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248 reviews
Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian by E.L. James
5.0
It's interesting to me that I liked this book so much more than Fifty Shades. Partially because I think that Christian is a far more interesting character than Ana - he has much more of a backstory. Maybe it's because I relate to him in a lot of ways. I've read reviews that think this wasn't a good book in any regard, that E.L. James clearly doesn't know how to write as if she were a man, and I disagree. I know a Christian-like man and reading this novel, it was like being in his head too.
However, I have the same issue that I had with Fifty Shades in the dialogue. I do not know a single American that says, "I'm going to have a shower." I'm not sure why that infuriates me so much, but alas, it does. I am anxious to read Darker and the next Fifty Shades.
However, I have the same issue that I had with Fifty Shades in the dialogue. I do not know a single American that says, "I'm going to have a shower." I'm not sure why that infuriates me so much, but alas, it does. I am anxious to read Darker and the next Fifty Shades.
The Future of Us by Carolyn Mackler, Jay Asher
3.0
I remember reading this book for the first time and loving it. I don't remember why I loved it so much, but I really did so I was really excited to reread it and see how it held up some 7 years later. I wish it did better, I'm not going to lie. I wasn't disappointed, per se, I just feel like this story could've gone so much further.
I think the concept of this book is incredible. It's 1996 and these two teens discover Facebook before it's invented and they realize it's their future. They start to wonder how it changes and realize that what they do today has ripple effects over the next 15 years of their lives. For a book published in 2011, I think this concept is amazing. I think they could've done so much more than what they did. I liked that it was a short period of time - the book takes place over the course of a week - and I liked the characters, for the most part. But it didn't feel wrapped up by the end. I wouldn't say that there were holes in the story because there weren't really any, but I don't think the story was that developed in the first place. The characters needed an extra push to make them feel more dynamic, more well-rounded.
I just wish they took it a little further. They have access to Facebook for something like 5 or 6 days and then they lose it and they barely did anything of substance. There are so many things they could've done with a plot like this and it just didn't feel like the best option.
Besides that, I think it's a good story. I think it's hard for me to not like any love story, but that's just because I'm a romantic. I think this book is a good read, it's a quick read, it's something to fill the time until you find your next favorite. I don't think I'll read it again and if I do, well I'll be surprised.
I think the concept of this book is incredible. It's 1996 and these two teens discover Facebook before it's invented and they realize it's their future. They start to wonder how it changes and realize that what they do today has ripple effects over the next 15 years of their lives. For a book published in 2011, I think this concept is amazing. I think they could've done so much more than what they did. I liked that it was a short period of time - the book takes place over the course of a week - and I liked the characters, for the most part. But it didn't feel wrapped up by the end. I wouldn't say that there were holes in the story because there weren't really any, but I don't think the story was that developed in the first place. The characters needed an extra push to make them feel more dynamic, more well-rounded.
I just wish they took it a little further. They have access to Facebook for something like 5 or 6 days and then they lose it and they barely did anything of substance. There are so many things they could've done with a plot like this and it just didn't feel like the best option.
Besides that, I think it's a good story. I think it's hard for me to not like any love story, but that's just because I'm a romantic. I think this book is a good read, it's a quick read, it's something to fill the time until you find your next favorite. I don't think I'll read it again and if I do, well I'll be surprised.
A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
5.0
I don't remember the first time I read this book. I think it was some point after Jaycee Lee Dugard had been found, but I was probably in late middle school, early high school - though I could be entirely wrong. I remember reading it the first time and having to stop every once in a while because it was so much. What she went through was so grueling and heartbreaking and to read her words, unfiltered, with all of her raw emotions, it's hard. That doesn't even feel like a good enough word for it.
More than anything, this memoir gives you hope. It gives you strength. It pulls your heart out to be reminded that there are these people in this world - the kind that could do this to people, let alone an 11-year-old girl. But despite all that, Jaycee remains somewhat positive. She knows that she has work to do on herself, on her relationships with her family, with the world, with life, but she also knows that she's going to be okay. I love that she never thinks that the recovery process is done and while this book was written several years ago, I can't imagine that mindset has changed much.
I think this book is phenomenal. Her story is insane, but her triumph is what wins you over in the end. I'm eager to read her other book and see where she is now and how she's doing. I would 1000% recommend this book.
More than anything, this memoir gives you hope. It gives you strength. It pulls your heart out to be reminded that there are these people in this world - the kind that could do this to people, let alone an 11-year-old girl. But despite all that, Jaycee remains somewhat positive. She knows that she has work to do on herself, on her relationships with her family, with the world, with life, but she also knows that she's going to be okay. I love that she never thinks that the recovery process is done and while this book was written several years ago, I can't imagine that mindset has changed much.
I think this book is phenomenal. Her story is insane, but her triumph is what wins you over in the end. I'm eager to read her other book and see where she is now and how she's doing. I would 1000% recommend this book.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
3.0
The first time I read this book, I was in 6th grade and it was for English class. I'm almost positive I didn't even finish it, I'm sure I only read a couple of pages. I don't really remember what I thought other than that it was really boring. I can't say much has changed.
I like the general idea of the book, the story seems somewhat coherent, I just couldn't bring myself to love it. I feel like Buck's story takes so long to reach its climax and then when it does, there's something like 10 pages left in the book and it's supposed to feel wrapped up. It doesn't. As a character, I like Buck and his stubbornness. He's headstrong and knows when to fight and when to just listen. I like the various owners he goes through as he goes on this journey to finally meeting John Thorton. I almost wish there wasn't as deep of a description at the beginning of the book of his life with Judge, but I also feel that adds to the juxtaposition of his life in the North as a sled dog - I'm torn.
I can't say I'll ever pick up this book again and I doubt it'll ever be one that is anywhere near the top of my recommendations list, but I'm glad I read it.
I like the general idea of the book, the story seems somewhat coherent, I just couldn't bring myself to love it. I feel like Buck's story takes so long to reach its climax and then when it does, there's something like 10 pages left in the book and it's supposed to feel wrapped up. It doesn't. As a character, I like Buck and his stubbornness. He's headstrong and knows when to fight and when to just listen. I like the various owners he goes through as he goes on this journey to finally meeting John Thorton. I almost wish there wasn't as deep of a description at the beginning of the book of his life with Judge, but I also feel that adds to the juxtaposition of his life in the North as a sled dog - I'm torn.
I can't say I'll ever pick up this book again and I doubt it'll ever be one that is anywhere near the top of my recommendations list, but I'm glad I read it.
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
5.0
I loved everything about this novel. I started following Camryn some many moons ago after I stumbled across her Twitter account and have loved her ever since. It made complete sense that I had to read her novel as soon as I found out she had one and I am so utterly glad I did.
Full Disclosure is witty and well informed and beautifully written and heart wrenching and fulfilling and all of these things and more rolled into one book that tells the story of one girl whose fight is one that is so incredible. I almost want to reread this entire book again just to relive it all, I really did love it.
My favorite thing about this novel is how unfiltered it is. We are so shy to talk about HIV, mental health, sex, love, sexuality, gender fluidity, all of these things that make up so many people, we don’t talk about it. I love Simone’s open conversations with Claudia and Lydia and the way Camryn so freely writes about all of it. It’s real. This is real life in a fictional story. Teenagers have sex. People live with HIV. Finding a label for your sexuality isn’t as easy for some as it is for others. There are labels for everything and just about anything, but you don’t have to conform to anything that you don’t want to. As much as this is Simone’s story, I think it’s a little of bit of everyone’s story that relates to any character in this book.
I don’t think I could possibly recommend a book more.
Full Disclosure is witty and well informed and beautifully written and heart wrenching and fulfilling and all of these things and more rolled into one book that tells the story of one girl whose fight is one that is so incredible. I almost want to reread this entire book again just to relive it all, I really did love it.
My favorite thing about this novel is how unfiltered it is. We are so shy to talk about HIV, mental health, sex, love, sexuality, gender fluidity, all of these things that make up so many people, we don’t talk about it. I love Simone’s open conversations with Claudia and Lydia and the way Camryn so freely writes about all of it. It’s real. This is real life in a fictional story. Teenagers have sex. People live with HIV. Finding a label for your sexuality isn’t as easy for some as it is for others. There are labels for everything and just about anything, but you don’t have to conform to anything that you don’t want to. As much as this is Simone’s story, I think it’s a little of bit of everyone’s story that relates to any character in this book.
I don’t think I could possibly recommend a book more.
Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern by Joshua Zeitz
2.0
This godforsaken book. It took everything in me to finish this book. I had to read it for a class - Intro to American Studies: The 1920s and I thought it was going to be great. I was really looking forward to it. And then I started. The first couple of chapters are great. The introduction? Amazing! And then it just takes a turn for the worse.
I think this was the most poorly constructed book I've read in a long time. The chapters didn't have any sort of fluidity whatsoever and it felt like it was all over the place. I was reading about so many different people in really different orders and then 3 chapters later, we'd find ourselves back to those people and it just made no sense. Literally none.
I am almost proud of myself for finishing this book. It really was that hard. I had such high hopes and it just flopped. If my reviews mean anything to anyone, please don't read this book. Don't waste time.
I think this was the most poorly constructed book I've read in a long time. The chapters didn't have any sort of fluidity whatsoever and it felt like it was all over the place. I was reading about so many different people in really different orders and then 3 chapters later, we'd find ourselves back to those people and it just made no sense. Literally none.
I am almost proud of myself for finishing this book. It really was that hard. I had such high hopes and it just flopped. If my reviews mean anything to anyone, please don't read this book. Don't waste time.