The Wedding People: both the title and description printed on the dust jacket indicate “romance� as the genre. Though I’m not normally drawn to romancThe Wedding People: both the title and description printed on the dust jacket indicate “romance� as the genre. Though I’m not normally drawn to romance novels, this is a well-told story. Great writing style, a good blend of drama and humor that encouraged me to keep reading. That said, I did feel that the author might have been running out of steam about halfway through writing. However, I would recommend this book to others, especially as a beach-read....more
Uplifting and entertaining nonfiction. So encouraging to read about people treating other people-complete strangers-with such kindness and generosity.Uplifting and entertaining nonfiction. So encouraging to read about people treating other people-complete strangers-with such kindness and generosity. I’d requested this book from the library, knowing that I would be better prepared before seeing “Come From Away� later this spring: so glad I did. An enjoyable read....more
Beautifully told. I’d seen the original Spielberg movie many years ago, but had never read the book. So glad I treated myself to this wonderful novel.
Conservative bias and lack of objectivity obvious from the moment I started reading this book. I read enough to know that I would not have the fortituConservative bias and lack of objectivity obvious from the moment I started reading this book. I read enough to know that I would not have the fortitude to finish to its conclusion. It’s clear that Mr. Carney knew what his conclusion would be before he traveled to “research� America....more
A lot of self-reflection by Cath, called from modern life in San Francisco to her grandmother’s home in rural Vermont, having inherited it after GeorgA lot of self-reflection by Cath, called from modern life in San Francisco to her grandmother’s home in rural Vermont, having inherited it after Georgia’s death. Cath had spent much of her childhood there because of her mother’s mental illness and early death. We are also privy to Georgia’s story; Cath pieces together much of her grandmother’s past after finding and reading diaries found in the attic of the house Georgia left her. By reading the diaries and examining her own life-which includes two failed marriages and raising three children-Cath gains wisdom from the past and the confidence to embrace the future. Another well-told story from Sue Miller. ...more
This novel tackles timely issues of identity-racial, sexual…without “preachy prose�: the writing is nuanced, making the characters and their feelings This novel tackles timely issues of identity-racial, sexual…without “preachy prose�: the writing is nuanced, making the characters and their feelings seem authentic. The characters are varied and complex, but most of the time likable. It’s also a story of how family relationships can be a challenge-and whether differences can be resolved or overcome....more
The plot: far-fetched. The characters: unlikeable. The editing: not enough of it! The writing was so wordy; the story dragged. This almost 500-page noThe plot: far-fetched. The characters: unlikeable. The editing: not enough of it! The writing was so wordy; the story dragged. This almost 500-page novel could have been told within 250-300 pages. ...more
**spoiler alert** Had I based my review on the first 100 pages, I’d have given a two- or three-star rating: the writing seemed much too wordy. That sa**spoiler alert** Had I based my review on the first 100 pages, I’d have given a two- or three-star rating: the writing seemed much too wordy. That said, I’m glad I kept reading to the book’s conclusion; by the end, I’d decided that this fictionalized account of a young girl’s association with a cult was well-done. Even though Evie was not directly involved with the crimes committed, the writing reveals how her time spent with the group (obviously modeled after the Manson Family) has haunted her into old age. She wonders: If she’d been with the others that night, would she have been an active participant?...more
I read this memoir after seeing the movie adaptation. Reading Szpilman’s amazing story of survival was like reading the screenplay, meaning…I now knowI read this memoir after seeing the movie adaptation. Reading Szpilman’s amazing story of survival was like reading the screenplay, meaning…I now know the film to be true to the book. Loved the movie. Enjoyed the book. ...more
By the late �60s and for many years after, this book, with its single drop of blood on both the front cover and on its spine, was shelved behind Dad’sBy the late �60s and for many years after, this book, with its single drop of blood on both the front cover and on its spine, was shelved behind Dad’s reading chair…noticed by myself and my four sibs as children. And many of us have become familiar with the story of the Clutter family murders via two great movies: “In Cold Blood� and “Capote�. But until now, I’d not read the novel. What a pleasure to read such smooth prose and learn what happened in such detail from many different perspectives. I read this book during this year’s Christmas season: not an uplifting holiday story, but I so enjoyed Capote’s writing. ...more
Mr. March is a minor character in Little Women. Such an interesting idea to write a novel in which he’s the main character, detailing his work as an aMr. March is a minor character in Little Women. Such an interesting idea to write a novel in which he’s the main character, detailing his work as an abolitionist and experiences as a Union Army chaplain. And he is certainly a three-dimensional character-very human, both his flaws and heroics laid bare.
At times, the beginning chapters seemed to drag. However, persistence paid off. I enjoyed this book overall.
The afterword offers a brief and interesting history of the Alcott family, reminding the reader that March is modeled after A. Bronson Alcott, father of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women....more
In so many ways a tragic story, but also heartfelt and entertaining. I appreciated the setting: I have fond memories of a vacation spent in Maine and In so many ways a tragic story, but also heartfelt and entertaining. I appreciated the setting: I have fond memories of a vacation spent in Maine and Nova Scotia with my husband many years ago…familiar places, such as Bar Harbor and Bay of Fundy....more
There are well-written passages, indicating the author’s possible talent. However, the writing lacks cohesiveness. The plot is confusing, the frequentThere are well-written passages, indicating the author’s possible talent. However, the writing lacks cohesiveness. The plot is confusing, the frequent transition from past to present not at all fluid. By the time I completed this novel, I no longer cared about the outcome for these unlikeable characters....more
A lot of adventure is packed into this fact-based story. It captures what I’d imagine it would feel like to cross the continent with two giraffes in aA lot of adventure is packed into this fact-based story. It captures what I’d imagine it would feel like to cross the continent with two giraffes in a “two-story homemade boxcar plopped down on the entire length of the truck bed� during the Great Depression. Told in first-person by Woodrow Wilson Nickel, through Woody we meet Old Man and Red. They encounter many challenges and learn much about each other as they cross the country from east to west coast, in order to deliver the two giraffes to the San Diego Zoo.
I loved the quote included at the front of this novel: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.� -Anatole France, Nobel Laureate, 1921 Amen....more
Harnessing the power of Niagara Falls to generate electricity at the turn of the 20th century: much description of the politics-and the people, both aHarnessing the power of Niagara Falls to generate electricity at the turn of the 20th century: much description of the politics-and the people, both actual and fictional. The plot becomes weighed down with wordy passages and too many unlikeable characters (including the supposed-but irritating-heroine). I rarely give up on a novel; I didn’t give up on this one and read to its conclusion, but I would certainly understand why one might consider abandoning this book partway through....more
This novel provides parallel stories of racism in the antebellum south and today…while also providing a well-researched history of horse-racing. The eThis novel provides parallel stories of racism in the antebellum south and today…while also providing a well-researched history of horse-racing. The entertaining plot is followed by an interesting “Afterword� and “Lexington’s Historical Connections�: I enjoyed reading each description of the actual people who became characters in the novel. ...more
Although less than 170 pages, this novel packs a lot of emotional punch. Told from the perspective of several characters-a landowner and mistress, slaAlthough less than 170 pages, this novel packs a lot of emotional punch. Told from the perspective of several characters-a landowner and mistress, slaves, indentured servants-it describes the horrific institution of slavery and how it shaped attitudes in American society-attitudes still too prevalent today. The ignorance of people and how religious sects were able to prey on the simple and uneducated is also a recurring theme, much like the evangelical groups who follow corrupt politicians today. ...more
The writing seemed pretty mediocre, especially at the beginning of this satire. However, my patience paid off. I began to enjoy reading about the peopThe writing seemed pretty mediocre, especially at the beginning of this satire. However, my patience paid off. I began to enjoy reading about the people of this fictional southern town.
Each chapter focuses on a character whose view of the world is influenced by a book they’ve just read. These characters also begin to influence each other, most of them uniting to fight for positive change and justice. This novel delivers a timely message and is a needed attempt to fight this era of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and attempts to take away hard-fought freedoms....more
Loading...
