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10/13/12
The Most Dangerous Thing
by Laura Lippman
I don't believe I have read anything by this author before and, although not so totally unimpressed that I would make note to not pick up another chance, this novel was an ok idea paired with a soft editor.
Lippman uses a certain phrase technique too often - repeating her character's thoughts in an immediately following sentence of dialog as well as other repeats that assume the reader does not have a proper attention span. While childish the second time I noticed it, by the third instance I was insulted and annoyed. The story line could have been hidden much better and still kept the book at a decent length, ie. not running longer, if many inner thoughts were kept at a minimum. Perhaps more example and less he thinks this, she thinks that? Not sure if this would have helped in the end anyway because the plot was not complex and the reader doesn't end up with much pull towards any one character.
While this may be fine for a summer read beach book, I wouldn't call it literature or publish it with my name or company's name on it.
I don't believe I have read anything by this author before and, although not so totally unimpressed that I would make note to not pick up another chance, this novel was an ok idea paired with a soft editor.
Lippman uses a certain phrase technique too often - repeating her character's thoughts in an immediately following sentence of dialog as well as other repeats that assume the reader does not have a proper attention span. While childish the second time I noticed it, by the third instance I was insulted and annoyed. The story line could have been hidden much better and still kept the book at a decent length, ie. not running longer, if many inner thoughts were kept at a minimum. Perhaps more example and less he thinks this, she thinks that? Not sure if this would have helped in the end anyway because the plot was not complex and the reader doesn't end up with much pull towards any one character.
While this may be fine for a summer read beach book, I wouldn't call it literature or publish it with my name or company's name on it.
10/10/12
The House I Loved
by Tatiana De Rosnay
Couldn't get through the first chapter. Too ewwww feminine. Also, written as letters to a dead husband was not interesting. I already know how the book would end by the title and first few pages. Perhaps I will try again when I am in a more flowery mood, but I doubt it at this moment.
Couldn't get through the first chapter. Too ewwww feminine. Also, written as letters to a dead husband was not interesting. I already know how the book would end by the title and first few pages. Perhaps I will try again when I am in a more flowery mood, but I doubt it at this moment.
Imagine: How Creativity Works
by Jonah Lehrer
So interesting! I'd like to read passages out loud to family and friends to share the information. Lehrer has massed together so many different sources who they themselves had researched in depth. A book worth looking over just for the positive human interaction advice alone.
So interesting! I'd like to read passages out loud to family and friends to share the information. Lehrer has massed together so many different sources who they themselves had researched in depth. A book worth looking over just for the positive human interaction advice alone.
10/5/12
The Talented Miss Highsmith: The Secret Life and Serious Art of Patricia Highsmith
by Joan Schenkar
I hadn't read The Talented Mr. Ripley, Highsmith's most famous book, but I was drawn to this biography because of its sheer size. Wow, what author contributed enough information about themselves to inspire the creation of such a behemoth? The answer? Not Ms. Highsmith. It was her infatuated biographer who was dazed enough to write details like what was eaten for breakfast and even what the writer's thoughts had been. How can one do this, exactly? But studying the minutia of a life, that is how. I finished about half of the book before having enough without getting anywhere. Yes, a very interesting and one-of-a-kind life Patricia Highsmith had but under the pen of Schenkar I was bored as if she were an acquaintance droning on and on about a lost love.
I hadn't read The Talented Mr. Ripley, Highsmith's most famous book, but I was drawn to this biography because of its sheer size. Wow, what author contributed enough information about themselves to inspire the creation of such a behemoth? The answer? Not Ms. Highsmith. It was her infatuated biographer who was dazed enough to write details like what was eaten for breakfast and even what the writer's thoughts had been. How can one do this, exactly? But studying the minutia of a life, that is how. I finished about half of the book before having enough without getting anywhere. Yes, a very interesting and one-of-a-kind life Patricia Highsmith had but under the pen of Schenkar I was bored as if she were an acquaintance droning on and on about a lost love.
9/26/12
A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar
By Suzanne Johnson
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I should have written about it just after completion because I know I had things to say about it but, of course didn't and now don't remember the specifics. An interesting trollop though a different country and time from the viewpoint of a believable and likable character.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I should have written about it just after completion because I know I had things to say about it but, of course didn't and now don't remember the specifics. An interesting trollop though a different country and time from the viewpoint of a believable and likable character.
4/15/11
Bound
by Antonya Nelson
It took a force of will to get through the first 45 or so pages of this book but once I did I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and breadth of character that Nelson was able to portray. Does that cancel out that I had to read the jacket inset to figure out what was going on? Hmm, still pondering on that one. Either way, I really like the way she writes... after that initial hump. I only wish she had hooked me in better. I wanted to sink into this one - I mean, who wouldn't? The title is pretty catchy. But, when it comes down to the end, I enjoyed her tale and was glad it didn't veer off onto the many paths that it could have. Kept me wondering what was up her sleeve. Nice.
It took a force of will to get through the first 45 or so pages of this book but once I did I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and breadth of character that Nelson was able to portray. Does that cancel out that I had to read the jacket inset to figure out what was going on? Hmm, still pondering on that one. Either way, I really like the way she writes... after that initial hump. I only wish she had hooked me in better. I wanted to sink into this one - I mean, who wouldn't? The title is pretty catchy. But, when it comes down to the end, I enjoyed her tale and was glad it didn't veer off onto the many paths that it could have. Kept me wondering what was up her sleeve. Nice.
4/3/11
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
I didn't know anything about this book except that two book groups I follow had it on their list. I picked it up and got hooked pretty quick. It is a fairly quick read and fast paced. The young-adult status would have kept me away if I had researched it enough but, even so, I am glad to have read it. I like speculative fiction. I don't plan to read book 2 or 3 though.
I didn't know anything about this book except that two book groups I follow had it on their list. I picked it up and got hooked pretty quick. It is a fairly quick read and fast paced. The young-adult status would have kept me away if I had researched it enough but, even so, I am glad to have read it. I like speculative fiction. I don't plan to read book 2 or 3 though.
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