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srosen930's reviews
81 reviews
Love, Kurt: The Vonnegut Love Letters, 1941-1945 by Kurt Vonnegut
1.0
I want to say that I am obsessed with Kurt Vonnegut and love his writing. Anyone who knows me can vouche for me. But I had so many problems with this book.
At first, I thought it amusing because the reader could hear Kurt’s tone of voice clearly through the letters he wrote his first wife. But, a lot of the letters didn’t make much sense to me because it was just Kurt’s letters published and not Jane’s. So, we’re really only getting like half the story and it takes a lot of work to piece everything together.
Also, I feel like Edith (their daughter) has some unresolved issues with Kurt. She has painted Kurt in a kinda negative light that diminished his accomplishments. You could tell that she didn’t take the divorce very well, which is totally understandable. Divorce is so hard on the children of the couple that breaks up. However, this book felt like some sort of sinister payback to Kurt by publicly displaying a lot of deeply personal letters Kurt wrote that was only meant for Jane (and not for us). This book seems like it was a money grab and a way for Edith to throw some shade at a defenseless and deceased author.
I wouldn’t recommend this book.
At first, I thought it amusing because the reader could hear Kurt’s tone of voice clearly through the letters he wrote his first wife. But, a lot of the letters didn’t make much sense to me because it was just Kurt’s letters published and not Jane’s. So, we’re really only getting like half the story and it takes a lot of work to piece everything together.
Also, I feel like Edith (their daughter) has some unresolved issues with Kurt. She has painted Kurt in a kinda negative light that diminished his accomplishments. You could tell that she didn’t take the divorce very well, which is totally understandable. Divorce is so hard on the children of the couple that breaks up. However, this book felt like some sort of sinister payback to Kurt by publicly displaying a lot of deeply personal letters Kurt wrote that was only meant for Jane (and not for us). This book seems like it was a money grab and a way for Edith to throw some shade at a defenseless and deceased author.
I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Kiss Kiss by Roald Dahl
4.0
3.5 Stars
I loved reading Dahl's short stories...very poignant, yet sharp writing style. He is concise and knows how to get to the heart of the matter without extraneous details.
The stories were hit or miss here. Not full of action, but full of good imagery and descriptions and character development. Sometimes got a little bored reading through them, but there were also some really good stories too. There are some characters that you'll loathe and want the bad things that are coming to them. Some characters you feel bad for, but are the product of the time period.
It was an entertaining read.
I loved reading Dahl's short stories...very poignant, yet sharp writing style. He is concise and knows how to get to the heart of the matter without extraneous details.
The stories were hit or miss here. Not full of action, but full of good imagery and descriptions and character development. Sometimes got a little bored reading through them, but there were also some really good stories too. There are some characters that you'll loathe and want the bad things that are coming to them. Some characters you feel bad for, but are the product of the time period.
It was an entertaining read.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
3.0
My thanks for the advance copy that was provided for my honest and unbiased review.
I went into this book on an ultimate high of LOVING "House in the Cerulean Sea" based on Klune's smart wit, touching sentiments, dialogue, and lovely characters. Coming into this book with that mindset made me somewhat disappointed in this book. It still had the elements listed above (and some of them were still well executed), but some of it felt diluted to me.
The main character, Wallace, is a cutthroat executive who died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Readers are then brought through death's 'waystation' as we meet a layperson and a reaper and a couple of ghosts. We are shown what happens right after a human dies, how people can react to the news of their death, and that life still happens after people die.
Certainly, there were really heartfelt, touching, and emotional moments throughout the novel. However, the plot seemed a little drawn out and could have been cut down a little bit. I won't spoil anything, but I found that the end stretched further than my suspension of disbelief could go. I thought there were some cop outs written at the end of the book just so the story could be tied all together and make a happy, satisfying ending.
However, the humor was still there and the plot is definitely an interesting one. I still love Klune and think he is a fantastic author. I'd still recommend this book to fans, but I wouldnt want to keep reader's hopes up that this book will meet/exceed the beauty of his previous novel.
I went into this book on an ultimate high of LOVING "House in the Cerulean Sea" based on Klune's smart wit, touching sentiments, dialogue, and lovely characters. Coming into this book with that mindset made me somewhat disappointed in this book. It still had the elements listed above (and some of them were still well executed), but some of it felt diluted to me.
The main character, Wallace, is a cutthroat executive who died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Readers are then brought through death's 'waystation' as we meet a layperson and a reaper and a couple of ghosts. We are shown what happens right after a human dies, how people can react to the news of their death, and that life still happens after people die.
Certainly, there were really heartfelt, touching, and emotional moments throughout the novel. However, the plot seemed a little drawn out and could have been cut down a little bit. I won't spoil anything, but I found that the end stretched further than my suspension of disbelief could go. I thought there were some cop outs written at the end of the book just so the story could be tied all together and make a happy, satisfying ending.
However, the humor was still there and the plot is definitely an interesting one. I still love Klune and think he is a fantastic author. I'd still recommend this book to fans, but I wouldnt want to keep reader's hopes up that this book will meet/exceed the beauty of his previous novel.
Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson
4.0
“The World is hard; you have to be harder”
Such an imaginative magical realism book. Some of the fantastical parts really come unexpectedly and take you by surprise. The most intriguing aspect of the book is the dialogue and how…cynical and sarcastic the characters talk with each other.
If you love magical realism, you would love this book. It does have some disturbing images/scenes (which is more disturbing than I would think a YA novel to have, but what do I know).
The characters all have their flaws and some have redemptive qualities. But mostly all the characters will make you mad at one point in the book. But I think that is honest characterization.
Such an imaginative magical realism book. Some of the fantastical parts really come unexpectedly and take you by surprise. The most intriguing aspect of the book is the dialogue and how…cynical and sarcastic the characters talk with each other.
If you love magical realism, you would love this book. It does have some disturbing images/scenes (which is more disturbing than I would think a YA novel to have, but what do I know).
The characters all have their flaws and some have redemptive qualities. But mostly all the characters will make you mad at one point in the book. But I think that is honest characterization.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
4.0
3.5 Stars
I thought this book did a fine job making the reader feel a bit revitalized about motivation and digging yourself out from a rut. Matt is a very empathetic author that can expertly write about the human condition. He's not afraid to write about the aspects in life we all try to hide in order to maintain the status quo. Especially in this book, he is not afraid to "go there."
Sometimes, the mechanics/way the whole "purgatory" system works can feel like the rules are made up along the way just to purposely make things harder for Nora and add to the drama.
However, I did feel for the character and sympathized with her. I thought it was a decent read. This book was definitely hyped, and I totally understand why it was. It was a good read.
I thought this book did a fine job making the reader feel a bit revitalized about motivation and digging yourself out from a rut. Matt is a very empathetic author that can expertly write about the human condition. He's not afraid to write about the aspects in life we all try to hide in order to maintain the status quo. Especially in this book, he is not afraid to "go there."
Sometimes, the mechanics/way the whole "purgatory" system works can feel like the rules are made up along the way just to purposely make things harder for Nora and add to the drama.
However, I did feel for the character and sympathized with her. I thought it was a decent read. This book was definitely hyped, and I totally understand why it was. It was a good read.
Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker
3.0
I thought this book had noble intentions with trying to introduce a whole bunch of theories and concepts relating to being queer in modern times. A lot of these concepts have definitely started important lines of thinking for me, especially in terms of not viewing the world with an essentialist and determinist view.
However, this was a LOT of information and can be quite overwhelming. This graphic novel read more like an encyclopedia rather than a story. The layout of the book followed as such: an intro to a major topic, brief explanation, and graphics with a visualization (either meant to elaborate on the topic/reinforce). It was hard for me to grasp such important information without having those important concepts included in a story or narrative. But, everyone has their own learning style, this book may not be mine.
However, this was a LOT of information and can be quite overwhelming. This graphic novel read more like an encyclopedia rather than a story. The layout of the book followed as such: an intro to a major topic, brief explanation, and graphics with a visualization (either meant to elaborate on the topic/reinforce). It was hard for me to grasp such important information without having those important concepts included in a story or narrative. But, everyone has their own learning style, this book may not be mine.
Cyclopedia Exotica by Aminder Dhaliwal
5.0
What a terrific book to recommend. This GN is about the lived experiences of people who classify as any part of a minority (i.e. race, sexuality, religion, etc.). Minorities are represented by having one eye in a world where having 2 eyes are the norm. These one eyed creatures are called 'cyclops.'
This is an extremely engaging read and has amazing characters and stories. It's extremely quick to get through as well. The animation is fantastic. I don't think I have one bad thing to say about this book. I thought the humor was great. There are a bunch of kernels of truths everywhere in this book. The experiences of the cyclops in this book are relevant and happening right now in our world.
This is an extremely engaging read and has amazing characters and stories. It's extremely quick to get through as well. The animation is fantastic. I don't think I have one bad thing to say about this book. I thought the humor was great. There are a bunch of kernels of truths everywhere in this book. The experiences of the cyclops in this book are relevant and happening right now in our world.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
1.0
I couldn’t finish the book. I came in really wanting to read it, but I thought it was dry and boring tbh.
Not a lot really happened. Very very wordy and the book could have been condensed. Some of the flashbacks were really unnecessary. I found the characters to be a bit one dimensional.
Not a lot really happened. Very very wordy and the book could have been condensed. Some of the flashbacks were really unnecessary. I found the characters to be a bit one dimensional.