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absoluteshannonigans's reviews
187 reviews
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
5.0
A very quick read that had me laughing out loud. Becky is overdone, but at the same time, incredibly lovable.
Recommended for those who enjoy quick, fluffy reads, love shopping (at a ridiculous level), and/or just want a good laugh.
Recommended for those who enjoy quick, fluffy reads, love shopping (at a ridiculous level), and/or just want a good laugh.
Bubbles Unbound by Sarah Strohmeyer
5.0
Excellent quick read! I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read more.
Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella
4.0
This book has the same feel of the first which the others lacked.
I will add that the book reminded me a little bit of when I was pregnant with my daughter, so that may have added an extra star in my review. ;)
My favorite scene was with Becky, her mom, and Janice during the birth class. I was cracking up the whole time. (It's very, very true as well.)
The book isn't perfect, after all, it is fluff, but I laughed a lot and couldn't bear to put it down.
Overall, a must read for Shopaholic fans; definitely not recommended for those who didn't like the other books. I also suggest pregnant women or women who have been pregnant give it a read as there were many great preggo moments.
I will add that the book reminded me a little bit of when I was pregnant with my daughter, so that may have added an extra star in my review. ;)
My favorite scene was with Becky, her mom, and Janice during the birth class. I was cracking up the whole time. (It's very, very true as well.)
The book isn't perfect, after all, it is fluff, but I laughed a lot and couldn't bear to put it down.
Overall, a must read for Shopaholic fans; definitely not recommended for those who didn't like the other books. I also suggest pregnant women or women who have been pregnant give it a read as there were many great preggo moments.
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
2.0
I originally picked up the book because of the title. I may be a stay-at-home mom, but I am horrible at housework.
I just didn't get into this book at all.
I will say this is most likely due to the fact that I didn't really identify with Samantha. The book did have some great moments, but a lot of it was boring. However, it was still appealing enough to drag myself through the boring parts in hopes of there being a good moment here and there.
It was "okay". I would recommend this more to Kinsella fans that are stressed out from their jobs or maybe don't know how to do many "traditionally female" chores.
I just didn't get into this book at all.
I will say this is most likely due to the fact that I didn't really identify with Samantha. The book did have some great moments, but a lot of it was boring. However, it was still appealing enough to drag myself through the boring parts in hopes of there being a good moment here and there.
It was "okay". I would recommend this more to Kinsella fans that are stressed out from their jobs or maybe don't know how to do many "traditionally female" chores.
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
3.0
This review may contain minor spoilers. Not more then what you wouldn't find on the back cover, but I'm placing this warning as a precaution.
I did enjoy the book, however the main character, Emma, felt far too much like Kinsella's other character, Becky Bloomwood (of "Shopaholic" fame), just without all the shopping.
I would have enjoyed this book more if it didn't feel like it were written for "Young Adults". Don't get me wrong, there are a LOT of YA books that are wonderfully written and just all around great, but the maturity level of this book just wasn't there. Mostly this was the treatment of Emma's parents towards her (and her cousin) and also the crazy, vindictive roommate. I know situations like this do arise, but the level it was at... it was very childish.
I do recommend the book to those who are fans of the Shopaholic series, or chick-lit in general, but it's best to take this one even LESS serious then you would normally.
I did enjoy the book, however the main character, Emma, felt far too much like Kinsella's other character, Becky Bloomwood (of "Shopaholic" fame), just without all the shopping.
I would have enjoyed this book more if it didn't feel like it were written for "Young Adults". Don't get me wrong, there are a LOT of YA books that are wonderfully written and just all around great, but the maturity level of this book just wasn't there. Mostly this was the treatment of Emma's parents towards her (and her cousin) and also the crazy, vindictive roommate. I know situations like this do arise, but the level it was at... it was very childish.
I do recommend the book to those who are fans of the Shopaholic series, or chick-lit in general, but it's best to take this one even LESS serious then you would normally.
Bubbles Ablaze by Sarah Strohmeyer
3.0
A fun, quick read, but very similar to the first book in the series.
Definitely recommended to those who enjoy the Bubbles series, but you may want to read something different between each book so it feels a bit more fresh.
Definitely recommended to those who enjoy the Bubbles series, but you may want to read something different between each book so it feels a bit more fresh.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
3.0
A quick read I enjoyed a lot. I did have a few issues with it, but the story is worth a read if you like or are interested in books set in historical Asia.
The things that bugged me:
-The author informs the readers of the end of the book at the very beginning. This diminished the emotional impact of the very key scenes towards the end of the book. If I hadn't known, the book would have been incredibly moving.
-It should have been written in third person. Lily gives too many little phrases in reference to her "current" age and apologizes a lot. It would pull me out of the moment and many times indicated what would happen later.
-All the talk of "bed business", but without the sex. I don't really care for books with a lot of sex in them, but I loathe it when books talk "around" sex constantly. I do understand that during this time (as well as many other times in many other cultures) it was unseemly for a woman to enjoy sex, so I see the point, but she focused on sex an awful lot for someone who didn't like it.
-A small bit of a continuity issue arises after Lily is married (in regards to Snow Flower and her family). It's not a "big" deal, but it did bug me.
-Lily and Snow Flower's relationship. I really hated the ambiguity of their relationship. It is never clear if the two love each other as sisters or lovers.
The things that bugged me:
-The author informs the readers of the end of the book at the very beginning. This diminished the emotional impact of the very key scenes towards the end of the book. If I hadn't known, the book would have been incredibly moving.
-It should have been written in third person. Lily gives too many little phrases in reference to her "current" age and apologizes a lot. It would pull me out of the moment and many times indicated what would happen later.
-All the talk of "bed business", but without the sex. I don't really care for books with a lot of sex in them, but I loathe it when books talk "around" sex constantly. I do understand that during this time (as well as many other times in many other cultures) it was unseemly for a woman to enjoy sex, so I see the point, but she focused on sex an awful lot for someone who didn't like it.
-A small bit of a continuity issue arises after Lily is married (in regards to Snow Flower and her family). It's not a "big" deal, but it did bug me.
-Lily and Snow Flower's relationship. I really hated the ambiguity of their relationship. It is never clear if the two love each other as sisters or lovers.
Marilyn: A Life in Pictures by Diana Karanikas Harvey
3.0
I honestly searched for this book on a lark. I was wondering if it would even be listed since it isn't so much a book as it is a bunch of pictures pasted together in book format with some blurbs along side them. Well, here it is! lol
I picked this book up on sale at Barnes & Noble for $6.
The pictures are very high quality and simply breathtaking.
5 stars because the pictures are the best quality I've seen anywhere.
(Now if only I could find a Brando one, my life would be complete.)
I picked this book up on sale at Barnes & Noble for $6.
The pictures are very high quality and simply breathtaking.
5 stars because the pictures are the best quality I've seen anywhere.
(Now if only I could find a Brando one, my life would be complete.)