I can’t say that I loved this book. Or that I necessarily enjoyed it lol. The writing is phenomenal and without a doubt, this has got to be an instantI can’t say that I loved this book. Or that I necessarily enjoyed it lol. The writing is phenomenal and without a doubt, this has got to be an instant classic, a modern Great American Novel. But my god, was it sad and depressing. I guess kind of like America! Demon’s story broke my heart over and over again and his voice will stick with me a long time. I’m happy I read this once. ...more
There were parts of this book that had super tight writing and suspense and those parts were really great. And then I felt like there were hundreds ofThere were parts of this book that had super tight writing and suspense and those parts were really great. And then I felt like there were hundreds of pages that dragged on and on and on. I would still love to read The Secret History, but I just thought this was fine. ...more
Almost 5 stars, but felt like some parts could have been edited out and it still would have been excellent. I fell in love with Yale and all his frienAlmost 5 stars, but felt like some parts could have been edited out and it still would have been excellent. I fell in love with Yale and all his friends. Felt like I was punched in the gut several times, which I’m sure is how it felt to live during the 1985 AIDS epidemic. ...more
I really enjoyed this book so much. I haven’t read a piece of fiction in a long time that I absolutely could not stop thinking about it, so this was lI really enjoyed this book so much. I haven’t read a piece of fiction in a long time that I absolutely could not stop thinking about it, so this was like a breath of fresh air. It was heartbreaking at times, but also just beautifully written and thought provoking. This book is a cross between magical realism, Greek mythology, and satire and I found it completely unique. The closest thing I could even maybe compare it to would be George Orwell’s Animal Farm, but even that is a bit of a stretch. ...more
I didn't think this was very interesting. Parts we funny, as John Green novels are, but the story itself was uninteresting to me. I didn't think this was very interesting. Parts we funny, as John Green novels are, but the story itself was uninteresting to me. ...more
This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. If you don't understand why NFL players are kneeling or why the Black Lives Matter movement iThis is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. If you don't understand why NFL players are kneeling or why the Black Lives Matter movement is happening, open your mind and read this book. It explains it all, eloquently and in the most heartbreaking fashion. ...more
I am kind of surprised that this won the Newberry award. This doesn’t seem like Newberry material and it also doesn’t seem like a Kate DiCamillo book.I am kind of surprised that this won the Newberry award. This doesn’t seem like Newberry material and it also doesn’t seem like a Kate DiCamillo book. Her books usually have this magical feeling about them and you completely fall in love with the characters, but this one just didn’t fit in with the rest to me. I did love the poem at the end of the book that Ulysses wrote and I thought that his and Flora’s relationship was very sweet. But this book dragged on and I didn’t connect with it. It felt like a long book, which isn’t good because it was around 200 pages and it was a children’s book with pictures, so it shouldn’t have taken that long to read at all. I would recommend any of DiCamillo’s other books over this one. The one I loved the most, The Magician’s Elephant, was more Newberry worthy than this one, in my opinion. ...more
It's been a long time since I've held a book that I just wanted to read slowly and savor every word. This book was just simply beautiful. The way DoerIt's been a long time since I've held a book that I just wanted to read slowly and savor every word. This book was just simply beautiful. The way Doerr writes is poetic and surprisingly subtle. Everyone knows the atrocities that occurred during WWII, so Doerr doesn't feel the need to spell it out for you, but it is always lingering in the background and sneaks up on you in the small details and it is like a punch in the gut when you realize where he's going with the plot. The ending was a little disappointing to me, but the book as a whole was wonderful. I loved it. ...more
The first half was so strong. There was this build up, build up, build up and then the second half hit...and I saw the big shock from a mile away. AndThe first half was so strong. There was this build up, build up, build up and then the second half hit...and I saw the big shock from a mile away. And then I didn't really dig the "after". The writing was great, though, despite me not liking the entire story. ...more
The writing was beautiful and the story was tragic, but the last half of the book did not come together for me. I feel like the author didn't know wheThe writing was beautiful and the story was tragic, but the last half of the book did not come together for me. I feel like the author didn't know where to go with it or something....more
If you purchase one cookbook in your entire life, let it be this one. I don't know how I lived so long without it. I've always loved vegetables, but eIf you purchase one cookbook in your entire life, let it be this one. I don't know how I lived so long without it. I've always loved vegetables, but especially in the past several years, I've really been more conscious of what I'm eating and how. I eat very little red meat these days, not so much chicken and pork, a little fish, and TONS of vegetables and fruits. It's not always easy to find new ways to cook vegetables, but this book is the veggie bible. Every single vegetable you can think of(and some you never even knew existed) are in this cookbook. And every recipe I've tried so far has been amazing. Whether or not you're a vegetarian, this will become your go to cookbook. ...more
I did not enjoy this as much as I Am America(and So Can You!) but it was classic Stephen Colbert. It made me laugh a few times and I would recommend iI did not enjoy this as much as I Am America(and So Can You!) but it was classic Stephen Colbert. It made me laugh a few times and I would recommend it if you like the show. I think I might have enjoyed it a little more if I wasn't so exhausted with politics after the election this year......more
I have to admit, I thought I was going to hate this book. I don't really like sci-fi all that much. It has never been my thing and probably never willI have to admit, I thought I was going to hate this book. I don't really like sci-fi all that much. It has never been my thing and probably never will be. And honestly, for the first, say, 50 or so pages, I wanted to throw this across the room. I had no idea what the hell was going on and it pissed me off I didn't know how to pronounce any of the words. But then, the story got really good. And then, it got even better. And I loved the writing. It was one of the most well written stories I've ever read. Did I love it? No. I didn't love it. But I liked it a lot. And I would like to go back and read more of them, but I'll need to take a break first because this one was a lot to digest. It took me longer than the average book to get through, but I'm glad I did. ...more
I usually HATE books that are a series of vignettes(usually because they are just completely unrelated and I never get enough of the story), but this I usually HATE books that are a series of vignettes(usually because they are just completely unrelated and I never get enough of the story), but this book was different. While it was just short snippets of different characters, it did circle around Sasha and told, pretty much, her whole story through events and characters that at first glance seemed random and unrelated, but were all connected and quite frankly, all interesting. The middle section kind of got a little bogged down and moved slower, but both beginning and end were great.
Also, I agree with a lot of my coworkers on this one: I can't believe this was picked as a school read book this year. It has very adult themes(I mean, the second chapter alone is pretty much focused on Bennie's erectile dysfunction). I'm not saying all teen readers couldn't handle this book, but I'm sure some parents would have an issue with students reading it in a classroom setting....more
Compared to the last 2 winners of the Newbery Award and how much I enjoyed them, this one was such a disappointment. It was very well written, but it Compared to the last 2 winners of the Newbery Award and how much I enjoyed them, this one was such a disappointment. It was very well written, but it just didn't do it for me. If I was a kid, I don't think I would have enjoyed it. Even though it's about a young girl, it felt like it was a story more written for adults. The last two winners (The Graveyard Book and When You Reach Me) were filled with the magic that makes kids want to read books. This one just didn't have that magic. ...more
When I was a kid, I checked this book out of my school library so many times that the librarian said I wasn't allowed to take it home anymore. FavoritWhen I was a kid, I checked this book out of my school library so many times that the librarian said I wasn't allowed to take it home anymore. Favorite, favorite, favorite. ...more
I was really surprised how much I liked this book. I read the entire thing pretty much in just one sitting(not counting the last 30 pages because if II was really surprised how much I liked this book. I read the entire thing pretty much in just one sitting(not counting the last 30 pages because if I didn't stop reading, I would have been late for work. Thank god for 30 minutes lunches). It was easy to fall in love with the characters of this book and the setting as well. The whole time I just couldn't wait for all the pieces to fall into place and once they did, it was pretty incredible. It for sure deserved the Newbery this year. ...more
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