Family, religion, drugs, the legal system, and putting everything on the line when you have no idea what the best choice is . . .
This is a “Wha4 Stars
Family, religion, drugs, the legal system, and putting everything on the line when you have no idea what the best choice is . . .
This is a “What would you do if faced with a difficult decision” story. And, with multiple lives and the future at stake, the reader is left with a lot to keep them occupied throughout. I think fans of family-based drama (specifically people with close sisterly-bonds) will be enthralled by this story. In fact, if you have sisters and your relationship with them is strained, this book could hit very close to home for you.
Overall, this book is gut-wrenching – but it was the difficulty of the circumstances that kept me intrigued. Be aware that if you are sensitive, there is a lot here that might be tough to swallow. But, if you can, in the end the whole package is rewarding and will leave you with a lot to think about. ...more
I believe American Dirt had some controversy around it. As the world is so full of controversy right now, I didn’t dig into what the controversy was sI believe American Dirt had some controversy around it. As the world is so full of controversy right now, I didn’t dig into what the controversy was so I could just focus on the book. Maybe someday I will look into it further.
American Dirt is a story of normal people dealing with the unfairness of real-world horrors that they are forced to face; people like you and me whose only mistake was being born somewhere where day to day life is scary and chaotic. If you are blessed to live somewhere where you don’t have to live in fear every day, you will feel even more blessed after reading this book.
I found the story and the plight of the main characters to be very intriguing. Much of the plot harkens back to other books with migrant stories – like Grapes of Wrath. So, if you have read books like those before, chances are you will have a similar experience with this book. I cannot use the word “enjoy” with a book like this because the plot points are so shocking and sometimes hard to read, but it was well done and kept me interested throughout.
Worth the read – but proceed knowing that a lot of what you will read is unfair and frustrating . . . and even more difficult because it is based on things that are really happening right now in our world. ...more
This is the touching, raw, heart-string pulling, and sometimes frustrating story of Christopher Boone. He is the protagonist and narrator of th5 stars
This is the touching, raw, heart-string pulling, and sometimes frustrating story of Christopher Boone. He is the protagonist and narrator of the story while suffering from emotional and developmental disorders with some savant capabilities. The interesting thing is the whole time he tells his story, while his behavior is odd and different from others, he never seems to acknowledge the fact that he knows he is different. During his interactions with other characters he feels he is being logical and reasonable while those he is talking to are ripping their hair out in frustration. It makes for some very interesting and entertaining situations.
A character and story that this could possibly be compared to is Forrest Gump. Lots of little anecdotes mixed in with a main storyline by a narrator who really does not understand the impact of his involvement or why things are the way they are. Curious, but simple. The only major difference is that Forrest stayed fairly pleasant throughout the story while Christopher gets very violent when he gets uncomfortable.
I read this towards the end of a reading slump. I think this might be the perfect book to help get someone out of a reading slump. It is not very long, the story is not complex, and the content is very intriguing. I burned right through this because I could not wait to see what happened next while Christopher unraveled the mystery. I feel I could recommend this to almost anyone.
Disclaimer: Have you not read The Hound of the Baskervilles, but you want to? DO NOT READ THIS BOOK FIRST! Christopher ruins the book! He spends one chapter going through the entire plot and then lays out the key points and spoilers in bullet points. Between this and several books I have read recently describing the climax of Anna Karenina, I kind of don’t feel safe from spoilers!...more
Because of a book club, I did read you To join in discussion, I did need you A librarian did recommend On whosReview of Marlena A poem by Matthew McLean
Because of a book club, I did read you To join in discussion, I did need you A librarian did recommend On whose word I did depend Stream of consciousness I did find Through repetitious pages I did grind So-so and unlikable characters I did meet Drugs, alcohol, and sex did compete Coming of age was the theme Loss of innocence to the extreme Some would say the genre is Young Adult Because of teens in revolt But if a teen decided to read Some attention they might need Because there are some triggers you must abide Those mentioned above as well as death (maybe suicide?) Unfortunately, I must mention Other more interesting books required my attention So, three stars in the end Any higher and truth I would bend Perhaps it is one you would give an “A” But for me it was just okay...more
UPDATE 9/14/2020: In case you were wondering if my positive review was legit, I recently saw that it won the category of Literary Fiction at the AmeriUPDATE 9/14/2020: In case you were wondering if my positive review was legit, I recently saw that it won the category of Literary Fiction at the American Fiction Awards 2020. That's high praise!
UPDATE 11/5/2019: This is my write in selection for the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards in the category of Fiction. I encourage others to do the same!
Two facts about author Michael Bowe:
- As of my writing of this review he is not very well known (but should be) - His first two books are CONSIDERABLY better than some of the big named books that get lots of circulation and attention
With these two things in mind, if you like consistently good story telling, an emotional connection with what you are reading, unforced poetical prose, etc. etc. etc., you really need to give Michael Bowe a try!
The Weight of the Moment focuses on how life can very quickly be changed by a single, short lived event – sometimes as quick as the blink of an eye. In the examples that drive this story, the moments cannot easily be changed, erased, or taken back with a simple apology. I was frequently reminded of the book So, You’ve Been Publicly Shamed; where one ill thought out tweet or statement made in public can destroy the life of someone who had, up until then, lived a perfectly normal and happy life. In this day and age, I think almost all of us can relate to fears over how easy it is for a small mistake to be broadcast to the world.
How can demons of a single moment be exorcised? The amazing storytelling of Michael Bowe will take you from big city Philadelphia to rural Pennsylvania where the two protagonists, Nick Sterling and Tom Corbett form a friendship that helps them both overcome their own demons. Along the way they also manage to clean some skeletons out of Tom’s family closet. All the characters met along the way are wonderfully fleshed out – often with a side story (unrelated to the main story, but important none the less) that offers insight on the moment that defines them. Again, simply fantastic storytelling!
I guarantee that if you like great fiction that tugs at your emotions and leaves you thinking, you must give Michael Bowe a try. Either Skyscraper of a Man, The Weight of the Moment, or both. You just cannot go wrong!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! And, it is honestly great! ...more
I am struggling with reviewing this one. For general fiction it was quite different than other general fiction I have read. I had high h3 to 3.5 Stars
I am struggling with reviewing this one. For general fiction it was quite different than other general fiction I have read. I had high hopes after reading Moore’s The Unseen World, but maybe going in with high expectations was a detriment to my experience with Heft.
There are some interesting characters, but I kind of feel . . .
And, the story is intriguing and well written, but when I stop to think about it . . .
Then, when it comes to the whole point of the story, the resolution, the big climax . . .
So, are you going crazy yet that I have not finished any of my thoughts? That is how Heft left me feeling. So much great build up! So many great characters! Lots of awesome development along the way! But, then . . . nothing much really . . .
I wanted more! I needed more! Sometimes when you read a book and you are left hanging or to guess what is next, it is okay. You feel good having to imagine what happens next. To me, this just felt unfinished.
If you are okay reading a good book that doesn’t really go anywhere, you can check this one out. Many others did not feel the same as me and have rated this one 5 stars. Maybe that is the experience you will have. However, I am thinking it might be best if you . . . ...more
Sometimes dark, sometimes funny, sometimes mysterious – I really enjoyed my first Liane Moriarty book. I have seen where some say this book is not quiSometimes dark, sometimes funny, sometimes mysterious – I really enjoyed my first Liane Moriarty book. I have seen where some say this book is not quite as good as her others. If that is the case, I am in for a real treat if I keep reading her books.
From time to time, my wife and I choose an audiobook to listen to together at night after the kids go to bed. I had Nine Perfect Strangers set as the June 2020 read for one of my book clubs and she had read this author before. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to listen to another one together! I will say, I think getting a chance to listen to a book with my wife like we are listening to a radio drama in the 40s or 50s always enhances my experience.
This book is all about the characters and character development. Some may feel that it is thin on plot, but it is the backstory of each character and their relationship development that is the plot. If you really enjoy character studies and watching characters build and change over the course of the book, this would be the perfect book for you to check out.
In my first paragraph I mention that this book is “sometimes” lots of different things. It was interesting to be laughing on one page, near tears the next, and then wondering if things had taken a sinister turn the very next one. Moriarty keeps the reader guessing right along with the characters – who also never seem to know quite what is going on.
This is a title where I have seen a pretty big division in the reviews from my friends on Goodreads; maybe even more low star ratings than high. Now that I have finished, I will be looking closer at some of those reviews to see what led to the lower ratings, but for me, I think it was a very decent book worth checking out!...more
This book is a fantastic character study. The journey with quirky Eleanor through Eleanor Oliphant is NOT completely fine!
Well, at least not at first!
This book is a fantastic character study. The journey with quirky Eleanor through the past and present is bizarre at times, thought-provoking at others. But, I found it to be engaging no matter what. And, while it is mainly about Eleanor, there are a few other interesting characters met along the way as well. Such a fun ride!
Also, I thought from the start of the book it was just going to be a general humor-fiction sort of book. But, there are some very dark and twisted elements that are encountered along the way that put this book in a class/genre all by itself. I truly don't think I have ever seen a book that combines dark mystery and humor quite the same way that this book does.
You know, when I sat down to write this, I thought I was going to go 4 stars. But, in writing the paragraphs above and thinking about the uniqueness of the story and how engaged I was with Eleanor's journey, I am going to have to up it to 5 stars.
Give this one a try! While you may recognize some of the elements, I think in the end, as a whole, it is a totally new experience....more
A lot of humor and a lot of heart – that is the best way to describe To Squeeze a Prairie Dog. This is a book for all those line workers out there tryA lot of humor and a lot of heart – that is the best way to describe To Squeeze a Prairie Dog. This is a book for all those line workers out there trying to make an honest buck in the midst of political bureaucracy and social chaos. Life isn’t always perfect, and you may get thrown a lot of curveballs – many of which may be your own fault. But, through perseverance, teamwork, and a positive attitude you may just end up getting something, even if it wasn’t what you expected, in the end.
Ah, that’s it! The perfect soundtrack for this book – You Can’t Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones.
Semegran does a great job keeping the reader amused without belittling the plight of the working man. And, when I say plight . . . that sounds rather dark. This is not a plight like those encountered by the workers in Sinclair’s The Jungle. This is a plight that is more relatable to day to day office workers in the modern world; repetitive data entry, relationships with other employees, the red tape from employers, etc. Because of this, its is definitely a light-hearted plight and should be very accessible to the majority of people with standard 9 to 5 jobs (myself included)
Ah, another “that’s it!” The perfect movie companion for this book is Office Space.
I am very grateful to have received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Since I believe he will be reading my review as he has been liking my statuses along the way – Hi Scott! I have a question . . . something that just seemed odd – I will spoiler tag it for your review:
(view spoiler)[ Chapter 32 and Chapter 34 – it felt to me like these were different versions of the same events that took place the day the revealing articles were published. In both cases, Brent starts out hungover (not unusual), but then the boss shows up disgusted about the article. In one case they go out drinking instead of facing the boss. In the other, Brent gets fired. It feels to me like 34 for should be where 32 is and, either 32 removed or combined with the events of 34. The hearing with the reporters and governor (Chapter 33) feels like it should still take place after this as it wraps up that story line before we move on to the events post Brent’s firing in Chapter 35. Am I overthinking this? And, this is not a complaint by any means, just an observation. (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, back from my digression!
I recommend this book for anyone who is part of the workforce and has always hoped for something better from a job change, a hobby becoming your life, winning the lottery so you don’t have to work anymore, etc. I think you will find a little bit of yourself in this story. ...more
This book is an excellent experience! The characters and the story wilI finished this book and closed it.
I immediately had chills all through my body.
This book is an excellent experience! The characters and the story will grab you from page one and won’t let you go. You will be told stories of good things and bad things, friendships and jealousy, family and heartbreak. Each of them, whether they bring sadness or joy will fill your heart and satisfy your mind.
While pets do play a key role in this story, I don’t think you need to be a pet lover to enjoy it. I am not a big “fur baby” person myself, but I loved every single page of it. And, if you are a pet person, I think you will find even more satisfaction from this than I did. In fact, I find myself wanting to go out and get a cat now!
Bring your Kleenex, you are going to need it!
There is really nothing wrong with this book. It is absolutely perfect! It is going on my favorites list and I recommend it to all.
Thank you so much to Berkley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I love when a publisher provides such great literature for me to read! ...more
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. And, I wasn't really sure for the first half or so if I was enjoying it or not. But, as it built up to the eI enjoyed this book more than I expected. And, I wasn't really sure for the first half or so if I was enjoying it or not. But, as it built up to the end I was enthralled - definitely the sign of a good book.
The delivery of the story was very unique. The entire story (except for a few flashbacks) takes place over the course of a Thanksgiving Day Dallas Cowboy's game during the Gulf Conflict post 9/11. It concerns American heroes being honored and the reality of life in America vs military life in the Middle East being the catalyst for several interesting and intertwined storylines. I don't know the background of the author and how much he knows about military life (in person or researched), but he does a really great job providing some raw reality.
What is the most amazing to me is how many storylines he fits into one football game. Sure, as a story you can bend time how you want, but he does a pretty good job of making it seem reasonable that everything could have happened.
A great tear jerker that will make you think! I am hoping that it is an on point depiction of how military personnel view life coming out of combat because it is very eye opening and, in my opinion, worth everyone reading to see that it isn't all just,"Yay! 'Murica!" ...more
I have enjoyed all three books in this series and I wish Louisa was a personal friend of mine. Following her ups and downs andI am a Louisa Clark fan!
I have enjoyed all three books in this series and I wish Louisa was a personal friend of mine. Following her ups and downs and all the things she learns along the way is a real treat. Each book she brings something along from the previous book(s), but each book also stands on its own.
I will say that I think I enjoyed this one more than After You. Something about the story made it feel more like a direct sequel to Me Before You. Not that I was hoping it would be or that being like the first makes it better. It was just nice to return to a story that felt like what I remembered from the first.
For sequels, the question is often asked "do I need to read the previous books?" I think that this one offers enough background from the earlier books and doesn't lean too much on their content so that you could read this without the others if you really wanted to. But, I think that it is worth giving the whole series a go.
If you are into slightly cheesy tear jerkers that warm your soul and tug the heart strings, acquaint yourself with Louisa Clark - I gaurantee you won't regret it!...more
If this book does not get your brain churning, well, then you did not read the same book I just did!
This book is filled with so many scenarios wiDang!
If this book does not get your brain churning, well, then you did not read the same book I just did!
This book is filled with so many scenarios with so many questions and no perfect answers. Every situation is a little pile of kindling and any of the questionable solutions will only ignite the fire . . . soon you have a bunch of fires ready to burn everything to the ground. Man, that would be a great title for this book! Oh . . . wait . . .
It has been a long time since I remember reading a book where my mind and problem solving skills have been this challenged. Usually when you are reading you think, "well, the best route for them to follow is this" or "Geez, it's obvious that they should never have done that." In this book I just kept thinking, "I am glad I am not the one who has to make any of these decisions!"
Also, this book is full of so many misunderstandings. I get frustrated when someone is falsely accused or the wrong conclusion is assumed. Every 15 minutes I found myself yelling at this book!
"IT WASN'T HER!"
"NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED! SOMEONE SPEAK UP!"
"OH, THIS ISN'T GOING TO END WELL!"
I believe I have said it before, but any time a book has you engaged so much you yell at it, want to pull the characters out of the pages and shake them, and/or need a stiff drink to calm your nerves at the end of each chapter, you are reading a pretty darn good book.
Give your analytical side a gift and read this book - it would be a great one for a book club. I imagine it would certainly lead to some lively discussion!...more
I enjoyed this more than some other recent John Grisham novels I have read. Many parts of it were 3 stars and many parts were 4 stars. I will compromiI enjoyed this more than some other recent John Grisham novels I have read. Many parts of it were 3 stars and many parts were 4 stars. I will compromise at 3.5 stars (but round up to 4 on the official scale – since I have been so harsh on Grisham lately!)
The main appeal of this book is that books are central to the theme. Hardcore readers – which most of you probably are – will appreciate the discussion of bookstore business/politics, book values, first edition collecting, and book heists. All of that was what kept me in this right up to the very end.
The story was just okay – some of the plot points convenient and convoluted. It is fiction, so of course the author is making it up, but I want there to be at least some sense that the events are plausible. In this case, it seemed like any time Grisham wanted something to fit he would be like, “Well, it just so happens that over here is the exact thing we were discussing!” It’s a bit silly, but only mildly distracting.
One thing I liked a lot compared to Grisham’s recent efforts is that it felt fresh and unique. Normally, it feels like he is using the same formula and it is getting stale. But, in this case the mystery was different than anything I have seen in one of his books before.
Finally, I go back to one of the things that amuses me about Grisham the most. I feel like he plans his plot and scenes around food. I dare you to try and find a Grisham where he doesn’t mention what people are eating every few pages, characters are not planning a get together based around food, or the main character doesn’t stop of somewhere for beer and burgers to contemplate what just happened. It makes me laugh every time ...more
This book is a quick read about difficult subject matter. While the message is important, I was kind of lukewarm on the delivery and I never really goThis book is a quick read about difficult subject matter. While the message is important, I was kind of lukewarm on the delivery and I never really got into the book. At times it was interesting, but there were a lot of other times I found my attention wandering.
Any story about religion and terrorism has the potential to be riveting. What I think is the most interesting about this one is that it takes place primarily in India and addresses the Hindi/Muslim conflict. I am more familiar with stories and events that tend to be more Christian vs Muslim or at least Muslims in America. It is always fascinating to see other viewpoints.
Also, I think two other important elements addressed in this book are the lives of victims after bombings as well as thoughts from Muslims regarding Muslim terrorism. While a fictional story, I expect that a lot of what is included reflects reality.
If you have an interest in stories about religious conflict, recent terrorist activities, and how average citizens respond to it all, this is worth checking out. But, again, if you have the same experience I did, you may enjoy what you learn, but the journey will be rough....more
A little weird to be reviewing this one the day Carrie Fisher passed away. In fact, I was probably reading the final pages as the news broke.
This is aA little weird to be reviewing this one the day Carrie Fisher passed away. In fact, I was probably reading the final pages as the news broke.
This is a story about Star Wars fans waiting in line to see The Force Awakens on opening day. There is talk of Princess Leia and waiting in line back in the day for Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. A fun story for a sad day.
The force is strong with this one!
Despite being a glorified short story (or maybe a novella??? Not sure if there are specifications to distinguish the line between the two) this has been my favorite Rainbow Rowell thus far. I think that book would appeal to YA fans and Star Wars junkies alike (many of whom are probably both). Definitely an entertaining and quick read.
The book - 4 stars The audiobook - negative 1000 stars! (more on that later)
This book was a soul crushing catch-22. The decisions the characters had toThe book - 4 stars The audiobook - negative 1000 stars! (more on that later)
This book was a soul crushing catch-22. The decisions the characters had to make and the options they are presented with range from totally awful to not all that great. It was interesting to read a book that felt the entire way through like there is no chance for a happy ending. Which bad option will be the outcome?
The audiobook is terrible. So bad that I will never listen to another book by this reader (Noah Taylor). His odd inflections, weird and frequent pauses, poor enunciation, and whispering made this painful to listen to. As much as I did enjoy the book, I was thankful when it was over....more
A fantastic and well told story! At times, I was near tears. Other times I wanted to reach into the book and punch one of the characters. I was so emoA fantastic and well told story! At times, I was near tears. Other times I wanted to reach into the book and punch one of the characters. I was so emotionally invested, I was talking out loud to the book. In the end, I set down my Kindle and gave a standing ovation.
I was skeptical going in . . . this is the part where I fear pet lovers will start unfriending me and/or sending me hate mail! I am not a big pet person so I have been putting this off because I heard it is told from the point of view of a dog. My worry was that it may not appeal if I couldn't connect to the love an owner might have for their dog (I know, I am a terrible person!😉) But, I will say that I really enjoyed it. The dog in question is Enzo, and he comes across as very wise and human. The cutesy dog/owner story I feared it is not.
Because Enzo is very wise, this book is very quotable. I began to picture Enzo sitting on a mountaintop in robes waiting to impart knowledge on those coming to seek his guidance. Because of this, I feel that this is a good book to recommend to those seeking inspiration.
Another aspect that sold me on this book is how much the book is about auto racing. I love watching auto racing and talking about cars, drivers, great moves someone made in a race, or their mistakes made, etc. This is just like Denny and Enzo in the book. I thought it was awesome how auto racing philosophy was connected to life in general.
I mentioned in the beginning that at times this book made me rage. It has been a long time since a book has made me this mad (the last was probably The Giver - which I actually flung across the room. That was a physical copy, though. This was my Kindle, I didn't want to fling it). I cannot really say what made me so mad without spoilers, but be sure to prepare yourself because I bet there are few people who can make it through this book without a similar reaction.
Because I was so moved - to happiness, to sadness, and to anger - I give this book A++++, 16 thumbs up, all the book awards, etc. I can easily recommend this book to anyone!...more
At times a bit melodramatic and cheesy . . . but I liked it a lot!
4 to 4.5 stars
It has been a long time since I have read any Matthew Quick. I remembeAt times a bit melodramatic and cheesy . . . but I liked it a lot!
4 to 4.5 stars
It has been a long time since I have read any Matthew Quick. I remember having more success with his books than failures and some of my fondest reading memories come from some of his books. So, when I was going through my list finding something to read, I was surprised to find this one still unread. Boy am I glad that I finally gave it a try!
If you have read some of Quick’s other books, the feel of the story will come as no surprise to you. The characters will likely feel as if they could have been found in any of his books – and I wouldn’t be surprised if they all know each other in the Quick-verse. The thing that makes this book unique is the format: a slightly nonlinear telling of parts of the same story from four different points of view. A couple of times this got me confused and thinking I missed something, but it all came together in the end.
I have not read any other reviews of this yet, but I am a little surprised at the 3.5 stars or so it is coming in at on Goodreads as I write this. If I had to guess what some complain about, my guess would be one of the following:
- Melodrama - Story coincidences - Cheesiness - Confusion caused by the different points of view and their non-linear presentation - The author’s presentation of feminism - The author’s presentation of mental illness - The author’s presentation of suicide (view spoiler)[A dog commits suicide, and I bet people don’t like that! (hide spoiler)] - The author’s presentation of drug use
Note: I am not saying that he presented any of the previous four things right or wrong, they are just sensitive topics that I think can get people fired up when seeing them in a story.
Honestly, none of these things bothered me, but from my experience of seeing other reviews of books like this one, these are the things I imagine brought the rating down a bit. So, you may read this one and be with me in enjoying it. But if any of the above might trigger you to not enjoy the book, you may want to approach with caution. ...more
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