Samantha M

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“I ended up loving this book.

I thought people would understand that you can't compare this to Harry Potter, but they insist on doing it anyway. If people would just forget, for just a moment, that J.K. Rowling wrote it. Fantasy nerds with their Harry Potter lego sets are probably not going to like this book. But people who picked up Harry Potter because they simply loved reading and books and thinking about life might like it very much.

"The Casual Vacancy" is a beautiful, relevant argument in favor of welfare. It comments on the pitfalls of parenthood, small town life, and the nature of adolescence expertly. It's crafted with all the depth and richness of the Harry Potter series, but it's got different issues in its viewfinder. As a strong supporter of welfare, I think it does a brilliant job. ”

Samantha M wrote this review Thursday, December 20, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“John Green is a reader and writer's writer.
At a glance, this book is great for any teen wanting a quick and amusing read. It's funny and addicting.
But there's also a deeper element that strongly reminds me of the classics dissected daily in high school English classes.
I loved this book entirely, but when Margo quoted my favorite book, The Bell Jar, I was in book love.
Amazing.”

Samantha M wrote this review Monday, February 8, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 2 stars

“It seems that one of the few that didn't like this book much.
Perhaps I'm cynical or something, but I found Hannah more annoying than anything.
She blames everyone else because she couldn't deal with being in high school.
All of her "reasons" (possibly excluding the accidentally witnessed rape) were pretty lame in my opinion, and all things plenty of teenagers go through and get over without turning to suicide. She didn't even really give Mr. Porter or Clay or anyone a chance to help her. How can they be blamed?
Somebody needed to just step in, tell her teenage boys are ruled by hormones, and to ignore them. If she did that, half her reasons would become totally invalid.
I felt really sorry for Clay the whole time. The poor guy was completely innocent and she put him through hell. I thought the point was to explain why she committed suicide, not make everyone else want to join her!
I was very intrigued by the format and still think it was an excellent idea, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. ”

Samantha M wrote this review Tuesday, January 5, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 1 stars

“While absolutely amazing from a literary standpoint, I can't bring myself to stand behind Ayn Rand's philosophy. It looks great in the fictional world, where you can create an Ellsworth Toohey for every Howard Roark, but real life doesn't work that way. I don't think this theory stands up in real life the way it does in her novels.

But this novel is a brilliant piece of literature, if you can stomach all the direct-preaching of her objectivism. Subtlety is lost on Ayn Rand, but the art of great writing is not.”

Samantha M wrote this review Sunday, November 15, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This book is splendidly charming, though I risk sounding like the accolades pasted on the cover saying that. For once, they're generally spot on. It's like a more accessable version of a Jane Austen novel and the narrator is very easy to like. You're pulling through her through thick and thin. The writing is amusing and sometimes poigant, and always good. Just when you think the plot is going to fall to conventions, it alters a bit and goes a whole other direction. All the characters are well-developed, too.This book is definitely worth a read, and it's good to know it's back in print. ”

Samantha M wrote this review Saturday, August 22, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Amazing, hilarious book! I never laugh at loud at literature, but I found myself chuckling plenty of times during this book. It's expertly written and makes you think in addition to the hilarity. You can't help but like Sedaris, and this book. I cannot wait to read more! ”

Samantha M wrote this review Thursday, May 21, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

5 of 5 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 2 stars

“Many say to treat this book as a only a "young adult romance." Of course, that's what it is. But even by those standards, this book is sub par. I've read many young adult books that have much more devoloped characters, less horribly redundant storylines, and overall more well-written. It is a pretty fast read. I found myself motivated by the desire for something to happen, rather than the same conversations between Bella and Edward over and over. The entire book can be summed up with:
Bella: "What could this perfect creature ever want with me? I'm so inferior!"
Edward: "I love you for you!"
Bella: "You sure? You won't leave?"
Edward: "Yep!"

That's it! Even when something does finally happen, it's predictable. I don't like the characters much, particularly Bella. She's shallow, way insecure, annoying, and totally unperceptive.

This book is way overrated. Yeah, it's a decent read at the very most. It doesn't deserve all the hype and I really wish people would quit comparing it to Harry Potter!
*steps off soapbox*
”

Samantha M wrote this review Wednesday, December 3, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“It's hard to bottle up the huge ideas of Henry David Thoreau into a few pages, but it is accomplished in "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail."

It tells the story of Thoreau somewhat erratically, "awash in space and time," which mirrors the man himself. It begins with him in a jail cell, imprisioned for refusing to pay taxes because he did not support the war they would be funding, and travels through the events and people that shaped his life, including his brother John, idol Ralph Waldo Emerson, and brief love interest Ellen.

The play is beautifully written and perfectly timeless. The issues Thoreau addresses were as relevant at the time of publication as they are today. The subtle and not-so-subtle symbolism and statements are just as interesting as the plot at face-value. It's bound to intrigue anyone and provide valuable insight into an amazing man for anyone who cares to crack it open. ”

Samantha M wrote this review Sunday, November 2, 2008. ( reply | permalink )