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theresidentbookworm's reviews
1765 reviews
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
5.0
I have to admit that I was startled by how much I genuinely enjoyed The Things They Carried. When I skimmed the back before the semester started, I rolled my eyes and thought to myself that this was such a guy novel, a war story that I couldn't possibly enjoy. I was relieved when it was the last book we were set to read for the semester (and for us seniors in high school). Now I can only think to myself what a spectacular way to go out, reading The Things They Carried.
The fundamental mistake I and probably many other readers made going into The Things They Carried was assuming that it is a war story. It is not. Don't misunderstand me. It is a startling, raw look at the Vietnam War, nothing like I've ever read in history books or fiction. Tim O'Brien breathes life into his narrative, painting a vivid picture of the war many people of my generation overlook. I will never forget that picture. Despite its vivid depiction of war, however, The Things They Carried is not a novel about war. It is a novel about loss, love, friendship, guilt, and the purpose of the stories we tell.
Tim O'Brien masterfully weaves together a collection of stories to a narrative that jumps back and forth in time. O'Brien himself appears in some of these stories, blurring the line between fact and fiction. This not only leads an air of mystery to what is true and what isn't, a central theme in the novel, but O'Brien including himself as a character also allows us to have a greater connection to the characters in the novel. His portrayal of war and guilt is gritty and honest and frankly heartbreaking. It isn't a novel easily forgotten.
Though it does deal with war in a honest way, The Things They Carried is sprinkled with sparks of light: stories being told and exaggerated in the squad, a soldier bringing his girlfriend over to Vietnam, and Curt Lemon dressing up for Halloween. The novel, amongst other things, can be very funny. O'Brien himself does not choose to wallow in the past. Rather, he feel liberated by telling his stories, fact or fiction. He begins the last story in the novel, " “But this too is true: stories can save us.” He couldn't be more right.
Do yourself a favor and make The Things They Carried one of the novels you read this year whether you read hundred or just ten. You will not regret it.
The fundamental mistake I and probably many other readers made going into The Things They Carried was assuming that it is a war story. It is not. Don't misunderstand me. It is a startling, raw look at the Vietnam War, nothing like I've ever read in history books or fiction. Tim O'Brien breathes life into his narrative, painting a vivid picture of the war many people of my generation overlook. I will never forget that picture. Despite its vivid depiction of war, however, The Things They Carried is not a novel about war. It is a novel about loss, love, friendship, guilt, and the purpose of the stories we tell.
Tim O'Brien masterfully weaves together a collection of stories to a narrative that jumps back and forth in time. O'Brien himself appears in some of these stories, blurring the line between fact and fiction. This not only leads an air of mystery to what is true and what isn't, a central theme in the novel, but O'Brien including himself as a character also allows us to have a greater connection to the characters in the novel. His portrayal of war and guilt is gritty and honest and frankly heartbreaking. It isn't a novel easily forgotten.
Though it does deal with war in a honest way, The Things They Carried is sprinkled with sparks of light: stories being told and exaggerated in the squad, a soldier bringing his girlfriend over to Vietnam, and Curt Lemon dressing up for Halloween. The novel, amongst other things, can be very funny. O'Brien himself does not choose to wallow in the past. Rather, he feel liberated by telling his stories, fact or fiction. He begins the last story in the novel, " “But this too is true: stories can save us.” He couldn't be more right.
Do yourself a favor and make The Things They Carried one of the novels you read this year whether you read hundred or just ten. You will not regret it.
Pears on a Willow Tree by Leslie Pietrzyk
3.0
One thing that set Pears on a Willow Tree from all of the other books we've read in 20th Century Lit for me was the fact that it was set largely in Detroit, which I am from. I've never read a novel like it before, one that used the city and the community without that being the certain issue of the novel. I loved reading on and seeing little things that are (to be totally cheesy) Pure Michigan featured: Vernors, the Tigers, etc.
I felt more connected to this novel and these characters than any of the other novels I've read this semester despite its faults. I could identify with Ginger, who just wanted to leave the bleak city behind for somewhere brighter and better, because people raised near and in Detroit usually respond one of two ways: they stay forever or they leave as soon as they can. There is no third option, not in Michigan. Detroit is not a metropolitan. I've only ever seen it dying. Moving away from my personal basis, I thought the narratives were woven together nicely, and I enjoyed getting into each character's head. I did feel like it got confusing keep the whole family straight, and certain plot lines were picked up and dropped far too easily. I was left with more questions than answers by the end of Pears on a Willow Tree, and I didn't like that.
Overall, however, the four women at the heart of this novel captured my attention and earned my sympathy, and I could not help but marvel at their strength and love. Perhaps the novel could've been tweaked here and there, the reason for the three star rating, to make it more cohesive, but I did appreciate a book that so honestly portrayed Detroit and the people that come from there without being cliche. Definitely recommended for metro-Detroit natives!
I felt more connected to this novel and these characters than any of the other novels I've read this semester despite its faults. I could identify with Ginger, who just wanted to leave the bleak city behind for somewhere brighter and better, because people raised near and in Detroit usually respond one of two ways: they stay forever or they leave as soon as they can. There is no third option, not in Michigan. Detroit is not a metropolitan. I've only ever seen it dying. Moving away from my personal basis, I thought the narratives were woven together nicely, and I enjoyed getting into each character's head. I did feel like it got confusing keep the whole family straight, and certain plot lines were picked up and dropped far too easily. I was left with more questions than answers by the end of Pears on a Willow Tree, and I didn't like that.
Overall, however, the four women at the heart of this novel captured my attention and earned my sympathy, and I could not help but marvel at their strength and love. Perhaps the novel could've been tweaked here and there, the reason for the three star rating, to make it more cohesive, but I did appreciate a book that so honestly portrayed Detroit and the people that come from there without being cliche. Definitely recommended for metro-Detroit natives!
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
4.0
A Review in a Sentence
This book was one of the few highlights of my first semester of college.
This book was one of the few highlights of my first semester of college.
The Anatomy of Being by Shinji Moon
5.0
I used to be a reader that couldn't stand poetry. I would always say, "Why don't they just say what they mean?" At 13, 14, 15, I just couldn't understand the point of poetry. Now, at almost 19, I can appreciate it. Now I know that sometimes you just don't have the words for what you want to say or even know what you mean. Poetry is there to express what you can't just plainly say. It makes you dig inside your heart, your brain, and figure it out. When I read poetry now (good poetry, at least), a few lines or even a whole poem will jump out at me and rattle my bones. Sometimes it makes me laugh, and sometimes it makes me pause and think. Age (and listening to Dear Hank and John, the Green brothers' comedy podcast that isn't really a comedy podcast but does always feature a short poem) has taught me how to appreciate poetry. Shinji Moon's first poetry collection The Anatomy of Being, however, has taught me how to properly love it.
What I really love about The Anatomy of Being is that it is honest in a way you can only be about love and life when you're 19. This is clearly poetry by someone who has been young and in love and heartbroken and put back together. Her verse is fresh and beautiful and honest in a way that is never mean. I liked how the collection was split up into four chapters, each with a general theme related to the body: skin, bone, flesh, and the soul. I did like the poems more in the third and fourth chapters of the collection, but I starred poems all throughout the book. I don't believe there's any wrong way to read poetry, but I like to star the poems I like so I can go back to them later. Some of my favorites included Parenthetical Love, This Is What Distance Does, What It Took to Understand, and Here is What Our Parents Never Taught Us. It was just a stellar collection overall though. I highly recommended The Anatomy of Being for anyone who loves contemporary poetry or someone who is looking for a way into poetry. I'm glad to have this as my first book of the year.
What I really love about The Anatomy of Being is that it is honest in a way you can only be about love and life when you're 19. This is clearly poetry by someone who has been young and in love and heartbroken and put back together. Her verse is fresh and beautiful and honest in a way that is never mean. I liked how the collection was split up into four chapters, each with a general theme related to the body: skin, bone, flesh, and the soul. I did like the poems more in the third and fourth chapters of the collection, but I starred poems all throughout the book. I don't believe there's any wrong way to read poetry, but I like to star the poems I like so I can go back to them later. Some of my favorites included Parenthetical Love, This Is What Distance Does, What It Took to Understand, and Here is What Our Parents Never Taught Us. It was just a stellar collection overall though. I highly recommended The Anatomy of Being for anyone who loves contemporary poetry or someone who is looking for a way into poetry. I'm glad to have this as my first book of the year.
A Working Girl Can't Win: And Other Poems by Deborah Garrison
2.0
A Working Girl Can't Win is probably a poem collection that would sit on Carrie Bradshaw's bookshelf. It just had such a Sex and the City feel to it. There were maybe one or two poems I found witty or interesting, but the word I would use to describe most of them is vapid. Vapid and shallow. Not much deep digging was done here. I like my poetry to think and feel, and I just don't think Garrison did that here. Not recommended!
Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings
3.0
After taking Women in Bible, I became very interested in interpretations and retellings of all the stories of women I had grown to admire. Because, while there are strong women (Judith, Esther, Ruth, etc.) with wonderful stories in the Bible, they are the minority in the books of the Bible. You also have the fact that men did write the Bible so you're missing small details and things a woman would include that a man wouldn't. Many of the stories leave you wanting for detail and what exactly happens next. Thus, retellings...
I've read a really good Esther retelling (First Date by Krista McGee, check it out!), and I was hoping to find a really good Ruth one. Sixty Acres and a Bride is good not great. Rosa is charming and relatable, but Weston was one brooding a-hole. It was hard to get close to him or understand why Rosa liked him. Boaz in the original story is a good, kind but strong man who always takes care of Ruth. Weston did not seem to make Rosa's life any easier. There was just too much distance and awkwardness for this love story to be believable. Also, the novel should have ended at least 50 pages before it did. The retelling veered off from the original story completely with the last 50 pages. The ending bought some redemption, but mostly you were left unsatisfied. That is not how I like my Bible retellings. I like them romantic and fun and emotional wrapped into one convenient package. Sixty Acres and a Bride just falls short a bit. Oh well... If anyone finds a good Ruth retelling, let me know! Meanwhile, skip this one!
I've read a really good Esther retelling (First Date by Krista McGee, check it out!), and I was hoping to find a really good Ruth one. Sixty Acres and a Bride is good not great. Rosa is charming and relatable, but Weston was one brooding a-hole. It was hard to get close to him or understand why Rosa liked him. Boaz in the original story is a good, kind but strong man who always takes care of Ruth. Weston did not seem to make Rosa's life any easier. There was just too much distance and awkwardness for this love story to be believable. Also, the novel should have ended at least 50 pages before it did. The retelling veered off from the original story completely with the last 50 pages. The ending bought some redemption, but mostly you were left unsatisfied. That is not how I like my Bible retellings. I like them romantic and fun and emotional wrapped into one convenient package. Sixty Acres and a Bride just falls short a bit. Oh well... If anyone finds a good Ruth retelling, let me know! Meanwhile, skip this one!
There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
5.0
I have to start this review by praising my best friend in the whole wide world, G. Not only is she smart, hilarious, and always willing to put up with my many moods, but she also gives me the best books to read! I gave her the first two Delirium books (plus the Delirium short stories book), and she gave me this and two other Jenny B. Jones books. I can't wait to start the other ones.
Usually I am the biggest opponent of Christian literature. I am Catholic and proud of it, but I don't like my religion diminishing my literature. Often in Christian lit, the religious aspect takes over the story, making cheesy, overblown, and something I don't want to read. I think one of the trickiest things a writer can do is take a strong stance on God in their work. Faith is easy enough, but when you get specifically into God it gets hard. I was impressed with how Jenny B. Jones has worked it in.
This is not just Christian lit. This is a great young adult read. It's fun and witty and has everything you need for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Finley is a kickass narrator. She is strong and witty and stubborn and so realistically flawed. She's a girl trying to hold her life together, trying to find God again. I can sympathize with her on that. It's easy to lose Him. She lost her older brother and is still working through that grief, deciding to be a foreign exchange student in the Irish town he did it at. I loved the Ireland setting. I read a review that said it was necessary and the whole story could've just occurred at home, and I was ready to slap said reviewer. I do like how going away to Ireland did not magically solve her problems. Her grief came with her, and unlike many other stories that chose to go the other route, this is true to life. Finley's problems followed her to Ireland.
Beckett Rush is probably one of the most swoon-worthy boys I've ever encountered in YA. He ranks up there with Dexter from This Lullaby and Augustus in The Fault in Our Stars. He was just so... *annoying fan girl sigh* I tried to avoid mental Twilight comparisons because that would've diminished his hotness. Not a big Robert Pattinson fan. Beckett and Finley just worked well together. Their back and forth banter was hilarious and often had me chuckling and obsessively rereading the best lines. They were good together, but I again like how Jones kept it real and didn't have love solve all of Finley's problems because it couldn't and it can't. Beckett offers excellent support to Finley and is awesome for caring so much, but ultimately the solution to Finley's grief and anger is not with him. It's with God.
There You'll Find Me is everything I never thought Christian literature could be: sharp, funny, insightful, and true to what life really is. I totally recommend! I'm eager to delve into the other two Jenny B. Jones books my friend lent me. Shout out to G for her awesome recommendation.
Usually I am the biggest opponent of Christian literature. I am Catholic and proud of it, but I don't like my religion diminishing my literature. Often in Christian lit, the religious aspect takes over the story, making cheesy, overblown, and something I don't want to read. I think one of the trickiest things a writer can do is take a strong stance on God in their work. Faith is easy enough, but when you get specifically into God it gets hard. I was impressed with how Jenny B. Jones has worked it in.
This is not just Christian lit. This is a great young adult read. It's fun and witty and has everything you need for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Finley is a kickass narrator. She is strong and witty and stubborn and so realistically flawed. She's a girl trying to hold her life together, trying to find God again. I can sympathize with her on that. It's easy to lose Him. She lost her older brother and is still working through that grief, deciding to be a foreign exchange student in the Irish town he did it at. I loved the Ireland setting. I read a review that said it was necessary and the whole story could've just occurred at home, and I was ready to slap said reviewer. I do like how going away to Ireland did not magically solve her problems. Her grief came with her, and unlike many other stories that chose to go the other route, this is true to life. Finley's problems followed her to Ireland.
Beckett Rush is probably one of the most swoon-worthy boys I've ever encountered in YA. He ranks up there with Dexter from This Lullaby and Augustus in The Fault in Our Stars. He was just so... *annoying fan girl sigh* I tried to avoid mental Twilight comparisons because that would've diminished his hotness. Not a big Robert Pattinson fan. Beckett and Finley just worked well together. Their back and forth banter was hilarious and often had me chuckling and obsessively rereading the best lines. They were good together, but I again like how Jones kept it real and didn't have love solve all of Finley's problems because it couldn't and it can't. Beckett offers excellent support to Finley and is awesome for caring so much, but ultimately the solution to Finley's grief and anger is not with him. It's with God.
There You'll Find Me is everything I never thought Christian literature could be: sharp, funny, insightful, and true to what life really is. I totally recommend! I'm eager to delve into the other two Jenny B. Jones books my friend lent me. Shout out to G for her awesome recommendation.
Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God by Jenny B. Jones
3.0
Coming off of two amazing Jones books, I was very disappointed in Just Between You and Me. It got three stars only because her trademark wit and talent for not veering into the cliche was still present here. Here's a list of my problems.
1. I didn't see how it was fair for Maggie's dad to just call her up out of the blue and demand she come take care of his niece. If they don't get along, Maggie could've just said, "Forget about it." Worse off, he constantly tries to guilt her into staying like it's her fault Riley doesn't have any consistency.
2. Maggie's dad doesn't show his daughter any kindness or understanding, at least through most of the novel, even though she's seemingly done nothing wrong. She's successful and smart, and yet he couldn't care less. Instead, he dotes on the mentally ill, drug addicted daughter.
3. Maggie's sister blames way too much on her.
4. Conner seems to hate Maggie immediately on nothing other than a mentally ill drug addict's word. He still judges her for what she did in high school. In fact, the whole town does. I mean, really?
5. Maggie does not have the spark of Finley or Lucy. It's hard for her to carry the novel.
6. The plotline gets a little too dramatic (a little cliche might sink through here). Many of the supposedly more heartfelt moments come off forced. Ex. Dad's apology.
I love Jenny B. Jones, I really do, but I just didn't love this novel.
1. I didn't see how it was fair for Maggie's dad to just call her up out of the blue and demand she come take care of his niece. If they don't get along, Maggie could've just said, "Forget about it." Worse off, he constantly tries to guilt her into staying like it's her fault Riley doesn't have any consistency.
2. Maggie's dad doesn't show his daughter any kindness or understanding, at least through most of the novel, even though she's seemingly done nothing wrong. She's successful and smart, and yet he couldn't care less. Instead, he dotes on the mentally ill, drug addicted daughter.
3. Maggie's sister blames way too much on her.
4. Conner seems to hate Maggie immediately on nothing other than a mentally ill drug addict's word. He still judges her for what she did in high school. In fact, the whole town does. I mean, really?
5. Maggie does not have the spark of Finley or Lucy. It's hard for her to carry the novel.
6. The plotline gets a little too dramatic (a little cliche might sink through here). Many of the supposedly more heartfelt moments come off forced. Ex. Dad's apology.
I love Jenny B. Jones, I really do, but I just didn't love this novel.
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
4.0
As soon as I read this description, I cringed a little bit. It sounded like that awful movie that's on ABC Family all the time, Fake Fiance or something like that. Every time that movie is on TV, I change the channel. It makes me cringe. But, after reading There You'll Find Me, I trusted G's judgement and proceeded to the next Jenny B. Jones book she had given me.
I was happily proven wrong. Save the Date does mostly everything right. Lucy is a likeable, realistic girl with a heart filled to the brim with gold. I really admired her dedication to Saving Grace and the girls there and her refusal to just give up. I did want to slap her occasionally. She was a little judgmental, quick to assume, and held onto grudges she should've let go years ago, but aren't we all guilty of those things every now and then? I liked the fact she was a little geeky even though it's not my type of geeky. (I know literally nothing about Star Wars or Star Trek or any of that crap.) It's easy to root for Lucy. It's even easier to fall for Alex. I felt a lot of sympathy for Alex. He really was trying to do what he though was right, trying to redeem his (in his opinion) former superficial life. He's struggling with losing his brother and not knowing how to help his family. I thought his relationship with his sister was interesting. I'm the younger sister of brothers the same age difference that Finley had with hers so it's easy to put myself in her shoes. Alex really did mess up as an older brother, and I wish that had been elaborated a little more on.
The romance here was excellent. The banter back and forth was hilarious, and I enjoyed seeing Lucy and Alex challenge each other. In the end, each is a better person. The supporting characters were superb. Clare and Julian just made me laugh almost every scene they were in, and I admittedly have a soft spot for Finley (having read There You'll Find Me first). I wish Jones had fleshed her out a bit more here. She just seems a little too bratty. There's real grief and hurt there, and it isn't addressed. In fact, the whole Sinclair family is barely touched on. I would've liked to see more of that. Lucy's friends are awesome, and I loved Chuck's(?) sermons.
The only reason this got a star knocked off where the little things I've explained. Excellent read! Definitely recommended!
I was happily proven wrong. Save the Date does mostly everything right. Lucy is a likeable, realistic girl with a heart filled to the brim with gold. I really admired her dedication to Saving Grace and the girls there and her refusal to just give up. I did want to slap her occasionally. She was a little judgmental, quick to assume, and held onto grudges she should've let go years ago, but aren't we all guilty of those things every now and then? I liked the fact she was a little geeky even though it's not my type of geeky. (I know literally nothing about Star Wars or Star Trek or any of that crap.) It's easy to root for Lucy. It's even easier to fall for Alex. I felt a lot of sympathy for Alex. He really was trying to do what he though was right, trying to redeem his (in his opinion) former superficial life. He's struggling with losing his brother and not knowing how to help his family. I thought his relationship with his sister was interesting. I'm the younger sister of brothers the same age difference that Finley had with hers so it's easy to put myself in her shoes. Alex really did mess up as an older brother, and I wish that had been elaborated a little more on.
The romance here was excellent. The banter back and forth was hilarious, and I enjoyed seeing Lucy and Alex challenge each other. In the end, each is a better person. The supporting characters were superb. Clare and Julian just made me laugh almost every scene they were in, and I admittedly have a soft spot for Finley (having read There You'll Find Me first). I wish Jones had fleshed her out a bit more here. She just seems a little too bratty. There's real grief and hurt there, and it isn't addressed. In fact, the whole Sinclair family is barely touched on. I would've liked to see more of that. Lucy's friends are awesome, and I loved Chuck's(?) sermons.
The only reason this got a star knocked off where the little things I've explained. Excellent read! Definitely recommended!
A Charmed Life by Jenny B. Jones
3.0
*See reviews of So Not Happening, I'm So Sure, and So Over My Head.