Rated Homegoing 10/10
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Rated Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal 6/10
Rated The Potty Mouth at the Table 2/10
Potty Mouth is a collection of ~5 page humorous essays written by a jaded, germ-phobic woman with the sensibilities of the late Joan Rivers. This isn't a book I would typically pick up, but it was chosen by my book club. The book was somewhat amusing at times, but this was overshadowed by the author's very narrow view of what is acceptable on Planet Earth.
Finished reading The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
Rated The Girl on the Train 8/10
Fast-reading, well-written, contemporary psychological murder mystery told from the perspectives of three young British women. Interesting, flawed characters - Hawkins did a particularly good job of integrating the experience of alcoholic blackouts. Would be great to read while on an extended train ride :-)
Finished reading My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
Rated The Goldfinch 10/10
Beautifully written story of friendship wrapped in a thriller. Do give yourself enough time to savor the language and relationship nuances as you read through the 700+ pages. <br><br>My one criticism is the amount of space dedicated to describing characters' drug and alcohol experiences. Much of the repetition could have been removed without losing anything.
Finished reading The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Rated Jana Bibi's Excellent Fortunes 4/10
A charming, inoffensive little story set in a small town in northern India around 1960. The book is well-pace - a fast read - and is most interesting for its quirky intersection of cultures: Scottish, American, and Indian Hindu, Muslim, and Christian.
Edited 44d ago
Finished reading Imperfect Birds
Edited 44d ago
Rated The Ocean at the End of the Lane 10/10
When I grow up, I want to write just like Neil Gaiman. I don't want to steal his plots, just his style. Ocean at the End of the Lane is a beautifully written novel in which each word is perfectly chosen and every image, no matter how surreal, is vivid. The story is entirely engrossing - it is short and quickly paced making this book perfect for a long rainy afternoon read.
Finished reading We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution
Rated The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street 4/10
First person narrative of 70 years in the life of a Jewish immigrant woman who becomes an ice cream entrepreneur (think Carvel). Loved having a strong woman character ahead of her time, but I was never entirely convinced of the authenticity of the Lillian's voice. The book is unexpectedly action-packed - even with the mild character weakness, it was a fun read.
Rated The Story of the Lost Child 10/10
Edited 44d ago