Scan barcode
kayloric's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It was definitely a cozy read. I did solve the mystery very early on so it was kind of frustrating that the main character didn't right away. Not sure if that was the intention. Other than that it was an enjoyable read.
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
4 and a half stars
This was a great book. It came very close to making my favorites list, but something happened near the end (I can't even remember what) that took it off that list.
It wasn't too hard to figure out what was going on in the story in some ways, but I liked the way that the story kept going--being fleshed out with more details.
This was a great book. It came very close to making my favorites list, but something happened near the end (I can't even remember what) that took it off that list.
It wasn't too hard to figure out what was going on in the story in some ways, but I liked the way that the story kept going--being fleshed out with more details.
barnesbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. The mystery around Miranda's family kept me engaged and eager, but it did get to the point where I just wanted to know what happened and didn't want to wait any longer. It's a satisfying book and follows the Hero's Journey very well. I was able to guess the big twist pretty early, but that just made finding out the truth more satisfying. Amy Meyerson does a great job of having the characters make choices that make sense for their arcs. Overall, a very entertaining read.
fuzzyhead's review against another edition
2.0
UGHHHHHHHHH
2.5 stars, rounded down because I can't bring myself to give this 3 stars.
I rarely write reviews on Goodreads. I don't have the time or, quite frankly, the talent. But I am so frustrated with this damn book that I'm just going to vent. So buckle up, you five people that might read this!!!!!!!!!
Growing up, Miranda and her uncle Billy were very close. However, on Miranda's 12th birthday, her mother and Billy fall out, and Miranda never sees him again. Fast forward sixteen years-Miranda learns her estranged uncle is dead and she has inherited his failing bookstore, Prospero Books. Before he died, Billy set up a sort of literary scavenger hunt for Miranda to solve, with the purpose of helping her uncover the painful truth about their family’s past.
The Good
1. Books
I love a good book about books. They make me feel warm and fuzzy, you know? The literary equivalent of cozy socks. And it's clear that the author intended this to be an ode to indie bookstores. That, at least, I can get behind.
2. The setting
Of course, much of the story takes place in a bookshop, which is lovely. The shop itself is in Los Angeles. I have this weird fascination with L.A. I can't really explain it. It's both a beautiful city and a garbage city, sprawling and hot and weird and filled with its own offbeat history and vibe. So, at least for me, it has that going for it.
The Bad
1. Miranda
Alas, our protagonist is a dud. She is completely self-absorbed and devoid of any discernible personality. She is shitty to her boyfriend (although in her defense, he's shitty to her, too). Also, you know how I said she and her uncle were very close when she was a child? And then he falls out with her mom when she's 12? Aside from ONE instance right after the fight, Miranda never tries to reconnect with this uncle she loved. Not as a teenager, not in college, not as a twenty-something adult. She just forgets about him. She never tries to figure out what happened, why such a beloved family member stepped out of her life, until the dude is dead. #okaycoolwhatever
I guess there's some character development at the very, very end of the book????? Like, I'm talking the last five pages. But it was too little to late.
2. All the other characters.
Sadly, no one else in this book is much better. Malcolm is actually the worst. Charlie is the only character I liked, and I think he had, like, 4 lines of dialogue. At the end of the book, I did find myself warming to Miranda's mom. That's pretty much it.
3. I KNEW IT ALL ALONG/YOU'RE SO PREDICTABLE
Seriously. When I am ten steps ahead of the main character in figuring out the *~*~*mystery*~*~*, something is afoot. And that something is usually mediocre writing.
God, I'm annoyed. I'd say skip this one. If you want a story about books and family secrets, I definitely recommend The Thirteenth Tale over this disappointment.
2.5 stars, rounded down because I can't bring myself to give this 3 stars.
I rarely write reviews on Goodreads. I don't have the time or, quite frankly, the talent. But I am so frustrated with this damn book that I'm just going to vent. So buckle up, you five people that might read this!!!!!!!!!
Growing up, Miranda and her uncle Billy were very close. However, on Miranda's 12th birthday, her mother and Billy fall out, and Miranda never sees him again. Fast forward sixteen years-Miranda learns her estranged uncle is dead and she has inherited his failing bookstore, Prospero Books. Before he died, Billy set up a sort of literary scavenger hunt for Miranda to solve, with the purpose of helping her uncover the painful truth about their family’s past.
The Good
1. Books
I love a good book about books. They make me feel warm and fuzzy, you know? The literary equivalent of cozy socks. And it's clear that the author intended this to be an ode to indie bookstores. That, at least, I can get behind.
2. The setting
Of course, much of the story takes place in a bookshop, which is lovely. The shop itself is in Los Angeles. I have this weird fascination with L.A. I can't really explain it. It's both a beautiful city and a garbage city, sprawling and hot and weird and filled with its own offbeat history and vibe. So, at least for me, it has that going for it.
The Bad
1. Miranda
Alas, our protagonist is a dud. She is completely self-absorbed and devoid of any discernible personality. She is shitty to her boyfriend (although in her defense, he's shitty to her, too). Also, you know how I said she and her uncle were very close when she was a child? And then he falls out with her mom when she's 12? Aside from ONE instance right after the fight, Miranda never tries to reconnect with this uncle she loved. Not as a teenager, not in college, not as a twenty-something adult. She just forgets about him. She never tries to figure out what happened, why such a beloved family member stepped out of her life, until the dude is dead. #okaycoolwhatever
I guess there's some character development at the very, very end of the book????? Like, I'm talking the last five pages. But it was too little to late.
2. All the other characters.
Sadly, no one else in this book is much better. Malcolm is actually the worst. Charlie is the only character I liked, and I think he had, like, 4 lines of dialogue. At the end of the book, I did find myself warming to Miranda's mom. That's pretty much it.
3. I KNEW IT ALL ALONG/YOU'RE SO PREDICTABLE
Seriously. When I am ten steps ahead of the main character in figuring out the *~*~*mystery*~*~*, something is afoot. And that something is usually mediocre writing.
God, I'm annoyed. I'd say skip this one. If you want a story about books and family secrets, I definitely recommend The Thirteenth Tale over this disappointment.
teresaalice's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars. Although it took me awhile to finish this book, it wasn’t the book’s fault - life got in the way. Though I had the twists and turns mostly figured out inthis one, I still enjoyed the journey.
olaf_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
recyclops229's review against another edition
3.0
I normally love books about books but this was just kind of boring. This seemed to drag on and on and just fell flat. I wasn’t invested in these characters or the scavenger hunt, plus the twist was glaringly obvious.
dotuke's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kvincent904's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This book taught me one thing about myself: if someone leaves me a mystery/scavenger hunt/puzzle of any sort that I have to solve after they die, I’m not going to do it. I’m just not! If you didn’t bother to tell me about it while you were alive, it’s not worth my time after you’re gone.
If it was important enough for you to spend the last bit of your actual life crafting an elaborate trail of clues and people and bits and pieces, leaving someone else to figure out what you’re trying to say - then it was important enough have an actual face-to-face, conversation with Q and A before you died!
Or, at the very least, leave a letter, or a video, or an instagram post that just lays it all out crystal clear. None of this hunt-for-the-truth crap.
Other opinions: I found the romantic plot hard to believe. There was little to no character development, just random outbursts emotion - for the romantic story and all other connections or relationships in the book. All the characters kind of annoyed me.
There’s an after-thought plot of saving the bookstore at the same time as hunting for clues. I wish more had been said about saving the bookstore - it’s not as big a part of the book as the summary makes it out to be. At the very end, suddenly the whole neighborhood comes together all Hallmark-style to help out - wine and art and talents are donated by people who have always loved the store … but that’s all that’s said about that. It’s wrapped up in like 2 paragraphs, without the feel-good of a Hallmark movie.
If it was important enough for you to spend the last bit of your actual life crafting an elaborate trail of clues and people and bits and pieces, leaving someone else to figure out what you’re trying to say - then it was important enough have an actual face-to-face, conversation with Q and A before you died!
Or, at the very least, leave a letter, or a video, or an instagram post that just lays it all out crystal clear. None of this hunt-for-the-truth crap.
Other opinions: I found the romantic plot hard to believe. There was little to no character development, just random outbursts emotion - for the romantic story and all other connections or relationships in the book. All the characters kind of annoyed me.
There’s an after-thought plot of saving the bookstore at the same time as hunting for clues. I wish more had been said about saving the bookstore - it’s not as big a part of the book as the summary makes it out to be. At the very end, suddenly the whole neighborhood comes together all Hallmark-style to help out - wine and art and talents are donated by people who have always loved the store … but that’s all that’s said about that. It’s wrapped up in like 2 paragraphs, without the feel-good of a Hallmark movie.