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loganshouldreadmore's Reviews (489)
This was unlike any book I've read, however it was beautifully written and transported me into a world with concepts I'd never even considered prior to opening this.
Let's start with Vida. She is an incredibly strong young woman who fought through so much and developed so much as a character. I was taken aback by her at first, not sure if I liked her. But through all her hurdles, she came away as an incredibly influential character who would help numerous people struggling to believe in themselves again.
Secondary characters were still a huge part of the story and provided such an influential platform to help Vida spring from into her new life. I fell in love with so many of the characters and how they helped to provide Vida with challenges, advice, motivation and support without ever feeling false or forced. Each character was built up and wrapped up perfectly and allowed the reader to grow with them and learn from them without ever feeling pressured or preached to.
The romance in this story is flawless. Without giving too much away, Vida's love interests helped her grow further into who she was meant to be.
There was quite a lot of religious and spiritual views mentioned in this book but they were all for the purpose of expanding the knowledge of the reader. I never felt preached to or as though Vida was being forced into anything. She went through her own changes and developments toward her beliefs as the book progressed - as realistically as anyone would in real life.
Overall, this book was incredibly relatable. Though I never experienced something as Vida has, I have a new understanding of it. I learned an incredibly large amount of culture through this book, and find myself wanting to learn more. I loved that it was in verse, and allowed the author room to write just enough to keep throw story on track while still including the beautiful words and phrases necessary to keep verse writing interesting.
I would absolutely recommend this book to people. It is a flawless, quick read and provided insight into a world of someone coping with loss in a way most of us never will.
Let's start with Vida. She is an incredibly strong young woman who fought through so much and developed so much as a character. I was taken aback by her at first, not sure if I liked her. But through all her hurdles, she came away as an incredibly influential character who would help numerous people struggling to believe in themselves again.
Secondary characters were still a huge part of the story and provided such an influential platform to help Vida spring from into her new life. I fell in love with so many of the characters and how they helped to provide Vida with challenges, advice, motivation and support without ever feeling false or forced. Each character was built up and wrapped up perfectly and allowed the reader to grow with them and learn from them without ever feeling pressured or preached to.
The romance in this story is flawless. Without giving too much away, Vida's love interests helped her grow further into who she was meant to be.
There was quite a lot of religious and spiritual views mentioned in this book but they were all for the purpose of expanding the knowledge of the reader. I never felt preached to or as though Vida was being forced into anything. She went through her own changes and developments toward her beliefs as the book progressed - as realistically as anyone would in real life.
Overall, this book was incredibly relatable. Though I never experienced something as Vida has, I have a new understanding of it. I learned an incredibly large amount of culture through this book, and find myself wanting to learn more. I loved that it was in verse, and allowed the author room to write just enough to keep throw story on track while still including the beautiful words and phrases necessary to keep verse writing interesting.
I would absolutely recommend this book to people. It is a flawless, quick read and provided insight into a world of someone coping with loss in a way most of us never will.
I just spent a good portion of my reading life reading 300 pages that led up to....nothing. In life, most of the time there is no life changing revelation or moment of realization that life is short and that you should change and do something to make your life more meaningful. And I understand this book is trying to portray that fact. Sometimes death doesn't change who we are and the way we look at things.
But I promised I'd be honest in my reviews. Never brutally rude, because I understand how much effort is put into writing a book. But I do need to be honest.
I didn't like this book. I didn't care for Greg. I've been a high school student that wanted nothing more than to blend in and attract as little attention as possible, but Greg takes this idea to a whole new level. A lot of reviews I've read have people saying how funny they thought this book was. I really didn't find much humor woven in. I cracked a few smiles but nothing that made me burst out laughing.
I liked Earl and Rachel. I thought they were realistic, and relatable on a lot of levels for a lot of people. Greg though....I've never met anyone quite like him. And he just seemed so removed from the world and obsessed with not drawing attention to himself, I couldn't help but question what kind of character he was.
I was waiting for a switch. Something meaningful about this book I could grab onto and say "Yea, most of the book was a waste, but at least this character learned something about himself or grew as a person or something." I'm really disappointed to say that this book had none of those things (at least from my perspective.) Greg didn't learn anything. He didn't grow as a person, and he was still the same immature, slightly off senior he was at the end of the book as he was when he started writing it at the beginning of senior year.
I guess I just like things that have a point. This had no point. But I guess that was the point.
But I promised I'd be honest in my reviews. Never brutally rude, because I understand how much effort is put into writing a book. But I do need to be honest.
I didn't like this book. I didn't care for Greg. I've been a high school student that wanted nothing more than to blend in and attract as little attention as possible, but Greg takes this idea to a whole new level. A lot of reviews I've read have people saying how funny they thought this book was. I really didn't find much humor woven in. I cracked a few smiles but nothing that made me burst out laughing.
I liked Earl and Rachel. I thought they were realistic, and relatable on a lot of levels for a lot of people. Greg though....I've never met anyone quite like him. And he just seemed so removed from the world and obsessed with not drawing attention to himself, I couldn't help but question what kind of character he was.
I was waiting for a switch. Something meaningful about this book I could grab onto and say "Yea, most of the book was a waste, but at least this character learned something about himself or grew as a person or something." I'm really disappointed to say that this book had none of those things (at least from my perspective.) Greg didn't learn anything. He didn't grow as a person, and he was still the same immature, slightly off senior he was at the end of the book as he was when he started writing it at the beginning of senior year.
I guess I just like things that have a point. This had no point. But I guess that was the point.
I'm almost ashamed it took me nearly a month to finish this book. I learned early in the reading process that this book needs time to digest and savor. It's not to be rushed. Enjoy a chapter an evening and let that simmer on low in the back of your head for a while. Stir. Continue.
I fell in love with The World Needs More Love Letters movement in 2012. I was a senior in high school and I wrote to Hannah saying I wanted to be a part of it. But she was this goddess running this piece of magic that was changing the world and I was incapable of doing anything to help outside of my busy high school life. And yet, through her busy schedule, she found time to reply to me - a girl with a dream to change the world (or, help someone change the world) and a girl with terrible time management. But I attempted to do it anyway and started leaving love letters. I now leave letters in books, to bookworms who potentially need a pick me up mostly, as well as the occasional sticky note and envelope tucked into the confines of my work place. I'm indebted to Hannah for giving me the opportunity to make my own little mark within her big one.
When I found out she was writing a book, my heart soared. I preordered it on Amazon 2 months before it came out and fell in love with her words all over again within the first 4 sentences of cracking the spine. I hope she knows the impact she's made on a now 21 - year-old girl, providing me a role model with a healthy addiction to love and words as I do.
I suppose I should get to the book review now, but I think I already did. Hannah and her project gave me something to aspire to be. Someone to idolize and want to be more like. Her book only reinforced that idea, reading that she started out rough and slowly her edges began to smooth out. I relate to this more than she will ever know and I consider myself lucky to have been blessed with her story for more than 3 years.
I'll end with this:
If you don't know what you're doing anymore, read this book. Find hope in her words, realize that anyone and everyone needs to learn to swim sometimes and your life is bigger than this. You'll think it's a few sizes too big at first and if awkwardly hangs off you like a dress, but darling, you can learn to become a decent tailor and make it look like it was made for you. and Hannah can help with that.
I fell in love with The World Needs More Love Letters movement in 2012. I was a senior in high school and I wrote to Hannah saying I wanted to be a part of it. But she was this goddess running this piece of magic that was changing the world and I was incapable of doing anything to help outside of my busy high school life. And yet, through her busy schedule, she found time to reply to me - a girl with a dream to change the world (or, help someone change the world) and a girl with terrible time management. But I attempted to do it anyway and started leaving love letters. I now leave letters in books, to bookworms who potentially need a pick me up mostly, as well as the occasional sticky note and envelope tucked into the confines of my work place. I'm indebted to Hannah for giving me the opportunity to make my own little mark within her big one.
When I found out she was writing a book, my heart soared. I preordered it on Amazon 2 months before it came out and fell in love with her words all over again within the first 4 sentences of cracking the spine. I hope she knows the impact she's made on a now 21 - year-old girl, providing me a role model with a healthy addiction to love and words as I do.
I suppose I should get to the book review now, but I think I already did. Hannah and her project gave me something to aspire to be. Someone to idolize and want to be more like. Her book only reinforced that idea, reading that she started out rough and slowly her edges began to smooth out. I relate to this more than she will ever know and I consider myself lucky to have been blessed with her story for more than 3 years.
I'll end with this:
If you don't know what you're doing anymore, read this book. Find hope in her words, realize that anyone and everyone needs to learn to swim sometimes and your life is bigger than this. You'll think it's a few sizes too big at first and if awkwardly hangs off you like a dress, but darling, you can learn to become a decent tailor and make it look like it was made for you. and Hannah can help with that.
I was contacted by Charlene Carr and offered a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As I was reading Skinny Me, I couldn't help but develop a bad taste for Jennifer. I've had family that have lost hundreds of pounds and I understood that there is more to getting healthy than the physical side. It's an emotional battle. And yes, by the end, Jennifer redeems some of her more unlikeable qualities from earlier in the book. But the way she treated people, especially her own cousin who was nothing but kind to her for the entirety of her life? That really bothered me.
Even when she was trying to be happy with herself she was still jealous of what others had. It seemed very petty and childish and as though she wouldn't be able to flip a switch with those sorts of character traits holding her back.
She wasn't the worst character though. And I enjoyed all the other characters and their diversity. Part of me thinks Jenn was written as a character we were meant to "love to hate." Kudos to Carr for achieving that, as it's not an easy feat.
The plot was sound and wrapped up nicely, though rather quickly.
Overall a good, quick read. Just be prepared to not love Jenn. She'll make you roll your eyes and appreciate what you have for how little she appreciates everything she's been granted. But she definitely portrays how extreme the mental aspect of losing weight can be.
As I was reading Skinny Me, I couldn't help but develop a bad taste for Jennifer. I've had family that have lost hundreds of pounds and I understood that there is more to getting healthy than the physical side. It's an emotional battle. And yes, by the end, Jennifer redeems some of her more unlikeable qualities from earlier in the book. But the way she treated people, especially her own cousin who was nothing but kind to her for the entirety of her life? That really bothered me.
Even when she was trying to be happy with herself she was still jealous of what others had. It seemed very petty and childish and as though she wouldn't be able to flip a switch with those sorts of character traits holding her back.
She wasn't the worst character though. And I enjoyed all the other characters and their diversity. Part of me thinks Jenn was written as a character we were meant to "love to hate." Kudos to Carr for achieving that, as it's not an easy feat.
The plot was sound and wrapped up nicely, though rather quickly.
Overall a good, quick read. Just be prepared to not love Jenn. She'll make you roll your eyes and appreciate what you have for how little she appreciates everything she's been granted. But she definitely portrays how extreme the mental aspect of losing weight can be.
As always, a cute Roald Dahl book. Didn't realize it was so short but loved it all the same! Though not being from England it took a bit to realize what a Vicar was. Process of elimination worked fine though!
Oh my goshhhhh. I can't even form words for how beautiful this book is. I'm so glad that I kept reading even though I was iffy about it at the start of reading.
Where to start. Hmm, well I loved all the characters. Paige, Kayleigh, Tessa and Morgan's friendship was so beautiful and realistic and I can completely see 4 friends in high school having such a gorgeous relationship. And then came Ryan and Max and suddenly I fell in love with them so much.
These characters suddenly came to represent people from my own life that I cherish so much. And I'm almost positive that's why I got so attached to each of them.
The plot at the beginning was slow. It really took me a while to get into it and I would have been so sad if I had given up on it. Because the longer I read it, the faster I was turning pages and the more in love with it I became.
As Hazel Grace Lancaster says, "I fell in love the way you fall asleep; slowly and then all at once."
I didn't sob at the end but I got so choked up and was so thrilled with everything wrapped up so neatly with a bow. Like most people who read this book, I predicted the ending long before I got there, but I was so excited that it ended the way I had hoped.
It wasn't so much how it ended. It was how they got to the ending. And I am so so pleased with how they got there. Absolutely loved this book.
Where to start. Hmm, well I loved all the characters. Paige, Kayleigh, Tessa and Morgan's friendship was so beautiful and realistic and I can completely see 4 friends in high school having such a gorgeous relationship. And then came Ryan and Max and suddenly I fell in love with them so much.
These characters suddenly came to represent people from my own life that I cherish so much. And I'm almost positive that's why I got so attached to each of them.
The plot at the beginning was slow. It really took me a while to get into it and I would have been so sad if I had given up on it. Because the longer I read it, the faster I was turning pages and the more in love with it I became.
As Hazel Grace Lancaster says, "I fell in love the way you fall asleep; slowly and then all at once."
I didn't sob at the end but I got so choked up and was so thrilled with everything wrapped up so neatly with a bow. Like most people who read this book, I predicted the ending long before I got there, but I was so excited that it ended the way I had hoped.
It wasn't so much how it ended. It was how they got to the ending. And I am so so pleased with how they got there. Absolutely loved this book.
I absolutely loved this book. I wasn't sure what I was expecting and I'd heard great things about this series, but I can proudly say I'm excited to purchase the rest of the series.
The one thing that kind of bugged me (and I'm sure you could relate nearly every book/movie/tv show to something else) but all I pictured while reading was a glorified version of The Bachelor, which I don't agree with. So trying to separate myself from that and put that sort of theme to a fictional event, knowing it wasn't happening, was something I struggled with.
I absolutely loved the characters. I found America to be relatable and true to herself the entire time. She wasn't ever trying to be something she wasn't and it was just time that allowed her to grow into what her feelings really were underneath.
I slightly can't stand Aspen though (even though I LOVE his name). He was kind of a jerk. You led this girl on for 2 years and all of a sudden you want to break things off? And I'm absolutely suspicious of him, especially from the first few chapters hearing about him 'suddenly' being happier and saving up for a proposal. Ugh, no. There's something fishy with him. Even if he loves America, I feel like he loves someone else too.
Maxon I kind of adore. He sounds like cute nerdy and confused, but still genuine. Which is something I strongly adore in a character. He has his flaws just as much as his strengths. Perk!
I am so glad I finially got around to reading the first book in this series, and I look forward to reading the rest of it!
The one thing that kind of bugged me (and I'm sure you could relate nearly every book/movie/tv show to something else) but all I pictured while reading was a glorified version of The Bachelor, which I don't agree with. So trying to separate myself from that and put that sort of theme to a fictional event, knowing it wasn't happening, was something I struggled with.
I absolutely loved the characters. I found America to be relatable and true to herself the entire time. She wasn't ever trying to be something she wasn't and it was just time that allowed her to grow into what her feelings really were underneath.
I slightly can't stand Aspen though (even though I LOVE his name). He was kind of a jerk. You led this girl on for 2 years and all of a sudden you want to break things off? And I'm absolutely suspicious of him, especially from the first few chapters hearing about him 'suddenly' being happier and saving up for a proposal. Ugh, no. There's something fishy with him. Even if he loves America, I feel like he loves someone else too.
Maxon I kind of adore. He sounds like cute nerdy and confused, but still genuine. Which is something I strongly adore in a character. He has his flaws just as much as his strengths. Perk!
I am so glad I finially got around to reading the first book in this series, and I look forward to reading the rest of it!