http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/809977 en-US Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:30:41 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 23622019 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:30:41 -0700
author: Alex Kotlowitz
name: Jill
average rating: 4.30
book published: 1992
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/03/08
shelves:
review:
I read this book some years ago, and I agree with Angie's assessment.
]]> 20617117 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:11:14 -0700
author: Stephen Clarke
name: Jill
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 01/06
date added: 04/20/08
shelves:
review:
Not as funny as the first, but still a good read.
]]> 20617076 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:10:16 -0700
author: Stephen Clarke
name: Jill
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 01/06
date added: 04/20/08
shelves:
review:
Hilarious!
]]> 20616984 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:09:18 -0700
author: Janet Fitch
name: Jill
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/20/08
shelves:
review:
Gripping. Disturbing. Lonely.
]]> 20614682 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:39:51 -0700
author: Sue Monk Kidd
name: Jill
average rating: 2.84
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/20/08
shelves:
review:
Absolutely stunning portrayal of a woman's searching. Vivid prose; resonant themes. Seriously -- read it.
]]> 13071580 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:22:26 -0800
author: Nick Laird
name: Jill
average rating: 3.19
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/04/08
shelves:
review:
A good, easy read. It only gets 3 stars from me, because even though the character development is okay, the way the story is told is not as bold as the story-line dictates it should be. I found it difficult in some places to even visualize what was happening in the story, which is usually not a problem for me. It was a worthwhile read, and an overall good book, I just think it could have been better. Note: If British or Northern Irish slang terms bother you or hamper your reading experience, then don't read this book.
]]> 13480322 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:47:40 -0800
author: Laurie Graham
name: Jill
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 11/08
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:
Read this one on vacation this year -- what an unexpectedly good book! The characters were well-developed, and the writing style is easy to follow. It was surprisingly relatable. Who'd've thunk?
]]> 13480268 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:43:30 -0800
author: Sophie Kinsella
name: Jill
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 01/03
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:
Not as good as "Confessions...," but still a fun read!
]]> 13480095 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:42:16 -0800
author: Sophie Kinsella
name: Jill
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 09/02
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:
Sophie Kinsella is great. I think this was the first of her books that I'd ever read. It's easy and funny -- what more could you want from a Saturday afternoon (you can read it in one sitting)? Actually, a pitcher of margaritas would set it off quite nicely (which means that you might not actually finish it in one sitting, now that I think about it!)
]]> 13366432 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:44:13 -0800
author: Toni Morrison
name: Jill
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1970
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:
This book hurt my feelings. It was excellent, but Pecola Breedlove's palpable hurt left me totally affected. I have forgiven Toni Morrison for that, since it made the book stunning, but dang....
]]> 13366208 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:38:15 -0800
author: Toni Morrison
name: Jill
average rating: 3.84
book published: 1987
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:
Dangit, this was just a hard read. It's hard to understand, hard to accept, hard to internalize. That level of difficulty was actually very exciting (so few books dare to challenge you in that way). The sheer audacity of the story, its conception, and its presentation, was refreshing. That said, it was damned hard to read. When my brain gets bigger and I can read it again, then it will be a sure-fire five star bet, but for now...three stars.
]]> 13365927 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:11:48 -0800
author: Sheri Reynolds
name: Jill
average rating: 3.74
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13365888 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:11:15 -0800
author: Alice Walker
name: Jill
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1992
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:
Heavy and gorgeous. The story is, of course, ripping in a "makes me wanna cross my legs" kind of way, but the symbolism, overall thematic imagery, and the flat-out good writing, are a boon. Loved it.
]]> 13365774 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:02:35 -0800
author: Willa Cather
name: Jill
average rating: 3.78
book published: 1918
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 01/24/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13365566 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:56:24 -0800
author: Helen Fielding
name: Jill
average rating: 3.32
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13365524 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:55:33 -0800
author: Helen Fielding
name: Jill
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2004
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:
I was so excited when this book was released. I laughed out loud!
]]> 13365463 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:54:11 -0800
author: Bebe Moore Campbell
name: Jill
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1998
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13365349 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:53:25 -0800
author: Pearl Cleage
name: Jill
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:
Not as great as "What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day," but still quite good.
]]> 13365340 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:51:23 -0800
author: Pearl Cleage
name: Jill
average rating: 3.60
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13365225 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:50:58 -0800
author: Pearl Cleage
name: Jill
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 01/04
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:
Good, easy read. It would have gotten five stars, except that I recall being annoyed that Regina's character wasn't a strong figure in the book. The male characters are well developed, but Regina's character development felt somewhat stunted.
]]> 13365204 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:47:16 -0800
author: John Irving
name: Jill
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1985
rating: 5
read at: 01/92
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13365171 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:45:57 -0800
author: John Knowles
name: Jill
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 01/92
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:
I remember expecting to hate this book, and ended up finding it riveting.
]]> 13365123 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:44:32 -0800
author: William Golding
name: Jill
average rating: 3.62
book published: 1954
rating: 5
read at: 01/92
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13365043 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:43:17 -0800
author: J.D. Salinger
name: Jill
average rating: 3.92
book published: 1951
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:
Yeah, yeah, I know it's a classic, but this whiney book just didn't do it for me. Much respect to the literary style, but the substance itself was like an imposing guest who just wouldn't leave your house. Didn't care for it.
]]> 13364947 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:41:29 -0800
author: Art Spiegelman
name: Jill
average rating: 4.48
book published: 1986
rating: 5
read at: 01/94
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:
Recalling this book (the series, actually) from a Liberal Studies course that I hated in college (another story entirely). The graphic depiction of the story is personal and captivating. Definitely worth re-visiting, if I can manage to get through the rest of my ever-expanding "to-read" list!
]]> 13364797 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:34:50 -0800
author: Zora Neale Hurston
name: Jill
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1990
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:
Absolutely glorious! I don't even know how many times I've read this book, but it always feels new. A forever classic.
]]> 13364788 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:33:16 -0800
author: Zora Neale Hurston
name: Jill
average rating: 3.88
book published: 1990
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13363828 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:10:03 -0800
author: Elie Wiesel
name: Jill
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1958
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13363728 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:07:32 -0800
author: Sue Monk Kidd
name: Jill
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13363013 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:54:46 -0800
author: Nikki Giovanni
name: Jill
average rating: 4.12
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 01/23/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13198723 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:58:56 -0800
author: Jill Conner Browne
name: Jill
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/22/08
shelves:
review:
Tammy doesn't think this one was quite as funny as the SPQ book of love, but heck, what's not to love?
]]> 13198815 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:58:01 -0800
author: Jill Conner Browne
name: Jill
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at: 01/04
date added: 01/22/08
shelves:
review:
Seriously, Tammy, how could you not love something this funny?!
]]> 13194014 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:57:23 -0800
author: Mildred D. Taylor
name: Jill
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1981
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/22/08
shelves:
review:
The follow-up to my favorite childhood book.
]]> 13193283 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:56:52 -0800
I've been considering re-reading some of the books I really enjoyed as a young person, and if I actually do that, this is where I would start.]]>
author: Mildred D. Taylor
name: Jill
average rating: 3.96
book published: 1991
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 01/22/08
shelves:
review:
My favorite book as a child. I remember it being an absolutely engrossing reading experience.

I've been considering re-reading some of the books I really enjoyed as a young person, and if I actually do that, this is where I would start.
]]> 13192570 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:44:26 -0800 handbags-and-clutch-their-children...funny. ]]>
author: David Sedaris
name: Jill
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at: 01/02
date added: 01/22/08
shelves:
review:
The first David Sedaris book I ever read. Absolutely, unconditionally, without a doubt, screaming-out-loud-on-train-while-strangers-grab-their-
handbags-and-clutch-their-children...funny.
]]> 13072788 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:29:39 -0800
author: Anne Tyler
name: Jill
average rating: 3.46
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 08/04
date added: 01/21/08
shelves:
review:
I don't know what to say about this book, other than it's really good! I read it as a single person; now that I've been married for a minute, some of the overall themes in the book are even more real and relevant. Odd for a work of fiction, but true.
]]> 13072553 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:23:59 -0800
author: Edward P. Jones
name: Jill
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at: 07/05
date added: 01/21/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13071621 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:19:14 -0800
author: Geraldine A. Larkin
name: Jill
average rating: 4.21
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at: 04/01
date added: 01/21/08
shelves:
review:
This book is one of my all-time favorites. It provides a reasonable introduction to Buddhist practice through the Geri Larkin's first person point of view. It is presented almost like a memoir. A poignant, easy read. Each time I've read it, I've noticed something new.
]]>