45. Book Review: The Rosie Project (2014)

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Synopsis

The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers. 

 Rosie Jarman possesses all these qualities. Don easily disqualifies her as a candidate for The Wife Project (even if she is “quite intelligent for a barmaid”). But Don is intrigued by Rosie’s own quest to identify her biological father. When an unlikely relationship develops as they collaborate on The Father Project, Don is forced to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie―and the realization that, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love, it finds you. 

 Review

This novel got such great reviews and not less than four people told I just HAD to read this book.  I thought it looked cute and quirky - which it was.  But beyond that this book completely fell flat for me. It was insanely boring and predictable.  I hate to say that, because I love all books.  But for the sake of honesty, this one just didn't do it for me.  I felt like the author was writing a book he wanted to be a movie instead of just sitting down to write a great story.  And while there is nothing wrong with a good rom-com movie, I have come to expect a little more meat to a book.

Other books you may like…

Where'd You Go Bernadette

What Alice Forgot

44. Book Review: We Were Liars (2014)

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Synopsis 

A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth. 

 We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Review

There is something about young adult that always draws me in. I suppose it is the allure of a quick read.  But don't just buzz through this book.  The ending demands that you pay attention throughout.  Or if you did buzz through like me, re-read it.  I guarantee you will want to!

Great YA book here… I highly recommend!

Other books you may like…

The Fever: A Novel

The Fault in Our Stars

41. Book Review: Eleanor and Park (2014)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Synopsis

Bono met his wife in high school, Park says. So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Eleanor answers. I’m not kidding, he says. You should be, she says, we’re 16. What about Romeo and Juliet? Shallow, confused, then dead. I love you, Park says. Wherefore art thou, Eleanor answers. I’m not kidding, he says. You should be. 

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love—and just how hard it pulled you under.

Review

This was a great young adult read.  The characters brought back fully the awkward and often land-locked feelings of youth and adolescence.  The characters were lovable and totally believable.  There were a few points that were so frustrating as a reader.  Thinking of how difficult the teen years can be - especially for those with non-traditional family situations at home.  I will add that I really loved the books' innocence as well. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend… or even to my kids when they get a little older.  

Other books you may like…

The Fault in Our Stars

If I Stay

38. Book Review: If I Stay (2014)

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Synopsis

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family. 

 Review

I saw the preview for this movie and knew right away I wanted to read the book first - not sure yet if I'll catch the movie.  And it didn't disappoint.  This was a great young adult quick read.  I was surprised by how fast I flew through this book and I can definitely see my daughter enjoying this book one day.  I wouldn't say this book was ultra "deep" but it did offer a thoughtful point of view on death.   If you are looking for a quick vacation read or fall weekend read - this is the book for you!

Other books you may like…

The Fever: A Novel 

The Fault in Our Stars

31. Book Review: The Fever (2014)

The Fever: A Novel by Megan Abbott

Synopsis

The panic unleashed by a mysterious contagion threatens the bonds of family and community in a seemingly idyllic suburban community. 

 The Nash family is close-knit. Tom is a popular teacher, father of two teens: Eli, a hockey star and girl magnet, and his sister Deenie, a diligent student. Their seeming stability, however, is thrown into chaos when Deenie's best friend is struck by a terrifying, unexplained seizure in class. 

Rumors of a hazardous outbreak spread through the family, school and community. As hysteria and contagion swell, a series of tightly held secrets emerges, threatening to unravel friendships, families and the town's fragile idea of security.

Review

I had heard this book reviewed in a few places with glowing reviews.  I will say the story line was interesting - girls dropping of weird symptoms left and right is quite the page turner - but I found the character development a little lacking and the whole book a little ho-hum.  This is just my very small opinion of it, but I found the high school setting and characters a little contrived. For a book that should have been a fun and quick read, it seemed long and a little laborious at times.

That being said this book is characterized as a "dark" novel or a "noir" novel and that genre isn't one I usually gravitate towards.  So it could be that the genre of the book was a wrong fit for me.  I'm glad I read it though. It's interesting as a parent to see into the lives of high school students or even think what I would do in the circumstances of the book. This would be a great book to discuss in a book club as well.

You may also like…

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls (review here)
Gone Girl: A Novel

10. Book Review: Divergent (2014)

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. 

For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. 

 Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Review 

 Okay, okay… I hoped on the Divergent bandwagon over spring break this year.  I figured it would be a quick and easy read for sitting by the pool.  Which it totally is, but guys, this book really didn't do it for me. I kinda sorta liked it; but I mostly wanted it to be over. That stinks because who doesn't love a good young adult dystopia novel these days!?! I loved Hunger Games and Twilight (all books in both series) but this book just didn't intrigue me like the others.  I can definitely see the young adult draw to this book and series.  Maybe someday I will come back around to this series and try Insurgent and Allegiant, but for now I'm going to call it good after just reading Divergent.

Other books you may like…

The Giver

The Hunger Games Trilogy

The Twilight Saga