Review: Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is one of those rare instances where the movie is better than the book (to me, anyway). While the movie left out some rather important plot points (a painting and the significance of the title of the book, for instance), the movie gave the characters personality and depth. I went into reading this wanting to know more about specific people (Lisa was one in particular). The book did answer a couple of questions I had about them, but their stories and backgrounds are lacking.

At one point in the movie, in a voice narrative, there is a line about how Susanna wrote every random thought and put it in her notebook. That's how this book reads. There is no chronology. Chapters just seem to be inserted here and there as if they were written as she was thinking of them. It was a fast read and I did enjoy it, but the book and the movie need to have a love child. Neither one seem complete on their own.

This is the first time I've wished there was a half star rating. I would probably give it a 3.5.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book about mental health.

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Review: The Last Good Heist: The Inside Story of The Biggest Single Payday in the Criminal History of the Northeast

The Last Good Heist: The Inside Story of The Biggest Single Payday in the Criminal History of the Northeast by Tim White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Born and raised in RI, nothing remotely interesting ever really happens here, so I usually have to get my history/information from books written by people who lived it. Old newspapers on microfiche don't always provide the excitement or complete details. When the Bonded Vault heist happened, I was not even a glimmer in my parents' eyes. When this book came out, the Bonded Vault heist was news to me.

When you think Mafia/Mob, most people are going to rattle off names of the New York crime families and occasionally Whitey Bulger. I knew RI had mafia presence, but until I read this book, I did not really grasp the extent of the presence it had (still has?) here. Hudson Furs, still exists for those who are interested.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read. I actually had to force myself to put it down each night so I could get enough sleep to function at work the next day.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book involving a heist.


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Review: Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII

Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII by Chester Nez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

** A note for sensitive readers: There are some subjects brought up in this book that may be too difficult for some readers to read through. For example, there are descriptions of the inhumane "livestock reduction" program mandated by the government in the 1930s. If you are sensitive to such topics/descriptions, read with caution. **

"We had been raised to suffer silently." ~ Chester Nez (Code Talker, Chapter 15)

I really struggled to get through this book. It was not because it was bad or boring. It was rather difficult to get through because of the horrendous treacheries imposed upon the Navajo. This book did not just tug the heart strings; that would be an understatement. Some chapters rip your heart out.

The way the government treated the Navajo (and other tribes) in the early 1900s is disgusting. Granted this was a century ago, but how much has really changed?

One of the first things you are told as you begin the book is that when Chester's sister died in 2008, she was still waiting for electricity to be available at her home. In more current terms, even more tribal lands were needlessly desecrated on a whim (Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone XL). The Navajo and Sioux may live on opposite sides of the country (Navajo in the south, Sioux in the north), but they are still treated like they do not matter.

This book really brought out mix emotions while I was reading. In one way, it is extremely depressing. In another, it brought out the anger and irritation that our country (read a politician) is incapable of evolving to become something even close to humane and tolerant. At the same, I felt extremely surprised and impressed. Even after the mistreatment and continued prejudice Chester experienced, he still remained committed to protecting his "Motherland" and family by joining with the Marines.

This is a great story if you can get through the depressing portions of the book. I learned quite a bit as well. Usually in school, the main focus of WW2 is Germany, the Holocaust, and the bombing of Hiroshima. It was very interesting to learn about the details of the war in the Pacific.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you.

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