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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
This book was suggested by my mom since she had read it a long time ago and enjoyed it. We decided to read it together along with my sister. I read it all in about a week, but my mom is about a third way through, and my sister is still on page 50. I was tired of waiting lol.
I should preface this by saying that this type of book isn't one that I'd usually read, which is why I rated it just three stars. I think there were some enjoyable parts throughout, but it felt mostly like a bunch of short events happening rather than one continuous narrative. There is an overarching story though that ties the beginning and end together pretty well. I liked reading about all of the stuff that happened to Corey, but nothing really stuck with me that heavily.
This is a very interesting book since it can mostly be seen as a slice-of-life, coming-of-age story with a few sci-fi elements mixed in. I'm sure a lot of people will thoroughly enjoy themselves reading this, but for me, I thought it was solid, but nothing amazing.
Spoilers
At first, I thought that this was going to be one of those stories where from the child's perspective, a lot of fantastical stuff happens, but the adults don't fully see it since they are grown up. It would keep in line with the idea of a child's magical mind versus an adult's one. But the more I read it, the adults are aware of these events such as the sea monster and Corey's dog Rebel. It was a little confusing since that was a bit ambiguous whether the adults saw what Corey did or not until those parts of the story. I don't hate it, it was just a bit surprising.
I should preface this by saying that this type of book isn't one that I'd usually read, which is why I rated it just three stars. I think there were some enjoyable parts throughout, but it felt mostly like a bunch of short events happening rather than one continuous narrative. There is an overarching story though that ties the beginning and end together pretty well. I liked reading about all of the stuff that happened to Corey, but nothing really stuck with me that heavily.
This is a very interesting book since it can mostly be seen as a slice-of-life, coming-of-age story with a few sci-fi elements mixed in. I'm sure a lot of people will thoroughly enjoy themselves reading this, but for me, I thought it was solid, but nothing amazing.
Spoilers
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
The Branlins had done something far worse than beating us up: they’d stolen part of Johnny Wilson’s summer away from him, and he would never again be twelve years old in June
This book made me nostalgic for a time that I have no reference point for! Whimsical and charming.
This book made me nostalgic for a time that I have no reference point for! Whimsical and charming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
inspiring
reflective
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
No
I loved this. The audiobook narrator was wonderful and I see why so many other writers list this as one of their favorite books
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
This was an epic coming-of-age story that takes place over one full year (1964) in the idyllic small town of Zephyr, Alabama. We are following 12-year-old aspiring writer Cory Mackenson, along with his parents, dog, and friends, as he bears witness to the beauty, hardship, and lessons learned in a boy's life. The book opens with the aftermath of a murder, which Cory and his father see up close, a sign that not everything in Zephyr is as perfect as it seems. But Cory's life goes on and he tells story after story from that wonderful, tragic, and magical year, bringing us readers back to a time when we too lived to hop on our bikes and meet our friends for a ball game, stand up to bullies, and dream about the future. The stories begin with a hint of the supernatural and don't shy away from full horror. This book was so immersive, with an outstanding narrator on audio, and I won't soon forget it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Car accident, Murder
Minor: Torture
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
A very thought provoking read steeped in nostalgia. Its magical realism weaves a tale of coming of age that is satisfying to follow as all of its characters come alive. I have a feeling it’s a story, or a sequence of stories, that will stick with me for a very long time.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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 think I just finished my new favorite book. I can’t believe it’s taken this long to finally read Boy’s Life…didn’t want it to ever end.