Probably the most creative assortment of projects I've seen in a craft book over the past few years. Probably the most creative assortment of projects I've seen in a craft book over the past few years. ...more
This book was kind of trashy. Which is not a non-endorsement, just not what I expected, given what other reviewers have said about the caliber of the This book was kind of trashy. Which is not a non-endorsement, just not what I expected, given what other reviewers have said about the caliber of the writing.
It's absolutely tragic and very feminist in a lot of ways. Parts of it made me unbelievably sad, without feeling manipulated, so that was a plus. But I also felt like the author relied on a lot of tricks to dress up what was essentially a soap opera....more
I thought this book was so funny and cute. I wrote a collection of personal essays for my honors thesis, so I have a particular sympathy and affectionI thought this book was so funny and cute. I wrote a collection of personal essays for my honors thesis, so I have a particular sympathy and affection for young people publishing essays. My basic philosophy is that, if, by the end, I feel like I know the author's parents, the writing has been successful. This isn't a life-changer or anything, but perfect to read in a single day when you're feeling like crap, as I am. A meditation on playing Oregon Trail in the early 90s is always good medicine.
But minus one star for spoiling part of Twin Peaks for me....more
More like 3.5, but edging toward 4. This book had some boring moments, especially at the beginning, when discussion of Carter relatives that had nothiMore like 3.5, but edging toward 4. This book had some boring moments, especially at the beginning, when discussion of Carter relatives that had nothing to do with recording music seemed to dominate. But, then, I read this book primarily to get the dirt on A.P. and Sarah's divorce, Hank Williams, Elvis, and, of course, Johnny Cash, all of who showed up in the second half of the book, and provided lots of gossipy fun.
On a less salacious note, my admiration for Maybelle Carter is now officially bottomless. After reading about her funeral, I can probably never listen to "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" without a box of tissues again. And Sarah begs to be novelized....more
Fluffy story, well and intelligently written. I'd rate it higher, but I figured out the twist ending less than halfway through the book.Fluffy story, well and intelligently written. I'd rate it higher, but I figured out the twist ending less than halfway through the book....more
Very practical. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the way authors called our various celebrities for being un-Jackie-like. I thought itVery practical. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the way authors called our various celebrities for being un-Jackie-like. I thought it was unnecessarily mean and judgmental....more
A truly pivotal entry in the SVH high series, as it marks the entrance of
1. naked boobs
and
2. blind hatred of fat people
into the world of Sweet VallA truly pivotal entry in the SVH high series, as it marks the entrance of
1. naked boobs
and
2. blind hatred of fat people
into the world of Sweet Valley.
I read the 1983 version, because I am nothing if not a YA purist, but this is the first SVH that made me wonder about the updated version. Specifically, if the updated version gave any indication of how Jessica and Bruce spent their 8-hour make-out sessions, and if Liz did what I would do in the same situation - shove condoms into Jessica's pockets at every opportunity....more
A former mayor of Boston has adopted twins named "Tip" and "Teddy." Needless to say, this one had me at hello.A former mayor of Boston has adopted twins named "Tip" and "Teddy." Needless to say, this one had me at hello....more
I'm not going to rate this, because, well, you know. All the recent hubub about the updating of these books had me kind of curious, so I got this and I'm not going to rate this, because, well, you know. All the recent hubub about the updating of these books had me kind of curious, so I got this and a couple of other SVH books. So you will have to pardon my foray into shallow YAF.......more
Every now and then, I give "chick lit" a chance, in hopes that I will find that some young, female author with Jane Austen or Henry James-like insightEvery now and then, I give "chick lit" a chance, in hopes that I will find that some young, female author with Jane Austen or Henry James-like insights has written a fabulous book that's been slightly mis-marketed. I stand by my belief that a book about the JL and its complex spiderweb of social relations *could* have been just genius, but this book barely even touched on the League. It was mostly a love letter to pretty hair and sensible shoes. ...more
What's devastating about this book is that the first third is so much better than the rest of the book. Eva Rice is a wonderful writer, and created paWhat's devastating about this book is that the first third is so much better than the rest of the book. Eva Rice is a wonderful writer, and created particularly lovable characters, so I didn't have the heart to abandon this one....more
When I first tried to read this book, I couldn't get into it. I must have been crazy (or drunk???) The first line alone is "I think that everything, oWhen I first tried to read this book, I couldn't get into it. I must have been crazy (or drunk???) The first line alone is "I think that everything, or at least the part of everything that happened to me, started with the Roman architecture mix-up." Amazing. **** There was so much writing in this book that I absolutely loved, but I was dismayed that the narration came from such a non-person. ...more
At times this was kind of a chore to get through, especially during the first part, but I think that's to be expected from a story that is so much aboAt times this was kind of a chore to get through, especially during the first part, but I think that's to be expected from a story that is so much about how a totally self-obsessed adolescent can have experiences that open her up and turn her into an adult....more
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