I grew up in a two family house down the street in the next suburb of Cleveland. It was a spot on description of the housing and neighborhood. I haven’t lived in the Cleveland area for decades, but reading the book brought me back. Even with that said, not close to my favorite book last year.
Maybe your book club can talk about why the title- what did the fires represent? why were they described aa little? whose perspective was everywhere? I found it to be too distressing with the family dysfunction. The drama was not dramatic and it was slow for me as well.However, it will probably be good discussion.
Definitely one people either liked or didn’t like. This is why I try not to take one persons review or opinion as fact. Everyone reads and interprets differently!
Some novels are plot driven, others more character driven. I like both kinds of books for different reasons. This book is more character driven and offers some good themes for book club discussions: race and class, motherhood, adolescent angst. What are the “little fires everywhere”? The little passions? The little sparks that motivate our own lives and the lives of fictional characters? Do we put them out or flame them into something huge and destructive to achieve something we want or need for ourselves? It will be interesting to see what Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington do with it as a miniseries on Hulu.
@Amber , Thanks. I’m still wondering what I missed in An American Marriage. Some books resonate immediately with us, others really need further pondering, probing, and the benefit of discussion with others (like here) and then there’s the bafflement category. Most of us don’t finish those.
Abby Leibel I found Everything I Never Told You to be very anticlimactic. I expected to “hear everything”,meaning her reasons beyond the obvious. I could not relate to the parents either. On top of that the story line was sort of cliche.
I loved it more the second time I read it -for my book club – as I saw more skilled writing and insights into family relationships than the first time I read it. But not everyone reacts the same way to the same book; reading is a very individual experience.
I was too. It was rather depressing.
Wow. I loved that book.
Me too
yeah not my favorite
I was disappointed in that book too. So many people love it but I just didn’t think the story jelled.
I agree. Was there a plot?
@Tina if there was then I missed it
Nope. Wasted time!
I grew up in a two family house down the street in the next suburb of Cleveland. It was a spot on description of the housing and neighborhood. I haven’t lived in the Cleveland area for decades, but reading the book brought me back. Even with that said, not close to my favorite book last year.
Me too!
And me x
I loved it!
Me too. It was ok
I loved it. But I’m also from where the story took place so it was extra fun and nostalgic
I have to say, I hated it.
@Connie why? I have not read yet, maybe not worth it?
I thought it was ok.
Me too. It took me forever to get through.
I couldn’t get into it!
Uh-oh. That’s next up for my book club. We’ll see how it goes…
Maybe your book club can talk about why the title- what did the fires represent? why were they described aa little? whose perspective was everywhere? I found it to be too distressing with the family dysfunction. The drama was not dramatic and it was slow for me as well.However, it will probably be good discussion.
I loved it. Took awhile to get a feel for it but it was a very good read.
Havent read yet. Why disappointed?
It strung u along and then ended without any point
Definitely one people either liked or didn’t like. This is why I try not to take one persons review or opinion as fact. Everyone reads and interprets differently!
I love the background picture… LOL
Me, too
Me too
It was okay. Not the best I’ve read lately but I don’t regret reading it.
I didn’t like it either!
Not a fan either.
Nor me
Include me
I ended up loving it. We all have different tastes though.
Me too!!!
I loved that book!!
?♀️?♀️?♀️?♀️
That book and author got alot of hype, sometimes hard to live up to. I will probably not read it now. Too many books, so little time, must prioritize?
I didn’t like it.
NO! I thought it was a good story and written well.
Me too
I wasnt a fan either ?
Love the background choice ?
I was too
I want to read it, but I am no so sure if I want to anymore if the book review warrants the poops background
This story did not thrill me
Me too ☹️☹️
Didn’t like it either ?
I didn’t like Everything I never Told You so hadn’t planned to read this one. Now I guess unless my book club chooses it, I ‘ll skip it.
Could you tell me the details of your feelings about the book? Help!
@Judy I felt like it was a little on the boring side and then in the end I didn’t get answers to all my questions
It was not for me
Loved it!
@Susan me too!
Loved it!
@Donna did we read that for BC? It sounds familiar??
@Pamela yes, I believe it was one of Cindy’s first pick.
Yep…. I did pick it. Loved the characters. Shared it w an ex-student who really related to it.
@Cindy thank goodness, guess I haven’t lost it…yet❤️
Omg!!! Loved it!!!
Predictable, unexciting
I loved it ?
I kept waiting for something major to happen, and it never did… but I didn’t hate the story in the end
Some novels are plot driven, others more character driven. I like both kinds of books for different reasons. This book is more character driven and offers some good themes for book club discussions: race and class, motherhood, adolescent angst. What are the “little fires everywhere”? The little passions? The little sparks that motivate our own lives and the lives of fictional characters? Do we put them out or flame them into something huge and destructive to achieve something we want or need for ourselves? It will be interesting to see what Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington do with it as a miniseries on Hulu.
@Julie on point ?♀️❤️?
@Julie wow! This is amazing! I didn’t really look at the book this way, but it really changes everything for me.
@Amber , Thanks. I’m still wondering what I missed in An American Marriage. Some books resonate immediately with us, others really need further pondering, probing, and the benefit of discussion with others (like here) and then there’s the bafflement category. Most of us don’t finish those.
@Julie so true!! Books that fall into the first two categories are the best for book club!
I didn’t really like it either. I think I’m in the minority, though.
Nope, didn’t like!
I loved it and could hardly put it down! One of best books, i I read last year.
I really liked Little Fires, so much I went back & read Everything…
@Abby now I want to read this one. I loved your review, which in itself has given me much to think about.
Abby Leibel I found Everything I Never Told You to be very anticlimactic. I expected to “hear everything”,meaning her reasons beyond the obvious. I could not relate to the parents either. On top of that the story line was sort of cliche.
I agree. It was ok. Don’t get why it is so hyped up.
It made for an interesting book club discussion—disappointing mothers, mother/daughter relationships, etc
Me too‼️
It’s weird how tastes are so different. I thought Little Fires Everywhere was decent but was extremely bored with Everything I Never Told You
Really? I loved it.
I loved it more the second time I read it -for my book club – as I saw more skilled writing and insights into family relationships than the first time I read it. But not everyone reacts the same way to the same book; reading is a very individual experience.
I enjoyed it & so did everyone else in my book club.
@Lee seemed incomplete to me, left me with alot of questions.