The second star is for the first 150 pages of the story. From that point on, the story is worthy of only one star, as it takes a very quick and unbeliThe second star is for the first 150 pages of the story. From that point on, the story is worthy of only one star, as it takes a very quick and unbelievable turn that just felt very rushed and slapped together; Pfeffer tried too hard to make Miranda and Alex a couple. And after reading the first book in the series, I didn't think the author could write anything more depressing, but I was wrong. This book, if it was meant to inspire hope, was weighed down by all the doom and gloom. Then again, while I know that a series about the end of the world can't exactly have the typical happy ending, I think the story could have ended a bit happier and still be realistic and hopeful....more
Having read about Miranda's experience (that word seems like such an understatement) in Life As We Know It, the depictions of life after the moon disaHaving read about Miranda's experience (that word seems like such an understatement) in Life As We Know It, the depictions of life after the moon disaster in this book was somehow less scary, less jarring. I had also read through the aforementioned story wondering where God was; this book definitely incorporates that factor of religion and faith, which I appreciated. Maybe it's due to the acknowledgement of religion, or perhaps it's because I read this book after the first in the series, but I found myself drawn more into the actual story itself, and less of the "shock-value" stuff of post-disaster life....more
Reading through this was very much like riding a literal train of thoughts and memories as Kathy H. narrated through her past, jumping from one lily pReading through this was very much like riding a literal train of thoughts and memories as Kathy H. narrated through her past, jumping from one lily pad of a memory to another. It actually gets tedious, and then the author drops a subtle bomb ever so slightly every 40-80 pages or so in such a way that, if you aren't paying attention, you'll miss it.
It's definitely a story with an ending that you chew on, teasing out whichever interpretation you choose to believe....more
For the most part, this story completely freaked me out; I seriously was on the verge of tears at some points, but then sometDefinitely a page-turner.
For the most part, this story completely freaked me out; I seriously was on the verge of tears at some points, but then something truly lighthearted would happen or be said. Pfeffer strikes a very careful and unique balance between light and darkness....more
Reading this was a lot of fun. So is, as I'm currently discovering, figuring out what to wear each day. (=Reading this was a lot of fun. So is, as I'm currently discovering, figuring out what to wear each day. (=...more
Do you have books that you've read as a child of which you only remember the bare bones in terms of the plot and storyline-- you can't even remember tDo you have books that you've read as a child of which you only remember the bare bones in terms of the plot and storyline-- you can't even remember the title, much less the author, or even the name of the main character?
I remember reading this a very, very long time ago, and when I saw this on the shelf of my local library, I felt that internal shift of recognition when I saw the title and illustrations. I love when that happens. (=
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Speaking of books I've read that I don't remember, here's another one that I read around the same time as this book; perhaps you'd know and could help me out? The story is about a family of witches (more specifically, siblings with powers), and I only remember two scenes:
1. In one of the opening chapters, one of the sisters, who doesn't like brussel sprouts, magically turns it into butterscotch in her mouth, but her little brother senses it and tells on her to their dad, who turns the flavor back to brussel sprouts.
2. Towards the middle of the book, the siblings decide to crash some sort of ghost uprising by covering themselves in flour, but when it starts raining, the flour washes off.
I know this is a long shot, but anyone know what the title is?...more
There's something very charming about this book. It could be because the main character shares my affinity for Calvin and Hobbes, but mainly I think tThere's something very charming about this book. It could be because the main character shares my affinity for Calvin and Hobbes, but mainly I think that it's just super fun and super funny. And while there are drawings incorporated into the margins of the book, they're neither as in-your-face nor as crucial to the story; they're just fun to look at. Thumbs up. (=...more
There's really not much I can say about this story, because it's a memoir, a record of someone else's life Beth's pick for the Fictionistas book club.
There's really not much I can say about this story, because it's a memoir, a record of someone else's life experiences-- and it's one of those stranger-than-fiction kinds of deals, although I think I would substitute the "stranger" for "completely fantastical". My initial reaction was one of suspicion and cynicism-- surely no one could ever have grown up in such a way? All of these suspicions, though, are simply a testament to the survival and courage of the author herself. Her story is just so hard to believe, and yet here she is, not simply facing her past, but publicly reliving it....more
UPDATE: My conspiracy theory in the [Update] below? TRUE. I'm glad I decided not to continue on with the series, though I feel so sorry for the people UPDATE: My conspiracy theory in the [Update] below? TRUE. I'm glad I decided not to continue on with the series, though I feel so sorry for the people who are now basically enslaved to James Frey.
I read this in one sitting for four and a half hours. That's how well-written the story is in terms of pacing and whatnot.
However, about halfway through, it started to get a little bulky; I skimmed through some longer passages that really weren't that necessary, and the plot itself started to get a little fantastical/unbelieveably predictable, which, for a book about aliens, is saying much.
The end sets up for a sequel, but I'm not sure I'd really be interested.
[Update:] Okay, so how about this for a conspiracy? I actually first heard about this book through a blog written by the girl that plays Quinn on the TV show Glee. It turns out that she'll be playing Sarah in the movie version of this book, which is set to release next February. So this book was just released, and there will already be a movie? Hmm. Perhaps this book is nothing less than a novelized version of a movie script, which may explain why it flows the way it does.
I also watch a TV show called Castle, whose title character is a mystery writer, and not too long ago, a book was published as being penned by Richard Castle and the plot was basically the entire first episode of the series set in novel form.
...Is this what books are now trending towards? Instead of a screeplay adaptated from a novel, it's now a book adaptation of a script? Eh....more
I may need to avoid others' reviews of books before reading them, because after reading all the stellar reviews of this one, I was all set to be blownI may need to avoid others' reviews of books before reading them, because after reading all the stellar reviews of this one, I was all set to be blown away...and I saw the ending coming halfway through the story. It was a slight letdown, though partially remedied by the really nice pace and efficient use of time (throughout the story) and space (not too many pages)....more
This book was completely disturbing. And I'm confused-- is this a historical novel, or a translation from Scoot's pick for the Fictionistas book club.
This book was completely disturbing. And I'm confused-- is this a historical novel, or a translation from actual text found at an excavated site? I'm not sure which I'd prefer, that this story is fiction or real....more
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