This book took me some time to finish; a facet of reading essays, in my experience. I originally came across it where I do many of my book selections - The Sunday NYT Book Review. Some of the essays are better than others, of course. Isn’t this what essayists do in collections? Include weaker works with their stronger ones.
I use the star-rating system as an average of different criteria that are important to me. For non-fiction, it is: quality of writing, introducing me to events and topics with which I am not yet familiar or deepening my knowledge on a topic of interest, whether it gets me thinking or makes me feel something, would I recommend it.
Here, the quality of the writing and translation is high, in my opinion. It introduced me to events and topics with which I was not familiar, which makes it inherently interesting to me. It didn’t necessarily get me thinking or feeling at a five-star level, although there are a handful of underlined passages in my finished copy.
I can’t say I would widely recommend it, but I enjoyed it enough that I might read something else of his in the future.

My Rating System:
Quality of Writing: 4.25/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 4/5
Reading Pace: 2/5
Quality of Research/Information: 4/5
The Care Factor: 3.5/5
TOTAL: 17.75 0.5 (might read more by this author) = 18.25/25

A little slow starting. Not quite as good as the first book, but I'll continue reading the series.

My Rating System:
Characters (Strength, Likability): 3.75/5
Story/Plot: 3.5/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 4/5
Reading Pace: 5/5
Quality of Writing: 4/5
TOTAL: 20.25 1.0 (will read more by this author): 21.25/25

My Rating System:
Characters (Strength, Likability): 3.75/5
Story/Plot: 3.5/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 3.75/5
Reading Pace: 5/5
Quality of Writing: 3.75/5
TOTAL: 19.75 0 (not likely o read more by this author) = 19.75/25

This is a 3.75 star read. But when 4 out of my 5 categories are in the three-star range, I won't round up to a 4-star rating on GoodReads.

I came across this book when looking for more non-fiction graphic reads, and the topic of loneliness will likely be a central one in my own epic tome: The Human Theory of Discomfort. While I have certainly experienced feelings of loneliness during my life, I am grateful not to be a chronically, lonely person - thanks to husband, children, extended family, and good friends.

My Rating System:
Quality of Writing/Illustration: 4/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 4.25/5
Reading Pace: 4/5
Quality of Research/Information: 4.5/5
The Care Factor: 4/5
TOTAL: 20.75 0.5 (might read more by this author): 21.25

Interesting quotes:
The days are long and loud, and on some exhausted evenings, the simple existence of others feels like an inconvenience. (32)

Creating defined spaces around oneself was so foundational to the twentieth-century American dream that separation was part of its formula. (42)

But loneliness isn’t necessarily tied to whether you have a partner or a best friend or an aspirationally active social life in which you’re laughing all the time. It’s a variance that rests in the space between relationships you have and relationships you want. Loneliness lives in the gap. (71)

The sensation of disconnection I was feeling is an evolutionary trigger at the base of attachment theory. Throughout most points in the brief curve of human history, it was dangerous to be alone. That discomforting twinge to pull us back into our communities and tribes is a stress response that pumps hormones show more through our bodies and pushes blood into our hearts at a more forceful rate. (78)

The brain’s reaction to social rejection is almost identical to how it experiences physical pain. (139)

The anterior cingulate cortex works to surveil conflict, so when it senses pain, it’s reacting not to the pain itself, but to the distress that pain causes. And since our bodies perceive social distress as dangerous, the brain reacts just as it would to a physical threat. (140) show less

This book felt like it borrowed heavily from Rear Window starring Jimmy Stewart for its characters and plot line. Because of that, it was easy to figure out the plot twist before it was revealed.

I read this book to be able to discuss it with a friend. I thought it was going to be more focused on Ivana’s relationship with Donald. It should really be titled “Raising Trumps” since it was mostly about the Trump children.

If GoodReads allowed for partial stars, I would give this 4.5 stars. Looking forward to reading Parable of Talents. Wish Octavia E. Butler had not died before writing the third of the planned trilogy.

It was not difficult to figure out the major plot twist pretty early on, but it was still an entertaining read overall.

A very interesting read. I was shocked by some of the information shared. The wine world is a much more competitive and misleading industry than I would have thought. A must-read for anyone who loves wine and thinks they actually know a lot about it.

This book reminded me that the universe is fascinating place.

I have been a fan of Chris Bohjalian since the beginning. I don’t want to be too unkind, but I detested this book. The plot and main character were both trite. And the entire time I was reading the book, I kept thinking that he lifted the story from a movie I had seen. (Blanking on the name of it now as I am writing this review a number of months after finishing the book).

A worthwhile read

The first 75%-80% of this book was amazing. Then it took a dip until maybe the last 5%-10% of the book, which is why I’m giving it 4 rather than 5 stars, if Goodreads allowed half stars this would be a 4.5 star read.

My Rating System:
Characters (Strength, Likability) 4.5/5
Story/Plot: 4.5/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 5/5
Reading Pace: 5/5
Quality of Writing: 4.5/5
TOTAL: 23.5 0.5 (might read more by this author) = 24/25

Knowing this book was based on David Copperfield, an all-time favorite of mine, made this a definite read. Kingsolver’s use of the same names or clearly-related variations (e.g. Emma for Emily, Peggott for Peggotty; Stoner for Murdstone; U-Haul for Uriah Heep and on and on) really tied the story to David Copperfield. It addressed the opioid crisis in a less emotionally raw way than perhaps some other opioid crisis fiction does, but you finish with a strong picture of what it looks like from a life lived inside it.

SPOILER:

A happy ending for Demon tracks with David Copperfield. Demon and Angus (Agnes) are heading for the ocean and will likely end up married (just like David and Agnes got married in David Copperfield). It would have been interesting to see the happy ending played out a bit more as it was in David Copperfield rather than leaving it at their drive to the ocean.


My Rating System:
Characters (Strength, Likability) 4.75/5
Story/Plot: 4.5/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 4.75/5
Reading Pace: 5/5
Quality of Writing: 5/5
TOTAL: 24 1.5 (will read everything by this author): 25.5/25

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. It came on my radar through one of the book podcasts (either Book Talk, etc. or Sarah's Bookshelves or The Currently Reading Podcast or What Should I Read Next) to which I listen regularly, and I always want to enjoy those recommendations. There was a wait to get a copy through Libby, so I read another of the author's books - Oona Out of Order - first.
The structure of Acts of Violet - interweaving podcast transcripts, magazine and newspaper articles and first-person POV narration sounded as though it would be interesting, but as the book progressed, I found it distracting. I would have liked to hear more from Violet directly because in the end I didn't feel invested in her as a character. Perhaps if the book had ended differently, I would have been more satisfied with this book. While you don't have to love magic, if you hate magic, you might not enjoy this book.
If you want to give this author a chance, I recommend Oona Out of Order.

My Rating System:
Characters (Strength, Likability): 3/5
Story/Plot: 3/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 3/5
Reading Pace: 4/5
Quality of Writing: 3/5
TOTAL: 16 0 (not likely to read more by this author) = 16/25

I borrowed this book while I was waiting for the author's most recent book (Acts of Violet) to become available through Libby, and I'm glad I did. Oona was a compelling character who had me caring about her from the very beginning. Most publisher and bookseller reviews seem to like the phrase "Remarkably inventive" to describe the book. I will simply say that it is an interesting and captivating narrative technique and plot structure (leaping around in time, living your life out of order, never knowing what year it will be when you wake up on January 1st). Her story had me teary in certain places and pulling for her in others. It was mind-boggling in places, trying to figure out how she could know what when, so I recommend reading it straight through, if possible, for greatest enjoyment.
I've read that a series adaptation is in the works at Amazon and am looking forward to seeing it!

My Rating System:
Characters (Strength, likability): 4.5/5
Story/Plot: 4.5/5
Enjoyability/Ease of Reading: 4.5/5
Reading Pace: 5/5
Quality of Writing: 4.5/5
TOTAL: 22.5 0 (not likely to read more by this author) = 22.5/25