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ninetalevixen

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This was so much fun, my gosh. As Neil Gaiman explains in the preface, it's somewhere between the original book and the final cut of the show, so it provides some insight into the adaptation process (from new scenes that don't appear in either the original book or show, to familiar scenes that appear in both). The stage directions are hilarious, and I loved getting a sort of behind-the-scenes look at the creators' intention between certain lines, camera angles, etc.

(Having reread Good Omens immediately prior to this, and having rewatched the show several times, I didn't get quite as much enjoyment out of this as I think I could've otherwise — but still, it was fantastic.)

Reading this book felt like (I imagine) being on an episode of the show, getting advice and hugs from the Fab Five, which is exactly what I was hoping for. There's lovely actionable advice — from tips for finding your style (for both your wardrobe and your home) to recipes for the social gatherings you'll hopefully gain the confidence to host — and fun behind-the-scenes stories and jokes.

This is the book I'll be reaching for when I'm having a rough day/week/month, and/or when I'm particularly inspired to actively improve my life. It's an instant favorite, and now I really want a print copy so I can fully appreciate the gorgeous photos and cute graphics.

Confession: I watched the (surprisingly true-to-book) movie first, so the full impact of the plot twist(s) was lost on me. Still, awesome quotable quotes and chock-full of symbolism - a really great read that lives up to the hype.

This is just so much fun, and I can only imagine how much better it is to see it performed rather than just reading the words. It's comedic and profound — mostly by turns, but sometimes simultaneously; as much as I love Hamlet as Shakespeare wrote it, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were totally robbed.

content warnings: major character deaths
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CONVERSION: 12.3 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 9 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 7 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 8 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: 5 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: N/A
Rereadability: 5 / 5
Memorability: 4 / 5

"Once something actually happens somewhere in something as wildly complicated as the Universe, Kevin knows where it will all end up — where 'Kevin' is any random entitty that doesn't know nothin' about nothin'."

I hadn't even realized I was slumping towards book burnout, but this one cleared it right up because it was so whimsical and so much fun.

content warnings: 
mention of suicide (by shooting), violence against fictional animals (self-defense), hunting & butchering of fictional animals

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CONVERSION: 12.4 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 8 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 7 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 10 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5
Memorability: 3 / 5

True Picoult formula -
lawsuit, Guardian ad Litem, antagonist-turned-knight-in-shining-armor, family issues, religion, etc., etc.
- yet, surprisingly, still uniquely exciting.

First - a girl who changes a boy's life, rather than the other way around, inherently appeals to me. Ethan was relatable and lovable; Lena was amazing.

Maybe a little too strong in the emotion and drama, but I was captivated from beginning to end. It took a while for me to warm to Patch - he's shadier than Edward Cullen, in some ways - but I love the thought of him as 
Nora's guardian angel
.

The style is a bit hard to get used to at first (Camille's prose/poetry without capitals and too few commas; Becca's freeverse poetry), but once you get past that the writing is fluid and vivid, with dramatic insight into each girl's emotions and thoughts.