Review: Cowboys and Catalans: A Texan Rambles Through Europe
Cowboys and Catalans: A Texan Rambles Through Europe by Charles L. Sizemore
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This memoir of a fellow Texan’s travel through Europe during his year studying in London will probably only appeal to those of us who have studied abroad and/or traveled though Europe as a student. Sizemore’s writing style isn’t anything to write home about – it’s very factual. He did that, ate this, met up with those friends. I give it 2 stars because I totally related to some of his travel experiences, especially through Spain, and I did enjoy learning a little more about the history of areas I had not visited but in the end, his story was rather bland and he made no effort to connect with the reader. He simply & quite literally wrote down exactly what happened to him. He did share a few opinions and when he did, it really lifted his writing. Maybe a little better editing woudl have raised this another star.
Review: Running With Scissors
Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hmmm. This book left me conflicted. First all – be aware that this is auto-biographical. Which makes it even more disturbing. And also why I am conflicted.
On one hand I liked the writing – it was funny and irreverent. On the other hand, the story seemed to be just… too much. Not saying the author’s life was not f*cked up. I believe it was and I believe the book is truthful. But at times I feel like that same writing style that I like also made the story seem over-embellished. Like when one tells a personal story, we don’t lie or make-up stuff up but we find ways to subtly make it sound more interesting or more sensational than it really was, whether sub-consciously or not. I finished the book feeling slightly manipulated. Or did I feel this way because believing that everything in the book was depicted exactly as it happened is a horrifying thought and seems hard to believe considering how well the author turned out in the end?
If you’ve read it, what are you thoughts?
Also, be aware that there are graphic sexual scenes. Not for the easily offended.
Review: The Help
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wonderful read… never slow but the pace did pick up at about the halfway mark. Characters well written – I like how she wrote in three different character’s voices throughout the novel. A tricky subject that I think was handled respectfully. I have not see the movie but am interested to see how they translated the characters to screen.
Review: The Night Circus
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that had me staying up past my bedtime because I could not put it down! This is a love story like no other… it’s not a plot line I’ve read before either. It is based in the late 1880’s – early 1900’s and centers on an enchanting, mystical circus that only takes place at night. It is appropriately called the Circus of Dreams. Morgenstern is impeccable at describing her circus – I could envision it in my head and wished I could be there in real life. She is just as good with her characters. I was sad to see she has only written one book and anxiously await to see what she publishes next. Her writing style is enthralling, beautiful and unique. It has been a while since a book has been able to transport me into its world & characters so deeply as The Night Circus did. My only complaint (and it is a minor one) is that it got a little confusing because the chapters flip between narrators and times and even geographical location (at times they are decades apart) but this issue was easily alleviated because the chapter titles typically told you the date and place to help you get oriented. A highly recommended read!
Review: Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero
Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Michael Hingson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good compelling read on a blind 9-11 survivor who was in the one of the towers when the 1st plane hit. Since you know he survives, there is no true climatic point in the story. He and his guide dog actually make it out about halfway through the book but he fills in the space around the 9-11 narrative with his experiences as a blind individual and how his upbringing made him who he is today and gave him the ability to make it through alive. I learned more about the blind than I did about 9-11 but that was fine and unexpected. Only complaints were he was a bit preachy – but how can I blame him if he is a religious individual? – and the title and cover image were a little misleading. The story was more about the man than the dog. We do learn a lot about his guide-dog and about how guide-dogs assist the blind but I had expected more focus on that aspect.
Review: Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French
Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French by Stephen Clarke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I’ve read Clarke’s other fiction comedy series centered around Paul West, a British ex-pat living in France. I enjoy his style of writing and having studied French for 4 years in high school and having visited France on several occasions, I was interested in this non-fiction book that Clarke wrote from his personal experiences.
Still funny and I enjoyed but it did get a little tedious and rambling. He does lovingly mock the French but hey, it’s the French! They deserve it! 🙂 Don’t worry, j’adore les francaises…
Anyway, I give it 3 stars only because if you are not into the subject matter, it won’t entertain you at all and because it like I already said, he did ramble on a bit at times. C’est la vie!
Review: Bossypants
Bossypants by Tina Fey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Quick funny read for any Tina Fey lovers as well as lovers of SNL, 30 Rock or improv comedy. Nothing too ground breaking or revealing in here but still a nice read on Tina’s comedy background, her hard-working values and her passion for getting women comedians and comedy writers the attention and the accolades they deserve in an entertainment world that doesn’t always see them on equal footing with their male peers.
Review: I Shall Wear Midnight
I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My husband is a huge Terry Pratchett fan and I when he upgraded his Kindle, I inherited his old Kindle 2G with this book still on it. I am glad I read it! It’s different from his other Discworld books and is actually the 4th in a series centered on the main character, young witch Tiffany Aching. I was concerned about starting at the end of a series but my husband insisted I could read it as a stand alone book without having read the rest of the series and he was right. Tiffany is a wonderful character and the Nac Mac Feegles who accompany her everywhere are additional comic relief. They may be annoying but I sort of wish I had my own set of Nac Mac Feegles following me around! Story is more serious than other Pratchett books but still manages to remain lighthearted and quick-moving. Another classic Pratchett tale that leaves me wanting to read more of his books,
Review: Shit My Dad Says
Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fun, super quick read. Heartwarming story of his relationship with his Dad and not what I expected. Some great advice in there too, all while laughing out loud.
Foto Friday: 10:13
From a trip I took to the Fordyce Bathhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Rest of the pics from my trip can be seen here.
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