EljayJohnson
Hennepin County Library
EljayJohnson's Completed Shelf
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Lincoln in the BardoLincoln in the Bardo, BookA Novel
by Saunders, George, 1958-Book - 2017 | First editionBook, 2017. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Mar 26, 2024
Women Who Love Books Too MuchWomen Who Love Books Too Much, BookBibliophiles, Bluestockings, and Prolific Pens From the Algonquin Hotel to the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
by Knight, Brenda, 1958-Book - 2000Book, 2000
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2024
Comment:
Interesting and fun mini-bios of women writers throughout history.
After I DoAfter I Do, BookA Novel
by Reid, Taylor JenkinsBook - 2014 | First Washington Square Press trade paperback editionBook, 2014. First Washington Square Press trade paperback edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Mar 16, 2024
Comment:
Considering what I usually like, I probably shouldn't be the huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid that I am. But love her I do, and this didn't disappoint. You can tell she's matured as a writer since this early book but she's always immensely readable to me and I gobbled this up.Considering what I usually like, I probably shouldn't be the huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid that I am. But love her I do, and this didn't disappoint. You can tell she's matured as a writer since this early book but she's always immensely readable…
What Happened to the BennettsWhat Happened to the Bennetts, Book
by Scottoline, LisaBook - 2022Book, 2022
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
I hadn't read a thriller/mystery for awhile so I was in the mood to enjoy this. I definitely liked the first half best, when the family was dealing with their shock and with learning to live within the witness protection program - and the reader was trying to figure out what was really going on. And there was actually some insightful examination of loss and grief, something unusual in a thriller. But the second half saw Ordinary Guy dad turn into unbelievable Action Hero dad and we raced at breakneck speed to a high drama conclusion, all of which made it less interesting to me.I hadn't read a thriller/mystery for awhile so I was in the mood to enjoy this. I definitely liked the first half best, when the family was dealing with their shock and with learning to live within the witness protection program - and the reader…
The Warm Hands of GhostsThe Warm Hands of Ghosts, BookA Novel
by Arden, KatherineBook - 2024 | First editionBook, 2024. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Mar 06, 2024
Comment:
I am simply heartbroken that I didn't like this. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale and the rest of the Winternight Trilogy so much, and I was knock-kneed with anticipation about this newest from Arden. But the story stuttered along and the writing was stilted, especially the dialogue. A generous 2 stars for an interesting idea at the heart of it all (that wasn't ever realized) and an occasional lovely sentence. Ironically, the passion and beauty I expected from Arden was only present in the Author's Note at the end.I am simply heartbroken that I didn't like this. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale and the rest of the Winternight Trilogy so much, and I was knock-kneed with anticipation about this newest from Arden. But the story stuttered along and the…
Fourteen DaysFourteen Days, BookA Literary Project of the Authors Guild of America
Book - 2024 | First editionBook, 2024. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Mar 02, 2024
Comment:
Fourteen days, 36 authors, one fundraising stunt. The story is about a group of tenants in a rundown apartment building in Brooklyn who gather every evening on their roof for socially-distanced interaction during the first days of the pandemic lockdown when NYC was suffering so badly. For two weeks, the tenants tell each other stories - some about themselves, some about others from their lives, some totally invented. 36 talented authors write the different stories - some authors widely known like Atwood and John Grisham and Celeste Ng and Tommy Orange and more. The book is a project for the Authors Guild and is a fundraiser for their foundation. Reading it is like watching one of those movies where there are a ton of celebrity cameos - look, it's Dave Eggers! Here's Emma Donohue! It's kind of a stunt but that didn't bother me. The fail for me was that a lot of the authors didn't understand the assignment and their section didn't read remotely like a character was doing verbal storytelling. And as is the usual for any large collection of something; some was good, some meh, some bad. Finally, what an incredibly lame ending. I recommend a pass.Fourteen days, 36 authors, one fundraising stunt. The story is about a group of tenants in a rundown apartment building in Brooklyn who gather every evening on their roof for socially-distanced interaction during the first days of the pandemic…
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Feb 21, 2024
Comment:
Gruesome, gorgeous, vicious, lyrical. And a Shakespeare cameo. What a read! (Not for the faint of heart.)
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Feb 19, 2024
Comment:
I'm a Geraldine Brooks fan and have loved her other books, especially People of the Book and Year of Wonders, so my expectations were high going into this. And they were mostly met and through most of my reading I was sure this was a 4-star book for me. At the center of this book is the story of Lexington, ostensibly the greatest racehorse (and begetter of racehorses) of all time. There are multiple storylines and many characters and several subject matters: the portraits of these horses circa 1850s U.S. and the artists who painted them (This was a thing. Who knew? Not me.); the breeding, training, and fierce competition surrounding Lexington and other horses; the modern-day art history interest; and the also modern-day science around the skeletal remains of this astonishing champion. But what it's really about is race -- Lexington is trained and cared for and elevated to excellence by a young enslaved Black man, and they are the heart of the book and belong to each other in a novel that has a lot to say about ownership. Brooks takes us from just pre-war Kentucky and Louisiana to the 1950s New York City art scene to the year 2019 at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. where the portraits of Lexington have been discovered by a Black art historian and his skeleton is found in the Smithsonian's famous "attic" by a visiting Australian scientist. Whew. That's a lot. And in less capable hands it could have been a hot mess, but Brooks is so skilled that she weaves her stories and themes impeccably, leading her reader to inevitable conclusions about the state of race matters in the U.S. with sensitivity and deftness. She takes her time with these stories and issues, especially with her central tale of Lexington and Jarrett; her prose can make you ache. And I love both science and art museum-y stuff, so the modern story was tailor-made for me.
So, what happened? Yes, a star has certainly been dropped. And that's because of the endings of the two main storylines in D.C. and Kentucky. After all of that care and time, we get these bang-up, high drama conclusions -- I guess just in case you weren't paying attention and missed that the plight of enslaved people was dehumanizing and horrific, and that that dehumanization continues today. I still recommend this book - without reservation - but I wish Brooks had trusted her story and her reader more.I'm a Geraldine Brooks fan and have loved her other books, especially People of the Book and Year of Wonders, so my expectations were high going into this. And they were mostly met and through most of my reading I was sure this was a 4-star book…
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Feb 11, 2024
Comment:
Extremely well-written literary/historical fiction about a trio of anthropologists studying indigenous peoples in 1930s New Guinea. It's loosely based on the life of renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead and the book details the work, the personal, and the political. The sense of place is astonishing and I could feel/taste/smell/see what King was describing so clearly. This is my first book by her and she's very gifted. I'll be back for more.Extremely well-written literary/historical fiction about a trio of anthropologists studying indigenous peoples in 1930s New Guinea. It's loosely based on the life of renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead and the book details the work, the personal,…
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Feb 11, 2024
Comment:
I loved Daisy Goodwin's first book, The American Heiress, and I've read each of her three books since, hoping that I would duplicate that first experience. But, unfortunately, I'm done trying. Each subsequent book since Heiress has become consecutively worse, with this one being really terrible. So poorly written, so repetitive, and so somehow boring and inconsequential, considering its interesting subject matter. What a disappointment.I loved Daisy Goodwin's first book, The American Heiress, and I've read each of her three books since, hoping that I would duplicate that first experience. But, unfortunately, I'm done trying. Each subsequent book since Heiress has become…
The Friend ZoneThe Friend Zone, Book
by Jimenez, AbbyBook - 2019 | First editionBook, 2019. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Feb 04, 2024
Comment:
The banter is well-done and, for a debut novel, the writing is definitely above average. But I hated how a serious, heart-breaking (for many) medical condition is the happily ever after barrier device in a frothy contemporary romance. And the resolution to the barrier is infuriating and negates any good the author was attempting to do earlier in the book. And please, there's even a terrible tragedy thrown in too? The tone was all over the place and I feel like this book couldn't decide if it wanted to go there and actually be a thoughtful piece of fiction that examines some issues with nuance, or a piece of fluff. It wasn't successful at either. But Jimenez is skilled enough to get a lump in my throat or a giggle out of me when she tried.The banter is well-done and, for a debut novel, the writing is definitely above average. But I hated how a serious, heart-breaking (for many) medical condition is the happily ever after barrier device in a frothy contemporary romance. And the…
The Unmaking of June FarrowThe Unmaking of June Farrow, BookA Novel
by Young, Adrienne, 1985-Book - 2023 | First editionBook, 2023. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Jan 25, 2024
Comment:
Whew, that time-traveling, time-looping, dual/triple/quadruple timeline stuff made my brain hurt a bit, but once I stopped forcing rules and sense onto it all I really enjoyed this very prettily written, romantic story about family and choices and sacrifice. And what a gorgeous cover!Whew, that time-traveling, time-looping, dual/triple/quadruple timeline stuff made my brain hurt a bit, but once I stopped forcing rules and sense onto it all I really enjoyed this very prettily written, romantic story about family and choices and…
HesterHester, BookA Novel
by Lico Albanese, Laurie, 1959-Book - 2022 | First editionBook, 2022. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Jan 21, 2024
Comment:
I greatly enjoyed this retelling/imagining of the events and relationships that could be the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. It stuttered a little at the beginning as it was setting up its concept, but then I pretty much couldn't put it down. I'm a sucker for Salem witchcraft books and have read a lot (too many?) of them, but this one centering on the generations who inherited that trauma directly after had something different to offer. And I kind of fell in love with Captain Darling. And don't miss the author's historical note at the end. I definitely recommend for people who are interested in the subject/time period and like their historical fiction fast-paced and action-packed.I greatly enjoyed this retelling/imagining of the events and relationships that could be the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. It stuttered a little at the beginning as it was setting up its concept, but then I pretty much…
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Jan 18, 2024
Comment:
This is the story of a young man - and the people in his life and in his past - living in a tiny town on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota circa 1895-1920. (Grand Marais?) Such a beautiful book. I don't know how it managed to feel both epic and small & contained all at once. It's literary/historical fiction at its best. I can't wait to read more from this author.This is the story of a young man - and the people in his life and in his past - living in a tiny town on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota circa 1895-1920. (Grand Marais?) Such a beautiful book. I don't know how it managed to feel both epic and…
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Jan 14, 2024
Comment:
Some good creepy moments (those squirrels!), but ultimately the extremely slow (and aggravating) start and the repetition ruined this for me. I know Pupkin was supposed to terrify and/or amuse me, but I found him endlessly annoying instead.
The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Book
by Collins, SuzanneBook - 2020 | First editionBook, 2020. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2024
Comment:
I was a big fan of The Hunger Games trilogy, so I greatly enjoyed visiting that world again. This prequel/villain backstory didn't disappoint. I liked that Collins simply presented her MC without excuses and justification or piling on of censure; more of a this is what happened to him, this is what he chose, this is what he was thinking/feeling - so you, reader, decide. My only criticism is there were some pacing issues and bloatedness for me.I was a big fan of The Hunger Games trilogy, so I greatly enjoyed visiting that world again. This prequel/villain backstory didn't disappoint. I liked that Collins simply presented her MC without excuses and justification or piling on of censure;…
Winter CountsWinter Counts, BookA Novel
by Weiden, David Heska Wanbli, 1963-Book - 2020 | First editionBook, 2020. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Jan 05, 2024
Comment:
A friend selected this for our book club pick and I opened it up without knowing a single thing about it -- I didn't read the back cover or flyleaf or look it up. So, I read the entire book and felt I was reading a contemporary fiction novel about a particular modern Native community and the challenges indigenous people face every day. Then I went on here and Goodreads and saw that I apparently missed something; this novel is labeled mystery/crime/thriller. Oops. I also read a number of reviews complaining about the slow pace and the inferior mystery plotline and I'm glad I read this my way with no expectation of a thriller. Because for me, any crime story/mystery plotline was secondary to an excellent story about our narrator, Virgil Wounded Horse, and his family, friends, and fellow tribal nation members. The details about contemporary Native society, life on the reservation, and Native culture/religion/ceremony felt very real to me and often broke my heart and/or angered me. Anyone wondering what "historical trauma" means needs to read this book.
I look forward to reading more from this author.A friend selected this for our book club pick and I opened it up without knowing a single thing about it -- I didn't read the back cover or flyleaf or look it up. So, I read the entire book and felt I was reading a contemporary fiction novel about…
Beautiful World, Where Are YouBeautiful World, Where Are You, Book
by Rooney, SallyBook - 2021 | First editionBook, 2021. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Dec 27, 2023
Comment:
My second book by Rooney (first was Normal People) and the second time her characters took up residence in my head and made me forget everything but them. She is so extraordinarily talented that even though she writes about truly aggravating people making truly appalling choices, I'm irresistibly fascinated. I found myself rooting for both couples and their love stories (and really, should I have?); crying; getting caught up in their (at times ridiculous) philosophical musings despite myself; and wishing I could aggressively clunk several (all?) of their heads together.
Rooney is an amazing gift to modern literature and if you haven't read her, you should.My second book by Rooney (first was Normal People) and the second time her characters took up residence in my head and made me forget everything but them. She is so extraordinarily talented that even though she writes about truly aggravating people…
The LeaversThe Leavers, Large PrintA Novel
by Ko, LisaLarge Print - 2017 | Large print editionLarge Print, 2017. Large print edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Dec 15, 2023
Comment:
I failed to connect with the two central characters in a way that would allow me to empathize and be deeply interested in them. I felt like many, many topics (abandonment, trauma, immigration, racism, cross-cultural adoption, and more) were touched upon but none so well or so deeply that I experienced anything new or revelatory. The writing was serviceable. But. There were enough times where I saw what the author was trying to illuminate and I give credit to her for telling a story which could inspire important thought and discussion by readers who enjoyed this book more than I did.I failed to connect with the two central characters in a way that would allow me to empathize and be deeply interested in them. I felt like many, many topics (abandonment, trauma, immigration, racism, cross-cultural adoption, and more) were touched…
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Dec 15, 2023
Comment:
Contemporary romances are generally not my "thing", but I sure love Ali Hazelwood! Once again, she did not disappoint with another clever, funny, sexy, and heartfelt STEM-woman romance.
A Merry Little Meet CuteA Merry Little Meet Cute, BookA Novel
by Murphy, Julie, 1985-Book - 2022 | First editionBook, 2022. First edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2023
Comment:
Apparently, tis the season for Christmas porn! This was a fun and spicy romance about a plus-size porn star making a Hallmark Christmas movie with a failed boy band bad boy. It could have been better if it hadn't clocked in at a ridiculously 400+ pages, and ahem, trying not to drop a spoiler, but I have a problem with the title.Apparently, tis the season for Christmas porn! This was a fun and spicy romance about a plus-size porn star making a Hallmark Christmas movie with a failed boy band bad boy. It could have been better if it hadn't clocked in at a ridiculously 400+…
KindredKindred, Book
by Butler, Octavia E.Book - 2003 | 25th anniversary edBook, 2003. 25th anniversary ed
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Dec 09, 2023
Comment:
Conceptually interesting and thematically enraging/heartbreaking, but the execution didn't work for me.
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Dec 09, 2023
Comment:
I read several horror books in October hoping for something good and spooky, but that didn’t happen for me. I had to wait until the end of November and this book before I got scared. This is an immensely creepy and gruesome book and I loved every minute of it. The author certainly went for it in a really big way, especially in the last one-third. Can’t wait to read more from her!
And I’ll never look at Elsa and Anna and Frozen the same way again…I read several horror books in October hoping for something good and spooky, but that didn’t happen for me. I had to wait until the end of November and this book before I got scared. This is an immensely creepy and gruesome book and I loved every…
Rabbit CakeRabbit Cake, Book
by Hartnett, AnnieBook - 2017 | First U.S. editionBook, 2017. First U.S. edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Nov 26, 2023
Comment:
I liked the main character Elvis and the stuff at the zoo. And it was certainly moving-right-along readable. But it was soooo determinedly quirky and it disappointingly didn't have anything very true to say about grief and the death of a parent. It also was askew, child development-wise.I liked the main character Elvis and the stuff at the zoo. And it was certainly moving-right-along readable. But it was soooo determinedly quirky and it disappointingly didn't have anything very true to say about grief and the death of a parent. …
A Court of Thorns and RosesA Court of Thorns and Roses, Book
by Maas, Sarah J.Book - 2020 | Paperback editionBook, 2020. Paperback edition
EljayJohnson's rating:
Added Nov 20, 2023
Comment:
My first foray into the subgenre "romantasy". I guess I wish it hadn't been so light in both areas - fantasy and romance. I liked enough here to read the next in the series but boy, was there a big part of this book that felt like endless nothingness. However, the last third finally ramped up the fantasy elements and stopped being so coy and vague. I felt like the characters finally developed when there was intense conflict. Maas has skill but a good editor needs to rein her in.My first foray into the subgenre "romantasy". I guess I wish it hadn't been so light in both areas - fantasy and romance. I liked enough here to read the next in the series but boy, was there a big part of this book that felt like endless…
Comment: