Kevin > Recent Status Updates

"While I didn't love it, or even like it... but I appreciated it more after finishing it. The third part redeems the rest of the book to an extent.
I began reading this in preparation for a return visit to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This is one of my favorite places in the world, and I looked forward to a novel that would help me feel more connected to the region, but I can't say this novel did that for me."

While I didn't love it, or even like it... but I appreciated it more after finishing it. The third part redeems the rest of the book to an extent.
I began reading this in preparation for a return visit to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This is one of my favorite places in the world, and I looked forward to a novel that would help me feel more connected to the region, but I can't say this novel did that for me.

250 pages in, still kinda wondering if this guy is ever going to actually condemn the Nazis. Everything is completely matter of fact. I could imagine a modern neo-nazi reading this and finding absolutely none of it objectable.

I really wish everyone who gave me "Catcher in the Rye" as an angsty teenager would have given me this instead.

This is the best short explanation I've ever read of Japan's history and interactions with the West before World War II. Tough topic but amazing writing so far.

I wanted to do a midway-ish update to collect some thoughts on this. I can't remember a book I've alternately enjoyed and been frustrated by so much. The core of this book is insightful, enjoyable, and engaging. The co-narratives of Brooke's own experiences searching for and building a guitar with a local luthier and the history of American music are really well done. There are so many frustrations though (Part 1/2)