Books matching: slice of life fiction
67 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:"Pontoon" by Garrison Keillor is a novel set in the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, featuring quirky and flawed characters whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. The story follows the lives of characters like Evelyn Peterson, who wants her ashes put in a bowling ball and dropped into the lake, and her daughter Barbara who discovers letters from a mysterious lover. Keillor's writing style combines humor, dry wit, and observations of life in a small town, creating a narrative that blends moments of hilarity with reflections on human frailty and idiosyncrasies.
Evelyn was an insomniac so when they say she died in her sleep, you have to question that. Probably she was sitting propped up in bed reading and heard the brush of wings and smelled the cold clean ai... - #2
Save:'Sweet Bean Paste' by Durian Sukegawa is a heartwarming tale that follows Sentaro, a man working in a confectionary shop making dorayaki pancakes filled with sweet bean paste. His life takes an unexpected turn when an elderly woman named Tokue joins him at the shop, bringing with her a delicious bean paste recipe and a unique perspective on life. As their friendship blossoms, they both learn valuable lessons about redemption, friendship, and the beauty of everyday life. The book delves into themes of confinement, past traumas, and the importance of finding hope and meaning in life.
The writing style of 'Sweet Bean Paste' is described as evocative, spare, and poignant, with a simple yet profound narrative that explores deep cultural and philosophical themes. The story unfolds through the interactions between the characters, revealing layers of complexity and emotion as they navigate personal struggles, societal prejudices, and the power of human connection.
Sentaro stood over a hot griddle inside the Doraharu shop, as he did all day everyday, cooking pancakes for his dorayaki. Cherry Blossom Street was a run-down commercial strip in a depressed part of t... - #3
Save:"The Longings of Women" by Marge Piercy delves into the lives of three very different women whose paths become intertwined. From a homeless housekeeper to a professor's wife and a young woman striving for success, the novel explores their struggles, ambitions, and the common thread of womanhood that connects them. The story is filled with unpredictable plot lines, heartfelt characters, and a unique writing style that taps into women's hidden fears and societal expectations.
- #4
Save:'Staggerford' by Jon Hassler is a novel that revolves around the life of high school English teacher Miles Pruitt in a small town in Minnesota. The story follows Miles as he navigates through a challenging week dealing with personal struggles, school issues, and unexpected events involving his students. is praised for its compelling storytelling, interesting and eccentric characters, and humorous scenes and conversations. The writing style is described as easy and fun to read, with a mix of humor and pathos, creating a warmhearted and feel-good mood throughout the novel.
It seemed to Miles that while the faces changed from year to year, the personality of a first-hour class never varied. It was a tractable class. Most of the thirty students hadn’t been out of bed for ... - #5
Save:"Mirror, Shoulder, Signal" follows the story of Sonja, a middle-aged woman from rural Jutland who feels out of place in the rush of Copenhagen. She works as a Danish translator for violent Swedish crime novels, which start to disgust her. Sonja struggles with learning to drive due to her balance problem and misses the connection she had with her sister. Despite the potential grimness of the plot, the book is described as very funny and ends on a delightfully offbeat note. The writing style is described as descriptive and creative, avoiding interpretation while presenting and dissecting the character's thoughts and experiences.
SONJA IS SITTING IN A CAR, and she’s brought her dictionary along. It’s heavy, and sits in the bag on the backseat. She’s halfway through her translation of Gösta Svensson’s latest crime novel, and th... - #6
Save:The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is a classic tale following the mischievous adventures of a young boy named Tom. The book captures the essence of boyhood, filled with humorous situations, pranks, and escapades that Tom and his friends find themselves in. Set in the American West of the 1840s, the novel weaves together comic vignettes based on Tom's exploits, linked by a darker storyline involving his life-threatening encounter with the murderer Injun Joe. Mark Twain's writing style beautifully portrays the rolling Southern beauty and the stereotypical stories that the readers can enjoy.
1850 Sam’s brother Orion, ten years his senior, returns to Hannibal and establishes the Journal; he hires Sam as a compositor. Steamboats become the primary means of transport on the Mississippi River... - #7
Save:'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is a science fiction novel that follows the life of Ender Wiggin, a young prodigy groomed from birth to be the savior of the human race. At the age of six, he is sent to battle school, where he excels and becomes a respected and successful commander. The book explores themes of manipulation, war, leadership, and the pressure put on gifted individuals, all while following Ender's journey to save humanity in the midst of an interstellar war. The writing style is fast-paced, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, with a focus on the moral questions and emotional struggles faced by the characters.
Ender did not see Peter as the beautiful ten-year-old boy that grown-ups saw, with dark, thick, tousled hair and a face that could have belonged to Alexander the Great. Ender looked at Peter only to d... - #8
Save:Many readers praise 'A Wizard of Earthsea' for its captivating story of Ged's journey from a reckless youth to a powerful sorcerer, facing his own darkness and embarking on a quest to restore balance in Earthsea. The book is described as a bildungsroman encased in a fantasy world, focusing on Ged's coming of age, his growth as a character, and the themes of power, pride, and redemption. Ursula K. Le Guin's writing style is commended for its richness, world-building, and ability to bring characters and places to life with poetic rhythm and philosophical wisdom.
The Island of Gont, a single mountain that lifts its peak a mile above the storm-racked Northeast Sea, is a land famous for wizards. From the towns in its high valleys and the ports on its dark narrow... - #9
Save:The Eye of the World, the first book in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, follows the epic journey of two young women and three young men as they leave their small village in the Two Rivers. The series introduces readers to a richly detailed world with a well-thought-out magic system and a diverse cast of characters. The plot is filled with adventure, danger, magic, darkness, and brave deeds, capturing the readers' imagination and keeping them on the edge of their seats.
The writing style in The Eye of the World is described as well-written, fast-paced, and engaging, with a richly detailed world that immerses readers into the story. The book sets the bar high for the rest of the series, delivering a stirring tale of small-town folk who find themselves embroiled in a frightening scenario beyond their wildest imaginations. Despite some comparisons to other fantasy stories, The Eye of the World is praised for being the beginning of a unique series that offers a fresh take on the epic fantasy genre.
The palace still shook occasionally as the earth rumbled in memory, groaned as if it would deny what had happened. Bars of sunlight cast through rents in the walls made motes of dust glitter where the... - #10
Save:'The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet' by Becky Chambers follows the journey of the crew aboard the Wayfarer, a mixed species group traveling through space to a distant planet. The novel is a character-driven science fiction tale that delves into themes of relationships, personal growth, and diverse cultures. With a focus on the crew's interactions and daily lives, the story unfolds as a cozy and intimate exploration of the universe where humans are a minor part of the Galactic Commons. The narrative combines elements of space opera with episodic adventures, providing insightful glimpses into human and sapient nature.
The writing style of the book is described as light and engaging, with a strong emphasis on character development and world-building. The author intricately introduces multiple alien species, each with distinct characteristics and cultural backgrounds, creating a rich tapestry of diverse perspectives and experiences. Despite the lack of traditional dramatic tension, the novel offers a heartfelt and enjoyable read that resonates with fans of character-driven narratives and space exploration.
Living in space was anything but quiet. Grounders never expected that. For anyone who had grown up planetside, it took some time to get used to the clicks and hums of a ship, the ever-present ambiance...
