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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ehhh... not very captivating. I skimmed and skipped around until I got to the end.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF @ 16%
To be honest, I probably didn't give this book enough of a chance, but I just have very little interest in reading it anymore. I started it because it was this month's book for the YA Book Club I was considering joining, but I have no desire to continue it.
The writing style is really peculiar, and it reads more like a middle grade novel than YA to me. Also, it felt really dated too--like it was taking place in the 50's and not in present day, like it's supposed to.
Sorry, but I'd rather spend my time reading books I actually want to read.
To be honest, I probably didn't give this book enough of a chance, but I just have very little interest in reading it anymore. I started it because it was this month's book for the YA Book Club I was considering joining, but I have no desire to continue it.
The writing style is really peculiar, and it reads more like a middle grade novel than YA to me. Also, it felt really dated too--like it was taking place in the 50's and not in present day, like it's supposed to.
Sorry, but I'd rather spend my time reading books I actually want to read.
Could not put this down. Compelling story that won't release you until you know how it ends. The only disconnect I felt is the weird mix of tragedy and humor, especially as the book headed towards the final climax. The humor intensified, but I was too impatient for it at that point because I was wrapped up in the resolution of the boy's survival. Good book for 7th grade and up.
I was pleasantly surprised reading this book! The cover had me intrigued when I saw it at the library and I took it home with me, so I went in without knowing anything about this book.
The writing style is fairly unique with changing viewpoints between paragraphs, sometimes seemingly to uninteresting characters, the main characters meet along the way. This however gave less dept to Sam and Emily and their own personal story, which I would have really liked to read more about. The neglection by the father of Sam and Riddle gave some new insight for me since I have never read a book with a dad that was so dramatically bad at being a dad. The song I'll be there from the Jackson 5 played an important part in the story, which I truly admire since music in books always makes me happy. Lastly, I liked how fate played a role, the overall outcome really made me feel like that despite all the odds the outcome was destined to be like this. Not only for the main characters but also for almost all the others we meet along the way. *whispers* Bobby I mean you.
The writing style is fairly unique with changing viewpoints between paragraphs, sometimes seemingly to uninteresting characters, the main characters meet along the way. This however gave less dept to Sam and Emily and their own personal story, which I would have really liked to read more about. The neglection by the father of Sam and Riddle gave some new insight for me since I have never read a book with a dad that was so dramatically bad at being a dad. The song I'll be there from the Jackson 5 played an important part in the story, which I truly admire since music in books always makes me happy. Lastly, I liked how fate played a role, the overall outcome really made me feel like that despite all the odds the outcome was destined to be like this. Not only for the main characters but also for almost all the others we meet along the way. *whispers* Bobby I mean you.
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2011/05/2011-books-116-and-117.html
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-book-97.html
I honestly have no memory of reading this book or really anything about it, but I guess I really liked it back in 2011! I found the writing style slightly more grating/overly melodramatic this time around, but I guess I still liked it? It is REALLY melodramatic though. I actually am not sure why I liked this so much last time I read it. Maybe I've just become a lot more cynical in the last four years? I mean, the ending did make me teary, but the whole thing felt a little silly this time. Downgrading this to a B.
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2015/04/2015-book-97.html
I honestly have no memory of reading this book or really anything about it, but I guess I really liked it back in 2011! I found the writing style slightly more grating/overly melodramatic this time around, but I guess I still liked it? It is REALLY melodramatic though. I actually am not sure why I liked this so much last time I read it. Maybe I've just become a lot more cynical in the last four years? I mean, the ending did make me teary, but the whole thing felt a little silly this time. Downgrading this to a B.
I'll Be There is such a good book.
SUMMARY:
The story follows Sam and Riddle, who are constantly on the move with their schizophrenic father. Listening to the voices in his head, their father Clarence keeps them out of school and always keeps the truck packed in case they need to leave at a moments notice. One day, while Riddle is asleep, Sam walks farther than usual to reach his salvation - music. On this Sunday morning, he finds himself inside of a high-class church that immediately makes him feel out of place and uncomfortable, but before he can manage to get out, the doors are closed... And then Emily starts to sing in the church choir, and in that moment, both of them have connected in a way neither of them understands.
CHARACTERS:
Clarence - This was one guy that you did not want to mess with. As in, you cross the street to avoid kind of guy and I absolutely loved him. What he added to the story was fantastic. Both Sam and Riddle were given another layer of depth because of their relationship with their father.
Emily - Personally, I didn't find anything special about Emily, why was Sam so smitten with her? The only real "character development" that she went through was heartbreak. We only really got to know Emily when she was sad, so it was hard to see what was so special about her.
Sam - Sam was great, and obviously a very hard worker. I can't believe that he didn't turn to a life of crime, especially since his father was committing crimes left right and centre.
Riddle - From the beginning, I thought Riddle was a great character. But during the second half of the book, he was absolutely awesome! He went through amazing character development, completely coming out of his shell and it was fantastic!
WRITING:
At first, I found the writing style to be very juvenile and I was afraid that I wasn't going to like the book. But as the book progressed, I started to understand just how well this writing style fit with the book.
Their was also a ton of different perspectives, but it worked so unbelievably well in this book! Each perspective added a new layer to the book. Keep in mind that these weren't rotating perspectives, but one perspective (for example) from a bear, one from an old lady at a motel, and of course from all of our main characters.
CONCLUSION:
This book is definitely worth checking out. I'll Be There for you is a great book that takes you by surprise.
SUMMARY:
The story follows Sam and Riddle, who are constantly on the move with their schizophrenic father. Listening to the voices in his head, their father Clarence keeps them out of school and always keeps the truck packed in case they need to leave at a moments notice. One day, while Riddle is asleep, Sam walks farther than usual to reach his salvation - music. On this Sunday morning, he finds himself inside of a high-class church that immediately makes him feel out of place and uncomfortable, but before he can manage to get out, the doors are closed... And then Emily starts to sing in the church choir, and in that moment, both of them have connected in a way neither of them understands.
CHARACTERS:
Clarence - This was one guy that you did not want to mess with. As in, you cross the street to avoid kind of guy and I absolutely loved him. What he added to the story was fantastic. Both Sam and Riddle were given another layer of depth because of their relationship with their father.
Emily - Personally, I didn't find anything special about Emily, why was Sam so smitten with her? The only real "character development" that she went through was heartbreak. We only really got to know Emily when she was sad, so it was hard to see what was so special about her.
Sam - Sam was great, and obviously a very hard worker. I can't believe that he didn't turn to a life of crime, especially since his father was committing crimes left right and centre.
Riddle - From the beginning, I thought Riddle was a great character. But during the second half of the book, he was absolutely awesome! He went through amazing character development, completely coming out of his shell and it was fantastic!
WRITING:
At first, I found the writing style to be very juvenile and I was afraid that I wasn't going to like the book. But as the book progressed, I started to understand just how well this writing style fit with the book.
Their was also a ton of different perspectives, but it worked so unbelievably well in this book! Each perspective added a new layer to the book. Keep in mind that these weren't rotating perspectives, but one perspective (for example) from a bear, one from an old lady at a motel, and of course from all of our main characters.
CONCLUSION:
This book is definitely worth checking out. I'll Be There for you is a great book that takes you by surprise.
Poignant and life-affirming, I'll be there is a feel good read that moves the reader with tender relationships and sweet realistic moments of the heart.