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2022: I was feeling pretty mediocre on this book, until I hit PART THREE and I was reinvigorated all the way through the end!
This book was hard to follow; the chronology was deliberately vague and Zhang tries to keep her readers in the dark for the big reveal. Unfortunately, this almost lost me by the end of it; I was too confused! It was constantly unclear whether I was reading about characters' hopes and dreams, or real things that had happened to them. This was definitely intended and part of the magic.
Part III turned the whole arc of the book around for me. I had ZERO inclination that a change in narrator was coming, and I was completely taken by surprise. But it totally worked! It finally gave me some answers, cleared up what was really happening, and really helped to stabilize the storyline. That being said, I can absolutely see how some readers might drop off before even making it to Part III. If I had another book ready to go in Libby, I definitely would have been more inclined to DNF this book.
Here's the deal: these kids were waaaaay too young to be dealing with all of this. And I know it was a different time and I know that sometimes terrible things happen to young people and STILL I was blown away every time I was reminded that Sam was 12 or that Lucy was 16. There's also a very interesting thru line of Sam identifying as male, and struggling to outwardly display masculinity. It was a very convincing account, to me at least, of how difficult I imagine it would have been to be trans in the 1840's. Also because every single one of these male characters were awful. Like who would have been a role model for these kids?? No one!
While I was in the middle of reading this book, I was asked to provide a recommendation for a "fun and light read" by my mother. THIS BOOK IS NOT IT. DO NOT PICK THIS UP IF YOU WANT LIGHT AND FUN - you will be disappointed.
This book was hard to follow; the chronology was deliberately vague and Zhang tries to keep her readers in the dark for the big reveal. Unfortunately, this almost lost me by the end of it; I was too confused! It was constantly unclear whether I was reading about characters' hopes and dreams, or real things that had happened to them. This was definitely intended and part of the magic.
Part III turned the whole arc of the book around for me. I had ZERO inclination that a change in narrator was coming, and I was completely taken by surprise. But it totally worked! It finally gave me some answers, cleared up what was really happening, and really helped to stabilize the storyline. That being said, I can absolutely see how some readers might drop off before even making it to Part III. If I had another book ready to go in Libby, I definitely would have been more inclined to DNF this book.
Here's the deal: these kids were waaaaay too young to be dealing with all of this. And I know it was a different time and I know that sometimes terrible things happen to young people and STILL I was blown away every time I was reminded that Sam was 12 or that Lucy was 16. There's also a very interesting thru line of Sam identifying as male, and struggling to outwardly display masculinity. It was a very convincing account, to me at least, of how difficult I imagine it would have been to be trans in the 1840's. Also because every single one of these male characters were awful. Like who would have been a role model for these kids?? No one!
While I was in the middle of reading this book, I was asked to provide a recommendation for a "fun and light read" by my mother. THIS BOOK IS NOT IT. DO NOT PICK THIS UP IF YOU WANT LIGHT AND FUN - you will be disappointed.
2022: This was a delightfully raw memoir that I was not expecting from Sutton Foster!
Foster does not hold back; she absolutely dives deep and lays bare all of her struggles with her family out for the world to see. I found this to be more touching than most celebrity memoirs I’ve read. We cover all of her childhood, all of her issues growing up with a seriously mentally ill mother, her ups and downs of getting married and divorced quite young, and eventually her struggles with fertility. There's a lot to unpack!
The attempt to use crafting as a framework fell a little flat for me. I understand that crafts feel like a big part of Foster’s life to her, but there were so many other facets that I was really interested in learning more about. I would have loved to hear more about the rehearsal process and theatre life for some of her biggest shows! I feel like she didn't feature her accomplishments nearly enough. This is also totally coming from my perspective as having previously worked in a professional theatre environment, and being an absolute sucker for behind the scenes stories. I understand if Foster didn't want to "show off", but honestly, your memoir is the place to do it, especially if you're a Tony-Award-winning actress.
This was definitely still a worthy read and one that I greatly enjoyed and flew through! Just know going into it that this story is extremely personal, and focuses more on Foster’s mental health and family life. You will be disappointed (as I was) if you’re looking to hear all about the performance elements of Foster’s life.
Foster does not hold back; she absolutely dives deep and lays bare all of her struggles with her family out for the world to see. I found this to be more touching than most celebrity memoirs I’ve read. We cover all of her childhood, all of her issues growing up with a seriously mentally ill mother, her ups and downs of getting married and divorced quite young, and eventually her struggles with fertility. There's a lot to unpack!
The attempt to use crafting as a framework fell a little flat for me. I understand that crafts feel like a big part of Foster’s life to her, but there were so many other facets that I was really interested in learning more about. I would have loved to hear more about the rehearsal process and theatre life for some of her biggest shows! I feel like she didn't feature her accomplishments nearly enough. This is also totally coming from my perspective as having previously worked in a professional theatre environment, and being an absolute sucker for behind the scenes stories. I understand if Foster didn't want to "show off", but honestly, your memoir is the place to do it, especially if you're a Tony-Award-winning actress.
This was definitely still a worthy read and one that I greatly enjoyed and flew through! Just know going into it that this story is extremely personal, and focuses more on Foster’s mental health and family life. You will be disappointed (as I was) if you’re looking to hear all about the performance elements of Foster’s life.
2022: Mandel is 3 for 3 with this one!
This was one of the books I was most excited about coming out this year. I absolutely fell in love with Mandel when I read [b:Station Eleven|20170404|Station Eleven|Emily St. John Mandel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451446835l/20170404._SX50_SY75_.jpg|28098716], and it has stuck with me ever since 2016. I was equally into [b:The Glass Hotel|45754981|The Glass Hotel|Emily St. John Mandel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564199892l/45754981._SX50_.jpg|57817644], and it was so fun encountering some of the same characters in this universe. You absolutely do not need to have read Hotel in order to appreciate this book, but much like recognizing a character in a [a:David Mitchell|6538289|David Mitchell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1409248688p2/6538289.jpg] novel, you'll like it that much more if you do.
A big head's up here that a majority of this novel takes place during times where there is a pandemic (1918, 2020, and in the future too). One of the major through lines is how society deals with rebuilding itself after a pandemic (classic!) So be warned if you're looking for an escape in this fictional book - you might not find it here! I found the pandemic rebuild to be okay, but it was almost too stressful reading about the colonies we had to build on the moon because we ruined Earth -_-
I thought Mandel was masterful in her intertwining of different timelines and characters, and I was never lost or confused. I definitely want to circle back and read some of her earlier works after finishing this one!
This was one of the books I was most excited about coming out this year. I absolutely fell in love with Mandel when I read [b:Station Eleven|20170404|Station Eleven|Emily St. John Mandel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451446835l/20170404._SX50_SY75_.jpg|28098716], and it has stuck with me ever since 2016. I was equally into [b:The Glass Hotel|45754981|The Glass Hotel|Emily St. John Mandel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564199892l/45754981._SX50_.jpg|57817644], and it was so fun encountering some of the same characters in this universe. You absolutely do not need to have read Hotel in order to appreciate this book, but much like recognizing a character in a [a:David Mitchell|6538289|David Mitchell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1409248688p2/6538289.jpg] novel, you'll like it that much more if you do.
A big head's up here that a majority of this novel takes place during times where there is a pandemic (1918, 2020, and in the future too). One of the major through lines is how society deals with rebuilding itself after a pandemic (classic!) So be warned if you're looking for an escape in this fictional book - you might not find it here! I found the pandemic rebuild to be okay, but it was almost too stressful reading about the colonies we had to build on the moon because we ruined Earth -_-
I thought Mandel was masterful in her intertwining of different timelines and characters, and I was never lost or confused. I definitely want to circle back and read some of her earlier works after finishing this one!
2022: Whew this book GOES there and I am here for it!
Okay so I really enjoyed the thrill ride that Àbíké-Íyímídé takes us on, but I was held back from giving this one a full 5 stars because of the absolute lack of credit given to the parents in this book! The plot holes that arose from these two students simply REFUSING to confide in their parents is astounding. I guess this is showing my age, how I spent the whole time just yelling at Devon and Chiamaka "OMG JUST TELL A TRUSTED GROWN UP WHAT IS GOING ON". And before you come for me and say "they did" puh-lease, I could tell that Ms. Donovan was white and was in on it from the moment she was introduced! They needed to go to their parents!
I will say, I did not see many of the twists coming in this book, and I was pleasantly shocked by a lot of them. There were several moments where I was listening to this audiobook and I audibly said NO FUCKING WAY out loud, eliciting several odd looks from people around me. The book opens up with a very slow, YA vibe that feels a little par for the course. But do not be fooled! I was kept constantly on my toes and was definitely lulled into a false sense of security.
I was extremely impressed by Àbíké-Íyímídé's author's note at the end of the book, especially finding out how young she is. I cannot wait for more of her work to come! If you're looking for a book that's Black, queer, and not afraid to look white supremacy and privilege in its ugly face, definitely check this one out.
Okay so I really enjoyed the thrill ride that Àbíké-Íyímídé takes us on, but I was held back from giving this one a full 5 stars because of the absolute lack of credit given to the parents in this book! The plot holes that arose from these two students simply REFUSING to confide in their parents is astounding. I guess this is showing my age, how I spent the whole time just yelling at Devon and Chiamaka "OMG JUST TELL A TRUSTED GROWN UP WHAT IS GOING ON". And before you come for me and say "they did" puh-lease, I could tell that Ms. Donovan was white and was in on it from the moment she was introduced! They needed to go to their parents!
I will say, I did not see many of the twists coming in this book, and I was pleasantly shocked by a lot of them. There were several moments where I was listening to this audiobook and I audibly said NO FUCKING WAY out loud, eliciting several odd looks from people around me. The book opens up with a very slow, YA vibe that feels a little par for the course. But do not be fooled! I was kept constantly on my toes and was definitely lulled into a false sense of security.
I was extremely impressed by Àbíké-Íyímídé's author's note at the end of the book, especially finding out how young she is. I cannot wait for more of her work to come! If you're looking for a book that's Black, queer, and not afraid to look white supremacy and privilege in its ugly face, definitely check this one out.
2022: a strong character study that took me a long time to get into.
I had to put this book down and come back to it at first. There were so many characters, and we heard from so many different points of view, and overall there was just so much going on! I loved the story of the Native community members coming together to try and fight against Congress (a true story!) but it felt so distinct from the main storyline with Patrice & Wood Mountain. Roxane Gay called it out in her review that it felt like I was reading two different books in one and I wholeheartedly agree.
I learned a lot about American laws and different ways that the US government impacted the Native communities, especially in the mid-20th century. I'll tell you one thing, the character Arthur V. Watkins did nothing to endear me to the Mormon faith. There were a lot of magical realism elements that came into play (such as spontaneously switching the narration to the point of view of the horses?!) which I took as just inherent or at least extremely symbolic of Native storytelling.
"Do you think they'll miss us? Do you think they'll look back in the future and say, 'Wow, we should have listened to those Indians?'" As I currently live in California and am watching the effects of climate change ravage this state, yes. Yes I do.
I had to put this book down and come back to it at first. There were so many characters, and we heard from so many different points of view, and overall there was just so much going on! I loved the story of the Native community members coming together to try and fight against Congress (a true story!) but it felt so distinct from the main storyline with Patrice & Wood Mountain. Roxane Gay called it out in her review that it felt like I was reading two different books in one and I wholeheartedly agree.
I learned a lot about American laws and different ways that the US government impacted the Native communities, especially in the mid-20th century. I'll tell you one thing, the character Arthur V. Watkins did nothing to endear me to the Mormon faith. There were a lot of magical realism elements that came into play (such as spontaneously switching the narration to the point of view of the horses?!) which I took as just inherent or at least extremely symbolic of Native storytelling.
"Do you think they'll miss us? Do you think they'll look back in the future and say, 'Wow, we should have listened to those Indians?'" As I currently live in California and am watching the effects of climate change ravage this state, yes. Yes I do.
2022: I couldn't leave Monterey without reading at least one Steinbeck during my time here. This book definitely holds up (I mean, it's Steinbeck) but don't be surprised if you come across some extremely antiquated names / references. Steinbeck does well, being more inclusive than some of his other books ([b:The Grapes of Wrath|18114322|The Grapes of Wrath|John Steinbeck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1375670575l/18114322._SY75_.jpg|2931549] comes to mind first), especially for 1952.
I found that I was thinking about the characters of this novel a lot while being constantly bombarded with information about the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial. Specifically, I think about the Cathy / Kate dynamic, as well as how abuse looks to others who are outside of the relationship. I also enjoyed that Steinbeck grounded this novel so well in reality, by not shying away from having the various wars heavily impact these families. I haven't read fiction that is so firmly in the real world in a while.
This book was my first introduction to the concept of timshel and it has powerfully stuck with me ever since: thou mayest.
2008: This was the first book that I read that had been assigned to me in school, and I was completely and utterly blown away by. Before age 16 or so, all of the books that I was reading at school were not as cool / as good / as engaging as the ones I was finding on my own. There was a real turning point for me in about sophomore year of high school, and this was the first one of the "classics" that I was 100% enthralled with.
I found that I was thinking about the characters of this novel a lot while being constantly bombarded with information about the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial. Specifically, I think about the Cathy / Kate dynamic, as well as how abuse looks to others who are outside of the relationship. I also enjoyed that Steinbeck grounded this novel so well in reality, by not shying away from having the various wars heavily impact these families. I haven't read fiction that is so firmly in the real world in a while.
This book was my first introduction to the concept of timshel and it has powerfully stuck with me ever since: thou mayest.
2008: This was the first book that I read that had been assigned to me in school, and I was completely and utterly blown away by. Before age 16 or so, all of the books that I was reading at school were not as cool / as good / as engaging as the ones I was finding on my own. There was a real turning point for me in about sophomore year of high school, and this was the first one of the "classics" that I was 100% enthralled with.
2022: A short but powerful take on growing up in very very white spaces.
I knew of Austin Channing Brown, but it was her podcast episode with Brené Brown that really put her on my radar. They talked about the power of community and their equal disappointments with how the Christian Church has failed to grow over the years in regards to actively accepting people of color. I don't think that there was too much "churchy-stuff" in here, but Channing Brown is unabashedly a Christian, and you should expect it going into the book.
I would highly recommend this book to any white folks who have church-going family members that try to tell you that racism "doesn't exist anymore" and that they are "colorblind". Channing Brown highlights a number of examples of micro aggressions that really do add up, both in real life, and as I was reading. By the end of the book, I was exhausted and exasperated, which was an extremely small dose of what many Black folks go through day in and day out in the US today.
I knew of Austin Channing Brown, but it was her podcast episode with Brené Brown that really put her on my radar. They talked about the power of community and their equal disappointments with how the Christian Church has failed to grow over the years in regards to actively accepting people of color. I don't think that there was too much "churchy-stuff" in here, but Channing Brown is unabashedly a Christian, and you should expect it going into the book.
I would highly recommend this book to any white folks who have church-going family members that try to tell you that racism "doesn't exist anymore" and that they are "colorblind". Channing Brown highlights a number of examples of micro aggressions that really do add up, both in real life, and as I was reading. By the end of the book, I was exhausted and exasperated, which was an extremely small dose of what many Black folks go through day in and day out in the US today.
2022: 12/10, this needs to be your summer beach read
Yes, I did read this on vacation, but it was a wet, rainy quick weekend trip to Seattle. This deserves sunshine and a day on the beach and getting sand stuck in the pages. It's so cute and fun and everything I hoped and dreamed a book by Emily Henry named Book Lovers would be.
Less steamy than [b:Beach Read|52867387|Beach Read|Emily Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387._SX50_.jpg|67832247] but so cute and I identified much more with Nora than I did with January. Loved seeing January's name as an Easter egg in here tho! The Emily Henry universe expands :) Also, this book was the tall girl representation I didn't know I needed?! "There's just tall women and the men too insecure to date them". I mean, SWOON!
I already want to reread it - I hear the audiobook by Julia Whelan is phenomenal, and I've loved everything else I've listened to that she's narrated, so bring it on!
Yes, I did read this on vacation, but it was a wet, rainy quick weekend trip to Seattle. This deserves sunshine and a day on the beach and getting sand stuck in the pages. It's so cute and fun and everything I hoped and dreamed a book by Emily Henry named Book Lovers would be.
Less steamy than [b:Beach Read|52867387|Beach Read|Emily Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387._SX50_.jpg|67832247] but so cute and I identified much more with Nora than I did with January. Loved seeing January's name as an Easter egg in here tho! The Emily Henry universe expands :) Also, this book was the tall girl representation I didn't know I needed?! "There's just tall women and the men too insecure to date them". I mean, SWOON!
I already want to reread it - I hear the audiobook by Julia Whelan is phenomenal, and I've loved everything else I've listened to that she's narrated, so bring it on!
2022: A rambly and ranty account of a true story that I really enjoyed.
As a logistics person, I ate this up! Andrés goes into a lot of detail about how he and his team were able to pull off a really insane task in an extremely challenging time. Here's the deal tho....I get that Andrés needed to hit a certain number of pages in order to meet his book deadline, but there is absolutely no new information that is added in the last 100 pages of the book. It's just repeating info and stories that he's already told.
This book ends up getting super ranty. I understand that Andrés wanted to impress upon everyone that FEMA wasn't as great at providing aid as their marketing would lead you to believe. I GET IT. And after the first 100 pages, you will too. The book also loses major points for quoting Trump so many times. It was very tiresome and I really did not enjoy having his voice in my head again. Could this book have been a well researched Buzzfeed article and I still would have taken away the same info? Absolutely yes.
On another note, Andrés makes SEVERAL Hunger Games references (like good ones, like he actually read the whole series back to front) and they made me laugh out loud every time. They also totally pulled me out of the narrative and it was disorienting, but I also loved it.
Basically, World Central Kitchen is already high on my list of companies I'd love to work for someday, and this book just made it skyrocket to the top.
As a logistics person, I ate this up! Andrés goes into a lot of detail about how he and his team were able to pull off a really insane task in an extremely challenging time. Here's the deal tho....I get that Andrés needed to hit a certain number of pages in order to meet his book deadline, but there is absolutely no new information that is added in the last 100 pages of the book. It's just repeating info and stories that he's already told.
This book ends up getting super ranty. I understand that Andrés wanted to impress upon everyone that FEMA wasn't as great at providing aid as their marketing would lead you to believe. I GET IT. And after the first 100 pages, you will too. The book also loses major points for quoting Trump so many times. It was very tiresome and I really did not enjoy having his voice in my head again. Could this book have been a well researched Buzzfeed article and I still would have taken away the same info? Absolutely yes.
On another note, Andrés makes SEVERAL Hunger Games references (like good ones, like he actually read the whole series back to front) and they made me laugh out loud every time. They also totally pulled me out of the narrative and it was disorienting, but I also loved it.
Basically, World Central Kitchen is already high on my list of companies I'd love to work for someday, and this book just made it skyrocket to the top.
2022: I definitely did myself a disservice by listening to this book for my first time reading it.
I honestly knew nothing about the plot or how this book worked or what to expect before going into it. I just saw that it was available on Libby and that Toni Morrison herself was reading it, and I said let's go for it. If I had done a modicum of research, I would have realized that this novel is set up in such a way that the flashbacks would make it really difficult for me to keep the timeline straight, and I definitely should read this instead of listening to it.
Looking forward to getting my hands on a copy and diving back into it. It's certainly not Morrison's fault that I struggled with this book, and I can't wait to give it another go.
I honestly knew nothing about the plot or how this book worked or what to expect before going into it. I just saw that it was available on Libby and that Toni Morrison herself was reading it, and I said let's go for it. If I had done a modicum of research, I would have realized that this novel is set up in such a way that the flashbacks would make it really difficult for me to keep the timeline straight, and I definitely should read this instead of listening to it.
Looking forward to getting my hands on a copy and diving back into it. It's certainly not Morrison's fault that I struggled with this book, and I can't wait to give it another go.