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theresidentbookworm's reviews
3261 reviews
Trust Me by Scott Nadelson
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Tender series of vignettes following 52 weekends of a father and daughter as the fathers lives out in the woods in Oregon. The vignettes function effectively both as short stories and chapters in a novel. Really beautiful character building and developing of the relationship between Lewis and Skye. Kind of hate the ending, feels like the author just didn't how to end it.
The Ghost Town Collectives by Brittney Corrigan
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This story collection combines the fantastical with more grounded realistic depictions of nature and the ever-pressing concerns of environmental disaster. Some of the stories manage this blend exceptionally, but sometimes all of the elements aren't balanced. The Care Home, Over and Back, and The Auction House are particular stand-outs, but the collection overall feels disjointed. There are so many great ideas but not enough coherent focus.
The Causative Factor by Megan Staffel, Megan Staffel
slow-paced
0.75
This novel doesn't work as a novel because the most interesting elements of it are probably at max a 30 page short story. The rest is unbearable filler. Perspectives other the Rubiat and Rachel's in the novel baffle me because they never end up mattering or going anywhere? And the concept of the story is such a wild, paper thin idea that not even good writing can support the weight of it across a novel. Also, if a man did this to me, I would not wonder about him or make art about him. I'd simply find him and slap him. All the men in this novel SUCK.
The Genocide House by Robert Kloss
challenging
dark
slow-paced
1.0
Interesting experimentation with form that ends up feeling a little driftless. Even with the time delineations, I never know where I am in space and time. Great if you like your American history a little hallucinatory, but not super coherent.
All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
All-American Muslim Girl was my book club's pick for May (timed perfectly for the month of Ramadan), and so I thought I'd ask them for their own reviews.
Nadine: As an Arab woman, I was excited to read this. I thought it should’ve been relatable. It was not. The writing style was weird; I was confused at times. I get that the author was trying to fit every problem in for the main character to solve, but it felt awkward to read. And the plot points I thought would be expanded throughout the books were not. I thought I would eventually find out why her dad did not like his religion so much or how he came to such a decision. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it as well as I thought I would. I would give it a 4 out of 10.
Marwah: Loved the concept that the summary on the back cover gave, but the execution could have been better. I was really excited to read this book, but I was disappointed with the results.
I pretty much agree with everything both Marwah and Nadine said. All-American Muslim Girl would have been better if it were the book that the summary describes: "Allie Abraham has it all going for her—she's a straight-A student, with good friends and a close-knit family, and she's dating cute, popular, and sweet Wells Henderson. One problem: Wells's father is Jack Henderson, America's most famous conservative shock jock...and Allie hasn't told Wells that her family is Muslim. It's not like Allie's religion is a secret, exactly. It's just that her parents don't practice and raised her to keep her Islamic heritage to herself. But as Allie witnesses ever-growing Islamophobia in her small town and across the nation, she begins to embrace her faith—studying it, practicing it, and facing hatred and misunderstanding for it. Who is Allie, if she sheds the façade of the "perfect" all-American girl? What does it mean to be a "Good Muslim?" And can a Muslim girl in America ever truly fit in?" That summary sounds excellent and like the story has conflict. There is no such conflict or tension in All-American Muslim Girl. All the problems are too quickly solved, and the issues you think will arise don't. And the pacing was off for me. Also, I am a white woman who was raised Catholic so I can't really speak to the representation in this book, but in our book club discussion we did discuss how certain elements felt off and like Courtney couldn't decide who the audience was. If she was writing towards her Muslim readers, then many of the conversations felt awkward and over-explained. If she was writing towards a non-Muslim audience, then some sections are confusing or misleading.
Overall, this was not a win for book club, but we didn't hate it. Just not for us.
Nadine: As an Arab woman, I was excited to read this. I thought it should’ve been relatable. It was not. The writing style was weird; I was confused at times. I get that the author was trying to fit every problem in for the main character to solve, but it felt awkward to read. And the plot points I thought would be expanded throughout the books were not. I thought I would eventually find out why her dad did not like his religion so much or how he came to such a decision. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy it as well as I thought I would. I would give it a 4 out of 10.
Marwah: Loved the concept that the summary on the back cover gave, but the execution could have been better. I was really excited to read this book, but I was disappointed with the results.
I pretty much agree with everything both Marwah and Nadine said. All-American Muslim Girl would have been better if it were the book that the summary describes: "Allie Abraham has it all going for her—she's a straight-A student, with good friends and a close-knit family, and she's dating cute, popular, and sweet Wells Henderson. One problem: Wells's father is Jack Henderson, America's most famous conservative shock jock...and Allie hasn't told Wells that her family is Muslim. It's not like Allie's religion is a secret, exactly. It's just that her parents don't practice and raised her to keep her Islamic heritage to herself. But as Allie witnesses ever-growing Islamophobia in her small town and across the nation, she begins to embrace her faith—studying it, practicing it, and facing hatred and misunderstanding for it. Who is Allie, if she sheds the façade of the "perfect" all-American girl? What does it mean to be a "Good Muslim?" And can a Muslim girl in America ever truly fit in?" That summary sounds excellent and like the story has conflict. There is no such conflict or tension in All-American Muslim Girl. All the problems are too quickly solved, and the issues you think will arise don't. And the pacing was off for me. Also, I am a white woman who was raised Catholic so I can't really speak to the representation in this book, but in our book club discussion we did discuss how certain elements felt off and like Courtney couldn't decide who the audience was. If she was writing towards her Muslim readers, then many of the conversations felt awkward and over-explained. If she was writing towards a non-Muslim audience, then some sections are confusing or misleading.
Overall, this was not a win for book club, but we didn't hate it. Just not for us.
To Sir, With Love by E.R. Braithwaite
4.0
This was one of my Salvation Army finds (five books for a dollar, can you believe that?), and I definitely didn't regret it. To Sir, With Love is like the older, British version of The Freedom Writers, a movie that I adore and a book I look forward to reading. Mr. Braithwaite really paints the picture of what the school he is teaching at and the students there are like. You learn about his troubles as an African American British citizen and realize that racism isn't exclusive to just this country. I was immediately grabbed in and brought along for the ride. I watched as Mr. Braithwaite taught his class how to respect him, respect each other, and eventually respect all people. The transformation of his students was touching, and I was really proud of all of them at the end. My favorite part in particular was when none of the students wanted to take flowers they had bought for a classmate's dad's funeral to the kid's house because he's colored, not black, colored, and Pamela volunteers. The end just made me cry. It was a very good memoir, and I really want to see the movie. My only complaint was that I think that his romance with another teacher was unnecessarily included. I just frankly wasn't interested. Otherwise, an excellent read that I would highly recommend.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
5.0
Purchased on my trip to Savannah, my first thought after reading it was that it all had to be true because no one could invent people this off the wall. I definitely threw away a lot of my stereotypes about the South. Must see the movie to compare. Awesome book!
Brave Girl Eating: A Family's Struggle with Anorexia by Harriet Brown
5.0
For some reason, I have an odd fascination with eating disorders. I love reading both fiction and nonfiction about them. This read, however, I discovered at random when I saw it in a bookstore with my friend. I didn't buy it then though. It was a couple months later when I picked this up. Reading it was such a huge eye-opener for me. I read about Kitty's anorexia and saw that there were people around me that needed help.
My heart goes out to Ms. Brown and her husband Jamie. Their will and determination to be apart of their daughter's treatment was probably what saved her. I fell in love with this family and felt every setback and triumph with them. I held a soft spot for Emma, who handled her family's difficult situation with maturity beyond her years. Kitty is a very lucky girl, and I pray that she is still alright.
I was also interested by the family-based treatment approach explained in this memoir. Before reading Brave Girl Eating, I had only heard of eating disorder patients being treated in inpatients facilities or at outpatient facilities with little to no parent involvement. Reading this was a breath of fresh air. I agree with Ms. Brown that this is a sensible way to treat anorexia. Brave Girl Eating also served as a great resource when I had to write a research paper for English last year. Five stars and highly recommended for anyone who has a family member with an eating disorder or just wants to learn more about this method of treatment.
My heart goes out to Ms. Brown and her husband Jamie. Their will and determination to be apart of their daughter's treatment was probably what saved her. I fell in love with this family and felt every setback and triumph with them. I held a soft spot for Emma, who handled her family's difficult situation with maturity beyond her years. Kitty is a very lucky girl, and I pray that she is still alright.
I was also interested by the family-based treatment approach explained in this memoir. Before reading Brave Girl Eating, I had only heard of eating disorder patients being treated in inpatients facilities or at outpatient facilities with little to no parent involvement. Reading this was a breath of fresh air. I agree with Ms. Brown that this is a sensible way to treat anorexia. Brave Girl Eating also served as a great resource when I had to write a research paper for English last year. Five stars and highly recommended for anyone who has a family member with an eating disorder or just wants to learn more about this method of treatment.
Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
5.0
Where found: I picked this up on a whim in B&N.
Positive: I found this memoir both inspiring and well-written. Ms. Rhodes-Courter's narrative is tightly woven together and extremely detailed. From her move to Florida with her mother and brother to her adoption by the Courters, Ms. Rhodes-Courter is honest and real. Three Little Words makes you want to follow Ashley from the beginning to the end of the novel.
Negative: There weren't many things wrong with this memoir, but I did notice a few little things. 1). Since it was a memoir and only Ashley's side of the story is told, some her biological family members seemed one-dimensional. I wanted to know more about her mother and little sister. I also wanted to point out that, while Ms. Rhodes-Courter's story is sad, she also could've been much worse off. She was adopted by a loving family and given opportunities kids dream of having.
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a try, but buy it in paperback. Also remember to have some tissue handy, especially if you're overly sensitive like my mother, who balled her eyes out while reading this book.
Positive: I found this memoir both inspiring and well-written. Ms. Rhodes-Courter's narrative is tightly woven together and extremely detailed. From her move to Florida with her mother and brother to her adoption by the Courters, Ms. Rhodes-Courter is honest and real. Three Little Words makes you want to follow Ashley from the beginning to the end of the novel.
Negative: There weren't many things wrong with this memoir, but I did notice a few little things. 1). Since it was a memoir and only Ashley's side of the story is told, some her biological family members seemed one-dimensional. I wanted to know more about her mother and little sister. I also wanted to point out that, while Ms. Rhodes-Courter's story is sad, she also could've been much worse off. She was adopted by a loving family and given opportunities kids dream of having.
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a try, but buy it in paperback. Also remember to have some tissue handy, especially if you're overly sensitive like my mother, who balled her eyes out while reading this book.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
4.0
Instead of writing a review, I recommend reading this article from the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/magazine/how-jeannette-walls-spins-good-stories-out-of-bad-memories.html?pagewanted=all). I can't express my thoughts on this book without being angry or mean, and I feel like the reporter here offers interesting insight and perspective on Jeanette Walls and her mother. Enjoy!