Scan barcode
mcox2016's review against another edition
4.0
Good easy read. While I cannot relate to the whole family aspect of trying to raise a kid and a failing marriage, I can relate to the drug abuse and feeling overwhelmed at most times.
speete's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ginabyeg's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like this had the potential to be deeper and more engrossing than it was. I didn't find the main character all that dynamic. The author attempts to narrate the character's feelings, and pull the character's past into the context of the present, but I did not get any depth out of the text. It wasn't moving, and I think a book on this topic needs to be. This was a light read. How is a book about one's journey with drug addiction ever a light read?
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
This isn't the first book I've ever read on addiction, but for being a work of fiction, I thought it was one of the most honest I've ever read. Aubrey is a normal person. Granted her life is a little hectic, she's a mother to a very sensitive five year old, she spends about sixty hours a week blogging, has a father with alzeheimers, and is constantly wondering what is wrong with her marriage. Little by little these things start to add up and as they do the little pills her doctor gave her for medical problems start to multiply and take over her life. At first the pills start to make her feel better, to cope with the stress of her life. However, it doesn't take long for them to take over her mental and emotional state. What started as one or two pills a day has turned into 15 or 30 Oxycontins, Percocets, or Vicodins just to be able to function. Aubrey realizes that things are starting to get out of control and tells herself that once she's done dealing with all the stress she'll start to cut back. Inevitably, like the title suggests, all fall down. This is a story of addiction, denial, heartbreak, and the crushing truth that addiction comes in all forms and can affect ANYBODY.
A great story that anyone with questions about addiction or the ramifications caused by it, should read. Definitely Jennifer Weiner's best book to date.
A great story that anyone with questions about addiction or the ramifications caused by it, should read. Definitely Jennifer Weiner's best book to date.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Having read ALL of Jennifer Weiner’s books, (she never ceases to amaze me). The Queen of chick-lit, drama, relationships, sex, dating, trends, and marriage—any issue involving a woman—pulling out "all the stops" with her humor, wit, even cynical at times—for "in your face" truths. When she speaks, women listen.
ALL FALL DOWN, is a grown up novel, advancing past the days of dating and guys—now her character, Allison is facing the real truths of life—marriage, motherhood, career and addiction.
How could a woman with it all, need drugs in order to exist, survive, and cope? How does the character, Allison get to this place where she is online ordering illegal drugs, and furthermore can she stop? More importantly, how will she maintain her life without the comfort of her pills?
In a world where so many women feel the need to be perfect; finding it difficult to balance it all, personal and business—there comes stress of maintaining. This book will hit home to women readers— ALL FALL DOWN reminds me of several of my favorite quotes and a book I read recently "Better than Perfect" by Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo.
Allison has a stressful job as blogger for a women’s website, a demanding daughter, and a loving husband, who enjoys having lunch with another woman, pretentious friends, a weak mother with whom she cannot connect with, and a father with Alzheimer’s. Not quite so perfect!
Jennifer takes readers on a journey through one woman’s struggle with addiction, and during this time she connects with other women who find themselves in the same situation, with different circumstances. They may be different; however, they all arrive at this point out of a desperate need.
As she goes through rehabilitation, she realizes her mom is not the person she thought she was—a parallel as the two have more in common than they may know. Both are hiding behind their fears to be perfect, walls which surround them, a pretense, as this is what they know—never show your weaknesses or let anyone know the real you. However while maintaining their secrets, false pretenses, what crutches do they use to hold them up? Something or someone has to fall.
Loved this book, and my only negative was the audiobook, as the narrator had a very annoying voice and when you pre-order a book, you do not get to sample the audio or performer. I was tempted to give a lesser rating due to this; however, the story was so powerful, I had to judge the book without the influence of the narrator. I would recommend reading the book in other formats. Definitely movie worthy!
A must read for all women of any age—buckle up for the ride of your life. On this ride, you may learn something about yourself. One of Weiner's deepest and hard hitting books to date, of empowerment, self-discovery and redemption.
Cannot wait for her next book, The F Word: My Life in Stories, coming April 14, 2015! Weiner definitely knows how to entertain and one of the funniest writers out there today! Fans of Jodi Picoult, Amy Hatvany, Sarah Pekkanen, and Emily Giffin are assured to love ALL FALL DOWN!
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/910785/all-fall-down
ALL FALL DOWN, is a grown up novel, advancing past the days of dating and guys—now her character, Allison is facing the real truths of life—marriage, motherhood, career and addiction.
How could a woman with it all, need drugs in order to exist, survive, and cope? How does the character, Allison get to this place where she is online ordering illegal drugs, and furthermore can she stop? More importantly, how will she maintain her life without the comfort of her pills?
In a world where so many women feel the need to be perfect; finding it difficult to balance it all, personal and business—there comes stress of maintaining. This book will hit home to women readers— ALL FALL DOWN reminds me of several of my favorite quotes and a book I read recently "Better than Perfect" by Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo.
“Perfectionism becomes a badge of honor with you playing the part of the suffering hero” –David D. Burns
The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake. You can’t learn anything from being perfect.” –Adam Osborne
Allison has a stressful job as blogger for a women’s website, a demanding daughter, and a loving husband, who enjoys having lunch with another woman, pretentious friends, a weak mother with whom she cannot connect with, and a father with Alzheimer’s. Not quite so perfect!
Jennifer takes readers on a journey through one woman’s struggle with addiction, and during this time she connects with other women who find themselves in the same situation, with different circumstances. They may be different; however, they all arrive at this point out of a desperate need.
As she goes through rehabilitation, she realizes her mom is not the person she thought she was—a parallel as the two have more in common than they may know. Both are hiding behind their fears to be perfect, walls which surround them, a pretense, as this is what they know—never show your weaknesses or let anyone know the real you. However while maintaining their secrets, false pretenses, what crutches do they use to hold them up? Something or someone has to fall.
Loved this book, and my only negative was the audiobook, as the narrator had a very annoying voice and when you pre-order a book, you do not get to sample the audio or performer. I was tempted to give a lesser rating due to this; however, the story was so powerful, I had to judge the book without the influence of the narrator. I would recommend reading the book in other formats. Definitely movie worthy!
A must read for all women of any age—buckle up for the ride of your life. On this ride, you may learn something about yourself. One of Weiner's deepest and hard hitting books to date, of empowerment, self-discovery and redemption.
Cannot wait for her next book, The F Word: My Life in Stories, coming April 14, 2015! Weiner definitely knows how to entertain and one of the funniest writers out there today! Fans of Jodi Picoult, Amy Hatvany, Sarah Pekkanen, and Emily Giffin are assured to love ALL FALL DOWN!
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/910785/all-fall-down
angelalynn's review against another edition
5.0
Great, very real,heart rending ,yet a real education for everyone. I wish everyone would read this book, it opens eyes and hearts to a problem so serious and deadly it cannot be ignored ! Spread the word !
bmpicc's review against another edition
1.0
Hated this book. Hated the character. Hated the way it was written. If you want to read this author, stick with her first titles. "Good in Bed" and "In her Shoes" were worth the time. This one... Not so much.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
4.0
The author paints a grim picture of what drug abuse can do to your life. Allison got off pretty easy, and even she had her life messed up pretty good.
asurges's review against another edition
3.0
Always fun and quick to read but with a little substance, I tend to whip through Weiner's books. In this one, a woman gets addicted to painkillers, and Weiner gets in some nice commentary on rehab. However, the character criticizes rehab/recovery reading because it's so formulaic, and the last quarter of this book felt the same. Once the main character--honestly, I don't remember her name--recovered, it felt like Weiner was reporting a story instead of telling it.
hopecaldwell's review against another edition
4.0
What I was expecting to be a frothy beach read took a hard turn into an area I wasn't expecting. The author does such a convincing job describing her journey into and out of addiction, I wondered if it was based on real experiences. Compelling, quick read.