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aprillynn's reviews
153 reviews
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
3.0
I am not quite sure what I just finished reading...
This book definitely messed with my head and did NOT end the way I though it would. I really don't want to give spoilers, but be prepared for twists you may nit suspect and to be left without closure.
If you're like me too NEED closure or another book to follow after the one with the incomplete ending ends, then this may not be the book for you. The beginning was mediocre and somewhat boring. You pretty much hate both main characters from the get go and feel like their life is just stinking miserable. You'll indeed how miserable and neither one will let you forget it.... ever.
If you enjoy narcissistic characters with no depth then this book is for you. If not, then choose something else... quick.
The reason I'm giving 3 stars is mainly because the twists did keep me engaged... after the first half to three quarters was over.
This book definitely messed with my head and did NOT end the way I though it would. I really don't want to give spoilers, but be prepared for twists you may nit suspect and to be left without closure.
If you're like me too NEED closure or another book to follow after the one with the incomplete ending ends, then this may not be the book for you. The beginning was mediocre and somewhat boring. You pretty much hate both main characters from the get go and feel like their life is just stinking miserable. You'll indeed how miserable and neither one will let you forget it.... ever.
If you enjoy narcissistic characters with no depth then this book is for you. If not, then choose something else... quick.
The reason I'm giving 3 stars is mainly because the twists did keep me engaged... after the first half to three quarters was over.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
4.0
Ok, I am about to admit to the ULTIMATE book worm sin.... I read this book AFTER seeing the moving several years ago... I know, I know, I should have my book work club membership revoked. My card shredded. My name black listed! But in all seriousness... always read the book first my booky friends.
I've owned this book for around 8 years (it was after the movie release that my sweet husband bought it for me once I realized the movie we'd just seen on our date night as adapted from a novel). I put the book on a shelf in hopes to read it after I had forgotten the movie since I wanted to go in with a fresh mind... I guess 8 years was long enough :,)
I honestly enjoyed "If I Stay" and it only took a little over 24 hours from start to finish. I loved how it was broken down by times of events instead of by chapters. Mia also switched from telling her story between the past and the current events and while I enjoyed this I wish there was more of her current story rather than what went on from age ten (only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars). I loved how the author used music as a common factor throughout and how things were compared to certain aspects of Mia playing cello. While I am 32 years old, music is one thing that I believe is NOT generational and that all generations can connect through in some shape and form. By the end of the book I felt like part of Mia's family and was rooting for her to fight. I cannot wait to read book number two within this duo!
I've owned this book for around 8 years (it was after the movie release that my sweet husband bought it for me once I realized the movie we'd just seen on our date night as adapted from a novel). I put the book on a shelf in hopes to read it after I had forgotten the movie since I wanted to go in with a fresh mind... I guess 8 years was long enough :,)
I honestly enjoyed "If I Stay" and it only took a little over 24 hours from start to finish. I loved how it was broken down by times of events instead of by chapters. Mia also switched from telling her story between the past and the current events and while I enjoyed this I wish there was more of her current story rather than what went on from age ten (only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars). I loved how the author used music as a common factor throughout and how things were compared to certain aspects of Mia playing cello. While I am 32 years old, music is one thing that I believe is NOT generational and that all generations can connect through in some shape and form. By the end of the book I felt like part of Mia's family and was rooting for her to fight. I cannot wait to read book number two within this duo!
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
4.0
Okay, Okay, I committed the ultimate bookworm sin, AGAIN! I read this book AFTER seeing the movie, but to be fair I didn’t know there was a book for about a year after seeing the movie. Watching the movie before reading the book is truly something I try to avoid, but it seems like in less than a month I have committed this sin TWICE!! OH THE HORROR!!!
With this one I found myself sayig, “But that is not how it happened in the movie!” in the best possible way. While the plot of the story and many of the characters were of the same nature, the book just added more details as usual. It was nice to see more depth to the characters where the reader got to know them as well as they got to know the main character, Malorie. The author also switched between Malorie’s time in the house with her “housemates” as well as her time on the river with “Boy” and “Girl” whereas in the movie it went straight through if I’m remembering correctly. I felt this added depth as well and kept the reader interested instead of just one long mundane story of strangers being brought together in an attempt of survival from something that cannot be seen or you otherwise go “mad.”
I rated “Bird Box” four out of five because while I enjoyed the story line and movement of the plot, there were a few chapters where I had to figure out WHO was speaking. The author threw in a couple chapters where someone other than Malorie was telling the story, and while I understand WHY those parts were important, it would have been nice to have a header or indicator that another character was speaking so the reader didn’t have to figure out while Malorie was doing what she was doing when it really wasn’t her at all.
All in all I will be reading the sequel once I read one other book I have queued for the month of February!
With this one I found myself sayig, “But that is not how it happened in the movie!” in the best possible way. While the plot of the story and many of the characters were of the same nature, the book just added more details as usual. It was nice to see more depth to the characters where the reader got to know them as well as they got to know the main character, Malorie. The author also switched between Malorie’s time in the house with her “housemates” as well as her time on the river with “Boy” and “Girl” whereas in the movie it went straight through if I’m remembering correctly. I felt this added depth as well and kept the reader interested instead of just one long mundane story of strangers being brought together in an attempt of survival from something that cannot be seen or you otherwise go “mad.”
I rated “Bird Box” four out of five because while I enjoyed the story line and movement of the plot, there were a few chapters where I had to figure out WHO was speaking. The author threw in a couple chapters where someone other than Malorie was telling the story, and while I understand WHY those parts were important, it would have been nice to have a header or indicator that another character was speaking so the reader didn’t have to figure out while Malorie was doing what she was doing when it really wasn’t her at all.
All in all I will be reading the sequel once I read one other book I have queued for the month of February!
Refugee by Alan Gratz
5.0
This was a hard read for me with what is currently going on in this world today. These three children faced hardships that no child should ever have to face. The way Gratz told these children's stories had me holding my breath at times hoping and praying they made it past their next trial. My heart soared with every triumph and broke with every new trial they had to face. Gratz truly takes you through each of these trials and triumphs throughout the whole book and just when you think you've figured it all put he throws you for another loop.
The Wish I Wished Last Night by Shelley Pierce
5.0
I've read this book twice now. Once with my kiddos and just now on by own a few years later.
I believe this book is a easy, yet good read for about anyone. It touches on the death of a father, bullying, and middle school life in general. Jase learns a lot about faith, family, friends, and life throughout the book while also showing the reader that there are always other options besides retaliation when life just isn't going your way.
I believe this book is a easy, yet good read for about anyone. It touches on the death of a father, bullying, and middle school life in general. Jase learns a lot about faith, family, friends, and life throughout the book while also showing the reader that there are always other options besides retaliation when life just isn't going your way.
Malorie by Josh Malerman
3.0
While I enjoyed "Malorie" I did have a hard time staying engaged in the story and found myself becoming bored often. There were times I wanted to skip parts, but kept going because I was afraid I might miss something that added to the story. There did seem to be a bit of filler to try to stretch the story out, but overall it wasn't too bad of a read.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
4.0
"For you, a thousand times over."
I'm not going to lie... this was a difficult read for me. Not because the writing was poor or because the book as a whole wasn't exceptional, but rather because of some of the subject matter discussed. I found my heart dropping and tears springing to my eyes quite a few times and wanting to slap Amir for not being a better friend in the first half. I will say, though, it is definitely an eye opener to this particular culture and is worth a read if you can stomach some of the lows throughout.
I'm not going to lie... this was a difficult read for me. Not because the writing was poor or because the book as a whole wasn't exceptional, but rather because of some of the subject matter discussed. I found my heart dropping and tears springing to my eyes quite a few times and wanting to slap Amir for not being a better friend in the first half. I will say, though, it is definitely an eye opener to this particular culture and is worth a read if you can stomach some of the lows throughout.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
5.0
While it did take me a bit to get into the story, it was well worth the read. There were some rough parts that were hard to swallow, but, based on the time period this particular story was based in, it was a necessary evil. Cussy Mary, or Bluet as the locals call her, has the kindest gentlest soul and will do anything for her patrons. The hardships she has to face because of her Blue skin in the hills of Kentucky was absolutely heartbreaking and definitely a reality for those people of color (anything but white) all around the U.S. during this sad time of American History.
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
3.0
While the story line was decent enough, it did not flow smoothly at various points. There were several times the story would jump mid paragraph to a completely different thought without warning. I'm assuming the author did this because the main character was a 15 year old girl and I know when I was 15 my thought process was much the same. I will probably be reading the second installment solely because this one ended with a cliff hanger of sorts.