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elenasg's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mmcnerny22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
yselle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
3.0
congressbaby143's review against another edition
3.0
It was a very fast paced fun read. The plot reveals weren't such *gasp* moments, I think they were executed to just flow smoothly onto the next plot. I admit it felt sort of pretentious at some parts like it makes me remember my college days as a literature major and how some well-read majors were sort of pretentious too. It isn't so off-putting but like the blurb for this one from me would be smth like "This novel has a rec list that is not snobby at all" (that bec I suck at coming up with blurbs and also bec the rec list is not snobby at all when it comes to how aj fikry wrote his reasons in choosing a specific literature). Hmm while I find most of the tropes corny and predictable (whirlwind romance for side characters, drop everything now for the person you love, guy drives 2 states the topiary park is closed thinks hes a bad father but not rly etc) , this book handled aphasia fairly well that it sort of brought out a certain sadness I used to have in college when all I feared about was aphasia. Sorry to end in such a sad note. I got sad too that it ended for aj fikry that way. Btw, i really think Maya is such a nice name for a kid.
snowy4's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I enjoyed reading this book. It has a sad ending which could have been different but it worked well with the sad ending. The author has a different way of writing which I already knew after reading tomorrow x3.
It's a good quick read that pulls you into the main characters life and a bit of an emotional ride.
It's a good quick read that pulls you into the main characters life and a bit of an emotional ride.
threegoodrats's review against another edition
4.0
My review is here.
p.18 "They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?"
p.76 "Fucking love, he thinks. What a bother. It's completely gotten in the way of his plan to drink himself to death, to drive his business to ruin. The most annoying thing about it is that once a person gives a shit about one thing, he finds he has to give a shit about everything."
p.18 "They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?"
p.76 "Fucking love, he thinks. What a bother. It's completely gotten in the way of his plan to drink himself to death, to drive his business to ruin. The most annoying thing about it is that once a person gives a shit about one thing, he finds he has to give a shit about everything."
shirahleigh's review against another edition
5.0
What a lovely read. This was such a unique writing style and it took me a few chapters to get used to, but I just adored it. It was a fairly quick read, but in a good way. I loved following this family and just being along for the ride.
kns1924's review against another edition
4.5
for most of the book, it was really cute and i loved it and everything made me happy and hopeful and i liked all the characters (except for one who sucked, but he was supposed to suck) and it was just sweet.
spoiler time. the end was less sweet. the last interaction between aj and maya being aj trying to talk to maya and her not being able to understand him was really sad. the end almost made me cry, but i was in a hotel room with my family, who were all being obnoxious, so it was not a cry-friendly environment. but definitely made me emotional. why couldn't they just get a happily ever after.
the writing was easy to read, and had some clever parallels and full circle moments, had funny moments, and tender moments, and was self aware, and overall just great. also i love reading books about books and writing, and so much of this book reminded me why i love books so much. reading about characters who love books so much is just lovely.
p.s. - for what it's worth, i read this all in one afternoon, essentially all in one sitting. i don't know if i used my phone once in that time, other than to tell people to read this book.
spoiler time. the end was less sweet. the last interaction between aj and maya being aj trying to talk to maya and her not being able to understand him was really sad. the end almost made me cry, but i was in a hotel room with my family, who were all being obnoxious, so it was not a cry-friendly environment. but definitely made me emotional. why couldn't they just get a happily ever after.
the writing was easy to read, and had some clever parallels and full circle moments, had funny moments, and tender moments, and was self aware, and overall just great. also i love reading books about books and writing, and so much of this book reminded me why i love books so much. reading about characters who love books so much is just lovely.
p.s. - for what it's worth, i read this all in one afternoon, essentially all in one sitting. i don't know if i used my phone once in that time, other than to tell people to read this book.
gracebirdly's review against another edition
5.0
I think we need more books like this. Books that glorify the normalcy of life. This book isn’t fantastical, it wasn’t boring, though I’m sure many might consider it as such, the plot was fast moving but felt slow at the same time. It was…subtle. Tender, sentimental and sweet.
I think sometimes we may require books to be fantastical. To be out there and in your face. When really it doesn’t need to be that way. I forgot the beauty of a book that just talks about life and connecting with other people.
Was it a little cheesy? Yes. Was it clearly written for people who love books? Absolutely. But it really did make me want to sit back and look at the small things in life that I should be grateful for. Especially the people I should be grateful for.
I think sometimes we may require books to be fantastical. To be out there and in your face. When really it doesn’t need to be that way. I forgot the beauty of a book that just talks about life and connecting with other people.
Was it a little cheesy? Yes. Was it clearly written for people who love books? Absolutely. But it really did make me want to sit back and look at the small things in life that I should be grateful for. Especially the people I should be grateful for.