This book was a delightful read that was easy to get into and stay invested in. Like any good underdog story – and in the spirt of many greatThe Good:
This book was a delightful read that was easy to get into and stay invested in. Like any good underdog story – and in the spirt of many great sports movies – we get to go from humble beginnings, victories, setbacks, and development from rookie to champion. Every step of the way I found myself cheering, feeling empathy, and sometimes cringing as I made a close connection to our protagonist, Beth Harmon.
The Bad:
There really isn’t much that I would say is bad about this book. There are a few storylines that I thought might play out differently (view spoiler)[ drugs and alcohol (hide spoiler)] and maybe a few opportunities missed. But, not enough to detract from the overall experience
The Chess:
I know how to play chess and how all the pieces move. How long would I last in a chess game? Probably not very long as it has been years since I actually played and, as is reflected in this book, the strategy of those who play a lot is very complex and hard to follow with many, many potential moves needing to be anticipated and prepared for. At times, this book gets deep into describing chess matches and chess strategy. Actually understanding what is going on does not seem to matter, but it does occupy quite a bit of real estate in this book so it is something to be prepared for. If you think pages and pages of chess will not interest you, you can skim and should be fine.
Overall:
I am glad I read this book and I think a lot of people will enjoy it. I am looking forward to checking out the show on Netflix. ...more
This book was a very pleasant surprise! Not that I was expecting I wouldn’t like it, I just never know with classics on must read lists. Often it is hThis book was a very pleasant surprise! Not that I was expecting I wouldn’t like it, I just never know with classics on must read lists. Often it is hard for me to determine what about the book gets people excited about it or what exactly made it a classic. With Death Comes for the Archbishop, it was not difficult to see the appeal at all!
I listened to this book in its entirety in one sitting on the road coming back from Spring Break. The storytelling and the characters were a great way to pass the time and end a fantastic vacation. I wish all books I try as “road books” ended up being this good because I have encountered some that try their best to put me to sleep!
The structure of the plot is a series of short stories all taking place in the world of missionaries in the American Southwest during the expansion of the country. The story is influenced by a lot of real-life circumstances involving cultural clashes, native people, cowboys/frontiersmen, and old religion vs new religion. The characters you meet along the way are extremely interesting and extremely fascinating to follow on their journey.
One thing I think I appreciated the most about this book is that it is quick and too the point. Often it seems like these classics drag things out unnecessarily and it starts to get kind of bloated and boring. Cather sticks to what is important and keeps the story moving along which is I think is much better than overdoing it with excess exposition.
You should give this one a try – I hope you will be pleasantly surprised as well! ...more
Slaughter writes great flawed characters. Reading her books is like watching a reality show of people picking the worst options and doing everything tSlaughter writes great flawed characters. Reading her books is like watching a reality show of people picking the worst options and doing everything they can to ruin their relationships. To accompany those characters are some seriously scuzzy characters getting in the way. This is some scum that you will love to hate.
This story is much like the other Grant County books – so if you enjoyed those, you will like this one. Slaughter continues to shock and sometimes disgust with graphic depictions of bad behavior. But, hey, we all like to get a bit grimy when escaping into books from time to time, don’t we?
While not every book in this series or in the authors repertoire has been a hit for me, I do find some gems and enjoyable getaways. This was one that kept me interested and will help to make me keep coming back for more. ...more
Brideshead Revisited is an early 1900’s soap opera. The themes of relationships, alcoholism, religion, etc. – and the conflicts caused by each – serveBrideshead Revisited is an early 1900’s soap opera. The themes of relationships, alcoholism, religion, etc. – and the conflicts caused by each – serve to spice up this story. At times I was reminded of Downton Abbey, Poldark, and other stories of that ilk. While I do enjoy drama set in that era, I did find this one to be a bit drier than I care for. But overall I enjoyed it and would say it is about 3.5 out of 5 stars....more
My experience with Gabriel García Márquez so far ( Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude) have not been my favorite reading eMy experience with Gabriel García Márquez so far ( Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude) have not been my favorite reading experiences. I feel that I did enjoy One Hundred Years of Solitude more, but in general I do not think his writing is for me. However, this does not discredit in anyway the writing and story – and I can very easily see why some people like his writing and why it is considered a classic.
I am sure people want an explanation of why I cannot give Márquez and his books a glowing review. Mainly, I just think the subject matter and style are not for me. While I usually enjoy magical realism, the way that he tells his various stories only gets me truly invested 1/5 of the time. The rest of the time I tend to be either bored and/or confused. Often, I find myself revisiting sections to make sure I understood what I had just experienced. With that being said, I did find myself more invested and interested in this book over Cholera – is that because it is a better book or because I knew better what I was getting into? I am not sure.
This book is worth a try if you want an interesting atmospheric, genre-specific historical fiction story (I hope that description makes sense . . . it made sense to me in my mind!). Also, it is worth trying if you are “collecting the classics”. But, if you are looking for an exciting or riveting read, I think chances are low that you will find it here....more
I need to read up on the background behind this book as I am not sure how much is fiction and how much is just actually history told as a story by a cI need to read up on the background behind this book as I am not sure how much is fiction and how much is just actually history told as a story by a character who lived it. To me, Historical Fiction means a fiction story set in a historical time period and maybe told with real historical figures. In this case I am thinking it is more than that; not really a fictional story at all but could possibly be characterized as non-fiction.
I was fascinated by this story. It is a time period that I am aware of but that I don’t really know much about. I knew some of the characters names and a bit about their reputations, but this book really filled in everything else for me. At times it was a bit heavy and I found my mind wandering – picture listening to a history lecture – but I do like history in general, so I was able to enjoy the majority of the book.
One thing that might get tiresome for you if you decide to read this is that it is a bit repetitive. Now, that is not the fault of the author. In this case, the history itself was very repetitive and it was usually the not so pleasant stuff (murder, suicide, corruption, etc.) that was repeated. I guess you could say that it is an early Soap Opera!
This book is not for everyone. If you don’t like history or in-depth – sometimes sterile – narration of events, I don’t think it is worth giving this a try. But, if you like history, tales of the Roman Empire, the development of early Europe, etc. it may be a book that you will enjoy....more
It is difficult to exist without knowing at least something about the Titanic. From just general fascination about a famous historical tragedy to pop It is difficult to exist without knowing at least something about the Titanic. From just general fascination about a famous historical tragedy to pop culture interest around the late 90s film, you will be hard pressed to find someone who does not least have enough knowledge about the Titanic disaster to carry on a discussion about the topic. Despite what I know already, I wanted to take the time to go back and read the first (and maybe most famous) non-fiction account of the tragedy. It was 100% worth my time!
I have had this book on my list for a while but was recently inspired to read it after reading The Wreck of the Titan. Titan was a book written several years before the Titanic and has the reputation of being eerily predictive of the real-life event. In my opinion, I found it lacking and wanted to cleanse my palate with an account of the true story.
Lord does a great job of concisely describing the events of that fateful night. It was easy to follow and stay interested in. Sometimes non-fiction can get long winded and repetitive, but this account gets to the point with the details and brings the suspense of the real event to the page. Also found here in more detail than I have seen in other accounts (fiction and non-fiction) is the human response of the people; from heroes to cowards, split second decisions that both saved lives and cost lives, all of it extremely fascinating!
If you have any interest in the event surrounding the Titanic, I highly recommend this title. I also recommend it to fans of maritime stories and important historical events in general.
**spoiler alert** WARNING: Here there be unmarked spoilers!
I thought this would be really interesting and mysteriously spooky as a predictor of the Ti**spoiler alert** WARNING: Here there be unmarked spoilers!
I thought this would be really interesting and mysteriously spooky as a predictor of the Titanic disaster that occurred years after the publication of this book. However, this is just a so-so mystery/courtroom drama about redemption of one of the main characters where the sinking of the ship is an afterthought to the main storyline. If I wasn’t going in with bigger expectations for the shipwreck being the key event of the story, I may not have minded its barely being included.
Note: This novella was published as “Futility” and not changed to “The Wreck of the Titan” until right after the Titanic sunk. Talk about cashing in on a tragedy.
Learning about the pitiful life of John Rowland and watching him dig his way out of the hole of his tragic past is interesting and worth giving a shot. But, SERIOUSLY, the ship and it’s sinking are very minor characters/events so PLEASE do not go in expecting anything like the last two hours of the movie Titanic with action and drama as the ship slowly sinks into icy waters. If you go in expecting any more than a couple of pages related to the ship’s sinking, I guarantee disappointment....more
They have to be two of the silliest and cheesiest action/horror books I have ever read. But you know what – thatI read Meg and then I read The Trench.
They have to be two of the silliest and cheesiest action/horror books I have ever read. But you know what – that is just fine! I knew that is what I was getting into and I needed a little bit of escapism with some mindless entertainment. And, I also started this one while on a beach vacation, so it added a little extra spice to the trip.
My 4 stars is because I was entertained and it improved my overall vacation experience, not because of the writing and presentation. The Trench will not blow you away with its fine prose. It is the equivalent of watching a movie with really bad actors and very far-fetched plot lines. But it is not hard to stay interested in and enjoy just like some of the bad, cheesy horror flicks that have come out over the years. If this is the sort of thing you are looking for, then you cannot go wrong with the Meg series.
With baseball season kicking off I figured it was finally time to read a book that I have seen the movie version of several times. The Chicago Black SWith baseball season kicking off I figured it was finally time to read a book that I have seen the movie version of several times. The Chicago Black Socks and the 1919 World Series gambling scandal is probably the most infamous story in the history of baseball. It rocked the sport to its very core and almost destroyed it - leading to a lot of the rules and structure of the organization of it that we still have today.
Overall, I enjoyed learning about it, but was not super impressed by the presentation. While it was well researched and all the facts were delivered, it was frequently stale, uninteresting, and hard to follow (specifically the trial after the fact). If you are not a baseball fan (which I am), I don't think there is any reason to give this one a try....more
I have to admit something kind of embarrassing here. I have never really given much thought to the title of this book. Also, there has never been muchI have to admit something kind of embarrassing here. I have never really given much thought to the title of this book. Also, there has never been much reason for me to use leagues as a unit of measurement. But, up until reading this book I always thought of the "Leagues Under the Sea" as the distance under the surface they go. But, actually, it is indicating a distance AROUND the world that they are travelling under the water. So, yeah . . . my face is a bit red!
Verne may be the king of speculative sci-fi. He wrote so many books covering scientific discoveries that were just conjecture at the time, but ended up coming true. Maybe not all of it ended up in reality, but a lot of it did. I had to keep reminding myself that the things that sounded pretty normal for submarine travel were remarkable and unheard of at the time.
I am not sure if this classic will appeal to all. Some of the sections do get repetitive and tend towards dryness. However, for me, the whole experience was worth it and I am glad to add another classic to my list of books read....more
Sometimes the whole book is right there in the title. This is a book about a family who bought a zoo, and it is just about what you woul3.5 to 4 Stars
Sometimes the whole book is right there in the title. This is a book about a family who bought a zoo, and it is just about what you would expect! They don’t have a zoo, they decide to buy one, and they do.
Well, there is a bit more to it than that, but generally it is pretty much that straightforward. So, if you want to read the story of an Average Joe deciding to buy a zoo and everything that could potentially be involved in the care of animals, maintenance of the grounds, business models, etc. then this is the book for you. I think the most intriguing overarching theme is how many nuances of running a zoo a guest may not realize from the outside looking in. Every step of the way, Mee is finding out all the roadblocks to running a zoo and shares with the reader his problem-solving techniques. We get to see him grow from interested zoo hobbyist to full-fledged king of the zoo.
Note on my comment that he is an “Average Joe”: While he may not have had a background in zoo ownership and management, he does have some parts of his background that made him more likely to try and buy a zoo than others. So maybe “Above Average Joe” would be a better descriptor!
The main deviation from the story of the zoo involves the health of Mee’s wife. I will avoid saying too much so as not to spoil, but the book does start off right away mentioning she is sick, and her struggles are a major part of the story. Mee’s reflection on her and her struggles may require a box of tissues to be on hand.
Many times, I really get into Non-fiction audiobooks because the author will take a subject I may not know much about or that I have not previously interested in and make it totally enthralling. With We Bought a Zoo, it was very good, and very interesting, but I cannot say that I found myself enthralled at any time. So, it is worth reading, but I cannot give you the expectation that you will be wildly entertained . . . more like mildly entertained. ...more
This is a very powerful and important book. It seems like lately a lot of my selections have focused on the dark side of American history - and this oThis is a very powerful and important book. It seems like lately a lot of my selections have focused on the dark side of American history - and this one is particularly dark, sad, and disturbing.
I missed the big rush to read this book a few years ago when the movie came out. But I am finally glad I picked it up. I am not sure if I will follow it up any time soon with the movie. But, I can see how this story would make an equally moving and impactful motion picture.
I think my one issue with the book was several times the narrative got bogged down and my mind started to wander. This may just be a side effect of it being written in the 1800s. Often when I read classic books, even if I enjoy them, the style of the writing makes it difficult to stay focused. So, if you decide to give it a try, just be prepared for the delivery to get a bit stagnant at times.
But, overall another important non-fiction story for all to read and remember. Slavery is definitely a part of history we never should repeat and racism should have no place in our society. Learning and responding accordingly are the best course of action to prevent darkness like this from taking hold again....more
Usually the book is better, in this case I think it was the movie.
Shoeless Joe was made into the movie Field of Dreams. While the book w3.5 to 4 Stars
Usually the book is better, in this case I think it was the movie.
Shoeless Joe was made into the movie Field of Dreams. While the book was pretty good, the movie tidied up the narrative quite a bit, streamlined the messy parts, and hit the high emotional moments just right to hit home. In fact, if you remember the movie and all the key tear-jerking moments . . . they are all there in the book, just kind of glossed over.
Also, this is 100% a book about baseball for people who like baseball. If you do not like baseball, there is no point in reading it. Back to the movie; they did a fairly good job at making it accessible to people who do not like baseball even though that is a key plot point. The book, however, is in-your-face baseball lore, baseball statistics, baseball gameplay, etc. I can’t even say give it a try even if you don’t care for baseball. Nope . . . if you don’t have a passion for baseball, do not waste your time.
I do like baseball and overall I enjoyed the book. But now I need to go do a re-watch of the movie because of all the fond memories I now have of it being better than the book. And, I better get my tissues ready!
Peter Pan has never really been one of my favorite classic stories. I know that some people have a lot of nostalgia from childhood for t4 to 4.5 Stars
Peter Pan has never really been one of my favorite classic stories. I know that some people have a lot of nostalgia from childhood for the Disney movie. Also, there have been so many spinoff and retellings of this story and the actual life of the author, that you know that it means a lot to a lot of people. As we are preparing to watch this with our kids for the first time, I figured I ought to check out the original so that I could get a real feel for where the story started.
At first, it started slow. I am wondering if this was due to my tendency to go into things with pre-conceived expectations. Since I have had only a passive interest in the story before, I wonder if my brain was like “Hey! Why are you wasting your time on this!” I know, I know . . . this is very bad of me! So, I soldiered on, and I am very glad I did.
As the story progressed, I really got into it and the world of Neverland. The characters were fun and the fantastical plot very silly. The emotions and personalities of all the characters can be summed up by a line about Tinkerbell that said basically she could either be all mean or all nice, but never both things at once. Because of this, you pretty much know what you are going to get with each character.
The progression through to the end was melancholy, but satisfyingly sweet. It is true that we are all going to grow up someday, but the stories from our childhood never do.
Be sure check this book out - especially if you are a fan of Peter Pan, Hook, Wendy, etc. or have dreams of someday traveling off to Neverland....more
I thought this book had some unusual and unconventional moments.
But, since Josh Hanagarne ha3.5 to 4 stars
I thought this book had many great moments.
I thought this book had some unusual and unconventional moments.
But, since Josh Hanagarne has lived a great but also unusual/unconventional life, this should come as no surprise.
I love finding memoirs to listen to from people who might be your next-door neighbor. Nothing famous, flashy, or particularly earth shattering about their life; no major awards won, disasters survived, etc. But by just being themselves and sharing their day to day they make you realize that your ordinary can easily become extraordinary.
The key points about Hanagarne that drive his story: • He is a librarian • He is really into working out with kettlebells • He is Mormon • He has Tourette’s Syndrome
As you can probably tell, being a muscle-bound librarian in Utah who tends to make unusual sounds and have uncontrollable tics leads to the unusual and unconventional mentioned above. My first thought was, “how can a person who might be making noises outside of their control work in an environment where you are supposed to stay quiet?” You will have to read to find out!
Hanagarne’s adventures though faith found, faith lost, faith found again, love found, love lost, love found again, losing control of his body, regaining control, losing control again are quite a roller coaster ride to bring the reader along. Even if his life is nothing like yours, I think you will learn something about yourself along the way. I know I did....more
I need to listen to my wife more often. She read this years ago and said it was terrible. I have had it on my TBR, saw it was nominated for 1.5 Stars
I need to listen to my wife more often. She read this years ago and said it was terrible. I have had it on my TBR, saw it was nominated for some awards, noticed it was available from the library, and figured it couldn’t be all that bad so I might as well try it. Well, my wife was right!
The only reason it is not 1 star is the first third or so was actually pretty good and interesting. But, don’t you just hate it when the awesome plot development dissolves into non-sensical ramblings and time jumping? That is exactly what happened here. It is never a good sign when you are fully invested at 1/3 and could care less by 2/3 because the plot has completely devolved and become almost incomprehensible.
Also, the character relationships and their actions really bugged me. I didn’t understand motivations and I didn’t believe the discussions people were having. Then, someone would do something really outlandish without giving me, as a reader, any reason to believe that it was logical behavior for their character or the plot. It was just kind of a silly mess.
So, now I will add my 1 or 2 star review disclaimer. This review is based solely on my experience with this book (and apparently my wife’s experience, too). I am sure there are those out there who love it and will completely disagree with me. That is totally cool! I just must stay true to my personal experience with a book, and in this case, it was not a good one. ...more
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