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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the book. Though I was missing the romance that followed for most of the book. It did end nicely and was wrapped all in a bow. I did like her perspective on grief and the lasting effects in the book. Definitely a good read.
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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:
Yes
Firstly, I want to say thank you to Penguin Books for sending me a copy of The Two Lives of Lydia Bird as part of a giveaway. I am so grateful for this opportunity.
I would like to start with saying that I was not a fan of One Day in December when I read it at the end of 2018. I read it as part of a reading group on bookstagram and collectively the group found the book problematic. It is fair to say that I haven't had the best start with Josie Silver however I am keen to give second chances. The synopsis of this book really spoke to me as an emotionally engaging read and I knew that I needed to have a go.
The first couple of pages of this book hit me so hard emotionally. I had no emotional connection with any of the characters at this point ... obviously. However Josie managed to make me tear up almost immediately. I knew what was coming but I don't think I expected it to come so soon and it hit me so hard, a lot harder than I expected.
I did like the characters, I felt so sorry for Lydia, her family just didn't seem to understand and offer much support past the first few weeks of her grief. I just wanted to reach in and give her a big hug. And Jonah. Oh Jonah you were so misunderstood for such a large proportion of this book. My heart reached out to him so so much. The other characters almost didn't deserve him. I would have loved to have seen a little bit more from him and a lot sooner in the book.
I do think that the author has done a lot of research in relation to grief and she honestly does such a good job portraying this in this book. I feel like she did this justice in relation to how it makes different people act in different ways and the struggle for the person who is grieving as well as their wider family who want to offer support but do not necessarily understand what it feels like. I do question the use of a sleeping pill though. Maybe I have misinterpreted this or I am a bit more sensitive to the matter than I should be. The fact that Lydia can dive into a different world with Freddie by taking a pill to help her sleep really doesn't sit well with me. Unfortunately this factor did impact on my enjoyment of this book.
Whilst this had a great start, for me it fell short and at some points I felt really disconnected and not interested in what happened. The Two Lives of Lydia Bird did not have the emotional impact that I thought it would have on me. It was b y no means a bad book, but it wasn't my favourite and maybe just wasn't for me.I would recommend you pick this up and give it a go because I do seem to be in the minority. But for me I think I am done with this author for now.
I would like to start with saying that I was not a fan of One Day in December when I read it at the end of 2018. I read it as part of a reading group on bookstagram and collectively the group found the book problematic. It is fair to say that I haven't had the best start with Josie Silver however I am keen to give second chances. The synopsis of this book really spoke to me as an emotionally engaging read and I knew that I needed to have a go.
The first couple of pages of this book hit me so hard emotionally. I had no emotional connection with any of the characters at this point ... obviously. However Josie managed to make me tear up almost immediately. I knew what was coming but I don't think I expected it to come so soon and it hit me so hard, a lot harder than I expected.
I did like the characters, I felt so sorry for Lydia, her family just didn't seem to understand and offer much support past the first few weeks of her grief. I just wanted to reach in and give her a big hug. And Jonah. Oh Jonah you were so misunderstood for such a large proportion of this book. My heart reached out to him so so much. The other characters almost didn't deserve him. I would have loved to have seen a little bit more from him and a lot sooner in the book.
I do think that the author has done a lot of research in relation to grief and she honestly does such a good job portraying this in this book. I feel like she did this justice in relation to how it makes different people act in different ways and the struggle for the person who is grieving as well as their wider family who want to offer support but do not necessarily understand what it feels like. I do question the use of a sleeping pill though. Maybe I have misinterpreted this or I am a bit more sensitive to the matter than I should be. The fact that Lydia can dive into a different world with Freddie by taking a pill to help her sleep really doesn't sit well with me. Unfortunately this factor did impact on my enjoyment of this book.
Whilst this had a great start, for me it fell short and at some points I felt really disconnected and not interested in what happened. The Two Lives of Lydia Bird did not have the emotional impact that I thought it would have on me. It was b y no means a bad book, but it wasn't my favourite and maybe just wasn't for me.I would recommend you pick this up and give it a go because I do seem to be in the minority. But for me I think I am done with this author for now.
challenging
emotional
sad
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
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only memorable thing in this book is the fact that the mc went to Croatia by the end
An unusual story.
For most part, the two lives of Lydia Bird is a romance novel yet there are so many different emotions that running through the book. It's also about coping with grief and family and friendship. It remins us why we need to keep moving on even when life knocks us down.
What would you do if you get a chance to spend time with the person you lost due to death? Will you be happy living in a fantasy world or choose reality that reminds you how someone you deeply care about is no longer there.
I will not call it the best book I've ever read. It was mildly interesting and the writing is laidback. The story does drag at one point and this would have earned my approval if it was a tad shorter.
For most part, the two lives of Lydia Bird is a romance novel yet there are so many different emotions that running through the book. It's also about coping with grief and family and friendship. It remins us why we need to keep moving on even when life knocks us down.
What would you do if you get a chance to spend time with the person you lost due to death? Will you be happy living in a fantasy world or choose reality that reminds you how someone you deeply care about is no longer there.
I will not call it the best book I've ever read. It was mildly interesting and the writing is laidback. The story does drag at one point and this would have earned my approval if it was a tad shorter.
WHY IS THIS BRANDED A ROMANCE? so sad but so good