Eden Shapiro

This book kept coming up again and again on Audible's website so I finally decided to give it a try, but for me it was just OK. It was fine to pass the time by, but not a page turner by any means.

I chose this book after I saw it was Audible's highest rated book of 2011 (or something like that I can't remember now)
This book in interesting for many reasons, but I won't say it is my favorite book or the best book I have ever read.

This is the first Stephen King book I have ever read and I now know why he is considered such a genius in the world of fiction novels. This book really is a piece of art. It spans several decades, includes so much accurate history, so much imagination and all carefully planned and executed so that it all flowed together. George and Sadie are great characters that anyone could fall in love with.

Amazing imagery-- This must be what King is most famous for... it isn't all books where you get such a strong mental image of what is happening. Plus it was set in an era where vivid imagery is gladly welcomed: the late 50s and 60s. I got to learn so much about that time period including that I had never considered before and got a real feel for what things must have been like back then. He painted such a care free and innocent picture of the time it often left me yearning for a chance to visit that era myself. Where poodle skirts and swing dancing were the norm, where no one worried about terrorism and everyone left their doors unlocked. However, King did make sure to point out the shortcomings of the time (racial integration, hospitals, no cell phones, etc).

So despite all the positives this book had to offer, it wasn't a super page turner until the very end of what I consider a very lengthy book. A lot of it (though it had great imagery all the way through) just kind of dragged along, and I just wanted to fast forward through the mundane details and get to the action! I mean every detail in the end of course added to the story as a whole, but it was almost like King felt like he had to go super into detail of every situation to make the whole story as believable and cohesive as possible... which is TRUE, but it was also kind of overkill for me!

But I would still recommend this book to anyone who is kind of nostalgic of the past, enjoys stories about time travel and alternate possibilities.

This book definitely has a bigger message behind it and really demonstrates how fragile and beautiful life really is! Every action has a chain reaction and often we are unaware of how our actions will affect the future until it is too late. A cautionary tale to some degree!

Loved this book, could relate to it so personally and on so many levels.

I didn't review this book immediately after reading it and now can't remember super specifics about it and I don't think my words could do it justice now!

However I will say that I would recommend this book to any introspective person who often thinks about life at a deeper level and likes examining their own emotions.

This book says so much about life and the many relationships we form as well as the range of emotions we go through in life and in love, during high and low moments.

Definitely a great book that I would recommended and will read again in the future!

This book came up as highly rated by Audible users so I chose it after not having any other book lined up.

The story sounded interesting enough set in the 1920s with what promised to have intrigue and great characterization. Unfortunately with this book there was never that moment where I couldn't put it down, where I had to know what would happen next. It kind of just moved along at a slow pace.

That slow pace probably undoubtedly mirrored the slow pace of the 1920s, but still there wasn't enough action happening to really keep me interested.

I didn't hate this book, but I don't think I would recommend it or read it again, and I definitely don't think it deserved the title given by The New York Times and USA Today as the "#1 Hot Fiction Pick for the summer."

I came to read this book after asking a friend to recommend one book that she thinks everyone should read. When she said Ender's Game, and said that it was quite famous and that a movie was even being made, I was very surprised I had never even heard of it.

Not long after that it showed up as one of Audible's must reads. After that it went to the top of my reading list.

I finished this book in under a week, which is nothing compared to my average listen times. This sci-fi books literally transports you to another world and has amazing characterization of all characters presented. Truly I think the main character Ender is what makes the book. Sometimes I finish a book and will note that the imagery was the strongest element, but not in this case. The imagery was a little weak comparatively, but the time spent developing Ender's character makes up for that easily.

No wonder this book is such a classic and beloved by so many! I will definitely continue on with this series and look forward to the movie!

To be honest, I just saw the trailer for the movie and remembered it looking mysterious and glamorous... I had no idea what the book was actually about, but I am pretty sure it was one of the top rated books on audible at some point... and I typically try to read books before I see the movie if possible, so I thought why not?

It was definitely an interesting tale.. and I do really enjoy books which can open up my eyes to a way of life I would have otherwise been oblivious to... which this book succeeded in!

Also I thought it was really nice how the author told the tale from the older man's perspective as well as the flashback perspective to his youth.

The narration was done superbly! Two different actors so that you could really feel the change in time and age.

As a young adult it made me realize and appreciate how much life changes as you age!!-- Mentally, physically and emotionally. Obviously these are things everyone is aware of, but this book really forces the reality into your forefront.

So this all sounds great right, so you may be wondering--why no 5 star review?

So while this book accomplished a lot of good things... it could have done the same in MUCH fewer words. This book moved at a very very slow rate, didn't have any of the mystery or glamor from the movie trailer (quite the opposite actually), and drew out and dramatized scenes-- that really weren't that dramatic--in my opinion.

It's like I was waiting and hoping this long book would eventually heat up to where I couldn't put it down... but that never happened. I think I actually decided to go to sleep mid-climax. (Like I said, the scenes were really long.

I definitely want to see the movie after reading the book, because I think it will be able to capture all of the good the book offered while eliminating its "too long" scenes.

I got this free from Audible during Christmas, and while it was nice to listen to a holiday story during the holidays, I can't remember that this story kept me on the edge of my seat.

In fact quite the opposite-- I can distinctly remember zoning out for good chunks of the story.. which is rare for me.. and also not caring to rewind it--which is more rare--because I was confident I hadn't missed anything too climactic.

Overall it was just an alright tale. I wouldn't mind if I ever heard it again, but I also don't think I will go out of my way to do so.

I first heard about this book from a friend who knew a friend who got her boyfriend by following the rules.

While I can't say I have shared in this success, I do think there are some good principles listed in here. Definitely a good place to start, build upon and tweak for what seems to work and not work.

I know a lot of critics of The Rules think that it is too dramatic, too harsh and paints an unflattering picture of men and women...

BUT as a 21 year old college student who is: trusting of all, forgives and overlooks faults easily, can be naive as a child, and has been told that one of my hobbies is BEING NICE (not to be immodest)... this book was very helpful in changing my attitude toward guys.

The authors advocate following the rules to a T to ensure results. I don't.. maybe why I am single?? Just kidding. And truly I don't believe that any one method or way can or will work for everyone. And that may be another problem critics have with this book: It promotes itself as a cure-all for any situation, and I just don't think that is realistic.

However what this book helped me with was admitting that I had not previously been giving myself the respect I deserved, being too lenient with guys and just giving too much of myself in general.

So although they propose you listen to this as many times as needed until you memorize all the rules... I just listened once, took the big picture... and consciously try to apply the logic in their message to my daily male interactions.

Plus if nothing else, I can honestly say that I respect myself so much more now, and I am happy that I was able to read this while I am still young. Many of my friends throw themselves at guys and constantly clear their schedules "just in case." I used to be the same way, but now I just laugh.

While I am single, I must say that while all of my friends are constantly going out and many even turning to online dating... I am getting asked out left and right! Professors, pharmacists, class mates and beyond.

I can't say everyone will have this same success, and I am definitely not saying it is all because of the rules... but I do think it helped me to at least initially re-think some of my perspective.

As a last side note, I think this book is coupled great with Mars and Venus On A Date (same author as Men are from mars women are from Venus).

While The Rules will tell you what to do and not to do... I think getting the underlying deeper psychology and psychological differences between the races from Mars and Venus on a date will help further communication, understanding and behavior toward the male race.

One critique of this book is that it gives guys too much credit. Too much credit in assuming that they are all casanovas who KNOW to ask us out several days in advance, and KNOW that we don't want to be asked out via text message. Some guys are just clueless and don't know these things. While the book does offer tips for suggesting these things... I really do think that some guys may try their best and still not meet up to the Rules requirements.

Happy Dating!

Typically I am a big fan of dystopia books, so I thought I would try this one.

As a 21 year old, I may just be older than the target market, but generally I enjoy young adult titles. The first half of the book was very slow going for me, and I had to really push myself to finish it.

About sometime midpoint through the story I did start getting more into it, but I dont think Roth does that good of a job of character development. The main character is very predictable and you don't really get a true feel for any of the other ones.

While I would like to know what ends up happening in the next book, unfortunately I don't think I will be continuing the series.

While this particular dystopia story was unique.. it was almost too reminiscent of Hunger Games (which are similar, but better books) and The Giver-- kind of mixed together.

Personally I like to read books that intrigue me on a deep level, make me question my surroundings, help me grow or see a new perspective. I can't really say this book did any of those for me.

However, as I said before, it could just be that this book is too juvenile for my age, and that given the correct reader it would be a hit!

This is a wonderful listen. I love when audiobooks are read by the authors, if done well, and in this case Julie Klausner does a beautiful job of narrating. She is so funny-- I have told all my friends to read it. Definitely a girl's book though. It really spoke to me, I could relate to SO many of her sentiments on dating. I will probably listen again at some point!!

If you are looking for an engrossing read that will keep you hooked until the end, this is the book for you. Great narration and great story.