Short & Sweet

Oh, this one was guuuud!

I read one of Alexie's short stories years ago and really loved his writing style. The story was turned into a movie: Smoke Signals. When I saw his name on the cover of this one, I just had to read it. I don't even know how to describe this book. In the very beginning, the protagonist does something completely horrible, yet I still felt compassion for him. And then, when he began to journey through time and events, you start to see him growing and embracing himself and his heritage. That's when there's this glimmer of hope that possibly he has a chance. That he might be able to overcome the emotional struggles and experiences that fueled him with the rage that permeates the story.

This is really one of the most unique novels I've ever read.

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I'm a big Jodi Picoult fan. I haven't read all of her works, but probably half by now. Some of her novels have just settled in my heart. Others I've struggled with a bit, yet I still find redeeming qualities. This one would fall in the latter category. It's not one of her best. Still, I couldn't put it down. The characters weren't completely predictable, but they weren't as three-dimensional as I would have liked. I liked the story line of Paige losing her mother so early in life and doubting so fervently her own mothering skills. That insecurity that never seems to let go. Nicholas started to annoy me early on and up until the end I was kind of rooting for her to just be free of him. But her campaign to win her family back was unexpected and touching.

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Home from work early. Left half of my face hurts like heck. Damn sinuses!

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I read this in one day. I was sick, mind you. It's not like I have that much time on my hands normally.

I had a very hard time getting into the book and nearly put it down. Even though I ended up finishing it so quickly, it's not because it was such a great read. I read one of Shreve's prior novels and enjoyed it, but I couldn't connect with this one. I think the main reason is that the narrator is not likable at all. He tells the story of meeting the woman who became his obsession and how he pursued and married her. Throughout I wanted to say to her, "Run! Run far, far away!" You could argue that the very selfish and horrible things that he does are because of his obsession with his wife. Yet he makes those types of decisions regarding his career as well. It's almost as if he can't help himself. And even though he seems to realize afterward that he's made a mistake through those decisions, he never seems to learn from his mistakes.

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I made this. Not without muttering profanities under my breath a few times, tho. What a mother won't do to make her kid happy.

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I'm kind of missing summer already. We've had to scrape frost off of the windows the last two mornings. I should just embrace the cold and go with it, right?

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I'm not sure what to say about this one. I liked it. I also struggled with it. I was definitely engrossed, although sometimes I got lost in the twists of the author's language. It was quirky and charming at times. The protagonist was likable, but I often wanted to strangle him for just letting life happen to him. Even when it dumped all over him. He never stood up for himself. So much so that I got exasperated a few times. And the ending. Well, they aren't all perfect and rosy, I know. But it lingered with me in a sad way. I still have a desire to go in to the last few chapters and rewrite it a bit so he avoids that whole journey to Connecticut. Overall, though, I thought it was a good story.

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Another one from last weekend. Because it's raining and gloomy this time around. At least we had two entirely perfect fall weekends. You can't win 'em all!

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