In five words: twisty, Louisiana, thriller, identity, high-stakes
Having had success with my new foray into reading and running with Blake Crouch's DarIn five words: twisty, Louisiana, thriller, identity, high-stakes
Having had success with my new foray into reading and running with Blake Crouch's Dark Matter, I needed something else to read as I geared up for my first half marathon (GULP). And this book literally helped me get to the finish line, with a twist in the book that hit me in mile 10 and distracted me from the absolutely nuts activity I was trying to complete, and my aching knees. (Spoiler, I finished the race. Woot!) And truly, I worked hard to get there, but Elston's book was a real motivation that kept me putting one foot in front of the other. This is Elston's first adult novel and I hope it won't be her last!
This book has twists on twists on twists and I don't want to spoil any so I'll keep my plot comments brief. Evie Porter has moved to a new town for a job, the details of which are sparse and communicated via voice-altered phone calls and instructions left in a P.O. box. She is on a need-to-know basis from her mysterious boss, who recruited her years back for her ability to disappear into a new location and new identity for "the job," which changes at every turn. But this job looks to be different, as Evie finds herself imagining a new future, one with stability and less secrets, but can she turn her dreams into reality?
Full disclosure, I am biased as HECK about this book and author because the book is sent in Louisiana and the author is from north Louisiana, where I lived for 10 years and I couldn't be more thrilled for her success. It's a great book, and a Reese's book club pick! And it's being adapted for Hulu by Octavia Spencer. QUICK. SOMEBODY BRING ME SOME PEARLS TO CLUTCH. Or smelling salts.
That said, as someone from Louisiana I am EXTRAORDINARILY PRICKLY about books/movies/shows set there because oof, so many things get it a little wrong (looking at you, Tru Blood) or a LOT wrong (glaring at you, Adam Sandler's Waterboy). In fact, the only property that has satisifed me to my core is the play and movie of Steel Magnolias. Since I'm predisposed to heavily judge, it's a big deal that I give Elston a firm head nod, and if I met her in person, a big ol' THANK YOU for getting it very right.
This would be an excellent beach read, perfect for summer as you try to anticipate what happens next, but I bet you won't......more
I've been pretty pleased with Reese's Book Club selections. This is the 8th of her picks that I've read, and even when the bookIn one word: Convenient
I've been pretty pleased with Reese's Book Club selections. This is the 8th of her picks that I've read, and even when the book wasn't for me (I'm looking at you, "Where the Crawdads Sing"), I still saw the quality of the novel and understood why she would champion it as a female-written, female-centric story. This is the first Reese book that was a swing and a miss for me.
At first glance, it had a lot going for it. Sexy cover + female-centered + heist story? Count me in. Luciana "Lucky" Armstrong is a product of her upbringing, a young con woman brought up by a con artist, but when the job she pulls with her boyfriend goes wrong, and the authorities are closing in, her luck (rimshot) has run out. But could a winning lottery ticket be her ticket out (rimshot) and a sign that her luck (rimshot) is back? This is a paint-by-numbers situation where the heroine isn't likable enough, the scenarios aren't believable enough, and the big bad heist boss is a cartoon, more fitting on the pages of Marvel than in a novel. Are there some twists? Sure. But they are either so farfetched that no reasonable person could guess them, or so obvious it isn't a real surprise. I mean, we start with a baby left at an orphanage and end with a family reunion. It's like a Lifetime movie on steroids.
In an unusual turn of events, I think I would like this story more as a movie than a book. Throw this into the Netflix film machine and what would come out on the other end would be glitzy and perfectly fine fun for a Sunday afternoon. If you want something skimmable for your summer beach trip, this would suffice, but altogether it's pretty one-note and predictable....more
This was the January book club pick for the Reese Witherspoon book club, and a fun read to get through. I enjoyed the "book club" aspect as well, follThis was the January book club pick for the Reese Witherspoon book club, and a fun read to get through. I enjoyed the "book club" aspect as well, following along with prompts on Instagram and the loads of other folks tackling this book at the same time. On to the book!
This book is clever. It starts with an embarrassing and racist encounter in a grocery store, Emira who is babysitting for Briar is accused by a security guard of kidnapping her. Emira is black, Briar is white, and the security guard is white. So, initially, you think that this is going to be the main conflict of the book, but it isn't. The reason that Emira was in a grocery store late at night with Briar is because someone broke a window in Briar's house, and her parents (main characters Alix and Peter) were dealing with the police. You might think THAT is going to be a main point in the book. But it isn't either.
Instead, this book cleverly jumps POV from Emira, a 25 year old woman at a crossroads trying to decide who she wants to be, Kelley, a white man that she meets and takes an interest in her, and Alix her employer. Emira is the central character, but we are often in both Alix and Kelley's shoes. There are twists and turns coming at you from all angles and you root for, and against, each of them throughout the novel. In the end, we are left still wondering who is the victim? Who is the right, who is wrong? Reid has taken the white savior story and flipped it sideways, making you as a reader really look into the motivations of each character. As a white woman, I found this book fascinating and it forced me to understand my own motivations/actions as they relate to people of color, even those in my friend circle. This book did not leave me satisfied in the end, not everything was tied up neatly, but, that's sort of the point.
Nicole Lewis does a great job with the audiobook and characters. I imagine trying to effectively capture a two year old as difficult, but she does a great job with Briar capturing her fun personality and quirks.
It seems that some folks felt the characters stereotypical and superficial, which I can understand, but I still think Reid was successful in giving each of the main characters their own stories and arcs and I'll be recommending this book a lot this year....more
This book is/was everywhere. EVERY. WHERE. It was recommended to me a number of times and was featured on Pajiba Archives in the article "What are theThis book is/was everywhere. EVERY. WHERE. It was recommended to me a number of times and was featured on Pajiba Archives in the article "What are the most talked about books of 2019 so far?" It was almost the case to choose being obstinate in the face of enthusiasm: I almost didn't want to read it BECAUSE everyone was talking about it. However, I decided to dive it and I now understand the hype. It was, good; however, it just wasn't my cup of tea, or at least not the tea I was looking for at the moment.
Well written? Yes. Interesting premise? Sure. Unique setting? Okay. The problem I had with it was that it too many details and too much exposition."Everything but the kitchen sink" style storytelling is not my cup of tea. Get. To. The. Point. The first 1/2 dragged on too long for me. Plus, sense the subject matter was so bleak, it mad it seem eeeeven longer. Our heroine is alone and lonely and lonely about being alone and very very by herself. Yikes. I'm also not sold on the plausibility of the plot, and felt the "mystery" a bit thin. It was either a "did she or didn't she" situation but Owens tried to make it seem more mysterious even though she didn't include enough variables to really ratchet up other possible outcomes.
That said, I really enjoyed the back 1/4 of the book a lot more than the beginning and thought the conclusion was very well done so with all that I would almost give my rating a to a 4 because of it, but the first chunk was such a battle for me to get through that I'm leaving it where I landed at a 4. I would say this is a good book, and it's an exceptionally well-written book, but it isn't the kind of storytelling that draws me in....more
A number of folks at my work suggested this book, and specifically said it was great on audio and since my commute is grossss (hour or hour 15 one wayA number of folks at my work suggested this book, and specifically said it was great on audio and since my commute is grossss (hour or hour 15 one way) I'm always on the look for not just any audiobook, but one that makes my time on the road worth it. In addition, it's a Reese Witherspoon book club pick and I've been delighted by her choices that I've read so far: see also The Library Book, Eleanor Oliphant is perfectly fine.
This was a really delightful and fun read! Reid has written the true story of the break-up of Daisy Jones & The Six, a hit band from the 1970s but the remarkable thing is that it's fictional. It jumps back and forth between different band members, and those associated with their success, as interview vignettes with an unnamed interviewer.
The "truth" is relative in this tale as each person gets their chance to tell their perspective of the same events. Some have criticized this book for lack of action or story, but I think Reid does an amazing job making these characters, and their history real and seamlessly a part of 1970s Americana. She really takes you on a journey following each person over the course of the bands upward trajectory. The voice cast was outstanding: Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Bratt, Jennifer Beals, and Judy Greer among others really bring the story alive. With a different and unique actor for each character it really feels like a true musical introspective, a la VH1 behind the music.
The characters in this book are endlessly quotable, as they look back on who they used to be, from nobodies to one of the most famous bands in the country. And Daisy is a real "take no crap" kind of woman. "I used to care if men said I was difficult. I stopped caring. That was better." Not to mention the other women in this book are equally awesome: strong, smart, and interesting. Sure there aren't really twists and turns, but it is a fascinating look at sex, drugs, and rock and roll and a book I am recommending to ev-er-y-one....more
This is the first time I am participating in Cannonball Read Bingo and I am ALL IN BABY. I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing CBR Bingo - I LOVE THIS
This is the first time I am participating in Cannonball Read Bingo and I am ALL IN BABY. I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing a blackout by the end of October but my personal goal is to fill out the whole thing by the end of the year. Let's do this thing!
And what fun to review Alice Hoffman for my first Bingo pick! She has been one of my favorite authors since high school and I have been eagerly and nervously anticipating the prequel to the beloved Practical Magic. The last book I read by her, Skylight Confessions, I didn't love and during my review reflected that Hoffman seemed much the same (that novel was from 2007) and maybe it was I who had changed. Perhaps my tastes had changed and she was no longer one of my favorites? I'm glad to report that was not the case: I really enjoyed this book!
For those that are familiar with the book Practical Magic, or the delightful film starring Sandra Bullock as Sally and Nicole Kidman as Gillian, this novel takes us back when the aunts of Bullock and Kidman (played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest) are young. We learn the backstory of Aunt Frances and Aunt Jet, and learn more of the rich history of the Owens family. We see sparks of the aunts who already know and what will be, their powers already on display, but having read the book (or seen the movie) you have a unique vantage point? How did the aunts come to live in the house, practicing witchcraft? And, more importantly, whatever happened to Vincent, their brother, who isn't even in Practical Magic?
It's always a challenge to reboot or revisit beloved material, and Hoffman does so deftly. The whimsical spirit of the first book is captured with Hoffman signature tone of darkness tempered with hope, and we learn much more about beloved characters, while still staying true to them. It's been a hot minute since I read Practical Magic, so I'm interested in how I'd feel giving that another go, but I'm going to be enthusiastically recommending anyone who likes Hoffman, liked Practical Magic, or could use a bit of magic in their summer....more
This book came into my sight line during voting for the Goodreads "best of 2018" awards and I bookmarked it to read, jumped in the queue at my local lThis book came into my sight line during voting for the Goodreads "best of 2018" awards and I bookmarked it to read, jumped in the queue at my local library and promptly forgot all about it. When it became available it was a delightful companion to Bird Box (in that, it was not horrifying) and I enjoyed this glimpse into the world of the library, that is so very dear to my own heart.
Reminiscent of Devil in the White City in narrative style, but like, waaaay less murdery, Orlean jumps from present to past, showing us the thriving Los Angeles Public Library branch today, but also the circumstances of the mysterious library that ravaged it in 1986. She also goes even further back to the historical roots of the library, telling the tale of the people as well as the place. Interwoven we learn the role that public libraries have played in her own life, and her affection and reverence for libraries shines through.
The mystery at the core of the story, the origin of the devastating fire is interesting, but it is but one data point on the journey of the LA public library, a fixed point in history that Orlean uses to anchor her tale. Thoroughly detailed, we get insight not just into this public library, but into public libraries in America and their placeholder as a bastion of knowledge and discovery, not to mention a safe haven for those with no place else to go. For anyone who has a fondness for public libraries and the vital role they play, this is a must read....more
Confession time: when the lovely Borisanne gifted me with this book in this year's CBR Book Exchange, I was disappointed. In her defense, it was definConfession time: when the lovely Borisanne gifted me with this book in this year's CBR Book Exchange, I was disappointed. In her defense, it was definitely in my "to read" pile on Goodreads; however, in my defense I forgot it was there. Last year I read Celeste Ng's "Everything I Never Told You" and I did NOT care for it. I gave it a two.
So, I went into reading "Little Fires Everywhere" ready to dislike it but was stunned to discover I really REALLY liked this book. I found it interesting, compelling, thoughtful, and surprising. One factor that could be at play is that I did the audio of the other novel, and this one I read. I do think the narration was good, so I don't necessarily think that I can completely chalk up my distaste to medium. In "Everything" I felt that the characters had empty motivations for why they were so secretive in their interactions with each other, but in this one though that same secrecy/communicative misdirection existed, I understood their motivations more clearly.
This was a valuable lesson to me because I have tended to give an author one chance, and if I don't like a book won't go back for another. With the amount of books on our planet, it's not a bad rule of thumb, but I've learned that I could be missing out on something great with this "baby with the bathwater" sort of approach. In the future, and may need to give authors that don't resonate to me a fairer shake and not be so quick, or at least so resolute, to judge....more
Reese Witherspoon's book club has been on my periphery, it's been great seeing a beloved actress that I grew up on (I mean...Man in the Moon? Fear? FoReese Witherspoon's book club has been on my periphery, it's been great seeing a beloved actress that I grew up on (I mean...Man in the Moon? Fear? Formative) become such a literary champion and icon. That said, I enjoy being a contrarian so I'm more likely to eschew something everyone likes then subscribe to it, even though Reese is obviously a goddess, I was hesitant to go all in on her book club recommendations. But after this one, which was her first ever back in 2017 and looking at her list of previous selections (which includes The Library Book, Curtis Sittenfield, and Alice Hoffman) I'm all in.
I'll be honest, I wasn't immediately sold on Honeyman's novel. Looking at the back which said it was "a wacky charming novel" it took me a while to see it, and I was positively stumped. I looked at the glowing recs on the back calling it "satisfyingly quirky" and "a charmer" and was convinced maybe I had the wrong book. Eventually though, I was hooked and the last 1/4 read in one sitting.
I think the book jacket does it a disservice because I was expecting something fluffy and conventional, and that is not who Eleanor Oliphant is. She is a realistically written lonely woman in her 30s: friendless, relationshipless, and marching to the beat of her own drum. But this isn't a meetcute romcom in its first act, which is what the book jacket sounds like. I think it's because it's hard to put this story, and the character, into a box or palatable soundbite. I found it delightful and surprising and uncomfortable and don't want to say much else because knowing little going into it was part of my joy with this book.
I am so excited that Reese (we are not on a first name basis, I like to pretend) will producing the film adaptation. Eleanor is an interesting female character, one that we don't often get, and her raw and uplifting story of loneliness and hope in a hopeless situation is a story worth telling....more
Ashlie aka The Cheerbrarian
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