Thursday, May 31, 2018

DNF&Y [5]

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I didn't like about something, might be what you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

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The Favorite Sister by
Synopsis (via Goodreads): When five hyper-successful women agree to appear on a reality series set in New York City called Goal Diggers, the producers never expect the season will end in murder…

Brett’s the fan favorite. Tattooed and only twenty-seven, the meteoric success of her spin studio—and her recent engagement to her girlfriend—has made her the object of jealousy and vitriol from her cast mates.

Kelly, Brett’s older sister and business partner, is the most recent recruit, dismissed as a hanger-on by veteran cast. The golden child growing up, she defers to Brett now—a role which requires her to protect their shocking secret.

Stephanie, the first black cast member and the oldest, is a successful bestselling author of erotic novels. There have long been whispers about her hot, non-working actor-husband and his wandering eye, but this season the focus is on the rift that has opened between her and Brett, former best friends—and resentment soon breeds contempt.

Lauren, the start-up world’s darling whose drinking has gotten out of control, is Goal Diggers’ recovery narrative—everyone loves a comeback story.

And Jen, made rich and famous through her cultishly popular vegan food line plays a holistic hippie for the cameras, but is perhaps the most ruthless of them all when the cameras are off. 

DNF at 15%
We have choices as women, and there is no right one to make—especially because no matter what you decide, the world will tell you you’re doing it wrong. But when you make the choice to become a mother, it becomes the choice that defines you, fair or not.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

I really wanted to like this one, but I could not get behind the characters and their story. There was a lot of subtle body-shaming disguised as praise for women with tiny waists and big breasts. These women were supposed to be part of a show about supporting each other and being successful in a world of men; however, they just use each other and look for ways eliminate their competition. I really liked the concept of sisterhood and feminism, but that isn't what we see.

These women are catty, underhanded and cruel people that take advantage of others to benefit themselves. One person even uses her twelve-year-old daughter as a pawn to make herself more desirable. Another woman referred to a mother as "udders," because being a parent isn't good for business. It was appalling what these women would do, and I didn't want to continue reading about them. I felt like this book had the potential to be so much more than it was.

I was also a little confused about who was what, when, where and why. The timelines were a little skewed and I occasionally forgot where I was supposed to be. The wording was weird, too.

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The Lost Path by
Synopsis (via Goodreads): If you've got the taste for adventure, come join this treasure hunt! Three young boys set off from Camp Happiness, map in hand, determined to be the first to find the treasure before anyone else. But the shortcut they take leads to something far more spectacular and sinister! All manner of magical beasties live in these woods, and the kids find themselves caught between warring Forest Spirits. Will the three boys find their way out of trouble? Get your map and ready, set, go! Amélie Fléchais's incredible artwork combines the best of French illustration with manga influences. A spooky new fairytale, for fans of Over the Garden Wall.

DNF about halfway...

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought this would be a fun book to read with my son, but neither of us were very invested in the characters. The boys picked on each other and didn't get along, but they also seemed oblivious to their surroundings. 

I enjoyed the history behind the forest and the monsters lurking there, but in the end it fell flat. I was bored with the story and their journey. The colorful illustrations were breathtaking, but the black and white didn't appeal to me as much. I'm sure there was an artistic reason for it, but I wish the entire thing had been done in those beautiful, vivid colors.

I only had two DNFs this month! What about you? Was there something you just could not finish?


26 comments:

  1. I haven’t seen The Favorite Sister before. The body shaming would annoy me to no end. Big pet peeve of mine. And the whole thing about a group of women being catty and manipulative and at each other’s throats... ? Ugh, so over it. I doubt I could have made it through that one, either.

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    1. Apparently one of them was murdered (in the synopsis), but even that wasn't enough to keep my interest. I hate reading about women that condemn other woman or constantly look for ways to put them down. Society does that enough.

      One woman was excited that her husband smelled bad and was sitting in workout clothes, because she thought that meant he wasn't going out behind her back. Who thinks like that??

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  2. Ugh, I've seen The Favorite Sister floating around recently and now I'm glad I haven't picked it up. I have absolutely no patience for women who cut each other down. And that stinks about The Lost Path because that cover is awesome!

    It's been a while since I DNFed a book, but the last one I did was To All the Boys I've Loved Before. I was SO BORED listening to the audiobook and just could not get into the characters at all. Everyone seems to love it though, so I feel guilty for giving up on it! Lol.

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    1. That one is on my list, but I haven't had a chance to read it! I usually go for audiobooks because they're easier, but I might need the physical copy for this one. It's so hard to enjoy a book when you cannot get behind the characters! That's another reason I didn't like The Favorite Sister--awful characters.


      Don't feel guilty giving up on a book! You should only read what you're enjoying. Life is too short to drag yourself through a book you don't like.

      Delete
  3. Just two isn’t bad. I don’t think I had any this month. I saw The Favorite Sister while on vacation this weekend. I’m glad I didn’t pick it up.

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    1. Two isn't bad at all! The Favorite Sister was obnoxious. I couldn't stand reading about the characters and how they viewed the world. Even their simple thoughts seemed sinister and duplicitous.

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  4. The Favorite Sister just sounds like a mess of a book. I don't like books where the characters are always at each other's throats and are ready to back stab each other. It is definitely a book of acquired tastes xD

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    1. I'm sure it's a book some people will enjoy, but it wasn't for me. Like you said, I don't like it when characters are always looking for ways to stab each other in the back.

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  5. timelines need to be really mastered for the book to be good too otherwise it's too confusing...

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    1. It wasn't always clear who was talking, or who was being spoken to, so it made conversations a little weird.

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  6. Sorry to hear you didn't like them enough to finish them. I haven't read them.

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    1. It's okay! Not every book is for every person.

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  7. Maybe they grew int he first one?? After just finishing two books where it took over 50% of the book for the characters to grow though I can say it's a slog to spend that much time with people you don't like lol

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Maybe? I know this is going to sound awful, but I didn't care enough to find out. I don't want to slog through half a book before I can tolerate it. I commend those people that can, but there are sooo many other books I want to read.

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  8. I want to read The Favorite Sister because it's kind of like Real Housewives, which I love, but now I'm not so sure!

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    1. You should definitely try it! It might work for you, but it just wasn't for me.

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  9. This is a cool idea for a post. I really need to get better at DNFing.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. It took me awhile to do it without any hesitation! I used to feel compelled to finish a book no matter what, but then I stopped enjoying books and that was a huge bummer. DNFing has allowed me to stop reading the books I'm not liking, and find more books to love!

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  10. Bummer about the Lost PAth, it does look like it would be good. Two DNF's isn't bad though.

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    1. I was okay with two! I think The Lost Path had a great concept, but the story just didn't work for me.

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  11. Oh man, The Favorite Sister was one I had my eye on. But I think I'll have to pass... I DNFed Luckiest Girl Alive after just a couple of pages...

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    1. I don't think I'll be reading that one either... I just didn't jive with the writing or the content. It was just so awful to read about women hating other women, especially when they are supposed to be supporting each other.

      Delete
  12. Can't say I knew either of them so no great loss

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  13. Sorry to hear you and your son didn't like The Lost Path. I think I'd enjoy all the illustrations in color too! I wasn't really interested in The Favorite Sister, but definitely not going to read it now. Those women would drive me nuts!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I was going batty before I finished the first chapter! I only got through one perspective and like two pages of another before I stopped. It just wasn't worth it for me.

      Delete

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless