This was a cute series of short stories and excerpts in relation to Colette‘s French bull dog and cat and various other animals throughout the book. She was a French novelist who wrote the Real Claudine series and Gigi. She has an amazing descriptive style, especially as this was in the first person in the animals perspective throughout the book. I picked this up at a used bookstore on my travels to San Francisco.

I know this was a popular book but it was not to my liking. I normally enjoy psychological insight within a novel but this book felt more like the day to day ramblings and procrastination of a brother who chose to be misguided and utilized his brother as a source of blame. Not for me.

A true depiction into the human psyche as to what it is to live in a mind that is depressed of joy and meaning. Being mentally ill can sometimes be worse than being physically ill and it is most definitely something that society in general but especially here in the states should be taken more seriously. Further funding needs to be pushed towards research on mental health and mental health services. An artist lost prematurely to suicide.

Definitely a page turner! It‘s almost as if I read a more modern, guttural, and simplified version of Jane Eyre and I honestly loved it! Don‘t get me wrong, I‘m always in the mood for a great piece of classic literature but this was a great evolutionary example of old meets new. Plot twist at the end! Buy the hard cover so that you get the epilogue that comes with it!

Plot twist at the end! This one will keep you on your toes as you circumnavigate through the life of Billy Summers. Color me surprised as this is the second of King‘s books that I have enjoyed. I would highly recommend to the true crime reader or one that enjoys reading about vigilante justice.

Good but not great, A Prayer for Owen Meany remains my favorite of Irving‘s novels but this was overall a good read. There are certain parts of the novel I enjoyed and would say the book is better than the movie.

57 pages in and Bail. I am not a fan of Faulkner‘s writing style. I will only read a certain number of pages in a book before I will not push forward any further. Life is too short and there are too many good reads to be had. I would have considered giving him another chance at another novel but I didn‘t care for the Sound and the Fury either with my main discontent being the authors style. This will be my last attempt at Faulkner.

I just couldn‘t get into it. In the beginning I was enjoying it and it definitely was luring me in more than I anticipated but the story became rather monotonous and not very engaging. At moments the author became more verbose than was necessary for the development of the story. 300 pages in and bail. Better luck next time. 😊

I did not anticipate enjoying this novel at all. In fact I started it only because I had the copy on the premise that I was going to bail after 50 pages as I am not an avid King fan. But I found this to be an excellent read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading every bit of it and it may have sprouted further curiosity into some of his other writings. Not a dull moment. Great from start to finish! Great if you‘re into government conspiracies.

Not impressed, kind of a dud really. I found the book lagging at times and honestly was looking forward to completing the novel so I could move on to my next read. The beginning was engaging but the remainder of the novel was a bore but not bad enough to bail. Had I not already bought a few other Christie novels, this would have been a last for me but I suppose she will get a second chance. 6/10

What a rollercoaster of a book. The ups and downs and emotional upheaval that this story demands is not something I am used to in the multitude of literature I have absorbed over the years. I have never found myself having genuine pity for a character in a while as I have in Charlie Gordon‘s plight. A wonderful story that will assist the reader to see the benefit of being kind to your fellow man and brother as blessings are not congruent.

One of my favorite gothic horrors received in the mail today, Folio Society‘s version of Frankenstein purchased as a late Christmas gift from my wife! This will have permanent home in my collection. ❤️

I purchased another Camus book as the first one I read, The Stranger was so though provoking and well done! The title of this one alone is intriguing!

Portrays the significance of empathy, love and understanding for one‘s fellow man and other living beings, the importance of showing kindness when it isn‘t asked for. A prime example of how turning a blind eye for personal convenience and being indifferent is contingent in allowing evil to prevail, usually when nobody is looking or notices.

Pining for someone your whole life that doesn‘t reciprocate is no way to spend one‘s life. Especially if it means being a profligate in the process. Some would find it romantic to spend 53 years waiting for a love, I would say that there is another love out there that will return the sentiment and lead one to a more fulfilling life. I found Florentino to be borderline poignant in this story, as the worst kind of love, is a one sided one.

My Secret Santa truly gets me. 😊 she even but in the time for a well acquainted gag gift up on top. Maybe I should read it to prove a point 🤣

Unfortunately after reading through 50% of the book, the story could no longer hold my attention. I found it difficult to get vested and wasn‘t enamored with any part of the book except a couple of chapters. There are redeeming qualities in the story but it just wasn‘t holding my interest. It was almost a chore to pick it up and move further along. Bail for me. I will gift my copies to my favorite Uncle as he unlike me, loved it.

A dramatic presentation and further proof that the soul is connected to the body, you can be vain and desirable on the outside but neglecting on what is on the inside can inhibit one from a life that is meaningful and beyond reproach which can have negative consequences to those around you. Throwing issues under the rug will further perpetuate a toxic complex as your innate self will not be able to disband from an unsettled issue that has meaning.

This masterpiece displays the relevance to modern day tech and materialism. Beware of man whom is motivated by selfish desires to “advance” the state of humanity as it could lead to the destruction of those he/she wished to advance. Maintain a moderate and healthy balance in life. An example that simplicity while being a good steward, having integrity and being respectful to your fellow man are undoubtedly undervalued in our current society.

My pick up today at the bookstore after trading in Middlemarch, and Magic Mountain.

I read four more chapters of Middlemarch after reading Frankenstein and I can honestly say after reading a good, enjoyable read that Middlemarch is unduly long winded and a bore with no rationale to be so except for the authors own self conceit and pride to prove herself and her mastery of the English language which is an unnecessary feat when writing a novel for personal enjoyment. She should have wrote a text book at this point.

Started out stronger than I expected but also fizzled out midway faster than I expected. The story became a little placid and the ending was very blasé. This book had a lot of potential but it just wasn‘t up to snuff. Fitzgerald was just going on his name at this point and seemingly just wanted to sell another book, good, bad, or ugly.

Just swung by the bookstore today and found these two gems. Steinbeck I love already, but never heard of this obscure piece, I also thought I would dabble in Western novels and thought this would be a good one to test the genre.

My pickup from my trip to the finger lakes. I like Steinbeck and so far enjoyed what I have read written by him so I thought I would give this one a chance.

I‘ve read up to chapter 19, page 167 of this early 19th century provincial plot and could no longer push through another page. I found the premise behind provincial life dull and could not beat any further interest. I am going to start giving a book about 50 pages before I toss it. If it hasn‘t hooked me in that time and the reality is, if the author hasn‘t hooked me at that length, he or she really hasn‘t done their job.

Bail, I could no longer read about Hans Castorp‘s perpetual thoughts of sanitarium life. I am on page 440, 61% through and I feel like this book is just a constant continuation of the same theme and idea, prolonged for the author's amusement but nobody else's....I did appreciate some of the authors descriptions on the scenery in the Swiss Alps and believe this could have been a positive read for me had it been condensed 500 pages or so.

Portrays the true worth of human consumption arguably from a spectral level as those who spend most of their waking hours thinking as “wise” men do, may be cheating themselves from the full honest flavor of experience. Success may be rated on a subjective basis then, as one who is deemed successful one way may be cheating themselves of experience and success another way. The little spot known as Cannery Row in Monterey puts that into perspective.

Engrossed from beginning to end. Steinbeck‘s Of Mice and Men transforms the bond of friendship displaying that the search for happiness is happiness itself with a friendship, even one so inverse as the relationship between George and Lennie. The ending could be thought of as the antithesis of friendship but was depicted on my humble opinion a kindness paid in the hardest way possible.

Another truly remarkable book from Hardy. Sauntering into the serene landscapes of southern England meandering through the trails surrounded by Larches, Elms, and the peering eyes of the unknown. Hardy‘s Woodlanders is a masterpiece depicting love, false and true in the midst of false pretense or a loyalty so deep that it spans a lifetime.

For starters, I am not a big fan of traditional prose, it is tedious, repetitive, and boring in execution, especially when written in Olde Middle English. Also, I can‘t fathom why this work has received such praise when I can think of a hundred other works that far exceed it in execution, storyline, character development, style, class, and especially a much more compelling plot than any of the tales that Chaucer had written. 1/5 at best.

Flowers to my lovely wife Garima for our 7th wedding anniversary. The quote I used “I shall do one thing in this life, one thing certain, that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you until I die,” captured me from Thomas Hardy‘s Far from the Madding Crowd. ❤️

After watching the Tom Hanks and Del Toro versions, I couldn‘t help but wonder at the difference of the motion picture vs the original children‘s classic from 1876. Collodi‘s classic is more geared toward a nineteenth century reader that has scarcer resources, whereby a child has to behave and most likely grow into the trade their parents possessed in order to thrive due to the lack of educational resources at that time. Rating: Book over Movie.

After finishing this novel, I am reminded of the saying, “you are who your friends are.” This book displays the unhealthy relationship between two men who have not progressed in maturity and have decidedly regressed themselves in debauchery, drugs, and alcohol while traveling back and forth through the country with no real aim in life. What seems to me an empty and hollow life that can be learned from as opposed to being engaged in. 4/10.

Went to PA to visit with friends, after leaving I happened to come across a bookstore. I told myself I wouldn‘t buy another book this year…. I need to start setting realistic goals and expectations for myself.

I picked this up on a whim at a habitat for humanity down in Pittsboro, North Carolina a couple years back and honestly did not expect to like it. A bit simple throughout but I couldn‘t help getting vested in the characters and the story as a whole. I enjoyed the pieces of Italian history, architecture, and opera throughout and I would say overall that this was a fun and enjoyable read.

Well! It was tough, but I did it! I sold 13 books to my local bookstore for store credit and walked out with three that I have been wanting to read for some time.

Quick question for all my readers out there, to donate or not to donate? That is the question. I have read all of these amongst other works. These in particular I did not enjoy and have decided to sell them to my local bookstore at a loss and whatever they do not want, I would donate to the local library. I had a hard time letting go, but came to the conclusion that I would never reread them, and it would be better in someone else‘s hands.

After reading Dante‘s trilogy of the Divine Comedy I am ready to mail my copy to my cousin who enjoyed the inferno. He has not read Purgatorio and Paradiso yet and I hope he will better appreciate the other two as much as the Inferno. I for one enjoyed very little and wanted to know from my fellow readers, Do you you keep books you read and disliked? I did for some time but have started to keep only books that I have enjoyed and will reread again.

I have to say that I really enjoyed Hardy‘s short story compilation. Different themes throughout and even an unexpected witch story that I would most definitely reread. Highly recommend, perfect for a road trip or a train ride on the pacific coast.

I‘m not a strong advocate for the writings of William Faulkner, as it is clear that the authors close minded views are developed within the framework of his work. Racially biased and strong stereotypical attitudes are often purported throughout, but also have a contradictory and opposite effect on what the author was trying to portray of displaying how short sighted the post civil war south was, ie segregation, Jim Crow, & the lack of humanity.

Displays how fate can be all powerful, that when one is destined to a certain end, that end will be met no matter how divergent the alternate path may be. The Aeneid portrays destiny but also portrays the human animal spirits lust for war and constant imperialism throughout the ages. In every civilization, no matter how powerful, will irrevocably dwindle back down to their pre-imperial state or worse. “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”

Another one of Hardy‘s books that do not disappoint. This was a short story but still had some depth. After reading several of his novels, you can see this being one of his earlier works as he has developed further as a writer as time passed on between novels. I really enjoyed the antiquated, hardy characters set in the pastoral English scene, painted by the author in a way that no other could match.

I am sorry to say that was the worst book I have ever read from cover to cover. Never again will I reread this monstrosity. This novel does not deserve the acclaim that it receives. Disjointed in perpetuity whereby the common tongue throughout the book was gibberish. Reading this novel according to literary reviews can be life or mind changing, the only thing that this novel has changed was my opinion of the author.

Praphupada‘s purports if anything makes one contradict the actual teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, also the translators lifestyle contradict the teachings of goodness. Furthermore how does one in 15th century England or any other residing country in that time have the ability or linguistic capacity to have the knowledge of the Gita? That person would not have the opportunity, therefore it makes me further skeptical of the teachings as a whole.

Intimate in that the reader is able to view a first person perspective in a thought by thought analysis of the main characters and their psychological response to their environment , thoughts, and people around them. By getting into the everyday minutiae and the innate response of the mind depending on one‘s psychological makeup displaying differing emotions, perspectives, and mindset or diagnosis for that matter. That being said,

Published posthumously as it was Charlotte‘s first and not well received work. After reading The Professor, I am baffled that it was not published straight away. I find this one of the better books out of the three sisters, having now read them all. I would rate this right up with Jane Eyre, but only more condensed. I enjoyed the narrators character and the many principles that were instilled in the novel. Highly underrated and undervalued. ❤️

Well! That was an ending that I was not anticipating. One in which could be interpreted in a variety of ways. I would give you my interpretation but wouldn‘t want to spoil the novel for you. Overall, I enjoyed the book, some chapters could have benefited with being less redundant and more concise. I found it engaging but having read all of the Brontë sister works other than The Professor, I would say Jane Eyre is the greatest overall. 2 Paws Up!

Estate Sale book haul! A friend from work came to be about an estate sale nearby my house, whomever the inhabitants of the house were, they were arduous readers and had one of the most prolific collections I have laid eyes on! Antique books dating back to the mid 1800s, I picked up a collection of George Elliott from 1904 along with various other early edition paperbacks. I also purchased a tote from the sale to haul my booty!

Franny & Zooey, what can I say but definitely worth the time reading. Delves into the conscious of the young adult finding him and herself and the building of self awareness and the self itself. Not recommend for younger audiences as the language can be a bit profane at times. The dialogue in this story was first rate in the way it was written, it places you right there, in the story. Would be a good play or movie, if it hasn‘t already been done.

Book haul from my birthday trip to the Hudson River valley and Ithaca, NY. Not that it was necessary for an excuse to buy any new books, but having one made it that much more fun!