readwithmeemz's reviews
1330 reviews

2.5 Stars

I love stories about friendship, but this one frequently has me wondering if Emily Giffin has ever met a Black person? 

Overall, this book had the makings of a strong emotional arc, but although it is a Perfect Summer Read ™️ - despite the heavy, and rich content, it felt devoid of substance, depth, and personality. 

Real issues were touched on, but skated over, so constantly, that it felt more like they were plot filler than character or story development. 

In the chapters from Lainey and Hannah’s POVs, they seemed multi-dimensional, and human, and real, with rich inner-lives, and real, human feelings. Tyson on the other hand read as stilted and forced, with a total lack of a personality or dialogue.  I thought his parents were also pretty poorly written, and thought it fascinating that somehow every Black person in this book seems to be calling women “females”… Unsure where that came from, but to me it read like a carry over from the author hearing a rap song once? Perhaps that’s unfair, but it was hard to read this book without constantly, jarringly getting taken out of it every time I read one of Tyson’s chapters. I don’t know how else to say it, but nothing about him seemed real. From his supposed passion for social justice; to his “journey” to finding himself, he just read as a flat caricature more than a person. 

The rest of the story was, conceptually, really wonderful — friendship stories, pacts, international travel - all make this book  catnip for me. And I did read it in one day, but unfortunately, the complete lack of effort or interest in exploring any kind of depth with substance or meaning really threw me off. 

I had high expectations for this book after hearing rave reviews and seeing it on multiple “best of the year so far”’lists. I have to say, I was coming into this with a really open mind, especially because I already agree with the core concept - that social media has led to an increase in mental health problems and mental illnesses, especially in kids and adolescents. While I agree with this underpinning idea, I did not find this book to be particularly well written, or even reassuringly well-researched.

First off, through this entire book, Haidt would underscore his key points using anecdotes (which were sometimes not at ALL related), then turning them into massive generalizations, often using his own newsletter or unpublished research, or personal anecdotes as a cited source. 

Secondly, I found throughout the book, Haidt writes and speaks with a condescending tone. He appears to have no respect for children and teenagers, or for any readers. I tried so hard to ignore the tone, and give him the benefit of the doubt, but his smug, preach, holier than thou attitude made this read more like a personal essay than a scientific or educational text. Haidt also very clearly lets his own personal biases shine through here, often ignoring his own privilege, and making harmful, and even dangerous generalizations and sweeping statements.

Finally, this book was quite boring. I tried reading the physical book, and got so bored, I had to pick it up as an audiobook, so I could listen when I had no other escape. And frankly, listening was quite a chore. There were occasionally interesting and compelling points, but overall I really, really did not like this book.

I received a reading copy of this book from the publisher.

This was cute, charming, and fun, with a delightful premise. Although entirely predictable, that’s not necessarily the worst thing in a romance book. I enjoyed the concept SO much - it was perhaps the most unique part of the book. The secondary characters, although lovable, were kind of a mad libs of quirky, offbeat secondary characters, so they didn’t feel entirely new. The romance was charming, and the final twists weren’t entirely unexpected. I had a good time with this though, and read it in two sittings. I definitely plan to read more from Greenwood!

3.5 Stars

Silly and fun, this was a delightful and goofy romp, with a range of stinky and silly characters, perfect for an enjoyable "read-out-loud" experience. I read this digitally, so wasn't able to scratch and sniff the way I'd like, but I had fun reading this, and I think it would be enjoyable to read it with young kids.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for my honest feedback.

3 Stars

This was a fun read, albeit not the most well-paced one. It starts off strong, dropping you right into a world of magic and warring factions, with a headstrong heroine, and a promising chemistry with the brooding love interest. I really enjoyed the cast and most of the secondary characters (especially the Cloaks). The first part of the book sets up a really great premise.

The middle of the book, unfortunately didn’t have 
a payoff that was as rewarding as it could have been (although I wouldn’t say it was <i>bad</i> necessarily). The pacing starts slogging a bit (even as the heat and the steaminess pick up). Things move so slowly, and despite the stakes being supposedly high, it didn’t feel like it, and felt boring at times. Some twists are introduced, which feel out of place and don’t have the “shock factor” you’re hoping for with major reveals. Also, a personal pet peeve, I hate most love interest nicknames in romance and romantasy novels, and this book was no exception, spitfire - while cute at first, got old REAL FAST.

We get a long lead up to an action-packed climax & conclusion that felt confusing and a bit messy, where twists are revealed, and stakes are high, and dramatics are had, but it felt rushed and confusing, so things didn’t land with the emotional impact they could have had, especially with the drawn out middle of the book. 

Ultimately, the read was fun and I really enjoyed the promise the ending delivered. I definitely do plan to read the next one, as - although not necessarily the most well constructed book, it was a fun fantasy with some great secondary characters (plus an ADORABLE dog!!)

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher, in exhale for my honest feedback

1.5 Stars

This book was compulsively readable, and I read it in a day! However….

Unfortunately this was poor storytelling, grating dialogue, and poor character development, all tied together with a plot that barely progressed. I remembered almost nothing about this second book, and now having read it, I realize that it was pretty forgettable. Not just mediocre, but at times actively bad, which sucks, because the premise has promise, and book 1 was readable and occasionally enjoyable. 

There was a weird racist plot line about these “savage” Native ‘rusties’; continued misogyny; and BORING characters, leading to boring stakes. Shay was the only character with some *zest*, and unfortunately it appears our author hates her, as he continues to give her terrible development, motivation, and decision making. Sometimes she’ll be furniture in a scene, then all of a sudden she’s making terrible decisions out of nowhere. The pacing was pretty terrible too. So little happens, then you blink and some major character or relationship development happened. 

I’m a bit disappointed as the concept is engaging. I am curious to remember how the series ends, but am not sure if I’ll be able to finish my reread.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for my honest feedback. 

Egg freezing is something that myself and many of my friends and family members have talked about, especially in the last few years, as we’ve gotten older. It has always seemed to me like a magical insurance policy, a way to freeze time, and possibility, and postpone the decision or chance to have biological children. I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I knew very little about egg freezing, it was just one of those things that I knew <i>happened</i> whether I understood it or not — like flight, or the Kreb’s Cycle. I think I only know one person who has actually gotten their eggs frozen, but I do know several who have had difficulties on their fertility journey. When I heard about this book, immediately, I knew I needed to read it, and I’m so glad I did. 

<i>The Big Freeze</i> is a deep dive into egg freezing, embryo freezing, and a slice of the fertility industry, especially in the US. It’s also a reporter’s deeply personal journey as she tries to decide whether or not she should freeze her eggs. 

This book is meticulously researched, but written in a really accessible and fascinating way, so even when the author is writing about cervical mucus or hormonal changes, the reader is able to understand and contextualize what is being described. There are countless interviews and cited statistics and sources, and I felt that Lampert did a great job at painting a well-rounded, holistic picture of the idea of, the science behind, and the many, many factors surrounding making the decision to freeze your eggs. I learnt <b>so much</b> from this book. Things I had never heard of before, and information I wouldn’t have thought to ask for, or find out. 

Alongside the Science, there are also some really great personal stories. This includes the journeys of many people who weigh the decision about egg freezing, and even follows several people who end up making the decision, as well as a little bit about what happens next.  Alongside these individuals, we also follow the author’s personal journey. As a preteen, she had a medical emergency that resulted in the removal of one of her ovaries. Then, in her twenties and thirties, she was again faced with the possibility of losing her second ovary, and forced to consider what that might have meant for her future plans to have children. This (eventually) starts the author’s journey to understand fertility, and specifically egg freezing, as well as to try to decide if she should do it for herself. 

Written with thoughtfulness, compassion, and hard facts, this book turned so many of my perceptions on their head, over and over again. As with so many other “gimmicky” healthcare treatments and procedures, I learnt about who egg freezing can really work for, and the science and history behind where it came from. However, I also learnt about the often concerning and predatory marketing of egg freezing, especially to young women. I learnt about the extensive and occasionally dangerous process of the egg retrieval. I learnt about the relative uncertainty that your frozen eggs will be successfully fertilized or carried to term. I learnt concerning things about some of the lack of regulation and oversight in this booming business. I also learnt interesting things about the expense of the process, acting as a huge barrier for many. Most surprisingly, I learnt how few people go back for the eggs they froze. 

Ultimately, this book gave me a lot to think about - and did so in an engaging, accessible, and informative way. I finished it a few days ago, and have been recommending it left and right - in fact, I started recommending it before I even finished it! This book is a resource and a guide - while it may or may not tell you what decision is right for you in the end, it will give you incredibly valuable perspectives, insights, information, and tools, so that making the decision for yourself may be just that much easier. This was a compelling read, and I enjoyed Lampert’s sharp insights and tender explorations. 

I also highly recommend the audiobook version!

I received an advanced audio version of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest feedback. 

Growing up in a golden age of dystopian fiction, I had previously read this series, albeit years ago. With the film expected to debut on Netflix this year, I wanted to re-read the first book (& potentially the whole series). 

As a concept, this book is set in a futuristic world ruled by the premise that most people are born “ugly”, so when kids turn 16, they undergo extensive surgery in order to become “pretty”, which gives them access to more freedom, technology, power, etc. Being pretty is the dream, especially for our young heroine Tally. Even though, for some reason, people who get turned “Pretty” seem to change pretty fundamentally, personality-wise. But that’s probably nothing to worry about… right? After her best friend turns pretty (a few months before Tally’s 16th birthday), she’s lonely and sad - until she meets Shay, fellow 15 year-old, and fellow “ugly”. The two become fast friends, Shay pushing Tally to do more and more rule-breaking, until Shay finally reveals her truth to Tally. Shay is going to run away from their “utopian”, beauty-obsessed society, and live in the woods, with a mysterious group of people, in a vague place called “The Smoke”. Shay asks Tally to run away with her, but Tally doesn’t want to. She just wants to be Pretty. It turns out Shay isn’t the only teen who has run away, and Tally soon finds herself embroiled in a shady plot, to try to save her friend, expose “The Smoke” and finally get her chance to be Pretty. Throw in some neat hover-boarding, a mysterious “ugly” (but compelling) boy, and you can probably (quite easily) predict what happens next…

I’ll start with the caveat that this series is “of its time”, so I think some of the points it tries to make, about cultural obsession with beauty, and about our transformations of the standards of beauty will feel a bit “…. yes, and?”. Even when I first read it years ago, it felt preachy, heavy-handed, and condescending… and if we’re being honest, a bit misogynistic. The misogyny continues throughout this story by the way, where we see petty cat-fights over boys, instant romances, character-defying decision-making, and an obsession with beating you over the head with shallowness. All of that to say, even in its time, this series probably didn’t win any points for creativity or ground breaking storytelling. Reading it, it was… fine. Nothing amazing, and not the worst thing I’d read either. Solidly middling. 

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the series - I did enjoy Tally’s journey to The Smoke, and seeing the way the people in the community lived. I liked the hover boarding. I did hate the slang though, it reminded me a lot of The Maze Runner (where I also hated the slang lol). What this book lacks in originality, it does make up in action-sequences, $ fun technology. Plus the (predictable & obvious) plot twist we learn about near the end of the book, sets the premise for some greater rebellion to come. I have only vague memories of the rest of the series, but TBD if I will continue!