A Man Called Ove

by Fredrick Backman
June 5-July 3, 2016

Wow, this one took a while to get off the ground. I was warned of this and told to hold out for the payoff, but it was hard to plug away through nearly 70% off the book before I was invested. Normally I would have given up long before then. I'm not sure this is the best formula for a book, but Ove sure has been praised like crazy.

To somehow find joy, laughter and compassion in a plot where the main character's whole goal is to commit suicide doesn't even sound like a sellable premise. But it worked. Though again, the praise for Ove is off the charts. I'm flabbergasted by it. I mean, it was a good book, but people a just gushing. Pleas to vote Ove as character of the year (2015). Predictions that this will be book of the year. I mean, it's not that good. It's not that unique. But it was a good story if you remain patient. For all those who know a "curmudgeon," Ove will probably resonate stronger.

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The Hundred-Year House

by Rebecca Makkai
May 16-June 5, 2016

The idea of taking the reader through a story in reverse chronological order is a good one, but it has to be perfectly executed. And, with the book being segmented into three parts, I found the character development lacking. For me this was a case of the back-cover copy being much more intriguing than the actual story.

Violet's the great grandmother ghost, who supposedly looms over the house, but it's more implied than fully realized. Zee, the main character, is pretty annoying, but as the story progressed in reverse, I cared less and less what happened.

Short review – I'm way behind. Plus, much better books to talk about.

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