Stories of old age and slipping memory can be fascinating when done right. This one reminds me of Old Jack by Wendell Berry. There's more plot to it, Stories of old age and slipping memory can be fascinating when done right. This one reminds me of Old Jack by Wendell Berry. There's more plot to it, and it's engaging watching the past and present come to light....more
The third installment of this series that inserts short stories throughout the action of a Star Wars movie filling in the gaps with different perspectThe third installment of this series that inserts short stories throughout the action of a Star Wars movie filling in the gaps with different perspectives. It's a fun concept. Though I have to admit this one fell a little short. It's still fun. There are still some gems. But overall it wasn't nearly as fun as the original. Which is too bad, because there are even more option of interesting things to explore. Makes me wonder how much Disney tied the hands of the writers, giving them instructions not to touch other properties....more
As the title tells you, this book is a lot. It eventually settles into a chronological autobiography that leads up to Queer Eye. It's interesting and As the title tells you, this book is a lot. It eventually settles into a chronological autobiography that leads up to Queer Eye. It's interesting and wow has Van Ness been through a lot, but it's not earth shattering....more
The fifth in Maya Angelou's series of biographies, these start to get dreary and dull. There are so many unnecessary interactions and descriptions, buThe fifth in Maya Angelou's series of biographies, these start to get dreary and dull. There are so many unnecessary interactions and descriptions, but then occasionally it gets to something really interesting or an especially insightful moment—often suddenly dropped without any preamble....more
This is basically the story of Nick and Charlie having a fight. That's about it. What's bizarre to me is that this was written before the HeartstopperThis is basically the story of Nick and Charlie having a fight. That's about it. What's bizarre to me is that this was written before the Heartstopper series. Not sure why we would care about Nick and Charlie without the Heartstopper series or why on earth Alice Osman could write this and make it feel like Heartstopper came first, but there it is....more
This story, and the story of the story, is fascinating. The story itself is fascinating because the main character basically has undiagnosed depressioThis story, and the story of the story, is fascinating. The story itself is fascinating because the main character basically has undiagnosed depression. At times Tori is insightful and funny and weird, and it's great. At other times she's spiraling and it's not great. The story of the story is fascinating, both because Alice Oseman published this at 17 and it's hard to believe that she wrote it and that they published such a dark story, but also that HeartStopper is basically a prequel to Solitaire and it's hard to believe how that all came together. It's a fun little world, perhaps a little more real and honest than many fictional worlds we find....more
This volume definitely got heavy as it more deeply explored Charlie's mental illness. But I was impressed with the care and tenderness with which it aThis volume definitely got heavy as it more deeply explored Charlie's mental illness. But I was impressed with the care and tenderness with which it approached the topic....more
Just more of this idealized romance, and everyone seems to be getting together. A little more depth and concern here as it gets to some deeper mental Just more of this idealized romance, and everyone seems to be getting together. A little more depth and concern here as it gets to some deeper mental health issues....more
A fun love story, just a shorter, graphic novel version of the TV show (even though it came first, I'm just reading it after watching the TV show).A fun love story, just a shorter, graphic novel version of the TV show (even though it came first, I'm just reading it after watching the TV show)....more
A simple middle grade story of a child struggling with gender. The story is simple, but the issue is far from it. This book does a great job showing tA simple middle grade story of a child struggling with gender. The story is simple, but the issue is far from it. This book does a great job showing the complexities of navigating the issue for a child as they sort it out for themselves and try to live their own truth....more
I think I was expecting a more straightforward memoir, and this isn't it. The blurb pitches a shift after Donald Trump, and while that happens, it's nI think I was expecting a more straightforward memoir, and this isn't it. The blurb pitches a shift after Donald Trump, and while that happens, it's not really explained in narrative style. There are some interesting insights and perspective of being Black and interacting with the white world....more
A fascinating graphic novel memoir that explores nonbinary/genderqueer experience. The downside is there's not much of a story. It ends kind of abruptA fascinating graphic novel memoir that explores nonbinary/genderqueer experience. The downside is there's not much of a story. It ends kind of abruptly. So a helpful book to understand that experience, but not a gripping story....more
I'll be painfully honest: This is a boring memoir. If you're looking for the drama of Jennifer Knapp's disappearance from Christian music and come bacI'll be painfully honest: This is a boring memoir. If you're looking for the drama of Jennifer Knapp's disappearance from Christian music and come back and coming out, she really doesn't play to that angle. The story's there, but you have to wade through a lot. I found hearing her full story fascinating, but it's not exactly a riveting tale. She tells it chronologically, which means an awful lot of growing up and discovering music before she ever finds her faith, a guitar, explores her sexuality, or any of that. I enjoyed it, but more because I grew up in the same sub-culture....more
I find these gay Christian memoirs so fascinating and heartbreaking. Much of the appeal for me is the familiar subculture I recognize, but that quicklI find these gay Christian memoirs so fascinating and heartbreaking. Much of the appeal for me is the familiar subculture I recognize, but that quickly gives way to the difficult journey. This one is similar to others I've read. While it is illustrated, it's not a graphic novel....more
I get that he wrote it in the late 1960s (the version with the afterword that I read was published in 1989) and for its time it's probably remarkable,I get that he wrote it in the late 1960s (the version with the afterword that I read was published in 1989) and for its time it's probably remarkable, but I just couldn't get past a white man writing about race solely based on his childhood experience with the two Black people he knew. He even owns up to that to a certain extent, but it still undermines so much of his argument. He makes some good points, but it also feels like he's just trying to apply his anti-capitalist, anti-consumerist, pro-environment, pro-agrarian sentiments to the issue of race, essentially dismissing racism in favor of what he thinks are bigger issues. As much as he tries to acknowledge it, it feels reductive of Black experience. It reads like a white guy who doesn't know any Black people trying to solve racism. ...more
There were parts of this I liked, but also parts that felt rambling and disjointed. Ultimately, it doesn't tell a very cohesive story. There are momenThere were parts of this I liked, but also parts that felt rambling and disjointed. Ultimately, it doesn't tell a very cohesive story. There are moments, for sure. But I felt like the style kept getting in the way, saying things in a way that confused me. ...more
A recap of multiple dreadful moments in the life of comedian Tig Notaro, including the death of her mother, a near-death illness, and cancer. It has fA recap of multiple dreadful moments in the life of comedian Tig Notaro, including the death of her mother, a near-death illness, and cancer. It has funny moments, in her understated way, but it wasn't hilarious. ...more
A teen dealing with his parents' infidelity and the fact that life changes. It's engaging, but there are definitely those frustrating YA moments when A teen dealing with his parents' infidelity and the fact that life changes. It's engaging, but there are definitely those frustrating YA moments when a teen is making boneheaded decisions. Realistic, I suppose, but maddening to read....more
The Star Wars story of Quinlan Vos and Asaj Ventress working together to assassinate Count Dooku. This was an unproduced arc from Clone Wars that was The Star Wars story of Quinlan Vos and Asaj Ventress working together to assassinate Count Dooku. This was an unproduced arc from Clone Wars that was turned into a novel after the series was canceled. It gets a bit cheesy at moments, but it's great to see more of Ventress' story. ...more
An engaging reflection on the nature of work and rest. Some helpful insights here and good stories, though it's maybe more applicable and less humorouAn engaging reflection on the nature of work and rest. Some helpful insights here and good stories, though it's maybe more applicable and less humorous than some of his other books, so I guess it depends on what you're reading it for....more
A Sherlock Holmes style mystery that takes place on Jupiter. The mystery and romance was interesting enough, though it seemed a little clunky at timesA Sherlock Holmes style mystery that takes place on Jupiter. The mystery and romance was interesting enough, though it seemed a little clunky at times....more
An engrossing vampire story that's densely packed. Seriously, the writing is just dense, not as in hard to understand, but packed with details and emoAn engrossing vampire story that's densely packed. Seriously, the writing is just dense, not as in hard to understand, but packed with details and emotion. It's hard to breeze through, but it's still engaging. ...more
I'm absolutely not one to read a tell-all memoir from a White House staffer, especially not from Team Trump. But this one was fascinating. While I disI'm absolutely not one to read a tell-all memoir from a White House staffer, especially not from Team Trump. But this one was fascinating. While I disagree with a lot of what Cliff Sims says, he has an honest style that's quick to admit to Trump's shortcomings (as well as his own). He definitely defends the former president, but he also has insight into what makes Trump tick. It explains a lot of how Trump operates and why he's so confounding. ...more
Intriguing memoir about the experience of an undocumented immigrant, sent to the U.S. by his mom without his knowledge. Really underscores how difficuIntriguing memoir about the experience of an undocumented immigrant, sent to the U.S. by his mom without his knowledge. Really underscores how difficult this issue is and how few good solutions there are....more
Damn. It's not often I rethink my everyday work. But this book has me reconsidering how I write and imagining new possibilities for all my clients.Damn. It's not often I rethink my everyday work. But this book has me reconsidering how I write and imagining new possibilities for all my clients....more
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