Certainly interesting, but not exactly a how-to guide. Many of the bonuses of French parenting are due to government sponsored services which we don't...moreCertainly interesting, but not exactly a how-to guide. Many of the bonuses of French parenting are due to government sponsored services which we don't have in the US (and likely never will). And despite having all this exposure to the "superior" French techniques, Druckerman's own children are frequently described as ill-behaved. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence that one would be able to replicate the positives of this parenting style.
Still, an interesting contrast to what I've observed among American parents.(less)
This was fine. In the beginning I actively disliked it and forced myself to keep reading, but by the middle it grew much more tolerable and almost enj...moreThis was fine. In the beginning I actively disliked it and forced myself to keep reading, but by the middle it grew much more tolerable and almost enjoyable. And that there is some faint praise. So I clearly wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but if you ever are stuck alone with it and nothing else, there are far worse things you could do.(less)
This was a pretty mediocre middle grades book. It's in diary form and chronicles Melanie's trip through Italy with her family. It has some family posi...moreThis was a pretty mediocre middle grades book. It's in diary form and chronicles Melanie's trip through Italy with her family. It has some family positive messages. There is more pseudo-swearing than I usually like in a book intended for this audience, but then again, it's probably a slightly lower reading level than its intended audience so it might be a pick for fourth or fifth grade reluctant or struggling readers rather than as a stretch for younger ones.(less)
It's been done a million times before, girl falls for her friend. But Stephanie Perkins has made it something special. She does an amazing job of capt...moreIt's been done a million times before, girl falls for her friend. But Stephanie Perkins has made it something special. She does an amazing job of capturing those teenage does-he-does-she feelings. It was so much fun to read.(less)
I'm not much on graphic novels, but I've resolved to be more open-minded. This selection didn't do much to sell me on the genre, mainly because it was...moreI'm not much on graphic novels, but I've resolved to be more open-minded. This selection didn't do much to sell me on the genre, mainly because it was repetitive - we ate, we shopped, we looked at art. I think I was able to give it 2 stars mainly because I've been to Paris so I had reference points for much of what she was talking about, but overall, it was unimpressive. There are no deeper themes, just a catalog of what she did and where she went. Also, I'm enough of a stick in the mud that I was vaguely annoyed at reading handwriting instead of typeface and even more bothered by text that was written sideways. (less)
Parts of this were laugh out loud funny. It really was enjoyable, but I did like it slightly less than I thought I would considering how much I like b...moreParts of this were laugh out loud funny. It really was enjoyable, but I did like it slightly less than I thought I would considering how much I like books from that period. But definitely worth a read.(less)
A pleasant look into Susan Loomis's charmed life in France. I came away feeling jealous of how good and lucky things seemed to just happen to her, but...moreA pleasant look into Susan Loomis's charmed life in France. I came away feeling jealous of how good and lucky things seemed to just happen to her, but without any real sense of her as a person. Definitely lacking the warmth of other books I've read in this genre. A perk is that it includes recipes at the end of each chapter.(less)
I am thoroughly fascinated that this book is so universally loved. For the first third, I was incredibly bored, not invested in any of the characters...moreI am thoroughly fascinated that this book is so universally loved. For the first third, I was incredibly bored, not invested in any of the characters and irritated at the sheer number of subplots. Being stuck in a doctor's office for 2 hours was helpful in propelling me through this part. For the second third I was mildly invested, but already beginning to dread the end, where I knew the subplots would all have to converge, Hollywood-style for a cooked up slam bang finish. The ending where all the thriller elements of the story go into full effect showed no subtlety, no realism and a rather obvious setup for any sequels the authors might feel compelled to write.(less)
The book is written in the second person - so using "You" rather than she or I, and it's really annoying, but I did stop noticing it after awhile.
It...moreThe book is written in the second person - so using "You" rather than she or I, and it's really annoying, but I did stop noticing it after awhile.
It was light and entertaining and a good thing to read if you're feeling down, but I have to say that it was occasionally sexually explicit in a way I didn't think fit with the rest of the book. I'm not squeamish about that sort of thing at all, I've read all manner of chick-lit, but it just felt out of place here.
Other than that though, it was a quick read and great for those in need of some escapism.(less)
I originally read this book when I read the rest of the Betsy-Tacy books, probably in late-elementary school/early middle school. At the time it was m...moreI originally read this book when I read the rest of the Betsy-Tacy books, probably in late-elementary school/early middle school. At the time it was my least favorite of the series. When the books were re-published recently, I re-read them all, and this one stood out. It gives such an interesting look into what it was like to be in Europe (Germany even!) on the brink of war. Not what you'd expect from a Betsy-Tacy book, but interesting nonetheless.(less)
carrietracy
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Books:
americans-abroad
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