Must read-required reading in my opinion. The 14 short stories written by Langson Hughes, tell a story of black and white intersection and their blataMust read-required reading in my opinion. The 14 short stories written by Langson Hughes, tell a story of black and white intersection and their blatant, and not so blatant biases. The casual way in which today's society calls 'micro aggressions' were front and center in this novel.
Reading The Ways of White Folks was a recharge, a shock to my system, a strong reminder of where we were, how far we think we've come, and how we still remain fully planted in our biases and prejudice.
One story chronicles a man "passing" as white and how hard he tried and pushed himself into the world that "accepted" him rather than make him an 'other'.
I never knew they made a practice of saying such terrible things about us until I started passing and heard their conversations and live...
The story of a man working for his white owners...
Just because they pay you, they always think they own you. No white man's gonna own me. I laugh with em' and they I like 'em. Hell I'm from Arkansas where the crackers lynch the ni**ers in the streets. How could I like 'em
The honesty with which Hughes writes leaves the reader broken. It felt like going into the heart and the minds of the protagonist of each story, feeling their struggle, their depth, their pain.
A story of a woman forced to give birth to a master's baby, only for the baby to die and then try to raise his "real" baby as her own--after all the love of raising that child to be told to back off.
The lights that would turn off and on, never dimmed in the struggle for freedom was a gut-punch, leaving a sour but real taste of sadness in my mouth. This was the world. It felt distant but truly a doorstep away.
Cora was like a tree—once rooted, she stood, in spite of storms and strife, wind, and rocks, in the earth
This is not a book to overlook. It's a book to read, think, and discuss. Langston Hughes writes with raw honesty that needs to be treasured. A landscape of a world veiled and shrouded my prejudice.
Bow down and pray in fear and trembling, go way back in the dark afraid; or work harder and harder; or stumble and learn; or raise up your fist and strike-but once the idea comes into your head you’ll never be the same again. Oh, test tube of life! Crucible of the South, find the right powder and you’ll never be the same again-the cotton will blaze and the cabins will burn and the chains will be broken and men, all of a sudden, will shakes hands, black men and white men, like steel meeting steel
***Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction*** The writing, the plot, the characters, the dark academia vibe, it was all perfect! I usually don't run***Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction*** The writing, the plot, the characters, the dark academia vibe, it was all perfect! I usually don't run for the fantasy genre, but saw amazing reviews for Divine Rivals--I'm so glad I did. I have fallen in love, like real actual love. I keep going back to this book, wishing I could read it for the first time.
The story is set in the early 1900's and revolves around Iris Winnow and Roman Carver Kit, two rival journalists competing to be at the top of their game. There is an undeniable spark between them that keeps itself stilted by witty banter.
Iris lives with her mother, a heavy drinker, and misses her brother, Forest, who is prepping in the army for a war that threatens the safety of all their lives. Two rival Gods, Enva and Dacre have been fighting for centuries, away from the city of Oath, and now the fear of a World War in her city is eminent. Everyone is on edge, waiting for what is to come.
I don't think you realize how strong you are, because sometimes strength isn't swords and steel and fire, as we are so often made to believe. Sometimes it's found in quiet, gentle places
I loved that Rebecca Ross perfectly sets up the fantasy component of the story without being overwhelming, and the WRITING. Ross writes like magic-- easy, flowing, gorgeous. It was beautiful and enchanting. Her words flowed in such a way, making the story actually pretty.
Iris tries to connect with her brother through letters she slips under her wardrobe, but when she doesn't hear from him for months, she becomes disheartened. In a shocking twist, she starts getting letters from a stranger, who happens to be Roman-- so begins their pen pal relationship with magical typewriters. The electric spark and words that fly between them were invigorating.
His letters felt like an embrace. Like reaching for a friend in the darkness and finding their hand
When the story ended, I felt like I was saying goodbye to friends. Relatable and kind. They experience real life things like grief and sadness that connecting the reader in an entirely different level.
But I realize people are just people, and they carry their own set of fears, dreams, desires, pains and mistakes. I can't expect someone else to make me feel complete; I must find it on my own
Is it crazy to admit, mundane moments in the novel brought me to tears. Ross writes with such passion, even the most seemingly dull exchanges between Iris and Roman come to life.
I can NOT wait for book two, and recommend this to anyone that loves LOVE, fantasy, and excellent writing. Emphasis on the excellent writing!
It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see you as you are. Sometimes I feel the same as you: I can’t risk having people behold me as I truly am. But there’s also a small voice in the back of my mind, a voice that tells me, “You will miss so much by being so guarded.”
If a book had a scent, Divine Rivals would be a cup of hot black coffee and freshly typed paper on a rainy day.
This was such a unique idea for a novel. What happens when suddenly you have an IQ of 180, but your entire life it was 70. Sometimes the things you wiThis was such a unique idea for a novel. What happens when suddenly you have an IQ of 180, but your entire life it was 70. Sometimes the things you wish for are not what they seem.
There is so much to think about. Flowers for Algernon broke me, but also made me question how we find peace and appreciation in our current circumstances. Is it ok to be average? Should we always push and pull for greatness? What are the consequences of power and perfection?
I loved this book. We can look at our past and wish away it in the future, but then it often is too late.
We also recognize how important good friendships are in our lives. We can't dismiss how much people can impact our life choices.
5/5 stars
Merged review:
This was such a unique idea for a novel. What happens when suddenly you have an IQ of 180, but your entire life it was 70. Sometimes the things you wish for are not what they seem.
There is so much to think about. Flowers for Algernon broke me, but also made me question how we find peace and appreciation in our current circumstances. Is it ok to be average? Should we always push and pull for greatness? What are the consequences of power and perfection?
I loved this book. We can look at our past and wish away it in the future, but then it often is too late.
We also recognize how important good friendships are in our lives. We can't dismiss how much people can impact our life choices.
An agonizingly beautiful story about one man living a simple life in a not so simple world. Stoner, was quite simply a gorgeous feat of beautiful prosAn agonizingly beautiful story about one man living a simple life in a not so simple world. Stoner, was quite simply a gorgeous feat of beautiful prose, endearing drama, and heartfelt love for a man whose a lover, a poet, a teacher, a father, a husband, a man of true decency.
Willaim Stoner, a poor boy, living on a farm with his simpleton parents in the early 1900's. Upon finishing his primary education, his father suggests he get a college education. He enrolls at the University of Colombia in Missouri to learn agriculture, instead, he falls in love with literature--writing, reading, everything.
The love of literature, of language, of the mystery of the mind and heart showing themselves in the minute, strange, and unexpected combinations of letters and words, in the blackest and coldest print—the love which he had hidden as if it were illicit and dangerous, he began to display, tentatively at first, and then boldly, and then proudly
Stoner falls in love with an idealized woman, Edith, perfect on the outside, but quickly learns she isn't what he thought. In a more elaborate understanding, it was clear his wife suffered from many mental health concerns. Unfortunately, for the time, her behavior is seen as dramatics, brought about by the gentile, complicated female personification.
He handed wanted the singleness and the still connective passion of marriage; he had had that, too, and he had not known what to do with it, and it had died
Despite Edith and Stoner's lack of chemistry, emotionally and physically they have a child together, Grace. The hardest part of this novel, Edith punishes Stoner for his deep love and concern for his daughter. If addressed, she suffered from borderline behavior, which was heartbreaking to read for the husband as well as the daughter.
As the story continues, we learn about the politics of Stoner's work as an assistant professor. For some this would seem like a boring topic, but John Williams magnetic prose reels you in, draws you into the most mundane moments.
Stoner, at one point in his career has an affair. In most instances, these plot points throw me off, however, Stoner and his lover are entangled in a well deserved relationship. The ebb and flow of true love is harmonious and endearing.
In his extreme youth Stoner had thought of love as an absolute state of being to which, if one were lucky, one might find access; in his maturity he had decided it was the heaven of a false religion, toward which one ought to gaze with an amused disbelief, a gently familiar contempt, and an embarrassed nostalgia. Now in his middle age he began to know that it was neither a state of grace nor an illusion; he saw it as a human act of becoming, a condition that was invented and modified moment by moment and day by day, by the will and the intelligence and the heart
This quote speaks to a passionate love, but also a love between all humans, and simply the act of existing. Love is not linear, but moves in various directions throughout our lives. As children, we assume that it will all make sense as adults, but as adults, we realize we are changing, growing, failing and revolving in the precious currency of love.
Stoner is an astonishing, poetic read, of a man whose quiet upbringing, affects the decisions of his entire life. A lover at his core, dealt many heartbreaking cards accomplishes much-- but always wonders if different paths could have changed the trajectory of his life.
I adored this book and am adding it to my favorite list. 5/5 stars...more
This book transported me into another world, the detailed splendor of words, written in gorgeous prose moved me to tears. Over and over. There were moThis book transported me into another world, the detailed splendor of words, written in gorgeous prose moved me to tears. Over and over. There were moments I paused, took space, only to return with more love and reverence for this stunning story. The moments and depth of pain and suffering are harrowing. A grief ridden story, done with elegance and poetry.
And Hamnet? Her unconscious mind casts, again and again, puzzled by the lack of bite, by the answer she keeps giving it: he is dead, he is gone. And Hamnet? The mind will ask again. At school, at play, out at the river? And Hamnet? And Hamnet? Where is he?
This is the fictionalized tale of Hamnet, Shakespeare and his wife Agnus' (also known as Ann Hathaway) son, who dies at the young age of 11.
This is not a story about Shakespeare, he is never addressed as such--only as a father, son, husband. This is the story of his family, the journey of their relationships, the death of their son that led to what author Maggie O'Farrell believes is the epicenter of the play Hamlet. While doing some research, I found some scholars believe Hamnet and Hamlet are interchangeable names. I confess, I find this to be very plausible.
She regards the face of her son, or the face that used to belong to her son, the vessel that held his mind, produced his speech, contained all that his eyes saw
The detail with which O'Farrell describes Hamnet's death, shrouding, and burial broke my soul. I cried, I really broke down. The language, the detail—poetic and passionate.
My brother-in-law recently passed away and I couldn't help but think of him. In my culture, we still shroud, prepare the body is a similar vain, with respect, dignity, care. It was as if I was transported to his passing, reminded that we are traveling through this vessel of life. The final journey is everlasting, forever, a painful burden to those left behind. Agnus' hurt was felt in my heart, in my soul—as a mother, as a daughter, as a sister.
What is given may be taken away, at any time. Cruelty and devastation wait for you around corners, inside coffers, behind doors: they can leap out at you at any time, like a thief or brigand. The trick is never to let down your guard. Never think you are safe. Never take for granted that your children's hearts beat, that they sup milk, that they draw breath, that they walk and speak and smile and argue and play
Agnus' relationship with her brother Bartholomew was also deeply moving. I, myself, have a very close bond with my brother and felt a kinship to Bartholomew's love and concern for his sister's struggle. He always supported her, at every step of the way.
Her brother touches her dry cheek. He says her name, once, twice. He says he is sorry, he is heart sore
O'Farell wrote with such clarity and finite beauty, it was often forgotten this was a work of fiction. I felt connected to the characters, their intense struggles and burdens. This book, in its essence, focuses on the uphill battle of the wife of an acclaimed writer and their eventual breakdown after the death of their son.
The story is told in parallels which begins with the story of Agnus and her Latin tutor (Shakespeare) courting and marrying and the illness leading to the death of their son, Hamnet. We also meet his twin sister and older sister.
And Agnes finds she can bear anything except her child’s pain. She can bear separation, sickness, blows, birth, deprivation, hunger, unfairness, seclusion, but not this: her child, looking down at her dead twin. Her child, sobbing for her lost brother. Her child, racked with grief
The way the two stories converge in the end is done in such a seamless, final way, it truly took my breath away.
He has, Agnes sees, done what any father would wish to do, to exchange his child’s suffering for his own, to take his place, to offer himself up in his child’s stead so that the boy might live
"Goodnight, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" --Hamlet IV
✨✨Happy Publication Day✨✨ I just got an email from the the publisher: Hello Beautiful is an Oprah Book Club Pick!
Hello Beautiful is a fascinating, stun✨✨Happy Publication Day✨✨ I just got an email from the the publisher: Hello Beautiful is an Oprah Book Club Pick!
Hello Beautiful is a fascinating, stunning story of family, love, and the life we ultimately choose to live--not simply follow.
We are introduced to the young, William Waters, a lonely boy finding meaning in his passion for basketball. William is born into a home devoid of emotion. He loses the only sibling, he never knew, a sister. HIs parents are absent, uninterested, but thankfully, he finds basketball as a reprieve. When he gets a college scholarship in Chicago, he never turns back.
While at college, William meets Julia Padavano. Julia is assertive, a go-getter, and she has her entire life planned. She also comes with a family of three sisters that are thick as thieves. Her mother, often overbearing, has a strong presence, her father a loving nature. Julia's family is nothing like William's and it changes his entire outlook.
Julia and William marry and have a daughter. Things seem to be going fine until they are not. Hello Beautiful is a story the deals with mental health in a way that is surprising and insightful. Often, character driven plots don't delve into life changing events made by characters while in a moment of emotional and mental struggle. When William decides to change the course of his life, not only is Julia and baby Alice affected, but all of the family, especially the sisters. The betrayal the heartache is unforgivable.
The sisters often make references to Little Women and attach themselves to different characters throughout the book, which was endearing.
Without giving too much of the plot away, Ann Napolitano is a gifted story-teller. I loved her previous novel, Dear Edward as well. Napolitano weaves the story in such a way that the sad moments have meaning and power, like the circle of life. The story also shines a bright light on sibling relationships from beginning to end.
This is my second book of 2023, and I must say I cried my heart out. There were some parallels to gut-wrenching moments in 2022 that came to life in this book. The coincidence felt like the universe was speaking to me, and I felt grateful. I will hold this beautifully crafted story close to my heart. I also loved the setting, Chicago, a place I call home.
A story is perfect when the reader is cheering for the characters, even the ones that make bad decisions. The character arcs were drawn perfectly and drove the story forward.
This book will make you ache, it will make you cry, but it will also give you peace and a make you smile.
5/5 shining stars.
I am enormously grateful to Netgally and Random House Publishing Group/Dial Press for sharing this stunning story with me in exchange for my honest review.
Even if you don't love U2, this is a book to read! Bono's memoir, a phenomenal feat, reads like a lyrical song. A man with a plethora of accomplishmenEven if you don't love U2, this is a book to read! Bono's memoir, a phenomenal feat, reads like a lyrical song. A man with a plethora of accomplishments and talents, writes with comfort and ease, like a memorable poem.
It wasn't until my late teens that I I fell into U2, but when I did, their music became an intricate part of my life. Seeing them in concert was a bucket list moment, I feel blessed to experience.
When I saw Bono wrote a book, I was all over it!
What a man! Political activist--campaigning debt relief for over 14 poverty stricken countries, helping introduce AIDS medication in Africa, standing up for the Bosnian Genocide--just to name a few.
Some part of us wanted to be men of the world, but a greater part knew we were so much more powerful as boys who didn’t know too much about “the world.”
Bono, literally, is the kindest human on the planet. Honest, selfless. His words reveal how much time he vested in helping those in need, especially the poor. For months he lived in Washington DC, rallying for various platforms.
The arc of the moral universe does not bend toward justice. It has to be bent, and this requires sheer force of will. It demands our sharpest focus and most concentrated effort. History does not move in a straight line; it has to be dragged, kicking and screaming, all the way down the line.
Bono starts from the beginning, recounting his early days growing up in Dublin. A confounding relationship with his father, and the heartache of losing his mother at an early age. He goes on to share lighthearted stories about finding true love, his wife Ali, his four kids, and the lasting relationship between band members and great and prominent people throughout time.
An Irishman, Bono has done more for America than almost any artist. His list of friendships included Presidents, Mandela, Sinatra, to name a few. He was able to form bonds with people whose political, moral views didn't always align, but he formed relationships in order to improve the world.
Clever, humorous, entertaining, honest, and above all humble. Bono is an amazingly accomplished man, and he remembers the people and places that got him to the top, helped him to improve the world.
To kneel down, to implore, to throw yourself out into space, to quietly whisper or roar your insignificance. To fall prostrate and ask to be carried. To humble yourself with your family, your bandmates, and to discover if there’s a face or a name to that silence
The beauty of his music is reflected in his passion for singing...
Songs are my prayer
Impressively, a famous person writing a book and not indulging in the assistance of a ghost writer is worthy of praise. If you are looking for a book that is informative and well written, this is the one to read.
5/5 + stars
**Also, this came in my Libby as a book and some reviewers said to check out the audiobook. I vacillated between the two. His voice is a song, worthy of a listen!...more
Editing review after feeling the need to read again…
I don't know why it took me so long to read this tiny, little gem.
The boy, a prince, was sweet, hEditing review after feeling the need to read again…
I don't know why it took me so long to read this tiny, little gem.
The boy, a prince, was sweet, honest, tender, naive to the world, angelic like all children are, in a way that makes us drawn to their innocence.
The pilot, learns a whole lot from this little prince asking questions, with answers only found when the reader digs deeper. There aren't any answers, except the ones we design.
I feel The Little Prince is relevant today—the man too busy to talk to the prince, focused on time, our obsession with social media.
The man too embarrassed to admit his drunkenness, our own self loathing.
The man who believes he can control the world-our leaders today.
The flower. The flower, a touching character in need of love. Are we taking care of the things we hold dear? Not material values, but actually caring for our loved ones. Then I thought of our planet, are we kind to it? The stars, symbolized all of nature and the unknown, and the realization that the prince is safe.
I'm convinced Antoine de Saint Exupery was far ahead of his time. All the morals, tragedies, pains, and eventual acceptance come from the world we live in today.
"What matters most are the simple pleasures so abundant that we can all enjoy them...Happiness doesn't lie in the objects we gather around us. To find it, all we need is to open our eyes."
Tender, loving, and heartbreaking-- a book I'll be reading over and over.
A stunning, GORGEOUS, poetic retelling of a Greek classic. I was literally in tears after the first chapter. Madeline MilYou're still so pretty 6/3/24
A stunning, GORGEOUS, poetic retelling of a Greek classic. I was literally in tears after the first chapter. Madeline Miller has a gift for prose. She takes mundane sentences and turns them into magic. Why did it take me so long to pick this up?!
Yet this beautiful spear had been fashioned not in bitterness, but love. Its shape would fit no one’s hand, but Achilles’, and its heft could suit no one’s strength but his. And though the point was keen and deadly, the wood itself slipped under our fingers like the slender oiled strut of a lyre
The beauty of A Song of Achilles —you don't need to be an expert on Homer's Iliad to comprehend the journey that leads up to the Trojan War. Miller crafts the novel in a familiar tone, examining all aspects, and leaving the reader intrigued.
Achilles, and the somewhat awkward, exiled Prince Patroclus create a bond of friendship and love that is told with charm and beauty, despite the rejections and rebukes from Achilles' goddess mother, Thetis
He is half of my soul, as the poets say
This I say. This and this. The way his hair looked in summer sun. His face when he ran. His eyes, were solemn as an owl at lessons. This and this and this. So many moments of happiness, crowding forward
When there is word of the kidnapping of Helen of Sparta, the mighty of Greece are summoned to fight in the battle for her return. A long, arduous war ensues, pushing the two men to their fatal and promised destiny.
This isn't only a love story. It's an entire imagined world, turned on its head. I fell in love with the universe, savoring the detailed descriptions. When Patroclus first hears Achilles play the lyre...
His fingers touched the strings and all my thoughts were displaced. The sound was pure and sweet as water, bright as lemons. It was like no music I had ever heard before. It had warmth as a fire does, a texture and weight like polished ivory. It buoyed and soothed at once
There was something endearing in the way that Patroclus urged arrogance away from Achilles. He knew his name came with great power and strength, but he knew he could also remain grounded. Even when Patroclus goes into battle, he goes covertly, wanting to give honor and credit to Achilles.
Pride became us—heroes were never modest
The relationship between the two boys that grew into warriors was gallant and poetic.
I also enjoyed the character development of other mortals and Gods Each was well layered and defined. One of my favorites, Briseis, an Anatolian, captured during the Trojan by King Agamemnon. She befriends Patroclus, and their friendship is one of the most pure and lovely parts of the book.
She is in Agamemnon’s custody, but she is Achilles’ prize still. To violate her is a violation of Achilles himself, the gravest insult to his honor. Achilles could kill him for it, and even Menelaus would call it fair
I can quote this book until tomorrow, but at some point, I need to move on. I read Circe too, but this book far exceeded my expectations.
This is the story of survivor Chanel Miller, sexually assaulted by Standford swimmer Brock Turner. Not only is Miller a stunning, beautiful writer, shThis is the story of survivor Chanel Miller, sexually assaulted by Standford swimmer Brock Turner. Not only is Miller a stunning, beautiful writer, she opens her heart and story triumphantly.
I remember hearing about this story, but not following it perfectly. Know My Name is a heart-wrenching portrayal that gives a voice to Chanel. For almost four years she was known as Emily Doe, trapped in a terrorizing story, but this book gave her a life, a way to tell her version and her struggle, and I could not be happier for her.
I'm not just a body; not just some faceless Emily Doe. You should know my name.
I have a love hate relationship with Memior's, especially those written by celebrities, but Know My Name was fresh, raw, important.
This is the story of a college graduate, Chanel, living her life in the most 'normal' way and the one night of partying that changed the trajectory of her life forever. The scary part of the story was the way in which the judicial system handled her case. Brock Turner, a potential Oympic swimmer was given a light sentence by the judge—people(actually) felt sympathy for him because his future would be tarnished. The audacity of humanity stuns my soul.
Chanel Miller was found by two Swedish men who stepped in and ran after Brock to stop whatever had already begun. This floored me. Had the men not been there, would she have been believed? Would there even be a case? Would she even have a voice?
The friendly guy who helps you move and assists senior citizens in the pool is the same guy who assaulted me. One person can be capable of both. Society often fails to wrap its head around the fact that these truths often coexist, they are not mutually exclusive. Bad qualities can hide inside a good person. That's the terrifying part.
Without giving away the entirety of the story, I have confirmation—leniency is given to the rich, to the white, and to likeable (potentially successful) people.
The judge had given Brock something that would never be extended to me: empathy. My pain was never more valuable than his potential.
Some reviewers have pointed out that the book is long. I thought it was beautiful and well written, each part worthy and important. While the book may seem long, her experience is something she will have to live with for the rest of her life. I think it’s ok to get uncomfortable and live in her experience for 400 some pages. Empathy matters.
An important take away from this book, the involvement of alcohol, generally. I think alcohol consumption and handling should be taught in high school and colleges just like any other aspect of protecting ourselves. The importance of knowing when too much is enough. How many cases of horrible outcomes involve alcohol? Too many to name. Why aren't we talking about blackouts and consumption? Drugs and Alcohol must be synonymous.
I know this book may be triggering for many, but Chanel Miller's story is important and relevant. It's impactful and hopeful. I encourage people to watch her 60 minute and Oprah interview. Chanel is a beautiful soul with a strong force of resiliency. If nothing, read her impact statement- it’s powerful.
You took away My worth, my privacy, My energy, My time, My safety, My intimacy, My confidence, My own voice, Until today.
This was a stunning, marvelous, little novella. Have you ever read a book once and found yourself reading again, but backwards? This was me--entangledThis was a stunning, marvelous, little novella. Have you ever read a book once and found yourself reading again, but backwards? This was me--entangled in Tolstoy's words.
Tolstoy writes on the subject of death with such exactness, that one wonders how many times he must have died and come back to life.
Ivan Ilych is having a moment. Obsessively wanting to live his best life. As a high court judge and a married man, he wants to perfect his life, live luxuriously, fine dine, and play bridge.
(Side note: talk about using a fun character name)
When he gets the devastating news of an impending illness, he wants the simple desires of human existence-love, but it’s too late. He can't find sympathy and kindness from others when he was immersed in his self, indulging the pleasures of life.
Ivan had understood that death is eventual, but the actual realization was impossible to imagine. This is true for all of us. It doesn’t matter how many people die before us, realizing our own mortality is perceptually, unimaginable.
He tries to ignore, deny, repress the truth of his impending, but the gnawing pain at his side never leaves.
If you pick up this book, you may think Tolstoy goes on and on about Ivan’s mundane daily life, but to me, it was intriguing. The choices he makes, every moment leads up to his sudden and shocking end.
Ivan leads an honest, moral life. Takes care of his children and stays with a wife (that he hates). Tolstoy spends time describing their broken marriage to (perhaps) symbolize the disease that eventually leads to his demise.
The Death of Ivan Ilych came in my Libby last night and I started reading a few pages, unable to stop, reading into the night.
Perhaps, because this summer, I experienced the death of a close family member. This book, though dark, brought me solace. Yes, death is a dreary subject, but in the end, in the last moment, I felt lvan had peace. The peace, helped me to console my heart, my own pain, in loss.
Though, I believe this is a book about living each day as it is your last, it’s too late for Ivan. I felt a sadness, brought to tears, at the idea that Ivan wanted/needed more from life.
”No matter how often I may be told, "You cannot understand the meaning of life so do not think about it, but live," I can no longer do it: I have already done it too long. I cannot now help seeing day and night going round and bringing me to death. That is all I see, for that alone is true. All else is false”
This sweet, heartbreaking, warm, well-written novella included some of my favorite characters--a grandfather and his grandson. For the love of grandpaThis sweet, heartbreaking, warm, well-written novella included some of my favorite characters--a grandfather and his grandson. For the love of grandparents, an endearing tale.
And Every Morning the way Home Gets Longer and Longer, tell the story of a grandfather losing his memory, bit by bit, while his son tries to help him understand, and his grandson tries to comprehend.
Fredrik Backman has the beauty of knowing how to humanize stories. He tells us the struggle of dementia/Alzheimers through the eyes of the one experiencing it. It's poetic.
Backman, shows a grandfather who was too busy to be a father, but too late to enjoy the perils of grandfather-hood. It's a story about time, how we have it, and then we don't.
Beautifully written, poetic, and straight from the heart.
While family is gathered, children playing, and everyone being merry, this book came to me like a gift, packaged with elements of raw, unadulterated bWhile family is gathered, children playing, and everyone being merry, this book came to me like a gift, packaged with elements of raw, unadulterated beauty.. It was toxic love, but not toxic love, it was rampant, but not rampant, it was mesmerizing...
It. Was. Mesmerizing.
Regan, a twenty something is living a complicated life. She is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and after a brief stint as a b-class criminal (counterfeit stuff) she's court ordered to seek therapy. She has a boyfriend Marcus, he's kinda just there. She works at a Museum, mostly as a guide, her parents are absent as hell, her mom-destructive and cutting, and her sister, too perfect for words.
Aldo, a math wizard, obsessed with hexagons teaches at U of Chicago. He lives a pretty straight edged life, always trapped in his own thoughts, compulsive. He's honest, complex, and unique.
When Regan and Aldo's worlds collide, a chance encounter at the Art Institute, they bank on six conversations, a measure that elevates their relationship to an alternate world. Regan doesn't adhere to normal rules, always thinking of a better or worse outcome,bored with monotony. Aldo on the other hand, looks straight into the present, or the future, almost always lost in quantum matters.
There was nothing worse than being predictable. Nothing smaller than feeling ordinary. Nothing more disappointing than being reminded she was both.
This is a love story, but not a love story, because it's complex, it shatters, it sometimes has jagged edges, which gives everything life. Which gives life to love.
There was something about 'Alone With You in the Ether' that drew me in, tangled me in its abyss, trapped in the world of these two complex characters.
Can you love my brain even when it is small? When it is malevolent? When it is violent? Can you love it even when it does not love me
The craziest part about this story--through Olivia Blake's words, we ride all the rollercoaster of emotions Regan encounters. It's like, she had bipolar disorder, but I could feel, in some small way, what it would be like—the words, reverberating like one in a manic episode. The shifting of thoughts, the changing of moods—all spoke to Blake’s fabulous writing.
Regan and Aldo fall into something far beyond existential, beyond the quantum physics Aldo obsesses over. They fall deeply into each other.
I could study you for a lifetime, carrying all your peculiarities and discretions in the webs of my spidery palms, and still feel empty-handed
Another trippy element: I've lived in Chicago for work. My Mom lives here now, and I'm actually visiting her while I was reading this book--all elements that elevated the story. When you read a book and have stood in the same places as the character it feels surreal.
Olivia Blake adds in her 'acknowledgements' that she, too, has lived with a mood disorder, and in some of her sleepless manic moments, she wrote her best. It was interesting to learn the character of Regan came from the depth of her experience and truth.
'Alone With You in the Ether' is raw. Beautiful. It hit different, and I loved it.
My top read for 2022. A brilliant coming of age masterpiece, spanning almost 30 years. An epic tale of friendship, lo ⭐️Goodreads Award Best Fiction⭐️
My top read for 2022. A brilliant coming of age masterpiece, spanning almost 30 years. An epic tale of friendship, love, art, video games, and the journey of life.
As a teen, I played my fair share of Sonic, Mario Brothers, etc, but nothing with the intensity of this book, realistic games that blur reality and fantasy. I was immersed.
Gabrielle Zevin weaved a layered story, carefully crafting characters within the backdrop of gaming. She was able to peak my interest which speaks to the beauty of her writing.
This is the story of Sam and Sadie, Sam and Marx, Sadie and Marx, and their journey building a successful gaming company. Sam and Sadie meet in the most unexpected places-a hospital. Sadie's sister is undergoing cancer treatment, while Sam, is recovering from a major injury that leaves him disabled. Sam and Sadie connect over their love for games. Sadie becomes an integral piece of Sam's life and his recovery.
Time moves forward, Sam and Marx are roommates at Harvard. Marx is an aspiring actor while Sam pursues his passion for making games. One day, Sam happens to meet Sadie on campus (she's there for a gaming meeting) and they connect (over Oregon Trail of all things). Sadie gives Sam a game she's working on, and the rest is gaming history--a story of creating amazing, creative games together.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (an ode to MacBeth, which later, ties beautifully into one of the characters arcs) is the story of missed opportunities, successes, pains, love, and a passion for art.
There is a time for any fledgling artist where one’s taste exceeds one’s abilities. The only way to get through this period is to make things anyway
Zevin not only created amazing virtual worlds I'd love to play, she wrote an entire chapter within a game--literal genius. There was also a chapter in second person, which may feel out of place to some, but made sense in the context of the character's journey.
Initially, I was bogged down by all the gaming conversations, but it's worth it to continue reading. The beginning ties in wonderfully as we learn the struggles of creating true art. Zevin also touches upon some important cultural/political topics that helped move the story along.
The truth is, I cried and cheered for these wonderfully written characters, like friends more than fictional souls.
I recently read, 'The Storied Life of A.J. Fikery,' and became an instant fan of Zevin. It feels remarkably coincidental that her new book came right after--alas, the stars aligned.
I savored Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, felt protective of the words, and had a sense of reverence to the story. Have you ever felt a physical reaction after finishing a book? I was in a melancholy state, wanting to be transported into the pages, stilling time.
How could a person still be as young as he objectively knew himself to be and have had so much time pass?
As I closed the last page, my daughter wanted to be tucked into bed, yet I wanted to sit with the book and fall asleep- savoring the story. It was hard to let go, say goodbye. The characters came to life in a way that felt tangible.
There was the life that you lived, which consisted of the choices you made. And then, there was the other life, the one that was the things you hadn’t chosen. And sometimes, this other life felt as palpable as the one you were living.
Sometimes books don't find us until the right time"
The Storied Life of A.J. Firky, came at just the perfect moment. If I had read this book threeSometimes books don't find us until the right time"
The Storied Life of A.J. Firky, came at just the perfect moment. If I had read this book three months ago, I may have been undone. It came in my libby queue when all the stars aligned, and I'm still thinking about it, missing it. Every character, like a friend, touched my heart. The plot, warm and cozy, like the perfect cup of coffee on a rainy day.
A book about books, on a remote island with a disgruntled shop owner--right up my alley. I cannot praise this book enough. Author, Gabrielle Zevin brought all elements. One of the wittiest, endearing, a few "ah-ha" moments rendering books. All encompassed under an element of love, worth savoring.
A.J. Fikry is left in a bit of a conundrum. His wife, Nic, passed away in a car accident. They both owned the 'Island Books' bookstore together. She handled most of the administrative parts and now it's left to A.J. On top of that, a prized position--worth more than the bookstore, a collection of Poe poems, is missing.
When he goes to the police station to file a report, he strikes up an unexpected friendship with Officer Lambiase. Lambiase isn't much of a reader, but as A.J. talks about life, as if it's a book. Lambiase, in return, falls in love with reading through their friendship--he even starts a police officer's book club at the store (how cute).
Ameila, the annoying book sales rep, forcing A.J. to read books out of his comfort zone--I mean a memoir, come on! Sometimes, you form friendships when you weren't even looking.
Ismay, A.J. sister-in-law, wants him to pick up the pieces, and move on, even when her own life isn't' the life she signed up for. The way Ismay, a side character, is woven into the novel, was intelligent and unique.
The most surprising element, an unexpected visitor- ties everyone together, in the most heartwarming way.
I'm writing this review, but wanting to scream from the top of a bookstore roof to all my Goodreads fellows--READ THIS BOOK! My heart burst with love, sadness, and then again love for this endearing book.
The next time someone asks me who my favorite fictional character is, I might just say Lucy Barton. She has gotten me, every. single. time. She is honThe next time someone asks me who my favorite fictional character is, I might just say Lucy Barton. She has gotten me, every. single. time. She is honest, raw, and has lived a life.
Writing about current events is never easy. Writing about current events with fictional characters is even harder. Yet, Elizabeth Strout does it seamlessly, you would think she was born to write realistic stories.
I've always wondered how much of Lucy lives within Strout. Lucy is such a rich, wonderful character--she deserves to be heard!
Lucy is in a frantic state, or moreover, William is beyond anxious. The COVID pandemic has just hit, he needs to get Lucy out of New York. When William asks Lucy to come to Main, to get away from the virus, she agrees.
Lucy is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband, David. While William and her (from previous books) have come into a friendship, living with her ex-husband wasn't exactly the plan.
Lucy by the Sea tackles not only the pandemic, but the BLM movement, and the insurrection. This book takes you back in time, a time many of us want to forget. Personally, when I think back to that time, it feels like one long day. However, Strout gives a somewhat palpable experience within difficult moments that are unique and interesting. Not only do we delve into current affairs, but also the stressors her daughters endure. Love, loss, grief--this book has it all.
There was something warm and cozy about Lucy By the Sea. Unraveling the relationship of Lucy and William, their story, was inspiring. The idea that old age is not the end, but a new revolution in time was powerful.
Interestingly, Lucy creates a fictional mother. A coping mechanism to turn in times of need. A coping mechanism reminding the reader of Lucy’s turbulent background. Lucy remains cognizant of her childhood, shielding and loving her girls.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Lucy By the Sea, a definite re-read on the horizon.
Ahh! This lovely, heartwarming, beautiful book, takes place in one of my favorite cities in the world, London. I hope The Lost Ticket gets a film adapAhh! This lovely, heartwarming, beautiful book, takes place in one of my favorite cities in the world, London. I hope The Lost Ticket gets a film adaptation--adorable and endearing.
Libby has just come to London after heartache. She meets an unlikely elderly man named Frank on bus 88. Frank, a retired actor, tells Libby the story of a beautiful red head he met on the train over 60 years ago and how he's been riding the same route hoping to meet her again. He accidentally lost her number that was on the back of his bus ticket. Libby is drawn to Frank's story and decides to start a campaign to help him find his long lost girl.
On one of her bus rides, Libby meets a very rude, disgruntled, punk-music-type passenger named Dylan. Dylan happens to be in route to meet Frank. When Libby discovers Dylan is Frank's caretaker, she realizes he can help her mission to find Frank's long lost love.
Frank's initial connection with Libby is an instantaneous reminder of his lost girl. Libby too has red hair, and is an artist. Interestingly, Libby is drawn to Frank's lost love, and feels a connection to her. Libby realizes she doesn't have much time because Frank has dementia.
The Lost Ticket has a wonderful cast of characters, some lovely, some frustrating. I love the direction Libby takes for her life-- making changes, taking control for what she wants and doesn't want.
A story about unexpected friendships, the trials and heartache of real life, and the coming together of people who love one another in kindness.
I shed a few tears of happiness on the last page. The Lost Ticket is a genuine, warm, cozy read.
I'm sitting here, wondering why I never read this book. First of all, Sandra Cisneros got her degree in Iowa City, my alma mater! I love her for that.I'm sitting here, wondering why I never read this book. First of all, Sandra Cisneros got her degree in Iowa City, my alma mater! I love her for that.
The House on Mango Street is a coming of age book about a 12-year-old Hispanic girl, Esperanza, growing up in a poor confining neighborhood in Chicago. The stories are short vignettes, partially autobiographical, detailing the struggle being different, and defining yourself.
I appreciated the elegant writing that expressed young Esperenza's emotional vulnerability. She wanted more than the life she had--she held on to her dreams. There were moments of sheer joy and moments of heartbreaking pain.
I think many can relate to this book. I wish I had read it in my teen years. It's a moving story of someone who knew she could have more than what the world was offering. She needed to believe in herself to find it, not as a cliche, but genuinely search for freedom--owning her differences.
This book is raw, poignant, and definitely complex. It will make you smile and still hurt, but isn't that what great writing does?
"Someday I will have a best friend all my own. One I can tell all my secrets to. One who will understand my jokes without me having to explain them. Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor"
5/5 stars for wonderful and memorable writing. I will definitely read it again....more
The Island of Missing Trees is a magnificent love story of life, loss, love, pain, acceptance, defiance, and resilience.
I have read several of Elif SThe Island of Missing Trees is a magnificent love story of life, loss, love, pain, acceptance, defiance, and resilience.
I have read several of Elif Shafak's books and this is my favorite. Shafak tells a tale of the war-torn island of Cyprus and the conflicts between Turks and Greek, Christians and Muslims.
Shafak writes with a wondrous imagination, about a fig tree, that breathes an uncanny life, as a backdrop of her novel. Initially, I felt a bit jaded about a tree, transforming into a character, but then I remembered something profoundly sentimental in my own life, tying my family to a tree.
After my father passed away, there was a tree that shaded the bay window in his room. He planted the tree with the idea that it would protect him in the afternoon from the blazing sun. Once he had cancer and spent most of his time in his room, the tree (now that I recall) almost seemed to be his friend. I never really paid much attention to the tree, until his passing.
A week or so after his death, we woke up in the morning, to see this large sprawling tree, snapped in half, laying lifeless against the grass. That was the moment I realized that trees and humans have an interconnectedness, that many don't realize.
If you plant it, you most definitely must care for it. My father always had a green thumb, he was tender to his tree-his friend. I recall my mother saying, the tree died from a broken heart.
Kostas, a lover of trees has brought his fig tree along with him to London from Cyprus. After the passing of his wife Defne, he forms a peculiar relationship with the tree. His teen daughter Ada worries about her father's infatuation with the tree.
Yet, the tree is the connection to his past. Kostas was a Greek Christian and Defne, a Turkish Muslim. Their love was a forbidden one, hidden against the treacherous terrain of war and heartache.
The Island of Missing Trees spans over three decades from the 1970s to almost the present day. We waltz between Cyprus and England. In England, we are introduced to Kostas' teen daughter, Ada. Ada has just lost her mother, reeling with pain. When her mother's sister, Maream comes to stay with the family a new story unfolds. Although Ada is disillusioned and apathetic to her parents' past, she begins to unravel the mysteries that tied her mother and father together.
Shafak writes with precise eloquence and passionate prose about a topic that seems to be dear to her heart. Being Turkish herself, she can weave together the disjointed history and an almost ill-fated relationship between two star-crossed lovers.
I adored this book for its eloquent writing and moving story. 5/5 stars....more
My first 5-star rating of the year! I devoured this book, reading it within a day.
Christian Lauren's book, Love and Other Words, is worthy of attentioMy first 5-star rating of the year! I devoured this book, reading it within a day.
Christian Lauren's book, Love and Other Words, is worthy of attention for wonderful character development and great writing.
Macy has a full schedule. Not only is she a pediatric resident, she is also engaged to a prominent artist who happens to have a child. Her life is going pretty smoothly until one day she come across Elliot, in a coffee shop. A plethora of emotions overtakes her. Elliot is a reminder of everything wonderful and heartbreaking in her past.
Love and Other Words, tells a story of two teens, bonding through all the angst and fury of life's pubescent horrors and wonders. Macy and Elliot form a bond that makes them inseparable--eventually each other's comfort.
They embark on a friendship that slowly grows into a passion with the tides of growth and understanding. With time, we come to understand why Macy and Elliot ended their friendship so abruptly.
The story is told between present day and eleven years, when the two meet at an open house for a summer home intended for Macy and her widowed father.
Macy and Elliot have amazing once-in-a-lifetime chemistry and their slow-burn romance is perfect.
It is Macy and Elliot's shared love for books that brings them together. Falling in love, over books and words! What's not to love about that? The beauty of true friendship and beautiful love--a combination worth reading.
I just finished this book and have a huge smile on my face! An epic escape from the current madness of life.
5 fabulous starts for this page-turner!
***Reread! Still my favorite book by Christian Lauren! ...more
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