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A Dysfunctional Life
A Dysfunctional Life is a compilation of short stories about eight individuals dealing with serious life struggles. A woman fighting an eating disorder. A man coping with the end of a close relationship. A mother mourning separation from her daughter. Every life is cloaked in sadness, but it’s up to each individual to figure out how to cope and move on.
46 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2015
7 people want to read
About the author
Kari Nichols
5 books54 followersKari is a romance, historical fiction, and fantasy author. She was inspired to write after moving to the colorful and energetic city of New York. She and her husband now live in France and spend as much time as possible traveling across Europe. Kari's passion for creating art was developed from the time she was a child. Her artistic endeavors have ranged from music composition to photography to fashion design, but writing novels is far and away her favorite artistic outlet. She can often be found wrapped up in her favorite blanket, writing her next novel with a cup of hot tea in hand. Kari is also a professional wedding photographer with her husband at Cottonwood Studios.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 4, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t typically read short stories, but these are amazing! There is so much life packed into these pages. This collection may be small, but it is mighty! There is a simplicity and a clarity to Nichols’ style that allows the narrative in each story to shine and that propels the reader straight through to the end. It is amazing how, in such a short amount of time, I became very invested in each character in each story. And the connection between the stories is subtly done. The word masterful comes to mind.
The first story, Committed, literally gave me chills. The story titled A Kept Secret, I read over and over again, convinced that the next time I would find the secret the story alludes to (I did, eventually). Happy Birthday made me cry — ugly, ugly crocodile tears, cry.
This was originally described to me as something I could read in three short segments. Uh-uh. Devour this. Read it straight through, then re-read it, then re-read your favorites. I do believe this is a collection I will come back to again and again. It is timeless, and it is poignant. Well done!
I don’t typically read short stories, but these are amazing! There is so much life packed into these pages. This collection may be small, but it is mighty! There is a simplicity and a clarity to Nichols’ style that allows the narrative in each story to shine and that propels the reader straight through to the end. It is amazing how, in such a short amount of time, I became very invested in each character in each story. And the connection between the stories is subtly done. The word masterful comes to mind.
The first story, Committed, literally gave me chills. The story titled A Kept Secret, I read over and over again, convinced that the next time I would find the secret the story alludes to (I did, eventually). Happy Birthday made me cry — ugly, ugly crocodile tears, cry.
This was originally described to me as something I could read in three short segments. Uh-uh. Devour this. Read it straight through, then re-read it, then re-read your favorites. I do believe this is a collection I will come back to again and again. It is timeless, and it is poignant. Well done!
February 14, 2016
One of the better books I have read this year and I am so glad I got the opportunity to do so. Each story is an insightful fragment of life which blends into a fulfilling whole at the end of the book. The language is crisp and neat. The author is empathetic to her characters and transfers that feeling to her reader. Being a writer in a similar genre, I admire the smooth skill with which the protagonists and story unfold. Definitely worth a read.
February 6, 2016
A Dysfunctional Life by Kari Nichols is like a diary where she documents life's stories. Written in the first person, each story is told from the perspective of the characters involved. It is a book about many things,such as dysfunctionality, relationships, mental issues, and so on. Interestingly written, each chapter reads like a diary or a personal account of various characters on various issues which are mostly poignant.
May 20, 2015
Since I was a crisis social worker for 9 yrs. This was right down my alley.
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violence, adult content or language &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written could be true-to-life book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. Wow, short & sweet to the point & a very clever ending. 1 you must read to the very end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violence, adult content or language &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written could be true-to-life book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. Wow, short & sweet to the point & a very clever ending. 1 you must read to the very end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 30, 2015
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book starts out powerful. It was 3am when I finished the first story and my eyes were wide with the terrifying image it put in my brain that I decided to put it off till the sun was shining.
A mother, a daughter, a son, a best friend, a girl friend, a sister. All these stories seem unconnected at first but slowly I started putting the pieces together.
Kari Nichols' writing was amazing and the characters' stories grasp you so tightly, you can't get free. I was confused but all that was laid to rest as I continued reading.
These stories show other peoples' pain and suffering. How they're trying to get better and move on. It shows how certain things you've believed for a long time can change in an instant.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a quick read and I liked the way it started and ended. It was the final pieces coming together for me. There is no question of 'what happens next?'.
Warnings: mentions of violence, gore, sex, suicide, mental illness and eating disorders.
This book starts out powerful. It was 3am when I finished the first story and my eyes were wide with the terrifying image it put in my brain that I decided to put it off till the sun was shining.
A mother, a daughter, a son, a best friend, a girl friend, a sister. All these stories seem unconnected at first but slowly I started putting the pieces together.
Kari Nichols' writing was amazing and the characters' stories grasp you so tightly, you can't get free. I was confused but all that was laid to rest as I continued reading.
These stories show other peoples' pain and suffering. How they're trying to get better and move on. It shows how certain things you've believed for a long time can change in an instant.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a quick read and I liked the way it started and ended. It was the final pieces coming together for me. There is no question of 'what happens next?'.
Warnings: mentions of violence, gore, sex, suicide, mental illness and eating disorders.
September 29, 2015
After I read the first story in this short book of short stories, I felt chills. It reminded me of something from an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Then, as I read the second story, I didn't see a connection and then realized this was a book of short stories. As I continued to read I realized that I was wrong and these little stories were connected, but the author managed to weave in the connections in such a way that the reader feels as though he/she has discovered their connectivity. I thought it was brilliantly done.
Then, as I read the second story, I didn't see a connection and then realized this was a book of short stories. As I continued to read I realized that I was wrong and these little stories were connected, but the author managed to weave in the connections in such a way that the reader feels as though he/she has discovered their connectivity. I thought it was brilliantly done.
October 15, 2016
Reviewed by: Annie Arcane
Actual Rating: 5 stars
A free copy was provided by the author.
Initial thoughts:
Nine short stories seamlessly woven together. A bold approach to sensitive subject matters. Beautifully written. Will not be forgotten.
What I loved:
Let me start by saying that this book is neither my preferred genre nor length. But it had me hooked from the very start (the first story gave me chills) and the brevity is precisely what delivered such a strong impact. Nichols’ succinct writing style and ability to evoke powerful emotions with so few words blew me away.
While each individual story could easily be enjoyed as a standalone, the way in which they were interconnected was nothing short of brilliant. By the end, I was emotionally invested in every single character. Not only did I feel for them but I felt with them too.
The stories that touched me the most were Happy Birthday, as well as the final story, Changing History. That one brought everything full circle and had my heart in pieces at the same time.
What left me wanting:
Truthfully, I couldn’t pinpoint any areas that really needed work.
I will admit, though, that I had to read this book twice in order to fully comprehend the role of certain characters, as well as the chronological timeline overall. With that being said, I absolutely loved how the ambiguity built up to the conclusion during my initial read, so I wouldn’t change a thing.
Final thoughts:
I would definitely recommend this book. It’s a short, easy read with a serious wow factor.
Actual Rating: 5 stars
A free copy was provided by the author.
Initial thoughts:
Nine short stories seamlessly woven together. A bold approach to sensitive subject matters. Beautifully written. Will not be forgotten.
What I loved:
Let me start by saying that this book is neither my preferred genre nor length. But it had me hooked from the very start (the first story gave me chills) and the brevity is precisely what delivered such a strong impact. Nichols’ succinct writing style and ability to evoke powerful emotions with so few words blew me away.
While each individual story could easily be enjoyed as a standalone, the way in which they were interconnected was nothing short of brilliant. By the end, I was emotionally invested in every single character. Not only did I feel for them but I felt with them too.
The stories that touched me the most were Happy Birthday, as well as the final story, Changing History. That one brought everything full circle and had my heart in pieces at the same time.
What left me wanting:
Truthfully, I couldn’t pinpoint any areas that really needed work.
I will admit, though, that I had to read this book twice in order to fully comprehend the role of certain characters, as well as the chronological timeline overall. With that being said, I absolutely loved how the ambiguity built up to the conclusion during my initial read, so I wouldn’t change a thing.
Final thoughts:
I would definitely recommend this book. It’s a short, easy read with a serious wow factor.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews