2011: Book 8

Little Children by Tom Perotta

368 pages

Completed 2/7/11

Let me begin by saying that I am 95% positive I already read this book; as I got to a major turning point in the novel, I smacked myself when I realized that it was SO familiar, I must have read it. However, I'm also pretty sure I saw the movie with Kate Winslet...so, I couldn't really tell you. However, I guess I must have enjoyed both, because I read this cover to cover, barely pausing.

A town plagued by unhappy marriages, bratty kids, a paroled child molester, a vigilante, and illicit affairs, this novel was so, well, good. I really have nothing to complain about. Without giving away the story for those who have not read or seen the story, Perrotta somehow makes it possible to connect with all of the characters, good and bad.

LIZ: BOOK #6

The End of the World As We Know It by Robert Goolrick

214 pages

Completed 1/31/10

Until page 160, this book seemed to just drone on. But at that point in this book, the author wakes up as a four year old boy being molested by his father while family members snore nearby. In fact, there was an entire chapter of just run-on sentences questioning 'how they went on.'

This memoir seemed to be a cathartic healing process for the author, rather than an entertaining memoir to the reader. In fact, "morbidly funny" are the words on the cover used by a critic to describe the book; this was anything but funny. Instead I found it sad; the putting-ons of appearance, the facade the family had built up, and the anguish of Goolrick throughout the years.

I feel like perhaps this book was more suited towards a male audience; an entire chapter was dedicated to male puberty, in a way that didn't seem necessary to the book, in my opinion. I have veered away from memoirs as of late because of their plainness; I should have done the same with this one, as well.