Amy’s Comments (group member since Aug 10, 2012)

Amy’s comments from the Invisibooks for Invisipeeps group.

I agree with you about the girl who sold out Frank. I don't even know why that had to happen, why couldn't it just have been left at Henry's note to his Dad being found a lot earlier than he planned on.

Oh, guys, I forgot I did a blog post about it when I finished it. Here's what I had for that.

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This is a really quick read. Most of the "real time" in the book covers six days around Labor Day, sometime in the 1980s. There's also plenty of flashbacks and at the end, flashes forward. Since I've seen so many of the movie commercials, in my head, I could only picture Kate Winslet as Adele. Which is fine, she seems like a good fit.

A few observations - the story seems to focus on sex and body parts an awful lot. Then I realized, yes, the narrator is 13-year old Henry. Duh. I've never been a 13-year old boy, but as far as I can tell, Maynard does a pretty good job speaking in one's voice. The mother-son relationship is realistic, too. I imagine I would feel responsible for her happiness, too.

SPOILER ALERT: I figured the story would end in a bloodbath of some sort or another. I was pretty sure Frank would die tragically, or that even worse, Adele would. Or, that Henry would more directly sell Frank out. That Maynard didn't take those routes, I think those are good things. The ending is as happy as it could realistically be.

As a child of the 80s, the pop culture references made me smile. Actors dressed in raisin outfits singing on TV. Minivans with sliding doors being a new thing. Very nostalgic.

Some of the plotting seems a little too pat - the convict charms the one family in town with an emotionally fragile Mom who is home all the time, a Dad that lives elsewhere with his new family, and a house at the very end of a street surrounded by woods and not very visible from the neighbors? Incredible luck, that.

But Maynard is very good at dialogue. Not too many words, and distinct style. You get a real sense of Adele's character from how she speaks.

Final call: three stars

Labor Day is a pretty classic coming-of-age story, and there's definitely a lot worse fiction out there you could be sticking your nose into. Just don't expect instant gratification for the leads; they wait and wait for their resolution.

http://www.roadmindwind.com/2014/02/l...

I enjoyed it! Did anyone see the movie? I didn't, but I was curious if they stuck to the story or veered off track.

I'll be around most of the day, I think.

I just finished it yesterday. Pretty quick read, and it didn't end how I thought it would!

I've been wracking my brain to think of a good Irish book. I'm coming up dry! I even looked at the Goodreads list for books set in Ireland. But I don't think we want Ulysses!

Mukta wrote: "I loved the Kane Chronicles and the Divergent Trilogy. I hope you enjoy both. I just started Good Omens by Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett"

Good Omens is such a great book! Have you read other Pratchett stuff, Mukta?

Wildkitties wrote: "I'm buying it for the kindle app, someone will have to explain how to lend from there as I have no clue how to do that but I'm willing to learn and lend."

Maybe Aardi knows a different way, but I looked at my copy, and lending wasn't one of the available options? Sometimes the licensing doesn't let you do that but I could definitely be missing something.

Has anyone started it yet?

I checked the 2 libraries I have cards for, and the wait list was just too long. So, I have the ebook. I have problems with instant gratification, too!

Teri wrote: "Amy wrote: "I am about 1/4 way into Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell right now. It is an odd, odd book but I think I like it.

One of my FB friends posted last week that he's reading this too! You..."

Ha! You found me out! lol.

I just finished reading it yesterday. It really is an odd odd book, but I liked it. I can see how it is not a lot of people's cup of tea, though.

I think I'll start Labor Day next, with the other peeps.

I see the book is $6 for the kindle version. That's not too bad, but I'm going to check the libraries too.

In other words, I think I am in for reading it with you guys!

I am about 1/4 way into Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell right now. It is an odd, odd book but I think I like it.

I have read other Kingsolver stuff but not the Poisonwood Bible - love her!

This is a great idea, but I might sit it out. I set a personal challenge to read 20 specific books. But if it's a quick read I'll try to fit it in, or if it's one I already read I would love to follow along with the discussion. Actually I would do that even if I hadn't read it!

My goal is 50. I say 50 every year :)

I might make it, but I'll be surprised. I have 2 so far, and the back end of the year is going to be clogged up with studying for a certification exam.

Hi, I'm Cat & Cow!