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notesbynnenna's Reviews (513)
At first I was really excited about this book- I knew the main characters were Ghanian and Nigerian and since my parents are also Nigerian I was looking forward to reading a novel told through that perspective. However, I had some problems with this book. I did not like the first section. I was slogging through it and was about to quit after 40-50 pages or so, but I felt guilty and kept telling myself to give it a little longer before I gave up completely (side note- How long do you wait before giving up on a book that you’re not enjoying?). This is a story about family, specifically about Kweku, his wife Fola and their four children. In the first section Kweku dies and the narrative flashes back and forth between his death and his family’s reaction to the news of his death. I guess I’m glad that I kept reading because I liked it more once I got through the first section. Another one of my problems was the author’s writing style- I still don’t think I’m a fan of the style, but by the time I got to the middle portion of the book I suppose I got used to it. I like to read reviews before and after I read a book and in this particular case there were many people raving about this novel. I wouldn’t say that I loved it, but I wouldn’t say that I hated it either. That doesn’t really help you decide whether or not to read it, but what can I say? I’m conflicted about this one!
About: A woman named Ursula who has the chance to live her life over and over again.
Why I picked it: Based on the description, it sounded like a pretty epic book. I wanted to see how the author imagined the various iterations of this character's life.
Thoughts: For a book that's about repeating your life, it could have been extremely tedious, so I'm really impressed by the way the author handled the story. It's a great read, but be warned, it's not very uplifting.
Why I picked it: Based on the description, it sounded like a pretty epic book. I wanted to see how the author imagined the various iterations of this character's life.
Thoughts: For a book that's about repeating your life, it could have been extremely tedious, so I'm really impressed by the way the author handled the story. It's a great read, but be warned, it's not very uplifting.
About: A young woman starting her career in NYC who will do whatever it takes to move up in the art world.
Why I picked it: I had no idea that Steve Martin also writes books! Also, I enjoy stories about young adults in NYC because I can definitely relate.
Thoughts: The main character is pretty hard to life, especially as you see how she manipulates people to get what she wants. Also, I didn't love that it was narrated by a friend of hers- I would rather have read it through her perspective.
Why I picked it: I had no idea that Steve Martin also writes books! Also, I enjoy stories about young adults in NYC because I can definitely relate.
Thoughts: The main character is pretty hard to life, especially as you see how she manipulates people to get what she wants. Also, I didn't love that it was narrated by a friend of hers- I would rather have read it through her perspective.
About: It's a collection of bold and in some cases, provocative short stories.
Why I picked it: I don't often read short stories, but every once in a while, it's fun to switch it up. Plus a friend told me it was "interesting," which definitely piqued my curiosity.
Thoughts: Some of it was pretty crass/gross, which is not really my thing. However, I will concede that her writing style is pretty interesting. I didn't regret reading this and it was good to select something totally different from what I normally read.
Why I picked it: I don't often read short stories, but every once in a while, it's fun to switch it up. Plus a friend told me it was "interesting," which definitely piqued my curiosity.
Thoughts: Some of it was pretty crass/gross, which is not really my thing. However, I will concede that her writing style is pretty interesting. I didn't regret reading this and it was good to select something totally different from what I normally read.
About: Two sisters have to take care of each other after both of their parents die suddenly.
Why I picked it: I guess I sort of like dark, twisted novels?
Thoughts: The girls are scrappy and tough, which I like. I mean they have to be, considering the situation they've grown up in. It was also a quick read since it features short chapters alternating between the two sisters' points of view.
Why I picked it: I guess I sort of like dark, twisted novels?
Thoughts: The girls are scrappy and tough, which I like. I mean they have to be, considering the situation they've grown up in. It was also a quick read since it features short chapters alternating between the two sisters' points of view.
About: A young model/celebrity dies unexpectedly and an unconventional detective is chosen to solve the case.
Why I picked it: A few friends and I recently started a book club and this was our first pick. I was really curious to read the book that J.K. Rowling chose to write under a pseudonym
Thoughts: Others in the book club didn't like it so much, but I enjoyed it. I like a little mystery novel and the ending wasn't super obvious to me. There were some details that I wanted to be a little more fleshed out though.
Why I picked it: A few friends and I recently started a book club and this was our first pick. I was really curious to read the book that J.K. Rowling chose to write under a pseudonym
Thoughts: Others in the book club didn't like it so much, but I enjoyed it. I like a little mystery novel and the ending wasn't super obvious to me. There were some details that I wanted to be a little more fleshed out though.
About: A collection of stories about the author's childhood and later, about moving to Paris and adjusting to the culture.
Why I picked it: I just wanted to read something straight-up funny, you know? People have recommended David Sedaris books before, so I thought it was time to finally give him a try.
Thoughts: The stories were generally amusing and I did have some actual lol moments. I think I preferred the second half of the book when he was living in Paris because I have decided that I love stories about Americans living in Paris.
Why I picked it: I just wanted to read something straight-up funny, you know? People have recommended David Sedaris books before, so I thought it was time to finally give him a try.
Thoughts: The stories were generally amusing and I did have some actual lol moments. I think I preferred the second half of the book when he was living in Paris because I have decided that I love stories about Americans living in Paris.
About: The numerous relationships of Nathaniel P, a young writer immersed in the Brooklyn literary scene.
Why I picked it: The month before this book came out, I felt like I saw reviews everywhere. If multiple source recommend it, I'm like "Ok, I'll read it." Also, how great is this cover?!
Thoughts: The character of Nate was too real. The situations in the book were spot on, like something I or a friend might experience. I think the author did a great job of capturing contemporary dating culture and this particular section of life in Brooklyn.
Why I picked it: The month before this book came out, I felt like I saw reviews everywhere. If multiple source recommend it, I'm like "Ok, I'll read it." Also, how great is this cover?!
Thoughts: The character of Nate was too real. The situations in the book were spot on, like something I or a friend might experience. I think the author did a great job of capturing contemporary dating culture and this particular section of life in Brooklyn.
About: A dysfunctional family whose lives are all swirling out of control.
Why I picked it: I was in the mood for something a little more serious and I hadn't yet read anything by Franzen, which was kind of unacceptable considering what industry I'm in.
Thoughts: So now I have confirmed for myself that Franzen is a master of words and creating characters. However, some of those characters were a lot more interesting to me than other, and I did find a few bit boring.
3.5 stars
Why I picked it: I was in the mood for something a little more serious and I hadn't yet read anything by Franzen, which was kind of unacceptable considering what industry I'm in.
Thoughts: So now I have confirmed for myself that Franzen is a master of words and creating characters. However, some of those characters were a lot more interesting to me than other, and I did find a few bit boring.
3.5 stars
About- It’s a collection of stories by Leandra Medine, the founder of the popular fashion blog, Man Repeller.
Why I picked it– This was sent to me by the publisher, and honestly I probably wouldn’t have bought it on my own. However, I was curious and it looked like a quick read, so I decided to give it a go.
Thoughts- As part of the fashion blogging community, I’m definitely aware of her blog, but I don’t read it regularly. I thought this book was ok. Some anecdotes are a bit funny, but I don’t always love her writing style. To me it seems like she uses some words just because they sound fancier, when she would be better served by a simpler word. Sometimes I felt like there were issues with her sentence structure too. Gosh, I sound like such an English teacher, but these are the thoughts that came to mind when I was reading this book. If you’re a fan of her blog and looking for something light, quick, and easy to read, then you might like this.
Why I picked it– This was sent to me by the publisher, and honestly I probably wouldn’t have bought it on my own. However, I was curious and it looked like a quick read, so I decided to give it a go.
Thoughts- As part of the fashion blogging community, I’m definitely aware of her blog, but I don’t read it regularly. I thought this book was ok. Some anecdotes are a bit funny, but I don’t always love her writing style. To me it seems like she uses some words just because they sound fancier, when she would be better served by a simpler word. Sometimes I felt like there were issues with her sentence structure too. Gosh, I sound like such an English teacher, but these are the thoughts that came to mind when I was reading this book. If you’re a fan of her blog and looking for something light, quick, and easy to read, then you might like this.