Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Despite the queerbait, I think this was a very good story. I enjoyed the STÄDA talk and how it incorporated into Ava’s life. The twist was somewhat expected as I didn’t know what else it could have been and the ending was simply perfect. Mat was annoying from the start, getting the head position with no experience and truly not making any adjustments to the program. I’m glad he got trapped in the box which sort of mirrors how he got trapped in the dumpster before his penn interview. I don’t think too hard about the actual logistics but Ava was able to be in control and determine Mats outcome and she needed that. Despite the messed up way that Mat manipulated Ava, she did need it so she could move on and realize she wasn’t grieving alone, I wish there was more to the ending but in my mind Ava and Dev end up together on fixing her mom’s piano and Ava then starts fixing/repairing/improving peoples pianos around Y for free while Dev acts as an activist and her usual role.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Turns out it’s nice to read books about love sometimes!
4.5 Stars.
Engaging and odd. A memorable book. (I did call part of the twist)
Engaging and odd. A memorable book. (I did call part of the twist)
Really liked it by the end by the first 70% was more ‘eh’. Overall an easy and mostly enjoyable read though so if on the fence may as well read it…. Some great messages in here so reading was somewhat cathartic in some ways.
Silly at times but an enjoyable read and I did not expect the ending
This weird little story feels like a Black Mirror episode set in a podcast ad, and I loved every minute. On the surface it's a deliciously sharp satire of corporate culture, minimalist decor, and trendy Brooklyn startups. It's also an increasingly ominous thriller and a thoughtful meditation on the grieving process. I especially enjoyed how engineer Ava's neurodivergent thought processes are part of the narration but also just one aspect of her personality.
If you enjoy decorative arts or interior design, you will love all the tiny visual details that define different spaces. I was not surprised to learn one of the authors is also a woodworker. The section about the interior iron frames of Steinway pianos especially warmed my furniture historian heart.
If you enjoy decorative arts or interior design, you will love all the tiny visual details that define different spaces. I was not surprised to learn one of the authors is also a woodworker. The section about the interior iron frames of Steinway pianos especially warmed my furniture historian heart.
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
DAMN. What a good book. And a rando pick off the library shelf at that. 5 stars.
WHAT WAS THIS.
i picked this up with a very clear idea of this book was, and that idea was only cemented by the fact that for roughly 75 pages it was exactly that, and also because my idea of it was what i wanted it to be and i tend to think that my every opinion is a wish sent directly sent into the heart of the universe. but then it changed. a lot.
in short, i thought i knew what book this was and it turns out i absolutely did not. what i thought it was is actually what i wanted it to be. but this was fine, too.
you know?
it was a lot more dramatic and thrilly and high-stakes than i was led to believe by that cover and synopsis...but not in a bad way.
even though, again, everything i want should be fated. don't get it twisted.
bottom line: not what i wanted but good anyway! like eating vegetables, or something.
review to come / 3.5 stars
------------------
tbr review
1 day ago i had never even heard of this book and now i physically need to read it
i picked this up with a very clear idea of this book was, and that idea was only cemented by the fact that for roughly 75 pages it was exactly that, and also because my idea of it was what i wanted it to be and i tend to think that my every opinion is a wish sent directly sent into the heart of the universe. but then it changed. a lot.
in short, i thought i knew what book this was and it turns out i absolutely did not. what i thought it was is actually what i wanted it to be. but this was fine, too.
you know?
it was a lot more dramatic and thrilly and high-stakes than i was led to believe by that cover and synopsis...but not in a bad way.
even though, again, everything i want should be fated. don't get it twisted.
bottom line: not what i wanted but good anyway! like eating vegetables, or something.
review to come / 3.5 stars
------------------
tbr review
1 day ago i had never even heard of this book and now i physically need to read it