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romanici's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Audiobook. While it could easily have done without the few f bombs and slightly open door scenes (one in particular), overall this was a sweet book to read. Quirky characters living life is the overall feel of the book, with some seriousness thrown in. Quick and easy read.
bad_at_person's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
greenlucy50's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
raegold's review against another edition
5.0
What a lovely little book. Character-driven and charming. I love every single character. And bonus, the location was exciting for me. I can’t say I’ve ever read a book that mentioned Escanaba before.
whitney_muchira's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.0
emma_roberts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
samstillreading's review against another edition
5.0
Early Morning Riser is not about anything big, or globally dramatic but it’s just such a fantastic novel. It’s the story of Jane, a teacher new to the small town of Boyne City and her life. What makes the story special are the details of the characters and their reactions to big and small things in their lives. It’s entirely realistic and makes for compulsive reading.
Jane falls in love with Duncan, a furniture restorer who also doubles as a locksmith. He’s also been with the majority of women in Boyne City and surrounds. But Duncan is a caring man, despite his flaws and has the ability to remain friends with anyone he’s slept with. That includes his ex-wife Aggie (whose lawn he still mows as her husband Gary has dislikes or aversions to nearly everything). Everyone knows Duncan and knows he’s a good man. He looks after Jimmy, his employee well and is always open to doing an odd job or two. At first Jane isn’t OK with sharing Duncan. But after a tragic event, she comes around to see that sharing Duncan with others might make for an easier life. Or not. It’s a messy life, but it’s less lonely sharing things with Duncan, Aggie, Jimmy and her friends.
Nothing greatly out of the ordinary happens in Early Morning Riser but it is still incredibly fascinating reading. Jane’s tales of her second-grade class are amusing and Jimmy’s observations are sweet. Duncan’s constant avoidance regarding overdue furniture commissions are funny and Gary’s list of things he can’t handle is extraordinary long (and amusing). Even Aggie’s bossy ways and perfect cooking are endearing. The way Katherine Heiny writes is nothing short of amazing. I truly cared for all the characters and what was happening, whether it was Jane’s attempts to hold a school excursion to a terrible farm together or just make dinner. As the reader follows Jane, they also follow her growth from young woman to mother and being more experienced. Jane wishes that many things were different in her life and it’s the gradual changing of her definition of what family is and means that is delightful to read. It’s beautifully plotted with characters that seem far too real, like crotchety Patrice to sort-of-wrong-but-so sweet Duncan. It’s the type of book that sucks you in like an action thriller, but because of the writing as the characters. It’s realistic, messy life at its best with the little details that make this book sing.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Jane falls in love with Duncan, a furniture restorer who also doubles as a locksmith. He’s also been with the majority of women in Boyne City and surrounds. But Duncan is a caring man, despite his flaws and has the ability to remain friends with anyone he’s slept with. That includes his ex-wife Aggie (whose lawn he still mows as her husband Gary has dislikes or aversions to nearly everything). Everyone knows Duncan and knows he’s a good man. He looks after Jimmy, his employee well and is always open to doing an odd job or two. At first Jane isn’t OK with sharing Duncan. But after a tragic event, she comes around to see that sharing Duncan with others might make for an easier life. Or not. It’s a messy life, but it’s less lonely sharing things with Duncan, Aggie, Jimmy and her friends.
Nothing greatly out of the ordinary happens in Early Morning Riser but it is still incredibly fascinating reading. Jane’s tales of her second-grade class are amusing and Jimmy’s observations are sweet. Duncan’s constant avoidance regarding overdue furniture commissions are funny and Gary’s list of things he can’t handle is extraordinary long (and amusing). Even Aggie’s bossy ways and perfect cooking are endearing. The way Katherine Heiny writes is nothing short of amazing. I truly cared for all the characters and what was happening, whether it was Jane’s attempts to hold a school excursion to a terrible farm together or just make dinner. As the reader follows Jane, they also follow her growth from young woman to mother and being more experienced. Jane wishes that many things were different in her life and it’s the gradual changing of her definition of what family is and means that is delightful to read. It’s beautifully plotted with characters that seem far too real, like crotchety Patrice to sort-of-wrong-but-so sweet Duncan. It’s the type of book that sucks you in like an action thriller, but because of the writing as the characters. It’s realistic, messy life at its best with the little details that make this book sing.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
annahammer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
laila4343's review against another edition
5.0
You know that feeling when you might cry because you saw a sweet, sad commercial, or you heard a sweet, sad song, or you saw a beautiful sunset just AFTER you heard a sweet, sad song? The tears are right there but you take a big deep breath, and instead you smile because life is so effing beautiful and sad all at once, and you can hardly take it all in and you feel lucky to have experienced everything? That's what this book is like, that moment when you feel everything all at once. It made me laugh out loud multiple times and it also reached something very deep and human in me. Now I've got to go back and read Heiny's back catalog pronto.
Recommended for fans of Annie Hartnett's Unlikely Animals and Anne Tyler.
Recommended for fans of Annie Hartnett's Unlikely Animals and Anne Tyler.
katel1970's review against another edition
5.0
This book was delightful, heartwarming, and funny. I laughed out loud throughout the entire story. Set in Boyne City, so another plus was recognizing many of the locations. Definitely chick lit, but well-written, and I loved it!