Tag: Friendship

The Great Believers Rebecca Makkai

Living and Dying in Times of Crisis: The Great Believers, by Rebecca Makkai

July 19, 2018

“It’s always a matter, isn’t it, of waiting for the world to come unraveled? When things hold together, it’s only temporary.” Simply put, The Great Believers is a novel about the fragility of life; how tenuous our grasp on it–and each other–is. It is also beautiful, honest, and funny. I am not ashamed to admit that … More Living and Dying in Times of Crisis: The Great Believers, by Rebecca Makkai

Harbor Me Jacqueline Woodson

Why Stories Matter: Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson

July 15, 2018

Harbor Me is a timely intermediate novel about the importance of stories, of empathy, and of understanding. It’s about how the things that make us different can bind us together and make us all better–if only we’re willing to connect with each other. Six kids of varied backgrounds are put in a room together one … More Why Stories Matter: Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson

Book Review: A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara

January 19, 2016

“…things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully.” A Little Life is the story of four friends who meet in college. Ostensibly, it follows their friendship throughout the decades that follow, but the … More Book Review: A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara

Book Review: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg

August 1, 2015

“You never know what’s in a person’s heart until they’re tested, do you?” I’ve been a fan of the movie adaptation Fried Green Tomatoes for a great many years. I also enjoyed Fannie Flagg on countless episodes of The Match Game thanks to reruns on The Game Show Network, so it was with great joy and … More Book Review: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg

Book Review: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

July 20, 2014

“You can’t erase history, or change it. It would be like destroying yourself.” At 36, Tsukuru Tazaki has settled into a determined rut. He has no close friends, no long-term relationships, and no pets. There is nothing tying him to anyone or anything else. His job is ostensibly what he has always been most passionate … More Book Review: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage