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lenorayoder's reviews
82 reviews
Shopaholic And Sister by Sophie Kinsella
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is probably the last shopaholic book I'll be reading. I'm tired of plots that rely so heavily on miscommunication. It's disappointing to see Becky repeat the same mistakes book after book - she always seems to forget the lessons she just learned. It's tiring to watch her create disasters because of her own delusions, and then have those disasters solved because of luck or other characters bailing her out.
These books are just so disappointing. In some aspects Becky incrementally improves from book to book, but her main character traits stay exactly the same instead of developing, and it really cripples the series. It also has the side effect of making Luke's character worse as time goes on, and making Suze look stupid for not noticing what's really going on with Becky. The premise of the first book is so good, and continuing into a series could have been great, but instead we just got more of the same. There's so much potential in Kinsella's fun writing. If I could believe that Becky would actually develop I'd keep reading, but four books tell me otherwise.
As for this book, I loved Jess and her confrontations with Becky (if I thought it would have real consequences I would read the next book!). I love the ways she differs from Becky, but what's even better is what they have in common. We get so much insight into both characters by comparing them - the way they both have such a head for numbers when it comes to shopping but use that skill for opposite purposes is brilliant. On the other hand, the benevolent prejudice on display during the honeymoon chapters and a little throughout the rest of the book is wild - it's in all of the books but it's especially on display here. After reading Bridget Jones' diary, I'm wondering if this is a 2000s British way of thinking. Do not like it.
These books are just so disappointing. In some aspects Becky incrementally improves from book to book, but her main character traits stay exactly the same instead of developing, and it really cripples the series. It also has the side effect of making Luke's character worse as time goes on, and making Suze look stupid for not noticing what's really going on with Becky. The premise of the first book is so good, and continuing into a series could have been great, but instead we just got more of the same. There's so much potential in Kinsella's fun writing. If I could believe that Becky would actually develop I'd keep reading, but four books tell me otherwise.
As for this book, I loved Jess and her confrontations with Becky (if I thought it would have real consequences I would read the next book!). I love the ways she differs from Becky, but what's even better is what they have in common. We get so much insight into both characters by comparing them - the way they both have such a head for numbers when it comes to shopping but use that skill for opposite purposes is brilliant. On the other hand, the benevolent prejudice on display during the honeymoon chapters and a little throughout the rest of the book is wild - it's in all of the books but it's especially on display here. After reading Bridget Jones' diary, I'm wondering if this is a 2000s British way of thinking. Do not like it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Racism
Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella
funny
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think this one is my favorite so far, but it's still 3 stars. The Danny character rubbed me the wrong way, so I was annoyed when they invited him to come with them on the private plane to England at the end, although thankfully he mostly faded to the background after that. Kind of a ridiculous ending, but that's pretty on brand for the character. I like that we learned more about Luke and his background in this book, I loved seeing Suze's story progress, and I thought all the new characters introduced at Becky's job were a lot of fun.
Also, this book “handled” 9/11 by omitting the year on all the dated correspondence (unlike the previous 2 books and at the least the book that comes after this), but I think it’s supposed to take place mostly in 2002, with the earliest correspondence being from November 2001.
Also, this book “handled” 9/11 by omitting the year on all the dated correspondence (unlike the previous 2 books and at the least the book that comes after this), but I think it’s supposed to take place mostly in 2002, with the earliest correspondence being from November 2001.
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Like the first book, there was a section in this one that dragged for me, but I zoomed through the last 100 or so pages.
I understand that it's the point of the character, but it's still unpleasant to read Rebecca making the same mistakes she did in the first book. I get second-hand anxiety reading about her spending and the way she thinks about shopping, which is why the beginning and especially the middle of this book were rough for me. Rebecca definitely has a problem, but she's working on it and ends up better and better off by the end of each book.
I really did like those last 100 pages so this is 3 stars instead of 2. Once again looking forward to the next one. The end of this book sees Rebeccaliving in NYC in January of 2001 , so I'm curious to see how the author will decide to handle 9/11 in the next book (or maybe the fourth book as I don't know when the next book will be set).
I understand that it's the point of the character, but it's still unpleasant to read Rebecca making the same mistakes she did in the first book. I get second-hand anxiety reading about her spending and the way she thinks about shopping, which is why the beginning and especially the middle of this book were rough for me. Rebecca definitely has a problem, but she's working on it and ends up better and better off by the end of each book.
I really did like those last 100 pages so this is 3 stars instead of 2. Once again looking forward to the next one. The end of this book sees Rebecca
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism
I Know You're Out There: Private Longings, Public Humiliations, and Other Tales from the Personals by Michael Beaumier
3.0
Good, and I like how this was structured. The title is misleading, this is more of a short autobiography mixed with anecdotes about the author's experiences working in the Personals.
This would have been 4 stars if not for some of the punching down. I understand a lot of the meanness, it fits the tone and perspective of the book, but some of it just wasn't for me.
This would have been 4 stars if not for some of the punching down. I understand a lot of the meanness, it fits the tone and perspective of the book, but some of it just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
funny
lighthearted
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Giving this 3 stars because I think the middle of the book is a bit of a chore, but the climax and denouement were well done. This book draws you into its protagonist right away. I like how the author treats a character who could easily feel like a shallow stereotype with care and respect. I’m left wanting more and looking forward to reading the next book.
Mystery at Moorsea Manor by Carolyn Keene
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
short and sweet. clearly for a young audience, the dialogue is very exposition-heavy.
The United States of Arugula: The Sun Dried, Cold Pressed, Dark Roasted, Extra Virgin Story of the American Food Revolution by David Kamp
informative
lighthearted
2.0
Interesting subject matter, but I don’t like how the author presents it. The order in which information is given is confusing, the author has clear and obvious biases, and I just don’t like the writing style.
An example from page 31: “He may have been a ringleted, vain pretty boy wholly immodest about his own culinary talents, but Carême proved to be a prophet.” Annoying, immature, and unfunny.
What made me keep reading is that Kamp often mentions and quotes other food writers I’ve never heard of, so now my TBR has books and anthologies that will probably be better than this.
An example from page 31: “He may have been a ringleted, vain pretty boy wholly immodest about his own culinary talents, but Carême proved to be a prophet.” Annoying, immature, and unfunny.
What made me keep reading is that Kamp often mentions and quotes other food writers I’ve never heard of, so now my TBR has books and anthologies that will probably be better than this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexism
Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this! Really captures what friend and family relationships can be like at this age. I like that it ends on a high/hopeful note without trivializing what the characters are going through or seeming too after-school-special.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Bullying and Body shaming
Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Some cool ideas and pretty pieces of writing, but so much of this book is slow, confusing, gross, and/or boring that it doesn’t really feel worth it. A much longer book than the material justifies. Unsatisfying.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Incest, Pedophilia, and Murder
Hidden Voices: Biblical Women and Our Christian Heritage by Heidi Bright Parales
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.0
This is a great entry level text that I’d recommend to anyone who grew up with the bible, or is interested in translation, feminism, christianity, and/or history. The author covers topics simply enough for a layman to understand (no need for a background in religious studies), and provides ample citations so that if something piques your interest and you want to learn more than the basic overview, you can easily do so. This book would be particularly helpful to christian women struggling to reconcile the sexist nature of the church with their faith.