1. Obviously, it's a famous Stephen King classic and everyone I know who has read it claims it's one oI set out to read The Stand for several reasons:
1. Obviously, it's a famous Stephen King classic and everyone I know who has read it claims it's one of their favorite, all-time books. 2. It's about a pandemic. Duh, perfect timing. 3. It's summer, and why not?
But I was scared. Not of the book's content, but of the book's length. Eleven hundred forty nine pages. 1149!!! And of course, I had purchased the EXTENDED version. Apparently, SK originally published in 1978 and then RE-published in 1990 and ADDED 400 pages! What was I thinking???? So to complete this, I decided that I would set a goal of reading at least 40 pages per day in the month of July so that I would not go past July 31st, and as you see from the date, I crushed my goal and finished in 17 days!! Plus, I tracked my progress in an Excel spreadsheet and made a line graph but I don't think I know how to publish that in this review or I would. (data nerd, I know....)
So, back to the book. I now understand what all the fuss is about. Holy cow! A superflu wipes out 99% of the population and the people left have to gather, and figure out what the heck to do. The first third of the book is how this all happens and laying out each of the characters and their backgrounds so you get to know them and understand their motives. Then the middle of the book is all about how the survivors must migrate to get together (there are dreams involved) and decide between two groups--basically the perceived good guys or the perceived bad guys. SK is a master at developing the main characters of both sides, which start when the superflu hits. It's amazing to me that way back in 1978 SK wrote about the need for contract tracing, although he didn't really call it that.
Great standout primary characters in this book: Larry Underwood, the one hit wonder "rock star;" Trashcan Man, the guy obsessed with fire; Harold Lauder, I can't describe him or I will give away his awesomeness; Mother Abigail, 108 year old messiah; Randall Flagg, so clearly the Devil.
Even the secondary characters and the level of detail about them is just extraordinary. I had to take notes on Post-its just to keep track of some things. Another thing I noticed is that SK is at his finest (not that this is a surprise) when he is writing about the craziest, most deranged characters. Shocker.
Everyone should read this book at least once in their life. I am already missing that it is not part of my daily routine and had a hard time handing it over to Dick to read next!! Dick, take care of my baby!! Can't wait to hear what you think!
Despite the fact that I went ALL THE WAY TO MEXICO to take this photo, this book was NOT for me. I was so surprised because it was all the rage last yDespite the fact that I went ALL THE WAY TO MEXICO to take this photo, this book was NOT for me. I was so surprised because it was all the rage last year, and yet I really just thought it was silly and over the top.
A young woman is sent to find out what is going on with her married cousin, who may be ill or need psychological care. What is going on in the creepy house called High Point high on the mountain?
The writing is good, but the story is somewhat boring, and then goofy, with a terribly abrupt ending leaving too many unanswered questions—what happens to Catalina? What about Noemi’s father? I’m giving this a 2–I just couldn’t get into it and don’t understand what all the fuss was about....more
It took me what seemed like forever to finish listening to this book. It was indeed a masterpiece but dang, so very long. I am not sure I “enjoyed” itIt took me what seemed like forever to finish listening to this book. It was indeed a masterpiece but dang, so very long. I am not sure I “enjoyed” it—it was dark and sad. A story of love and ultimate revenge, Wuthering Heights certainly will stick with me.
Heathcliff and Catherine grow up together and love each other deeply but she marries someone else and regrets it. He takes revenge on everyone in his life for the way he was treated growing up, including Catherine’s daughter, and relatives of her husband. So much love, yet so much hatred. Crazy and no one could talk sense into anyone.
The best part of listening to this book was the narrator, Downton Abbey’s Anna Smith (Joanne Froggatt). She is amazing, especially with the incomprehensible whacky-talk of a few of the country men. Confession--I had to refer to the text of the actual book to read passages and chapters after listening because I got confused, especially in the first third of the book....more
I had high hopes for Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book but it fell short for me. I won’t argue that it had a few good little takeaway nuggets, but overall,I had high hopes for Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book but it fell short for me. I won’t argue that it had a few good little takeaway nuggets, but overall, it just didn’t “WOW” me. It's the kind of book that you read a few pages a night, maybe just hoping for a little inspiration, but I found it to be less inspirational and more just helping to explain one's dark side, which is what Haig is famous for. The good news is that I bought it at my local small bookstore and felt good about supporting them, so there's that!...more
Before We Were Yours informs the reader about horrible crimes that actually took place in Memphis between about 1930 and about 1950–poor children wereBefore We Were Yours informs the reader about horrible crimes that actually took place in Memphis between about 1930 and about 1950–poor children were tricked and stolen from their parents and brokered/sold for adoption to wealthier people.
This story is fiction but based on similar accounts from actual people that this happened to. Rill Foss and her four siblings are kidnapped from their Mississippi River shanty boat while her parents are at the hospital giving birth to twins. They are taken to the Tennessee Children’s Society Home and starved, abused, etc. until most of them are adopted out. In present day, Avery Stafford is the daughter of an ailing Senator and discovers there might be more to her family history so she sets out to investigate it. As it unravels, so does the tale of the Foss children.
As much as I enjoyed learning about the true story of the adoption scheme/nightmare, I thought the present-day story was a bit contrived and predictable but certainly enjoyable....more
Does a book ending ever give you goosebumps? Deacon King Kong sure did that for me. James McBride blew me away many years ago with The Color of WaterDoes a book ending ever give you goosebumps? Deacon King Kong sure did that for me. James McBride blew me away many years ago with The Color of Water and when this started appearing on everyone’s feed, I added it to my TBR.
The colorful setting is Brooklyn’s Causeway housing projects in 1969. The main character is an old drunk nick-named “Sportcoat,” who on a random morning, shoots the local drug dealer. This bizarre act spirals a series of strange, funny, and tragic events. There are so many entertaining characters (who have hilarious names—Hot Sausage, Bum-Bum, Pudgy Fingers, The Elephant…) to enjoy—Italian mobsters, Irish cops, black church ladies and boiler room drinkers. McBride’s writing is like a detailed work of art—he paints such a vivid picture that you almost feel like you are standing right there in the scene and can see and feel everything around you in all directions. I particularly love a chapter describing the attraction between Potts (the Irish cop) and Sister Gee (one of the church ladies who is also the Pastor’s wife). It made me tingle! ...more
Fans of genealogy—this one’s for YOU!! Divine Treasure is a semi-fictional memoir based on the true story of the genealogical mission of a woman deterFans of genealogy—this one’s for YOU!! Divine Treasure is a semi-fictional memoir based on the true story of the genealogical mission of a woman determined to solve the mystery of her great grandparents.
Graciela is passionately motivated by something deep down that she cannot explain and must find out why her great grandfather essentially abandoned her great grandmother around the turn of the century, leaving her to care for their young children and run the family hotel in Puerta Plata. He boarded a ship, disappeared and was never heard from again. Her research spanned Italy, Columbia, Dominican Republic and even her home in Virginia. Graciela tells her beautiful tale about how this project consumed her life for many years, and describes with love the joy it brought her in the process, despite the curve balls that normal life threw (family loss, etc). Disclaimer: Graciela is a dear former colleague and I really enjoyed reading this beautiful story....more
Crying in H Mart had me at the title. I love a good memoir and this one amazed and delighted me. Zauner managed to recreate every moment during the yeCrying in H Mart had me at the title. I love a good memoir and this one amazed and delighted me. Zauner managed to recreate every moment during the year her mother was diagnosed with cancer (along with background flashbacks to her younger years) so poignantly and in the process recount every single feeling that went along with that year, which spanned a complete spectrum, ranging from gut wrenching misery to hilariously funny.
Learning about her Korean family was such a bonus and her talent for food writing, alone, will make you run to H Mart foraging for your next meal! DO NOT PASS ON THIS ONE!
p.s. I did go to H Mart today and did not cry. ...more
I was never assigned this classic in high school and my daughter has to read it now, so I thought what the heck? I know this is stupid but for years II was never assigned this classic in high school and my daughter has to read it now, so I thought what the heck? I know this is stupid but for years I got this book confused with Lord of the Rings. Duh. Ok now that is straightened out!
Lord of the Flies was definitely different but I am not sure I exactly loved it. I think it was the 1950s British boy-speak that I couldn’t always follow. I had to reread many paragraphs over several times because the writing was so abstract and some the words used were not ones that I was familiar with in that particular context.
I did see the overall symbolism that is much talked about—how chaos ensues without order, tribes form and the boys became savages. I was reminded of the modern day reality show “Survivor.” I would have been interested to know what would have happened if the story took place with girls landing on the island, instead of boys. Perhaps no savages, nice meals and cute outfits made out of straw? Well I guess someone would have to savagely kill a pig....sigh....more
The Last Thing He Told Me is a quick, page-turning thriller about a husband and father, Owen Micheals, who goes missing after it is discovered that thThe Last Thing He Told Me is a quick, page-turning thriller about a husband and father, Owen Micheals, who goes missing after it is discovered that the company he works for is involved in fraudulent activity. Is he guilty? Complicit? Is he who says he is? His wife Hannah, stepmother of his 16-year old daughter, Bailey, must find him and/or figure out what in the world is going on.
The writing was good, although I never really look forward to a cranky teenager in a plot, but I enjoyed the settings of both Sausalito (I’ve been there!) and Austin (I want to go there!) and it kept me engaged until the very end....more
I am so overdue on reviewing this book—I read it weeks ago and life got in the way. Mason wrote this book in the early 1980s and the only reason I picI am so overdue on reviewing this book—I read it weeks ago and life got in the way. Mason wrote this book in the early 1980s and the only reason I picked it up was the author has the same name as I do. Silly, right?
This book of short stories was VERY well written but each story had a similar theme—women living in western Kentucky (or from western Kentucky as in two of the stories) who were restless and unhappy in their marriages. “Mork & Mindy” was mentioned several times as a popular show. It was very strange—I didn’t have to read the whole book to get a good taste of how well Bobbie Ann Mason writes, though. I just wish the stories had a bit more variety. So the writing was a 4 but the story “plots” were more like 3s. I am going to shy away from short story collections for a while....more
Been in a bit of a slump with reading and posting lately so hoping that summer reading will launch some “bookstaspiration!”
The Wife Upstairs is an entBeen in a bit of a slump with reading and posting lately so hoping that summer reading will launch some “bookstaspiration!”
The Wife Upstairs is an entertaining thriller spin on Jane Eyre. Jane the dog walker from not where she says she’s from meets recently widowed Eddie Rochester from the McMansion-gated southern community, Thornfield Estates. Things get weird—both Jane and Eddie have secrets but only one of them is hiding someone upstairs. Giving this one only 3 stars—definitely a fun summer read but certainly not a complex novel....more
Not sure what I expected, but despite a somewhat slow start (I began this one, then put it down and read a different book then picked it back up) I enNot sure what I expected, but despite a somewhat slow start (I began this one, then put it down and read a different book then picked it back up) I ended up really enjoying it. First of all, it’s fantasy, which you can kind of tell by the cover. The setting is the Marsyas Island orphanage run by Arthur Parnassus, and houses six magical children: a gnome, a wyvern, a boy who turns into a dog when frightened, a sea creature (think Sigmond and the Sea Monsters), a forest sprite, and one more VERY special child (no need for spoilers!).
An employee from The Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), Linus Baker, is sent to investigate that everything is, well, “under control” on Marsyas Islan. Linus learns more than he bargains for, but what he learns seems to be mostly about himself. Themes of prejudice and “fear of what we do not understand” are weaved throughout. Being a huge Harry Potter fan, I was ALL IN. Klune’s writing was so witty and charming and there is even a love story that blossoms. All I kept thinking was how spectacular the movie version of this book would be! If you don’t normally read this sort of book, I encourage you to open your mind to this endearing story—you will be glad you did. ...more
Another gem from @islandbookstoreobx, America for Beginners was just SO very enjoyable! Talk about covering all of the bases: Indian vs. American vs. Another gem from @islandbookstoreobx, America for Beginners was just SO very enjoyable! Talk about covering all of the bases: Indian vs. American vs. Bangladeshi culture, sexual orientation, class, family relations, religion....the list goes on!
Pival Sengupta is a recent widow living in Kolkata, India. She pays for a tour of the U.S. (she has never left her city, barely her 5-block radius) to find her son, whom she is unsure is alive or dead. Her husband had disowned their son when he told them he was gay. Not long after son came out, her husband received another phone call and said their son was dead (so did he mean “dead to him” or “truly dead?”). As she leaves for her U.S. excursion, we simultaneously learn of her son, Rahi’s experience living in California prior to her trip and with his Jewish boyfriend, Jake. We also get to know Ronnie, Bangladeshi owner of the tour company, Bangladeshi tour guide Satya, and hired struggling actress/companion Rebecca.
This story is comical, beautiful, and tragic all at the same time and will make you crave Indian take-out (I couldn't take it and had to get some when I finished!). For Franqui’s first novel, I was really impressed and can’t wait to read more from her. I would love to discuss this book with anyone who has read it—send me a message if you have because I have a question or two. I’m giving it a 4.5!...more
I picked up Still Summer at a used book store, hoping it might give me a mental break from the cold and give me a reason to look forward to the springI picked up Still Summer at a used book store, hoping it might give me a mental break from the cold and give me a reason to look forward to the spring/summer months and warmer weather on the way.
Bonds of high school friendship are tested on a Caribbean sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands. Three friends from Chicago—one who now lives in Italy and just lost her rich husband to cancer—go to St. Thomas to begin what they think is going to be a relaxing adventure. A fourth friend ends up not being able to go, so one of the women’s teenage daughter goes in her place, which makes for an overall interesting dynamic among the passengers. Along with their Captain, Lenny and his mate, Michel, they sail off hoping for a nice tan, umbrella drinks and shopping on a few islands.
But things go very wrong and the fun, caddy drama quickly turns dark and suspenseful. At first, I found Mitchard’s descriptions of the women’s high school personas very cliché and almost wanted to give up on the book because of it. But the writing improved for me later in the book during the adventure part—more so regarding the emotions and feelings of the women. Some of the depictions of what was happening mechanically with the boat were confusing and hard to follow and picture, maybe because I don’t know enough about boats? So the writing was good but clunky, story was great, and I thought that the end was wrapped up well....more
One of the things I like to do is peek at other people’s Goodreads reviews of a book when I am about 3/4 of the way finished (never before I start becOne of the things I like to do is peek at other people’s Goodreads reviews of a book when I am about 3/4 of the way finished (never before I start because I don’t like to be jaded before I begin!). Upon glancing at the reviews, I discovered that THE JETSETTERS was not very well liked.
I have a bit of a different opinion. Let me say first what I loved about this book:
1. Family drama. ALWAYS!—Charlotte takes her three adult children on a Mediterranean cruise that she “won” by entering an essay contest (with what I thought was a poorly written essay, btw). Her two daughters and son are all a little broken and their relationships need some help. 2. Visiting cool cities in Europe! 3. Relatable thoughts, situations and anecdotes. 4. Entertaining!
What I didn’t like: 1. Dark themes handled in light-ish ways—alcoholism, suicide, etc. 2. Adults characters who could not be true to themselves, thus not very likable. 3. A lot of it just not very believable or likely—struggling actress sister, gay brother and mom hasn’t caught on yet, etc.
So as you can see....I was torn on this one, but I ripped through it and had fun with it for sure! ...more
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