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jenbsbooks's Reviews (2.41k)
Sometimes rating a book is hard ... I'm not sure if I really think of this as a 5* read. I don't know that I LOVED it, or would totally recommend it, but after I listened to the audiobook, I felt compelled to pick up the kindle copy, and I pretty much re-read it all. I needed to experience it again, to attempt to understand and link all the stories and make the connections. This was a very unique piece, and I think it's one I wouldn't mind having in my home library. So very different, I'm not sure if I've read anything quite like this. It made more of an impact on me than the other 4*s I've rated recently... so 5* it is.
At first, it seems VERY disjointed and impersonal/disconnected ... in chapter one, a couple of lovers, we are never given their names (3rd person/past tense). A section in between chapters - the "Nightmaid's Letter" ... Anonymous (so again, no name given). This is written as a "letter" or journal, first person, very little punctuation, no paragraph breaks. Strange spellings (slayn, benumbed, carryd, stoppd, poysond). Chapter two ... an omniscient narrator, tells a little about the woman in the previous section, some about the location, introduces the apple. Then another non-chapter section "Osgood's Wonder" this was first person/past tense. Chapter three then reverts to the omniscient narrator, telling us about Mary and Alice (Osgood's daughters).
It continues on like this ... with different sections, several told in verse (technically song, but spoken) about odd items (the catamount, the squirrel, one a verse recap of what had happened in the section before), others, first person accounts (told in case notes or a written address given to a crowd) with the "chapters" of the omniscient narrator in-between featuring different people or things. Brand new characters, introduced ... what do they have to do with this story? Then there's a connection made. Background on the trees, birds, bugs - including an almost explicit encounter between beetles.
So often this felt rambly ... It was a little hard to remember everything (thus my re-read). So many of the sections told in a completely different voice. The omniscient narrator had so much knowledge and quite the vocabulary - I highlighted and looked up so many words I was unfamiliar with. So many times I had NO idea what was going on or why this was being included, then there would be a connection. The big cat on the cover ... I don't love it (honestly, the whole "don't judge a book by its cover notwithstanding, it made me less interested to give this a try) but "catamount" is said 17 times, and that doesn't even include like references (panther, cougar, mountain lion).
But overall ... this was unique and memorable, and re-reading it after listening (nothing wrong with the audio, just a little hard to really absorb everything!) there was just so much to appreciate, to catch all the connections and the repetitions throughout.
The "different voices" in the writing, were brought to life with different narrators in the audio edition. Our same omniscient narrator kept the consistency, in the writing and the sound. The first person narratives had their own voices, and the verse sections were voiced by the same narrator. One thing I really liked was at the end of the audio, the different narrators gave credits, listing who they were and which parts they read. I loved that, often I recognize a name and/or a voice but have trouble placing it within an audiobook with multiple narrators.
If someone didn't like this book, I'd totally understand it ... and after just my first initial listen, I'm not sure how I felt about it, or would have rated it if I'd stopped there. But when I took the time to re-read it, and everything felt familiar (at times I've listened, then read and thought "wow, I missed a lot!) yet not boring (for an immediate re-read). So many stories, yet all interconnected. Ghostly feel. People, nature. One feels it can never really end.
Just one f-bomb, but quite a bit of sexual content.
The TOC had the Chapters and the "in-between" sections ... the non-chapter sections are much more descriptive in their content, I rather wish the chapters had headers too. So below, is as much for my OCD and reference as it is for anything else ;)
Chapter 1 - Puritan Lovers
Anonymous, the "Nightmaid's" Letter
Chapter 2 - Narrator, nightmaide, nature and apple seed
Osgood's Wonder -Letter to his daughters as he goes to war
Chapter 3 - Narrator, Osgood's daughters; Mary and Alice
Verse - The Catamount
From "Proverbs and Sayings"
Chapter 4 -Phalen, Slave chaser
Verse - Owl & Squirrel
Letters to EN - the painter and the writer
Chapter 5 -The nurse and the letter (caregiver to the painter)
Verse - December Song
Chapter 6 - The Medium
Chapter 7 - Two winds, a spore
Case Notes on Robert S (Robert's mother is the child of the couple in Chapter 6)
Chapter 8 - Newlyweds; and the beetles
Chapter 9 -Lillian (Robert's Mother) prison penpals
Murder Most Cold - True Crime report
Chapter 10 - Helen (Robert's sister)
An Address to the Historical Society of Western Massachusetts
Chapter 11 - Morris the detectorist (who had given the address just mentioned)
Verse - A Cure for Lovesickness (tied to the events at the end of the last chapter)
3Bd, 2Ba - Advertisement for Catamount Acres ... "peace and tranquility to its owners"
Chapter 12 - Nora ... new to the area
Succession ...
At first, it seems VERY disjointed and impersonal/disconnected ... in chapter one, a couple of lovers, we are never given their names (3rd person/past tense). A section in between chapters - the "Nightmaid's Letter" ... Anonymous (so again, no name given). This is written as a "letter" or journal, first person, very little punctuation, no paragraph breaks. Strange spellings (slayn, benumbed, carryd, stoppd, poysond). Chapter two ... an omniscient narrator, tells a little about the woman in the previous section, some about the location, introduces the apple. Then another non-chapter section "Osgood's Wonder" this was first person/past tense. Chapter three then reverts to the omniscient narrator, telling us about Mary and Alice (Osgood's daughters).
It continues on like this ... with different sections, several told in verse (technically song, but spoken) about odd items (the catamount, the squirrel, one a verse recap of what had happened in the section before), others, first person accounts (told in case notes or a written address given to a crowd) with the "chapters" of the omniscient narrator in-between featuring different people or things. Brand new characters, introduced ... what do they have to do with this story? Then there's a connection made. Background on the trees, birds, bugs - including an almost explicit encounter between beetles.
So often this felt rambly ... It was a little hard to remember everything (thus my re-read). So many of the sections told in a completely different voice. The omniscient narrator had so much knowledge and quite the vocabulary - I highlighted and looked up so many words I was unfamiliar with. So many times I had NO idea what was going on or why this was being included, then there would be a connection. The big cat on the cover ... I don't love it (honestly, the whole "don't judge a book by its cover notwithstanding, it made me less interested to give this a try) but "catamount" is said 17 times, and that doesn't even include like references (panther, cougar, mountain lion).
But overall ... this was unique and memorable, and re-reading it after listening (nothing wrong with the audio, just a little hard to really absorb everything!) there was just so much to appreciate, to catch all the connections and the repetitions throughout.
The "different voices" in the writing, were brought to life with different narrators in the audio edition. Our same omniscient narrator kept the consistency, in the writing and the sound. The first person narratives had their own voices, and the verse sections were voiced by the same narrator. One thing I really liked was at the end of the audio, the different narrators gave credits, listing who they were and which parts they read. I loved that, often I recognize a name and/or a voice but have trouble placing it within an audiobook with multiple narrators.
If someone didn't like this book, I'd totally understand it ... and after just my first initial listen, I'm not sure how I felt about it, or would have rated it if I'd stopped there. But when I took the time to re-read it, and everything felt familiar (at times I've listened, then read and thought "wow, I missed a lot!) yet not boring (for an immediate re-read). So many stories, yet all interconnected. Ghostly feel. People, nature. One feels it can never really end.
Just one f-bomb, but quite a bit of sexual content.
The TOC had the Chapters and the "in-between" sections ... the non-chapter sections are much more descriptive in their content, I rather wish the chapters had headers too. So below, is as much for my OCD and reference as it is for anything else ;)
Chapter 1 - Puritan Lovers
Anonymous, the "Nightmaid's" Letter
Chapter 2 - Narrator, nightmaide, nature and apple seed
Osgood's Wonder -Letter to his daughters as he goes to war
Chapter 3 - Narrator, Osgood's daughters; Mary and Alice
Verse - The Catamount
From "Proverbs and Sayings"
Chapter 4 -Phalen, Slave chaser
Verse - Owl & Squirrel
Letters to EN - the painter and the writer
Chapter 5 -The nurse and the letter (caregiver to the painter)
Verse - December Song
Chapter 6 - The Medium
Chapter 7 - Two winds, a spore
Case Notes on Robert S (Robert's mother is the child of the couple in Chapter 6)
Chapter 8 - Newlyweds; and the beetles
Chapter 9 -Lillian (Robert's Mother) prison penpals
Murder Most Cold - True Crime report
Chapter 10 - Helen (Robert's sister)
An Address to the Historical Society of Western Massachusetts
Chapter 11 - Morris the detectorist (who had given the address just mentioned)
Verse - A Cure for Lovesickness (tied to the events at the end of the last chapter)
3Bd, 2Ba - Advertisement for Catamount Acres ... "peace and tranquility to its owners"
Chapter 12 - Nora ... new to the area
Succession ...
I liked this a lot ... it just takes that little something extra (is this a book I want to buy and keep in my personal library for reference, one I would absolutely recommend to others, has profound parts I had to stop and highlight/make notes) to bump to 5* for me. I had no trouble finishing this, it kept my interest, I was moved by the author's situation and how he and his wife handled things. Thumbs up, glad I read it.
Often I'll get a book recommendation (I'm on several Facebook Book groups) and I'll put anything that looks remotely interesting on my library wishlist. I moved this to my holds, and when it became available, I checked it out and started without even re-reading the blurb to know what it was I was getting into. Took me a minute to realize this was a memoir, non-fiction, not a novel.
This was written in a very conversational tone, like the author was telling his story to the reader. That being said, there was a bit of medical language, technical stuff, but also some nice writing ... "But the box of crayons was perfect, a full panoply of everything you could want ..." I had noticed the word panoply (an extensive or impressive collection) in a previous read, looking up the definition. I think this is only the second time I've heard it in use.
I studied sign language in college (through interpreting level, although I never really could carry on a conversation). I learned a lot about the deaf culture in classes. My sister learned ASL and has been an interpreter for years (her husband also). The author's experience with deafness IS very different than deaf culture (born deaf) and he does address these differences. Cochlear implants are viewed very differently. It was interesting to learn a little more of the science behind how they work.
Another memoir I'd read recently [book:The Night the Lights Went Out: A Memoir of Life After Brain Damage|56637945] felt a little similar to this. That author also suffered with hearing loss after his "lights went out" and ended up with a cochlear implant, and had a similar situation where it was damaged (can't remember if he tried the rice trick). Hubs has some hearing loss, so the "good ear" being his right ear, always trying to be on that side for conversations ... there was some connection there. Of course very minor comparatively to this author's experience.
I went with the audio edition ... this is narrated by the author. He made several statements about wanting to be sure that he kept his voice (which can be a struggle when you can't hear yourself speak). He did a really good job, a bit dry, but under the circumstances, quite incredible. There was a slight uniqueness to his speech, not something I can put my finger on. It's something I notice with my SIL as well (had her jaw crushed in an ATV accident, mouth rebuilt) ... there were so many things the author went through, that I doubt any speech shifts were even related to his deafness, but to other factors.
Per the title (I like the title, and the cover) - "soundtrack" and music plays a HUGE part of this story. The author quotes lyrics from so many songs. I think everyone likes music, but it's obvious how intrinsic it it/was to the author, which makes his loss even more tragic. I note, when songs are mentioned in books, if the narrator sings or speaks the lyrics. Here, they were spoken (which sometimes annoys me when in a novel, the character is singing) ... and it was fine. A little "patter speak" so that even if I didn't recognize the lyrics directly (which I actually did 90% of the time I think) I could tell he was quoting lyrics. Each chapter started with a line of lyrics, and more were included in the text (in Italics).
On the one hand, a book like this, a look at another life, the struggles and successes, can be very motivational and inspirational. On the other hand, it can be a bit depressing, "how come I feel sad and struggle when I haven't gone through anything like this ... I must not be nearly as impressive a person" That's a me problem I guess.
Completely clean - no language or sex.
Often I'll get a book recommendation (I'm on several Facebook Book groups) and I'll put anything that looks remotely interesting on my library wishlist. I moved this to my holds, and when it became available, I checked it out and started without even re-reading the blurb to know what it was I was getting into. Took me a minute to realize this was a memoir, non-fiction, not a novel.
This was written in a very conversational tone, like the author was telling his story to the reader. That being said, there was a bit of medical language, technical stuff, but also some nice writing ... "But the box of crayons was perfect, a full panoply of everything you could want ..." I had noticed the word panoply (an extensive or impressive collection) in a previous read, looking up the definition. I think this is only the second time I've heard it in use.
I studied sign language in college (through interpreting level, although I never really could carry on a conversation). I learned a lot about the deaf culture in classes. My sister learned ASL and has been an interpreter for years (her husband also). The author's experience with deafness IS very different than deaf culture (born deaf) and he does address these differences. Cochlear implants are viewed very differently. It was interesting to learn a little more of the science behind how they work.
Another memoir I'd read recently [book:The Night the Lights Went Out: A Memoir of Life After Brain Damage|56637945] felt a little similar to this. That author also suffered with hearing loss after his "lights went out" and ended up with a cochlear implant, and had a similar situation where it was damaged (can't remember if he tried the rice trick). Hubs has some hearing loss, so the "good ear" being his right ear, always trying to be on that side for conversations ... there was some connection there. Of course very minor comparatively to this author's experience.
I went with the audio edition ... this is narrated by the author. He made several statements about wanting to be sure that he kept his voice (which can be a struggle when you can't hear yourself speak). He did a really good job, a bit dry, but under the circumstances, quite incredible. There was a slight uniqueness to his speech, not something I can put my finger on. It's something I notice with my SIL as well (had her jaw crushed in an ATV accident, mouth rebuilt) ... there were so many things the author went through, that I doubt any speech shifts were even related to his deafness, but to other factors.
Per the title (I like the title, and the cover) - "soundtrack" and music plays a HUGE part of this story. The author quotes lyrics from so many songs. I think everyone likes music, but it's obvious how intrinsic it it/was to the author, which makes his loss even more tragic. I note, when songs are mentioned in books, if the narrator sings or speaks the lyrics. Here, they were spoken (which sometimes annoys me when in a novel, the character is singing) ... and it was fine. A little "patter speak" so that even if I didn't recognize the lyrics directly (which I actually did 90% of the time I think) I could tell he was quoting lyrics. Each chapter started with a line of lyrics, and more were included in the text (in Italics).
On the one hand, a book like this, a look at another life, the struggles and successes, can be very motivational and inspirational. On the other hand, it can be a bit depressing, "how come I feel sad and struggle when I haven't gone through anything like this ... I must not be nearly as impressive a person" That's a me problem I guess.
Completely clean - no language or sex.
While I was in this, I was liking it a LOT. But, time travel is always so confusing and this one even more so! As it finished, I wasn't sure I understood, and even looking at Q&A and re-reading portions, I still just don't really get it. Maybe a "me" problem, but that does affect my enjoyment. Leaving me more perplexed than "ahhhh" ...
This had the angst ... lots of complex things to deal with. The time travel, what life to live, should she get involved, a little murder mystery thrown in.
I went with the audio edition. Brittany Pressely did a good job with the narration. I know I've listened to other books she's done and her voice sounded very familiar, but I can't place which past book I seemed to be associating the sound with. Loved the slight accent for Eamon.
There weren't really any "oh I need to stop the story and go highlight that" moments. 1st person/past tense. Simple chronological chapters. There was "smirking" going on ... Kindle search, and it was only four times, but felt like more. One f-bomb. A bit of sex, not explicit.
Looking at the other editions ... I really like the Delecorte Press cover with the red door on it.
This had the angst ... lots of complex things to deal with. The time travel, what life to live, should she get involved, a little murder mystery thrown in.
I went with the audio edition. Brittany Pressely did a good job with the narration. I know I've listened to other books she's done and her voice sounded very familiar, but I can't place which past book I seemed to be associating the sound with. Loved the slight accent for Eamon.
There weren't really any "oh I need to stop the story and go highlight that" moments. 1st person/past tense. Simple chronological chapters. There was "smirking" going on ... Kindle search, and it was only four times, but felt like more. One f-bomb. A bit of sex, not explicit.
Looking at the other editions ... I really like the Delecorte Press cover with the red door on it.
I really enjoyed this. While I LOVED The Lizzie Bennet Diaries YouTube series, I never got around to watching Lydia's vlogs. Here though, I DID continue on to Lydia's story. I was able to snag the audiobook at the library (extended) but the Kindle copy wasn't there. I would have liked to have it on hand, but not $12 worth to. A little pricey for an ebook.
Unlike Lizzie's book, which was in diary format, this was basic chapters. Kind of a stream-of-consciousness of Lydia telling her story to us. Very conversational. This picked up after the first book ended (as well as the video series) so this whole story was new. Lydia is in therapy, dealing with the GeorgeWickham disaster, trying to dedicate herself to getting her associates at the community college and transfer to a four year college. There's still quite a bit of "fun" ... hitting the bars, drinking, boys. The other sisters, Lizzie and Jane, make appearances. Cousin Mary plays a larger role. But this is Lydia's story, and there were enjoyable twists and turns.
I enjoyed seeing Lydia attempt to grow up and become a little more serious. Still struggling with living up (or down) to expectations from others, and herself.
I didn't have the Kindle copy to double check - Trigger check - the f-bomb was dropped at least once (but maybe only once?), lots of beer drinking/parties going on, there is a side story of an LGBTQ relationship. No sex that I recall (other than the mention of the sex tape made earlier).
Unlike The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet ... I'm not sure this could be a stand-alone. I just don't know that readers/listeners would be able to jump into Lydia's world. They would have needed the preceeding book AND probably the video series to really know Lydia. Despite it all, she really is lovable.
Unlike Lizzie's book, which was in diary format, this was basic chapters. Kind of a stream-of-consciousness of Lydia telling her story to us. Very conversational. This picked up after the first book ended (as well as the video series) so this whole story was new. Lydia is in therapy, dealing with the GeorgeWickham disaster, trying to dedicate herself to getting her associates at the community college and transfer to a four year college. There's still quite a bit of "fun" ... hitting the bars, drinking, boys. The other sisters, Lizzie and Jane, make appearances. Cousin Mary plays a larger role. But this is Lydia's story, and there were enjoyable twists and turns.
I enjoyed seeing Lydia attempt to grow up and become a little more serious. Still struggling with living up (or down) to expectations from others, and herself.
I didn't have the Kindle copy to double check - Trigger check - the f-bomb was dropped at least once (but maybe only once?), lots of beer drinking/parties going on, there is a side story of an LGBTQ relationship. No sex that I recall (other than the mention of the sex tape made earlier).
Unlike The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet ... I'm not sure this could be a stand-alone. I just don't know that readers/listeners would be able to jump into Lydia's world. They would have needed the preceeding book AND probably the video series to really know Lydia. Despite it all, she really is lovable.
So ... I'm a huge fan of P&P and the oodles of re-imaginings of the story. When I discovered the Youtube series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, I binged the whole thing and adored it (a modern take, Lizzie is pursuing a degree, a video blog is part of a school project. Jane and Lydia - just the three sisters, Mary is a cousin, Kitty is ... a cat). So OBS, TOTS (Lydia-isms) this book is connected to that, in audio, narrated by the gal who played Lizzie (and she re-creates the voices of Jane and Lydia quite well ... the others, not so much).
The author's note states that the enhanced e-book features links to the episodes. I went with audio, so I didn't see that (and had already watched the episodes). The author also states that this was written "with the intention of being able to be enjoyed, with or without knowledge of the videos" ... and I think I agree that someone could come in to just the book, and still understand. I feared, having watched the videos, that this might be a little repetitive ... but it was good, giving us more background than was in the videos, with only a couple scenes repeated verbatim. Of course, having watched the videos, I already knew the basic path the story was going to take, but that was okay, I still very much enjoyed this!
Written in journal style, except that as Lydia would say (in the next installment of the series) "who writes diary entries that perfectly describe events and conversations in a linear way, no one, that's who" (she's talking about the book Dracula for her college class) but that IS my main "really???" for any of these "diary" books. Who writes dialog in a diary? I keep a journal, and here and there I'll repeat (to the best of my memory) a statement or conversation ... but I don't write it out like dialog in a novel. Yet Lizzie does say "and yes, this dialogue is verbatim. I forget nothing".
1st person/past tense (as would be true of a diary). The "chapters" are just the daily diary dates.
This had several of my "words I track" ... deign, smirk, supercilious, rifled/riffled (this was the former), snuck (as opposed to sneaked). It also, I hate to admit, said "I COULD care less" ... that one is a pet peeve of mine. I would say, I COULDN'T care less, that's how little I care, I can't care any less about whatever it is than I do. Could be substituted with "I didn't care at all" ... But I "could" care less? How much less? If we switched that out to "I cared, but not that much, but I did still care some" ... grrrrr, you can tell this IS something I care about!
No proFanity, a little more sex, nothing at all explicit ... (I don't think these are really spoilers, but ... just in case, heads up) of course there's the sex tape of Lydia and GW, but here, Jane and Bing are getting busy, as do Lizzie and Darcy eventually. If someone is opposed to any premarital sex, our characters are not ... sometimes it's a little harder for me to accept it in beloved P&P characters, as it seems out of place, even in a modernized version.
The author's note states that the enhanced e-book features links to the episodes. I went with audio, so I didn't see that (and had already watched the episodes). The author also states that this was written "with the intention of being able to be enjoyed, with or without knowledge of the videos" ... and I think I agree that someone could come in to just the book, and still understand. I feared, having watched the videos, that this might be a little repetitive ... but it was good, giving us more background than was in the videos, with only a couple scenes repeated verbatim. Of course, having watched the videos, I already knew the basic path the story was going to take, but that was okay, I still very much enjoyed this!
Written in journal style, except that as Lydia would say (in the next installment of the series) "who writes diary entries that perfectly describe events and conversations in a linear way, no one, that's who" (she's talking about the book Dracula for her college class) but that IS my main "really???" for any of these "diary" books. Who writes dialog in a diary? I keep a journal, and here and there I'll repeat (to the best of my memory) a statement or conversation ... but I don't write it out like dialog in a novel. Yet Lizzie does say "and yes, this dialogue is verbatim. I forget nothing".
1st person/past tense (as would be true of a diary). The "chapters" are just the daily diary dates.
This had several of my "words I track" ... deign, smirk, supercilious, rifled/riffled (this was the former), snuck (as opposed to sneaked). It also, I hate to admit, said "I COULD care less" ... that one is a pet peeve of mine. I would say, I COULDN'T care less, that's how little I care, I can't care any less about whatever it is than I do. Could be substituted with "I didn't care at all" ... But I "could" care less? How much less? If we switched that out to "I cared, but not that much, but I did still care some" ... grrrrr, you can tell this IS something I care about!
No proFanity, a little more sex, nothing at all explicit ... (I don't think these are really spoilers, but ... just in case, heads up) of course there's the sex tape of Lydia and GW, but here, Jane and Bing are getting busy, as do Lizzie and Darcy eventually. If someone is opposed to any premarital sex, our characters are not ... sometimes it's a little harder for me to accept it in beloved P&P characters, as it seems out of place, even in a modernized version.
I loved "The Midnight Library" but this author (that theme of different life possibilities intrigues me). I liked this one okay. No trouble finishing it, but there were a few things that bugged me. Not one I'd re-read or recommend really.
First person/Past tense ...It is addressed to the reader, who isn't really US the reader, but his own kind, other aliens. It starts off with a preface , then three "parts" with multiple chapters in each. I don't know how many, because only chapter headings were listed, no numerical chapters. While I DO like it when the chapter headings are included in the TOC, numerical chapters are also really helpful. As I shifted between audio and kindle copy, it was a bit of work to find my place between the formats. At the end (in the Kindle copy) there were some discussion questions, which I appreciate ... even if I don't spend much time on them, it gives me a little something to think, delving a little deeper than just a simple pleasure read.
This is a story of an alien who has come to Earth on a mission, posing as a human, and learning what it means to be human. It addresses all sorts of things as our MC experiences human life for the first time, comes to change his perception of some things, just doesn't understand many things. It felt a little over the top, and a bit eye-rolling with the sexual stuff (he doesn't realize he should wear clothes (not entirely compatible with external testicles), uses Cosmopolitan as a text book, and thoughts like "it seemed orgasms were the central tenet of life here" ... "a male human's testicles were the most attractive thing about him" ... "if they had to have flags, why they didn't just opt for one with a picture of sex." There was some sex, and a lot of proFanity (x42). There was some impactful addressing of suicide, naive understanding (well, NOT understanding) of fidelity, and it was interesting to watch the changes taking place.
I went with the audio, but had the kindle copy to look over as well. I noticed as our MC is talking to the reader, in the print it says "as you read this book" and the audio changed to "as you listen to this book" ... just interesting to note ;) The narrator was good, a bit bland, but that IS actually representative of the character assuming a human role.
Quote - "happiness is possible for me now. It exists on the other side of the hurt" and "to love someone is to lie to them". There probably were more quotable things. The MC makes a BIG list of "advice" that had some things that were interesting to consider.
I was able to grab the audio and kindle copy from my library. The kindle copy is also included in KU.
Don't care for the cover (with the nose).
First person/Past tense ...It is addressed to the reader, who isn't really US the reader, but his own kind, other aliens. It starts off with a preface , then three "parts" with multiple chapters in each. I don't know how many, because only chapter headings were listed, no numerical chapters. While I DO like it when the chapter headings are included in the TOC, numerical chapters are also really helpful. As I shifted between audio and kindle copy, it was a bit of work to find my place between the formats. At the end (in the Kindle copy) there were some discussion questions, which I appreciate ... even if I don't spend much time on them, it gives me a little something to think, delving a little deeper than just a simple pleasure read.
This is a story of an alien who has come to Earth on a mission, posing as a human, and learning what it means to be human. It addresses all sorts of things as our MC experiences human life for the first time, comes to change his perception of some things, just doesn't understand many things. It felt a little over the top, and a bit eye-rolling with the sexual stuff (he doesn't realize he should wear clothes (not entirely compatible with external testicles), uses Cosmopolitan as a text book, and thoughts like "it seemed orgasms were the central tenet of life here" ... "a male human's testicles were the most attractive thing about him" ... "if they had to have flags, why they didn't just opt for one with a picture of sex." There was some sex, and a lot of proFanity (x42). There was some impactful addressing of suicide, naive understanding (well, NOT understanding) of fidelity, and it was interesting to watch the changes taking place.
I went with the audio, but had the kindle copy to look over as well. I noticed as our MC is talking to the reader, in the print it says "as you read this book" and the audio changed to "as you listen to this book" ... just interesting to note ;) The narrator was good, a bit bland, but that IS actually representative of the character assuming a human role.
Quote - "happiness is possible for me now. It exists on the other side of the hurt" and "to love someone is to lie to them". There probably were more quotable things. The MC makes a BIG list of "advice" that had some things that were interesting to consider.
I was able to grab the audio and kindle copy from my library. The kindle copy is also included in KU.
Don't care for the cover (with the nose).
I liked this ... I really had no trouble finishing it (listening to the audio) and enjoyed learning a little more about Mr. Winkler. Happy Days was a little before my time, but I have vague memories of it, maybe catching some re-runs once it was in syndication? I had caught Henry in Arrested Development, and in Barry. I also think I have a Hank Zipzer book in our home library (I have five boys, reluctant readers ... I don't think we ever got to the book though).
I was able to grab the audio and the kindle copy from my library - I went with the audio. Never really needed to turn to the kindle (I like to have it for reference if I get a little lost, or to make notes/highlights). One thing I noticed, as that Henry drops his "H"s at the beginning of words. I'm now wondering if it did that in the shows he was in too? I found it very noticeable 'ere.
As with most memoirs/autobiographies, this was first person, past tense. He starts off his story in 1973 at his audition for "The Fonz" ... he then shifts back to younger years. While overall, staying somewhat chronological, he'd also stop and recount memories from childhood, give some family history. There was a shift to present tense. Little sections, in Kindle, broken up by ****** as he'd jump from various topics. 12 chapters, no headings, although they did indicate some "section" topics.
I like people's life stories. It was interesting to hear his acting training, leaving NY for Hollywood, going on auditions, getting Happy Days. I had heard "jump the shark" and knew it was tied to that episode. Knowing some of his later work, I was waiting to hear how those happened. He never mentioned getting his "star" ... I thought that would have made it into a life story.
There was some proFanity (x14) and some talk of sex, nothing explicit.
There were some sections featuring his wife - and she wrote them (her POV) for the book, and narrated them in audio.
One's memories are always a bit subjective ... while he tries to be fair, the parents come off badly, as do a few others he mentions by name. There are others he specifically does NOT mention ... seeming to allow them anonymity, while not caring as much for some who had died, who he REALLY didn't like. HE comes off quite well, almost TOO perfect in some instances. He does seem like a likeable guy.
I was able to grab the audio and the kindle copy from my library - I went with the audio. Never really needed to turn to the kindle (I like to have it for reference if I get a little lost, or to make notes/highlights). One thing I noticed, as that Henry drops his "H"s at the beginning of words. I'm now wondering if it did that in the shows he was in too? I found it very noticeable 'ere.
As with most memoirs/autobiographies, this was first person, past tense. He starts off his story in 1973 at his audition for "The Fonz" ... he then shifts back to younger years. While overall, staying somewhat chronological, he'd also stop and recount memories from childhood, give some family history. There was a shift to present tense. Little sections, in Kindle, broken up by ****** as he'd jump from various topics. 12 chapters, no headings, although they did indicate some "section" topics.
I like people's life stories. It was interesting to hear his acting training, leaving NY for Hollywood, going on auditions, getting Happy Days. I had heard "jump the shark" and knew it was tied to that episode. Knowing some of his later work, I was waiting to hear how those happened. He never mentioned getting his "star" ... I thought that would have made it into a life story.
There was some proFanity (x14) and some talk of sex, nothing explicit.
There were some sections featuring his wife - and she wrote them (her POV) for the book, and narrated them in audio.
One's memories are always a bit subjective ... while he tries to be fair, the parents come off badly, as do a few others he mentions by name. There are others he specifically does NOT mention ... seeming to allow them anonymity, while not caring as much for some who had died, who he REALLY didn't like. HE comes off quite well, almost TOO perfect in some instances. He does seem like a likeable guy.
This book has received a lot of buzz. An Oprah pick, recommended (or mentioned as DNF) on Facebook groups. I was a little surprised when my mom got to this before me. I knew it was long going in, that there were multiple stories that would end up crossing. I'd heard both good and bad about the narration by the author ... I liked his narration. I grabbed the audio and kindle copy from the library. I stopped audio and turned to kindle quite a few times to make notes/highlights (and that time when I must have bumped the audio and lost my place completely, glad to have the Kindle copy to skim through and find my spot). I'm sure I would have made more notes/highlights had I read more, but audio is easier.
3rd person/present tense ... six "parts" with chronological chapters (84 of them). The chapters had headers, and included a date/location. I wish these were included in the Table of Contents (not on Kindle or Audio, just the chapter number).
One struggle I had was keeping track of WHO the POV was at times ... so much of the text is just "she" and "he" and the names (as a reminder) rarely given. It even starts off that way, the very first line of the book is "she is twelve years old ..." and a little later she is called "Molay" which means "daughter" ... still not given a name. She is referred to as "the young bride" ... chapter after chapter and we are never given her name, in fact, we don't learn it until chapter 54! Instead, she is simply "she" and then "Big Ammachi" (mother). I don't know that we ever learn her husband's name either ... "he" the groom, the widower, Big Appachen ... later on, the other characters (and there are a LOT) have names, so I wasn't sure why these two characters at the start are "nameless". It even says "a name no one has called her in the memory of anyone present, a name that hasn't been uttered since she came here as a twelve-year-old bride" ... so WHAT did people call her before Jojo finally christened her "Ammachi" (months later).
Part 1, the first nine chapters are about young Big Ammachi. So I knew who "she" and "he" were, and everyone else has names. It starts in 1900 in Travancore/South India and ends in 1908 at Parambil (South India). Part 2, things hift completely. It's 1919 in Glasgow, then traveling to India/Madras in 1933 - MC is Digby, studying to be a surgeon. The story stays with Digby in Madras through 1935. Part 3, it's back to Parambil and Big Ammachi in the first (chapter 23) but in the end sets up their meeting with Dr. Rune. The story then shifts to Rune's story (all of chapter 24). Then back to Parambil/Big Ammachi 1923 ...
This shifting is just one reason why I really like to have the chapter headers/location/year listed in the TOC. Just trying to write this review, instead of being able to just glance at the TOC, I have to go individually to each chapter to see the time/POV shifts. When there are headers, sometimes just the TOC can bring back the story with a glance. While reading, listening to audio, I appreciate just looking down and seeing the Part 3, Chapter 25, A Stranger in the House, 1923 Panambil ... instead of just "chapter 25" as sometimes with all my stops and starts (listening while multi-tasking) it's easy to miss the moment the chapter starts and it's said, or coming back into the story to remember where we were. The story continues on, staying with Big Ammachi for much of it, her story also including Philipose on his own tangent, and from there, to Miriamma. Going back to Digby here and there ... what would throw me would be little side-stories ... suddenly, there are a few pages going into the history of Uplift Master or other smaller characters.
Overall thoughts ...
*While a BIG book for bookclub, there would be a lot to discuss ... actually probably TOO much.
*For me, in notes, several little personal connections.
*Water, of course, interesting how he runs through and connects throughout the book.
*Leprosy - interesting, especially after reading [book:The Second Life of Mirielle West|55841940] and learning about it there.
*TOO MUCH TRAGEDY ... I remember reading [book:The Pillars of the Earth|5043], totally different but the same in scope (loooong book, generations, TRAGEDY), so much so that I almost wanted to give up continuing on. How much more can happen to this family?
*Other/OTHER books - I'd read [book:The Girl with the Louding Voice|50214741] recently, and the "young child forced into a marriage" had a similar feel, and my mind was muddling the stories a bit (even though the one here was a nothing like in Louding). A contemporary "Indian" story [book:Lies and Other Love Languages|77042493] also had some similar themes of family, keeping secrets, etc (really nothing to do with being Indian, but applies to everyone).
I have NOT read Cutting for Stone by this author, but still saw a few references to "cutting stone" and there is a whole side story about sculpture. I do plan on reading it at some point.
3rd person/present tense ... six "parts" with chronological chapters (84 of them). The chapters had headers, and included a date/location. I wish these were included in the Table of Contents (not on Kindle or Audio, just the chapter number).
One struggle I had was keeping track of WHO the POV was at times ... so much of the text is just "she" and "he" and the names (as a reminder) rarely given. It even starts off that way, the very first line of the book is "she is twelve years old ..." and a little later she is called "Molay" which means "daughter" ... still not given a name. She is referred to as "the young bride" ... chapter after chapter and we are never given her name, in fact, we don't learn it until chapter 54! Instead, she is simply "she" and then "Big Ammachi" (mother). I don't know that we ever learn her husband's name either ... "he" the groom, the widower, Big Appachen ... later on, the other characters (and there are a LOT) have names, so I wasn't sure why these two characters at the start are "nameless". It even says "a name no one has called her in the memory of anyone present, a name that hasn't been uttered since she came here as a twelve-year-old bride" ... so WHAT did people call her before Jojo finally christened her "Ammachi" (months later).
Part 1, the first nine chapters are about young Big Ammachi. So I knew who "she" and "he" were, and everyone else has names. It starts in 1900 in Travancore/South India and ends in 1908 at Parambil (South India). Part 2, things hift completely. It's 1919 in Glasgow, then traveling to India/Madras in 1933 - MC is Digby, studying to be a surgeon. The story stays with Digby in Madras through 1935. Part 3, it's back to Parambil and Big Ammachi in the first (chapter 23) but in the end sets up their meeting with Dr. Rune. The story then shifts to Rune's story (all of chapter 24). Then back to Parambil/Big Ammachi 1923 ...
This shifting is just one reason why I really like to have the chapter headers/location/year listed in the TOC. Just trying to write this review, instead of being able to just glance at the TOC, I have to go individually to each chapter to see the time/POV shifts. When there are headers, sometimes just the TOC can bring back the story with a glance. While reading, listening to audio, I appreciate just looking down and seeing the Part 3, Chapter 25, A Stranger in the House, 1923 Panambil ... instead of just "chapter 25" as sometimes with all my stops and starts (listening while multi-tasking) it's easy to miss the moment the chapter starts and it's said, or coming back into the story to remember where we were. The story continues on, staying with Big Ammachi for much of it, her story also including Philipose on his own tangent, and from there, to Miriamma. Going back to Digby here and there ... what would throw me would be little side-stories ... suddenly, there are a few pages going into the history of Uplift Master or other smaller characters.
Overall thoughts ...
*While a BIG book for bookclub, there would be a lot to discuss ... actually probably TOO much.
*For me, in notes, several little personal connections.
*Water, of course, interesting how he runs through and connects throughout the book.
*Leprosy - interesting, especially after reading [book:The Second Life of Mirielle West|55841940] and learning about it there.
*TOO MUCH TRAGEDY ... I remember reading [book:The Pillars of the Earth|5043], totally different but the same in scope (loooong book, generations, TRAGEDY), so much so that I almost wanted to give up continuing on. How much more can happen to this family?
*Other/OTHER books - I'd read [book:The Girl with the Louding Voice|50214741] recently, and the "young child forced into a marriage" had a similar feel, and my mind was muddling the stories a bit (even though the one here was a nothing like in Louding). A contemporary "Indian" story [book:Lies and Other Love Languages|77042493] also had some similar themes of family, keeping secrets, etc (really nothing to do with being Indian, but applies to everyone).
I have NOT read Cutting for Stone by this author, but still saw a few references to "cutting stone" and there is a whole side story about sculpture. I do plan on reading it at some point.
This had really high reviews ... but it was just okay for me. 2.5* Based on a true rescue, the author is the 'character' in the book that ultimately ends up adopting the dog ... but this is from the dog's perspective, from her birth to her meeting up with several people, ultimately Alyson and her husband. While there is some guess as to earlier life history - from the author's notes, some of what is imagined was based on guesses by the vet, from observing actions/triggers ... the author says "forgive me for the parts of this story that pure conjecture and fiction ..." Ironically, as I came to record this, on Storygraph, this was listed as non-fiction/memoir. REALLY? With the dog talking to us, the reader? Methinks not. I filed a ticket and it's been corrected as fiction (which is how it was correctly listed on Goodreads).
The idea of the doggy telling the story is cute ... I can see how this would totally appeal to the animal lovers out there, who imagine that their dogs are totally understanding everything, and having conversations in their head. Despite the happy ending here, there is a lot of bad things happening too ... so animal lovers would have a tough time, too much so for some I'm sure.
The writing was a little stilted, not quite the natural flow I'm used to in my reads. The prologue was jarring, starting with a 3rd person (little boy and mother observing the dog) "I think she knows we're talking about her" ... then a switch to italics "I do indeed" the dog thought to herself. Then a "this is a remarkable tale. It's the story of that special little dog over there. And she has quite the story to tell ..." So WHO is the "voice" here, some omniscient narrator? The mother? Someone else? It just felt odd.
Then the book shifted to first person, from the moment of birth ... before really. And thus begins the story, told from the dog's POV.
Just a personal pet peeve ... I like to know where the story I'm reading is taking place. I don't know that the location was actually essential to the story, but it's frustrating when I can't even pin down the place. I could tell it was not in the US, because of the spellings. The UK? Australia? Turns out it was Spain, then shifted to Portugal, but it took too long (in my opinion) for that to be revealed. I guess there's a clue there in the extended title (I despise extended titles, they try too hard).
Beyond the alternate spellings (meagre, realised, mouldy, manoeuvred), instead of "smelled" ... the author used "smelt". Also dreamt, spoilt, but still sneaked (when I'm actually totally okay with "snuck" as a past tense). I can deal with all but "smelt" ... smelt has a different meaning in the US (extract metal from its ore by a process involving heating and melting) and it was used FOURTY times in the book. This dog was smelting everything! "Scoffed" was another odd word ... used here to mean eating quickly (scarf down?), because "scoff" is to "speak to someone or about something in a scornful, derisive or mocking way". I realize there are regional variations, and I've read a lot, just have never encountered these before. At one point, "the gentle breeze ruffled my feathers" ... um FEATHERS? Is this still the DOG talking?
I got a little frustrated with the "understanding" or lack thereof of the dog towards humans. It was SO inconsistent. At times, it seems the dog could understand everything that was being said, then a few pages later - "not really understanding what she was saying" then it was back to understanding, then not getting what was going on (are they going to leave me? Duh, of course not!) It was grating at times, as it was SO obvious to the reader, yet oblivious to little doggo.
An issue with non-fiction/memoirs, is that there often isn't a story arc, like with fiction, no built-up, conflict, resolution. Here, being based on actual happenings, the story rambled some, with no real reason to tell about certain events, just more of a journaling of what happened. In a normal story I'd be asking myself "why was that even brought up, included?" An encounter with poisonous caterpillars (they avoid them), a cat attack (not too bad, maybe they had a litter they were protecting?), this and that happening on a walk on this day, something happening on a walk on that day. It just rambled a bit.
The "Kat the Dog" name was cute and silly ... but they sure called her tons of nicknames. I mean I do that with our kitties too (Joy ... we also call her Kitten and Princess, and Oreo is Oro-boro-smegadoro, Smoreo, or "old man") ... here, her original name was Luna, then Olayla ... I was a little surprised they didn't even think/talk about keeping that for a moment. While christened Kat, she was called Missy as much or more. Then there was Ratty, Monkey, Pickle, Poppet ...
So, I finished it. Pretty easy and quick read. I actually will probably remember this, although there was nothing profound, no quotes to save/highlight. Not really one I'd recommend. Don't need to own a copy. Included in KindleUnlimited, text only. There was audio, but I didn't feel like paying the add-on price, so I just read it.
The idea of the doggy telling the story is cute ... I can see how this would totally appeal to the animal lovers out there, who imagine that their dogs are totally understanding everything, and having conversations in their head. Despite the happy ending here, there is a lot of bad things happening too ... so animal lovers would have a tough time, too much so for some I'm sure.
The writing was a little stilted, not quite the natural flow I'm used to in my reads. The prologue was jarring, starting with a 3rd person (little boy and mother observing the dog) "I think she knows we're talking about her" ... then a switch to italics "I do indeed" the dog thought to herself. Then a "this is a remarkable tale. It's the story of that special little dog over there. And she has quite the story to tell ..." So WHO is the "voice" here, some omniscient narrator? The mother? Someone else? It just felt odd.
Then the book shifted to first person, from the moment of birth ... before really. And thus begins the story, told from the dog's POV.
Just a personal pet peeve ... I like to know where the story I'm reading is taking place. I don't know that the location was actually essential to the story, but it's frustrating when I can't even pin down the place. I could tell it was not in the US, because of the spellings. The UK? Australia? Turns out it was Spain, then shifted to Portugal, but it took too long (in my opinion) for that to be revealed. I guess there's a clue there in the extended title (I despise extended titles, they try too hard).
Beyond the alternate spellings (meagre, realised, mouldy, manoeuvred), instead of "smelled" ... the author used "smelt". Also dreamt, spoilt, but still sneaked (when I'm actually totally okay with "snuck" as a past tense). I can deal with all but "smelt" ... smelt has a different meaning in the US (extract metal from its ore by a process involving heating and melting) and it was used FOURTY times in the book. This dog was smelting everything! "Scoffed" was another odd word ... used here to mean eating quickly (scarf down?), because "scoff" is to "speak to someone or about something in a scornful, derisive or mocking way". I realize there are regional variations, and I've read a lot, just have never encountered these before. At one point, "the gentle breeze ruffled my feathers" ... um FEATHERS? Is this still the DOG talking?
I got a little frustrated with the "understanding" or lack thereof of the dog towards humans. It was SO inconsistent. At times, it seems the dog could understand everything that was being said, then a few pages later - "not really understanding what she was saying" then it was back to understanding, then not getting what was going on (are they going to leave me? Duh, of course not!) It was grating at times, as it was SO obvious to the reader, yet oblivious to little doggo.
An issue with non-fiction/memoirs, is that there often isn't a story arc, like with fiction, no built-up, conflict, resolution. Here, being based on actual happenings, the story rambled some, with no real reason to tell about certain events, just more of a journaling of what happened. In a normal story I'd be asking myself "why was that even brought up, included?" An encounter with poisonous caterpillars (they avoid them), a cat attack (not too bad, maybe they had a litter they were protecting?), this and that happening on a walk on this day, something happening on a walk on that day. It just rambled a bit.
The "Kat the Dog" name was cute and silly ... but they sure called her tons of nicknames. I mean I do that with our kitties too (Joy ... we also call her Kitten and Princess, and Oreo is Oro-boro-smegadoro, Smoreo, or "old man") ... here, her original name was Luna, then Olayla ... I was a little surprised they didn't even think/talk about keeping that for a moment. While christened Kat, she was called Missy as much or more. Then there was Ratty, Monkey, Pickle, Poppet ...
So, I finished it. Pretty easy and quick read. I actually will probably remember this, although there was nothing profound, no quotes to save/highlight. Not really one I'd recommend. Don't need to own a copy. Included in KindleUnlimited, text only. There was audio, but I didn't feel like paying the add-on price, so I just read it.
I'd heard nothing but good things about this, and thought it would be right up my alley. I can't even really put a finger on why it didn't click with me. Honestly ... some of it was a minor narration issue (in audio). The word "hearth" (floor of a fireplace) was pronounced her-th. I've only ever heard it "har-th" (the hearth is the heart of the home, same word, just with an h at the end). I try to take accents and regional variations into account, but Googling it, I couldn't find any site that listed this pronunciation as acceptable. I asked in a large FB group, and while there were a few admitting to saying it to rhyme with "earth", 99% said "are" was the pronunciation. It was said 25 times throughout the book, and each time it was said, my body would cringe. I couldn't stay in the story.
Another word ... Destriers ... in it's uniqueness (not one I've come across often, even with a lot of historical and fantasy genres in my record), it felt so overused here. 236 times! I also got a little tired (annoyed actually) with the little verse/rhymes at the start of the chapters. Not sure why, but they irritated me.
I struggled to get into the story, to learn and care about the characters.
Names - Remembering names can be a bit of a challenge for me (in books and IRL) ... sometimes I'm just thinking "well, it starts with "E" ...Elspeth, Elm, Emory. Many were just different (even harder to remember for their uniqueness, although this is common in fantasy) and listening to the audio, I didn't even see the distinct spellings ... Jespyr (had to keep reminding myself she was a girl, not a guy, "Jesper" just seemed like a guy's name), Ravyn, Fenir, Morette, Ione, Maylene, Orithe, Nerium, Dimia, Nya, Hauth. Then the last names ... TREES - Spindle, Yew, Birch, Thistle, Pine, Alder, Willow, Rowan. "Trees" was even used as a curse/exclamatory word.
I never quite understood the whole "infection" and the Providence Cards and the magic, the charms, Nightmare/Shepherd King. The "one dark window" was mentioned a few times to tie in the title ... maybe if I'd stopped, gone to the Kindle copy and done some re-reading, I could have gotten a better understanding (even going to the GoodReads Quotes section and seeing what others saved, often that brings out things in a book I might have missed or not remembered, nothing stands out for me). But ... I didn't want to. I just pushed to finish the audio and was glad I was done. Definitely not planning on continuing with the series.
Content - proFanity (x6) and stronger sex scenes than I'd anticipated. Sometimes I wonder if editors/publishers TELL authors to add F-bombs and sex, it felt forced and unnatural to me.
Another word ... Destriers ... in it's uniqueness (not one I've come across often, even with a lot of historical and fantasy genres in my record), it felt so overused here. 236 times! I also got a little tired (annoyed actually) with the little verse/rhymes at the start of the chapters. Not sure why, but they irritated me.
I struggled to get into the story, to learn and care about the characters.
Names - Remembering names can be a bit of a challenge for me (in books and IRL) ... sometimes I'm just thinking "well, it starts with "E" ...Elspeth, Elm, Emory. Many were just different (even harder to remember for their uniqueness, although this is common in fantasy) and listening to the audio, I didn't even see the distinct spellings ... Jespyr (had to keep reminding myself she was a girl, not a guy, "Jesper" just seemed like a guy's name), Ravyn, Fenir, Morette, Ione, Maylene, Orithe, Nerium, Dimia, Nya, Hauth. Then the last names ... TREES - Spindle, Yew, Birch, Thistle, Pine, Alder, Willow, Rowan. "Trees" was even used as a curse/exclamatory word.
I never quite understood the whole "infection" and the Providence Cards and the magic, the charms, Nightmare/Shepherd King. The "one dark window" was mentioned a few times to tie in the title ... maybe if I'd stopped, gone to the Kindle copy and done some re-reading, I could have gotten a better understanding (even going to the GoodReads Quotes section and seeing what others saved, often that brings out things in a book I might have missed or not remembered, nothing stands out for me). But ... I didn't want to. I just pushed to finish the audio and was glad I was done. Definitely not planning on continuing with the series.
Content - proFanity (x6) and stronger sex scenes than I'd anticipated. Sometimes I wonder if editors/publishers TELL authors to add F-bombs and sex, it felt forced and unnatural to me.