Despite all the negative reviews I’ve been seeing lately, I really enjoyed this book! It’s certainly a tome at 450+ pages, and it’s all character-drivDespite all the negative reviews I’ve been seeing lately, I really enjoyed this book! It’s certainly a tome at 450+ pages, and it’s all character-driven. Every time I’ve read a character-driven novel with barely any plot, I’ve been bored or confused by its purpose. However, I didn’t feel that way with this. I enjoyed the slow unraveling of every character and the inspection of Feminism, both positively and negatively.
It’s an inspection of white feminism specifically, so I understand the complaints against the novel. It comments on its own white privilege, but it doesn’t really address it in a significant or meaningful way. I did appreciate the hypocritical call outs to the various characters when they would preach but do different things. It made it realistic and serves as a reminder that no person or idea is flawless, and in order to make it the best it can be, there constantly has to be introspection and and re-evaluation.
All the characters were flawed and mostly unlikeable, but they had appealing quirks that makes the reader want to know more.
This is the perfect book club book as there is so much to dissect in the text and its applications to real-world moments. ...more
As a huge fan of the TVLand show Younger, I couldn’t wait to read this book. Knowing this is a companion book and learning more about Pauline throughAs a huge fan of the TVLand show Younger, I couldn’t wait to read this book. Knowing this is a companion book and learning more about Pauline through her fictional character was a lot of fun and had me scouring for clues about the show. However, it 100% can stand on its own as a beach read. In fact, there were only a few moments where Younger characters made an appearance, and always in inconsequential ways.
I’m not sure if I would have had more sympathy for Kate (Pauline) if I hadn’t already been team Liza/Charles, but I didn’t think the book made me sympathize with her. She really came across as a rich, spoiled, white woman who just wants to complain. I could sympathize for the first week of her trip, but the book jumps quite quickly to “a few months later” and I was shocked.
The last part of the book before the end was a bit boring and dragged on. I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed this as much if I didn’t know Younger
First, the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous. I want to hang the artwork on my wall, and after reading the book, I understand the strength ofFirst, the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous. I want to hang the artwork on my wall, and after reading the book, I understand the strength of the symbolism featured on it.
Second, I love reading (and in this case listening) to books that make it impossible to control your smile. I kept catching myself smiling & giggling as if I was on the receiving end of this adorable romance. It’s the first bi-sexual love story I’ve read, and it was done well. It addressed some common misconceptions, but it also didn’t feel like a story trying to preach a message. Intertwining that plot with the difficulties of practicing a strict anti-gay religion made this YA more than just fluff. The book makes you think, and much of the prose was poetic and beautiful.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something that will make them feel good and leave them with a smile. ...more
This was a feel-good novel that I read in the perfect time of my life. It’s a wonderful escapist novel that’s uplifting and encouraging as the main chThis was a feel-good novel that I read in the perfect time of my life. It’s a wonderful escapist novel that’s uplifting and encouraging as the main character goes from an unemployed librarian to successfully fulfilling her dream. Anything is possible and you feel that in this book. Plus on audio, all of the British and Scottish accents bring the story alive and are, of course, swoon-worthy. Plus, what book-lover doesn’t love reading about a a fellow bibliophile? ...more
This is the perfect beach read! It's laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, romantic, and super sexy. I love the rivalry between main characters Lucy and Josh,This is the perfect beach read! It's laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, romantic, and super sexy. I love the rivalry between main characters Lucy and Josh, and the fact that it takes place in a publishing house makes it all the better.
This is an easy, chick-lit type of read that you don't take too seriously. I enjoyed the story line, although I had so much anxiety for Liz as she wouThis is an easy, chick-lit type of read that you don't take too seriously. I enjoyed the story line, although I had so much anxiety for Liz as she wound herself deeper into the web of lies. I can see how certain companies may cater more to working moms allowing them to be more flexible with their schedules, and in turn forcing childless women to pick up some of the slack. For that reason, I understood Liz's frustration and the driving force of the book. However, I can also understand why a lot of moms would be offended by this story as it makes it seem like being a working mom is "easy" compared to the stressful working life of a single woman. Even as a single woman, I believe that Liz's view makes the rest of us look entitled. I personally appreciate companies that have flexibility for working families as it shows that after I put in my dues, I can have those same benefits once I'm a mom.
In all types of chick-lit, I think it's important to suspend your disbelief a bit, so a lot of the negative reviews are unfair. These stories are meant to be more "fun" than full of life lessons. I enjoyed the story immensely, and it was a perfect beach read. ...more
After seeing this book on the NYTBL for the last several weeks, and seeing advance readers compare it to GILLIAN FLYNN'S works, I was really excited tAfter seeing this book on the NYTBL for the last several weeks, and seeing advance readers compare it to GILLIAN FLYNN'S works, I was really excited to read it. However, it was quite the disappointment. It's quoted as "shocking" and "cunning", but in all honesty, it seemed like glorified chick-lit. I was expecting more of a thriller or murder mystery based off of the comparisons, but it centers on TifAni Fanelli, a woman who cares more about her social standing than anything else. The book deals with rape, depression, and eating disorders, but it's not delved into as much as it should be. It seems like those issues were just mentioned to add plot twists as opposed to actually driving the story in a particular direction.
The "shocking" plot twist was shocking, but that's because it didn't fit in the story. It seemed like Knoll picked random storylines from a hat and tried to combine them into something that just wouldn't work.
I think this story would have been much stronger if it dealt solely with the rapes that happened when Ani was in high school. The author touched briefly on the ideas of victim blaming, and I felt for Ani in those moments, but it could have been expanded upon.
In addition, the side romance was never fully resolved, and it just angered me that it was there in the first place.
You may wonder why I'm still giving the book three stars. The first half, before the plot twist, was engaging and I thought Ani's voice was unique. I loved the witty humor threaded into the narrative voice, and I couldn't wait to read more of it. Some of Knoll's figurative language was top-notch, and had me laughing out loud. It was entertaining, but I really think this book could have been so much more because the author does have the writing ability. I also think it's not entirely the author's fault that it is getting bad reviews because the marketing team misbranded the novel. Readers were expecting something totally different than what it is, and that is creating more disappointment than the actually story.
If you're looking to read women's fiction, with a snarky protagonist dealing with a scandalous past, then this book is for you. It's not for thriller or mystery fans....more
A.J. Fikry is a flawed character who comes across perfectly human on the page. In mainstream fiction, it's rare for a character to be so realistic. HeA.J. Fikry is a flawed character who comes across perfectly human on the page. In mainstream fiction, it's rare for a character to be so realistic. He's dynamic and although you hate him in the beginning, his faults are endearing. As a person who wants to open her own independent bookstore one day, like A.J., or work in publishing, like Amelia Loman, I relate to the scenery and the shared love of books. There are several literary quotes and allusions and they make The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry all the more ubiquitous.
The writing is flawless, and this is the first book I've read in a long time where I couldn't locate any typos or grammatical errors. The language is beautiful in its simplicity yet there are philosophical passages full of hidden meaning. I'm now on a mission to understand all the allusions in the book, so I have more than a hundred novels, novellas, and short stories to add to my "to be read" pile.
Gabrielle Zevin is brilliant in literary knowledge and her craft since she created this work in which she scrutinizes literature, writing style, and bookish people with such a clear lens. I look forward to discovering more of her stories.
It's always difficult to pinpoint a favorite book, which many people, just like A.J., think defines a person; however, I wouldn't hesitate to say that Zevin's The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is my new favorite. The story has unexpected twists, but it's the simplicity of the story that makes it so relatable yet engaging. It's truly a story of a life, but no matter how many times people insist that mundane lives are boring, that's simply not the case.
For any lover of books, and let's face it, most readers are, this is a book you must read....more
This book was exactly what I expected it to be: a fun, mindless beach read. In no way did I expect my worldviews to be altered or my mind to be intellThis book was exactly what I expected it to be: a fun, mindless beach read. In no way did I expect my worldviews to be altered or my mind to be intellectually stimulated. Sometimes we need to read books that are just silly and entertaining, and when that appears to be the goal of the book anyway, criticizing it for not being great literature, like many reviews do here, doesn't do anyone any favors.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book because it was funny, scandalous, romantic, and even relatable. For once, after putting a book down I didn't have to think about the meaning and the bigger picture. It was simple and it felt complete. Of course, I still love novels that leave you with unanswered questions and make your mind work, but sometimes, you just need to read for entertainment. This book did just that; it entertained me....more
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