The writing is fine, and I liked Sarah’s interesting job. That’s all I liked about this though. I mostly just couldn’t get on board with this premise.The writing is fine, and I liked Sarah’s interesting job. That’s all I liked about this though. I mostly just couldn’t get on board with this premise. She spent one week with this guy then didn’t hear from him again, and she goes full obsessed stalker on him, convinced that something must have happened to him because what they had was really love. Sorry, just no. She comes across as self absorbed (staring at her phone all the time and ignoring the people she’s with) and pathetic for most of this book. There was one twist that was decent and one that made me want to throw the book at the wall. This went very sappy toward the end and included one of my most hated elements in fiction. I’m sad not to like such a hot book but I hated this. ...more
I LOVED this. I love the story and the characters. I was laughing out loud at the scenes between Mr Jha and Mr Chopra. This was utterly delightful, reI LOVED this. I love the story and the characters. I was laughing out loud at the scenes between Mr Jha and Mr Chopra. This was utterly delightful, really ended the year on a high note. ...more
I could see people totally hating this, but I just ate it up. For me this is a great example of flawed, unlikable characters who are still compelling I could see people totally hating this, but I just ate it up. For me this is a great example of flawed, unlikable characters who are still compelling to read about. Loved the writing and the story, I couldn’t get enough of it. ...more
Rounding up. There was a lot that I loved about this. I loved that it was primarily about old age, I loved Fran, and I loved the writing. I did feel lRounding up. There was a lot that I loved about this. I loved that it was primarily about old age, I loved Fran, and I loved the writing. I did feel like it didn’t really go anywhere all that interesting though, and was kind of a slog in places. Still I can think of a lot of people who would really like this. ...more
For a while I was really into this, because I was genuinely unsure what was going on. Was she being gaslighted, or was she just really losing it? But For a while I was really into this, because I was genuinely unsure what was going on. Was she being gaslighted, or was she just really losing it? But then things got so convoluted and goofy; in the end it did not make a lot of sense, and felt like the author just got tired of writing. ...more
3 1/2. This is good light reading but it tries to pack in too much drama. Relies way too much on coincidence, and the ending is a bit of a dud. Still 3 1/2. This is good light reading but it tries to pack in too much drama. Relies way too much on coincidence, and the ending is a bit of a dud. Still a fun read though. ...more
I am very, very fond of this author, and this is now my new favorite of his. I loved...pretty much everything about this? Is that vague enough? He reaI am very, very fond of this author, and this is now my new favorite of his. I loved...pretty much everything about this? Is that vague enough? He really played around with narrative here; I especially loved Part 2, where it felt like the narrative was a baton being passed from character to character. That was very cool. And the first section, Part 0, was totally different in tone from the rest of the book and I loved that too. This overall could have felt preachy but it really worked for me. It was like looking at one of those tiny ecosystem in a globe things, except it's society, and you watch and think, "So that's why everything falls apart, huh." Anyway I loved this. ...more
I'm being pretty generous here, because this is a serious slog and NOTHING happens. But I did kind of like the writing and the main character, and I fI'm being pretty generous here, because this is a serious slog and NOTHING happens. But I did kind of like the writing and the main character, and I feel like I sort of got what she was going for here. But I would recommend just reading it until you feel like you got a sense of it, then put it down when you feel done. You can stop reading this one anytime, you won't miss anything. ...more
I love Michelle Gable, and she just keeps getting better. I knew going in that this almost became two books, and now I can see why. What a fascinatingI love Michelle Gable, and she just keeps getting better. I knew going in that this almost became two books, and now I can see why. What a fascinating story! I could read about Alicia forever. There are so many things that I love here: glamorous cast of characters, exotic settings, drama, and political intrigue that feels relevant today even though it’s set in the 50s. I seriously inhaled this and loved every page.
The absolute best part of this is Alicia. One of the best main characters I can remember, and I felt like she was right there in the room with me. Michelle really brought this character to life and I will never forget her. ...more
I wish I had reread Practical Magic before reading this. It's been a *very* long time since I read that; I remember loving it, but that's about it. NoI wish I had reread Practical Magic before reading this. It's been a *very* long time since I read that; I remember loving it, but that's about it. No bigs, this works fine on its own. Very charming and engaging, I especially loved Franny and Hay's story. ...more
I think this could have been mildly more interesting if the main character had been a man. It still would have been really boring, because it's mostlyI think this could have been mildly more interesting if the main character had been a man. It still would have been really boring, because it's mostly about making bread, but at least it wouldn't have been a story about a woman leaving a career in tech behind to go bake. I found this whole book very very annoying. ...more
Oh my god, did I love this. Sally Jay is one of the best characters ever, and she is hilarious. This is like Gloria's more fun little cousin. (As in GOh my god, did I love this. Sally Jay is one of the best characters ever, and she is hilarious. This is like Gloria's more fun little cousin. (As in Gloria by Keith Maillard but I don't know how to link from my phone, sowwy.) My edition has an afterword from the author and I wish we were best friends. ...more
The first story in this collection is one of the best short stories I've ever read in my life. The rest range from good to great, but I'd probably givThe first story in this collection is one of the best short stories I've ever read in my life. The rest range from good to great, but I'd probably give this five stars even if they were total garbage. That's how good that first story is. ...more
This was perfection. Every single character is fully fleshed out and interesting. I loved the very spare use of first person plural. This was funny anThis was perfection. Every single character is fully fleshed out and interesting. I loved the very spare use of first person plural. This was funny and beautiful and poignant and heartbreaking and I loved everything about it. ...more