in line. I can put real names and faces to these people. But, “Bootie” (ridiculous even as a nickname,) a cross between the two infamous literary characters Holden Caulfield and Ignatius J. Reilly, was exhausting and the weakest link in the story.

Did I need to read about fictional people who are unappealing in real life? No, but for some reason I can’t put my finger on, I enjoyed it. I liked Danielle’s character the most even as she unraveled. She was the least whiney and seemed to have some sense of reality. Perhaps it was her character that moved me along.
]]>
author: Claire Messud
name: Susan
average rating: 2.89
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/15/08
shelves:
review:
Chapter 40 “The Fourth of July (2)”, page 234, “And endured in her wanting:…” Messud clocked 28 commas and threw in a colon and semicolon for flare.

Beside being distracted by the rambling sentences, I didn’t love - or - hate this book. The characters, while they may be unbelievable for some readers, were oddly real to me with one exception. I’ve met self-absorbed, over-educated, loosely held-together individuals with a sense of entitlement. I didn’t question Marina’s skewed perspective of the world outside her own. Nor did I question Julius’ free fall into a financially comfortable but superficial relationship or Danielle’s confusion about to whom she should bestow her respect and love. Even Murray’s pomposity and ardent belief that his theories are, in fact, truths, he overcomes with just enough charisma to make the masses fall in line. I can put real names and faces to these people. But, “Bootie” (ridiculous even as a nickname,) a cross between the two infamous literary characters Holden Caulfield and Ignatius J. Reilly, was exhausting and the weakest link in the story.

Did I need to read about fictional people who are unappealing in real life? No, but for some reason I can’t put my finger on, I enjoyed it. I liked Danielle’s character the most even as she unraveled. She was the least whiney and seemed to have some sense of reality. Perhaps it was her character that moved me along.

]]> 25156599 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:49:08 -0700
author: Jesse Ball
name: Susan
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 5735863 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:38:42 -0700
author: Sara Gran
name: Susan
average rating: 3.32
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/01/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 8316485 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:02:03 -0700
author: Christophe Dufosse
name: Susan
average rating: 2.27
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/26/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 28124633 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:11:01 -0700
author: J.D. Salinger
name: Susan
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1951
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 07/23/08
shelves: classics
review:

]]> 28124455 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:09:25 -0700
author: Roald Dahl
name: Susan
average rating: 4.05
book published: 1961
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 07/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 27810158 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:22:34 -0700
author: C.S. Lewis
name: Susan
average rating: 4.21
book published: 1950
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 07/20/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 27809991 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:20:43 -0700
author: Amy Tan
name: Susan
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1989
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 07/20/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 5735992 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:11:38 -0700
author: Jasper Fforde
name: Susan
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/20/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 17711757 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:19:36 -0700
author: Ceridwen Dovey
name: Susan
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/11/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 8316659 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:19:18 -0700
author: Michael Erard
name: Susan
average rating: 2.92
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/03/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 18790127 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:19:08 -0700
author: Joan Didion
name: Susan
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1970
rating: 2
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/22/08
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5734454 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:18:50 -0700
author: David Sedaris
name: Susan
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/22/08
shelves: humor, memoirs
review:
Loved it. Again.
]]> 8314605 Sun, 25 May 2008 17:18:45 -0700
author: Howard Jacobson
name: Susan
average rating: 2.78
book published: 2007
rating: 1
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/25/08
shelves: read-ish
review:
Not in the mood.
]]> 5736382 Sun, 25 May 2008 17:16:11 -0700
author: Miranda July
name: Susan
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/25/08
shelves:
review:
Overrated.
]]> 5735490 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:04:51 -0700
author: John Kennedy Toole
name: Susan
average rating: 3.97
book published: 1980
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/30/08
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 8316626 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:07:18 -0700
Someone mentioned here the use of "we" throughout the book. I agree...quite annoying and somewhat disconcerting. I've had a long career spanning many different office dynamics and I have never witnessed, let alone participated in, some of the sophomoric behavior these character have. Possibly an attempt to create quirky, interesting characters...works better on a tv series than in a book.

Didn't live up to the hype.]]>
author: Joshua Ferris
name: Susan
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/29/08
shelves:
review:
A mediocre attempt at a literary version of the tv series "The Office" and the movie "Office Space". Suffice it to say, not interesting enough to redeem the formulaic approach to the characters and narrative. Frankly, it was quite difficult to keep track of the characters, probably because it's not linear - much to much a novelty to work effectively.

Someone mentioned here the use of "we" throughout the book. I agree...quite annoying and somewhat disconcerting. I've had a long career spanning many different office dynamics and I have never witnessed, let alone participated in, some of the sophomoric behavior these character have. Possibly an attempt to create quirky, interesting characters...works better on a tv series than in a book.

Didn't live up to the hype.
]]> 8316582 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:32:20 -0800
Each character struggles with life and most of their actions or thought processes are believable. For those who have seen the film, I compare the concept (not execution) to Little Miss Sunshine. The rich characters, their interaction and their values at least progress or even mature. Mind you the book is no Little Miss Sunshine, but Haddon did a pretty good job of creating characters that were complex and human.

I was slow to warm to it and Haddon’s overuse of analogies became tiresome quickly. But about one-quarter through the story, it became worth investing my time.
]]>
author: Mark Haddon
name: Susan
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/06/08
shelves: fiction
review:
Despite the obvious ending, this book was entertaining along the way. Haddon’s use of short chapters each ending with some sort of plot twist or climax worked for me. It may be a convention but with his wit and attentiveness to the narrative Haddon leaves no chapter empty.

Each character struggles with life and most of their actions or thought processes are believable. For those who have seen the film, I compare the concept (not execution) to Little Miss Sunshine. The rich characters, their interaction and their values at least progress or even mature. Mind you the book is no Little Miss Sunshine, but Haddon did a pretty good job of creating characters that were complex and human.

I was slow to warm to it and Haddon’s overuse of analogies became tiresome quickly. But about one-quarter through the story, it became worth investing my time.

]]> 6353803 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:42:47 -0800
author: Ian Sansom
name: Susan
average rating: 3.02
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/22/08
shelves: fiction
review:
This book had (key word) a lot of potential...librarian out of his element in a strange town full of odd-ball characters, a mystery, and a witty narrative. Instead, it was only marginally amusing, a bit formulaic, just barely a mystery and overall quite bland. Though it wasn't a total waste of valuable book reading time because Sansom's writing style appealed to me just enough to keep me engaged. I gave it a good read-through with hopes the story would improve or Israel's character would redeem himself. Did that happen? Yes and no. I rated it a 3 because 2 seemed too harsh. Should be more like a 2.5, really.
]]> 8314695 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:54:36 -0800
Which is why I couldn’t keep myself together from the first pages, through the heartbreaking middle until the bittersweet end. I sometimes wonder what life would be like without music and I can’t begin to think about life without the true love of my life. Rob and Renee's story reaffirmed how intertwined my two loves are and now I've completely run out of tissue.
]]>
author: Rob Sheffield
name: Susan
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/13/08
shelves: memoirs
review:
I met a boy, oh about 18 years ago or so. He had all the elements…he was goofy, loved to laugh and make me giggle like a silly girl, he was passionate about the same politics and had the same philosophical outlook. I could go on and on. The point is I wouldn’t have learned about these wonderful qualities had it not been for our similar taste in music. That he loved Prefab Sprout, the Jam, the Cure and the Clash was the acid test…yes, we exchanged many a mix tape and I quickly knew he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my music filled life with. After a few years we married, we were just as young as Rob and Renee when they married and we looked forward to all the amazing adventures to come. We’ve lived through some relatively difficult times, sure, and we are fortunate to have more fun together than not.

Which is why I couldn’t keep myself together from the first pages, through the heartbreaking middle until the bittersweet end. I sometimes wonder what life would be like without music and I can’t begin to think about life without the true love of my life. Rob and Renee's story reaffirmed how intertwined my two loves are and now I've completely run out of tissue.

]]> 5735506 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:12:19 -0800
author: Jhumpa Lahiri
name: Susan
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 01/01
date added: 02/10/08
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5735131 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:11:08 -0800
author: Truman Capote
name: Susan
average rating: 4.15
book published: 1965
rating: 4
read at: 09/07
date added: 02/10/08
shelves: fiction, historical_fiction
review:

]]> 10155816 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:10:08 -0800
author: Jane Austen
name: Susan
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1813
rating: 4
read at: 10/07
date added: 02/10/08
shelves: classics
review:

]]> 14482991 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:54:37 -0800
author: Marjane Satrapi
name: Susan
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/03/08
shelves: illustrated, memoirs
review:

]]> 8316694 Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:39:25 -0800
I didn't abandon it midway, so I guess that means something.]]>
author: Jincy Willett
name: Susan
average rating: 3.37
book published: 2004
rating: 2
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/12/08
shelves: fiction
review:
Despite how unappealing it sounds, I almost feel compelled to read it again, only to try to find the funny parts I seemed to have missed and that so many seem to have laughed, giggled and guffawed over. What did I miss? Willett exhausted herself establishing the characters so much that it was especially frustrating when they did something completely out of character. At times it didn't make sense to me at all.

I didn't abandon it midway, so I guess that means something.
]]> 5739682 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:04:02 -0800
author: Cosmic Debris
name: Susan
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at: 07/03
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: illustrated
review:
Adorable.
]]> 5735387 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:02:57 -0800
author: Carolyn Burke
name: Susan
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: art, biography
review:
Fascinating story about Lee Miller, model, artist, and photo-journalist capturing the harsh realities of WWII. Most famous for her relationship with Man Ray, not to mention the photo of herself in Hitler's bathtub, this is a wonderfully told story of a truly unique person.
]]> 5734993 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:54:48 -0800
Sorry, I didn't. Not that I told her that.

Liked the premise of the dog talking to her. Though, everything else I felt was trying to be quirky for the sake of being quirky.]]>
author: Merrill Markoe
name: Susan
average rating: 3.38
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 01/07
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: fiction
review:
One of those recommendations from a co-worker that you have to read because you know you'll get grilled on it. You know the "Didn't you LOVE that book?"

Sorry, I didn't. Not that I told her that.

Liked the premise of the dog talking to her. Though, everything else I felt was trying to be quirky for the sake of being quirky.
]]> 5734948 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:50:21 -0800
author: Kevin Brockmeier
name: Susan
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 01/07
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: fiction
review:
Tiresome.
]]> 8316540 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:34:39 -0800
author: Mitch Cullin
name: Susan
average rating: 3.46
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: fiction
review:
Very enjoyable, indeed.
]]> 5738511 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:29:57 -0800
author: Edward Gorey
name: Susan
average rating: 4.61
book published: 1986
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: illustrated
review:
Gloriously Gorey. Favorite part: when her uncle is "brained by a brick."
]]> 5735433 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:28:22 -0800
author: Alison Bechdel
name: Susan
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 07/07
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: illustrated
review:
The story is not nearly as interesting (or original) as the illustrations, which are amazing. I agree with many of the reviews here - pretentious. If not for the illustrations I would have given it 1, maybe 2 stars.
]]> 5738916 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:19:46 -0800
An important part of Chicago history. ]]>
author: Richard Cahan
name: Susan
average rating: 4.33
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: art
review:
Both beautiful and very sad, this book tells the story of Richard Nickel a man who loved architecture and believed in the importance of its preservation. His photographs of Chicago landmarks are gorgeous, even as most of those landmarks were being dismantled or demolished as they were taken.

An important part of Chicago history.
]]> 11402842 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:38:50 -0800
author: Sue Monk Kidd
name: Susan
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/05/08
shelves: fiction
review:
This book was foisted upon me by a co-worker. Wouldn't ordinarily put a book with this storyline on my list - I've read more than enough books about victimized women from the deep south. Given all that, I liked it. Sure, I skimmed the first few chapters thinking the sooner I'd finish the sooner I can get to my current stack of library books I'd rather not renew. But, I soon found myself engrossed in the story and ended up finishing it in a few sittings because it was unique and compelling. What was different was most of the female characters, with the exception of one, were strong, determined, intelligent and self-sufficient. Even Lily, the main character, despite her situation and emotional state, was on a forward trajectory. Oddly, it's a very optimistic and uplifting book. Good read.
]]> 8314809 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:27:44 -0800
author: Sean Wilsey
name: Susan
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2006
rating: 1
read at: 12/07
date added: 12/29/07
shelves: read-ish
review:
Couldn't finish it. The minutia was unbearable.
]]> 8314724 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:50:11 -0800
author: Kelly Link
name: Susan
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2006
rating: 1
read at: 11/07
date added: 12/28/07
shelves: read-ish
review:
I read the first three or four stories, but was too bummed to continue. Very nice whimsical, magical stories, but I wonder - does she have something against animals? WARNING, some plot details ahead. I write this half joking, the joy rides with dogs before they're put down is darkly sweet and the ominous rabbits were a bit funny, but I had had enough with the houseful of burning cats. I know...it's fiction, it's absurd. But, I'm one of those people who still cries when Bambi's mother is killed. Maybe it wasn't interesting enough for me to keep from moving on to the next book on my list.
]]> 5735261 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:42:27 -0800
author: Anton Gill
name: Susan
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 01/06
date added: 12/26/07
shelves: art, biography
review:
What a character! The art world would not be what it is today had it not been for Peggy Guggenheim's craziness, obstinance, cunning, stinginess...and a great eye for art ahead of its time. Fascinating read.
]]> 5739007 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:35:01 -0800
author: Jonathan Fineberg
name: Susan
average rating: 4.15
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 01/97
date added: 12/26/07
shelves: art
review:
Excellent reference book.
]]> 5738952 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:30:36 -0800
author: David Hopkins
name: Susan
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at: 01/07
date added: 12/26/07
shelves: art
review:
Good reference book about contemporary art movements.
]]> 8314538 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:27:52 -0800
author: Allen Kurzweil
name: Susan
average rating: 3.13
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 12/07
date added: 12/26/07
shelves: fiction
review:
Really liked this book. Spoke to my inner-librarian. Great character development, intriguing story, and loved the behind-the-scenes view. I've recommended to all my librarian friends.
]]> 5740073 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:24:23 -0800
author: Matthew Higgs
name: Susan
average rating: 4.67
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 01/06
date added: 12/26/07
shelves: art
review:
Lovely.
]]> 5734469 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:03:22 -0800
I'm not planning on reading any of his other work, though I'd love to read his brother's memoir should he choose to write one.]]>
author: Dave Eggers
name: Susan
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2000
rating: 1
read at: 01/06
date added: 12/26/07
shelves: fiction
review:
Sure, Eggers' has had a challenging life. As much as I could gather about his personality, I found him to be self-absorbed and not nearly self-effacing enough to make him endearing. In fact, he annoyed me so much I couldn't appreciate the story for what it is. Unfortunate because I do give him snaps for stepping up to raise his younger brother after the death of his parents. The whole tone of the book is set in the copyright page. I should have stopped there.

I'm not planning on reading any of his other work, though I'd love to read his brother's memoir should he choose to write one.
]]> 5738451 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:29:39 -0800
author: Florence Parry Heide
name: Susan
average rating: 4.48
book published: 1992
rating: 4
read at: 01/04
date added: 12/26/07
shelves: illustrated
review:
Absolutely adorable story. Perfectly Gorey illustrations.
]]> 5740004 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:20:43 -0800
author: Andres Serrano
name: Susan
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 10/96
date added: 12/01/07
shelves: art
review:
Harsh. Arresting. Challenging. If you're familiar with the controversy surrounding Serrano's work and don't have the opportunity to see it in person, read this book to see what the fuss is all about. It's good to be challenged.
]]> 5739692 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:12:53 -0800
author: Rob Reger
name: Susan
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 01/03
date added: 12/01/07
shelves: illustrated
review:
Frighteningly delightful.
]]> 5738509 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:11:20 -0800
author: Edward Gorey
name: Susan
average rating: 4.36
book published: 1993
rating: 4
read at: 01/93
date added: 12/01/07
shelves: illustrated
review:
Aptly titled. True Gorey.
]]> 5734428 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:13:18 -0800
author: Khaled Hosseini
name: Susan
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 06/07
date added: 11/30/07
shelves: fiction
review:
Beautiful, disturbing and highly visual. I know people who couldn't get through the most difficult parts of the storyline, but I couldn't put it down. It's touching and heartbreaking and very much worth a thorough read.
]]> 7960580 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:08:16 -0800
author: Larry Doyle
name: Susan
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 11/07
date added: 11/30/07
shelves: fiction
review:
Denis Cooverman. We all know him from our graduating class and we'll probably see him at the next reunion. Reminiscent of a John Hughes movie in an endearing way, the story employs all the usual characters and the usual high school dynamics of this particular genre. No matter, Doyle has a great sense of humor and pluck that made this the perfect in-flight read for me from Chicago to Portland. My only criticism is the geeky kid gets pummeled by the bully story line does gets a bit tiresome towards the end. Could have been tightened up a bit.
]]> 5735088 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:53:28 -0800
author: Ben Rehder
name: Susan
average rating: 3.41
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at: 08/07
date added: 11/30/07
shelves: fiction
review:
This was an unlikely read for me. A book about deer hunting...dead deer are not my cup of tea. But, a friend recommended it and I was pleasantly surprised. The premise was amusing enough and the characters were quirky enough to make me plow through it eagerly in a couple of sittings. Apparently, it's part of a series. Not sure if I'll read others - it stands alone just fine.
]]> 5734925 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:54:10 -0800
author: Emily Barton
name: Susan
average rating: 3.05
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 09/07
date added: 11/18/07
shelves: historical_fiction
review:
I finished this book under duress. I'm a fan of historical novels and had high hopes for this one as I love anything New York. Though I was intrigued by the plot, a woman's passion and unwaivering determination to build a bridge - what we know as the Brooklyn bridge - ultimately Barton's descriptions of Brookland and it's history was the most interesting part of the book. The side plots were lame and could easily have been cut leaving an entirely interesting read. However, Barton is very long-winded. She should have focused entirely on the bridge and it's history.
]]> 8316640 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:22:15 -0800
All in all perfectly harmless and guilty pleasure.]]>
author: Pamela Aidan
name: Susan
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 11/07
date added: 11/15/07
shelves: fiction
review:
I recently read Pride & Prejudice and thought it would be interesting to read another author's interpretation of Darcy's perspective. I'm slow to realize the many, many books that have been written by or for Austin-ites, so this was the first. I had a hard time putting it down, not because of the writing or my interest in Darcy's story particularly, rather I looked forward to places where the stories converged.

All in all perfectly harmless and guilty pleasure.
]]> 5734726 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:05:47 -0800
author: Jonathan Lethem
name: Susan
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at: 07/07