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Tolstoy wrote of all unhappy families being unhappy in different ways, well here's an unhappy family for the ages. In Tropper's book a vaguely Jewish family is forced to sit Shiva, trapped in a house for seven days, after their father dies. Chaos ensues. But it's not just funny or just painful, Tropper somehow captures the little joys, the pain, the humor, the hurt, the bordem and the anguish of life as the family tries to survive their time together. Best book I've read this year.
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(4 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Being a vampire isn't what it looks like in the movies. Think about it, you don't immediately get fabulously wealthy, you still have to pay rent, and you can't go outside in the light of day. Plus, if you're like Dave, your master is a psychotic capitalist from the old world (Transylvania) determined to make your life hell.
But for Dave, the one part of the day (actually night) he looks forward to is when Rosa, a vampire wannabe who has no clue that vampires are real, comes into the Last Stop (the convenience store Dave will spend all eternity working the night shift at).
Rosa and Dave eventually strike up a friendship and possibly more, but not without some roadblocks. One of which happens to be Dave's 'brother,' they were made by the same vampire, Wes. Wes is a hot blonde surfer who loves women, and loves killing them for sport. Dave, on the other hand, is a vegetarian who gets his plasma from a blood bank and refuses to kill.
Who wins in this epic battle. Read and find out.
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(8 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
Oscar is maybe the last true romantic left on the planet. He is a fierce lover of women, though his major problem lies in them loving him back, and he is a writer of Science Fiction, which may contribute to his solid role as the friend and confidante. But for Oscar Wao and his brief life, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and he may be the last person willing to give it all up for love. A wonderful and moving book about not fitting in, and finally having something to live and die for.
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(11 of 23 readers found this comment helpful)
As I was reading this book I was skeptical that Junot Diaz would be able to end it in any way that wouldn't make me hate it. Much to my joy, he ended it in the only way it should have ended. Oscar is a great protagonist, you feel so much for him, but unlike most protagonists, it's not just that you're rooting for him. You feel sad, embarrassed, even angered by him, until the end when you realize that he may just be the most perfect person ever. What a pleasure this book was to read, I loved it.
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(14 of 23 readers found this comment helpful)
Anthropological stripping is Diablo Cody's chosen profession, or it was before she became a big hit screenwriter. Quirky wit that she's becoming known for makes this book an absolute pleasure to read. She's fearless in what she'll discuss. She obviously is very ambivalent about the actual profession of stripping and its implications for women, but she has utmost respect for her fellow strippers...just don't call it exotic dancing. It's not hard to see why she's making waves in Hollywood...and why she's soon to win a little gold statue.
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(10 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
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Julia Callahan has commented on (12) products.
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
Julia Callahan, August 8, 2009
Tolstoy wrote of all unhappy families being unhappy in different ways, well here's an unhappy family for the ages. In Tropper's book a vaguely Jewish family is forced to sit Shiva, trapped in a house for seven days, after their father dies. Chaos ensues. But it's not just funny or just painful, Tropper somehow captures the little joys, the pain, the humor, the hurt, the bordem and the anguish of life as the family tries to survive their time together. Best book I've read this year.(4 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Life Sucks by Jessica Abel
Julia Callahan, May 19, 2008
Being a vampire isn't what it looks like in the movies. Think about it, you don't immediately get fabulously wealthy, you still have to pay rent, and you can't go outside in the light of day. Plus, if you're like Dave, your master is a psychotic capitalist from the old world (Transylvania) determined to make your life hell.But for Dave, the one part of the day (actually night) he looks forward to is when Rosa, a vampire wannabe who has no clue that vampires are real, comes into the Last Stop (the convenience store Dave will spend all eternity working the night shift at).
Rosa and Dave eventually strike up a friendship and possibly more, but not without some roadblocks. One of which happens to be Dave's 'brother,' they were made by the same vampire, Wes. Wes is a hot blonde surfer who loves women, and loves killing them for sport. Dave, on the other hand, is a vegetarian who gets his plasma from a blood bank and refuses to kill.
Who wins in this epic battle. Read and find out.
(8 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Julia Callahan, April 19, 2008
Oscar is maybe the last true romantic left on the planet. He is a fierce lover of women, though his major problem lies in them loving him back, and he is a writer of Science Fiction, which may contribute to his solid role as the friend and confidante. But for Oscar Wao and his brief life, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and he may be the last person willing to give it all up for love. A wonderful and moving book about not fitting in, and finally having something to live and die for.(11 of 23 readers found this comment helpful)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Julia Callahan, February 19, 2008
As I was reading this book I was skeptical that Junot Diaz would be able to end it in any way that wouldn't make me hate it. Much to my joy, he ended it in the only way it should have ended. Oscar is a great protagonist, you feel so much for him, but unlike most protagonists, it's not just that you're rooting for him. You feel sad, embarrassed, even angered by him, until the end when you realize that he may just be the most perfect person ever. What a pleasure this book was to read, I loved it.(14 of 23 readers found this comment helpful)
Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper by Diablo Cody
Julia Callahan, February 16, 2008
Anthropological stripping is Diablo Cody's chosen profession, or it was before she became a big hit screenwriter. Quirky wit that she's becoming known for makes this book an absolute pleasure to read. She's fearless in what she'll discuss. She obviously is very ambivalent about the actual profession of stripping and its implications for women, but she has utmost respect for her fellow strippers...just don't call it exotic dancing. It's not hard to see why she's making waves in Hollywood...and why she's soon to win a little gold statue.(10 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
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