I enjoyed this a lot. It bordered on just a bit too sappy near the last third of the book but I think the humor and commentary made up for it. Their i...moreI enjoyed this a lot. It bordered on just a bit too sappy near the last third of the book but I think the humor and commentary made up for it. Their insight on the world and life in general was just too true. They each fumbled their way through their 20s/30s in totally different ways but both equally lost. Heartbreaking and makes me want to ensure I communicate what I'm feeling and not push people I love away.(less)
I liked this book but I could have done without all the teenage boy humor. I thought the message and overall theme was written with humor and intensit...moreI liked this book but I could have done without all the teenage boy humor. I thought the message and overall theme was written with humor and intensity. This would be a great book for older teenagers to read and then a frank discussion to take place afterward.(less)
Ah. This was torture to get through. No redeemable character at all and nothing likable about any character. I could not wait to be finished with this...moreAh. This was torture to get through. No redeemable character at all and nothing likable about any character. I could not wait to be finished with this book which left me quite disturbed. Why exactly was I supposed to be cheering for a girl and her cousin to get together? I understand they weren't biologically related but they grew up as cousins, isn't that the same thing? SO WEIRD. And beyond the sexual tension I did not enjoy the story of two people constantly making awful decisions and then spending 200 pages regretting those decisions and thus their entire lives. Blah. Do not waste your time.(less)
I loved the main character. She has such a strong hilarious voice. This takes me back to my high school days and reminds me of all the lingo that is n...moreI loved the main character. She has such a strong hilarious voice. This takes me back to my high school days and reminds me of all the lingo that is no longer a part of our every day lives (i.e. "macking" and "Y2K"). Plus she makes endless references to the 80's which the main character loves and I can also appreciate (although convenient since the author probably knew those references easier - this cheat was mildly annoying). I like a character in which you feel she has stolen your exact thoughts out of your head. And while a bit graphic and crude at parts, this is meant to be her deepest thoughts that she wouldn't even share with her best friend. I felt true and real and I really enjoyed that aspect most.(less)
I've read a few of Dessen's books now and I feel that they are bit generic. But I think this is her best one. There were enough layers to each charact...moreI've read a few of Dessen's books now and I feel that they are bit generic. But I think this is her best one. There were enough layers to each character that I felt invested in each one after a while. I like that she makes strong but realistic female main characters but doesn't diss all males or make them look idiotic. As per usual she has parental figures that are flawed and disappoint at every turn and deals with the theme of loss and death. But I like how she weaves the themes and of course how she provides endless amounts of one liner quotes that cut to the heart of the matter.(less)
Took me a few chapters to adjust to the new point of view but all in all I liked this just as much as the first. And as always Anderson did an incredi...moreTook me a few chapters to adjust to the new point of view but all in all I liked this just as much as the first. And as always Anderson did an incredible writing job. Very well researched.(less)
Really enjoyed this - the main character is so likable! Even though she has this awful life you find yourself wishing you were her just so you could h...moreReally enjoyed this - the main character is so likable! Even though she has this awful life you find yourself wishing you were her just so you could have her courage and sass. The story was simple and easy to follow and explained just the right amount of historical background. Can't wait for book #2.
PS - bonus points for having one of the best covers and overall designs ever. I loved how Anderson even spelled some of her words in the early American tradition. IT made the book seem so polished.(less)
**spoiler alert** WOW. This book was great. Sometimes I love a story that is impossible to explain to someone else. I figured out pretty early on that...more**spoiler alert** WOW. This book was great. Sometimes I love a story that is impossible to explain to someone else. I figured out pretty early on that all the main characters where the same person but I couldn't figure out the time line. So even though I saw the "big reveal" coming I was still surprised by how it unfolded. Extremely interesting read - I could not put it down even though the pacing was slow at the beginning.(less)
I enjoyed this book but I thought it got a little slow in parts. The construction of the plot was clever and the writing was intelligent. I found the...moreI enjoyed this book but I thought it got a little slow in parts. The construction of the plot was clever and the writing was intelligent. I found the main character interesting because she was being pulled in so many different directions and at times there was no one right choice.
As a side note - I really don't understand why this book is shelved in the juvenile section instead of YA. If you've read this book it is clearly YA.(less)
**spoiler alert** I started out by re-reading the 1st and 2nd book right as this one came out. I'm so glad I did, it made the third book tons better....more**spoiler alert** I started out by re-reading the 1st and 2nd book right as this one came out. I'm so glad I did, it made the third book tons better. Over all I loved this series - one of my favorites. I wanted something more or different from the third book, but I guess all my questions were answered. She could have easily drug this out for 6 more books but it's nice that they were contained in three. I will say through out book 3 I thought that Peeta's and Snow's identities had been switched (through some capital magic) and I kind of wish that had been true because there didn't seem to be a huge plot twist in this one like there was in 1 and 2. But that's okay, still loved it. I'm glad Collins didn't push some huge social agenda, she just let the readers pick out their own moral lesson.
And PS - I am Team Peeta all the way, so I've very happy with the way it ended. But entirely too little Peeta in book three.(less)
This was the weakest of all of Green's books. But he's still one of my favorite YA writers. I wish he would have fleshed out the backstory of the Kath...moreThis was the weakest of all of Green's books. But he's still one of my favorite YA writers. I wish he would have fleshed out the backstory of the Katherines a little more... it felt like a gimmick in the story instead of a part of the main character. Plus I endeared to the main character as much as other main characters.(less)
LOVED. THIS. Seriously a must read for anyone ever planning to be near a child. I think a lot of it is extrapolated from very specific research but I...moreLOVED. THIS. Seriously a must read for anyone ever planning to be near a child. I think a lot of it is extrapolated from very specific research but I believe at the very least it raises a lot of important new angles on old assumptions about children. It also amazes me just how much I've forgotten from being a child.(less)
Really I just felt like I had to finish out the series. It ended well enough, but after all the hype between the two main love interests it kind of fi...moreReally I just felt like I had to finish out the series. It ended well enough, but after all the hype between the two main love interests it kind of fizzled out quickly... it's how it should have ended but I think there needed to be some more detail in there.
A fun series - good if you need something light and fluffy to read.(less)
If you need to read something about time management this is your place to go. I used this as a basis for a class I taught on prioritizing your life an...moreIf you need to read something about time management this is your place to go. I used this as a basis for a class I taught on prioritizing your life and creating goals. I like her holisitic approach and the way she allowed this to mold to anyones life/schedule.(less)
Pleasant and mellow. I always feel like Ishiguro writes conversationaly - you know, if your conversations were intricate, laced with triple meanings a...morePleasant and mellow. I always feel like Ishiguro writes conversationaly - you know, if your conversations were intricate, laced with triple meanings and said more in two words than most authors say in two paragraphs. He write about nothing and everything at the same time. Good collection of stories, I really enjoyed the read.(less)
This was terribly depressing but worth the read. I enjoyed the insight because the world of eating disorders is so foreign to me. Well written and cli...moreThis was terribly depressing but worth the read. I enjoyed the insight because the world of eating disorders is so foreign to me. Well written and clipped along quickly and had a great ending. Really the only ending that could have been written.(less)
So if I took this book to be the definition of mankind this is what I would have learned: When you are in middle school you are sad and troubled and o...moreSo if I took this book to be the definition of mankind this is what I would have learned: When you are in middle school you are sad and troubled and overly concerned about the world, when you are in high school you are smarter than all adults and you only think about sex, when you are an adult you still only think about sex but you are now crazy and have no emotional connection to anything/one. I liked Langer's style of writing and I enjoyed how the stories overlapped and intricately tied together. But as for the actual story lines, I hated all the characters and couldn't wait for each person's story to be over. The only respectable person among the bunch was Muley. I would have read a book entirely about him and could have done without the rest of the characters. Plus the book was about 200 pages too long overall. So it was okay, but I would never read it again. The sexual references were so unnecessary to the story and frankly they were distracting.(less)
I really enjoyed this book, but I thought it got a little long in the middle. The main character, Flavia, is hilarious and her quick wit keeps the boo...moreI really enjoyed this book, but I thought it got a little long in the middle. The main character, Flavia, is hilarious and her quick wit keeps the book fast pace. Her chemistry factoids were actually interesting - which is impressing considering how uninteresting I find the subject. Flavia also makes me want to go back and be a interesting and inquisitive youth. I didn't do half the cool stuff she does. Another note, this is one the first true mystery novels I've read and I must say I enjoy the junior sluth theme (Veronica Mars is an all time favorite).
I would reccomend this for all audiences: clean, funny, interesting, and keeps you on your toes.(less)
This is Harry Potter but with Mythology instead of Wizards. I'm not sure if fans and the author would hate or love that analogy, but I consider it a c...moreThis is Harry Potter but with Mythology instead of Wizards. I'm not sure if fans and the author would hate or love that analogy, but I consider it a compliment. Although, I don't like the obvious ways the author tries to make the main character, Percy, flawed and edgy. I like the set up and I like that the story is interestingly educational. I think I should wait to read the next few before I make my final decision. Sometimes Percy and Annabelle where a little annoying and bratty, but maybe that attitude appeals to pre-teens? I don't know. Either way, I think I liked this. It kept me reading and I thought the writing was solid. I'm just not sure if I'm totally sold on the characters. We'll see.(less)
Captivating and smart. I read this in one day because I just had to know what was going to happen. I loved all the characters and the setting. Stead d...moreCaptivating and smart. I read this in one day because I just had to know what was going to happen. I loved all the characters and the setting. Stead does an excellent job with brevity, using just enough details and making every wood count.
I find the time travel and philosophy discussions so smart for the target audience (10-14) and I love that she isn't afraid to throw some new ideas out there without pandering. Highly recommend for all audiences, this would be a great one to read with your middle schooler and have an insightful discussion about philosophy, relationships, sacrifice, and judgement.(less)
Even though this deals with difficult subjects I would still rate it "clean" because the author handles the subject appropriately. I think this is an...moreEven though this deals with difficult subjects I would still rate it "clean" because the author handles the subject appropriately. I think this is an amazing book, one that all teens should read. There are so many layers to discuss, in fact it's probably one of the best gateways to open difficult subjects with a young teenager. Also, it's extremely well written. I watched the movie right after I finished reading it and it is also well done, but of course the book is better. There is a much better sense of the main character's anguish.
The very question to think about is: Is it okay for us to enjoy reading a book about kids killing kids? Why of course it isn’t. Was it okay for the Ca...moreThe very question to think about is: Is it okay for us to enjoy reading a book about kids killing kids? Why of course it isn’t. Was it okay for the Capital to watch kids killing kids? That’s exactly what Collins is trying to point out. We’re getting more desensitized and she wants every reader to think about that. She mentions this paradox in several interviews.
If you think the book isn’t intellectual enough (aka doesn’t spell it out for the 18 and under crowd) then I think you’ve underestimated Collins writing and the mind of a young reader. They can appreciate the difference. We are reading knowing that killing is wrong versus the capital watching while not knowing if it’s wrong. At what point do we become the capital and stop realizing it’s wrong? Well we aren’t there yet and if you are suggesting that we are then you are very jaded indeed.
Long story short, I loved this book. It reads quickly which is just how all of the events unfold for Katniss, can’t wait for book 3!(less)
Man by the third book I'm just tired of all the characters but I really want to find out what happens! Dang it. The only person I like goes off to war...moreMan by the third book I'm just tired of all the characters but I really want to find out what happens! Dang it. The only person I like goes off to war... but obviously he ends up with Elizabeth in the next book. But I hate the Henry/Diane story line. I don't even want them to end up together. But I will say that I like the plot pacing and the details the author goes in to about the time period.(less)
So interesting. The inside description says it's brilliance is in its simplicity. Which is exactly right. It's a straightforward story that takes you...moreSo interesting. The inside description says it's brilliance is in its simplicity. Which is exactly right. It's a straightforward story that takes you totally by surprise. I tried describing the plot to my husband but couldn't find words sufficient enough to tell the entire story or do it justice. So much to talk about here, this would be a great book club book. For those book clubs that like to dig a little deeper anyway. It sad and haunting and I couldn't stop thinking about it once it ended. Great writing, one I will definitely read again some day.(less)
Again, this was just for fun. I liked this better than the first because it's more complex and actually suprised me at the end. Crap! Now I'll have to...moreAgain, this was just for fun. I liked this better than the first because it's more complex and actually suprised me at the end. Crap! Now I'll have to read the 3rd one, luckily they take about 3 nights to read.(less)
This was fantastic. About the growing pains of teenagehood, first love, and being forced to be the adult to your parents. Great writing.
Great characte...moreThis was fantastic. About the growing pains of teenagehood, first love, and being forced to be the adult to your parents. Great writing.
Great character and plot development. The only negative thing I would say is that I thought the mystery was really obvious, but maybe that's because it intended for the YA crowd.(less)
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