I read a whopping three books back in January but they were pretty awesome. So even though it's almost halfway through March it's time to reflect on the month that they call January. Technicalities aside, here are my reviews rated in the ever so precise "thumb rating system:"
Grace:
God damn, Grace is great. Since I saw her in the September Issue, I have just though she is the top banana. I love her peculiar, headstrong nature and all of her delightful little drawings throughout the book. It reminded me a bit of My Life In France but with more cat. What a cool cat. (thumb rating: two thumbs up)
The End of You Life Book Club:
Duh, I cried at the end. A lot. And in the middle knowing that the end is near. And at the beginning right after I read the title and decided to buy the book because I had already cried all over it. I was reminded so much of my own mom through out the book that I got my actual reality all mixed up with the book. The book is a good reminder to connect with the ones you love (especially Mom) because life is short. I gave the book to my mom after I read it and as it turns out she actually has a copy of Daily Strengths For Daily Needs. (thumb rating: two thumbs up)
Mr. Panumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore:
I really wanted to have rave reviews for this book. I picked this book up for the same reason I usually choose my books: the cover design. The cover glows in the dark, which I give two thumbs up to that smartypants. I thought the story was a fun ride and I loved Mr. Penumbra's character. But I had one major hang up that kept taking me out of the book. My main issue is that the setting of San Francisco seemed unnecessarily forced into the book. I've lived in SF for 5 years now and I practically pooped my pants when I heard that wild parrots live in the city, but even I know they shouldn't be in this book. You can't help but visualize the entire story taking place in City Lights book store because of the obvious references to it, but I ended up visualizing a mix of the real place and the fiction adaptation of the book. Most unnecessary was the Westfield mall food court reference. I love the Korean place down there but put that in a SF Eats post, not this book. I wanted more imagination instead of an unnecessary homage to San Francisco. (thumb rating: thumb up)
