Jack Baty
I enjoyed this a great deal. Not so much the big ideas, but rather the little things. Particular sentences or passages. Phrases like “Harpo progression”, “hyperscoot”, and “Slokum Dies Friday”. Elaborate setups around impressing a girl could go on for ten or more pages and I loved them.
I knew going in that the book was nearly 1,100 pages long, but at around 800 pages in I was doing that Chevy Chase head-bob move at the Grand Canyon in “Vacation”. I kept thinking, “Let's get on with it already,” so I rushed through 100 pages or so to get to the concluding 100 pages, which were both frustrating and exhilerating.
I had trouble getting over the fact that no 10-year-old kid in history has ever talked like Gurion, even if he is (maybe) a messiah. I would have given “The Instructions” 5 stars if it were 300 pages shorter and if the kid wasn't such an asshole.
I didn't realize I was in the mood for a 500+ page “space opera” until shortly after starting Leviathan Wakes. A little mystery, a little horror, a little action thriller, and a lot of fun.
I don't have the time or energy to finish a book telling me I need to think about more time and energy. DNF.
Fun and fascinating stories spanning the rise and decline of Polaroid. Made me grab my SX-70 and shoot a few!
Putting this aside for now. I keep thinking, “Well that was a lot of words not saying much.” I'm half-way through it so maybe it'll add up to something. So far it reads like an all-over-the-map academic hippy manifesto without benefit of an editor. I'll probably be accused of “not getting it” and so be it.
“Messy” is filled with contrarian examples and anecdotes disputing the modern idea that the only way to be productive or creative is by sitting at a spotless desk in an empty room while Jonathan Ive stands behind you whispering design mantras in dulcet tones.
On the other hand, a spotless desk works wonders for some people.
I liked the book's easily-digestible format, but I didn't find it terribly useful overall. Worth the read, though.
I'll probably read any new book about typewrites. It's nice to even have them. “The Typewriter Revolution” was thorough and informative. I could have done without the “Insurgency!” bits and probably didn't need the defensiveness around typists being called “hipsters”. Otherwise, a fun read.
I imagine Catherynne Valente thought to herself...
I think I'll write something sort of like Douglas Adams, but with MORE!
Love the idea of sending someone's consciousness back into a memory, dead memories, rewriting timelines, etc. Characters were interesting. Would've liked more Slade. It got a little wound up toward the end.
As funny and fun as “John Dies at the End”. Books like this are made for me. Someone described them as “Nonchalant Absurdism” and that just about nails it. I smiled and/or laughed the entire time.
Wonderful, fascinating book.
Reading the stories about and technical approach behind each photo was riveting. I loved every one of them.
Reading “The Reason I Jump” is the best way I've found to improve one's understanding of how a person with Autism thinks and feels. It's an amazing perspective, described well, by 13-year-old Naoki.
It was fine. More like “Ready Player Six”, I'd say.
I enjoy the occasional pop culture reference, but good lord that was a lot of them.
I knew I was in trouble when, as soon as he met a girl, I said to myself, “How much you bet he accidentally says something clever and they kiss before the day is out.”, and whaddaya know. Of course that's what happened.
Also, “The Last Starfighter” and “Enders Game” did this already, and arguably better. Still, it was a quick, mildly entertaining read.
Very fun read. Imaginative and delightful overall. I only wish I understood the purpose of changing everyone's name every third sentance.