It's very fun to hear Dolly explain her process and recenter herself as a songwriter rather than a glam icon/movie star/girl singer/sex symbol/philantIt's very fun to hear Dolly explain her process and recenter herself as a songwriter rather than a glam icon/movie star/girl singer/sex symbol/philanthropist and all the other roles she has inhabited in life. Also, she uses the word 'sorrow' all the time, and I'm gonna pick that up....more
For Fans of The Fast and the Furious. Indelible characters, a hero with everything to lose, plenty of muscular prose and impeccable down-home atmospheFor Fans of The Fast and the Furious. Indelible characters, a hero with everything to lose, plenty of muscular prose and impeccable down-home atmosphere. How I feel about this book must be how people from St Louis feel when they read urban fiction set in St. Louis -- lots of nodding and 'sounds about right'. Narrator/actor Adam Lazarre-White does an incredible job portraying the cast, from the weaselly white trash Ronnie Sessions to the epically heroic (yet tortured) hero Beauregard Montage. Just a delight. ...more
This is my first Elmore Leonard and I LOVED IT. A righteous Polish melon farmer and a hot Chicana union organizer beat a bunch of gangsters and make tThis is my first Elmore Leonard and I LOVED IT. A righteous Polish melon farmer and a hot Chicana union organizer beat a bunch of gangsters and make the cops look totally lame with nothing more than a shotgun, a deer rifle, and a Ford F-150. It's written perfectly -- clear as glass, immaculate pacing, totally cinematic. I feel dumb, like I waited until middle age to start reading Stephen King. Oh well! That's books for you -- always something great out there that you haven't tried yet. ...more
What a life! Bravo to Francois Clemmons for generously sharing his vibrant, complicated journey. Recommended for music majors, Gen X, Oberlin and MiddWhat a life! Bravo to Francois Clemmons for generously sharing his vibrant, complicated journey. Recommended for music majors, Gen X, Oberlin and Middlebury alumni, and students of civil rights and LGBTQIA history. ...more
Cullinan was doing psychological suspense with multiple perspectives and flawed female characters before it was cool. I read this after seeing the CliCullinan was doing psychological suspense with multiple perspectives and flawed female characters before it was cool. I read this after seeing the Clint Eastwood movie, which spoiled the suspense. However, I enjoyed wallowing in the thick Virginia atmosphere and the writing was actually quite nice. I wish Mattie the enslaved housekeeper in the book had been more like Matie the enslaved housekeeper in the movie, but (spoiler) she is not.
Anyway, if you are down for a slow burn, super sick Civil War Facts of Life situation, and can endure a fairly dumb portrayal of an enslaved woman, you might like this one too!...more
I'm not exactly sure what the author was getting at by combining her memoir of working with local teens in 2009 with the story of a double murder in 1I'm not exactly sure what the author was getting at by combining her memoir of working with local teens in 2009 with the story of a double murder in 1980. Something about toxic masculinity? Outsider/insider experiences in Appalachia?
Anyway, none of it was actively offensive and I appreciated the author's examination of her own privilege, soooo two stars! ...more
ALT's memoir is a courtier's diary of late 20th and early 20th-century high fashion. An insider who is nevertheless always acutely aware of his positiALT's memoir is a courtier's diary of late 20th and early 20th-century high fashion. An insider who is nevertheless always acutely aware of his position at court, as well as his humble roots, Talley provides a double (triple? quadruple?)-consciousness perspective on this exclusive, tiny, and high-flown world ruled entirely by taste that absolutely no one else could provide. Essential fashion, publishing, and North Carolina history.
Also, the sentence "My favorite retreat was the city library in downtown Durham, North Carolina" pierced my heart, as somebody who worked there with hundreds of beautiful, creative, and fierce kids like ALT. ...more
A bloodcurdling tale of class war and revenge written in a very convincing penny dreadful style. The symmetry of the plot was a little predictable, buA bloodcurdling tale of class war and revenge written in a very convincing penny dreadful style. The symmetry of the plot was a little predictable, but also quite satisfying. Excellent worldbuilding, if you like opium dens and female boxing leagues and everything great about turn-of-the-century NYC. ...more
Anybody who knows me personally will understand that when I say 'this book understands and specifically addresses what Stephen King means to poor kidsAnybody who knows me personally will understand that when I say 'this book understands and specifically addresses what Stephen King means to poor kids with excellent reading comprehension", that means I will stan it for life.
Other than that tho, Rex Ogle is a hero for really sharing what it felt like for him in 6th grade. His anger, his sadness, his shame, and his strength in the face of what seemed like a totally uncaring world. Rex is angry with God, and you can't really blame him.
I am especially touched by the exquisite details present, and the stuff nobody talks about that everybody knows about. The choking game is present in detail, folks. (and duly rejected by our hero, thank goodness).
Also, the ending is realistic. Rex begins to realize he can only control his response to his circumstances, he has (view spoiler)[ one weird friend (hide spoiler)] and he has the best possible Christmas for poor kids in the late 80s.
Librarians, leave this book lying around face out very casually. Buy many copies. Replace often. For the love of pete, don't hand it to any kids who you know need it. They'll find it. Misshelve one over by the Stephen King. ...more
I got a copy of Diamond Doris at ALA 2019, at a panel Ms. Payne was unfortunately unable to attend. I was dying to read it, but I was recovering from I got a copy of Diamond Doris at ALA 2019, at a panel Ms. Payne was unfortunately unable to attend. I was dying to read it, but I was recovering from a concussion and couldn't follow a complex story of jewel thievery at the time, tbh. So, I doggedly kept it on my Goodreads for a YEAR b/c there was no way I was gonna let this one slide.
Worth it! Zelda Lockhart does a wonderful job helping Doris Payne's voice shine through. The story is told pretty plainly, with no judgment, no extraneous pondering, no 'what does it all mean' that often mars literary true crime. Doris just lays it out -- her protectiveness toward her mom, her childhood spent in an abusive home, her grit, her zest for life, and her refusal to sit on the sidelines.
Add Diamond Doris to the list of classic underworld memoirs alongside You Can't Win by Jack Black and Catch Me if You Can by Frank W. Abagnale. ...more
Pretty disappointed in this one. It really thinks it's doing the right thing by focusing on a tough foster kid, but I was really turned off by the facPretty disappointed in this one. It really thinks it's doing the right thing by focusing on a tough foster kid, but I was really turned off by the facile ending, the adorable little black girl used as a plot device, and the superheroic white foster mom with her Jane Austen bobblehead and Aretha Franklin music. Also, I found the focus on scary scary Rottweilers to be a little classist, honestly. All the hot Cheetos references and Youtube tutorial talk gave me hope for this one, but turns out it's totally for cops and pantsuit nation. ...more
The improbable life story of Daniel R. Day, an actual chaos wizard who turned the odds his way time and time again. This memoir manages to capture theThe improbable life story of Daniel R. Day, an actual chaos wizard who turned the odds his way time and time again. This memoir manages to capture the richness of his life experiences and utterly unique perspective.
--Bonus to librarians--
To paraphrase his life philosophy: 'There is no problem I can't read my way out of.'
Pleasantly down-to-earth combo platter of disability memoir and food writing by an experienced NC newspaper reporter. I like all of these things, so IPleasantly down-to-earth combo platter of disability memoir and food writing by an experienced NC newspaper reporter. I like all of these things, so I liked this book just fine. It did make me hungry for Bojangles, tho. ...more
Kind of glib and Ted-talky for my taste, but I'm all for universal basic income and trusting poor people to make their own financial decisions if theyKind of glib and Ted-talky for my taste, but I'm all for universal basic income and trusting poor people to make their own financial decisions if they did come into a little extra cash. I don't particularly enjoy public policy/economics books, but at least this one makes sense....more
The own voices autism stuff was REALLY good. It's so smart to use sensory issues as a lens on consent. I really felt for Khai, all reading a book at eThe own voices autism stuff was REALLY good. It's so smart to use sensory issues as a lens on consent. I really felt for Khai, all reading a book at every wedding.
I liked both Esme and Khai as characters. It was cool to read about a baller Vietnamese family. This one will be great for a real romance reader who loves a super big POW of HEA at the end. That's not me, so I found it a little contrived/cheesy and got impatient with all the necessary plot obstacles.
The perfect way in which to tell this story about a band with a big fat mystery at the center of it. Who named the band? How should Unknown Pleasures The perfect way in which to tell this story about a band with a big fat mystery at the center of it. Who named the band? How should Unknown Pleasures really sound? Why did Ian Curtis commit suicide? Who knows? I appreciate the kaleidoscopic lens approach for all these questions with no answers. Also, the graphics and photos fans have never seen before add tons of visual appeal.
Super entertaining and darkly funny potboiler set among privileged Nigerian people in Lagos. The narrator's bitter attitude reminded me of Otessa MosfSuper entertaining and darkly funny potboiler set among privileged Nigerian people in Lagos. The narrator's bitter attitude reminded me of Otessa Mosfegh. A quick, entertaining read. ...more
Beautifully written brave memoir of a gifted guy with lots of deep scars. Basically a testament to The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody. AbsBeautifully written brave memoir of a gifted guy with lots of deep scars. Basically a testament to The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody. Absolutely wrenching and too real/why are you so loud?
How about this call to action in the final pages, youth services friends? "We are worthy of sharing the most abundant, patient, responsible kind of love and liberation with every vulnerable child on this planet."
Saeed Jones says this in the NYT review, which pretty much says it all: I don’t know what to make of an America in which we feel compelled to hurt the people we love in order to keep them alive. ...more
I’ve been waiting 20 years for a kids book with Korean Baptist Church in it, and this one is good enough to win the Newbery. The grief feels real, theI’ve been waiting 20 years for a kids book with Korean Baptist Church in it, and this one is good enough to win the Newbery. The grief feels real, the things Ok and his mom do to save money feel real, his desperation to take care of his mom and be the man of the family feel real. Also, the writing is great. I'm Ok is the total package. ...more
Strong vibes of early Stephen King from this one -- children in danger, ordinary small town spaces become suffused with evil, witty dialogue, emphasisStrong vibes of early Stephen King from this one -- children in danger, ordinary small town spaces become suffused with evil, witty dialogue, emphasis on character, and some enjoyably purple prose. Love the short chapters and intensifying pace as well. A treat!
So pleasurable! The Coming to America/Wakanda romance I didn't know I needed. Also, way to make the assistant Janelle Monae. So pleasurable! The Coming to America/Wakanda romance I didn't know I needed. Also, way to make the assistant Janelle Monae. ...more
Is this book supposed to be surprising? Eye-opening? It's by a lady who gets pregnant from an abusive relationship and then she has to clean houses anIs this book supposed to be surprising? Eye-opening? It's by a lady who gets pregnant from an abusive relationship and then she has to clean houses and wrangle with government assistance programs to make ends meet. Like 1 million other ladies. I don't get it....more
I LOVE the flavor Ibi Zoboi brings, but I don't give a dang about Pride & Prejudice, which really slowed the plot down for me. Anyway, mad props for tI LOVE the flavor Ibi Zoboi brings, but I don't give a dang about Pride & Prejudice, which really slowed the plot down for me. Anyway, mad props for turning Lizzie Bennett into ZZ Benitez. ...more
More later, but right now I will say that this hot hot satire made me extra sad that a bum I gave a Luna bar to said "I haven't had a seizure in two mMore later, but right now I will say that this hot hot satire made me extra sad that a bum I gave a Luna bar to said "I haven't had a seizure in two months! This is going to be my year!" ...more
Fascinating characters and just soapy enough that I couldn't put it down. Plus, I am always going to like a book where an old man makes salmon cakes. Fascinating characters and just soapy enough that I couldn't put it down. Plus, I am always going to like a book where an old man makes salmon cakes. ...more
As funny, sad, and true as always, and I wouldn't mind a whole book about Chastity Payton.
Very thoughtful of David Wong to put a gentle message of 'sAs funny, sad, and true as always, and I wouldn't mind a whole book about Chastity Payton.
Very thoughtful of David Wong to put a gentle message of 'seek help' in the back for his fans who find the adventures of David/John/Amy a little too close to their own experiences of paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. ...more
I wanted to like this! I like the protagonist's energy and love of dance! But the dance teacher was so unreasonably and unrealistically mean that I coI wanted to like this! I like the protagonist's energy and love of dance! But the dance teacher was so unreasonably and unrealistically mean that I couldn't suspend disbelief to get behind the plot. Oh well. ...more
Strenuously neutral look at both a teen whose skirt was set on fire and the kid who did it. Raises questions of privilege, guilt, responsibility, justStrenuously neutral look at both a teen whose skirt was set on fire and the kid who did it. Raises questions of privilege, guilt, responsibility, justice, and class with elegance. I cried for both kids. Must-read, must discuss. ...more
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