Book Reviews — The Goldfinch, Wonder, I Love You More

I’ve got three very different books to share with you this month: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, Wonder by R. J. Palacio, and I Love You More by Jennifer Murphy. 

As usual, this book review post includes Amazon Affiliate links. If you decide to check out any of these books after reading my reviews, I’d appreciate it if you’d click through and make a purchase. 

The Goldfinch Book Review

You’ve probably heard about The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt. First I didn’t read it because it’s just so long (775 pages!). Then I didn’t read it because my friends who did read it gave it mixed reviews. But when I needed a new book for my cross-country flight to Vancouver, I decided to give it a try.

Click here to see The Goldfinch on Amazon.

I had heard that the first part was “rough,” but I wasn’t bothered by the gruesome events that kick off the story–maybe because I knew what was coming. I thought the next several hundred pages were good, but then I had a hard time adjusting to the abrupt fast-forward-a-few-years jump in the plot. Overall, the characters and plot twists were interesting enough to keep my attention, but I never like when the narrator directly addresses the “reader,” and that approach made the ending less satisfying.

While I wouldn’t really recommend this book, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it, especially if they need an absorbing book for a long flight or two.

Wonder Book Review

I read Wonder by R. J. Palacio, after Danielle said it was one of her favorite books.

Click here to see Wonder on Amazon.

Wonder follows August–a 10 year old boy with extreme facial deformities–as he goes to school for the first time. It’s written for middle schoolers, so it’s easy to read, but the story is anything but “light” reading. It left me thinking about my own reactions to people with physical differences, and questioning the fear (?) that makes me want to look away.

I think Wonder would be a great book club selection, because there is so much to talk about from so many different angles. 

I Love You More Book Review 

It may seem odd to refer to a who-done-it murder mystery as a light read, but I Love You More by Jennifer Murphy is at least the lightest of these three books. 

Click here to see I Love You More on Amazon.

I will admit that I was drawn to this book by its cover, but I also was confused by it. The story had a 50s feel to me (influenced by the image, I’m sure), so I became confused a few chapters in when people were using cell phones!

The heroine of this story is a 10 year old girl named Picasso, the murder victim is her father, and the prime suspect is her mother. I’m afraid to say anymore because I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but if you like mysteries, this is a pretty good one.

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Have you read The Goldfinch?

Have you ever been misled by a book’s cover?

What are you reading now?