It took me a while to figure out what was going on, chapters are narrated by different characters and they jump around in time. But once I got a handlIt took me a while to figure out what was going on, chapters are narrated by different characters and they jump around in time. But once I got a handle on the story, it pulled me right along....more
I enjoyed the way the author kept us in the dark about the characters' situation, especially since there was much the characters didn't know themselveI enjoyed the way the author kept us in the dark about the characters' situation, especially since there was much the characters didn't know themselves. I liked the pace of the book, and was always ready to pick it up and see what happens in the next chapter. There's not a lot of plot to get excited about, but the mystery surrounding the little domestic dramas was enough to keep me engaged....more
I cared deeply about these characters from very early chapters. Everyone and everything seemed very real to me, although I have zero exposure to theirI cared deeply about these characters from very early chapters. Everyone and everything seemed very real to me, although I have zero exposure to their way of life, so I have no idea what is like reality and what is pure fiction. But since this is a work of fiction, I didn't mind just taking it all at face value, because every day I couldn't wait to read more to find out what happens next. This was my favorite book so far this year....more
I think the actual prose is three-star, but I *enjoyed* this above average, so I'm giving it four stars.
I was constantly surprised by the protagonist'I think the actual prose is three-star, but I *enjoyed* this above average, so I'm giving it four stars.
I was constantly surprised by the protagonist's choices, which delighted me (the surprise factor, not the choices!). This was an easy summer read. Not exactly light, some bad things happen, but what's a novel without obstacles for the character to overcome?
I wouldn't recommend this for kids, the main character is full of bad choices, and I didn't think the story would interest kids much anyway. But if you're looking for a quirky sort of beach book, give this a read....more
Through much of the book I couldn't help but think, "Sure is a lot of coon hunting going on in this story." Yet, even though I knew the next chapter wThrough much of the book I couldn't help but think, "Sure is a lot of coon hunting going on in this story." Yet, even though I knew the next chapter would just contain the story of yet another coon hunt, it was engaging enough that I was happy to pick up the book everyday to come back for more. And I found it even more action-packed and exciting in the later chapters and awfully moving towards the end. I've read a fair amount of books for middle schoolers in the past few years to keep track of what my kids are reading, and I enjoyed this one more than some others....more
I get why people like this. It's kind of like a little house on the prairie but with a boy protagonist. I recently read it because it will be assignedI get why people like this. It's kind of like a little house on the prairie but with a boy protagonist. I recently read it because it will be assigned to my son this fall. Now I will have empathy if he complains that it is boring. While there are many charming parts and engaging stories, there is no plot at all. Everything is episodic like a serial--this reminds me of the show Lassie, but with horses as the stars. It's a good book to prompt discussion: the family moves to an unknown situation, they face challenges, the culture is different, etc. all in the 1800s, so we can compare and contrast how the way life is different and in the way life is still the same....more
I enjoyed reading this more than many self-help books due to the quality of the writing itself. I am left wishing the author included somewhere, maybeI enjoyed reading this more than many self-help books due to the quality of the writing itself. I am left wishing the author included somewhere, maybe in an appendix, a quick checklist of his tips on how we can better know and understand the people we come in contact with, and allow ourselves to be known. I think he did have concrete advice within the book, but I didn't take notes and don't remember it all right now....more
I don't know why I finished this one. Maybe because I'm still acting like I'm young and have all the time in the world, or maybe I just held out hope I don't know why I finished this one. Maybe because I'm still acting like I'm young and have all the time in the world, or maybe I just held out hope at some point it would get better. Regardless, for me the book went from pleasant to mediocre to bad, and not in a fun train-wreck way. The character and her life just became so boring to me. YMMV....more
I discovered this book on a list of short books that are good. It certainly looks like a short book because it is so slim, but the print is teeny tinyI discovered this book on a list of short books that are good. It certainly looks like a short book because it is so slim, but the print is teeny tiny so it wasn't a particularly fast read.
I knew very little about the book before I checked it out, but I enjoyed it. The format is different and entertaining. There are many very short little stories about different characters. Per the notes, some depict real people, and some are fictional. There's a lot of magical thinking and some interesting perspectives. I laughed out loud during some stories. I would recommend this for anyone who doesn't care about plot, but wants to read about quirky Ukrainian characters....more
I picked this up at the library on impulse without knowing anything about it, I totally judged the book by its cover. Luckily for me I really enjoyed I picked this up at the library on impulse without knowing anything about it, I totally judged the book by its cover. Luckily for me I really enjoyed it. It's a domestic story about a young girl's journey through marriage and adulthood, but it was set during a turbulent time in Florence and there's plenty of drama. I would sit down to read several times a day because I wanted to see what happened next....more
My son was having a hard time coming up with something to write about for this book so I went ahead and read it so that I could help. I can see why miMy son was having a hard time coming up with something to write about for this book so I went ahead and read it so that I could help. I can see why middle school boys would find this boring. I thought it was a charming book. It's written as a diary of one year of a 14-year-old girl's life in the early 1800s, set on a farm in New Hampshire.
There's no plot to speak of, and the character development is subtle. But there is some drama, sometimes told in stories from the past, sometimes as current events that happened that year. I recommend it to anyone who's interested in light historical fiction, especially children....more
I enjoyed this book a lot! I casually went to the art fairs and gallery openings and studio visits when I lived in New York long, long ago, but never I enjoyed this book a lot! I casually went to the art fairs and gallery openings and studio visits when I lived in New York long, long ago, but never to the extent that the author immersed herself for this book.
I loved that she spent time working with and observing gallery owners, artists, and museum guards in order to illuminate various perspectives about art for her readers.
I recommended this to anyone with the slightest curiosity about contemporary art....more
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