Miriam

I really hate the star system for these kinds of books.

I'm not sure how to review this book. It's not the great American novel, but I see the potential. Franzen is no slouch but the novel suffered from too much observation (if astute) and not enough edge. It's like Franzen can recognize the issues but is to close to comment on them effectively (usefully?). I recognized myself and my generation but was neither affirmed (not a bad thing) or challenged.

woot! This really fun.

It stayed pretty fun, but I hate backstory (especially extended backstory), so that was a bummer. But Harkaway writes well, and I like his point of view. I'm not unhappy I read it. As per usual, my 15 year old thought it rocked – “Awesome and Horrific. All at the same time.”

It was o.k. I laughed a couple of times and I mostly wasn't bored. I'll read another.

3.5 really with a crap load of reservations, but there was lots to like about this novel so I'm bumping it up rather than down. Give me a week and I could change my mind.

I was too old for this book. Plus that much Google love has to be unhealthy. But it was sweet and my 14 year old loved it.

I've been avoiding this book. I shouldn't have because it is freaking compulsive. I'll see you all in about 900 pages . . .

3.5 stars. I listened to this novel and loved the narrator and much of the novel but he goes to big (environmental destruction, disaster, politics, culture, body farms) and then can't quite pull it together in the end. His narrative frame didn't work. Although the tone was really consistent and it was a great listen. I'd happily recommend it to others.

It was fun rooting against her: horrible, horrible woman that she was. Lars don't do it!! Watch out Rena! Adrianna tell her nothing!

The mystery was boring, but the book was still fun and I liked Felix.

I'm working through the entire series, and this one is the strongest. I'd give it 3.5 stars if possible.

I read this as we travelled up from Scottsdale through Flagstaff, by the Grand Canyon (we did stop to gawk), through Monument Valley and the Valley of the Gods, over the pass at Butte as it snowed (roads to Yellowstone were closed because of snow), and I finished it today as we drove around the edges of the Black Hills (Theodore Roosevelt National Park). A perfect read for a rather glorious car trip.

I'm not familiar with Lawson's blog, but I was crying with laughter on the plane.

Hmmmm. Not sure what I think about this one.

Finch seems to be a lovely man, and his wife is super fabulous (said non-ironically), but it wasn't was I expected. There is too much padding. I think I would have enjoyed the New Yorker article though. That said, as someone who is neurotypical-ish herself, I did enjoy reading a book from the point of view of someone who does not the norm. There are not enough of those kind of books. So 3 starts for that.

I liked much of it, but I'm really allergic to books that foreshadow, flash-forward and then back-fill. I get it as a story telling device, and I understand that people enjoy it, but it drives me bug shit.

Extremely tight, well plotted and thoughtful post-apocalypse novel.

My 11 year old loved this and the other two in this trilogy about Twig. I obviously don't read enough YA because I'm largely impatient with it (more to follow when I finish reading it), but the illustrations help a lot.

I thought this a rather odd book, but in the end we all rather enjoyed it.

I haven't read any Barnes since I was blown away by A History of the World in 10.5 Chapters, so maybe this isn't as good as his others, but I was blown away by it.

The first half was 5 stars. The last half, particularly after the first half, was 2. So I evened it out. It was disappointing because Fagen is an almost great character limited by a fabulous conceit that isn't allowed to spin out. That said, it was a quick and engaging read.

4 stars for now, but I'm still dealing with the last 30 pages. I am increasingly bothered by Ondaatje's almost over-the-top romanticism. He writes beautifully, and his ability to create space with words reminds me how much he loves film (and I suspect would like to create some himself), but he's almost Spielbergian in his privileging of sentimentality, adventure and love. Plus I'm kind of pissed at a deus ex machina that is first excused by a “I couldn't help myself, I'm a writer” and then when he can make it work – doesn't. I'm sure he has his narrative reasons, which others will point out, but it sure pissed me off.

I'm still letting this one settle, because although I enjoyed it greatly, I think it could have been sharper and I'm trying to figure out how. But I really like Endicott's examination of women's lives. She does it deliberately, and while she doesn't have Atwood's bite, she's willing to show the warts. This novels explores a 3 sister vaudeville act, who travel the mostly Canadian Vaudville scene (Winnipeg's Pantages, Orpheum and Walker theatre figure at one point). Women don't have it particularly easy in that world, but Endicott doesn't let us forget that the men have their own struggles.

Smashing great read. The boys and I had gas with it. If I'd read it alone I'd have more quibbles, but as a read aloud it was perfect.

Fun, safe, and kind of quirky. I can see why my 10 year old liked it.

I really enjoyed about 80% of this book. I don't want to spoil it for others, but the ending was one hot mess. And one scene near the end made me question the rest. But Addis Abba was vivid and interesting, and Ghosh was a lovely character.