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Karley Sciortino recommended Guide in Books (curated)
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated A Horse Walks into a Bar in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Comedian's nervous breakdown is like watching a train wreck
An intriguing look into bereavement and trauma in the guise of an unravelling comic. Set on a stage, the comedian performs an intimate act in the presence of a former student and colleague. It is a gritty, disturbing and excruciating read to see how he undoes himself in the space of one night. It is also revealing how little sympathy and empathy he receives. It is a well structured piece of literary fiction, moving back and forth through past and present narratives. Well deserved of a Man Booker Prize nomination.
Mariafrancesca (30 KP) rated Illuminae: The Illuminae Files: Book 1 in Books
Mar 30, 2019
Unique narrative style (1 more)
Human-AI relationship
This book is ****ing epic!
The unique format and the eventful plot are just part of the reasons that make Illuminae an incredible reading.
The struggle of the cold logic of an AI that tries to stay true to its core programming but still finds itself evolving, trying to grasp human nature, even feeling emotions that it cannot completely understand (envy, rage, love, fear) reaches peaks that have something of the lyric typical of literary fiction shelf.
And this is just one of the plot line!
I can't wait to find out what's next.
The unique format and the eventful plot are just part of the reasons that make Illuminae an incredible reading.
The struggle of the cold logic of an AI that tries to stay true to its core programming but still finds itself evolving, trying to grasp human nature, even feeling emotions that it cannot completely understand (envy, rage, love, fear) reaches peaks that have something of the lyric typical of literary fiction shelf.
And this is just one of the plot line!
I can't wait to find out what's next.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Luke Skywalker Can't Read: And Other Geeky Truths in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I was really excited to read this book. I love all things filled with geekdom but this one was a little too much for me. I felt like this book was filled with so much opinion that I had a hard time finishing it.
The author was funny and it kept me entertained at times but I felt that this was a giant rant about fandoms. I think that this book could have been marketed a little differently. This is definitely a book that would fit in as a literary essay or critical thinking in a science fiction class. I enjoyed it but I really wish there was more to it than rants about specific details.
All in all, I'm not a huge fan but if you like rants or are missing that science fiction fanatic in your life, this would be the book for you.
The author was funny and it kept me entertained at times but I felt that this was a giant rant about fandoms. I think that this book could have been marketed a little differently. This is definitely a book that would fit in as a literary essay or critical thinking in a science fiction class. I enjoyed it but I really wish there was more to it than rants about specific details.
All in all, I'm not a huge fan but if you like rants or are missing that science fiction fanatic in your life, this would be the book for you.
Alice (117 KP) rated After Elias in Books
Mar 3, 2021
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Dundurn Press
This book was a delight! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it as much as I did because usually, I'm not the biggest fan of literary fiction but this broke my heart. A touching story about loss, dealing with grief and also touches deeply on mental health and the importance of relationship and communication. I loved how this story unfolded and how we only ever knew Elias through the eyes of Coen adding to the mystery. The ending was not what I expected but I loved it. There is so much heart in this book and I definitely recommend it!
This book was a delight! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it as much as I did because usually, I'm not the biggest fan of literary fiction but this broke my heart. A touching story about loss, dealing with grief and also touches deeply on mental health and the importance of relationship and communication. I loved how this story unfolded and how we only ever knew Elias through the eyes of Coen adding to the mystery. The ending was not what I expected but I loved it. There is so much heart in this book and I definitely recommend it!
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Dark Lady's Mask in Books
Oct 5, 2020
With all due respect for Sharratt's really nicely written prose, I was unable to finish reading this book. I have a great love of historical fiction, and am willing to accept no small amounts of literary license when it comes to adjusting some facts to fit the story - for example, it is possible that William Shakespeare could have been bi-sexual. However, I was unable to overcome the blatant rewriting of history to suspend belief when, in this novel, William Shakespeare is still an impoverished poet AFTER the death of Christopher Marlowe. This is really too bad, because I had such high hopes for this book. My sincere apologies, and I'm sure other readers will be more forgiving.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Dec 9, 2021 (Updated Dec 9, 2021)
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Jul 31, 2021
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Poisonwood Bible in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Detailed look into colonialism in Congo
Barbara Kingsolver's epic novel about missionaries and colonialism in the Congo through the eyes of the women in a Christian American family is decadent and detailed. While many will complain about the hard hitting truths of complicity of western nations in destroying the country, it is extremely important and brings to light many historically overlooked issues.
Keeping in mind that this is fictional, the various narratives are well researched to the point where at times it seems plausible and factual. The four main voices are completely different from one another and sometimes the anti-communist voice seemed like a mockery of that type of rhetoric. Leah's voice seemed more realistic than the others. Overall, a well written piece of literary fiction.
Keeping in mind that this is fictional, the various narratives are well researched to the point where at times it seems plausible and factual. The four main voices are completely different from one another and sometimes the anti-communist voice seemed like a mockery of that type of rhetoric. Leah's voice seemed more realistic than the others. Overall, a well written piece of literary fiction.
Becs (244 KP) rated Animal Farm in Books
Oct 2, 2019
I’ve always been a fan of the literary classics, especially ones that also have an underline meaning to do with the history of the world. George Orwell has always been a favorite of mine, I mean I have a lot of favorites but a true reader usually does! The reason why I finally picked up this book was for a job assignment. I will definitely say, I wasn’t disappointed.
Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Science-Fiction, Literature, Dystopia
Audience: High School
Reading level: Advanced Fluent
Interests: Classics, Dystopia, Science-Fiction
Style: Advanced Fluent
Point of view: Third Person
Difficulty reading: It was only difficult in the spots that were lacking plot.
Promise: Promise of history related read, it delivers
Quality: Good.
Insights: Animal Farm is a very well-written book and if you like a history-related book along with any literary classic books, you’ll love this book! I, myself, have never really been a huge history buff so to me Animal Farm was lacking an interesting plot. If I broke the book down into two sections, there would be half of the book as interesting and half being monotonous.
Ah-Ha Moment: When the animals overtook the farm and the pigs started to act like the humans.
Favorite quote: “Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself.” – I really like this because it’s a great representation of humans and earth. How we lack with caring for the planet we live on and that isn’t right.
Aesthetics: The copy that I received had an awesome cartoony cover of the animals which I found quite adorable.
“Four legs good, two legs bad.”
Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Science-Fiction, Literature, Dystopia
Audience: High School
Reading level: Advanced Fluent
Interests: Classics, Dystopia, Science-Fiction
Style: Advanced Fluent
Point of view: Third Person
Difficulty reading: It was only difficult in the spots that were lacking plot.
Promise: Promise of history related read, it delivers
Quality: Good.
Insights: Animal Farm is a very well-written book and if you like a history-related book along with any literary classic books, you’ll love this book! I, myself, have never really been a huge history buff so to me Animal Farm was lacking an interesting plot. If I broke the book down into two sections, there would be half of the book as interesting and half being monotonous.
Ah-Ha Moment: When the animals overtook the farm and the pigs started to act like the humans.
Favorite quote: “Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself.” – I really like this because it’s a great representation of humans and earth. How we lack with caring for the planet we live on and that isn’t right.
Aesthetics: The copy that I received had an awesome cartoony cover of the animals which I found quite adorable.
“Four legs good, two legs bad.”