"Female Korean Stephen King" is the best description of You-jeong Jeong's writing. Gory. Intense. Disturbing. Not really sure how I feel about this, b"Female Korean Stephen King" is the best description of You-jeong Jeong's writing. Gory. Intense. Disturbing. Not really sure how I feel about this, but it was a fast, captivating read. ...more
Guy Delisle is a French artist who traveled to North Korea to assist an animation company. This memoir showed his tours of the city and different monuGuy Delisle is a French artist who traveled to North Korea to assist an animation company. This memoir showed his tours of the city and different monuments and catalogued his conversations with many North Koreans about their views on foreign and domestic events. It was interesting to get his insight, but overall not really a deep message or story....more
Murakami reflects on his hobby of running and how the discipline and determination needed for running can parallel the discipline and determination neMurakami reflects on his hobby of running and how the discipline and determination needed for running can parallel the discipline and determination needed for writing. This was an interesting, inspiring little memoir that made me want to run again. ...more
This is a very short 100 page story about a man who visits a strange library and finds himself trapped and needing to escape. It felt similar to 13 1/This is a very short 100 page story about a man who visits a strange library and finds himself trapped and needing to escape. It felt similar to 13 1/2 Lives of Bluebear by Walter Moes because of the fact that fantasy and magical realism held the plot together and the story itself didn't really matter as much as the tone and bizarre world creation. I'm not sure that I liked it all that much, but I was entertained? I've liked other Murakami much more....more
I think I was expecting a plot-driven story, but this was a very introspective take on Yaichi's thoughts and feelings towards Mike, Yaichi's late brotI think I was expecting a plot-driven story, but this was a very introspective take on Yaichi's thoughts and feelings towards Mike, Yaichi's late brother's husband. There were many reflections on the differences between Japanese and Canadian/western culture on the topics of homosexuality, divorce, and even tattoos.
This was interesting. I loved Yaichi's young daughter, Kana, and how here opinions were juxtaposed to other characters. However, I couldn't figure out WHO this book was written for? Westerners who wanted to understand Japanese culture? Homophobic Japanese people who want to understand westerners?
This kind of felt like more of a beginner's guide and less like a story. ...more
3.5 stars These three short stories had the feeling of classics to me. I felt like I was reading a Fitzgerald story. The characters were well crafted,3.5 stars These three short stories had the feeling of classics to me. I felt like I was reading a Fitzgerald story. The characters were well crafted, and there was a strategic rambling feeling that made you fall into the story. If you like the feel of those “classic” short stories of the 60s and 70s, you’ll love this. Also, this work was translated by Geraint Howells. It’s a bit disappointing that he’s only given credit at the very end of the book.
In the first story, a Japanese man meets up with his friend Yann who is from Normandy. They spend the day driving around to various locations and restaurants and discussing everything from war, to family history in Jewish concentration camps, to literature, to photography, to life and legacy.
The second story is about a man on a beach with his best friend’s sister and her young daughter. It’s about reflecting on life.
The third story was very short and followed a man visiting one of his friends and sneaking into a boarded off building.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
3.5 stars... Michel Kichka's father was an Auschwitz survivor who lost his entire family, making Michel part of the second generation to process the t3.5 stars... Michel Kichka's father was an Auschwitz survivor who lost his entire family, making Michel part of the second generation to process the trauma of the Shoah (Holocaust). This memoir graphic novel details his childhood growing up with a father who was constantly fixated on proving himself and his worth because having a son who was best in his class would "show Hitler". It also references Michel's adulthood as he tries to relate and understand the man his dad has become in response to the trauma he's survived.
It was really intriguing, and an incredibly insightful look into one family's experience with the Holocaust. The only problems I had with it were the weirdly fragmented and abrupt ending and a few strangely placed anecdotes that I feel could have been left out. It was not the most seemless memoir, but I was captivated by it all the same.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I really enjoyed this! It was more philosophical than sci-fi, which I think fit. There were lots of great questions about what it means to change the I really enjoyed this! It was more philosophical than sci-fi, which I think fit. There were lots of great questions about what it means to change the past and how you can never really erase regrets or know what the consequences of an action will be. That type of discussion set in a lighthearted Japanese high school filled with romance and drama-less love triangles led to a nice mix of tones and a fun read. ...more
This was a book based on speculation and exploring themes that were very interesting, but the execution was just bland. I felt distanced from the charThis was a book based on speculation and exploring themes that were very interesting, but the execution was just bland. I felt distanced from the characters in a way that I’m not sure was intentional. There were certainly things I connected with (like Dorrit’s grieving over being disconnected from her dog), but I never felt truly empathetic. I was just kind of reading and going through the motions. Overall, not a bad book at all, but just not really that memorable or noteworthy.
Spoilers for the ending (view spoiler)[ The ending was just really lackluster. I don’t think it helped the theme or really even made all of it worth it. It felt like the author didn’t quite know how to end it, so she just let Dorrit have the baby and then the story fizzled out. Also the fact that the adoptive parent was a single person in her 40s seemed so odd since Dorrit also tried so hard to adopt in her 40s and was told she was too old. It didn’t really make sense, and I wasn’t sure if that aspect was supposed to be ironic, or…? There was supposed to be suspense and shock while she was running away from the unit and then again when she returned, but I felt neither of those things. I could tell what the author was trying to accomplish, but I never felt invested. (hide spoiler)]...more
This was 700 pages of enjoyable, creative fantasy with fun characters and really really original worlds. Just when I thought that he couldn’t possiblyThis was 700 pages of enjoyable, creative fantasy with fun characters and really really original worlds. Just when I thought that he couldn’t possibly come up with a different twist or quirk, Bluebear was tumbling into a completely new scenario or dimension. I also loved the audiobook narrator’s different voices; it really brought the book to life.
Could’ve been shorter (especially the last 1/3), could’ve been more suspenseful, but still such a fun universe.
I haven't read a book like this in a while. There wasn't a lot of plot and what plot was introduced wasn't really resolved and jumped around a ton... I haven't read a book like this in a while. There wasn't a lot of plot and what plot was introduced wasn't really resolved and jumped around a ton... but I felt immersed in the story and the characters. Sjon creates images and scenery that seems real with just a few words. Most of what happened began in reality and ended in dream-like allegory areas, so it was more of an experience than a story. It was definitely interesting and immersive. The only thing that really annoyed me was the way that the narrators changed with no indication that they were changing, so I'd start reading a new chapter or section and be really confused for the first several paragraphs.
I picked this up at the Strand Books cart in Central Park to read on the train and I can't say that I would have had the patience or attention to finish this in other circumstances, so I'm glad that I came across it when I did....more
This is a great example of books having different impacts at different points in your life. The first time I read this, I hadn’t met my husband yet. RThis is a great example of books having different impacts at different points in your life. The first time I read this, I hadn’t met my husband yet. Reading this through the lens of being married made this completely break my heart in a whole new way. There were so many more tears this time around. This story is beautiful.
This book was more of a character study of Ove throughout his life. It was so realistic. There were so many injustices and hardships. I really empathized with Ove throughout the book as he was met with so many sad things. The story felt languid and melancholy, but I am thankful for the glimmer of hope at the end. I am forever loving the concept of "found family" and this really represented that well.
I feel like there are several things I can take away from this, but overall this was kind of overly-conceptual to me. Perhaps it's a more eastern way I feel like there are several things I can take away from this, but overall this was kind of overly-conceptual to me. Perhaps it's a more eastern way of thinking, or maybe I'm just cynically skeptical. I also feel like I may have preferred more of a "how to" checklist instead of a collection of anecdotes.
That being said, the most impacting concept to me was the permission to get rid of belongings that no longer spark joy. Even if you once loved a piece of clothing, a gift, a book, a pillow, etc. you're not obligated to continue to love it. If it doesn't spark joy, you can give it away while still acknowledging its significance and impact on your life. I found myself looking around at items that I was keeping because of what memories I attached to them. I can still keep the memories of those items, and I can still keep the knowledge I've learned from them and not have to physically own them anymore, either. It's kind of liberating to think that the joy you get from books/music/clothes/items can stay with you without you keeping it. Things - like people - can come into your life, impact your life, and then leave you changed without having to remain in your life.
Here's a list of other things I'd like to try to see if they work for me...
-- Only keep things that spark joy -- Go through your items all at once, and in strategic groupings (clothes first, then books, papers, odds and ends, then momentos last) -- Be grateful for what you have and ONLY keep what you realistically need. -- Be honest about which books you will actually reread. Only keep 1-2 books on your "to read" shelf because your joy will be sparked when you get a new book to read, and you will not feel bogged down by your collection. You will also wind up reading it sooner if it's the only one you own and you don't have "book guilt" to finish all the others you've bought. (This explains why I can finish library books quickly but keep books I own for years and years without caring about them.) -- Store books/clothes/papers/kitchen items vertically -- Fold clothes into rolls and put in the drawer vertically.
There were also some overly flowery concepts of "thanking" your belongings daily and visualizing your socks in personified states of discomfort in your drawers... I feel like those things turned me off a bit. However, it does assuage my guilt when giving things away if I think "I really loved buying that, and it was useful to help me realize my style/interest in these types of books/clothes/items" instead of thinking "Wow. I never used this. That was a waste of money and storage." which I think is what she was getting at. ...more
I really enjoyed reading this. The way it was written was very easy to read and the description was so vivid that it made me feel like I was there in I really enjoyed reading this. The way it was written was very easy to read and the description was so vivid that it made me feel like I was there in the small town at times.
That being said, it's a pretty depressing subject matter. If you've seen the trailer for the movie that the book is based on, it seemed as if the soldier and young boy had a really nice relationship but the book was much harsher.
*SPOILER ALERT* The Canadian soldier befriends Jeroen and immediately thereafter begins sexually assaulting him, driving him around in the army jeep, taking him to abandoned cottages, smuggling him into his mess tent. I've seen other people describe the situation as "borderline sexual abuse" but it was definitely rape. Of course, everything is murky because the book is written from Jeroen's point of view, and he is very much so confused and uncertain of the situation. After Walter had sex with him for the first time, Jeroen assumed that they were then bonded for life and that Walt would take him with him when the camp moved on to another area. That, of course, was not the case. Walter gives him a picture of himself and disappears the next day. The rest of the book shows Jeroen struggling even more to fit in and live his life.
Overall, I really enjoyed the writing and the emotion in it was very tangible. There's no happy ending, but the journey through the book had me yearning to wrap Jeroen up in a blanket and feed him soup and tell him that one day his prince would come. ...more
Set in the late 70s in communist China, two boys are being "re-educated" in the peasant villages. They come to possess several banned books and find tSet in the late 70s in communist China, two boys are being "re-educated" in the peasant villages. They come to possess several banned books and find that the way into the heart of the local seamstress may be Western Literature.
This was a really interesting and immersive read that I loved up until about 80% of the way through when it felt like the author very abruptly ran out of ideas and tried to tie everything up by shifting perspectives around and creating a vague literary ending. That was a let down....more