Reads like Apatow wrote it, I am not the first to mention this. But the bathroom/diarrhea scene did have me laughing. Plus the ebook is on sale at A...moreReads like Apatow wrote it, I am not the first to mention this. But the bathroom/diarrhea scene did have me laughing. Plus the ebook is on sale at Amazon. (less)
Once I got over how the author treated Peeta for the whole freakin' book I got to thinking about how she demonstrated the impact and long term damages...moreOnce I got over how the author treated Peeta for the whole freakin' book I got to thinking about how she demonstrated the impact and long term damages of the games, particularly through Katniss, and the subtleties and no-so subtleties and I kind of wanted to re-read for that. HOWEVER I was so upset about Peeta that I couldn't really truly appreciate the tragedy of some of the other losses, which upon reflection were really awful and sad but it so plot intensive in the last third and driven that the reader doesn't have time to grieve. (less)
Enjoyed it, I don't feel the need to do a large review as everybody and their brother/mother/sister has read this and has something to say. Ending to...moreEnjoyed it, I don't feel the need to do a large review as everybody and their brother/mother/sister has read this and has something to say. Ending totally made it for me. (less)
"Does my new feminism make me look fat?" I have all kinds of LOLs and HAs! in the margins, plus underlined descriptions that I truly love. ...more"Does my new feminism make me look fat?" I have all kinds of LOLs and HAs! in the margins, plus underlined descriptions that I truly love. IN truth the plot is ridiculous but since it is merely a vehicle for societal criticism done up very funny it doesn't mater how ridiculous. I mean there are shots at: capitalism, Sarah Palin/Michelle Bachman-esque women, beauty pageants, reality tv, boy bands, evil dictators, and on and on. I've been describing it as Lost meets Miss America meets Austin Powers meets Simone de Beauviour meets Jersey Shore . So fun. (less)
For some reason it took me a bit to get going but once I did! The story reminds me a bit of the landscape, harsh and spare with a lot going on beneat...moreFor some reason it took me a bit to get going but once I did! The story reminds me a bit of the landscape, harsh and spare with a lot going on beneath the surface. Christopher doesn't over-romanticize or over-horrify, I particularly liked the ending which seemed real. (less)
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) ...moreLaura 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!)(less)
Surprised me. I enjoyed it. There is of course this deeply personal reaction as my summers were always this separate thing from the school year. Ev...moreSurprised me. I enjoyed it. There is of course this deeply personal reaction as my summers were always this separate thing from the school year. Even if it wasn't camp, they sort of existed outside of the school reality for me despite some of the same people playing prominently in them. So I sort of related to the feeling like this is your whole world; even if it is a short amount of time. The book was packed - first love, unrequited love, bullying, friendship, and seriously what the hell was up with Brynn?? I know there is more story there. In a way it reminds me of The boyfriend list where it is going to be sold as one thing, but it is really something else entirely. At its core it is about sisters, growing up, finding your own way, your own voice. All while you live in a cocoon of summer at camp. (less)
Hmmm.... I know people who loved this, it was enjoyable and fit within my current reading frenzy/procrastination but it didn't blow my mind.. It was...moreHmmm.... I know people who loved this, it was enjoyable and fit within my current reading frenzy/procrastination but it didn't blow my mind.. It was fun. (less)
I'm annoyed! You know those romantic comedies where you know you are supposed to root for one outcome but you end up rooting for another (I'm thinkin...moreI'm annoyed! You know those romantic comedies where you know you are supposed to root for one outcome but you end up rooting for another (I'm thinking of that god awful one with Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz or the one with Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucas where you really think Josh Lucas should never like her cuz she is INSUFFERABLE history be damned!!!!) this is kind of like that. You know how it is SUPPOSED to end, and I guess you are supposed to want that but the deal is I was just annoyed. Belly - you were mean, whether you meant to be or not. In real life you wouldn't have either. You didn;t really deserve either, which isn't to say that the Conrad isn't a HUGE part of the problem. SO I read it but I was just really, really annoyed. Han should have stopped with the first. Hmmm.... maybe I should have given it one star. But I think my annoyance isn't about quality of writing, it just wasn't the story I wanted it to be. (less)
The first half of the book I was thinking it was familiar; that it was Sunny and Jazz, and Not-Jazz from the Gail Giles book whose title I can't remem...moreThe first half of the book I was thinking it was familiar; that it was Sunny and Jazz, and Not-Jazz from the Gail Giles book whose title I can't remember (oh - Dead Girls Don't Write Letters) but actually it was Abby who didn't see Tess, everyone else saw her. And they saw Abby too, even if she thought they didn't. Well, the people who loved her, or knew her. And the book was about accepting yourself and your truths. I knew Tess' long before Abby did, any astute reader will. In fact I think most everyone else knew BUT Abby. The first half of the book I was expecting one thing, but I got something else entirely; and the last half Elizabeth Scott really picked it up. There were some AMAZING turns of phrase (and a few that may have been a little overworked). I can't pull quotes because I read an e-galley (Now that I know how to make the egalleys from SImon and Schuster work I have a lovely number of ways to procrastinate, sorry PhD) but I did really enjoy the writing. ANd even though plot points weren't terribly surprising, it happens the way you expect it to, getting there did surprise me a bit, because that was the part that surprised me. Enjoyed it. (less)
Loved If I Stay, surprised there was a sequel. But since this was 3 years later and from Adam's pov it worked. Sometimes grief plays out in interesti...moreLoved If I Stay, surprised there was a sequel. But since this was 3 years later and from Adam's pov it worked. Sometimes grief plays out in interesting ways, and this explores that. It had a Before Sunrise feel/theme to the middle part and at one point I thought maybe I was going to be wrong about the ending. All in all a worthy follow up!(less)
well this took a bit of an unexpected turn which makes me curious about book 3. Truth is I was never sold on this as fabulous, although I know some p...morewell this took a bit of an unexpected turn which makes me curious about book 3. Truth is I was never sold on this as fabulous, although I know some people were, but I am curious to see the triangle work itself out. (less)
I liked this one too - wasn't earth shattering or anything but it did get the echols taste out of my mouth; didn't make me laugh like Lily and Dash bu...moreI liked this one too - wasn't earth shattering or anything but it did get the echols taste out of my mouth; didn't make me laugh like Lily and Dash but I am not entirely sure that was the intent. And I liked it better than one night that changes everything but similarly wanted more so that is good. (less)
so began the recent gorging on YA romance, when I finished this one I felt like I needed a better one. I liked Echols other book, but the character i...moreso began the recent gorging on YA romance, when I finished this one I felt like I needed a better one. I liked Echols other book, but the character in this one didn't quite ring true. (less)
This is an interesting read as you are left like Eddie - with no answers. You can see some things coming but there is the typical sense of uncomforta...moreThis is an interesting read as you are left like Eddie - with no answers. You can see some things coming but there is the typical sense of uncomfortableness that is a trademark of Summers' work. Like what is up with Cullers? Like Milo, I sensed that there was something well, off, about him. And the strength of Summers is that it could have gotten melodramatic and tragic but it didn't. It was more true to life in which it is just disappointing. And this thing that you you live with. Eddie is a great study in grief. But I have to say the adults, particularly Beth, really pissed me off in that they were so concerned with Eddie's mom and Eddie is in ALL kinds of trouble and they just don't even see it, Beth expects her not to be. She lost her father for Christs' Sake in a brutal unhappy way!!!!! If I wasn't reading it on my iPad I might have tossed the book across the room Beth made me so mad. (less)
Peggy Orenstein is funny. I mean how can you beat a line like Is Dora becoming a whore-a? But at times I thought the argument was really well develo...morePeggy Orenstein is funny. I mean how can you beat a line like Is Dora becoming a whore-a? But at times I thought the argument was really well developed, come to think of it I am not sure she had one - it was more exploratory, and slightly horrifying. I was particularly concerned when reading about beauty pageants and I recognized the name from watching Toddlers and Tiaras, seriously there is something wrong with me! Its worth a read, but it really demands conversation to be truly valuable. (less)
DID. NOT. LIKE. THE. ENDING. Other than that I enjoyed this despite it being wayyy outside my normal reading tendencies. I liked the characters, it ...moreDID. NOT. LIKE. THE. ENDING. Other than that I enjoyed this despite it being wayyy outside my normal reading tendencies. I liked the characters, it had a good pace, an interesting plot line. (less)
This is one of those where I really wish there was a half star rating because I'd really give it 3.5. Mostly this has to do with how I personally fel...moreThis is one of those where I really wish there was a half star rating because I'd really give it 3.5. Mostly this has to do with how I personally felt negotiating the narrator voice, which critically I could appreciate, and was impressed with what it does for the story but which I struggled with connecting to. So if I step back I understand the accolades for this book, it was darkly compelling. But personally it didn't connect with me. (less)
Not many of the people that are the focus of this come off very well. The coach is odious. Demetrius is ultimately pitiable, although kudos to him f...moreNot many of the people that are the focus of this come off very well. The coach is odious. Demetrius is ultimately pitiable, although kudos to him for picking the pieces up a bit (he is on his second college in as many years), some of the parents are worrisome - particularly Aaron's mother - although bravo to Justin's mom! Many of the other coaches are just as bad as Keller, although certainly not all. Ben Howland doesn't come off great but a damn sight better than Tim Floyd is apparently didn't just get caught - is a utter asshole. And I spent the whole book wondering how ANY of these kids are cleared to play by the NCAA - talk about "impermissable benefits" . SOmeone paying your freaking rent???? As a 11 year old? Not to mention the clear interference in college recruiting? Seriously the NCAA is a joke. That rant aside it was an interesting, if disturbing read. Quite well done. Have to wonder if I was the author though if I could have just sat by during some of the decisions Walker made, particularly after Keller dropped him like a hot potato. (less)
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