Review: 'Tis

'Tis by Frank McCourt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have finally finished the trilogy, written by the great Frank McCourt. It's crazy that he made a whole career out of writing about his life. What's even crazier is that this book, unlike the first, Angela's Ashes, or the third, Teacher Man, doesn't actually tell much of a story at all, but may be my favorite of the three. I drum it up to the humor. There are times in this book when Frank McCourt is just being reminiscent of some of the livelier characters in his life, and he still makes it super compelling. Something like getting a degree in English is an adventure in Frank McCourt's world, and it was an adventure I enjoyed traveling on. A skilled writer and a phenomenal teacher-by how he tells it. A great book, overall.

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Review: The Zahir

The Zahir by Paulo Coelho
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a strange book. I've never read The Alchemist, even though I'm probably the only reader on the planet who hasn't, so this is my first book by Paulo Coelho. But I can understand why people like him. He's like a spiritual version of Ayn Rand, and by that, I mean he has a single message in mind that courses through his work. His message is one of finding the true meaning of life...whatever that is. I'm not sure I could read another book of his and take all that spiritual claptrap, but one book works for me, so I guess this will be that book.

Anywho, the story centers around an insufferable writer (at first) who loses his wife. But, he doesn't really "lose" her in the sense that we would typically think of. She hasn't died after all. At least not physically. But emotionally, she's dead to him. Their marriage has reached the point of ennui. She has lost her love for her husband (Or has she) and decided to leave him without giving a word of where she was going, and the author, who at first takes on a string of girlfriends, finally realizes that he misses her. In that way, his wife becomes his "Zahir," which is an object or thing that is in plain view that never goes away, but we still can't attain it, which ultimately drives us crazy.

Didn't I tell you this was a strange book? But that's not why it's so strange. It's the ending. What a downer. I really like the ending because it's not traditional. I won't spoil it here, but it really muddles the message for me, which I like. This is not the story of struggling and finally finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It's not some gritty, realistic ending either and it stays within the bounds of everything that is presented before it, so it doesn't just come out of left field. But I could understand why some might not appreciate it for what it is. Either way, by the halfway point of this book, I was really annoyed by the protagonist. But by the time the story reached the end, I found that I was engrossed and wanted to know how it would conclude. An interesting story, to be sure. I don't recommend it for everyone, but it has its merits and an interesting ending. I enjoyed it.

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Review: The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone by Stephen King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One of my co-workers caught me reading this book, and she was like, do you like Stephen King? I said I did, and she was like, really? As if liking Stephen King was beneath me or something. But I love Stephen King and I've read most of his books. The man said so himself. He's the McDonald's of storytelling. And like McDonald's, some items on the menu are better than others. When it comes to that analogy, Drawing of the Three (the second book in the Dark Tower series) is a McRib Sandwich with a Shamrock shake with fries. The Dead Zone is more like a twenty piece box of chicken McNuggets. It's good for awhile, but then it wears out its welcome, and you're like, maybe I should have ordered something else. Like some fries or something. The problem with this book is that it's lopsided. Some sections are the best I think I've ever read of Stephen King-like the hunt for a vicious serial killer-while other parts just fall flat. Especially the third act, which is a little hokey. In the end, it's an okay book that reads at a brisk pace, but it's not one of his stronger works. I'd rather just go to another fast food joint over this one. Read it if you want to see a happy ending to the Trump Presidency.

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Review: Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Never Let Me Go is a good book. It's sci-fi, but decidedly not sci-fi. It kind of feels like, in tone, anyway, an emo Handmaid's Tale. The story is very confusing until you realize just what's going on, and when you do, it all peels apart like a satisfyingly sweet onion. It does have its slow parts, but I like the author's restraint and patience. It could have been a disturbing story, but it turns out being heartfelt instead A fascinating book. Give it a read.

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