You Remind Me of Me

Rating:
Summary: Would love to read more from Chaon
Review: This book introduces characters that are painfully real. There is honesty within these pages that most people don't see in reality. The character of Jonah is so heartbreakingly unfortunate that I'll never forget him. I didn't stop rooting for him even when he crossed lines that I, as a reader hoped he wouldn't. There was enough redmemption to keep me turning pages. However I was left with a feeling of unresolve that kept me from feeling completely satisfied with this book. That said, I still wouldn't hesitate to buy any other story by this fabulous writer!

Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read this year
Review: This is a near-perfect book: The writing is unique, the story is believable and interesting, and the characters are ones you are disappointed to have to say good-bye to at the end.

The first half is better than the second, and the only reason I don't give the book five stars is that the ending doesn't fulfill the expectations of the incredible beginning. I really don't like too much action and twists in the novels I read, but the ending could have been a little more captivating. The last few chapters build to a climax and then suddenly jump ahead a few years; I had to learn about the resolution through flashbacks instead of being present during those events.

Despite its flaws, this is a very touching book and I hope that Chaon will hone his skills with more full-length novels in the near future. I look forward to meeting more of the people in his imagination.

Rating:
Summary: Beyond beautiful
Review: This is a novel unlike any other I have read--when I finished it, I felt it in my entire body. I can't even say I "liked" it because reading it was like living it, like feeling the weight of life in every single one of the characters. It's awesome--in the old, true, astounded sense of the word. I feel like we should put it somewhere for safekeeping so it will last until the end of time.