Another fun installment for the podcast. It will be interesting to see where the final book leads. I go from enjoying Pip’s single-mindedness to feeliAnother fun installment for the podcast. It will be interesting to see where the final book leads. I go from enjoying Pip’s single-mindedness to feeling frustrated at how overwrought her emotions got at times. This is why I’m mostly stepping away from reading a lot of YA. ...more
This certainly held my attention, but I think like many other readers I am squeamish about the moral ambiguity. Also, even in. the last book, Pip as aThis certainly held my attention, but I think like many other readers I am squeamish about the moral ambiguity. Also, even in. the last book, Pip as a character was grating on me. I found her logic unplausible. I think I could bypass the credulity of the plot, if I could have liked her more.
(view spoiler)[ I do appreciate that Jackson laid the foundation for everything that happened from the first book. I like an author with a long game. With the exception of total reversal of Andie Bell’s character. That felt a little too convenient. (hide spoiler)]...more
I love a book with a tangled a long game. One where you need to go back and reread between the lines.
(view spoiler)[I hung my hat on the certainty thaI love a book with a tangled a long game. One where you need to go back and reread between the lines.
(view spoiler)[I hung my hat on the certainty that I, CLAUDIA was such a book. Turns out - it was not. Claudia is what she claims, an historian. One who doesn't always see around the next corner, but is prepared to take action once she gets there, even if the only action available for a time is bearing witness. (hide spoiler)]
In the end, a perfectly satisfying outcome....more
I was only a bit into this one when I questioned if I wanted to finish. I struggle to read about self-destruction. There are so many uncomfortable parI was only a bit into this one when I questioned if I wanted to finish. I struggle to read about self-destruction. There are so many uncomfortable parts and Brett’s self-hatred is hard to witness. the Overeaters Anonymous was particularly horrendous. I did find the character’s voices to be more authentic than most issue books that have characters talking in platitudes. I don’t love visiting teen boy vulgarity, but it added a layer of genuineness and often humor. Overall, I’m not sad I read it, and the fat-splaining portions at the end felt less lecturey than other books I’ve read.
52 Book Club24: #42 - Author debut in second half of 2024...more
**spoiler alert** I can’t not give Gary Schmidt five stars, however, I was moments from breaking up with him forever. He about did me in when he kille**spoiler alert** I can’t not give Gary Schmidt five stars, however, I was moments from breaking up with him forever. He about did me in when he killed off Holling Hood Hood a few years ago. Coming up on the end of this book, I felt one last crushing blow coming just like in the first of this series, ORBITING JUPITER. There was certainly a lot of tragedy in this book but it softened in the final moments. I know many do not like tidy ending and will fault this book for that, but boy did I need it. For those who adore Schmidt’s writing, for those who adored Joseph in the first book, for those who enjoy emotional attachments to fictional people, this book delivers. Also, Coach Switeck!...more
**spoiler alert** I applaud what Lindsay Eagar pulled off here. The way she played with past and present tense and all the POVs, first, third and seco**spoiler alert** I applaud what Lindsay Eagar pulled off here. The way she played with past and present tense and all the POVs, first, third and second, added to the dynamic nature of the narrative. Mostly I find this type of writing gymnastics affected, but I think it worked here.
Personal preference lost it one of the stars for me. I am not super familiar with Shakespeare’s Richard III. Only enough to smile that the school’s mascot were The Princes. It was the increasing darkness of the plot that put me off. Normally, hard things happen in books and then things get better. This just drove deeper and deeper into the dark, which I did not enjoy. It may not be fair to dock a star for something that was inevitable about a parody of a Tragedy. But I save one of my stars for how much I enjoyed the book. Many readers will relish the darkness.
It lost another star for plot holes. Rory was less of an unreliable narrator than one that lied by omission. By the end I feel I deserved all the holes filled in. What was she blackmailing Annie about? Maybe it is morbid curiosity that makes me want to know, but I feel entitled to the answer. I stuck with the book to the end and this is fiction not real life. Also, with the two flash-forwards, we knew that Rory was still alive in one and then dead in the other. The final car crash must not have done her in, but what was her intervening life? Was she homeless, living in a park? I listened to the audio, so it was harder to go back and reread, although I did a little and had no answers. If anyone who reads this knows, please enlighten me.
Summer Mini24: 7) BOXING: A strong opening hook...more
I kept rolling my eyes when I began this book. The narrative commentary was so heavy-handed it all but overshadowed the fairly decent dialogue. When iI kept rolling my eyes when I began this book. The narrative commentary was so heavy-handed it all but overshadowed the fairly decent dialogue. When i realized it was the plot of Roman Holiday, I relaxed into it and enjoyed the unfolding. I know there are disapproving voices about the ‘problematic� nature of a relationship built on deceit. I’m allowing my 14 year old self, who loved Audrey Hepburn so much, to enjoy this bit of fluff.
Popsugar24; #5 - A book about K-pop (Knowing all of zero about K-pop, I can’t say this book made the industry look like anything beyond indentured survitude.)...more
Just like most romances you are never in doubt the couple will be together in the end. But unlike other romances it was hilarious all along the way anJust like most romances you are never in doubt the couple will be together in the end. But unlike other romances it was hilarious all along the way and less contrived. ...more
A great heist gone wrong, set on Native lands and imbued with cultural details. I enjoyed the mystery and revisiting Daunis from Firekeeper’s DaughterA great heist gone wrong, set on Native lands and imbued with cultural details. I enjoyed the mystery and revisiting Daunis from Firekeeper’s Daughter. If the story had been more upfront, instead of all the Native-splianing, I would have given an extra star or two, but there was so much exposition aimed at white readers, it really detracted from the story-telling. ...more
I was pleasantly surprised that I hadn’t read all of these stories previously, just most of them.
The BEST, BEST, BEST story for me began as a text thI was pleasantly surprised that I hadn’t read all of these stories previously, just most of them.
The BEST, BEST, BEST story for me began as a text thread between two women and their names were . . . .
BETH and JENNIFER!
This is such a DaNae centric enthusiasm. I have listened to the original audio of Rowell’s first novel, ATTACHMENTS so many times I can anticipate the next line of dialogue. My husband and I quote passages as inside jokes. It is my comfort book. I can enter it at any moment and find delight. All the characters, the leads, the sidekicks, the barely mentions are so fleshed out and chummy. To see some of them twenty years later was like a personal gift wrapped up in a Rainbow ribbon. Thank you so much.
Popsugar #36: A book you think your best friend would like (Gary)...more
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