This got really good in the third volume. Looking forward to the show coming out.

Absolutely loved this. Burr was a scoundrel and you can truly hear the color of his narrative everywhere. He was ever the victim, never the transgressor. This was such a fun read after “straight” revolutionary biographies like Chernow and McCullough.

Also: I *live* for Jefferson slander so this book is absolutely delicious from that perspective.

I’ve never read anything by Gore Vidal, I’ll surely read more.

I kept waiting for this to take an uplifting turn and it is just heavy, heavy, heavy. Probably one of the most depressing books I’ve ever read. I’d recommend it if you’re interested in fiction about AAPI characters or westward expansion fiction.

The ending was sort of shocking, I’m still shocked. We’re so conditioned to happy endings that the absence of one is just unnerving. And of course this was inspired by a true event.

4.5 stars.

I didn’t read this as a child so I don’t have the benefit of nostalgia. This is a super weird book. It’ll take you an hour to read it. Give it a shot. I hope you like descriptions of how to butcher wildlife or make a balloon out of an animal bladder.

I could roll with that actually. I love a pioneer story.

The careless misogyny and racism got to me though. And the rampant physical discipline which is celebrated? Moralized?

The TV show must omit a lot of this.

This was really fascinating. I actually didn’t know anything about the overall plot of the book and I was astounded what an asshole the main character was.

Beautifully written dystopian novel about one young man’s exit from an America ravaged by climate change and extremist politics.

Simpler than Station Eleven but with the same sense of sorrow (and hope).

Really enjoyed it. Actually picked this one up because the title references a beautiful piece of classical music.

This should be required reading. I read it for myself but I think I'm going to have my sons read it next. It's a perfect introduction for middle grades readers to the concept that the US is very, very fallible. My middle schooler and I talk about this a lot, particular now that his social studies class has some nuance. But I bring up America's mistakes every chance I get. He probably thinks I hate our country, lol.

Takei handles his story with such grace. He acknowledges that what happened was horrible, that our country is still doing terrible things, but there is still a lot to be hopeful for.

This had really great, nuanced characters that evolved. Everything fit together well, there were some nice twists and turns. Not the type of book I normally read, but I enjoyed it. It also had some genuinely funny moments.

Probably not the best Toni Morrison book to start with, but I listen to audiobooks while I work and I just wrapped this up today.

The prose is beautiful. I love a multigenerational story and this is certainly that.

I worry how sketchy or dated some of the older Newbery winners will be as I start reading them. This, however, was one of the good ones. Don't get me wrong, there's still a bit of "stay in your lane, you're a girl!" stuff. But on the whole, it's a charming story about a little girl who goes to live in rural Pennsylvania with her family after her father returns home from war with PTSD.

My favorite aspect of the story was the wonderful relationship the family had with their elderly neighbors. We too moved to a more pastoral area with our kids and were surprised with just how fantastic our neighbors are. Moreover, how delighted they were that we have kids that they could show all the fun things about the forest, the beach, etc. Some themes stand the test of time.