Elizabeth
Well, I did NOT see THAT ending coming.
This novel had everything I'd hoped a second novel in this wonderful series would bring - danger and excitement; more loops, ymbrynes, peculiars, hollows, and wights; more insight into its' fascinating character's lives; a little bit of heart-string tugging, and a little bit of romance; and even thought I complain about them all the time, a pretty darn good cliffhanger to make me even more eager for the next book.
I think this is one of the most unique and interesting series I've read in a long time, and while the
use of pictures to assist the story could come across as “gimmicky”, for me the haunting images merely increase the depth and scope of the story's power. If you haven't yet dipped your toes in this peculiar world, I highly recommend you give it a try. I'd be surprised if you aren't as fascinated by Jacob's story as I am.
I was absolutely hooked on this novel from the first chapter. From the unreliable narrator to the plucky, mystifying heroine, this world had me in it's grip and didn't let go. It was surprising to me that the writing was so good - I don't often include genre fiction in the same category as literary fiction. This was a fascinating blending of the two. As such, it was at times not as plot-heavy as some genre readers might want, but I found myself completely enthralled. The ending was heartbreaking and yet hopeful, with plenty of unanswered questions to keep readers thinking after the last page had been turned. Another that could definitely be on my list of favorites this year.
So this was definitely not a thing I'd planned to do when I thought about what I'd read in 2016.
Of course, I also hadn't planned on falling head-over-heels for a hip-hop musical about the least-known founding father, so clearly my scouting for the year wasn't the best.
This book was, honestly, fantastic. You know how you are flipping channels, and you see PBS is showing Ken Burns' “The Civil War”, and you think, “Oh, yeah, that's supposed to be good. I can watch an episode, and maybe if I like it I'll look it up on Netflix later or something”, and then the next thing you know it's 4 hours later and you're trying to find a kleenix because you're crying about a confederate soldier, and you don't even know what's happening except you have to keep going because how can history ever be this compelling?? Yeah, it's that kind of good.
Chernow uses an immense number of primary sources, and spends pages and pages on things like the formation of the US banking system, and manages to make none of it seem dry or boring or lecturing. I would venture to guess that Chernow is a fan of Alexander Hamilton (because how could he not be?), but he doesn't shy away from exploring Hamilton's weaknesses (pride; impulsivity; inability to keep his mouth shut) while also showing what an incredible man he truly was.
This is fascinating history, and I'm thankful I took the plunge into this amazing beast of a biography. Highly recommended.
Lovely YA novel about a young man in WWII NYC whose older brother goes off to war, and who meets the painter Piet Mondrian. Really interesting exploration of the importance of imagination, the impact of war on families, and the trials of growing up. Very well written - I'm glad I found this one!
Books about spirituality are tricky for me. I was raised in an ultra conservative faith, and have spent the better part of the past 25 years deconstructing those teachings to come to a place of freedom with the beliefs I currently hold. There aren't many teachers whose words I feel like I can trust. The list is pretty short. It's exciting for me when I can add an author to that list.
Much of the deconstruction I did in my faith was in the area of the patriarchal structures I had been fed for years. I hadn't, honestly, given much room or thought to the issue of race. And then along comes Kaitlin B. Curtice, and her magnificent new book, and I feel like once again I am starting on a journey.
Native is beautifully written - I think Curtice is truly a poet - and is also one of the most uncomfortable reading experiences I've faced in a long while. Curtice is a member of the Potawatomi tribe, and as she shares her own faith journey, she challenges so much of the existing religious structure in ways I hadn't even thought about. Her voice is gentle but insistent - she asserts her right to be heard, and allows her readers to make space for their own stories, no matter where in the telling we find ourselves.
I am so thrilled this book found its way into my hands. I plan to start reading it again almost immediately, because there is so much to learn from its pages. I cannot recommend highly enough that you get this book into your hands.
This collection is so dark and subversive and unsettling and AMAZING. I will definitely read the entire book again, and still may not feel like I quite grasp everything the author wants to convey. Standouts for me include Inventory; The Husband Stitch; Eight Bites.....but there is not a single story I don't want to experience again. Completely absorbing. Very recommended.
According to most
Definitions, I have never
been at war.
According to mine,
most of my life
spent there.
This collection was complicated and challenging. Solmaz Sharif chooses to use words from the Department of Defense's Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, printing them in caps so readers can easily spot them in the poems. It's an effective and jarring method of highlighting the ways in which words can have different meanings in different contexts.
Sweet, satisfying romance
Really, really intelligent, well constructed story. Sam is as sympathetic and compelling a heroine as I've read in a long time. The twists and turns of her relationship with Cory felt believable, even in a larger than life romantic scenario. I hope this author finds more success, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
The bulk of the essays were engaging but for me they got a bit repetitive toward the end.
I'm not sure I've ever read a work of Christian nonfiction as honest and raw as “Sinners, Saints, and the Furious Love of God.” I've read a bunch that are more polished; a few that are funnier; several that are destined to be more popular in churchy circles. But I don't think I've ever read a book by a Christian author who has chosen to lay himself bare in quite the same way as David Leo Schultz (yes, he uses all three names).
This is a not a book that will be remembered for its lovely prose, or its gracious technical skill. (Not a secret - the author discloses early on that punctuation rules are not particularly a concern.) Editing might have made it more presentable, but it also would have erased much of what is the soul of this book - the message that practically vibrates throughout every page - we are loved furiously, recklessly, unconditionally, by the God who made us all.
Schultz takes his readers on a road trip of sorts, over back roads and past all-night diners, through the highs and lows of a life marked by some success and more struggle, inviting his reader into a conversation that feels uniquely intimate. His honesty is refreshing, and sometimes almost uncomfortable, but it's that honesty that makes his reader trust him. This is not an author out to impress, or to make his own words leave a lasting impression - his message is the only goal, and that message of love is for everyone. Literally everyone.
This is a book to be read, and re-read, and then read again. It won't be the most popular book I read this year, or the best selling, but it might be the most important. Highly recommended.
(I received an advance copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion - thank you!)
Sweet romance featuring over-50 queer protagonists. Great visuals - really fun read.
For very personal reasons, this is one of the hardest books I have ever read. I couldn't stop reading. Gorgeously written and absolutely steeped in grief.
If you are white, this book is going to make you feel very uncomfortable - and that's why you should read it. With the most gorgeous prose, Austin Channing Brown writes her story of growing up black in an America tailored for whiteness. This book will teach you and convict you in the same line. Channing Brown is not here to make anyone feel good - she is here to call us, all of us, to action. This is a powerful new voice that deserves to be heard.
As is fairly common for me when reading a horror novel, I enjoyed the reading of the majority of this book and then it kinda fell apart for me at the end. Something about the big, final “battle” or whatever of the horror plot always just leaves me feeling....like I missed something? Or something more needs to happen?
Anyway, mostly quite enjoyable book about a boy who discovers his family has been generationally haunted by a particular monster.
Quite an interesting idea for a novel, and for the most part well executed. I struggled to empathize with the main character, which is why this wasn't a home run for me, but would definitely read more by this author.
I'm so glad I tried this on audio! I had a physical copy a few months ago and the flow of the language wasn't working for me, but I decided to try it as a audiobook and loved it. The narrator's distinct voice and relatable struggles as she navigates her work, love, and parental relationships makes this novel stand out in a crowd of similar concepts. Definitely worth the read!
Loved all the 80s music and culture references and was very impressed with the way the author nailed how middle and high school friendships can be so toxic while feeling so good.
Truly every man in this trilogy was painfully stupid.
Fun read, and now I'm full up on historical fiction again for a while.
Forgot how much fun a good Philippa Gregory historical can be - can't help but get sucked in.
TL;DR - be more pissed off more often.
Fantastic work. Traister comes at her subject from a white lens, and both acknowledges and critiques the power that affords. Lots of historical framework tied to contemporary politics. Definitely will need a re-read.
Part graphic novel, part dystopian coming-of-age story, with a sprinkle of “The Road” thrown in, this illustrated novella was unlike anything I'd ever read before, and I very much enjoyed it.
Certainly didn't have “tearing up over a hockey novel” in my plans for today, but here we are.
Bachman writes regular people beautifully - we all know these people, they might be our relative, and they absolutely inhabit his novels. This is a book about sports but only barely - it's actually a book about what happens when the right thing isn't the popular thing; when the right thing has a cost; when knowing the right thing and doing the right thing are two very different choices. It's a book about choices and consequences, and all those two things entail. Powerful and hard to forget.