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Book Followup and Your Help Please

Well, I finished A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY by Libba Bray yesterday and I have to say I did love it. I think I loved her prose more than the story itself - some of the imagery and descriptions were just splendid.

I felt the climax was a bit underwhelming given all the build up, but, with two more books to go, I can see she had to spread the plot out. Loved all the characters. I especially liked Kartik, but I was disappointed by his character arc. He was so confident and menacing in the beginning, and although Gemma did her part in fighting back with sheer nerve and tongue lash, I thought his character petered out rather unchacteristically and without particular good reason given his "mission." I'm curious to see how the second book plays out...

Now, I need your help. A friend of mine is going through some hard times. She and her husband seperated late last year and then she got laid off a month or so ago. She's looking to "escape" into some really good, inspirational and/or feel-good adult fiction while she tackles divorce and job interviews. But, as I do not read any of the sort, I have no suggestions for her. Can anyone give me some?

Lastly, if you haven't voted in my book poll, please do! I seem to have a four-way tie at the moment. I think I listed too many options. There is one day left to vote unless I extend it. I may pick up the next book in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy and let the poll sit another week. Hopefully a few more people will vote so I can prioritize what's next!

Have a good day everyone!

3 comments:

  1. Oh, I'm sorry for your friend. Good adult reading is Janet Evanovich. Laugh out loud funny. And even my dad enjoyed these books.

    I agree so much that the prose in AB&TB is a thing of beauty in and of itself. It's amazing. I think this is why I love this book.
    Books 2 and 3 are not as good in my opinion, but very much worth reading. By book 3 there is so much going on, it's a lot for the author to juggle.

    Oh, and I changed my votes a bit to narrow it down.

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  2. Thanks for the suggestion PJ. I'll give Janet Evanovich's novels a look. Any particulars?

    I'm definitely going to read books 2 and 3. I generally expect sequels, etc. to be worse than the first book. It happens so frequently. I'm always pleasantly surprised when I like one as much or more than a first in a trilogy or series.

    Thanks for the vote change too! That helps!

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  3. If she's looking for a chick lit, have her read Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. I laughed my HINEY off at this story, ROFL.

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