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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed the premise of the book and the framing in parts. The plot was good and pretty typical of a contemporary novel written in the past decade. I did think think that it started to drag in the middle, but I think it is a good recommendation for a bright vacation read.
Book #99 Read in 2016
The Book that Matters Most by Ann Hood
Ava's husband has left her for another woman. To try to bring some happiness back to her life, she joins her best friend's library book club. The theme of the book picks is "the book that matters most" and each member select a book choice. Besides book club, which allows her to meet a much younger man, Ava is also stressing about her daughter, Maggie, who is in Europe and making bad choices. I read this book in one sitting. It was a wonderful read.
The Book that Matters Most by Ann Hood
Ava's husband has left her for another woman. To try to bring some happiness back to her life, she joins her best friend's library book club. The theme of the book picks is "the book that matters most" and each member select a book choice. Besides book club, which allows her to meet a much younger man, Ava is also stressing about her daughter, Maggie, who is in Europe and making bad choices. I read this book in one sitting. It was a wonderful read.
A 2016 staff favorite recommended by Jane.
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbook%20that%20matters%20most%20hood__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbook%20that%20matters%20most%20hood__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
How I wish I had some of the hours back that I used to listen to this book. I finally quit listening and read it so that I could finish more quickly and move on. It felt like the whole idea was to take advantage of the fact that book clubs are so popular now, hoping that many would choose it as their own selection. While the characters' explanations were occasionally interesting, I even found their book discussions tiresome at times (esp TKMB)
And why did so much time have to be spent on Maggie? How many different ways could you describe her need to get high? I always shuddered when a section came on and I heard "Maggie". And when the book was seemingly half-finished, all of a sudden there were long sections about Hank that included a lot of unnecessary information.
The ending revelations were just so convoluted.
And why did so much time have to be spent on Maggie? How many different ways could you describe her need to get high? I always shuddered when a section came on and I heard "Maggie". And when the book was seemingly half-finished, all of a sudden there were long sections about Hank that included a lot of unnecessary information.
The ending revelations were just so convoluted.
I read this a while back and enjoyed it so much that I never added it to Goodreads. Reread this a second time for book club and love delving into the characters issues and needs. As a mother, I can't even imagine going through life not knowing what is going on with my children, especially if they are struggling. The author does a nice job intertwining the book club books into the story.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
I enjoyed the book, but the drug use was a little too vivid for my taste (teaching in an affected area).
Much much better than I expected. So many opportunities for cliches were averted.
Yes the end is a bit gushy, but it's otherwise lovely
Yes the end is a bit gushy, but it's otherwise lovely
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No