love_booksforlife's reviews
511 reviews

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

1.0

There were many reasons that I didn't like this book. The characters aren't very dynamic. I had hopes for the grandmother once she brought them the flowers but she just turned back into a one dimensional villain. Cathy and Chris were flat as well, with some of the most hideous dialogue I have ever read. They talk for paragraphs! No person does that in real life. The fact that this was semi-based on a true story was what kept me reading. But the holes, like all the chances they had to escape or call the cops for help, just killed me. I'm not sure I understand why this has such a big following, I'm going to check out the movie and see if that helps the book at all.

Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight

2.0

I wanted to like this book. It was recommended by Entertainment Weekly and the premise sounded interesting. The actual book...not very interesting however. There were no intense heart pounding moments. Really, nothing interesting happened in the first 100 pages. I liked how the story was connected past to present. Everything was WAY too coincidental. I figured pretty much everything out before the end. And then, when the book was just about over, the author gives you a "here's what really happened to everyone" chapter that was very annoying and not organic at all.
Like I said...I wanted to like this book, but the back and forth storyline was the only aspect of this book I did like.

The Commitments by Roddy Doyle

4.0

I loved the movie for this book and the book is very much like the movie. There was a lot of dialogue and you have to get used to the Irish wording but I love this story of an "Irish Soul Band." Now onto The Snapper to continue the trilogy.

The Snapper by Roddy Doyle

5.0

While at first it may be hard to follow because of the untagged dialogue, The Snapper is a great book. I felt for Sharon and wanted to be her friend. But the thing that I loved the best was the relationship between Sharon and her dad. It is heartwarming and funny all at the same time. I am looking forward to reading The Van!

The Van by Roddy Doyle

5.0

This book was great. I love Jimmy Rabbitte Sr and this last book in the Barrytown trilogy set him as the star. The serious situations kind of sneak up on you as you laugh out loud during the hilarious conversations. I think Doyle is a genuine artist who paints real and gritty drama throughout outrageous situations. Loved this book!

The Guts by Roddy Doyle

5.0

This is most well-rounded of the Rabbittee family books. I was disappointed in Jimmy at a few points but I realized that that is a good thing. It meant I cared enough to be mad at him for some of his actions. I liked the side characters and really liked Aiofe. All around a good read and I'm happy that I finally sat done and read all of Doyle's Barrytown novels!

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

2.0

I liked and disliked this book. The format of it, with the split storylines from alternate realities, is really cool. I wished I had thought to do it myself, that's when I know that I really liked a concept. The actual execution of it, the actual storylines, I didn't like. Hannah and Gabby were okay. They were funny and quirky and really good friends. I was a fan of both men until about the middle of the book when they stopped developing and became one sided for me. There was also moments of predictability. I honestly knew a quarter of the way through the book how it was going to end. I think the part that really sent me down to two stars was the self-help aspects of the narrative. Hannah got pretty preachy after a while. The fate talk was very heavy handed. i got it after the first part. All in all, I want to say it is worth the read just for the concept alone, but I just can't bring myself to say that.

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

1.0

I really liked Jurassic Park and was looking forward to reading this book but was greatly disappointed. The characters, besides some really long backstories that lasted chapters, weren't that interesting to me. I don't mind the combination of science and fiction and the mystery of the disease was interesting but there were chapters that sounded more like a textbook than a novel. The background of biology to understand the strain was interesting to a point and then some was just overkill. The pacing was slow with highly scientific sections mixed with interesting mystery, but the science was heavier, making for a boring read. The end was the worst, however. There was one heart-racing chapter, which was VERY short, and then there was no real conclusion. Everything was just fine. I guess that was the point of novel but it was a big let down.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

2.0

I really wanted to like this book having read the first story in my master's program but I found the stories hard to get into and just dull, to be honest. All in all, very hard to read.

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

5.0

Really quick and enjoyable read. The format funs like a dictionary with a word and then a short little story that goes along with it. Each story is put together to create the larger story of a couple who have ups and downs. While there aren't many details, the sections read almost like poetry at times which make it a fun read!