4 out of 5 stars
You just want to hug this kid.
The Casual Vacancy
1 out of 5 stars
I really wanted to like this book, because, you know, it's J.K. Rowling. But (and I feel bad saying this, I really do), I couldn't even finish it, I was so bored. When I wasn't bored, I was confused by all the characters I didn't care about. Where's Voldemort when you need him?!
Goldberg Variations
3.5 out of 5 stars
There is virtually no action in this book, but I LOVED the dialogue, especially thoughts, both spoken and unspoken, of Gloria, the 79-year-old heroine of sorts. She is sassy, cranky, opinionated and an absolute hoot. And she's trying to leave her successful business, Glory, to one of three grown (and successful) grandchildren, none of whom want it. Their dysfunctional family reunion at her Santa Fe mansion is a study in self-restraint and conversation skills. This is the first of her books that I've read, and I think I'll probably check out some of her others.
The Fallback Plan
4 out of 5 stars
I thought this was going to be a light, funny read...and it was at times, but there were also some deeper bits, and I found myself admiring Stein's writing like I would those "big name" writerly types like John Irving or Ann Tyler...if Ann Tyler or John Irving wrote a blog and posted things on Facebook.
Twenty-something Esther has moved back into her parents' house after college with a bad case of Weltschmerz (her diagnosis). In other words, she already world weary and apathetic...or maybe just depressed, hard to tell. At any rate, she's got no drive, but her droll observations and recollections of how she got to where she is are hilarious.
Without giving too much away, she reluctantly takes a nanny-ish position for a family that has lost a child, and as she gets more and more involved with each family member, the book takes a more serious and thoughtful turn. The little girl she cares for is possibly my favorite character -- I wanted her to be more involved in the story.
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
5 out of 5 stars
By far one of the funnier books I've read in a long time.
Lawson is a blogger and writes like one, but this is a good thing. Her story
telling is crisp and engaging while still endearingly meandering; you really
come away thinking this is a person you might like to have as a friend or at
least a pen pal. Her mostly true memoir is bluntly honest and at times makes
you squirm a little from its in-your-face forthrightness (is that a word?), but
you can't help but admire her guts and determination. Behind all the
cathartic humor is a lot of angst, pain and at times crippling anxiety that she
faces if not head on, then with a gimlet eye. Some people found the occasional*
swear word off putting, but I have no patience for that sort of prissy decree.
Lawson swears and swears well with comedic timing (placement) that is artful.
Get it, read it, and be warned you might wet your pants a little.
*OK, several times a page
Something Missing
3 out of 5 stars
This was quirky and fun, but a little slow going at times.
Definitely an interesting premise (a thief who only steals things people won't
notice), and his relationships (even if they're in his own head) with his
"clients," are more touching than creepy. I'd still recommend it for
a light read as long as you're OK with not having a lot of page-turning
suspense.
Snowflower and the Secret Fan
4 out of 5 stars
If you were ever put into time out or even spanked as a kid,
this book will make you grateful that something that was presumably "for
your own good" didn't involve physical mutilation or selling you to the
highest bidder. The degree of physical and emotional abuse that children,
mostly girls, endure in the name of culture and tradition is tragic (I know...understatement
of the year). It is almost a character unto itself in this story, but much less
triumphant than the ways this little girl endures, survives and draws you into
her world. And her relationship with her friend is sweet, touching, and
delicately strong like piano wire. It's a really, really different and
fascinating read that gets a little otherworldly and spiritual at times, but
not so you'd roll your eyes. My mom gave this to me to read while I was
recovering from knee surgery and trapped in a passive motion machine for 8
hours a day. I think she was trying to send me a subtle message to "suck
it up, it could be worse." It worked.
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