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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
The weather in Southern California serves as a backdrop to this complex book about a Mexican American family.
“L.A. Weather” takes place over the course of a year in the Alvarado’s lives and it’s one catastrophe after another, testing family bonds, exposing secrets, lies, failed relationships, illness, financial woes, addiction and more.
This is a year that tears them apart and in the end (you guessed it) brings them closer together.
Not one of my 2021 faves, but curious, if you read it, your thoughts.
“L.A. Weather” takes place over the course of a year in the Alvarado’s lives and it’s one catastrophe after another, testing family bonds, exposing secrets, lies, failed relationships, illness, financial woes, addiction and more.
This is a year that tears them apart and in the end (you guessed it) brings them closer together.
Not one of my 2021 faves, but curious, if you read it, your thoughts.
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
I read 65% of this in one sitting. Just needed to know what happened next!
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow and predictable, the father is by far my favorite character
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had this book on my TBR for a while and when I saw that it was the library summer book club pick, well I figured this would be a good time to read it but I just finished it and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
It was a weird mish-mosh of different themes, from gentrification, loss, reproductive rights and even climate change, all around and centering within the Alvarado family which if I'm meant to find meaning in those themes in regards to the family, I'm at a loss. I feel like a lot was said and yet it was just words leading nowhere for a lot of the book until the last quarter for me.
I found a lack of love and empathy within this family. All selfish, especially the daughters that came across as entitled and so much so that they couldn't take care of their own lives, much less their marriages, and yet had the gall to say what they said and act how they did towards their parents which baffled me. Not once or twice but repeatedly through my listen. That selfishness is also the catalyst for lot of what happens to them and their individual downfalls. I won't say that they all figure it out, which is a nice nod to real life, but by the end of the book they're at least a bit more united then when I first met them but it was too late for me to care for them.
I will give the author her credit, she accurately described the gentrification of L.A as I have seen it time and time again, all over this city and the loss of so much history that defines the neighborhoods and cities I love, I was angered all over again about it. It's a true loss, regardless of what new shiny building or home has replaced what once was there, that history can't be replaced, just lost.
It was a weird mish-mosh of different themes, from gentrification, loss, reproductive rights and even climate change, all around and centering within the Alvarado family which if I'm meant to find meaning in those themes in regards to the family, I'm at a loss. I feel like a lot was said and yet it was just words leading nowhere for a lot of the book until the last quarter for me.
I found a lack of love and empathy within this family. All selfish, especially the daughters that came across as entitled and so much so that they couldn't take care of their own lives, much less their marriages, and yet had the gall to say what they said and act how they did towards their parents which baffled me. Not once or twice but repeatedly through my listen. That selfishness is also the catalyst for lot of what happens to them and their individual downfalls. I won't say that they all figure it out, which is a nice nod to real life, but by the end of the book they're at least a bit more united then when I first met them but it was too late for me to care for them.
I will give the author her credit, she accurately described the gentrification of L.A as I have seen it time and time again, all over this city and the loss of so much history that defines the neighborhoods and cities I love, I was angered all over again about it. It's a true loss, regardless of what new shiny building or home has replaced what once was there, that history can't be replaced, just lost.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Toxic relationship
Minor: Child death, Death
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this was an la county summer book club pick and our book club pick but it really shouldn't have tbh
i have and had so many things to say about this book, but the easiest way to put this book is that it's an "everyone sucks here" Am I The Asshole post on reddit because, truly, everyone sucks here (except lola, she was one of the only redeeming parts of this book).
by its synopsis, this had me intrigued -- family drama based in LA with one of the sisters being a chef and another an architect reflecting on how her craft contributes to gentrification? it's like this book was made for me. however, very quickly after i started asking myself how much build up i would need to get through before it got "good," before it peaked. And readers, it never really got "good." all the plot lines i was excited about -- discussing gentrification, the complications amongst family politics, and seeing the dynamics between the sisters all fell flat. There were so many good ideas here that I would enjoy on paper, but I think they were executed poorly here.
Also, the resolution of the plot line felt too rushed, like it was too easily give--the family forgiving Oscar, oscar forgiving keila , and the whole climate change theme.
what i DID like was lola's chapters and i think im just a sucker for old married couples but 😔☝️ i did think the way oscar and keila met was very cute
i have and had so many things to say about this book, but the easiest way to put this book is that it's an "everyone sucks here" Am I The Asshole post on reddit because, truly, everyone sucks here (except lola, she was one of the only redeeming parts of this book).
by its synopsis, this had me intrigued -- family drama based in LA with one of the sisters being a chef and another an architect reflecting on how her craft contributes to gentrification? it's like this book was made for me. however, very quickly after i started asking myself how much build up i would need to get through before it got "good," before it peaked. And readers, it never really got "good." all the plot lines i was excited about -- discussing gentrification, the complications amongst family politics, and seeing the dynamics between the sisters all fell flat. There were so many good ideas here that I would enjoy on paper, but I think they were executed poorly here.
Also, the resolution of the plot line felt too rushed, like it was too easily give--
what i DID like was lola's chapters and i think im just a sucker for old married couples but 😔☝️ i did think the way oscar and keila met was very cute
emotional
slow-paced