Under other circumstances, I likely would have finished this, but in truth it did not hold my attention enough to get me through life’s distractions. I heard good feedback from my book club members who finished the book. Still, I’m not motivated enough to pursue the remainder. I made it through just under a third,…
Fantastic, gripping tale told by Jack about his confinement to “room” with “Ma.” The characters’ development is intense and moving. Although the story’s backdrop is harsh, seeing the world, even his limited one, through the eyes of a five-year-old is refreshing. I recommended this to all.
A bit hard to follow at times, but this made for a great Book Club read. Lots of issues and areas to discuss.
Deeply layered novel about family relations and the complexities of marriage and spouses.
Interesting book. The writing style will, no doubt, bother some; I found it enjoyable. It comes across more like you’re having a conversation with a friend who is telling you the story of her life, looking back, and who continuously gets distracted or who must interrupt herself to tell another story to make the current…
Enjoyable enough thanks mostly to the interesting first third of the story. Sadly, the last third of the book felt forced and trite. The interesting half of the story simply drops off—as if the author tired of that story line or simply did not know how to present it. Beginning a book with two distinct…
An enjoyable enough read, as one would expect from Grisham, but even so, this was not one of his best. This lacked the suspense of some of his more popular novels, and it lacked the depth and character of A Painted House (my fave Grisham novel). Regardless, it provided entertainment and distraction, and for that,…
The Help was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story is inspiring and moving and sets a scene many people would rather forget. As much as I enjoyed the story, though, it did not speak to me in ways it did to other friends. Perhaps that involves my background of growing up as a minority, or…
Fast & easy summer read exploring dynamics of two sisters and finding one’s life even after 40. I have tried to read some of the “Chick-Lit” books about girls in their 20s, but really, they are girls in their 20s. I have little patience for some of that —– ? —naiveté? —foolishness? —self-absorption? …
This may be the first book essentially about relationships that I have read that was written by a man. And I must say, how interesting. The differences are mostly subtle, but differences there are. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Judd and his humorous and wonderfully dysfunctional family as they sat shiva after the…
Traditional Dan Brown, and a great suspenseful read. This is the book that originally introduced Robert Langdon, and he’s as fun in this story as in The Davinci Code. Angels and Demons is a page-turner and a quick read. (I picked it up with barely a week before the movie’s premier and easily finished it.)…
I’m exhausted having just finished Alice Sebold’s latest book. She writes with such clarity and truth in the face of such complex and frightening issues…call it what you will: mental illness, insanity, madness. But the complexity of the mother–daughter relationship here, and the way in which it defines and suffocates, those are the true gifts…
Basic mystery story with a lawyer protagonist that was not superb, but easily entertaining enough. This was my first Scottoline book (received as a gift). While the subject was interesting enough, I was less than impressed with Scottoline’s portrayal and handling of the romantic relationship involved in the story.
Touching story of the lives of two women intersecting in Kabul, mainly in the 90s. The story arcs differently than that in The Kite Runner, but it is still good, and wonderfully told. I especially enjoy learning more about the struggles and beauty of the country. (Yes, this is fiction, but Hosseini does a grand…
