false 13 62 61 true 5897788 read 0 true 273333 currently-reading 1 true 273332 to-read 5 false 273338 last5 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74756479 Novel with Cocaine (European Classics) by M. Ageyev
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74350369 to: The Catcher in the Rye (Paperback) by J.D. Salinger
Occasionally when I find myself at my parent's house, I look through the books I've left behind, and I inevitably end up rereading Catcher in the Rye. I know a lot of people dislike it, and perversely I'm happy that they do. I also know there are some people who actually claim to dislike the people who cite it as being their favorite books. That seems a bit strange to me, but I suppose it's unfortunate then, that no matter how many other books I read, this is the only one that really ever meant anything to me.

Catcher in the Rye is personal. I can't explain why I like it any more than I can describe how a banana tastes. In fact sometimes I wonder if I do actually like it -- how can I love a book that makes me feel so incredibly bad? I've read it countless times, and I really do fear that I'll never stop feeling the way Holden does -- I'll never grow out of this stupid awkward phase.

I suppose this is just really emo of me. That's actually a fair criticism. Only, sometimes I wonder if I love Catcher because I'm a sensitive loser or if it's the other way around. Did my wiring get messed up somehow because I read this at too tender an age? Why is this one character so real to me?

I can't say I recommend it or it's good or bad or anything really, because this book is a little beyond that. I know that's corny and probably grotesque in a way, but if you feel this way about it, then maybe you should re-read it if it's been awhile.


]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74348747 to: Downtown Owl: A Novel (Hardcover) by Chuck Klosterman
If you're a fan of Klosterman, and I guess I am now, having read most of his work, you almost know what to expect before you dive in -- witty remarks just bordering on the right side of cliche, snappy if unrealistic dialogue, cast-off one-liners about 80's metal bands -- you get the idea.

I didn't grow up anywhere rural so I can't speak to whether any of Owl is authentic, although I suspect not. Characters in D.O. seem like older/younger/female or sociopathic versions of the same imagined person.
Perhaps that's the point, but I'd imagine a more writerly writer than K. would make it obvious that it's not just from the lack of insight.

I hate to say this, but there just isn't enough sentiment in the novel to carry it off. I just didn't really care enough about any one character or all of them as a whole for me to not just read to find out what happens next. Just being cool is enough for a long train ride without a working mp3 player, but not much else. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73881326 to: How I Became a Famous Novelist (Paperback) by Steve Hely
It's hard to give a book 3 stars when I basically read it in one night mostly because I couldn't put it down. If you're looking for that kind of book (something to distract) I'd recommend it heartily. Still, famous novelist is something of a letdown, mostly because I wanted it to be darker, funnier, and more of a satire than it was. Reading this book is sort of like watching a movie that you wish you could've produced. That is, you come for the tag line and reviews, but what you get instead is a vague opinion that it wasn't the book you hoped for. This is a terrible review and I hope you ignore it. Recommended if you like Klosterman. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73480406 to: Something Missing: A Novel (Paperback) by Matthew Dicks
My taste in fiction these days runs on the lighter side, but this one might be a little too light -- Something's Missing lacks polish and reads a bit on the young adult side. It's a debut, so grain of salt and what not. If you're looking for something to flip through at the airport or beach, I don't think you'll be disappointed. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70171613 to: The Philosopher's Apprentice: A Novel (Hardcover) by James Morrow
I took a couple of mandatory western civ classes as an undergrad, but even I take issue with the gross oversimplification of some incredibly important ideas here. But if you can get past that and want something that does in fact dip its feet into some heavy stuff (think pop-philosophy) while getting a "ripping good time," then I can recommend this to you. If you are a stickler for detail, then you might want to skip it. Oh and also theres a little bit of the nymphet thing going on here, so if you're sensitive to that also, there are other fish something something. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69800148 to: The Yiddish Policemen's Union (Hardcover) by Michael Chabon
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69330340 to: The Savage Detectives (Hardcover) by Roberto Bolaño
I feel like Bolano was the kind of guy who shouted a lot. I was torn as to whether to give this book one less star, since I can't say that I loved it. Inspiring? Epic? Intensely real? Definitely. But there's something lacking, perhaps due to translation. It has great moments, but altogether, I kept feeling like I was missing something. Maybe that's the greatness of Bolano, to make me feel like there's much more to life than what can be put into words, and to put the book down and get busy doing something. La Boheme, On the Road, if you like that sort of thing, you should read this. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69330947 to: True History of the Kelly Gang: A Novel (Paperback) by Peter Carey
Inspired story telling --the dialogue is really what makes this so great and brings you into the story. Not so modern Robin Hoods in a western setting, I'm shocked as to why I didn't see a "now a major motion picture" sticker on it. However, there's just no way to do Carey's writing justice in that format, as this book is constructed not so much as written, not a single sentence out of its place. It's a great period piece, and if I were a historian I'm 100% positive that not a single anachronism or historical impossibility is in this one, it rings so true. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69330821 to: My Revolutions (Hardcover) by Hari Kunzru
I loved it. ]]>