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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
A relatively light and easy read, I was expecting this story to be more moving/mature. The ending was underwhelming, but I did enjoy reading this book mainly because of its somewhat outrageous plot, believable and unique characters and the combinations of elements you don't normally see together, such as a young librarian, a ten-year-old being sent to 'turn 'em straight' classes, a kidnapping and the Russian Mafia.
cute quirky book written specifically for it seems, young female library staff. hey, i'm not going to argue with that :)
When I started this book my expectations were high. I love THE GREAT BELIEVERS by Makkai. As I started reading this novel, I thought maybe it was YA (or for even younger readers), maybe it was a different author (I even went and checked) because the writing wasn't nearly sophisticated and the plot was simplistic. However, I love libraries and librarians, so I kept reading. I was pleasantly surprised by the writing. I loved the allusions to other novels and found myself immersed in the storyline. I would still recommend THE GREAT BELIEVERS over this, but it was a fun read.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
adventurous
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I obviously enjoyed this book - reading it on my vacation time to finish it! It was an enjoyable read about a librarian who gave (snuck) a boy books despite his parent's objections and restrictions to content. Then ends up kidnapping him...
Yes....kidnapping him. While it wasn't a malicious kidnapping or one that was planned or even one that was dangerous. But still....she took the boy on a cross county road trip without his parents knowing where he was...
I would have preferred to read the first half of the book more - the part about a librarian and an intellectually curious boy stifled by his parent's religious beliefs. The second half - the kidnapping half - was just unbelievable.
Yes....kidnapping him. While it wasn't a malicious kidnapping or one that was planned or even one that was dangerous. But still....she took the boy on a cross county road trip without his parents knowing where he was...
I would have preferred to read the first half of the book more - the part about a librarian and an intellectually curious boy stifled by his parent's religious beliefs. The second half - the kidnapping half - was just unbelievable.
Hated it. Just couldn't get into the narrator...her ho-hum self-pity, and her affection for the boy early on was unrelatable. The stark contrast she created between herself (as a non-degreed librarian/first amendment supporter) and the boy's mother (censor) was irritating. Also, the fact that she so easily got a job as a librarian w/out a degree stretches acceptable reality for me, as I have a degree in library science, and compete w/ over 300 candidates for every job to which I apply. Oh, and then her apartment above the actors...it was all too cutesy. I gave up, and do not feel bad about it.
So far this book is really annoying. Not sure if I'll finish.
Giving up on this one.
Giving up on this one.
I'd give this more than 5 stars if I could! A beautiful ode to the power and beauty of books. My heart is happy.
A fun read, but requires willful suspension of disbelief