sunspot TBR'd a book

The Postcard
Anne Berest
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The Brothers Karamazov
Fyodor Dostoevsky
sunspot DNF'd a book

Trust
Hernan Diaz
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I thought part 1 was a decent standalone novel. Part 2 is convincing me that this book is brilliant
sunspot started reading...

Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI
Karen Hao
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sunspot wrote a review...
I don’t know how to put into words my love for this book. I don’t think I can. I’ve never read anything like it—the writing feels like being enveloped in a forest. The settings are so vivid, everything felt so real to me while reading. I couldn’t put it down—I skipped work to keep reading and read until I was finished. This one is making me recalibrate my ratings, something that I find rare. I think last time I had that feeling was with The Bee Sting? Absolutely my best book of the year so far.
sunspot finished a book

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
Grady Hendrix
sunspot started reading...

Trust
Hernan Diaz
sunspot finished a book

Hamnet
Maggie O'Farrell
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Hamnet
Maggie O'Farrell
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sunspot finished a book

Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver
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Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
Grady Hendrix
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sunspot finished a book

Notes on an Execution
Danya Kukafka
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I know this is a beloved classic, and I can understand why! The payoff at the end is a masterclass in interwoven threads. The ending is emotional. The penguin edition features some gorgeous writing.
For me, it comes down to pacing. I love a long book. I love being patient for things to come together. But I think I may not be smart enough or patient enough to read this and fully grasp the brilliance of it. I’ve read a few classics this year, but none of them had as intricate webs of characters. I wish I had printed one out ahead of reading.
I think the middle section felt slow….but I honestly think that’s a me thing. I’ll be curious to revisit this one when I’m older. Maybe retired?
I think it’s worth it. I’m glad I read it. But right now I’m mostly feeling proud of the accomplishment rather than feeling sad that it’s over. I’m somewhat relieved to finish it. I think this one gets a lot of hype, and I wish I had gone in knowing that it would be dramatic and action packed, but not in a Robin Hobb way.