http://www.goodreads.com/user/updates_rss/881766 en-US Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:11:04 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 35048108 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:11:04 -0700 Review30139884 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/30139884 The Hospitality of the House (Paperback) by Doris Miles Disney
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> 35047991 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:09:53 -0700 Review14733291 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14733291 to: The Pillars of the Earth (Paperback) by Ken Follett
]]> 21155317 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:43:14 -0700 Review19368999 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/19368999 to: Pornology: Noun--1: A Good Girl's Guide to Porn; 2: The misadventures of the world's first anthroPORNologist; 3: A Hilarious Exploration of Men, Relationships, and Sex (Paperback) by Ayn Carrillo-Gailey
]]> 32267734 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:02:27 -0700 Review14866822 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14866822 to: The Stand (Hardcover) by Stephen King
]]> 20162935 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:01:25 -0700 Review18578067 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/18578067 Duma Key (Hardcover) by Stephen King
bookshelves: to-read
]]> 18327901 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:56:54 -0800 Review17088246 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/17088246 The Poisonwood Bible (Paperback) by Barbara Kingsolver
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> 17244518 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:55:19 -0800 Review16218439 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/16218439 to: Inventing the Abbots and Other Stories (Paperback) by Sue Miller
]]> 17332318 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:17:26 -0800 Review14869345 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14869345 to: While I Was Gone (Paperback) by Sue Miller
This novel is one of my favorites. Sue Miller is a favorite author of mine based primarily on this and Family Pictures. I also tend to like Oprah's selections very much, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Miller is a strong author, and this book has a very interesting plot involving a mid-life crisis of sorts. What really appeals to me, though, is the juxtaposition between the narrator Jo's present day struggle and the flashbacks to her college years. I like when authors employ this strategy (see Catherine Ryan Hyde's Funerals For Horses), especially when they use it as deftly as Miller does in While I Was Gone. I would also compare the situation in this book to that of Delia in Anne Tyler's Ladder of Years (not the specifics, but both women are in early middle age, tempted to stray from their husbands, although Delia takes much more drastic action), and I was almost disappointed in both ladies' ultimate choices, although for different reasons. There is also a good mystery in the flasback sequences of this novel, always a plus for me. ]]> 17157555 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:42:29 -0800 Review14936990 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14936990 to: Rose Madder (Paperback) by Stephen King
Stephen King novels occasionally annoy me by starting off strong but petering off to disappointing conclusions. Still, his characters and plots are almost always interesting, and none of his endings are bad enough to off-set the entire reading experience. However, Rose Madder bothered me, because he spent so much time writing a REAL story only to have it dissolve into typical supernatural fare towards the end. Yes, I realize that Stephen King is a horror writer, and I customarily love this genre, but Rosie's plight meant something to me on a more realistic level, and I guess I just wasn't satisfied with the whole painting-as-refuge mumbo jumbo at the end. However, the fast pace of this novel (especially when compared to much of his work), the malevolence of Norman, and the details of Rosie's escape from domestic abuse make me recommend this strongly ... on the border between three and four stars; makes me wish we could give half-star ratings on here. ]]> 17152396 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:14:28 -0800 Review14840500 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14840500 to: Paint It Black (Hardcover) by Janet Fitch
I almost gave this book three stars, but the last few chapters are so strong, I just had to elevate it to four in the end. So often, I love 85% of a novel, but it's rare that I'm completely satisfied with an ending. This one ends wonderfully, though. Actually, the whole book is interesting, but every once in a while I found the repetition of the narrator's woes to be grating. However, I'm sure her state of mind is absolutely justified given what she's been through. Janet Fitch really set herself a challenge by having one of the story's main characters kill himself before the plot even takes off! This book focuses on the aftermath of a suicide, and how it effects the victim's girlfriend, Josie, and his mother, Meredith. Josie is the main character, although Meredith is central as well. Both of them are extremely well-developed, and the setting and time of early 80s Los Angeles (specifically the punk scene) comes through loud and clear as well. I read White Oleander by Fitch, which I thought was one of the most well-written books ever, so there were times when this one seemed lacking in comparison. There are still stunning passages, but at times the prose was a bit careless. Overall, though, it's a very satisfying read, with beautiful language and one of the most comforting, inspiring endings I could have hoped for from a book this depressing. ]]>