Well, 3½ perhaps. I liked it a lot the first third, or rather the chapters of the flu but wasn't overly entertained by Arthurs wifes and still really Well, 3½ perhaps. I liked it a lot the first third, or rather the chapters of the flu but wasn't overly entertained by Arthurs wifes and still really don't understand why they took center-stage. I also am somewhat baffled over the hype. But I did enjoy the read, just not enough to vote it as winner of the GR choice award. (actually did vote for it in the first round)...more
It was above all surprisingly funny and the whole dilemma of the book made me think a lot when I went for my walks. Would I prefer to be Mark stuck onIt was above all surprisingly funny and the whole dilemma of the book made me think a lot when I went for my walks. Would I prefer to be Mark stuck on Mars alone for close to 2 years or would I be the crewmates in the ship that deserted him but then went back to pick him up? Since my engineering skills not would be up on par I might have to pick being a crewmate but to be stuck with 4 other people 24/7 for years in a limited space would drive me nuts! I am more the solitary type. Give me a fully loaded kindle, tons of coffee and I am all set.
I so can see this one being made into film, I know I would watch it....more
There is a huge 'buzz' around this book this year and almost everyone is reading it and it has gotten glowing reviews. While I did enjoy it I fail to There is a huge 'buzz' around this book this year and almost everyone is reading it and it has gotten glowing reviews. While I did enjoy it I fail to see what is so amazing about it. Stoner lives a boring little life filled with disappointments yet manages to grab hold of a few things that give him joy. He totally lacks drive, not even literature invokes any real passion in him.
I read these images on Facebook at times with sunsets and words like live life to the fullest, suck the marrow etc but come on... most of us really are a lot more like Stoner. Lukewarm. Safe. Comfortable. Dull. Which is not all that bad really, just that it is not glorious. ...more
Coming back to this a day after. I did listen to it but when I woke up today I could not remember a thing. The setbacks of listening to something whilComing back to this a day after. I did listen to it but when I woke up today I could not remember a thing. The setbacks of listening to something while half asleep... I am sure it was good though....more
I was just not that impressed by this one, but then Miéville is a bit hit and miss in my opinion. (I never got past 50 pages with Embassytown and not I was just not that impressed by this one, but then Miéville is a bit hit and miss in my opinion. (I never got past 50 pages with Embassytown and not too crazy about his Children/YA but loved most of his others)
There is actually a scene in this book that is more horrible and gory then in many other horror books I read but most of it just dragged on and felt rather icky and dirty and not in a good way....more
Eyewitness reports mixed with photos and art and comments from people both in Japan at the time and people watching in horror via the internet as the Eyewitness reports mixed with photos and art and comments from people both in Japan at the time and people watching in horror via the internet as the earthquake and following tsunami devastated Fukushima and large parts of northern Japan. Some are gripping, some banal. Overall I can see the point of the book, to bring awareness and raise funds and can understand the lack of 'good' writing and editing since time was of essence.
This was picked out (by me!!) for the sci-fi and fantasy club here at GR. I heard a lot about Butler but this is the first I read by her. The story puThis was picked out (by me!!) for the sci-fi and fantasy club here at GR. I heard a lot about Butler but this is the first I read by her. The story pulls you in from the first few lines and then just keeps coming until an ending that seem a bit sudden so of course I want to read the next part in the triology too.
I heard some say that the sexual tone and the relationships made them uneasy - but isn't that part of why we read books and sci-fi in particular? To be challenged. ...more
This was in insight into a world so foreign to me and that was the reason I read it all. I am just not a poetry person but found it insteresting in reThis was in insight into a world so foreign to me and that was the reason I read it all. I am just not a poetry person but found it insteresting in regards to the subject....more