toby65
Vancouver Public Library
toby65's Completed Shelf
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toby65's rating:
Added Oct 08, 2022
Invisible ChildInvisible Child, BookPoverty, Survival & Hope in An American City
by Elliott, AndreaBook - 2021Book, 2021
toby65's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2021
Comment:
An interesting , if very one sided study. The author blames 'the system' for everything that befalls this family. There is apparently no need for personal responsibility - everything that happens is society's fault and failure.
Added Jul 12, 2020
toby65's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2020
Added Jan 31, 2020
Comment:
Hey VPL, how about ordering 1 or (gasp) maybe 2 ebook copies.
It's 2020 and so many physical books make little sense.
Added Jul 10, 2019
Comment:
Intense at times, this novel can be hard going.
I was relieved to be finished with it, in spite of its outstanding literary quality.
toby65's rating:
Added Apr 29, 2019
Comment:
Perhaps one needs to be an American and/or
African- American to get what all the hype is about.
I am neither.
The characters are not terribly interesting and the
narrative is pretty much predictable.
Middle class family comes apart when husband is
wrongfully convicted.Perhaps one needs to be an American and/or
African- American to get what all the hype is about.
I am neither.
The characters are not terribly interesting and the
narrative is pretty much predictable.
Middle class family comes apart when…
toby65's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2019
Comment:
Powerful!
American PrisonAmerican Prison, BookA Reporter's Undercover Journey Into the Business of Punishment
by Bauer, ShaneBook - 2018Book, 2018
toby65's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2019
American PrisonAmerican Prison, eBookA Reporter's Undercover Journey Into the Business of Punishment
by Bauer, ShaneeBook - 2018eBook, 2018
All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
toby65's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2019
toby65's rating:
Added Nov 30, 2018
Comment:
Just a little too much detail, much of which
was not particularly interesting to this reader.
Perhaps one needs to be an American to really
appreciate this biography.
Did not finish.
toby65's rating:
Added Nov 11, 2018
Comment:
As others have said - way too long.
And as a Guardian reviewer said - 'too complicated'.
The tying up of loose ends was painfully detailed.
But nevertheless, a decent read in my opinion.
Strike and Robin will get there yet....
toby65's rating:
Added Oct 21, 2018
Added Oct 17, 2018
Comment:
The style is a bit difficult - reads more like a play and
takes some getting used to in that sense.
But this novel will stay with me.
Toews does her magic yet again.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely FineEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, eBook
by Honeyman, GaileBook - 2017eBook, 2017
Added Oct 09, 2018
toby65's rating:
Added Sep 15, 2018
Comment:
Disappointing. May be on the Booker long list, but I found this
really quite boring. I love Val McDermid's work, and she apparently
thought this book was wonderful.
Sadly, I did not.
toby65's rating:
Added Mar 03, 2018
Comment:
A fascinating premise, not fully realized.
The Nazi who becomes a 'super Jew' in an
attempt at personal redemption.
toby65's rating:
Added Oct 24, 2017
Comment:
Disappointing. After all the hype and a Pulitzer and a Macarthur genius grant for Viet Thanh
Nguyen. I gave up about 1/3 through, tired of trying to figure out who was speaking (no quotation marks) and the seemingly endless paragraphs. Obviously worth the effort for many,
but sadly, not for me.Disappointing. After all the hype and a Pulitzer and a Macarthur genius grant for Viet Thanh
Nguyen. I gave up about 1/3 through, tired of trying to figure out who was speaking (no quotation marks) and the seemingly endless paragraphs. Obviously…
toby65's rating:
Added Jul 07, 2017
Comment:
Beautifully written story of manners, morals, love, friendship and science in Victorian England.
The best novel I have read in months. 5*****
His Bloody ProjectHis Bloody Project, BookDocuments Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae : A Novel
by Burnet, Graeme MacraeBook - 2015Book, 2015
toby65's rating:
Added Feb 27, 2017
Comment:
Great read! If you are at all interested in Scottish history, or even if you are not,
this unusual novel is definitely worth your time.
toby65's rating:
Added Feb 11, 2017
Added Feb 11, 2017
Comment:
I am a Jack Reacher fan but this one too dark for me. Images near the end are gruesome.
toby65's rating:
Added Dec 30, 2016
Comment:
The Guardian reviewer noted "It's on the long side, and could have benefited from some editorial fat-trimming in places". OMG, like how true?!
At times, quite interesting, but way too long and sometimes needlessly complicated. Not French's best.The Guardian reviewer noted "It's on the long side, and could have benefited from some editorial fat-trimming in places". OMG, like how true?!
At times, quite interesting, but way too long and sometimes needlessly complicated. Not French's…
toby65's rating:
Added Dec 01, 2016
Comment:
Interesting and thought provoking. At times a bit
preachy, but generally well written. ( Too bad some
some people didn't bother to finish it before posting
scathing reviews). It is definitely worth a look.
toby65's rating:
Added Oct 18, 2016
Comment:
Although enjoyable, this book was not exactly great. I agree with the NYT reviewer about the characters being underdeveloped.
But a nice enough read for those of us who are in Downton withdrawal.
Comment: