Take a photo of a barcode or cover
pekoparty's reviews
217 reviews
Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener
5.0
It's books like these that make me profoundly grateful and overwhelmed with joy that translation exists--Julia Sanches not only translates, but captures Gabriela Wiener's essence and candor.
For those of us who want answers we will never get. For those of us sitting in between, but cast away regardless of our balancing act. For those of us grieving messily and clumsily, just like our ancestors.
For those of us who want answers we will never get. For those of us sitting in between, but cast away regardless of our balancing act. For those of us grieving messily and clumsily, just like our ancestors.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
4.0
How can I be as direct and profound in a therapy session as Cheryl is in this book?
I used to go on long runs and listen to Dear Sugar. Steve and Cheryl carried me through a lot of grief. It was needed again at this pit stop in my life.
I used to go on long runs and listen to Dear Sugar. Steve and Cheryl carried me through a lot of grief. It was needed again at this pit stop in my life.
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
3.0
If you don't have a Mariska Hargitay fantasy, I have questions. In the same vein as Milk Fed by Melissa Broder, with some age and ethical concerns, which was somehow fulfilling in ways.
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
3.0
"I still don't know how to trust what I love."
I got punched in the face by the Clarice Lispector quote. But that didn't take away my eye rolls at all the over explaining. Over explaining "it hits different" as Internet slang was assuming a reading audience can't catch up. Do you think Irvine Welsh wondered if people would understand Glue or Trainspotting? (I don't have endorsements for him, I just know he writes in an unreadable way that still works once you're in it).
I'm not trying to compare apples to oranges. But over explaining social context really threw me out of important moments. I also found no distinct voice between Lony and Orvil.
I did really submerge myself into the first half. And I adore Jacquie and Opal. Opal sitting on the porch asleep. Buhhhhh!!!!! I'm glad there was more. The beats and verbiage around addiction were true for me, too. But this didn't do for me what There There did. I wish the "epilogue" had been skipped, because another separate story could have been told. Tommy is still massively talented in his craft. I just felt like a teenager reading a 40 year old person trying to capture my generation, and I'll be 40 in no time.
I got punched in the face by the Clarice Lispector quote. But that didn't take away my eye rolls at all the over explaining. Over explaining "it hits different" as Internet slang was assuming a reading audience can't catch up. Do you think Irvine Welsh wondered if people would understand Glue or Trainspotting? (I don't have endorsements for him, I just know he writes in an unreadable way that still works once you're in it).
I'm not trying to compare apples to oranges. But over explaining social context really threw me out of important moments. I also found no distinct voice between Lony and Orvil.
I did really submerge myself into the first half. And I adore Jacquie and Opal. Opal sitting on the porch asleep. Buhhhhh!!!!! I'm glad there was more. The beats and verbiage around addiction were true for me, too. But this didn't do for me what There There did. I wish the "epilogue" had been skipped, because another separate story could have been told. Tommy is still massively talented in his craft. I just felt like a teenager reading a 40 year old person trying to capture my generation, and I'll be 40 in no time.
Let's Not Talk Anymore by Weng Pixin
5.0
Sad the whole time, grateful the whole time. Wish I could thank my grandmas.
Molly by Blake Butler
3.0
Look, I perhaps picked this out at the wrong time. I can't remember. I've had three deaths this year. That could be something that colors my reading. My main thoughts are: 1. Who the hell edited this? and 2. Men should not be allowed to write about women.
1. - many errors, including duplicated sentences. I understand there was a rush to reprint, due to demand. I hope that this can be revised and given care.
2. - I won't add anything that other people have already added to the conversation of airing of a dead person's dirty laundry. It was clear to me early on, and through reading other sources including Molly's own poems, that she experienced something akin to BPD. Her abuse of power and position, to me, seemed punitive of herself. She was complex. When I think of BPD, I think of the desire to be loved wholly, authentically, and truly. And the difficulty that comes with attempting to believe that. I think Molly deserved a little better than this.
Final large thought: HOW UNETHICAL to be the therapist for two people in a relationship, individually. I don't know if it's LPCs or an old way of working, but is this not violently inappropriate? I could not imagine processing the death of one client with an existing client who was married to that person. It doesn't feel ethical, therapeutic, or like best standards of care.
I need a death break.
1. - many errors, including duplicated sentences. I understand there was a rush to reprint, due to demand. I hope that this can be revised and given care.
2. - I won't add anything that other people have already added to the conversation of airing of a dead person's dirty laundry. It was clear to me early on, and through reading other sources including Molly's own poems, that she experienced something akin to BPD. Her abuse of power and position, to me, seemed punitive of herself. She was complex. When I think of BPD, I think of the desire to be loved wholly, authentically, and truly. And the difficulty that comes with attempting to believe that. I think Molly deserved a little better than this.
Final large thought: HOW UNETHICAL to be the therapist for two people in a relationship, individually. I don't know if it's LPCs or an old way of working, but is this not violently inappropriate? I could not imagine processing the death of one client with an existing client who was married to that person. It doesn't feel ethical, therapeutic, or like best standards of care.
I need a death break.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
5.0
Normally I finish reading a book and then immediately come here, mark it as finished, and move about my day. Today that was not the case. I finished reading this book around 9 a.m. I read the last 14 or so pages out loud while sobbing--barely breathing!--just pouring tears and snot out of my sleepy little face. And then I took some time to think about it.
Here's what I have to say about all of you who keep calling this trauma p*rn: some people have really really bad lives. Not that their life is bad, or not worth living, but that really bad things have happened and that is going to influence and impact every interaction they have until the moment they die. To say really bad is to minimize it, even. What is experienced in this book is horrendous. Life-altering. Understandable that recovery from it has been a mountain to climb. I also don't want to neglect the chance that someone who has had EXACTLY the same experiences as Jude might call this trauma p*rn. But we need to, as a collective society, choose the language that we use very carefully. Think about what you know about trauma, adverse childhood experiences, abuse, self-injury, and think about people you love and how they will read your words and hear you speak. How you speak about the media you engage speaks volumes about your ability and capacity to be present for the people in your life.
I will miss Jude, JB, Willem, and Malcolm. And Richard, Harold, Andy, Julia, and aaaaaall of the people who did their best in this book. As my assessment professor said, we are not here to save people, some people are too sick. The best we can do is show up for them. Again and again. I have so many questions, but at the same time I think I know all of the answers. This book was the best worst book I've ever read. I am so glad I did it.
Here's what I have to say about all of you who keep calling this trauma p*rn: some people have really really bad lives. Not that their life is bad, or not worth living, but that really bad things have happened and that is going to influence and impact every interaction they have until the moment they die. To say really bad is to minimize it, even. What is experienced in this book is horrendous. Life-altering. Understandable that recovery from it has been a mountain to climb. I also don't want to neglect the chance that someone who has had EXACTLY the same experiences as Jude might call this trauma p*rn. But we need to, as a collective society, choose the language that we use very carefully. Think about what you know about trauma, adverse childhood experiences, abuse, self-injury, and think about people you love and how they will read your words and hear you speak. How you speak about the media you engage speaks volumes about your ability and capacity to be present for the people in your life.
I will miss Jude, JB, Willem, and Malcolm. And Richard, Harold, Andy, Julia, and aaaaaall of the people who did their best in this book. As my assessment professor said, we are not here to save people, some people are too sick. The best we can do is show up for them. Again and again. I have so many questions, but at the same time I think I know all of the answers. This book was the best worst book I've ever read. I am so glad I did it.
The Beginners by Anne Serre
3.0
It took a very long time to read this very short book. Likely because I knew exactly how things would turn out for Anna, Thomas, and Guillaume. Anne Serre is great at writing without dialogue. However, my brain has a hard time reading when there is not almost any at all.
It was okay. I'm not thrilled I read it, but not mad either.
It was okay. I'm not thrilled I read it, but not mad either.
THE WRITING LIFE by Albert Pinkham Ryder;, Annie Dillard
5.0
"There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by."