I picked up the ARC in the back room of the book store in which I work during lunch one day. I sarcastically noted the author and his writing credentiI picked up the ARC in the back room of the book store in which I work during lunch one day. I sarcastically noted the author and his writing credentials. However, as I started reading, I found myself getting hooked. It was surprisingly gripping and tense. There are worse ways to kill a couple of hours....more
I am actually giving this 3.5 stars. I'm not a big short story buff, but I enjoyed this collection overall. Hanks is as accessible as a writer as he iI am actually giving this 3.5 stars. I'm not a big short story buff, but I enjoyed this collection overall. Hanks is as accessible as a writer as he is as an actor. Easy, enjoyable reading. ...more
Surprisingly, as someone who reads contemporary fiction, this was the first book I ever read by Ann Patchett. It was a very satisfying read with extreSurprisingly, as someone who reads contemporary fiction, this was the first book I ever read by Ann Patchett. It was a very satisfying read with extremely realistic characters and dialogue. It really felt like these were people I actually knew by the end of the book. ...more
I only read this because Duncan's other novel, "The Brothers K," is among the finest books I have ever read. I hesitated on "The River Why," because iI only read this because Duncan's other novel, "The Brothers K," is among the finest books I have ever read. I hesitated on "The River Why," because it's about fishing and a spiritual quest, two things I honestly don't care that much about. But, I'm glad I read it. I learned a lot about things I don't think about, and the first 100 pages or so about Gus' family and upbringing are just flat out hilarious....more
I work in an independent book shop and we have countless ARCs at our disposal. I'm always looking for an interesting read by an author I have never heI work in an independent book shop and we have countless ARCs at our disposal. I'm always looking for an interesting read by an author I have never heard of. I found a little gem in this one. This is a quiet, but very engaging, story with likable and believable characters. There is also a ghost story within the story that stands on its own. After a near death experience, the main character becomes obsessed with the afterlife and what it may hold for all of us. It's a very thought provoking book. I'll keep Thomas Pierce on my radar....more
I did not like the writing which I found to be pretentious. And I certainly did not like nor care about any of the characters. I kept reading with theI did not like the writing which I found to be pretentious. And I certainly did not like nor care about any of the characters. I kept reading with the hope that something would shift, but it never happened. I am sorry I finished it....more
I thought the book was well written and had interesting characters who were all fully developed. Overall, however, I found the book to be pervasively I thought the book was well written and had interesting characters who were all fully developed. Overall, however, I found the book to be pervasively hopeless and depressing. ...more
I really enjoyed this book. What's not to love about the Telemachus family? Each of them has a unique telekinetic power and a secret. The addition of I really enjoyed this book. What's not to love about the Telemachus family? Each of them has a unique telekinetic power and a secret. The addition of a shady government agency and mob involvement results in chaos that borders on hilarity. Unexpected little plot twists embellish the story. This is a great " summer read."...more
Full disclosure: I am a longtime, hardcore fan who has seen Springsteen perform countless times (OK - 68 times if you really must know). That being saFull disclosure: I am a longtime, hardcore fan who has seen Springsteen perform countless times (OK - 68 times if you really must know). That being said, I think this is an incredible autobiography. Could the writing and editing have been better? Probably. But this is great story telling by the consummate storyteller himself. When I see Springsteen in concert, it feels like he's performing just for me. That's how I felt reading the book; that he was talking just to me.
The anecdotes about his childhood are priceless. The narrative about his father is painful to read, especially for those who may not have had the most loving or even available of fathers. His honesty about his own depression and his self-destructive tendencies is striking. The story about how he rose from the humble streets of Freehold, NJ with only a high school education and a lot of emotional baggage to become perhaps the greatest performing artist of all time is just remarkable.
This is a book that should be read slowly and savored. It took me about nine months from the day I received my signed copy (and had my meet and greet with the author) to finish the book. I have already started listening to the audio version which is even better with Springsteen reading it.
I spent days obsessing about what I would say to Bruce when I met him. I ended up saying, "Thanks for sharing your life with us."...more
I only read an advance copy because someone I know totally loved Family Fang which I have not read. This book was OK. I almost gave up on it numerous I only read an advance copy because someone I know totally loved Family Fang which I have not read. This book was OK. I almost gave up on it numerous times, and it took me a long time to finish, because I just didn't care enough about it. The last third was more enjoyable although part of the ending was entirely predictable. It did have interesting characters and a unique premise. ...more
I found this to be a well written, powerful read. The book's timeliness in light of the current refugee situation can not be overstated. I loved HamidI found this to be a well written, powerful read. The book's timeliness in light of the current refugee situation can not be overstated. I loved Hamid's writing style, sparse but effectively potent. The use of surrealism, a la Underground Railroad, did not detract in any way. Oh, did I mention it's a wonderful love story as well. ...more