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pekoparty's reviews
217 reviews
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
5.0
I found Plath's nearly biographical book, and correct me if that is wrong, to be a slow start and a fast finish. I enjoyed pacing over the events. It was as if by the time I finished the book, I was reading an entirely different story than the one I had initially started. Her writing style was entirely descriptive, so much at times that I found the dialogue to be little gifts in between. But the descriptions, none the less, were gorgeous, smooth, and really put you in Esther's shoes. I would recommend this book to anyone who is look for a story of someone's greatest life changing moments. I don't see why college girls swoon over this. I would never want to be as sad and desperate for death as Esther Greenwood, but I can see how the glory of overcoming one's internal adversity seems appealing. Especially to those who carry many of them close to heart.
Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion
4.0
There's something about the way this book is written - it draws you in with only moments that are very specific and important. Never does Didion provide a page with out insite.
Definitely worth reading, although the entirety is very bleak.
Definitely worth reading, although the entirety is very bleak.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
5.0
I would recommend this book to anyone. To those who have been affected by illness, to those who have never experienced it, and to those who just like truly good reading. Hazel Grace is easily one of John Green's strongest voices. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me appreciate being able to lead a healthy life. A short life with cancer can be just as meaningful as one that is long and free of illness. It can be even more meaningful.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
5.0
I was enamored with Atwood from the start. Offred's voice sounded much like my own would. It really encompassed my most vital and intimate feelings on intimacy and being a woman. I am thrilled with how it ended and longing for more of an explanation, but either way, Atwood spoke to a lot of my interests and concerns. A valuable piece of women's literature that is affective past it's own contemporaneity.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
3.0
While I really enjoyed the plot, I found Roth to be a terrible lack luster writer in the scape of the stream of consciousness. How many times does she need to repeat action? Sentences? Redundant clarification?
Tris bites her lips about a million times and even has to remind herself multiple times that she's divergent. By the end it feels as though the childish faction names of dauntless, amity, etc... (By the way, pretty lame and uncreative) have been all too pressed and burned into our heads - just a bad migraine.
I'm also fairly certain Roth has never had any physical relationship with a boy EVER (maybe she has. Probably). She does such a poor job of describing intimacy. It also just gets AWKWARD. He FITS HIS MOUTH TO YOURS? tendons in his hands? Come on, quit being creepy.
Anyways, I loved the story and the idea and I do like Tris as a character. I simply think Roth does not deserve credit for being an accomplished writer. I know this was YA, but it really fell flat 40% of the time. Which is too often.
Over description of characters, drag on sentences, and points where writing felt forced left me feeling exhausted.
Luckily the last 50 pages are the best part and go very quickly.
Tris bites her lips about a million times and even has to remind herself multiple times that she's divergent. By the end it feels as though the childish faction names of dauntless, amity, etc... (By the way, pretty lame and uncreative) have been all too pressed and burned into our heads - just a bad migraine.
I'm also fairly certain Roth has never had any physical relationship with a boy EVER (maybe she has. Probably). She does such a poor job of describing intimacy. It also just gets AWKWARD. He FITS HIS MOUTH TO YOURS? tendons in his hands? Come on, quit being creepy.
Anyways, I loved the story and the idea and I do like Tris as a character. I simply think Roth does not deserve credit for being an accomplished writer. I know this was YA, but it really fell flat 40% of the time. Which is too often.
Over description of characters, drag on sentences, and points where writing felt forced left me feeling exhausted.
Luckily the last 50 pages are the best part and go very quickly.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
3.0
Jay Asher really brings a sound character with the voice of Hannah, but unfortunately does too much internalizing with Clay, his narrator. Clay only repeats what we the readers are already thinking. I say we are already thinking it because Hannah has planted it in our head. Pointless reiteration leaves this book unchallenging for anyone who is an advanced reader. This includes many young adults, as well.
Good messages though a little trite. I'd like to see this in a more mature setting.
Good messages though a little trite. I'd like to see this in a more mature setting.