Accurately recommended for fans of White Lotus. It was good, but choppy and in the end I'm not really sure what happened?Accurately recommended for fans of White Lotus. It was good, but choppy and in the end I'm not really sure what happened?...more
Fierce love + flawed humans. I kept picturing this family as a litter of kittens, falling into playful romps every day and sleeping in a pile togetherFierce love + flawed humans. I kept picturing this family as a litter of kittens, falling into playful romps every day and sleeping in a pile together every night.
Like the book version of the TV show Better Things in all the best ways.
Bonus points for featuring a main character going through menopause. ...more
I am very disappointed that this book wasn't titled, "Soul Slice". I get the "Pizza My Heart" pun, but it makes the book seem cutesier and fluffier thI am very disappointed that this book wasn't titled, "Soul Slice". I get the "Pizza My Heart" pun, but it makes the book seem cutesier and fluffier than it is. And while I hate the enemy-turned-romantic-love-interest trope, I can forgive it in middle schoolers.
Loved the pizza making (that pizza sounds DELICIOUS) and interior design details paired with real-life struggles like the pressures of working for your parent's small business and the loneliness of moving to a new city. ...more
Magical realism, a cult (or commune) set in a redwood forest, a house built in the middle of an oil field, complicated family dynamics. What's not to Magical realism, a cult (or commune) set in a redwood forest, a house built in the middle of an oil field, complicated family dynamics. What's not to love?
Gosh, I really felt for Maple. And I always appreciate a focus on navigating friendships.
P.S. Not really relevant at all, but I thought I was about hGosh, I really felt for Maple. And I always appreciate a focus on navigating friendships.
P.S. Not really relevant at all, but I thought I was about halfway through the book when all of a sudden everything wrapped up and it ended. Darn Kindle reading. This would never have happened if I'd been reading it in print. I guess what I'm saying was that I was ready to camp out with these characters for way longer. ...more
This worked on so many levels for me. I like stories that describe other professions in great detail, stories that feature unlikely friendships, storiThis worked on so many levels for me. I like stories that describe other professions in great detail, stories that feature unlikely friendships, stories that make me understand people who are very different from me, stories that are set in the present moment, stories with unconventional romantic arcs, and stories with a unique voice... And this had it all!...more
A pleasant and light maybe-murder read. Vera was immensely frustrating, but her determination and stubbornness made all the action happen, so I'll forA pleasant and light maybe-murder read. Vera was immensely frustrating, but her determination and stubbornness made all the action happen, so I'll forgive it.
(Complaint: Most talented people do not become overnight successes, mkay? It's fun to fantasize about, but it is extremely unrealistic and I could not contain my eye rolls.)...more
I don't love romance novels, but somehow Rainbow Rowell always hits the right notes. This one wasn't my favorite. The characters were real and raw, buI don't love romance novels, but somehow Rainbow Rowell always hits the right notes. This one wasn't my favorite. The characters were real and raw, but a bit grating, especially when they REFUSED to listen to each other. Her dialogue was genius as always, though, so I forgive it....more
I squirmed, cringed, and winced the entire ride. Plus I have a hate hate relationship with writers writing about writing which was the whole point of I squirmed, cringed, and winced the entire ride. Plus I have a hate hate relationship with writers writing about writing which was the whole point of this book so that's on me.
Needless to say it didn't work for me, but I had to know how it ended, so there was an unputdownable-ness that deserves some credit. And it wasn't badly written or plotted, I just hated living in this world, I guess....more
Seriously, who wouldn't want to live in a cherry orchard??? Ann Patchett gets an A+ from me for "sense of place". (I still think often about State of Seriously, who wouldn't want to live in a cherry orchard??? Ann Patchett gets an A+ from me for "sense of place". (I still think often about State of Wonder and the BUGS for this same reason.)
Recommended for fans of Little Women and Winter Solstice....more
Maybe the first book I've read that clearly imagines what the world might look like as climate change progresses. Terrifying, and yet comforting to seMaybe the first book I've read that clearly imagines what the world might look like as climate change progresses. Terrifying, and yet comforting to see that known reality finally put into words and acknowledged for what it will be.
I would recommend this to fans of Where the Crawdads Sing. Strong sense of place. Strong female characters....more
I wish I'd read this in one sitting during a cozy winter weekend, instead of in 10-minute stretches over the course of 2 very hot and busy summer montI wish I'd read this in one sitting during a cozy winter weekend, instead of in 10-minute stretches over the course of 2 very hot and busy summer months. My reading pace did not do it justice. This kind of mystery is my favorite kind - subtle, moody, poetic and a bit magical. Maybe I'll read it the "right way" sometime. ...more
3.5 stars overall. 5 stars for the Kiki/Carlene friendship. 1 star for Howard.
My vocabulary is extremely limited and this book took great pleasure in3.5 stars overall. 5 stars for the Kiki/Carlene friendship. 1 star for Howard.
My vocabulary is extremely limited and this book took great pleasure in proving that to me by using words like cernuous, indecorously, invidious, tetchily, frowsty, and fillip.
I have once again felt vindicated by my decision to not stay in academia as a career.
I was impressed by how seamlessly the point of view flowed from one family member to another.
P.S. Remember that time I met Zadie Smith in real life and temporarily locked us both out of the venue where she was speaking? Yeah, good times. I'm very smrt....more
Having said that, the parental drama should have been saved for a different character in a different book.I am so glad this book exists in the world.
Having said that, the parental drama should have been saved for a different character in a different book. There was enough here to dive into without that added layer of teen angst.
Merged review:
I am so glad this book exists in the world.
Having said that, the parental drama should have been saved for a different character in a different book. There was enough here to dive into without that added layer of teen angst....more
