cgj13's reviews
587 reviews

I didn't go into this book with any clear expectations of what I was hoping to read about Jon Cryer's life. I wasn't a huge Jon Cryer fan in the 80's, and now I know why--he wasn't in much. I never watched Pretty in Pink when it was first released. Oddly enough, I loved him in Hiding Out, which according to him was not a well received movie.

I just thought it would be an interesting to see his take on what life was like in the 80's Brat Pack scene. And he wasn't in the Brat Pack group. Jon makes it clear in this book that he has disdain for the Brat Pack. I'm not sure if that's because he was included in that group or because he tried desperately to not be labeled that way. It was a bit uncomfortable. He is a self-proclaimed insecure, socially awkward person, but then he embraces it. I think that sets a tone for the entire book though. He gives us vignettes into aspects of his life and events that happened. but never really dives deep or explores greatly any aspect. For instance--his first marriage he barely gives a page to it. The only time it is mentioned is as he is as he is beginning to go through the divorce process. For me it was "whoa, when did he get married and have a kid" He explains a bit of that in the acknowledgements about wanting to keep his kids lives private, and I completely respect that. However, I believe the emotions of falling in love, getting married, having a kid, getting divorced would have given greater insight into his what was going on in his life professionally.

I always wondered why I never saw more of Jon Cryer in the movies, and he explains here how he tried to distance him self from "being Duckie" and reflects a little bit on this, and whether it was good or bad career move. Mostly I felt that Jon held himself to a higher standard of acting that he thought he was being offered. As much as that might have been a detriment to his career, good to him for sticking to his beliefs. But this book makes him seem so pompous about it. I really am torn. Well he did have some flops, it was because he cared to extend him self out there. I do feel that some of his script choices might have been made on more of "wow, i'm totally geeked about this as a kid, i want to do it" versus what was better for him as an actor.

Several reviews of this book talk about how they were excited for the Charlie Sheen bits, some saying that they wanted more-its the only reason they picked up the book, some feeling that too much time was devoted on it. For me, it was more about Charlie than Jon and I didn't like that tone. It didn't match the rest of the book where Jon offered more on what he thought then the actions of others.

All in all, I'm left with the wonderment of why Jon Cryer chose to write this book. As I didn't feel like he gave us much to understand Jon Cryer as a person, and more of a story telling of this stuff that happened in his life.

What a fun book. As the author himself states--he's not telling you how to live your life, but to look at it and determine what "rules" are you living by that truly are unnecessary and take the joy out of life.

I love his illustrations and his "permission" to break the rules. Good ideas to live life fuller and with more joy and fun.

Well. this is more like a 3.5. I didn't expect this to be as dark as it was, but then again I didn't know what to expect.

Everyone!! says have you read Neil Gaiman? I hadn't until we listened to the audiobook Fortunately the Milk. Which I found supremely hilarious and fantastical. So when Neverwehere crossed my path at work--I thought--why not. Reading the Author's notes at the beginning certainly made me excited.

The characters of Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandermeer are the creepiest, evilist kind of villans. Especially Mr. Croup. My own imagination has done wonder for these guys, I can't envision how they were portrayed on a TV show, it just wouldn't do them justice. But then again--make up artists and special effects are really good.

I didn't really care for Richard Mayhew. He just seemed to be floating along in life, playing it safe, never taking risks.

Door on the other hand, I would have loved to find out more about her and the life before her family was killed. How were they openers? What other special powers did other citizens of London Underground have. And the Marquis and his brother--there is definitely a story there. What made Islington turn evil? This would have made the book much more interesting to me. Not that I wasn't interested, I kept reading it after all.

This book consumed me!! 6 days is all it took--that's pretty fast for me. I can't believe this is the authors first novel.

I loved the layout-one chapter present, one chapter past. It kept both stories moving without my brain having to work in overtime to determine which story line was which.

This novel is about figuring out past history and working through curses.
About halfway through the book I had figured it out that Simon would be the one to drown, not his sister Enola. And that she came back because she wanted to protect him.

There are still so many unanswered questions. Did Churchwarry know that he was related to Ryzhkova? or more like, how is he invoked in this curse. Because he knew the McAvoys were related to Peabody's. Wow. Wasn't that a twist at the end? And the cards, some of them washed up at the end--is it the end of the curse or will they find their way back.

I found it interesting that Simin did not enter the water intending to die, but instead to save everyone by burying the deck in the water. But the horseshoe crabs working to pull him down.
Is this what it was for all the women?

I love the theme the author puts in there about language (the tarot cards) having double meaning--it's so true. What one hopes, and what is reality. Both in spoken word and the card language between Amos and Evangeline.
... "Ryzhkova was accustomed to tarot with its layers of meaning, interpretations, and reversals, and how a picture might look one way but contain a contrary truth. Used to her silent apprentice, she had forgotten that language itself was subtle and slippery as her cards, and that words contained hidden seeds that blossomed with a speaker's intent."... "Their language had been one of double meanings, a weakness of the cards. In giving her Strength, he'd hoped she might see it as comfort, that he would protect her. Abide and all will be well; he would learn to be happier, to take care of her. But she was breaking, and in so had sought an older meaning, one unique to them, from when he had knelt and placed his head in her hands, lion acquiescing to lady."

We listened to this as the audio book as H was having a hard time getting through it for her school book battle read. It was very confusing to my 5th grade book lover.

I haven't really read many novels based on Utopian societies, but it opened up much discussion for her and I as we went through the book. Whats good/bad about a society that is determined for you. How we could apply some of it to our lives, but ultimately how "sameness" is detrimental. Especially the tradition of apologies and acceptance that were so routine that they really were not heartfelt.

It seems like such a lonely existence that the receiver must live. Not being able to share any of the heartache or concerns. And having your life planned out for you, never being able to choose. I love that once Jonas started receiving memories, he was willing to break free from the norms of what was laid out for him and to change the destiny of everyone in his community, especially saving Gabriel.

The odd thing I found about this audiobook was the weird placement of music--very random. And the narrator was very slow in reading. H read along with the audio and would often finish the page long before the narrator.

I would have loved though for the story to be longer--to find out what happens in Jonas's community when he leaves. So much detail went into everything else. But the novel revolves around Jonas and his experiences, and since he didn't experience the aftermath, neither shall we.

I had to take a 5 hour round trip drive after work one night, and I found this on the shelf to listen to while on the road. What a great story. And the reading by Ari Fliakos was a perfect voice as the narrator.

This book is like the movie National Treasure. so if you love a story about a treasure hunt that spans generations, you will love this book.

I'm glad the author kept the focus on the puzzle and didn't delve into the Clay's romantic life. It was a nice balance to show that a person can have a passion/interest but not have it be all consuming in his life.

I received an ARC of this ebook from Net Galley.

This was a really quick, fun read. Not much substance, but that's okay. Its a nice refresher from long, complex books. Mostly, this could be a YA book, until the sex scenes. Which are pretty mild, but I would hate to think of a young teen reading this book.

The premise of the book is a college freshman, Hannah, and college senior, Ben who meet by chance and fall in love. Both who have started their college careers but finding they want a change, but are afraid of telling their parents. Hannah knows her father will support her, but is afraid of disappointing her and her deceased mother. Ben, on the other hand, has an overbearing, controlling father who already doesn't like his major, and wants Ben to head down a career path he has no desire for, but is doing it because it's what's "right".

There is sexual tension between Hannah and Ben, that they won't admit to each other. And as most relationships go, there is a bit of uncertainty about the other person and their actions. At first I found Hannah to be irritatingly naive, a theme she also feels that Ben is viewing her as, but she brings up strong values of questioning Ben's motives and how that affects her and their relationship. As the story moves on, Hannah's strength is shown, and I like her more and more.

Beyond the romance of this book, I find that college students, or even high schoolers, and adults alike, could gain a boost of confidence to change their life path. I identify clearly with Ben and Hannah's, mostly Hannah, difficulty in owning their future because of disappointing others. I found myself in the same situation as Hannah when I was in my freshman year of college.

"I glance at the titles. What's in each one that he's considering? They all means so much to him. These books suddenly seem like windows to alternate universes, places he's been to and remembers. Places I want to go"

I love this story. I read it a while back, and have seen the movie. It never fails to captivate.

What a cute little book. Heather Lende gives you a view into her life in a small town in Alaska. I expected more poignant lessons that she would share from her obituaries, but this book isn't that. It's not about the grandiose things you should look for, but the small,subtle, and even daily gestures where you find the good.
We get to go around town and meet those in Heather's life and she how she works with the bereaved to write an obituary that honors the deceased that is highly personal. Along the way, she often finds out more about the person she didn't know.