If you like stereotypical YA story lines and plot mechanics, you will likIf you liked Will Grayson, Will Grayson, you will like this. (and visa versa)
If you like stereotypical YA story lines and plot mechanics, you will like this.
I enjoyed this short book about teenaged angst and the perils of protecting the status of your sexuality in high school. The plot was well done, and, even though it had lots of similarities to other angsty high school YA books, it had some refreshing uniqueness.
If you enjoy any of the things I mentioned above, I feel like I can be bold and guarantee you will like this!...more
A simple story but enjoyable. Lots of emotion, introspection, and growing up. At times I found myself talking back to the book, urging charact3.5 to 4
A simple story but enjoyable. Lots of emotion, introspection, and growing up. At times I found myself talking back to the book, urging characters to take certain actions, etc. Anytime I am invested enough to talk to a book it is a sign that it is probably good.
This book will have extra interest for those from military families. There is a lot in here about how war affects and changes people. Based on the afterward, it sounds like this is something the author has taken very seriously.
It is a teenage love story, but so much more. I think it is worth a read if you like stories about love struggling to find a way....more
Perhaps not a super fantastic mystery story. Also, not a book I would recommend unless you are familiar with the Veronica Mars storyline. But, 4 starsPerhaps not a super fantastic mystery story. Also, not a book I would recommend unless you are familiar with the Veronica Mars storyline. But, 4 stars for nostalgia. Definitely like reading an episode of the show.
What is also great is that not only does it touch on some stories that haven't come up since the first or second season, it also continues some of the story from the last book and leaves some cliffhangers for another book. I haven't seen that any more books are coming out, but if they do I will be reading them!...more
It is a coming of age story dealing with broken homes and medicated minds. Of running away only to findWhat a weird yet kind of wonderful little book.
It is a coming of age story dealing with broken homes and medicated minds. Of running away only to find out you are running home. Of facing a society with many dangerous perils, but where a few genuine diamonds in the rough more than make up for it.
Sometimes it felt like the book was trying to be too whatever it was trying to be, but I think the characters you meet and the experiences they have more than make up for it.
If you love YA. If you love road trips. Give this one a go.
Side note - I loved the chapter about the Cincinnati skyline. I grew up near there and it was a perfect description!...more
I was looking forward to this book but also a bit worried. I hate online trolling and people who are unnecessarily rude to people (so, you know I am LI was looking forward to this book but also a bit worried. I hate online trolling and people who are unnecessarily rude to people (so, you know I am LOVING this election year #sarcasm). The description sounded like it would be an interesting look into how the public busts out its torches and pitchforks when easy prey presents itself.
I got exactly what I expected. I only gave it three stars because the writing was a little dry and at times repetitive (and I am not trying to shame the author! :)) But, the stories he told and the investigation he did really revealed how we are sick as a society and how it seems to be the tendency of the majority to use our current social landscape to attack those who do unfortunate (but often not completely terrible) things until they are completely destroyed. The examples he gives in the book of minor plagiarism, tasteless joking, etc. I see an article about almost every day online. It is quite scary and sad - a simple joke can bring the world crashing down on you. (That is why I do things like #sarcasm above)
At the same time, though, I think people need to be aware that we live in a society where if you put yourself out there, you might get burned. By using Goodreads, I am publicly displaying my opinion. I know that not everyone will agree or disagree, but there is a chance I might stir up a troll or two and I accept that - I just try not to feed the trolls and remain positive! Luckily, Goodreads seems to have fewer trolls than Facebook or Twitter.
If trolls and unreasonably handled social media situations intrigue you, give this book a shot!
One thing that I wanted to point out that is an irony (and maybe makes me a bit trollish), is that the first story in the book is about plagiarism. The author talks about researching sources and making sure that what you are saying is quoted exactly or it may destroy your credibility. When discussing some of the last social media activity of the person in question he attributes a tweet DIRECTLY to the person discussing a Fiona Apple album. I went to the twitter feed for this person, and it is actually a RETWEET . . . so, he basically printed something incorrectly in a chapter about making sure you check your sources so you don't print things incorrectly . . . I was amused....more
I rarely give one star reviews. I am sure Paul Tremblay is a nice guy, but after two of his books, I cannot stand him as a writer.
The story in this boI rarely give one star reviews. I am sure Paul Tremblay is a nice guy, but after two of his books, I cannot stand him as a writer.
The story in this book was silly and contrived. The characters were blah and I didn't believe their motivation for anything they did. If someone got mad, it felt forced. If something weird occurred it felt like it was just there so something could be weird.
The book is not thrilling. It is not scary. It is bad Exorcist fan fiction. I am not sure if anyone was ever really possessed, but at no point did I care. I can't even say it tries hard but falls flat . . . I don't think it even tries at all!
Sometimes I can say that a book is not for me, but I can see how others like it. I can't say that with this one. If you like it, that's okay . . . but I don't know why.
Sorry, Paul - again, I am sure you are a great guy, but I am done with your books!
Side note: Ironically enough, this book is the six-hundred and sixty sixth book I have listed as read on Goodreads...more
With many nods to the great Arthur C. Clarke, especially the theoretically well meaning AIDAN, this was a very, [image]
This book was pretty darn good!
With many nods to the great Arthur C. Clarke, especially the theoretically well meaning AIDAN, this was a very, very pleasant surprise. I think Clarke would have enjoyed this book a great deal.
I ended up listening to this book after debating whether or not I should read it instead. I looked through it at the book store and it is a very visually appealing collection of documents, dossiers, and diagrams. However, I saw that the audiobook won awards so I figured I would give it a go. I was not disappointed! It was a fantastic radio drama with multiple actors and sound effects. I found myself holding my breath while I was driving (which is not the best place to be when holding your breath!)
Creative, suspenseful, and terrifying - this mix of sci-fi and horror is guaranteed to appeal to a large audience and I think you should give it a try! I can't wait to check out the sequel!
Side note for those who might be concerned that this book is marketed as YA: It only kinda felt YA as two of the main characters are young and in love. Other than that, space horror fest all the way!...more
This book is bizarre. This book is weird. This book is fantastic!
Sometimes books are complex, weird, and artsy - but it all feels fWhat just happened?
This book is bizarre. This book is weird. This book is fantastic!
Sometimes books are complex, weird, and artsy - but it all feels forced. Kind of like the author sat down and said "check out how artsy and deep and meaningful I can be". I have some books in mind, but I will play nice *cough* American Gods *cough*. But, with this one it felt like all the bizarre complexity and weirdness was flowing out of the author and he couldn't help it. He sat down and said "OMG, what is coming out of my mind right now!? It is awesome! I must be hallucinating! The world must share this acid trip with me!"
What I am trying to say is that it was odd, I often had no clue what was going on, but I loved every second of it!
I don't think this book is for everyone, and I think no matter how weird your tastes are, it will take a while to get into this. I am thinking I was 1/4 of the way through before I could put even the smallest coherent thought together. But, once you do, the great characters (pretty much all of whom were interesting in their own way), the creative dialogue, and the unique story come together for an experience not to be missed.
I am looking forward to seeing what others think about this since it is so different than anything I have ever read....more
I made it through the whole year with nothing less than 2 stars, then in December I have had two 1 star books. Both were supposed to be horror, but boI made it through the whole year with nothing less than 2 stars, then in December I have had two 1 star books. Both were supposed to be horror, but both were just horrible.
I may have gone 2 stars on this one for some creativity, but my hopes were too high after the Troop.
This book was a mess. It had things that could be plot points, but no truly identifiable plot. The gore in it was for the sake of gore and often had very little, if any, context with the rest of what was going on. The way the descriptions were written, I often found myself lost as to what was actually going on.
I see many positive reviews for this title, so it may work for you. But for me, I am just glad it is over. It was not how I was hoping to end my literary adventures in 2016....more
Wow - this book was weird! But, very interesting an unique. Throughout the whole thing it kept changing directions so I never knew what was coming. BuWow - this book was weird! But, very interesting an unique. Throughout the whole thing it kept changing directions so I never knew what was coming. But, it was not in a big plot twist sort of way, it was in a "how is that monkey going to get to New York? Oh, he is going to ride a turkey that is a disabled war veteran" sort of way. (if what I just wrote makes sense to you, then I am not explaining it very well)
If you like weird tales with a few laughs and a lot of head scratching, this is the book for you!...more
Maybe 4.5 stars - some pretty good historical fiction here. This wasn't just a run of the mill story about growing up in the 50s. There was a lot of lMaybe 4.5 stars - some pretty good historical fiction here. This wasn't just a run of the mill story about growing up in the 50s. There was a lot of love, tragedy, insanity, heartache, infidelity, intolerance, etc. Blume kept me guessing and I was frequently shocked/surprised throughout.
I was skeptical going into this "Me Before You" follow up. I was worried that it would feel like the same story was being milked too much. Or, like thI was skeptical going into this "Me Before You" follow up. I was worried that it would feel like the same story was being milked too much. Or, like the whole story was complete without this epilogue.
However, I quite enjoyed it! (that sounded very British - that's what I get for listening to British narrators).
The story of life after Will was actually very interesting. And, while some of the things that happen are pretty crazy, they do not feel too forced or coincidental. It was great to catch up with the characters we know and meet knew ones we come to love, too.
I think this book does a very nice job of closing the story and I hope that everyone who enjoyed "Me Before You" gives it a shot....more
Loading...
