I do not like baseball. I never watch it. But I love to read about it. In a distant future America where AI and the Internet have taken control andI do not like baseball. I never watch it. But I love to read about it. In a distant future America where AI and the Internet have taken control and created two classes-the netted and the surplus-we follow Gwen and her family. Gwen is a pitching prodigy, so her family starts an underground league to give Gwen a chance to really practice her skills and give their Surplus neighbors something to look forward to. Aunt Nettie (aka Autonet, aka all-powerful super computer in charge) discovers Gwen’s skills and sets out to convince her to play for the Netted in the AutoAmerica Olympics. ...more
I remembered why I stopped reading WW2 books. While I found the life of Nancy Wake absolutely amazing, the atrocious acts of the Nazis are soI remembered why I stopped reading WW2 books. While I found the life of Nancy Wake absolutely amazing, the atrocious acts of the Nazis are so difficult for me to read....more
Oh Reese! You pick such interesting books. Can you even imagine listening to a podcast and then becoming part of it?! That’s what happens in thisOh Reese! You pick such interesting books. Can you even imagine listening to a podcast and then becoming part of it?! That’s what happens in this fast-paced, intriguing novel....more
OH! How I feel for Queenie. Depression, anxiety, trauma -- they will pop up seemingly out of NOWHERE (feels like it happens overnight, right?). HighlyOH! How I feel for Queenie. Depression, anxiety, trauma -- they will pop up seemingly out of NOWHERE (feels like it happens overnight, right?). Highly relatable character!
(also makes me wish I had the health services of UK citizens!)...more
**spoiler alert** I read a digital advanced copy of this book generously provided by the publisher.
The premise of this book is very “**spoiler alert** I read a digital advanced copy of this book generously provided by the publisher.
The premise of this book is very “from-the-headlines” and also very trendy right now. (Two families (or maybe a boss/babysitter); one Caucasian, one biracial; a disagreement; random events & meetings; some kind of open-ended but kind of complete conclusion.) See also, Little Fires Everywhere, Modern Lovers, Such a Fun Age.
A short introduction description on edelweiss for this novel asks, “What happens when you try to do the right thing but it all goes wrong?”
There were many things I liked about this book. I liked the perspective from the neighborhood/neighbors. I liked the characters. It was a page-turner.
Here’s where the spoiler comes in and it comes with a *trigger warning*. Maybe it’s my fault for not expecting it, but Xavier’s suicide at the end felt like emotional manipulation instead of necessary to the story. His plan for his future was ruined, but he still had potential for a life. He had a good & fairly communicative relationship with his mom. His character (frustratingly) seemed to jump to an incredibly drastic decision so quickly it caught me off guard. I don’t know. It just felt wrong.
This definitely wasn’t the book for me because of the ending and after thinking about it for *months*, I felt ok enough to write a review. I should have known when I saw “for the fans of Celeste Ng AND (emphasis mine) Jodi Picoult” that something devastating was going to happen, but suicide was never a consideration. I know, naive. However, it makes me feel like books should require trigger warnings on the copyright page (and make it a point to tell people where to find the ‘trigger warnings’ notice without “spoiling” ...more
The days of "pure" anything are long behind us. I've heard stories of meth users who have tested positive for heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, andThe days of "pure" anything are long behind us. I've heard stories of meth users who have tested positive for heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, and meth -- they thought they were just using meth. Westhoff follows a number of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and traces the origins of many back to the Mexican cartel and Chinese factories that have no issues with sending precursor chemicals to the United States or Mexico -- if it's not illegal in China, then what's the problem. ...more
This is a Target find. (As was The Fireman). Millie, aka Annie, is the daughter of a serial murderer and turns her mother in for her crimes. But howThis is a Target find. (As was The Fireman). Millie, aka Annie, is the daughter of a serial murderer and turns her mother in for her crimes. But how involved was Millie/Annie when it came to her mother's crimes? The open-ended conclusion was a little frustrating. Reminiscent of I Hunt Killers (main character is the son of a serial killer)....more
This is the third "end-of-the-world-thanks-to-a-deadly-disease" book I've read this year. It's been very cool to see how Joe Hill and Chuck WendigThis is the third "end-of-the-world-thanks-to-a-deadly-disease" book I've read this year. It's been very cool to see how Joe Hill and Chuck Wendig paid their respects to good ol' Uncle Stevie (ie The Stand) while still creating unique, page-turning worlds and characters.
A fascinating look at the fire that destroyed a massive collection of irreplaceable materials, a brief history of libraries, a mystery surrounding theA fascinating look at the fire that destroyed a massive collection of irreplaceable materials, a brief history of libraries, a mystery surrounding the unsolved case, a love letter to firefighters, and the author's own re-discovery of libraries. It's SO MUCH packed in one well-written book....more
I'm still making my way through the footnotes and reading the articles referenced, but this book is AMAZING. I love how the author built-on the worksI'm still making my way through the footnotes and reading the articles referenced, but this book is AMAZING. I love how the author built-on the works of journalists before her like Barry Meier. The fact that this "epidemic" was created nearly 25 years ago and is only growing should signify that drug manufacturers/marketers DO NOT HAVE OUR BEST INTERESTS IN MIND. It's about money. It's as simple as that.
And if you have someone in your life that is addicted, PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM OUT OF STATE FOR TREATMENT. Any treatment center that doesn't include medication-assisted treatment for opioid-use disorder isn't doing the addict any favors. In fact, the user WILL relapse. ...more
Sometimes the right book falls in your lap at exactly the moment you need it. I needed to read a story with hope. One that says, "you won't beSometimes the right book falls in your lap at exactly the moment you need it. I needed to read a story with hope. One that says, "you won't be depressed forever!" Now...will I undergo the treatment Ms Armstrong experienced...probably not. But just knowing there's an alternative beyond more effing useless pills, that's comforting. ...more
I read Stephen King back when I was probably too young to really READ Stephen King. So this is my second undertaking of this behemoth. King is soI read Stephen King back when I was probably too young to really READ Stephen King. So this is my second undertaking of this behemoth. King is so good. Even an anticlimatic ending can't ruin this one....more
Whenever I'm in a reading slump or I just can't decide what to read, I always seem to turn to romance novels as palate cleanser. Unique choice of mainWhenever I'm in a reading slump or I just can't decide what to read, I always seem to turn to romance novels as palate cleanser. Unique choice of main characters -- way to dream big, Casey! Seriously, the characters were great!...more
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