Amy H

Enjoyable, if a slow start

Revisado: 02-25-25

I can’t imagine trying to write the next book after The Martian, especially as a new writer. Talk about pressure! And perhaps that’s why I didn’t think I liked this book at first. The main character, though female, reminds me of the main character in The Martian. Jazz has the same smart aleck sense of humor, so you’re set up to make a comparison. This isn’t that story, however, and this one takes a while before it reveals what kind of story it is.

At first it doesn’t seem like a lot is happening, and then once stuff starts happening, it’s hard to understand why you should care. Fortunately, the character started growing on me before I started losing interest in the plot, and that was enough to keep going until it became very interesting. Sure, there are parts where I got tired of all the intricate technical details. However, that happened at time with The Martian, too.

By the time I was well into this, I was, well, really into it. In the end, I totally enjoyed the story and the characters. So much so that I hope there is a second book someday. This could totally be a series. Don’t let that alarm you, however, as this story is nicely self contained, so you won’t feel ripped off if the next book never materializes. I do hope we get to spend more time with Jazz, however.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Thought provoking

Revisado: 02-13-25

I’m so tired of political polarization, and things have really gotten out of hand since 2020. I was looking for some insight, and found this book to be a refreshing breath of fresh air. The author has an interesting way of seeing things that doesn’t demonize anyone. Rather, he uses moral psychology to simply understand how people draw conclusions and form values that shape their political views. Looked at from the perspective he offers, you can see why different people approach things in different ways. If you’re just looking to demonize the “other side,” this isn’t your book. But if you simply want to understand how people think, whether or not you agree with them, this is a fascinating read and well worth the money and time to give it a listen.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

It’s like I’m a kid again

Revisado: 04-17-24

I’m almost embarrassed to say how much I love this story and the narration. I would have loved this story as an animal crazy ten year old. Heck, I might have written something like this as an animal crazy ten year old, although the perspective is clearly that of an adult who is still in touch with their ten year old self who loves animals.

Whatever the case, it puts me right to sleep, because the voice and narration are so soothing. It’s this perfect, cozy, safe little barn full of animals and people who love them…even sharing a little slice of blueberry pie with the pigs.

I have never been able to listen to the story the whole way through. Each time I listen, I hear parts I don’t remember hearing before. To the point that I wonder if they sneak a slightly different recording in every few days. But no, that can’t be it. It’s just that good at making me drift off.

A book putting me to sleep is actually a compliment in this case. Your experience may vary, of course. But if you loved animals as a kid (and still do) this might gently lull you to sleep as well.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Well researched

Revisado: 01-28-24

The author did an incredible job of immersing herself in this community, and showing their humanity. I found myself wishing I knew these folks and how things continue to evolve for them.

I also feel sad about the economic realities of our country. It simply shouldn’t be like this. I have health problems that twice left me a hair’s breadth away from being part of this community, so many of their stories resonate with me.

The narrator left a lot to be desired for much of the early part of the book. The reading was robotic at times, where she was simply saying the words without really connecting with them. It did get better, but I’m not sure if the narration improved or if I simply got used to it.

Regardless, please don’t let that stop you from listening (or reading to avoid the narrator). The book itself is worth it, and I wish this was required reading for every politician.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Vivid writing

Revisado: 11-26-23

Some authors use words as a vehicle to carry the story, and nothing more. I love plenty of books like that. This author uses words to paint richly rendered people and places, which adds another dimension to the work. The length this creates can be a bit wearying at times. I took a few weeks to listen to this book, setting it aside when it started feeling like a slog, rather than something to savor. Inevitably, however, my curiosity about the characters pulled me back. I simply had to know what came next.

The ending was good, but didn’t take me where I was expecting to go. It was a good enough ending, but it didn’t need the entire book to go there. So if you prefer tight, plot driven books, this isn’t likely to be your cuppa. But if you enjoy listening to stories that span generations and allow you to explore a time, place, and people you wouldn’t otherwise experience, you will love this book. I felt like I knew the family by the end, and wished I could know them in real life.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Good inside look

Revisado: 09-23-23

Like the author, I thought I wanted to be a spy when I was growing up. I was fascinated by the CIA and devoured LeCarre and other authors. But then the Iran Contra scandal came along when I was in college. I didn’t really understand the whole thing, but it made me realize that I wanted to be sure I was doing good in the world. How could I ever be sure of that in a highly compartmentalized agency where I would never have the full picture? So when the CIA came to campus, I walked past the table instead of stopping.

This book is the equivalent of that opportunity to reflect and understand what the life would be like for anyone considering that career. Is it a good path for you personally? There’s not a right or wrong answer…just knowing yourself and whether you are still drawn to the career after reading something more balanced than what you get through fiction and popular culture. For me personally, I’ve learned I can think in shades of grey, but it’s a lot harder to live those complexities.

I simultaneously recognize how critical intelligence is (I was in tears during her recounting of 9/11), while realizing that I wouldn’t have been a good fit for that career. When 9/11 came, I regretted not applying. I was so angry and wanted to fight back. I was also utterly miserable because I’d ended up in the corporate world, and that’s not a good fit for me either. However, this book makes me glad I didn’t apply to the CIA, and I appreciated the opportunity to put myself in the author’s shoes and live my decision differently through her eyes. It’s just as well sometimes, that there is a road not taken.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Impossible to follow

Revisado: 09-09-23

There were entire chapters where the most common phrases were things like “Switch one results in red for photon a and green for photon b, which is given a score of one. Switch two results in…” And that would go on for four to six sets, and then later text would refer to what color resulted from photons in the experiment and what color resulted and what score it got and…

And I don’t think even a pdf, which isn’t even part of this anyway, could have saved this book.

A bummer as it made lofty promises at the beginning that it was going to make it easy to understand quantum entanglement without complex math so anyone could understand.

I listened as part as audible plus, so no money lost. Don’t waste a credit otherwise. Unless you like listening to several chapters of incomprehensible streams of sets and colors and numbers over and over and over again. I’m not sure even a physicist could follow this.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Loved this

Revisado: 08-25-23

Quirky and inventive in the way only Scalzi can write, and lots of humor. There’s drama, but nothing gut wrenching. A good light read, and I loved the author’s notes at the end. Gave context for how this book came to be, and it’s exactly what it needed to be.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Don’t give up

Revisado: 08-15-23

The first couple of chapters are confusing, slow, and repetitive. I nearly gave up, and am glad I didn’t. I think the author could have tightened up what was essentially and introduction to an unusual world.

Once I got through that, however, the story sets in and becomes interesting. If you like fast paced thrillers, this isn’t your book. I think that’s why some don’t like it until the final three hours. I was absorbed much earlier, though. If “cozy thriller” is a thing, this is it.

I have no idea if a series is intended. It certainly wraps up so well that it may not be. I’d like to visit this world and characters again, though, so would definitely be happy for a second book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Loved this one too

Revisado: 02-26-23

I don’t often listen to multiple books in a series one right after the other, but this series is an exception. I’m that hooked. It took a while to warm up to this second installment, but I’m glad I persisted as I was just as interested in what happened with the characters as in the first book.

Like the first book, enough wraps up in this one that you get a good story from it. However, like the first book, you really need to go on to the next, because too much is unresolved. Basically, this could be one honking long book instead of three average length ones. So I’m glad the first two were on Audible Plus when I listened. Honestly, though, if they weren’t, I’m loving this story enough that I’d buy the books.

Book number three is in my wish list! Looking forward to listening to it. I will likely listen to something else first, because I don’t want it to end. Then again, I note the author has the first in a new series coming out later this year, so that’s something to look forward to.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona