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rkaufman13's reviews
501 reviews
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Ugh, ugh, ugh. Trite, contrived, heavy-handed...perfect Hollywood movie material, of course.
Despite the fact that I had to bail 100 pages in, I'm giving the book two stars because I guess it could have been a V.C. Andrews book. Yes, that's its only redeeming quality.
Despite the fact that I had to bail 100 pages in, I'm giving the book two stars because I guess it could have been a V.C. Andrews book. Yes, that's its only redeeming quality.
The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence by Josh Waitzkin
2.0
So far, so-so...
Although I have high hopes for anyone who's both a chess champion and a t'ai chi master. Interesting for that alone, I'd say, even if the writing and self-help bits are less so.
Although I have high hopes for anyone who's both a chess champion and a t'ai chi master. Interesting for that alone, I'd say, even if the writing and self-help bits are less so.
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
3.0
I believe that everyone can benefit from something in this book.
What I don't believe is that everything in this book will work for some or that some things in this book will work for everyone.
Inflation/the weakening dollar/financial meltdown seems to have made some of his suggestions unreasonable, too; those apartments in Buenos Aires are way more expensive than he thinks they are. (or than they were a few years back).
What I don't believe is that everything in this book will work for some or that some things in this book will work for everyone.
Inflation/the weakening dollar/financial meltdown seems to have made some of his suggestions unreasonable, too; those apartments in Buenos Aires are way more expensive than he thinks they are. (or than they were a few years back).
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
3.0
Man, what the hell, Neil Gaiman.
I really enjoyed [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41loovywBdL._SL75_.jpg|1970226], for what it's worth, but this book, not so much.
He had this fantastic idea of a world where gods take shape in our collective unconscious and take on lives of their own. Fantastic. Loved the Wisconsin gremlin guy, the trunk, the visit to House on the Rock, the Norns, the ones I couldn't identify (who the heck was the humming one, and the guy who always had money but nobody could remember his name?).
This book took all that, threw it in a pot and covered it with tons of irrelevant stuff.
The voodoo ladies I can believe, but the ghosts? The guy who was actually a shrew? It seems like Gaiman decided he wanted to include all these cool elements and then had no idea how to tie them together.
Not really worth it, unless you're a rabid Gaiman fan.
I really enjoyed [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41loovywBdL._SL75_.jpg|1970226], for what it's worth, but this book, not so much.
He had this fantastic idea of a world where gods take shape in our collective unconscious and take on lives of their own. Fantastic. Loved the Wisconsin gremlin guy, the trunk, the visit to House on the Rock, the Norns, the ones I couldn't identify (who the heck was the humming one, and the guy who always had money but nobody could remember his name?).
This book took all that, threw it in a pot and covered it with tons of irrelevant stuff.
The voodoo ladies I can believe, but the ghosts? The guy who was actually a shrew? It seems like Gaiman decided he wanted to include all these cool elements and then had no idea how to tie them together.
Not really worth it, unless you're a rabid Gaiman fan.
An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England by Brock Clarke
4.0
How do I explain how I feel about this book?
When writers first figure out they can write, they gain this amazing power. Suddenly the writer realizes that he can manipulate words and stories to create universes.
Drunk on this power, the writer writes metafiction.
I'm sure "metafiction" has a technical meaning that I'm not aware of--but screw it, I'm not an English grad student. What I mean is, writers are fascinated with the writing process but the rest of the world isn't.
Which is a rather roundabout way of saying that if I wasn't a writer, I'm not sure I'd have liked the book as much as I did, and even still, it was touch and go for a while.
If you're of a literary bent you will probably find this book hilarious. I certainly did. Brock Clarke's style is clever and funny and poignant just at the right times. There should be more books like this.
When writers first figure out they can write, they gain this amazing power. Suddenly the writer realizes that he can manipulate words and stories to create universes.
Drunk on this power, the writer writes metafiction.
I'm sure "metafiction" has a technical meaning that I'm not aware of--but screw it, I'm not an English grad student. What I mean is, writers are fascinated with the writing process but the rest of the world isn't.
Which is a rather roundabout way of saying that if I wasn't a writer, I'm not sure I'd have liked the book as much as I did, and even still, it was touch and go for a while.
If you're of a literary bent you will probably find this book hilarious. I certainly did. Brock Clarke's style is clever and funny and poignant just at the right times. There should be more books like this.
Lives of the Monster Dogs by Kirsten Bakis
4.0
Unreliable narrator(s)? Check. Multiple storytelling devices/methods? Check. Freakish monster dogs with prosthetic limbs? WTF?
This book was bewildering; I didn't read the jacket before diving in and assumed the title was metaphorical. Imagine my surprise when I flipped to the first page and realized that the dogs were actual dogs.
A worthy read.
This book was bewildering; I didn't read the jacket before diving in and assumed the title was metaphorical. Imagine my surprise when I flipped to the first page and realized that the dogs were actual dogs.
A worthy read.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
5.0
I love this book so much. Read it once when it first came out and I'm glad I had the occasion to read it again. It ages well. If you haven't yet tried out this book, you must.
Incidentally, of the Chabon I've read, this is my favorite.
Incidentally, of the Chabon I've read, this is my favorite.