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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I enjoyed the story and I loved the small town feel of this story. It was descriptive that I could imagine Broken Wheel and all of the people that live there. Also, I like the reference of other books throughout the book. There was a few things that drove me crazy and it is a personal thing but things would be happening and then all of a sudden that's it moving on without know what happened between.
For example, this is a spoiler but Sara and Tom are kissing on a couch and then she walking home. So I have questions, One did she just stand up and leave without any conversation and secondly, why didn't Tom offer to drive her home in the middle of the night? This is one example of what would drive me crazy in this book but overall I liked the book.
For example, this is a spoiler but Sara and Tom are kissing on a couch and then she walking home. So I have questions, One did she just stand up and leave without any conversation and secondly, why didn't Tom offer to drive her home in the middle of the night? This is one example of what would drive me crazy in this book but overall I liked the book.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was cute and mentions a lot of books, so book lovers should like it. The book never quite goes where I expected it to go, which in some ways is a good thing, but a lot of the plot elements were quite unrealistic and a lot of the characters felt a bit flat to me. It is a glorified romance novel and, like I said, it's cute, but I doubt it will stick around in my head as a book I really enjoyed.
I wasn't quite sure how to rate this book. On one hand, I couldn't put it down. It was exactly what I needed to read at the time (high stress in real life and a cozy read to take a break from life). I read this book in the bath, while eating dinner, while sitting and waiting to pick up my kids after school. I had to know if Sara was going to stay in America, if the book store was going to succeed, and if George would be reunited with his daughter.
However, the writing style was really choppy and sometimes threw me out of the story. There was an element I didn't like (the casual attitude toward sex). But even with those two objections, I couldn't put it down. I guess that means it deserves a four star rating, though this book isn't a favorite and I wouldn't reread it.
I loved this particular thought because it so describes me! "She had thrown herself into one ambitious reading project after another, but things had rarely gone according to plan. It was boring to think of books as something you should read just because others had, and besides, she was much too easily distracted. There were far too many books out there to stick to any kind of theme" (167). Yes! I will read one book and then come across another recommendation and veer off into a completely different genre. My mantra - "So many books. So little time!"
There was also a small description of George cleaning a neighbor's house as a pleasant surprise. I really liked the way he described it. "With satisfaction, he saw the dirty pile grow smaller with each glass he washed. The kitchen seemed to grow before his very eyes. It became bigger and airier and much more pleasant... it was nice being able to do something when you could so clearly see your progress" (237). I really struggle with this. Dishes are a never ending job, same with laundry. But if I could turn it around and see our home becoming so much more pleasant with each chore I do, maybe it would be easier to tackle the daily chores.
However, the writing style was really choppy and sometimes threw me out of the story. There was an element I didn't like (the casual attitude toward sex). But even with those two objections, I couldn't put it down. I guess that means it deserves a four star rating, though this book isn't a favorite and I wouldn't reread it.
I loved this particular thought because it so describes me! "She had thrown herself into one ambitious reading project after another, but things had rarely gone according to plan. It was boring to think of books as something you should read just because others had, and besides, she was much too easily distracted. There were far too many books out there to stick to any kind of theme" (167). Yes! I will read one book and then come across another recommendation and veer off into a completely different genre. My mantra - "So many books. So little time!"
There was also a small description of George cleaning a neighbor's house as a pleasant surprise. I really liked the way he described it. "With satisfaction, he saw the dirty pile grow smaller with each glass he washed. The kitchen seemed to grow before his very eyes. It became bigger and airier and much more pleasant... it was nice being able to do something when you could so clearly see your progress" (237). I really struggle with this. Dishes are a never ending job, same with laundry. But if I could turn it around and see our home becoming so much more pleasant with each chore I do, maybe it would be easier to tackle the daily chores.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
I have to say---I loved this book. That said, I almost quit at about half way through. I felt that i knew the ending so why bother. But I couldn't put it down. This was so much more that a story about books. To me it was a story about how we learn and grown by learning from the experiences of the people in the books we read. It is a story about how one person with a love of books can teach us to broaden our horizons and opinions and judgements. Maybe it is because I live in a small town, but I can see how one new person with a fresh outlook can change a town and the people in it. If you aare looking for thrills and excitement, this is not the book for you. But if you want a look inside people who live a quiet life, maybe in a rut that they can't see out of and how they can grow with a little nudge, then this is the book for you.
3,5 es mi nota
Es una novela entretenida, tranquila y no es romántica. La portada del libro teine efecto "atrapar" al lector pero no es tan asi. Debo decir que sólo me gustó.
Es la historia de Sara una mujer que decide ir a conocer a Amy, la persona con la que ha estado intercambiando todo este tiempo cartas llenas de pasión por los libros. Y viajará desde Suecia a Broken Wheel -un pueblecito de Iowa- que está en el quinto pino. Pero al llegar, descubre que la anciana Amy ha fallecido y que justamente, ese mismo día están celebrando el funeral. Amy, le ha dejado a Sara para su estancia ‘agradable’ su casa y su habitación llena de libros. Sara intentará insuflar vida a un pueblo ‘roto’ –ya lo dice el propio nombre- montando una librería con los libros de su amiga y decidida a cambiar la vida de sus habitantes –y también la suya- mediante la lectura.
A ver: El libro no tiene capítulos definidos sino que las cartas que Amy le dirige a Sara pueden funcionar como tales. Lo bueno de todo esto es que en dichas cartas se recomiendan autores y mencionan a Harper Lee, a Stieg Larsson o libros como "Criadas y Señoras". O sea, es un libro para los enamorados de los libros.
Sara ama leer pero la historia es plana y lineal, no tiene sobresaltos, es previsible. Sara abre la librería porqué está segura que existe un libro para cada persona, que nadie puede negarlo.
También es cierto que he leído y escuchado reseñas en donde decían que el recurso de las cartas para muchos lectores fue relleno de páginas. Para mi no; de hecho sentí que no era necesario cierta "escena" que se da al final del libro que se bien posee algo de humor, para mi no era necesario explicar todo el entramado del visado.
En fin, lo recomiendo como "lectura de fin de mes" o para cuando estas esperando otro libro, éste viene bien como "lectura puente".
Es una novela entretenida, tranquila y no es romántica. La portada del libro teine efecto "atrapar" al lector pero no es tan asi. Debo decir que sólo me gustó.
Es la historia de Sara una mujer que decide ir a conocer a Amy, la persona con la que ha estado intercambiando todo este tiempo cartas llenas de pasión por los libros. Y viajará desde Suecia a Broken Wheel -un pueblecito de Iowa- que está en el quinto pino. Pero al llegar, descubre que la anciana Amy ha fallecido y que justamente, ese mismo día están celebrando el funeral. Amy, le ha dejado a Sara para su estancia ‘agradable’ su casa y su habitación llena de libros. Sara intentará insuflar vida a un pueblo ‘roto’ –ya lo dice el propio nombre- montando una librería con los libros de su amiga y decidida a cambiar la vida de sus habitantes –y también la suya- mediante la lectura.
A ver: El libro no tiene capítulos definidos sino que las cartas que Amy le dirige a Sara pueden funcionar como tales. Lo bueno de todo esto es que en dichas cartas se recomiendan autores y mencionan a Harper Lee, a Stieg Larsson o libros como "Criadas y Señoras". O sea, es un libro para los enamorados de los libros.
Sara ama leer pero la historia es plana y lineal, no tiene sobresaltos, es previsible. Sara abre la librería porqué está segura que existe un libro para cada persona, que nadie puede negarlo.
También es cierto que he leído y escuchado reseñas en donde decían que el recurso de las cartas para muchos lectores fue relleno de páginas. Para mi no; de hecho sentí que no era necesario cierta "escena" que se da al final del libro que se bien posee algo de humor, para mi no era necesario explicar todo el entramado del visado.
En fin, lo recomiendo como "lectura de fin de mes" o para cuando estas esperando otro libro, éste viene bien como "lectura puente".
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When I first selected this book, I was looking forward to something light-hearted, a little tropey And generally low pressure. However, I happen to be someone who experiences PTSD around a particular topic, and upon initial research - there was no note that this would come up in the book. However, after reading, I discovered it actually had a pretty significant area discussing it. That ruined the vibe for me almost instantly, and by the time the book was done - I realized I had been hoping for a small town blog of sorts talking about what the townsfolk are taking a liking to. That's not what happened at all. And I was disappointed as a result.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Grief, Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Outing, Abandonment, Deportation
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Pregnancy
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Classism
Great premise but it just ended up feeling very contrived. I had to skim the last 1/3 of the book just to get through it. Sadly, no original characters here. You've got the repressed church lady, the handsome but quiet farmer, the town (recovering) drunk, the tough-as-nails woman who owns the diner, etc... Plus, the author includes spoilers for other books, so if you haven't read those books yet--bummer.