L V
My not finishing the book has nothing to do with the writing style or anything like that; but with my reading slump and my impatience for the book to reveal its mystery. Once I am back in a binge-reading kind of mood, I will definitely revisit this one.
My not finishing the book has nothing to do with the writing style or anything like that; but with my reading slump and my impatience for the book to reveal its mystery. Once I am back in a binge-reading kind of mood, I will definitely revisit this one.
What a fun little farce. It reminded me of the works by PG Wodehouse, whom I adore. What made this read even more special to me is that, while I read, it dawned on me that a very old movie my mom and I would watch from time to time is an adaptation of this play. I’ll definitely be rereading this time and again to remember mom and to help get me out of those horrid little reading slumps that sneak up unexpectedly.
Although on the surface this might seem like a silly little play, there is so much social commentary on education, church, society and the law, if you read between the lines and remember the times in which he wrote this and what he was going through. And to be able to infuse humor? The more I think about it, the more my respect for the author grows.
What a fun little farce. It reminded me of the works by PG Wodehouse, whom I adore. What made this read even more special to me is that, while I read, it dawned on me that a very old movie my mom and I would watch from time to time is an adaptation of this play. I’ll definitely be rereading this time and again to remember mom and to help get me out of those horrid little reading slumps that sneak up unexpectedly.
Although on the surface this might seem like a silly little play, there is so much social commentary on education, church, society and the law, if you read between the lines and remember the times in which he wrote this and what he was going through. And to be able to infuse humor? The more I think about it, the more my respect for the author grows.
Warning: Elder abuse might take you aback. I was not expecting it and did not enjoy reading through those bits.
I’ve been reading some trippy books lately, add this one to the list. Claire is one petty and judgy killer. She’s kind of insane and relatable at the same time. Yikes. What does this say about me??
Warning: Elder abuse might take you aback. I was not expecting it and did not enjoy reading through those bits.
I’ve been reading some trippy books lately, add this one to the list. Claire is one petty and judgy killer. She’s kind of insane and relatable at the same time. Yikes. What does this say about me??
Warning: Elder abuse might take you aback. I was not expecting it and did not enjoy reading through those bits.
I’ve been reading some trippy books lately, add this one to the list. Claire is one petty and judgy killer. She’s kind of insane and relatable at the same time. Yikes. What does this say about me??
Warning: Elder abuse might take you aback. I was not expecting it and did not enjoy reading through those bits.
I’ve been reading some trippy books lately, add this one to the list. Claire is one petty and judgy killer. She’s kind of insane and relatable at the same time. Yikes. What does this say about me??
2025 Review:
When I first read this years ago, I found it to be uplifting and sad all at the same time, and though it still rings true, this time around it felt a lot more tense. I guess it’s because I’m older and can understand more deeply how each side feels about the matter at hand and how its outcome could affect them all for life. It’s not an easy situation to be in for anyone; and so unfair that it has to happen at all.
2014 Review:
It's been a long while since I've read the perfect blend of sad and uplifting. Me Before You delivers just that.
A once corporate hot shot who loved loads of physical activities, travel, and women becomes a quadriplegic due to freak accident in which a guy in a motorbike rams into him. Two years pass, and Will cannot live with the physical and emotional pain anymore. He contemplates making arrangements for assisted suicide. The story brings forth a most uncomfortable topic in a sensitive yet straightforward manner. Will, and those who care for him, all share their points of view on the subject. The author does a magnificent job of not sugar-coating or pointing the finger at any of the points of view depicted.
It's a shame that the title and cover have a “chick-lit” feel to it because I think a lot of men would enjoy this read as well. Though it is infused with some humor, I did not find it to be a romantic comedy. The publisher should really rethink the blurbs and cover for the next reprint. Give it a shot, fellas.
2025 Review:
When I first read this years ago, I found it to be uplifting and sad all at the same time, and though it still rings true, this time around it felt a lot more tense. I guess it’s because I’m older and can understand more deeply how each side feels about the matter at hand and how its outcome could affect them all for life. It’s not an easy situation to be in for anyone; and so unfair that it has to happen at all.
2014 Review:
It's been a long while since I've read the perfect blend of sad and uplifting. Me Before You delivers just that.
A once corporate hot shot who loved loads of physical activities, travel, and women becomes a quadriplegic due to freak accident in which a guy in a motorbike rams into him. Two years pass, and Will cannot live with the physical and emotional pain anymore. He contemplates making arrangements for assisted suicide. The story brings forth a most uncomfortable topic in a sensitive yet straightforward manner. Will, and those who care for him, all share their points of view on the subject. The author does a magnificent job of not sugar-coating or pointing the finger at any of the points of view depicted.
It's a shame that the title and cover have a “chick-lit” feel to it because I think a lot of men would enjoy this read as well. Though it is infused with some humor, I did not find it to be a romantic comedy. The publisher should really rethink the blurbs and cover for the next reprint. Give it a shot, fellas.
Hahaha! What did I just finish reading?? I feel like that one friend who talks too much and goes off on tangents took a hit of something and began riffing off this weird, trippy, silly-like fever dream of a tale.
The sarcasm (and over-use) used to unravel every trope known to man was an unexpected treat as was the use of the red herrings; so original and just genius. I’m glad Libby had this little gem as an offering and that I happened to stumble upon it.
Hahaha! What did I just finish reading?? I feel like that one friend who talks too much and goes off on tangents took a hit of something and began riffing off this weird, trippy, silly-like fever dream of a tale.
The sarcasm (and over-use) used to unravel every trope known to man was an unexpected treat as was the use of the red herrings; so original and just genius. I’m glad Libby had this little gem as an offering and that I happened to stumble upon it.
This was a page-turner of a book. It was twisty and kept me guessing all throughout. It loses steam at the very end though, but that’s okay. Even a roller coaster ride has to slow down and come to a stop at some point. And this read sure did feel like a rollercoaster ride. Read along to the audiobook. Pretty decent narrator.
This was a page-turner of a book. It was twisty and kept me guessing all throughout. It loses steam at the very end though, but that’s okay. Even a roller coaster ride has to slow down and come to a stop at some point. And this read sure did feel like a rollercoaster ride. Read along to the audiobook. Pretty decent narrator.
Hahaha! What did I just finish reading?? I feel like that one friend who talks too much and goes off on tangents took a hit of something and began riffing off this weird, trippy, silly-like fever dream of a tale.
The sarcasm (and over-use) used to unravel every trope known to man was an unexpected treat as was the use of the red herrings; so original and just genius. I’m glad Libby had this little gem as an offering and that I happened to stumble upon it.
Hahaha! What did I just finish reading?? I feel like that one friend who talks too much and goes off on tangents took a hit of something and began riffing off this weird, trippy, silly-like fever dream of a tale.
The sarcasm (and over-use) used to unravel every trope known to man was an unexpected treat as was the use of the red herrings; so original and just genius. I’m glad Libby had this little gem as an offering and that I happened to stumble upon it.
Voules? Who’s this Voules? This is the first story I read in which Jeeves doesn’t make an appearance to back up and be by old Reggie Pepper’s side. Instead, we get Voules, Reggie's disloyal and opportunistic valet . This is not a problem, though, as Reggie and company all come out of the jam unscathed.
Voules? Who’s this Voules? This is the first story I read in which Jeeves doesn’t make an appearance to back up and be by old Reggie Pepper’s side. Instead, we get Voules, Reggie's disloyal and opportunistic valet . This is not a problem, though, as Reggie and company all come out of the jam unscathed.
My not finishing the book has nothing to do with the writing style or anything like that; but with my reading slump and my impatience for the book to reveal its mystery. Once I am back in a binge-reading kind of mood, I will definitely revisit this one.
My not finishing the book has nothing to do with the writing style or anything like that; but with my reading slump and my impatience for the book to reveal its mystery. Once I am back in a binge-reading kind of mood, I will definitely revisit this one.
This was a nicely paced, cute little mystery. You’ll probably guess who the killer is pretty early on, but the down-to-earth characters and how their relationships develop, is worth the read.
This was a nicely paced, cute little mystery. You’ll probably guess who the killer is pretty early on, but the down-to-earth characters and how their relationships develop, is worth the read.
Not my usual type of read, but I am so glad I read it. This was such a sweet, feel-good romance. It took me back to the sappy 80s films of my youth. The biggest take aways from Alice and Charlie’s love story:
“Trust and friendship come first.”
“Don’t let wounds fester. It only gets harder to repair them.”
“Nothing lasts forever…that’s why you should grab onto whatever makes you happy now and hold on for as long as you can. Life’s short.”
“Falling in love is terrifying.” But when you are certain that you and your partner are a seamless fit, it’s like “…sunshine shimmering over the water…a permanent summer.”
Not my usual type of read, but I am so glad I read it. This was such a sweet, feel-good romance. It took me back to the sappy 80s films of my youth. The biggest take aways from Alice and Charlie’s love story:
“Trust and friendship come first.”
“Don’t let wounds fester. It only gets harder to repair them.”
“Nothing lasts forever…that’s why you should grab onto whatever makes you happy now and hold on for as long as you can. Life’s short.”
“Falling in love is terrifying.” But when you are certain that you and your partner are a seamless fit, it’s like “…sunshine shimmering over the water…a permanent summer.”
Still processing what I want to say about this book, but cannot find the words. I think this is going to be one of those books I read again from time to time. Backman has a knack for honing in on the human condition and he tackles its complexities with just the right amount of sarcasm, respect, humor and sensitivity.
At the heart of the story are a bunch of strangers. Most seem too into their own concerns to give anyone else another thought; they almost seem self-centered. One unintentional mistake caused by one of them gets the group to slowly open up and share their own flaws and fears; and in discovering that common ground, they band together to help make that unintentional mistake disappear. “That was why you should always be nice to other people, even idiots, because you never know how heavy their burden is.”
Think of this as the adult version of that 80s movie, The Breakfast Club (only written better and way more witty).
How the author manages to pack so much feeling one minute and have you giggling the next is pure art. And most everything he writes is quotable. I found myself highlighting almost every other line. One on loss hit much too close to home: “He was my echo. Everything I do is quieter now.”
This was an amazing read, paired with the audiobook. As mentioned above, some of the characters will come across as overbearing in their self-centeredness. Reading alone may turn you off to the character, but if you pair your reading with the audiobook, the narrator’s tones and inflections will help you make friends with them.
If ever you feel like you’re the only one going through something rough, read a little Backman. He gets you, and his writing is like a big warm hug. “That’s the power of literature, you know, it can act like little love letters between people who can only explain their feelings by pointing at other people’s.”
Still processing what I want to say about this book, but cannot find the words. I think this is going to be one of those books I read again from time to time. Backman has a knack for honing in on the human condition and he tackles its complexities with just the right amount of sarcasm, respect, humor and sensitivity.
At the heart of the story are a bunch of strangers. Most seem too into their own concerns to give anyone else another thought; they almost seem self-centered. One unintentional mistake caused by one of them gets the group to slowly open up and share their own flaws and fears; and in discovering that common ground, they band together to help make that unintentional mistake disappear. “That was why you should always be nice to other people, even idiots, because you never know how heavy their burden is.”
Think of this as the adult version of that 80s movie, The Breakfast Club (only written better and way more witty).
How the author manages to pack so much feeling one minute and have you giggling the next is pure art. And most everything he writes is quotable. I found myself highlighting almost every other line. One on loss hit much too close to home: “He was my echo. Everything I do is quieter now.”
This was an amazing read, paired with the audiobook. As mentioned above, some of the characters will come across as overbearing in their self-centeredness. Reading alone may turn you off to the character, but if you pair your reading with the audiobook, the narrator’s tones and inflections will help you make friends with them.
If ever you feel like you’re the only one going through something rough, read a little Backman. He gets you, and his writing is like a big warm hug. “That’s the power of literature, you know, it can act like little love letters between people who can only explain their feelings by pointing at other people’s.”
“You left under different circumstances, bad times, or tougher times. It’s OK to have changed. People grow. Sometimes they outgrow their environment and need a bigger one to continue that growth.”
A fun little read about a young man who has traveled a long distance and has taken a lot of beatings to find himself, his purpose, and friends who feel like home. The writing wasn’t the greatest - some parts felt rushed, others dragged a bit, but the heart of the story is there.
“You left under different circumstances, bad times, or tougher times. It’s OK to have changed. People grow. Sometimes they outgrow their environment and need a bigger one to continue that growth.”
A fun little read about a young man who has traveled a long distance and has taken a lot of beatings to find himself, his purpose, and friends who feel like home. The writing wasn’t the greatest - some parts felt rushed, others dragged a bit, but the heart of the story is there.
Updated a reading goal:
Read 16 books by December 31, 2025
Progress so far: 25 / 16 156%
Easy and quick read. I was expecting a lot more about the history of idioms: more historical tracking, their evolution through time, and examples of earliest times they were ever used. The author does provide the earliest use of some of the phrases. In most cases, he refers to who first coined the phrase and where it can be found, leaving the reader to pause and Google.
This book reads as a grammar or early middle school reference. The passages are short and concise and a good jumping-off point for those who like to dig deeper and explore a subject further. It’d make a fun read for reluctant readers as passages are very short, and it’d be equally as enjoyable for the ones who are always asking, “why?” It also makes for a nice palate cleanser in between more serious reads. I especially liked the little “Did You Know” blurbs the author included at the end of each of the chapters, like these two:
“There’s a 107-acre forest made up of a single tree. The “Trembling Giant” in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest includes over 47,000 quaking aspen trees that share the same root system. Some scientists estimate it’s close to a million years old.”
“The deepest mail box in the world is in a small Japanese fishing town called Susami, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s an old-school red mailbox that’s located thirty-two feet (ten meters) under water, and divers often place waterproof letters there and they are then collected in regular intervals. The mailbox is quite active, as it receives one to five thousand pieces of mail annually.”
Easy and quick read. I was expecting a lot more about the history of idioms: more historical tracking, their evolution through time, and examples of earliest times they were ever used. The author does provide the earliest use of some of the phrases. In most cases, he refers to who first coined the phrase and where it can be found, leaving the reader to pause and Google.
This book reads as a grammar or early middle school reference. The passages are short and concise and a good jumping-off point for those who like to dig deeper and explore a subject further. It’d make a fun read for reluctant readers as passages are very short, and it’d be equally as enjoyable for the ones who are always asking, “why?” It also makes for a nice palate cleanser in between more serious reads. I especially liked the little “Did You Know” blurbs the author included at the end of each of the chapters, like these two:
“There’s a 107-acre forest made up of a single tree. The “Trembling Giant” in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest includes over 47,000 quaking aspen trees that share the same root system. Some scientists estimate it’s close to a million years old.”
“The deepest mail box in the world is in a small Japanese fishing town called Susami, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s an old-school red mailbox that’s located thirty-two feet (ten meters) under water, and divers often place waterproof letters there and they are then collected in regular intervals. The mailbox is quite active, as it receives one to five thousand pieces of mail annually.”
Girl
A short paragraph in which a mom tells her daughter what to do and how to act in every situation you can think of (how to keep house, how to wash herself, how to please a man, how to smile at people she likes, and those she doesn’t). Basically, mom is shaping her daughter to not think for herself. And with what mom says about daughter, I’m guessing she’s shaping daughter to have a hefty dose of low self-esteem to boot. The daughter only says two quick things in the whole passage, one of which is to protest against one of mom’s assumptions about her, and mom keeps shooting off orders without skipping a beat. Different times. Different cultures. Same cringe when I see women (or anyone, really) continue to support this ideology. You can read it for free here:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1978/06/26/girl
A short paragraph in which a mom tells her daughter what to do and how to act in every situation you can think of (how to keep house, how to wash herself, how to please a man, how to smile at people she likes, and those she doesn’t). Basically, mom is shaping her daughter to not think for herself. And with what mom says about daughter, I’m guessing she’s shaping daughter to have a hefty dose of low self-esteem to boot. The daughter only says two quick things in the whole passage, one of which is to protest against one of mom’s assumptions about her, and mom keeps shooting off orders without skipping a beat. Different times. Different cultures. Same cringe when I see women (or anyone, really) continue to support this ideology. You can read it for free here:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1978/06/26/girl
I love looking at old photographs, especially black and white ones. I wonder what the story behind the photos is. Who the people pictured are and how their lives turned out.
The author of this book started collecting photos at a young age. His grandparents would drag him to all kinds of garage sales and flea markets, and that’s where his hobby began. What first fascinated him is that photos of perfect strangers are even sold at all. Then he came across a photo of a girl who looked like the one he had a crush on at summer camp. He bought it and kept it and didn’t buy another random photo for another 15 years, when he removed the little cardboard frame from the photo of the girl to discover that her name was Dorothy, aged 15, who died of leukemia.
Those little written captions in the stranger’s life touched him, and he began to search for more photos with writing on them. The rest of the book is just that—photos of the past. Some are happy, others are sad, and some are plain goofy. There’s nothing super amazing about this book. But if you like looking through old photos this book will fit the bill. It’s peaceful and relaxing and will make you want to treasure your personal photos a bit more.
I love looking at old photographs, especially black and white ones. I wonder what the story behind the photos is. Who the people pictured are and how their lives turned out.
The author of this book started collecting photos at a young age. His grandparents would drag him to all kinds of garage sales and flea markets, and that’s where his hobby began. What first fascinated him is that photos of perfect strangers are even sold at all. Then he came across a photo of a girl who looked like the one he had a crush on at summer camp. He bought it and kept it and didn’t buy another random photo for another 15 years, when he removed the little cardboard frame from the photo of the girl to discover that her name was Dorothy, aged 15, who died of leukemia.
Those little written captions in the stranger’s life touched him, and he began to search for more photos with writing on them. The rest of the book is just that—photos of the past. Some are happy, others are sad, and some are plain goofy. There’s nothing super amazing about this book. But if you like looking through old photos this book will fit the bill. It’s peaceful and relaxing and will make you want to treasure your personal photos a bit more.