I haven't read it, but I read Zevin's book AJ Finkry, and I knew from that I wouldn't like Tomorrow. Her writing and her plots are just not for me. Booktuber Christy Anne Jones also says a lot of the book has incorrect information about the video game industry as a whole, and the process of creating a video game isn't portrayed correctly either.
I'm so glad you brought up Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. I completely agree. Not really because I am older than the target audience and don't play video games, but because the characters were so unlikeable, especially Sadie. It was so obvious the author was trying to fit 2024 identity politics into the 90's and it seemed silly to me. By the end, I didn't care what happened to their dumb company.
i tried to like give sadie the benefit of the doubt bc i just don’t wanna hate on female characters like that but bro she was so awful. and another gripe i had about this book was the fact people talked about how much they loved the friendship in the story but that was the most toxic description of friendship i ever read. i literally don’t understand how people liked this 😭😭💀
I'm older as well and have never played video games. So the premise didn't interest me but all the hype made me feel like I was missing out. Now I'm cured of that. Thanks to the both of you, haha.
I read the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie recently and enjoyed it well enough. However, I did not understand what motivated Sandy, the main character among the girls. So I looked for answers and ended up doing a deep dive - Wikipedia, LitCharts, etc. I'm now convinced it's not only a good book but a great book. Sparks' narrative control - what she leaves out - is masterful. I'm going to read it again.
I appreciate your thoughts on the Tomorrow book. Also, I’m curious if you’d like Soldier Sailor. A little bit of an unhinged mother situation in that one. But it’s not off the walls, more relatable 🙃
Sweet Bean Paste is something I've been interested in since you first mentioned it. So it's nice getting your further thoughts on it! September was a pretty good month reading wise for me, didn't have too many misses for books that I enjoyed. Dark Age by Pierce Brown Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Love, love, loved this one) Blackout by Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton, Ashley Woodfolk, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas (Short story collection) Light Bringer by Pierce Brown The Guncle by Steven Rowley The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez Most Wanted by Rae Carson Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman Radicalized by Cory Doctorow The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
As an English learner, I don't know the differences between 90s or 2024 writing style, and I enjoy my reading process of Tomorrow x3. I do not like Sadie, really irresponsible at some points. Totally agree with your opinion about Sweet Bean Paste, it's really on the surface, i'd prefer more reflections on characters.
I’m so glad your town didn’t get hit hard! I thought about you. I live in GA, and we got so lucky where I live. My in-laws a couple of hours away had falling trees and no power till yesterday. SO glad The Book of Three was a hit! I loved The Black Cauldron much more, and I still haven’t seen the movie. 😂 You’ve made me want to check out The Wall and The Heart’s Invisible Furies!
Johanna! How did I not know you were in GA! That's awesome! I'm so sorry about the lost power. I've heard of folks just getting their power back today, so 10 days without power. I'm hoping to read The Black Cauldron in the near future. :)
I had read I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman a while back. My daughter just finished it today and her take was so different than mine. It is interesting how we each take away something different from a book. I have a much more concrete brain. I did not remember that the main character's name was either not mentioned or she did not have one. There has been some controversy around John Boyne. Some booktubers I really respect have opted to boycott his works. It is so hard to separate the author's controversies from their works. I have been interested in The Book of Three which is out of my comfort zone as I have read very little fantasy. I am glad you and your family are safe after Hurricane Helene. It is truly heartbreaking to hear how devastating it continues to be for so many people in North Carolina.
I thought Clear was alright. I did see “the twist” coming. I kept thinking maybe I was reading too much into the book, but, nope, she was putting down those hints. Even so, I just didn’t find it quite believable. I love a good Unhinged Woman book. Here are a few I’ve read: Mrs. March, Chlorine, Big Swiss, My Husband, Nightbitch, and The Pisces.
I found the characters in Tomorrowx3 rather excruciating, especially Sadie. I also expected this epic friendship and it was....not. But I loved Clear! The Wall is on my TBR; I love that kind of book. Sciatica is no fun; hope that's better!
Clear had a very interesting premise. I felt the ending was very weak. I got confused as well. I am with you about The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I felt her searching for her prime was ruining mine! I have Once There Were Wolves on my shelf I didn’t realize it was a murder mystery. I will have to pick it up. I have read Migrations, l am pretty sure. I love Emily Fox’s channel. Great video!
I really appreciate your honest reviews. Tomorrow has always been a maybe on my list, but I hate when current ideologies are slipped into prior time periods. Speaking of which, hated Clear. Loved the writing, but ultimately, I felt tricked as a reader. I wouldn't have minded if the marketing at all indicated where it was going, but it didn't fit the characters or time period at all. Especially with what the woman says. No way. What's worse is that no one can hint at it, or it spoils the ending. Done rant.
I didn’t get on with one of Zevin’s other books so I have stayed away from this one despite its high praise. Great to hear about your Sept reads. Sorry you had pain. ❤
I just finished T&T&T and have spent way too much time wondering why I disliked it as much as I did! Maybe it was expectations but I seldom really dislike a book. Glad there are others with the same opinion.
So refreshing to hear someone give an honest review about Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. My least favorite book this year. Could not understand the hype surrounding this book! I could not stand the characters and could not care less about what happened to them!
Thank you sharing about Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, from what you said I dont think I'd like that book either. It really irks me when people bring attitudes and beliefs of the present to books set in the past.
I am so glad that I am not the only one that didn't like Tomorrow (x3). They should not have been friends. It was annoying. The characters did not work for me.
The Wall is on my radar. I think I will really like it. I have I Who Have Never Known Men too. Maybe it says something about me for being drawn to these. 😊💙
I thought I was the only one who didn’t like that tomorrow book lol. It seemed like every single person and their mother loved this book
bro i felt like i was the only one who didn’t like this either 😭😭 everyone really loves this book and i just don’t understand why
I didn’t really like it either.
I'm glad we're not alone!
I haven't read it, but I read Zevin's book AJ Finkry, and I knew from that I wouldn't like Tomorrow. Her writing and her plots are just not for me. Booktuber Christy Anne Jones also says a lot of the book has incorrect information about the video game industry as a whole, and the process of creating a video game isn't portrayed correctly either.
I'm so glad you brought up Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. I completely agree. Not really because I am older than the target audience and don't play video games, but because the characters were so unlikeable, especially Sadie. It was so obvious the author was trying to fit 2024 identity politics into the 90's and it seemed silly to me. By the end, I didn't care what happened to their dumb company.
i tried to like give sadie the benefit of the doubt bc i just don’t wanna hate on female characters like that but bro she was so awful.
and another gripe i had about this book was the fact people talked about how much they loved the friendship in the story but that was the most toxic description of friendship i ever read.
i literally don’t understand how people liked this 😭😭💀
I'm older as well and have never played video games. So the premise didn't interest me but all the hype made me feel like I was missing out. Now I'm cured of that. Thanks to the both of you, haha.
Ha! I love that we agree so completely!!
Yes, spot on!
You are spot on about Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow.
Thank you!
The heart’ Invisible Furies also was my fave of the month. I love this writer, Thee Absolutist is one of the best by the same writer.
It was so good! :)
So glad you liked The Heart's Invisible Furies, and I totally agree about Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow!
It was so so good!
I read the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie recently and enjoyed it well enough. However, I did not understand what motivated Sandy, the main character among the girls. So I looked for answers and ended up doing a deep dive - Wikipedia, LitCharts, etc. I'm now convinced it's not only a good book but a great book. Sparks' narrative control - what she leaves out - is masterful. I'm going to read it again.
Wonderful!
Thank you for reviewing Lloyd Alexander, really looking forward to exploring him one day.
He's wonderful!
I dnf'd Tomorrow etc. Hated it! But I loved Clear! Everyone's opinion is different but that's a good thing!
I loved aspects of Clear, but not the final 20 pages, sadly.
I appreciate your thoughts on the Tomorrow book. Also, I’m curious if you’d like Soldier Sailor. A little bit of an unhinged mother situation in that one. But it’s not off the walls, more relatable 🙃
I'll have to give Soldier Sailor a try. Thank you, Gloria! :)
Migrations is a work of fiction - McConaghy's first novel. I've read both and preferred Migrations, but I had issues with both
Oh! Thanks for letting me know!!
I hated Tomorrow too and I think Charlotte McConaghy’s book Migrations is fiction, kind of a similar premise to Once There Were Wolves
Sweet Bean Paste is something I've been interested in since you first mentioned it. So it's nice getting your further thoughts on it! September was a pretty good month reading wise for me, didn't have too many misses for books that I enjoyed.
Dark Age by Pierce Brown
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Love, love, loved this one)
Blackout by Nicola Yoon, Dhonielle Clayton, Ashley Woodfolk, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas (Short story collection)
Light Bringer by Pierce Brown
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
Most Wanted by Rae Carson
Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman
Radicalized by Cory Doctorow
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
You had a GREAT reading month! How was Jimenez? I keep wanting to try his work! :)
With Miss Jean Brodie, I couldn't get past the part where she suggests her students will sleep with Mr. Lloyd 😬
So true.
As an English learner, I don't know the differences between 90s or 2024 writing style, and I enjoy my reading process of Tomorrow x3. I do not like Sadie, really irresponsible at some points. Totally agree with your opinion about Sweet Bean Paste, it's really on the surface, i'd prefer more reflections on characters.
That makes sense! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad your town didn’t get hit hard! I thought about you. I live in GA, and we got so lucky where I live. My in-laws a couple of hours away had falling trees and no power till yesterday.
SO glad The Book of Three was a hit! I loved The Black Cauldron much more, and I still haven’t seen the movie. 😂
You’ve made me want to check out The Wall and The Heart’s Invisible Furies!
Johanna! How did I not know you were in GA! That's awesome! I'm so sorry about the lost power. I've heard of folks just getting their power back today, so 10 days without power. I'm hoping to read The Black Cauldron in the near future. :)
I had read I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman a while back. My daughter just finished it today and her take was so different than mine. It is interesting how we each take away something different from a book. I have a much more concrete brain. I did not remember that the main character's name was either not mentioned or she did not have one. There has been some controversy around John Boyne. Some booktubers I really respect have opted to boycott his works. It is so hard to separate the author's controversies from their works. I have been interested in The Book of Three which is out of my comfort zone as I have read very little fantasy. I am glad you and your family are safe after Hurricane Helene. It is truly heartbreaking to hear how devastating it continues to be for so many people in North Carolina.
I thought Clear was alright. I did see “the twist” coming. I kept thinking maybe I was reading too much into the book, but, nope, she was putting down those hints. Even so, I just didn’t find it quite believable.
I love a good Unhinged Woman book. Here are a few I’ve read: Mrs. March, Chlorine, Big Swiss, My Husband, Nightbitch, and The Pisces.
That's for the recs!
I'm glad you picked up on hints and still found the twist unbelievable -- I was so confused!
Loved the Lloyd Alexander books as a kid! I re-read The Book of Three fairly recently and even as an adult found it to be fun. 🐷
That's wonderful to read! Thank you!
Thank you Shelley!
You are so welcome!
I found the characters in Tomorrowx3 rather excruciating, especially Sadie. I also expected this epic friendship and it was....not. But I loved Clear!
The Wall is on my TBR; I love that kind of book. Sciatica is no fun; hope that's better!
Yes!!!!! Sadie was just awful.
Clear had a very interesting premise. I felt the ending was very weak. I got confused as well. I am with you about The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I felt her searching for her prime was ruining mine! I have Once There Were Wolves on my shelf I didn’t realize it was a murder mystery. I will have to pick it up. I have read Migrations, l am pretty sure. I love Emily Fox’s channel. Great video!
Miss Brodie ruining your prime! That's hilarious. I agree with Clear - what a weak ending. Truly.
I really appreciate your honest reviews. Tomorrow has always been a maybe on my list, but I hate when current ideologies are slipped into prior time periods. Speaking of which, hated Clear. Loved the writing, but ultimately, I felt tricked as a reader. I wouldn't have minded if the marketing at all indicated where it was going, but it didn't fit the characters or time period at all. Especially with what the woman says. No way. What's worse is that no one can hint at it, or it spoils the ending. Done rant.
I'm so glad I'm not alone in not liking Clear. Tricked! What a great word. Truly. I found the whole ordeal quite odd.
I didn’t get on with one of Zevin’s other books so I have stayed away from this one despite its high praise.
Great to hear about your Sept reads.
Sorry you had pain. ❤
Fair enough! Zevin didn't impress me.
I just finished T&T&T and have spent way too much time wondering why I disliked it as much as I did! Maybe it was expectations but I seldom really dislike a book. Glad there are others with the same opinion.
Glad we can band together! :)
I keep thinking should I buy Tomorrow but think you’ve decided me on it!
Wonderful!
So refreshing to hear someone give an honest review about Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. My least favorite book this year. Could not understand the hype surrounding this book! I could not stand the characters and could not care less about what happened to them!
Thank you! T&T&T was SO over-hyped!
Thank you sharing about Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, from what you said I dont think I'd like that book either. It really irks me when people bring attitudes and beliefs of the present to books set in the past.
You are so welcome!
I DNFd Jean Brodie.🥴
So happy you enjoyed Book of Three❤
A good choice for Brodie. The Book of Three was precious.
I’m anxious to read The Wall!
Enjoy!
I am so glad that I am not the only one that didn't like Tomorrow (x3). They should not have been friends. It was annoying. The characters did not work for me.
Same! True!
As far as unhinged women books go, i read "Nightbitch" by Rachel Yoder last year that would fit.
I've read Yoder's book as well! I completely forgot about it at the time.
Any one piece content soon?
Perhaps soon.
I had the exact same experience with Clear. Was recommended by Simon. Thought she wrote it really well and the ending ruined the whole book for me.
Absolutely.
Dear Shelly. May I send you an email of my children's book, "Mammal Mayhem"? Thank you, Mark.
Sure!!
yellowface was so overhype and underdeliver.
True.
The Wall is on my radar. I think I will really like it. I have I Who Have Never Known Men too. Maybe it says something about me for being drawn to these. 😊💙
Both are great!!!!