Nan > Recent Status Updates

I "DNR'd" this one. While this is popular, it wasn't for me.

I have read this book at a snail’s pace because, frankly, I have not enjoyed it. I do not find this representation of God to resonate with who He is in the Bible nor with Who I know Him to be.

The story is written in the first person and I find the perspective of the narrator egocentric. Also, the perspective is not definitely one of Judaism or Christianity (Catholic or Protestant) and has elements of Gnosticism.

It’s well written, engaging fiction. I’m dragging through, avoiding it. I need it to be more believable. The Jesus of scripture knew God was His Father by the time he was 12. He knew people’s thoughts. He healed people. He raised people from death. Sue Monk Kidd’s Jesus can’t do these things because he has limitations. The Jesus of scripture (my Jesus) is unlimited; He is God.

Finally, at this point, I am thoroughly enjoying reading this book! Glory!

Finally. The climax of the story has taken place and I am on the descent at a rather fast clip. I marvel that I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, each quickly, in January along with 3 other novels. I had so looked forward to this...and had no doubt I would love it. But I have not. Like many say of Wuthering Heights, which I love profoundly, I will say of this, "It is not my favorite. I am glad to have read it."

What makes me drag like I do through reading this book?! At least it has finally garnered my interest. Honestly! This is my 26th book in less than 4 months and my first experience feeling to read requires forced discipline. I marvel that this is seemingly, merely from my unresearched observation, the most favored of classics among readers of classics. The book is well titled. I have little interest in pretense.

I began this book mid April and am dragging. What the heck? This is book number 26 this year and I have anticipated reading it as a treat saved for April! Ends up I like dark, atmospheric books like Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Neverwhere. I'm starting to appreciate it but find it frivolous. Surely I will come around?

The very first words place the reader in an OB-GYN exam, a pap-smear...push on. The story is good and engaging.

Leni Zumas employs a narrative mix of current day and history to introduce the characters by occupation (Biographer, Mender...this is as far as I have read so far).

What strikes me is that I am grateful to Zumas for making me an insider to environments and dynamics I otherwise would never experience.

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a clever writer. I was invested from the first words. Reid writes this story about a writer hired to write a story. The main character is a journalist. Reid narrates like a journalist. Part I ends with a question. Part II's title is the answer. Reid's simplistic style renders the very present depth seemingly nonexistent. All of this is clever. The 50 page DNF rule does not apply.

p. 175..." 'She dated him?' Drayton tucked his chin down and stared over his glasses. His right eyebrow twitched crazily; he did not look amused. 'You're making this up,' he finally declared in a flat voice. 'In a brazen attempt to completely muddle my poor mind."

This excerpt is an example of Laura Childs skill of creating enjoyable, fleshed out characters.

What tops a 20+ book series with characters you adore?