Litsy

so-so

2/5 ⭐️⭐️Stars - This was a slow and somewhat boring read for me. While the writing was nice, there wasn‘t enough comic relief to keep me engaged. I didn‘t connect with any of the characters. I found the jumping around between various characters‘ stories to be a bit confusing. The ending to Romy‘s story was fine, but other character‘s stories felt unresolved. I also did not understand why the author included the journal entries. #jpbookreview

Jess7 #litsybuddyread #bookreview #review #unpopularopinion #augustLBR #rachelkushner #themarsroom #buddyread #bookclub #botm #bookofthemonth (edited) 6y

Jess7 Does anyone know why the author used Ted‘s journal entries? Do you think it added any value to the story? I just didn‘t get that choice at all. 6y

Jennifer3 I wish I could answer your question but I can‘t. It has been such a hard read for me and my busy work schedule in August didn‘t help either. 6y

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Jess7 That‘s ok @Jennifer3 ! Totally understand, this one was super slow for me. It took a lot of effort to make myself finish it. I really think it sort of put me in in a reading slump. Glad to be done with this one! 6y

KT1432 I don't think they added value and I was so confused when I read them. Were they supposed to parallel the GED teacher's isolation? He wasn't a murderous lunatic though so that doesn't make sense to me either. I'm at a loss. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 6y

Jennifer3 Oh at @Jess7 those reading slumps can be tough! Hope you find something new to grab your attention! Maybe

Us Against You

AmyG I liked some parts of this book...basically only the Rory storyline. But the end of the book was wonderlful. 6y

Jess7 I liked the ending of Romy‘s story. I thought that was fitting, but I thought Hauser‘s Story felt very choppy and unresolved. @AmyG 6y

kspenmoll I started this both book & audio & could not get into it. May try again but your review makes me feel better for abandoning the book. 6y

Jess7 #thegreeneyedreader 6y

121 likes10 comments

LitsyBuddyRead

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

This post contains spoilers

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Final discussion of #TheMarsRoom — Comment below and let‘s discuss! #LITSYBUDDYREAD

Jess7, LitsyBuddyRead

jhod I loved the ending! I thought that Romy was making one last decision for herself - she hadn't been able to make any in incarceration and I thought it was quite beautiful. I think others found it unfulfilling though? 6y

Schlinkles @jhod I can see your point, but it also seemed like there was just no redemption in the end. 6y

Jason7 I don‘t think there was supposed to be redemption. I think it was an appropriate ending for a book about lifelong incarceration and the hopelessness that is undoubtedly a result of it. 6y

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KristinaRay @Schlinkles I agree with @jason7, a successful escape, or a reconnection to her son would have made this a miracle story. Redemption would have undermined the theme of the book. 6y

KristinaRay @jhod I liked the ending as well. She was in a dehumanizing situation and I saw this choice as an exertion of her free will, her humanity. 6y

LauraJ @jhod Agree as well. Good ending. This story is the opposite of “everything happens for a reason”. 6y

AmyG I liked this book but the ending made me love it. It‘s the story of a woman‘s life. Her horrid circumstances, sad childhood, bad choices and just plain bad luck. I don‘t blame her for trying to escape. She had already lost everything. What‘s one more thing, her “not” life. 6y

bookandcat This book was so full of heartache. I agree that redemption or any magical curealls at the end would have defeated the purpose of the book. I like how the book really makes you think about the macro and micro of the issue of incarceration but walkals the reader into it through a lens of empathy. 6y

jhod Agree @AmyG , in fact with all of the above! Heart breaking indeed @bookandcat 6y

OriginalCyn620 When Romy escaped, a small part of me thought she wouldn‘t get caught, but I agree with everyone else. I think the ending was appropriate and any other ending would‘ve been far-fetched. I did enjoy the book but it was pretty tragic! 6y

GatheringBooks i debated with myself whether i would give this a 3 or a 4 on Goodreads. 3 mainly because the darkness was relentless, some of the characters just fade off into the night (hello there hauser), there are snippets that are unaccounted for (apparently the journal of a unabomber according to the botm GR review), and a looseness to the narrative that i am not sure how i feel about. Yet it remains a 4 because while I couldn‘t connect to the characters⬇️ 6y

GatheringBooks (cont) it was masterfully written, was gripping, and unadorned in all its ugly truth. 6y

GatheringBooks @bookandcat very true re the macro/micro issue of incarceration. i felt that the snippets abt each of the ladies made them come alive and real - never mind how the reader feels about them - this remains their story and who they are. i felt it was plucky for kushner to remain faithful to the voice in her head, notwithstanding its being potentially unpopular or unlikeable. 6y

GatheringBooks @OriginalCyn620 i hear you about its being tragic. i think i need a lighthearted and uplifting read after this one. 6y

JamieArc While I didn‘t find the ending satisfying, it was one of those situations where there was no satisfying ending. So I see why it had to be that way. The main reason I was disappointed was that it I wasn‘t sure why there were perspectives of other people that didn‘t wrap up or tie in in a significant way. They just dropped off. 6y

JamieArc And I don‘t get the full significance of including the writings of Ted Kaszinski. Anyone have any ideas? 6y

Jess7 Ok, I finally finished this one! This was a slow one for me. I felt the same way @JamieArc - I don‘t know why the ted journal entries were included but a book club discussion at the end of the ebook of this one mentioned it related to connecting with nature and being alone or something. I wanted to like this book, but I ultimately really didn‘t. 6y

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LitsyBuddyRead

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

The final discussion post for #TheMarsRoom will be live in just a few minutes. It will be marked spoiler so you will need to click it to join the discussion. #LitsyBuddyRead

Jess7, LitsyBuddyRead

LitsyBuddyRead @mrozzz @swatreads @JennyM @RebelReader @Laughterhp @somebooksaround @Pamwurtzler @Suelizbeth @BookishTrish @akfreeborn @elyseh @Karkar @BookNerd9906 @Cinfhen @FantasyChick @Susanbones @CoverToCoverGirl @KathyWheeler @emilyhaldi @GatheringBooks @Dulcinella @Jaayimee @cajunsyd @mcctrish @PurpleyPumpkin @Dariachick 6y

LitsyBuddyRead @Jennifer3 @AceOnRoam @akckitty @Valeka @sweetpealsd @Pamwurtzler @AmyG @TracyReadsBooks @shendrix413 @LauraJ @Schlinkles @Lisas.Library @Reviewsbylola @Mowen036 @JamieArc @mrp27 @kspenmoll @Mitch @Dempsey @OriginalCyn620 @ReaderthenBlogger 6y

LitsyBuddyRead @KathyWheeler @AimeeReads (edited) 6y

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Jennifer3 I have gotten so far behind because of Work 6y

Jess7 That‘s ok. Join when you‘re caught up. Just tag people when you comment. @Jennifer3 6y

kspenmoll Sorry to miss this read; started it but have not kept up. What is the next book? @Jess7 (edited) 6y

Valeka I‘m so ridiculously far behind in my reading ☹️ I need a week off from life so I can get caught up!! 6y

GatheringBooks just finished reading the book! will check and catch up with the comments/posts now. 6y

GatheringBooks thank you for the tag @Jess7 - really appreciate it! 😍🧚🏼‍♀️📚 6y

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LitsyBuddyRead

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

This post contains spoilers

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Week 2 Open Discussion: Discuss chapters 10-19 here! 👇🏼

#TheMarsRoom #LitsyBuddyRead

MinDea, Jess7, LitsyBuddyRead

Jess7 I am enjoying the writing in this book, but it is very depressing. Some of the time I have been listening to it on audio and other times I have switched to print. I am having a little trouble keeping track of who is talking with the audio so I have had to re read parts in the print. 6y

Jess7 I‘m ready to find out what happened with the stalker. We‘re so close to finding out! 6y

AmyG I am almost done with this section...1 more chapter. I will say...I love reading about Romy, but not so much the other people in the prison. I look forward to finding out how she actually came to be in prison...and what happens with her son. 6y

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JamieArc This section got interesting! Do you think the short, italicized chapters are the stalker? Really curious who it is! And this section left with a cliffhanger and now I‘m really curious about what happened to Jackson! (edited) 6y

Jess7 Ooohhh I was wondering who it was? It might be the stalker! Now I want to go back re-read those pages with that in mind! @JamieArc 6y

Jess7 I‘m excited to hear your thoughts @AmyG ! I agree that Romy‘s is the most interesting. Gordon (or whatever his name is) is interesting to me when it relates to Romy too. The others are ok, but it‘s somewhat hard to keep track of who a section is about when I listen to it on audio. 6y

JamieArc Yeah, I‘m curious as to how the other characters fit in, like Doc. I‘m hoping it‘s not there just for a different voice but that somehow it all wraps up together. 6y

AmyG @JamieArc Agreed. I am hoping these other characters, Like Doc, tie together, too. @Jess7 As for Gordon. I thought he was so creepy but after this section, I‘m not so sure. 6y

OriginalCyn620 @JamieArc I was wondering the same thing, but you might be right. It might be the stalker! Interesting... 6y

OriginalCyn620 I‘m still liking the book, but I‘m wondering why some of the other characters have been introduced, especially Doc. He has nothing to do with Romy (at least as far as we know). He has a connection to Betty, a death row inmate, and I‘m wondering why these two are in the book. I‘m hoping they somehow tie into Romy, either in the present or her past. 6y

JamieArc @AmyG Yeah Gordon creeped me out in the beginning but he seems to have learned his lesson and seems genuinely empathetic now. We‘ll see if that holds... 6y

Currey I care about Romy but her life is so depressing. The other characters are also just in the process of becoming interesting. Gordon is creepy but seems to be trying hard to be less so. I am also becoming fascinated by Conan for example. The chapters that are in a totally separate voice and font. Who is this? He is totally odd. Sometimes I want to like a character and then am reminded that they are murderers. @Jess7 @AmyG 6y

LauraJ I like that the L.A. parts occur in my neighborhood and are spot-on. I‘m beginning to suspect that a lot of women writers live here, because I see it mentioned so much. 6y

AceOnRoam @JamieArc I believe these italicized sections are notes from the Unabomber (check Wikipedia as I didn't know anything about him) prior to reading this book. 6y

AceOnRoam The spoiler above is about the italicized sections that @JamieArc was wondering about. 6y

JamieArc @AceOnRoam Hmmm. Now I‘m really curious! 6y

jhod @AceOnRoam I would never have got that! Going onto wiki now...! 6y

jhod I am really enjoying this and i do feel a lot of sympathy for Romy. I know we don't know the details of her crime yet but her moving to LA and trying to start again with Jackson and Jimmy - it feels like she was trying to make go of it. Stupid stalker. And can't help thinking if she'd been able to pay for a lawyer things might have been different. I'm enjoying the Doc and Gordon interludes 6y

LitsyBuddyRead The final discussion post is live and ready for everyone to join in the discussion. @AmyG @JamieArc @OriginalCyn620 @Currey @LauraJ @AceOnRoam @jhod 6y

21 likes19 comments

LitsyBuddyRead

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

Hey everyone! Be sure to scroll the the next post marked “spoiler” and click it to join the open discussion of chapters 10-19 of #TheMarsRoom and begin commenting! Remember to tag people in your comments!

#LITSYBUDDYREAD

MinDea, Jess7, LitsyBuddyRead

LitsyBuddyRead @kspenmoll @Valeka @Lisas.Library @Mitch @Dempsey @Reviewsbylola @Mowen036 @mrp27 @TracyReadsBooks @shendrix413 @AceOnRoam @Jennifer3 @sweetpealsd 6y

See All 6 Comments

LitsyBuddyRead @KathyWheeler @AimeeReads @MinDea 6y

AmyG Almost finished with this section. 6y

akckitty I‘m behind, but will join when I‘m able to ❤️❤️❤️ 6y

53 likes6 comments

MeikeReads

Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison | Piper Kerman

so-so

Audiobook narrators usually don't get the praise that they deserve, so let me say that Cassandra Campbell does a terrific job reading this one. I listened to the book because people keep comparing it to #TheMarsRoom, but while I command Kerman for her activism regarding prison reform, I have to say that this book is not particularly well-written. #RachelKushner plays in another league! #indiebuddyreads

17 likes

UnabridgedPod

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

pick

Amazing novel! The Mars Room is stunning and sad and anger provoking; a great pairing for Orange Is the New Black (the book, not the show), Kushner's novel provides an unflinching look at protagonist Romy Hall's time in prison, the decisions (and the culture) that lead her there, and the satellite characters who surround her central narrative.

UnabridgedPod #bookstagram #booknerd #bookworm #bibliophile #bookaddict #booklove #booklover #Booknerd #reader #teachersfollowteachers #englishteachers #reading #readingisfun #instabook #instabooks #teachersofinstagram #teachersofinsta #igbooks #igreads #booksofinstagram #goodreads #bookclub #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookreview #allthebooks #themarsroom #rachelkushner 6y

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LitsyBuddyRead

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

This post contains spoilers

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Discuss chapters 1-9 here!

#TheMarsRoom #MarsRooms #TMR #LitsyBuddyRead

LitsyBuddyRead What are everyone‘s thoughts so far? Are you liking it or not liking it? I‘m still trying to catch up, so if you‘re caught up this week, feel free to get the discussion going! 6y

Schlinkles I‘m a little further along than ch. 9, but I‘m enjoying the writing, but not sure about the subject matter. 6y

AmyG I like the book and the writing style. But wow, what a sad topic. Romy‘s life...her Mother, her choices, friends, lovers...jail. It‘s all just quite depressing. 6y

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JamieArc I‘m really curious to find out what/if anything is going to happen between Romy and Gordon. I‘m also finding the writing style interesting. 6y

Currey I am also enjoying the writing but not the topic. Romy‘s life is completely depressing to me. I am exactly at the end of chapter 9 and hope that jail life can‘t get worse 6y

OriginalCyn620 Sorry I‘m so late but I was out all afternoon running errands. I agree with everyone that Romy‘s childhood is completely depressing and heartbreaking, and therefore, so has her adulthood thus far. I am really liking how the chapters are broken into smaller vignettes that alternate between the past and present. It really keeps my attention! 6y

akckitty Ok, so I‘m caught up now. The writing is superb. I have to ask - who else dislikes Gordon? I get a bad vibe from him. He clearly ignored the fact that the girl at the last prison (before he transferred) had no interest in him and yet he CONTINUED to show up every week for a hair cut. I know it foreshadowed that there might of been a bigger reason for her filing against him and “tricking” him but I can clearly tell he‘s a creep who doesn‘t get it 6y

akckitty My heart goes out to Romy. The subject matter is depressing, sure. She‘s still clearly living in a world that was unfair to her. But the subject matter of her life and how she ended up in prison is what‘s keeping me reading :) that along with the writing has me excited. The only thing I can tell so far is that I‘m probably going to have issues with Gordon in this book. 6y

akckitty @OriginalCyn620 I agree with you. How the author has separated certain timeline and segments of the MCs thoughts is intriguing and keeps me interested! 6y

akckitty @JamieArc I do wonder how Gordon is going to be involved in the novel for the long run. But I just don‘t get a good feeling from him. I hope he doesn‘t turn out to be a bad guy for Romy 6y

akckitty @Schlinkles I‘m curious! What about the subject matter has you uncertain? 6y

Schlinkles @akckitty This is just one book in a long line of books I‘ve read recently that‘s just a lot of really bad life choices. I do feel more for Romy as I learn more about her. Sometimes books just aren‘t for everyone and that‘s how I feel about this one. I appreciate the writing, I‘m just not connecting with it. (edited) 6y

OriginalCyn620 @akckitty I‘m with you about Gordon. Is he one of those people who‘s totally book smart but has no clue when it comes to other people? Or is he just creepy? Something isn‘t quite right with him! 6y

akckitty @Schlinkles yeah, a lot is going on with her. But I completely understand!! I was definitely just curious on your take of it :) thanks for responding back! 6y

akckitty @OriginalCyn620 that‘s what I‘m trying to figure out!! But your example is definitely what I was trying to portray. He just comes off with poor social skills maybe? I suppose we‘ll find out in future chapters :) :) 6y

Chelsea.Poole @akckitty I agree that Gordon is probably going to turn out to be no good. But, I think the author did such a good job at making him sympathetic (in his own eyes, as it‘s written from his point of view) that I was almost sympathetic for him too! I think it‘s wonderful when an author can get so far into characters‘ minds that even when they are “the bad guy” the reader can see their point of view. 6y

JamieArc I kind of see Gordon as operating out of privilege and being blind of that fact. 6y

JamieArc But he‘s the character that is making the story for me. Romy is in prison for a long time. We know that. But Gordon - what is his role? I can see it playing out in so many different ways so I‘m really curious as to where this story is going. 6y

LauraJ @akckitty So we have one character who has been the stalkee and one who has the stalker... 6y

Jess7 I‘m caught up!! 6y

Jess7 @JamieArc - I agree, given the focus of Gordon‘s perspective and Romy‘s makes me interested to know how they will encounter each other and whether it will be positive or negative. 6y

Jess7 Im caught up! I‘m interested to know more info about Romy‘s background too. What specifically happened when she killed her stalker... etc. @JamieArc @LauraJ @akckitty @Chelsea.Poole @OriginalCyn620 @Schlinkles @Currey @AmyG @ReaderthenBlogger 6y

Jess7 I think by chapter 5 or so, I became more interested. I‘m going to try to get caught up for this week‘s reading soon too, but I wanted to check-in since I was late getting caught up last week 6y

Jess7 It is definitely depressing and sad, but I think the writer is doing a good job with the writing and slowly revealing details about Romy‘s life. 6y

Currey @jess7 I am now further than chapter 9 and now find the character studies a joy even if their lives are ones of desperation 6y

Jess7 @Currey Great! Hopefully the tagging issue will be fixed this week and there will be more people later this week to discuss the next set of chapters. I‘ll plan to post that one on Wednesday or Thursday this week . 6y

AmyG @akckitty Oh, something is very off with Gordon. Creepy doesn‘t begin to describe him. 6y

akckitty @AmyG I‘m with you on that one ☝️ I can‘t wait to find out how he plays a role in this book! 6y

akckitty @Jess7 oh I bet the details on how / when she killed her stalker will be gruesome! It‘s like what finally pushed Romys last button to commit murder 6y

akckitty @LauraJ exactly!! Maybe he‘ll turn to stalking Romy? 😔 6y

akckitty @Chelsea.Poole DEFINITELY! When put into his perspective, you can have those situations when he‘s doing something that‘s off putting but also feel bad for him. It‘s exactly like Romy. She‘s telling her story and you see the injustice she‘s experienced and we as the reader seemingly have no problem that she killed her stalker. But it‘s all her POV so does it justify her killing? The author is doing a good job 😃 6y

LitsyBuddyRead @MinDea 6y

jhod I'm joining in now! Just finished section 1 and hope to get to end of section 2 by tomorrow. Am really enjoying it - the description of the bus, the other inmates Romy is with, the San Fran episodes growing up. I hope there is some hope for Jackson - poor child... 6y

16 likes33 comments

LitsyBuddyRead

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

If you‘re caught up on week 1‘s suggested reading (chapters 1-9) please scroll to the post marked “spoiler” and click it to join the discussion! Be sure to tag people so they know to respond to your comments! #TheMarsRoom #TMR #MarsRoom #LITSYBUDDYREAD

(The tagging function is currently not working! Hopefully you all will see this post)

MinDea, Jess7, LitsyBuddyRead

LitsyBuddyRead @Jennifer3 @AceOnRoam @akckitty @Valeka @sweetpealsd @ReaderthenBlogger @Pamwurtzler @AmyG @TracyReadsBooks @shendrix413 @LauraJ @Schlinkles @Lisas.Library 6y

LitsyBuddyRead It‘s not letting me tag everyone, but I‘ll try again later! 6y

LitsyBuddyRead @Reviewsbylola @Mowen036 @JamieArc @mrp27 @kspenmoll @Currey 6y

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LitsyBuddyRead @kspenmoll @Mitch @Dempsey @AmyG @OriginalCyn620 6y

kspenmoll Way behind. Will get more reading done then join in. 6y

Valeka I‘m so sorry I missed it! Work got a little crazier than expected. How is everyone coming along with their reading? I‘m a little behind. 6y

Lisas.Library I‘ve only read half of the recommended reading. I‘m working on ladies 👍🏻😊 6y

Jess7 I‘m caught up. I‘ve just added my thoughts to the discussion, if any of you are caught up for last week‘s chapters (1-9). Tag me and if me be happy to discuss on that post! @kspenmoll @Valeka @Lisas.Library @Mitch @Dempsey @Reviewsbylola @Mowen036 @mrp27 @TracyReadsBooks @shendrix413 @AceOnRoam @Jennifer3 @sweetpealsd 6y

Jess7 Ok, tagging all the people I had trouble tagging initially last week: sorry about that! Please join the discussion for chapters 1-9! @mrozzz @swatreads @JennyM @RebelReader @Laughterhp @somebooksaround @Pamwurtzler @Suelizbeth @BookishTrish @akfreeborn @elyseh @Karkar @BookNerd9906 @Cinfhen @FantasyChick @Susanbones @CoverToCoverGirl @KathyWheeler @emilyhaldi @GatheringBooks @Dulcinella @Jaayimee @cajunsyd @mcctrish @PurpleyPumpkin @Dariachick 6y

Jess7 Tagging everyone else - please check back on the discussion bc of the tagging issue people may add to the discussion. Thanks! @ReaderthenBlogger @aimreads 6y

Jess7 Tagging everyone else - please check back on the discussion bc of the tagging issue people may add to the discussion. Thanks! @Jennifer3 @AceOnRoam @akckitty @Valeka @sweetpealsd @Pamwurtzler @AmyG @TracyReadsBooks @shendrix413 @LauraJ @Schlinkles @Lisas.Library @Reviewsbylola @Mowen036 @JamieArc @mrp27 @kspenmoll @Mitch @Dempsey @OriginalCyn620 6y

KathyWheeler Oh no! I forgot I said I was going to do this! 6y

50 likes12 comments

Jess7

The Mars Room: A Novel | Rachel Kushner

Listening to the audiobook of #TheMarsRoom today at work. Hoping to get caught up this weekend. Don‘t forget if you have read the first week‘s suggested reading of chapters 1-9, I will be posting the open discussion to our Litsy Buddy Read account today around 1 pm EST. I will join in once I finish this week‘s chapters. Hope everyone is having a good week!

#TheMarsRoom #RachelKushner #LitsyBuddyRead

MinDea, Jess7, LitsyBuddyRead

mrp27 I'm still waiting for my hold. 🙁 Hope I get it in time to catch up. 6y

JamieArc @mrp27 It‘s a pretty quick read so if you get it soon, you should be able to catch up in no time! 6y

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