My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars Page Count: 355 Date Finished: September 6, 2017 In Dubious Battle is a solid book. It's Steinbeck's first full-length novel considering the others up to this point are more like novellas. What I enjoyed about this one is that Steinbeck's straightforward storytelling ability shines through. He doesn't do …
Continue reading Book Review / In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck
My Rating: 4 of 5 Page Count: 493 Date Finished: September 1, 2017 So I heard people like this book. Now that I have read it I understand why. There's so much to like about it. Francie Nolan has to be one of the most likable characters there is or ever will be. The …
Continue reading Book Review / A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
My Rating: 3 of 5 Page Count: 208 Date Finished: August 20, 2017 Tortilla Flat is recognized as Steinbeck's first critical and commercial success and rightfully so. It's the best that I've encountered since starting at the beginning of his collection. The story follows a group of friends, made up mostly of thieves …
Continue reading Book Review / Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars Page Count: 309 Date Finished: August 18, 2017 This one is rough to say the least. It's even more painful knowing that the novel is semi-autobiographical. Allison's first novel, published in 1992, is set in Greenville, South Carolina sometime during the 1950's. Though set in the 50's, the …
Continue reading Book Review / Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
My rating: 2 of 5 Stars Page Count: 240 Date Finished: August 17, 2017 To A God Unknown, published in 1933, is Steinbeck's second full-length novel and took almost 5 years to complete. It's interesting to think that Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden took him less time, while this one is so short in …
Continue reading Book Review / To a God Unknown by John Steinbeck
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars Page Count: 624 Date Finished: August 10, 2017 I try not to put much stock in Goodreads ratings as they are usually skewed one way or another and though I'm not surprised, it's a little disappointing that Moby-Dick has an average rating of 3.46. This book is unbelievable. …
Continue reading Book Review / Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville
While I'm making my way through Moby-Dick and gearing up for To a God Unknown, making a post more on the personal side felt appropriate. My journey on becoming a reader isn't going to be told as a simple one. I could tell you how I was motivated one day to pick up a book and became a …
My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars Page Count: 201 Date Finished: July 22, 2017 This right here is more like the Steinbeck I know and love. The Pastures of Heaven was likely the world's first encounter with how strong his social narrative could be in respect to small town people. The Pastures of Heaven, …
Continue reading Book Review / The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck
I wasn't feeling this one. I was hesitant going in because the subject matter isn't something I care all that much about. The whole pirate thing I'm not naturally enthusiastic about. However, I do believe if a book is engaging enough I'm usually able to connect with it in some way no matter the subject. …
Continue reading Book Review / Cup of Gold by John Steinbeck
My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars Page Count: 1088 Date Finished: June 21, 2017 I finally did it. I loved this book at times, other times I had to push through, but overall it was a rewarding experience. It's impossible to take it all in on the first read. I have so many questions about it …
Continue reading Book Review / Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
Books Over Troubled Water 