Take a photo of a barcode or cover
notesbynnenna's Reviews (513)
This was my favorite read of the month. My library hold finally came in last month, but I wasn’t able to finish it before it expired, so I ended up purchasing the book. In this novel, we get to see both sides of a story. Lotto and Mathilde are the golden couple. They are happily married and together they can face any obstacle. The question is though, can you ever truly know someone? The first half of the book is told from Lotto’s perspective, and then we read Mathilde’s perspective.
With a buzzy book, there’s always the risk that the book is not actually worth the hype, but I really enjoyed this one. Groff’s writing style is so interesting and expertly done. She often addresses the reader in brackets and I liked these asides because it made it seem a bit like an oral history. It also recalled instructions and insights that you might see in a play, which is a clever nod to one of the character’s profession.
It’s hard to choose which part I preferred. Lotto’s section sets the stage nicely, but by the end I was desperate to learn more about Mathilde because she’s so enigmatic in the first half. Her section surprised me- it was not what I was expecting.
Fates and Furies is an amazing character study. The author explores the life of an artist; the need to create and be recognized for your creation. We also read about the walls that people build and the outward personas that they present. I think that Mathilde was my favorite character because she was the most complicated. Through Mathilde, Groff shows us that sometimes we only see what we want to see. I’d definitely be curious to hear what you thought if you’ve read this one!
With a buzzy book, there’s always the risk that the book is not actually worth the hype, but I really enjoyed this one. Groff’s writing style is so interesting and expertly done. She often addresses the reader in brackets and I liked these asides because it made it seem a bit like an oral history. It also recalled instructions and insights that you might see in a play, which is a clever nod to one of the character’s profession.
It’s hard to choose which part I preferred. Lotto’s section sets the stage nicely, but by the end I was desperate to learn more about Mathilde because she’s so enigmatic in the first half. Her section surprised me- it was not what I was expecting.
Fates and Furies is an amazing character study. The author explores the life of an artist; the need to create and be recognized for your creation. We also read about the walls that people build and the outward personas that they present. I think that Mathilde was my favorite character because she was the most complicated. Through Mathilde, Groff shows us that sometimes we only see what we want to see. I’d definitely be curious to hear what you thought if you’ve read this one!
Video review here: https://youtu.be/J0IQklxAj60
I think this was my favorite book of the month. It struck just the right balance of charm and good storytelling. The main character, Alice, lives in NJ with her husband and kids, and works as the books editor of a women’s magazine. When her husband decides to open his own law firm and her family’s financial situation changes, she pursues a new job at a cool literary start-up called Scroll. In addition to trying to succeed at a new job, Alice is dealing with her father’s failing health.
This book is about work/life balance and the struggle to “have it all.” Between her husband, her kids, her job, and her family, Alice is pulled in many different directions and is just trying to do her best. Alice is a book lover, so she automatically gets brownie points from me, and the way she was written felt very real and normal. I sympathized with the challenges she faced and I thought we could be friends in real life. Alice begins to realize she can only stretch herself so far and decides to focus on the things that matter the most to her. The author makes a great point that your version of “having it all” might not be the same as somebody else’s, so it’s better to let go of that notion and focus on your own personal, attainable goals. This book was light, but not empty, and definitely fun to read. I’d recommend it!
I think this was my favorite book of the month. It struck just the right balance of charm and good storytelling. The main character, Alice, lives in NJ with her husband and kids, and works as the books editor of a women’s magazine. When her husband decides to open his own law firm and her family’s financial situation changes, she pursues a new job at a cool literary start-up called Scroll. In addition to trying to succeed at a new job, Alice is dealing with her father’s failing health.
This book is about work/life balance and the struggle to “have it all.” Between her husband, her kids, her job, and her family, Alice is pulled in many different directions and is just trying to do her best. Alice is a book lover, so she automatically gets brownie points from me, and the way she was written felt very real and normal. I sympathized with the challenges she faced and I thought we could be friends in real life. Alice begins to realize she can only stretch herself so far and decides to focus on the things that matter the most to her. The author makes a great point that your version of “having it all” might not be the same as somebody else’s, so it’s better to let go of that notion and focus on your own personal, attainable goals. This book was light, but not empty, and definitely fun to read. I’d recommend it!
Is there life after A Little Life? Finished this book seconds ago and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to adequately describe how I feel about it.
8/12/15 Edited to add my longer review:
Let me just begin by saying that I absolutely loved this book and there’s no way this little review of mine will do it justice. I’m going to attempt to explain how I feel about this book anyway. I will admit that right now it’s too precious to me and I cannot highlight any flaws, but what review is objective?
A Little Life is the story of four friends: Jude, the intelligent lawyer with a past that constantly threatens his present; Willem, an aspiring actor with a kindness that knows no bounds; Malcolm, who builds tiny houses and likes the control and creativity that architecture requires; and finally JB, the artist with a personality that dominates any room. The book generally takes place in New York City. When it begins, our main characters have recently graduated college and are struggling to make their way in the world. For the rest of the novel we follow their lives over the next 30+ years. We observe friendships strengthen and weaken, romantic relationships begin and end, and the trajectory of their professional careers. This book is about their lives and as you read it, you feel like you’re experiencing your own little life.
It’s been nearly a week since I finished this book and I still feel so close to it and to the characters. I cannot remember the last time a book had such a huge emotional impact on me. The characters are masterfully written and completely engrossing. I truly felt like these characters were living, breathing people (and even at this moment, I almost think that they’re somewhere out there in the city now, walking around and living their lives). I felt like they were my friends. I was so completely and totally invested in their lives that every triumph and tragedy in this book hit me hard. I thought that Yanagihara’s writing was simple and elegant and that the entire story was utterly powerful. She has a skill for putting things plainly and perfectly, so that a mere sentence can feel like a sucker punch to the gut.
Also, I must mention that this book deals with very difficult subjects, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Some incidents are described in more detail than others, but if any of those topics are triggers for you, then this may not be the book for you. This book is about what it means to be human and about the evolution of friendships and relationships It’s also about what it means to belong, and how we find our place in the world. It asks, “What is a life and what makes it worth living?”
Throughout the novel, characters are stretched past the limits of what they believe they can endure, and I felt a bit like that as I was reading. By the time I finished, I was physically and mentally spent and I marveled that a book had made me feel that way. I’m sure you’ve heard that this book is overwhelmingly sad, and that’s true, but where there is darkness, there is also light.
I’m just in awe of this book. I cried tears of happiness and tears of despair, and on more than one occasion, I cried myself to sleep. I think what Hanya Yanagihara was able to achieve with this book is a testament to literature. This experience reminded me why reading will always be an important and necessary part of my life.
8/12/15 Edited to add my longer review:
Let me just begin by saying that I absolutely loved this book and there’s no way this little review of mine will do it justice. I’m going to attempt to explain how I feel about this book anyway. I will admit that right now it’s too precious to me and I cannot highlight any flaws, but what review is objective?
A Little Life is the story of four friends: Jude, the intelligent lawyer with a past that constantly threatens his present; Willem, an aspiring actor with a kindness that knows no bounds; Malcolm, who builds tiny houses and likes the control and creativity that architecture requires; and finally JB, the artist with a personality that dominates any room. The book generally takes place in New York City. When it begins, our main characters have recently graduated college and are struggling to make their way in the world. For the rest of the novel we follow their lives over the next 30+ years. We observe friendships strengthen and weaken, romantic relationships begin and end, and the trajectory of their professional careers. This book is about their lives and as you read it, you feel like you’re experiencing your own little life.
It’s been nearly a week since I finished this book and I still feel so close to it and to the characters. I cannot remember the last time a book had such a huge emotional impact on me. The characters are masterfully written and completely engrossing. I truly felt like these characters were living, breathing people (and even at this moment, I almost think that they’re somewhere out there in the city now, walking around and living their lives). I felt like they were my friends. I was so completely and totally invested in their lives that every triumph and tragedy in this book hit me hard. I thought that Yanagihara’s writing was simple and elegant and that the entire story was utterly powerful. She has a skill for putting things plainly and perfectly, so that a mere sentence can feel like a sucker punch to the gut.
Also, I must mention that this book deals with very difficult subjects, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Some incidents are described in more detail than others, but if any of those topics are triggers for you, then this may not be the book for you. This book is about what it means to be human and about the evolution of friendships and relationships It’s also about what it means to belong, and how we find our place in the world. It asks, “What is a life and what makes it worth living?”
Throughout the novel, characters are stretched past the limits of what they believe they can endure, and I felt a bit like that as I was reading. By the time I finished, I was physically and mentally spent and I marveled that a book had made me feel that way. I’m sure you’ve heard that this book is overwhelmingly sad, and that’s true, but where there is darkness, there is also light.
I’m just in awe of this book. I cried tears of happiness and tears of despair, and on more than one occasion, I cried myself to sleep. I think what Hanya Yanagihara was able to achieve with this book is a testament to literature. This experience reminded me why reading will always be an important and necessary part of my life.
Jasmine Guillory’s books are always such a delight! I preordered this book because I was so excited to read it, and after a couple heavier reads, this was exactly what I needed. I knew I was going to love this book when there was a passionate discussion about desserts within the first few pages. I have the biggest sweet tooth and Olivia Monroe is a woman after my own heart!
Olivia (the sister of Alexa from THE WEDDING DATE) has just moved back to her home state of CA to start her own law firm in LA with her best friend Ellie. One night, she meets a handsome stranger in a bar, they flirt and talk about dessert, and then they go their separate ways. She doesn’t think much of it until later that night, when she spots him on TV and realizes that the handsome stranger is none other than CA state senator, Max Powell. They start to see each other secretly at first, but as they get more serious, she wonders if their relationship can survive the spotlight and public scrutiny.
I feel like I say this every time I finish one of Guillory’s books, but this is my new favorite. I loved Olivia so much and could definitely relate to her. She’s a strong, intelligent, badass lawyer, and she’s also cautious, a planner, and likes to thoroughly think things through. Meanwhile Max is impulsive and spontaneous, which can be extremely charming, but also highlights their different approaches to life.
I love how Guillory always touches on important topics in her novels. For example, Olivia and Max have some conversations around race and privilege, and how race affects their lives given that Olivia is a Black woman and Max is a white man. Also, in the book, Max is working on a criminal justice reform bill to combat the issue of the school to prison pipeline. This issue is something that I’ve been learning more about recently, so it was really good to see it pop up here.
She also writes about moving to a new town, having to rebuild your life, and trying to strike up new friendships. I thought it was great that Guillory explored how it can be more difficult to make new friends and find your people when you're an adult, and I loved that this friendship was another important part of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, from the fun and hot romance between Olivia and Max, to the frequent discussions of cake and pie. It was such a feel-good read for me and now I’m back to eagerly anticipating a new Jasmine Guillory book!
//
Loved it! Full review to come.
Olivia (the sister of Alexa from THE WEDDING DATE) has just moved back to her home state of CA to start her own law firm in LA with her best friend Ellie. One night, she meets a handsome stranger in a bar, they flirt and talk about dessert, and then they go their separate ways. She doesn’t think much of it until later that night, when she spots him on TV and realizes that the handsome stranger is none other than CA state senator, Max Powell. They start to see each other secretly at first, but as they get more serious, she wonders if their relationship can survive the spotlight and public scrutiny.
I feel like I say this every time I finish one of Guillory’s books, but this is my new favorite. I loved Olivia so much and could definitely relate to her. She’s a strong, intelligent, badass lawyer, and she’s also cautious, a planner, and likes to thoroughly think things through. Meanwhile Max is impulsive and spontaneous, which can be extremely charming, but also highlights their different approaches to life.
I love how Guillory always touches on important topics in her novels. For example, Olivia and Max have some conversations around race and privilege, and how race affects their lives given that Olivia is a Black woman and Max is a white man. Also, in the book, Max is working on a criminal justice reform bill to combat the issue of the school to prison pipeline. This issue is something that I’ve been learning more about recently, so it was really good to see it pop up here.
She also writes about moving to a new town, having to rebuild your life, and trying to strike up new friendships. I thought it was great that Guillory explored how it can be more difficult to make new friends and find your people when you're an adult, and I loved that this friendship was another important part of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, from the fun and hot romance between Olivia and Max, to the frequent discussions of cake and pie. It was such a feel-good read for me and now I’m back to eagerly anticipating a new Jasmine Guillory book!
//
Loved it! Full review to come.
Edited 03/02/16 to add my longer review:
The Fishermen is a story about fate and destiny and about the childhood of four brothers living in the small town of Akure, Nigeria. When their father moves to a different city for work, they take advantage of his absence to venture down to the forbidden river and fish. On one of these adventures, they encounter the local madman who tells them a prophecy that will forever change the course of their lives.
Obioma weaves in elements of fable, fairytales, and African proverbs as he chronicles the lives of these four boys. His descriptions are vivid and conjure up images that are both weird and wonderful. He demonstrates how one incident can have a ripple effect on many lives. In addition to the lives of this particular family, Obioma paints a picture of the political and cultural landscape of Nigeria at that time.
Although I thought this was beautifully written, I did feel a certain distance from the characters that prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story. I can't pinpoint if something was lacking for me, or if my expectations when I started the novel were too high. Regardless, Obioma has delivered a very strong debut novel and I'll be looking out for his next work.
--
3.5 stars
The Fishermen is a story about fate and destiny and about the childhood of four brothers living in the small town of Akure, Nigeria. When their father moves to a different city for work, they take advantage of his absence to venture down to the forbidden river and fish. On one of these adventures, they encounter the local madman who tells them a prophecy that will forever change the course of their lives.
Obioma weaves in elements of fable, fairytales, and African proverbs as he chronicles the lives of these four boys. His descriptions are vivid and conjure up images that are both weird and wonderful. He demonstrates how one incident can have a ripple effect on many lives. In addition to the lives of this particular family, Obioma paints a picture of the political and cultural landscape of Nigeria at that time.
Although I thought this was beautifully written, I did feel a certain distance from the characters that prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story. I can't pinpoint if something was lacking for me, or if my expectations when I started the novel were too high. Regardless, Obioma has delivered a very strong debut novel and I'll be looking out for his next work.
--
3.5 stars
Thank you to Gallery Books for the free review copy!
I'm a romantic at heart. I love a good love story and I think there can never be too many rom coms. Rom coms pull you into the story, they make you feel warm and fuzzy, there's a bit of conflict, and then they leave you on a happy note. And that's exactly what Christina Lauren does with their books. This is the second book by them that I've read, and guys, I get it. I am firmly on the Christina Lauren bandwagon!
They are such compelling storytellers and I was sucked into this book from the very beginning. Young lovers who have a summer fling and then don't see each other again for 14 years? Sign me up! I loved the setting and getting the chance to see a bit of what goes on behind the scenes in making a movie. Also, there are some interesting musings on the depth of faith we can have for the people we love.
I loved Tate, our main character. She seemed so down-to-earth and like someone I would want to be friends with. Because of her background, she had a sheltered childhood, and that was a feeling that I could relate to a bit.
We're starting to get some hints of fall around here and to that I say grab your cozy blanket, curl up in a comfy spot, and get lost in this story. I felt like I read this at the perfect time, as we are transitioning from summer to fall, since the first portion of the book takes place in the summer and the second bit takes place in the fall.
Long story short, if you're a fan of this genre, then you should pick this book up when it comes out on October 22. Christina Lauren has quickly become one of my favorite authors in this genre and I need to read every book they've written!
I'm a romantic at heart. I love a good love story and I think there can never be too many rom coms. Rom coms pull you into the story, they make you feel warm and fuzzy, there's a bit of conflict, and then they leave you on a happy note. And that's exactly what Christina Lauren does with their books. This is the second book by them that I've read, and guys, I get it. I am firmly on the Christina Lauren bandwagon!
They are such compelling storytellers and I was sucked into this book from the very beginning. Young lovers who have a summer fling and then don't see each other again for 14 years? Sign me up! I loved the setting and getting the chance to see a bit of what goes on behind the scenes in making a movie. Also, there are some interesting musings on the depth of faith we can have for the people we love.
I loved Tate, our main character. She seemed so down-to-earth and like someone I would want to be friends with. Because of her background, she had a sheltered childhood, and that was a feeling that I could relate to a bit.
We're starting to get some hints of fall around here and to that I say grab your cozy blanket, curl up in a comfy spot, and get lost in this story. I felt like I read this at the perfect time, as we are transitioning from summer to fall, since the first portion of the book takes place in the summer and the second bit takes place in the fall.
Long story short, if you're a fan of this genre, then you should pick this book up when it comes out on October 22. Christina Lauren has quickly become one of my favorite authors in this genre and I need to read every book they've written!
3.5 stars
My general impression of this book is that it was a pleasant surprise. This book revolves around two main characters, Odelle and Olive, and a special painting that impacts both of their lives. Throughout the novel, we find out the origins of this painting, as the book moves back and forth in time.
I think the author did a good job of making both time lines compelling. I'll admit that the first switch was jarring because I was just starting to settle into the book and I wasn't expecting it. Once I realized what was happening, I was eager to find out what happened in both stories, although I did have a slight preference for Odelle's.
Either I was not paying attention when I first read the synopsis, or I just forgot, but I didn't realize that this novel features a person of color. Odelle describes her experiences as a woman of color living in the mid-1960s and the microagressions that she has to face on a regular basis.
This book focuses on the artist and the art they create. It explores what motivates people to produce art, how different people interpret it, and the importance of art. I have an amateur interest in art, so I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel. It made me think of another novel that explores art and the art world, An Object of Beauty.
I'd say that is a fairly slow book. It's also a much darker novel than I expected, particularly in Olive's storyline, which touched on the turbulent political atmosphere in Spain in the later 1930s. While I really enjoyed this novel, there's still something that prevents me from giving it four stars. I'm not sure if it was the distance I felt that kept me from completely connecting with the characters, or the rather slow pacing. Still, I thought this was a very solid read and it certainly made me curious about Burton's previous novel, The Miniaturist.
My general impression of this book is that it was a pleasant surprise. This book revolves around two main characters, Odelle and Olive, and a special painting that impacts both of their lives. Throughout the novel, we find out the origins of this painting, as the book moves back and forth in time.
I think the author did a good job of making both time lines compelling. I'll admit that the first switch was jarring because I was just starting to settle into the book and I wasn't expecting it. Once I realized what was happening, I was eager to find out what happened in both stories, although I did have a slight preference for Odelle's.
Either I was not paying attention when I first read the synopsis, or I just forgot, but I didn't realize that this novel features a person of color. Odelle describes her experiences as a woman of color living in the mid-1960s and the microagressions that she has to face on a regular basis.
This book focuses on the artist and the art they create. It explores what motivates people to produce art, how different people interpret it, and the importance of art. I have an amateur interest in art, so I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel. It made me think of another novel that explores art and the art world, An Object of Beauty.
I'd say that is a fairly slow book. It's also a much darker novel than I expected, particularly in Olive's storyline, which touched on the turbulent political atmosphere in Spain in the later 1930s. While I really enjoyed this novel, there's still something that prevents me from giving it four stars. I'm not sure if it was the distance I felt that kept me from completely connecting with the characters, or the rather slow pacing. Still, I thought this was a very solid read and it certainly made me curious about Burton's previous novel, The Miniaturist.
See my review of the series here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1469925113
This is really all about one character, Mike. Mike’s always been in love with Verity, since they first met. They have a special relationship that sets them apart from other couples. That’s why Mike can’t accept it when he and Verity break up. He knows it’s just temporary, part of an elaborate game they like to play. He has no doubt in his mind that he and Verity will end up together forever.
How creepy does that description sound? This is about a man who’s obsessed with a woman. It’s told from Mike’s perspective and it’s completely focused on his thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I didn’t realize it was structured that way when I first started reading (I didn’t read a synopsis), so I kept hoping that we’d get to read from Verity’s point of view.
I was thinking about why the author chose to write from Mike’s point of view. I think it was perhaps to show how easy it is to be perceived as the nice guy, the good guy, even when that’s nowhere close to the truth. The society we live in gives the benefit of the doubt to guys like Mike.
It’s disturbing to read how Mike takes everything and twists it to fit into his own narrative. The author examines truth and how easily truths can be twisted into lies. It’s a story about love and obsession and lust and how those are three very different things.
How creepy does that description sound? This is about a man who’s obsessed with a woman. It’s told from Mike’s perspective and it’s completely focused on his thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I didn’t realize it was structured that way when I first started reading (I didn’t read a synopsis), so I kept hoping that we’d get to read from Verity’s point of view.
I was thinking about why the author chose to write from Mike’s point of view. I think it was perhaps to show how easy it is to be perceived as the nice guy, the good guy, even when that’s nowhere close to the truth. The society we live in gives the benefit of the doubt to guys like Mike.
It’s disturbing to read how Mike takes everything and twists it to fit into his own narrative. The author examines truth and how easily truths can be twisted into lies. It’s a story about love and obsession and lust and how those are three very different things.
I finished this book a couple weeks ago and my first thought was, "Wow, the ending was wild!" But I'm jumping ahead of myself a bit. This book is a tale of ambition and desire, set in the backdrop of the Chicago theater scene. It's about Kira, a 30-something actress who's finally landed the part that could be her breakout role. It also tells the story of Joanna, the business woman who runs the theater that's staging the play, Temper.
The chapters alternate perspectives between these two women. In terms of personality, Kira and Joanna are opposites. Kira is passionate and fiery, while Joanna is cool and level-headed. I thought the author did a good job of creating two distinct voices for these characters.
They're both under the spell of a man named Mal, who co-owns the theater with Joanna and stars in the play opposite Kira. Mal is mysterious and brooding and he pushes the actors and actresses that he works with to extreme lengths. Kira is warned about Mal from the beginning, but she's not about to turn down this amazing role and feels certain that she's up to the challenge. Meanwhile, Joanna has always had an unusual relationship with Malcolm, which Kira threatens when she comes into their lives.
I was fascinated by the relationship between Joanna and Mal and spent the first chunk of pages trying to figure out how they were involved. As Kira starts to become a part of their orbit, I thought the author did a good job of showing the strain on their relationships with each other. The tension kept ramping up throughout and I felt like they could reach their breaking point at any moment.
I've always enjoyed the theater, so it was fascinating to get a behind the scenes look at what goes into a production; the rehearsal hours, and practice fighting, and blood, sweat, and tears. As the rehearsals progress, Kira, Mal, and Joanna are all involved in some sort of power struggle and each person has their own agenda.
This book was compelling- I definitely wanted to know what would happen to Kira, Mal, and Joanna. The book did give me a bit of a Black Swan vibe due to the dramatic nature, and like I said, that ending left me with my jaw dropped. If you're interested in the theater and enjoy a good psychological thriller, then I'd definitely recommend this one!
The chapters alternate perspectives between these two women. In terms of personality, Kira and Joanna are opposites. Kira is passionate and fiery, while Joanna is cool and level-headed. I thought the author did a good job of creating two distinct voices for these characters.
They're both under the spell of a man named Mal, who co-owns the theater with Joanna and stars in the play opposite Kira. Mal is mysterious and brooding and he pushes the actors and actresses that he works with to extreme lengths. Kira is warned about Mal from the beginning, but she's not about to turn down this amazing role and feels certain that she's up to the challenge. Meanwhile, Joanna has always had an unusual relationship with Malcolm, which Kira threatens when she comes into their lives.
I was fascinated by the relationship between Joanna and Mal and spent the first chunk of pages trying to figure out how they were involved. As Kira starts to become a part of their orbit, I thought the author did a good job of showing the strain on their relationships with each other. The tension kept ramping up throughout and I felt like they could reach their breaking point at any moment.
I've always enjoyed the theater, so it was fascinating to get a behind the scenes look at what goes into a production; the rehearsal hours, and practice fighting, and blood, sweat, and tears. As the rehearsals progress, Kira, Mal, and Joanna are all involved in some sort of power struggle and each person has their own agenda.
This book was compelling- I definitely wanted to know what would happen to Kira, Mal, and Joanna. The book did give me a bit of a Black Swan vibe due to the dramatic nature, and like I said, that ending left me with my jaw dropped. If you're interested in the theater and enjoy a good psychological thriller, then I'd definitely recommend this one!