An 80 page story told in letters Carrie realizes her husband is cheating when she finds the letters from his paramour, Janet, in his briefcase. She coAn 80 page story told in letters Carrie realizes her husband is cheating when she finds the letters from his paramour, Janet, in his briefcase. She contacts David, Janet's husband, and the two begin the journey of processing what this means for their futures.
This is very character-based and so beautifully written. Since it's so short, there's obviously not a lot of space for extra plot development or elaborate twists. This was still very entertaining to read. ...more
I read this book so I could understand all the weird crab inside jokes in our book club.
I’ve never done acid before but this strikes me as what an acI read this book so I could understand all the weird crab inside jokes in our book club.
I’ve never done acid before but this strikes me as what an acid trip would be like… random plot twists and turns that didn’t make quite enough sense to be entertaining. Definitely a discussion worthy book, though!!...more
I loved listening to this audiobook since it's narrated by Will Smith and includes short music clips where relevant. It really added to the experienceI loved listening to this audiobook since it's narrated by Will Smith and includes short music clips where relevant. It really added to the experience!
Complex situations (like his father abusing his family) were told with maturity and complexity. Will and his siblings still maintained a relationship with their father, but he did not try to retell things in a more glamorous light than they happened. Things were presented in a way that made them feel very objective, even though I know there's a realistic bias.
I will say that writing a memoir in your 50s becomes a challenge when you reach the more recent history. While his childhood stories and memories were told through the lens of understanding and processing, the later-in-life stories felt like more of a hodgepodge with a meandering storyline. That is naturally going to happen when you haven't had time to see how those events fit into your life puzzle. Super picky opinion - Because of this, although I LOVED the beginning of this book, and the ending was strong, that last quarter of the book felt a little underdeveloped. I felt like there were ideas and concepts presented that were never fully wrapped up because they literally aren't wrapped up in real life yet.
Overall, this was great and I definitely recommend it, especially the audiobook!
PS I'm on Jada's side on the Grammy introduction debate...
(spoilers: Also, I have a personal issue with celebrities publicly admitting they've done illegal drugs (in this case ayahuasca) multiple times knowing there will be no legal repercussions... I guess it's nice to keep it real, but it bothers me personally.)...more
Ehhhh... I really liked the first volume, but this one feels like it took a turn. Persephone is REALLY juvenilized and it becomes unsettling. Her innoEhhhh... I really liked the first volume, but this one feels like it took a turn. Persephone is REALLY juvenilized and it becomes unsettling. Her innocence is shown in a way that makes her feel like a young child instead of a 19 year old. On top of that, the 2000 year old infatuated with the 19 year old dynamic is very played up, discussed, and lamented over. It just feels off.
Also, the modernized setting really puts the intensity of Greek mythology into perspective. The incest, rape, and drama become even more intense. ...more
Sometimes I'm a sucker for fluffy dramatic romance... This had the feeling of a fanfic with pretty flat characters, over-the-top drama, and an annoyinSometimes I'm a sucker for fluffy dramatic romance... This had the feeling of a fanfic with pretty flat characters, over-the-top drama, and an annoying cliffhanger. It was still fun to read.
The watercolor art design is really nice, too!...more
Pastoral is an idyllic cult-like community gone wrong. Its founders planned a community of protection, simplicity, and harmony, but that vision doesn'Pastoral is an idyllic cult-like community gone wrong. Its founders planned a community of protection, simplicity, and harmony, but that vision doesn't always survive from generation to generation.
When famous writer Maggie St. John goes missing, Pastoral is a destination that shows up as a lead. Travis Wren (semi-detective, semi-paranormal investigator) goes on a search for her... and winds up missing as well.
There's lots of suspense, mystery, and revealing of secrets. You can't say much without potentially giving spoilers... but this was written in a way that reminded me so much of Where the Crawdads Sing and Educated. There was a sense of innocence and delusion in the tone of this story that was compelling.
I guessed/spoiled myself on what was happening pretty early on, but this was still a great read! (***spoilers***: The only thing I didn't love is that Travis's "powers" are never fully explained. How could he see the afterimages? How did it become such an irrelevant plot device?)...more
I was so excited to read this! Based on real events, Kate Warne is America's first female detective who uses stealth, acting, and costumes to get infoI was so excited to read this! Based on real events, Kate Warne is America's first female detective who uses stealth, acting, and costumes to get information about one of the first plots against Abraham Lincoln's life in 1861. With views toggling among several time periods and characters (including Kate and Mary Todd Lincoln), this tells the story of women empowerment and agency during the late 1800s.
I think the various perspectives made this more difficult to follow. I really loved the sections showing Kate Warne doing her sleuthing and finding information about the assassination plot. I wish that the whole story followed that one linear plot line. Instead, the story is bookended with a reflection of Mrs. Lincoln after her husband's death as she retells the story. It also flashes among several points in Warne's timeline including her childhood to beginning work as a detective to the present detective assignment.
I want to know even more after reading this! What an interesting moment in history that we seldom hear about....more
This novella was thin but filled with deep themes. The story stayed short and focused on the themes and magical elFeb 1 - This book is now available!
This novella was thin but filled with deep themes. The story stayed short and focused on the themes and magical elements more than the character development or world building which left it with the feeling of a fairy tale.
Set in Mexico, the story focuses princess Solimar. While visiting a forbidden area of the forest, Solimar's stoll is magically infused with butterflies and she is given a special gift. She is now able to predict the near future, and does so uncontrollably anytime someone asks her a question. Meanwhile, it is unveiled that a neighboring king has plans to take over her father's kingdom and takes everyone in the castle hostage except Solimar.
Through the help of the local magic worker, an animated doll, her pet bird, and a new found friend, Solimar works to stop the plot of the evil king. There was a lot of action and adventure that makes this a fast-paced, engaging read. It would be perfect for reluctant readers who want to be kept on the edges of their seats.
I would have liked to see more world building or feel like I 'knew' the characters better. The magical elements were also confusing and off-putting at times. Overall, though, this was a valuable thematic story that I would recommend....more
This is part Oklahoma history, partly mini-autobiographies of the urban explorers, part photo book. I really enjoyed the pictures and some of the histThis is part Oklahoma history, partly mini-autobiographies of the urban explorers, part photo book. I really enjoyed the pictures and some of the historical explanations. ...more
There were some beautiful quotes and imagery in this book. But also… nothing really happened and it was nothing like the synopsis. Also, it was impresThere were some beautiful quotes and imagery in this book. But also… nothing really happened and it was nothing like the synopsis. Also, it was impressive how she included rants about vaccines, mask wearing, and the Black Lives Matter movement when most of the book took place in the 1930s and NONE of the book was set in the 21st century.
Not the worst book I’ve ever read, but I really wanted so much more from this. ...more
Wow. This took me way too long to finally pick up, and when I did started reading I flew through it. This was so different to what I was expecting. ItWow. This took me way too long to finally pick up, and when I did started reading I flew through it. This was so different to what I was expecting. It's chilling to see Auschwitz ("Out-With") and the Holocaust through the eyes of an innocent boy. I'm somewhat surprised that his family did not explain things better.
And that ending. Wow what a lesson to learn......more
Mentions of suicide and lynching, but nothing too spooky. Much like "13 More Ghosts" some of the most heinous moments are the people who commit murderMentions of suicide and lynching, but nothing too spooky. Much like "13 More Ghosts" some of the most heinous moments are the people who commit murder, not the ghosts. ...more
I've tried to write a full review of this book, and I am struggling. I really wanted to like this book. Gratz often pushes the envelope with opinion pI've tried to write a full review of this book, and I am struggling. I really wanted to like this book. Gratz often pushes the envelope with opinion presented as fact. I appreciate that most of the time he presents several perspectives. Clearly, in this book, he was attempting to show that the global mindset of 9/11 is quite disjointed with America's mindset.
I think I really enjoyed and appreciated the diversity of perspectives up until the final few chapters. It felt like there was too much of a "CLEARLY this is what we should do to fix all of our problems" type of presentation. Throughout the book, the complex perspectives seemed to be well explained, but then at the end, it felt too simplistic. The idea suggested is that all war should stop and Americans should evacuate all countries immediately and the Afghan people would finally be at peace. However, throughout the book Reshmina continuously points out that Afghan people have been conquered again and again and again and the Taliban were the new conquerers. I feel like the ending switched the script of the whole story to make the American soldiers the bad guys. It was honestly confusing after a lot of the previous set up. I can't pinpoint where the narrative shifted, but something just didn't settle at the end like I was expecting.
Trigger Warnings (spoilers): Descriptions of people in elevator car plunging to their deaths, someone has their skin melted off by burning jet fuel, mentions of bodies falling past windows as people jump from the tower, brief descriptions of wounded soldiers and being bombed, descriptions of bombs dropping on villages, generally bombs, weapons, guns are used and described
I would save for a mature older reader, definitely not below 5th grade without a check in discussion first. ...more
I really enjoyed the way the two time periods in the story twisted together. This was like a mystery with all the mystery taken out since the reader cI really enjoyed the way the two time periods in the story twisted together. This was like a mystery with all the mystery taken out since the reader could see the past scenes before Caroline investigated the history of what happened. We definitely knew more than she did throughout the book. Some parts felt a bit too melodramatic for my tastes, but overall this was a solid read. ...more