Every once in a while, you pick up a book and it surprises you. I randomly ordered this book after it came recommended by Amazon.com itself. I startedEvery once in a while, you pick up a book and it surprises you. I randomly ordered this book after it came recommended by Amazon.com itself. I started reading it and realized it was short stories, a medium I am not a fan of because, and I quote myself, "they are too short." In this graphic novel, we are treated to four stories about relationships, and I can truly say that I loved all four. The first one deals with an author who is trying to track down the writer of a mysterious note. The second is about a very creepy Peeping Tom's lust and a relationship between a slimy guy and the women of the Peeping Tom's lust. The third story features a woman who just can't win in life and resorts to making prank calls on a payphone as a means of escape. The final story features a young teen boy whose close friendship with another boy causes him to lose out on the social ladder of high school. The artwork is realistic and wonderful and the plot is standout. I laughed out loud a few times, in particular during the third story. All in all, a gem of a graphic novel!...more
1984 is a terrifying read one which I had not been able to experience until recently. In this novel, we meet Winston Smith, a member of the 'party' wh1984 is a terrifying read one which I had not been able to experience until recently. In this novel, we meet Winston Smith, a member of the 'party' who is constantly being watched by Big Brother. Big Brother is everywhere; there are listening devices planted, telescreens that monitor people's movements and no one is safe from the thought police who will catch someone who is thinking an impure thought. One day, Winston has an encounter with a girl named Julia that will forever change his life and his way of thinking. This book is powerful and dark and very scary because of how possible this reality could someday become....more
I owed the original version of this book, so when I heard there will be a reprint with updated content, I jumped on this chance. This book is an A-Z lI owed the original version of this book, so when I heard there will be a reprint with updated content, I jumped on this chance. This book is an A-Z listing of some famous artists. Some you will most definitely have heard of, many you have not. The book has ALL types of artists...sculptors, performance artists, traditional paint. They are put back to back in this book, organized only by their last name, so you will see some interesting contrasts in their styles and presentation. Each entry has a brief text on the piece, some history on the artist, and the location of where the artist was born and where they passed if they are not alive, as well as where you can see this piece. This is a wonderful book for art fans, as well as those who are art curious. The price point is very affordable. I HIGHLY recommend this book!...more
Pedro and Me tells the story of Pedro Zamora, a gay man living with AIDS in the 90's. HIs life was cut short by having advanced symptoms and in this bPedro and Me tells the story of Pedro Zamora, a gay man living with AIDS in the 90's. HIs life was cut short by having advanced symptoms and in this book, his friend Judd Winick, a co-cast member on MTV"s Real World San Francisco captures the life story of Pedro through a very nicely done graphic novel. This book is super super sad but very well done and is definitely a tear jerker! I loved it!...more
This was my 100th book and it was a blast of nostalgia. I was a child of the 80s and I knew 95 percent of the toys in this book and owned a good 80 perThis was my 100th book and it was a blast of nostalgia. I was a child of the 80s and I knew 95 percent of the toys in this book and owned a good 80 percent. From care bears to guess who, the most memorable toys and books of the 80s are covered in depth. If you are in your late 20s to your early 30s, this book is a trip down memory lane. ...more
This memoir, which had tiny print and was longer than it seemed, was excellent! It is about a girl who grows up with parents who are drug addicts. SheThis memoir, which had tiny print and was longer than it seemed, was excellent! It is about a girl who grows up with parents who are drug addicts. She lives an awful childhood, which is spent being dirty all of the time, with a sad, mentally ill mother, and a closeted father, both who end up contracting HIV. Liz ends up homeless after something awful happens, and the book tells her story of how she goes from being a truant high schoolers to a Harverd graduate. This story was extremely well written and reminded me of Glass Castle, only a lot sadder. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good memoir....more
If you have an interest in Disneyland history, then this is the book for you! The book covers every attraction, shop, restaurant in the history of theIf you have an interest in Disneyland history, then this is the book for you! The book covers every attraction, shop, restaurant in the history of the park. You will learn how long each ride existed, and what replaced it. My one and only complaint is that I wish this included DCA as well....more
I once had a girl or should I say she once had me...
This book was probably one of my favorite Murakami books. It had his interesting, bizarre characteI once had a girl or should I say she once had me...
This book was probably one of my favorite Murakami books. It had his interesting, bizarre characters but without all the weirdness. It raises many ethical question that made me think, it made me cringe several times, and it was overly sad. This is what made it an excellent book. This is a good starter Murakami book, because it is so different from his other works!...more
There are some books that people say everyone should read and this is one that I had yet to dive into. I listened to this via Libby, our local audioboThere are some books that people say everyone should read and this is one that I had yet to dive into. I listened to this via Libby, our local audiobook provided through the library. In this novel which many of you have probably read, we encounter the Finch family which consists of Jem, Scout and Atticus, and their adventures in a time that is tense with racial differences and class differences as well. The book serves as an excellent period piece and has a wide appeal on both an intellectual as well as a story level....more
This was a powerful, unforgettable book. Ella and John have been married for many years, and they decide to take one last vacation. A road trip from MThis was a powerful, unforgettable book. Ella and John have been married for many years, and they decide to take one last vacation. A road trip from Michigan to CA with their final destination being Disney. We are taken on a state by sate journey and we find out the inner dynamics of a lifelong marriage. This put book put me through a whirlwind of emotions: it made me laugh, made me very sad and made me want to learn more about Route 66. I recommend this to anyone who likes road trip novels or a quick, powerful read....more
This was an amazing book. You'll laugh, and you most likely willl cry. This novel takes place in Ethiopia. When a woman dies in childbirth, and the faThis was an amazing book. You'll laugh, and you most likely willl cry. This novel takes place in Ethiopia. When a woman dies in childbirth, and the father runs off, twins Shiva and Marion are raised by two doctors. But when one twin betrays another, can the other find forgiveness? This book has an overarching theme of family. The characters were extremely well drawn out, and I really liked how the book truly had an epic feel to it. It's very exciting when one starts reading a book that you know will turn out to be a beloved favorite, and this book fits that description to a tee!...more
I really loved this book. This goes to show that if the author is talented, they can breathe life into characters and make you care about them. Maybe,I really loved this book. This goes to show that if the author is talented, they can breathe life into characters and make you care about them. Maybe, the main character is an alternative girl who has mother issues. When her mom's boyfriend tries to rape her, she's had enough, and decides to flee west with her two best friends in search of her birth father. What follows is a memorable story about characters who are vivid and an ending that left me wishing for a sequel to find out how all of these characters were doing. This was probably my favorite book I've read in the last month of YA readings....more
I really love this author. If you haven't read her, I REALLY recommend her. I've read three of her books (All she has written) and I have liked every I really love this author. If you haven't read her, I REALLY recommend her. I've read three of her books (All she has written) and I have liked every single one, and this one is no exception. The novel centers around a college girl whose parents are getting divorced. The characters are very well written, and they each make you care about them. I particularly found the character of Haylie fascinating. While this book doesn't have a lot of action, it more than makes up for it in the characterization!...more
This was a simply told but beautiful story. It takes place in the 80's, when a 13 year old boy is living with his mom who is a shut in and a hoarder. This was a simply told but beautiful story. It takes place in the 80's, when a 13 year old boy is living with his mom who is a shut in and a hoarder. His mom is lonely because she is divorced and hasn't had a boyfriend in years. One day, Henry, the boy, is at a store with his mom who rarely gets out and a bleeding man comes over to him. Thus begins a major twist the story and a few days of life altering events for both Henry and his mom. I really liked Maynard's simple writing style, she captured the narrator perfectly, and left me on the edge of my seat on how this story ends. This is what makes a good and memorable book, good writing, as well as a great story to tell!...more
This book caught my interest from page 1. It tells the tale of Adam, who stumbles into a friendship with some very odd people, Margot, and her lover, This book caught my interest from page 1. It tells the tale of Adam, who stumbles into a friendship with some very odd people, Margot, and her lover, Born. The tale told is one that is captivating and intriguing. There is some definite ambiguity, and the reader is left wondering how much of Adam's tale is fiction or reality. I would highly recommend this book. The only problem that could annoy a reader is the change from first to second to third person narrative, but I quickly adapted to this...more
You've probably never heard of Henrietta Lacks. I certainly hadn't but after reading this book, like myself, you probably will wish you did. HenriettaYou've probably never heard of Henrietta Lacks. I certainly hadn't but after reading this book, like myself, you probably will wish you did. Henrietta's life was short and not very vivid. She was a kind person, and a mother of 5. But at the age of 30, she came down with cervical cancer and gave the doctors of John Hopkins some of her cells. She soon passed away after receiving some awful sounding radiation therapy, and after the cancer spread. Here's the twist: her cells live on to this day. Nicknamed "HeLa," her cells are used in research in any disease imaginable, mainly because unlike most people's cells, they have the unique ability to continue to multiply once leaving the body. The issues....Henrietta didn't know she was giving her cells up for that purpose at the time, which was 1951. IN addition, while her cells are producing millions of dollars for the medical community as they are sold, her living family lives in poverty, and were unaware their mother still existed in some form until many years later. This book is tackled by Skloot and is written so wonderfully. Medical terminology is clearly explained, and she even includes a cast of characters so you don't get the many names mixed up. By the end of this book, I was severely affected by this story, and i highly recommed this book to ANYONE, it is truly an excellent read!...more
In this odd little gem, we witness the evolution or devolution of an American family. At the start of the novel we meet Warren, a husband who is lyingIn this odd little gem, we witness the evolution or devolution of an American family. At the start of the novel we meet Warren, a husband who is lying to his family about their financial situation, and his unhappy wife Camille. Then there is Dustin who is your typical teen, Lyle who is dating the Mexican guard in the families complex and Jonas who is just plain odd. Midway through something awful happens to the family. What drew me into this book was the quirky and interesting characters. I wanted to find out what happened to them even after I read the last page. This was an excellent read!...more
This is the second book I read by this author and it was just as good as the first. I really love books about eccentric people, and he definitely deliThis is the second book I read by this author and it was just as good as the first. I really love books about eccentric people, and he definitely delivers! Milo has a weird disorder where he has a compulsion to do certain things, and remains tense until he can do so..they range from simple like bowling a strike to bizarre (singing 99 Luftbaloons in German" His marriage to Christine, his wife, is falling apart. And he discovers a video confessional left on a park bench by a woman he doesn't know, and he becomes obsessed with finding out who she is. I read this book in the course of two sittings and really enjoyed it. I eagerly await his next book!...more
This book was just amazing. When I read it, I wasn't sure how much I really liked it, but now having finished with it, I can truly see why it won the This book was just amazing. When I read it, I wasn't sure how much I really liked it, but now having finished with it, I can truly see why it won the Pulitzer. It is so carefully and intricately put together. I would start to tell you about the plot, but it is very hard to describe. When you read the first chapter, you will be introduced to several characters. The next chapter most likely will feature a completely different character, but after reading for a few pages, you will realize they have some sort of connection to another character. Each character written about is very vivd, and the author uses a variety of storytelling methods, some of which made me chuckle by their cleverness. This book could end up becoming a modern classic. I'm very glad I read this and encourage you to do so as well, especially if you enjoy punk music and 70's rock....more
I have to admit, I was ready to give up on this book. I'm not a fan of historical fiction. And when I read this book took place in the late 1800's, I I have to admit, I was ready to give up on this book. I'm not a fan of historical fiction. And when I read this book took place in the late 1800's, I wanted to give up. But I stuck it out, and am so glad I did. Bartholomew is the world's thinnest man. He is employed by the legendary PT Barnum and works for a museum of odd folk. HIs best friend is Matina, the world's heaviest woman. Other memorable characters include tall woman Emma, Alley, the world's strongest man, and of course, Iell, who is the focus of the title character's affections. This book presents a series of minor mysteries that resolve themselves. The book was very hard to stop reading, and I finished the last 180 pages in one sitting. If you like books about circus and carnie folk, or just a good read, this book is for you!...more