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Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
The Vast Unknown by Broughton Coburn - Book Review
Author: Broughton Coburn
Genre: History
Publisher/Publish Date: Crown / April, 2013
Source: First Reads/GoodReads
Pages: 320
Rating: 4/5
It's no secret that I love books about Everest. While in some ways the stories are all fairly similar, this one tells of America's first assent. Back when climbing Everest was still very new, and a lot more challenging and complicated than it has become today.
America's first expedition team, in 1963, was made up of a young, free-spirited, independent group of climbers, many of whom worked as guides in the Tetons. The climb was a mix of their own hopes of dreams of summiting as well as political and international strategy. In many way the goal of summiting mimicked the space race, which was happening during this time period.
It was not an easy climb. A life was lost. An attempt to summit by a new route was unsuccessful. But their journey made an impact on American climbing and on the lives of each man involved. Coburn does a great job following up with the climbers, showing us the path each of their lives took in the years following their Everest climb.
Thank you GoodReads for a signed copy!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Night Film by Marisha Pessl - Book Review
Author: Marisha Pessl
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher/Publish Date: Milkweed Editions / September 3, 2013
Source: ARC courtesy of publisher
Pages: 256
Rating: 3.5/5
GoodReads • Amazon
(This post may be a bit spoilery, sorry.)
Creepy. Gripping. Insightful. Gritty.
After a wrong turn in an investigation into the mysterious life of cult-horror-film director Cordova leaves him disgraced, Journalist Scott McGrath hoped he has left that story behind for good. But the suicide of his daughter Ashley draws him back into his investigation. His search leads him to meet two witnesses, that become part of his team, and the story leads him on a journey through belief and unbelife. McGrath risks a lot in search of the truth, which in turn he may never be able to find.
I was attracted to this book because of it's use of images, and screen shots of web pages, and other "interactive" elements. They never came off as gimmicky, but actually enhance the story. (see the reviews on GoodReads for photos of the inside pages). Though I wasn't expecting the novel to be so dark, including satanic rituals, mysterious bridges, and lots of twisted characters.
I'm still a little uncertain about how I feel about this book. I was enraptured by it, finishing the 580 page novel in just a few days. And though the book tried to have a clear take away, I'm not sure if I got that personally from reading the book.
I felt that while the tone of the book wavered from comical (i.e. buddy cop) to way intense and creepy, plot plows a consistent path that never wavers. But maybe this is more like life. There are funny moments, and there are scary moments.
My favorite part was the first 2/3rds of the novel. I just wasn't satisfied with the ending. I didn't feel like much was truly answered.
I'm really interested in reading her other book Special Topics in Calamity Physics. Anyone read that? What did you think? Anyone else think this could make a really great movie?
Now I'm off to go read a fun and light-hearted book to cleans my palette (and mind).
What did you think of Night Film?
(This post may be a bit spoilery, sorry.)
Creepy. Gripping. Insightful. Gritty.
After a wrong turn in an investigation into the mysterious life of cult-horror-film director Cordova leaves him disgraced, Journalist Scott McGrath hoped he has left that story behind for good. But the suicide of his daughter Ashley draws him back into his investigation. His search leads him to meet two witnesses, that become part of his team, and the story leads him on a journey through belief and unbelife. McGrath risks a lot in search of the truth, which in turn he may never be able to find.
I was attracted to this book because of it's use of images, and screen shots of web pages, and other "interactive" elements. They never came off as gimmicky, but actually enhance the story. (see the reviews on GoodReads for photos of the inside pages). Though I wasn't expecting the novel to be so dark, including satanic rituals, mysterious bridges, and lots of twisted characters.
I'm still a little uncertain about how I feel about this book. I was enraptured by it, finishing the 580 page novel in just a few days. And though the book tried to have a clear take away, I'm not sure if I got that personally from reading the book.
I felt that while the tone of the book wavered from comical (i.e. buddy cop) to way intense and creepy, plot plows a consistent path that never wavers. But maybe this is more like life. There are funny moments, and there are scary moments.
My favorite part was the first 2/3rds of the novel. I just wasn't satisfied with the ending. I didn't feel like much was truly answered.
I'm really interested in reading her other book Special Topics in Calamity Physics. Anyone read that? What did you think? Anyone else think this could make a really great movie?
Now I'm off to go read a fun and light-hearted book to cleans my palette (and mind).
What did you think of Night Film?
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
Let Him Go, by Larry Watson - Book Review
Author: Larry Watson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher/Publish Date: Milkweed Editions / September 3, 2013
Source: ARC courtesy of publisher
Pages: 256
Rating: 3.5/5
GoodReads • Amazon
This book is a lot more serious, and slow moving than I usually read, but I got a free copy of it and figured I'd give it a chance.
Set in North Dakota in the fall of 1951, two grandparents go on a search to find their grandson. After the death of their son, his wife remarried, and they are concerned for the boys well-being in the care of his new father. As they travel through the bleakness of North Dakota that meet some helpful folks, though also run into some tough situations.
As plot carries you through the book, you sense the impending climax from the beginning. The author, Larry Watson, molds realistic and relatable characters, and it feels like you are sampling reading someone's life story. Beautifully told, though a little narratively dry for my taste.
This book is a lot more serious, and slow moving than I usually read, but I got a free copy of it and figured I'd give it a chance.
Set in North Dakota in the fall of 1951, two grandparents go on a search to find their grandson. After the death of their son, his wife remarried, and they are concerned for the boys well-being in the care of his new father. As they travel through the bleakness of North Dakota that meet some helpful folks, though also run into some tough situations.
As plot carries you through the book, you sense the impending climax from the beginning. The author, Larry Watson, molds realistic and relatable characters, and it feels like you are sampling reading someone's life story. Beautifully told, though a little narratively dry for my taste.
Monday, November 4, 2013
What Alice Forgot, by Liane Moriarty - Book Review
Author: Liane Moriarty
Genre: Fiction
Publisher/Publish Date: PanMacmillan Australia / January 2009
Source: Local Library
Pages: 487
Rating: 4/5
At twenty-nine, Alice is married to a wonderful husband, looking forward to the birth of her first child.
But after falling and hitting her head during a spin class she wakes up to learn it's ten years in the future and she's lost ten years of memories. Now with three kids, a sister that seems really distance, and a mom that's been remarried, Alice has a lot to learn about her life at 39.
What Alice Forgot is a fun novel, with a lot of heart. We get to experience the funny parts of losing her memory, along with the heartbreak. As Alice reconstructs the past decade, she discovers some dark sides to herself, and has to decide if she wants to take the risk to change the bad decisions.
I'd compare this book to Bridget Jones Diary, with a little less absurdity and a little more reality thrown in.
With books like these I think about how I would feel in her shoes? How different would my life look? How crazy would it be to wake up and have a 9 year old calling you mom, and you have no memory of having a child?
Saturday, November 2, 2013
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