jtkretzschmar
Ottawa Public Library
jtkretzschmar's Completed Shelf
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jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Jan 21, 2014
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Jan 17, 2014
Comment:
This book was great! I was really concerned it was going to follow the regular sappy mystery plot line... but it didn't. It was interesting, and I honestly didn't know 'whodunnit' until maybe the last 10 pages. I can't wait for her next.
Added Jan 17, 2014
Comment:
Never have I ever enjoyed a book where I hated the main character SO much. He really was the Worst. Person. Ever. It was a fun book because Coupland was able to poke fun at some of the more ridiculous of human traits through the eyes of someone who hates everything but himself.Never have I ever enjoyed a book where I hated the main character SO much. He really was the Worst. Person. Ever. It was a fun book because Coupland was able to poke fun at some of the more ridiculous of human traits through the eyes of someone who…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2013
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2013
Comment:
A really fun book. I wasn't aware that it followed the children's book 'Where the Wild Things are', so I inadvertently read a YA novel; it brought the magic of a childhood novel that I greatly enjoyed to life.
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 21, 2013
Comment:
As far as books by Miriam Toews go, this was definitely not my favorite. I was not a fan of the writing style, nor was I a fan of the characters. Regardless of all that, this author can tell a story. She may be one of the best story tellers of our time; once again she was able to put herself inside the head of the protagonist girl and really make you feel like she was being true to her heritage.As far as books by Miriam Toews go, this was definitely not my favorite. I was not a fan of the writing style, nor was I a fan of the characters. Regardless of all that, this author can tell a story. She may be one of the best story tellers of our…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 16, 2013
Comment:
This book was disturbing. In the reviews for 'The Dinner' I heard that this novel was actually a better version of the same theme. It really was amazing... it's basically what happens when a sociopath meets her match in an egomaniac. The book didn't turn out like I would have expected... but the 416 pages before the last were perfect.This book was disturbing. In the reviews for 'The Dinner' I heard that this novel was actually a better version of the same theme. It really was amazing... it's basically what happens when a sociopath meets her match in an egomaniac. The book didn't…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 15, 2013
Comment:
This book was rated fairly lowly which I found surprising because so many people read it this year. My feelings towards the novel was that it has an amazing story, it was well-written and hard to put down, but the characters in the novel drove me crazy. I found them all to be self-absorbed and unrelatable . Regardless, I am giving this novel 5 stars because it really was an excellent read.This book was rated fairly lowly which I found surprising because so many people read it this year. My feelings towards the novel was that it has an amazing story, it was well-written and hard to put down, but the characters in the novel drove me…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 11, 2013
Comment:
As per usual Toews made me laugh, cry, angry, happy and horrified within the span of 300 pages. This author really is a Canadian treasure, she makes me thankful that there are still writers who are willing to be this raw about the plot line of this book. Can't wait for her new novel in '14!As per usual Toews made me laugh, cry, angry, happy and horrified within the span of 300 pages. This author really is a Canadian treasure, she makes me thankful that there are still writers who are willing to be this raw about the plot line of this…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2013
Comment:
This was another of those last decision reads as I left the library. I really enjoy starting books that I have little or no idea what the novel is about... the fact that 'Salinger' was in the title, that was just a bonus. This book in a nutshell was about famous authors, and those who follow them - and their ideas. How Langer was able to make a thriller so brilliant that posed these questions, I don't know. I do know however that this book was very worth the read.This was another of those last decision reads as I left the library. I really enjoy starting books that I have little or no idea what the novel is about... the fact that 'Salinger' was in the title, that was just a bonus. This book in a nutshell was…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2013
Comment:
Good story, not very well written. I found it a bit short, and the explanations too quick and 'flighty'. Again the story line was quite interesting, (and horrifying) so I am glad I read this novel.
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 08, 2013
Comment:
I'll keep this brief in the spirit of the novel. This was an amazing book, but does it still count as a book if it only takes a few hours to read? Between the amount of pages and the size of the pages itself... it felt like a long short story. (An amazing one, but a short story nevertheless.) That being said, I enjoyed every page of it, and will make sure to read more of his works.I'll keep this brief in the spirit of the novel. This was an amazing book, but does it still count as a book if it only takes a few hours to read? Between the amount of pages and the size of the pages itself... it felt like a long short story. (An…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 08, 2013
Comment:
I read this book on a recommendation from a friend and it was truly worth it. I generally steer clear of any Coupland novels because I don't enjoy them very much. I think it must've been age related because I found this book to be truer and more engaging then most I've read. I put 'JPod' another one of his, on my to-read shelf because of this novel.I read this book on a recommendation from a friend and it was truly worth it. I generally steer clear of any Coupland novels because I don't enjoy them very much. I think it must've been age related because I found this book to be truer and more…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 07, 2013
Comment:
I mean... who doesn't love a dog book? Especially one with a companion as loyal as this one; what an unbelievable dog. All books like this end up bringing me to tears on several occasions, but this time it was entirely worth it.
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 06, 2013
Comment:
Great read, really disturbing. It definitely questions the idea of nature vs. nurture... or I guess both. I won't go to far into the plot, but I can see why this was rated so low. Generally books as disturbing as this one tend to not do as well.
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2013
Comment:
A very well deserved 5 stars! This book was compared to 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' which was unequivocally my favorite novel growing up. I think this one would have definitely been a contender; something about the strength of the protagonist and the love of her and her mother makes this book so special. I'll likely read this again in the future.A very well deserved 5 stars! This book was compared to 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' which was unequivocally my favorite novel growing up. I think this one would have definitely been a contender; something about the strength of the protagonist and the…
Ghost GirlGhost Girl, BookThe True Story of A Child in Peril and the Teacher Who Saved Her
by Hayden, Torey L.Book - 1991Book, 1991
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 03, 2013
Comment:
What a disturbing book. I remember reading Torey Hayden when I was about 12 years old... after finishing this book, I'm quite sure it was not age appropriate. It was an engaging novel with my only complaint being that sometimes the story line dragged on.
It was like reading Kathy Reichs on steroids.What a disturbing book. I remember reading Torey Hayden when I was about 12 years old... after finishing this book, I'm quite sure it was not age appropriate. It was an engaging novel with my only complaint being that sometimes the story line…
The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and DisappearedThe 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, Book
by Jonasson, JonasBook - 2012Book, 2012
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 02, 2013
Comment:
That was AWESOME. This book was so imaginative and funny, I almost couldn't believe it. Jonasson is primarily a journalist I believe, and he made the main character Allan one of the most important men in history. The moral I have decided to take on this novel, is that even if there you have no political beliefs, or no strong feelings, you can live an amazing existence.That was AWESOME. This book was so imaginative and funny, I almost couldn't believe it. Jonasson is primarily a journalist I believe, and he made the main character Allan one of the most important men in history. The moral I have decided to take on…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Dec 01, 2013
Comment:
I am so thankful I came across this book. I've always been interested (horrified) by what happened in Rwanda in the nineties. This was a wonderful book which also contained a lot of facts about the civil uprising. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can stomach it.I am so thankful I came across this book. I've always been interested (horrified) by what happened in Rwanda in the nineties. This was a wonderful book which also contained a lot of facts about the civil uprising. I highly recommend this book to…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Nov 24, 2013
Comment:
This will be my last post-apocalyptic book I read in a long while. As someone who has had a lung transplant, the idea of a mutant superbug wiping out 99.99% of the population... not really that crazy...
I found Heller's writing style to be disjointed; the book itself was engaging however, and I couldn't go back to sleep until I finished it.This will be my last post-apocalyptic book I read in a long while. As someone who has had a lung transplant, the idea of a mutant superbug wiping out 99.99% of the population... not really that crazy...
I found Heller's writing style to be…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Nov 22, 2013
Comment:
Well that was a fun satire. I picked this book up randomly because it had been recommended to me on more than one occasion. I'm not sure why, but it really reminded me of a good Christopher Lamb novel. I plan to read more of his when I have the time.
One last note, I think this was the EXACT opposite of Chicklit... Dudelit?Well that was a fun satire. I picked this book up randomly because it had been recommended to me on more than one occasion. I'm not sure why, but it really reminded me of a good Christopher Lamb novel. I plan to read more of his when I have the…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Nov 21, 2013
Comment:
A very good first novel. I really hate reading about the end of the World however, and although it was a fairly quick novel, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a 'light' dystopian read.
Escape From Camp 14Escape From Camp 14, BookOne Man's Remarkable Odyssey From North Korea to Freedom in the West
by Harden, BlaineBook - 2012Book, 2012
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Nov 14, 2013
Comment:
What a book! It was so powerful, and so horrifying that I actually became desensitized to the atrocities that North Koreans are subject to. The book is well cited, and the protagonists admission to the things he participated in make the memoir all the more believable.
Side note - the author Blaine Harden is a journalist by trade and this is obvious in his writing style.What a book! It was so powerful, and so horrifying that I actually became desensitized to the atrocities that North Koreans are subject to. The book is well cited, and the protagonists admission to the things he participated in make the memoir all…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Nov 13, 2013
Comment:
I'm not really sure why I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I think it was because I was so horrified by the rampant racism and injustice that is brought upon Native America that I was sickened throughout the entire novel.
I think it was definitely worthy of its national book award, but at no point was I left with any hope whatsoever.I'm not really sure why I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I think it was because I was so horrified by the rampant racism and injustice that is brought upon Native America that I was sickened throughout the entire novel.
I…
jtkretzschmar's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2013
Comment:
I didn't expect to like this book. When I picked it up, it seemed short, and I assumed was going to be written with shock value being the main component of it.
It turned out to be incredibly sad, but really well done. Where I assumed she was going to write the stereotypical ending to the protagonists issues, Farizan surprised me by telling real, human responses to the worst kind of situations.
Very good first novel.I didn't expect to like this book. When I picked it up, it seemed short, and I assumed was going to be written with shock value being the main component of it.
It turned out to be incredibly sad, but really well done. Where I assumed she was…
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