Jen

She ended up expressing/talking about mental health in the best way, long before it was so infused into our everyday speech. Sad I was so late to the party. I didn't know the pain scale we lovingly joked about (working in healthcare) was from her.

Anyone with a mom who had or has borderline personality disorder or is narcissistic, this is a must-read.

I loved the stories and characters in this book. I don't know if the way the book came together gelled enough for me, like short stories not done developing into a novel. I hate to make that comment imagining how much work it must be to write a book but that is how it felt to read it.

This rating doesn't allow me to honor the achievement of this writing, ratings are so subjective. Anyone who reads the Goodreads reviews for one book knows that. It's just it was so dark, I was in such a dark place and it was hard for me to read. But it was excellent, intelligent, evocative.

3.5

Wild and imaginative.

Premise sounded good, characters just not likeable; if supposed to be a parody, shouldn't it at least be funny? Ending was quite the let down.

3.5 stars if I could - this 2nd novel was slower paced, was a little more weighed down by time, the split in Lila's and Elena's lives. Not to take away from Elena's realizations, so beautifully nailed down - connections the reader does not realize or make until they are there on the page. There just wasn't the magic of the first book for me. Some are critical of the meticulous details of the relationships but as a fairly patient reader I think, in the long run, they are worth it.

Once again, thank you, Samantha Irby, for your searing humor, honesty, and bravery - they are inspiring to me and make me feel less alone. I love hearing you read this book. I will forever hear you read your newsletters to me, a gift.

Hilarious, shocking in the best way and so brave, I heart Samantha Irby. Hearing her read it is the best.

2.5 stars if I could - not knowing the voice/time as each chapter started felt like work and throwing 9/11 in at the end seemed extraneous. Not to discount the beautiful writing or the complicated relationships in this book but I was just on the fence.

Beautifully set in 1930's Malaysia with folklore, superstition, mystery, murder, oppression, forbidden love with all the right tension. Enjoyable read.

Raw, honest, and hilarious. Strap in before this one but be prepared to laugh. Sometimes the recipes and wishlists are a little less entertaining but the honesty is sheer bravery.

I loved each of these characters, so lovingly and wickedly conflicted. Such a talented author. The first time I've read short stories and didn't feel like the ending just fell off.

As with probably many others, I was excited to read this after loving Uprooted and Spinning Silver. While this was a complete departure, and at first I wasn't sure how I felt, it ultimately drew me in. I read some reviews (outside of Goodreads) that expressed being let down by the pacing and time spent with backstory; I feel many people these days need action and a fast pace, I just don't mind a slow burn. Let the author build a little, it is a trilogy she is writing. There is still a mysterious, magical environment and the strong female antagonist figuring things out, all with a darker twist. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Edited to respond to controversy:
The well-written, accusatory, reactive review by Asma undermines this author's work with a dismissive flick. And immediately people say ‘phew, thank you, now I know to avoid this book', without any further investigation. It is sad to me that this is the 2nd review you see when you look up this book here on Goodreads. Thankfully, our current culture requires a white author to be responsible and thoughtful, to write authentically and reverentially; this is especially important when taking on a multicultural cast of characters. But in 350 pages, it is hard not to offend someone, in some way, especially in a setting where the characters maneuver and use each other as a way to survive. That is a big undertaking.
If you would like to expand your mind and read more than one opinion, read this: https://bookriot.com/racism-in-naomi-noviks-a-deadly-education/. And there is this: https://www.themarysue.com/racism-vs-representation-the-missteps-of-naomi-noviks-a-deadly-education/. Don't take one person's opinion as your own, make up your own mind. And please, can we stop comparing everything to Harry Potter?

A lot of details were wrapped up in this last book. While there is a lot of tramping through snow, there is still a lot of excitement, tension and unexpected turns. I always enjoy Fitz and the Fool.

As a break from my typical fantasy, I chose this while on a road trip. I liked the exploration of mother/daughter relationships, the mysterious character of Mia and her effect on the young females around her, also the interesting historical take on Shaker Heights. Good summer read.

I received Secondhand Souls as a gift from a loved one. Since it had been 13 years since I read A Dirty Job, I reread it first and am so glad I did. How nice it was to be immersed in both of the Grim Reaper books back to back. I kind of fell in love with Christopher Moore when a very kind friend sent me a copy of Lamb oh so many years ago. How nice it was to come back to the characters, hilarity, originality and the high jinks of A Dirty Job and Secondhand Souls. When I read the last page, I did not want to say goodbye to them. Mr. Moore, you do not disappoint.

I was skeptical when this book began, I thought it was a little too YA for my taste. But I'm glad I stuck it out, the main characters continued to develop, there were many unanswered pieces to a growing puzzle; also more and more characters were introduced. The pace is fast and Jude faces peril often. Overall, it is a fun, modern fantasy read. I look forward to #2.

Hard to give a book less than 4 stars than makes you laugh out loud throughout. Perfect summer read.

Listened to this with my 7 year, we loved it.. we enjoyed talking about survival, making friends, community, being a mother, what it means to be alive. Great pace and wide ranging themes, very original!

Mildly entertaining story but a vanilla version of the hijinks that normally go on with Skink. The person who gave me this did not realize it was YA. Still good for a couple of laughs.

What a good memoir, shocking. I was oblivious about what went on in Sierra Leone when I was in my 20s. An emotional read, well done.

I originally read this in college for a class ~27 years ago. I recently found myself without a book light when out of town and I needed to read next to my sleeping daughter. I downloaded this as an ebook and I'm glad I did. This book had an impact on me many years ago but I couldn't have recited details about the book, only remembered the female protagonist doing, for the time, radical things. Once I got to the end, I then recalled the surprising and sad ending. An important book for its time, an enjoyable read about the confusion and intrigue experienced by a discontented woman.

For me, Annie Proulx doesn't disappoint, she is one of my favorite authors and I finished this book feeling no different. I even love the over the top hokey character names, they just fit with what I love about her. The character development, small consistent details and immersion into the landscape and history are things I truly enjoy in her books.