zimbreezy commented on erinreadsbooks's review of On the Calculation of Volume I
This was such an interesting read--a woman is stuck in a time loop, reliving the 18th of November. She tries to enlist her partner to help her get out of the time loop but eventually gives up as she feels the gap widen between the two of them, resorting to a solitary existence.
This book really made me stop and think and re-read bits of it and I could see myself re-reading this in the future. It poses so many questions, but the one that kept standing out to me as the central question posed was "what gives a life meaning?" Is it the relationships we have? Is it the things we can accomplish? And what happens when those things are gone? Is it the space we take up and the resources we consume? Is it the written record of our life and thoughts? Is it the places we've been or the things we've accumulated or the knowledge we've sought?
Not much happens plot-wise in this one, which doesn't usually appeal to me, but I found myself enjoying the experience of reading this one because of how much it made me stop to think. I know there are multiple sequels and I'm curious to know where the series will go next... and I'm also still not sure to what the title is referring! Maybe that's something I'd pick up on a re-read or maybe the explanation is yet to come. I will be reading on.
Read if you enjoy slow, contemplative, philosophical fiction with a splash of fantasy.
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I think I went into this book with a misunderstanding about the author’s role in narrating it. I kept thinking Bob the Drag Queen was telling his own story (I don’t know anything about him other than “drag queen” is in his name), but then was confused about Darnell’s personality and naivety as a character.
While I’m glad I gave the audiobook a try, it didn’t necessarily make the story better. Other than Slim’s character having a distinct voice, I had trouble distinguishing between most dialogue and Darnell’s inner monologue. The tone was also a bit flat and unfortunately neither the humor nor serious realizations landed for me.
I found the premise interesting, and am glad it is resonating with so many people, but this one was just okay for me. It is, however, a book I wouldn’t have normally picked up and am happy to have participated in the PageBound Readalong.
I enjoyed hearing the songs at the end of the audiobook.
zimbreezy finished a book

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert
Bob the Drag Queen
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zimbreezy finished a book

Fool's Assassin (The Fitz and the Fool, #1)
Robin Hobb
zimbreezy finished a book

Fool's Assassin (The Fitz and the Fool, #1)
Robin Hobb
zimbreezy is interested in reading...

The Lion Women of Tehran
Marjan Kamali
zimbreezy is interested in reading...

The Empress of Salt and Fortune (The Singing Hills Cycle, #1)
Nghi Vo
zimbreezy TBR'd a book

Kangaroo Notebook
Kōbō Abe
zimbreezy TBR'd a book

Destiny's Edge
M.L. Wang
zimbreezy wrote a review...
Adorable, inventive, and intriguing!
zimbreezy wrote a review...
Forgive me, old friend.
Another great installment! I love how dramatic this is getting. We got more of the adults’ stories in this one.
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