I was lucky to get a copy of this through NetGalley, and am kicking myself for leaving it unread for so long. This kind of reminded me of Where'd You I was lucky to get a copy of this through NetGalley, and am kicking myself for leaving it unread for so long. This kind of reminded me of Where'd You Go, Bernadette? with a David Foster Wallace + Dostoevsky vibe. Truly amazing.
The Methodist Fundraising Cookbook chapter was hilarious, heartbreaking and just brilliant. Serve with cornbread.
Seriously, this is in the top 3 of books I've read this year; I'm glad to be ending 2014 with such a great one....more
These seriously are some of the best essays I've ever read in my life. I can't even say how much I loved this book, and now Jo Ann Beard. What a fantaThese seriously are some of the best essays I've ever read in my life. I can't even say how much I loved this book, and now Jo Ann Beard. What a fantastic writer. Every single essay in this collection made me laugh AND cry.
Thank you, Mike Reynolds for such a wonderful gift. (I finally read it! )...more
Who knew Patrick Hamilton had such a rough, crazy life? Here's a few nuggets I read in his author bio after opening the cover:
His father was a bullyinWho knew Patrick Hamilton had such a rough, crazy life? Here's a few nuggets I read in his author bio after opening the cover:
His father was a bullying alcoholic comedian and historical novelist; his mother, a sometime singer.
After his mother withdrew him from Westminster School at the age of fifteen...
In 1927 Hamilton fell unhappily in love with a prostitute...
In 1932, he was badly injured and permanently disfigured after being hit by a car.
Hamilton died of cirrhosis of the liver and kidney failure after a lifetime of heavy drinking.
An alcoholic, asshole dad? Forced to drop out of school at fifteen? Fell in love with a hooker? Disfigured after being hit by a car?? (Further reading showed it was a facial disfigurement-!!!) Pretty much drank himself to death at the age of 58? Damn, Mr. Hamilton, I'm sorry. But at the same time, if any of the above events in any way inspired your writing, I feel almost grateful.
The Slaves of Solitude have some of the most real, identifiable, and loathsome characters I have ever read about. I mean, E-V-E-R. There were so many times reading about Miss Roach and sometimes even Mr. Prest, I felt like I was reading exact thoughts I've had myself. I also have never felt such raw, burning hatred for a character as I did while reading about Vicki Kugelmann. Mildred from Of Human Bondage comes close, but if given the choice, I would rather have a giggling, girly slumber party with Mildred than have to even be in the same room for a minute with VK. Really, she was awful--but believable.
The story itself is great; the descriptions of everything were perfect. I loved that this was my intro into Hamilton's work, which I will now be finding more of, and very soon....more
There is no way I could end up not loving this. A book about old letters, books, and friendships made because of them? Sign me up. Really, it was beauThere is no way I could end up not loving this. A book about old letters, books, and friendships made because of them? Sign me up. Really, it was beautiful. The edition I own on the other hand, not so much:
Not the best book porn, I admit--especially when reading about the beautiful antique editions Helene Hanff was receiving from the Marks & Co. bookstore. I ordered this from Better World Books (I'm a sucker for their free shipping) and ended up with this 1974 library edition. Although, as I read this last night, the horrible cover and the library markings became kind of endearing to me.
It made me wonder: was this wonderful book only checked out one time?? Did it sit on the library shelf for years unnoticed until it was discarded? Or did the student at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio love it so much that they just couldn't return it by May 12, 1989? I'm hoping it was the latter (sorry, library people).
This was a very quick read that could be done in one sitting, but this sweet story is one of the best things I've read all year. I highly recommend it--in any edition you can find....more
This book was crazy-good. I almost wish I could go hide out in some dark and dreary place (not as dreary as the lime works--nooooo thank you) for a daThis book was crazy-good. I almost wish I could go hide out in some dark and dreary place (not as dreary as the lime works--nooooo thank you) for a day and re-read this in one straight shot. While reading this, I would immeadiately be so immersed in the story that even the smallest distraction would annoy me to no end. God forbid anyone tried to talk to me while I had this book in my hands; they certainly got the ol' stink-eye. This was basically a 241-page narrative--no chapters, no paragraphs. Just an incredible look into obsession and insanity.
What fascinated me most about this was not only the main character's obsessiveness with his idea and life's work, but how his obsession could twist around to such an intense procrastination. I think everyone may feel somewhat like this at times; I know I do (not in a bat-shit crazy way, though). Putting off an idea or distracting yourself with something else always seems a lot safer and easier than having to admit your idea could be a complete failure. Fear is a difficult emotion to handle, and denial seems to be a quick go-to method when it emerges.
There was so much in this book I loved, it's hard to express it all. If you haven't already, check out David's fantastic review, which was the reason I picked this up in the first place. Thanks, DK!
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I read it about ten times last night and didn't even get tired of it. My 7 year old son, who doesn't get humor and joking a lot of tI LOVE THIS BOOK! I read it about ten times last night and didn't even get tired of it. My 7 year old son, who doesn't get humor and joking a lot of times, laughed throughout the entire thing. It was awesome. One of my favorite children's books, ever....more
Sorry Greggers, I have to read this now. It sounds like it would even be better than getting to meet Mary Lou Retton. _________________________________Sorry Greggers, I have to read this now. It sounds like it would even be better than getting to meet Mary Lou Retton. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
I love to people-watch. Even as a little girl, I remember seeing people in stores, walking down the street, or even in passing cars and be fascinated with the thought that they had actual lives they were living, just like me. I would imagine what kind of house they lived in, how they got along with their family, what they liked to eat, and wonder if I would ever come across those same people later in my life. Does this have anything to do with the fact I love, love, love connecting short stories? Stories that in the slightest of ways join people together? I'm not sure, but I do know they get to me every time, and more than likely end up on my favorites shelf.
Throughout the book, each story connects characters in some small way, but honestly, this didn't jump to a 5 star rating for me until the very last chapter. Seriously, that last part in itself was Pulitzer-worthy. Showing a glimpse of our probable-not-so-distant-future, Egan totally blew me away. I was enthralled and a little sick at the same time.
Not being too technology savvy, I only recently bought a Droid phone. Before that, I had the type of phone most parents buy for their first-graders. My kids also have a pretty basic phone, but constantly tell me they need a new touch-screen phone or an iPad. Oh, how I laugh. Sorry, not gonna happen. I don't care how many of your friends have them. It has amazed me that every single time I set my new phone down, I'm now bombarded with all of them circling me like vultures, "Can I see your phone, can I see your phone, can I see your phone?" Um, no. Go do your homework, grab a book, or go clean something (yes, my kids are mad at me a lot of the time).
Egan gives a depressing and almost frightening look at what our society is gradually becoming. Just today, while reading NPR's "What We're Reading this Week" post on facebook, a lady commented that she wasn't reading anything at the moment because she was waiting for her new iPad to be delivered since her iPhone was too small. Really, lady?!? Ever hear of a book??? Hell, I'll even send you one (not this one though, it's a keeper).
I realize all these changes are inevitable, but really, e-readers, text speak, our growing inability to actually talk to another person, it all makes me sad. At least it inspires me to continue my already out-of-control book buying (you know, just to make sure I'll always have enough), and truly appreciate this site and fellow goodreaders. I love you, booknerds....more
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