YES!! 100% yes! You'll love the quirky characters and odd connections that happen in this delightfully sad funny book. I liked it better than this samYES!! 100% yes! You'll love the quirky characters and odd connections that happen in this delightfully sad funny book. I liked it better than this same author's book A Man Called Ove. ...more
Loved, loved, loved. I'm an easy mark for a character that loves books. This sweet girls who's been through so much in her young life just keeps gettiLoved, loved, loved. I'm an easy mark for a character that loves books. This sweet girls who's been through so much in her young life just keeps getting herself in hot water and then delightfully triumphs and then back in hot water and then out again. I had to remind myself that she's just a teenager making her way in a strange world with very little but a few odd novels to guide her. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a great quick read....more
I listened to this one on Audible in the author's own voice. I think that made the stories more real and gut wrenching. What a life he led. What a lotI listened to this one on Audible in the author's own voice. I think that made the stories more real and gut wrenching. What a life he led. What a lot of reading he's done! I'm hoping to find a list of all the books he recommended in there. He convinced me that I MUST read War and Peace. And, of course, Gone with the Wind. If nothing else, Mr. Conroy motivated me to make that leap.
I will say, if you aren't a word lover, a descriptive dessert connoisseur, then Mr Conroy's style might be a bit sticky sweet for you. But it's worth the time and the extra word calories. Nicely rendered. ...more
Imaginative, intelligent, stunning. Every short story left me thinking deeply for days and wanting to talk to someone about what I'd just experienced.Imaginative, intelligent, stunning. Every short story left me thinking deeply for days and wanting to talk to someone about what I'd just experienced. If you read nothing else this year, read this collection of stories. You'll thank me....more
Fun little crime/personal drama story. The three different narrators of the audio version were spot on with character and realism. If you need a lightFun little crime/personal drama story. The three different narrators of the audio version were spot on with character and realism. If you need a light read, this would not steer you wrong. ...more
Brilliant, evocative writing. Deployed all my senses listening to this tapestry of words, events and mystery. I loved the interweaving of time, place Brilliant, evocative writing. Deployed all my senses listening to this tapestry of words, events and mystery. I loved the interweaving of time, place and characters. Superb!...more
Compelling story. I found it hard to put down. I particularly appreciated the variety of the two perspectives of the main characters. I was left with Compelling story. I found it hard to put down. I particularly appreciated the variety of the two perspectives of the main characters. I was left with the impression that Josef would have experienced the same kind of marriage regardless of the choices made. The war created an inevitable and unavoidable paradox. Heartbreaking and uplifting in the same breath....more
Bleeding edge technology meets old world brick and mortar books. What a delightful juxtaposition of new and old. Smart, fast-paced, engaging and oh soBleeding edge technology meets old world brick and mortar books. What a delightful juxtaposition of new and old. Smart, fast-paced, engaging and oh so satisfying. I want to read it again to see what I missed the first time when I read it as fast as I possibly could. I'd recommend this to everyone I know who loves books. ...more
Fun! I loved the Giants tangled mangled words. I only let myself read fifty pages a night to draw out the delicious enjoyment of reading something so Fun! I loved the Giants tangled mangled words. I only let myself read fifty pages a night to draw out the delicious enjoyment of reading something so delightfully different and playful. ...more
I picked this up from the library with little expectation that it would be helpful. At the least it provided some distraction during some difficult weI picked this up from the library with little expectation that it would be helpful. At the least it provided some distraction during some difficult weeks. At best it did have some interesting ideas for working through grief and loss that may or may not be helpful depending on how determined a reader is to follow through. I found the handwritten cutesy look interesting at first, then it just got irritating to have to figure out what a word said because the handwriting isn't always clear or precise. Interesting and engaging in a I-can't-sleep-what-can-I-do-to-distract-myself sort of way....more
Harrowing, compelling, engaging. I couldn't put this down. At the same time I wanted an objective voice, a different perspective, and a less disturbinHarrowing, compelling, engaging. I couldn't put this down. At the same time I wanted an objective voice, a different perspective, and a less disturbing view of North Korea. Sure there are non-fiction choices, but this one got me in the gut and made me want to learn more, understand this kind of thinking, figure out mass insanity. This isn't for the faint of heart. It's like Kite Runner in North Korea. If that made you queasy then this one will send you to the doctor. Hard to forget once those images have been set into your head. ...more
Disappointing. This book had great potential but felt so unrealistic and jerky. Characters were flat and predictable. This read more like a poorly wriDisappointing. This book had great potential but felt so unrealistic and jerky. Characters were flat and predictable. This read more like a poorly written paperback romance than a well thought out historical novel. Add in a sudden and unresolved ending leaving a bad taste in my mouth. I can't recommend it on any count. Probably the last time I'll read a free book from Amazon. ...more
Quirky narrator/point of view for this quick read. I couldn't put it down and read it straight through. Quirky narrator/point of view for this quick read. I couldn't put it down and read it straight through. ...more
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