Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
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2019 Monthly Challenge
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February Challenge - I Finished!
I started my February monthly read on Jan 28th, thinking it would take me into February to read it. I finished it within 2 days! Sorry if this is too early!Title: Love Letters to the Dead
Author: Ava Dellaira
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? There was an element of high school romance throughout the book, however I feel it was more of a 'coming of age' story and about learning how to accept and deal with emotions.
Would you recommend? Probably not, the blurb gave me high expectations. I loved the way the book was set out, but the storyline just didn't do it for me.
Title: Mount Vernon Love Story: A Novel of George and Martha WashingtonAuthor: Mary Higgins Clark
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? It was supposed to be about romantic love, but it was mostly a bunch of Washington's flashbacks to life before his presidency. Martha Washington was there- and it was about their relationship, but it didn't feel like a love story.
Would you recommend? No
I was able to check out the February monthly read To All the Boys I've Loved Before from the library & I just finished it today. It was a quick read. While I found the plot predictable, I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars for me. This book was about romantic love, and I'd recommend it.I am also considering reading Love Warrior and Love in the Time of Cholera and The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love and The Hypnotist's Love Story in honor of it being the month of love.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
What kind of love?: Romantic Love
Would you Recommend: This book was just okay for me. I found it more juvenile than I could handle, plus it didn't really end, but continues on which I'm not a huge fan of. I say if you have a huge TBR pile, like I do, skip it.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor:Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic love; also, family love
Would you recommend? Probably not. While I'm not the target audience for this one, I really felt like I was not the target audience while I was reading it. That hasn't been the case with other YA novels I've tried.
Title:To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor:Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love,
Would you recommend? I felt that the s skewed a bit young for me. Can see the appeal for a teen. I gave it 3 stars.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic and love of family
Would you recommend? Depends on the audience. It was a sweet read and I might be tempted to pick up one of her other books if I need a "palette cleanser".
I also read "To All the Boys..." for the group discussion. I agree with the posts above; it felt a bit too juvenile for me, while there have been other YA novels that I have really enjoyed before. I wouldn't recommend it for adults, but maybe kids in high school. It was mostly about romantic love, but would have been a stronger book if it were more about family love, in my opinion.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic and family love
Would you recommend? I'd recommend it to YA fans. I read it after seeing the Netflix movie, but I still enjoyed it.
Title: Love Comes SoftlyAuthor: Jeanette Oake
Romantic love and family love
This is a bit of a niche audience book, I enjoyed it, but a good part was nostalgia of reading with my mom in middle school.
Title: In the Country We Love: My Family DividedAuthor: Diane Guerrero
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? No, it was about familial love and the complicated relationship the author and her family have with the US, a country that offered her many opportunities that were not available to her parents and extended family but that also tore her family apart with its outdated policies.
Would you recommend? Yes, Guerrero tells her story in an engaging, honest and heartfelt way and I was definitely crying by the end of the book. Everyone should be exposed to more stories like this so we can understand the way our policies in the US affect real people, including children and American citizens.
Title: Love Letters to the DeadAuthor: Ava Dellaira
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? This book included several romantic relationships. The main love relationship was that of a teenage girl and the love for her dead sister.
Would you recommend? Maybe? This book was okay. It is definitely not a read everyone would enjoy. I loved the concept of the story being told through letters written to dead people. The story and characters fell a little flat. The book is a quick read and that is why I was able to finish it. It is a YA , perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I was part of the target audience.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
What Kind of Love: Teenage love
Recommend?: I gave this book 3 stars. I'm not sure if this is technically a YA book and I'm not sure how I feel about reading a YA book in my mid-40's. For the most part, I couldn't wait for this book to be over and move on. Not going to lie, I got sucked in a little at the end. We'll see if I read #2 in the series.
I finished!Title: Random Acts of Heroic Love
Author: Danny Scheinmann
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
The book dealt with two story lines, one focused largely on a man inspired to escape from a Siberian POW camp in WW1 to return home to his childhood love (this part loosely based on a true story), the other focused on a young man in the 1990s dealing with the loss of the woman he loved in a fatal accident in South America. So, the love theme is romantic love in a book which is definitely not a romance novel. The book touches also on family love and friendships, and love and courting among animals along with themes of loss, survival and inspiration.
Would you recommend?
Definitely. It was a lovely read, although some of the situations described were not simple and some were a bit gruesome. But all in all, a balanced book with many gems.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? This book was about all sorts of love - teenage love, romantic love, family love, unrequited love
Would you recommend? Definitely! I really liked it, and I'm so glad I waited to watch the movie before reading it.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Teenage crushes/puppy love
Would you recommend? Ehhhh, maybe. I give it a generous 3 stars just cuz it was enjoyable in a mindless way and I’m curious enough to read the sequel. I hated Lara Jean though. I thought I would relate to her more than most YA protagonists because she’s a bit of a quirky homebody but she was so annoying and immature and what tiny bit of character development she had was thrown in abruptly at the last minute (and based on the blurb for the sequel seems to get immediately erased). I also wasn’t impressed by either of the guys. A lot of the dialogue and emotional reactions felt forced and it kept taking me out of the story. Despite being incredibly predictable the plot was cute and fluffy but I’m not pleased with the unnecessary cliffhanger ending.
Michelle wrote: "Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic and love of ..."
Michelle, LOVE the palette cleanser remark! :D
Title:To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? This book was about "romantic" love... but that would really be a stretch to suggest. I think puppy love is more appropriate.
Would you recommend? In a short answer, no. But, I agree with some PP in that it really depends on the audience. Would my 14 year-old self enjoy this book? Oh, definitely. But as I'm approaching 30, it's a lot less relatable.
The pros of this book: Like Michelle said, a total palette cleanser! If you need a quick, easy, no-looking-up-words-in-the-dictionary type of read - pick up this book! The story was cute and cushy. This was a nice read to break up more intense works.
I know I could have put this book down at any point, and even though I didn't like it, I feel like this is part of the allure of the reading challenge for me; I would not have picked up this book on my own, and I was exposed to a new author that I otherwise might never have encountered. I'm glad there are other readers who are sharing my sentiments though. Fingers crossed for March! :)
Title: Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks: A Librarian's Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in Her LifeAuthor: Annie Spence
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? A librarian's relationship with certain books she has come across.
Would you recommend? This was a cute read. Quick and fluffy, a good read if you are looking for lighter fare. Last 70 or so pages provided book recommendations, so definitely check it out if you want to add to your TBR pile. Would recommend to any librarian or bibliophile.
Jenny Han
The is a young adult book about first boyfriend, falling in love, and opposites do attract. I would recommend this book for anyone searching for a fun and quick story to read.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Teen angst, and confusion about what love is.
I'd recommend it to young teenage girls, middle school or a little higher. I think by 11th grade most teens are looking for more mature reading material.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? It was mainly a teenage romance about puppy love and unrequited love, but family love was also a theme.
Would you recommend? I really enjoyed this, but it definitely wouldn't be everyone. I would recommend it if you want a cute, quick read.
Title: Eat, Pray, LoveAuthor: Elizabeth Gilbert
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic love and self-care/love
Would you recommend? No. I was very disappointed with this book. If I make it through the challenge, I may find another book with "love" in the title.
Title: The Djinn Falls in Love & Other StoriesAuthor: Edited by Mahvesh Murad and Jared Shurin, stories by various contributors
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? It's an anthology so there are a lot of different themes. Most of the stories that deal with love at all feature the romantic kind, although the first story (a wonderful one by Kamila Shamsie) focuses on the powerful familial love between two brothers.
Would you recommend? Yes, although only to mature readers as several of the stories are pretty explicit.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? It had love in the title. I would classify it as puppy love.
Would you recommend? Probably not. I saw the movie before I read it. It was fine and a quick read but nothing that I would feel like somebody NEEDED to read.
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Title: The Tsar of Love and TechnoAuthor: Anthony Marra
Was this book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love: I think it was about many different kinds of love, but also the absence of love.
Would you recommend? Yes, it was amazing. It’s a series of interconnected short stories that begins in Soviet Russia.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic Love
Would you recommend? Yes, if you would like a quick, easy, cute read, this is the book for you. Will it change your life? No, but it is just fun and relaxing. I gave it four stars. It was just what I needed.
Title:
Author:
Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
Romance
Would you recommend?
Maybe. I liked it but I tend to only reccomend books that are earth shattering to the general public or specific types to my book friends based on what I know they will like. I enjoyed it though (although I think the movie is better)
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
Romantic Love
Would you recommend?
To anyone who likes romance, probably. It's a cute book. I liked the Netflix adaptation and I've been barreling through the trilogy (It's day 4 since I started the first book and I'm almost finished), but there isn't really much to it that I haven't seen a million times before.
Author: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
Romantic Love
Would you recommend?
To anyone who likes romance, probably. It's a cute book. I liked the Netflix adaptation and I've been barreling through the trilogy (It's day 4 since I started the first book and I'm almost finished), but there isn't really much to it that I haven't seen a million times before.
Just finished To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before... what the hell, it just ends! I can’t be the only one who feels like it just ends giving no resolution to the readers. Was it always supposed to have sequels and this was a tactical choice or what. Dear Peter... what the fuck
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic and family love
Would you recommend? Yes, it was a cute, fun read. Not for everyone but something cute to read as a break from heavier stuff.
Title: Love Like ThisAuthor: Sophie Love
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic Love and Love of a place
Would you recommend? I don't think so. It was just fine for me. It was a short read that was slightly entertaining, but I have certainly read 100s of better books.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Teenage romantic love, family love
Would you recommend? It was a cute enough romance novel, and I would recommend it to those who like the genre.
Title: Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Cat MagicAuthor: Lidia Sherer
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? It’s mostly a cozy book about a Wizards magical cat. There is a fair amount about the love of the cat for his wizard but that’s primarily background.
Would you recommend? Sure- if you want a cute, quick, light read from the viewpoint of a cat. (I picked it after DNFing 2 other love related books).
I read a couple:Sex, Not Love by Vi Keelan
Romantic Love
I would recommend it. I actually said in my review that I’m mad at the title because I’m publicly a little prudish but it was so good that I had to review it and share it with the world.
I also read the Dear Fahrenheit 451 book. It was cute. It you weren’t familiar with the books it wasn’t as interesting in those parts.
I’d recommend it to bibliophiles and librarians.
I finished To All the Boys I've Loved Before last night, i.e., our Book of the Month. usually, I would not pick up a book like this from a bookshelf, but since it was part of our monthly challenge, I thought I'd give it a try. What a cute book! I actually have the second one put on hold at the library. I didn't find it annoying or irritating like some of the negative reviews stated. Lara Jean is just what I consider a typical teenage underdog. Kids that age often act in ways that make no sense or are irritating to adults. This book actually reminded me a lot of what I experienced when I was her age. I often shake my head now when I think about the things I experienced back then. I would absolutely recommend this to YA - Middle School & up.
Just read mine last night.Title: Love Me, Love My Broccoli
Author: Julie Anne Peters
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? It was about romantic love and about self love.
Would you recommend? It was a younger YA novel and written back in 1999, so I'm not sure if it will be of interest to most people. But I did like the grandmother and the ending.
Title: Love in the Time of CholeraAuthor:Gabriel García Márquez
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
On its surface this story is about romantic love but there are so many layers to it. This love is obsessive and unhealthy and is not held up as something particularly romantic. There are also other forms of love explored such as first love, married love, platonic love, love in old age and more
Would you recommend?
I absolutely loved this book. The writing was masterful and the story engaging it was my first 5 star book of the year. I would highly recommend it with an important caveat. If you can only read about likeable protagonists this book is not for you. The protagonist in this book does some awful things not limited to a relationship with a 14 year old girl at the age of 70 and he generally treats women terribly. However, I did not feel that these actions were excused and he spiral into depravity was an interesting aspect of the story.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic first loves
Would you recommend? I really enjoyed this one. I would recommend for those looking for a fast paced, fun romp. Nothing too deep but brought back all the memories of figuring out relationships when you're young.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? First romantic love
Would you recommend? Yes, to my high school students. I thought it was very cute and hit on many of the feelings that my students have.
Title: Of Love and Other DemonsAuthor: Gabriel García Márquez
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? It's a complex and layered novel, but romantic love is an important element of the story.
Would you recommend? Yes, even if IMO it's not as great as Love in Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
Unrequited, ideal and accidental love.
Would you recommend?
To a teen, certainly. Not for my demographic (fifties Brit!).
Title:
LoveAuthor: Angela Carter
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
This is an Angela Carter story, so the romantic love is a sick, twisted, destructive sort of love, the kind of love that has to be handled as carefully as a baby serpent because it will be just as quick to sink its fangs into your hand.
Would you recommend?
I would certainly recommend this book to lovers of the gothic and dark. If you have never read Angela Carter before, I would suggest starting with something like The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories to get an idea of what you are in for-- Angela Carter is not for the faint of heart. In its short 118 pages, Love covers (view spoiler)
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Without a doubt the main kind of love is romantic love, but I would also argue there is a lot of familial love, especially love between sisters! The book is dedicated to the author's sister so I feel like Jenny Han would agree with me.
Would you recommend? I mean, I loved it and I'm already reading the next book in the series, but it is true YA. If you don't like reading books set in high school, this is definitely not for you!! I'm actually using the other two books in the trilogy for other prompts in the Popsugar Reading Challenge (2. A book that makes you nostalgic and 43. An "own voices" book) in case anyone out there is like me and prefers using series to fulfill the prompts!
Title: God Loves HaitiAuthor: Dimitry Elias Léger
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? The book included a love triangle in which the participants experienced major life changes after a large earthquake in Haiti, but the love in the title refers to the fact that God's chosen people have always been chosen to endure hardships and make sacrifices. The earthquake is one of a series of adversities the people faced. A priest says, "Biblically speaking anyway. God may love us too much, I’d say."
Would you recommend? It depends. The book was an interesting and difficult depiction of life in a poor country after a natural disaster and therefore illuminating but the characters weren't as developed as I would have liked.
I finished this one just now. Light and fluffy. Realized that I’ve been reading but haven’t been checking off my list. I gotta get on that.
Title: The Hypnotist's Love StoryAuthor: Liane Moriarty
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love? Romantic love, familial love, and obsession (if that counts as love)
Would you recommend? Not really. A book about a stalker has so much potential, but this was just so boring.
Title: To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?: Romantic Love
Would you recommend?: I absolutely would. This story was so sweet, and the ending made me want to cry, and I want everyone to be this in love with Lara Jean.
Title: The Girl Who Loved Tom GordonAuthor: Stephen King
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love?
Not sure it was about love, but there are a lot of themes about family and what gets you through - and the main character is a young girl who is a big fan of baseball star Tom Gordon, which helps her cope when she gets lost in the woods
Would you recommend?
I found it quite a bit different from King's other books - a more subtle, creepier read than some of his more overt horror books. I liked it - it was an enjoyable fairly quick read.
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Title: To All The Boys I've Loved BeforeAuthor: Jenny Han
Was the book about romantic love, or another kind of love, or not at all about love: Romantic love and family/sisterly love
Would you recommend: Probably to someone much younger than me. The book was just ok for me, but I'm pretty far removed from the boy/girl drama of high school. Someone younger might enjoy and be able to relate. Also, it probably doesn't help that I'm not much of a romance book fan.
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Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
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Jenny Han (other topics)
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