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Trouble '99
Set in Chicago in 1999, four friends carry their broken hearts into the new century. Busking, drinking to keep warm, couch surfing...amidst a landscape of dot-com era corporate growth and nihilism. Walk alongside them in this cool and captivating story of love and music, heartache, misfortune, and redemption. An honest portrayal of a disaffected generation coming of age, from the author of Grand Theft Life, Maze, and Girl Without Borders.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2020
12 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
About the author
Katya Mills
7 books150 followersKatya Mills is an American nonbinary trans writer of German and Huguenot descent. They have a literature degree from Northwestern University and have published several titles as an Independent. Katya is a licensed psychotherapist in California. They help people envision and re-author the stories of their lives. 2025 publications include: New Words Press, Journal X (Cabrillo College), Meniscus Literary Journal (AAWP), and LatinosUSA (published by Juan De Crivelo on Wordpress).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 29, 2021
This 42,000 word book represents a project I started two years ago, digging into my archives for material. The book is set in Chicago where I lived for 10 years of my life, and my intention was to capture the spirit of twentysomethings at the turn of the century. My first published novel, Girl Without Borders, covers the same historical ground, so if you enjoyed GWB you most likely will find Trouble'99 a sort of homecoming yet with different characters. This story follows four friends and comrades, facing hard luck in both love and life in the city. I hope you like it.
June 27, 2020
"Trouble '99" by Katya was a Kindle ebook I received recently from a Goodreads giveaway. The synopsis of this book I read on Goodreads and Amazon did not translate to the book I was now reading.
I had contemplated not finishing but decided to give it one more try. I dove in again and completed another chapter but still felt the same about listing this on my "couldn't finish reading" and "dnf" shelves. I then skimmed through the last chapter and decided this genre is just not for me. And still, not finishing was a difficult decision!
I would not have chosen this book for myself and did not finish reading it completely. I have read 37% of this ebook through Loc 709 and ending chapter 7 with the quote "We are in dire straits". I felt a bit the same way myself as I read this book!
There is, I'm sure, someone who will like this book, maybe even love it but that person is definitely not me. Ms. Mills definitely has strong writing skills and has written other books, hence my two star rating for her efforts and colorful use with words. I'm sure, however, by trying multiple times to complete this novella, I gave it a good effort.
This is my opinion of this book and my opinion alone...
I had contemplated not finishing but decided to give it one more try. I dove in again and completed another chapter but still felt the same about listing this on my "couldn't finish reading" and "dnf" shelves. I then skimmed through the last chapter and decided this genre is just not for me. And still, not finishing was a difficult decision!
I would not have chosen this book for myself and did not finish reading it completely. I have read 37% of this ebook through Loc 709 and ending chapter 7 with the quote "We are in dire straits". I felt a bit the same way myself as I read this book!
There is, I'm sure, someone who will like this book, maybe even love it but that person is definitely not me. Ms. Mills definitely has strong writing skills and has written other books, hence my two star rating for her efforts and colorful use with words. I'm sure, however, by trying multiple times to complete this novella, I gave it a good effort.
This is my opinion of this book and my opinion alone...
February 11, 2023
I received this book free from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
No forward progress in this one. The characters were the same in the beginning as they were at the end. Those are all the words I am spending on this.
No forward progress in this one. The characters were the same in the beginning as they were at the end. Those are all the words I am spending on this.
June 30, 2020
Goodreads Give Away. Thank you. Stream of consciousness. People reduced to their lowest because they don't want to conform to societal standards.
September 17, 2020
I really liked the story and the message of this novella. I don’t think I’ve read a stream of consciousness styled book in a long time and parts were hard for me to get into.
It surrounds four 20-somethings in the Chicago area in 1999. The point of view is through the eyes of Kat and her experiences.
Overall I liked it, but probably not loved it. I would read more from this author, especially if there was a sequel to find out what happened in Kat’s life after 1999. :)
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway, but these are my true opinions. Thank you for the chance at reading this book.
It surrounds four 20-somethings in the Chicago area in 1999. The point of view is through the eyes of Kat and her experiences.
Overall I liked it, but probably not loved it. I would read more from this author, especially if there was a sequel to find out what happened in Kat’s life after 1999. :)
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway, but these are my true opinions. Thank you for the chance at reading this book.
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September 30, 2020I don't know what I was expecting with this book but surely it wasn't what I found within the pages. I won this book from the Giveaways at Goodreads and I originally entered because the book sounded interesting and I loved the 90s. Instead what I got was just a stream of consciousness, no character depth and no real story. Things were just happening or being described and I eventually just had to throw in the towel and mark this as a "Did Not Finish". Which I hate to do, my DNF shelf is very, very small. Also, I do not feel like it's fair to leave a star rating since I was only able to read a few chapters before I just couldn't anymore.
June 10, 2020
An enjoyable read
August 26, 2020
Excellent book!!!
July 19, 2020
Out of Life
Four young adults decide to drop out and live on the streets and seem to like it. In the end they are still opting out.
Four young adults decide to drop out and live on the streets and seem to like it. In the end they are still opting out.
July 2, 2020
Ok, I had to DNF this book. I think there is great potential for the story, but there needs to be some well thought out editing. I get that it’s supposed to be in a stream of consciousness style- but the poor grammar throughout the writing doesn’t really add to the story.
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May 19, 2020The author definitely achieved what they were going for and it felt very authentic but it’s just not for me at this moment so I don’t feel comfortable leaving a rating.
January 13, 2021
Trouble '99 reads like the ramblings of a out of control addict. There is a story here, but much of the book is rambling and incoherent. I didn't care for this book.
December 30, 2020
Huh?
The year is 1999 and you have four 20-somethings who have decided to drop out of college. They get job applications but never fill them out opting instead for living in the tunnels under the college, that that they used to attend, and singing in subways for money for their essentials - drugs and alcohol. So not only is the storyline frustrating but the way the dialogue is written between the characters, you can't even tell who is speaking because it is all jumbled in one big paragraph with no quotation marks, which you know is a huge pet peeve of
mine!
Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy this one at all, the story, characters, or writing.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The year is 1999 and you have four 20-somethings who have decided to drop out of college. They get job applications but never fill them out opting instead for living in the tunnels under the college, that that they used to attend, and singing in subways for money for their essentials - drugs and alcohol. So not only is the storyline frustrating but the way the dialogue is written between the characters, you can't even tell who is speaking because it is all jumbled in one big paragraph with no quotation marks, which you know is a huge pet peeve of
mine!
Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy this one at all, the story, characters, or writing.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews