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aliciaclarereads's Reviews (1.25k)
read for PopSugar 2018 Reading Challenge: a book with a time of day in the title
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read for PopSugar Advanced Challenge: a book that was a bestseller the year you graduated high school
I'm a bit conflicted on this one. Rowling knows how to write super well, but the substance of this book was a little lacking. It kind of reminded me of a Liane Moriarty novel that had absolutely no suspense. I know this was supposed to be a study in characters and relationships, but honestly it read like she was trying desperately to set herself apart as just a YA/children's author. I think had I read this when it first came out, I would have been really shocked at the vulgarity (not that I'm a prude, but more that you wouldn't expect it from Rowling after Harry Potter). I don't know, this book just seemed to amble along and didn't have much a definitive statement about anything. I think the audiobook is the only reason I enjoyed it. Tom Hollander gave an excellent performance. Rowling has truly been blessed with great narrators for her audiobooks.
Over all, this is felt like a middle child as she tried to shed Harry Potter in her writing, and before she hit her stride with the Galbraith novels.
I'm a bit conflicted on this one. Rowling knows how to write super well, but the substance of this book was a little lacking. It kind of reminded me of a Liane Moriarty novel that had absolutely no suspense. I know this was supposed to be a study in characters and relationships, but honestly it read like she was trying desperately to set herself apart as just a YA/children's author. I think had I read this when it first came out, I would have been really shocked at the vulgarity (not that I'm a prude, but more that you wouldn't expect it from Rowling after Harry Potter). I don't know, this book just seemed to amble along and didn't have much a definitive statement about anything. I think the audiobook is the only reason I enjoyed it. Tom Hollander gave an excellent performance. Rowling has truly been blessed with great narrators for her audiobooks.
Over all, this is felt like a middle child as she tried to shed Harry Potter in her writing, and before she hit her stride with the Galbraith novels.
read for PopSugar 2018 Advanced Reading Challenge: an allegory
Still processing this, and not quite sure how I want to rate it.
Still processing this, and not quite sure how I want to rate it.
read for 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge: a book about a villain or an anti-hero
read for PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018: a book about or involving a sport
These books are just like cotton candy: cute and sugary sweet, while providing absolutely no substance.
Grace and Logan were fun, but once they finally got together, the stakes just disappeared. There was no longer any tension. Sure, Logan had some family issues, but it was resolved so fast and perfectly, that it didn't feel like the biggest impact on the story. As for Grace, she was cute, but looking back now I feel like I know nothing about her.
My side issues are this: there's a scene where another female character comes very close to be sexually assaulted, and I wish it had been handled more delicately. Grace comes off slightly judgy and it sucks. Also she constantly refers to her desire for neatness as "OCD." really girl? You're taking Abnormal Psych, display zero obsessions and compulsions, why are you calling being neat OCD? It feels nitpicky to critique that, but Kennedy handled discussing alcoholism more delicately, focusing on how the addiction is a disease, so those toss away comments about OCD really sucked.
These books are just like cotton candy: cute and sugary sweet, while providing absolutely no substance.
Grace and Logan were fun, but once they finally got together, the stakes just disappeared. There was no longer any tension. Sure, Logan had some family issues, but it was resolved so fast and perfectly, that it didn't feel like the biggest impact on the story. As for Grace, she was cute, but looking back now I feel like I know nothing about her.
My side issues are this: there's a scene where another female character comes very close to be sexually assaulted, and I wish it had been handled more delicately. Grace comes off slightly judgy and it sucks. Also she constantly refers to her desire for neatness as "OCD." really girl? You're taking Abnormal Psych, display zero obsessions and compulsions, why are you calling being neat OCD? It feels nitpicky to critique that, but Kennedy handled discussing alcoholism more delicately, focusing on how the addiction is a disease, so those toss away comments about OCD really sucked.
read for PopSugar 2018 Reading Challenge: a book about or set on Halloween
This book was so sweet and so much fun! It's been on tbr for so long, but seeing the movie trailer is what propelled me to finally pick it up, and I'm glad I finally did! This book had all the beats of a YA contemporary that I love: lots of female friendships, crushworthy boys, coming into yourself, and difficult relationships with your mother. Plus you get honest and frank talks about bodies, fun pageant antics, and so much Dolly Parton. My only complaint would be the pacing of the novel, as some parts flew by, while others seemed to drag on longer than necessary. Plus, I wanted slightly more out of the ending. But I really enjoyed my time reading this book, and I'm so psyched to both watch the movie and pick up more Julie Murphy!
I enjoyed this book even more than her previous one. I think she hit more of her stride as a writer. Her essays go between talking about systemic problems she faces as a black woman in the world to hilarious and anecdotes from her personal life. She discusses feminism, how she's felt since Trump was elected, and her personal struggles with money in ways that are really informative and filled with great advice, but also have this incredible unique Phoebe touch. One of her most consistent jokes is making up weird URLs to emphasize her feelings, and I loved it! Phoebe is thoughtful, funny, and so colloquial in way that isn't off-putting. Yeah, she uses a lot of slang and acronyms, but they're really fun and don't feel forced at all (like some writing sometimes grates one me).
If you have the chance to get this on audiobook, please do it! Phoebe's narration is so, so excellent. She consistently makes herself laugh, and since a lot of audiences have connected with her through podcasts, it makes the book feel familiar. Also the addendum where she discusses meeting her new boyfriend, he joins the audio! I was already planning to give the book 5 stars, but that addendum is just a five stars all on it's own. Phoebe - if you're planning a new podcast with British Bae Off, I'm an instant subscriber.
If you have the chance to get this on audiobook, please do it! Phoebe's narration is so, so excellent. She consistently makes herself laugh, and since a lot of audiences have connected with her through podcasts, it makes the book feel familiar. Also the addendum where she discusses meeting her new boyfriend, he joins the audio! I was already planning to give the book 5 stars, but that addendum is just a five stars all on it's own. Phoebe - if you're planning a new podcast with British Bae Off, I'm an instant subscriber.