These books are like popcorn. The Renaissance Faire setting is what keeps drawing me back, even though the books in this series are wrought with maddeThese books are like popcorn. The Renaissance Faire setting is what keeps drawing me back, even though the books in this series are wrought with maddening conflict that could mostly be avoided if the main character just thought for a moment instead of jumping to wild conclusions every other chapter. But here am I, reading the second book. Will I read the 3rd one? I don't intend to, but I probably will....more
I dunno, it was cute and I'm feeling generous given the current pandemic. The world needs more cute books. I dunno, it was cute and I'm feeling generous given the current pandemic. The world needs more cute books. ...more
Short little story I got for free due to my audible subscription. I read it at least a month ago, so I had to go look at other reviews to remember if Short little story I got for free due to my audible subscription. I read it at least a month ago, so I had to go look at other reviews to remember if I liked it or not.
Good writing, unrelatable scenario, unsure what the message they were trying to convey in the end was, and ultimately rather forgettable. ...more
A lot of people were saying this book was too basic, but as someone about to move and just starting to understand the ways in which clutter has been rA lot of people were saying this book was too basic, but as someone about to move and just starting to understand the ways in which clutter has been ruling my life, I found it helpful and inspiring. Sometimes it's just the inspiration that you need to really get going. ...more
I'm not really sure how to review this book! I'll preface by saying that I know the author, fellow-booktuber Christine Riccio, on a superficial level I'm not really sure how to review this book! I'll preface by saying that I know the author, fellow-booktuber Christine Riccio, on a superficial level (as in have met a few times but don't really know her personally) and I AM incredibly impressed with the work she put into making this happen. Writing and publishing a book is hard. Not everyone actually buckles down and does that, so it's worth being acknowledged.
I went into this book with some skepticism and did find myself charmed in more ways than I expected to be. Shane's study abroad is incredibly similar to my own (though my experience was in 2009, a few years earlier than this book is set). I studied in London, taking weekend trips to places like Rome, Paris, and Edinburgh. Sound familiar? It was quite a trip to follow Shane through such similar experience as the ones I had, and because of that, I have to commend Christine's ability to capture the feeling of studying abroad so accurately.
What fell apart for me was the pacing of this book. I'll admit, I love contemporary books with a hint of magic. However, as I didn't know there was magic in this book (it's a VERY tough thing to pull off, when the thing that makes your book interesting is something that would be a massive spoiler to put on the book jacket) and so the first half was a bit of a slog. Nothing happened. Shane meets her band of study abroad friends with insanely distracting names, they live their lives with very few actual plot driving elements for 5 hours of an audiobook, and then SURPRISE! *magic glitter* We're GOING BACK AND DOING IT AGAIN.
I have to say, I burst out laughing when I got to this part in the book. I did not see it coming at all, and after 5 hours of wondering "what is the PLOT of this book?!" it was quite hilarious for the book to take such a wild turn. I remember saying out loud in my car, to myself... "Again, But Better. Touche, Christine."
So it kept my attention, but ultimately, I think the book would have benefited from some side plots. I wish there had been other things going on to keep my attention beyond the will they/wont they of Shane and Pilot. The other friends could have had their own stuff going on. Any of Shane's relatives could have had something going on. There could have been someone going on at Shane's travel magazine. And did they take classes, or was it just internships? There could have been something happening with a teacher, or in their flat building, or SOMETHING. Anything that could have helped drive the plot forward.
So anyway. Shane's voice was delightful and the study abroad elements felt real and genuine. I just wish, in general, the book had more going on.
Edit: ALSO. HOW does frenchwatermelon19.com not go anywhere? Come on, marketing!...more
I initially heard about this one from a writing class I took a couple years ago. We read the first chapter, because it wI enjoyed this book immensely!
I initially heard about this one from a writing class I took a couple years ago. We read the first chapter, because it was an example of how much information you can pack into a small amount of space without actually using any exposition at all. It's brilliant, masterfully written and the whole book is like that. I haven't read a lot of historical fiction but I have been branching out, and this was just a treat to read. The characters were incredibly endearing, and Josie was a strong and steadfast main character. I was rooting for her every step of the way. I've read a few reviews saying the book felt slow or that it dragged, but that didn't bother me much at all. I really enjoy character driven pieces, and I loved the care and respect this book took portraying characters that don't tend to always be shown in the best light. Willie and her girls in particular were such a highlight of this book, and I liked Josie's internal struggle with the fact that these people really were her family, but being too associated with a place like Willie's wasn't the best way to present yourself publicly. The dichotomy between Josie's upbringing and her future goals and dreams among the educational elite was a great emotional struggle, and I will definitely be reading more books by Ruta Sepetys. ...more
This book was totally delightful. I was laughing the whole way through, and the experience was absolutely heightened by hearing the wonderful narratorThis book was totally delightful. I was laughing the whole way through, and the experience was absolutely heightened by hearing the wonderful narrator read the audiobook. I genuinely think it would have been a totally different experience without her over the top and hilarious affectations. Not the kind of book I normally read, but a gem anyway....more
This book was absolutely devastating. Brilliant, definitely. But I never saw the ending coming, and it totally wrecked me.
I've read a lot of books aboThis book was absolutely devastating. Brilliant, definitely. But I never saw the ending coming, and it totally wrecked me.
I've read a lot of books about the Holocaust, but I have never been as affected by one as I was by this one. Definitely recommend it to everyone....more
Stumbled across this book on audible and decided to give it a try -- a mother and her kids are camping in the woods when a disaster strikes. They haveStumbled across this book on audible and decided to give it a try -- a mother and her kids are camping in the woods when a disaster strikes. They have no knowledge of what's going on until they return home and find that there aren't any people around, and those that are, have died.
This is a post-apocalyptic, government conspiracy, great characters, lots of suspense, reminiscent of Lord of the Flies meets the end of the world kind of book. I liked it....more
This book was alright - the premise spoke to me because it's the kind of book I would write, and it was enjoyable enough. I love a good will-they-wontThis book was alright - the premise spoke to me because it's the kind of book I would write, and it was enjoyable enough. I love a good will-they-wont-they and I'm a sucker for survival stories. The writing and story were a little juvenile at times, but overall I thought it was alright. :)...more
I loved the beginning, with all the emphasis on growing up in the 80s, loving ET, and the whole story about how Abby and GretcheThis book was bizarre.
I loved the beginning, with all the emphasis on growing up in the 80s, loving ET, and the whole story about how Abby and Gretchen met was so touching. The book really gets away from itself in the middle, when what happens to Gretchen starts affecting everyone and everything around it. When I actually got to the exorcism, I was like 60/40 on whether I was actually enjoying this book or not, leaning toward grossed out/disturbed.
I still can't decide if it added a ton for me to have the wrap up chapter summarizing the rest of their lives. Really I just feel like the whole story was sort of depressing, and I don't understand the motivations of anyone's parents in this entire book. So - I'm conflicted. Parts of this book were good. Parts were super, super weird. I'm left confused and a little unsatisfied, even though it tied everything up for the most part....more
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