Ah, “beach week”: a time-honored tradition in which the D.C. suburbs’ latest herd of high school grads flocks to Chelsea Beac... read full description
reviews
May 31, 2011
Christi
rated it: 
I won a copy of this book on Good Reads.
If I hadn't won the book, I probably wouldn't have finished it. I did not enjoy this book at all. The back of the book told me this would be "a hilarious, well-observed look at the end of childhood." I found not a single amusing passage.
The parents are total cartoon characters - hovering mothers, distant fathers, fancy houses and cars. The teens are stereotypical and the plot is non-existent. There was no depth to this story More...
If I hadn't won the book, I probably wouldn't have finished it. I did not enjoy this book at all. The back of the book told me this would be "a hilarious, well-observed look at the end of childhood." I found not a single amusing passage.
The parents are total cartoon characters - hovering mothers, distant fathers, fancy houses and cars. The teens are stereotypical and the plot is non-existent. There was no depth to this story More...
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Jul 31, 2010
Mary
rated it: 
As someone who witnesses "helicopter parenting" regularly and has a child who caused us drama on his "beach week" this book was absolutely hsyterical to read. Also, living near the DC area you can definitely relate to the families/locations in this book.
I wish Leah would lighten up and get a job if they were so broke, I wanted to learn more about the husband & what he was really thinking, but Jordan is a great teenager and the author captured her thoughts wonderfully. I More...
I wish Leah would lighten up and get a job if they were so broke, I wanted to learn more about the husband & what he was really thinking, but Jordan is a great teenager and the author captured her thoughts wonderfully. I More...
Jul 06, 2011
Chrissy
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I grabbed this book last May at the Pen/Faulkner book awards from a pile of books strewn on the table as makeshift centerpieces. (The quiet yet apparently shrewd elderly woman at our table whittled down the pile until this was my only reasonable choice by the end of the evening.) The book jacket sold it as "hysterically funny," "hilarious hypocrisy," and "satire." I was in the mood for all these things. But as soon as I got the chapter about the peeping tom characte
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Jul 22, 2010
Kim
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This is one of those books that I wish we had 1/2 stars or even negative stars to rate books. In the synopsis,whomever wrote it, said that this book was a wonderful satire and hillarious, even daring to compare it to Nora Ephron, whom I think should sue for libel since this book is neither a good satire nor hillarious, nor anywhere near as funny as her stuff. Again, I wonder what the person was on and why they don't include a sample of it with the book. I do not know anyone who has ever acted
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Jul 31, 2010
Jonita
rated it:
Jordan Adler has had a rough go of things since her family moved to the D.C. suburbs. Not only was she forced to make new friends and new connections in the middle of her formative high school years, but she was injured by a wayward soccer player and had to endure a year of migraines and MRI's. Her parents haven't had the best time of it, either. Charles Adler had moved to D.C. in order to run a project to revitalize the downtown area. The project has encountered opposition, though, and until it
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Jul 14, 2011
Cela
rated it:
I won this book with goodreads and feel for that reason I had to write a review.
It took me so long to finish because the storyline was choppy and at times it tried to include too much in such a short space. there were many parts that had the potential to be better but fell shy from doing so.
It was frustrating at times to read about an interesting development and then switch to another subplot which I had no interest in or only reiterated a point previously established in t
It took me so long to finish because the storyline was choppy and at times it tried to include too much in such a short space. there were many parts that had the potential to be better but fell shy from doing so.
It was frustrating at times to read about an interesting development and then switch to another subplot which I had no interest in or only reiterated a point previously established in t
Aug 07, 2010
Candace
rated it: 
I think I actually forgot about it. it was such a horrible book that I think my mind tried to block it out. I just finished reading it too..
it was supposed to be a fun, light read, but it's not. it wasn't deep either. I only liked little bits of it and it wasn't enough to actually make me like it..I only liked a bit of the backstory. I felt bad for Noah. but that was it..satirical, my ass.
it was supposed to be a fun, light read, but it's not. it wasn't deep either. I only liked little bits of it and it wasn't enough to actually make me like it..I only liked a bit of the backstory. I felt bad for Noah. but that was it..satirical, my ass.
Jul 08, 2011
Kelly
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This book is one of the choices in KDL's Summer Reading Program. I honestly don't know why. The program theme is Novel Destinations, and this is one of the choices from the water's edge category. I have read many wonderful books that are set around the water, and this one is pretty mediocre. (I wish I could be on the committee to help choose the books for this list!)
At any rate, the book was okay. Not the worst I've read, but far from the best.
At any rate, the book was okay. Not the worst I've read, but far from the best.
Jul 11, 2010
Beth
rated it:
Although the 2nd half was much funnier than the first half, it still seemed like a story that was drawn out. Some good insights into class struggle, and some funny parenting moments, but not my favorite book I read this summer.
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Aug 07, 2011
Mary
rated it:
Every character was a bad stereotype, parents as ignorant, passive dopes who offer no consequences to their teens, teens who are spoiled brats with no rules, morals, or scruples, and dialog that was forced and fake.
Oct 21, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This book sounded like it would be afun beach book! It never went anywhere or really made me want to keep reading. I kept waiting for it to get good'. Never got there
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Jun 28, 2010
Gretchen
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A terrific send-up of helicopter parents and their privileged offspring in a tony Washington DC suburb. As one reviewer writes: "Susan Coll could make hell fun--and she does." Too good.
Sep 14, 2010
Jenna
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Not the greatest, not the worst. It was a breezy book, though the best part was the few chapters actually detailing beach week...I'd read it if you didnt have anything else on your queue.
Dec 07, 2011
Amy
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It either needed to be a little bit more trashy and sensational or more convincing as "literary" fiction.
Sep 01, 2011
Good novel. I was a bit confused about Lynn and Jordan's relationship and how they react to their lives.
I'm glad I stuck with it through the end. The epilogue is great at wrapping everything up.
I'm glad I stuck with it through the end. The epilogue is great at wrapping everything up.
May 23, 2011
I read about 75 pages and just could not get into it...luckily it was a library book!
Sep 19, 2010
Erin
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This was a mildly amusing book with a decent plot twist and some funny characters.
Jul 01, 2010
Denise
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Only child, overprotective parents, right up my alley. This book rally hits home. Good, quick read.
Oct 18, 2010
Amanda
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Not sure what to say about this book. While I think Mrs. Coll can write and has a great sense of humor. I did not enjoy this book. It seemed predictable and really not much going on but drinking and partying.
Nov 16, 2010
Mace
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I liked it, I didn't love it. I was often confused by the character's motivations. It's probably also unfair that I had just read two stellar books, and it's possible that almost anything would have resulted in a mediocre review. On the upside, it was a quick read and it kept my attention.
Aug 05, 2011
Sb
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Good book. A little slow and not particularly funny, but a good summer read and I assume even better if you have children. The way the narratives are written for each chapter is very interesting and you feel for each main character.
Jul 27, 2011
Tiruba
rated it:
I had a hard time with the sentence structure in this book. I must admit that I wasn't able to finish it because of that. I can see why folks would like the story, but it just wasn't for me.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
Jul 07, 2011
Anita
rated it:
I received Beach Week by Susan Coll from a Goodreads giveaway. Overall I enjoyed reading Beach Week. It would make a pretty good beach read..hehe.
