Could not put this book down!! 5++ stars!
Riveting, seat-gripping drama that keeps getting cranked up with each page.
A couple (Gabe and Pippa) in an idyllic-appearing marriage purchase a home near a steep cliff that overlooks the ocean. People who are considering suicide go to The Drop. Gabe has been able to save seven people by going out and talking with them.
Then one person jumps—or is she pushed by Gabe?
Highly, highly recommend!
Incredible!! 5+ stars and highly recommend!
I listened to Shelby Van Pelt’s book, Remarkably Bright Creatures, on audiobook and I highly recommend listening to the book. Michael Urie does a phenomenal job as Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who is smarter than humans and is an escape artist at night from his tank (captivity) at Sowell Bay Aquarium. Marin Ireland narrates other characters and has an amazing Scottish brogue for the character of Ethan.
Like other book reviewers, I was skeptical about a book regarding an octopus but I was immediately captivated. Similar to other reviewers, I researched octopus information and they are considered the most intelligent of all invertebrates and they can radically alter their body shape to squeeze through small gaps.
The character development, dialogue, and drama of Tova, Cameron, Ethan, and Avery are terrific. Van Pelt does an amazing job on dealing with tough topics like death, loss, and grief as well as more positive issues of relationships, friendship, and interconnectedness.
Highly recommend!
WOW!! Incredibly riveting, fast-paced thriller that I highly recommend!
Steve Saroff does a terrific job with character development, particularly with Enzi, the protagonist. There are very unique individuals in this story, including a girl he barely knows that he helps get released from jail.
I was on the edge of my seat constantly as the action moved between Montana, Seattle and New York. Saroff’s ability to ratchet up the drama and tension is masterful.
Highly recommend! Very unique thriller!
Wow! I am searching for the words to describe the phenomenal experience of reading Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.
I am not a gamer but I have worked alongside engineers at a tech startup who are gamers and my daughter is a gamer. Reading this book was like a peek into another world. A gamer is a builder of worlds. Readers do not need to be gamers to thoroughly enjoy this literary treasure.
Zevin masterfully creates the rhythms of friendships that enthralled me. She references torri gates in Japan as symbolism for moving to new openings, new passages, new portals and new worlds.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is from Shakespeare and it represents infinite rebirth and infinite redemption. Nothing is permanent. Games provide the ability to continually start over.
Zevin’s book illustrates the journey three friends make over several decades and how they handle the ebb and flow of life events, as well as “starting over” with their friendships. Early in their gaming careers, it was described as a bottomless pit of ambition where one’s tastes exceeded one’s abilities. It’s a story of failure and perseverance and the life of artists. Art isn’t typically made by happy people.
The moral of the story is that true collaborators in life are incredibly rare.
Professional gamers work hard to improve their skills, they learn from others, and they practice their craft frequently. While reading Zevin’s book, I continuously looked up new vocabulary words that were used throughout the book. Some of the many words I looked up included: tautology, queef, detritus, somnolent, reticle, propitious, verisimilitude, grokking, eponymous, hirsute, palimpsest, ouroboros, auteur, and many, many others.
Thank you, Zevin, for helping me improve my vocabulary and possibly my writing skills.
Highly recommend!
Ray Bradbury’s classic, Fahrenheit 451, was published in 1953. Over 40 years ago, it was required reading at my school. It’s a dystopian novel that has huge applicability today. It impacted me many decades ago and I wanted to read it again.
The main character, Montag, is a fireman with his symbolic helmet that says Fahrenheit 451—the temperature at which book paper catches fire and burns. Firefighters are called to burn houses, books, and if need be, people, because books are banned.
Below are passages from the book that resonated with me as well as three songs that came to mind with specific passages.
ANYONE I tried to talk to my piano I tried to talk to my guitar Talk to my imagination Confided into alcohol I tried and tried and tried some more Told secrets ’til my voice was sore Tired of empty conversation ‘Cause no one hears me anymore
A hundred million stories And a hundred million songs I feel stupid when I sing Nobody’s listening to me Nobody’s listening I talk to shooting stars But they always get it wrong I feel stupid when I pray So, why am I praying anyway? If nobody’s listening
Anyone, please send me anyone Lord, is there anyone? I need someone, oh Anyone, please send me anyone Lord, is there anyone? I need someone
I used to crave the world’s attention I think I cried too many times I just need some more affection Anything to get me by
A hundred million stories And a hundred million songs I feel stupid when I sing Nobody’s listening to me Nobody’s listening I talk to shooting stars But they always get it wrong I feel stupid when I pray Why the fuck am I praying anyway? If nobody’s listening
Anyone, please send me anyone Lord, is there anyone? I need someone, oh Anyone, please send me anyone Oh, Lord, is there anyone? I need someone Oh, anyone, I need anyone Oh, anyone, I need someone
A hundred million stories And a hundred million songs I feel stupid when I sing Nobody’s listening to me Nobody’s listening
Fahrenheit 451 is shockingly prophetic and frightening with its implications.
Highly recommend reading or re-reading it!
Wow!! Project Hail Mary is not the typical genre that I read. I have not read The Martian but I have seen the movie.
Project Hail Mary grabbed me due to the creativity and life and death problem solving required while in space. The collaboration between the US, Russia and China to create the Hail Mary spaceship inspires us to think about what is possible if we work together.
The primary story focuses on the importance of relationships, even with extraterrestrial beings who communicate, eat, move, and look very different from humans. The innovative ability to learn about each other to communicate and care about each other is heartwarming.
Highly recommend!
Fabulous book that spans generations and dramatically shows how choices in life affect our trajectory/outcome.
Terrific details on the craft beer business.
Loved it and highly recommend it!