I hate to rate this so low but I just didn’t find it funny. I’ve read Holidays on Ice and now this one. Humor is IRL Book Club September Theme: humor
I hate to rate this so low but I just didn’t find it funny. I’ve read Holidays on Ice and now this one. Humor is subjective so it’s tough to find a one size fits all comedy act. Maybe I’m just not the reader/listener for this type of thing. ...more
…everything to do with Shirley Falls seemed far away, unreachable, and best left unreached.
Strout is continuing to wow me. This is one of her4.5 stars
…everything to do with Shirley Falls seemed far away, unreachable, and best left unreached.
Strout is continuing to wow me. This is one of her least popular novels (not written in vignettes this time) but I found it to be extremely moving. The Burgess Boys, Bob and Jim, have lived haunted by the freak accident that killed their father when they were 4 and 8. Both boys eventually escape their small, rural town of Shirley Falls, Maine for the big city of New York. Jim’s overbearing personality brought him success as a corporate lawyer. Bob has always looked up to Jim but could never take on the same life in the law that brought his brother fame and polish. In fact, Jim has always criticized and underestimated Bob. Their sister has never left their hometown. The pivotal point of the narrative occurs when Susan calls them back to help her with an urgent situation with her son, Zach. Zach has gotten himself in trouble and the brothers return to the place they grew up and where familial tensions still lie to help their nephew.
Also at the heart of this novel is the tension that ensues when a group of non-white immigrants moves to Shirley Falls creating clashes among the residents. Strout pulled her story from the headlines of the time when Somalis were making their way to the US. The Somali population is steadily growing and Zach sparked a political debate about racial and religious intolerance.
Strout gives equal measure to all perspectives here and does it with a deft hand. Readers will recognize the deep feelings on both sides and will be pleased by her subtle messages. She does give voice to the fears and mistrusts that have been instilled in Americans since 9/11. However, she does NOT beat anyone over the head but presents the events and perspectives in a way that beautifully illustrates many points of view which allow the reader to pause and reflect about this rather touchy and difficult issue. Asking: how do we learn to live with differences and each other?
I don’t enjoy reading politics in my novels because there is enough of it in my newsfeed. I want to read to escape all of that. However, I became deeply moved by many of the scenes and outcomes that Strout created through this narrative.
This is another remarkable example of Strout’s ability to draw her readers into a family’s struggles allowing us to ride along with them as they learn to reconnect and reignite their family bonds.
How could he describe what he felt? The unfurling of an ache so poignant it was almost erotic, this longing, the inner silent gasp as though in the face of something unutterable beautiful, the desire to put his head down on the big loose lap of this town, Shirley Falls. ...more
This is my second book by Arnow in just a few months. This time I had the pleasure to read Hunter’s Horn alongside my friend, Dave Marsland, who makesThis is my second book by Arnow in just a few months. This time I had the pleasure to read Hunter’s Horn alongside my friend, Dave Marsland, who makes a buddy read really fun! Thanks to Dave for all of your insights and for the time we spent delving into the world of the Ballew family in Kentucky.
The Dollmaker was my first by Arnow which is more known. However, Ms. Arnow always felt Hunter’s Horn was her masterpiece. In the introduction to my copy, I found this quote quite funny and gave Arnow a bit of spunk in my opinion: From an interview in 1984 when the film made for the Dollmaker was released (30 years after it was published), she said she "did not want to be ridden to fame on Jane Fonda's coat tails." Apparently she was annoyed when people asked her questions about that book and Gertie (the main character) as if it were the only book she'd ever written!
Hunter’s Horn is a completely different book. Still, Arnow has given the same incredible attention to detail in creating authentic characters, a believable plot, as well as an accurate rendering of time and place. This book would be considered as more regional fiction coming from such a specific place in Kentucky. Being as she knew this region well, Ms. Arnow eloquently describes the poverty of the hill country where folks were growing and raising what went on their tables each day, sewing making their clothes out of feed sacks, never anything expensive or elegant.
On the surface this is a story about a man’s obsession with one wily, conniving fox, King Devil. Nunn Ballew is a farmer who is way too easily distracted by his unending desire to kill this fox. Many (rather Most) of his decisions are not based on whether they will benefit his family or not. Selling the livestock and spending every penny on two foxhound pups is what Nunn’s thinking about, not the fact that his family will not be having any meat this winter and will be relying on the storage of goods put up throughout the year by his wife.
Aye, God, let him laugh, let the whole God-damned world laugh;…they laughed because he was fool enough to waste his life and starve his family for a fox that could never be caught. King Devil laughed because he knew Nunn had to chase him—had to—had to—had to. The damned fox had put a wall between him and the rest of the world; other men did what they pleased; he chased a fox because he had to……
When diving deeper, one finds the plight of the women at the time when WW2 was looming in the background and the people in this part of the country were quite secluded to the regular happenings of the rest of the world. Going to town was a huge event and rarely anything was store-bought. We get to know Milly Ballew and her daughter Suse and quickly realize that mother and daughter have different ideas about how a woman’s life should be. Milly applies no importance to education because the home and raising children was a young woman’s lot in life. Suse has other ideas and looks forward to going to high school, as the gravel road is now coming closer and will be a path that will lead her closer to the outside world, away from the suffocating life that her mother has lived, a life she does NOT want. Sue Annie is the feisty midwife whose no-nonsense personality provides some much-needed comic relief to a story that is so burdened with despair.
Sue Annie sighed. "Child, the world cain't git along without doorsills to walk on; that's why the good God made women; but it's allus seemed to me that all women, when they die they ought to go to heaven; they never had much down here but hell." "Aw, Sue Annie," Milly said,"men has their troubles too." Sue Annie spat into the fire. "Nothen hurts a man much; if it does, it kills him.”
This is a very slow read but such an engrossing story that you won’t want to put it down. Some parts, like the fox hunting scenes, are slower and less enthralling. This is the kind of historical fiction that I prefer to read. It is authentic and not fluffy like so much out there today. I highly encourage anyone who is interested in reading a thorough, well-developed story with authentic, extremely believable characters to find a copy of either one of these books by Ms. Arnow. ...more
This short story was surprising and had me not wanting to put it down. Two time periods intersect and the reader must suspend disbelief to get the fulThis short story was surprising and had me not wanting to put it down. Two time periods intersect and the reader must suspend disbelief to get the full effect allowing a heartbreaking and heartwarming story to capture our hearts.
When Lily Baines somehow intercepts a signal of distress, our British code breaker in 1943 transcends time to do all she can to help Matt Jackson, an American Naval signal operator from 2023. With an 80 year gap, the connection these two make is indescribable. Letting all notions of unbelief go, these two come together to attempt to beat the race of time before the ill-fated destruction overheard on the signal comes to pass in 2023.
I have enjoyed a few of Kate Quinn’s novels and now I must pick up more because she is such a wonderful storyteller!...more
Returning to the world of Murderbot which picks up right where book 1 leaves off with Murderbot trying to figure out what happened in his past. He hasReturning to the world of Murderbot which picks up right where book 1 leaves off with Murderbot trying to figure out what happened in his past. He has a dark spot in his memory – one in which a lot of humans were killed – the incident that preempted him to call himself “Murderbot.” He winds up on a transport ship that has abilities to communicate with him and although they are not supposed to “get along” they befriend one another. He names him ART. Murderbot returns to the scene of the massacre which caused him to go rogue to figure out what exactly happened. Parts of his memory have been deleted.
A subplot allows Murderbot to play security guard for a crew of 3 women scientists who are travelling to the same location as he is. He is a SecUnit who is trying to pass as an augmented human and his knowledge of human behavior has come from his plethora of hours watching what he calls “media” – soap operas and tv programs. A plot to kill these women ensues and Murderbot must do what he can to protect them.
Another exciting installment in this series that my husband introduced me to and one that I would normally not pick up. We’ll see what is in store for Murderbot in the next book. He always seems to get himself into squabbles. ...more
This was an interesting read as I continue to explore Japanese Lit this year. I enjoyed the characterization of this short novel and the many bits of This was an interesting read as I continue to explore Japanese Lit this year. I enjoyed the characterization of this short novel and the many bits of Japanese culture that are spread throughout. The premise is that this particular coffee shop, which has been serving coffee for over 100 years, has a special urban legend allowing a person to visit the past (or the future). There is a list of “rules” that must be followed in order for the journey through time to be successful. However, the most important rule is that they must return before the coffee gets cold.
This is a risky task to take on because each person who takes the risk knows that going back in time will NOT change the present. We meet 4 customers who are willing to take the chance. These people each have heartaches or regrets that they are grappling with. These are real people who have very relatable hopes and struggles.
The magical aspects of this are minimal and do not take away from the story or the character’s decisions. We get to know each one and we really want to know how things are going to turn out for each of them. Each story has a semblance of sadness to it causing the reader’s heartstrings to pull. The writing (even in translation) pulls you in and allows you to experience each life in a touching way. These stories are about human journeys and how life affects us all. We see how it is important to accept the past and to make the best of the future!...more
It is always delightful to return to the world of Trollope and Barchester to find out what is in store for the characters I already know and love and It is always delightful to return to the world of Trollope and Barchester to find out what is in store for the characters I already know and love and to meet and get acquainted with the new folks. Returning to the narrative are the Grantly and Proudie families and the Thornes and Greshams as well. A stand-out character for me that is back is the witty, confident Miss Dunstable who came to life in this volume.
New to the lineup is Mark Robarts, the vicar of Framley. He is younger than normal but his connection with Lord Lufton and his mother Lady Lufton helped to influence his appointment. An ambitious sort, Robarts decides to mix in with some deceitful politicians (to the dismay of Lady Lufton) who he believes will give him every advantage in furthering his career. He immediately finds himself in a sticky situation and one that he will not be able to find his own way out of easily. His venture into climbing the social ladder of society may prove to be his downfall. His wife Fanny is a remarkable character and extremely loyal to her husband.
Lucy Robarts is another enchanting new character. She is Mark Robarts’ sister who comes to live with him after her father’s death. She is principled almost to a fault when it comes to falling in love. She sticks to her guns, however, even if it sacrifices her own happiness.
Trollope’s moral dilemmas and societal dramas bring an authentic touch to his narrative and the character's emotions and motivations bring the reader into a believable and sympathetic mindset. With themes of money, marriage and ambition to follow, there are no shortages of plotlines and characters to sort out and keep track of. It’s very much like a Victorian soap opera; however, a much more highly regarded one!! I always enjoy my time spent reading Trollope and look forward to the next one. ...more
I loved The Fault in Our Stars and have always wanted to read John Green more for the emotional pull he brought to that story. IRL Book Club June 2024
I loved The Fault in Our Stars and have always wanted to read John Green more for the emotional pull he brought to that story. This one struck me differently but I still liked it mostly. In this novel, John Green tackles themes of mental illness, love and friendship with a cast of teenage characters. He does a good job of writing relevant and realistic dialogues and scenarios and creates an atmosphere where the reader wants the main character to get better. I can’t even imagine dealing with these issues on top of the regular drama that is normal for a high school student.
Anybody can look at you. It’s quite rare to find someone who sees the same world you see.
Aza has struggled for years with anxiety that cripples her daily life and her germ phobia overwhelms her existence. She is so preoccupied with her own struggles and issues that it begins to get in the way of her relationship with her talkative best friend, Daisy. When a local billionaire (father of a childhood friend of Aza’s) goes missing, these girls decide to reconnect with Davis to try to solve the mystery of his dad’s disappearance and a huge reward. What Aza didn’t anticipate was falling in love.
Sounds pretty normal for that age, however Aza’s crippling OCD and fear of bacteria proves to be a huge learning curve. She wants to kiss Davis and be normal but the idea of his bacteria infecting her body is debilitating to her. Aza’s thoughts are sent into spirals that won’t let her alone. It’s sad yet difficult to understand from the perspective of someone (myself) who hasn’t experienced anything like this personally. I believe Green does a great job of showing readers like me just what it’s like for someone suffering with mental illness. We also get to see how others are affected in the world of someone who is struggling mentally and what their perspective is toward Aza. Her mom sees her as fragile and Daisy finds her exhausting and self-centered. Davis finds her as someone who he can trust because they’ve both experienced the loss of a parent.
The ending was satisfying and gave readers hope that Aza would have a promising future. ...more
My interest in wanting to explore some Japanese literature has come from recently watching the latest Shogun series and a Netflix series called Tokyo My interest in wanting to explore some Japanese literature has come from recently watching the latest Shogun series and a Netflix series called Tokyo Vice which is based on a memoir of an American journalist in Tokyo in the 1990’s. I highly recommend both of these tv programs and look forward to diving into reading them as well. However, my first experience of a Japanese crime, mystery, thriller fell way short. I chose this one because it was a ‘locked room mystery’ in which a crime occurred which would fulfill a reading challenge prompt and would allow me to read a book in translation as well as a “classic” – written in 1948. I will briefly explain a few things that I noted about this particular book - The Tattoo Murder Case.
Set just after WW2 in a defeated Japan, the victim has survived the war only to be murdered because of her full body tattoo – an illegal act for all parties. Not only was this illegal but for a woman to have such an art form on her body was considered shocking. The author writes in a way that tells a LOT and shows very little. We hear a LOT about tattooing and that there are people who are collectors of skins – yes, that’s right, the skins of the bodies of those individuals who after death have allowed their tattoos to be preserved. UGH! Well, ok. Moving on.
There was much repetition of the story throughout and not a lot of plot to move this forward. The police were made out to be unable – not smart enough – to solve a case where a dismembered body was found inside a locked bathroom and the torso which contained the tattoo was missing. The brother of the chief inspector played a rather large role in investigating and he was a medical student who had had a brief intimate encounter with the victim prior to her death. But what I couldn’t fathom was the introduction of a character presented to be a genius and friend of the chief’s brother who proceeded to do what the police were unable to do – solve the murder with quite a few twists and turns.
Trying to be brief here, so wrapping this up – the translation fell way short for me and was rather clunky and very American sounding if that makes sense. It was not at all what I expected from my first experience of Japanese literature. I’m sure there are way better books and even better crime/mysteries to choose to read. This was ok if you’re intrigued at all by tattoos. ...more
I never had the pleasure to read this as a child and wanted to pair it with my reading of Anne of Green Gables this year. I am surprised by the similaI never had the pleasure to read this as a child and wanted to pair it with my reading of Anne of Green Gables this year. I am surprised by the similarities between the characters of Anne and Pollyanna but Porter gives her orphan a different path toward the middle to the end of her story. It is rather saccharin for my adult liking but I imagine a child would love hearing this read aloud to them.
Pollyanna’s endearing personality of being GLAD is infectious. She believes in “Living” which is not merely breathing. For Pollyanna, the fun in living is in playing and exploring the natural world as well as playing the Glad game.
…there is something about everything that you can be glad about, if you keep hunting long enough to find it.
…if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times to be glad and rejoice, He must want us to do it – SOME. ...more
This has been a slow read (a chapter a day for several months) with the Dickensians group with the lovely Claudia as our leader and Elizabeth Gaskell This has been a slow read (a chapter a day for several months) with the Dickensians group with the lovely Claudia as our leader and Elizabeth Gaskell expert. It is always a pleasure to read a novel this way as it adds much more depth to the read.
Mary Barton was Elizabeth Gaskell’s very first novel. Like her contemporary Charles Dickens, she provided a voice for the poor and down trodden of Victorian England. In this novel she wrote about the depth of despair and suffering of the working class in the industrial city of Manchester. She helped shed light on the harsh poverty and the drastic effects it had on the working class. The working class struggled for a fair wage to help a family survive. Sadly the reality was death, squalor, agony, starvation, and lack of basic necessities. Gaskell deeply draws readers into an unfair world where the poor face bleak lives and the mill owners thrive.
The rich know nothing of the trials of the poor; I say, if they don’t know, they ought to know. We’re their slaves as long as we can work; we pile up their fortunes with the sweat of our brows, and yet we are to live as separate as if we were in two worlds.
Mary Barton is a selfish and ambitious young lady who is also quite beautiful. Despite being born poor, she easily attracts the attention of young Henry Carson, the son of the owner of the mill where her father works. John Barton fights for the rights of his fellow workers but Mary sets her sights on a better life. She dashes the heart of her childhood love Jem, a struggling engineer, and sets her ambition on marrying rich Henry. Tragedy ensues in the form of a murder and Mary is caught up in the midst of it.
Mary’s character brilliantly develops into a brave young woman who has endured much and faced difficult challenges and choices. While she is not a perfect heroine, her imperfectness makes her more appealing and realistic.
This novel is full of plot and character development. Gaskell’s writing ability is superior for a first novel. We feel the hunger, the plight of the sick and broken people and mourn with those who experience so much death. The suspense is drawn so well and the pace is perfectly done as the reader wants to know the outcome of the murder and how the pieces are all going to fall into place.
An excellent novel and an author I am eager to read again and again! ...more
This was really enjoyable even for someone who doesn’t have cats. I absolutely believed the bond these two had because of being a dog mom. This is a bThis was really enjoyable even for someone who doesn’t have cats. I absolutely believed the bond these two had because of being a dog mom. This is a book about love, friendship and the things that connect us to one another. It’s about not knowing you need the one who comes along unexpectedly and finding that one was just what you did need at the time of your life. It’s also a book about saving or rescuing each other which was beautifully illustrated in this simple yet poignant story.
I adored the perspective of Nana, the stray cat that Satoru finds and saves from living on the street in Tokyo. His voice was snarky, witty, and funny. We also get Satoru’s perspective, and we learn that his life is not what it seems. He is a kind and gentle man who has other’s best interests at heart. There is some ambiguity about the reason he takes Nana on a trip to visit some of his old schoolmates. So, without giving anything away, I will say only that the enrichment he receives from taking Nana in adds immensely to his quality of life. Any animal lover will completely and totally understand this. Just be ready for your heartstrings to be tugged quite a bit.
Another win for my Japanese lit exploration. ...more
Well, friends, yes, this is my second science fiction read suggested by my husband in as many months. And I really liked it! This was fresh, 4.5 stars
Well, friends, yes, this is my second science fiction read suggested by my husband in as many months. And I really liked it! This was fresh, fun, and clever. This has to be the most fun read I’ve had all year! Be ready for some laughs if you decide to pick up this short novella, the first in an award-winning series.
Meet Murderbot. He’s a cyborg construct designed as a security unit whose job is to protect humans. However, this particular Murderbot has highjacked his governor module which is the apparatus that makes him follow orders. Now in his independence, he can download hours and hours of entertainment so that he can watch soap operas all day and not do his job or care about doing his job.
As a heartless killing machine, I was a terrible failure.
This machine made of a combination of metal and organic components is such a fresh, new creation. He’s cynical and hilarious. He does his job reluctantly trying to keep the expeditionary team alive so that they can complete a survey on a remote planet. As you might think, things go wrong from the beginning and don’t seem to let up. There is quite a bit of excitement packed into this swiftly-paced story which is told completely from Murderbot’s point of view.
It’s wrong to think of a construct as half bot, half human. It makes it sound like the halves are discrete, like the bot half should want to obey orders and do its job and the human half should want to protect itself and get the hell out of here. As opposed to the reality, which was that I was one whole confused entity, with no idea what I wanted to do. What I should do. What I needed to do.
The sense of urgency just wasn’t there. Also, you may have noticed, I don’t care.
…but you may have noticed that when I do care, I’m a pessimist.
When his group of scientists realize he is more than he claims to be, they begin to treat him as one of them. It creates some very socially awkward and touching moments in the novella because this is not how Murderbot is used to being treated. Murderbot has a great personality despite his pessimism, social awkwardness, and sarcasm. I highly recommend this and can’t wait to read on in the series.
I hate having emotions about reality; I’d much rather have them about Sanctuary Moon
Granted, I liked the imaginary people on the entertainment feed way more than I liked real ones, but you can’t have one without the other....more
Her heart was beating appreciably faster, and she took more rapid breaths, but she was enjoying herself. Adventuresses are born,IRL Book Club – April
Her heart was beating appreciably faster, and she took more rapid breaths, but she was enjoying herself. Adventuresses are born, not made.
I have seen several episodes of Miss Fisher Mysteries but have never read any of the books. Well, now I’ve met the real Phryne Fisher and she is quite a spicy and saucy lady Aussie detective!
Phryne Fisher gives a new definition to lady detective – independent, carefree, smart, fearless – in the 1920’s in Melbourne, Australia. She loves to have a good time and fancies her fashion statements. When she takes on a case to explore the ill health of a young woman thought to be poisoned, Phryne Fisher finds herself caught up in a cocaine dealing ring first and foremost with a secondary illegal abortionist case. These are not the topics for your average cozy mystery!
She had put on her lounging robe, of a dramatic oriental pattern of green and gold, an outfit not to be sprung suddenly on invalids or those of nervous tendencies – and she was rather glad that there was no one on deck to be astonished. It was five o’clock in the morning.
It was a perfectly decent but utterly erotic dress and Phryne knew that she must have it.
Miss Fisher carries a small lady’s handgun and smokes her gaspers like a chimney. She is living her life without any pretense or expectations from anyone. It’s her life and she’ll live it the way she wants! She’s irreverent and cynical in a delightful way – is that even possible? She’s inherited a noble title and a ton of money so naturally she spends it like it’s water and drinks cocktails in the same way. She is not ashamed of her sexual prowess flirting incessantly with all of the gorgeous men. I really shouldn’t have liked her because she’s just the opposite of me and maybe that’s why I liked her so much.
Phryne Fisher had a taste for young and comely men, but she was not prone to trust them with anything but her body.
”Dangerous, Miss.” “Yes, but only I can do it, and it’s better than being bored.
This was such a fun book to read. I loved the setting of Melbourne and the 1920’s which seems to be quite different than the London settings you’d expect. The characters are exciting and you’ll want to get to know them. I look forward to getting immersed in more of Miss Fisher’s exploits in the future. ...more
This was a book that I headed into with a preconceived notion that I was NOT going to like it. The contemporary roLiteraTea IRL Book Club for February
This was a book that I headed into with a preconceived notion that I was NOT going to like it. The contemporary romance and chick lit tags are an automatic turnoff to this reader. However, and this is a pretty big “however”, I enjoyed it! I listened to audio which was the quickest available to me and I think that format was a good choice for this story.
In a nutshell, we have a female firefighter who is moving quickly up the ladder with her impressive physical attributes (I’d say a one-arm pull-up is quite unbelievable but I’m not judging!), team player spirit, excellence in her life-saving abilities and skill at quick decision making in the heat of the moment. Cassie is the only female in her fire station and she must be better and stronger and faster than her male counterparts. Cassie’s life revolves around her job and she has no dating life at all.
Cassie’s life is upended when her mother asks her to move across the country to live with her for a year to help her out because she is losing her sight. They’ve been estranged since Cassie was 16 so this was a huge favor to be asked of her but she makes the sacrifice and starts her life and career over in a new town with a mother she doesn’t really know.
The romance in this story took a backseat to the story and character development. At the new firehouse, Cassie is new but a rookie is starting on the same day. The hazing they go through seemed pretty typical and provided some entertaining anecdotes. A strong addition to the story dealt with forgiveness and acceptance. I appreciated that the story had more substance to it than many other formula romances do these days. It turned out to be a pretty good book club choice! ...more
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