**spoiler alert** This was a fun summer thriller read and was overall satisfied with how it was resolved, except when the author dropped in the part a**spoiler alert** This was a fun summer thriller read and was overall satisfied with how it was resolved, except when the author dropped in the part about Baz being the uncle of the girl who committed suicide and was just hoping the game would end with Connor getting killed - it was just way too casual to bring up in the literal last few pages of the book and could have been developed more from the beginning....more
This book is beautifully written, but I just couldn't connect with it as a book. It weaves together stories around the human experience, art, academiaThis book is beautifully written, but I just couldn't connect with it as a book. It weaves together stories around the human experience, art, academia, how relationships can take many different forms, and what happiness means in a given day. I loved the vibrant way Teju Cole describes what I would call vignettes, but they jumped around so much I had trouble following the overall themes at points....more
This had been recommended to me as "if you liked My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, then you'll love this. So going into it, I had thThis had been recommended to me as "if you liked My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, then you'll love this. So going into it, I had those expectations. I don't really see the comparison. This book is written from the POV of a 21 year old dilettante visiting New York for the summer with her best friend and keeping a diary based on the two of them partying, finding ways to make quick money, and the characters they meet. It's fairly stream of consciousness driven, and there are portions where Isa, the main character, delves into deeper feelings and reflections on more meaningful travel experiences, relationships, and heartbreak, and I wanted more of those stories, honestly. It's a fun summer read if you're looking for something a bit aimless, and reminded me more of Emma Cline's The Guest, character wise....more
I know people love this one, but I got 50% of the way through and just...didn't finish. The individual stories didn't grab me, and the characters didnI know people love this one, but I got 50% of the way through and just...didn't finish. The individual stories didn't grab me, and the characters didn't, either....more
Totally lived up to the hype. I haven't read a book that has such a snappy pace in a long time. The commentary on cancel culture, appropriation, and tTotally lived up to the hype. I haven't read a book that has such a snappy pace in a long time. The commentary on cancel culture, appropriation, and the ridiculousness of the publishing industry, everything is scathing and delicious....more
I have very mixed feelings on this one. I thought I would really get into it after liking the shows adapted from some of her other books but...I foundI have very mixed feelings on this one. I thought I would really get into it after liking the shows adapted from some of her other books but...I found it painfully slow. All the action happened in the last 100 pages or so....more
**spoiler alert** Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I loved that Erdrich was able to cover current events like the police killing of George Floyd and the **spoiler alert** Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I loved that Erdrich was able to cover current events like the police killing of George Floyd and the beginning of COVID, but at times it felt so busy that some of the other main story points got lost, including the big reveal with Flora’s history and ghost....more
One of the most beautiful books I’ve read this year. McConaghy’s writing makes you feel the fur of a wolf, smell rain in the forest, taste blood, and One of the most beautiful books I’ve read this year. McConaghy’s writing makes you feel the fur of a wolf, smell rain in the forest, taste blood, and see death along with new life. ...more
LOVED IT! So sad it's over. Dysfunctional and delightful, uncomfortable. Quickly gobbled this up.LOVED IT! So sad it's over. Dysfunctional and delightful, uncomfortable. Quickly gobbled this up....more
I found this to be really hard to get through. Maybe because it was a bit triggering since my mother and sister are addicts, but...the continuous bleaI found this to be really hard to get through. Maybe because it was a bit triggering since my mother and sister are addicts, but...the continuous bleakness, while certainly par for the course, was still hard to get through. At some points it meandered too deeply into other character development, and then just sort of forgot about them. I liked it, just not something I could ever come back to....more
I did not enjoy this collection. The 3 stars is only for the Roxane Gay piece; the rest were really not great. I was expecting this to be much more enI did not enjoy this collection. The 3 stars is only for the Roxane Gay piece; the rest were really not great. I was expecting this to be much more engaging with the lineup of contributors and the content focus, but...meh....more
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