Take a photo of a barcode or cover
notesbynnenna's Reviews (513)
About- A young boy moves from Ireland to Brooklyn, where he has to join a gang in order to survive.
Why I picked it– This was a book club pick. We haven’t actually met to discuss this yet, so I’m curious to hear what everyone else thought.
Thoughts- I’d never heard of this book or this author before, but when I posted on Goodreads that I was reading this book, I got several comments from strangers about how much they enjoyed it! I think they were excited that someone else is reading this book because it has very few ratings on Goodreads. I felt pretty neutral about it. It’s not the kind of book that I would have picked because the subject matter doesn’t interest me that much. I also found the writing a bit difficult because it features dialogue in an Irish accent. Once I got used to the language, it got a little bit easier to read, but I still didn’t find it very exciting. There were a few poetic passages that I appreciated, but I had difficulty connecting with the characters.
Why I picked it– This was a book club pick. We haven’t actually met to discuss this yet, so I’m curious to hear what everyone else thought.
Thoughts- I’d never heard of this book or this author before, but when I posted on Goodreads that I was reading this book, I got several comments from strangers about how much they enjoyed it! I think they were excited that someone else is reading this book because it has very few ratings on Goodreads. I felt pretty neutral about it. It’s not the kind of book that I would have picked because the subject matter doesn’t interest me that much. I also found the writing a bit difficult because it features dialogue in an Irish accent. Once I got used to the language, it got a little bit easier to read, but I still didn’t find it very exciting. There were a few poetic passages that I appreciated, but I had difficulty connecting with the characters.
About- Georgie, a television writer, experiences a rough patch in her marriage during the Christmas holidays.
Why I picked it– Rainbow Rowell.
Thoughts- After I read Eleanor & Park (if you haven’t read it yet, you should!), Rainbow Rowell quickly became one of my favorite authors. I immediately went back and devoured her previous two books and I was super duper excited for this new one to come out. Can we talk for a second about how gorgeous the cover is? Seriously, whoever designs her books should pat themselves on the back. That was how I discovered E&P in the first place- I saw the cover when I was browsing at Barnes and Noble one evening, looked up the title when I got home, and soon after read the book. Anyways, I digress. Rainbow Rowell has a way of immediately drawing the reader in, which is something I love about her writing style. She’s also able to take serious topics and add levity. Even though this book is about a marriage that’s falling apart, I thought it was far from depressing. She writes both YA and adult fiction, so if you haven’t read one of her books yet, I highly recommend that you do.
Why I picked it– Rainbow Rowell.
Thoughts- After I read Eleanor & Park (if you haven’t read it yet, you should!), Rainbow Rowell quickly became one of my favorite authors. I immediately went back and devoured her previous two books and I was super duper excited for this new one to come out. Can we talk for a second about how gorgeous the cover is? Seriously, whoever designs her books should pat themselves on the back. That was how I discovered E&P in the first place- I saw the cover when I was browsing at Barnes and Noble one evening, looked up the title when I got home, and soon after read the book. Anyways, I digress. Rainbow Rowell has a way of immediately drawing the reader in, which is something I love about her writing style. She’s also able to take serious topics and add levity. Even though this book is about a marriage that’s falling apart, I thought it was far from depressing. She writes both YA and adult fiction, so if you haven’t read one of her books yet, I highly recommend that you do.
About- Two best friends living in New York City and just trying to get by.
Why I picked it– This book was getting some good buzz, so I snagged a copy from work.
Thoughts- I ended the month on another great book. This is the second book on this list that mimics real life for me- set in New York City, poor twenty-somethings, and working in publishing. Check, check, check. This book examines a friendship between two women, with its ups and downs. I could definitely see some of myself in the main characters, which was a fun experience for me, but also a bit disconcerting. I thought this was funny and realistic and sad and touching. Her characters aren’t perfect, which is what makes them so human. This book reminded me of The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. and of GIRLS, so if you like either of those things, you might like this too.
Why I picked it– This book was getting some good buzz, so I snagged a copy from work.
Thoughts- I ended the month on another great book. This is the second book on this list that mimics real life for me- set in New York City, poor twenty-somethings, and working in publishing. Check, check, check. This book examines a friendship between two women, with its ups and downs. I could definitely see some of myself in the main characters, which was a fun experience for me, but also a bit disconcerting. I thought this was funny and realistic and sad and touching. Her characters aren’t perfect, which is what makes them so human. This book reminded me of The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. and of GIRLS, so if you like either of those things, you might like this too.
Check out my video review >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=EjatY9-omm4&feature=emb_logo
About- A famous author disappears and detective Cormoran Strike is hired to investigate his disappearance.
Why I picked it– It’s the second novel in this series.
Thoughts- I enjoyed this book. I liked The Cuckoo’s Calling and I was looking forward to further character development in this novel. In particular, I wanted to learn more about Robin, Cormoran’s assistant, and I felt that that did happen in this second novel. This mystery involves certain aspects of the publishing industry and since publishing is my day job, I had an extra connection with those bits.
Why I picked it– It’s the second novel in this series.
Thoughts- I enjoyed this book. I liked The Cuckoo’s Calling and I was looking forward to further character development in this novel. In particular, I wanted to learn more about Robin, Cormoran’s assistant, and I felt that that did happen in this second novel. This mystery involves certain aspects of the publishing industry and since publishing is my day job, I had an extra connection with those bits.
About- Harry’s 5th year at school and his continuous battle to defeat Lord Voldemort.
Why I picked it– I’m reading the series from start to finish.
Thoughts- It took a little while for me to get into this one, which hasn’t happened for any of the other books in the series. I thought that the first half or so was a bit slow and Harry is just so whiny for most of this book. However, it definitely picks up and the action in the last chunk of the book did not disappoint. I’m glad I decided to slow down on my pace of reading through the series, but now I’ve only got two books left!
Why I picked it– I’m reading the series from start to finish.
Thoughts- It took a little while for me to get into this one, which hasn’t happened for any of the other books in the series. I thought that the first half or so was a bit slow and Harry is just so whiny for most of this book. However, it definitely picks up and the action in the last chunk of the book did not disappoint. I’m glad I decided to slow down on my pace of reading through the series, but now I’ve only got two books left!
About- The “diary” of a teenage girl who becomes a drug addict.
Why I picked it– I was working on a video project for Banned Books Week.
Thoughts- The main word I’d use to describe this book is bizarre. It claims to be the diary of a young girl, but it later came to light that it was a completely fictionalized account written by a woman named Beatrice Sparks. It appears that it was written to scare kids off drugs, but I can’t imagine that it was very effective. The whole time I was reading it I felt that something was off, and as soon as I finished it, I had to look up some background information. I did not think it was well-written (which I may have been able to excuse if it was actually a diary).
Why I picked it– I was working on a video project for Banned Books Week.
Thoughts- The main word I’d use to describe this book is bizarre. It claims to be the diary of a young girl, but it later came to light that it was a completely fictionalized account written by a woman named Beatrice Sparks. It appears that it was written to scare kids off drugs, but I can’t imagine that it was very effective. The whole time I was reading it I felt that something was off, and as soon as I finished it, I had to look up some background information. I did not think it was well-written (which I may have been able to excuse if it was actually a diary).
About- An apartment full of antique furniture is discovered in Paris and a Sotheby’s auctioneer named April is sent to evaluate their worth.
Why I picked it– The cover definitely had something to do with it. Plus, after Go Ask Alice I really wanted something light and more straightforward.
Thoughts- The narrative in this book is split between April in the present day and a character named Marthe who lived in Paris during the Belle Epoque. Marthe is the woman who owned the apartment and all of the furniture in it and April discovers Marthe’s journals as she’s sorting through the antiques. I enjoyed Marthe’s story, but I didn’t find April to be a very compelling character. I almost wish the entire book had been about Marthe. Overall, I thought this book was ok, but the fact that it’s set in Paris is definitely a plus.
Why I picked it– The cover definitely had something to do with it. Plus, after Go Ask Alice I really wanted something light and more straightforward.
Thoughts- The narrative in this book is split between April in the present day and a character named Marthe who lived in Paris during the Belle Epoque. Marthe is the woman who owned the apartment and all of the furniture in it and April discovers Marthe’s journals as she’s sorting through the antiques. I enjoyed Marthe’s story, but I didn’t find April to be a very compelling character. I almost wish the entire book had been about Marthe. Overall, I thought this book was ok, but the fact that it’s set in Paris is definitely a plus.
About- Ten people are invited to vacation on an island and then they all start dying one by one…
Why I picked it– This book is on my list of top 10 classics I want to read or reread.
Thoughts- I read this book back in junior high and it started me on a huge Agatha Christie kick. I wanted to reread it because I couldn’t quite remember the story, but I do remember that I loved it. I thought maybe it would come back to me as I was reading it and that I’d remember who the murderer is, but nope- it felt like a totally new reading experience. This was a quick read and it was fun to try to figure out the mystery. I think I’ll be reading more Agatha Christie next month because mysteries are very Halloween-appropriate.
Why I picked it– This book is on my list of top 10 classics I want to read or reread.
Thoughts- I read this book back in junior high and it started me on a huge Agatha Christie kick. I wanted to reread it because I couldn’t quite remember the story, but I do remember that I loved it. I thought maybe it would come back to me as I was reading it and that I’d remember who the murderer is, but nope- it felt like a totally new reading experience. This was a quick read and it was fun to try to figure out the mystery. I think I’ll be reading more Agatha Christie next month because mysteries are very Halloween-appropriate.
About- A retelling of Snow White that explores the themes of race, beauty, and identity.
Why I picked it– I heard that this one was interesting and I’ll admit that the cover also captured my attention.
Thoughts- This book was kind of strange, but I kind of liked it. I liked the writing style, which was somewhat conversational. I felt a bit like I was sitting down with a friend and they decided to tell me this wild and crazy version of their life story. There were a few twists in the plot that I didn’t anticipate and I thought the narrator was an interesting character. This book won’t be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a bit of an experimental read, then this might hit the spot.
Why I picked it– I heard that this one was interesting and I’ll admit that the cover also captured my attention.
Thoughts- This book was kind of strange, but I kind of liked it. I liked the writing style, which was somewhat conversational. I felt a bit like I was sitting down with a friend and they decided to tell me this wild and crazy version of their life story. There were a few twists in the plot that I didn’t anticipate and I thought the narrator was an interesting character. This book won’t be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a bit of an experimental read, then this might hit the spot.