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liketheday's review against another edition
3.0
"An Oprah book club selection" was one of the Read Harder challenges this year, and I wasn't sure what I was going to read because nothing on the abridged list that used to be on Oprah's site (it has since been updated to be complete) looked interesting. I found this book in passing on a completely different list of books and noticed the little Oprah logo in the corner and went, aha!
This is an interesting little book and sort of a time capsule of 1997 when it was written. I feel like it would have been really affecting and groundbreaking had I read it 20 years ago, except not really because I would have been a little too young for it but you know what I mean, but now it's a little more... quaint?
That's not to say it's not good. It has an interesting perspective on AIDS, teen sexuality, poverty, racism, religion, drug addiction -- all the controversial issues you can cram into a pretty short book without going overboard, and it does cram them in really well. It also has a cute romance subplot and a bit of a meditation on place. It's fun and a little suspenseful and it has some things to say that still need to be heard in 2018, so it's worth it to push past the weirder late-90s bits to get to them.
This is an interesting little book and sort of a time capsule of 1997 when it was written. I feel like it would have been really affecting and groundbreaking had I read it 20 years ago, except not really because I would have been a little too young for it but you know what I mean, but now it's a little more... quaint?
That's not to say it's not good. It has an interesting perspective on AIDS, teen sexuality, poverty, racism, religion, drug addiction -- all the controversial issues you can cram into a pretty short book without going overboard, and it does cram them in really well. It also has a cute romance subplot and a bit of a meditation on place. It's fun and a little suspenseful and it has some things to say that still need to be heard in 2018, so it's worth it to push past the weirder late-90s bits to get to them.
gma2at's review
3.0
There were a few times I was ready to stop reading due to some boredom, but then I'd get angry at the main antagonist and read on hoping to see justice. I did not enjoy the sappy Eddie, but I guess that's what appeals to some. He seemed far too fairy tale for my liking. Overall it was an okay read, though I'd likely not recommend it to others generally speaking.
hoserlauren's review
4.0
When Ava finds out she's HIV positive, and her hair styling business starts to dry up because those in Atlanta are scared of her, she decides she needs a change of scenery. Ava returns to small town Michigan, where her widowed sister still lives. Joyce is happy to have Ava back, and puts her to work helping with her woman's group, the Sewing Circus. Joyce is trying to educate the women of the small town on how they should be treated, safe sex, child care, and other essential life skills. Of course, not everyone in the town agrees with these teachings and try to throw a wrench in Joyce and Ava's plans.
This book is an Oprah book club book, which I haven't had much luck with recently. This one, thankfully, was different! It was very easy to connect with the characters. Joyce just wants to help the women in her town and is passionate about doing so. Her passion is infectious and makes me hope that there are many Joyces in the world. Ava is a little more reserved, because of her disease. She is insecure and on the brink of love, not knowing whether one trumps the other. Her emotions are so real and the conflict in her head is completely believable.
While some could take this away as a romance novel, I found the human struggle the more interesting story, and how we gain strength from those closest to us. Oprah got it right with this one!
This book is an Oprah book club book, which I haven't had much luck with recently. This one, thankfully, was different! It was very easy to connect with the characters. Joyce just wants to help the women in her town and is passionate about doing so. Her passion is infectious and makes me hope that there are many Joyces in the world. Ava is a little more reserved, because of her disease. She is insecure and on the brink of love, not knowing whether one trumps the other. Her emotions are so real and the conflict in her head is completely believable.
While some could take this away as a romance novel, I found the human struggle the more interesting story, and how we gain strength from those closest to us. Oprah got it right with this one!
d_saff's review
3.0
Review posted here: https://55booksin52weeks.wordpress.com/2018/02/20/review-what-crazy-looks-like-on-an-ordinary-day/
joyful24's review
4.0
The best part about this book was the running theme of the title and how to tied the story together in the end. Great Book!
kgentry4's review
4.0
Read this book straight through in one sitting. I found the main character absolutely intriguing, and all I wanted to do was read her story. I think most women would get a kick out of this book, and can relate to some of what goes through her head.
zellm's review
3.0
A sweet book about an HIV-positive woman learning to love herself and help others in a small town. Felt a little formulaic and predictable, and some of the more minor characters felt like two-dimensional tropes. However, I liked the conversation about the stigma against HIV, the profound effect of abstinence-only sex ed and of drugs on small communities.
arisbookcorner's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
seest12's review
3.0
** spoiler alert ** It was a tender book. Not so depressing like most Oprah books. When she fell in love you just knew it would owrk out, that their relationship was sweet.
I don't know if all the town residents had to be so bad off, but I guess she was trying to convey an image of the place, not necessarily the reality of it.
I don't know if all the town residents had to be so bad off, but I guess she was trying to convey an image of the place, not necessarily the reality of it.