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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
This is my second Laurie Frankel novel, and I loved it just as much as my first. I may have to buy a copy of this book, which I almost never do. It's that good.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
This one had me wanting to keep reading and it does a good job of showing some other stories of adoption that are not always told. I think where I struggled a bit more was with keeping tabs on all the characters at times (who was the father of who). Some of it was not as believable and maybe a bit overdone but overall Frankel addressed a difficult topic in a creative way. I could see this being a really great movie, with some very iconic characters. I especially loved the development of the children. Some characters were better developed than others but I always appreciate being able to visualize a lot of the characters and felt I could do that with most of them in Frankel's book. It also didn't end in a way that was neatly tied with a bow. When I can't predict how it'll end, I think that's the sign of a good writer.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
I thought this was an excellent story that was really thought provoking and made me consider a variety of perspectives.
I can appreciate some of the criticisms in other comments, but despite this, I was still unable to put this book down.
I read this on my own but wish I would have used this as a book club book as this would foster great conversations!
I can appreciate some of the criticisms in other comments, but despite this, I was still unable to put this book down.
I read this on my own but wish I would have used this as a book club book as this would foster great conversations!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another 5-star book so early in the year? This is rare. But this book was beautifully written, gorgeously read, and heartwarming to the soul. Laurie Frankel does a wonderful job writing a story about adoption that ISN'T sad or a "savior" story. It's just a story about a family full of good people who make choices that may not be conventional. But those choices lead them to not only FAMILY family but family in the broader sense of that word. Family can look a lot of different ways and anyone would be lucky to have one that looked like the characters in this book.
I won't go into plot details here, because I went into this book blind and it was a surprising joy to read. So just go read it.
I won't go into plot details here, because I went into this book blind and it was a surprising joy to read. So just go read it.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-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
The second book of Laurie Frankel's that I've read and I really enjoyed this one. Families are messy and complicated. I think she articulated it well and I appreciated the authors note afterwards.
Perfection. The main character is an actress and a single mother. There are lots of very poignant lines about family and parenting. I wish I had an e copy so I could have highlighted the sh*" out of it. This one especially.
"There was no workshopping with parenting. You said the wrong thing, and you couldn't go back and give it a different read, try it again smiling instead of glowering, gently instead of shouting, with a deep breath before delivery. You had to live with your first read, even though it was often appalling. There was no rehearsal, either. You were live onstage from the moment you got the part. There was no curtain call. There wasn't even an intermission. It was just an endless, endless dance number, and never mind you couldn't sing, you had to sing anyway. There was no playing to your strengths with motherhood. There was no understudy nor, in her case, even a scene partner let alone a director. It was just you, monologizing unscripted to an unruly audience until you die."
For all the adopted kids and mamas and daddy's out there. Definitely read this one. " More is more. Family doesn't take away from family. Family begets family. That's how family works."
I just re read this book and it was outstanding again! So many quotable passages. I got an ebook so I could highlight it and I sure did. I love this book!
"There was no workshopping with parenting. You said the wrong thing, and you couldn't go back and give it a different read, try it again smiling instead of glowering, gently instead of shouting, with a deep breath before delivery. You had to live with your first read, even though it was often appalling. There was no rehearsal, either. You were live onstage from the moment you got the part. There was no curtain call. There wasn't even an intermission. It was just an endless, endless dance number, and never mind you couldn't sing, you had to sing anyway. There was no playing to your strengths with motherhood. There was no understudy nor, in her case, even a scene partner let alone a director. It was just you, monologizing unscripted to an unruly audience until you die."
For all the adopted kids and mamas and daddy's out there. Definitely read this one. " More is more. Family doesn't take away from family. Family begets family. That's how family works."
I just re read this book and it was outstanding again! So many quotable passages. I got an ebook so I could highlight it and I sure did. I love this book!