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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This book left me conflicted about what to rate it. I liked the book stuff (club, store, etc), but I guess I never totally connected to the characters. I did make me think about what books matter most to me (it is a very long list!).
This book is more like 3 1/2 stars, but I rounded up to 4 as I am meeting the author to discuss the story and that inevitably makes me like the book more. I enjoyed this story of a woman adrift, with her children grown and her husband leaving her. She finds her way back to center by joining a book group whose theme for the year is 'The Book that Matters Most.' Reading (or skimming) others' selections helps Ava figure out how she wants to keep going and remake her life. She has had loss throughout her life and I especially appreciated her resilience. The story is told through alternating voices and though I liked them, Ava's voice was my favorite. I am looking forward to meeting Ann Hood to discuss the different threads of this story.
So I guess I would give this another half star. The plot was touching - I could relate to Ava in having had experienced the death of a sister and my mother. And I am what I expect is close in age to Ava although I never really got a true handle on her age.
I figured out the ending pretty early and I was disappointed - it was too neat and tidy.
I figured out the ending pretty early and I was disappointed - it was too neat and tidy.
I was prepared to give this a strong 4, but the ending all but ruined it for me. I loved the first 90% of the book. I loved the book club story line and characters and truly empathized with Ava. I would still recommend this to a friend with the warning that the ending will likely be disappointing.
Somewhat formulaic, disappointing and improbable ending. Characters not very engaging. I liked the discussions of various books - and the fact that story was set in Providence Rhode Island and Paris.
I can appreciate when books fall into specific cliches, but this was not one I appreciated doing so. I liked where it was going, but then the entire plot became super contrived and I can't buy that everyone is somehow in each other's lives. I hate that kind of plotting, especially when the entire book seemed to be about healing and moving on and learning from experiences.... Then it falls apart at the end. Oh well.
I love this book. As I started it, I liked it but I don't enjoy reading about drug use so that was hard to get through. As that passed and it got to things I was not expecting, I really fell in love with this book. I eventually did figure out her mother wrote the book before they said so but never expected her to still be alive!! I did have some trouble keeping up with Hank's character and I get why he was put where he was, but I wish he was better written and it went less into his wife for that one dragging chapter. I read this in 2 days and would highly suggest it.
Strong beginning and ending. The rest was very enjoyable. It's always hard to read about drug addictions. The strength of the book club was a joy to read.
A story of loss and being lost and a celebration of books and words and their power to save you. Just what I needed to break my reading slump.