You’ve been here before. At least if you’re a King fan. “Here”, for the sake of my discussion, is the town of Castle Rock, Maine. Upon reading Needful Things, you’re welcome to delve deeper into the meaning of the rather ambiguous opening statement. As for Castle Rock, it’s a town of utmost importance and infamyContinue reading “Needful Things by Stephen King”
Tag Archives: Book Review
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
I’d like to think I have varied interests. Think being the keyword in that sentence. Because at the end of the day I sometimes realize exactly how connected my little literary world is. And then my world seems significantly smaller and much less varied. I am not a person of many talents. It’s quite possibleContinue reading “The Good Lord Bird by James McBride”
The Universe in Miniature in Miniature by Patrick Somerville
Did you know that Albert Einstein originally used Gedanken experiments to explore his illegal sexual fantasies? No? Neither did I. According to the book jacket of Patrick Somerville’s excellent short story collection The Universe in Miniature in Miniature, it’s true. It is, apparently, a fun fact. Since these stories have elements of science (groan), didContinue reading “The Universe in Miniature in Miniature by Patrick Somerville”
Love, Lies, and the Internet: The Hypothetical Girl by Elizabeth Cohen
What initially attracted me to ‘The Hypothetical Girl’ was the title. Or, at the very least, I find the sentiment behind the title appealing. Despite being in the latter half of my twenties, I have no idea ‘who I am’. I’m okay with this, as I don’t believe anyone is one thing. What I struggleContinue reading “Love, Lies, and the Internet: The Hypothetical Girl by Elizabeth Cohen”
The Rathbones by Janice Clark
If Tim Burton collaborated with Charles Addams to rewrite and combine The Odyssey and Moby-Dick, you would get ‘The Rathbones’. Janice Clark’s singular debut, a gothic adventure novel set in New England, is one of the most intriguing new novels this year (for the imagery and originality, if nothing else). Lest you think I jest about the strainsContinue reading “The Rathbones by Janice Clark”
Ablutions: Notes for a Novel by Patrick deWitt
A man walks into the bar… There are too many places to go with that, so I’ll take the aposiopetic approach… You are a thirty something year old man. You work at a bar that was once glamorous but is now notably seedy. There are various unsavory characters that frequent the bar; you observe themContinue reading “Ablutions: Notes for a Novel by Patrick deWitt”
Thinner by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)
Let’s talk about weight. Weight is, without a doubt, a heavy subject. (Sorry.) You could be overweight, underweight, or at a perfectly healthy weight, but I know very few people who are happy with what the scale says. I’m no different. I work out and am physically very healthy, but (sadly) I do not lookContinue reading “Thinner by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)”
Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo
Life is but a joke*. Just ask Bob Dylan. I’ve recently had a string of rather aggravating, melancholy days. The shit has hit the fan more than once, to put it eloquently. Today was the final straw; I’ll set the scene for you. It’s 100+ degrees, not a cloud in sight – so it’s sweltering.Continue reading “Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo”
Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock
sor·row (n.) /ˈsärō/ A feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. Appearances are deceiving; the world can be a beautiful place in that way. Despite my rather innocuous physicality and mild disposition (or perhaps because of…?), my mind is a far darker place than my tinyContinue reading “Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock”
Save Yourself by Kelly Braffet
Are you interested in getting me to read a particular book? Tell me it has the scruffy appeal of Donald Ray Pollock (my most favorite among favorite authors) and the addictiveness of Breaking Bad. I’ll read it. When I read that Kelly Braffet’s latest novel, ‘Save Yourself’, had both of those attributes – consider meContinue reading “Save Yourself by Kelly Braffet”
flannel and folklore 