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alexandrabree's review against another edition
3.0
I found this read after hearing about it on Pages&Pens, Julie Z's Youtube channel. She loved this book and has a personal relationship with the author - in short highly recommended the novel.
It is really not my "normal" type of read. Having very few school experiences myself the contemporary college / school setting is not one of my go-to's. This book was great, although I didn't find it outstanding (which in part might have to do with various ebook issues that I encountered; missing vowels, the authors name randomly appearing within the text along with chapter headings and page numbers).
If contemporary modern is your style this is a must read.
Perfect for a summer day.
Short and very sweet.
It is really not my "normal" type of read. Having very few school experiences myself the contemporary college / school setting is not one of my go-to's. This book was great, although I didn't find it outstanding (which in part might have to do with various ebook issues that I encountered; missing vowels, the authors name randomly appearing within the text along with chapter headings and page numbers).
If contemporary modern is your style this is a must read.
Perfect for a summer day.
Short and very sweet.
inkstndfngrs's review against another edition
2.0
I received a free eBook via Voracious Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. The synposis seemed promising, the cover is delightful. But when it came to opening the book and actually reading it. No. Just no. I'm not sure what kind of college experience the author had, but that is not what your first day on campus is like; whether you're a townie or not. And Aggie is just not a likeable character. There was nothing about him that made me really think "I want to know everything about this person".
So, I made it through the first couple of chapters before I said: It's a free book and it's still not worth it. Sorry, Ms. LeBlanc. Just not my thing, I guess.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. The synposis seemed promising, the cover is delightful. But when it came to opening the book and actually reading it. No. Just no. I'm not sure what kind of college experience the author had, but that is not what your first day on campus is like; whether you're a townie or not. And Aggie is just not a likeable character. There was nothing about him that made me really think "I want to know everything about this person".
So, I made it through the first couple of chapters before I said: It's a free book and it's still not worth it. Sorry, Ms. LeBlanc. Just not my thing, I guess.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to author Jennifer LeBlanc for providing me with a copy of your novella, The Tribulations of August Barton, in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT- It's difficult being a college freshman and it's even more difficult if you're August Barton. August is an anxious young man and his anxiety issues spike when things in his life spiral out of control. His parents are getting a divorce, he is completely uncool in the eyes of his dorm roommate, and his wild-child grandmother is causing problems in her nursing home. Can August handle all of these issues and learn to enjoy his first year at college?
LIKE- This story is nuts. It's really outlandish and unexpected in the best possible way. August's grandmother, Gertie is the polar opposite to August's personality. Where he is shy and nervous, she embraces life and lives loud. She is not content to spend her remaining days in a nursing home, so she runs away, implicating August in her wild adventures. She brings along an old friend and fellow former prostitute, Tunes, and they work together to have a last hurrah, while making sure that August learns to live a little. They even join August at a college party, proving that age is no barrier to a good time or popularity.
The Tribulations of August Barton has a wonderful zest for life and a theme of seizing the day.
DISLIKE- Too short, way too short. The story felt crammed in, especially for the level of wackiness. I needed more time to understand and embrace the characters. The breakneck pace was too much for a novella and underserved the story.
RECOMMEND- Maybe. I loved the characters and the spirit of The Tribulations of August Barton, but I felt I was reading a solid draft, rather than a polished story.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT- It's difficult being a college freshman and it's even more difficult if you're August Barton. August is an anxious young man and his anxiety issues spike when things in his life spiral out of control. His parents are getting a divorce, he is completely uncool in the eyes of his dorm roommate, and his wild-child grandmother is causing problems in her nursing home. Can August handle all of these issues and learn to enjoy his first year at college?
LIKE- This story is nuts. It's really outlandish and unexpected in the best possible way. August's grandmother, Gertie is the polar opposite to August's personality. Where he is shy and nervous, she embraces life and lives loud. She is not content to spend her remaining days in a nursing home, so she runs away, implicating August in her wild adventures. She brings along an old friend and fellow former prostitute, Tunes, and they work together to have a last hurrah, while making sure that August learns to live a little. They even join August at a college party, proving that age is no barrier to a good time or popularity.
The Tribulations of August Barton has a wonderful zest for life and a theme of seizing the day.
DISLIKE- Too short, way too short. The story felt crammed in, especially for the level of wackiness. I needed more time to understand and embrace the characters. The breakneck pace was too much for a novella and underserved the story.
RECOMMEND- Maybe. I loved the characters and the spirit of The Tribulations of August Barton, but I felt I was reading a solid draft, rather than a polished story.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
balihubido's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book from voracious readers. This isn't the type of book I normally pick up, but I'm glad I did, because it was so much fun! Loved the story, and how real and relatable the characters were.
strawberryshortskate's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast paced, entertaining read with a lot of heart. The characters felt real and well developed. August anxiety was written in a way that was very relatable as were his uncomfortable college experiences.
This novel had good character development, true friendship and one crazy adventure after another. Although short, the author delivered a well thought out story that made feel all sorts of emotions. I recomend this to anyone in the need of a slice of life.
This novel had good character development, true friendship and one crazy adventure after another. Although short, the author delivered a well thought out story that made feel all sorts of emotions. I recomend this to anyone in the need of a slice of life.
johannaandri's review against another edition
3.0
if you need a quick lighthearted read this one's for you!
sarahrita's review against another edition
2.0
I received this book free from the publisher via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Please see my full reviews available at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.com.
For requesting arcs and books to review, please visit www.netgalley.com.
Please see my full reviews available at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.com.
For requesting arcs and books to review, please visit www.netgalley.com.
redhickory's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free eBook via Voracious Reads in exchange for an honest review
3.5
I enjoyed this light, warm-hearted story. Likeable characters, fast paced (the chapters are months and we get what seems like a highlights reel), with a focus on the ties of friendship and family.
I loved Augie's grandmother (Gertie, a former sex worker) who shares her wisdom and life experiences, supporting Augie to learn to manage his anxiety and try new situations, leading him to a fuller life. She is a warm and caring character, who lives larger than life.
It'd make a great film, I hope it gets translated to the big screen.
3.5
I enjoyed this light, warm-hearted story. Likeable characters, fast paced (the chapters are months and we get what seems like a highlights reel), with a focus on the ties of friendship and family.
I loved Augie's grandmother (Gertie, a former sex worker) who shares her wisdom and life experiences, supporting Augie to learn to manage his anxiety and try new situations, leading him to a fuller life. She is a warm and caring character, who lives larger than life.
It'd make a great film, I hope it gets translated to the big screen.
themoonwholistens's review against another edition
3.0
♡ this review is featured on audiobook empire ♡
Augie + Isaac = my favorite kind of friendship
The Tribulations of August Barton is a coming of age novel that has both quirky and relatable characters. I found myself laughing in more parts than one.
— overall thoughts: 4.5 —
The entire cast of characters were fantastic and I fell in love with each one of them. Except maybe Rose, she was not exactly my favorite love interest and I wasn’t able to relate to her character that much. I do like the fact that the plot also focused on other characters aside from August like his grandma and relatives. The character interactions might have been one of my favorite scenes!
Surprisingly, the jokes hit me at all the right points which I did not expect. The writing style was great and fit the tone that the book was aiming for very well.
It was fascinating to watch August’s subtle character development, especially within the limited pages of a novella. Although, I found the representation of Augie’s anxiety to be a little bit too stereotypical and over the top. However, being inside Augie’s head was still extremely relatable and there were parts that even I saw myself in him. There were some scenes that didn’t seem realistic but given that the book is a humor contemporary I am assuming that it has something to do with that.
There were timeline skips that went a little bit over my head but it was easy to catch up to what was going on.
I absolutely love that song that Augie sang at one point. It sounded so authentic and fit the mood, the narrator did a splendid job. James Oliva’s voice is exactly what I would imagine August’s voice to sound like in real life so that was great. The sound effects were spot on. It helped me feel more submersed into the story. Even though it was a novella, the ending still left me fulfilled and it was a great experience.
The pacing was just right for a contemporary but I never found myself getting bored. Which has been happening to me a lot recently but I am glad to say that The Tribulations of August Barton managed not to get myself yawning.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a short and light coming of age novel that doesn’t shy away from saying what needs to be said. I might just check out the rest of the August Barton series now!
*I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobook Empire. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.*
⟹ INSTAGRAM | BLOG | KO-FI | BOOKSIRENS ⟸
”The future shortly became the past, and one could never predict how things would turn out. What was important was the current moment—this moment, right now,”
Augie + Isaac = my favorite kind of friendship
The Tribulations of August Barton is a coming of age novel that has both quirky and relatable characters. I found myself laughing in more parts than one.
— overall thoughts: 4.5 —
The entire cast of characters were fantastic and I fell in love with each one of them. Except maybe Rose, she was not exactly my favorite love interest and I wasn’t able to relate to her character that much. I do like the fact that the plot also focused on other characters aside from August like his grandma and relatives. The character interactions might have been one of my favorite scenes!
Surprisingly, the jokes hit me at all the right points which I did not expect. The writing style was great and fit the tone that the book was aiming for very well.
It was fascinating to watch August’s subtle character development, especially within the limited pages of a novella. Although, I found the representation of Augie’s anxiety to be a little bit too stereotypical and over the top. However, being inside Augie’s head was still extremely relatable and there were parts that even I saw myself in him. There were some scenes that didn’t seem realistic but given that the book is a humor contemporary I am assuming that it has something to do with that.
There were timeline skips that went a little bit over my head but it was easy to catch up to what was going on.
I absolutely love that song that Augie sang at one point. It sounded so authentic and fit the mood, the narrator did a splendid job. James Oliva’s voice is exactly what I would imagine August’s voice to sound like in real life so that was great. The sound effects were spot on. It helped me feel more submersed into the story. Even though it was a novella, the ending still left me fulfilled and it was a great experience.
The pacing was just right for a contemporary but I never found myself getting bored. Which has been happening to me a lot recently but I am glad to say that The Tribulations of August Barton managed not to get myself yawning.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a short and light coming of age novel that doesn’t shy away from saying what needs to be said. I might just check out the rest of the August Barton series now!
*I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobook Empire. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.*
⟹ INSTAGRAM | BLOG | KO-FI | BOOKSIRENS ⟸