You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
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.
A lovely story that I really enjoyed reading. Made me try to conjure up memories of my life at 16 years old or the way my life could’ve been if I had made different decisions along the way. I loved the way processing grief was interconnected with time travel.
But, 4 stars for the slow pace and feeling a bit long at times. This might be one that I eventually round up to 5 after more time passes due to how much I enjoyed the story itself. Until the future!
But, 4 stars for the slow pace and feeling a bit long at times. This might be one that I eventually round up to 5 after more time passes due to how much I enjoyed the story itself. Until the future!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Heartfelt father daughter story with some important messages about cherishing memories with loved ones, how relationships between parents and children evolve over time, and what you can and cannot change. It’s really sweet to know this was written from the author to her father.
The story is quieter and slow to get going, and the writing was lacking some individuality for my taste, but overall I enjoyed this book.
The story is quieter and slow to get going, and the writing was lacking some individuality for my taste, but overall I enjoyed this book.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Touching and inspirational
I enjoy the way magical realism is used as a way to explore love and what's important in life. I don't love that New York is the stereotypical third main character, but do enjoy how the setting is part of the story, so all 5 stars!!!
I enjoy the way magical realism is used as a way to explore love and what's important in life. I don't love that New York is the stereotypical third main character, but do enjoy how the setting is part of the story, so all 5 stars!!!
3 ⭐️ As Alice is turning 40, her father is dying. Her life is fine, just fine. Not disappointing or bad but not great either (ironically, the same way I feel about this book). Through a very surprising twist of (magical realism) events, she gets another several chances to change the choices she’s made, but what life will she choose for herself and can she ultimately change her father’s fate?
Overall this book was… fine. Just fine. It is moving, has several touching moments and has a lot of heart. Ultimately I didn’t love the characters, their progression, choices or the story. Just not my taste but not a bad book.
Overall this book was… fine. Just fine. It is moving, has several touching moments and has a lot of heart. Ultimately I didn’t love the characters, their progression, choices or the story. Just not my taste but not a bad book.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Loved this book..such a joy to read at the exact right time in my life. It reminded me of The Midnight Library & was thought provoking & heartwarming & breaking all at the same time.