Figuring out life in NYC. Being a genius has never been this hard Carrie Pilby doesn't fit in. Anywhere. And she's pretty much given up trying. A ...
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Jan 14, 2012
DNF.
It sounds pretty quirky and fun but when I got into it, all I got was an irredeemable character that was too good for everyone else and really wasn't willing to change.
I wanted to like Carrie. I really did. But I hated being in her head. I just can't empathize with someone that's genius enough to give Stephen Hawking a run for his money but can't figure out how or why she needs to NOT be a douche to people. Maybe it's because I'm not smart enough to understand that kind o More...
It sounds pretty quirky and fun but when I got into it, all I got was an irredeemable character that was too good for everyone else and really wasn't willing to change.
I wanted to like Carrie. I really did. But I hated being in her head. I just can't empathize with someone that's genius enough to give Stephen Hawking a run for his money but can't figure out how or why she needs to NOT be a douche to people. Maybe it's because I'm not smart enough to understand that kind o More...
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May 29, 2011
Eliora
rated it: 
http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/
"1. List 10 things you love (and DO THEM!)
2. Join a club (and TALK TO PEOPLE!)
3. Go on a date (with someone you actually LIKE!)
4. Tell someone you care (your therapist DOESN'T COUNT!)
5. Celebrate New Year's (with OTHER PEOPLE!)"
My Rating: 10/10
Carrie Pilby is a 19 year old genius that graduated from Harvard at 18. Her mother died when she was too young to remember, and her father told her a Bi More...
"1. List 10 things you love (and DO THEM!)
2. Join a club (and TALK TO PEOPLE!)
3. Go on a date (with someone you actually LIKE!)
4. Tell someone you care (your therapist DOESN'T COUNT!)
5. Celebrate New Year's (with OTHER PEOPLE!)"
My Rating: 10/10
Carrie Pilby is a 19 year old genius that graduated from Harvard at 18. Her mother died when she was too young to remember, and her father told her a Bi More...
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Jun 17, 2011
Zeek
rated it: 
On a whim I picked up a book by Caren Lissner (an author I've never heard of and never read before) called Carrie Pilby at the library. (I generally stick to titles or authors I recognize.)
It hooked me, however, I found myself reading it not because I adored the story but because I couldn't stop.
The title character, Carrie, is extremely intelligent (skipped three grades in high school and attended Harvard), obviously clinically depressed and has suffered trauma as a chil More...
It hooked me, however, I found myself reading it not because I adored the story but because I couldn't stop.
The title character, Carrie, is extremely intelligent (skipped three grades in high school and attended Harvard), obviously clinically depressed and has suffered trauma as a chil More...
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Jan 26, 2011
Elly
rated it: 
It’s damn witty. You know I’m a sucker for witty.
"…having a car in New York is like having a baby. They start crying in the middle of the night. You constantly have to worry about where they are. You have to mop up their leaks."
Shit. Which reminds me I need to move the car. Which means I first have to dig the car out of the snow bank. Which means I probably ought to try and find a pair of gloves. Dammit, I hate winter. And alternate side parking. And R More...
"…having a car in New York is like having a baby. They start crying in the middle of the night. You constantly have to worry about where they are. You have to mop up their leaks."
Shit. Which reminds me I need to move the car. Which means I first have to dig the car out of the snow bank. Which means I probably ought to try and find a pair of gloves. Dammit, I hate winter. And alternate side parking. And R More...
Dec 03, 2011
" you should never give up on principle that is logical, sound, important and integral to your constitution, even if the world seems against it" I don't know what I would have done if i hadn't found this book and to think I've never head of Caren Lissner before yet now i have a need to read all of her books. I don't know maybe i liked this book so much because Carrie is so different and reminds me somewhat of myself. A genius (although i'm not as smart as her) who's socially awkward an
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Jun 06, 2011
Jasmyn9
rated it: 
Carrie Pilby has always been a bit different. She is a child prodigy that graduated college before most of us would even start it. Her hobbies include reading the dictionary, debating morals with herself (and others if she can), and sleeping in her New York apartment. Carrie has a hard time relating to the people around her. She just doesn't get them, and they just don't get her. She's unhappy and alone, although good luck trying to get her to admit it.
Carrie is a fantastic character. More...
Carrie is a fantastic character. More...
May 15, 2011
Mary
rated it:
Carrie Pilby is a nineteen-year-old Harvard graduate living alone in New York City and trying to gain the social skills she never learned. She skipped three grades and trusted her father's "Big Lie" that she would finally meet people like herself in college. Instead, she had a brief affair with a pervy English professor and became disgusted with her fellow students' twin obsessions: liquor and sex. So she's left in her current predicament of needing to learn how to connect with people.
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May 04, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 29, 2011
Michelle
rated it: 
I have to admit I was on the fence when I picked this one up on Net Galley. It didn’t really scream “you have to read me!” like so many other books do. But the concept of taking a socially awkward girl, giving her some fun goals and seeing if she can adjust into stronger interpersonal relationships intrigued me.
I’m here to tell you, I should have listened to my first instincts. Interesting concept aside, I did not connect with this book at all.
That disconnect lands directly More...
I’m here to tell you, I should have listened to my first instincts. Interesting concept aside, I did not connect with this book at all.
That disconnect lands directly More...
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Dec 29, 2010
Karissa
rated it:
When I read the synopsis of this book I had to have it. It's not the type of book I generally read, but it just sounded like something I would really like. I got an advanced reading copy through netgalley(dot)com to read. It was a great read, a fun read, and the kind of read that really makes you think about the way you interact with the people around you.
Carrie Pilby is a genius. She skipped three grades in elementary school and graduated from Harvard with a degree in phliosophy at More...
Carrie Pilby is a genius. She skipped three grades in elementary school and graduated from Harvard with a degree in phliosophy at More...
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Nov 24, 2010
Sara E.
rated it:
I hate the term "chick lit." Even though I have read and enjoyed many books in this genre, I feel troubled by the term itself. I read a digital galley of this book, which did not have a cover. But I figured that the publisher was probably going to go the Chick Lit route with this book, featuring a cover with a headless girl wearing a twee outfit (skirt? cardigan) either standing/slouching with a city background or slumping in a chair or sofa, and I think it is pretty funny that I was a
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Oct 08, 2010
Chrystal
rated it:
Carrie Pilby, a nineteen-year-old prodigy and Harvard graduate, is socially awkward and having a very hard time meeting people that she can befriend or even relate to on a basic level. She consistently looks down on others when they come across as hypocrites based on her moral code or unintelligent based on her search for fellow genius'.
At first I hard a very hard time getting into the book, because I found Carrie to be annoying with her constant judgment of others. She has strict id More...
At first I hard a very hard time getting into the book, because I found Carrie to be annoying with her constant judgment of others. She has strict id More...
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Sep 07, 2010
Nafiza
rated it:
I was expecting a fun, light, quirky read. The cover certainly leads you to believe so and I have a feeling that had I known that the book was way more serious than I was bargaining for, I would have been better prepared to read it. Because Carrie Pilby is most certainly not chick lit.
As the synopsis reveals, Carrie is a genius. A genius who has trouble fitting in, getting along; indeed she doesn’t understand the need for her to do so.
Well okay, I’ll just come right out a More...
As the synopsis reveals, Carrie is a genius. A genius who has trouble fitting in, getting along; indeed she doesn’t understand the need for her to do so.
Well okay, I’ll just come right out a More...
Aug 21, 2010
Brob
rated it:
I enjoy the sarcastic wit in books and decided to give this one a try. As far as wit goes this book gets a 5/5. There are so many hilarious dialogues between Carrie and the other characters throughout the book. In addition, her internal monologue is pretty hilarious. Caren Lissner created a character that stayed true to herself throughout the book as she gave us glimpses inside her head. Having been in school with a few prodigies in my lower school education I feel that Carrie’s character was w
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Jul 29, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 03, 2010
Jamie
rated it:
I feel like chick lit does have a chance to get a bad rap. I read this book years ago and it never really left my mind; I picked it up yesterday to reread it and I realized that Lissner wrote a strange little literary novel that just happened to come out in the height of the time when all books my women about young women had to have pink and turquoise slapped on the cover so it could be marketed as chick lit.
"Carrie Pilby" isn't really like that. It's about Carrie, a 19-yea More...
"Carrie Pilby" isn't really like that. It's about Carrie, a 19-yea More...
Oct 27, 2010
Karen
rated it:
I was surprised while reading that this book was being published for teens. Looking it up in GoodReads and seeing that it was originally published for adults, and Red Dress Ink, no less, makes a lot of sense.
I didn't dislike this book. The two stars might be misleading, but really I didn't. I read the whole thing. I got through it. I didn't enjoy every minute, but I wasn't miserable.
Carrie Pilby is a 19-year-old former protegy trying to find a place to fit in. Her the More...
I didn't dislike this book. The two stars might be misleading, but really I didn't. I read the whole thing. I got through it. I didn't enjoy every minute, but I wasn't miserable.
Carrie Pilby is a 19-year-old former protegy trying to find a place to fit in. Her the More...
Aug 18, 2010
Lana.
rated it:
"I want to do what's right.
I also want to be happy.
Is it necessary for these two things to be exclusive?"
I did not like Carrie Pilby. Between her sarcasm and harsh judgments, I couldn't see why she would consider herself deserving consideration or kindness. But I kept reading - maybe because I soon realised that the loneliness and depression that she felt is something I (and most people) could identify with.
Carrie is a teen genius with high mor More...
I also want to be happy.
Is it necessary for these two things to be exclusive?"
I did not like Carrie Pilby. Between her sarcasm and harsh judgments, I couldn't see why she would consider herself deserving consideration or kindness. But I kept reading - maybe because I soon realised that the loneliness and depression that she felt is something I (and most people) could identify with.
Carrie is a teen genius with high mor More...
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Nov 06, 2010
Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)
rated it:
Different, sarcastic, unusual, too smart for her own good - those are the words I would use to describe the main character - Carrie Pilby. A character unlike I usually read and completely unlike myself. At times it was difficult for me to follow her thought process because she is way more than a methodical thinker.
I don't want to overwhelm you with negativeness - I loved this book. I read it for the New York part of my Goodreads challenge and I am so glad I did because it was so differ More...
I don't want to overwhelm you with negativeness - I loved this book. I read it for the New York part of my Goodreads challenge and I am so glad I did because it was so differ More...
Nov 14, 2010
Sonia
rated it:
Non avevo mai letto King e mai ne avevo sentito la mancanza.
Ero sicura che il suo genere non l'avrei retto, mi avrebbe messo troppa tensione e non sarebbe rientrato nei miei generi preferiti.
Ho finalmente letto un suo romanzo, e non parlerò del mio primo King, perchè alcune mie supposizioni si sono confermate.
Non rientra nei miei gusti, e pur non avendomi messo tensione nè paura, diciamo che un po' mi ha disgustata.
Ok, capisco che probabilmente questo fosse proprio uno degli intenti dello sc More...
Ero sicura che il suo genere non l'avrei retto, mi avrebbe messo troppa tensione e non sarebbe rientrato nei miei generi preferiti.
Ho finalmente letto un suo romanzo, e non parlerò del mio primo King, perchè alcune mie supposizioni si sono confermate.
Non rientra nei miei gusti, e pur non avendomi messo tensione nè paura, diciamo che un po' mi ha disgustata.
Ok, capisco che probabilmente questo fosse proprio uno degli intenti dello sc More...
Sep 12, 2010
Nina
rated it:
Carrie Pilby has become officially one of my favourite books of 2010. I adored the character and the story kept me hooked to the pages from beginning till the end.
Carrie is a 19 year old teenager who is very intelligent. She doesn’t understands the world completely and in her eyes the world doesn’t completely understands her. She lives in an apartment in New York City, and daddy is paying everything for her. She got no motivation whatsoever to find a job and one of her favourite thin More...
Carrie is a 19 year old teenager who is very intelligent. She doesn’t understands the world completely and in her eyes the world doesn’t completely understands her. She lives in an apartment in New York City, and daddy is paying everything for her. She got no motivation whatsoever to find a job and one of her favourite thin More...
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Jun 07, 2008
Terrie
rated it:
I'm perplexed why this was a Red Dress Ink imprint, because the only thing "chick lit" about it is the fact that the protagonist is a 19 yo female who lives in NYC. Really an excellent novel.
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Nov 15, 2010
Kari
rated it:
If you ever have wondered what goes on in the brain of a genius, we find out through Carrie Pilby. While some of our minds wander to dinner, laundry and the ever growing Christmas list, here’s what Carrie’s mind wanders to:
I use my extra time to think about a lot of things. I think about why, if the highest speed limit anywhere in the U.S. is seventy-five, they sell cars that can go up to one hundred fifty.
I think about whether the liquid inside a coconut should be called More...
I use my extra time to think about a lot of things. I think about why, if the highest speed limit anywhere in the U.S. is seventy-five, they sell cars that can go up to one hundred fifty.
I think about whether the liquid inside a coconut should be called More...
Oct 03, 2010
Houston Keanu
rated it:
This book was intriguing at first but towards the end i got kind of bored. This book shows a time period in Carrie's life where she has to set goals to become less antisocial and experience new things. Carrie is an interesting character considering the fact that she doesn't like to do much. She is considered a prodigy or genius and she skipped three or four grades. I would recommend this book to the people who just want to read for fun. This book isn't really about anything interesting. If you l
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Aug 26, 2010
Gmr
rated it:
Oh CARRIE PILBY...how I love thee (the book not a literal person..hehe), let me count the ways. I love your spunk and personality even though at times I found bits of myself in you. I love your willingness to right wrongs no one else would touch. I love your hermit like nature that grows to accept others in your own time and space. I love...the story OVERALL! A great read from cover to cover...if her "personal ad" doesn't draw you in with it's straight forward nature and humor to
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Sep 05, 2011
Kricket
rated it:
let me start off by saying that carrie pilby would never wear the outfit on the cover. her posture on the couch is right, and the cover is very fun, but it has nothing to do with carrie's character.
who is amazing!! carrie is a 19 year old harvard graduate who doesn't have any friends because she's a genius and a hermit with a strict set of moral codes. her father pays the rent on her nyc apartment and for a therapist, petrov, who encourages her to do things she loves and meet people. More...
who is amazing!! carrie is a 19 year old harvard graduate who doesn't have any friends because she's a genius and a hermit with a strict set of moral codes. her father pays the rent on her nyc apartment and for a therapist, petrov, who encourages her to do things she loves and meet people. More...
Dec 12, 2010
Kimm
rated it:
***Preface: perhaps the following thoughts sound a tad harsh, but they are only meant to be in terms of my opinion of the character Carrie. I actually enjoyed the book, but it’s so different from your typical story that I didn’t have the ability to really gush about it, mostly because I was so caught up in examining Carrie’s flaws.***
What could be better than see the world through the eyes of a self-absorbed nineteen year-old? She’s a genius and doesn’t fit in with the world. The pro More...
What could be better than see the world through the eyes of a self-absorbed nineteen year-old? She’s a genius and doesn’t fit in with the world. The pro More...
Apr 04, 2011
Mari - loves to read
rated it:
Carrie is a smart girl, she graduated from Harvard at the age of 19 but she is struggeling to fit in. Now Carrie is living alone in her apartment in New York, she spends her time watching movies, sleeping and she has regular sessions with a psychologist. Carrie has no real friends, by choice in her own opinion. She lives by strict moral and thinks most other people are immoral and obsessed with sex.
A little taste from the novel:
"Wanna meet for coffee?" he asks.
Ther More...
A little taste from the novel:
"Wanna meet for coffee?" he asks.
Ther More...
Mar 17, 2011
Lale
rated it:
Received for my honest review from NetGalley
I started reading this book thinking that I was really going to enjoy it—the heroine’s voice was appealing, and I’ve always enjoyed reading about intellectual, social-outcast characters. However, it quickly became apparent that there wasn’t much of a plot, and Carrie Pilby was more of a character study than a gripping novel.
One of the things that turned me off, besides the lack of plot, was the fact that the book occasionally t More...
I started reading this book thinking that I was really going to enjoy it—the heroine’s voice was appealing, and I’ve always enjoyed reading about intellectual, social-outcast characters. However, it quickly became apparent that there wasn’t much of a plot, and Carrie Pilby was more of a character study than a gripping novel.
One of the things that turned me off, besides the lack of plot, was the fact that the book occasionally t More...
