Cooper
This book has some great insights, and is littered with smart pull quotes, but overall, was a slog to get through. Like a lot of nonfiction today, its hard to justify its existence as a full book, and not just a few blog posts.
Though it was a great read about one of the most interesting companies in the world, this book was twice as long as it should have been. Having said that, some of the stories and background about ESPN was unlike anything you'll read anywhere else, this book truly is a fully comprehensive history of ESPN. I would have liked to see more attention given to ESPN.com, and similarly, and idea of where ESPN is headed in the future, but I supposes this was an oral HISTORY. Reads incredibly quickly once you get into it.
4.5 My first Murakami. Loved his honest, humorous, philosophical voice throughout this book. I'm not sure I've ever highlighted a book so much. It took me a little while to really start reading this, but once I did, I made short work of it.
My only complaint of this book was that it was too short - I could have read this book for another 200 pages. One of the best historical fiction narratives I've ever come across.
I love the way Cullen chose to present the story of Columbine, the shootings, the victims, and the killers themselves. The first part of the book is concerned with the events on and around April 20th, 1999. Each chapter begins in that timeframe, but as events take place, he jumps back in time to give context to the events you're reading about : bios of the victims, history of the town, etc. This jumping around proves to be much more effective in helping the reader keep all of the individuals and events straight, rather than a more linear approach.
The second part of the book is dedicated more to the larger questions surrounding the tragedy. How would the community recover? Who was to blame? And most importantly, what pushed these kids to the edge. Cullen debunks many myths throughout, none more strongly than the story of two goths out to get revenge on a group of jocks.
There's parts of this book that were difficult to read. I hope that doesn't stop anybody from reading the most detailed, accurate, and fair accounts of the tragedy that occurred a decade ago.
“but only he/she knew the terrible secret they were carrying”
basically how every chapter ended.
A ton of foreshadowing and smoke and mirrors. The end was satisfying, but not quite worth putting up with repetitive, flat, chalk-full of cliche writing throughout.
Didn't realize until this book that I could completely dislike the story being told but still enjoy the themes being presented throughout.
My first venture into Kerouac. Absolutely fascinating to watch the stages of his breakdown, yet he ends on such an optimistic note. (and then a poem that I was unable to comprehend).
I marked at least five sections where Kerouac's ability to perceive and articulate his circumstance and environment were unlike anything I had ever read. Pure brilliance and clarity, even in the midst of madness.
Makes me want to go back and read On The Road, but I definitely need to take a break from him for a bit.
25%-75% was fantastic. But Donna Tart doesn't know how to write endings. So disappointing
An interesting story, despite the author being a really terrible writer. He repeats himself countless times and appears to just completely give up the last 1/3 of the book.
My first foray into the Zombie genre. Reminds me a lot of Vietnam and World War II historical fiction that I've read in the past, with soldiers longing for a return to normal (though they know it will never arrive). The narrative style jumps back and forth a lot, which was actually a really great way to tell this story, but it did make it difficult at times to pick back up and remember where you had left off. Overall, great read, and definitely good for baby's first Zombie book. I suppose World War Z is next
Brilliant illustrations...absolutely worth it in that respect. The story, however, is a bit convoluted. Still, well worth the quick read