Unapologetic writing like tons of tiny razor blades cutting away all at once. Totally brilliant though was a really thrown when Romy fantasized aboutUnapologetic writing like tons of tiny razor blades cutting away all at once. Totally brilliant though was a really thrown when Romy fantasized about having that teacher take on her son. Seemed a bit out of the blue....more
Whoa, this took stamina, and the research behind this book should be a course in how to research a novel. I have enjoyed opera but not to an aficionadWhoa, this took stamina, and the research behind this book should be a course in how to research a novel. I have enjoyed opera but not to an aficionado level, so there were passages I skimmed.
But.
Months later, I still remember the exchange between Lilliet and one of her lovers when he asks "How many women are you?" and she replies "A legion." Bliss....more
Very relatable, and the writing was fantastic. The ending was a mix of surprise and a little cliched, but yes to this book. How many women have felt tVery relatable, and the writing was fantastic. The ending was a mix of surprise and a little cliched, but yes to this book. How many women have felt this way?...more
I studied Native American literature in the 1990s when Louise Erdrich was the big name then (she's still big, obviously), and it's so cool to see herI studied Native American literature in the 1990s when Louise Erdrich was the big name then (she's still big, obviously), and it's so cool to see her influence in Tommy Orange's novel. Congratulations to Tommy for bringing the stories of urban Native Americans to our bookshelves. The writing is stellar and imaginative, and the ending is downright profound. ...more
The writing is evocative, crisp, and consistently engaging. Nothing lags anywhere. Gorgeous, gorgeous stories. I brought this book to Iceland with meThe writing is evocative, crisp, and consistently engaging. Nothing lags anywhere. Gorgeous, gorgeous stories. I brought this book to Iceland with me even though I had finished it, just to have it physically nearby because the stories have so much presence. Can't wait to see what Loskutoff writes next. ...more
I hesitated with this book because I think the constant self-examination of the writer's life has been, well, way over-examined. But the writing was sI hesitated with this book because I think the constant self-examination of the writer's life has been, well, way over-examined. But the writing was so snappy and funny, though I found Arthur boring (maybe he's supposed to be?). My favorite is this long graph opening the Moroccan chapter about camels, and the best line where I actually laughed out loud was: "Not her fellow camels, to whom she shows the disdain of an heiress forced to fly coach." I was on a camel catamaran recently in Australia, and this rang true. Camels just do not care. The narration threw me off initially, but in the end you see what's going on. This is a fun, sweet book though I'm not really clear on why it won the Pulitzer. ...more
I found this delightful 1st edition book displayed at the South Congress book store in Austin, and grabbed it because the book jacket matched my dressI found this delightful 1st edition book displayed at the South Congress book store in Austin, and grabbed it because the book jacket matched my dress and I loved the title. I had no idea who Corinne Griffith was, or that her heyday had been the silent screen era. I started flipping through and was immediately captivated by the writing. It's like a celebrity cookbook of the 1950s but instead of splashy photos of Corinne shaking hands with all the important people she meets, you get witty, vivid vignettes about her meeting the Prince of Wales (later, the disgraced Duke of Windsor) or meeting Eisnehower at his inauguration. They don't write cookbooks like this anymore. Plus, at least a third of the recipes feature "Philadelphia cream cheese." A treasure!...more
I know others remarked this was a quick read but I had to take it in smaller bites because the emotion and pain were sometimes overwhelming. Also, I lI know others remarked this was a quick read but I had to take it in smaller bites because the emotion and pain were sometimes overwhelming. Also, I like that Mailhot writes about her child abuse as memories, snapshots. They are written in a fragmented way is if attempting to recall a dream, and I appreciate that not everything is overtly spelled out, as is so common....more
This is a quick and enjoyable read. Having been to Japan gave me a greater appreciation on where Sasaki was coming from. I've been into minimalism sinThis is a quick and enjoyable read. Having been to Japan gave me a greater appreciation on where Sasaki was coming from. I've been into minimalism since my 20s (ask my college friends who called me "Spartan"), and met a ton of resistance to it, especially from my husband's family, and to a lesser degree, my own, who insisted on giving tokens, stuff, latest sales, whatever as a way to express themselves. I can't tell you how much of this stuff went to the Salvation Army. It felt like (and sometimes still feels like) a constant uphill battle. Reading Sasaki's book made me feel less alone in this regard. However, I disagree with Sasaki's take on bright colors, calling them "visual noise." Give me Frida Kahlo's house any day and the colors of Mexico! I'm also not a fanboy of Steve Jobs, but appreciated Sasaki using Jobs as an example. My biggest criticism of the book is the photos in the front: it's easy to show minimalism when showing spare rooms; why not show minimalism in action, with the single guy using his minimalist kitchen or the couple, parents, kids, etc, using their space? Empty rooms don't tell the whole story. ...more
I gulped this book down in 4 days though my intent was to stretch it out because it's so good. The structure is brilliant. It's character-driven, it'sI gulped this book down in 4 days though my intent was to stretch it out because it's so good. The structure is brilliant. It's character-driven, it's plot-driven, it's crafted-driven. I can't wait to re-read it because I miss the characters....more
Very interesting insider's view detailing the struggles of the rural white working class, which I am related to, though we don't have the colorful druVery interesting insider's view detailing the struggles of the rural white working class, which I am related to, though we don't have the colorful drug abuse history described here. Reading this may help understand why Trump got elected, though it seems Vance is arguing for that individualistic "pull yourself up by your bootstraps to get ahead" mentality, which is very American, but doesn't always work if you don't have a Mamaw or a Papaw in your corner. Still, we need more Vances get into places like Yale and adding to diversity of thought, which is in short supply in our polarized country....more
A bit dense with the historical details and sometimes hard to keep track of all the secondary and tertiary players BUT a fascinating read about the biA bit dense with the historical details and sometimes hard to keep track of all the secondary and tertiary players BUT a fascinating read about the birth of a nation. Robert Townsend particularly interesting, especially since understanding of his role as a spy didn't come to light until well into the 19th century. Curious there are Nathan Hale statues everywhere, and he was caught before he could accomplish anything, yet we now know of Townsend, and where are his statues?...more
Also very good (everything Paul Lynch writes appears to be very good). Similar settings, similar lyrical writing, although I enjoyed the tension in "TAlso very good (everything Paul Lynch writes appears to be very good). Similar settings, similar lyrical writing, although I enjoyed the tension in "The Black Snow" more than "Red Sky." Still, worth your time. Fully-realized characters always on interesting quests....more
Loading...
