so-soA group of friends on the Danvers High Field Hockey Team of 1989 strikes a bargain with dark forces via an Emilio Estevez notebook. The concept & the 80s nostalgia brought to mind Grady Hendrix. Barry's novel features a large cast of characters, human & otherwise, & it is to Barry's credit that she tried to flesh them out & establish a connection. However, I had trouble connecting with any one character as it always seemed to be moving from👇
vivastory character to character. I also felt like it was a bit long. At least 75 pages that were repetitive could have easily been cut. A book with an intriguing concept & a promising beginning that loses steam towards the end, 3y
readordierachel Well, shoot. I have a copy of this and was hoping you would give it a glowing review 🙃 3y
vivastory @readordierachel I was too. I really wanted to like it more than I did. I think it would have really benefited with some editing 3y
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emilyhaldi I just got this from the library but based on your review I can already tell I‘m not going to like it 😆 3y
vivastory @emilyhaldi I've read 11 of the 16 shortlisted books for tournament of books & I ranked it at #10 😬 3y
BarbaraBB I am totally confused now as @Megabooks is loving it. I guess I have to find out where I stand 😀. Also - what‘s your number 11? 3y
Megabooks @readordierachel @emilyhaldi @BarbaraBB I agree with Scott that it lost steam towards the end, but I did enjoy the focus on each character. As far as cutting several pages, eh, I was having fun. If you were a teen girl in the late 80s/early 90s, you‘re more apt to enjoy this simply for nostalgia. As far as #tob-worthy yeah, not the best in this tight field but more mid-range for me. A bit more feel-good than their usual picks. 3y
Megabooks And I agree with Barbara - what‘s 11?? 3y
Angitron I felt the same way about this one and eventually bailed on it. 😕 3y
emilyhaldi I can see the nostalgia parts being enjoyable!! @Megabooks And I would love to know what Scott‘s #11 is as well as #1 so far... 3y
vivastory @emilyhaldi @Megabooks @BarbaraBB My #11 so far is Deacon King Kong. I don't get what the hype is. I know it's made a lot of best of the year lists. I'd be really disappointed if it wins at #tob My #1 is a tie between Shuggie Bain, Transcendent Kingdom & Memorial. Loved all 3 for different reasons. If any of these wins, I'd be thrilled. Although I'd like to see TK & Memorial since SB won the Booker (edited) 3y
emilyhaldi Interesting about Deacon King Kong!!! I just started Shuggie Bain and I think I‘m really going to like it 🖤 3y
BarbaraBB I wasn‘t very attracted to Deacon King Kong (despite it being a favorite of Obama) and now even less. Hmmm. But you have 5 more to read - they will probably shake up you list a bit. So interesting, this #tob21! 3y
MicheleinPhilly Interesting! I loved Deacon King Kong and Shuggie and didn‘t like Memorial. #differentstrokes 3y
vivastory @BarbaraBB Fingers crossed that at least one of them will enter the top spot. It'd have to be really special. What's been your fave so far? What's been your least fave? 3y
vivastory @MicheleinPhilly I do want to give McBride another chance. I know others who felt similarly about Deacon really enjoyed Good Lord Bird. 3y
BarbaraBB I‘ve read 7 so far. Favorites are Interior Chinatown and Telephone. I was underwhelmed by The Vanishing Half and Leave the World Behind. But I have some good ones waiting for me. I just started Luster but am especially looking forward to Breasts and Eggs and Transcedent Kingdom! 3y
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