Title: A Little Life
Author: Hanya Yanagihara
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: This book follows four friends that meet in college and explores their post-college life as they establish their careers and build relationships. The men are held together by Jude, whose traumatic childhood has made him fragile and fiercely protected by his three best friends.
Review: Wow. Even writing this review weeks after I finished it, I'm blown away. I loved the characters and their development and how the story takes them all to the very end. Jude is so damaged I can't even begin to fathom him. If there's anything negative I have to say, it's how many years Jude wastes staying so damage, but then again, that's obviously a huge part of the book. Go out and read this book. It's long, but it's worth it.
Time to write: 2:54
Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Book review: We Were Liars
Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
Format: e-book
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Cadence Eastman comes from a wealthy family. She spends her summers on her family's private island off of the Cape with her cousins Mirren and Johnny, and Gat, who is the son of one of her aunt's boyfriends. When Cadence is 15, there's a terrible fire on the island. Cadence returns the island when she's 17 and tries to piece together the events of the fire. The story flips back and forth between the summers when Cadence is 15 and 17.
Review: It turns out this is a Young Adult (YA) novel. Who knew? This book is also positioned as a suspense novel but I don't think I'd characterize it as that myself. I'd say this is a coming-of-age novel. Anyway, this book is great if only for the ending alone. I almost don't want to say too much here at the risk of giving away the book, so just trust me on this one.
Time to write: 1:34
Author: E. Lockhart
Format: e-book
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Cadence Eastman comes from a wealthy family. She spends her summers on her family's private island off of the Cape with her cousins Mirren and Johnny, and Gat, who is the son of one of her aunt's boyfriends. When Cadence is 15, there's a terrible fire on the island. Cadence returns the island when she's 17 and tries to piece together the events of the fire. The story flips back and forth between the summers when Cadence is 15 and 17.
Review: It turns out this is a Young Adult (YA) novel. Who knew? This book is also positioned as a suspense novel but I don't think I'd characterize it as that myself. I'd say this is a coming-of-age novel. Anyway, this book is great if only for the ending alone. I almost don't want to say too much here at the risk of giving away the book, so just trust me on this one.
Time to write: 1:34
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Book review: Blackout: Remembering the things I drank to forget
Title: Blackout: Remembering the things I drank to forget
Author: Sarah Hepola
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Sarah's a blackout drinker. What's a blackout? A blackout is essentially an empty space in your mind where you don't remember what happened. Blacking out is not the same as passing out. Sarah would wake up in a strange bed (or her own bed) and have no idea how she got there. Sometimes there'd be a man in the bed with her and she'd have no idea who the guy was. Sarah decided she needed to get alcohol out of her life and come to terms with who she was without alcohol.
Review: I've always been a sucker for addiction stories. I watched Intervention for years and recently got sucked back into it. I have a fascination with understanding what led people to go down the path of addiction (or get dragged) and what motivates them to get better. This book was right up my alley. Sarah's accounts of her alcoholism and blackouts is raw and honest. It takes a lot of courage to share that she doesn't remember things. Highly recommended.
Time to write: 4:23
Summary: Sarah's a blackout drinker. What's a blackout? A blackout is essentially an empty space in your mind where you don't remember what happened. Blacking out is not the same as passing out. Sarah would wake up in a strange bed (or her own bed) and have no idea how she got there. Sometimes there'd be a man in the bed with her and she'd have no idea who the guy was. Sarah decided she needed to get alcohol out of her life and come to terms with who she was without alcohol.
Review: I've always been a sucker for addiction stories. I watched Intervention for years and recently got sucked back into it. I have a fascination with understanding what led people to go down the path of addiction (or get dragged) and what motivates them to get better. This book was right up my alley. Sarah's accounts of her alcoholism and blackouts is raw and honest. It takes a lot of courage to share that she doesn't remember things. Highly recommended.
Time to write: 4:23
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Title: The Girl on the Train
Title: The Girl on the Train
Author: Paula Hawkins
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Rachel commutes back and forth to London each day on the train. Her ride takes her past her old house where her ex-husband lives with his new wife and baby. Rachel lost her job but rides the train anyways. She also has a minor drinking problem. Anna is the new wife and is tired of Rachel's drunk phone calls and late night stalking.
Rachel likes to make up stories about the people who live in the houses that are on the train line. One woman in particular is Jess, who lives a few houses over from Rachel's old house. One day Rachel sees Jess with a man that isn't her husband. These women's lives begin to intersect when Jess (real name, Megan) disappears.
Review: This was a great book. I had my suspicions on certain characters but Rachel's alcoholism added a sad but great element to the story. Rachel knew that there was more that met the eye to what was going on but she couldn't remember anything because of her blackouts. None of these characters are what they seem, which makes the book so great.
Time to write: 4:04
Author: Paula Hawkins
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Rachel commutes back and forth to London each day on the train. Her ride takes her past her old house where her ex-husband lives with his new wife and baby. Rachel lost her job but rides the train anyways. She also has a minor drinking problem. Anna is the new wife and is tired of Rachel's drunk phone calls and late night stalking.
Rachel likes to make up stories about the people who live in the houses that are on the train line. One woman in particular is Jess, who lives a few houses over from Rachel's old house. One day Rachel sees Jess with a man that isn't her husband. These women's lives begin to intersect when Jess (real name, Megan) disappears.
Review: This was a great book. I had my suspicions on certain characters but Rachel's alcoholism added a sad but great element to the story. Rachel knew that there was more that met the eye to what was going on but she couldn't remember anything because of her blackouts. None of these characters are what they seem, which makes the book so great.
Time to write: 4:04
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Book review: Before I Go
Title: Before I Go
Author: Colleen Oakley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Daisy Richmond is 27 and married to Jack, the love of her life. In her early 20s she battled breast cancer and she's just found it's back. And this time it's terminal in a "6-months to live" terminal. What's going to happen to Jack when she's gone? Daisy wants to be sure that Jack is left in good hands after she dies, so she makes it her mission to find Jack a new wife before she goes. Except that when Jack ends up getting close to a woman that Daisy perceives to be the perfect fit for Jack, Daisy worries that she's lost Jack even before she's actually passed away.
Review: This is one of those books that when I picked it up from the library and the jacket I thought, "this might not be the best book for me." But I loved it. I'd call this sort of "heavy chick lit." I mean, Daisy's terminal. But there are funny parts too. And Jack is a great guy, but terminal cancer can tax even the strongest of marriages. I don't want to give the ending away, but did I mention her cancer is terminal? It doesn't end well. Make no mistake--this is a tearjerker of a book. I realized it's been a while since I read a tearjerker. They're pretty cathartic. I finished this book last night and I was hoping that my sobbing wasn't waking up Aaron. If you're in the mood for a tearjerker, check this one out.
Time spent on review: 3:39
Author: Colleen Oakley
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Daisy Richmond is 27 and married to Jack, the love of her life. In her early 20s she battled breast cancer and she's just found it's back. And this time it's terminal in a "6-months to live" terminal. What's going to happen to Jack when she's gone? Daisy wants to be sure that Jack is left in good hands after she dies, so she makes it her mission to find Jack a new wife before she goes. Except that when Jack ends up getting close to a woman that Daisy perceives to be the perfect fit for Jack, Daisy worries that she's lost Jack even before she's actually passed away.
Review: This is one of those books that when I picked it up from the library and the jacket I thought, "this might not be the best book for me." But I loved it. I'd call this sort of "heavy chick lit." I mean, Daisy's terminal. But there are funny parts too. And Jack is a great guy, but terminal cancer can tax even the strongest of marriages. I don't want to give the ending away, but did I mention her cancer is terminal? It doesn't end well. Make no mistake--this is a tearjerker of a book. I realized it's been a while since I read a tearjerker. They're pretty cathartic. I finished this book last night and I was hoping that my sobbing wasn't waking up Aaron. If you're in the mood for a tearjerker, check this one out.
Time spent on review: 3:39
Monday, February 16, 2015
Book review: Big Little Lies
Title: Big Little Lies
Author: Liane Moriarty
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: This story revolves around three friends who live in an affluent seaside town: Madeline, Celeste and Jane. All three have children that recently started Kindergarten. Jane, only 24, doesn't fit the profile of the other moms, but Madeline and Celeste take her under their winds. At the kindergarten orientation, Jane's little boy Ziggy is accused of bullying a little girl. This event divides the town into who sides with the mother of the little girl and who sides with Jane, Celeste and Madeline. Meanwhile, Celeste and Madeline are dealing with their own challenges around family and husbands. Things come to a head on the school's Trivia Night. when somebody dies. Was it murder? Just an accident?
Review: I love Liane Moriarty's work, although I didn't realize until I finished this that this was her work. In the interest of full disclosure, I listened to this book on CD and because Moriarty is an Australian author, it was read by somebody with an Australian accent. That probably helped me like the book a little more, but I still really liked this book. There's a great buildup to the night of the Trivia Night where the murder happens. For some reason I thought at first it was a woman that had died but it wasn't. I don't want to reveal too much, but this was the kind of work that I couldn't stop listening to but I started to dread the book ending. Another awesome peace of work by Moriarty.
Author: Liane Moriarty
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: This story revolves around three friends who live in an affluent seaside town: Madeline, Celeste and Jane. All three have children that recently started Kindergarten. Jane, only 24, doesn't fit the profile of the other moms, but Madeline and Celeste take her under their winds. At the kindergarten orientation, Jane's little boy Ziggy is accused of bullying a little girl. This event divides the town into who sides with the mother of the little girl and who sides with Jane, Celeste and Madeline. Meanwhile, Celeste and Madeline are dealing with their own challenges around family and husbands. Things come to a head on the school's Trivia Night. when somebody dies. Was it murder? Just an accident?
Review: I love Liane Moriarty's work, although I didn't realize until I finished this that this was her work. In the interest of full disclosure, I listened to this book on CD and because Moriarty is an Australian author, it was read by somebody with an Australian accent. That probably helped me like the book a little more, but I still really liked this book. There's a great buildup to the night of the Trivia Night where the murder happens. For some reason I thought at first it was a woman that had died but it wasn't. I don't want to reveal too much, but this was the kind of work that I couldn't stop listening to but I started to dread the book ending. Another awesome peace of work by Moriarty.
Book Review: Boston Girl
Title: Boston Girl
Author: Anita Diamant
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Addie Baum was born in 1900 to immigrant parents. She grew up in the North End of Boston. This story kicks off with Addie's granddaughter asking her, "How did you get to be the woman you are today"? Which leads to Addie telling her story.
Review: Wow. I'll be the first to admit that I might be a little biased to read a book where the main character's name is Addie (which happens to be the name of one of my daughters for those of you who don't know that) and it takes place in Boston, but wow. There are so many things to like about this book. For one, Addie is such an individual for a time when it wasn't easy to be a woman or an immigrant. She wants things but her parents don't support her dreams. There's a lot of sadness during this time period too, and while usually I like to see how characters really feel about pivotal events that shape who they are, in this instance I think the lack of this exploration works. I think it's also the point--many people died for various reasons and when it happened, the family wasn't really allowed to mourn. Great book!
Author: Anita Diamant
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Addie Baum was born in 1900 to immigrant parents. She grew up in the North End of Boston. This story kicks off with Addie's granddaughter asking her, "How did you get to be the woman you are today"? Which leads to Addie telling her story.
Review: Wow. I'll be the first to admit that I might be a little biased to read a book where the main character's name is Addie (which happens to be the name of one of my daughters for those of you who don't know that) and it takes place in Boston, but wow. There are so many things to like about this book. For one, Addie is such an individual for a time when it wasn't easy to be a woman or an immigrant. She wants things but her parents don't support her dreams. There's a lot of sadness during this time period too, and while usually I like to see how characters really feel about pivotal events that shape who they are, in this instance I think the lack of this exploration works. I think it's also the point--many people died for various reasons and when it happened, the family wasn't really allowed to mourn. Great book!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Book review: Bittersweet
Title: Bittersweet
Author: Miranda Beverl-Whittlemore
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Mabel Dagmar just wants to belong. On scholarship at her East Coast college, her roommate is the beautiful, enigmatic and blue-blooded Geneva Winslow, Ev for short. Ev ignores Mabel for a good part of the year until one day Ev invites Mabel to spend the summer with her as her guest at the Winslow family's Vermont compound. Mabel sees this opportunity to ingratiate herself with Ev and belong to a well-known and very wealthy family. As she becomes more and more ingrained with the family, Mabel is faced with a decision of whether to expose the secrets this family has kept hidden for so long or to accept them and become one of them.
Review: Wow. I've expressed some frustration recently about books (like this one, this one, and even this one) where the characters are wealthy and are dealing with their own challenges. But give me a book about a very wealthy family with some truly f***ed up stuff and I'm smitten. Mabel's character is pathetic in her desperation to be liked by Ev and her family. But she's also manipulative in her own ways. At the end you truly don't know who to trust. This book was awesome and just what I needed to cleanse my palate on "why do I keep reading books about wealthy people".
Author: Miranda Beverl-Whittlemore
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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| Picture courtesy Amazon |
Summary: Mabel Dagmar just wants to belong. On scholarship at her East Coast college, her roommate is the beautiful, enigmatic and blue-blooded Geneva Winslow, Ev for short. Ev ignores Mabel for a good part of the year until one day Ev invites Mabel to spend the summer with her as her guest at the Winslow family's Vermont compound. Mabel sees this opportunity to ingratiate herself with Ev and belong to a well-known and very wealthy family. As she becomes more and more ingrained with the family, Mabel is faced with a decision of whether to expose the secrets this family has kept hidden for so long or to accept them and become one of them.
Review: Wow. I've expressed some frustration recently about books (like this one, this one, and even this one) where the characters are wealthy and are dealing with their own challenges. But give me a book about a very wealthy family with some truly f***ed up stuff and I'm smitten. Mabel's character is pathetic in her desperation to be liked by Ev and her family. But she's also manipulative in her own ways. At the end you truly don't know who to trust. This book was awesome and just what I needed to cleanse my palate on "why do I keep reading books about wealthy people".
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Book review: All Fall Down
Title: All Fall Down
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Allison has it all--a beautiful house in the suburbs, a beautiful little girl, and a flourishing career as a blogger. Despite this "perfect" life, she's not as happy as things appear. For one, her marriage is struggling--her husband sleeps in the spare bedroom and Allison is starting to suspect he's having an affair, or close to having an affair. Also, her dad just got diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Holding it together for the perfect life is really stressful. Fortunately she has her friends Oxy, Vicodin, and Percocet to help her out.
Review: I listened to this book on CD in my car. This book is stressful at times, probably because this woman's life so closely resembled my own. Also, the daughter's voice was really whiny.
As many women out there know, life is overwhelming sometimes--kids, job, husband, and everything else--it can be a LOT to manage. As I listened to this story (and as I listen now to my own whiny children and can't they just give me 10 minutes to finish this long overdue post?), I couldn't help but think, "wow, this could be me". And if this is why people become addicted to pain killers, I can totally see why. There's so much to do in so little time, it's great to have something to take the edge off and relieve some of that stress so you don't have to worry so much. Unfortunately it can get expensive, especially when you have to seek out illegal ways to get it once you get cut off from your docs.
While this story hit close to home, I love a good addiction story. One of my favorite shows used to be Intervention. Once I had kids I had a hard time watching the ones with the younger addicts--those broke my heart--but it was fascinating to watch Allison's spiral into addiction and her subsequent attempt at recovery.
This was one of those books where as I went through each CD I got a little sad that I was one CD closer to the end of the book. Despite how stressful it was to feel like I was listening to my life, I didn't want this story to end. Highly recommended.
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Allison has it all--a beautiful house in the suburbs, a beautiful little girl, and a flourishing career as a blogger. Despite this "perfect" life, she's not as happy as things appear. For one, her marriage is struggling--her husband sleeps in the spare bedroom and Allison is starting to suspect he's having an affair, or close to having an affair. Also, her dad just got diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Holding it together for the perfect life is really stressful. Fortunately she has her friends Oxy, Vicodin, and Percocet to help her out.
Review: I listened to this book on CD in my car. This book is stressful at times, probably because this woman's life so closely resembled my own. Also, the daughter's voice was really whiny.
As many women out there know, life is overwhelming sometimes--kids, job, husband, and everything else--it can be a LOT to manage. As I listened to this story (and as I listen now to my own whiny children and can't they just give me 10 minutes to finish this long overdue post?), I couldn't help but think, "wow, this could be me". And if this is why people become addicted to pain killers, I can totally see why. There's so much to do in so little time, it's great to have something to take the edge off and relieve some of that stress so you don't have to worry so much. Unfortunately it can get expensive, especially when you have to seek out illegal ways to get it once you get cut off from your docs.
While this story hit close to home, I love a good addiction story. One of my favorite shows used to be Intervention. Once I had kids I had a hard time watching the ones with the younger addicts--those broke my heart--but it was fascinating to watch Allison's spiral into addiction and her subsequent attempt at recovery.
This was one of those books where as I went through each CD I got a little sad that I was one CD closer to the end of the book. Despite how stressful it was to feel like I was listening to my life, I didn't want this story to end. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Book review: This is Where I Leave You
Title: This is Where I Leave You
Author: Jonathan Tropper
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Judd's father just died. He also recently found his wife cheating on him with his boss. Judd's not having a great time with life right now. When he gets back home for his dad's funeral, his mom tells Judd and his three siblings (Wendy, Paul, and Phillip) that their (previously unreligious) dad's dying wish was for them to sit Shiva. Judd can't remember the last time the entire family was together for an entire week. Some hilarity ensues.
Review: This book has been made into a movie and stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and Jane Fonda, just to name a few. I read this book just after having surgery and it was a terrible book to read because I was laughing so hard and it really, really hurt to laugh. There are a lot of sad aspects to the book (each kid is dealing with his or her own issues), but it feels real and that's what makes it good. Plus I love books about family drama. This book made me want to check out Tropper's other work.
Author: Jonathan Tropper
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Judd's father just died. He also recently found his wife cheating on him with his boss. Judd's not having a great time with life right now. When he gets back home for his dad's funeral, his mom tells Judd and his three siblings (Wendy, Paul, and Phillip) that their (previously unreligious) dad's dying wish was for them to sit Shiva. Judd can't remember the last time the entire family was together for an entire week. Some hilarity ensues.
Review: This book has been made into a movie and stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and Jane Fonda, just to name a few. I read this book just after having surgery and it was a terrible book to read because I was laughing so hard and it really, really hurt to laugh. There are a lot of sad aspects to the book (each kid is dealing with his or her own issues), but it feels real and that's what makes it good. Plus I love books about family drama. This book made me want to check out Tropper's other work.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Book review: Shotgun Lovesongs
Title: Shotgun Lovesongs
Author: Nickolas Butler
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Henry, Lee, Ronny, Kip and Beth grew up in Little Wing, Wisconsin and have known each other their whole lives. Their lives have each taken their own trajectories but various life events keep bringing them back together.
Review: I listened to this book on CD, so that may be influencing this review. As with any book on CD, the readers can make or break the book. In this case, they made it (except for whoever did Ronny's voice. His voice rubbed me the wrong way for some reason, but not enough to get me take off a star). I think I would have still liked this book even if I'd read it myself. But because the book was so well performed, I loved it. I loved how the book rotated characters, I liked how their lives evolved, I loved it all. There was one event in it that involved a recovering alcoholic falling off the wagon that was rather glossed over, but everything else overwhelmingly made that worth looking over. Highly recommended.
Author: Nickolas Butler
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: Henry, Lee, Ronny, Kip and Beth grew up in Little Wing, Wisconsin and have known each other their whole lives. Their lives have each taken their own trajectories but various life events keep bringing them back together.
Review: I listened to this book on CD, so that may be influencing this review. As with any book on CD, the readers can make or break the book. In this case, they made it (except for whoever did Ronny's voice. His voice rubbed me the wrong way for some reason, but not enough to get me take off a star). I think I would have still liked this book even if I'd read it myself. But because the book was so well performed, I loved it. I loved how the book rotated characters, I liked how their lives evolved, I loved it all. There was one event in it that involved a recovering alcoholic falling off the wagon that was rather glossed over, but everything else overwhelmingly made that worth looking over. Highly recommended.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Book review: The Silver Star
Title: The Silver Star
Author: Jeannette Walls
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: This book introduces us to two sisters--12-year-old Jean "Bean" and her fifteen-year-old sister Liz. It's 1970 and Liz, Bean and their mom Charlotte are living in Southern California. Charlotte is an aspiring actress and singer who occasionally leaves her girls to "find herself". The girls are used to taking care of themselves, but Charlotte typically returns after a few days. Now Charlotte has been gone for over two weeks and people are starting to ask questions. Nervous about getting separated or their mom in trouble, they take off for Virginia, where Charlotte grew up and where Charlotte's brother still lives.
When Bean and Liz get to Virginia, they move in with their Uncle Tinsley. What starts out as temporary begins to feel more permanent. Bean's dad died before she was born and she gets to know her dad's family. To make some extra money, the girls begin working for Jerry Maddox, the foreman of the mill in town and eventually start the school year in Virginia. Their job with Maddox doesn't end well but what transpires from this becomes a true David vs. Goliath story and how two young girls can stand up to a bully and win.
Review: Well, that was a longer than usual Summary. I'm not sure why, but one reason could be because of how much I liked the book, it was hard to cull it down to my usual paragraph.
Books about flaky moms are always interesting, as are books about the daughters of flaky moms. I liked the independence of the sisters and their connection. I don't want to give away what happens, but I was so proud of Liz for standing up to Maddox, the town bully. What transpired from her decision wasn't easy and she was certainly a reluctant heroine. Without the support of Bean and the eventual support of her uncle, I don't think she would have had the strength to make it. For awhile you're not sure she will, but justice is eventually served. I don't think I've read other books by Jeanette Walls but I certainly will now.
Author: Jeannette Walls
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: This book introduces us to two sisters--12-year-old Jean "Bean" and her fifteen-year-old sister Liz. It's 1970 and Liz, Bean and their mom Charlotte are living in Southern California. Charlotte is an aspiring actress and singer who occasionally leaves her girls to "find herself". The girls are used to taking care of themselves, but Charlotte typically returns after a few days. Now Charlotte has been gone for over two weeks and people are starting to ask questions. Nervous about getting separated or their mom in trouble, they take off for Virginia, where Charlotte grew up and where Charlotte's brother still lives.
When Bean and Liz get to Virginia, they move in with their Uncle Tinsley. What starts out as temporary begins to feel more permanent. Bean's dad died before she was born and she gets to know her dad's family. To make some extra money, the girls begin working for Jerry Maddox, the foreman of the mill in town and eventually start the school year in Virginia. Their job with Maddox doesn't end well but what transpires from this becomes a true David vs. Goliath story and how two young girls can stand up to a bully and win.
Review: Well, that was a longer than usual Summary. I'm not sure why, but one reason could be because of how much I liked the book, it was hard to cull it down to my usual paragraph.
Books about flaky moms are always interesting, as are books about the daughters of flaky moms. I liked the independence of the sisters and their connection. I don't want to give away what happens, but I was so proud of Liz for standing up to Maddox, the town bully. What transpired from her decision wasn't easy and she was certainly a reluctant heroine. Without the support of Bean and the eventual support of her uncle, I don't think she would have had the strength to make it. For awhile you're not sure she will, but justice is eventually served. I don't think I've read other books by Jeanette Walls but I certainly will now.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Book review: Escape from Camp 14
Title: Escape from Camp 14
Author: Blaine Harden
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: An amazing (and true) story of a North Korean man's escape from a prison camp to the United States. Shin Dong-hyuk was born in one of North Korea's prison camps. He's the first known person that was born and raised in one of these camps that escaped and lived to tell about it.
My review: I think this is my first review of a non-fiction book on this blog. I'm not averse to non-fiction at all, I think I just have a perception that they require more concentration and so I'm hesitant to commit to them because I don't have a lot of energy or concentration by the end of the day. But I read this based on a recommendation from a friend and I couldn't resist at least trying it.
This book was fascinating for some many reasons. One, it shows the strength of the human spirit. Two, I knew that North Korea was hardly Shangri-La, but I don't think I was truly aware of the atrocities and the terrible camps.
This book is not upbeat to say the least. I had to switch between this and The Last Anniversary at times. That being said, it was still great, if only for the description of life within the camp. The details on his life in America were a little vague, but the rest was fascinating. Highly recommended.
Author: Blaine Harden
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: An amazing (and true) story of a North Korean man's escape from a prison camp to the United States. Shin Dong-hyuk was born in one of North Korea's prison camps. He's the first known person that was born and raised in one of these camps that escaped and lived to tell about it.
My review: I think this is my first review of a non-fiction book on this blog. I'm not averse to non-fiction at all, I think I just have a perception that they require more concentration and so I'm hesitant to commit to them because I don't have a lot of energy or concentration by the end of the day. But I read this based on a recommendation from a friend and I couldn't resist at least trying it.
This book was fascinating for some many reasons. One, it shows the strength of the human spirit. Two, I knew that North Korea was hardly Shangri-La, but I don't think I was truly aware of the atrocities and the terrible camps.
This book is not upbeat to say the least. I had to switch between this and The Last Anniversary at times. That being said, it was still great, if only for the description of life within the camp. The details on his life in America were a little vague, but the rest was fascinating. Highly recommended.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Book Review: Night Film
Title: Night Film: A Novel
Author: Marisha Pessl
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Summary: The daughter of a reclusive film director is found dead in an abandoned warehouse, presumably by suicide. A disgraced reporter is intrigued by the daughter's death and investigates further.
My Review: I have to admit, I didn't realize until after I got this that this was the same woman that wrote Special Topics in Calamity Physics. I couldn't finish Special Topics, so if I realized it was the same author, I probably wouldn't have read it. Fortunately, I didn't realize this until I was already reading this book.
I loved this book. It was suspenseful and scary. This is one of those books that you'd read before bed and you wouldn't want to put down. The book was interspersed with "real" articles about the author and her daughter. I got the sense that the Kindle version is more interactive, which would be cool to see.
Did you read it? What did you think?
Author: Marisha Pessl
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Summary: The daughter of a reclusive film director is found dead in an abandoned warehouse, presumably by suicide. A disgraced reporter is intrigued by the daughter's death and investigates further.
My Review: I have to admit, I didn't realize until after I got this that this was the same woman that wrote Special Topics in Calamity Physics. I couldn't finish Special Topics, so if I realized it was the same author, I probably wouldn't have read it. Fortunately, I didn't realize this until I was already reading this book.
I loved this book. It was suspenseful and scary. This is one of those books that you'd read before bed and you wouldn't want to put down. The book was interspersed with "real" articles about the author and her daughter. I got the sense that the Kindle version is more interactive, which would be cool to see.
Did you read it? What did you think?
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