Jaci
I think this book would've resonated much more with me if I were in high school. It reminds me of John Green novels, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Paper Heart (2009), Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008), if they all had a cousin. The comic book characters and music references give it that indie feel.
I listened to the audiobook. I'm baffled that DeNice's name is pronounced literally D-Nice, not D-Neese??? Did Rainbow Rowell request this specific pronunciation?
Seeing the current rhetoric and retrospective reviews, I can see all the ways in which this book is obviously problematic. I'm just curious how this film adaptation is going to weave this story together to current society. I walk away puzzled, the stereotypes are repetitive and feel unnecessary to the story.
The story didn't wow me in a major way, I felt like I was just learning about two people who crossed paths. I feel empathy for these 2 outcasts and the bullying, but because of their age, I felt like I was kind of just a bystander watching a movie slowly unfold.
It just didn't wow me or have that kind of gusto that makes you walk away feeling hopeful or connected to the characters. It was okay.
(Read this book years ago in high school, recommended by my cousin)
I absolutely loved this book, the topics of anthropology and sociology fascinate me. It was interesting to see how the researcher viewed the world prior to the visit (ethnocentrism) and this slow uncovering of the magic through the lens of cultural relativism, the studying of their culture, it was all so fascinating to me.
I was perplexed by the ending, I forgot some key points but I'd read this again!
I can't believe we were left on a cliffhanger!! I CANT WAIT for the next book. EEEEEK!
Apollo is going to get what he deserves. I also didn't expect all of these twists and turns!
This book was really refreshing and felt so poetic to read from different perspectives and a change in writing styles to get inside of their thoughts.
For historical fiction, I really appreciated the integration of historical events. This world makes me so sad, I didn't know about Thanksgiving origins and beheadings of peoples body parts in jars. Colonel Chivington and his role in the Sand Creek Masscare was absolutely disgusting. I'm so angry how Indians have been treated it disgusts me how people continue to gloss over harm in our history simply for “tradition sake.”
The explanation behind the Indian-head test pattern left me in shock. We brush over all of these horrifying parts of history in public classrooms, but it's the truth. Why are people so afraid of talking about the bloody parts of history?
The topics of self identity and not being Indian enough or trying to reconnect with your blood and the culture was so relatable. I loved that these stories spanned vast experiences, and shared the beauty of various tribes and cultural customs and traditions, across various generations all the way from Alcatraz island to contemporary day in Oakland.
This book made me so sad but I really loved how connected to Tony I felt, especially the ending.
Mindy is absolutely hilarious, I recommend listening to the audiobook. Her timing is impeccable and smart.
If you love The Mindy Project and Kelly Kapoor, you will love this book.
Mindy is probably one of my favorite comedy writers, her timing and wit made me LOL through work.
I hope she knows how much her fans (including me) just adore her!!
This book was okay. It didn't feel absolutely riveting, for that I can't give it 4 stars. Let's say 3-3.5 stars. The “who did it” changed towards the end constantly and it didn't feel like this grand reveal, it just left me confused with the actual outcome. That's okay, I'm sure a lot of people would like this book. I think thrillers just aren't for me.
Parts that made me laugh:
Page 233
“Your cousin is attempting to communicate with me through a strange runic language,” she said as Gabriel stepped out.
“Those are emojis, Nana,” Gabriel said.
Page 163
“But every other part of his life was recorded, uploaded, and captioned. He followed celebrities on Twitter and replied like they actually wanted to hear his witty rejoinders and compliments”
I LOL'd, this one was so relatable I had to laugh at myself.
Things that rubbed me the wrong way
Riveting. Devastating. So sad.
I really love how this story unfolds. It had such a grasp on me trying to uncover the mystery of what happened, what's going on, what needs to be uncovered.
I kept wondering how are these women connected? It left me on edge, reading FURIOUSLY towards the end.
These are such intelligent women, I love how the story highlights not only the shortcomings of these characters but their reason for why they are the way they are. The characters were humanized so well, you could deceive me and tell me these are real people.
The ending feels so sad, the vivid memories remind me of The Lovely Bones movie. I won't spoil it any further, but I thought the ending was a special touch; the closure was much needed.
UGH SO GOOOOOOOD