Welcome to the MOSL Book Challenge


Showing posts with label epistolary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label epistolary. Show all posts

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Technically, You Started it by Lana Wood Johnson

 Pages: 384

"When a guy named Martin Nathaniel Munroe II texts you, it should be obvious who you're talking to. Except there's two of them (it's a long story), and Haley thinks she's talking to the one she doesn't hate. A question about a class project rapidly evolves into an all-consuming conversation. Haley finds that Martin is actually willing to listen to her weird facts and unusual obsessions, and Martin feels like Haley is the first person to really see who he is. Haley and Martin might be too awkward to hang out in real life, but over text, they're becoming addicted to each other. There's just one problem: Haley doesn't know who Martin is. And Martin doesn't know that Haley doesn't know. But they better figure it out fast before their meet-cute becomes an epic meet-disaster . ."

This was a cute little fluff book written in texting format. The twist was fun if a little predictable and reminds me how oblivious a teenager can be when figuring out dating and feelings of attraction. 

Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Told through a series of letters, the reader is introduced to the titular wallflower, Charlie, who is just starting high school. Through Charlie's eyes, the reader is taken through the roller coaster that is being a teenager---first dates and family drama, loss and love, new friends and new books. Trying to live his life while trying to run from it, one is given a glimpse of what it's like to live life on the fringes all the while trying to feel infinite.

213 pages.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss by Anderson Cooper

The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and LossThe Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss by Anderson Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have wanted to read this since I saw Anderson Cooper speak about himself, and his mother, at the 2016 PLA conference, but it took me some time to actually get around to it. He spoke in a way that was so funny, raw, and emotional, that he drew me right in. He told so many interesting stories about his life, that I knew I wanted to read more, and I'm glad I did.

I took a lot away from this story, beyond just learning more about two rather famous individuals. It has a lot to say about humanity and life in general, and it left me with plenty to think about, including how events in our lives help shape us into who we are. They said some things that really resonated with me, and I'm happy I took the time to finally read this one.

Book 35 read in 2018

Pages: 309

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Lady Susan by Jane Austen

Lady SusanLady Susan by Jane Austen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an epistolary novel. It was an early text by Jane Austen, though she did not consider it to be a finished work. It bothered me, at first, to read an unfinished work, simply because as someone who likes to write, I wouldn’t want the world reading an unfinished work (same reason why I won’t read Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee).

But then I got over it, and I decided to listen anyway, out of curiosity. Okay. That’s a terrible lie. I’m reading it, because it’s short. I’m dreadfully behind on my Goodreads 2017 Challenge, and this was on a list of short books that people should read.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about how the protagonist for this book is actually the antagonist. She’s quite the bad girl, which makes her fascinating, indeed. She’s not particularly enjoyable, and I don’t like her at all, which I think is a positive for this short story. In fact, she is definitely an antihero.

The letter format is a bit hard to follow at times, but that is typical of the writing from this time period. Also, let’s not forget that this is an UNFINISHED work. It’s not a must read, but if you like the time period, the epistolary format, Jane Austen in general, frivolous characters, fancy dialogue, and/or a combination of immature and manipulative adults, this might be interesting to you.

Pages: 157

Monday, April 24, 2017

Roomies by Sara Zarr

RoomiesRoomies by Sara Zarr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a YA novel based around emails exchanged between 2 soon to be roommates the summer before their freshman year at college. The concept is fun, and the story is easy to consume.

Pages: 279