In every imaginable way, this book should have been my jam. But I could not get into it. That wasn't the fault of the writing or anything I could poinIn every imaginable way, this book should have been my jam. But I could not get into it. That wasn't the fault of the writing or anything I could point to. We've broken up, but it was mutual and with no hard feelings. Maybe some day, we'll try again. ...more
I mostly skimmed this one when I realized after 50 pages the style, voice, and writing were very much not going to connect with me. It wasn't what I tI mostly skimmed this one when I realized after 50 pages the style, voice, and writing were very much not going to connect with me. It wasn't what I thought it would be. I'd hoped for some more actual insight into the practices but there was very little of that. Stalking God: From Laughing Yoga to Burning Man, My Unorthodox Search for Something to Believe In did it better. ...more
The truth is, sometimes you begin a book and you're super into it, but the further in you get, the less into it you are and you realize not that it's The truth is, sometimes you begin a book and you're super into it, but the further in you get, the less into it you are and you realize not that it's a bad book -- I totally know the reader who'll love this -- but rather, it's not the right fit for you. So you let it go, make note of what worked well, and know that it'll be an utterly engrossing page-turner for readers who are itching for a fast-paced adventure full of twists, turns, lies, betrayals, and a great main character who struggles with mental illness. ...more
Goodbye to the book that needed a stronger edit, the removal of a plot arc which makes literally no sense, and flat characters all around. Four hundreGoodbye to the book that needed a stronger edit, the removal of a plot arc which makes literally no sense, and flat characters all around. Four hundred pages was about two hundred too many. ...more
The writing and structure make little sense -- random flashbacks and random POVs which aren't Billie's -- and the writing itself is tough to fall intoThe writing and structure make little sense -- random flashbacks and random POVs which aren't Billie's -- and the writing itself is tough to fall into. The boys are indistinguishable, save for the fact we know Davey wears eyeliner, and so the first part of this book is a struggle. The story really picks up in part two, but by then, 150 pages in, I've been out of interest.
This will appeal to small town teens, especially those in areas where sexuality and gender identity are tough topics to grapple with in a constructive way (in other words, where they may be alone). I have referred to this being a book that church kids would like to, and I mean that in an endearing way: those kids who love their youth groups and find passion in being a part of a church community will see themselves in this story.
But for me, I had to jump ship at 200 because I couldn't with the writing anymore. ...more
For a book about female fighter pilots in World War II Russia, it's boring. I love the Night Witches and anything remotely tied to them and prepared tFor a book about female fighter pilots in World War II Russia, it's boring. I love the Night Witches and anything remotely tied to them and prepared to love this book. But letter writing between two people is so boring to read when nothing is happening. I don't want reports of action. I want the action.
Without any connection to the characters (all of their voices sound the same), the story didn't do anything for me, so I dropped it. I didn't get the Without any connection to the characters (all of their voices sound the same), the story didn't do anything for me, so I dropped it. I didn't get the same sense of pacing and adventure other readers did. I found things picked up around the 100 page mark, but by then, I had already checked out. The first 30-40 pages, though, were rough.
I thought I'd like it, but the style isn't working for me and more, turns out I'm not interested in stories about 14-year-old boys playing cricket (riI thought I'd like it, but the style isn't working for me and more, turns out I'm not interested in stories about 14-year-old boys playing cricket (right now, at least, and to be fair, that's only part of the story). ...more
An interesting collection of individuals highlighted but not engaging enough for me to read more than three of the profiles. Also the humor/middle schAn interesting collection of individuals highlighted but not engaging enough for me to read more than three of the profiles. Also the humor/middle school speak is....grating. ...more
I feel like really appealing nonfiction can make someone who dislikes or is disinterested in a topic find something worth grasping and that's what keeI feel like really appealing nonfiction can make someone who dislikes or is disinterested in a topic find something worth grasping and that's what keeps them going. This didn't do it for me. It was too slow, too heavy in relaying facts-facts-facts, and there wasn't enough narrative thread or emotional depth to make me connect.
And lo, at page 225, I decided I could not take this hot mess any more. It's offensive, insensitive, and just plain DUMB.
What in the world is this? AAnd lo, at page 225, I decided I could not take this hot mess any more. It's offensive, insensitive, and just plain DUMB.
What in the world is this? And that description "Twin Peaks" meets "Pretty Little Liars" is so bad I can't even laugh about it.
This book can only be described as one you don't want to touch because holy hell. What a disaster.
In a culture, both one within the YA community and beyond, where we're trying to have productive dialog about race, stereotypes, and things like rape culture, this book is such a disservice to readers and their collective intelligence.
S K I P this.
I cannot believe there's going to be more than one book in this series. These characters are dull as dishwater. Not to mention the only bad characters in the book are (wait for it) people of color. ...more
This is not a fat girl book, and those who are bothered by any discussion of body image, of weight, of raw numbers, will certainly be triggered by a gThis is not a fat girl book, and those who are bothered by any discussion of body image, of weight, of raw numbers, will certainly be triggered by a girl who is bullied, harassed, and assaulted (!!!!) because she's obscenely fat at 5'6" and 175 pounds.
It is inauthentic, hurtful, and makes a bit of a mockery of humans who are fat. Like, actually fat. I am shocked this book got published and cannot believe that, in a space where there is so much conversation about this very topic and how terribly done it is in YA, we get another title to add to the "horrible books about fat girls" list.
Not to mention that the only seeing of bullying in the book -- rather than a dry telling-by-telling of incidences and a mother who is obnoxious -- is the assault that happens at about page 150. This is where I stopped reading; there was no discussion of her crippling anxiety, about how wrong and ill-sighted the advice given to her from her mother and doctor and "Calorie Counters" group is, and she herself is a boring character who isn't given anything more to her than being The Fat Girl. I guess she sings show tunes, too, and wants to open a shoe store as an adult which....yeah, I mean, fat girls in YA books get to sing (Empty) or be into fashion (Future Perfect), so that fits. Shove 'em both together.
Totally not worth reading. It's as bad as Empty and Future Perfect. Skip it. Read Dumplin' or My Big Fat Manifesto. ...more
I gave up half way through, since I'm clearly missing the joke here. It reminds me of my feelings about The Toast, which I know so many people love, bI gave up half way through, since I'm clearly missing the joke here. It reminds me of my feelings about The Toast, which I know so many people love, but I really don't get. It's like being on the edge of some inside stories and not being able to appreciate or enjoy them because you don't know any of the references/back stories/tone/anything.
Don't go in expecting thoughtful feminist pieces. It's different than that, which is okay, but it's not going to do anything you'd expect out of the latter.
(Also many of the Big Blurbs are named in the acknowledgements which happens but also suggests some good friends with good words? I suppose that's really cynical, but it left me disappointed. I need to ignore blurbs, it seems.) ...more
I couldn't even get into the first chapter because Carolina's voice was so bad. It sounded like what adults think 14-year-old girls sound like and herI couldn't even get into the first chapter because Carolina's voice was so bad. It sounded like what adults think 14-year-old girls sound like and her internal moments are cringe-induing.
It's interesting this got a PW star and a positive Kirkus review. I'm going to guess it gets better after that first chapter, but . . .
This is a mess and the writing itself is painful to read.
I get, I think, what it's trying to do by being "different" in the NA realm, but by pushing This is a mess and the writing itself is painful to read.
I get, I think, what it's trying to do by being "different" in the NA realm, but by pushing that envelope, it actually ends up being more of the same but even less cohesive. I didn't care about the characters at all or their back stories or romances -- and it's not the unlikable factor, but rather simply being completely uninvested in any of it.
Another entry into the "doing bad things for fat characters" collection in YA.
In short: she hates herself, she's fat and miserable, but when she meetsAnother entry into the "doing bad things for fat characters" collection in YA.
In short: she hates herself, she's fat and miserable, but when she meets a boy who takes some interest in her, she suddenly wants to lose weight and feel better about herself.
But it's littered with hateful, painful-to-read messages that are lazy, hurtful writing.
Pass on it. I quit half-way through because there wasn't going back after "This extra layer of flesh hides the real me, even from myself."...more
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