Greg read and liked Kassi's review of My Sister's Keeper:

"The premise of this book is absolutely compelling. I have to admit that I didn't understand the full scope of the premise until I had started reading. A story told in multiple perspectives, the perspectives were down very well for each character. How...more The premise of this book is absolutely compelling. I have to admit that I didn't understand the full scope of the premise until I had started reading. A story told in multiple perspectives, the perspectives were down very well for each character. However, the "inner voice" of each of the characters ... some were less defined than others. One thing is for certain: every single character had the same sense of humor, and that's a bit of a peeve for me. I also found some of the wording confusing or sloppy. Still, upon re-reading the sentences that confused my mind, I couldn't find anything technically wrong with them - they just didn't flow as naturally as the rest of the text. There were times when it was very difficult to believe that these people existed.

So why did I give it four stars rather than a lower rating? Because, as is her trademark, this served a greater purpose of the novel. As the reader, we were supposed to think that there was something wrong with the characters, we were supposed to feel as though something was a little off. And whether you do or not, unless you've heard the ending somewhere else, the ending shouldn't disappoint.

I had been complaining about the book to my husband during the time that I read it that it just wasn't as good as Nineteen Minutes, but that the premise was good. When I finally got to those last few pages, my husband was in the room doing something boring and when I started crying he was in shock seriously. So I can't say that the book didn't move me or shake me up at all.

I have great respect for a writer who can totally convince me that things are or might be going one way and then startle me with a truth so clear and precise that I can't help but nod because that's more the way life really is.(less) "

Greg read and liked Kassi's review of Brida:

"Paulo Coelho has a distinct ability to write a book that one can't put down once one opens and to take magic and spirituality and apply it to the real world. One can't close a book by him without finding themselves just a little bit more inclined to ...more Paulo Coelho has a distinct ability to write a book that one can't put down once one opens and to take magic and spirituality and apply it to the real world. One can't close a book by him without finding themselves just a little bit more inclined to be more authentic and reach for what once seemed like distant dreams.
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Greg read and liked Kassi's review of The Postman Always Rings Twice (Crime Masterworks):

"This is a brilliant piece of work. What I find most compelling about it is that it's one of those books that is such a simple read that one might think that there's not much to it, but upon completion, the author has brought the reader through a seri...more This is a brilliant piece of work. What I find most compelling about it is that it's one of those books that is such a simple read that one might think that there's not much to it, but upon completion, the author has brought the reader through a series of gripping plot devices with rich characters and an even richer existential-esque conclusion. However, unlike some books that have existential endings, this one feels complete upon turning the last page.

Characterization was perfect - I believed all of the characters existed. Book was written in a way where it didn't matter if you liked or disliked one character or another; it didn't try to make the reader form any opinions and remained neutral which is another reason why I thought it was such an excellent work of fiction; the detachment of this crime book made the read feel as though it was a documentation of events, except it had brilliant dialogue, vivid characters, and accurate psychological reactions.

Highly recommended. One of the best books I've read in 6 months.(less) "