KatTheGreat
Ottawa Public Library
KatTheGreat's Completed Shelf
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KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jul 27, 2022
RoguesRogues, BookTrue Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks
by Keefe, Patrick RaddenBook - 2022Book, 2022
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jul 27, 2022
Comment:
I do not read a lot of non-fiction, so these New Yorker essays bound into one book is not in my usual wheelhouse, but Keefe is clearly both a gifted writer and interviewer. While I skipped a couple along the way - definitely could not stomach to read about how Mark Burnett basically made way for Trump to be president - I was impressed with the storytelling within the essays and Keefe's ability to present the whole of a person and not just one side of them.I do not read a lot of non-fiction, so these New Yorker essays bound into one book is not in my usual wheelhouse, but Keefe is clearly both a gifted writer and interviewer. While I skipped a couple along the way - definitely could not stomach to…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jul 19, 2022
Comment:
An anomaly occurring through time, affecting a range of people, is investigated by Gaspery Roberts. I won't get too much into the plot, which is a bit ethereal and hard to define. Mandel is a master of prose and is a genius at interweaving the stories of multiple characters, in this case she even crosses over with characters from her previous novel The Glass Hotel. A lovely way to spend your weekend.An anomaly occurring through time, affecting a range of people, is investigated by Gaspery Roberts. I won't get too much into the plot, which is a bit ethereal and hard to define. Mandel is a master of prose and is a genius at interweaving the…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jul 12, 2022
Comment:
Laurie returns to her hometown to clear out her deceased aunt's home, and gets caught up in a scam where a potentially valuable item is stolen from her. She teams up with her lifelong best friend, high school boyfriend and other town residents to get it back. Honestly I wanted to like this book so much, I'm a big fan of Linda Holmes as a journalist and podcaster, but it is just...boring. Really quite boring. Even the central conflict is fairly easily resolved. It's a fine way to pass a Saturday afternoon, but by no means is it a must-read.Laurie returns to her hometown to clear out her deceased aunt's home, and gets caught up in a scam where a potentially valuable item is stolen from her. She teams up with her lifelong best friend, high school boyfriend and other town residents to…
No One Is Talking About ThisNo One Is Talking About This, Book
by Lockwood, PatriciaBook - 2021Book, 2021
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jul 04, 2022
Comment:
The first half of this book mirrors how we consume snippets of information via social media, as we scroll scroll scroll on through. There is no structure to the story, it just flows in a stream of consciousness. But then an emergency in our protagonist's family draws her away from her online life and forces her to live life in the moment, and the story begins to develop a structure. The longer she is out of the portal (the internet in general, or more specifically pointing to social media), the more it aligns with traditional storytelling. There's a lot you'll recognize as an "online person", valid critique of how we funnel big ideas through the narrow hallways of the internet, and how it can be bad for us. I have seen a lot of reviews and comments that there is a part 1 and part 2 of this book that seem to overlook how those parts relate to one another, it's done in such a smart way. I think this book is brilliant for many reasons, but I can't really say it was enjoyable, hence my star rating of 3.The first half of this book mirrors how we consume snippets of information via social media, as we scroll scroll scroll on through. There is no structure to the story, it just flows in a stream of consciousness. But then an emergency in our…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jun 27, 2022
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Jane Quinn's band The Breakers goes from local favourites to potential stardom in the summer of 1969, when they fill in for the headliner (Jesse Reid) at a music festival. Jesse and Jane are soon on a musical and romantic collision course for each other. The book follows Jane as they make a record, go on tour, and face challenges of the music industry and life including mental health & addiction. As a huge fan of Daisy Jones and the Six & The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, Songs in Ursa Major hit exactly right for me. I highly recommend it, my only disappointment is that I can't listen to this album!Jane Quinn's band The Breakers goes from local favourites to potential stardom in the summer of 1969, when they fill in for the headliner (Jesse Reid) at a music festival. Jesse and Jane are soon on a musical and romantic collision course for each…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jun 27, 2022
Comment:
On her 40th birthday, struggling with her father's illness, Alice discovers she can travel back in time to one specific day - her 16th birthday. Can she change her father's fate, and her own? Yes this book is time-travel based, but it's like 13 going on 30 time travel that is easy to digest and doesn't give you a headache. It was an easy story to fall into completely, Alice is clever and fun to spend time with and deeply sympathetic as a main character. I found the relationship between Alice and her father to be deeply moving, and I certainly cried a few times along the way. I thoroughly loved this book.On her 40th birthday, struggling with her father's illness, Alice discovers she can travel back in time to one specific day - her 16th birthday. Can she change her father's fate, and her own? Yes this book is time-travel based, but it's like 13…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jun 27, 2022
Comment:
I got 40 pages into this book and could not take one more minute of it. It is so thoroughly in love with itself and what it thinks is cleverness. I was so disappointed b/c The Plot has been one of my favourite reads of the year, so I jumped into The Latecomer with enthusiasm; and dear god is it painful and pretentious and exhausting. 40 pages of it and I was exhausted. So yea, this one was not for me.I got 40 pages into this book and could not take one more minute of it. It is so thoroughly in love with itself and what it thinks is cleverness. I was so disappointed b/c The Plot has been one of my favourite reads of the year, so I jumped into The…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jun 13, 2022
Comment:
Eve has a girlfriend when she meets Olivia and Nathan, and embarks on a twisty sex journey to understand desire. Feels very 90s David Lynch sex thriller/philosophizer. At 218 pages, it's quick and concise while still managing to ruminate on power dynamics, love & how complex our sexuality can be.Eve has a girlfriend when she meets Olivia and Nathan, and embarks on a twisty sex journey to understand desire. Feels very 90s David Lynch sex thriller/philosophizer. At 218 pages, it's quick and concise while still managing to ruminate on power…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jun 06, 2022
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Sister Nessa and Tanya face traumatic truths from their past as they try and extricate their mother from an abusive marriage. A trigger warning - the books contains several scenes of explicit violence as well as sexual violence. A pretty upsetting, but seemingly realistic, portrayal of domestic abuse and how difficult it can be for victims to leave.Sister Nessa and Tanya face traumatic truths from their past as they try and extricate their mother from an abusive marriage. A trigger warning - the books contains several scenes of explicit violence as well as sexual violence. A pretty upsetting,…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Jun 06, 2022
Comment:
Over the course of several years, after she gets married, Josephine starts to obsess over the events that took place at the all girls boarding school she attended. This only intensifies after she gives birth to her own daughter. The book switches back and forth between boarding school and modern time, examining the very particular kind of trauma and cruelty that seems to exist in a boarding-school setting. A bit too long and navel-gazing, this is a perfectly average read.Over the course of several years, after she gets married, Josephine starts to obsess over the events that took place at the all girls boarding school she attended. This only intensifies after she gives birth to her own daughter. The book switches…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added May 30, 2022
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Raised by a grifter con artist, Lucky finds herself on the run from the law, and in possession of a winning lottery tickets. Chapters alternate from present day to flashbacks, leading us to the present day. A pretty good, quick, read. I got through most of it on a drive from Toronto to Ottawa. It's not particularly gripping, the most interesting part is reading about the different cons! (Truthfully I would happily have just read about Lucky pulling off cons!)Raised by a grifter con artist, Lucky finds herself on the run from the law, and in possession of a winning lottery tickets. Chapters alternate from present day to flashbacks, leading us to the present day. A pretty good, quick, read. I got through…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added May 30, 2022
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Jess arrives to her brother's Paris apartment in the middle of the night, to find he has disappeared. What do the other tenants in the building have to do with it? Don't want to say too much, as it will give plot points away, but this is a perfectly serviceable mystery/thriller. It very much follows the pattern of Foley's last book, The Guest List, with chapters being narrated by different characters.Jess arrives to her brother's Paris apartment in the middle of the night, to find he has disappeared. What do the other tenants in the building have to do with it? Don't want to say too much, as it will give plot points away, but this is a perfectly…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added May 30, 2022
Comment:
5 kids, from very different backgrounds, are accepted into an exclusive writing workshop at the boarding school they attend. As they each start opening up about their secrets, the institutionalized bullying and abuse becomes clear. This is a case of a YA book being written to help teach young people lessons, and is quite heavy handed in its lessons. It's perfectly fine, but I did not find it particularly special or moving, or really saying anything new at all.5 kids, from very different backgrounds, are accepted into an exclusive writing workshop at the boarding school they attend. As they each start opening up about their secrets, the institutionalized bullying and abuse becomes clear. This is a case of…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added May 30, 2022
Comment:
This is a pretty cute YA book to easily consume on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It's not particularly moving or special, but it got me out of my reading rut!
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added May 10, 2022
Comment:
Truthfully, I went into this book hoping for a fun heist-adventure story, and that's certainly a part of the story; but the book is much more about family, identity, and what it means to be part of a diaspora. I found the writing to be a bit clunky in the name of being mysterious, but overall enjoyed the novel. Good, not great.Truthfully, I went into this book hoping for a fun heist-adventure story, and that's certainly a part of the story; but the book is much more about family, identity, and what it means to be part of a diaspora. I found the writing to be a bit clunky…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Apr 25, 2022
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Apr 20, 2022
Comment:
Perfectly sweet and somewhat boring rom-com book, which I'm already forgetting as I type this review.
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Apr 20, 2022
Comment:
A really lovely assessment of "Big Friendship" - how they come to be, how we can maintain them and what are the struggles along the way.
From the AshesFrom the Ashes, BookMy Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way
by Thistle, JesseBook - 2019Book, 2019
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Apr 20, 2022
Comment:
Given that this book was even published, you know that Jesse Thistle survives the various horrifying scenarios as described in the book; but it's hard to imagine when you're halfway through and reading about all the things that have happened to him. This is a difficult read, and certain scenes will linger and haunt you.Given that this book was even published, you know that Jesse Thistle survives the various horrifying scenarios as described in the book; but it's hard to imagine when you're halfway through and reading about all the things that have happened to him.…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Mar 27, 2022
Comment:
I thoroughly loved The Arc. The novel is the story of two successful professionals in New York City who decide to use an untraditional matchmaking service to find love. In truth not a lot happens plot-wise. This is a story about adults having adult problems, and trying to navigate the complications of romantic love. The writing it charming, the characters are relatable and likeable, and I truly enjoyed every moment I spent with this book.I thoroughly loved The Arc. The novel is the story of two successful professionals in New York City who decide to use an untraditional matchmaking service to find love. In truth not a lot happens plot-wise. This is a story about adults having adult…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Mar 27, 2022
Comment:
I wanted to love Klara and the Sun. Ishiguro is obviously a talented individual, having one a Nobel prize; and I think Never Let Me Go is an amazing piece of work. However, Klara and the Sun is dreadfully boring. It is a bunch of navel-gazing philosophizing about what it means to love and be human, etc etc etc. Ishiguro isn't saying anything new here. I kept waiting for something substantial to happen, and it did not. I was heartily disappointed.I wanted to love Klara and the Sun. Ishiguro is obviously a talented individual, having one a Nobel prize; and I think Never Let Me Go is an amazing piece of work. However, Klara and the Sun is dreadfully boring. It is a bunch of navel-gazing…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2022
Comment:
Ellice finds herself in the middle of the murder investigation of her boss (slash married boyfriend) that raises secrets from her past. It's a solid, perfectly fine thriller that I enjoyed but wasn't particularly enamored with. I probably won't remember much about it a month from now.Ellice finds herself in the middle of the murder investigation of her boss (slash married boyfriend) that raises secrets from her past. It's a solid, perfectly fine thriller that I enjoyed but wasn't particularly enamored with. I probably won't…
Yinka, Where Is your Huzband?Yinka, Where Is your Huzband?, Book
by Blackburn, Lizzie DamilolaBook - 2022Book, 2022
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2022
Comment:
Losing her job, and facing tremendous family pressure to be married, Yinka loses herself in a web of lies and posturing that she can't keep up with. It is entirely sweet and perfectly average. It would be a cute Netflix series. It's not a book that will take much of your time and energy, but is a nice palate cleanser between heavier reads.Losing her job, and facing tremendous family pressure to be married, Yinka loses herself in a web of lies and posturing that she can't keep up with. It is entirely sweet and perfectly average. It would be a cute Netflix series. It's not a book that…
KatTheGreat's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2022
Comment:
Before becoming an author, Kimmery Martin was a doctor, and she writes books about a group of female friends who met in med school. This particular books is about how these friends survive a viral pandemic (ironically enough, Martin wrote this book before covid was a thing in our world, and it is a bit eerily predictive). However, Martin is doing far too much. I wish she had focused on one character, and cut back on so much medical speak. It was tiresome and not engaging. In general this book, which is 358 pages, is probably about 150 pages too long. I skimmed through a large part of the story, and it does put me off from trying any of her works in the future. It's a permanent pass for me.Before becoming an author, Kimmery Martin was a doctor, and she writes books about a group of female friends who met in med school. This particular books is about how these friends survive a viral pandemic (ironically enough, Martin wrote this book…
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