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jamgrl's Reviews (197)
emotional
mysterious
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book is EXCELLENT! I had it on my to-read for a while and was putting off reading it because the premise just sounded so weird, but it was recommended to me. I ended up being sucked in immediately!
It is fascinating learning about A’s life and I want to know more, but I also love A as a character. I love how they talk about the “enormity” and wanting to feel it. It is so appropriate for a teen’s emotions and self-discovery, and at the same time, it reaches into this deeper well of questions about humanity and life and what it means. We also get to see so many different versions of life as a 16-year-old, and the different challenges teens face were handled really well.
I tend to be critical of romance, but this romance really worked for me. A’s attachment is formed very quicky, but I love the way they talk about their feelings and I was really engaged in seeing if they could make the romance work. Plus the romance was more than romance- it was a discovery of how A could make a life for themself. There was also a longing for intimacy that was done really well and I couldn’t help but feel alongside A.
This book is queer as hell, which I adored. Beyond a general acknowledgement of the genderqueer nature of A’s existence- there are some wonderful internal dialogues and musings about queerness that felt really on point.
Really love the audiobook for this book!
It is fascinating learning about A’s life and I want to know more, but I also love A as a character. I love how they talk about the “enormity” and wanting to feel it. It is so appropriate for a teen’s emotions and self-discovery, and at the same time, it reaches into this deeper well of questions about humanity and life and what it means. We also get to see so many different versions of life as a 16-year-old, and the different challenges teens face were handled really well.
I tend to be critical of romance, but this romance really worked for me. A’s attachment is formed very quicky, but I love the way they talk about their feelings and I was really engaged in seeing if they could make the romance work. Plus the romance was more than romance- it was a discovery of how A could make a life for themself. There was also a longing for intimacy that was done really well and I couldn’t help but feel alongside A.
This book is queer as hell, which I adored. Beyond a general acknowledgement of the genderqueer nature of A’s existence- there are some wonderful internal dialogues and musings about queerness that felt really on point.
Really love the audiobook for this book!
So, I’m not a huge fan of books that are a retelling of another book from a different character’s point of view, and I knew that going into this, so I was wary.
The book is really well done. Like the first one, it is insightful and the character development is strong. I enjoyed getting to know Rhiannon more and seeing A from the outside, and there is enough in this book that we didn’t see in Every Day that it felt worth reading.
It didn’t magically make me like alternate POV retellings (the suspense is lost), and I can’t say I found it as interesting as Every Day, so it was slow going and mostly made me want to read the next one more, but I am glad I read it.
The book is really well done. Like the first one, it is insightful and the character development is strong. I enjoyed getting to know Rhiannon more and seeing A from the outside, and there is enough in this book that we didn’t see in Every Day that it felt worth reading.
It didn’t magically make me like alternate POV retellings (the suspense is lost), and I can’t say I found it as interesting as Every Day, so it was slow going and mostly made me want to read the next one more, but I am glad I read it.
This book is entirely charming. Whimsical and thoughtful and funny and profound and warm.
This is very much a story about found family. It has the best aspects of a children’s book, with life lessons and food for thought throughout, while writing from the perspective of an adult. I loved that, because the focus became on the importance of caring for, protecting, and defending children, while also finding joy in life.
The children were a lot more unusual that I expected, and the narrative about prejudice and preconceived notions benefited from that.
There were some moments that I felt were a little awkward or a little on the nose, but otherwise, this was a very clever and heartwarming book and a delight to read.
This is very much a story about found family. It has the best aspects of a children’s book, with life lessons and food for thought throughout, while writing from the perspective of an adult. I loved that, because the focus became on the importance of caring for, protecting, and defending children, while also finding joy in life.
The children were a lot more unusual that I expected, and the narrative about prejudice and preconceived notions benefited from that.
There were some moments that I felt were a little awkward or a little on the nose, but otherwise, this was a very clever and heartwarming book and a delight to read.
The island setting of this book immediately wrapped me in a warm blanket. The book is full of whimsy, which just builds as the story goes on. I did find it predictable and some of the points the book was making were a little too on the nose for me, but it is a short, easy read, and it is just a little bit weird, in a very good way.
This is kind of like Practical Magic light (I say, based only on my knowledge of the movie bc I haven’t read the book.) The sisterly and familial bond is much more of a driving force in this book than the romance, although the romance is simple and sweet.
Warning:
Although it is not depicted, this book deals with sexual assault.
This is kind of like Practical Magic light (I say, based only on my knowledge of the movie bc I haven’t read the book.) The sisterly and familial bond is much more of a driving force in this book than the romance, although the romance is simple and sweet.
Warning:
Although it is not depicted, this book deals with sexual assault.
I enjoyed and finished this book mostly because it is Amy Poehler and I like her and want to know more about her, however, as a book, I felt this was unfocused and did not have a clear through line. Parts of it were funny or inspiring, but it was mostly just okay.
It was fun to follow Isabella as she came of age in a Victorian like setting which just happened to include dragons. I loved seeing her develop her love of science and natural history as she grew up and tried to maneuver her way into learning about dragons. I especially loved that, although a strong woman protagonist, she didn’t fall into that anachronistic feminist woman trope (eschewing everything about the femininity/womanhood of her time period). She is aware of sexism, but also participates in society in ways that feel believable and authentic. I overall loved her as a character. I also love her husband, Jacob, and the Duke they go adventuring with.
Isabella is very reckless in the latter half of the book, which can be frustrating. She also isn’t aware of her class privilege, which the narrator, an older Isabella, points out several times. I actually really liked that, because it shows that she grew and wasn’t just born aware of social issues. It makes her realistic as a person, especially coming from her socioeconomic class. Knowing about her growth makes me more excited for the adventures in the future and opportunities to see that growth. The older Isabella (Lady Trent) is also delightful, with a lot of funny asides.
I didn’t find this book particularly gripping, so I’m not ready to rush to the sequels, but I am at least interested in going on to the next one to see where the narrative takes us.
I listened to the audiobook (which was great!), but apparently the written book has nice illustrations, so may be worth checking out.
Isabella is very reckless in the latter half of the book, which can be frustrating. She also isn’t aware of her class privilege, which the narrator, an older Isabella, points out several times. I actually really liked that, because it shows that she grew and wasn’t just born aware of social issues. It makes her realistic as a person, especially coming from her socioeconomic class. Knowing about her growth makes me more excited for the adventures in the future and opportunities to see that growth. The older Isabella (Lady Trent) is also delightful, with a lot of funny asides.
I didn’t find this book particularly gripping, so I’m not ready to rush to the sequels, but I am at least interested in going on to the next one to see where the narrative takes us.
I listened to the audiobook (which was great!), but apparently the written book has nice illustrations, so may be worth checking out.
It was really fun getting into the head of Colin Singleton- though, interestingly, this is apparently John’s only 3rd person book. I loved how committed this book was to keeping with a set of metaphors appropriate for Colin’s character and mindset which I felt carried through the book well. It is funny and quirky and light, though still meaningful. (This is much lighter than other John Green books I have read.)
Colin reads as neurodivergent for me and I think John handled that well, though I am not neurodivergent, so let me know if you disagree! The best friend character is Muslim and I feel that was also handled well. According to a note at the end, John’s long time friend helped him bring Arabic into the book, which was cool to see.
This book is very YA, which I enjoyed because I think it is an important genre and it can be fun to remember what it is like to be 18! This book, however, is definitely for a younger audience, so be aware of that going into it if you are over the age of 22.
My qualms: There is a character that uses the word “retarded” a lot, which feels uncomfortable and outdated, and this book is very cis-het (which is mostly awkward because it spends a lot of time talking about the nature of "relationships"), but at least on this second one it is self aware. The characters are teenagers, and the book is 15 years old, so I was able to let these things slide.
Overall, I felt this was a sweet and clever coming of age story that felt very authentic, even if the premise is a bit silly (though so well done). It’s all about stories and I think this one is a good one ☺️.
Colin reads as neurodivergent for me and I think John handled that well, though I am not neurodivergent, so let me know if you disagree! The best friend character is Muslim and I feel that was also handled well. According to a note at the end, John’s long time friend helped him bring Arabic into the book, which was cool to see.
This book is very YA, which I enjoyed because I think it is an important genre and it can be fun to remember what it is like to be 18! This book, however, is definitely for a younger audience, so be aware of that going into it if you are over the age of 22.
My qualms: There is a character that uses the word “retarded” a lot, which feels uncomfortable and outdated, and this book is very cis-het (which is mostly awkward because it spends a lot of time talking about the nature of "relationships"), but at least on this second one it is self aware. The characters are teenagers, and the book is 15 years old, so I was able to let these things slide.
Overall, I felt this was a sweet and clever coming of age story that felt very authentic, even if the premise is a bit silly (though so well done). It’s all about stories and I think this one is a good one ☺️.
Loved rereading this book! I first read it in high school. It definitely hits differently as a woman in my late 20's. I love Austen and this was a good one to read for my book club. I wouldn't say it's as gripping or action packed as Pride and Prejudice, but it is a thoughtful critique of romance and practicality in regency England.
I feel similarly about this one as I do about the first one- it is slow, BUT I also really like the setting. We get to see new regions and peoples in this book and get some evolving science and technology along with politics, and most importantly: new dragons!
Isabella got to come into her own as a scientist in this book and I enjoyed the addition of Natalie as a character and Isabella’s evolving relationship with Tom Wilker. Isabella is still reckless, but I think somewhat less stupidly so in this book.
I listened to the audiobook once again, which was excellent. My spouse listened along with me- he had no problem following it without having read the first book.
Isabella got to come into her own as a scientist in this book and I enjoyed the addition of Natalie as a character and Isabella’s evolving relationship with Tom Wilker. Isabella is still reckless, but I think somewhat less stupidly so in this book.
I listened to the audiobook once again, which was excellent. My spouse listened along with me- he had no problem following it without having read the first book.
Short and fun, this is a must read for SciFi enthusiasts as it introduced the idea of mechanized time travel (where would scifi be now without hg wells!). The book is in the form of the time traveller telling the story of his travels, which works well as an audiobook. I think you have to read and appreciate this book in the context of its time, otherwise it may come off as dull and weird. I think listening to it helped me stay interested. This book explores concepts of class structure and de-evolution.