So then why didn't I connect with this one?
I think it's because the narrative moves from the present with Lydia in the bookstore, to moments from her childhood with her father, to the present again with her boyfriend, David, then back to the traumatic incident from her past, to the present mystery with Joey, and back again. And I'm not saying the author doesn't do it well. He does. It's just for me, personally, this narrative style can make me feel like I'm constantly getting yanked between the past and present, so that I never fully connect with either timeline. Which is why I don't love it. But that's just me.
Would I recommend this one? I say, if the plot and that bookstore setting appeal to you, definitely give it a read. Because you just might end up liking it more than me.
Happy Reading!
Connecting with a book or not connecting can be so specific and personal to each of us. Things one person hates can be what others love. I think what kept you disconnected would probably do the same to me to be honest. Interesting post, Lark.
ReplyDeleteThe jumps felt so random at times, it wasn't until the end that I saw how they all came together, but by then it was too late to really care much. At least for me.
DeleteI fully understand and agree with your analysis. I've had similar experiences, sometimes with very well-known books that everybody else seemed to love. I find that when the action is constantly switching around to different time lines it is very hard for me to connect with a book.
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly hard for me in this one. I just couldn't seem to figure out what was at the heart of this novel until the very end.
DeleteOf course, this happens. Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes this lack of connection, and it doesn't mean the book is bad, just that it lacks that "je ne sais quoi"--a perfect French phrase for the phenomenon. But I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteIt is a cool cover. I think I would have liked it more if it had focused more on the books and the bookstore rather than on Lydia's past.
DeleteWhen I don't connect to a book, It is sometimes because I can't relate or what mood I'm in. Sorry this one didn't register with you.
ReplyDeleteMy mood can affect my reading, too. Especially these past few years.
DeleteHey Lark, I can understand why this might have been a challenge. I also have difficulty with jarring changes from present to past - if not done right it throws me off from the story. Hope your next read is better.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I felt...thrown off from the story.
DeleteI have this one on my reading list, too. Now I'll know more what to expect! I often have trouble connecting with or fully enjoying books that jump around in the timeline, too. Especially if it also jumps between character viewpoints!
ReplyDeleteThere's not too much switching of POVs in this one, although there are some parts told from Lydia's father's POV. Mostly it's jumps in time.
DeleteHi Lark, I know what you mean. Sometimes books are written very well but they are not for us. And sometimes I start out loving a book. It's a real page turner but then the book falls apart. Sometimes the writing talent couldn't sustain itself but also I recently read a book I was really enjoying. But then around page 200 it took a very dark and in my opinion unnecessary turn and I could not finish it.
ReplyDeleteI hate when a book does that! I've read some books where I've loved the story right up until the end, and then the ending is so unexpected or unsatisfying I end up hating the whole thing.
DeleteIt happens. Sometimes a book just isn't going to be one we like for whatever reason.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true!
DeleteI've got this one somewhere on my TBR list, and have been debating whether to read it. You're not the first reviewer to say they didn't really connect to it. I'm still on the fence... which given how many books I really, really want to read, is probably answer enough. But we'll see.
ReplyDeleteYeah, maybe read the books you really, really want to read first. This one can wait.
DeleteIt happens, but it does sound too bad in this case. Lots of possibly fun elements.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a bad read. I just ended up not loving it. And there were things I did like about it.
DeleteIt's always a bummer when we don't fully connect with a book. I can understand how jarring the multiple povs and time shifts can be. It can get a little frustrating after a while.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to see where the story was going at first, so the shifts were a little frustrating. And it made it hard to connect with the characters.
DeleteIt does sound interesting, but yes it also sounds like there might just be a little too much timeline jumping, which is unfortunate because it sounds promising otherwise!
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't quite work for me.
DeleteI am sorry this one didn't work for you, Lark. I am curious about Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore and so will probably give it a try at some point. I generally don't mind back and forth timelines, but there is such a thing as too many threads coming into play which it sounds like might be an issue with this one.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely give it a try! (And then let me know what you think of it; I'd love to get your opinion on this one.)
DeleteI did like it more than you did, but I do agree that when an author yanks us in and out of varying timelines, it can get tiresome and can ultimately put us off the book.
ReplyDeleteI just couldn't get into this book like I usually do. And as much as I liked Lydia, I also felt distanced from her because of all the timeline switching. But it wasn't a bad read.
DeleteI'm not a fan of getting yanked from present to past all the time either. I just read a book that did that and it slowed the plot and was a bit frustrating. Oh well, we can't love them all! Hope you love your next read!
ReplyDeleteIt does slow the plot! That's probably part of why I didn't end up loving this one.
DeleteI have been wanting to read this book because of the bookstore setting. I don't know whether the jumps from past to present would bother me or not, it depends. I was glad to read your take on the book.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to let me know what you think of this book if you ever do get a chance to read it. It's not a bad book; the narrative style just made me feel a bit distanced from the characters. But it might not bother you at all.
DeleteIf I had read this, I think I would feel the same way. I don't like going forward and going backward story telling. Doing it once, it's fine but more than once, it's a bit annoying.
ReplyDeleteUsually this is done in the prologue, like showing the readers with a present moment and then go back to tell how it came about which I think is really the only time I would accept this time switching about unless you're telling a duo story in case, I guess it's not quite the same.
Have a lovely day.
Even if it was switching back between just two times I wouldn't have minded so much, but it was between multiple times in Lydia's life, and it just made it hard for me to connect with her.
DeleteI think I would be annoyed by the herky-jerky narrative style, too. Too much back-and-forth is disruptive and confusing.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a narrative style I love, and it made it hard for me to connect with the characters, or with the overall plot.
DeleteI think I also prefer to spend a longer time in one narrative. I remember reading All the Light We Cannot See and feeling sort of whiplash as the book jumped from different perspectives ever other chapter. I think that is also why I am not a huge fan of short stories. By the time I am invested, they are over. LOL
ReplyDeleteI totally get that! I like the books where I can get caught up with one character and their story...preferably in one timeline. :)
DeleteThat happens to me too. Sometimes I just couldn't connect with the story - it may be the writing style, the multiple POVs or sometimes the characters. Too many to list. But I love that cover though.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very cool cover. I wish I had liked it better.
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