Why did you read this book? I watched the Netflix show and thought it was great. I was interested to see how different the book was, and whether any of the dramatic plot points actually happened.

Has Jeremy read it? No.

42-word review: WASP goes to jail for a year, writes about her experience and how much worse it would be if she were less privileged. Less dramatic than the Netflix version, it’s an unsensationalised and interesting depiction of the failures of the prison system.

Overall rating:  3 shower shoes (out of 5)

Why did you read this book? We recently read Eleanor & Park by the same author.

Has Beckie read it? Yes, before we started these book reviews. She gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.

42 word review: Harry-Potter-style fanfic author’s freshman year at college. Her identical twin and former co-author wants to be wild YOLO college girl, while protagonist retreats into her fantasy world. Protagonist gets perhaps-too-good-to-read-true boyfriend, and after much angst, mushy bits ensue.

Selected quotes:

• “You’re a sad little hermit, and it creeps me out. So get dressed.
  We’re going bowling.” Cath laughed. “Bowling?”
  “Oh, right,” Reagan said. “Like bowling is more pathetic than everything else you do.”
• “How can the fact that your identical twin sister is super hot be offensive to you?”
  “Because,” Cath said, “It makes me feel like the Ugly One.”
  “You’re not the ugly one.” Levi grinned. “You’re just the Clark Kent.”

Rating: 4 of 5 dorm-room makeout sessions

Special extra on Rainbow Rowell in general: Continue reading →