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Jodi's Reviews > Mina's Matchbox
Mina's Matchbox
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I’m afraid I don’t have anything good to say about the book. It was probably the most “YA� book I’ve read in years, and I’ve read many “Kids’� books that were more exciting. Considering how much I loved The Housekeeper and the Professor, I found it hard to believe it was written by the same author! Of course, no one should be surprised that—being the animal lover I am—Pochiko, the pygmy hippo, was the best part of the book for me.🦛🩵🐾
I regret feeling this way, but I have to be honest.😟 I found the book quite boring, and the girls cloyingly immature. I was anxious for it to end as I could tell early on that the story wouldn’t amount to much. I’m usually fairly sure I’m going to love a book even before I buy it, and I felt that way about Mina’s Matchbox. But, boy, was I wrong!🤦♀�
2 Ԩdz-’t-DZ-ٳ-� stars ⭐⭐
I regret feeling this way, but I have to be honest.😟 I found the book quite boring, and the girls cloyingly immature. I was anxious for it to end as I could tell early on that the story wouldn’t amount to much. I’m usually fairly sure I’m going to love a book even before I buy it, and I felt that way about Mina’s Matchbox. But, boy, was I wrong!🤦♀�
2 Ԩdz-’t-DZ-ٳ-� stars ⭐⭐
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Reading Progress
April 23, 2024
– Shelved
April 23, 2024
– Shelved as:
to-read
April 23, 2024
– Shelved as:
asia
April 23, 2024
– Shelved as:
literary-fiction
April 23, 2024
– Shelved as:
fauna
April 23, 2024
– Shelved as:
translation
August 26, 2024
–
Started Reading
August 26, 2024
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0%
August 27, 2024
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0%
August 28, 2024
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0%
August 29, 2024
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0%
"I admit Mina's Matchbox has become a bit of a snooze-fest. The 'volleyball play-by-play' by two pre-teen girls was exhausting, despite it being the most exciting event, so far.🙄 I'd say the highlight of this read—for me—has been the pygmy-hippo's ill-timed feces-spraying extravaganzas! Good on ya, Pochiko!🤭"
August 31, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-21 of 21 (21 new)
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Alan (the Consulting Librarian)
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added it
Aug 25, 2024 10:04AM
A nice coincidence that I only just read a really glowing review of this book the other day by Liong at /review/show... and now you just happen to have started reading it 😊.
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Alan wrote: "A nice coincidence that I only just read a really glowing review of this book the other day by Liong at /review/show... and now you just happen to have started read..."Oh, thanks so much for pointing me to Liong's review! I haven't read many at all, except Lark's😟: /review/show...
Jodi wrote: "Oh, thanks so much for pointing me to Liong's review! I haven't read many at all, except Lark's😟: /review/show..."Oh, I'm glad I didn't read Lark's review first 😅.
Alan wrote: "Jodi wrote: "Oh, thanks so much for pointing me to Liong's review! I haven't read many at all, except Lark's😟: /review/show..."Oh, I'm glad didn't read Lark's review firs..."
No kidding, eh? Liong's review was lovely. That was just what I'd HOPED to read about the book. Now I'm really looking forward to starting it in the morning. Thanks again!
Jodi...so many books, so little time, so I passed on this one. I look forward, as always, to your eloquent thoughts and musings. Enjoy this read!
Fran wrote: "Jodi...so many books, so little time, so I passed on this one. I look forward, as always, to your eloquent thoughts and musings. Enjoy this read!"Oh Fran, I get it - I absolutely get it! I have far more books than I could ever read in even TWO lifetimes!! We have to be choosey about what we read, and I try to avoid those that everyone else is reading because... well, I read so many reviews and many for books that were read as ARCs, so I feel I know too much about the "popular" books already, therefore, I see no real point in reading them. I hope that makes sense.🤔
Anyway, thank you, Fran! I'd never consider my reviews to be "eloquent thoughts and musings" but I really appreciate your kindness. You're very sweet!🤗🥰
It happens. We get reeled in by a cover and one of the author's previous works. If you got it in print, perhaps your local library would appreciate a donation?
Oh yikes! I added based on Liong's review followed by your coincidental add. I did like The Memory Police but didn't know this was going to be YA. Time to bump it I guess.
Berengaria wrote: "It happens. We get reeled in by a cover and one of the author's previous works. If you got it in print, perhaps your local library would appreciate a donation?"Sadly, it's an e-book; non-transferable.☹️
Alan wrote: "Oh yikes! I added based on Liong's review followed by your coincidental add. I did like The Memory Police but didn't know this was going to be YA. Time to bump it I guess."But, you might like it, Alan (although I doubt it). MOST people have liked it, though, so...🤷♀� It's hard to say.
Sometimes I'll read a YA book that transcends its target audience and its one I really enjoy. However, many just stay exactly in their genre zone and it's those that are generally not for me. This one sounds like that. I've had The Housekeeper and the Professor on my shelf for a while now. I need to read it! A very helpful review, Jodi!
K wrote: "Sometimes I'll read a YA book that transcends its target audience and its one I really enjoy. However, many just stay exactly in their genre zone and it's those that are generally not for me. This ..."Ah, thanks K!! I'm glad I could help!🙂 I should clarify, though, that this book isn't actually YA. It just read that way to me.😛
Jodi wrote: "K wrote: "Sometimes I'll read a YA book that transcends its target audience and its one I really enjoy. However, many just stay exactly in their genre zone and it's those that are generally not for..."That makes it even more of a "not-for-me" book. :)
I bet that beautiful cover tempted you as well! What a shame.
Alana wrote: "I bet that beautiful cover tempted you as well! What a shame."It really did, Alana! (I love ALL animals, hippos included!!)🩷🐾🦛
Thank you for telling it like it was for you, Jodi! Like you said, sometimes we need to read books like these to truly appreciate those 4-5 star reads we eventually come across.
Debbie wrote: "Thank you for telling it like it was for you, Jodi! Like you said, sometimes we need to read books like these to truly appreciate those 4-5 star reads we eventually come across."You said it! Thanks Debbie!👍
How unfortunate, Jodi! Never pleasant when a book is boring and falls short like this. Appreciate your honest review and thoughts!
Rowan wrote: "How unfortunate, Jodi! Never pleasant when a book is boring and falls short like this. Appreciate your honest review and thoughts!"Thanks so much, Rowan! I've had more than my share of fabulous books, so I really can't regret this one.😉
I agree with you....I was disappointed.
I liked this book more than you did but I agree with mamy points in your review - this felt a bit oversimplistic and didn't have the staying power that The Housekeeper and The Professor did for me. I see from the original publication date that it is one of her earlier works and we're just getting the English translation now. Maybe that explains why it feels a bit "less than" compared to her other books?
