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Narrow Road to the Interior
Book
A beautiful translation of one of the most-loved classics of Japanese literature. Bash...
Poetry about life
Molly Naylor writes poetry about her life. Some of it is really funny, some very insightful. She calls it "a manifesto of my life" and a confession of sorts.
I saw Molly perform many of her poems in this collection on a "Poetry Pub Crawl" (I feel that this may be a very British phenomenon, and if you're British and have never experienced one, then go out and find one! They're great fun!) at the Chester Literature Festival. She really was great and the reason I bought her book was exactly her ability to get her message across through her poetry. Being a grown up isn't easy!
I saw Molly perform many of her poems in this collection on a "Poetry Pub Crawl" (I feel that this may be a very British phenomenon, and if you're British and have never experienced one, then go out and find one! They're great fun!) at the Chester Literature Festival. She really was great and the reason I bought her book was exactly her ability to get her message across through her poetry. Being a grown up isn't easy!
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Idiot: A Novel in Books
Jan 3, 2018
A rather juvenile romp
As the title suggests, Elif Batuman's novel explores linguistics and Russian literature through the eyes of a young Harvard undergraduate, Selin. The character falls in love with an older, neurotic Hungarian mathematics student, and travels to his country to be near him. It is occasionally humorous, and describes a rite of passage - but no more than that. Unfortunately, at times it is rather banal and tedious.
While Batuman's writing is to be desired, the content fell short as the narrative varies between sharp and rambling. The naivety of Selin also appears slightly unbelievable, and would probably be better geared at a younger audience.
While Batuman's writing is to be desired, the content fell short as the narrative varies between sharp and rambling. The naivety of Selin also appears slightly unbelievable, and would probably be better geared at a younger audience.
Great plot (2 more)
split narrative to give it some spice
LGBQTIA+ representation
Love, heartbreak and a meth addiction.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Similar to his earlier book 'The Rest of Us Just Live Here', Patrick Ness switches betweens a main narrative and a parallel narrative within the same world, with an unexpected cross between the two at the end. I brought this book and finished it the day after, an easy read but one full of very real characters battling with homophobia and the inevitability of growing up and change. With this book I only hope more diverse LGBTQIA+ representation occurs throughout literature.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Homegoing in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Extraordinary novel spanning seas and generations
A rather melancholic and at times bitterweet read, describing the journey of one family split into two lineages as a result of colonialism and slavery. It is rather horrific read to tales of rape and torture, but there is no way of skirting around the issue. What is more telling is the effects that eight generations of brutality has on a modern generation and how easy it is to dismiss today's problems without looking at the context.
Yaa Gyasi has really excelled in bringing the narratives together coherently. An important piece of literature worth putting as part of the school curriculum.
Yaa Gyasi has really excelled in bringing the narratives together coherently. An important piece of literature worth putting as part of the school curriculum.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Book Jumper in Books
Apr 29, 2018
The premise of this novel was so good, who wouldn't want to jump into a book? Though, it did give me 'Inkheart' vibes from the very beginning.
I think that's why I found this book to be just ok. Basically, the opposite of Inkheart occurs, but I think Inkheart was better written. The problem with this book might have also been the translation from German.
Book Jumpers, in this novel, protect literature, but for some reason, someone's stealing ideas. Of course, you don't really know why until the very end. It was completely predictable and I came up with a better ending in my head.
I think that's why I found this book to be just ok. Basically, the opposite of Inkheart occurs, but I think Inkheart was better written. The problem with this book might have also been the translation from German.
Book Jumpers, in this novel, protect literature, but for some reason, someone's stealing ideas. Of course, you don't really know why until the very end. It was completely predictable and I came up with a better ending in my head.
Dana (24 KP) rated If I Stay (If I Stay, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Ow. Just ow. This story was so beautiful and sad to read. I really enjoyed how Gayle Forman was able to break up the more sad parts of the story with happy flashbacks on Mia's life. This had a perfect ending. The cello was such a huge part of Mia's life, and it showed very much through out the story. What a magnificent piece of literature. I am so glad they made this into a movie. I am really excited to be able to see it. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves stories about love, life, and what it means to live.
Steveh774 (11 KP) rated The Nice Guys (2016) in Movies
May 27, 2018
Fun send up of film noir in pulp literature and los angeles culture in a frozen celluloid time capsule
Set in a decade where the comedy and homages work in todays modern popular culture. This unlikely pair lead the story in an unconventional take on the buddy cop/comedy as they work in opposition to each other to solve a dark crime, with a seedy leadup, all the while surrounded by the city of hollywood and its movie star culture. Something out of the pages of a detective fiction magazine. Post modern film noir in a brighter reflection of itself
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated The Ouroboros Lock in Books
Dec 1, 2018
Quick Read
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
This book is written in a style that reminds me of old gothic literature. I felt much the same way reading it as I felt when I read a Rose for Emily back in high school. The story is dark and disturbing, and you can't help but wonder what happens next. Some parts were a bit confusing, but everything is explained in the end. Really it was an pretty good book, the material was just heavier than what I normally enjoy. I do think fans of this style will love the story.
This book is written in a style that reminds me of old gothic literature. I felt much the same way reading it as I felt when I read a Rose for Emily back in high school. The story is dark and disturbing, and you can't help but wonder what happens next. Some parts were a bit confusing, but everything is explained in the end. Really it was an pretty good book, the material was just heavier than what I normally enjoy. I do think fans of this style will love the story.
