Book Review: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

(Goodreads)

Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?” 

Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly! 

In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka.

You know how sometimes you come across people who are funny, loud, and talk a lot but you can never see yourself being friends with them because they're too much to handle?

Yes? No?

Maybe it's just me being an introvert and generally quiet person BUT the person I'm describing is Mindy Kaling for me (I'd definitely be intimidated being in the same room as her). It's not everyday that I pick up a non-fiction novel (honestly besides Anne Frank's diary, other unmemorable school books, and Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis I don't think I've had much exposure to non-fiction). But I love to laugh (one of my favorite things to do) and had been looking forward to reading this book for a long time.

Mindy's strong personality definitely comes through in her memoir. At times I would even say it felt like listening to an audio book because her voice is so engaging and unforgettable (I was an avid The Office viewer years ago). Mindy is definitely funny but I wouldn't say I was clutching my stomach or rolling on the floor from her observations. I think there was only one moment that actually made me burst out laughing even though I was at work.

The chapters in this memoir are short, usually no more than five or six pages and involve a lot of lists, pictures (which I loved), and random topics ranging from a bad experience at a cupcake shop to being almost fired from her Office job. In the entire book there was only one section that I glossed over (a short chapter titled "Married People Need to Step it Up").

I think the best comparison I can make for this novel is like reading a women's interest magazine while relaxing in bed or waiting for your nails to dry. It's funny, friendly, and entertaining but won't exactly change your life's perspective.

Memorable Quote(s) 

"One friend with whom you have a lot in common is better than three with whom you struggle to find things to talk about." (43)

On her writing process (which I totally relate to): 

"I've found my productive-writing-to-screwing-around ration to be one to seven. So, for every eight-hour day of writing, there is only one good productive hour of work being done. The other seven hours are preparing for writing: pacing around the house, collapsing cardboard boxes for recycling, reading the DVD extras pamphlet form the BBC Pride & Prejudice, getting snacks lined up for writing, and YouTubing toddlers who learned the "Single Ladies" dance. I know. Isn't that horrible? So, basically, writing this piece took me the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Enjoy it accordingly." (143)

Book Review: Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

Nirvana by J.R. Stewart

(Goodreads)

When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?  

Animal activist and punk rock star Larissa Kenders lives in a dystopian world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the disappearance of her soulmate, Andrew, Kenders finds solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world controlled by Hexagon. In Nirvana, anyone’s deepest desires may be realized - even visits with Andrew. 

Although Kenders knows that this version of Andrew is virtual, when he asks for her assistance revealing Hexagon’s dark secret, she cannot help but comply. Soon after, Kenders and her closest allies find themselves in a battle with Hexagon, the very institution they have been taught to trust. After uncovering much more than she expected, Kenders’ biggest challenge is determining what is real – and what is virtual. 

Nirvana is a fast-paced, page-turning young adult novel combining elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance. Part of a trilogy, this book introduces readers to a young woman who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.

Thank you to Blue Moon Publishers at NetGalley for sending me this eARC!

I am sad to share that I dragged myself through the last 100 pages of this book.

There are many things about Nirvana that didn't sit well with me and I think the main one is the lack of interesting characters. We're introduced to Larissa Kenders, (who hates being called by her first name, why? No clue), a 17-year-old who is engaged to a 25-year-old computer engineer/scientist/prodigy and who has led revolts against money-hungry companies through her fame as a rock star.

She sounds interesting enough, so why does her character fall flat? A lot of the novel is told through Kender's point-of-view but there are random chapters here and there told through someone else and the sequence is never consistent. I didn't see the point in alternating the chapters besides giving us information that Kenders didn't have access to. But if that was the case, why not establish a secondary consistent character? These alternating chapters might as well have been told through a janitor's pov.

While none of the characters stood out for me, I was particularly disappointed in Kender's development. We're told from the beginning that she's feisty, unapologetic, a rock star, and the kind of girl that would throw blood on people for wearing fur. However, I don't think we ever see any of that. Instead, Kenders develops into a one-dimensional character who never really takes charge of the situation and instead follows other people's orders. It was aggravating to see obvious clues that she never picked up on. For example:

"Did you leave the stick?" I ask.  

"What stick?" 

I tell him, and the blood drains from his face. He says nothing, his furrowed brows closing in on his expression.  

What happens next? Kenders goes to sleep. Um...hello?? If your fiancee's face becomes pale after a conversation, isn't that something to follow up on? Something to prod about? There were many frustrating moments like these.

Nirvana is set in the year 2088 and Kenders dumps a lot of information here and there to let the reader know how much the future has changed. However, it is A LOT to take in at once. I found them very confusing and after the first 50 pages or so my eyes started glossing over paragraphs of information. Another extremely confusing aspect was the timeline. If I'm correct in my math, Kenders was 14 when she met Andrew, (her fiancee), who was 22. Even in the present time, when Kenders is 17, he's 25. UM, do I really need to say anything else? Kenders finished high school years ago apparently, graduated college, toured Canada with her punk band and (pause for breath) worked for the government for a couple of years already.

It was all very confusing and gave me a headache trying to figure out. And although I think this novel deserves 1 star, I do applaud the author for taking reader's feedback and revising the story.

My Year (In Books)!

Entering the last two weeks of 2015, I was hoping to finish another novel or two before closing off the year. But then things happened: Christmas and family, traveling and packing (and then unpacking...twice), last-minute shopping and planning different celebrations with different people.

It's a lot.

And now I've finally accepted that yes, I am coming down with a cold and cannot concentrate on anything for more than 15 minutes. With that said, I wanted to share this lovely graphic summarizing my year in books (thanks Goodreads!)

Thank you to everyone that somehow found their way onto my blog! I can't wait to improve my reviews and bring more original content to this small extension of my brain :) 

-Maria

Book Review: Dance, Dance, Dance by Haruki Murakami

Dance, Dance, Dance by Haruki Murakami

(Goodreads)

As he searches for a mysteriously vanished girlfriend, Haruki Murakami's protagonist plunges into a wind tunnel of sexual violence and metaphysical dread in which he collides with call girls; plays chaperone to a lovely teenaged psychic; and receives cryptic instructions from a shabby but oracular Sheep Man. Dance Dance Dance is a tense, poignant, and often hilarious ride through the cultural Cuisinart that is contemporary Japan, a place where everything that is not up for sale is up for grabs.

Have you ever watched an indie film that took you from random setting to random character to random encounter and you wondered how the heck the pieces all fit together? And after the credits rolled you weren't exactly sure what you just saw or how it made you feel? That's Dance, Dance, Dance for me.

First, let me say that I really enjoyed reading from a first-person pov and not have alternating chapters like the previous handful of books I've read. The protagonist (who, until the point of finishing the novel, I had no idea didn't have a name) is honestly just an every day guy who has a career he has no passion for. He's divorced, has no kids, no friends, really not much going on in his life. So when he finds himself drawn to a certain hotel where he and an ex-girlfriend of his spent a lot of time (she calls to him in his dreams, crying) it's no problem to leave his mundane life behind.

We come across a good handful of solid characters along the protagonists' journey and I have to say I really admire Murakami for this. The secondary characters don't feel like they're there for decoration or to move the protagonist along; instead, they have their own lives, feelings, and complications to attend to. In particular, Yuki, a 13-year-old girl who comes under the protagonists' pseudo-care, really stands out. She has this icy exterior that isn't meant to be melted by anyone, even the protagonist, but to be accepted as part of her. Here's some really great fan-art that I felt encompassed her spirit:

By ManilaMoon

By Hellen Jo

There's a lot of mystery in this novel and I think it's the driving force behind the novel. Who is the Sheep Man? What's going on with the 16th floor? Where is Kiki? What does this all mean? I'm not entirely sure if I got any answers but I am glad I read this novel. It made me feel like I was in an alternate dimension where anything and everything was possible. I look forward to reading its predecessor, A Wild Sheep Chase, for more answers (that is, if I can ever find the rare book). This novel is a view through a kaleidoscope: random solid shapes and colors that can be moved into an infinity of beautiful but indescribable shapes.

Memorable Quote

"I pored over the diagram, half in admiration, half in despair. Three call girls, one too-charming-for-his-own-good actor, three artist, one budding teenage girl, and a very uptight hotel receptionist. If this was anything more than a network of casual relationships, I sure didn't see it. But it might make a good Agatha Christie novel. By George, that's it! The Secretary did it! Only who was laughing?" (295-296)

Book Review: Finding Hope by Colleen Nelson

Finding Hope by Colleen Nelson

(Goodreads)

Hope lives in a small town with nothing to do and nowhere to go. With a drug addict for a brother, she focuses on the only thing that keeps her sane, writing poetry. To escape, she jumps at the chance to attend Ravenhurst Academy as a boarding student. She’ll even put up with the clique-ish Ravens if it means making a fresh start. 

At first, Ravenhurst is better than Hope could have dreamed. She has a boyfriend and a cool roommate, and she might finally have found a place she can fit in. But can she trust her online boyfriend? And what can she do after her brother shows up at the school gates, desperate for help, and the Ravens turn on her? Trapped and unsure, Hope realizes that if she wants to save her brother, she has to save herself first.

Thanks to Dundurn at NetGalley for sending me this eARC! 

I came to work Monday morning only to discover that (groan/gasp!) I had forgotten my current read at home (Dance, Dance, Dance by Haruki Murakami). However, NetGalley has my back, as I remembered I had been approved for a couple of books to read in advance. What drew me to request Finding Hope was initially the cover art. Without a doubt, it catches the eye with its simplistic and well-balanced design. The summary sold me. I was definitely interested in walking into Hope's troubled teenage life filled with poetry, boy troubles, and her addict brother.

Let me tell you why I walked away disappointed.

Finding Hope is told through a dual-pov (point of view) shared between Hope and her brother, Eric. The summary doesn't hint anything towards this, it makes it out to be Hope's story (and after all, the title does have her name on it). However, I think it's this dual-pov that got me through the story. The chapters are incredibly short (I believe the longest might be four pages at most) and make it a quick read (I'd say I finished his in about five to six hours total).

While I liked these micro-chapters, they limited the characters from developing and coming into their own. I didn't find Hope. Or Eric. Or any real character that stood out. I think that since the chapters were so short, each word mattered even more and Nelson didn't really utilize that space to pack a punch. Hope went to a boarding school for a fresh start but it doesn't really feel like she takes advantage of that. Aside from her quick interaction with some mean girls and her roommate on occasion, Hope keeps to herself.

Even when she enters a relationship with her boyfriend, it doesn't feel like she interacts with him at all. We essentially know close to nothing about her boyfriend or how they interact or what they talk about. I think this could have been easily fixed by putting in more conversations between them; Hope texting him about a mean teacher or upcoming test, her boyfriend (Devon) cheering her on, talking about hobbies, etc... We don't get a sense that she's even attending classes or has any homework, little details like this that would have grounded the plot more.

There's so many issues in this novel that make for a great storyline (highlight for spoilers: drug abuse, sexual abuse, bullying, slut shaming, online relationships.) None of these issues were dug any deeper than the surface; in Nelson's own words, "scratch-the-surface-and-you're through" (185). Nelson's writing is clear, there's no doubt about that, it doesn't confuse or bore but could have used more details. For example, Eric gets a dog at one point and all I remember was it having brown eyes? I would have loved to know what kind of fur it had, if it grew throughout the book, or if it smelled or had any habits.

Overall not a bad book, but not memorable.

*

"A meth-head brother. Trailer trash family. A mom who thinks her daughter deserves better than she does. Hope: a liar, a cheat, pretending to be someone she's not. How could I answer these accusations, when they were all true?" (160-161)

.5

Book Review: I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

(Goodreads)

Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them.  

But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways . . . until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else—an even more unpredictable new force in her life.  

The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they’d have a chance to remake their world.

Sometimes it's hard to gather my thoughts when I feel like I've been thrown into a hurricane, spun around a couple thousand times, and spat out in the span of three seconds. That's more or less the equivalent of reading this ~400 page book in three days.

I seem to be on a roll reading books that alternate chapters between either characters or time periods (Beside Myself, Finding Amelia, Hide). I'll Give You the Sun actually gave me both! Noah tells the past and Jude tells the present and in every chapter you find out a little bit of what happens in between. One thing that I loved and hated at the same time was how long each chapter was. I could feel myself getting so immersed into the story when the chapter would end at what seemed like the best part. I definitely had a lot of urges to skip the next chapter (mostly Jude's) so I could peek at what was next.

Jude and Noah are some of the best siblings I've read in a while. And it's not because they're perfect, or anywhere near that at all. Jude and Noah show the ugly side of sibling jealousy; the backstabbing, the lies, the ugly tendencies you can't hide. Their luggage of flaws definitely made them feel real and relatable.

Noah, without a doubt, made me feel like I was in high school, falling in love for the first time. Jandy Nelson did an amazing job at capturing those fluttering feelings that honestly, made my heart skip a couple of beats. His unique way of seeing the world definitely captured the mind of a young artist who can't stop thinking about what to create next.

Jude took a while to grow on me. Like Noah, she's artistic but in a non-obvious way. And to be quite honest, she's a bit of a mess when we first meet her. It was hard to not to groan at how much of a teenager she was being and it isn't until later that I could really understand why she was being like that. However, it's incredibly beautiful to see her unique way of coping with her circumstances (spoiler alert: her mother's death).

Without a doubt, I'd read this book again (and I'm looking forward to the film adaptation, can they please get Antonio Banderas to play G?). There's nothing extraordinary that happens, but the writing magnifies it in a way that makes you feel like you're reading something remarkable.

Memorable Quotes 

Noah

"It's like being kissed by a feather, no, smoother, a petal. Too soft. We're petal people. I think about the earthquake kiss in the alcove and want to cry again. This time because I am sad. And scared. And because my skin has never fit this badly before." (134) 

Jude

"I kept thinking, it's okay, I can handle this. I can. It's okay, okay, okay. But it wasn't and I couldn't. I didn't know you could get buried in your own silence." (47)

Book Review: Hide by Mathew Griffin

Hide by Mathew Griffin

(Goodreads)

Set in a declining textile town in North Carolina, Hide is the love story of Wendell Wilson, a taxidermist, and Frank Clifton, a veteran of World War II. They meet after the war, in a time when such love holds real danger. But, severing nearly all ties with the rest of the world, they carve out a home for themselves on the outskirts of town and for decades the routine of self-reliant domesticity--Wendell's cooking, Frank's care for a yard no one sees, and the vicarious drama of courtroom TV--seems to protect them.  

But when Wendell finds Frank lying motionless outside at the age of eighty-three, their carefully crafted life together begins to unravel. As Frank's physical strength deteriorates and his memory dissolves, Wendell struggles in vain to keep him healthy and to hold onto the man he once knew until, faced with giving care beyond his capacity, he must come to terms with the consequences of half a century in seclusion, the sacrifices they made for each other, and the different lives they might have lived--and most especially the impending, inexorable loss of the one they had.

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA at NetGalley for providing me with this eARC! 

I have to be honest: I feel hesitant about posting this review. Why? For two reasons, the first being that I wasn't able to finish this book and the second being that I feel bad for not liking this novel.

As with any other book I entered Mathew Griffin's debut novel with an open mind. The premise seemed interesting and I was ready to give my heart to Frank and Wendell, whose love had kept them together for a bit over five decades. However, I was about fifty pages in and I felt no connection to any aspect of the book.

Frank seemed like the most stubborn old person with no redeeming qualities. The story is told from Wendell's point of view and I struggled to find why he loved Frank, most of the time it was just Wendell looking after Frank and doing things for him that he was too stubborn to do. This novel uses two different perspectives in the form of alternating chapters to tell the current situation and how the two met. I thought I'd find a connection when I read about how they fell in love but instead I was disappointed, I didn't feel like there was a story to tell.

There's a lot of descriptions of mundane everyday things. The kind of things that grandparents drone on about but you listen to because you love them and you care about what they want to share with you. But because I was never given a reason to love and care about Frank and Wendell, these descriptions bored me (a scene that comes to mind is Wendell describing how he had to wash a knife twice because the first time the food didn't come off it all the way).

At the end of chapter 7 (around page 70), I realized I couldn't finish this novel. The only thing I liked about this novel was the gorgeous cover art. I really do wish I could have enjoyed it as much as others seem to.