alittlelou's reviews
320 reviews

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

4.0

I really liked this one. I think this may have been targeted for teens though, so it didn't fill the soft spot I have for books that make me feel something deep. However, this does remind me of being that age making all these dumb choices and doing all the dumb things. There are very sweet moments in this series too. I'm glad I read it before the Prime show came out because I do NOT like the casting for the boys.

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

3.0

I like this series a lot, but this book irritated me so deeply. I don't fault the writer or the storyline for this, because that's exactly the point, I think. You have to sit through children making bad choices and overlooking huge miscommunications for the story. That's what really happens to real kids this age. It's just so annoying to read about Belly doing some of the stuff she does.

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

3.0

I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. I liked it better than the 2nd book, but less than the 1st. I think this book portrays some really unhealthy, toxic relationships and somehow it works out for everyone in the end. I get that it is fiction, and it's written for a younger audience, so it works out and everyone is happy in the end. HOWEVER, this isn't how this story would've actually played out, had it happened in real life. I think as long as you don't take it too seriously and don't romanticize the immaturity and toxicity here, it's a cute story. I'm glad Belly got her happily ever after, but I'd love to see Jenny Han write another book years down the line- maybe for a more mature audience and portray the real nitty-gritty of her now relationship.

Where the Heart is by Billie Letts

4.0

I adore this story so much. More like 4.5. I was barely in school when I first watched this movie, and I loved it then. It's one of the few positive memories I have with my grandma- picking out DVDs from her shelf to watch at my dad's house. Years later I bought this and read it in a day. I've recommended it to multiple people. I actually let one of my best friends borrow this and never got it back lol

Matilda by Roald Dahl

3.0

I love Roald Dahl- he was my biggest comfort author back in middle school. I remember feeling like this was too long (I think I read this in 4th or 5th grade), but I love the story.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

5.0

Classic books are classic for a reason. I love real, true love. My boyfriend told me once "Noah and Ally... they're like us." and I haven't been able to shake that since. I hope I can have a love like that when I'm old and leaving this place. I adore so many lines from this book and movie, and I think a lot of them are sound advice on relationships. My favorite part though, has to be the "say I'm a bird." part where she's teasing and gets him to not only say she is, but if she's a bird, he's a bird too. I love.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

4.0

This is another book where I loved the movie initially and decided to read the book after. I wasn't a big reader in middle/high school and so the few I did read stick out. I loved this story, and I actually lent this to a friend who I'm pretty sure still has it. I would recommend it.

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

4.0

I really like this one- it's so cute. This is the perfect childhood story too. If it was a little shorter, I'd even call it the perfect bedtime story. Maybe you could settle for playing the movie at bedtime. I love it. Roald Dahl was just a huge staple in my childhood. I loved all of his books and their movie adaptations.

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

5.0

He's just... different. I love this book so much. I wish I could go back and read it as a child again.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

4.0

I remember really liking the entire experience of reading this. I had to read it in school, but we read it as a class all together and then went on a field trip to watch the live play right before Christmas break. It was perfect timing, at the perfect age, and a really good way of doing it. I liked it a lot.