Taylor Jenkins Reid really only does one thing, but she does it well. She sets up her main character with a wonderful love, does something to totally wreck it, and then helps her back along the path to happiness. Usually there’s a gay best friend (seriously, I think every novel I’ve read by her features a gay best friend) and a loving family member or two. Maybe some professional conflict. Might be formulaic, but One True Loves is the 4th book I’ve read by this author, and she […]
“When she was eight she had fallen in love with Ichimei with all the intensity of childhood passions; with Nathaniel it was the calm love of later years”
I’ve read quite a few Isabel Allende books, but The Japanese Lover is the first I listened to as an audiobook. While it’s certainly not the high-paced story-telling that lends itself well to going for a run/staying awake on my commute, I did find that the way that an audiobook forces you to enjoy every moment of writing really works wonderfully with Allende’s style. “I’m fine here, Lenny. I’m discovering who I am without all my ornaments and accessories. It’s quite a slow process, but a […]
Ridiculous and amazing does sum up parenthood well
Thank you, whoever reviewed this one for CBR. It made an excellent change after I finished two depressing books in a row! “The mere suggestion that one can be prepared for parenthood is preposterous, but there are a few things you should know. Let me be clear: None of this advice will make your ridiculous life any easier, but at least you won’t end up feeling alone (or wind up needing your retina attached).” I have two boys under the age of 6, and I spend […]
An interesting piece of “narco-journalism”
Okay, I admit that I picked this up because I thought it was by Steve Martin, and I was really curious how Steve Martin could have been wildly addicted to opium for decades and still function in Hollywood (although I’m sure it can be done!). So my apologies to Steve. But I’m glad I checked it out, because it turned out to be a really interesting read. “Is it possible that a person’s childhood fascination with some object could subtly influence every other decision made during […]