An American Family, About Alice, Living Dead in Dallas, Dave Barry’s Only Travel Guide, Being Perfect Mini Reviews
by Jenners • 06/17/2010 • 2 Stars, 3 Stars, 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, A Titles, B Authors, B Titles, D Titles, H Authors, L Titles, Q Authors, S Authors, T Authors • 25 Comments
I’m getting so horribly far behind in writing book reviews, I realized I had to do something about it. My solution was to write the following mini reviews.
Brief Summary: Photographer Pam Spaulding spent three decades photographing the McGarvey family from Louisville, Kentucky. Starting in 1977 after the birth of the couple’s first baby and continuing until 2007, this book contains a selection of photos from this timeframe–allowing you to literally watch the family grow up before your eyes. Although there is some text in the book, the majority of the book consists of full-page black and white photos, often with photos from two different decades facing each other.
Brief Thoughts: This book was just fascinating, and once I started paging through it, I couldn’t stop. It was also interesting to learn how this project grew and developed and to hear from both parties how the relationship grew and evolved. Be sure to look for your chance to win a copy in my July giveaway.
Brief Summary: Trillin’s wife Alice made frequent appearances in his writing, and it was obvious he loved her fully and deeply. This little book, written five years after her death from cancer, chronicles their love story, paints a portrait of a talented and generous woman, and pays tribute to the woman of whom Trillin wrote: “I wrote this for Alice. Actually, I wrote everything for Alice.”
Brief Thoughts: Touching and often amusing (as Trillin often is), this book is a lovely tribute to a special woman and a tender look at a strong marriage between soul mates. If only all of us could be so lucky to be loved and adored like Alice obviously was.
Brief Summary: The second book of the Sookie Stackhouse series, Sookie (a telepath from Bon Temps, Louisiana) is “loaned out” to the vampires of Dallas to discover the whereabouts of a missing vampire. Supernatural creatures abound, Sookie and Bill hit some speed bumps in their relationships, and murder and mayhem ensue. And, oh yeah, there is a murder in Bon Temps to investigate too.
Brief Thoughts: Harris has a light touch and a sense of fun that make these books a hoot. Plus Harris isn’t afraid to throw a bit of sex into the mix. If you’re looking for steamy, funny, supernatural hijinks, this book would be a perfect pick.
Brief Summary: A goofy book about travel (both domestic and international) by popular funnyman Dave Barry. My personal favorite part was his description of the fifty states and their highlights.
Brief Thoughts: If you’ve ever read a Dave Barry book, I suspect you know exactly what this book is like already. This was a fun “bathroom” read, and I neither highly recommend this book or don’t recommend it. It is what it is.
Brief Summary: This 48-page book (half of which are photos!) is an essay on why we should all give up the burden of perfectionism.
Brief Thoughts (But Really A Rant): I can’t even begin to tell you how annoyed I am that this “book” is being sold for $12.95 ($17.95 in Canada). And this isn’t even Quindlen’s first offense of this nature!!! She did the same thing with A Short Guide to A Happy Life (with the emphasis being on “short”). There is nothing in here you can’t find somewhere else for considerably less money or for free. I literally read the entire book while eating lunch! I used to like Quindlen, but think her writing has gone steadily downhill. (I thought her novel Rise and Shine was horrible. But at least you got over 200 pages!) This feels like a popular author doing a money grab, and I, for one, am annoyed by it.
To find out what other bloggers are saying about the books discussed in this post, visit the Book Blogs Search Engine.
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I love your mini-reviews! I can so relate about falling behind on reviews! I have to do something to catch up!!!
And Anna Quindlen and I parted ways awhile back…her writing has definitely commercialized and become stagnant!
Quindlen must have written an awfully short book or you had a long lunch and sped read. Sheesh, I would feel so ripped off if i spent 13 bux for that!!
Just reading about About Alice makes my eyes burn — it is so moving and a book I read or listen to at least once a year.
Sookie is so much fun, I'm glad you're reading her.
I loved Quindlen's columns in the New York Times (in the 80s, I think), but I gave up on her books a while back.
I remember Kathy's review of American Family and think it would be fascinating to look through.
Well, at least the Quindlen book was from PBS and not bought retail – small comfort though, I know.
I'll be doing mini-reviews of some Harry Potter books soon for the same reason. It's been really easy to get behind with reviews lately.
Your mini reviews were perfect. And now I have to write myself a sticky note to come back for your American Family giveaway. I would love that one.
I need to catch up on reviews too. I just listened to my first Dave Barry book and have to say I was a little disappointed. Thanks for linking to my review.
I love these mini book reviews. Looks like you hit a Quindlen "stinker" too
I remember KAthy talking about An American Family and its does sound interesting.
I read one of her books years ago, but nothing since then. There are a few authors who publish these small books and it makes me not want to support them anymore!
Love your rant
I like doing mini-reviews. Some times I don't need 6 paragraphs on a book, just your brief thoughts and a rating. Plus it's great for catching up on reviews.
I've been debating reading the Sookie Stackhouse books. I've heard good things, but haven't decided if I should dive in yet.
I've enjoyed some of Quindlen's work, but I agree, publishing a "book" like that is so shady.
After reading Rise and Shine (I, too, needed a Q book for my author challenge), I decided, "No more Anna Quindlen." Your review confirms that for me.
I've read all the Sookie Stackhouse books (Charlaine Harris comes from my neck of the woods) and love them!!
I've never been a big fan of Quindlen.
I find myself becoming increasingly annoyed with Quindlen too. It just feels like she is publishing things to make money and gets away with it because she has the name recognition. If she were Ms. Nobody, she'd never get a book like this published!
I think my husband read "About Alice." He was very impressed with it.
Quindlen..and her publisher.. should be ashmaed of themselves.
I love the fact that these reviews were kept short but sweet, a very comprehensive look. Having read all the 'True Blood' books I thought you summed this up beautifully.
I swear every single book blogger has a plot to make my booklist so long I'll be 90 before I finish it. Plus my To Read "shelf" is now 2.5 shelves, and they're all in order.
And I read all the books my parents get for birthday gifts, or get in general….this includes parenting books (they have some useful strategies for dealing with little siblings and cousins, too) and whatever my mom is reading for her book club. The only problem is, with four kids, my mom has so little time to read she takes forever to finish it.
I love your reviews, long or short. About Alice sounds like I need to read it.
I loved About Alice. I've liked Trillin for a long time.
And Dave Barry is always a predictable, silly read.
An American Family one sounds like watching the neighbors through the picture window…who doesn't love being a voyeur, just a little?
I can't remember what Anna Quindlen book I read, but I hated it…have not headed toward her name since.
And I keep missing the first Sookie Stackhouse book at my library – I heard good stuff about the series in my Yahoo book group.
I'm currently reading Innocent, by Scott Turow. Even though it's been ages since I read his first book, this is written so you can easily slip back into the story, and get reacquainted with the original characters.
Seriously considering a mini-review session. I am behind, and I can't seem to get caught up because I am trying to catch up on blog visiting, trying to read the current book, trying to listen fast to current audio because the freaking Hornet's Nest is waiting for me, trying to work out, trying to clean my house….aaaaaah! Help!!!
How disappointing about the Quindlen book! An American Family sounds awesome.
I'm a nut for anything by Charlaine Harris….love that woman!
Mini-reviews are awesome. More of us should do this!
An American Family looks really interesting. I'll have to pick that one up.
I like your new blog header. I usually read the posts in Google Reader so hopefully it hasn't been around for months and I'm just now noticing.
I know what you mean about being behind in posting reviews. Seems like every time I sit down to right one, something comes up.
I definitely wouldn't want to spend money on that Quindlen book, but then again, I don't usually read books like that. But still, I see your point about the "money grab."
–Anna
If I waited to write reviews, I'd forget EVERYTHING. Very impressed!
I agree – the Quindlen thing should have been a magazine article or something.
Charlaine Harris: hoshy. (hot and trashy) (not really, but that's my new favorite word) LOVE Charlaine Harris!