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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Jack and Elizabeth’s stories slowly unfurling until they truly understand themselves at the end. I was completely fascinated by all of the information about Facebook and its algorithms, even though I know some of what was in the book is probably not reality. I wasn’t fond of the ending, which is why I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5. It felt as if the author just ran out of story and couldn’t figure out how to end it. But that was five minutes and the rest was fabulous reading.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was much improved by listening at 2.2 speed
The premise, exploring how the stories we build about ourselves and others impact us and how it can be both devastating and beautiful when those stories unravel, is beautiful. But this book is LONG. Many of the banal conversations could have been cut and certain points (like the placebo effect and impact of algorithms) could have been MUCH more concise.
I did appreciate the humor and unfortunate realism of Brandy and Evelyn, though. I know far too many people like them.
The premise, exploring how the stories we build about ourselves and others impact us and how it can be both devastating and beautiful when those stories unravel, is beautiful. But this book is LONG. Many of the banal conversations could have been cut and certain points (like the placebo effect and impact of algorithms) could have been MUCH more concise.
I did appreciate the humor and unfortunate realism of Brandy and Evelyn, though. I know far too many people like them.
This book was hard to rate. Some of it was amazing and well done. Other parts were super boring.
Good: a few of the chapters were incredible play by plays that moved at a frenetic pace and were fascinating. Specifically the needy user algorithm and the Jack and Elizabeth fight. There were also a few sections that were a nice and quiet relief—Jack learning about art from Evelyn, and Elizabeth talking with Otto. These were all 5 star worthy.
Bad: the super boring chapters were so long and tedious I just started skimming them. I think maybe the author was going for the frenetic play by play vibe but it just didn’t work on some topics. This was 2 stars.
Good: a few of the chapters were incredible play by plays that moved at a frenetic pace and were fascinating. Specifically the needy user algorithm and the Jack and Elizabeth fight. There were also a few sections that were a nice and quiet relief—Jack learning about art from Evelyn, and Elizabeth talking with Otto. These were all 5 star worthy.
Bad: the super boring chapters were so long and tedious I just started skimming them. I think maybe the author was going for the frenetic play by play vibe but it just didn’t work on some topics. This was 2 stars.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Loved the descriptions of the Flint Hills. Hated the ending.
Started solid, sauntered off to a bit of an underwhelming territory and there were certain subplots and side characters that I couldn't help but feel nothing for. The writing style was very on point though and the ending was wholesome. Still, as a reader, it feels like we didn't possibly get enough closure with certain plotlines so while I liked how the book ended, it also left me feeling as if my glass was still quarter full.
emotional
reflective