Very informative, but dragged in a few places. I'm not sure I totally agree with his exceptionally broad definition of cannibalism, but it 3.75 stars.
Very informative, but dragged in a few places. I'm not sure I totally agree with his exceptionally broad definition of cannibalism, but it was a fun walk through of natural history (both human and nonhuman)....more
I generally don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, but this one was pretty damn engaging. Made me cry at the end, even though I saw it co4.5 stars.
I generally don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, but this one was pretty damn engaging. Made me cry at the end, even though I saw it coming. ...more
The relationship between FBI Special Agent Javier Merlo and small town Deputy Cloister Witte has illustrated to me that while I do enjoy the 2.5 stars
The relationship between FBI Special Agent Javier Merlo and small town Deputy Cloister Witte has illustrated to me that while I do enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope, I have caveats. Number one is that there still needs to be some basic respect for one another as people, which Mr. High and Mighty Javi did not have when it came to Cloister. [Side note: I cannot fucking get over that name, regardless of it being explained away as his mother's maiden name.]
Cloister presents as a big dumb redneck with a dog and revealing his investigatory insight, his excellent partnership with his K9 unit dog and the copious amounts of sex they have still does not change how poorly Javi views Cloister on a fundamental level. His entire POV is just horny classism.
The mystery was pretty okay, with the surprise-not surprise of (view spoiler)[the missing child actually being alive when they found him (hide spoiler)]. Honestly, I would have preferred a story about Cloister by himself, training and working with his dog Bourneville on the case; it would have kept my attention better. He calls her Bon Bon, which is the best cop propaganda I've read all year....more
Chosen for POPSUGAR's reading challenge: "a book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift". The Great Cat was tucked in next to an excellent boChosen for POPSUGAR's reading challenge: "a book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift". The Great Cat was tucked in next to an excellent bottle of champagne from my bff this past Christmas.
I'm a lifelong fan of cats, though as an adult I have never been able to have one (curse you, apartment rules and regulations!) Poetry, on the other hand, has always been an uphill struggle for appreciation. So most of the stars are for the subject. I really liked the way Fragos curated this collection, going from the chapters on "Adoration" and "Beauty" to "The Superior Cat", "The Scorned Cat", "The Old Cat" and finally, "Mourning the Cat", which was of course The Worst™ because who wants to contemplate that?
Probably my favorite piece is from the "Mystery" section, by John L'Heureux, entitled "The Thing About Cats":
Cats hang out with witches quite a lot; that's not it.
The thing about cats is they're always looking at you. Especially when you're asleep.
Some cats pretend they're not looking until you're not looking. They are not to be trusted.
Some cats scowl because they're wearing imitation fur. They feel inferior.
Some other cats look at you straight on so that you can't drink you drink or make love but keep thinking that cat's looking at me straight on.
But all cats do the same: they look at you and you look out and in.
A cute story based on real events. The authors take pains to foster the idea that diversity in family structure makes no difference as long as there iA cute story based on real events. The authors take pains to foster the idea that diversity in family structure makes no difference as long as there is love abound. ...more
Her voice turned sour and her face twisted up to match. “The world didn’t change. There is still murder, still rape and fighting. We fucked it up,” s
Her voice turned sour and her face twisted up to match. “The world didn’t change. There is still murder, still rape and fighting. We fucked it up,” she said. “We had this chance, this clean slate, and we just carried on the same as we always have.”
I knew what she was talking ’bout, knew why she was sore over it. I seen all them evils a’ this world firsthand and they done damage to me I don’t even know about yet.
Seemed appropriate to read this as I finished The Portable Dorothy Parker. Mrs. Parker has said that there are "many books supposedly written by cats,Seemed appropriate to read this as I finished The Portable Dorothy Parker. Mrs. Parker has said that there are "many books supposedly written by cats, though maybe it isn't only supposedly." Who knows?
"Owners have always called their cats. And for 4,000 years cats always knew exactly what to do: nothing.""Owners have always called their cats. And for 4,000 years cats always knew exactly what to do: nothing."...more
Then I called Victor and I was all, "Okay, our pest control guy doesn’t know what a chupacabra is,” and he said, “Really? We live in Texas. That shit
Then I called Victor and I was all, "Okay, our pest control guy doesn’t know what a chupacabra is,” and he said, “Really? We live in Texas. That shit should be on the exam,” and I was like, “EXACTLY."
Jenny Lawson is tremendously funny about what a Hot Mess she was as a child and continues to be as an adult.
"Having played to her heart's content, Chibi would come inside and rest for a while. When she began to sleep on the sofa - like a talisman c3.5 stars.
"Having played to her heart's content, Chibi would come inside and rest for a while. When she began to sleep on the sofa - like a talisman curled gently in the shape of a comma and dug up from a prehistorical archaeological site - a deep sense of happiness arrived, as if the house itself had dreamed this scene."
"Mad Padraic", who was too mad even for the IRA to allow him to join, is particularly fond of his kitty, Wee Thomas. In a grossly described turn of ev"Mad Padraic", who was too mad even for the IRA to allow him to join, is particularly fond of his kitty, Wee Thomas. In a grossly described turn of events, Wee Thomas is brutally killed and Padriac is coming home to find out "what fecking happened".
Donny (scared): Oh, Padraic, don't be tying me hands behind me back, now. We know what you be doing to fellas their hands you tie behind their back ...
Davey: What does he be doing to them, Donny? Tickling them?
Donny gives him a look.
Davey (crying): I was just trying to keep me hopes up.
Not a play I would suggest for the easily squeamish (the last scene opens with a "blood-soaked living room strewn with body parts"), but McDonagh is at his black comedy best with The Lieutenant of Inishmore....more
What I adore most about Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (other than Doreen and her unrelenting cheer and her vaguely one-sided friendship with Tony Stark) isWhat I adore most about Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (other than Doreen and her unrelenting cheer and her vaguely one-sided friendship with Tony Stark) is her roomie, Nancy.
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But Mary, Mary, my love.
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MARY AND NANCY TOGETHER.
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Be still my heart. The supporting characters for this series are so excellent. The writer clearly has just a ton of fun mixing the absurdity of classic comic shenanigans with modern humor and sensibilities. ...more
Just as charming as the first book. An excellent combination of subtle fondness for felines and unsubtle humor about their shenanigans. My favorite poJust as charming as the first book. An excellent combination of subtle fondness for felines and unsubtle humor about their shenanigans. My favorite poem (because we are only as old as we feel, which for me is apparently twelve):
Real Close If you listen very carefully If you bend down very close If you wait until the very moment I ram my nose up another cat's butt You will hear my muffled laughter Because even I can't believe This is how we all decided to tell each other "Hello!"