Barbs
This book was quite engaging, and I appreciated the overarching plot. However, a significant suspension of disbelief was required, as many details seemed highly improbable.
The first 1/3 of the book was incredibly slow. I stuck with it in hopes that I would be rewarded. The second 1/3 was amazing and, at times, hard to read due to the subject matter. The last 1/3 was just ok. Overall, I was not invested in the characters and didn't care what happened in the end.
I do not know when I last read a more enjoyable book. As someone on the spectrum, Eleanor's thoughts are completely relatable. She is a funny, fragile heroine you root for from beginning to end.
My first mystery/thriller! Usually I prefer to know what is going to happen during intense reads. I was able to hang in there though and found the story incredibly entertaining.
I WANTED to like this book a lot more than I did. I loved the parts that were actually about Lincoln grieving for his son. Those parts were tender and heart-wrenching. I also enjoyed the quotes from people there as witnesses; although, I don't like that some were real and some fictitious (pick a lane). As an audiobook, all of the narrators were extremely talented, but it was way too hard to follow and seemed incredibly disjointed. Some parts seemed to be written in a shock-jock sort of way, which seemed weird to me.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable book. It brought back many memories about growing up and that time in your life. But also the struggle of dealing with grief.
This was a fun, quick read. I hesitate to rate it a 5, but it is better than a 4. A 4.5 would be more accurate. The characters were fun, even if they were a bit hard to believe. The plot was intriguing and had a few fun twists and turns. There were a few subject matters that are usually hard for me to read about (suicide, sexual violence) but they were handled well.
I wanted to like this book. But I didn't care about any of the characters or the plot. When I got to the 5th story, it seemed way too much science fiction to me. I was reading and reading, but only to get it over with. When I decided to quit there was a ton of relief.
This was an enjoyable, even though it was also incredibly predictable. Loveable characters and a “found family” trope.
This memoir had everything. The first half was fun, with lots of name-dropping and fun stories about celebrities like Sean Connery, Joan Didion, Carrie Fisher, and more. The second half was consumed by the murder of Griffin's beloved sister, Dominique, and all of the emotions associated with that horrific event. Throughout the book, you come to know and love Griffin's family. This is a beautiful memoir about people you come to feel as though you know personally.
This book will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. It provides a deep understanding of Hamilton's life and the foundational moments in American history that shaped the nation. While some sections may feel like a slog, the richness of the material and the impact of Hamilton's legacy are undeniable, making it a rewarding read for anyone interested in American history, politics, or biography.
This is a touching book about what it means to struggle with OCD and anxiety. As someone who suffers from anxiety, this felt very true to me.
This was a very relaxing and fun read. I loved the plot and all the characters. The setting was the cherry on top.
Another brilliant work by Joan Didion. I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered her writing this year. Her lyrical prose captivates me. This book resonates deeply with anyone who has ever imagined the loss of a loved one—or experienced it firsthand. It's a poignant exploration of grief that feels both personal and universal.
This one is tough. The main character seems to hate everyone and everything, in a mean way, and is very self-righteous. I understand she is sick, but it makes her hard to like (even though you still hope for her recovery). As others before me have noted, there is a lot of racism, homophobia, and body shaming, which makes it tough to read. The fact that this is a mostly true account of the author does make the book more interesting, especially given the author's sad untimely end. I wish she could have had more peace.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story. The setting seemed quaint and easily imagined. The main character was loveable. It is easy to imagine rereading this around Christmas each year.
I listened to the audiobook. Because I also come from a rural area, the talented narrator's accent and the subject matter seemed a little too close to home. I never suffered the same way as the protagonist, but imagining him being a classmate is easy. The subject matter is gritty and I wanted to stop a few times, but I'm glad I persevered. This book will stay with me for a long time.
