Bad News Vs. Good Storytelling

When Will There Be Good News - Kate Atkinson
Yeah, yeah. Accurate title, soooo accurate. As in, if you don't like to read about very bad things happening randomly to very good people this book will disturb you. Atkinson's book is filled with tragic things happening to good, normal (normal as any of us are) people; yet I didn't cry once (and I'm a cryer). It's not an Oprah cry-fest kind of book. There's a lot of humor and pop culture and fantastic, lively writing that, despite the sad happenings, moves you forward. So, don't let the subject matter deter you too much. I haven't read the other two novels that are linked to this (I've read Behind the Scenes at the Museum (great!) and Human Croquet (pretty great!) though).

This is a quick, absorbing read and Kate Atkinson has mad intellectual, yet pop-writing skills, of which I am insanely jealous!

Orphan Ideal

The Good Thief - Hannah Tinti -- This was a fairly good read for me - ultimately it was too fairytale, too happy-ending-Dickens. I actually loved it up until two thirds of the way through when I started to realize it was a basically Dickens tale with a plucky orphan (not that there's anything wrong with that) but, that it was going to have a ridiculous happy/bittersweet twist. Tinti is a good writer, but the story itself dragged her writing down for me.

I will say, just googled this title for a cover image, and read a brief thing on her website. This does not at all seem like a first novel - I didn't realize this was a first book and probably would judge it differently if I had done any research at all! I guess I'm of the, just read it and do I like it or hate it variety of reader/reviewer. I do think I should take that into account though!