u/TheGreatGena

Have you ever read a story that just completely went over your head? Or a book that really put your reader empathy to the test?

I just finished All Fours by Miranda July. I could absolutely feel the thought and emotion she poured into crafting the narrative- but I just didn't get it. I could not understand the main characters emotions or reactions. But all the while I knew there would be people out there who must feel so seen by this novel. Definitely an interesting reading experience.

Do you have any books that have made you feel like this while reading them?

Im rewatching the early seasons, and I will admit I am only half listening/watching. But in not giving it my full attention, Dean's seemingly abrupt character change didnt seem so out of the blue.

Towards the end of season 1, Dean and Rory break up. From Dean's perspective his girlfriend doesn't love him as much as he loves her.

Season 1 finale sees Dean and Rory get back together, but from Dean's perspective he also "catches" Rory flirting with Tristan. Is that what happened? No, but Dean only saw the end of the conversation.

Early season 2, before Jess. The dinner at the grandparents has Dean questioning if he is enough for Rory. We actually see that this dinner shakes him once they get back to SH. We had also seen evidence of this insecurity in season 1.

Jess shows up and it becomes pretty obvious pretty quick that Rory likes him. Jealousy begins to form, and this is mere months after they have gotten back together. Remember, in Dean's mind, they broke up because Rory didn't love him. Thats not going to help the Jealousy Monster.

Obviously the Jess jealousy continues all season, we dont need to list out all the specifics as we all know them. But in there we also have the Tristan as Romeo debacle. And yes Tristan leaves, but still. This girl who had to be convinced to say I love you has 2 other men she seems to be close to and who are activly pursuing her. Who both love to rub Dean's face in their "friendship" or proximity to Rory.

By the beginning of season 3 it make sense that Dean would be an insecure, jealous and clingy boyfriend. Their relationship stopped working after their season 1 breakup. Now I also think that ASP and DP wanted to make Jess look better and did that by making Dean worse. But putting aside the script reasons, the in-world reactions 16 year old Dean is showing are fairly predictable and logical for a teen.

Sorry this ended up needing a longer explanation that I originally thought!

While I have some time to read physical books, most of my reading time comes in the form of audiobooks during my daily chores and errands. Right now I use library apps (Libby/Hoopla) but sometimes I find my library lacking in nonfiction audio. Besides Audible, is there any place you have had good luck finding nonfiction audio?

​

Thanks for your help!

Saw this while scrolling Libby the other day, and finished the audiobook this morning. The parents are voiced by Josh and Colbie, and their trials as a married couple felt very Ted-and-Robin-alternate-universe (except the Dad is a screen writer, not an architect). It is written by Craig Thomas, so that would make sense.

4/5 stars, would recommend the audiobook. I dont know that I would have liked it as much without the cast narration.

Ill speak from personal belief, because I don't know a better way to explain. Whenever I pick up a new book (physical, electronic, or audio) I gave myself between 3 - 6 chapters to decide if I like it. If during that stretch I am not engaged or interested I move on. But I do not consider this not finishing a book. I think about it more like watching episode one of a TV show. Ive barely started, just enough to know I won't enjoy it. To me actually not finishing a book comes when I have invested and then actively decide to stop engaging with the story. Its rare for me to engage in a story and then suddenly not want to finish that story.

Thoughts? Do you have an exit ramp for books, and if so when? When is your point of claiming not fininshed vs not interested?

Basically the title. Almost every physical book I have read in the past couple years does not have a table of contents page with chapters listed. I do read mostly fiction, is that why? Do I have false memories of books having tables of contents from childhood? Is that something that only happens in children's books? When I read ebooks a table of contents is normally upfront as linked pages. Is it just publishers trying to lessen pages printed to save a few bucks?

Neither complaining or celebrating the trend, just wondering...what happened?

If Sirius was free, both Harry and Sirius would have immediately followed through on the plan for Harry to live with Sirius. How would Dumbledore explain that Harry had to stay with the Dursleys? Straight up? Or would he have concocted some lie to tell Sirus and Harry? Framed Sirus again?

Even if he had explained it, I fell like Sirus (and maybe Harry) would have ignored it or Sirus would have thrown the same attitude as when he was held up in Grimmuld Place.

Anyway....thoughts?