A young woman struggles to escape the shadow of her mother's addiction and neglect in this story from the author of "Such a Pretty Girl."
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Jan 05, 2012
Kate
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 04, 2011
Lisa
rated it: 
3 1/2 stars.
Sometimes I have a hard time when it comes to rating a book by an author whose work I have previously read. I compare it to the author's other books. So this is why rating "Ordinary Beauty" was a bit difficult for me because I liked all her other books better, in this order:
How it ends
Leftovers
Such a Pretty Girl
Such great books, really. All dealing with tough issues in unique ways. I LOVE the way Laura Wiess writes. It's gorgeous, More...
Sometimes I have a hard time when it comes to rating a book by an author whose work I have previously read. I compare it to the author's other books. So this is why rating "Ordinary Beauty" was a bit difficult for me because I liked all her other books better, in this order:
How it ends
Leftovers
Such a Pretty Girl
Such great books, really. All dealing with tough issues in unique ways. I LOVE the way Laura Wiess writes. It's gorgeous, More...
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Jul 25, 2011
Amanda
rated it: 
*See my full review here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy.com...
First Impressions: I have read loads of books dealing with addictions before and have always enjoyed them. But, I never had read an addiction themed book from the view point of an addict’s daughter, so that is what initially attracted me to Ordinary Beauty.
First 50 Pages: I didn’t make it through the first part of this book without crying. I’m not talking about a few tears, I mean literally bawling my eye More...
First Impressions: I have read loads of books dealing with addictions before and have always enjoyed them. But, I never had read an addiction themed book from the view point of an addict’s daughter, so that is what initially attracted me to Ordinary Beauty.
First 50 Pages: I didn’t make it through the first part of this book without crying. I’m not talking about a few tears, I mean literally bawling my eye More...
Jun 15, 2011
Charlotte
rated it:
Ordinary Beauty is the most heart-wrenching book I have read in a very long time. I read it in bed last night and cried pretty much through the entire book. The rebuttal of #YAsaves is based on the premise that many teens live DARK lives, that reading books like Ordinary Beauty and 13 Reasons Why give teens an outlet for their own situations and feelings . At lunch today I was discussing the book with my coworkers and what had happened to Ellie - which I felt was one of the more farfetched porti
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Mar 13, 2011
Joni
rated it:
This story hit me hard. There were times in this book that I had to put it down and walk away. I received this in the mail about a week ago and it has taken me that long to get through it. Not because it was a bad book. On the contrary, Laura Wiess has done it again by creating a startlingly honest novel about something people know happens but choose to ignore. I am sure we have all seen the kid in school with the dirty clothes who seems to never bathe and most people, at least at my old school,
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Dec 29, 2011
Suzanne
rated it:
A reader-pleaser for those who like a hard luck story, especially when they suspect things will probably turn out okay.
With this narrative structure, bit and pieces of the horror of Sayre's life with the kind of mother nobody deserves come in chapters that are interspersed in a present day hell of its own: while trying to hitch a ride on mountain roads in the snow, Sayre inadvertently causes college kid Evan to veer down a ravine to avoid hitting her. No cell coverage makes the situ More...
With this narrative structure, bit and pieces of the horror of Sayre's life with the kind of mother nobody deserves come in chapters that are interspersed in a present day hell of its own: while trying to hitch a ride on mountain roads in the snow, Sayre inadvertently causes college kid Evan to veer down a ravine to avoid hitting her. No cell coverage makes the situ More...
Jun 13, 2011
Joli
rated it:
Ordinary Beauty has left me a wreck. Never have I been left so emotionally drained from reading a book. While this may sound negative to some, it is one of the best feelings I can great from reading. I know this book and Sayre's story will be with me for a long time.
Laura Wiess has written a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching story of a young girl who has lived a life of abuse, abandonment and neglect with very few moments of hope. The novel begins just as Sayre learns that her mother has More...
Laura Wiess has written a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching story of a young girl who has lived a life of abuse, abandonment and neglect with very few moments of hope. The novel begins just as Sayre learns that her mother has More...
Jun 05, 2011
Ann
rated it:
Ordinary Beauty was, certainly, anything but ordinary. I found myself having to step away from the book for awhile in order to contemplate the sheer horror that I had been reading; this book is simply disturbing. Wiess elegantly portrays a young girl growing up in a tumultuous household; a meth-addicted mother who steals everything of hers and sells it all away for drugs, a constant fear of homelessness and poverty, and a fervent wondering if she ever meant anything or if she was simply a mist
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Jun 13, 2011
Claudette
rated it:
When I saw this book by Laura Wiess on Simon & Schuster's newsletter, I had the feeling I'd already heard the author's name and, after a rapid search on Goodreads, I found out I had all her books on my TBR shelf. So how could I possibly miss the chance?
Then I started worring that I wouldn't like it or that my expectations were so high that I would inevitably be disappointed, and I put this book on hold until I was in the right mood.
A week ago, I picked my kindle up and de More...
Then I started worring that I wouldn't like it or that my expectations were so high that I would inevitably be disappointed, and I put this book on hold until I was in the right mood.
A week ago, I picked my kindle up and de More...
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Jun 01, 2011
Jessi
rated it:
I'm starting to get more into contemporary fiction more lately, and amazing books like Ordinary Beauty are the reason why. I know that sounds weird, but when I make an investment in reading a book that's not magical or paranormal, I want to see stories being told that need to be told, grit and all even if it deals with the unpleasant aspects of our society. Ordinary Beauty is emotionally intense, at times raw, at times extraordinarily bittersweet.
Sayre's life in this book is not pretty More...
Sayre's life in this book is not pretty More...
Aug 10, 2011
Sheree
rated it:
A beautiful, brilliant, agonising read that tugs at your heartstrings. My first Laura Weiss book but it definitely won't be my last.
This was one of those rare reads that had me alternating wildly between holding my breath unable to turn the page for fear of what I might read, desperate to put the book down and escape from the raw emotion and powerless to tear myself away from the page.
Laura Wiess doesn't shy away from tackling the harsh truths of addiction, child neglec More...
This was one of those rare reads that had me alternating wildly between holding my breath unable to turn the page for fear of what I might read, desperate to put the book down and escape from the raw emotion and powerless to tear myself away from the page.
Laura Wiess doesn't shy away from tackling the harsh truths of addiction, child neglec More...
May 24, 2011
Mari
rated it:
I think Ordinary Beauty is one of those "love it or hate it" books. Personally, the story hit me hard. It took me a while to finish reading because the story was so depressing.. and I don't mean that in an entirely bad way. This book was bleak and gritty and I would've found it too melodramatic if I didn't walk away from the story from time to time to process the whole thing. At times I found myself thinking that it's too much, no one's life is that harsh, no mother would do such awfu
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Sep 22, 2011
Candace (Lovey Dovey Books)
rated it:
I cried so many times during this book. It wasn't what I expected either. I thought there would be more of a love story going with Evan, but it was solely about Sayre's idea of love and how she dealt with her mother issues.
One thing that really touched me in this story was Sayre's ability to love other people even though she always felt unwanted and unloved. Her mother was unbelievably horrible - just saying.
I broke down every time Sayre mentioned singing her "Ellie More...
One thing that really touched me in this story was Sayre's ability to love other people even though she always felt unwanted and unloved. Her mother was unbelievably horrible - just saying.
I broke down every time Sayre mentioned singing her "Ellie More...
Aug 25, 2011
C
rated it:
Yet another "Wiess Wonder"! This book brought out all the stops. It made me feel anger, sadness and compassion. It allowed me to remember that "not all Good families raise good children" and not all BAD families raise bad children". It is a gritty, heart-rendering story of a young woman trying to find her path - and somehow, with little normalcy in her life Sayre manages to find the courage and strength of character to struggle through the memories of her childhood and m
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Sep 28, 2011
Mickey
rated it:
I checked this book out from the library. Here is my honest review:
I can only describe this book as dark and painful but necessary. It's touching, personal, and very deep. Sayre has a lot of things to go through before she can feel free of her troubles. Her childhood was terrible, and it could have completely ruined her life. But as she's trying to get her life back together she finds out that her drug addicted, alcoholic mother is in the hospital, dying. Dianne has done a lot of wrong More...
I can only describe this book as dark and painful but necessary. It's touching, personal, and very deep. Sayre has a lot of things to go through before she can feel free of her troubles. Her childhood was terrible, and it could have completely ruined her life. But as she's trying to get her life back together she finds out that her drug addicted, alcoholic mother is in the hospital, dying. Dianne has done a lot of wrong More...
Feb 20, 2012
Sana
rated it:
*Novel provided for an honest review.
Does my mother love me? That is the question Sayre has been haunted by her entire life. If you think your mother is horrible, think again.
Laura Wiess, author of Such a Pretty Girl, has written a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching story of a young girl who has lived a life of abuse, abandonment and neglect with very few moments of hope. Sayre‘s mother is an alcoholic and a meth addict. Living with her has been excruciatingly difficult, and More...
Does my mother love me? That is the question Sayre has been haunted by her entire life. If you think your mother is horrible, think again.
Laura Wiess, author of Such a Pretty Girl, has written a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching story of a young girl who has lived a life of abuse, abandonment and neglect with very few moments of hope. Sayre‘s mother is an alcoholic and a meth addict. Living with her has been excruciatingly difficult, and More...
Jul 05, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Sayre Bellevia's mother is an alcoholic and a meth addict. Living with her has been excruciatingly difficult, and not just because Sayre knows her mother never wanted her. Sayre has stuck by her though, trying to make her mother see and love her. Now Sayre's mother is dying, and she must find a way to deal with the fact that she is finally going to be left behind for good.
Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking. After finishing this book, that's all I could think of to describe it. E More...
Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking. After finishing this book, that's all I could think of to describe it. E More...
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Jun 14, 2011
Kristen
rated it:
Greta’s review:
I adored this book! It painted a world of unspoken darkness with tiny pinpricks of hope lighting the way as we hear the life story of Sayre Bellavia, a 17 year old girl who had to grow up too soon.
This book read like a Smashing Pumpkins ballad with a Nine Inch Nails chorus and an Everclear encore. It sucks the reader in with its unforgettable characters, remarkable eye to detail, and original plot.
I will warn you, Ordinary Beauty will make you More...
I adored this book! It painted a world of unspoken darkness with tiny pinpricks of hope lighting the way as we hear the life story of Sayre Bellavia, a 17 year old girl who had to grow up too soon.
This book read like a Smashing Pumpkins ballad with a Nine Inch Nails chorus and an Everclear encore. It sucks the reader in with its unforgettable characters, remarkable eye to detail, and original plot.
I will warn you, Ordinary Beauty will make you More...
Jun 25, 2011
Rabiah
rated it:
Originally Posted at: http://iliveforreading.blogspot.com/2011...
**This Review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy). The final text/cover may be different.**
Wow. Just...WOW.
I've heard of Laura Wiess' other book Such a Pretty Girl but never any other book by her. I have to repeat myself. W-O-W. This book was so richly detailed and horrifyingly beautiful. It's so painful to read, but I HAD to find out what happens to Sayre in the end– and the ultimate question: More...
**This Review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy). The final text/cover may be different.**
Wow. Just...WOW.
I've heard of Laura Wiess' other book Such a Pretty Girl but never any other book by her. I have to repeat myself. W-O-W. This book was so richly detailed and horrifyingly beautiful. It's so painful to read, but I HAD to find out what happens to Sayre in the end– and the ultimate question: More...
Jul 18, 2011
Audrey
rated it:
full review on my blog, holes In My brain
Ordinary Beauty is not ordinary by any standards. Neither is Sayre, and she is easily one of the most sympathetic narrators I’ve ever read about. To say she had a troubled childhood is a huge understatement—her mother is a drug and alcohol addict who has never treated Sayre like a child but rather as a burden. As she is let down time and time again by someone who is supposed to care for her, it was honestly a heartbreaking reading experien More...
Ordinary Beauty is not ordinary by any standards. Neither is Sayre, and she is easily one of the most sympathetic narrators I’ve ever read about. To say she had a troubled childhood is a huge understatement—her mother is a drug and alcohol addict who has never treated Sayre like a child but rather as a burden. As she is let down time and time again by someone who is supposed to care for her, it was honestly a heartbreaking reading experien More...
Jul 20, 2011
Aleeza
rated it:
*4.5 stars*
So here’s the thing: I really don’t understand it when people say they don’t like reading ‘issue’ books. In my opinion, the best type of escapist fiction is the one that deals with issues, turns them into ultimately satisfying stories that you get something out of. That’s why Ordinary Beauty appealed to me right from the moment I read its summary (and, okay, totally swooned after its cover, because dang, it is GORGEOUS).
The book focuses on Sayre Bellavia, More...
So here’s the thing: I really don’t understand it when people say they don’t like reading ‘issue’ books. In my opinion, the best type of escapist fiction is the one that deals with issues, turns them into ultimately satisfying stories that you get something out of. That’s why Ordinary Beauty appealed to me right from the moment I read its summary (and, okay, totally swooned after its cover, because dang, it is GORGEOUS).
The book focuses on Sayre Bellavia, More...
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Aug 13, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
I believe this maybe the best book I have every read!!
Ordinary Beauty has to be the best book I've read so far! I am not saying this lightly this is why- first off the emotions I felt reading this book. Laura Wiess can write her ass off because this reader was an emotional roller coaster right from the beginning. I felt sad, disgusted, agonizing over rather I could finish it and then joy in the end when I did. Second Sayre- she was strong and craved love through out the book from More...
Ordinary Beauty has to be the best book I've read so far! I am not saying this lightly this is why- first off the emotions I felt reading this book. Laura Wiess can write her ass off because this reader was an emotional roller coaster right from the beginning. I felt sad, disgusted, agonizing over rather I could finish it and then joy in the end when I did. Second Sayre- she was strong and craved love through out the book from More...
Jun 04, 2011
Sierra
rated it:
I loved this book.
It was no surprise, really, since I've read and loved all of Laura Wiess's novels. Each one more and more powerful, heart wrenching and true that I can't believe it. At the end of each, I'm left shocked, though not surprised at the depth and trueness of them. This author has a knack for taking the gritty, dirty aspects of the real world, and shaping them into beautifully written and deep novels that stick with you, hours—days—after reading.
Ordinary Beauty is my More...
It was no surprise, really, since I've read and loved all of Laura Wiess's novels. Each one more and more powerful, heart wrenching and true that I can't believe it. At the end of each, I'm left shocked, though not surprised at the depth and trueness of them. This author has a knack for taking the gritty, dirty aspects of the real world, and shaping them into beautifully written and deep novels that stick with you, hours—days—after reading.
Ordinary Beauty is my More...
Jun 04, 2011
Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)
rated it:
A hard book from the start for many reasons. A deep and dark subject matter with very rough characters and I just couldn't get into the story at the beginning, but once in the middle, I couldn't stop.
A young adult who has endured the hardest childhood, but through it all is still able to find a hope for a different and better future for herself. I was straight appalled at the life she had to live with an abusive and alcoholic mother. It hurt me so much to see her stay there through a More...
A young adult who has endured the hardest childhood, but through it all is still able to find a hope for a different and better future for herself. I was straight appalled at the life she had to live with an abusive and alcoholic mother. It hurt me so much to see her stay there through a More...
May 20, 2011
Book Twirps
rated it:
This book hit me hard. I can’t even begin to explain the emotions it brings up. I was lucky enough to be raised in a very loving family, and it makes my heart ache to know that there really are kids out there that have to endure this type of life. Wiess paints such vivid pictures of Sayre’s tragic life, you feel like you are living it yourself. This book is extremely well-crafted, honest and gut-wrenching. I couldn’t put it down, and it is one that I will more than likely pick up again. While he
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Aug 25, 2011
Judith
rated it:
Ordinary Beauty - Not So Ordinary! I loved this book. I am a 70 year old reader and a Social Worker. The saga of family relationships and their concomitant consequences and manifestations left me breathless at times. ie: the mother/daughter dyad of love and pain; the sweet pleasure of a found love in Beale; and the coming of age of a bright complex young woman in Sayre. All these and the compelling analysis of each personality made this a super summer read for me.
Aug 27, 2011
Kelsey (Things Unseen)
rated it:
After passing by and admiring its cover several times at the bookstore, I finally bought myself a copy of Ordinary Beauty. I thought I knew what to expect from this book. I knew it was about struggles.I knew it would have a solemn tone, but what I didn’t expect was how incredibly beautiful and moving this book was.
Laura Wiess’ writing is simply gorgeous. She begins by announcing facts, constructing a vague picture of Sayre’s life, by giving out small bits of information, and later el More...
Laura Wiess’ writing is simply gorgeous. She begins by announcing facts, constructing a vague picture of Sayre’s life, by giving out small bits of information, and later el More...
May 02, 2011
MaryAnn
rated it:
Laura Wiess explores those left in the shadows really well. Her books are never easy reads (at times I had a violent physical reaction to Leftovers) and this fits her canon in that sense. Sayre's mother is an addict, who is at times vicious and always uncaring. She has little support, clinging to memories of one year she refers to as a golden year. But as unrelenting as her books are they stay with me. Read via galley grap from Simon and Schuster (thanks to them!)
Apr 11, 2011
Bayshore
rated it:
The title does not do this book justice. It is a beautiful story, but there is nothing ordinary about Sayre or her heartbreaking story of hardship and strength. It would be so easy to believe no child has to endure the life Sayre did. Unfortunately, that is not reality. Her compassion and strength helped her to survive the tragedy and horror of her young life. This is not a light easy read, but one that is worth the pain and tears.
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Mar 06, 2011
I can't say I loved all Laura Weiss's previous books; love probably isn't the right word for them. What I can say is that they definitely made me wonder if some people really do live lives like that (Leftovers). For some people, these stories are their reality (Such A Pretty Girl). That being said, I can't wait to read this one. Plus, isn't the cover beautiful?
