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bookladyreads's reviews
580 reviews
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Over the last few years, I've become a Colson Whitehead fan. He is incredibly talented and always gives us something different to read.
Today is the book birthday for Crook Manifesto, the second book in the Ray Carney series. Crook Manifesto, set in the 1970's, is a snapshot in time that reads in such an authentic manner you can reach out and touch it. Time and place play such a major role in this book, even more so than in Harlem Shuffle (the first book in the series) in my opinion, you feel like you've received a history lesson that is both cinematic and gripping. We get many references of The Jackson 5, The Black Panthers, The Black Liberation Army, and all the senses of a 1970's Harlem. It's truly glorious! One of the other things that's done so well in this book is the very detailed look at the neighborhood that has experienced such a major shift that it has disrupted what was once peaceful—stable and is at the brink of toppling over. Through this shift you get to see how people and law enforcement respond in order to survive, maintain power, and regain the sense of community the once had. If you didn't know this book was fiction, it could very easily be read as narrative non-fiction. Ray Carney in such a great character—a complicated character - a family man and furniture salesman who teeters the edge of being an upright businessman and seedy criminal.
If you haven't read Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto, I highly recommend you do. This is crime fiction on another level and you're missing out on something really fantastic if you choose to skip it.
Today is the book birthday for Crook Manifesto, the second book in the Ray Carney series. Crook Manifesto, set in the 1970's, is a snapshot in time that reads in such an authentic manner you can reach out and touch it. Time and place play such a major role in this book, even more so than in Harlem Shuffle (the first book in the series) in my opinion, you feel like you've received a history lesson that is both cinematic and gripping. We get many references of The Jackson 5, The Black Panthers, The Black Liberation Army, and all the senses of a 1970's Harlem. It's truly glorious! One of the other things that's done so well in this book is the very detailed look at the neighborhood that has experienced such a major shift that it has disrupted what was once peaceful—stable and is at the brink of toppling over. Through this shift you get to see how people and law enforcement respond in order to survive, maintain power, and regain the sense of community the once had. If you didn't know this book was fiction, it could very easily be read as narrative non-fiction. Ray Carney in such a great character—a complicated character - a family man and furniture salesman who teeters the edge of being an upright businessman and seedy criminal.
If you haven't read Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto, I highly recommend you do. This is crime fiction on another level and you're missing out on something really fantastic if you choose to skip it.
The Red Balcony: A Novel by Jonathan Wilson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
I’m not vibing with this book. I’m not in the mood for it.
Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
// BOOK NOTES: Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah //
After Lives was a deeply emotional story about loss, displacement, war, and colonialism. I found myself having all of these feelings while reading--sadness, hope, grief, anticipation, and anger. The characters in this story showed so much determination and strength. It broke your heart to see them suffer or to have huge hurdles to overcome. For a book that's just a little over 300 pages, it covers a lot. It's a sprawling story that is so moving and beautifully written.
Thank you Riverhead Books for this gifted copy.
After Lives was a deeply emotional story about loss, displacement, war, and colonialism. I found myself having all of these feelings while reading--sadness, hope, grief, anticipation, and anger. The characters in this story showed so much determination and strength. It broke your heart to see them suffer or to have huge hurdles to overcome. For a book that's just a little over 300 pages, it covers a lot. It's a sprawling story that is so moving and beautifully written.
Thank you Riverhead Books for this gifted copy.
Rework by David Heinemeier Hansson, Jason Fried
5.0
This was one of the best business books I've read in a long time. I highly suggest reading this one. They were so on point on so many topics.
A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell
2.0
Well, what can I say? I absolutely hated this book.
First things first. I listened to the audiobook for this, which was my first time ever listening to an audiobook. I've always been opposed to it because I've never liked being read to--I found it annoying. But I decided to give it a chance. Initially, I couldn't figure out if I just hated the audiobook experience or if I just hated the story. I figured it out, I hated the story.
This story did not draw me in at any point and something about the story felt repetitive, boring and juvenile. The character Stephanie made me want to scratch my eyeballs out with this whole mommy blogger theme. "Hi Moms". The character Sean should have been or rather was supposed to be a big part of this story, but something about him was simply forgettable. I feel indifferent about the character Emily. The book tries really hard to make her out to be this super chic put together woman that every person desires just by the sight of her, but that felt extremely contrived.
Perhaps the movie was better than the book. I certainly wanted to see it when the trailers first came out (I didn't), but maybe I'll give it a watch when it hits OnDemand just to see how they made this story work for the "big screen".
Anyway, I forced myself to complete this audiobook, but sadly it was a drudge from beginning to end.
First things first. I listened to the audiobook for this, which was my first time ever listening to an audiobook. I've always been opposed to it because I've never liked being read to--I found it annoying. But I decided to give it a chance. Initially, I couldn't figure out if I just hated the audiobook experience or if I just hated the story. I figured it out, I hated the story.
This story did not draw me in at any point and something about the story felt repetitive, boring and juvenile. The character Stephanie made me want to scratch my eyeballs out with this whole mommy blogger theme. "Hi Moms". The character Sean should have been or rather was supposed to be a big part of this story, but something about him was simply forgettable. I feel indifferent about the character Emily. The book tries really hard to make her out to be this super chic put together woman that every person desires just by the sight of her, but that felt extremely contrived.
Perhaps the movie was better than the book. I certainly wanted to see it when the trailers first came out (I didn't), but maybe I'll give it a watch when it hits OnDemand just to see how they made this story work for the "big screen".
Anyway, I forced myself to complete this audiobook, but sadly it was a drudge from beginning to end.
Sadie by Courtney Summers
3.0
I heard so many good things about this book. One being it was pretty great listening to the audiobook. So I did. It was really well done. I thought the story was fairly good, but it didn't blow my mind or give me to many feels. And I certainly wasn't dying to listen to it every second of the day. All-in-all the story was just ok to me, but they did a bang up job on the audiobook production.