Heidi
Treasures Lost, Treasures Found was good, but I did not care for The Welcoming. This book only gets 3 stars because of the Treasures story. I am disappointed in this book.
Do not like the relationship between Ender and wife at this point, she's kind of an idiot, although her irritation at Jane's presence is somewhat understandable. Don't like a couple other relationships/characters that pop up at the end of the story. Otherwise, content is nearly as good as the other 3.
3.5. It took a bit to grow on me, and was pretty chaotic feeling for a while. That does eventually lead into a story that makes more sense, in its way, but some descriptions feel a bit less than they should be. It can be a bit hard to visualize at times. With a book containing this much absurdity, it's necessary to give a little more descriptions sometimes. It was a fun read, and pretty quick-paced once I got past the initial “what the fuck am I reading how are these connected” feeling.
Good ending, story kept my interest. Character development was lacking, and writing was a bit hollow at times. Also Tom is a frustrating character, so gullible and stupid in all directions. I think he was supposed to be that way but it was almost not believable. Are normal people that weak minded?
Even though I have a couple issues with this book, I still loved it and it kept me guessing, so 5 stars.
The biggest problem I had was with the ending. I still like the concept of the ending, and don't think that should change, it just felt a little rushed and too tidy. Also...isn't that vampire librarian still out there somewhere?
The other thing that kind of bothered me was the portion of the story told via letters from her father. I know that if it was written how an actual giant set of memoir letters were written it might be a little less immersive than the narrative style it has. However, maybe it would have made more sense not to have chosen to write that part as letters? No one remembers full conversations and feelings that in-depth 18-20 years after the fact. So did he just make up what is likely close enough to have filled the gaps? Or is he some freak genius with an amazing memory that actually was able to remember all of that?
Very interesting and well-written. A little slow to start. Not quite what I was hoping for but still worth a read.
A very enjoyable read, and the pace really starts to get interesting near the middle. It starts good but gets a lot better, I couldn't put it down once I got to the middle or so. One thing it could have done without, or that could have been done better, was the math references. “Solve for X” felt cheesey to me, almost like she reduced all math down to basic algebra. I don't know what math majors had to learn back then, but I know she referenced calculus, and could have made more elegant sounding references. Overall though, a pretty good book.
Read this for a book club. The author has clearly done her research and presents a story to zoom in on a few big ways in which inequality is perpetuated and society is controlled and manipulated by unethical and lazy uses of statistics. It's really important shit to know about and try to fix. But honestly, I already knew of most of these things, maybe not so in depth though. I really didn't need a zoomed in view of all the reasons I already know I hate capitalism.
His writing is so good but this book was so boring I couldn't finish it. I'm on 305 and he's still in his early childhood. Because he spent a very long time on some family history I was hoping he'd tie into the story but it's just kind of there. For like 100 pages or so. Maybe someday I'll pick it back up but I just can't finish it, it's so boring.
This book is great and I love his writing style. I won't say much about the plot, except that there is a piece of the end I don't understand. Basically how it is able to be the end. So if someone gets the end, I'd appreciate an explanation. Either way, I really enjoyed this book.
A lot of fun to read. I don't know what I was expecting but this was better than expected. It's paced well and full of quick-witted dry Irish humor, genuinely had me laughing out loud throughout.
This book was a relaxing and enjoyable read. A little predictable, but still fun and well-written.
I'd give this book 3.5 stars if I could. In typical Brashares style it was very well written, and the story was good, but it just wasn't quite 4 stars to me.
By far my least favorite of Sierra Simone's that I've read so far. I know the subtitle implies it's a love story, but reviews and description (and some expectations from her other work) kinda made it seem sexier than it was. Honestly though, my biggest problem was with Father Bell. How many damn times does Poppy need to tell him she knows what she wants in bed before he will get it through his “good guy” head and stop questioning her judgement? He infantilizes her a bit, in that worshipful way all the “good guys” do (this is what you want? I couldn't possibly...she's just too wonderful to be treated so!), in life less than sexy scenes but it's still present. He's called out for it in the book, so everyone is clearly aware of it, but it's seen as something she just has to deal with and eventually he will just get the idea. My idea of a sexy man is not one who questions my legitimacy in deciding what I want, in any respect, nor is it fixing a man who feels himself a “good guy”.
That all said, she is still an excellent writer and has an ability to write relatable, believable characters and build a world.
An enjoyable read, but the characters could have been a bit more fleshed out and made more sense. There are a couple character development holes that bothered me, but I won't spoil it. An interesting plot for sure, though.
I really enjoyed this book. Sinclair does a great job switching between the characters' POV, which is an element I was not expecting but that adds to the overall shaping of the story. I was also pleased that, unlike some other BDSM-related novels (looking at you, Fifty Shades), neither of the characters' enjoyment of BDSM was explained away by their having some traumatic experience or mental anguish; they just were regular people with regular lives who happen to like kinky sex. I devoured this book and will be reading the next one soon!
Very enjoyable, and well-written. I listened to the audio book version, and I definitely recommend it, the reader does a very good job and enhances the story.
A complete let-down. “I don't know” and “what do you mean?” are two phrases without which dialogue in this book would not exist. No one in this book knows anything about how they feel or what they're doing or what others are doing, or anything else, it's just a frustrating mess of smart idiots blundering about being detached and sad and confused. Other than that, overarching themes are Stockholm's syndrome experienced by a 13 year old girl in a detached and angry (?) sort of way (seriously), child molestation, trauma-induced apathy, and a marriage that's falling apart. The description sounded so eerie and interesting, but it just ended up being cringey, frustrating, and meh. I was listening to the audiobook on a long drive and have stopped at about 80%. I just wanted to know what the connection was between the two timelines, but I no longer care enough to finish the last couple hours. I don't believe it's salvageable.
Got 48% through, couldn't finish. The characters have not aged well. Josh is toxic and controlling, oh but also totally loving, which makes him a shitty male character. Margo is...exactly the type of “strong personality” woman who finds him attractive for these traits. Their dynamic was kinda uncomfortable to read. Not one of her better books. Gets two stars because the story wasn't bad and the writing is good. Just the characters...ugh.