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chicletbooklyn founder and mother hen. made the rules and not afraid to enforce 'em.
March| author: | Geraldine Brooks |
| discussion date: | 2008-05-19 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2008-05-30Me likey. Well crafted. Interesting story. Learned a little. Not exactly uplifting, but we'll let that slide.
Jennifer Government
chiclet posted on: 2008-05-30I hated this book this least. Which surely says as much about me as it does the book. Perhaps corporate America's hold on me is so strong I can no longer distinguish good books from da crap.
A Man Walks Into A Room| author: | Nicole Krauss |
| discussion date: | 2008-03-19 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2008-04-20Like bizzyb said, if this is the worst book I read all year, that ain't bad. Nothing offensive, but can't quite give it a thumbs up.
Utterly Monkey| author: | Nick Laird |
| discussion date: | 2008-02-21 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2008-04-20I enjoyed this book. Probably at least 25% of that likeness is just because I really love London. But, all said, it wasn't a bad read.
Adverbs: A Novel| author: | David Handler |
| discussion date: | 2008-01-16 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2008-02-20This book has an identity crisis. It's parading around in a novel's clothes, but it's really short stories. By calling itself a novel, it makes a mockery out of those trying to read it as one.
A Spot of Bother chiclet posted on: 2008-01-15Grumpy old men - especially psychotic ones - are not my favorite characters to read about. (Luckily I'm in no danger of ever becoming one.) But, I did enjoy reading about the other family members. I thought the author was especially good at making likable, but imperfect characters (with the exception of the psychotic old man of course who was both unlikeable and imperfect).
Slow Man| author: | J. M. Coetzee |
| discussion date: | 2007-11-14 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2008-01-15It's been 2 months since I read this book and still I cringe when I see it's cover. I have no idea what the author was trying to do with this book. It's good and all to create a mysterious character, but it's helpful to the reader if you eventually let us in on the secret.
The Kite Runner| author: | Khaled Hosseini |
| discussion date: | 2007-10-17 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2007-10-25Fight! Fight! This book sparked our first Booklyn brawl. Ok, so maybe not a brawl, but the word "obstinent" was used. You'll have to read it to find out why. Or not. Maybe it will just be our little Booklyn secret. Because what happens at Book Club, stays at Book Club.
Small Island| author: | Andrea Levy |
| discussion date: | 2007-09-19 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2007-10-25I really enjoyed this book. I laughed. I learned. I didn't cry. What more can you ask for in a book with "small" in the title?
The Emporer's Children chiclet posted on: 2007-09-15Though I enjoyed this book for the most part, I probably wouldn't recommend it to my friends. I wasn't quite ready to read a book that includes 9/11 and wish I could have avoided it. Thanks a lot postmodern willy!
Elements of Style| author: | Wendy Wasserstein |
| discussion date: | 2007-07-25 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2007-08-21This is a book review that comes with a lot of caveats. I liked this book, kind of, but...
- the characters were really flimsy. no depth whatsoever.
- it was farcical, but i'm not sure that was intended
- several events near the end of the book seemed far-fetched
- if you read it, consider it a light summer read and nothing more.
Suite Française| author: | Irene Nemirovsky |
| discussion date: | 2007-06-20 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2007-07-24When you consider this book in its historical context and read the author's tragic story, you can't help but hold it in high regard. To be able to write about the war with such clarity while in the midst of it is pretty darn amazing.
Please Don't Come Back from the Moon| author: | Dean Bakopoulos |
| discussion date: | 2007-05-23 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2007-06-16I cringed when I saw "magical realism" on the back cover. But, I gave the book a chance. And, to my disbelief, I liked it. I really, really liked it.
The Year of Endless Sorrows: A Novel chiclet posted on: 2007-05-07If you've ever been stuck at a party talking to someone who *thinks* they are really funny, but are totally not, and they just keep going on and on and you can't figure out a way to escape, then you already know the agony of reading this book.
Veronica| author: | Mary Gaitskill |
| discussion date: | 2007-03-28 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2007-04-093 words: Depressing, Depressing. Depressing.
The History of Love| author: | Nicole Krauss |
| discussion date: | 2007-02-21 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2007-03-01My History of Love of This Book:
1. Bought it
2. Read it
3. Finished it, felt satisfied, but wondered what I'd missed now that I "got it."
4. Read it again. Loved it.
This book had everything: memorable characters, an intricate and surprising plot, a complex structure (that actually worked), and beautiful prose.
Housekeeping: A Novel| author: | Marilynne Robinson |
| discussion date: | 2007-01-17 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2007-03-01This one's going out in the trash next time I do some of that there housekeeping. Bleh.
Wickett's Remedy: A Novel chiclet posted on: 2007-01-15I enjoyed reading the obviously well-researched historical details about the Spanish influenza, but this book suffers from a bad case of trying to do too much. There's the main narrative, sub-narratives, newspaper clippings, writing in the margins and more -- all mixed together with no real structure to them. While I can appreciate what Myla is trying to do, she doesn't quite pull it off. The remedy for what's ailing her: Scale back. It's ok to try a non-traditional structure, but don't try to mix five of them and hope to make a sensible novel.
Liars and Saints: A Novel| author: | Maile Meloy |
| discussion date: | 2006-11-15 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2006-12-18A touching book about touching people you shouldn't (ie your cousin). Easy to read. A lot happens in not a lotta pages - it feels like several short stories woven together.
The Sea| author: | John Banville |
| discussion date: | 2006-10-18 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2006-12-18Ugh. No likey The Sea. It's a well-crafted book and I admire the author's obvious writing skills, but it's a depressing snoozer.
The Confessions of Max Tivoli| author: | Andrew Sean Greer |
| discussion date: | 2006-09-20 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2006-12-18I didn't hate this book as much as my fellow reviewers, but there were moments of horrible writing mixed in with otherwise adequate writing. Luckily I bought it on the clearance table at Barnes & Noble for $4.95.
Saturday chiclet posted on: 2006-09-15I began reading this book on a Saturday. It was mid-afternoon, cloudy with a bit of drizzle in the air. I opened the book by placing my right hand on the lower right corner of the cover and giving it a gentle tug. I skipped the opening pages with their glowing reviews of the book. I didn't want to ruin any surprises that the book might reveal in its own time. I always feel guilty when I ruin the surprise like that. Like somehow I've cheated the book of its due honor. I also skipped the dedication. Sometimes I go back and read dedications later, but never my first time through a book... Bored yet? This book opens with such excrutiating detail that I feared I might not be able to finish it. It's cool to tell us you're playing racquetball, but we don't need the play by play of EVERY point. For THREE games. Eventually the plot picks up and I really enjoyed the second half of the book. The topic is timely. The setting is my beloved London. And McEwan is a fantastic writer when he doesn't get bogged down in excrutiating detail.
Prep: A Novel| author: | Curtis Sittenfeld |
| discussion date: | 2006-07-19 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2006-07-25If I were a book snob, I might argue that Prep wasn't deep enough or innovative enough to be considered a serious literary novel. I might say it veers dangerously close to being "chick lit". But, luckily for you I'm not one of those book snobs, so I can tell you that it's a fun summer read. You get to re-live all that high school angst, but close the book at any time and go back to your fabulous grown-up life.
Middlesex: A Novel| author: | Jeffrey Eugenides |
| discussion date: | 2006-06-21 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2006-07-03I'd heard this book described as "the one about the hermaphrodite" and resisted reading it for quite awhile, expecting something quite different from what this book actually is. Yes, one of the characters is a hermaphrodite, but that's just one of the many layers of narrative and character development that make up this book. The genetic mutation works to cleverly knit this complex story together.
Never Let Me Go| author: | Kazuo Ishiguro |
| discussion date: | 2006-05-17 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2006-06-14Apparently I missed the bigger context of what the author was trying to say with this book ... human suffering, blah blah ... But, I enjoyed my simple interpretation nonetheless. I read it as a coming of age tale where we get to see kids grow into adults and all the angst that comes with it. Of course, these kids had these pesky "donations" hanging over them, but hey we all have our issues - right?
The Normals : A Novel chiclet posted on: 2006-05-04I'm afraid this is one of those books that divides the genders. While men (hmmph postmodern willy) may find the main character Billy to be endearing, in my more estrogen-disposed mind, he was simply juvenile. He didn't want to grow up or take responsibility so he went to a drug testing facility to hide away for a few weeks where the staff fed him and coddled him. The downfall of the book for me was that Billy never really changed or grew up. But, it was a funny book and the author has a gift with language, so I'm going to have to give it a "so-so" --- borrow it from the library, but don't waste your money.
A Million Little Pieces| author: | James Frey |
| discussion date: | 2006-03-15 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2006-03-19I approached this book with great Trepidation. I was genuinely concerned it would Suck because I would need to question the author's Integrity and couldn't quite believe his Story. But, I bought a used copy of the Book (as to avoid paying the Liar any additional royalties), and dug in. To my great surprise, it was still a very compelling read. The Story still pulls through even for the cynical reader. However, the author's use of strange capitalization and bad Grammar made me want to send him to writing rehab.
Play It As It Lays: A Novel| author: | Joan Didion |
| discussion date: | 2006-02-15 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2006-02-26I'd wanted to read some of Didion's fiction after reading The Year of Magical Thinking. I wasn't disappointed - this book was as dark and brilliant as I'd hoped. It captures a place (Hollywood) and a time (late 60's) with a brutal honesty that can't be faked. Didion burns a bit of herself in your memory with this one.
Snow| author: | Orhan Pamuk |
| discussion date: | 2006-01-18 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2006-02-08Tough read. Kind of like walking through 18 inches of snow backwards while wearing flip-flops. And it will make you feel dumb. Kind of like trying to fill our your tax forms. But, when you're done you can brag to all your intellectual friends that you read it. And they can look at you with awe and then whisper behind your back about what a masochist you are. Kind of like you're doing now.
Little Children chiclet posted on: 2006-02-08Are you living your life the way you think you should or the way you want to? Tough question - right? The characters in Little Children deal with this question in some funny and appalling ways. Most of the characters are well-written and really came alive for me. I could empathize with them and their situations, however caricatural they may have been at times.
The City of Your Final Destination| author: | Peter Cameron |
| discussion date: | 2005-11-16 |
| picked by: | luv2cry |
chiclet posted on: 2005-11-23I had trouble getting into this book, but once I did I enjoyed it. The first section, set in Kansas, seemed forced. But once the action moves to Uruguay things start humming. The characters are all interesting and complex, as is the story of Jules Gund, though we only gets hints of it. So, in closing, more Gund, less Kansas.
The Laments : A Novel| author: | George Hagen |
| discussion date: | 2005-10-17 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-10-18The aptly-named Laments travel from continent to continent, bringing the reader along on their adventures and mishaps. This family story is at times funny or suprising or both. The humor help keeps the story going even when tragedies strikes the Laments. Will and his mother Julia are well developed characters who the reader can really connect with. The end felt rushed and left me wanting a bit more.
Bandbox| author: | Thomas Mallon |
| discussion date: | 2005-09-23 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-10-12If you can keep up with its frantic pace, Bandbox is worth the read. There's a lot of characters (30+) and almost as many subplots to keep track of while reading. The characters aren't well-developed, but more like caricatures you've seen before: the dashing bachelor, the shy copy editor, the pompous magazine editor, etc. But the author captures the era - late 1920s - so well. The speakeasys and pre-depression confidence really come to life.
Atonement chiclet posted on: 2005-08-25Often books either have spectacular character development OR plot development OR setting development. But, Atonement has them all. As the tight plot thickens, the characters become more complex and pre-war England comes alive. This was a fascinating read. I especially enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the hospital as the nurses cared for injured soldiers.
The Girl Who Played Go : A Novel| author: | Shan Sa |
| discussion date: | 2005-07-30 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-08-12The author takes a chance using an unusual narrative structure meant to mimic the game of go. Each short chapter alternates the narrator's voice between a Manchurian teenage girl and a Japanese soldier. The gamble pays off because the short chapters make the story move quickly and efficient. The writing is sparse and concise. However, the story feels a bit unbalanced - the girl's story is far more compelling even though equal time is devoted to the soldier. The character's relationship feels a bit shallow, making the ending seem improbable.
The Intuitionist| author: | Colson Whitehead |
| discussion date: | 2005-06-08 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-07-20If this book were purely a mystery, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot. It was suspenseful and had some nice twists. The ideas of elevator inspectors and elevator theory were very creative and well thought out. But, I found myself constantly distracted by trying to understand when and where the story was taking place. It was so similar to New York during the Civil Rights movement, but it wasn't quite there. I'd rather it either be set in a real place and time or be set somewhere totally fantastical, but as it was, the setting served as a distraction.
Disgrace chiclet posted on: 2005-05-23I liked this book so much, I forgot to review it. Well, one part of that statement is true anyhow. Here's some more truth:
The writing was rich and a pleasure to read.
The story and the characters have many layers -- it's not a simple tale.
I spent a lot of time trying to understand the characters' motivations. It was a struggle and it was a bit unsatisfying to never quite "get" them.
I need to learn more about South Africa. Understanding the politics and history of South Africa are essential to digging deeper into this book.
Aloft| author: | Chang-rae Lee |
| discussion date: | 2005-04-20 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-04-22There are many times I'd like to be flying over Long Island. Usually when I'm stuck in traffic on the LIE. But for the narrator of Aloft, 60-something Jerry Battle, it's not just about the traffic. Flying allows him to distance himself (physically and metaphorically) from his earthly issues like a girlfriend who's left him, a son who's bankrupting his business, and a sick daughter. But you can only fly so long before you have to come down and re-fuel and Aloft follows Jerry as he starts to reconnect with the people around him.
The writing throughout is fluid and lyrical, though the author's voice seems to overpower the narrator's voice at times. I was drawn in by the characters and enjoyed this one.
Bel Canto| author: | Ann Patchett |
| discussion date: | 2005-03-16 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-03-21Political terrorists take over a dinner party at the vice president's house in a Latin American country. The guests are from all different walks of life: an America opera singer, a Japanese business man, Russian businessmen, a French diplomat, a priest, and more. Days and days pass as the inexperienced terrorists make unrealistic demands via a Red Cross rep. Eventually the (metaphorical) wall between terrorists and hostages crumbles with the help of some opera music and they develop a new way of life inside the house. As reader, you get to watch as romance and friendship develop. You almost forget you're reading about a hijacking and not summer camp. Almost.
Hottentot Venus: A Novel| author: | Barbara Chase-Riboud |
| discussion date: | 2005-02-16 |
| picked by: | postmodern willy |
chiclet posted on: 2005-02-23I'd never heard of the Hottentot Venus before reading this book and I was glad to learn her story. It was a dark period in history and everyone should know about it.
So, the author made a great choice of subject matter. However, this is where the good decisions ended. She took this great story and added nothing to it with her fictionalized account. In fact, she detracted from it with flat characters and longwinded scientic diatribes.
What Was She Thinking? : Notes on a Scandal: A Novel| author: | Zoe Heller |
| discussion date: | 2004-12-13 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13You might think you recognize the plot -- Heller pulled it straight from the headlines. But the real story is about female relationships in all their jealous, self-counscious glory.
Motherless Brooklyn| author: | Jonathan Lethem |
| discussion date: | 2004-11-17 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Not as suspenseful as EATME your average detective novel, but Lethem makes up for it with masterful sketches of character and scene. Go Brooklyn!
The Namesake chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Covering 2 generations of an American-Bengali family, I'm not afraid to admit this novel made me cry (and it wasn't hormone related). Lahiri sure knows how to write about relationships. And funny names.
Brick Lane : A Novel| author: | Monica Ali |
| discussion date: | 2004-09-15 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Before reading this book, Brick Lane was just a wonderland of curry and chutney for me. This fascinating look at a Bengladeshi family opened my eyes to the struggles an immigrant family faces.
Set This House in Order: A Romance of Souls| author: | Matt Ruff |
| discussion date: | 2004-08-18 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Perhaps Ruff should see a doctor, because it appears he may be suffering from multiple personalities like his characters. The first half of this novel is a great read. The second half blows.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Haddon takes a chance having a 12-year old autistic narrator, but he hits the jackpot. It takes awhile to get into the rhythm of his thoughts, but worth the effort.
Oryx and Crake| author: | Margaret Atwood |
| discussion date: | 2004-06-16 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Let's hope Atwood isn't a fortune teller, otherwise, we're screwed. This well-written borderline sci-fi tale is both fascinating and terrifying.
My Year of Meats chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Steak lovers, take cover. You may need a loooong break from red meat after reading this one. Characters and plot were meaty-ocre.
Carter Beats the Devil| author: | Glen David Gold |
| discussion date: | 2004-04-21 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Going behind the scenes at a magic show should be a page-turner, but after the first 200 pages, this book was predictable and interminable.
Five Quarters of the Orange| author: | Joanne Harris |
| discussion date: | 2004-03-17 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17Harris makes her job difficult by writing in flashbacks and trying to keep the story a mysery, but she manages to make it work. Plus, I love a trip to France.
The Book of Salt chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Don't read this book hungry. Truong's descriptions of food are so good, they'll make your mouth water. Unfortunately though, the culinary bites are the best parts of the book.
The Razor's Edge| author: | W. Somerset Maugham |
| discussion date: | 2004-01-21 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17More than any other book, I feel this one deserves a prolific review, given its cult following. However I trudged through it and finished with none of the awe and wonder of its worshippers.
Dreamland| author: | Kevin Baker |
| discussion date: | 2003-12-17 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13If you love NYC and history, then read this book. But if you don't, the intertwining plotlines and multitude of characters might drive you nutty.
Bee Season: A Novel chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17Ah. I love a family drama where the family is more messed up than my own: Daughter has mystical powers that make her convulse while spelling; Son joins religous cult to get out of house; Mom steals anything not bolted down; Dad is oblivious.
Norwegian Wood| author: | Haruki Murakami |
| discussion date: | 2003-10-22 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17Who knew Japan in the lat 60's could be so depressing? Despite, or maybe because of, the characters' sadness that permeates the novel, the book manages to be emotionally satisfying.
You Shall Know Our Velocity| author: | Dave Eggers |
| discussion date: | 2003-09-17 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17Readers familiar with Eggers' work will be severly disappointed. ALL readers will be annoyed with the author's selfishly silly plot and characters.
Tomcat in Love| author: | Tim O'Brien |
| discussion date: | 2003-08-20 |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17All I remember about this book is that it made me angry. Really angry. The characters were infuriating. Maybe you'd think a book that draws such strong emotion is worthy of a read. Nope. Run, don't walk from this one.
Three Junes chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Three stories for the price of one. But all stories are not created equal.
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America| author: | Barbara Ehrenreich |
| discussion date: | 2003-06-18 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Non-fiction (GASP). This one was worth breaking the rules. Ehrenreich's experiments in minimum wage labor were eye-opening despite her haughty tone at times.
Life of Pi| author: | Yann Martel |
| discussion date: | 2003-05-21 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13How much can one possibly write about a boy drifting at sea (alone?) on a raft? Martel manages to skillfully fill a whole book. But the high concept and unsatisfying ending make this a one-time only read.
The Human Stain chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17The writing can be dense. The plot can be lacking. But the racial undertones and realizations will stick with you long after you close the cover.
Mrs. Dalloway| author: | Virginia Woolf |
| discussion date: | 2003-03-19 |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13I know this is a classic and I'm supposed to revere it, but Woolf's pagelong descriptions lacking punctuation give me a headache. Plus, the characters aren't compelling and the plot lacks punch.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay| author: | Michael Chabon |
| discussion date: | 2003-02-19 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Hold on to your hats, ladies and gents. This one is full of twists and turns. It even manages to leave NYC for Antarctica for a chapter. Don't let it's hefty size deter you from reading this book.
The Crazed| author: | Ha Jin |
| discussion date: | 2003-01-22 |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17I'm not a patient person. You need to be a patient person for this book. The pace was too slow for me, but I did appreciate the writing.
Love in the Time of Cholera| author: | Gabriel Garcia Marquez |
| discussion date: | 2002-12-18 |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Which is more painful: Suffering from cholera or reading this book? I guess I'm just not down with magical realism.
The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel in Two Semesters| author: | Chip Kidd |
| discussion date: | 2002-11-13 |
| picked by: | chiclet |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Chip Kidd is a graphic designer first and author second. And it shows. The writing is amateur, but the book design is worth a peek.
The Quick and the Dead chiclet posted on: 2005-01-13Even the title is wrong. It's not quick. But you'll want to be dead after struggling through the first 20 pages. I actually had to bribe myself with ice cream to finish this one.
Empire Falls| author: | Richard Russo |
| discussion date: | 2002-09-18 |
| picked by: | bizzyb |
chiclet posted on: 2005-01-17A poignant story -- funny at times, moving at others -- that draws you in from the beginning with its sympathetic characters and their triumphs and sorrow in Empire Falls. There's a layer of social commentary too, but it's subtle enough that you can slowly absorb it while concentrating on the story.