Deborah Levy's early novel "The Unloved" was odd and felt disconnected. I didn't really understand what was going on and therefore didn't enjoy reading it very much - 1 star.
Category: 1 Star
Book Review: Falling into Place by Amy Zhang
"Falling into Place" is a sad story which tackles some difficult subjects, from bullying to drug use to suicide. It's certainly not a happy read and is quite emotional at times. Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, I couldn't connect with the main character and this seriously affected how I felt about the whole thing - 1 star.
Book Review: Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion
I tried to like "Play It as It Lays" and at times I did think that it was picking up, but I think I've come to the conclusion that Joan Didion is just not for me and I'll be donating my third and final book rather than struggling through another! Another 1 star review from me.
Book Review: Sympathy by Olivia Sudjic
"Sympathy" was not for me. It's 1 star for a book that I just didn't enjoy and didn't really understand. I feel somewhat cheated as I'm not really sure that I've read the book that's described on the cover, but rather something a lot duller and certainly not my cup of tea.
Book Review: Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
I'm giving "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" 1 star, but not because it's bad or poorly written but mostly because I just didn't understand it.
Book Review: The Dictionary of Animal Languages by Heidi Sopinka
I gave up on this book having found myself completely lost and I don't feel that I've missed out in doing so. It's 1 star for "The Dictionary of Animal Languages"
Book Review: Troubling Love by Elena Ferrante
I can certainly see the potential and appeal of "Troubling Love" to some but this just wasn't my thing at all. Full of uncomfortable and necessary details that seem to have no purpose whatsoever, I felt there wasn't really a story to tell. The characters were not likeable, the story was not interesting and I was generally confused. I'm giving Elena Ferrante's first novel 1 star.
Book Review: Billy & Girl by Deborah Levy
It seems I'm torn with the style of Deborah Levy. I'm a big fan of two of her books, yet this and "Black Vodka" just weren't for me. I found it hard to connect to the characters and I found it hard to know what was going on. Unfortunately it's one star for "Billy and Girl".
Book Review: Gone to New York: Adventures in the City by Ian Frazier
I loved New York but the same can be said for "Gone to New York". The facts and figures can't rescue a boring topic. After the first try I just didn't want to pick this up on my morning commute for the rest of the week but powered through. I'm giving Ian Frazier's essays just 1 star.
Book Review: Private Vegas by James Patterson
"Private Vegas" is just not worth your time. It's confusing, it's disjointed, it's long and it's not even set in the title location! I was not impressed and I'm giving the 9th Private book just 1 star.
