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God-Shaped Hole
When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone.
Everyone said she was a fraud, that she was just making it up.
I'd really like to know why the hell a person would make up a thing like that.
Written with the snap, glitter and wit of The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, God-Shaped Hole is a memorable, poignant love story that will leave you weeping with laughter. It is told in the wry, vulnerable voice of Beatrice "Trixie" Jordan who replies to a personal ad, "If your intentions are pure I am seeking a friend for the end of the world."
In doing so, she meets Jacob Grace, a charming, effervescent thirty-something writer, a free spirit who is a passionate seeker of life. He possesses his own turn of phrase and ways of thinking and feeling that dissonantly harmonize with Trixie's off-center vision as they roller coaster through the joys and furies of their wrenching romance. Along the way they try to come to terms with the hurt brought about by their distant fathers who, in different ways, forsook them.
This story will prove so touching you will rush to share it with a friend or loved one or even a stranger.
Everyone said she was a fraud, that she was just making it up.
I'd really like to know why the hell a person would make up a thing like that.
Written with the snap, glitter and wit of The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, God-Shaped Hole is a memorable, poignant love story that will leave you weeping with laughter. It is told in the wry, vulnerable voice of Beatrice "Trixie" Jordan who replies to a personal ad, "If your intentions are pure I am seeking a friend for the end of the world."
In doing so, she meets Jacob Grace, a charming, effervescent thirty-something writer, a free spirit who is a passionate seeker of life. He possesses his own turn of phrase and ways of thinking and feeling that dissonantly harmonize with Trixie's off-center vision as they roller coaster through the joys and furies of their wrenching romance. Along the way they try to come to terms with the hurt brought about by their distant fathers who, in different ways, forsook them.
This story will prove so touching you will rush to share it with a friend or loved one or even a stranger.
329 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
About the author
Tiffanie DeBartolo
7 books1,830 followersTiffanie DeBartolo's most recent novel is Sorrow. Her previous novels include God Shaped Hole (2002), How To Kill a Rock Star (2005), and the graphic novel Grace: Based on the Jeff Buckley Story (2019). She also wrote and directed the film Dream for an Insomniac (1996) starring Jennifer Aniston and Ione Skye.
Tiffanie is the founder and CEO of San Francisco Bay Area record label Bright Antenna, whose roster of artists include The Wombats, Wilderado, Sports Team, and Prep.
Tiffanie is also the cofounder of the ShineMaker Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to supporting human rights, women's rights, education, animal welfare, and the environment.
In her spare time, she is a runner, hiker, yogi, world-traveler, cook, poet, and artist.
She lives in Mill Valley with her husband Scott Schumaker and her two Irish Wolfhounds, Dipsea and Kazoo.
Tiffanie is the founder and CEO of San Francisco Bay Area record label Bright Antenna, whose roster of artists include The Wombats, Wilderado, Sports Team, and Prep.
Tiffanie is also the cofounder of the ShineMaker Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to supporting human rights, women's rights, education, animal welfare, and the environment.
In her spare time, she is a runner, hiker, yogi, world-traveler, cook, poet, and artist.
She lives in Mill Valley with her husband Scott Schumaker and her two Irish Wolfhounds, Dipsea and Kazoo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,468 reviews
October 22, 2017
5 INCREDIBLE STARS!!!
What can I say about this book? It kept me up all night reading. It made me think. It made me re-evaluate my own life. It moved me. It destroyed me.
Beatrix (Trixie) and Jacob meet by an ad. It’s silly. Jacob put it in the paper, just because... and Trixie answered.
Jacob feels something with Trixie he as never felt. He knows she is it for him.
Jacob is a writer working on his novel called Hallelujah, and Trixie makes her own jewelry and sells it to high end stores. I loved these two together. The time they spent together, the things they talked about. Everything.
Trixie and Jacob have a plan. They are going south once his book sells, getting out of LA. They have hopes, dreams, aspirations. Beautiful, beautiful plans. But you know what they say...
These two characters are not perfect- they are far from it. But they are absolutley 100% perfect for one another. They make mistakes throughout their journey, but they always find their way back to one another.
I am gonna stop right here... I don’t want to spoil the ending, and I can’t really talk about it right now. You just have to read this one for yourself. Is it devastating at times? Yes. Will your heart break into a million little pieces while reading? Yes. Is it one of the best, most well written books I’ve ever read? Yes. Will I ever forget Jacob and Trixie’s story? No. Never.
This book was incredible. Tiffanie Debartolo may be the most talented author I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Her books are like nothing else. I can’t describe how I’m feeling right now, but Trixie and Jacob’s journey was beautiful, inspiring, heartbreaking... This is one of those ‘More than 5 star’ books. One thing is for certain- while reading this book you will feel. It’s one of those books that will cause you to become an emotional wreck. Hot mess. But it’s okay. It’s worth it. A truly phenomenal and unforgettable read.
I would recommend this book, and Tiffanie’s other book: How to Kill a Rockstar to anyone, but you should know, her books should come with a warning:
What can I say about this book? It kept me up all night reading. It made me think. It made me re-evaluate my own life. It moved me. It destroyed me.
Beatrix (Trixie) and Jacob meet by an ad. It’s silly. Jacob put it in the paper, just because... and Trixie answered.
If your intentions are pureSome people are just meant to meet. Meant to know each other, be in each others lives. Thats how it is with Jacob Grace and Trixie. They are just meant to be. From the first time they meet, they both know it. Jacob is different than any man Trixie has ever met.
I’m seeking a friend
For the end
Of the world.
I got the impression Jacob was an odd person. And I mean that as the best possible compliment I could give a guy.
Jacob feels something with Trixie he as never felt. He knows she is it for him.
“Here’s the thing. I feel like we grew in the same womb or something. Like we’ve been connected from the beginning by blood and veins. Siamese soul lovers, if there could ever be such a thing.”
Jacob is a writer working on his novel called Hallelujah, and Trixie makes her own jewelry and sells it to high end stores. I loved these two together. The time they spent together, the things they talked about. Everything.
“We’re all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls. Some people use alcohol, or sex, or their children, or food, or money, or music, or heroin. A lot of people even use the concept of God itself. I could go on and on. I used to know a girl who used shoes. She had over two-hundred pairs. But it’s all the same thing, really. People, for some stupid reason, think they can escape their sorrows.”They are able to communicate about life, love, their families, hopes, dreams, fears. Trixie has many fears... her biggest fear being death. Jacob, not so much. One thing he is afraid of...
“Everyone’s afraid of something.” I said.I fell in love with Jacob Grace. He is a man unlike any other. He has issues, mostly with his father, but he is the sweetest, kindest, most soulful character. He is a lover, a dreamer, passionate, just amazing. You can’t help but adore him. He really is ‘it’ for Trixie. No matter what this couple goes through, there is never a question about it. They were made for each other. They have this intense connection, you just can’t explain it. You can feel it. Jacob is everything Trixie has ever wanted, what she’s been looking for her entire life.
“Okay then,” he said, trying to think of something quickly. “I’m afraid of sleeping another night without you. How’s that?”
Trixie and Jacob have a plan. They are going south once his book sells, getting out of LA. They have hopes, dreams, aspirations. Beautiful, beautiful plans. But you know what they say...
These two characters are not perfect- they are far from it. But they are absolutley 100% perfect for one another. They make mistakes throughout their journey, but they always find their way back to one another.
Bottom line: It’s okay to screw up as long as you keep trying. The key is to keep trying.
I am gonna stop right here... I don’t want to spoil the ending, and I can’t really talk about it right now. You just have to read this one for yourself. Is it devastating at times? Yes. Will your heart break into a million little pieces while reading? Yes. Is it one of the best, most well written books I’ve ever read? Yes. Will I ever forget Jacob and Trixie’s story? No. Never.
This book was incredible. Tiffanie Debartolo may be the most talented author I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Her books are like nothing else. I can’t describe how I’m feeling right now, but Trixie and Jacob’s journey was beautiful, inspiring, heartbreaking... This is one of those ‘More than 5 star’ books. One thing is for certain- while reading this book you will feel. It’s one of those books that will cause you to become an emotional wreck. Hot mess. But it’s okay. It’s worth it. A truly phenomenal and unforgettable read.
I would recommend this book, and Tiffanie’s other book: How to Kill a Rockstar to anyone, but you should know, her books should come with a warning:
July 15, 2013
“You wanna know how to make God laugh?. Tell him your plans”
Dear Diary,
Yes, I know. I usually write in Spanish but guess what? I am making this entry public. Why, you ask? Well, I want to review a book and this one felt so personal that I wanted to tell you how I feel after reading it.
This book… Nope, not this book. This author… OMG, holly hell this author!!! She’ll make you change your life, she’ll make you believe this life is worth it, she’ll make you FEEL. How important is that? How many people read just because they want to FEEL something?
That quote about making plans? So fitting! And so true, right? I love it how we all make our plans but sometimes that upper hand is just laughing at us because we can make as many plans as we want, that won’t mean they will happen.
This book tells us the story about Trixie & Jacob. Jacob puts an ad on the newspaper because he wants to meet someone ‘special’ and Trixie reads it and she decides to call. Crazy, huh? Sometimes you just need to do crazy things to be happy and Trixie did the right thing because having someone like Jacob in your life is one of the best things that could happen to a girl.
”We are all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls”
I don’t really want to spoil this one for you, I am trying to express my emotions about books when reviewing, instead of giving away too much info and specially with books like this one. I want everyone to go blind. To experience. To feel!
Tiffanie has the power to create the BEST heroes EVER! Ok, they are not the hottest guys with the best 6 pack but who needs that? Seriously! I want special heroes, intelligent ones, loving ones, I don’t need two hotties falling in love just because. And Tiffanie knows how to deliver this.
This is a journey about having a relationship, about appreciating what life is giving you, about living every single second, about understanding, about happiness and over all this is a book about love.
There is nothing else I could say without spoiling the story so I will shut up now. But I beg everyone to read Tiffanie’s books. They are the BEST. EVER.
You can’t wait forever for something, and then say it’s too late when the time finally comes
Listen to this song while reading this, PRETTY PLEASE! As Jacob would say, ‘A good song can save your life. Don’t ever forget it.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ljy...
Keep going ladies, ALWAYS keep going! That is what this book is about… Enjoy the ride!
PLEASE DO NOT OPEN THE SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN’T READ HOW TO KILL A ROCK STAR & GOD-SHAPED HOLE .
THANKS DAWN & SHARON for making me read this one, I owe you BIG TIME. x
August 8, 2013
4 depressing stars.****Review completed August 8, 2013
I have decided to not review God-Shaped Hole. The following paragraph about loss is all you get from me regarding this story. Also, I think that my pictures and gifs as well as the quotes and the poem do speak for themselves. I would like to add one thing though. While it is very obvious that God-Shaped Hole deals with fear, loss and the meaning of life, it also touches another sensitive subject matter: God & religion. This leads me to my conclusion that I'm not able to review God-Shaped Hole without getting personal. I have learned my lesson, and I'm not willing anymore to put my little self out there in the open.
Whatever you decide, God-Shaped Hole is a great book and so worth reading. Just make sure that you are in the right frame of mind before you delve into this heartbreaking story because it is not a book to be enjoyed. It's one of those to be experienced, and I'm pretty sure it's going to leave a hole in your heart.
As expected the writing is eye-catching and great but God-Shaped Hole is frigging depressing. I knew all that when I read the blurb and yet…it's Tiffanie…you need to read her books, and I hope she will be writing a lot more in the (near) future. She has a magnificent talent to engage me in a story and to keep me there. That's the true beauty and force of words; when they are powerful enough to haunt you for a long time after you've closed the book. Reading her thoughtful and poignant words is moving but at the same time also very upsetting. Everyone has experienced loss in their life. After all it's a natural process and unavoidable. Yet what makes it even sadder are the circumstances, the how and when loss occurs. The why. It's final. What remains are memories that, in the best case, will make you smile and in the worst case will aggravate your (almost) unbearable pain and grief. And the biggest bullshit of all is that time will heal your wounds. That's such nonsense and not true. You learn to live with loss and pain. And over time your pain fades and blurs but it doesn't go away completely. The open wound festers for a while and closes eventually, however, the scar is what will cause you trouble for the rest of your life. There remains a dull pain that flares up from time to time depending on how moody you are. Like rainy weather that is going to trouble your joints, you know? As long as you're alive that little pain will be your constant companion, and a part of that hole in your heart.
Recommended read.
P.S. I hope that
P.P.S. Yes, How to Kill a Rock Star is by far the better book. Again, you should read her books.
"(…) I think we are God. We all have that inside of us. And I believe we go on after we've turned to dust. Our souls, I mean."
(…)
"A search. We're all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big God-shaped hole in our souls. Some people use alcohol, or sex, or their children, or food, or money, or music, or heroin. A lot of people even use the concept of God itself. (…)"
I have decided to not review God-Shaped Hole. The following paragraph about loss is all you get from me regarding this story. Also, I think that my pictures and gifs as well as the quotes and the poem do speak for themselves. I would like to add one thing though. While it is very obvious that God-Shaped Hole deals with fear, loss and the meaning of life, it also touches another sensitive subject matter: God & religion. This leads me to my conclusion that I'm not able to review God-Shaped Hole without getting personal. I have learned my lesson, and I'm not willing anymore to put my little self out there in the open.
Whatever you decide, God-Shaped Hole is a great book and so worth reading. Just make sure that you are in the right frame of mind before you delve into this heartbreaking story because it is not a book to be enjoyed. It's one of those to be experienced, and I'm pretty sure it's going to leave a hole in your heart.
Real annihilation happens from the inside out.
As expected the writing is eye-catching and great but God-Shaped Hole is frigging depressing. I knew all that when I read the blurb and yet…it's Tiffanie…you need to read her books, and I hope she will be writing a lot more in the (near) future. She has a magnificent talent to engage me in a story and to keep me there. That's the true beauty and force of words; when they are powerful enough to haunt you for a long time after you've closed the book. Reading her thoughtful and poignant words is moving but at the same time also very upsetting. Everyone has experienced loss in their life. After all it's a natural process and unavoidable. Yet what makes it even sadder are the circumstances, the how and when loss occurs. The why. It's final. What remains are memories that, in the best case, will make you smile and in the worst case will aggravate your (almost) unbearable pain and grief. And the biggest bullshit of all is that time will heal your wounds. That's such nonsense and not true. You learn to live with loss and pain. And over time your pain fades and blurs but it doesn't go away completely. The open wound festers for a while and closes eventually, however, the scar is what will cause you trouble for the rest of your life. There remains a dull pain that flares up from time to time depending on how moody you are. Like rainy weather that is going to trouble your joints, you know? As long as you're alive that little pain will be your constant companion, and a part of that hole in your heart.
"Come dance with me."
"Jacob," I said, "do you think there's anything in life that can fill up the hole? And not only fill it up, but keep it filled?"
"That's the real trick, isn't it?" he said incisively. "It's easy to plant a seed and sprinkle it with water, but once the sun scorches the ground, and the earth soaks up all the moisture, you're left with nothing but a thirsty little flower trying desperately to make it out of the dirt."
You are the music, in the
symphony of life.
You are the music in the peace
solitude and stillness of the
early a.m., for you are the
song in my heart.
You are the music on an ocean's front,
for you are the roar of the waves,
the power of the sea,
and the salt in the air.
You are the music amidst a crowd
and the chorus of city sounds
for that is my song,
and you are the music.
You are the music in my thoughts
of each new day, and the last image
I glimpse, as my eyes are
closed upon a feathered pillow.
You are the music, In that secret place
called sleep. I search for you through
all the songs of life. It is you that
I search for, through shades of darkness
and clouds of cotton.
When I think of you, the music is always and
forever. Every moment of my life. And, when
the final sleep does come and if there is music,
I shall think of you.
© Joe Fazio
"If your intentions are pure I'm seeking a friend for the end of the world."
Recommended read.
P.S. I hope that
P.P.S. Yes, How to Kill a Rock Star is by far the better book. Again, you should read her books.
October 30, 2014
When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone.
Everyone said she was a fraud,
that she was just making it up.
I'd really like to know why the hell a person would make up a thing like that.
This is the sort of book that you just need to read, without knowing too much about it. I have read this author's other book and really liked it but this one has a different feel to it.
Trixie," he said. "Do you mind if I call you Trixie?"
Most books that have references to music are usually a win/win situation for me. I love music and try and get to concerts on a regular basis.
"I've only discovered four things that make life worth living for me.
My work is one of them."
"What are the other three?"
"Music, books and sex," I said. "Not necessarily in that order."
I discovered Nick Drake when I was in school but hadn't listened to him in years. His music was full of grief and torment and truth ...
I have heard of most of the musicians mentioned in the book. If you don't know names like Nick Drake, Miles Davis, Jeff Buckley, Harry Chapin, check them out. On a side note my first time visiting the States, nearly 25 years ago, with my then boyfriend (now Himself) we took the train from NYC out to Long Island to visit Huntington and try and find the resting place of Harry. Himself was the big fan, not me ... aaah, the things you do for love!!
"Don't waste your time with fear."
"Fear won't keep you safe from being hurt."
Still waters run deep...
I put off reading this one for a long time but Sharon and Karen's reviews finally got my ass in gear to read it.
April 30, 2018
Don't waste your time with fear.. Fear won't keep you safe from being hurt.
took it's sweet time to really get started but once it did this story was hard to let go. Beatrice and Jacob were not perfect but they were perfect for each other. Came close to break off but soon realized that it's foolish to hurt the person you love because it makes you more sad and feel worse.
A bittersweet love story.
took it's sweet time to really get started but once it did this story was hard to let go. Beatrice and Jacob were not perfect but they were perfect for each other. Came close to break off but soon realized that it's foolish to hurt the person you love because it makes you more sad and feel worse.
A bittersweet love story.
November 1, 2012
If your intentions are pure, I'm seeking a friend for the end of the world.
Best...personal...ad...ever.
Tiffanie DeBartolo - her words slay me. This wasn't quite as good as her other book How to Kill a Rock Star, but I still can't believe this was her first novel. For a first effort, it was quite impressive. Hell, I can't believe more people haven't read her work. There is something about the way this woman puts words together which makes my brain hurt, but in a good way. We move from poetic to witty...from heartfelt to heartbreaking. I am in awe of how the words on the page have me smiling one moment and crying the next.
The very first lines of the book should have anyone intrigued about what's going to happen.
When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone.
If you don't feel something when you are finished reading one of DeBartolo's books, I honestly don't know what to say. Be it anger, sorrow, joy, frustration, satisfaction...there should be some sort of emotion rolling around in your brain by the time you close the pages. I already knew how this book was going to end and still found myself emotional.
Jacob - How could anyone not love the offbeat tormented soul that was Jacob? He was the being which gave this book a life.
"Don't tell me Jacob is reckless. Jacob is not reckless. Jacob just wants to feel things. He wants to live, something you wouldn't know the first thing about."
Beatrice (Trixie) - She's unsettled, unsatisfied, and looking for a way out.
Maybe that was the dreamer in me. I try to find meaning anywhere I can. It's the only way I know how to validate my existence.
Two broken people brought together by fate or coincidence? Even I had to stop and wonder about this.
This story was more than just a love story. It was a life story. We watched real people live real lives. We saw the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can't tell you much more than this. I HAVE to be vague. Just read the book and you'll get why this non-review says nothing other than what you will find out right at the start.
Minor complaints I have would revolve around a few repetitive scenes, some slight editing issues, and a few moments where the tone mirrored How to Kill a Rock Star in brief flashes. I don't have too much to complain about though. I know that it can be off-putting to see some of the constant complaining from the characters about SoCal and I get that, since I'm a native Cali girl myself, but DeBartolo gave props to San Francisco, so I was somewhat pacified with that turn of events. O.o
This book captured my heart and ripped it out at the same time.
I loved Jacob and Trixie. I shall miss them.
"You're the world's muse, Trixie."
"I just want to be your muse."
"Done."
February 26, 2018
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
The warning signs were shining like G.D. beacons that I would not enjoy God-Shaped Hole.
#1 – The blurb by Dave Eggers told me to expect a main character who was a 27-year old female Holden Caulfield. There are two types of people in this world – those who love Holden Caulfield and those who hate him. I DESPISE HOLDEN CAULFIELD.
#2 – The blurb was by DAVE EGGERS. YUCK.
#3 – The foreward claimed the inspiration for this story came from Jeff Buckley’s album Grace, which no one should deny is a truly great album, but seriously . . . . .
How fucking cliché can one book get?
#4 – Since I am an old lady who was familiar with Jeff Buckley before “Shrek” created the milkshake that brought all the girls to his yard, I was pretty sure I knew how this would turn out without ever reading the synopsis.
#5 – Then I read the first paragraph and it totally confirmed that everything I thought about how this would end was 100% accurate.
So why did I read it? Because my real-life book buddy told me to, we are generally of one mind when it comes to our reactions to stories and she promised this would fall into the “love it” rather than “hate it” category.
And on any other day there’s a solid chance I could have enjoyed this more as I am most definitely a “right place and right time reader.” Unfortunately, even if I was in the mood for super saccharine love, there would have been one ginormo hindrance to my love-fest: BEATRICE. Now, I am a self-proclaimed asshole so I am definitely not opposed to characters who are assholes. Beatrice took it to a whole new level. From wanting to tell complete strangers that they were fat so they shouldn’t be eating chips as a snack, to how everything smelled weird to her delicate senses, to people’s decorating styles of the ugliest she’d ever seen, to sales girls that must have cutlets in their bras to give them cleavage to how people were too stupid to understand her jewelry designs, Beatrice had nothing nice to say most of the time and I found her to be insufferable. Much like Holden Caulfield, I guess.
But to those of you who can either find her relatable or at least not so awful you are hoping her boyfriend will die and ruin her life, you might discover that this was the literary equivalent of the Miss Dior commercials. Do you know what I’m talking about? Natalie Portman is all gorgeous running down the beach with smokey eyes in a soaking wet ballgown . . . .
Or with a fabulous red lip . . . .
Where a love story is captured from start to finish in 30 seconds and things are both great . . .
And then not so great when he’s all “I love you” and she’s all . . . .
Which is “prove it” but for some reason I could only find it in Spanish and then she gets super shovey, but then in another one they’re all . . . .
And I am just maybe too old for a story like that and that makes me saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad because I don’t want to be old and also . . . .
But I didn’t like it and it didn’t make me have any feelings (aside from annoyance, but I feel that feeling nearly all of the time) so it only gets 2 Stars : (
The warning signs were shining like G.D. beacons that I would not enjoy God-Shaped Hole.
#1 – The blurb by Dave Eggers told me to expect a main character who was a 27-year old female Holden Caulfield. There are two types of people in this world – those who love Holden Caulfield and those who hate him. I DESPISE HOLDEN CAULFIELD.
#2 – The blurb was by DAVE EGGERS. YUCK.
#3 – The foreward claimed the inspiration for this story came from Jeff Buckley’s album Grace, which no one should deny is a truly great album, but seriously . . . . .
How fucking cliché can one book get?
#4 – Since I am an old lady who was familiar with Jeff Buckley before “Shrek” created the milkshake that brought all the girls to his yard, I was pretty sure I knew how this would turn out without ever reading the synopsis.
#5 – Then I read the first paragraph and it totally confirmed that everything I thought about how this would end was 100% accurate.
So why did I read it? Because my real-life book buddy told me to, we are generally of one mind when it comes to our reactions to stories and she promised this would fall into the “love it” rather than “hate it” category.
And on any other day there’s a solid chance I could have enjoyed this more as I am most definitely a “right place and right time reader.” Unfortunately, even if I was in the mood for super saccharine love, there would have been one ginormo hindrance to my love-fest: BEATRICE. Now, I am a self-proclaimed asshole so I am definitely not opposed to characters who are assholes. Beatrice took it to a whole new level. From wanting to tell complete strangers that they were fat so they shouldn’t be eating chips as a snack, to how everything smelled weird to her delicate senses, to people’s decorating styles of the ugliest she’d ever seen, to sales girls that must have cutlets in their bras to give them cleavage to how people were too stupid to understand her jewelry designs, Beatrice had nothing nice to say most of the time and I found her to be insufferable. Much like Holden Caulfield, I guess.
But to those of you who can either find her relatable or at least not so awful you are hoping her boyfriend will die and ruin her life, you might discover that this was the literary equivalent of the Miss Dior commercials. Do you know what I’m talking about? Natalie Portman is all gorgeous running down the beach with smokey eyes in a soaking wet ballgown . . . .
Or with a fabulous red lip . . . .
Where a love story is captured from start to finish in 30 seconds and things are both great . . .
And then not so great when he’s all “I love you” and she’s all . . . .
Which is “prove it” but for some reason I could only find it in Spanish and then she gets super shovey, but then in another one they’re all . . . .
And I am just maybe too old for a story like that and that makes me saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad because I don’t want to be old and also . . . .
But I didn’t like it and it didn’t make me have any feelings (aside from annoyance, but I feel that feeling nearly all of the time) so it only gets 2 Stars : (
November 1, 2014
Fuck, that hurt. And my highlighter is out of ink.
Bloody sensational. If I can find the words, review will follow...
5 SOLID STARS ★★★★★
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“Just knowing you exist changed the world for me.”
How to review this amazing book? Well, I guess I will start off by saying that it will probably be one of my favorite books of the year. I will also say that I felt just the same about Tiffanie DeBartolo’s other book, How to Kill a Rock Star. So, perhaps it’s just a connection I feel with her writing style? Maybe. Regardless, she is a fantastic writer… and I’ll gladly read anything she puts out in the future.
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“I fall in love too easily."
Ok. That said, if you are considering this book, just keep in mind that happily ever afters are relative things. They are subjective, and they are rare. And sometimes you have to take the bad with the good in order to have the good at all. I know that sounds cryptic, but I don’t quite know how to express my thoughts on this without saying too much.
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He didn’t say anything, he just devoured me with a freedom I never knew could be contained in a kiss.
I will not say much about the story itself. This is one you just have to experience first hand. It is a romance. In the true sense of the word. And, I mean life altering love here. Romeo and Juliet kind of love. Rare and precious. The kind of love that breathes life into a dead heart; the kind that fills the soul. The kind that only comes once in a lifetime. The kind you’ll let destroy you.
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It was a record called Seven Steps to Heaven by Miles Davis. He told me that if it didn’t bring tears to my eyes when I listened to it, he couldn’t be my friend.
So the question is…. would you risk it? Would you venture in, knowing that to experience this completeness… this filling of your soul, that you could lose it all someday? Some say, that it is better to have always been poor than to once have been rich, and then lose it all.
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“I’m afraid of everything. Fear of being alone, fear of being hurt, fear of being made a fool of, fear of failure... Still, I think all my fears bleed from one big one…DEATH.”
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I don’t think so though. In the case of love… to never know it, is to always be poor. And that is not acceptable. And that is just how I feel about reading books like this. I knew the book would be painful, and it was. But I feel all the richer for experiencing it. No regrets.
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“Committing suicide so as not to be murdered is the worst reason I've ever heard of to die. ”
These two characters, Beatrice Jordan and Jacob Grace, have earned a permanent place in my heart. I cannot express how much I loved them both. They met through a personal ad…
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“If your intentions are pure,
I'm seeking a friend
for the end
of the world.”
and were instantly connected. I am in awe of what they shared.
“Dear Trixie,
Will you come to Memphis with me?
A) Yes
B) No
C) I'd go anywhere with you because you fuck like a goddamn fire hose.
D) You're an asshole and I never want to see you again.
Circle ONLY ONE and give it back to me when you're done eating.
Love, J”
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And the quotes… my God, I have never highlighted so many quotes in my life. I wasn’t joking about my highlighter being out of ink. (except that I read on a Kindle ;)
“People without hope aren’t tormented by the world like you are. People without hope don’t give a shit. But I see in you, in the way you look at things, even in the way you look at me sometimes, like I’m the coolest fucking guy in the universe, and I know it’s there. Reverence.”
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The writing was witty, sexy and often profound. I frequently laughed out loud. The supporting characters were real, quirky and just fantastic. I wanted to know them all… well except for Chip. I loved everything about this book. Well, except maybe… .
“I don’t believe in anything. But I believe in the possibility of everything.”
So my final question is… can your true soul mate be a fictional character? If so, than I think I found mine.
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One might accuse me of bias, as I automatically categorize anyone whose semen tastes like lemon meringue pie as extraordinary, but sex aside, I was wholly impressed.
That’s all I have to say.
Now go read the effing book, and don’t give me any sob stories about not doing sad… only HEA’s! Suck it up and drink the poison! You can thank me later!!!
“In my soul, there’s just a big hole where God’s supposed to be.”
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5 SOUL FILLING STARS!!!!!
Bloody sensational. If I can find the words, review will follow...
5 SOLID STARS ★★★★★
“Just knowing you exist changed the world for me.”
How to review this amazing book? Well, I guess I will start off by saying that it will probably be one of my favorite books of the year. I will also say that I felt just the same about Tiffanie DeBartolo’s other book, How to Kill a Rock Star. So, perhaps it’s just a connection I feel with her writing style? Maybe. Regardless, she is a fantastic writer… and I’ll gladly read anything she puts out in the future.
“I fall in love too easily."
Ok. That said, if you are considering this book, just keep in mind that happily ever afters are relative things. They are subjective, and they are rare. And sometimes you have to take the bad with the good in order to have the good at all. I know that sounds cryptic, but I don’t quite know how to express my thoughts on this without saying too much.
He didn’t say anything, he just devoured me with a freedom I never knew could be contained in a kiss.
I will not say much about the story itself. This is one you just have to experience first hand. It is a romance. In the true sense of the word. And, I mean life altering love here. Romeo and Juliet kind of love. Rare and precious. The kind of love that breathes life into a dead heart; the kind that fills the soul. The kind that only comes once in a lifetime. The kind you’ll let destroy you.
It was a record called Seven Steps to Heaven by Miles Davis. He told me that if it didn’t bring tears to my eyes when I listened to it, he couldn’t be my friend.
So the question is…. would you risk it? Would you venture in, knowing that to experience this completeness… this filling of your soul, that you could lose it all someday? Some say, that it is better to have always been poor than to once have been rich, and then lose it all.
“I’m afraid of everything. Fear of being alone, fear of being hurt, fear of being made a fool of, fear of failure... Still, I think all my fears bleed from one big one…DEATH.”
I don’t think so though. In the case of love… to never know it, is to always be poor. And that is not acceptable. And that is just how I feel about reading books like this. I knew the book would be painful, and it was. But I feel all the richer for experiencing it. No regrets.
“Committing suicide so as not to be murdered is the worst reason I've ever heard of to die. ”
These two characters, Beatrice Jordan and Jacob Grace, have earned a permanent place in my heart. I cannot express how much I loved them both. They met through a personal ad…
“If your intentions are pure,
I'm seeking a friend
for the end
of the world.”
and were instantly connected. I am in awe of what they shared.
“Dear Trixie,
Will you come to Memphis with me?
A) Yes
B) No
C) I'd go anywhere with you because you fuck like a goddamn fire hose.
D) You're an asshole and I never want to see you again.
Circle ONLY ONE and give it back to me when you're done eating.
Love, J”
And the quotes… my God, I have never highlighted so many quotes in my life. I wasn’t joking about my highlighter being out of ink. (except that I read on a Kindle ;)
“People without hope aren’t tormented by the world like you are. People without hope don’t give a shit. But I see in you, in the way you look at things, even in the way you look at me sometimes, like I’m the coolest fucking guy in the universe, and I know it’s there. Reverence.”
The writing was witty, sexy and often profound. I frequently laughed out loud. The supporting characters were real, quirky and just fantastic. I wanted to know them all… well except for Chip. I loved everything about this book. Well, except maybe… .
“I don’t believe in anything. But I believe in the possibility of everything.”
So my final question is… can your true soul mate be a fictional character? If so, than I think I found mine.
One might accuse me of bias, as I automatically categorize anyone whose semen tastes like lemon meringue pie as extraordinary, but sex aside, I was wholly impressed.
That’s all I have to say.
Now go read the effing book, and don’t give me any sob stories about not doing sad… only HEA’s! Suck it up and drink the poison! You can thank me later!!!
“In my soul, there’s just a big hole where God’s supposed to be.”
5 SOUL FILLING STARS!!!!!
August 26, 2014
Frickin' book....
Frickin' tearjerker...
and...frickin' cliffhanger.
DON'T read this book...or do...yes do...it's soooo good!
Ok rant over...here's the review:
Beatrice is tired of the same ol' same ol' dating scene so when she sees an ad that says:
"If you're intentions are pure
I'm seeking a friend
for the end
of the world."
Well, her interests are peaked and she just can't resist answering it. That's how she meets Jacob Grace.
No news flash that I love emotional books but this book killed me just like I knew it would. If you're a fan of How To Kill A Rock Star, you will love this book. It's all that and more. And I know it's a pain because this book is not available as an ebook but just buy the book! And I really want to know...Why hasn't this woman written more??
Both Beatrice (aka Trixie) and Jacob have problems and they are a bit different...Jacob especially but he is a writer! They both have father problems and on top of that, when Beatrice was young, a fortune teller told her she would meet the love of her life but she would lose him to tragedy. Well, right there you know something awful is going to happen and I hated waiting for the bomb to drop. Ugh!!
Some of the things that Beatrice and Jacob said and did were a bit over the top and it took me a while to get into the story but somehow they reeled me in. I loved how they both knew all these music references and authors. But then, they both were jerks...again especially Jacob. I didn't really blame Beatrice for acting the way she did. But in a way, this just made their relationship more real because they weren't perfect.
There's a great cast of characters in the book as well. Both Beatrice's and Jacob's best friends, Kat and Pete, were priceless! And I really loved Sara. Jacob's Mom and Beatrice's family really rounded things out.
So when the bomb actually hits, it's really bad. It makes me sick just thinking about it. I actually thought that something else (anything else) would happen. On top of that, when the book ends, it leaves you hanging. You don't know what's going to happen but I guess that's how it's suppose to be.
I loved it and I hated it but I will never regret reading it.
**on a side note, I spent my summer vacation in Santa Monica and I LOVED all the references...well, except the "bomb" one.
Favorite quotes:
♥ "God, you sleep a lot. I must've really worn you out last night."
♥ "We're all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls."
♥ Dear Trixie,
Will you come to Memphis with me?
A) Yes
B) No
C) I'd go anywhere with you because you f*ck like a goddamn fire hose.
D) You're an *sshole and I never want to see you again.
Circle ONLY ONE and give it back to me when you're done eating.
Love,J
♥ "Contrary to what you seem to think, Rosalita, it's been a while for me."
Frickin' tearjerker...
and...frickin' cliffhanger.
DON'T read this book...or do...yes do...it's soooo good!
Ok rant over...here's the review:
Beatrice is tired of the same ol' same ol' dating scene so when she sees an ad that says:
"If you're intentions are pure
I'm seeking a friend
for the end
of the world."
Well, her interests are peaked and she just can't resist answering it. That's how she meets Jacob Grace.
No news flash that I love emotional books but this book killed me just like I knew it would. If you're a fan of How To Kill A Rock Star, you will love this book. It's all that and more. And I know it's a pain because this book is not available as an ebook but just buy the book! And I really want to know...Why hasn't this woman written more??
Both Beatrice (aka Trixie) and Jacob have problems and they are a bit different...Jacob especially but he is a writer! They both have father problems and on top of that, when Beatrice was young, a fortune teller told her she would meet the love of her life but she would lose him to tragedy. Well, right there you know something awful is going to happen and I hated waiting for the bomb to drop. Ugh!!
Some of the things that Beatrice and Jacob said and did were a bit over the top and it took me a while to get into the story but somehow they reeled me in. I loved how they both knew all these music references and authors. But then, they both were jerks...again especially Jacob. I didn't really blame Beatrice for acting the way she did. But in a way, this just made their relationship more real because they weren't perfect.
There's a great cast of characters in the book as well. Both Beatrice's and Jacob's best friends, Kat and Pete, were priceless! And I really loved Sara. Jacob's Mom and Beatrice's family really rounded things out.
So when the bomb actually hits, it's really bad. It makes me sick just thinking about it. I actually thought that something else (anything else) would happen. On top of that, when the book ends, it leaves you hanging. You don't know what's going to happen but I guess that's how it's suppose to be.
I loved it and I hated it but I will never regret reading it.
**on a side note, I spent my summer vacation in Santa Monica and I LOVED all the references...well, except the "bomb" one.
Favorite quotes:
♥ "God, you sleep a lot. I must've really worn you out last night."
♥ "We're all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls."
♥ Dear Trixie,
Will you come to Memphis with me?
A) Yes
B) No
C) I'd go anywhere with you because you f*ck like a goddamn fire hose.
D) You're an *sshole and I never want to see you again.
Circle ONLY ONE and give it back to me when you're done eating.
Love,J
♥ "Contrary to what you seem to think, Rosalita, it's been a while for me."
November 19, 2007
There's never been a book that infuriated me more than God-Shaped Hole. Not because it's "edgy," not because it's "insightful" or "daring." It is, quite honestly, the complete opposite. It is a book about a narcissistic written by a woman so full of her own ideas about true love (none of which ring true in the simplest of terms) that it wouldn't at all be surprising if she had written that the character of Beatrice suddenly turned to the Heavens and yelled, "It's me! It's me! Tiffanie!"
And so God-Shaped Hole exists, about a lonely woman with a craving between her legs responding to a personal ad in the paper. It is a fluke (or as Tiffanie keeps berating us with, "fate"), where Beatrice meets the charming, too-good-to-be-true Jacob. They hit it off and, before long, are living together, complaining about the same shithole they live in (Los Angeles) and about its shallow inhabitants (though they are just as shallow as anyone they consistently condescend to).
They have there ups-and-downs, fights that come off like petty tenth grade drama because the other just won't open up their mouth and say something. It's a continuity issue in terms of Jacob's character, who is written like a God-like martyr who knows all the right things to say, knows just how to swirly his pelvis so Beatrice gets pleasured like she never has before, and even calls her "Trixie." Ain't that just cute? But he'll go into mood swings and say things that aren't his character; they don't flesh him out as a character, the interactions just feel like plot contrivances.
And then there's that foreshadowing that rips any sort of suspense or emotion right from the awkwardly phrased final pages. From the very front cover ("When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone...") to the "tear jerking" finalé, we're supposed to fall in love with these characters that are so smitten with themselves and the other that they don't realize they are still as selfish and asinine as anyone else. The characters are not deep, they aren't organic. God-Shaped Hole is just another bout of soap opera-lite odes to the great, mysterious force called "love," and this one just happens to be one of the most inane of all.
And so God-Shaped Hole exists, about a lonely woman with a craving between her legs responding to a personal ad in the paper. It is a fluke (or as Tiffanie keeps berating us with, "fate"), where Beatrice meets the charming, too-good-to-be-true Jacob. They hit it off and, before long, are living together, complaining about the same shithole they live in (Los Angeles) and about its shallow inhabitants (though they are just as shallow as anyone they consistently condescend to).
They have there ups-and-downs, fights that come off like petty tenth grade drama because the other just won't open up their mouth and say something. It's a continuity issue in terms of Jacob's character, who is written like a God-like martyr who knows all the right things to say, knows just how to swirly his pelvis so Beatrice gets pleasured like she never has before, and even calls her "Trixie." Ain't that just cute? But he'll go into mood swings and say things that aren't his character; they don't flesh him out as a character, the interactions just feel like plot contrivances.
And then there's that foreshadowing that rips any sort of suspense or emotion right from the awkwardly phrased final pages. From the very front cover ("When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone...") to the "tear jerking" finalé, we're supposed to fall in love with these characters that are so smitten with themselves and the other that they don't realize they are still as selfish and asinine as anyone else. The characters are not deep, they aren't organic. God-Shaped Hole is just another bout of soap opera-lite odes to the great, mysterious force called "love," and this one just happens to be one of the most inane of all.
December 21, 2022
I loved it, I hated it... My feelings are all over the place right now... Fuck, this book broke my heart... 😭😭😭
Cheers,
Jacob. ❤
Cheers,
Jacob. ❤
November 17, 2016
UPDATE: Because Robin is reading it and it's popped up on my newsfeed again, I feel compelled to say this book hurt my feelings and I'm still not speaking to it. Pbbhththt!
"Annihilation starts from the inside out."
Yeah, no shit Sherlock.
I could give this book 4 stars for taking me to the summit of Mt Everest. I should give it 1 star for then stabbing me in the heart with an ice axe.
But I give it 5. Because.... I have to.
Jesus H Roosevelt Christ.....
"Annihilation starts from the inside out."
Yeah, no shit Sherlock.
I could give this book 4 stars for taking me to the summit of Mt Everest. I should give it 1 star for then stabbing me in the heart with an ice axe.
But I give it 5. Because.... I have to.
Jesus H Roosevelt Christ.....
December 12, 2013
"You want to know how to make God laugh? Tell him your plans."
Where to even begin?
I feel like I have so much to say but can't get it out in a coherent sentence.
When I read a book (and decide to review it) I usually have a process I go through. As I go through the story, I have a sort of... outline in my head of what I want to say. So my reviews are usually a reflection of what I thought and felt throughout the whole entire book, while I was 'in the moment.' With God-Shaped Hole, I finished it without having any clue of what the hell I was going to talk about. All I did while reading this book was feel. This is a story that makes you think about everything and nothing at the same time.
It was a story about people with dreams. Dreams that never come true.
Anyone that knows me and has seen my shelf knows what type of books I read. I'm not too picky but I usually go for a story with some angst and a HEA... and by HEA I mean they get married, have kids, live in a place where there is world peace and die of old age together holding hands. Sounds corny and predictable but I go to my books to escape. Not to see more of the problems I have can find the real world.
However, there comes a day when I decide: You know what, Destini? You haven't suffered in a while.
And that's where God-Shaped Hole comes into play. I'm just going to let everyone know right now, it's depressing. I mean, you really have to be in the right frame of mind to start this one. Don't let that discourage you, though! It's a beautiful story.
“It seemed cruelly unfair to me, even then, how fast your life can change before you have an opportunity to rethink your choices. We should get second chances on the big stuff. We should come equipped with erasers attached to the tops of our heads. Like pencils. We should be able to flip over and scribble away mistakes, at least once or twice during the duration of our existence, especially in matters of life and death.”
I didn't choose this book to escape into. I chose it because I felt I could gain some perspective on a few things. And I did. This story... it's not like others. You're reading about this couple's life, which should sound extremely boring, but it wasn't. Everything was so genuine and I was immediately pulled in.
I was there. In the book, experiencing everything. I cried when they did, suffered when they suffered, laughed when they laughed, loved them as they loved each other... I felt it all.
Trixie and Jacob... I don't think I could have describe a more imperfectly perfect couple. They truly were siamese soul lovers. Trixie makes the list for my top heroines but Jacob... he was the one that really stole my heart.
He was such a kind, gentle soul but so full of life. I can't put it in better words than this:
[his eyes] ... they were older, wearier than his age let on. But I sensed in them a splash of irony, too; a proud acceptance of the fact that life can be a bitch sometimes, that some people feel things too deeply.
He was who he was and I loved him for it. Jacob was far from perfect and made some bad decisions but ultimately, he was good at heart.
"You try and act so tough, you think you're so damn hopeless and godless and faithless, but you don't fool me. People without hope aren't tormented by the world they way you are. People without hope don't give a shit. But I see it in you, in the way you look at things, even in the way you look at me sometimes, like I'm the coolest fucking guy in the universe, and I know it's in there. Reverence. Belief. Something. You have a lot more faith than you own up to."
This story deals with religion and faith but it doesn't make up the book. If anything, I would describe it more as discovering the meaning in life. The meaning for everything. The reason for anything being the way it is, why we are the way we are... and why some things happen to us.
Even though this is a tough read, it wasn't all depressing. Trixie and Jacob had a dry humor that had me wiping tears away.
And when it's all over and you look back, it's sad, nobody can deny that, but there are also good memories. Happy things that you remember. That leave you smiling.
"I know it's late but," he paused, "would it be all right if I came over?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah."
"Jacob," I said, "how long have you been waiting to ask me that?"
"Who knows?" he said, more to himself than to me.
"Maybe all my life."
I would definitely recommend reading this book. It's a story that'll stay with you forever, that will still have you feeling years later.
I've said everything in the best way I can but honestly, this is a book that needs to be experienced.
My song for God-Shaped Hole: Hallelujah
March 3, 2017
4★★★★Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person – Female
Beatrice aka "Trixie" Jordan was a free spirit kind of person; an artist at heart. She occupied her time making and designing her own jewelry and she made it from the heart. They were precious to her. Her talent was well known and very fast her business bloom big time. Trixie loved music and wasn't the type of person that could deal with peoples crap. She just didn't feel that she had time to deal with people if she didn't have to and so she focus on what she liked best, books, music, making jewelry and having sex. The essentials of course (my type of girl) hehe.
Jacob Grace was a writer with dreams and super cool character. He was simple yet complicated because he knew what he liked and he was extremely honest. He spoke his mind and heart and that's why his circle of friends adored him. He was also a free spirit that loved to live in the moment making memories.
One silly newspaper add changed both of these two forever. They knew from the first day they met that they were meant for each other; they have found their soul mates in each other. Their relationship was super cool, fun, hot, real, and adventurous.
I really liked all the side characters from heroine best friend who was hilarious and hero's circle of friends. Jacob struggle internally for not growing up with a father; things happened and he felt he couldn't opened up so he leaves Trixie for few weeks without telling her. Oh boy was she angry and was I pissed off?! Hell to the yes. I was so angry at him it really upset me. However when he comes back it was hard not to forgive him, still he left a sour taste in my mouth because I don't forget easily haha. The words he said; the things he did though made him so unique and special.
The end; well ever since the beginning and based on blurb and title I already knew how this was going to end. So when it happened I didn't cry; however the aftershocks effects were painful, the memories, what could have been gutted me till no end. I kid you not I cried in the shower for an hour, I cried myself to sleep that night and I'm crying as I'm typing this right now…but Shhh don't judge whatever. Haha!
This book is unique, the writing is phenomenal, the characters are awesome, there are sexy times, hilarious stuff I laughed so hard reading this book. I can honestly say it is not for everyone though because if you are looking for a "HEA" you best stay away from this book. One thing I know for sure is that this story will stay with me forever.
★★I found the E-Copy on Netgalley, OMG I was so excited when I saw it with new cover and everything but same story otherwise I think I would have not been able to finish my paperback copy this year haha★★
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person – Female
"If your intentions are pure I'm seeking a friend for the end of the world."
Beatrice aka "Trixie" Jordan was a free spirit kind of person; an artist at heart. She occupied her time making and designing her own jewelry and she made it from the heart. They were precious to her. Her talent was well known and very fast her business bloom big time. Trixie loved music and wasn't the type of person that could deal with peoples crap. She just didn't feel that she had time to deal with people if she didn't have to and so she focus on what she liked best, books, music, making jewelry and having sex. The essentials of course (my type of girl) hehe.
Jacob Grace was a writer with dreams and super cool character. He was simple yet complicated because he knew what he liked and he was extremely honest. He spoke his mind and heart and that's why his circle of friends adored him. He was also a free spirit that loved to live in the moment making memories.
One silly newspaper add changed both of these two forever. They knew from the first day they met that they were meant for each other; they have found their soul mates in each other. Their relationship was super cool, fun, hot, real, and adventurous.
“Here’s the thing. I feel like we grew in the same womb or something. Like we’ve been connected from the beginning by blood and veins. Someone soul lovers, if there could ever be such a thing.”
I really liked all the side characters from heroine best friend who was hilarious and hero's circle of friends. Jacob struggle internally for not growing up with a father; things happened and he felt he couldn't opened up so he leaves Trixie for few weeks without telling her. Oh boy was she angry and was I pissed off?! Hell to the yes. I was so angry at him it really upset me. However when he comes back it was hard not to forgive him, still he left a sour taste in my mouth because I don't forget easily haha. The words he said; the things he did though made him so unique and special.
“We’re all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls."
The end; well ever since the beginning and based on blurb and title I already knew how this was going to end. So when it happened I didn't cry; however the aftershocks effects were painful, the memories, what could have been gutted me till no end. I kid you not I cried in the shower for an hour, I cried myself to sleep that night and I'm crying as I'm typing this right now…but Shhh don't judge whatever. Haha!
"Everyone feels that void. Everyone who has the balls to look inside themselves, anyway. It's what life's all about…A search."
This book is unique, the writing is phenomenal, the characters are awesome, there are sexy times, hilarious stuff I laughed so hard reading this book. I can honestly say it is not for everyone though because if you are looking for a "HEA" you best stay away from this book. One thing I know for sure is that this story will stay with me forever.
★★I found the E-Copy on Netgalley, OMG I was so excited when I saw it with new cover and everything but same story otherwise I think I would have not been able to finish my paperback copy this year haha★★
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
May 30, 2013
4.5 STARS
"God is a concept by which we measure our pain"
-'God', John Lennon
Tiffanie DeBartolo wrote 2 books, and if any of your friends recommend either this or How to Kill A Rock Star, take it as a compliment. Because TDB's books are those that won't coddle you with puff pastry dialogue or feed you saccharine lines and emotional scenes that you would squee over on your updates with a Zooey Deschanel gif (something I'm guilty of once in a while, surely). When someone recommends you a book of hers, it means someone thinks you're a rock star.
The story starts with Trixie Jordan (whose name reminds me of Tracy Jordan from 30Rock, lol) answering Jacob Grace's personal ad looking for someone "with pure intentions, a friend for the end of the world". This sets off the starting point of an emotionally charged and tumultuous affair where the "Bad Guy" is a city and the goal is escape.
If Laini Taylor's prose reminds me of Clint Mansell, Tiffanie DeBartolo's is (pre-electric) Bob Dylan. A poet for the everyday. And in true DeBartolo fashion, God-Shaped Hole offers to take you on a trip that spans from the philosophical to the mundane, from heartbreak to laughter, from feeling you can conquer everything to asking why we even bother. This book will deliver you to that place in your brain, the one that makes the white noise sound in the day to day, the one we ignore unless we're high or drunk because sometimes it gets too overwhelming for a Wednesday afternoon.
Not bad for a debut novel.
God-Shaped Hole feels like the avante-garde first born who doesn't let the world dictate his behavior while HTKARS was the crowd pleaser who went on to win the Oscar. I could draw a million analogies between the 2 books but after reading this, I do feel gripes that I personally had about that wonderful book. But by the end of GSH, I still had the same gripe about the same issue.
I'm such a fickle child, I know.
I'm gonna be going off to find a new book to fill the God-Shaped Hole hole inside me. A futile search with a 99.9% chance of failure because none of them will be written in the Tiffanie vernacular.
I'll end my review with a quote that should be included in the goodreads TOS, forced down the throat of every new author that trolls on the reviewers' comment thread:
To Jacob, the act of critiquing art was essentially imprecise. That's why he didn't read reviews on anything he liked, be it a book, a movie, a record. He believed that any work an artist puts forth which contains the truth as he or she sees it is worthy of consideration, and any commentary of the work beyond that is nothing more than pure individual opinion and should not be considered relevant to the work itself.
"God is a concept by which we measure our pain"
-'God', John Lennon
Tiffanie DeBartolo wrote 2 books, and if any of your friends recommend either this or How to Kill A Rock Star, take it as a compliment. Because TDB's books are those that won't coddle you with puff pastry dialogue or feed you saccharine lines and emotional scenes that you would squee over on your updates with a Zooey Deschanel gif (something I'm guilty of once in a while, surely). When someone recommends you a book of hers, it means someone thinks you're a rock star.
The story starts with Trixie Jordan (whose name reminds me of Tracy Jordan from 30Rock, lol) answering Jacob Grace's personal ad looking for someone "with pure intentions, a friend for the end of the world". This sets off the starting point of an emotionally charged and tumultuous affair where the "Bad Guy" is a city and the goal is escape.
If Laini Taylor's prose reminds me of Clint Mansell, Tiffanie DeBartolo's is (pre-electric) Bob Dylan. A poet for the everyday. And in true DeBartolo fashion, God-Shaped Hole offers to take you on a trip that spans from the philosophical to the mundane, from heartbreak to laughter, from feeling you can conquer everything to asking why we even bother. This book will deliver you to that place in your brain, the one that makes the white noise sound in the day to day, the one we ignore unless we're high or drunk because sometimes it gets too overwhelming for a Wednesday afternoon.
Not bad for a debut novel.
God-Shaped Hole feels like the avante-garde first born who doesn't let the world dictate his behavior while HTKARS was the crowd pleaser who went on to win the Oscar. I could draw a million analogies between the 2 books but after reading this, I do feel gripes that I personally had about that wonderful book. But by the end of GSH, I still had the same gripe about the same issue.
I'm such a fickle child, I know.
I'm gonna be going off to find a new book to fill the God-Shaped Hole hole inside me. A futile search with a 99.9% chance of failure because none of them will be written in the Tiffanie vernacular.
I'll end my review with a quote that should be included in the goodreads TOS, forced down the throat of every new author that trolls on the reviewers' comment thread:
To Jacob, the act of critiquing art was essentially imprecise. That's why he didn't read reviews on anything he liked, be it a book, a movie, a record. He believed that any work an artist puts forth which contains the truth as he or she sees it is worthy of consideration, and any commentary of the work beyond that is nothing more than pure individual opinion and should not be considered relevant to the work itself.
July 21, 2014
5+++++ STARS
Jacob places this personal add at the newspaper where he works:
Beatrice answers his add on whim...
It's fate bringing these two Siamese soul lovers together and what a couple they are.
Beatrice, the narrator just doesn't quite fit in. She doesn't fit in with her family, she's never fit in her relationships and she certainly doesn't fit in Los Angeles.
Jacob believes everyone is searching for something:
I believe Beatrice finally finds with Jacob the place she fits and Jacob finds in Beatrice that missing peice. I can't think of a couple more suited for each other and it's one of the many things which make this book so utterly amazing. This is a must read! This is the best book I've read so far this year and I know it's early but it wouldn't surprise me if it's the best book I read all year long. It's THAT good. I simply love this couple....
I should probably add this one had me crying like a baby. My friend said the only way to get me to cry while reading a book is to run over my foot while I'm reading. So I would definitely recommend some Kleenex. I know I'll always hold this one dear to my heart and I'll never get over it.
"And no matter what anybody says about grief, and about time healing all wounds, the truth is, there are certain sorrows that never fade away until the heart stops beating..."
I would like say a special thank you to Kelly for buddy reading this one with me and for her and Jahayra being there at 2 in morning while I was sobbing so hard I could barely see to read the last 5%. Even though I know you were crying over your spilled milk Kelly ;-)
"Sometimes the most consequential moments in my life originate from a state of completely witless human auto-pilot."
Jacob places this personal add at the newspaper where he works:
Beatrice answers his add on whim...
It's fate bringing these two Siamese soul lovers together and what a couple they are.
"I feel like we grew in the same womb or something. Like we've been connected from the beginning by blood and veins. Siamese soul lovers..."
Beatrice, the narrator just doesn't quite fit in. She doesn't fit in with her family, she's never fit in her relationships and she certainly doesn't fit in Los Angeles.
'I always felt like I didn't marry into the landscape of the human world like others did, that I was on the outside looking in.'
Jacob believes everyone is searching for something:
I believe Beatrice finally finds with Jacob the place she fits and Jacob finds in Beatrice that missing peice. I can't think of a couple more suited for each other and it's one of the many things which make this book so utterly amazing. This is a must read! This is the best book I've read so far this year and I know it's early but it wouldn't surprise me if it's the best book I read all year long. It's THAT good. I simply love this couple....
"You're the world's muse, Trixie."
"I just want to be your muse."
"Done."
I should probably add this one had me crying like a baby. My friend said the only way to get me to cry while reading a book is to run over my foot while I'm reading. So I would definitely recommend some Kleenex. I know I'll always hold this one dear to my heart and I'll never get over it.
"And no matter what anybody says about grief, and about time healing all wounds, the truth is, there are certain sorrows that never fade away until the heart stops beating..."
I would like say a special thank you to Kelly for buddy reading this one with me and for her and Jahayra being there at 2 in morning while I was sobbing so hard I could barely see to read the last 5%. Even though I know you were crying over your spilled milk Kelly ;-)
February 12, 2014
5+++++ Outstanding stars
Oh hell how do I review a book like this?? I simply don't per-se I'm going give you my thoughts but honestly you need to read this with no assumptions of what its about just ignore what everyone's said and READ IT!! this is good stuff.
Jacob puts an ad in the paper
And Trixie reply's
If there ever was a couple that were meant for one another these two ARE IT!!! Trixie doesn't exactly connect closely with her friends and family she's a loner she does have people in her life but not people I would say that are close by any means but she is a strong, Jacob does have friends and his mum who he's close to but still he's the kind of person that is a league of his own, he's all about the soul and together they live in their little bubble together from day to day, moment to moment, experience to experience.
This is the kind of story that will make you FEEL, will make you think about life, it will gut you, make you laugh, make you cry, this is a story about LOVE
Do you believe in fate? I am a firm believer in things happen for a reason, I do believe in fate and yes I do also believe in God is that right or wrong? Well I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to that, that's just my point of view. But this story sure made me think about my life, made me thankful for what I have, make me glad I have the people who are in it, IN IT, and question what direction I'm going. And tell my family I love them every day. THIS STORY WILL MAKE YOU FEEL
The writing
This author is outstanding, she has a way that will pull you in and take hold of your emotions, it's exquisite, it's like poetry in many ways, she writes emotion but she also wowed me and made me laugh.
A highly recommended read I now need to read How to kill a rock star
p.s Thank you Shannon for your review and for pushing me in the right direction I probably wouldn't off picked it up for a good while otherwise... so cheers your the best <3
And lastly I will always love this song now for new reasons beautiful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf...
That is all
Oh hell how do I review a book like this?? I simply don't per-se I'm going give you my thoughts but honestly you need to read this with no assumptions of what its about just ignore what everyone's said and READ IT!! this is good stuff.
Jacob puts an ad in the paper
And Trixie reply's
"here's the thing," Jacob continued, "I feel like we grew in the same womb or something. Like we've been connected from the beginning by blood and veins. Siamese soul lovers. If there could ever be such a thing."
If there ever was a couple that were meant for one another these two ARE IT!!! Trixie doesn't exactly connect closely with her friends and family she's a loner she does have people in her life but not people I would say that are close by any means but she is a strong, Jacob does have friends and his mum who he's close to but still he's the kind of person that is a league of his own, he's all about the soul and together they live in their little bubble together from day to day, moment to moment, experience to experience.
This is the kind of story that will make you FEEL, will make you think about life, it will gut you, make you laugh, make you cry, this is a story about LOVE
Do you believe in fate? I am a firm believer in things happen for a reason, I do believe in fate and yes I do also believe in God is that right or wrong? Well I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to that, that's just my point of view. But this story sure made me think about my life, made me thankful for what I have, make me glad I have the people who are in it, IN IT, and question what direction I'm going. And tell my family I love them every day. THIS STORY WILL MAKE YOU FEEL
"It's all about now," he said. "Let's always try to remember how we feel right now."
The writing
This author is outstanding, she has a way that will pull you in and take hold of your emotions, it's exquisite, it's like poetry in many ways, she writes emotion but she also wowed me and made me laugh.
A highly recommended read I now need to read How to kill a rock star
p.s Thank you Shannon for your review and for pushing me in the right direction I probably wouldn't off picked it up for a good while otherwise... so cheers your the best <3
And lastly I will always love this song now for new reasons beautiful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf...
That is all
July 11, 2014
4 ~ 4.5 Stars
I’m in awe on how truly gifted of a writer Tiffanie DeBartolo actually is. How to Kill a Rock Star is one of my all-time favorite reads but, I was apprehensive about the synopsis for this story. I knew the writing would be too wonderful to skip any story put out by this author so I jumped in.
”When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone. ”
Even though the synopsis threatened soul mate separation, I knew the journey would be unforgettable. The author did hook me from the start. I LOVED Beatrice and Jacob, they were funny, sexy, and meant to be.
“Here’s the thing. I feel like we grew in the same womb or something. Like we’ve been connected from the beginning by blood and veins. Siamese soul lovers, if there could ever be such a thing.”
So here I am on board with this amazing couple enjoying their highs and lows, meeting their parents, friends and although the damn fortune teller’s prediction was playing on repeat in the back of my head the entire read, I thought to myself, this is Tiffanie DeBartolo anything can happen in her books.
“We had pathetically simple dreams:
to do meaningful work that we could be proud of, to be together, and to be happy.”
Sadly, what I feared that would happen did happen. It actually happened exactly like I thought it would. The idea of a twist or something extra for me didn’t happen. The story ending was straight forward. There wasn’t any magic or more.
Overall, a fairly predictable, well written read of two phenomenal characters that will always hold a special place in my heart!
“The days will always be brighter because he existed.
The nights will always be darker because he's gone.”
I’m in awe on how truly gifted of a writer Tiffanie DeBartolo actually is. How to Kill a Rock Star is one of my all-time favorite reads but, I was apprehensive about the synopsis for this story. I knew the writing would be too wonderful to skip any story put out by this author so I jumped in.
”When I was twelve, a fortune teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone. ”
Even though the synopsis threatened soul mate separation, I knew the journey would be unforgettable. The author did hook me from the start. I LOVED Beatrice and Jacob, they were funny, sexy, and meant to be.
“Here’s the thing. I feel like we grew in the same womb or something. Like we’ve been connected from the beginning by blood and veins. Siamese soul lovers, if there could ever be such a thing.”
So here I am on board with this amazing couple enjoying their highs and lows, meeting their parents, friends and although the damn fortune teller’s prediction was playing on repeat in the back of my head the entire read, I thought to myself, this is Tiffanie DeBartolo anything can happen in her books.
“We had pathetically simple dreams:
to do meaningful work that we could be proud of, to be together, and to be happy.”
Sadly, what I feared that would happen did happen. It actually happened exactly like I thought it would. The idea of a twist or something extra for me didn’t happen. The story ending was straight forward. There wasn’t any magic or more.
Overall, a fairly predictable, well written read of two phenomenal characters that will always hold a special place in my heart!
“The days will always be brighter because he existed.
The nights will always be darker because he's gone.”
December 8, 2013
***** 6+++ My Favorite Book Ever Stars*****
I read God-Shaped Hole a few days ago and been thinking about it non-stop, to the point of obsession. Tiffanie DeBartolo rocked my world with this amazing novel, and there's nothing I can say in my review that can make justice of how magical this book was.
This is the most special love story I ever had the honor of reading Trixie and Jacob capture my heart and they will live there forever!!
If your intentions are pure,
I'm seeking a friend
for the end
of the world
That simple yet significant verse was all it took for Beatrice and Jacob to find each other. Their love was pure, raw and poetic. Very early on they realized it and they weren't willing to spend one minute without the other, it was not instant it was honest, no games no tricks simply love.
The magnificence of the words written in this book took hold of my soul and made me fall in love with this characters and their story, I laughed, dreamed and cry with them. I was transported to their world, it opened me up and made me question myself but most amazingly I felt inspired beyond belief, so I invite everybody to be brave and experience the beauty of God-Shaped Hole.
My Playlist while reading this book:
*Ghosts That we Knew by Mumford and Sons
*Paradise by Coldplay
*Lovers eyes By Mumford and Sons
*What if By Joshua Radin
I read God-Shaped Hole a few days ago and been thinking about it non-stop, to the point of obsession. Tiffanie DeBartolo rocked my world with this amazing novel, and there's nothing I can say in my review that can make justice of how magical this book was.
This is the most special love story I ever had the honor of reading Trixie and Jacob capture my heart and they will live there forever!!
If your intentions are pure,
I'm seeking a friend
for the end
of the world
That simple yet significant verse was all it took for Beatrice and Jacob to find each other. Their love was pure, raw and poetic. Very early on they realized it and they weren't willing to spend one minute without the other, it was not instant it was honest, no games no tricks simply love.
The magnificence of the words written in this book took hold of my soul and made me fall in love with this characters and their story, I laughed, dreamed and cry with them. I was transported to their world, it opened me up and made me question myself but most amazingly I felt inspired beyond belief, so I invite everybody to be brave and experience the beauty of God-Shaped Hole.
My Playlist while reading this book:
*Ghosts That we Knew by Mumford and Sons
*Paradise by Coldplay
*Lovers eyes By Mumford and Sons
*What if By Joshua Radin
February 28, 2013
I have a new religion and it's called Tiffaniedebartoloism.
This is what my copy of God Shaped Hole looks like.
Please overlook the fact that I've physically highlighted the book. I know it's a sacrilegious act for some. My constant use of e-readers with their highlighting, bookmarking and note-jotting capabilities is to blame. I would have had swirly notes of my thoughts all over the pages had I not planned to lend this book but I figured, it's too good not to share. Anyway, the point of that image is to declare the fact that it is now tied with How to Kill a Rock Star as my most-highlighted book ever. It helps that the main characters are writers and artists, otherwise, certain passages might have come across as corny. To me, personally, this book spoke a LOT of truths.
What is it with this author and her writing? I can't even say that I found the story to be perfect. I even knew what would happen in the ending, thanks to the glowing "This generation's Love Story" - Kirkus Reviews printed in the cover. It can't be more obvious than that. Funnily enough, I don't even feel emotionally manipulated. All I thought the entire time I read this was that I've never encountered another author who was as in touch with his/her loneliness as much as Tiffanie Debartolo was. It was laid out page after page, song after song (and there were plenty of titles scattered throughout the book.) It's one of those books you wish you had read when you were at that phase in your life when you felt all alone and no one understood you. You find comfort in the fact that something written relates to you and your feelings and vice versa.
Obviously I'm not gonna be able to write a decent review or even give an idea of what this book is about. The book blurb can do the latter. I'm too affected to do the former. I just recommend that you read it.
This is what my copy of God Shaped Hole looks like.
Please overlook the fact that I've physically highlighted the book. I know it's a sacrilegious act for some. My constant use of e-readers with their highlighting, bookmarking and note-jotting capabilities is to blame. I would have had swirly notes of my thoughts all over the pages had I not planned to lend this book but I figured, it's too good not to share. Anyway, the point of that image is to declare the fact that it is now tied with How to Kill a Rock Star as my most-highlighted book ever. It helps that the main characters are writers and artists, otherwise, certain passages might have come across as corny. To me, personally, this book spoke a LOT of truths.
What is it with this author and her writing? I can't even say that I found the story to be perfect. I even knew what would happen in the ending, thanks to the glowing "This generation's Love Story" - Kirkus Reviews printed in the cover. It can't be more obvious than that. Funnily enough, I don't even feel emotionally manipulated. All I thought the entire time I read this was that I've never encountered another author who was as in touch with his/her loneliness as much as Tiffanie Debartolo was. It was laid out page after page, song after song (and there were plenty of titles scattered throughout the book.) It's one of those books you wish you had read when you were at that phase in your life when you felt all alone and no one understood you. You find comfort in the fact that something written relates to you and your feelings and vice versa.
Obviously I'm not gonna be able to write a decent review or even give an idea of what this book is about. The book blurb can do the latter. I'm too affected to do the former. I just recommend that you read it.
August 5, 2013
4.5 Stars. I would give it 5 but I hated the ending!!
"When I was twelve, a fortune-teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone..."
Now when a book starts off this way you know you are in for it....But what will happen? The suspense! Agh!! I love it when a book moves/affects me and this one certainly did. I felt their love, joy, pain...
The book begins when Trixie answers a personal ad that Jacob placed in the newspaper.
They meet up and really hit it off rather quickly. They know there is some sort of spark that they are meant to be. They are both rather awkward and funny but work so great together.
They both have father issues and help each other try to work through those during their journey. His father is an alcoholic and her father left her mother for another woman. Their father issues tend to cause issues with the two of them as well. The book continues as their relationship progresses and they go through many different things. There are many passages in this book that are laughable but at the same time so deep and emotional in the feelings behind them.
When it got to the major part in the book where everything goes down, I was:
I can't give it a 5 because at the end I have still so many questions!! I feel that I need another chapter or something.
August 2013 UPDATE - Big Thanks to Rosalinda for answering some of my questions with regard to this book! I don't feel as tortured about it now!
Favorite quotes
“Just knowing you exist changed the world for me.”
"Commiting suicide so as not to be murdered is the worst reason I've ever heard of to die."
"I was imploding in spirit. Exteriorly, I was perfectly composed. Inside, a bomb was discharging, but in slow motion. It was just a matter of time before the shrapnel began to rip my guts to shreds. Real annihilation happens from the inside out."
"When I didn't hear back from God, I wheeled-and-dealed with the smaller people: Mary, Jesus, Joseph, Saint Anthony, Saint Frances, Saint Joan, Saint Michael, Saint Christopher, Adam, Eve, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. I even tried Moses and Noah. I cried out to every stupid holy person I'd ever heard of. And I don't know, maybe I half-expected one of them to show up and bargain with me a little but, as usual, I didn't get shit."
"When I was twelve, a fortune-teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone..."
Now when a book starts off this way you know you are in for it....But what will happen? The suspense! Agh!! I love it when a book moves/affects me and this one certainly did. I felt their love, joy, pain...
The book begins when Trixie answers a personal ad that Jacob placed in the newspaper.
They meet up and really hit it off rather quickly. They know there is some sort of spark that they are meant to be. They are both rather awkward and funny but work so great together.
They both have father issues and help each other try to work through those during their journey. His father is an alcoholic and her father left her mother for another woman. Their father issues tend to cause issues with the two of them as well. The book continues as their relationship progresses and they go through many different things. There are many passages in this book that are laughable but at the same time so deep and emotional in the feelings behind them.
When it got to the major part in the book where everything goes down, I was:
I can't give it a 5 because at the end I have still so many questions!! I feel that I need another chapter or something.
August 2013 UPDATE - Big Thanks to Rosalinda for answering some of my questions with regard to this book! I don't feel as tortured about it now!
Favorite quotes
“Just knowing you exist changed the world for me.”
"Commiting suicide so as not to be murdered is the worst reason I've ever heard of to die."
"I was imploding in spirit. Exteriorly, I was perfectly composed. Inside, a bomb was discharging, but in slow motion. It was just a matter of time before the shrapnel began to rip my guts to shreds. Real annihilation happens from the inside out."
"When I didn't hear back from God, I wheeled-and-dealed with the smaller people: Mary, Jesus, Joseph, Saint Anthony, Saint Frances, Saint Joan, Saint Michael, Saint Christopher, Adam, Eve, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. I even tried Moses and Noah. I cried out to every stupid holy person I'd ever heard of. And I don't know, maybe I half-expected one of them to show up and bargain with me a little but, as usual, I didn't get shit."
October 30, 2014
"Sometimes the most consequential moments in my life originate from a state of completely witless human autopilot."
And... that is how the story of Beatrice & Jacob begins. On a whim, Beatrice, for a reason she herself can't even understand, decides to respond to a personal ad. "If your intentions are pure I am seeking a friend for the end of the world."
Beatrice, or "Trixie" as Jacob affectionately calls her, is the voice of this story. She is sick of the LA lifestyle and is always let down by men. She has a witty, but cynical charm about her, that I loved (most of the time).
"I didn't know how to act like a normal person and be in love at the same time."
What really made the book for me though, was Jacob *sigh* he is one of the most interesting characters I've encountered in a book. There are too many adjectives to describe him. He is "raggedly, poetically handsome," a dreamer, a romantic, spontaneous, eccentric, intense, passionate, sweet, soulful, deep. I could go on and on. Jacob's best friend, Pete describes him perfectly...
"He wants someone to obsess over, someone to possess his soul, and those are his corny words, by the way, not mine. It's what he lives for. It's what he thinks life's all about. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Immediately, Trixie and Jacob have an extremely intense connection. They just get each other. This wasn't a simple case of "insta-love" (that can drive me nuts) though. I could literally feel their connection from the first meet all the way to the last page of the book, it was INTENSE. I have loved a lot of couples in books before and have obsessed over characters and rooted for them and wanted so badly for them to be together. But this was a new and different experience for me. The couple IS together for pretty much the entire time. It's their love story and daily life over years. We get to enjoy them, get to know them, and go through many ups and downs. I can honestly say that I haven't ever felt the love between two characters like I did with Trixie and Jacob. I can't even explain it properly, I just felt it.
"A search. We're all searching to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls."
I wish I could have read this through my kindle app, because I literally would have highlighted half the book. I have a notebook for when I read print versions of books, and I have pages and pages full of quotes. I was hooked and completely intrigued from the very beginning.This book had me feeling every emotion imaginable. I was laughing (and laughing a lot) one second and sobbing the next. I don't know how she does it, but Tiffanie DeBartolo can bring emotion out of me like no other. She is an incredibly brilliant writer. Her voice is so distinct and unique. I found alot of similarites between this and her other novel, How to Kill a Rock Star (top 5 book for me & this REALLY made me want to re-read immediately) with the atypical hero of the stories, the music references, and the soulfulness. I sincerely hope she comes back to writing and publishes another novel. She is too amazing not to.
I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy a great, realistic, very emotional love story. It is a beautiful story that I am so grateful I read. It made me think differently about life in a lot of ways. That's a pretty big deal, I think.
"We had pathetically simple dreams: to do meaningful work that we could be proud of, to be together, and to be happy. That wasn't too much to ask. Or was it?"
And... that is how the story of Beatrice & Jacob begins. On a whim, Beatrice, for a reason she herself can't even understand, decides to respond to a personal ad. "If your intentions are pure I am seeking a friend for the end of the world."
Beatrice, or "Trixie" as Jacob affectionately calls her, is the voice of this story. She is sick of the LA lifestyle and is always let down by men. She has a witty, but cynical charm about her, that I loved (most of the time).
"I didn't know how to act like a normal person and be in love at the same time."
What really made the book for me though, was Jacob *sigh* he is one of the most interesting characters I've encountered in a book. There are too many adjectives to describe him. He is "raggedly, poetically handsome," a dreamer, a romantic, spontaneous, eccentric, intense, passionate, sweet, soulful, deep. I could go on and on. Jacob's best friend, Pete describes him perfectly...
"He wants someone to obsess over, someone to possess his soul, and those are his corny words, by the way, not mine. It's what he lives for. It's what he thinks life's all about. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Immediately, Trixie and Jacob have an extremely intense connection. They just get each other. This wasn't a simple case of "insta-love" (that can drive me nuts) though. I could literally feel their connection from the first meet all the way to the last page of the book, it was INTENSE. I have loved a lot of couples in books before and have obsessed over characters and rooted for them and wanted so badly for them to be together. But this was a new and different experience for me. The couple IS together for pretty much the entire time. It's their love story and daily life over years. We get to enjoy them, get to know them, and go through many ups and downs. I can honestly say that I haven't ever felt the love between two characters like I did with Trixie and Jacob. I can't even explain it properly, I just felt it.
"A search. We're all searching to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls."
I wish I could have read this through my kindle app, because I literally would have highlighted half the book. I have a notebook for when I read print versions of books, and I have pages and pages full of quotes. I was hooked and completely intrigued from the very beginning.This book had me feeling every emotion imaginable. I was laughing (and laughing a lot) one second and sobbing the next. I don't know how she does it, but Tiffanie DeBartolo can bring emotion out of me like no other. She is an incredibly brilliant writer. Her voice is so distinct and unique. I found alot of similarites between this and her other novel, How to Kill a Rock Star (top 5 book for me & this REALLY made me want to re-read immediately) with the atypical hero of the stories, the music references, and the soulfulness. I sincerely hope she comes back to writing and publishes another novel. She is too amazing not to.
I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy a great, realistic, very emotional love story. It is a beautiful story that I am so grateful I read. It made me think differently about life in a lot of ways. That's a pretty big deal, I think.
"We had pathetically simple dreams: to do meaningful work that we could be proud of, to be together, and to be happy. That wasn't too much to ask. Or was it?"
February 4, 2021
I'd just like to say, for the record, that I knew what was going to happen to Jacob right from the moment Trixie described the painting of the wave in the restaurant where she met Jacob for the first time. I just knew. Every time he got anywhere close to the water I wanted to yell at him to stay the fuck away from it. Alas, he didn't, of course, just as I knew he wouldn't.
God-Shaped Hole is one of those books that leaves you feeling hopelessly empty at the end of it. When most authors kill off a main character/love interest, they don't end the book there. Instead, they end on some fond memory of the characters' time together (à la One Day and Forever, Interrupted), or with some hope of a future beyond grief for the person left behind (à la Me Before You and You Were There Too). But Tiffanie DeBartolo is not most authors. I both love and hate her for basically ending the book on Jacob's death, without giving us any sign or hope that Trixie will ever be able to move on from it. And that really sucked. But it also felt like the truth, so I could forgive it for basically sucking the happiness from me. So yeah, you could say that the ending and I have a love-hate relationship.
Also, Dave Eggers described this book as the book Holden Caulfield would read or write "if Holden Caulfield were a twenty-seven-year-old woman living in LA," and I couldn't agree with this comparison more.
God-Shaped Hole is one of those books that leaves you feeling hopelessly empty at the end of it. When most authors kill off a main character/love interest, they don't end the book there. Instead, they end on some fond memory of the characters' time together (à la One Day and Forever, Interrupted), or with some hope of a future beyond grief for the person left behind (à la Me Before You and You Were There Too). But Tiffanie DeBartolo is not most authors. I both love and hate her for basically ending the book on Jacob's death, without giving us any sign or hope that Trixie will ever be able to move on from it. And that really sucked. But it also felt like the truth, so I could forgive it for basically sucking the happiness from me. So yeah, you could say that the ending and I have a love-hate relationship.
Also, Dave Eggers described this book as the book Holden Caulfield would read or write "if Holden Caulfield were a twenty-seven-year-old woman living in LA," and I couldn't agree with this comparison more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
August 7, 2013This came in the mail yesterday:
This was my reaction when my husband called and told me that it did:
I can't wait!!!!!
September 12, 2013
Wow! Please don't be put off by all the "this is sad", "this is depressing" reviews. Yes, there is sadness in the novel. And not gonna lie, the end is depressing. BUT God-Shaped Hole is so much more than a tragic tale of loss. Let's review, shall we...
First, we meet two fabulously unique characters, Jacob Grace (loved him) and Beatrice "Trixie" Jordan. They are quirky and different and you never doubt these two are meant to be together. And, except for one hiccup in their time together, neither do they.
They live, they love...
They dream, they plan...
But all along you as the reader (and Jacob and Trixie, in a way, as well) know this can't last. And it doesn't. (not a spoiler, I think it's pretty clear there is no HEA in GSH). This is also where I suggest you have lots of tissues on hand. You, as the reader, will go through every heart-wrenching emotion along with Trixie. And prepare to be gutted. But remember:
There is a light at the end of the very dark tunnel. Trixie comes out a better person for having known Jacob Grace. She finds strength and hope, strength to follow her heart, hope to believe there is a future...for her.
So, please, whatever you do, take time out to read this novel! You'll laugh, you'll cry. You will FEEL! And hopefully in the end it will all be worth it.
First, we meet two fabulously unique characters, Jacob Grace (loved him) and Beatrice "Trixie" Jordan. They are quirky and different and you never doubt these two are meant to be together. And, except for one hiccup in their time together, neither do they.
They live, they love...
They dream, they plan...
But all along you as the reader (and Jacob and Trixie, in a way, as well) know this can't last. And it doesn't. (not a spoiler, I think it's pretty clear there is no HEA in GSH). This is also where I suggest you have lots of tissues on hand. You, as the reader, will go through every heart-wrenching emotion along with Trixie. And prepare to be gutted. But remember:
There is a light at the end of the very dark tunnel. Trixie comes out a better person for having known Jacob Grace. She finds strength and hope, strength to follow her heart, hope to believe there is a future...for her.
So, please, whatever you do, take time out to read this novel! You'll laugh, you'll cry. You will FEEL! And hopefully in the end it will all be worth it.
August 4, 2018
I’m going to keep this short as I offend lovers of this book left, right and centre.
Clearly, I am cold, unfeeling fish. This to me, was 90% of fairly boring relationship (I’ve no idea how I kept going, other than it became a challenge I wanted to win), then 10% of stupid outcome that I kind of expected. I felt nothing, I didn’t hurt and I hated the speedy wrap-up. I did like the writing style.
Good narration.
I’m glad it’s done and hopefully I’ll never have to think about this book again.
Clearly, I am cold, unfeeling fish. This to me, was 90% of fairly boring relationship (I’ve no idea how I kept going, other than it became a challenge I wanted to win), then 10% of stupid outcome that I kind of expected. I felt nothing, I didn’t hurt and I hated the speedy wrap-up. I did like the writing style.
Good narration.
I’m glad it’s done and hopefully I’ll never have to think about this book again.
May 4, 2018
‘…memories are the patches that make up the quilt of our emotions. A beautiful way to put it, but wrong. If that were true, then memories would blanket us, they would keep us warm. My memories were chilling me to the bone.’
Oh our hearts. We are wrecked! Wrecked we tell you. We’ve recently overhauled our blog and in doing so, discovered we had never reviewed God Shaped Hole. This is one of our favourite books, and we couldn’t do it justice without once again experiencing the provocative words of Tiffanie De Bartolo, so we decided to do a re-read. There was a little hesitation as we wondered if we would experience the level of emotion we did when we first devoured it over 5 years ago.
‘But I guessed that no matter how strong it was, love alone couldn’t turn a speck of dust into a galaxy of stars.’
Well, we needn’t have worried because the answer was a resounding yes! All the feelings we experienced then, were just as prevalent now. There’s so much to say about this book, but then to say too much would impact on how you experience the evolution and conclusion of Trixie and Jacob’s intense, aching and beautiful love story. These two were the epitome of soulmate love.
Tiffanie De Bartolo’s writing is breathtaking. Just as in To Kill A Rockstar, one of our all-time top favourite reads, this author delivers words that impact your life and heart with what appears to be a natural and effortless talent. Her words are poetic, profound, thought provoking, honest and sincere. Nothing is sugar coated, we get a warts and all look at a love that’s intense, organic, beautiful and flawed, through the stunning prose. Her musings via Trixie left us shaking our heads in awe.
‘It seemed cruelly unfair to me, even then, how fast your life can change before you have an opportunity to rethink your choices. We should get second chances on the big stuff. We should come equipped with erasers attached to the tops of our heads. Like pencils. We should be able to flip over and scribble away mistakes, at least once or twice during the duration of our existence, especially in matters of life and death.’
Emotions are at an optimum during our time spent with Trixie and Jacob because at a point Tiffanie De Bartolo draws us into Trixie and Jacob’s life and love experiences and these guys ceased to be characters, instead they felt like people we know, people we care about and people we love.
‘.. you can’t put life on pause and then catch up with it later when you have more energy to give. You have to play it all the way through to the end.’
The synopsis summarises everything you need to know about the story so we won’t expand on that except to say, Jacob and Trixie’s happiness made us euphoric, their disappointments decimated, and we felt every emotion in between with them as they circumnavigated the ups and downs of their new found love. OMG! We suffered at times, our hearts really did hurt.
“Don’t waste your time with fear….fear won’t keep you safe from being hurt.”
The music which exudes from every pore of the author in her writing, once again plays a role in God Shaped Hole, relating moments to song and making each moment personal.
The second read was as painful, fun, emotional and as tortuous as the first, and we enjoyed every feeling this author elicited from us. Nothing was spared in this achingly beautiful exploration of true soulmate love, dreams, fate, and we wouldn’t want it to be.
“Just knowing you exist changed the world for me.”
After our re-read, we’re okay….well, we think we’re okay. One thing we know for sure, book world needs more Tiffanie De Bartolo stories, two just aren’t enough! Do yourselves a favour, and 1click this book now!
God Shaped Hole is currently on sale!
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November 30, 2013
Wow.... another great book from Tiffanie DeBartolo. I am in awe of the amazing stories and characters that she's created. How To Kill A Rockstar was one of the best books I have ever read and GSH has definitely been added to my favorites list.
I loved that Trixie and Jacob met in such a quirky and unique way and had such a strong "siamese soul lovers" connection right from the start. The whole book was deep and heartfelt and it even made me assess my own life. I was heartbroken over the ending, but isn't that how life is most of the time, unexpected?
I loved that Trixie and Jacob met in such a quirky and unique way and had such a strong "siamese soul lovers" connection right from the start. The whole book was deep and heartfelt and it even made me assess my own life. I was heartbroken over the ending, but isn't that how life is most of the time, unexpected?
"If your intentions are pure
I'm seeking a friend
for the end
of the world"
April 28, 2016
“Don't waste your time with fear.. Fear won't keep you safe from being hurt.”
This book blew my mind. I am not even sure how to express how much this book tore me apart. It fucked my world up let me put it like that. I loved the authors book, How to Kill a Rock Star. I knew starting this book that I should not take this story likely. I knew what would happen. It was just a given. It is read out and expressed to you many times through out the book. How could I not, NOT want to read it.
This author is a magical writer. Nothing paranormal or anything like that. It's more poetic that is for sure. She captures the characters in a magical way and the love they have for each other is internal. True love, soul mates type of shit. And I felt that to my gut. I knew these two are one of a fucking kind and I am glad they shared their experience with me. The bond these two have makes the love that I know just love. This type of love they have is that one truly once in a lifetime experience. Their made for each other. That's what made this book too. The characters were the most brilliant fucking
characters I have read in a long time. There is not a single type of character like, Jacob and Trixie.
“You try and act so tough, you think you're so damn hopeless and godless and faithless, but you don't fool me. People without hope aren't tormented by the world the way you are. People without hope don't give a shit. but I see it in you, in the way you look at things, even in the way you look at me sometimes, like I'm the coolest fucking guy in the universe, and I know it's in there. Reverence. Belief. Something. You have a lot more faith than you own up to. You just don't want to be let down. But I'm not going to let you down again. Not if I can help it.”
It breaks my fucking heart into little pieces and wanted to throw my kindle across the highway (since I was riding in car), I really had it planned in my mind, I was going to roll down my window and say FUCK YOU WORLD!!! I am still thinking about it while I am laying here in the hotel room bed. If I could open the window I would just throw it out the window and hope the fucking buss station across the street hits my kindle and drags little pieces of it all the way to California.
I don't know how I am going to get over this book. I don't think I can. It has left it's imprint in my heart and soul. Its the type of book that leave its mark and I will keep thinking about it over and over for next...forever.... I am seriously getting fucking teary eye just thinking about this book and looking through my clippings for quotes I want to use.
I kind of want to lock this book away so no one can have the same type of feelings I have for these characters. I want to keep them for my self. But, then again I want to share my experience with anyone who can handle this type of book. Someone who can appreciate the type of beautiful writing you will get in this book. Enjoy the words flowing into something so beautiful
that it will grow and make you think there is nothing better then this right now. Its a wonderful feeling and I thank this author for creating something so perfect.
“Thoughts are king, Trixie, king!”
Were their flaws? Hell yes. But those didn't matter to me after I read this. It wasn't the type of flaws that made me want to lower the book rating or anything. There was angst, punching bitches in the face moments. Fuck I need a snickers right now... My heart hurts. In a good way and in a broken in little pieces way. But it doesn't matter because there is a man
called, Jacob in this book. And, Jacob deserves fucking everything in this goddamn world.... He's my everything right now.
“If your intentions are pure, I'm seeking a friend for the end of the world.”
October 27, 2014
It has been almost a year since I first read this, and it still haunts me.
“It seemed cruelly unfair to me, even then, how fast your life can change before you have an opportunity to rethink your choices. We should get second chances on the big stuff. We should come equipped with erasers attached to the tops of our heads. Like pencils. We should be able to flip over and scribble away mistakes, at least once or twice during the duration of our existence, especially in matters of life and death.”
There really isn't much more I can say. It's a devastatingly beautiful story, one that I will never forget.
“It seemed cruelly unfair to me, even then, how fast your life can change before you have an opportunity to rethink your choices. We should get second chances on the big stuff. We should come equipped with erasers attached to the tops of our heads. Like pencils. We should be able to flip over and scribble away mistakes, at least once or twice during the duration of our existence, especially in matters of life and death.”
There really isn't much more I can say. It's a devastatingly beautiful story, one that I will never forget.
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