The topic (Ukrainian war immigrants and how they coped with war that is still going on) was hurtful but the author wrote iA beautiful, charming story.
The topic (Ukrainian war immigrants and how they coped with war that is still going on) was hurtful but the author wrote it wonderfully, with hope and understanding, but without patronizing and simplification.
A gem. I loved it and I wanted to hug the characters.
I’ll keep up with the author’s new releases and make sure to read them....more
For a moment, I thought this would be a gripping novel about contemporary India. And indeed, here and there, glimpses of different aspects of Indian lFor a moment, I thought this would be a gripping novel about contemporary India. And indeed, here and there, glimpses of different aspects of Indian life—both among the rich and the poor—could be seen. Unfortunately, it turned out to be mainly a story about a "poor" rich young man, tormented by his failure to meet the expectations of his father—a businessman and a criminal.
The author (presumably to heighten the drama) threw in scenes of violence, bizarre characters, and the constant inner turmoil of various protagonists. Perhaps this is the way Indians think and experience life—if so, then it's my fault for not appreciating the book more.
It seems I am in the minority, in not loving the novel, but what can I do? I loved Ajay's story, I hoped that Neda's story would be more complex, and I was totally disappointed by Sunny's story....more
The narrative was quite chronologically chaotic, which made it difficult for me to place all the characters and events, but as the narrator kept repeaThe narrative was quite chronologically chaotic, which made it difficult for me to place all the characters and events, but as the narrator kept repeating, "it doesn't matter at all."
Overall, I got a strong sense of the different eras, spanning from the late 19th century to the early 21st century in Poland (or on "Polish" lands). Twardoch's research is impressive.
As always, his storytelling had a rhythm and a melody that bound it together and made it stand out among other books.
The statement that "this/none of this matters" resonated deeply with me, tied to the idea that "from dust you came, and to dust you shall return." No matter how much I’d like it not to be true...
A fascinating and rather terrifying story of one rich family.
I knew a bit about the way rich people can manipulate the USA law, nonetheless, I am alwaA fascinating and rather terrifying story of one rich family.
I knew a bit about the way rich people can manipulate the USA law, nonetheless, I am always shocked when I read of another example.
I knew also a bit about the opioid epidemic in the United States, but now I understand better how big it was (is) and how it started.
It was a well-researched and written reportage about the Sackler family and their way of marketing OxyContin, which had such a big (horrifying) impact on Americans (and how they got away with it)....more
A marvelous case study about Upper Silesia, a region, located today mostly in Poland. It is the region that was for centuries part of Germany, the regA marvelous case study about Upper Silesia, a region, located today mostly in Poland. It is the region that was for centuries part of Germany, the region rich in natural resources that passed from one country to another several times in the 20th century. The region with its own dialect and national affiliation, with people whom the Polish government for the last 35 years is refussing calling the national minority. Of course, it is more complicated than I have written.
But when you know nothing more than what you see, an ancestor freezes halfway between family memories and the political history of the 20th century, his motivations are absorbed by the context, the context becomes more important than the person...
Zbigniew Rokita showed many nuances, told the history, and many stories of real people, and he didn't judge. He did it in the best way, with wit and understanding, without patronizing and "black or white" dividing.
Because there are those who, for some reason, need to wrap their identity tightly around themselves, up to their necks. And I have that too. And where there is a lack of content, form prevails, and from there it is a short path to radicalism.
What I knew about Upper Silesia was the common ("not nice") version, in a way, I was a product of propaganda. "Kajś" was one of the most eye-opening books I read recently. Some stories of people that the author told will stay with me for a long (they were too sorrowful to forget).
Through the story of Upper Silesia Mr Rokita reflected on topics like the destructive power of wars, the influence of ancestral experiences on man, defining one's own identity, man's helplessness in the face of socio-economic changes, and many others.
The author that I am going to follow and read more....more
An interesting book for children. The author wrote down questions (with answers) that children asked him about "science in life". Most of them were knAn interesting book for children. The author wrote down questions (with answers) that children asked him about "science in life". Most of them were known to me, but a few information were new.
I knew almost nothing about the history of South Korea. Reading it was fascinating, pure pleasure as a source of information. I am sure, the author diI knew almost nothing about the history of South Korea. Reading it was fascinating, pure pleasure as a source of information. I am sure, the author did deep research and showed perfect historical accuracy, as much as she was able.
The fictional plot was nice, too, but I have a few reservations. For example, the pace was sometimes fast, sometimes very slow. Don't get me wrong; it was interesting. And perhaps I did not grasp enough of their culture to understand the characters better.
I have been a fan of Nina Kenwood since 2019 and her debut It Sounded Better in My Head. She has written only three books so far, but I like that she I have been a fan of Nina Kenwood since 2019 and her debut It Sounded Better in My Head. She has written only three books so far, but I like that she takes the time to write them. I find it refreshing that she isn't overwhelming a reader with e.g. sex scenes, complicated backgrounds, or angsty drama. She finds a balance between an enjoyable romance and a believable story. And, what is sadly increasingly rare in the genre, she just gave me enough understanding of the character's past without unnecessarily adding another hundred pages with specifics.
Anna, Mac, and the other characters were like someone one knows. Whose life and decisions could have been ours. There were lovely encounters, funny moments, and interesting twists. I loved how it evolved....more
It wasn't a great ending of the series. I hoped for more, not sure for what, but it was the worst part of the series. It was still a good novel, just It wasn't a great ending of the series. I hoped for more, not sure for what, but it was the worst part of the series. It was still a good novel, just not as satisfying (especially the second half of the book)....more
I needed it to remember why I appreciate Penny Reid so much. Her latest books (since the Knitting in the CitI didn't know how much I needed this book.
I needed it to remember why I appreciate Penny Reid so much. Her latest books (since the Knitting in the City and Winston Brother series - the original ones) were enjoyable, but none of them was a "wow" to me.
I needed it to regain faith in the genre, modern romance with wit and a deeper topic, where characters develop, where is a bit of action, some swoony moments, and something to think through.
I have big hopes and anxieties about Ava and Des' story. So big, that the ebook waited for me since its premiere on my Kindle. I was afraid I would be disappointed. But I wasn't, far from it. Penny Reid gave me the story that I fell in love with, that we, fans of the above-mentioned series, deserved. The author managed perfectly the characters in the background (not overwhelming with old friends, but also not writing like they were not important). And those few talks between Des and Quinn - simply perfection.
I could praise here how brilliantly Penny Reid captured (again) mental illness. How wonderfully she created an enjoyable and mature love story. How funny were some scenes, how much fun I had. But I won't. You read it, and I will dream thinking of it ;-)...more
I thought it would be some kind of a call to not eat eggs, meat, etc. but it was a tale about prejudice, unfairness of life, segregation,A nice story.
I thought it would be some kind of a call to not eat eggs, meat, etc. but it was a tale about prejudice, unfairness of life, segregation, and also a bit about freedom, love, and parenthood. It can be inspirational, and did capture my attention, yet, there was no "wow"....more
A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used mostly Lidia Ostałowska's work about the topic. Her materials, interviews, and observations. I will have to check her books someday.
Yet, personally, the parts about Ostałowska disrupted the flow and muddled my interest.
Still, it is always a pleasure to pick Tochman's book, although the topics of his stories aren't pleasurable.
Well-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad foWell-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad for many years, to tell it mildly. Ignacy Dutkiewicz proved why it is so. There isn't an easy answer, that allows to easily make changes. The corruption and distortion of ideals are so deep they will require many years of hard work and fundamental changes. Personally, I am not even sure if it is worth it.
The main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justiceThe main idea, a historical fact was fascinating, and a marvelous material for a novel, without a doubt.
Sadly, Christina Baker Kline didn't do justice to this great idea for a book. The reading was very fast but without a feeling of attachment.
The "orphan train" was at the center for a part of the story, and then it was like a speeded summary of Vivian's life (especially the last part).
I understand, I think, why the author added Molly, but again, it was wasted, not to mention, rather badly done.
Moreover, I felt that there was something wrong with the narration. Once I thought the narrator (no matter if it was Molly or Vivian) had the perspective of a child, a sentence, or a few later, it was an adult and all-knowing narrator.
Not getting too much into it, I would say formally it was ok (and probably well-researched), but I didn't feel a touch of a good novelist.
I don't recommend it if you want to learn about Orphan Train - better go on Wikipedia.
I will try another novel someday, where the topic is a part of the storyline, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty - I hope it will be more engaging.
"But we'll never be the same." "Do you have to be?"
Another good story by the author. I recommend never reading a blurb for her books, just pick one
"But we'll never be the same." "Do you have to be?"
Another good story by the author. I recommend never reading a blurb for her books, just pick one and read, that way there are more fun and surprises.
I was gripped by this novel too. I loved the characters. There were a few important messages. The romance was lovely too (although, I miss Higgins' first books, where I read more romantic scenes, etc.)
Yet, I found a bit annoying some repetitions. E.g. repeating that Lark's first love started in kindergarten or Ellie's fixation "Did he sleep with her or not?". But I have finished the novel in two days, so perhaps if I read it slower I wouldn't have seen those things.
So, not one of my favourites by the author, but still a great novel. [4-4.5 stars]...more
In this collection of three theater plays, Mateusz Pakuła used nonsense and insolence in the best style to show us, or rather to ask us the importanceIn this collection of three theater plays, Mateusz Pakuła used nonsense and insolence in the best style to show us, or rather to ask us the importance of science.
There are too many people in the world who want to be right and too few who just want to know.
I adore his wit, and the way his mind works, although I can't tell I understand it fully. But definitely, in many ways, it is similar to mine, so I am always resonating with his "fantasy world".
I can't get out. From a black hole. My insignificance.
An interesting historical fiction. A promising author. Important, hurtful historical events, lives full of "crumbs of dreams". One of my favorite stylAn interesting historical fiction. A promising author. Important, hurtful historical events, lives full of "crumbs of dreams". One of my favorite styles of writing: direct, minimalistic, and sparse.
Sadly, the contemporary plot, especially the missing child, sounded rather flat. I don't understand why the child behaved as she did, and I didn't buy the behavior of the mother or the police officer either. The idea was good, but it needed a different approach or/and specifics.
Nonetheless, I am going to try more by Maja Wolny in the future.
4-4.5 - for historical fiction part 2-2.5 - for the contemporary part...more
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to thA superb compilations of reportages.
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to their stories, often long, complicated, and always fascinating. The title audit was a revision of the lives of those humans.
On the other hand, the title audit was also a check-out of how Polish transformation (from Soviet influences into a free and democratic country) went out.
Sharp wit, uncompromised style.
I learned about people who lived (some still live) next to me, but I never met them. I only knew they existed. Thanks to Jacek Hugo-Bader I understand now better not only them but also the Polish society.
My second book by the author, and for sure not the last....more