Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. This was a book club selection that I ordered because I liked the author's other books I'd read.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. I liked the central story a lot, but I thought there were unnecessary subplots that distracted somewhat from the main story. I wish some of the subplots had been left out of this story and developed into books of their own.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Yes, they became real people to me.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. As stated above, the author's previous works led me to choose this book.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Once or twice, but not obsessively.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Not "nuts" exactly, but it was hard to suspend the disbelief that so many rare situations could happen simultaneously to a small group of people.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. Skeptical that all the subplots could have been tied up so neatly.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. I might keep it, but only because I've kept his others.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. When it comes to subplots, maybe less is more.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Catch Me When I Fall (by Nicci French)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. I'd read other books by this author, and when I thought about her the other day, I went online to see what else she had written. I picked out this one and ordered it.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes. It was a page-turner, and it gave me the creeps in a way that feels fun if you know you're in a really safe place.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Entirely believable, but not all of them were people you'd expect to encounter in the course of a normal day.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. She's a good writer and a great storyteller.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Yep. I couldn't wait to get back to it.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. Relieved that I only experienced this story vicariously.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Yes, I keep all of Nicci French's books.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. I wish I'd ordered two of her books instead of just one.
A. I'd read other books by this author, and when I thought about her the other day, I went online to see what else she had written. I picked out this one and ordered it.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes. It was a page-turner, and it gave me the creeps in a way that feels fun if you know you're in a really safe place.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Entirely believable, but not all of them were people you'd expect to encounter in the course of a normal day.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. She's a good writer and a great storyteller.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Yep. I couldn't wait to get back to it.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. Relieved that I only experienced this story vicariously.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Yes, I keep all of Nicci French's books.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. I wish I'd ordered two of her books instead of just one.
Running with Scissors (by Augusten Burroughs)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. Last year I read Look Me in the Eye, by John Elder Robison, who is the brother of Augusten Burroughs. I liked that book and wanted to explore this highly dysfunctional family from another autobiographical angle.
Q. Did you like the book?
A. Yes, it was very entertaining.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. They were, because this is a work of non-fiction, and some of them were so bizarre that nobody could think to make them up.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. He's a strong, effective writer, and very funny.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. No. It wasn't spellbinding, but I enjoyed the time I spent with it.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. One thing: "all right" was misspelled throughout the book as "alright," and that word appeared many, many times. I don't blame the author for this. He's an excellent writer (especially considering how much school he missed along the way). I do think some editor should have corrected this before it went to print.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. I'm looking forward to reading Augusten Burroughs' next book, which I understand is out now.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. For a while at least. I may want to compare notes between this book, the new one, and the one written by the author's brother.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. Any dysfunctional areas in my own family paled in comparison to those of the families described in this book. Boy, am I grateful for that.
A. Last year I read Look Me in the Eye, by John Elder Robison, who is the brother of Augusten Burroughs. I liked that book and wanted to explore this highly dysfunctional family from another autobiographical angle.
Q. Did you like the book?
A. Yes, it was very entertaining.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. They were, because this is a work of non-fiction, and some of them were so bizarre that nobody could think to make them up.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. He's a strong, effective writer, and very funny.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. No. It wasn't spellbinding, but I enjoyed the time I spent with it.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. One thing: "all right" was misspelled throughout the book as "alright," and that word appeared many, many times. I don't blame the author for this. He's an excellent writer (especially considering how much school he missed along the way). I do think some editor should have corrected this before it went to print.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. I'm looking forward to reading Augusten Burroughs' next book, which I understand is out now.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. For a while at least. I may want to compare notes between this book, the new one, and the one written by the author's brother.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. Any dysfunctional areas in my own family paled in comparison to those of the families described in this book. Boy, am I grateful for that.
Jim the Boy and The Blue Star (by Tony Earley)
Q. Why did you choose these books?
A. Another blogger's review piqued my interest.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes. After reading Jim the Boy, I was glad to move right on to The Blue Star, which is a sequel.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Yes, in a Waltons kind of a way.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. It was like the characters: sturdy, simple, not inclined to draw attention to itself.
Q. Did you think about the books when you were doing other things?
A. No. I had no trouble sticking with these books, but they weren't the kind of stories that grab hold of the reader and won't let go.
Q. Was there anything about the books that drove you nuts?
A. No, they were pleasant reading.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the books?
A. Perhaps a little bit jaded. These were nice stories, and I enjoyed both of them, but I think I've gotten used to reading books that are a little edgier. If these books were pizza, there'd be an occasional slice of pepperoni on top, but no mushrooms, no peppers, no onion.
Q. Will you keep the books to reread later?
A. No, I'll pass them along to a kinder, gentler person.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. Good night, Jim-Boy.
A. Another blogger's review piqued my interest.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes. After reading Jim the Boy, I was glad to move right on to The Blue Star, which is a sequel.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Yes, in a Waltons kind of a way.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. It was like the characters: sturdy, simple, not inclined to draw attention to itself.
Q. Did you think about the books when you were doing other things?
A. No. I had no trouble sticking with these books, but they weren't the kind of stories that grab hold of the reader and won't let go.
Q. Was there anything about the books that drove you nuts?
A. No, they were pleasant reading.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the books?
A. Perhaps a little bit jaded. These were nice stories, and I enjoyed both of them, but I think I've gotten used to reading books that are a little edgier. If these books were pizza, there'd be an occasional slice of pepperoni on top, but no mushrooms, no peppers, no onion.
Q. Will you keep the books to reread later?
A. No, I'll pass them along to a kinder, gentler person.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. Good night, Jim-Boy.
Merle's Door (by Ted Kerasote)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. It was recommended to me by another avid reader, Noel of ThoughtsRandomlySpoken. We seem to have very similar tastes in reading material, so I trusted her judgment.
Q. Did you like the book?
A. Very much. And I loved Merle, the title dog.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Real people, real animals, entirely believable -- even to the author's translation into human language of what his dog was thinking or saying.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. It was part textbook, part love story, and the style changed slightly from time to time, depending on whether the author was trying to educate his readers or simply tell Merle's story.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. I sure did. Too much sometimes.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Nothing.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. First, I felt a terrible sense of loss. When I finally stopped crying, I felt that the book had given me some meaningful questions to consider. I appreciate that.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Yes, though I'm not up for that kind of emotional upheaval again anytime soon.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. As the owner of old dogs, I know I'll face painful decisions in the next few years, and this book will help me know the right thing to do. For example, I've dog-eared the page that lists a veterinarian's six criteria for euthanasia. When the time comes for me to consider that issue, I'll appreciate the guidance.
A. It was recommended to me by another avid reader, Noel of ThoughtsRandomlySpoken. We seem to have very similar tastes in reading material, so I trusted her judgment.
Q. Did you like the book?
A. Very much. And I loved Merle, the title dog.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Real people, real animals, entirely believable -- even to the author's translation into human language of what his dog was thinking or saying.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Yes. It was part textbook, part love story, and the style changed slightly from time to time, depending on whether the author was trying to educate his readers or simply tell Merle's story.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. I sure did. Too much sometimes.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Nothing.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. First, I felt a terrible sense of loss. When I finally stopped crying, I felt that the book had given me some meaningful questions to consider. I appreciate that.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Yes, though I'm not up for that kind of emotional upheaval again anytime soon.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. As the owner of old dogs, I know I'll face painful decisions in the next few years, and this book will help me know the right thing to do. For example, I've dog-eared the page that lists a veterinarian's six criteria for euthanasia. When the time comes for me to consider that issue, I'll appreciate the guidance.
The Kite Runner (by Khaled Hosseini)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. I passed it up when it was on the best-seller list because it seemed like a darker story than I wanted to read. In the end, the publicity surrounding the film based on this book aroused my curiosity, and I decided to give it a chance.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. I loved this book!
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. They were believable, and I cared deeply about every single one of them -- the ones I loved despite their flaws and the evil one I hated. I cared about him in the sense that it mattered to me what happened to him.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Khaled Hosseini is a brilliant writer. His vivid imagery made me feel as if I were standing invisibly beside him in Afghanistan and in California, as a child and as an adult. I'd read another book of his (A Thousand Splendid Suns) last year and enjoyed it, but this one was even better.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Constantly. Again, I cared very much about these characters, and it was important to me to know what happened to them.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Nothing at all.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. As if this author had given me a personal gift by writing this incredibly moving book.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. You bet.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. This book took me to a foreign country, immersed me in an uncomfortable culture, introduced me to characters whose names were unfamiliar, then showed me, page by page, the humanity that these people share with the people I see every day. At a time when there's so much unrest in the Middle East, I think it's important for us to recognize how much we do have in common with those who don't look like us or dress like us. Kite Runner makes a significant contribution to society in that regard.
A. I passed it up when it was on the best-seller list because it seemed like a darker story than I wanted to read. In the end, the publicity surrounding the film based on this book aroused my curiosity, and I decided to give it a chance.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. I loved this book!
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. They were believable, and I cared deeply about every single one of them -- the ones I loved despite their flaws and the evil one I hated. I cared about him in the sense that it mattered to me what happened to him.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Khaled Hosseini is a brilliant writer. His vivid imagery made me feel as if I were standing invisibly beside him in Afghanistan and in California, as a child and as an adult. I'd read another book of his (A Thousand Splendid Suns) last year and enjoyed it, but this one was even better.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Constantly. Again, I cared very much about these characters, and it was important to me to know what happened to them.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Nothing at all.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. As if this author had given me a personal gift by writing this incredibly moving book.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. You bet.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. This book took me to a foreign country, immersed me in an uncomfortable culture, introduced me to characters whose names were unfamiliar, then showed me, page by page, the humanity that these people share with the people I see every day. At a time when there's so much unrest in the Middle East, I think it's important for us to recognize how much we do have in common with those who don't look like us or dress like us. Kite Runner makes a significant contribution to society in that regard.
Undertow (by Sydney Bauer)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. It was a book club selection, and I didn't send the card back in time to refuse the shipment.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. It was pretty good -- an interesting twist on the usual racial-prejudice tale.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Yes, if fairly stereotypical. In the books I like best, the characters are written so precisely that I feel as if I know them, and that makes me care about them. I never made much of an emotional investment in the characters in this book.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. It was adequate if not inspiring.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Not so much.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. It was worth the discounted price I paid for it, so I wasn't disappointed.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Nah.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. I liked that the author tried to do something different with a familiar theme.
A. It was a book club selection, and I didn't send the card back in time to refuse the shipment.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. It was pretty good -- an interesting twist on the usual racial-prejudice tale.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Yes, if fairly stereotypical. In the books I like best, the characters are written so precisely that I feel as if I know them, and that makes me care about them. I never made much of an emotional investment in the characters in this book.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. It was adequate if not inspiring.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Not so much.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. It was worth the discounted price I paid for it, so I wasn't disappointed.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Nah.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. I liked that the author tried to do something different with a familiar theme.
Tripwire (by lee Child)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. I liked the other books I've read by this author.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes. It would make an exciting action movie.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. The primary villain was a little over the top, but not beyond the realm of reality. I could completely identify with the rest of them.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. I did indeed. Unlike this author's first book in the Jack Reacher series, which was told in the first-person, this book was written from a third-person perspective. The voice of the author is much more interesting than the voice of his lead character.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Yes, I carried it around with me from living room to dining room to bedroom to bathroom -- anywhere I thought I might be able to read for two minutes at a stretch.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. As if I'd been shot at and dodged a bullet. Whew!
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. No, I need the shelf space, but I won't rule out getting it from the library to reread at some future date.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. I hope they'll make a movie of it.
A. I liked the other books I've read by this author.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes. It would make an exciting action movie.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. The primary villain was a little over the top, but not beyond the realm of reality. I could completely identify with the rest of them.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. I did indeed. Unlike this author's first book in the Jack Reacher series, which was told in the first-person, this book was written from a third-person perspective. The voice of the author is much more interesting than the voice of his lead character.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Yes, I carried it around with me from living room to dining room to bedroom to bathroom -- anywhere I thought I might be able to read for two minutes at a stretch.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. As if I'd been shot at and dodged a bullet. Whew!
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. No, I need the shelf space, but I won't rule out getting it from the library to reread at some future date.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. I hope they'll make a movie of it.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Plain Truth (by Jodi Picoult)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. I enjoyed the last book I read by this author and wanted to read more. Additionally, I have an inexplicable fascination with all things Amish.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes, it was compelling.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Every single one of ‘em was believable, and every single one was someone I’d like to know in real life.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Definitely.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Often enough that I actually considered taking it to work in my purse in case I found time to sneak a few pages. I’m proud to say I resisted the temptation.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Nothing at all.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. Like I wanted to spend a summer on that Amish farm and soak up some of that peace and serenity. I got over it fairly quickly when I remembered all the milking and harvesting.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Again, definitely.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. No final thoughts, because I’m still thinking about the book days after I finished it. This author writes about life-altering situations in an open-ended way that encourages readers to carry on their own internal debates about the issues.
A. I enjoyed the last book I read by this author and wanted to read more. Additionally, I have an inexplicable fascination with all things Amish.
Q. Did you like the story?
A. Yes, it was compelling.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Every single one of ‘em was believable, and every single one was someone I’d like to know in real life.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Definitely.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. Often enough that I actually considered taking it to work in my purse in case I found time to sneak a few pages. I’m proud to say I resisted the temptation.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. Nothing at all.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. Like I wanted to spend a summer on that Amish farm and soak up some of that peace and serenity. I got over it fairly quickly when I remembered all the milking and harvesting.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Again, definitely.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. No final thoughts, because I’m still thinking about the book days after I finished it. This author writes about life-altering situations in an open-ended way that encourages readers to carry on their own internal debates about the issues.
The Darkest Evening of the Year (by Dean Koontz)
Q. Why did you choose this book?
A. I love a good mystery. And a mystery with a dog in it? How could I not read it?
Q. Did you like the story?
A Yes, with the caveat that some parts were almost too creepy even for me.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Some were; others, not so much. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of characters as evil as a couple of this book’s villains were.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Very much.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. I’m sure I would have, but I read it on a weekend and didn’t have to put it down too often.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No. The editors did a good job.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. Slightly unsettled. I did a quick check, though, and determined that I’d come through the last few chapters unscathed.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Yes, I’ll keep it, but it’ll have to sit on the shelf for at least a few years before I read it again. I won’t forget it anytime soon.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. If I didn’t already have such a dog-hair problem, I’d rush right out and adopt a Golden Retriever.
A. I love a good mystery. And a mystery with a dog in it? How could I not read it?
Q. Did you like the story?
A Yes, with the caveat that some parts were almost too creepy even for me.
Q. Were the characters believable?
A. Some were; others, not so much. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of characters as evil as a couple of this book’s villains were.
Q. Did you like the writing style?
A. Very much.
Q. Did you think about the book when you were doing other things?
A. I’m sure I would have, but I read it on a weekend and didn’t have to put it down too often.
Q. Was there anything about the book that drove you nuts?
A. No. The editors did a good job.
Q. How did you feel when you finished the book?
A. Slightly unsettled. I did a quick check, though, and determined that I’d come through the last few chapters unscathed.
Q. Will you keep the book to reread later?
A. Yes, I’ll keep it, but it’ll have to sit on the shelf for at least a few years before I read it again. I won’t forget it anytime soon.
Q. Any final thoughts about the book?
A. If I didn’t already have such a dog-hair problem, I’d rush right out and adopt a Golden Retriever.
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