Scan barcode
franuary's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series, and I re-read it probably once every few years (hence reviewing a different edition from my last re-read. Goodreads, let us stack multiple dates on one edition already!). It was so surprising to pick up a fluffy-looking book with pink lettering and a ceramic frog on the cover (again, different edition) and find so much depth inside. Yes, this series is about boys, but it's not about love: it's about a character regaining self-worth (and in a minor sense, her sanity) after losing nearly her entire support system within a matter of days.
I've talked to a few people who feel that Ruby comes off as a bit of a sad sack in these books, and this re-read was largely to see what on earth they were talking about. And yeah, I have to admit that I saw that this time, to some extent. Ruby is fairly neurotic, but I genuinely love this about her, likely because I can relate to it on some level. If you can't watch a Woody Allen movie without cringing, Ruby will likely annoy you. But if you feel that Allen's anxious movie persona often raises some pretty valid points? Please meet Ruby Oliver, your new YA best friend.
I've talked to a few people who feel that Ruby comes off as a bit of a sad sack in these books, and this re-read was largely to see what on earth they were talking about. And yeah, I have to admit that I saw that this time, to some extent. Ruby is fairly neurotic, but I genuinely love this about her, likely because I can relate to it on some level. If you can't watch a Woody Allen movie without cringing, Ruby will likely annoy you. But if you feel that Allen's anxious movie persona often raises some pretty valid points? Please meet Ruby Oliver, your new YA best friend.
misspashx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
aayusha's review against another edition
1.0
Did the cute title and cover lure you in? Well guess what? This book is a mess. An absolute mess.
Where do I even begin?
Ruby or Roo as her friends and family call her is superficial, selfish, mean, stupid and probably one of the most annoying characters in the history of mankind. She has the absolute worst friends and boyfriend. The whole story itself is a mess. I was left so befuddled by the end of the book that I wasn’t even infuriated anymore.
An absolute waste of my time. That’s what this book was; but after sooo many books I left at about 50% and 60% I didn’t want to tag another book DNF.
I kept hoping this story of Roo would get better but the plot keeps getting stupider and stupider and I honestly regret wasting my time finishing this book and not leaving it when I still hadn’t completely pissed myself off (It’s impossible not to get pissed off while reading this book- legit smashed things while reading it).
Where do I even begin?
Ruby or Roo as her friends and family call her is superficial, selfish, mean, stupid and probably one of the most annoying characters in the history of mankind. She has the absolute worst friends and boyfriend. The whole story itself is a mess. I was left so befuddled by the end of the book that I wasn’t even infuriated anymore.
An absolute waste of my time. That’s what this book was; but after sooo many books I left at about 50% and 60% I didn’t want to tag another book DNF.
I kept hoping this story of Roo would get better but the plot keeps getting stupider and stupider and I honestly regret wasting my time finishing this book and not leaving it when I still hadn’t completely pissed myself off (It’s impossible not to get pissed off while reading this book- legit smashed things while reading it).
1madchild's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of juvenile
With and interesting structure and style.
Gives a positive view of therapy and counseling.
With and interesting structure and style.
Gives a positive view of therapy and counseling.
zerohero's review against another edition
1.0
Honestly I had really high expectations for this book, but it was just not good it was like the author was writing it in third and first person at the same time, the concept for the idea is just over used, and it’s like the author is trying to relate to teen girls but is a 50 year old man.
If you like this book that’s great but this is my honest opinion it’s just not that good.
If you like this book that’s great but this is my honest opinion it’s just not that good.
jeslyncat's review against another edition
4.0
A sophisticated character leads us through her relationships with boys (both romantic and not) and their impact on her life. You don't really know what to expect from Ruby, but she's smart and funny with a voice beyond her years.
ameserole's review against another edition
2.0
So this is super awkward because The Boyfriend List has been on my TBR since 2016. Luckily for me, it just took my brain 5 years to finally prioritize the book. Oops?
I feel like today might be a 'meh' book day because the two books that I've finished so far had long boring moments that dragged me through the mud. At least I made it through.. I guess? It's just so weird because the beginning was pretty likable and I thought this was going to be a good book. Boy, was I completely wrong.
None of the characters were likable. Yup, none. I somehow found something unlikable about them pretty early on. With Ruby she was just super sensitive to things and it was just really frustrating for me to read anything about her. Mostly because I'm the complete opposite due to my parents never sugar coating anything to me my whole life. Now Ruby wasn't the only annoying character within this book but if I dive into each and everyone and why I didn't like them.. well, I would probably run out of room for this review.
Other than being annoyed, it did have a few funny moments here and there but it didn't matter to me at all at one point. I just wanted the book done and over with and now I'm free to dive into any book that I please.
I feel like today might be a 'meh' book day because the two books that I've finished so far had long boring moments that dragged me through the mud. At least I made it through.. I guess? It's just so weird because the beginning was pretty likable and I thought this was going to be a good book. Boy, was I completely wrong.
None of the characters were likable. Yup, none. I somehow found something unlikable about them pretty early on. With Ruby she was just super sensitive to things and it was just really frustrating for me to read anything about her. Mostly because I'm the complete opposite due to my parents never sugar coating anything to me my whole life. Now Ruby wasn't the only annoying character within this book but if I dive into each and everyone and why I didn't like them.. well, I would probably run out of room for this review.
Other than being annoyed, it did have a few funny moments here and there but it didn't matter to me at all at one point. I just wanted the book done and over with and now I'm free to dive into any book that I please.
frogqueen's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
- ruby oliver recounts for us how she lost all her friends, her boyfriend, and her social status all at once
- i'm definitely a little bit too old for this and it's definitely a younger ya novel, found myself getting annoyed by all of the teenage relationship/friendship drama especially during the middle
- like just stuff that could easily be solved by the characters talking to each other, but obviously they don't, because plot
- still, i liked that we got to see ruby getting help for her mental illness (vs many ya books of the time that romanticized mental illness)
- i also love seeing a protagonist get humbled and
the "victim realizes they're actually a mean girl" trope - one other thing i didn't like was that the book had a bit of a tendency to talk down to its audience, especially in the footnotes explaining different words and references
- i mean one of the footnotes was to explain that dream on (which some characters sing a bit of) is a song by aerosmith- who tf doesn't know this song??? and this book came out 20 years ago so it would've been even more recent at that point????
- anyway probably won't continue with the series but this book was very cute
tealeafbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable. I like the structure, too. But if you can't stand footnotes, you won't like the book. (Yes, Foster Wallace was an influence on her choice to use footnotes.)
Also, it isn't that long of a read.
Also, it isn't that long of a read.
chelseanicoletta's review against another edition
4.0
Man, this was a blast from the past.
This book (and series) was one of my favorites in high school and now I remember why. Ruby Oliver had a very authentic, high schooler voice. She’s funny and self-deprecating, but has a nice character growth towards the end.
I also love the fact that this book normalizes seeing a therapist. Ruby has panic attacks and, through seeing a therapist and working on herself, she is able to improve her outlook and her inner self.
I think it also helps that this book is short and easy to read, and the footnotes weren’t as distracting as they are in other books.
This book (and series) was one of my favorites in high school and now I remember why. Ruby Oliver had a very authentic, high schooler voice. She’s funny and self-deprecating, but has a nice character growth towards the end.
I also love the fact that this book normalizes seeing a therapist. Ruby has panic attacks and, through seeing a therapist and working on herself, she is able to improve her outlook and her inner self.
I think it also helps that this book is short and easy to read, and the footnotes weren’t as distracting as they are in other books.