Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This book was not at all what I was expecting! What started as a sweet narrative of loss, reflection, and a life change quickly became a book of science fiction and fantasy. In all honesty, I was not disappointed with this!
Emma Straub does a great job with the timing of each new twist and turns in her book. I was not left waiting for something new to happen, nor was I caught in the common rut of a book when you are wanting it to end. Instead, I really enjoyed the way the book was read.
I was also pleased by the ease of the narrative and the plot. Everything came together well and didn't seem forced or too otherworldly. The implications of the science fiction pieces obviously were not realistic, but the effects were.
If you are not a fan of fantasy or sci-fi, then I would still suggest this book to you. it wasn't too robot/alien/magical powers for me so I expect you would like it. It's a soft entry into that type of book if you are wanting something new!
Emma Straub does a great job with the timing of each new twist and turns in her book. I was not left waiting for something new to happen, nor was I caught in the common rut of a book when you are wanting it to end. Instead, I really enjoyed the way the book was read.
I was also pleased by the ease of the narrative and the plot. Everything came together well and didn't seem forced or too otherworldly. The implications of the science fiction pieces obviously were not realistic, but the effects were.
If you are not a fan of fantasy or sci-fi, then I would still suggest this book to you. it wasn't too robot/alien/magical powers for me so I expect you would like it. It's a soft entry into that type of book if you are wanting something new!
Rich people in nyc isn’t enjoyable for me to read at this point in my life. But I did cry at the end and still am.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
I listened to it all in one day while getting my taxes ready. It’s the first time I’ve read Emma Straub, but so love magical realism books. It was good.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent
I grew up a decade earlier and a few blocks away from Alice’s home on the Upper West Side, so this book hit me on a personal level. I really liked it. It was the right book for me at the right time.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was fun and sweet but kind of "eh, seen it before". For fans of The Midnight Library, Oona All Out of Order, and the movie About Time.
First of all, the cat. I mean, cats live long but that is absurd!! I like the theory that Ursula time travels, but this detail is really irksome...
Now, the book___
While I could certainly understand Alice's desire to go back and change things to prevent loss and grief -- we all wish we could get the occasional do-over! -- this book left me frustrated and impatient with most of the characters.
This is a 40-year-old woman who believes that frequent returns to the past will change her present? Someone supposedly familiar with time travel concepts doesn't see that each minor alteration can create major shifts further downstream? But she doesn't care. She wants what she wants.
She tries on relationships and partners and emotions the way someone tries on prom dresses. Today I feel elegant; nah, I feel grunge; and then again, maybe something billowy and romantic.
Her attitude was juvenile at best and thoroughly narcissistic at worst. Today I feel like doing drugs. Today I feel like sleeping with this boy. Today I want to be kind to that person and friendly to that girl. Today I want a felafel from a particular vendor.
Of course a boring, privileged, middle-aged woman with no discernible interests or passions or deep connections to anything but fond childhood memories might yearn for change. And looking at the past to see where a choice sent one down a particular academic, career, or relationship path is a natural way to approach self-reflection. But her approach is so selfish. She never takes the opportunity to ask the people she loves about how they feel or think.
How long does it take to ask her dad what he is dying from?
The most meaningful interaction is the one with the fortune teller. It's not always the events that befall you, but the way you experience the event that counts. And in the end, April doesn't really get it.
Now, the book___
While I could certainly understand Alice's desire to go back and change things to prevent loss and grief -- we all wish we could get the occasional do-over! -- this book left me frustrated and impatient with most of the characters.
This is a 40-year-old woman who believes that frequent returns to the past will change her present? Someone supposedly familiar with time travel concepts doesn't see that each minor alteration can create major shifts further downstream? But she doesn't care. She wants what she wants.
She tries on relationships and partners and emotions the way someone tries on prom dresses. Today I feel elegant; nah, I feel grunge; and then again, maybe something billowy and romantic.
Her attitude was juvenile at best and thoroughly narcissistic at worst. Today I feel like doing drugs. Today I feel like sleeping with this boy. Today I want to be kind to that person and friendly to that girl. Today I want a felafel from a particular vendor.
Of course a boring, privileged, middle-aged woman with no discernible interests or passions or deep connections to anything but fond childhood memories might yearn for change. And looking at the past to see where a choice sent one down a particular academic, career, or relationship path is a natural way to approach self-reflection. But her approach is so selfish. She never takes the opportunity to ask the people she loves about how they feel or think.
How long does it take to ask her dad what he is dying from?
The most meaningful interaction is the one with the fortune teller. It's not always the events that befall you, but the way you experience the event that counts. And in the end, April doesn't really get it.