This is a rich and layered novel with a long cast of generations of characters that span 150+ years and revolve around traveling through the country and a train with passengers connected in seemingly non-obvious ways. There are a lot of characters in this novel and yet they are each layered with rich backstories and it’s easy to get attached to each and every one of them. An excellent excellent novel.
I tried but finally DNF’ing at 39% so I will not rate this one. While some of the ideas in the book are interesting and welcoming to me, the style in which this is written is really hard for me to follow and causes the ideas to lack depth in a way that makes my mind meander.
I discovered Kolbie Blume randomly on Pinterest and fell in love with her art and her videos. I then signed up for her two 10-day challenges which was life changing and filled up all my days with beautiful art. And then I finally tracked down her books and got them. I think doing it in that order was actually the best fit for me and allowed me to hear her voice as I read the book and completed the projects in this book. I highly recommend doing it this way. I liked the seascapes one a little more than this one, just for the projects but both of Kolbie’s books are awesome.
One of my absolute favorites for 2022 by a long, long mile. This clever, funny book is unlike anything I’ve read in a long, long time. I loved every moment I spent with it and even though I thought the ending bordered on the absurd, I still laughed out loud for most of this hilarious and smart book. Highly recommended.
I discovered Kolbie Blume randomly on Pinterest and fell in love with her art and her videos. I then signed up for her two 10-day challenges which was life changing and filled up all my days with beautiful art. And then I finally tracked down her books and got them. I think doing it in that order was actually the best fit for me and allowed me to hear her voice as I read the book and completed the projects in this book. I highly recommend doing it this way. Love love loved this book.
Not terrible but also not amazing. Sarah Pinborough’s books are always unusual and require a suspension of disbelief. This one is no exception. But it’s still interesting, engrossing and worthwhile.
Jonathan Franzen can write. He also can create 3dimensional characters that jump out of the page and stick with you for a long, long time. I put off reading this book because it was so long and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to a book for this long if it wasn’t going to be excellent.
But alas it was quite excellent.
I loved each of the characters in their own ways and their imperfections and their willingness and ability to grow. I cannot wait to read the next one.
I’ve been journaling since I was in third grade. I remember (and still have) my first diary. I still find journaling to be the most useful tool to help ground myself, to understand my thoughts and to figure out a path forward for myself when I am stuck. This book has a collection of chapters by different contributors, each telling you a different kind of journaling or a different place, way, goal to journal. I found it to be incredibly inspiring and I can’t wait to sit and try some of these other methods that I don’t usually do. If you’re into journaling, or have wanted to journal, this book is guaranteed to inspire you.
with gratitude to edelweiss and Mango Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.