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ralovesbooks's reviews
1431 reviews
Singing My Him Song by Malachy McCourt
2.0
Would recommend: Not really
I picked up Singing My Him Song while I went through my Frank McCourt streak, but this memoir was hardly satisfying. Some of the anecdotes were interesting, but I didn't perceive much coherence between the sections, and I was annoyed that I couldn't figure out the origin of the title.
I picked up Singing My Him Song while I went through my Frank McCourt streak, but this memoir was hardly satisfying. Some of the anecdotes were interesting, but I didn't perceive much coherence between the sections, and I was annoyed that I couldn't figure out the origin of the title.
Marley and Me by John Grogan
2.0
Would recommend: No
I read Marley & Me before we got our dog, and I just didn't see what the big screaming deal was. I felt like the author already assumed that the reader would like dogs, but since I didn't, I never connected. I didn't feel like there was a true arc to the story, with the exception of a few conflicts like behavior and fertility issues, but these were not central to the story of Marley. Perhaps, if I had read it after we got Ted, I might be more attached, but I'm not going to re-read it just to find out.
I read Marley & Me before we got our dog, and I just didn't see what the big screaming deal was. I felt like the author already assumed that the reader would like dogs, but since I didn't, I never connected. I didn't feel like there was a true arc to the story, with the exception of a few conflicts like behavior and fertility issues, but these were not central to the story of Marley. Perhaps, if I had read it after we got Ted, I might be more attached, but I'm not going to re-read it just to find out.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
3.0
Would recommend: Yes
I always felt like I should read this book, and at the end, I was glad I had, but it wasn't exactly a relaxing read.
I always felt like I should read this book, and at the end, I was glad I had, but it wasn't exactly a relaxing read.
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
3.0
Would recommend: Maybe
Bill Bryson's account of his travels through Australia are highly entertaining, but ultimately - repetitive. I get it, Bill: the outback is viciously hot, there are millions of things that can kill you, and everyone is very friendly. Enough, already.
I should note, though, that the appendix about the 2000 Sydney Olympics was really great.
Bill Bryson's account of his travels through Australia are highly entertaining, but ultimately - repetitive. I get it, Bill: the outback is viciously hot, there are millions of things that can kill you, and everyone is very friendly. Enough, already.
I should note, though, that the appendix about the 2000 Sydney Olympics was really great.
Harry Potter y las reliquias de la muerte by J.K. Rowling
2.0
Would recommend: Not really
I was sorely disappointed by the last Harry Potter book in terms of concluding the story and character arcs. I won't go into specific plot items, but I have no great need to re-read this one.
I was sorely disappointed by the last Harry Potter book in terms of concluding the story and character arcs. I won't go into specific plot items, but I have no great need to re-read this one.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
3.0
Would recommend: Yes
To Kill a Mockingbird is my mother-in-law's favorite book, so I was rather ashamed that I had never read it. I enjoyed it well enough, but with all the hype that comes with a coming-of-age classic, it's hard for a book to live up.
To Kill a Mockingbird is my mother-in-law's favorite book, so I was rather ashamed that I had never read it. I enjoyed it well enough, but with all the hype that comes with a coming-of-age classic, it's hard for a book to live up.
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
2.0
Would recommend: Not really
The Amber Spyglass is my least favorite of the His Dark Materials trilogy. I thought that the plot was decent, but the book was so preachy against the church establishment to the point of detracting from the action. It bothered me that the amber spyglass, despite the title's implication, played a very small role in the plot.
The Amber Spyglass is my least favorite of the His Dark Materials trilogy. I thought that the plot was decent, but the book was so preachy against the church establishment to the point of detracting from the action. It bothered me that the amber spyglass, despite the title's implication, played a very small role in the plot.
Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan
3.0
Would recommend: Yes
Reading Cesar Millan's book about dog behavior and pack mentality was so crucial when we first got our puppy, Ted. I wasn't comfortable at all with dogs at first, but understanding how our dog would react to us was a huge help in training him and us. The tactics in this book work for us, although they are more slanted toward problematic dogs.
Reading Cesar Millan's book about dog behavior and pack mentality was so crucial when we first got our puppy, Ted. I wasn't comfortable at all with dogs at first, but understanding how our dog would react to us was a huge help in training him and us. The tactics in this book work for us, although they are more slanted toward problematic dogs.
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
3.0
Would recommend: Maybe
I was unprepared for the saddening context of this novel, but I thought the author did a decent job exploring the grieving process. I don't know that I would pick this one up again.
I was unprepared for the saddening context of this novel, but I thought the author did a decent job exploring the grieving process. I don't know that I would pick this one up again.
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks
3.0
Would recommend: Maybe
I loved Uncle Tungsten, Oliver Sacks's memoir of a science-driven childhood, and my husband gave me Musicophilia for Christmas after hearing about it on public radio. I found the majority of the book to be highly clinical and dense; I would have appreciated a diagram of the brain for reference throughout. I struggled through these sections, and, overall, I felt that the book was long for the sake of it, as though the editor had imposed a 300-page minimum and Sacks was simply filling it. However, some of the case studies were completely compelling and touching, so I appreciated the more narrative aspects.
I loved Uncle Tungsten, Oliver Sacks's memoir of a science-driven childhood, and my husband gave me Musicophilia for Christmas after hearing about it on public radio. I found the majority of the book to be highly clinical and dense; I would have appreciated a diagram of the brain for reference throughout. I struggled through these sections, and, overall, I felt that the book was long for the sake of it, as though the editor had imposed a 300-page minimum and Sacks was simply filling it. However, some of the case studies were completely compelling and touching, so I appreciated the more narrative aspects.