Mommy Brain

I’ve actually finished a few books lately, but I haven’t had time to do a post on each one. So here’s a quick sum-up:

I listened to the audiobook of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The classic American novel, right? I guess it depends on who you ask, because I don’t see what all the fuss is about. A bunch of spoiled rich bigots behaving badly. The narrator, Nick Carraway, is the only person with any redeeming qualities at all, and you’re left wondering why he would choose to hang around this bunch in the first place. 2 out of 5 stars.

The next audiobook I chose was Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. I’ve enjoyed every other book of hers that I’ve read or listened to, but I quit listening to this one. The storyline is such a blatant rip-off of Stephen King’s The Green Mile that I was appalled. I did a Google search, and it seems like this struck a lot of other readers, as well.

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of The House at Midnight by Lucie Whitehouse, and read it very quickly - I think it only took a day and a half. While it kept me turning pages, in the end, I can’t say I liked it. It couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a gothic suspense novel or chick lit. The characters reminded me very much of the spoiled, rich characters in The Great Gatsby - and Gatsby was even mentioned in the novel when describing a party. The ending left a lot of things unresolved. I don’t mind an ending that isn’t completely tidy, but this one felt very abrupt. 2 out of 5 stars.

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere is a collection of short stories by Z.Z. Packer. I liked some of the stories very much, while others were just okay. She is a very talented writer, though, and brings a unique perspective on the experience of African Americans. 3 out of 5 stars.