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Eleanor & Park

Rainbow Rowell

Start date: December 1, 2013

Finish date: December 31, 2013

Discussion: Group Read

Why we're reading this: Contemporary Group Read
[close] Contemporary Group Read

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What Members Thought

Nov 14, 2013 Prami{reader and dreamer} rated it really liked it

Shelves: personal-favourite, male-pov, 2013

Where do I start with this book? It was something so different yet so ordinary you'd never think of finding such stories in books. Or at the very least I didn't think it was possible to give a person so many feels when you thought you couldn't get any more.

“I don't like you, Park," she said, sounding for a second like she actually meant it. "I..." - her voice nearly disappeared - "think I live for you."
He closed his eyes and pressed his head back into his pillow.
"I don't think I even breathe ...more

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Jul 09, 2013 Danae rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2013

Eleanor is a teenager that moves back with her family, one year after her abusive step-father threw her out of the house.
The situation at home isn't ideal. Actually it's the exact opposite. With only one bedroom for five children, and a bathroom that's doorless, next to the kitchen, things aren't promising.
The situation at school is also horrible. The first day she gets in the bus, nobody wants her to sit next to them, because she is fat, redhead and dressed weird! And I mean seriously weird dre ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2014 Bette rated it liked it

The feels! OMG the feels!

I did not know where I was when I read this book. I didn't know if I was happy, sad, disgusted, empathetic, nostalgic or just bored. It was a slow burner for me. I started reading it a chapter at a time, taking breaks in between and not really caring when I got back to reading. But as the book went on, I started reading more and more until I realised I finished the book. However, that was while I kept looking to see how long was left, wanting the book to be over. Why?

Wel The feels! OMG the feels!

I did not know where I was when I read this book. I didn't know if I was happy, sad, disgusted, empathetic, nostalgic or just bored. It was a slow burner for me. I started reading it a chapter at a time, taking breaks in between and not really caring when I got back to reading. But as the book went on, I started reading more and more until I realised I finished the book. However, that was while I kept looking to see how long was left, wanting the book to be over. Why?

Well to start with - and this isn't really a spoiler since it's the first thing you read - you are foreshadowed that something goes wrong in this story, and you don't know how far into the book this thing that goes wrong does. So even while the book goes on and theres a sweet and loving story to it, there is still this nagging voice telling you 'it's not going to end like you want it'.

Then, for me... I just found it too sickly sweet romance. I am not a fan of romance... well I say I am not, but all the books I read do have a romance theme in them. I just don't like it when it is the main focus. If it weren't for the sub-plots to this story I probably would have enjoyed it even less. Those other plots? Well they aren't nice, but they give the story an edge and a realism you can't help but feel empathy for. From Eleanors messed up home life and insecurities to Park's almost perfect home life but teen angst-type personality.

I fell in love with parts of this novel, not all of it. I would have cried, but I am not a crier (I didn't even cry at Bambi). I just felt the pain and also the joy you were meant to feel - not just as a reader but someone who was a 16 year old girl. My life wasn't as disastrous as Eleanor's, but the fact I know there are people who go through what she does and worse is what makes this story raw and touching.

Park is also the type of guy who listens to the music I did as a teenager and dresses similar to the way I dressed, and the boys I fancied did. Oh and the whole Asian thing that Park mentions in one part of the book (towards the end) - I have a thing for Asian guys so I could have mentioned plenty of names. Although I don't think I would have helped much.

So yeah. This book was good. And I would read it again, or if there was a epilogue or something to this novel. But it's not the type of book I'd add to my favorites list. ...more

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Nov 13, 2013 Sofia rated it really liked it

Read this review on my blog

"Eleanor & Park" is a brilliant novel. It's cleverly put together and gorgeously written.
The characters are very well developed. One of Rowell's greatest talents lies in creating understandable characters: the motive of pretty much everyone in the story is something the reader can relate to. Of course there are some characters whose actions are inexcusable, like Eleanor's stepfather.
The main character's dynamic was also very well done. It did the thing I care the mo ...more

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Jul 10, 2013 Maureen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, favorites, tear-jerker, book-boyfriends

Wow...
Once in a lifetime book for sure.
Loved it.
Haven't loved a book this much since I don't even know when.
This book..is perfection. ...more

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Jun 01, 2014 Manda rated it liked it

Shelves: kindle-brought

Eleanor & Park is definitely a hard book to review as I both liked it and disliked it. It both drew me in but at the same time bored me. At first I thought the lack of dialogue in the beginning of the book wasn't going to work for me and that I wouldn't continue but it did and somehow it worked and kept me interested which was really bizarre. I also thought the actual story wasn't riveting enough but at the same time I related a lot to Eleanor and wanted her to reach her own happy ending. It fel ...more

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Oct 18, 2013 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-own-this

Well, this books came highly recommended by John Green and other noteworthy names. And yes I did read as breathlessly as I expected to, with such a book.
And I only have one negative thing to say. I thought the ending was disappointing. Maybe that's wrong. I was disappointed by the ending. Maybe other people liked the ending. I didn't. Some parts were a little unrealistic. I would have liked for the author to set up the ending a bit better. Like commit to where it was going.

Aside from that, I ab ...more

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Jan 11, 2014 Erin Lynn rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, romance, owned-books-hardcovers, young-adult, recommended-to-me, page-to-screen, set-in-the-80s

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 02, 2013 Dina Justice rated it liked it

I had high expectations for this book - and I like to "feel" when I read a great book. Although I did feel significantly during this story, I could only summarize it as "uncomfortable." ...more

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