This is one of the most scattered, ridiculous, overwrought books I have ever read. Penny gives you every character's perspective at the same time, which is confusing and makes the entire novel feel unfocused. The characters are either The Worst (Nichol), just kind of oblivious and dumb (Gamache, Clara), or straight-up caricatures (the twee gay couple). I'm baffled by the fact that this book has won actual awards.

Evie Boyd, a middle-aged woman, remembers the summer before she started high school, during which she made new friends, smoked a lot of dope, fell in love, and almost murdered some people.

This book was fine but very forgettable. There was something missing in the emotional transmission; I didn't feel the building tension at all but recognized that I was supposed to feel something. Maybe the disconnect is due to the dual time settings. The present-day plot seemed to serve no purpose, but it kept the 1969 plot at arm's length and prevented real submersion in Evie's young mind. As I was reading, I was already forgetting what had happened a few pages ago. The events seemed to slide into each other without true direction. By the end of the novel, I was no more convinced in the inevitability of the outcome than I had been at the beginning. The prose is a bit over-the-top but not bad. I just wish I had connected to the characters and plot more!

Katherine and Michael, high school seniors, meet at a New Year's Eve party and hit it off. The book follows their relationship, with all its ups and downs. This is the YA sex book that shocked my mom's generation, and I have to say that I wasn't shocked.

Instead, I was sort of...vaguely disappointed. I really liked Katherine at first, but as the book progressed I began to find her frustrating. She has a lot of angst, but I felt like her narration was devoid of any real emotion- I didn't really feel anything. Michael was pretty much irritating the whole way through.

Plus there are also some side issues that interfere with the main plot but don't go anywhere/aren't very nuanced, like homosexuality, teen pregnancy, and suicide. Overall, this book is FINE but I didn't think it was anything special. And too many freaking ELLIPSES!!!!

Really not Barnett and Klassen's best! I like the idea of a "sneaky trick," and the side-eye is great, but I think the shapes stuff feels gimmicky and not very interesting!

Natasha and Daniel spend a whirlwind day trying to resolve their personal problems and falling in love!! Super super cute and the fastest read! But I will probably forget it in one day!

This is a super strange, pensive story about a woman's progression into mental illness as told by her husband, brother-in-law, and sister. Triggered by a violent dream, Yeong-Hye renounces meat, much to the chagrin of her family. What starts as a simple dietary choice evolves into a total personality change and we see Yeong-Hye's accompanying physical destruction.

I think the style of short, concise sentences isn't really for me, but I found the story very fascinating!! A worthwhile meditation on free will, life/death, and more. Also men suck

I think it's a little gimmicky, but the kid I was babysitting loved it!! Must be read aloud, with character.

Simplistic, predictable story of the wind blowing things away. Fun illustrations

DNF @ p.100

I was so excited to read this book, but it's really falling flat for me! The constantly switching POV is irritating, the quest lacks a sense of urgency, and I don't feel chemistry between the main characters. Annoyed!