Really liked this one. It's from 2011 and had a movie adaptation, but I don't think I'd ever heard of it. The ending was a bit of a head-scratcher (thReally liked this one. It's from 2011 and had a movie adaptation, but I don't think I'd ever heard of it. The ending was a bit of a head-scratcher (things were wrapped up, but certain parts just didn't feel like the same book anymore), but I'll definitely need to check out some of Wilson's other works....more
A masterclass in writing dialogue and realistic, relatable characters in literary fiction. Each character is grounded in their own reality and have weA masterclass in writing dialogue and realistic, relatable characters in literary fiction. Each character is grounded in their own reality and have well-crafted backstories. More than anything, they’re human: they make mistakes, have regrets, and don’t always know the best ways to express their imperfections. There are beautiful quiet moments, and glorious scenes of family dysfunction. I love how each character gets their own moment in the spotlight, but they still all come back to the main plot which they’re intrinsically tied to; a tricky thing to do for some writers. Loved it....more
3.5 Stars A notable effort by this indie author, Whiteside does a remarkable job at balancing this Contemporary story of a sorta-doofy/often unlucky jo3.5 Stars A notable effort by this indie author, Whiteside does a remarkable job at balancing this Contemporary story of a sorta-doofy/often unlucky job-less writer and the Fantasy-heavy fictional book within a book that the MC has written. The Incredible Rhett Smiley is pretty funny. There are periods of action which are kind of meandering, but at least each chapter ends with an excerpt from Rhett's novel ("Infinity's Mirror"), so there's always a palette cleanser of sorts before Rhett happy-accidents his way into yet another shenanigan. The ending (no spoilers!) was a bit long for something which eventually felt like it lacked a "wow factor" but the journey is worth it for getting to read those moments that EVERY new author (post-Harry Potter) has ever hoped to experience. A highly original work from a confident writer. Check it out!...more
What a wonderful surprise of a book! After self-publishing my own novels and hoping to find some readers packing positive reviews, I’m doing my own paWhat a wonderful surprise of a book! After self-publishing my own novels and hoping to find some readers packing positive reviews, I’m doing my own part in reading works by other Indie Authors. THE AWFUL TRUTH ABOUT THE SUSHING PRIZE by Denis Shaughnessy is an absurd, irreverent, 4th-wall-breaking crime thriller.
SYNOPSIS: Writer Marco Ocram has a secret superpower—whatever he writes actually happens, there and then. Hoping to win the million-dollar Sushing Prize, he uses his powers to write a true-crime thriller, quickly discovering a freakish murder. But Marco has a major problem—he's a total idiot who can't see beyond his next sentence. Losing control of his plot and his characters, and breaking all the rules of fiction, Marco writes himself into every kind of trouble, until only the world's most incredible ending can save his bacon.
There’s a good mix of zaniness and police procedure, though I can see how this novel might get on a reader’s nerves, with the constant reminders that out protagonist is literally making this story up as he goes along. Some readers, maybe. But this all just worked for me. I found it totally original. A left-field comparison might be that of The Big Lebowski, with an protagonist who has no clue and is aimlessly following leads all over town. The book becomes noticeably less funny in some chapters around the half-way and 3/4 points, but its memorable moments quickly make you forget about any lulls. Moments like the CERN backstory development (where the MC makes up a backstory for himself on-the-spot in order to solve a current dilemma), the Pope scene (yes, he knows the Pope of course!), and the Tom Cruise bit (so good!) were genius. The novel reads very British. I know it takes place in America, by way of which I’m assuming the MC is also American, but there are just enough British-isms (tyres, manoeuvered, lavvy, S’s instead of Z’s, etc) to make it feel….off. Overall, this is an impressive debut; one where I sometimes forgot this was Shaughnessy's first novel, and that the book was not already a best-selling hit....more
I don't think I've ever taken SO LONG to read a book I enjoyed SO MUCH. Seriously, I don't know what took me, maybe it was because I was reading this I don't think I've ever taken SO LONG to read a book I enjoyed SO MUCH. Seriously, I don't know what took me, maybe it was because I was reading this as an eBook (a format I don't typically reach for), or perhaps it was the pacing of the book. And In Other Lands has a very unusual pacing to it. Yes, it's about a 13-yr-old boy (Elliot) who goes to "school" in a different world (a fantasy world with mermaids, harpies, elves, etc) and it's about Elliot meeting and making friends, discovering truths about himself and his orientations through multiple relationships, and it follows Elliot until he's 17 and graduating from said school. But within that plot, there's quite a few moments where I wondered where the book was really going, only to find it wasn't really going anywhere other than that. And for this book, that is 100% okay. In Other Lands almost feels like a bunch of growing up vignettes, and the fun is really in the book's humor, Elliot's well-crafted personality, and his interactions with all the other characters. This one was recommended by a good friend, and although it's not my normal genre, I enjoyed it IMMENSELY. Maybe it took me so long to read because I didn't want it to end?...more
If ever there was a novel that could be labelled “Irreverent" this would be it. Probably by a landslide. However, through all the flippancy, I’m not eIf ever there was a novel that could be labelled “Irreverent" this would be it. Probably by a landslide. However, through all the flippancy, I’m not entirely sure what Undermajordomo Minor is trying to say. Something about love? Something about finding one’s place in the world? Something about wild, profane sausage parties? Maybe all of the above. Maybe none. BUT! This twisted sort of fairy tale remains a fun romp. As is the case with DeWitt’s previous writing, the verbiage is delightful, but at times his use of language bothers me, with an almost a too-smart-for-his-own-good vibe. It’s a fine line, but I cheered more than I jeered, so let’s call it a literary victory. If I was asked to compare Patrick DeWitt’s style, I might eventually say it’s not unlike Wes Anderson using an ink-dipped feather-pen. I’m a sucker for Anderson (like many), but I find he can hit sour notes with me from time to time, and DeWitt fits that description. I'll leave you with wonderful quote from the pages of Undermajordomo Minor. Apply it to your own life:
“And what is [love] like? I’ve often wondered about it.” “It is a glory and a torment.” “Really? Would you not recommend it, then?” “I would recommend it highly. Just to say it’s not for the faint of heart."...more
Another unique book where I thought - a third of the way in - that this might be one of my favorite books ever. But wheels come off a little and the sAnother unique book where I thought - a third of the way in - that this might be one of my favorite books ever. But wheels come off a little and the stuff about The Murdstone Trilogy that I was loving the most began to slowly fade into the background. I think the plateau of enjoyment was at the literary award night when Philip Murdstone was preparing to accept his award for his first book of fantasy. THAT was the kind of writing I wish had sustained the remainder of the book, but it all just took such a sudden jump to the left. In the end, I still enjoyed Mal Peet's final work, but was left disappointed when thinking about how much more I loved the beginning....more
2.5 Stars. Some good short plays in this collection, some not so good. If I had to pick a favorite I could probably narrow it down to "Your Mother's Bu2.5 Stars. Some good short plays in this collection, some not so good. If I had to pick a favorite I could probably narrow it down to "Your Mother's Butt" by Alan Ball and "Wanda's Visit" by Christopher Durang. Both of these are very funny and worth a read. Check it out if you're into short comedic stage plays....more
3.5 Stars It's not too often that I'll find myself really enjoying a book, but then there's a sudden shift along the way, and I realize I'm actually no3.5 Stars It's not too often that I'll find myself really enjoying a book, but then there's a sudden shift along the way, and I realize I'm actually not enjoying the book as much as I'm enjoying the writing. David Arnold's debut MOSQUITOLAND (2015) surprised me. His writing is sharp, clever, funny, sad, and filled with fantastic metaphors. But he falls into the YA trap of making his characters a little too quirky, seemingly for the sake of merely being quirky. Some of Mim Malone's road trip from Mississippi to Cleveland feels like random events that may have happened to the author himself, and he's just cramming them in there at breakneck speed just keep things moving. As a writer, it's aggravating, but it's also a first novel (my own first novel fell for similar traps), and I could tell there's enough writing chops here that his next books will probably feel a bit tighter. There are also some frightening moments in the book; creepy, malicious characters that show up and do terrible things, yet there never really feels like it's for a certain purpose. But overall, this is fantastic character book, and Mim Malone's voice (though maybe some years beyond her age, in the "no kid really talks/thinks like this" sense) is fun, funny, and heartwarming....more
Wow. I'm not sure exactly what it was I just read there, but Grasshopper Jungle is certainly original. If the world was coming to an end due to 6-footWow. I'm not sure exactly what it was I just read there, but Grasshopper Jungle is certainly original. If the world was coming to an end due to 6-foot tall mantises hatching from the bodies of a bunch Iowans, would a 16-year-old boy still have sex on the brain? The answer, I guess, is definitely yes. Austin Szerba is confused sexually; he doesn't know if he loves his girlfriend or his best friend Robby or both. But he's a good kid and has one of the most unique (unusual?) voices in fiction. Author Andrew Smith's writing style both impressed and exasperated me at times, but Grasshopper Jungle remains an unforgettable story about killer bugs, lemur masks, horny teens and testicles. Boy, there's a lot talk about testicles in this book....more
What a way to close out a series! Nick Spencer does a masterful job at making all 17 issues in the series feel like one long storyline, which it is, rWhat a way to close out a series! Nick Spencer does a masterful job at making all 17 issues in the series feel like one long storyline, which it is, really. There are a couple of sidetracks along the way (I'm looking at you, Volume Two!), but overall this is a satisfying storyline with lots of laughs, character development and moments of melancholy. The art is not amazing but there's something to be said for consistency. Steve Lieber's work makes for a comfortable read, and he handles 14 of the 17 issues (damn you, Volume Two!). If you've ever liked any of these characters, read this! If you like an off-beat Marvel tale that feels like it takes place right in the middle of the Marvel Universe, read this! If you respect my opinion, read this!...more
I've been trying to really nail down what it was exactly that bothered me about this book. And I think I finally got it: The Rosie Project is pretty bI've been trying to really nail down what it was exactly that bothered me about this book. And I think I finally got it: The Rosie Project is pretty boring. Sorry if this offends the many, many, many of you who fell in love with it. But not enough really happens in this story to justify 300+ pages. And it's certainly not a page-turner. Sure, out "hero" meets a girl he knows is not "right" for him but can't help falling her anyway. And yes, Don does help Rosie along in finding out who her father is, but THAT'S the book. There's plenty of dramatic scenes, silly scenes and comedic dialogue to make it seem like there's something great going on here, but it's all just really boring. To me, it felt like Simsion was fairly knowledgeable on subjects such as autism/Asperger's, mixing drinks, ballroom dancing, genetics and DNA testing, but most of these topics are written like he's TELLING us, rather than the classic writer's rule of SHOWING. Honestly, the dancing and drink mixing scenes made me want to stop reading and made me feel sorry for all of the reviewers who ga-ga'd all over this book. I guess we're meant to assume that Don has Asperger's but he doesn't seem aware of the fact himself. This is probably fairly common in the real world, but for a guy who gives lectures on the subject, it comes across as more than a little ridiculous. Also, Don grows for the purpose of growing and having a fluffy ending. I'm no expert on autism, but I don't believe a change so drastic could come so quickly. It almost dismisses the idea that this character suffers has lived with his condition for his entire life. For a guy who is so strict on schedules and planning his days Don sure spends a lot of time on the so-called "Father Project". I mean, what is he doing at his job all day? I have no idea. Simsion does a good job at the beginning of the book to get us into the head of his main character, but somewhere along the way Don stops being the same character I was introduced to. I'll give The Rosie Project 2-Stars based on the fact it's not complete trash and there are some really good character moments and dialogue exchanges....more
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