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harry_lemon's reviews
159 reviews
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4⭐
Wonderful!
Clare, as I've said: you own my heart. This was yet another wonderful story, deeply moving and powerful storytelling. Honestly, it was hard to follow "Foster" with this one, yet I think "Small Things Like These" is still an amazing example of how Keegan is able to tell human stories and depict love, in all its facets. I related so much and Keegan's ability to tell stories is truly a gift.
Wonderful!
Clare, as I've said: you own my heart. This was yet another wonderful story, deeply moving and powerful storytelling. Honestly, it was hard to follow "Foster" with this one, yet I think "Small Things Like These" is still an amazing example of how Keegan is able to tell human stories and depict love, in all its facets. I related so much and Keegan's ability to tell stories is truly a gift.
Foster by Claire Keegan
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5⭐
Yes, please!!
Wow. Clare Keegan, you own my heart. This was such an amazing story and stands as an example of how powerful writing can impact you, without being winded or long. A somewhat basic premise, yet you find yourself enwrapped in the story of these simple people, relating to their emotions and engrossed in their world.
I wish I could put into words how wonderful Keegan's storytelling is. She knows how to portray humanity, love, family, and human connection, all so beautifully. I am, now and forever, a fan.
Yes, please!!
Wow. Clare Keegan, you own my heart. This was such an amazing story and stands as an example of how powerful writing can impact you, without being winded or long. A somewhat basic premise, yet you find yourself enwrapped in the story of these simple people, relating to their emotions and engrossed in their world.
I wish I could put into words how wonderful Keegan's storytelling is. She knows how to portray humanity, love, family, and human connection, all so beautifully. I am, now and forever, a fan.
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
3⭐
Very powerful story, not my favorite style of writing.
I found this book randomly and was intrigued by the premise. When I first read James McBride's opening pages, I was hooked and was curious about Liz Spocott's ability to see the future. Additionally, I was, at first, enamored with McBride's ability to depict current events through the lens of an enslaved woman.
However, as the book continued, I slowly became less and less disinterested in what was happening. I think McBride has an ability to write tense, suspenseful moments; yet, part of me was a little tired of how many storylines we had going on. I don't know if I needed to know so much about so many of the characters.
Additionally, the pacing got a little odd for me towards the end. There was a particular scene where two characters have a heart-to-heart toward the end of the book, there's a lot of buildup to the "final showdown," and I did not care about what these two were discussing, regardless of how important it was to have, historically.
Overall, I found the concept absolutely amazing and McBride touches on so many topics: faith, true freedom, right vs. wrong, and human connection. Even though the writing and pacing aren't my favorite, if you are an avid fan of reading historical fiction and find Liz Spocott's character and plight intriguing, then I greatly recommend this book to you.
Very powerful story, not my favorite style of writing.
I found this book randomly and was intrigued by the premise. When I first read James McBride's opening pages, I was hooked and was curious about Liz Spocott's ability to see the future. Additionally, I was, at first, enamored with McBride's ability to depict current events through the lens of an enslaved woman.
However, as the book continued, I slowly became less and less disinterested in what was happening. I think McBride has an ability to write tense, suspenseful moments; yet, part of me was a little tired of how many storylines we had going on. I don't know if I needed to know so much about so many of the characters.
Additionally, the pacing got a little odd for me towards the end. There was a particular scene where two characters have a heart-to-heart toward the end of the book, there's a lot of buildup to the "final showdown," and I did not care about what these two were discussing, regardless of how important it was to have, historically.
Overall, I found the concept absolutely amazing and McBride touches on so many topics: faith, true freedom, right vs. wrong, and human connection. Even though the writing and pacing aren't my favorite, if you are an avid fan of reading historical fiction and find Liz Spocott's character and plight intriguing, then I greatly recommend this book to you.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Man, I really wanted to like this.
I've heard such good things about this and it won the Nobel Prize to boot. I was starting to get into the story, but I think it comes down to personal preference that I don't care for Gabriel Garcia Marquez's writing style.
I'd read "Chronicle of a Death Foretold" when I was in high school, which is significantly shorter, but struggled with it just the same. I guess I can chalk it up to the fact that his style just is not for me. Sigh.
I've heard such good things about this and it won the Nobel Prize to boot. I was starting to get into the story, but I think it comes down to personal preference that I don't care for Gabriel Garcia Marquez's writing style.
I'd read "Chronicle of a Death Foretold" when I was in high school, which is significantly shorter, but struggled with it just the same. I guess I can chalk it up to the fact that his style just is not for me. Sigh.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
I just don't give a grok.
I wanted to like this because I absolutely love the premise. But, the writing is just unbearable and I can't be bothered to read on.
The intellectualizing of Smith just began to grate on me and frustrate me to no end. Kudos to anyone out there who was even able to finish this book. I wish I was a fun.
I wanted to like this because I absolutely love the premise. But, the writing is just unbearable and I can't be bothered to read on.
The intellectualizing of Smith just began to grate on me and frustrate me to no end. Kudos to anyone out there who was even able to finish this book. I wish I was a fun.
Blackouts by Justin Torres
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
4.75⭐
This...this is art.
Let me get my one misgiving out of the way: I didn't understand the entirety of the plot.
That said: this book is worthy of hanging in a museum. Wonderful writing, powerful storytelling, deep research, and intensely impactful. So many times I found myself questioning what this book was about, but forgetting to care because the writing was absolutely exceptional and the research that was presented was so well done.
Dark, powerful, inventive. This was such a surprise for me and I'm so glad I got to experience this book.
This...this is art.
Let me get my one misgiving out of the way: I didn't understand the entirety of the plot.
That said: this book is worthy of hanging in a museum. Wonderful writing, powerful storytelling, deep research, and intensely impactful. So many times I found myself questioning what this book was about, but forgetting to care because the writing was absolutely exceptional and the research that was presented was so well done.
Dark, powerful, inventive. This was such a surprise for me and I'm so glad I got to experience this book.
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4⭐
Hot take: I didn't care about Ruth and Oliver's story.
This book was absolutely fascinating. I ate up the discussions around time, Buddhism, and love and connection. So many moments had me thinking deeply about my own understanding about the world and made me question how I went about my day-to-day. Personal preference: I could have done without a lot of the scientific mumbo jumbo (e.g. the genus and species names of bugs, dissections on the multiverse, etc.).
While I loved and ate up Naoko Yasutani's story, I had difficulty caring about Ruth and Oliver's parts of the story. I understand that a lot of the book centers around this connection Ruth and Naoko have regardless of space and time, but as I was reading, I hated being jerked out of Nao's narrative to be brought back to Ruth's storyline. Additionally, I didn't feel any kind of sympathy for either her or Oliver's characters. I don't know if I'm in the minority of this, but I just couldn't care. (Sidenote: I'm really hoping the Ruth and Oliver in the book are fictional, not the real lives of Ruth Ozeki and her partner Oliver. If so, I'm SO SO sorry).
Overall, this story had amazing writing and powerful takes on time, existence, life, death, and human connection that I can't not recommend this. Be warned: suicide is a HEAVY topic in this book, so reader's discretion is advised.
Hot take: I didn't care about Ruth and Oliver's story.
This book was absolutely fascinating. I ate up the discussions around time, Buddhism, and love and connection. So many moments had me thinking deeply about my own understanding about the world and made me question how I went about my day-to-day. Personal preference: I could have done without a lot of the scientific mumbo jumbo (e.g. the genus and species names of bugs, dissections on the multiverse, etc.).
While I loved and ate up Naoko Yasutani's story, I had difficulty caring about Ruth and Oliver's parts of the story. I understand that a lot of the book centers around this connection Ruth and Naoko have regardless of space and time, but as I was reading, I hated being jerked out of Nao's narrative to be brought back to Ruth's storyline. Additionally, I didn't feel any kind of sympathy for either her or Oliver's characters. I don't know if I'm in the minority of this, but I just couldn't care. (Sidenote: I'm really hoping the Ruth and Oliver in the book are fictional, not the real lives of Ruth Ozeki and her partner Oliver. If so, I'm SO SO sorry).
Overall, this story had amazing writing and powerful takes on time, existence, life, death, and human connection that I can't not recommend this. Be warned: suicide is a HEAVY topic in this book, so reader's discretion is advised.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Clue by Michael McDowell
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5⭐
"I hated her so...much. I-i-it, th-the fla-flame....flames...on the side of my face. Heathing...breath, heathing..."
I'd be remiss if I didn't say I absolutely loved this book. I loved this movie so much, and reading the book just made me so happy. Michael McDowell basically repeated the majority of the film and lines in the book - which is fine, in my opinion - but, he added some good one-liners and zingers or scenes that I think separate it from the film a little bit.
If you're a fan of the film, you'll reading this and get a good few laughs. Also, the addition of the potential fourth ending was so cool to read!
The only difficulty is where to find this book. (Don't even get me started on why it costs $200 on Amazon.) The only place I was able to find the book was online at the Internet Archive. So, if you want to enjoy this book for yourself, or know of someone who wants to read, this book, check it out at the link below:
https://archive.org/details/clue-michael-mcdowell/mode/2up
"I hated her so...much. I-i-it, th-the fla-flame....flames...on the side of my face. Heathing...breath, heathing..."
I'd be remiss if I didn't say I absolutely loved this book. I loved this movie so much, and reading the book just made me so happy. Michael McDowell basically repeated the majority of the film and lines in the book - which is fine, in my opinion - but, he added some good one-liners and zingers or scenes that I think separate it from the film a little bit.
If you're a fan of the film, you'll reading this and get a good few laughs. Also, the addition of the potential fourth ending was so cool to read!
The only difficulty is where to find this book. (Don't even get me started on why it costs $200 on Amazon.) The only place I was able to find the book was online at the Internet Archive. So, if you want to enjoy this book for yourself, or know of someone who wants to read, this book, check it out at the link below:
https://archive.org/details/clue-michael-mcdowell/mode/2up
Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75⭐
I'm going on record: Arthur Less may be my favorite Everyman.
I might be in the minority of people who enjoyed this book almost as much as the first one. I love the character of Less because he's so relatable and almost helpless; his humility and humanity are so hopeless, yet you feel for him and all of his (mis)adventures.
What I like most about this book is the difference in topics and themes that are conquered. The main topic/theme both books tackle is understanding that we can't run away from the things life throws at us; eventually, we have to face them head on and process them. I loved seeing Less after his "happily ever after," from the first book, and seeing that relationships are romantic, but they're also work and compromise. Thank you, Andrew Sean Greer for this wonderful sequel!
I'm going on record: Arthur Less may be my favorite Everyman.
I might be in the minority of people who enjoyed this book almost as much as the first one. I love the character of Less because he's so relatable and almost helpless; his humility and humanity are so hopeless, yet you feel for him and all of his (mis)adventures.
What I like most about this book is the difference in topics and themes that are conquered. The main topic/theme both books tackle is understanding that we can't run away from the things life throws at us; eventually, we have to face them head on and process them. I loved seeing Less after his "happily ever after," from the first book, and seeing that relationships are romantic, but they're also work and compromise. Thank you, Andrew Sean Greer for this wonderful sequel!
Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring by Brad Gooch
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Dnf @ 37%
Sorry to this man, but I could not be bothered to continue. I love reading about the intricacies about a person's life, but oh my god:
1) we don't need every quote of every person involved in the subject's life; 1-2 quotes and we get the picture
2) do we really need to describe the lives of every single individual that crossed the subject's path?
3) unless you're involved with the art world, maybe don't include all the subtle nuances of it for the every-reader
I love art and art history, but this wore my patience down to a matchstick. This book needed another round of editing and condensing. If you're an avid - and I do mean AVID - fan of Haring, then you'll probably enjoy this book more than I did.
Sorry to this man, but I could not be bothered to continue. I love reading about the intricacies about a person's life, but oh my god:
1) we don't need every quote of every person involved in the subject's life; 1-2 quotes and we get the picture
2) do we really need to describe the lives of every single individual that crossed the subject's path?
3) unless you're involved with the art world, maybe don't include all the subtle nuances of it for the every-reader
I love art and art history, but this wore my patience down to a matchstick. This book needed another round of editing and condensing. If you're an avid - and I do mean AVID - fan of Haring, then you'll probably enjoy this book more than I did.