Jessica
Really a 4.5, rounded down. I usually do not go in at all for books with no plot. And I don't think I could have finished this book if I wasn't reading and listening at the same time. For the graveyard scenes, I would read and listen at the same time. The narration adds a lot to these sections. For the historical part, I would turn the narration off and just read those parts. The narration was really distracting there. Felt very Neil Gaiman to me. But overall it was like nothing I have ever read before. I think I will think about it quite a bit.
I cannot stop evangelizing about this book. I have purchased well over a dozen copies as gifts. The writer is so incredibly generous with their journeys of self-discovery. And the parings with the stories of marine life are like parings of great wines and fine chocolates. They absolutely enhance each other. While many (most) of the topics are difficult, somehow at the end, you feel hopeful (for the memoir parts at least – the destruction to the natural world seems to march on relentlessly.) You cannot read this and not come out the other side a better person.
Really good. Interesting POV that swings from any one character to a testimonial “we”. Does not linger on tired, voyeuristic narratives while at the same time not shying away at all from the brutality of slavery.
JFC. I thought The Road was bad, but this may be the most nihilistic thing I have ever read. Gripping, but OMFG.
What a quiet, small, but powerful rumination on memories of trauma from childhood. Beautiful.
The story about the grandmother's dress. OMG. The storytelling is first rate.Really reminds me of [a:Trevor Noah 15149526 Trevor Noah https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1555600819p2/15149526.jpg]'s [b:Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood 29780253 Born a Crime Stories From a South African Childhood Trevor Noah https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473867911l/29780253.SY75.jpg 50150838]. Memoirs like these of extreme poverty told in this very neutral, non-accusatory way are always so eye-opening. I spend a lot of time thinking about the mothers in these scenarios, presented without judgment or condemnation, but also without excuse or glorification. And I wonder how they raised these good, resilient men.
Really a 4.5; might upgrade later depending on how it sticks with me. Main thing I have to say is that knowing David Copperfield is both a plus and a minus here. On one hand, I don't think I could have beared reading it if I didn't know it was all going to turn out at least somewhat okay for Demon, on the other hand, the high correlation with Copperfield was a bit distracting.
Most importantly though, it was a really respectful account of the damage that has been done in Appalachia from coal to tobacco to opioids, and at the same time celebrated the natural beauty of the area as well as the extraordinary and compassionate people who live there and are just trying to live from one day to the next.
Well that was something different. So quick. Recommend if you are in the mood for a weird little snack.
There was a time (a thousand years ago) when I could claim to have read everything that Stephen King had written. Generally, horror is not my genre, but his writing is so clear and easy and even though the stories are sometime monstrously long, you never seem to get bored. As a writer, King does not ever waste your time. Fairy Tale is no exception. You forget (if you ever knew) just how fine a line there is between horror and fairytales. Fairy Tale will remind you. A nice follow up to Starling House. 4.5 stars really. Definitely a very satisfying read. If you don't read King because you think of him as only horror, but you do love modern fairy tales, this book was written for you.
I enjoyed Exit West and had high hopes for this shorter story, but it didn't engage. Essentially stake-less race transformation exploration. No growth, essentially no reflection. Temporary stakes that ultimately do not lead to any change.
Also, way, way, way too many compound sentences. “And” became “um” as I was reading. A stylistic choice that just became a very distracting tic. Seriously. A thousand short sentences struggle together with and, or and but, but mostly and, and, and. Example: ““...she did not know if it would be open, if it still existed, but it was, and it did, and the owners were there...”
Do not recommend.
These books are so fun. Impressed by how close the Apple TV show is. Excited to read the next one before the show so I can experience a bit more suspense. :)
Reads like you are watching the show. A few quibbles with the repetition of background info given in book one, but I suppose that is needed for people who just jump into a series wherever. Just hoping that does not end up being a problem as the series goes on with more and more and more summary. Writing is so easy to read. Multiple viewpoints and quick scene cuts make it a very very easy read. A nice thriller with high action but low emotional stakes which makes it a great escapist read.
An onion. The best possible kind.
This book is the embodiment these lines from Wicked:
We believe all sorts of things that aren't true.
We call it history.
A man's called a traitor or liberator,
A rich man's a thief or philanthropist.
Is one a crusader or ruthless invader?
It's all in which label is able to persist.
There are precious few at ease
With moral ambiguities,
So we act as though they don't exist.
Shorter than the first 3. Still fun, but definitely felt more like a bridge. On to the last. Hope it does not disappoint.
A quick little novella that reminded me of American Gods and Good Omens. Good world-building. Not 100% sure why it won / was up for so many awards, but to each their own.
A little preachy on the LGBTQ+ stuff. But maybe that is just me wanting queer relationships to just be okay and not to have to be told as a reader that it is okay. Maybe I am thinking about this wrong, but it just frustrates me. That said, it was nice to see queer love celebrated front and center and not in a trauma-centric way. Also does NOT commit the "bury your gays" trope, so that is refreshing.
Really a 3.5, but rounding up for queer representation.
Rounding up from 4.5. I honestly would view this, Station Eleven, and The Glass Hotel as a triptych of stories. Recommend reading in order. They share a common structure of weaving stories away and then together again. Characters float from one book to the next – the same but different. The three together are lovely. Also, I want to go to Vancouver Island.
So good. I have a feeling she might feel a bit more harshly towards her parents once she becomes one herself, but an incredible journey to read.
Meh. Did not really capture me at all. None of the storylines (if you can even call them storylines) or characters were compelling at all. Kept thinking something would happened and it just didn't... Nothing to actively dislike, but definitely would not have finished if it weren't so short.
Honestly this series is just more and more of a romp as it goes. This volume has a big dash of American Gods or Percy Jackson thrown in. Fun.