It was just so drawn out. I think I would have cared much more for the story if it were about 100 pages shorter.

I've never read such a simple book that was also as wonderful. Nothing I say could describe this book with justice. Incredible.

I really enjoyed this! Light and fun, and I would have LOVED it in grade school. I probably would have started carrying around a survivalist backpack just like Cass.

Last book of 2011! It was great, at first I didn't like all of the changing perspectives, but by the end it made sense. It worked.

I was very impressed with the entire middle section. Writing just dialogue for a hundred pages or so and keeping it both interesting and not confusing - I think that shows an impressive author. That being said, Jessica and Marcus are very intelligent people, but I'm not sure I buy just how intelligent their conversation is. They were both so witty and scripted, like a movie script almost. It was good to read, but not entirely believable or realistic for me. I loved getting to know Marcus from his point of view, finally. I understand why many people didn't like this as a closer to the series because it is so different from the first four, but I think it is a great ending to the Marcus and Jessica story. I'm excited to see what else McCafferty has to offer to the book world outside of the Jessica Darling series.

Reaction: Warm and fuzzy

It's just what I expected, except that I read it even faster than I thought I would. I started it right before I played piano for a concert and I finished it about 3 hours later at home. I really wish I had discovered this book when I was in elementary school, because it's such a simple read and I would have loved the storyline. Obviously there were some very ridiculous things that happened in the Popper house, but it was a children's story about keeping penguins as pets, so I wasn't judging it by reliability. I was surprised at how many nameless characters in the story didn't know what a penguin was, but I suppose in the 30s that wouldn't have been such a stretch. Please read it! And if you have children or grandchildren or know any kids FORCE IT ON THEM! It's wonderful.

While reading: The 3rd in the Blossom Street series, although this book has nothing to do with Blossom Street. At 70% through (on my Kindle) I am just now getting sincerely interested in the story. And that‰ЫЄs only really because I just want to finish it. I have seriously never read a book that I‰ЫЄve just been so apathetic about before. It‰ЫЄs just blaaaaah. And I‰ЫЄm so not interested in any of the characters and their problems.


Update: The book improved within the last 40%. But that first 60% is a loooong time to read a not very interesting story. I had a lot of trouble with her up and deciding (after 25 years or so) that she's suddenly hung up on a high school boyfriend. Probably because I don't have that type of personality; I'm not one to pine over the past, and while it's wrong, I often pass judgment on people that do. Also there was just too much blah to the action. "She put on another cup of tea." "She decided to take a drive around town." "She did other daily non-interesting things that I will now document for you in detail." Not my type of book, although it's also hard for me to relate to a character who is at a point in her life that I have yet to reach. It's why I read a lot of YA; because I've passed the teenage part of my life and can identify with those characters. I can't identify with a long marriage, an elderly mother, or raising a teenage daughter. Maybe in 25 years or so I can read a book like this and really like it for what it is. As of now, it's a no.

I have stuck by these books for a long time, and will likely continue to do so, I just wish Evanovich would DO something with the characters, if she is going to continue with the series. There are so many times that Stephanie is a really smart, clever character who seems to be able to take care of herself. But then those moments will be followed by scenes where she lets her car get stolen by the same person 3 times in very silly ways. As I said in my currently reading post, I think it's just time for Stephanie to make important decisions in her life so that Evanovich can spend time in her books panning out the results of those decisions, rather than writing the same characters going through essentially the same storylines in each book.
That being said, I truly did enjoy this book more than the last 4 or so. I thought the storyline, while not exactly more original, was at least more interesting and unique than the past few books. It was still a bit farfetched, and the conclusion seemed abrupt (which isn't unusual for the Plum series), but like I said, I was more intrigued.
When reading these books stops feeling like a bit of a chore, I will upgrade my goodreads review to maybe 4/5. We'll see.