Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
I chose to read this book based solely on the title. My annual trek away from the historical fiction genre that I normally read. For the most part, I enjoyed the way the characters evolved and how their families grew and changed throughout the years. I had decided that the heading of each chapter announcing the current book for the book club was pointless. I decided it wasn't a bad idea when the topic of the 30 yr anniversary was discussed. I was not a fan of Faith's letters to her mother.
I liked the mix of happy and sad times and love how it reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up. When neighbors lived on the same block their whole lives and really did get together frequently while kids played together between houses.
The story touched on quite a few topics... friendship, marriage, divorce, death, infertility, raising kids, homosexuality, political affiliation, war, recovery, teen pregnancy, adoption, domestic abuse, aging, religion, illness... and probably more that isn't coming to mind at the moment. Lots of ground covered in this book!
I liked the mix of happy and sad times and love how it reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up. When neighbors lived on the same block their whole lives and really did get together frequently while kids played together between houses.
The story touched on quite a few topics... friendship, marriage, divorce, death, infertility, raising kids, homosexuality, political affiliation, war, recovery, teen pregnancy, adoption, domestic abuse, aging, religion, illness... and probably more that isn't coming to mind at the moment. Lots of ground covered in this book!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Loved this book! All of the characters were interesting and compelling. I loved how it spanned their 40-year friendship and how each character took turns narrating. The biggest downfall was its predictability - it was almost too thorough in covering the "hot issues" as they moved through the years, as though she was ticking off on a checklist - racism, homosexuality, Vietnam, women's rights, tick tick tick tick. But overall extremely enjoyable and engrossing.
This was one of the first books I added to my "to read" list when I joined Goodreads 11 years ago. I don't know why it took me so long to get to, but I think I appreciated it much more now than I would have 11 years ago. I joined my bookclub around then and truly appreciate the bond of the women in this book as they grew through their adult life.
My work started a book club so I thought I’d give the first book a try. DNF at page 74. It’s not terrible but not the right vibe for me right now. For a book about a book club, they really don’t talk much about the books (they pick good books generally and I was interested to read what they thought about them). And the 1960s bad husbands and all the talking about babies... I’m out.
This was an enjoyable book, but way too long at nearly 500 pages! I could relate, on some level, to the characters, and I liked the idea of a book about a book club. I would have enjoyed it more if it had been shorter; while the plot wasn't drawn out (the story spans several decades and a few generations of the book club members' families), the same story could have been told in fewer pages.
Our book club is not as interesting as these people, but there are many likeable characters and a lot of drama. Not too deep, but plently to talk about.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The book was fine. I think it tried to accomplish a lot with so many characters (that fit every stereotype) and did not always succeed. There were times where I wondered what the point of this passage is. I was tempted to skim it but since we're reading it for our book club I soldiered on. I was most satisfied with Faith's story even though it irritated me for most of the book, the payoff was there. Honestly though I only cared about Audrey when her son had the accident. I think perhaps this is one of those book that they could make into a movie because it's the whole feel good thing. Faith, in my opinion, is the only true protagonist of the story. She gets the fullest scope of change and development.
I can't write worth a darn so obviously this book was better than anything I can write but if I could, I would have given 2.5.
I can't write worth a darn so obviously this book was better than anything I can write but if I could, I would have given 2.5.