Books matching: odd couple
37 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:'Akin' by Emma Donoghue follows the journey of 79-year-old Noah Selvaggio, a retired college professor, who unexpectedly becomes the guardian of his 11-year-old great nephew, Michael. As Noah plans a trip to Nice, France to uncover mysteries about his mother's past during WWII, he is faced with the responsibility of caring for Michael, whose mother is in prison and grandmother has passed away. Together, Noah and Michael embark on a trip where they delve into family secrets, wartime history, and form a bond that helps them understand each other better.
The novel explores the evolving relationship between the elderly Noah and the young Michael, set against the backdrop of Nice, France. Through a series of old photographs and interactions, the two characters learn from each other and attempt to solve the mystery of Noah's mother's activities during the war. The writing style of Emma Donoghue is described as fluid, making the story readable, with moments of humor and empathy that deepen the connection between Noah and Michael.
Noah corrected her: not old. He was only seventy-nine, till next Monday. When he’d been young, your seventies had counted as old, but not these days. Say, youngish up to sixty; then middle-aged, or yo... - #2
Save:'Norwood' by Charles Portis is a character-driven novel set in the 1960s South, following Norwood Pratt, a restless ex-marine who embarks on a road trip from Texas to New York. Throughout the journey, Norwood encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a surly bread delivery man, an educated chicken, and the girl of his dreams. The book is filled with deadpan humor, crisp writing, and witty dialogue, making it a hilarious and entertaining read that focuses on the journey rather than the destination.
NORWOOD HAD TO GET a hardship discharge when Mr. Pratt died because there wasn’t anyone else at home to look after Vernell. Vernell was Norwood’s sister. She was a heavy, sleepy girl with bad posture.... - #3
Save:Breakfast with Buddha follows the journey of Otto Ringling, a middle-class New Yorker, who embarks on a cross-country road trip with a Buddhist monk, Volya Rinpoche, instead of his sister. Through this unexpected companionship, Otto undergoes a transformation as they travel together, exploring diverse cultures, world religions, and personal beliefs. The book intertwines themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the beauty of unexpected connections, all set against a backdrop of a road trip filled with insightful conversations and profound experiences.
My name is Otto Ringling (no circus jokes, please) and I have a strange story to tell. At first look it may appear to be the story of a road trip I made, at the suggestion of my wonderful wife, from o... - #4
Save:'About a Boy' by Nick Hornby is a heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between 36-year-old Will and 12-year-old Marcus. The book explores how both characters learn valuable life lessons from each other, despite their age differences. Written from different perspectives, the novel captures the voices of the characters brilliantly, creating a story that is both touching and humorous.
The plot follows the journey of Will, a self-absorbed man-child, and Marcus, a mature beyond his years preteen, as they navigate through life together. Through their interactions, the characters undergo personal growth and discover the importance of relationships, truth, and friendship. The book addresses themes of growing up, self-discovery, and the impact of unexpected connections on one's life.
People quite often thought Marcus was being funny when he wasn't. He couldn't understand it. Asking his mum whether she'd split up with Roger was a perfectly sensible question, he thought: they'd had ... - #5
Save:'Guys and Dolls' by Damon Runyon is a collection of short stories set in the Prohibition Era of New York City, featuring colorful characters such as small-time con artists, racetrack touts, and Broadway personalities. The book captures the essence of this period in history, bringing to life the world of speakeasies, bootlegging, and gambling through humorous and lively storytelling. Damon Runyon's writing style is characterized by original voice, fast-paced dialogue, and vivid descriptions that transport readers to a bygone era of crooks and wiseguys.
On Boylston Street, in the city of Boston, Mass., there is ajoint where you can get as nice a broiled lobster as anybodyever slaps alipover, and who is in there one evening partaking of this tidbit bu... - #6
Save:'Romancing the Null' in the series 'The Outlier Prophecies' by Tina Gower follows the story of Kate Hale, an actuary in the Accidental Death Predictions department, who gets involved in solving a murder mystery predicted by an oracle. The plot is fast-paced, focusing on the bureaucracy built on predictions and the unique concept of combining oracles, predictions, statistics, and supernatural elements like werewolves and witches. The writing style is described as captivating, with a blend of mystery, suspense, and a hint of romance as Kate and Officer Ian Becker work together to prevent a prophesied death.
The oracle walks into my office ten minutes before I’m set to go home and I know by the not-so-casual glance at the name on my door that he isn’t here for me. He couldn’t be. It’s not my name on my of... - #7
Save:"Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick" follows the story of Perry Stormaire, a high school senior who is forced to take his socially awkward Lithuanian exchange student, Gobi, to prom. Little does Perry know, Gobi is actually a lethal assassin on a mission to kill five people in New York City. The night takes unexpected turns as Perry gets entangled in Gobi's mission, leading to a thrilling adventure filled with action, dark humor, and self-discovery. is described as a lightning-fast read that combines coming-of-age elements with explosive action sequences, all narrated through Perry's perspective.
In the midst of the action-packed plot, the book also explores themes of growing up, meeting parental expectations, and learning to live life to the fullest. The dynamic between Perry and Gobi, the witty dialogue, and the chapter framing device of college application questions add depth and humor to the narrative, making it an engaging and enjoyable read for fans of thrillers and action movies.
Not that I blamed her. What happened wasn't anybody's fault. I'm not exactly religious, but there is something sort of Catholic about the way guilt gets handed out when blood starts spilling—some for ... - #8
Save:Running Girl is a fast-paced mystery novel that follows Garvie, an extremely smart but lazy teenager, and Detective Singh as they work together to solve the mystery of a murdered girl who went out running. The book is described as engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters and a clever plot that keeps readers guessing. The story is set in an unglamorous but faithfully described setting, focusing on the dynamics between the unconventional protagonist Garvie and the sympathetic secondary character, Detective Singh.
Garvie Smith, the protagonist of Running Girl, is portrayed as a maddening yet endearing character, who is flippant yet serious, funny yet annoying, and ultimately smarter than the adults around him. The book is praised for its ability to appeal to multiple age groups, from teenagers to grandparents, due to its engaging writing style and relatable characters. The plot revolves around the murder mystery of a classmate, Chloe Dow, and unfolds with a steady stream of cliffhangers, red herrings, and intriguing clues, making it a thrilling read for readers of all ages.
- #9
Save:'Into the Heart of Borneo' by Redmond O'Hanlon follows the journey of two British amateur travelers, Redmond O'Hanlon and James Fenton, as they venture into the depths of Borneo in search of the highest mountain and the elusive white Rhino. The narrative is filled with humor, awe-inspiring descriptions of the people and places they encounter, and a blend of adventure and scientific exploration guided by historical jungle explorer predecessors.
The situation in Sarawak as seen by Haddon in 1888 is still much the same today. He found a series of racial strata moving downwards in society and backwards in time as he moved inwards on the island.... - #10
Save:'The Hundredth Man' by Jack Kerley introduces readers to Carson Ryder, a Mobile, Alabama homicide detective, and his partner Harry Nautilus, who are part of the newly formed Psychopathological and Sociopathological Investigative Team (PSIT). They are assigned to investigate gruesome homicides involving headless corpses, leading them to navigate through political issues within the police department while uncovering unexpected twists and red herrings in their pursuit of the killer. The narrative delves into the personal stories of the central characters, their relationships with coworkers, friends, and family, providing a sharp and entertaining insight into the political infighting within the police department.
I watched Harry Nautilus lean against the autopsy table and tell the World’s Greatest Joke to a dozen listeners holding napkin-wrapped cups and plastic wineglasses. Most were bureaucrats from the city...
