[4] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Fiction / Literary, heard about in several places, read Kindle version
Synopsis: Sadie and Sam are childhood friends who grew apart, then randomly see each other later in college, and reunite and make a video game together.
Review: I used to really like character driven novels like this. And this is so well written, but whoa, the characters are just not likable, and honestly, it was quite frustrating to read about their decisions. I ended up liking a side character better.
It was well written (with so many smart people words, eyeroll) but I felt like it kind of went nowhere… I assumed it was going to span these people’s lives because in the beginning it would mention future interviews with Sadie or Sam, but it really didn’t go too far into the future.
Recommend? If you like literary character-driven novels, yes. Otherwise, nah.
[5] Eight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis
Fiction / Women, heard about on Stephany’s blog, read Kindle version
Synopsis: Noelle and Sam meet when they’re stranded on the same road during a blizzard and Sam invites Noelle into his car to charge her phone. She questions what she’s thinking getting in a stranger’s car then immediately feels as peace that she did because they have an instant connection and spend eight perfect hours together. They don’t exchange info and she can’t get him out of her mind after and thinks she will never see him again, but they keep bumping into each other.
Review: This novel was what I expected and wanted – sweet and easy to read. The whole time I read it I was just rooting for Noelle and Sam to get together already! But ugh, Noelle’s mom and brother were such a drag and every scene with them made me nutso.
Recommend? Sure!
[6] Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
Young Adult, did for a buddy read with my friend Kris, read Kindle version
(Random side note, I was reading the GoodReads synopsis of this book and it gives away something that happens like, 70% through the book! WTF! Why do synopses do that?!)
Synopsis: Charlie is sixteen and has never been kissed. It’s not all she thinks about, but when her best friend Amelia is thinking about going all the way (!!!) it does make her feel a bit childish. Actually, despite Amelia being her bestie, a lot of things about her make her feel inferior – she’s skinny, athletic, and everyone likes her better (even Charlie’s mom!!!). Charlie is a lot of things, but thinks people mostly see her as fat, especially her mom, who is constantly trying to get her to have meal-replacement shakes.
Review: This is a sweet coming-of-age story that covers a lot of ground – friendship, family relationships, romantic love, self-love, death, and weight. Charlie’s character is very likeable, and so are her friends! I really enjoyed the book and my only complaint was how abrupt the ending was. And how horrible her mom was to her.
Recommend? Yes!
I felt the same way about Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. I expected to love it way more than I did!
I’m glad you loved Eight Perfect Hours. I hated the way the MC was treated by her family, but loved how it all played out in the end.
Right! The writing was great but the story was so meh and fell flat for me!
Me too! I was like FINALLY. Ha!