Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Review: The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood

My first reaction was that I didn't like this because I must not like dystopian literature. But after some reflection, I didn't like this story because too many elements were disjointed. I finished reading this because I wanted to figure something out... mainly, something about the main character. The narrator drops clues about herself, and in the hopes that those clues would lead to more back story about her, I kept reading. All to no end. I suppose, the main character is left non-descript as a way for the reader to project some of our own expectations / experiences onto her. But for me, that results in nothing but blah. What does that say about me? I'm not sure except that I simply like to read about a protagonist that is more fully realized than this.(Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Review: Family Fun My Great Idea


Family Fun Magazine My Great Idea: 350 Parents Share Their Creative Tips
by Parke Goodwin

So many tips, I had to read small sections each day. Otherwise I'd read so fast, the suggestions would all haze together. I wish the pictures were bigger. Also would've liked if the tips were somehow organized by ages. Something simple like toddler vs. school-age or pre-literate vs. reading. Worth keeping on-hand for a few years to come. (Originally posted as SquareSpot on PaperBackSwap.com.)