Sad but interesting collection of essays drew me in even though I had read a couple of them elsewhere. Ann Patchett writes about hosting Tom Hank's asSad but interesting collection of essays drew me in even though I had read a couple of them elsewhere. Ann Patchett writes about hosting Tom Hank's assistant at her house during the pandemic (and through the woman's cancer treatment). She also writes about her three dads and getting rid of the stuff she'd accumulated through life and her choice to be childfree. Maybe I am just at the right age or in the right mood to appreciate these essays. It felt like I had gone to her bookshop and had a chat with her about her life and it was pleasant. ...more
So I probably wouldn't have picked this one up if it wasn't by Amor Towles. The setup of a kid returning from a juvenile correction facility and Oof.
So I probably wouldn't have picked this one up if it wasn't by Amor Towles. The setup of a kid returning from a juvenile correction facility and heading out with his younger brother on a journey wasn't all that interesting to me. But Towles has written some other things I really love and so I wanted to give it a shot. I can't say that it was a waste of my time because there were many things I highlighted as quotes that struck me. But overall, I did not enjoy this ride.
I couldn't connect to any of the characters really. I guessed early on at a Rules of Civility connection that did play out and that was sort of fun, but only because I've enjoyed Rules so very much that I have read it multiple times. Emmett was okay but kinda bland, Billy was not believable as an eight year old to me (although I did like his moments of fending for himself). I thought Duchess was awful and Wooly was never fully explained. I didn't enjoy the few female characters or see them as real people for their brief appearances. Sally had some potential and some spunk but again I don't buy it(view spoiler)[ that she would do everything for Emmett and Billy, even traveling to meet them, and in the end say she had no romantic expectations. If you want to play it that way you'd better make me believe she really cares for Billy in a motherly way then. You don't keep up the neighbor's house and take care of the neighbor kid and travel cross-country to meet someone who fails to call you on schedule just because you have nothing going on that day (hide spoiler)]. I suppose it was all supposed to be some sort of epic quest in the manner of the Odyssey or Sullivan's Travels or O Brother, Where Art Thou? but it just left me cold and irritated that we barely were on the titular Lincoln Highway.
Also I ended up buying it twice (ugh) because it was a BOTM choice I was excited for but then it was just so huge I knew I would not get through it without having an ebook copy. And I hated the ending. ...more
Amory is staying close to home as she waits for her baby to arrive, but that doesn't stop another mystery from finding her. I made a crazy wild guess Amory is staying close to home as she waits for her baby to arrive, but that doesn't stop another mystery from finding her. I made a crazy wild guess early in this one that was 100% wrong (lol) but I found it just the diverting read I needed right now. I enjoyed it quite a lot....more
An angry little story about a possible future post-disaster on Earth. I liked the idea and the perspective but it all felt a little heavy-handed. Not An angry little story about a possible future post-disaster on Earth. I liked the idea and the perspective but it all felt a little heavy-handed. Not in a rush to finish this collection anymore....more
This Forward sci-fi collection is not really doing it for me. All the stories I've read are about an imagined dark future. This one focuses on AI. WhiThis Forward sci-fi collection is not really doing it for me. All the stories I've read are about an imagined dark future. This one focuses on AI. While I liked the excitement of the intro of this story I felt like it ended in the least interesting way possible....more
A little meditation on hope in the face of disaster. I didn't completely agree with the ending but I enjoyed the read.A little meditation on hope in the face of disaster. I didn't completely agree with the ending but I enjoyed the read....more
I love how Amor Towles writes so it pains me to rate this badly. While I think there was an interesting concept here of parents choosing possible futuI love how Amor Towles writes so it pains me to rate this badly. While I think there was an interesting concept here of parents choosing possible future children based on genetic engineering, this story just didn't gel for me....more
Thought it would be more about Carrie's Star Wars memories and found it was just a lot about Carrison - Carrie and Harrison's offscreen relationship. Thought it would be more about Carrie's Star Wars memories and found it was just a lot about Carrison - Carrie and Harrison's offscreen relationship. Her doomed romance with an unavailable guy and her diary entries and poetry from the time were just too painful and desperate and rather juvenile really. I found myself both impressed by her willingness to bare her soul and embarrassed for her. Just couldn't keep reading it....more
I quite enjoyed this look at a fictional rock band. The story was told in the style of a rock documentary through interviews which was unique and refrI quite enjoyed this look at a fictional rock band. The story was told in the style of a rock documentary through interviews which was unique and refreshing. I really found myself feeling for the characters involved and liked the themes about the pull of various desires. ...more
Oh man, I had been looking forward to reading this for so long and when it finally came in from the library I was so happy only to be very disappointeOh man, I had been looking forward to reading this for so long and when it finally came in from the library I was so happy only to be very disappointed when I actually got into reading it.
The hype is that this looks at the way the death of Shakespeare's son Hamnet could have inspired his writing of Hamlet (the names being interchangeable at the time). I had heard this theory before and was interested in how this could play out. In reality, the book isn't really much about Hamnet and never even calls Shakespeare by name. The focus is instead on the bard's wife (known to history as Anne but referred to as Agnes here) and her grief. The absolutely baffling choice is made to portray Agnes as a kind of healer/seer/mystical type which seems so unnecessary to me. Would we not sympathize with the grief of a normal mother who couldn't see the death of her son coming?
Only a few chapters in I was not enjoying the choices that were made or the casual cruelty between all the family members or the overall denseness of things. I did skim and there were a few vivid and moving scenes, but overall I just didn't enjoy this one. ...more
Having seen the movie first I knew how the story would play out. Even so, I found this an absolutely fascinating look at the legal system and the persHaving seen the movie first I knew how the story would play out. Even so, I found this an absolutely fascinating look at the legal system and the personalities involved in this specific case and how difficult it can be to get justice. ...more
Liked the ideas it included about social media and falseness in how people represent themselves online. The book has a bit of an identity crisis thougLiked the ideas it included about social media and falseness in how people represent themselves online. The book has a bit of an identity crisis though. There's one steamy scene and then the book splits from being a fun light summer chick lit sort of thing into a murder mystery/thriller sort of thing. The second part didn't work as well for me and while I didn't figure out the main culprit, I thought the other part with the backstory was obvious from the beginning. ...more
Engrossing multi-family saga that examines the traits we inherit and the patterns that we repeat over years and generations. As a warning it handles tEngrossing multi-family saga that examines the traits we inherit and the patterns that we repeat over years and generations. As a warning it handles topics that include mental health and alcoholism, but I thought it was skillfully and realistically done.
The blurb did not intrigue me much initially and I am often skeptical when I start seeing a book everywhere but I am glad I gave this one a try. Reminded me a bit of Tree Grows in Brooklyn and I had to keep reminding myself it was more contemporary than that. I was really drawn into the lives of these people and enjoyed the read, even if I occasionally wanted to be in a different head observing things and even though I thought it ended a bit too soon. My five stars may be more of an emotional reaction although I did think the writing was great as well.
(Is the whole thing ultimately about confirmation biases? Hmm.)...more
Got a deal on the classroom edition (minus all the swearing) and thought I'd give it a try but I was just not feeling the voice and since I already knGot a deal on the classroom edition (minus all the swearing) and thought I'd give it a try but I was just not feeling the voice and since I already know (and enjoy) the movie there was not much suspense to keep me reading. I see how it would have worked in a blog format with log entries being released one at a time but to sit down and read it all together is just not happening for me right now....more
Based on the author's younger years, features lots of mean girls named Jen and a special appearance by Jesus.Based on the author's younger years, features lots of mean girls named Jen and a special appearance by Jesus....more
Sometimes after reading fluff you want something with a little grit. This fit the bill in that sense for me but the mystery was convoluted and the intSometimes after reading fluff you want something with a little grit. This fit the bill in that sense for me but the mystery was convoluted and the interactions with the women were unbelievable. I was guessing early on that two characters would turn out to be one and the same but alas, I was wrong.
Chandler’s dislike of Hollywood can be seen here (did he like anything much?) (although he did work on the adaptation of Double Indemnity and that is well worth a look).
At one point a character questions why all the ladies like Marlowe as I was wondering that very thing. “What a way you have with the girls, she whispered. How the hell do you do it, wonderful? With doped cigarettes? It can’t be your clothes or your money or your personality. You don’t have any. You’re not too young, nor too beautiful. You’ve seen your best days and—� Oof.
This book is full of Chandler’s usual colorful turns of phrase but it’s all just a little too cynical for me....more
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