I say this to Morgan Talty as the highest praise, this novel is so bleak. If bleak was the sound of nails scratching on a chalkboard my ears are raw fI say this to Morgan Talty as the highest praise, this novel is so bleak. If bleak was the sound of nails scratching on a chalkboard my ears are raw from it. (Great first paragraph, by the way, without it would not have made it through the novel). I'd see on the back cover that your first novel was "Night of the Living Rez" and think, Charles is the living dead. I don't think I've cared for a character so much who gave me so little, just years of sitting and watching, years of drinking and cigarettes, a house that doesn't seem lived in. And yet! Charles cares for Louise without drama, even one it comes to cleaning up shit. He's both dull with loss, and vibrating with it. At one point I thought, nothing happens, I'm not going to make it through, and then I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was a hunter with almost endless patience, sitting through heartbreak of Gizos, Bobby, watching, waiting, the elephant baby. I just had to change my review to 5 stars because I realized how this novel succeeded so that I could see, smell, hear, freeze, feel, almost as though every minute seemed longer. Yet, more than worth waiting for even that one moment of catharsis, that one handful of hope. ...more
First novel?? Bravo! Once again a geographic triumph as I could feel the sea spray coming off the sad Massachusetts town of Nashquitten. Told in ten vFirst novel?? Bravo! Once again a geographic triumph as I could feel the sea spray coming off the sad Massachusetts town of Nashquitten. Told in ten voices, in in parts pre- and post- (tragedy) this novel didn't remind me of any other work. I found each voice to their own, and each ultimately relateable. My own quibble is that I did get confused, and have to look back to see who was who, what their relationship to one another. However each part was so interesting that I didn't necessarily mind that I was having trouble understanding how the pieces fit into the whole. Who was Lucy to each person, who was Lucy to herself? ...more
To be in the company of Reggie and Jackson is such a pleasure. Thank goodness that as Jackson ages, there is Reggie still so young, but smart. As everTo be in the company of Reggie and Jackson is such a pleasure. Thank goodness that as Jackson ages, there is Reggie still so young, but smart. As ever the cast of characters is the mix of charming and insufferable, the mute Vicar was almost a scene-stealer. Altogther unrealistically full of coincidences and yet cunning. Lucky are we to have Kate Atkinson sharing Jackson Brodie with us, during a blizzard...even better. ...more
By coincidence my sister had just finished this novel when I got back east. She was confused to see the library book she thought she'd returned. I'd rBy coincidence my sister had just finished this novel when I got back east. She was confused to see the library book she thought she'd returned. I'd read a Seattle review and was intrigued by its setting in the San Juans. The disconnect of the workers versus visitors rang very true, the ferry crossings, the tourist slights. The connection of sisters was as effective as the growing sense of dread felt with the plot. Both a compelling read, a sad one, but ultimately oddly forgiving. ...more
I picked this up on Peak Picks at the library and she had me at the introductory poem...which I've shared, used as a prompt, told everyone they need tI picked this up on Peak Picks at the library and she had me at the introductory poem...which I've shared, used as a prompt, told everyone they need to read. Most listeners cry. I pick up lots of poetry books (I run a Free Poetry Library!) but rarely read them all the way through. Read every poem, and then decide whether this is one that you need to buy so that it will be there to give you courage, take up red lipstick, leave your life for another. ...more
I feel so fortunate that when Seattle Public Library could crawl its way free of the cyberattack, this gorgeous hardcover was my first new book. I thiI feel so fortunate that when Seattle Public Library could crawl its way free of the cyberattack, this gorgeous hardcover was my first new book. I think I may be the first person to have opened its pages. It's beautiful, which needs saying, because it's about making art. It feels good to hold, texturally, the illustrations, graphics, whatever is needed based on the 43 creators profiled by Moss here, are all exquisite. Normally I wouldn't add a book if I hadn't read it all, yes, I skipped a few artists, but not single writer, poet, filmmaker. You could read the Introduction and Afterword to learn how and why Moss set out to do this, and what he learned. But the profiles themselves, asking each artist to take them through creating a particular work, from Roz Chast, through George Saunders, Suzan-Lori Parks, it's a who's who, as well as a, who should we know more about. A must for being inspired by those who do the work. ...more
Dear J. Courtney, I kept thinking, where is the editor who should be telling you that some of this material belongs in its own book? We've got the troDear J. Courtney, I kept thinking, where is the editor who should be telling you that some of this material belongs in its own book? We've got the troubled childhood, alcoholism, dead mother, not close sister, nephew, dog, best friend, privileged white woman, pyschic, house and then the supposed first person accounts of past residents, taking us into Shakers and even more supposed first-person indigenous accounts. At one point I just skipped a whole section set in the past to stay in the present day narrative. Somehow those desecrated graves that could have been enough narrative tension to keep me reading, forgive me, got buried. Did I finish this book? I did! Was the best character, the one I cared the most about, the lifetime friend? You bet. Do I wish this novel had not tried to be so many plots at once? Yes. But, there's always "Maine." ...more
My dear friend Izzi, who is a mere 42 years younger, said that everyone who has read this book has loved it. That is very effusive for Izzi. It was a My dear friend Izzi, who is a mere 42 years younger, said that everyone who has read this book has loved it. That is very effusive for Izzi. It was a very enjoyable read, more so than I had expected. Since Matt Haig is so popular I'm not going to worry about his being a Goodreads Author, and be honest. The main character seemed to exist for me only inasmuch as what she was going to experience. I didn't have a sense of her as a character (perhaps that's its genius, she was unformed before her experiences in the multiverse?). The novel reminded me of slightly more adult version of so many of the charming books that I read with my daughter when she was young, usually intrepid British children going through, forward, back, in time. What was that Magic Shop that would appear, and disappear? Substitute librarian. Cue the cat. ...more
I should start a "new" bookshelf for the books I read because my private students are reading them for school. This was a summer read, that was enjoyeI should start a "new" bookshelf for the books I read because my private students are reading them for school. This was a summer read, that was enjoyed by students and their parents, and me. Thinking about the similes and metaphors I just went back to the top and upgraded from 4 Star to 5 Star. It's not every charming, thought-provoking young adult, fantasy? novel that describes someone as "thin as a dream." The language of the novel was particularly strong, the descriptions. I had a sense of Linus's timidity, Arthur's tamped down power. But the pages I marked were those with a similes that stole my breath away. ...more
How could I resist with a quote by Ann Patchett on the cover, the cover!" She called Sandwich (the novel) "Joy in novel form." Sandwich, fittingly, isHow could I resist with a quote by Ann Patchett on the cover, the cover!" She called Sandwich (the novel) "Joy in novel form." Sandwich, fittingly, is perfect summer read. One week in the annual, septic challenged Cape Cod rental, with grown children, aging parents, and the dynamics of a longtime marriage. What I appreciated was the honesty about menopause hell, marital irritation, amazement at children become adults, and the secrets we harbor. While reading I knew I'd read Newman's work before but couldn't remember the book. I've been reminded now of the plot of "We All Want Impossible Things." I should have recognized the narrator's attitude toward newly adult children. It's good to have a writer who's funny, and experiencing very relatable (to me) life changes. I passed the book immediately to a friend. ...more
Recommended by the same friend who read "This Story Will Change: A Memoir" I seem to be following in the divorce memoir category. I had just discover Recommended by the same friend who read "This Story Will Change: A Memoir" I seem to be following in the divorce memoir category. I had just discover Maggie Smith's poetry so was curious. As a description would note, "told in a series of vignettes..." What surprised me is that given how very few of its chapters? vignettes? pieces? were more than a few pages, how long it took me to read the sort-of memoir. It had me pondering how propelled we are by plot. Within these, offerings? there were some absolutely beautiful passages and incredibly written personal insights. As a writer, I loved the repetition, pinecone, postcard (and I see now, the alliteration) but the material seemed raw too me. An observation shared by the author herself, as she admits to writing her way through the end of her marriage, with memories of its beginning, and self-examination in the aftermatch. Perhaps I should have different books for different times, this was not the best choice for bedtime reading. To learn from Smith's lessons I would have been better off absorbing in small portions during the day, and going for plot at the pillow. But do I think about it , in the weeks since I finished? You bet. ...more
I loved The Portable Veblen, even though I can't remember what a veblen is, are there veblens or is just a cool word. I expected to love The Dog of thI loved The Portable Veblen, even though I can't remember what a veblen is, are there veblens or is just a cool word. I expected to love The Dog of the North, and I did love parts, but I was confused. Was this the world from a neurodiverse viewpoint (The Dog in the Night)? Was it an unreliable narrator (and neurodiverse?) (Eleanor Oliphant Is Totally Fine)? I loved the details when I discarded any sense of reality and relished the details (the optometrist on the airplane). This would make a great screwball movie, a picaresque adventure, but with an excess of plot. I may be overthinking it, and should just accept that we'll never know where two somebody's have vanished but there are otherwise an awful lot of bodies buried. ...more
My friend Lee has shelves of new books. She's like a bookstore, and I needed a book for the drive home. I didn't expect Black Cake to be such "can't pMy friend Lee has shelves of new books. She's like a bookstore, and I needed a book for the drive home. I didn't expect Black Cake to be such "can't put it down" book. The only unappealing descriptions for me had to do with cake itself (would you call a plum pudding a cake?). I was surprised by the turns many of the stories took, but delighted by them. It was a not a simple tale of family estrangement. It was the sum of many stories. ...more
As I confessed in my review of The Manicurist's Daughter I'm studying memoir right now. This was recommended by my friend Lauren. I found some of the As I confessed in my review of The Manicurist's Daughter I'm studying memoir right now. This was recommended by my friend Lauren. I found some of the chapters to be brilliant stand-alone pieces. Crane writes many times about crying and crying, but I didn't always feel the pain beneath the words. I was a bit annoyed by "the wife," "the old bud" which made the occasional first person "I" rather a shock. I found the style interesting and could relate the most to Crane's honesty when she realizes the words she thought she heard were never uttered. I could appreciate certain entries (chapter seems too strong a word) as insightful and worth pondering. Other times this memoir seemed more living out loud of a journal. It will be interesting to see if this informs future novels. ...more
I've given this four stars (sorry not five stars) because as a first time author Bell deserves extra credit for crafting an interesting memoir. He graI've given this four stars (sorry not five stars) because as a first time author Bell deserves extra credit for crafting an interesting memoir. He graciously dropped off a copy for me to read, and then even more graciously thanked me for reading it! (We should all be so lucky with authors). I had a few suggestions for if he chooses to revise or promote the book more, based on my own ignorance about the CIA. I needed a bit more political context. Where the books was strongest for me was the author's honesty about his reluctant caregiving in his father's final months, and the portrait of a time and place in the State's history. The Pritchards, the Evans, the Gates...there were fraternity and sorority friends who stayed connected, and likely will not connect in the same ways again. Bell confessed that adding his father and godfather's role in creating pickleball was an afterthought, but I can talk (but not play) pickleball, better than I can talk CIA. ...more
I've followed Lieu's career as a performer and this book cover jumped at me, and the book jumped into my arms from Peak Picks. Now I get to admire theI've followed Lieu's career as a performer and this book cover jumped at me, and the book jumped into my arms from Peak Picks. Now I get to admire the cover as the book is stranded in my home during the horrible "cybersecurity incident" that has slowed (but not crushed) the Seattle Public Library. The memoir has a powerful start, linking Lieu's body with that of her mother's. It is the introduction that leads us to how she was able to write the story, pieces of which she had performed. I am reading memoir with a vested interest now. I have begun writing one (spoiler alert, this is the first I have typed, much less spoken these words). So am I studying the structure, the scope, reading them while mentally taking them apart to see how they work. How much needs to be spelled out, what gets included, what is excluded. This was an excellent study for me, in part because it got me started, as it did Lieu when she went back to that retreat and knew what she had to do. This memoir is valuable for anyone who is seeking answers about their past, and coming to realize how it informs their outlook on their entire life. In seeking answers, as in this case, there is healing all around....more
Uh oh, a Goodreads Author. Fear of honesty. Luckily I can say I find this book brilliant, not just literally in shimmering cover and title. Thank goodUh oh, a Goodreads Author. Fear of honesty. Luckily I can say I find this book brilliant, not just literally in shimmering cover and title. Thank goodness I discovered O'Neil's work on that Oak Bluffs library shelf years ago. Although I think I would have discovered her work other ways by now. I think the last time I was east she was here reading in Seattle. I believe I have also ignored the due date on this new work, because as promised, its very cover glitters with Mississippi Meander Belt Map #7. I love that O'Neil (can I call you Jan yet?) admits in interviews that she's the poet. Allowing this distinction, for me, makes every piece more meaningful, and the collection itself a journey. The first pieces Autopsy and What's Left are starkly beautiful. The collection moves through to the time in the Deep South, and the juxtaposition of poems that are truly erotic, and those that are heartbreaking. Seattle writer, Dr. Georgia Dade, once said I can't seem to stop writing about Emmett Till. No one should ever stop writing about Emmett Till. As O'Neil writes in 4th section, "It's in the blood. It's in the soil." Meaning all of it. All of the past in the South. Thank you for "Glitter Road." Originally posted on May 30, 2024.
I need to add a post-script. The Seattle Public Library was hacked. Cybersecurity event. Disruption. Ransomware. Horribleness. For weeks now, no access to account, no holds...and this horrible shame. We have been asked not to return books because SPL couldn't check them back in. I've had the beautiful Glitter Road in my home for almost two months, not able to circulate. In lockdown on my coffee table. Who would do this to a library? Is it random? Who cares? It's truly an attack. Those who need to use computers at the library have been cut off. The librarians can't even print, and at my branch have had to share one laptop. If we wonder what could be lost without a free press, or personal liberty, the library attack is a preview, a warning that I hope will be heeded. ...more
I know I've enjoyed a book when I hesitate to return it to the library. Luckily there are no fines, and very sadly right now, the library system has bI know I've enjoyed a book when I hesitate to return it to the library. Luckily there are no fines, and very sadly right now, the library system has been hacked. When I did return "the wren, the wren" today and went to check out two books they had to write my card number on a sheet of lined yellow paper. The librarian passed the books back to me and said, keep these as long as you like. Meaning, they won't come looking for me for years. I hope they figure out that I returned what they write as "The Wren, the Wren," but that could take a while too. First I'm so relieved that Anne Enright is not a Goodreads author. I feel so liberated to say what I think. Unfortunately all I've got is praise. Enright wrote compelling from two different points of view and wrote the poems that were supposedly those of the father/grandfather. It's fecking brilliant! (Sorry, I've also been watching several Irish series). At one point I thought what is with these self-destructive young people, I can't stand it! But maturity triumphs, and humor. I had to wait a long time (on hold, back when that was possible - damn hackers) but it was worth it. the wren, the wren....more
I think this was a, "While You're Waiting" selection from the library. It started extremely well, with metaphors that made me want to quote them to anI think this was a, "While You're Waiting" selection from the library. It started extremely well, with metaphors that made me want to quote them to anyone in vicinity. Then something slowed down for me and the novel seemed to drag a bit. I realized I didn't care for the characters much, except for the dead wife. There were interesting relationships, but the college Ed never seemed to jive with the current day Ed. However there was character development and some satisfying scenes. I look forward to Dion's future work. ...more
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