I've got to be honest, I think Khakpour bites off more than she chews here (I don't say "can chew" because I think she's MORE than capable). There's aI've got to be honest, I think Khakpour bites off more than she chews here (I don't say "can chew" because I think she's MORE than capable). There's a LOT going on and I don't think it ties up very well and also there's some parts in the middle that drag but overall I was incredibly impressed by this and so glad I finally read it. Also not quite a spoiler but I didn't read the book jacket before starting and I 100000% did not know this was a 9/11 book so...be prepared for that! It is wild how that still doesn't get easier, but also I think her approach is very thoughtful and not as treacly as some of the others that I've read (I'm looking at you, Jonathan Safran Foer!). ...more
I would have such a hard time recommending this to anyone else (800 pages where very little happens except people telling the same story to each otherI would have such a hard time recommending this to anyone else (800 pages where very little happens except people telling the same story to each other?) but I just loved this and could barely put it down. I don’t know how to explain why?? I have given up on books when nothing happens and it doesn’t seem like anything is going to, and yet I’m kind of obsessed with this book. You will either love this and fall into a trance where you just want to keep reading or you will hate this and probably give it up before the second volume lol. ...more
I wonder: if I didn't like Leslie Jamison's writing so much, would I find this self-indulgent? I think there are some interesting threads about motherI wonder: if I didn't like Leslie Jamison's writing so much, would I find this self-indulgent? I think there are some interesting threads about motherhood, mother-daughter relationships specifically, the pull between parenting and creating, how you can change yourself to try to be the person you think someone else wants, and her writing (and voice on the audiobook) is clear and lovely and self-critical without being self-flagellating. I really appreciated that this wasn't just about divorce, but also about the loves you might experience after a divorce....more
Very fun! Would’ve loved a chance to edit this and make it more taut but the story is clever (I did see one big twist coming but not the other one!) aVery fun! Would’ve loved a chance to edit this and make it more taut but the story is clever (I did see one big twist coming but not the other one!) and interesting and draws on true history of cartography in the US as it’s way into this light fantasy. Definitely enjoyed it, despite some verbosity. ...more
This probably isn’t actually a 5-star book but I really loved it so here we are! Do you like retreading your old romantic relationships to mine them fThis probably isn’t actually a 5-star book but I really loved it so here we are! Do you like retreading your old romantic relationships to mine them for some detail you might have missed or think about what could’ve been? This is the book for you! SC is also very funny and I feel like Lola is so relatable and interesting. Additionally? This book never once went where I thought it would so bonus points for off-kilter originality! ...more
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