I had a mix of reactions to this one. So much was wonderful about the concept, framework, character dynamics, and message, but it also had elements thI had a mix of reactions to this one. So much was wonderful about the concept, framework, character dynamics, and message, but it also had elements that seemed overly convenient or familiar. The rapidity of Wallace's character evolution and relationship with Hugo didn't fully ring true for me, as much as I wanted to root for Hugo's happiness. Some of the humor was fantastic, but there were also moments where it felt like Klune was leaning into a bit rather than going with what was right for the moment. I won't give away the ending, but I felt a similar mix of feelings about how their conundrum was concluded as well. All of that said, I'm still glad I read it, and I enjoyed spending time in this cozy tea shop with these characters, meditating on what it means to have a meaningful life and death. ...more
Fascinating for fans of Hadestown, and indispensable for fellow writers. I've never in my life encountered a better demonstration of that classic adviFascinating for fans of Hadestown, and indispensable for fellow writers. I've never in my life encountered a better demonstration of that classic advice to kill your darlings – Mitchell shows again and again what it really means to let go of exquisite lines and songs for the sake of serving the story. It was so lovely to revisit these lyrics in print, to get a glimpse of alternate versions, and to hear all of her stories about how this show began and evolved over so many iterations and collaborations. This book really is as emotional, compelling, and inspiring as the show itself....more
It's always such a delight to dive into this series. I was really glad to get more of Antsy's story especially. I wasn't expecting it to veer into velIt's always such a delight to dive into this series. I was really glad to get more of Antsy's story especially. I wasn't expecting it to veer into velociraptor territory, but I'm here for it. Some of the stakes felt a little diluted by all the different conversations and character and plot threads happening here, but it's still a great group worth following. ...more
I realize this isn't meant to be the main takeaway, but this book made me want to be a psychology major again, in a good way. I was so drawn in by MilI realize this isn't meant to be the main takeaway, but this book made me want to be a psychology major again, in a good way. I was so drawn in by Milkman's respect and enthusiasm for research and the ways it can be pulled out of the ivory tower and applied to actually improve people's lives. It feels like she and colleagues are doing some really interesting and impactful work, and with this book she also makes the research very accessible and actionable for any reader looking to make changes in their life. ...more
What a wonderful book. Funny, clever, exciting, and emotional. The cast of characters is absolutely delightful, and the writing is beautiful and effecWhat a wonderful book. Funny, clever, exciting, and emotional. The cast of characters is absolutely delightful, and the writing is beautiful and effective, especially the moments where characters reveal so much with just a few words or a perfectly-timed parallel. It's the kind of well-crafted that masquerades as inevitable, and also just a really entertaining tale....more
I learned about Steve Yockey through his (amazing) interview with Lauren Gunderson a few years ago and have wanted to see or read his work ever since,I learned about Steve Yockey through his (amazing) interview with Lauren Gunderson a few years ago and have wanted to see or read his work ever since, even though I'm not generally a fan of horror. These plays are indeed often dark and disturbing, and not always something I'd personally be eager to see on stage. But they're also smart and well done, often humorous, and sometimes hopeful, too. He's a unique, confident, and creative voice, with fascinating, twisted stories to tell. 4.5 stars rounded up. ...more
Based on just the plot and character dynamics, I wouldn't expect to be won over by this one, but the dialogue is really fantastic. Clever, dynamic, anBased on just the plot and character dynamics, I wouldn't expect to be won over by this one, but the dialogue is really fantastic. Clever, dynamic, and incredibly funny. Slade can really write an argument. ...more
The story is moving and the voice feels real. I could easily slip into it and absorb the loneliness, the cold, the desperation, the hope. I also enjoyThe story is moving and the voice feels real. I could easily slip into it and absorb the loneliness, the cold, the desperation, the hope. I also enjoyed the references to places I've been in upstate NY. April is a compelling but challenging character, and Larkin works to help readers understand why April makes certain choices and gets stuck in problematic behavior cycles. That doesn't necessarily make them easier to read though: (view spoiler)[ the age-gap romance with Adam felt highly uncomfortable throughout, and the way April abandoned Ethan seemed unacceptably callous given his painful recent history. (hide spoiler)] I wish we had seen more of her learning how to actively keep the people in her life worth keeping. But I was still glad for her uplifting ending, and what the book has to say about outsiders, music, and finding your community....more
As promised, it's an insightful primer, and I think an indispensable help for writers at all stages. I absorbed a great deal reading it through and caAs promised, it's an insightful primer, and I think an indispensable help for writers at all stages. I absorbed a great deal reading it through and can see myself revisiting it often. ...more
A dark comedy about three complicated sisters and their intruding neighbors. Zindel and his characters don't hold back, which I can mostly appreciate,A dark comedy about three complicated sisters and their intruding neighbors. Zindel and his characters don't hold back, which I can mostly appreciate, though it's not all to my taste and the biting cruelty and hopelessness of the characters starts to feel unrelenting. It eventually builds to an explosive climax that would be powerful to see on stage....more
Set in the Salpetriere asylum in the late 1800s, it's a devastating, enraging, and powerful look into the lives of women mistreated by patriarchal sciSet in the Salpetriere asylum in the late 1800s, it's a devastating, enraging, and powerful look into the lives of women mistreated by patriarchal science and society. I thought it was a moving and effective story with a fascinating historical context. ...more
Wide-ranging collection with some interesting offerings. My favorite by far was "Ferris Wheel" by Mary Miller. A few others that stood out were "A BowWide-ranging collection with some interesting offerings. My favorite by far was "Ferris Wheel" by Mary Miller. A few others that stood out were "A Bowl of Soup" by Eric Lane; "The Man Who Couldn't Dance" by Jason Katims; "The Philadelphia" by David Ives; "That Midnight Rodeo" by Mary Sue Price; and "Judgment Call" by Frederick Stroppel....more
Delightfully meta. Very of its time with all the name-dropping. I feel like it might work better condensed as a One Act since it's the same situation Delightfully meta. Very of its time with all the name-dropping. I feel like it might work better condensed as a One Act since it's the same situation and themes drawn out over two, but still humorous and entertaining. 3.5 stars. ...more
I waited a while to read this book, knowing I would want to savor it, and I was right. It's everything. An immediate and unforgettable favorite, and aI waited a while to read this book, knowing I would want to savor it, and I was right. It's everything. An immediate and unforgettable favorite, and a perfectly beautiful way to end the reading year. ...more
A fascinating, strange, genre-bending ride that's honestly hard to describe or review. Certainly emotionally resonant and thought-provoking, especiallA fascinating, strange, genre-bending ride that's honestly hard to describe or review. Certainly emotionally resonant and thought-provoking, especially since the dystopian future in Glory's visions seems more grimly possible by the day. It's also simultaneously a hopeful, heartfelt coming-of-age story about a father and daughter navigating enduring grief and carving out a new future together. ...more
I've loved Diana Wynne Jones since childhood, so feel like I must have read this one at some point, but with no clear memories of it, I decided it wasI've loved Diana Wynne Jones since childhood, so feel like I must have read this one at some point, but with no clear memories of it, I decided it was high time I (re?)read it. The magic is creative and whimsical, and the character interactions are delightful. I wasn't fully sure about the ease of some of the resolutions, but the journey was a ton of nostalgic fun. Jones is fantastic as usual. ...more