Scan barcode
nancykz's reviews
499 reviews
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
5.0
There were so many things I liked about this book. From the narrator's voice to the labeling of chapters. I don't think it's for everyone, though, as I tried recommending it to my mother and she found it annoying and trite. I, however, absolutely loved it. A great, quick read than was fun and definitely made me laugh out loud. Had it's poignant parts, too. And I like those.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
4.0
What an excellent memoir. I've gotten away from memoirs in the last few months in favor of fiction. This book was an excellent one to take the journey back with.
Starting Jeannette's journey with her in the present, in a short moment like so many that make up our lives, and then immediately being plopped at a crucial moment of the beginning of her life was a great start. One wouldn't imagine the woman she describes herself as on the first two pages coming out of the little girl described on the next pages. How could she?
As much as I wanted to draw clear lines in the sand about her parents, I just couldn't. I don't know if I've ever read more accurate descriptions of people. Sure, I don't know her parents, but I certainly know enough people to know they're nearly impossible to describe. Oh, how I wanted to hate her dad so many times, and then I would find myself saying, "Well, he certainly loves his kids," only to find myself hating him again.
Definitely an excellent read. It's a "you can beat the odds" story without all the cheese that usually accompanies such a message, and it's an interesting study in independence, role reversal, and the ever-changing family.
Starting Jeannette's journey with her in the present, in a short moment like so many that make up our lives, and then immediately being plopped at a crucial moment of the beginning of her life was a great start. One wouldn't imagine the woman she describes herself as on the first two pages coming out of the little girl described on the next pages. How could she?
As much as I wanted to draw clear lines in the sand about her parents, I just couldn't. I don't know if I've ever read more accurate descriptions of people. Sure, I don't know her parents, but I certainly know enough people to know they're nearly impossible to describe. Oh, how I wanted to hate her dad so many times, and then I would find myself saying, "Well, he certainly loves his kids," only to find myself hating him again.
Definitely an excellent read. It's a "you can beat the odds" story without all the cheese that usually accompanies such a message, and it's an interesting study in independence, role reversal, and the ever-changing family.
How we Got Insipid by Jonathan Lethem, Jonathan Lethem
4.0
It's been a while since I read any Lethem, and I was glad to come back to him. I purchased this book a while ago but it's been sitting on the shelf. Because so many compared it to This Shape We're In I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it.
Both stories were engaging and reminded me of the second Lethem I came to know. My first experience was with As She Climbed Across The Table which I bought at the Bennington College bookstore while working there one summer and read while walking home and then sitting outside of the house where I was living.
After reading that I started with things like [b:Amnesia Moon|32078|Amnesia Moon|Jonathan Lethem|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168324923s/32078.jpg|2209] -- and this reminded me more of that. The first story was reminiscent of some of the stories in "Men and Cartoons", but I enjoyed it more. I had a great picture in my head the entire time I read it. The two characters followed are easy to be intrigued with, and keep you guessing. The story moves quickly and left me wanting more, but in a good way.
The second piece reminded me a great deal of Gun... Music. I loved all of the characters, and the scenes with the television were awesomely funny and disturbing. Kind of a Willy Wonka flashback for the grownups.
I don't want to give anything away... just like the sleeve of the book. I'd say if you're a fan of Lethem's more sci-fiy stuff, this is definitely for you. Actually, I bet a fan of any of his works would enjoy it.
Both stories were engaging and reminded me of the second Lethem I came to know. My first experience was with As She Climbed Across The Table which I bought at the Bennington College bookstore while working there one summer and read while walking home and then sitting outside of the house where I was living.
After reading that I started with things like [b:Amnesia Moon|32078|Amnesia Moon|Jonathan Lethem|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168324923s/32078.jpg|2209] -- and this reminded me more of that. The first story was reminiscent of some of the stories in "Men and Cartoons", but I enjoyed it more. I had a great picture in my head the entire time I read it. The two characters followed are easy to be intrigued with, and keep you guessing. The story moves quickly and left me wanting more, but in a good way.
The second piece reminded me a great deal of Gun... Music. I loved all of the characters, and the scenes with the television were awesomely funny and disturbing. Kind of a Willy Wonka flashback for the grownups.
I don't want to give anything away... just like the sleeve of the book. I'd say if you're a fan of Lethem's more sci-fiy stuff, this is definitely for you. Actually, I bet a fan of any of his works would enjoy it.
Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins
2.0
"...the macaque continues to shred Popsicle wrappers in the trunk, as if he were employed in the document room of a Republican presient..."
Definitely my favorite line from this, my latest read from Tom Robbins. I want to start by saying that I used to LOVE Tom Robbins. Impeccable word choice, a candid approach to sex and sexuality, social commentary, a touch of the fantastic... what's not to like?
Usually my answer would be NOTHING... I LOVE IT ALL! But that was sadly not the case with Pajamas. From the end of the first sentence I was thoroughly annoyed. The story was great, the characters/dialogue/description were great (love some characters, hate others, love to hate others), everything was great EXCEPT for the narrative style. I'm sorry, but as much as I've always wondered what it would be line to read a novel written in the second person, I guess I didn't really want to get the answer.
My being Gwendolyn Mati, the main character, was distracting and annoying. And really got in my way of liking this piece as much as I could have had it been writing in the first or third. I simply couldn't get past the fact that I'm NOT her... and maybe I'm too concrete, but I really did find it to be a hinderance to my reading.
Definitely my favorite line from this, my latest read from Tom Robbins. I want to start by saying that I used to LOVE Tom Robbins. Impeccable word choice, a candid approach to sex and sexuality, social commentary, a touch of the fantastic... what's not to like?
Usually my answer would be NOTHING... I LOVE IT ALL! But that was sadly not the case with Pajamas. From the end of the first sentence I was thoroughly annoyed. The story was great, the characters/dialogue/description were great (love some characters, hate others, love to hate others), everything was great EXCEPT for the narrative style. I'm sorry, but as much as I've always wondered what it would be line to read a novel written in the second person, I guess I didn't really want to get the answer.
My being Gwendolyn Mati, the main character, was distracting and annoying. And really got in my way of liking this piece as much as I could have had it been writing in the first or third. I simply couldn't get past the fact that I'm NOT her... and maybe I'm too concrete, but I really did find it to be a hinderance to my reading.