If you love poetry, birds, and/or nature in any way, shape or form...seriously do yourself the favor and go read this. What a stunning, little collect...moreIf you love poetry, birds, and/or nature in any way, shape or form...seriously do yourself the favor and go read this. What a stunning, little collection full of utterly evocative poems. I just finished it, and I already want to flip back to the beginning and read it all over again. (less)
This was a fantastic look into the history of the Titanic. If you find yourself like I do--fascinated by the Titanic--this is a book you won't want to...moreThis was a fantastic look into the history of the Titanic. If you find yourself like I do--fascinated by the Titanic--this is a book you won't want to miss.
I will admit: some of the science, the in-depth coverage of what happened when, and the detailed layout of the wreckage was over my head. What was ultimately compelling for me wasn't the nitty gritty details but rather the eye-witness accounts of the events of that fateful night. There were many times that I paused while reading just to fully contemplate. I learned a lot, too, which is always a plus. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what happened that night before I delved into this book, but I walked away with a much greater understanding of events. It seems, at least to me, that the Titanic was fated to sink, when one takes in everything that happened. There were countless "if only this one little thing had changed" situations that could have spared this tragedy. It's fascinating to think that every last little thing came together to "make sure" that this tragedy happened.
Overall, this was a quality addition to the literature on the Titanic and one you won't want to miss. (less)
Not my favorite novel of Steinbeck's, but wow, it sure packs a punch.
There are a lot of things going on here. For being so short, Of Mice and Men rea...moreNot my favorite novel of Steinbeck's, but wow, it sure packs a punch.
There are a lot of things going on here. For being so short, Of Mice and Men really makes you think. The way Steinbeck writes it, though, is not overwhelming. I'm sure Of Mice and Men will give me much to stew over for a while.
First is the obvious: Lennie, who wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't wanna talk about him too much though, for fearing of giving away the plot. All I'm going to say is that the final pages of this get me every time. Then, there's a lot of the "American Dream" and what it consists of, whether anyone can actually achieve it, and even how one's race plays into it. There's the simple fact of human nature: some people are "good" (Lennie, George, Slim), and some people are "bad" (Curley). Once again, Steinbeck writes about the "haves" and "have-nots" of this country. You really get a glimpse of the common working man here (at least during that day and age): where he works, where he lives, what he likes to do in his spare time, how he speaks. There's talk of friendship, what it means, and the sacrifices one must make for his friends.
As you can see, there's a lot jam-packed into this short novel. But it doesn't feel like there is. That, in essence, is my favorite part about Steinbeck. His writing style is so easy-to-read, so leisurely, but yet after every one of his works, I find myself putting seriously thought into it and really stewing things over. (less)
I was completely blown away by this short novel. Completely. Blown. Away. I'm not going into a lengthy review here, but let me talk about some points....moreI was completely blown away by this short novel. Completely. Blown. Away. I'm not going into a lengthy review here, but let me talk about some points.
Okay, so this novel isn't really about horses. I'm thinking there are a lot of people out there missing the point. The Red Pony isn't what I would call one cohesive novel, but rather a collection of several glimpses into the farm/ranch life of Jody. The whole point of the pony is that Jody is learning to grow up, and he's learning that life isn't all rainbows and butterflies. There's death, there's loss, there's grieving, there's anger, there's sadness. Life doesn't always have happy endings, life is unfair, and the people we idolize in our own lives will at some point let us down. That is what the pony is about.
Not only that, I just want to take the time to point out how amazing Steinbeck's writing itself is. When I'm reading a book, there are times when I'm into the story and then there are times when I am there. With The Red Pony, I was THERE. Steinbeck's writing is so vivid, I just got completely lost in the story. I had a crystal clear picture in my mind of the ranch, of Jody, of everything. At the same time it is vivid, it isn't overbearing. Sometimes authors go into this flowery mode of description, but not so with Steinbeck. His descriptions and observations are straightforward (much like Jody's outlook on life..hmm) and easily readable. You don't have to think so much about reading the text; Steinbeck's focus is not superfluous language but rather he wants you to focus on the point of the story.
All in all, this ranks as one of my favorite of Steinbeck's. (less)
I have this book to thank for pulling me out of a dreaded reading slump. It wasn't so much that the other book that I was reading (The Killer Angels)...moreI have this book to thank for pulling me out of a dreaded reading slump. It wasn't so much that the other book that I was reading (The Killer Angels) wasn't good (it was great), but more so that this kind of story was just what I had been craving.
I enjoyed John Flanagan's writing immensely, and it was very easy for me to get into this story. Although there was nothing outstandingly new or unique about it, this was still quite the engaging read. It wasn't the deepest or more complex plot I've ever read, but it was easy-to-read and entertaining. I think this would be an excellent book to recommend for younger readers. Being that this is the first book in a series, there is a good bit of setting up and introducing of characters, but I still found the pages flying by. I never felt bogged down by details, but there were just enough for me to be able to vividly picture everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this new world that Flanagan created for us.
My favorite part, as usual, was the cast of characters. They were engaging, and I felt something for them. That is what I had been missing, and that is what pulled me out of my slump. This is one of those casts of characters I know I won't soon forget, and I'm already itching to read the next book in the series to see what it entails for everyone! (less)
You know those books that even though you know they aren't the next literary masterpiece, you still have so much fun reading them? This is one of them...moreYou know those books that even though you know they aren't the next literary masterpiece, you still have so much fun reading them? This is one of them. I'm pretty sure that for 95% of this book, I could be found reading with a goofy grin on my face. And I definitely squealed while reading the end this morning. I squealed.
That's not to say that this is a "fluffy" novel. While the romance between Marianne and Philip takes center stage, there is still a lot of substance in this story: what it means to lose a parent, sibling relationships/rivalries, what it is to live during the Regency era as far as rules and customs. This is a definite must-read for fans of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. Julianne Donaldson tells the same kind of story, but she modernizes the language, making this incredibly readable. Another thing that I really enjoyed about this novel is that Donaldson resolves all of the subplots really well. There is never a feeling that the ending is "too neat," but rather that everything just comes to light by the ending.
Marianne has to be one of my favorite characters. She definitely brings to mind Elizabeth Bennet. She is witty, spunky, and very independent for the time she lives in. I mean, this is a girl who'd rather be twirling through an orchard than embroidering in a drawing room. And I like that about her. As far as Philip goes, I really have no words to describe him besides, "oh my god, why can't I have one?" The banter between him and Marianne is at times hilarious and at others completely heartwarming.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this one, and I highly recommend it. Fans of Jane Austen/Georgette Heyer will definitely want to check this one out! (less)
For an essentially wordless picture book, I enjoyed this endlessly. There were so many things that I loved about this. It was so imaginative and such...moreFor an essentially wordless picture book, I enjoyed this endlessly. There were so many things that I loved about this. It was so imaginative and such fun. The illustrations are beautiful, and they are enough to send any child into giggles. I also loved the fact that you can't tell whether the child is, in fact, a girl or a boy...hello relatability! That more than anything else, I think, is so important in children's books. It was fun, too, that the only words throughout the pages were onomatopoeic. It is really easy to imagine flipping through these pages with a child and having good old-fashioned storytime. Add a mug of hot cocoa with some marshmallows, curl up with your little one, and it can't get any better than that! (less)
Here I am yet again, wondering why it took me so long to read a book that everyone swore I was going to love.
And I LOVED this book. It was just what...moreHere I am yet again, wondering why it took me so long to read a book that everyone swore I was going to love.
And I LOVED this book. It was just what I've been in the mood for. I've been absolutely aching for summer, hell, even spring would be nice if it would finally show up around these parts. One of my favorite things about summer is roadtrips. I love the spontaneity and the freedom. Morgan Matson absolutely nailed it. I thought the pictures, "receipts," and other various mementos were great additions, too.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book was that it wasn't quite an "issue" book and it wasn't quite "fluff," either. It was an engaging read, with a surprising amount of depth, but not enough to drag the story down. I really enjoyed watching Amy and Roger both come to terms with their respective problems, and I liked how they helped each other along the way. I even found myself becoming really attached to the minor characters because they were so well developed. Yay character driven stories!
This has definitely been one of my favorite reads of the year so far, and if I somehow managed to not be the last person on Earth to read it, I highly recommend picking it up! (less)
Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it has officially been confirmed.
I will read anything and everything that Stephanie Perkins writes for the rest of ete...moreAlright, ladies and gentlemen, it has officially been confirmed.
I will read anything and everything that Stephanie Perkins writes for the rest of eternity.
Even if it's only the back of a cereal box.
Now that I have read both Anna and Lola (and finished both with goofy, dopey grins on my face), I can safely say that I am pretty positive that Ms. Perkins has a degree in The Art of Making Readers Swoon.
On one more random sidenote, I am typically a HUGE fan of good first lines in a novel. HOWEVER. This book contains my very favorite last line of all time. Seriously, I got goosebumps when I read it.
I can't wait to read whatever Stephanie Perkins writes next! (less)
I was pretty wary when I started this book. I read The Tommyknockers a few years back, and I felt kinda "meh" about it. I've never been big on "alien"...moreI was pretty wary when I started this book. I read The Tommyknockers a few years back, and I felt kinda "meh" about it. I've never been big on "alien" stories. I've heard some people describe Dreamcatcher as a blend between The Tommyknockers and IT, and now having finished, I have to say that's a pretty accurate description. I was also a little nervous because I've heard people say that Stephen King's newer stuff just isn't up to par with his older classics like IT or The Shining.
I shouldn't have been so worried. This was an excellent read.
I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again: my favorite part of Stephen King's writing is his flawless character development. He has a knack for getting his readers truly invested in his characters, whether they are the main characters or even just minor characters around for a page or two. And his villains are always the nastiest that you can imagine. Kurtz gave me the creeps. Honestly, my favorite part of this book was reading about the friendship between Henry, Jonesy, Pete, Beaver and Duddits. I love that throughout all the action going on in the story's present-day, Stephen King takes the time to really make you understand what it is that makes their friendship so special. I know flashbacks aren't for everyone, but I liked how as the story went on, I got to see pieces of their past, never the whole thing all at once, which is what kept me reading.
I can see how this book could be off-putting for some readers. Of all of his books that I've read, this one is pretty gross. I can handle gore, but I will warn squeamish readers that this is one you'll probably want to avoid.
This book is pretty lengthy, as well. I found myself getting sucked into the story for hundreds of pages at a time, though. With any book of this length, there are bound to be faster parts and slower parts. But even through the slower parts, I found myself wondering what was going to happen to the characters and what the fate of the human race was going to be. And the last hundred pages? I felt myself getting stressed out because I HAD to know what was going to happen and I felt like I couldn't read fast enough to get there.
Overall, it was very satisfying for me to sink into this Stephen King read, much like coming home to an old friend. I'm pretty sure I'm destined to enjoy everything he has ever written. (less)
What an adorable little book! I definitely need to find a copy of this. If you enjoy Beatrix Potter at all, you're sure to be enchanted by the illustr...moreWhat an adorable little book! I definitely need to find a copy of this. If you enjoy Beatrix Potter at all, you're sure to be enchanted by the illustrations in these pages. (less)
I have been going to Gettysburg with my family since I was a very little girl. In fact, I was just there on Labor Day a couple days ago. I have always...moreI have been going to Gettysburg with my family since I was a very little girl. In fact, I was just there on Labor Day a couple days ago. I have always loved it there. The history of the place, the battlefield and even just the town itself make it my favorite place to visit. I've always known tidbits about the battle here and there from the countless tours my dad has given us throughout the years, but I decided that since I suppose I AM old enough to really understand what happened and since I'm out of college now and can study what I want, I wanted to study the battle in earnest. So, I went over to the library and picked a few books from the shelf, but this one in particular caught my eye. Shelby Foote is a huge name in Civil War literature, so when I saw that this was a segment from his ginormous Civil War trilogy only touching on Gettysburg, I thought I would try out Foote while learning about the battle that has always held my interest.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this. This wasn't as detailed as some other books that are out there, but at the same time, this is not for the leisurely history student. I took notes while I was reading and having familiarity with the area, I was able to envision everything that was taking place. (Seriously, if you enjoy history at all, you NEED to make it to Gettysburg). That all being said, I was definitely surprised by how readable this book was. Even though it was a short book, I thought it would take me forever to get through it. It did take me a while, but only because I was taking intense notes. The pages flew by for me, which was unexpected but always nice.
I was a little worried going into it, knowing that Foote himself hails from Mississippi and having heard from someone that he was a Southern enthusiast, that this would be a one-sided book. After having read it, I'm not really sure what that person was talking about. Foote bounces back and forth, telling the story of the battle from both sides and painting sympathetic pictures for both the Union and the Confederates. In this day and age of left versus right and liberal versus conservative, it was refreshing to read something that flips the table for readers while presenting each side evenly.
As I alluded to earlier, this is not the most detail-oriented account of the battle, but it gives a nice overview for someone such as myself who is trying to get a basic handle on the battle before jumping into all of the details. This little segment of a book is by no means dry--he provides interesting insight into the generals and the soldiers who were the players on this battlefield. Foote spends time not only describing battlefield maneuvers, but also delves into the feelings, hopes and ambitions of the men during these three days.
My biggest complaint, honestly, is the lack of maps. I admit, I am quite familiar with the layout of Gettysburg and its battlefield, but even I had a little bit of a rough time figuring out the positions of the lines of soldiers, so for someone who has never been there or who might not be that familiar with the layout, this could be a bit of difficult reading. I used one of my dad's book of Gettysburg battle maps while I was reading it, which definitely helped. I also recommend the Civil War Trust's website for Gettysburg maps--they are excellent maps.
Overall, I thought this was a great way to introduce myself to an overview of the battle. To those well-versed in the battle, this even provides interesting insight into the players on the field. I don't know that I'm quite up to reading Foote's massive trilogy just yet, but this gave me a good taste for his style, and I highly enjoyed it. (less)
I finished reading this like five hours ago, and I'm still having trouble figuring out how to put into words how much I loved this book.
Admittedly, I...moreI finished reading this like five hours ago, and I'm still having trouble figuring out how to put into words how much I loved this book.
Admittedly, I wasn't too sure about this at first, but I think that's only because it takes a little bit to get used to having a 12-year-old as the narrator to a story--especially one as fiesty as Shenny!
This book was beautiful. End of story. I cannot believe that Lesley Kagen is not more well-known. With Shenny telling the story, it is at times quite comical and at other times quite heartwrenching. She sees things in a way that most adults don't, and yet she also misses things and can be naive about things that would be obvious to an adult. It's not in an annoying way, but moreso a way that makes you just want to reach out and hug her and protect her from everything bad in the world. But like I said earlier, she is definitely feisty. She is constantly throwing little southern sayings into her story, and sometimes they can be downright hilarious. Like upon describing some boy who she finds incredibly stupid, she says: "The kid could throw himself on the ground and miss."
However, not all is fun and games. This was a surprisingly dark and heartwrenching book to read that tackles a lot of issues, like racism, sexism, chauvinism, and domestic abuse. And as I've said, this is all viewed through the eyes of a young girl. Kagen does not hesitate to approach these issues, though, which makes for a story that feels very real and makes it easy to imagine that you are in the South of the 1960s. The characters were all done well, too. Shenny has been my favorite narrator in a long time. Not to mention, each character has a distinct voice, even Woody who doesn't speak. This is one of those reads that keeps you on your toes. Every time I thought I had figured out what had happened to Mama, something else would throw me for a loop. Through much of the book, there is a pervading bad feeling. I was really anxious reading this, and even though that's not really an emotion I relish, I love when a book can leave me feeling so much.
After having finished this book, Lesley Kagen has been added to my list of favorite authors, and I know I'm going to have to go out and read everything else she's written! (less)
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING, JUST GO READ IT RIGHT NOW.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I'm going to fill you in on Melina...moreHOLY MOTHER OF GOD THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING, JUST GO READ IT RIGHT NOW.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I'm going to fill you in on Melina Marchetta's Finnikin.
But seriously. Just take my word for it. Go read it.
Anyhow, for fans of epic fantasy, this is an astounding YA take on the genre. First of all, I love books with maps in them. I guess I should probably clarify that. I love when you open up a book and there are maps for a whole new world that you have never experienced. Granted, sometimes an author just doesn't quite get the world building right. But Marchetta nails it. By the time I wasn't even halfway through the book, I had a feel for where each kingdom was in relation to the others and what each kingdom was all about. It didn't take me long to be all "YEAH LUMATERE!" I was lost, completely lost in this book's pages as I read.
Marchetta's writing was enchanting. I felt like I was sitting around with a Lumateran scribe who was telling me about the history of her people. It wasn't too flowery, but it wasn't too light, either. It was just right. It was so beautiful, considering how dark the story could be from time to time. I would not recommend this for younger teens. It felt like an ancient fairy tale. And I felt so much. I felt so much for each of the characters. ESPECIALLY Evanjalin. But I even felt for the countless, nameless Lumateran exiles. I felt so much for a world that was dealing with some pretty dark days. A world that doesn't even exist. (Even thought I sort of wish it did).
There are a handful of characters in this book, and they were all well-written, but I just want to take a second to talk about the awesomeness that is Finnikin and Evanjalin. They are my very favorite kinds of heroes/heroines. They are both mostly good, but they are not without their flaws. Finnikin could be seriously so stubborn, I wanted to smack him upside the head. Evanjalin was impulsive half the time without explaining (or even forewarning) what she was going to do. But at the same time, Finnikin was so fiercely loyal and Evanjalin was just so strong. They were real. I thought about them and this book constantly when I wasn't reading it. Seriously. I work a mindless part-time job and usually the only thing on my mind is how much time I have left until I get to go home. While I was reading this, all I could think about was what was going to happen next. Even now, after having finished this roughly 24 hours ago and I'm still thinking about the characters. And I have to wait until NEXT March until Froi of the Exiles comes out in the U.S. Major sad news for this girl.
Also, WOO HOO for no insta-love. And a relationship that I swooned over.
AND that cover? Uh, hello beautiful. I usually prefer paperback editions of my books, but I may just have to go out and buy the hardcover edition of this.
I feel like I'm blundering my way through this review. So just trust me--this is a book that you need to read if you're a fan of fantasy. It's amazing. I promise. (less)
Easily one of the most unique books I have read all year, I LOVED this book.
Franny Billingsley's writing is absolutely enchanting. It is a little dif...moreEasily one of the most unique books I have read all year, I LOVED this book.
Franny Billingsley's writing is absolutely enchanting. It is a little different, and I will admit, it took a little getting used to, but in the end, I absolutely adored Briony's voice. This is a difficult review to write because I don't think I'm fully capable of wording why exactly I loved this book so much. There's Briony, who stands as possibly one of my all-time favorite book characters. She was just so devastatingly honest, she had this self-deprecating sense of humor, and she was constantly putting other people before herself. Even the minor characters are memorable to me--Cecil, Rose, Stepmother, Father. They were all fleshed out very well--Billingsley's character development is flawless. Then there was Eldric: boy-man LOVE. I won't say too much about him because some things are best left to discover on your own, but the friendship/relationship between him and Briony was very, very sweet and made me very, very happy. The setting was itself like a character, and even though Billingsley leaves a lot up to the reader in the ways of description, there was just enough for me to be able to picture everything clearly.
Overall, this was definitely one of my favorite reads of 2012, and I'll be scrambling to find my own copy of this. If you're looking for a solidly good YA read and want something a little different, my suggestion is to get out there and pick up a copy of this book! (less)
Now, I may not be the most well-versed YA reader, but I loved this book! I cannot wait to pick up the next one!
In a YA world where there are a lot of...moreNow, I may not be the most well-versed YA reader, but I loved this book! I cannot wait to pick up the next one!
In a YA world where there are a lot of books with the same ideas running amok, it was nice to read something with an original plotline. I spent most of my time trying to figure out what was happening/what was going to happen, and surprisingly, most of my guesses turned out wrong! Yay for non-obvious mysteries! Not to mention that ever present need to keep reading! I love it when I'm reading and I don't want to stop because I need to know what is going to happen!
I also loved the characterization. It's not the best I've ever read, but I enjoyed getting to know what makes each of the characters tick. With that being said, I really enjoyed the way that Showalter set up this story. While there is clearly a main character, the story doesn't revolved strictly around Aden--there are several plotlines going on, but she doesn't let it become confusing.
While I really enjoyed this book, there are a couple things that kept me from giving this one 5 stars. First, while the story was memorable, the writing really wasn't. I don't think she's a bad writer, by any means--I'm just saying that it was pretty average for me. Also, I'm not a huge fan of books that end with huge gaping holes and questions unanswered due to the fact that a sequel/series is coming out. There are ways to keep a reader hanging onto your series without leaving a ton of questions up in the air. The last little thing that bothered me was that while I did compliment the characterization, I had a hard time distinguishing between the different souls in Aden's mind--Eve was fairly easy to tell apart, but the three guys didn't really have their own voices, or at least I didn't think they did.
Overall, though, I loved this book and I recommend it to fans of YA/paranormal YA looking for something a little different. I know I can't wait to read the second book and the third one comes out at the end of August! (less)
Wow. Again, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have blown me away, and now I'm really counting down the days until Beautiful Chaos.
I had been waiting to...moreWow. Again, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have blown me away, and now I'm really counting down the days until Beautiful Chaos.
I had been waiting to read this since I finished Beautiful Creatures and I'm glad I finally got around to it. This time around, we get a deeper look into our favorite characters making this a more emotional read all around. Ethan and Lena have hit a bump in the road, so much of the time spent in this installment involves examining their relationship and what each of them are willing to do for each other. As someone who adores character development, I loved reading this one, and now I especially feel like I've known these characters forever.
I also really enjoyed how Kami and Margaret don't leave their readers hanging. It has been quite a while since I read Beautiful Creatures, so I was a little worried that this book would just jump into things and leave me behind in the dust. Never fear though--I never had that problem. At the same time, they did this so skillfully that I don't think it would be annoying to read this right after the first book. Sometimes, the beginnings of sequels are so mundane and repetitive that it takes like 50 pages to get into the actual story. Not in this case.
Above all, though, the writing is what takes the cake for me with this series. A lot of times, YA can come across as fluffy because of the writing style. Here we have a complex plot and stunning writing. Honestly, it reminds me of how everyone suggests the Harry Potter series for a well-written YA series. I adore the Gothic style. It's beautiful. Really, there's no other word for it.
And that ending?! Uh, hello, I need Beautiful Chaos like NOW! (less)
First and foremost, I would like to thank Erica at Harper Perennial for providing me with a copy of Drinking Closer to Home for review!
I fell in love...moreFirst and foremost, I would like to thank Erica at Harper Perennial for providing me with a copy of Drinking Closer to Home for review!
I fell in love with this book as I read. At first, I wasn’t so sure about the third person narrative—it seemed a little off to me. But as I read, I got used to Blau’s style and stopped noticing it. I actually really enjoyed Blau’s writing style. The way she writes, you forget that you’re reading and that you’re not actually there with the characters. And speaking of the characters, I grew to love all of them, and I know that I won’t soon forget this family and their antics. I found that Blau wrote with an incredible honesty and rawness about family life. We all seem to think that we are the sole beings with crazy families, but Blau goes to show us that not only are we not alone, but that every family and every family member has their own set of quirks. Buzzy and Louise were certainly interesting parents, and the grandparents definitely gave a new light to the word “eccentric.” I probably related to Portia the most and Anna the least. I grew to think of Emery as my own little brother. As you all know, characterization is my favorite part of any book, and as I’ve said, this book definitely painted clear pictures of these characters that I know will stick with me for quite some time.
Another thing I also particularly enjoyed about this book was the setup of the narrative. I liked how the story was told jumping between the present day and flashbacks to the past. Normally, that would make the story feel disjointed for me, but it worked really well in the case of this story.
Overall, I was really pleased with the opportunity to read and review this book, and I have Harper Perennial to thank for that. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy family dramas or just something that will make readers feel like they live less of a crazy life than they might believe. (less)
Prior to reading this collection, I considered myself a fan of John Steinbeck. I had, at one point or another, read The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden,...morePrior to reading this collection, I considered myself a fan of John Steinbeck. I had, at one point or another, read The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and of course, Of Mice and Men. I enjoyed all of those well enough to want to read more, more, more by Steinbeck. Hence, I picked up this book and began reading.
The first thing that came to mind upon finishing this is that John Steinbeck has officially made it into my sacred realm of Favorite Authors. There were some novellas here that I enjoyed more than others, but there was not a single one that I disliked. I ended each one with an immense satisfaction rarely known to me as a reader. I can't even really say which novellas were my favorite because I enjoyed them all. I think what gets to me the most about John Steinbeck is that he makes me contemplate what I've read for quite some time after I've finished reading. What took me so long to read this collection was not the size of the book, but rather the fact that between each novella, I'd have to stop and pause for a few days just to sit and think and stew over what I had finished. I love that. It is so fantastic to me that with such simple, straightforward writing, Steinbeck can evoke so much effort from his readers.
Steinbeck isn't for everyone, but then again, neither is any other book out there. Don't go into this expecting it to change your mind on Steinbeck if you're iffy on him. If you are a fan of his, I highly recommend this collection. (less)
I am in all kinds of head-over-heels, heart-racing, swoony love with this book. So much so that I am ready to climb to the top of the bell tower of No...moreI am in all kinds of head-over-heels, heart-racing, swoony love with this book. So much so that I am ready to climb to the top of the bell tower of Notre Dame to proclaim my love of it to the world. (Heh-heh, see what I did there?)
Anyhow, since I'm probably the last person in the world who hasn't read this, I probably don't even need to tell you all to read this. But seriously. If you haven't read this yet--DO. IT. NOW.
This is the kind of book that will leave you with those goofy smiles on your face, but not in a cheesy Hallmark kind of way. The story of Anna and St. Clair isn't corny. It isn't overdone. It won't make you roll your eyes and it won't make you gag. It will, however, make you want to doodle little hearts all over your notebook, which I may or may not be doing as I'm sitting here thinking of a review...
I love Stephanie Perkins. She is definitely on my authors-to-watch list, and I NEED to read Lola ASAP. She's spunky. She really knows how to make you laugh. And she really gets feelings...especially the feelings of an eighteen-year-old. Her writing is incredibly readable. I definitely could have read this book in an afternoon, but I stretched it out over a couple days to savor it.
And never fear--this story isn't all rainbows and butterflies. Rough patches happen, and each character seems to have a set of personal problems that they're dealing with. Just like real life. Imagine that. Not only that, but this book isn't just about the relationships. Stephanie Perkins' description of Paris made me LONG for it. And I've never really had any desire to go there or even to France in general. But now, it is definitely on my list of places to see.
Anyway, I don't have much to say about this book that hasn't already been said. Just trust me. Believe the hype. Go out and read this. Heck, go out and re-read this. I know I, for one, am itching for a copy of this for my shelves now! (less)
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