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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
This book had both bad and good moments. For a while, it was actually a struggle just to sit down and read it. Sentences were messy and conjunctions were being used left and right. However, as I reached the climax part, one by one, things fell into place AND ripped my heartstrings out.
2.5 three-ish rate (?)
The story and the characters weren't much.
However, the writing kept me going and I found many beautiful and well written chapters.
The story and the characters weren't much.
However, the writing kept me going and I found many beautiful and well written chapters.
Blatant homophobia, racial jokes, sexism, jokes about Hitler, slurs and every other bad thing this book could think to use- not cute.
I threw my copy in the garbage.
The art was cute though, props to the artist.
I threw my copy in the garbage.
The art was cute though, props to the artist.
I begrudgingly read this book as it continued to pop up on a 'recommended for you' list.
The story is basic.
High School romance from the wrong side of the lunchroom.
Teenage love.
Teenage angst.
And I enjoyed the banter.
I don't know if it was the playful retelling of their story, the references to old movies and movie stars that I found endearing, or just the sentimental tokens saved that I could recall thinking were so important at that age...
But I found myself enjoying this simple story.
The story is basic.
High School romance from the wrong side of the lunchroom.
Teenage love.
Teenage angst.
And I enjoyed the banter.
I don't know if it was the playful retelling of their story, the references to old movies and movie stars that I found endearing, or just the sentimental tokens saved that I could recall thinking were so important at that age...
But I found myself enjoying this simple story.
The writing was amazing but I feel like the whole book was explaining something that didn't really need explanation.
He cheated on her and that's why they broke up, end of story.
I'm giving it 3 stars just cause the writing was seriously amazing.
He cheated on her and that's why they broke up, end of story.
I'm giving it 3 stars just cause the writing was seriously amazing.
This one kind of missed the mark for me. I had high hopes for Why We Broke up. The concept, a girl leaving a box of mementoes on her ex’s front door along with a letter explain why they broke up, was something I felt most teens (and adults) could relate to. Sadly, I think the story falls short of living up to its potential.
Before I get into the nitty-gritty of why I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I hoped let’s start off with what I did like. The concept was great, and something I could absolutely relate to. I had boxes full of mementos for a couple of my high school boyfriends. One of them I still have and another was very ceremoniously tossed in to the garbage not by me, but my now husband, then fiancé when we were moving into our current home. So having a few ex-boyfriend boxes of my own I really like the idea of giving it all back to the guy to let him figure out what to do with it all. The whole concept is rather cleansing, which is the point, because I’m sure Min’s ex Ed isn’t going to read the book of a letter that gets dropped on his doorstep along with all the junk inside. (More on that later.)
The other thing I liked about this book is the art work. Each chapter starts with an illustration of one of the items in the box, and the chapter explains the origin of that particular item and how it came into Min’s position and what it has to do with her relationship with Ed. I feel the illustrations really add to the concept and the story. The book itself is a miniature box containing all the mementos of Min and Ed’s relationship.
Now for what I did not like.
As far as the characters in the book none of them were all that likeable, especially our protagonist Min. At first I liked Min, she was into old movies and that was fun at first because I enjoy old movies myself. Now I’m not a film buff so I don’t know every old movie ever made so when I didn’t recognize the first few movies she referenced I figured they were maybe a bit more obscure than what I’m familiar with. Min, however, continues to reference these obscure films and I realized that these movies are all made up for the story. The author could have easily used real films so at least the readers could connect with Min on a more personal level, because as I said before I highly doubt her ex would actually take the time to read what she wrote.
Another problem I had with this book is that the entire 350 page book is the letter to her ex, which apparently she pens in an afternoon. In addition the impossibility that she could have written the entire story down (which hand written would be much longer than 350 pages unless her handwriting is very small) it’s the way she writes that bothers me. Min will recount entire conversations word for word, I don’t know about you but I don’t think I can recount a conversation verbatim this morning let alone one I had months ago. With that in mind I feel the story would have worked better if (A) the large conversations had been left out and the memories were more generalized and recounted the way people actually talk about the past. or (B) split each chapter in to 3 parts 1. The illustration 2. The letter. 3. The flashback that goes with the letter. Either option would work better than how it’s written now.
I understand that this “letter” or book is a Min’s way of getting over her ex, which as I said earlier I really liked. I find writing is a great way to get your feelings out of your head so you can analyze them. Not to mention dumping the entire letter and the box off at your ex’s to wash your hands of them and very plainly state “I’m done crying over you” is very empowering. The jury is, however,still out on if I believe Min expects Ed to actually read this “letter” she has left on his doorstep. I found myself wondering several times while reading the book if she is actually expecting him to read this, because for the life of me I can’t see Ed (or any teenage boy for that matter) reading 350+ pages about why they broke up. Now if this is just something she drops on his doorstep and never expects him to look at that is understandable, but then I can’t help but put myself in the author’s shoes. I guess what I’m saying is that if Min doesn’t expect her ex to read the book size letter she has written how can the author expect a reader to stick with the story to the end.
I’ll say it again, the concept of this book was great, but it really just fell flat for me which is sad because this was one of those “I have to read this one before the kids get it” books for me. The story however, was just too drawn out and I found myself on more than one occasion contemplating putting the book down and picking up something else instead.
Before I get into the nitty-gritty of why I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I hoped let’s start off with what I did like. The concept was great, and something I could absolutely relate to. I had boxes full of mementos for a couple of my high school boyfriends. One of them I still have and another was very ceremoniously tossed in to the garbage not by me, but my now husband, then fiancé when we were moving into our current home. So having a few ex-boyfriend boxes of my own I really like the idea of giving it all back to the guy to let him figure out what to do with it all. The whole concept is rather cleansing, which is the point, because I’m sure Min’s ex Ed isn’t going to read the book of a letter that gets dropped on his doorstep along with all the junk inside. (More on that later.)
The other thing I liked about this book is the art work. Each chapter starts with an illustration of one of the items in the box, and the chapter explains the origin of that particular item and how it came into Min’s position and what it has to do with her relationship with Ed. I feel the illustrations really add to the concept and the story. The book itself is a miniature box containing all the mementos of Min and Ed’s relationship.
Now for what I did not like.
As far as the characters in the book none of them were all that likeable, especially our protagonist Min. At first I liked Min, she was into old movies and that was fun at first because I enjoy old movies myself. Now I’m not a film buff so I don’t know every old movie ever made so when I didn’t recognize the first few movies she referenced I figured they were maybe a bit more obscure than what I’m familiar with. Min, however, continues to reference these obscure films and I realized that these movies are all made up for the story. The author could have easily used real films so at least the readers could connect with Min on a more personal level, because as I said before I highly doubt her ex would actually take the time to read what she wrote.
Another problem I had with this book is that the entire 350 page book is the letter to her ex, which apparently she pens in an afternoon. In addition the impossibility that she could have written the entire story down (which hand written would be much longer than 350 pages unless her handwriting is very small) it’s the way she writes that bothers me. Min will recount entire conversations word for word, I don’t know about you but I don’t think I can recount a conversation verbatim this morning let alone one I had months ago. With that in mind I feel the story would have worked better if (A) the large conversations had been left out and the memories were more generalized and recounted the way people actually talk about the past. or (B) split each chapter in to 3 parts 1. The illustration 2. The letter. 3. The flashback that goes with the letter. Either option would work better than how it’s written now.
I understand that this “letter” or book is a Min’s way of getting over her ex, which as I said earlier I really liked. I find writing is a great way to get your feelings out of your head so you can analyze them. Not to mention dumping the entire letter and the box off at your ex’s to wash your hands of them and very plainly state “I’m done crying over you” is very empowering. The jury is, however,still out on if I believe Min expects Ed to actually read this “letter” she has left on his doorstep. I found myself wondering several times while reading the book if she is actually expecting him to read this, because for the life of me I can’t see Ed (or any teenage boy for that matter) reading 350+ pages about why they broke up. Now if this is just something she drops on his doorstep and never expects him to look at that is understandable, but then I can’t help but put myself in the author’s shoes. I guess what I’m saying is that if Min doesn’t expect her ex to read the book size letter she has written how can the author expect a reader to stick with the story to the end.
I’ll say it again, the concept of this book was great, but it really just fell flat for me which is sad because this was one of those “I have to read this one before the kids get it” books for me. The story however, was just too drawn out and I found myself on more than one occasion contemplating putting the book down and picking up something else instead.
I want to start out by saying I had no idea this was about high schoolers when I picked it up. To be honest, if I'd known, I probably wouldn't have read it. Being nearly ten years out of high school, I don't feel like a person better than high schoolers or anything, but I certainly do not have the same level of, well, emotional needs and dramatic emotions that high schoolers do. But I definitely do remember those high stakes emotional well. Everything was EVERYTHING in high school ... just as they were for Min in Why We Broke Up.
I really liked Ed. I thought he seemed like a decent human being, not the asshole basketball jock everyone said was. Of course, this book was from Min's point of view, so I guess I would feel that way about Ed in the pre break up emotions of the story. However, my positive feelings toward Ed made me so very annoyed toward Min whenever she was the slightest bit frustrated toward him. Oh no, he's not into movies, doesn't get your sarcasm, thinks you're "different" (Min, you ARE different when everyone Ed knows is a jock or cheerleader). Min's reactions to these things are always so exaggerated. But, she is in high school, the time of heightened emotional responses. Even when we find out what specifically Ed did to ruin their relationship - and it was definitely not an okay thing that he did - I just couldn't sympathize with Min. I felt too far removed from her reaction.
I did think the idea of the book was cool. I liked the pictures and I like how they were each a representation of a landmark(ish) moment in the relationship. Some of the characters were interesting (boo, Annette, I really liked you. And of course I liked Joan, the one adult in the book), others were stupid and predictable (for example, Al. My best friend called what he was going to do when I read her a chapter 100 pages before it actually happened. Because, heightened high school emotions.) Overall ... Ed and Joan were the most interesting characters in this book and, even though Ed was the "bad guy," I would have preferred the story from his point of view.
I really liked Ed. I thought he seemed like a decent human being, not the asshole basketball jock everyone said was. Of course, this book was from Min's point of view, so I guess I would feel that way about Ed in the pre break up emotions of the story. However, my positive feelings toward Ed made me so very annoyed toward Min whenever she was the slightest bit frustrated toward him. Oh no, he's not into movies, doesn't get your sarcasm, thinks you're "different" (Min, you ARE different when everyone Ed knows is a jock or cheerleader). Min's reactions to these things are always so exaggerated. But, she is in high school, the time of heightened emotional responses. Even when we find out what specifically Ed did to ruin their relationship - and it was definitely not an okay thing that he did - I just couldn't sympathize with Min. I felt too far removed from her reaction.
I did think the idea of the book was cool. I liked the pictures and I like how they were each a representation of a landmark(ish) moment in the relationship. Some of the characters were interesting (boo, Annette, I really liked you. And of course I liked Joan, the one adult in the book), others were stupid and predictable (for example, Al. My best friend called what he was going to do when I read her a chapter 100 pages before it actually happened. Because, heightened high school emotions.) Overall ... Ed and Joan were the most interesting characters in this book and, even though Ed was the "bad guy," I would have preferred the story from his point of view.
More like 4.5, still loathing goodreads for no half stars. Anyway, I was unaware when purchasing this book that it's LEMONY SNICKET WITHOUT HIS PSEUDONYM and when I found out, I was stoked. I always loved his work when I was younger, and have always hoped he would write a teen novel, and it was perfect. First of all, I love when authors write as the gender they are not, it's always fascinating, and I was not disappointed. It was very interesting to read a love story from the perspective of someone who now hated the boy she had to describe being in love with for an entire novel, and gave a quite amusing vibe to the piece, definitely not your cutesy romantic love story deal. I love Handler's writing style, both poetic and extremely quirky in the best way possible. The whole comparing-everything-to-a-film aspect did get a bit annoying, but I greatly appreciated that he created false movies for this purpose, so as not to spoil other works-unlike some other books I've read *cough [b:The Silver Linings Playbook|13539044|The Silver Linings Playbook|Matthew Quick|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358277412s/13539044.jpg|2915346] cough*. I will choose a few of the words from the back cover that I feel accurately describe the novel: exceptional, witty, emotionally effective, poignant, bittersweet, winsome, etc. Basically, read this book. *a moment to appreciate the tragic irony of me spending all of Valentine's Day reading this alone in my bed.
Note: I apologize greatly for the very choppy and awkward feel of this review, usually I have them planned out, but I didn't really do that for this book. You should still read the book <3
Note: I apologize greatly for the very choppy and awkward feel of this review, usually I have them planned out, but I didn't really do that for this book. You should still read the book <3
I picked this book up at first because it is beautifully done, I mean as a physical book. I love how it's made down to the quality of the paper used. I didn't read it at first because it's VERY typical high school break-up story and I work in a high school, so I hear that story daily. But, I liked it. I liked Min, the main character, her voice, and the structure. I like the art that drives the plot. I'll definitely recommend it on to others!
1,5 estrellas
Lo leí durante mi proceso de duelo por una ruptura, así que probablemente tengo una especie de sesgo con este libro, sentí mucho algunas razones de la protagonista y encontré paralelos con mi propia relación fallida, (si, mi relación tuvo cosas cuestionables y redflags que me costó ver, cosas de la juventud). Me ayudó a superar muchísimos aspectos de mi propia ruptura, sólo por eso ya tiene medio punto, aunque esto no evitó que se me hiciera raro, incoherente y problemático en varias aristas.
(como el hecho del cliché en que Min, una especie de manic pixie dream girl compleeetamente "diferente a las otras chicas" y Ed, playboy del colegio+deportista+todos le dicen que es un idiota que le hará daño, sean pareja aunque uno como lector se haga constantemente la pregunta de por qué están juntos en primer lugar (aunque pude encontrar en esto último paralelos con mi relación recién terminada que me ayudaron a digerir muchísimas cosas) el hecho de que el trato entre ambos es sumamente cuestionables con varias redflags en el medio y la narrativa(no quiero empezar con esto por que me terminaré alargando más de la cuenta))
buena idea, mal ejecutada.
Lo leí durante mi proceso de duelo por una ruptura, así que probablemente tengo una especie de sesgo con este libro, sentí mucho algunas razones de la protagonista y encontré paralelos con mi propia relación fallida, (si, mi relación tuvo cosas cuestionables y redflags que me costó ver, cosas de la juventud). Me ayudó a superar muchísimos aspectos de mi propia ruptura, sólo por eso ya tiene medio punto, aunque esto no evitó que se me hiciera raro, incoherente y problemático en varias aristas.
(como el hecho del cliché en que Min, una especie de manic pixie dream girl compleeetamente "diferente a las otras chicas" y Ed, playboy del colegio+deportista+todos le dicen que es un idiota que le hará daño, sean pareja aunque uno como lector se haga constantemente la pregunta de por qué están juntos en primer lugar (aunque pude encontrar en esto último paralelos con mi relación recién terminada que me ayudaron a digerir muchísimas cosas) el hecho de que el trato entre ambos es sumamente cuestionables con varias redflags en el medio y la narrativa(no quiero empezar con esto por que me terminaré alargando más de la cuenta))
buena idea, mal ejecutada.