Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Mini-reviews - the only way to catch up!

It's time for some mini-reviews again, since I'm so far behind that it's getting embarassing!

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Loved it! :-) I really enjoy entertaining chick lit and this fit the bill. It had the extra plus of being very realistic - even though most of us would never admit it, the story could happen to us all. Rachel is a 30-something with a job she hates, no boyfriend and a best friend who seems to get whatever she wants and catch all the breaks. Until Rachel accidentally kisses her best friend's fiancee at a party. Where can they all go from there? I understand there's a movie of this out now, but from what I hear the book is a thousand times better!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
I listed to this one on audio and thought it was ok. It's been described as a children's or YA The Time Traveller's Wife, but as a huge Audrey Niffenegger fan, I must say that I don't think they're in the same league. I liked the puzzle structure and I liked the story, but I wasn't 'wowed'. It was a quiet, interesting read for me. Maybe I'm just disappointed because I wanted to be 'wowed', I can't really put my finger on what in the book didn't work for me.

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Lived it! Stephanie Plum is such a likeable character, no wonder this series is so popular! This is the first book of eight or nine now, I think, and so the one where we meet Stephanie and are told of her family background and assorted issues. The heroine is sassy, the writing is fun and often laugh-out-loud funny, what's not to like?

The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison
Disappointing. I liked the premise - the main character, Anna, is one of the children evacuated from London during World War II - but I didn't really care for the execution. I found the characters flat and their motivations lacking. And to be honest, I thought that some of the attachments made in the story were rather creepy... I won't mention details of course, I don't do spoilers. :-) All in all, pretty much forgettable.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved both Something Borrowed and Something Blue. Definitely make sure to read the latter. As for the movie, I actually liked it. The actress that played Rachel irritated me a little, but Kate Hudson was wonderful as Darcy.

Unknown said...

I wasn't a big fan of The Very Thought of You either and I agree - some of it was a bit creepy :-(

joanna said...

reviewsbylola - ooh, I was wondering if the next book was any good, thanks for the tip! I'll watch the movie for sure, I coudl never resist no matter what people were saying! :-)

farmlanebooks - I'm so glad I'm not alone! :-)

Kailana said...

Really? When you Reach me didn't strike me as anything like The Time Traveller's Wife. If I heard that at the time I wouldn't have liked the book...

Marg said...

I was disappointed with Very Thought of You too. I didn't really like Something Borrowed either, mainly because the characters were so unlikable. I did like the sequel a bit more though.

Larissa said...

I saw the movie Somthing borrowed and quite enjoyed it: light and simple, just what I needed that day.
I didn't know there was a sequel, I'll check it out and probably read it then.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I think there are 17!? Stephanie Plum books! I own the first 13 but have only read the first. Like you I really enjoyed it.

Erin said...

I really liked When You Reach Me, but I would not compare it to The Time Traveler's Wife at all. I thought the former was mediocre until the end, when everything came together. Then my opinion changed, and I just adored the book. Funny how that can happen!

Ana S. said...

I wasn't a fan of The Very Thought of You either - in fact it's my least favourite read of the year. It's good not to be alone :P

joanna said...

Kailana - it's funny how those sorts of comments really make a difference!

Marg - I liked the characters in Something Borrowed, despite their issues... Looking forward to the sequel now!

Larissa - I'll DEFINITELY see the movie!

Trish - wow, that'll keep us busy for a while!

Erin - I think I just expected too much...

Nymeth - I'm glad I'm not alone too! :-)