ms_tiahmarie's reviews
1089 reviews

It reads like a fascinating essay interspersed with stories which cause much thought and reflection.

A very sad tale which does an excellent job of taking the micro and applying it to the macro.

I read this in a tree house. Disturbing in a hauntingly beautiful manner.

A unique story which the reader 'views' the story as if through a screen door. This tone echoes the storyline and the 'second' character (of whom I longed to 'hear' more from).

This is a good book for anybody looking for an adult novel that is suitable (and would be good discussion material / thought provoking) for a YA readership.

Another South African short story collection, so of course I had to try it. Different to my norm, as the male characters tend to be 'cool' and trendy and full of macho masculinity. But it is an intriguing collection which leaves much to mull over.

I would not use the words love or like to describe my experience reading this book. The words intrigued, fascinated and interesting are a better fit. I admire this book. There were times I was obsessed with it. I wish I was currently a member of a book club, the kind that all read the same book over the same month, so we could discuss this book. It is that kind of book.

As to a review - this is not an easy book to pinpoint or describe. I am not going to bother to try. I believe Emilie has done a rather decent job so I shall refer you to her: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166693664

Interesting, and very glad to have read it. Gave me some new ideas on how to tackle different aspects of the 'getting ready to write' part of writing.

Would recommend the book to an individual who wants a step by step formula on creating a story. (Not suggesting EG writes formula fiction.) That said, her methods may strangle some writers / writers-to-be. Could see people following this book becoming so wrapped up in the 'get ready to write' process that the actual sit-down-and-write part of the story never gets done. I would also have concerns of it resulting in books that are so well plotted out that they begin to read like a recipe.

That isn't to say her process is wrong. She has published so many books, her record speaks for itself. If one follows what she has prescribed there will be a book at the end of the journey.

I devoured this book like a starving dog. I suppose because I rarely come across somebody who was as unimpressed with the 'think positive or else' mentality. Life requires balance, and that is exactly what Ehrenreich is asking for. She takes the 'must be happy' lie apart, from its role in cancer to the economy. She does not champion depression or constant doom and gloom, but being aware, of one's self and what is happening around the self (and greater globe). The number of people who have told me, 'I never read or watch the news.' I weep. No wonder bad things are allowed to get so out of hand in this world, nobody was paying attention to say, 'Stop. Don't do that.' And sometimes there is a very real reason to be angry.

While reading I recalled a meal where a woman undergoing chemo was commended about how she never moaned, never mentioned how hard it was, she was just focusing on the fact that this was life, it had to be dealt with, she would get better, she wouldn't let it get her down.

I thought of all I read and knew about chemo. I turned to the woman and said, 'You ever have a really crappy day and need to vent without judgement, then phone me.'

I also recalled the time a woman told me she had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time. She said, 'I brought it on to myself.' She talked about her stress: trying to raise two girls on a very limited income after leaving her abusive husband. By not being positive enough in such a situation she felt she had brought the cancer.

I recalled the time a woman told me they were buying a house. The payments were more than her husband earned. But they had faith in the Lord. She quoted scriptures. She knew their faith would ensure that they'd be okay. Of course the crash came, they lost their house and now battle in their rented accommodation to keep the lights from being switched off. Yes, they should have been practical. But what about the ding-bat that looked at her husband's income and concluded providing such a mortgage was 'a good bet'?

I don't read a lot of mysteries, but this was a pleasant escape while dealing with a lot of stress.

Notes, 18 Feb:
Yes, I know, ME reading two mysteries in a row. I don't read mysteries much. But they were ON SALE! And I wanted a mini-break from the oh so lovely Sontag, whose work demands total attention.

Notes, 19 Feb:
A nice easy read. I like the characters, the interaction and the town & church politics.

I do have a but. Please note as I said above, I don't read mysteries often, so I am a terrible judge if the mystery part is done well. However, in both books I had figured out the 'killer' early on. There are also these long run ups to a beat-up / finding body when it is evident that is what is happening - yet it takes pages of long description to get to the drama. There is no suspense, thus these parts feel a wee bit tedious.

Yet, again, the other parts of the book are such a nice light read I'm very glad to have read both.