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FanB14
Short, Simple, No Spoilers
ratings
143
REVIEWS
133
FOLLOWING
7
FOLLOWERS
353
HELPFUL VOTES
4919
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"Subtly Funny Musings on Life Experiences"
This is my first Sedaris book and chuckled throughout. The book isn't a straightforward novel, but a compilation of different events/periods in his life coupled with live performances. It's deeply reflective and humorous in a subtle manner. Highly recommend and can't wait to download his other titles.
25 of 29 people found this review helpful -
"I Cannot Tell a Lie...Hated it"
We were young, beautiful, and more than affluent. Blonde haired heiress to fortune falls for boy outside her WASP class and summers with Mummy and cousins on private island near Martha's Vineyard. After a traumatic event, Cadence struggles to remember what tragedy had befallen her the summer before last.
Boring is the best word for this. The writing was plain, repetitive, and if I heard one more time how pretty and rich they were, I was going to reach through my iPhone and strangle her myself. Waste of my time. Would have returned it, but purchased on sale.5 of 5 people found this review helpful -
"Excellent Idea, No Connection"
Lucy is dead, walking among the living and doesn't know how or why she's there. Drawn to the much alive and well Colin, their relationship begins.
He researches what tragic event lead to her death and she learns to navigate, yet is frustrated they can't physically be together. Through dangerous stunts, Colin finds a way for them to bond, yet will he have to join her on the other side for their relationship to become real.
Fascinating idea, but no depth to characters and relationship. Predictable and lacking connection.0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Historical YA Fiction Well Done"
After suffering the loss of her younger brother, Andi has difficulty moving on. She hangs with the wrong crowd and ignores her school work. In an effort to put her back on track, her estranged, yet award winning father with a new family, takes Andi to Paris. She is to research her favorite composer, completing her senior thesis.
After discovering the diary of a young girl from the French revolution, she becomes immersed in the past. Real-time Andi and past Alexdrine intertwine into an intriguing mystery.
Good YA read.0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Damaged Girl Makes New Start"
Kacey suffered a devastating loss when her family perished in a car accident. One bad choice after another leads her to pick up with little sister in tow to move to Florida for a fresh start. Struggling to make ends meet, she takes a risky job to pay the rent and keep her bright sister on track to attend an ivy league college.
An attractive stranger seems drawn to rescuing her from all sorts of mini catastrophes and thus begins the mystery.
The narrator is strong and the book is an entertaining read, but not great.2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"Book Club Favorite"
Bernadette was a ground-breaking, award winning architect, now married with a daughter. The book follows the events of how she dropped out of the public eye including work, friends, and the majority of people; possibly agoraphobic. Told mostly through emails and phone conversations, the conflict-avoidant heroine struggles to keep her sanity. Good choice for a book club circle.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Friendship and Perception"
I expected a story of the perfect girl and the jealous one living in her shadow; like "Beaches". What I read was a raw and honest look at how friendship begins and changes from adolescence through early adulthood. Mia views Lori Ann as the good one, but over time experiencing many tragedies the two struggle to adapt to their current situations and maintain that strong childhood friendship bond. Most intriguing is the idea of how perception doesn't always match reality. Rebecca Lowman is an amazing narrator.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful -
"Don't Compare, Just Enjoy"
Whenever I read, "this is the next best thing" I set the threshold for quality high. Whenever I see, "the next Gone Girl" I set my expectations even higher. This is not fair to us as readers nor both of the authors. If Paula Hawkins' book doesn't blow you away, then her reputation is sullied and if the next book by Gillian Flynn doesn't surpass "Gone Girl" then she's weak. Weighty expectations are unfair and produce resentment all around. Enough of my rant about marketing.
This book is good on it's own merit and the only parallel to "Gone Girl" is the missing girl scenario. What makes this tale different and fun is the unreliable narrator, Rachel; neither blonde, sleek, beautiful nor sophisticated. She's a hot mess, literally stumbling in a drunken stupor from one cringe-worthy situation to the next. The recently sacked redhead squeezes her pudgy bum into the train seat each day riding her old rail line to spy on her old home now shared by her ex and his new pretty wife & baby. Along the way she invents names and stories for different houses and people, crossing the line between make-believe and reality only to lead us on a haphazard goose chase to find out where in the world is Meghan.
Read this quirky, odd, humorous, sad, awkwardly embarrassing, and utterly redeemable new novel.2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"Entertaining"
I'm writing this after listening to all three. Can't quite put my finger on why I purchased and "read" them all so quickly. This is not great lit, but at least the first one kept me happily occupied.
Yes, the story is predictable, but it was fun. "The Selection" leaves the reader in the middle of the story, so if you enjoyed it, listen to book 2. I wouldn't recommend the third as the story was stretched too to round out the ol' trilogy format. I found myself speeding up the narration to finish (not always a good sign).
Good fun in a world where "Hunger Games" meets "The Bachelor".16 of 17 people found this review helpful -
"Maggie is a Beautiful Writer"
This is book 3 of 4 and feels like a book 2 of a trilogy. The writing (as always) is superb. We find out a little more about Blue and the boys as Adam faces off with his father, and Gansey and Blue go spelunking to further their quest and search for Moira. Ronin is in the background since we heard more of his story in Dream Thieves. The women of this novel were mere window dressing and I was left wanting more details and stories about Blue's past than what was offered.
Not unhappy I spent my credit and eagerly await the final installment. I will read or listen to whatever this woman writes. She's one of the good guys in YA.
Footnote:
Why do I bother??? Will Patton is a fine narrator for adult fiction, but not suited for YA. At this point with 3 books in the cycle in his pocket, why would he be replaced? For the future reference...please know his voice is creepy for teen fiction. The women he voiced sounded like cartoon witches from the 70's and (again repeating myself) his NY accent from book 2 was unmistakable for Yogi Bear. Why, editors, producers, executives, why?13 of 15 people found this review helpful -
"Quirky, Humorous Inquest from Young Boy's POV"
In a small English town, our young hero embarks on a quest to uncover who murdered Mrs. Wellington's dog with a garden fork. Christopher lives with his dad; believes his mum is deceased; has a pet rat; and possibly falls on the Autism spectrum disorder. Since the diagnosis is never mentioned, I assume he is a highly functioning boy with Asperger's.
This book does not focus on nor preach about disabilities. It provides a framework to understand the first person narration moving through daily interactions with family, teachers, and the occasional policeman. He speaks in an uninterrupted stream of consciousness and the humor comes across in a straightforward manner. The chuckles are never at the expense of this boy's condition.
Delightfully quirky story. The answer is not found in the killer's unveiling, but in the rich tapestry created through Christopher finding meaning in his orderly fashion of dealing with family crises seeking a positive resolution.
If you enjoy this one, check out "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close".3 of 4 people found this review helpful