Landline is the newest book by Rainbow Rowell. I'm a big fan of hers, as I've mentioned before (here, here and here). For her previous books, she's done the release and book signing in Omaha, so I hadn't read the book before going to the event. But this time, she's a bit more famous, so she did her release party in NYC, and had the Omaha signing event about a month later. So I had already read this book before the signing. I don't know if that is relevant, but I just share potentially pointless facts sometimes. It's my way! Another random fact is that I read the ebook on my iphone kindle app while John was driving us home after our summer trip to Indy. I have previously not been able to read in the car, but for Rainbow Rowell's new book, I tried and succeeded!
Anyway, this is my least favorite of her books. But that's kind of like saying Snickerdoodles are my least favorite cookie. I still really like them. It's just that I really loved Rowell's other books, and this one wasn't quite as magical for me. Which is weird, because there is literally a magic phone in it.
Basically, a woman (Georgie) who is having problems with her husband ends up finding a magic phone and can call the past to talk to him. And she wonders what she should do with this great opportunity and what changes it might make in their lives.
I love Rowell's writing style and she just makes me laugh. I think my problem with this book was that I just didn't like the characters as much as I wanted to. And maybe a reader doesn't have to like the characters, but for this book, I wanted to be rooting for them. I honestly didn't care that much if they ended up getting back together or if her meddling in the past would erase her present (a la Back to the Future).
In conclusion, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars, so you know, it's not like I hated it. If you've liked Rowell's other books, you'll probably like this one. If you haven't read her books - I'd recommend picking up one of the others first. I think Attachments is my favorite, but it's a very close race.
I'll still put it on my list, but maybe it won't be the very next one I read. Attachments is what I wanted to read next anyway!
ReplyDeleteWhat a name! I wonder if that is her real name!? Anyway, I will look into her other books and add them to my reading list!
ReplyDeleteRainbow Rowell showed up in my latest batch of book reviews too - I'm definitely a fan of hers now after the two I've read recently, and I'm really looking forward to Landline, but I feel like I'd better wait a little while before I dive in. Sometimes too much of a good thing in a row burns me out on an author, and I wouldn't want that to happen with her - especially if this one isn't quite as great as the others... Loved Attachments!
ReplyDeletei was kind of nervous to read this review just because of my own preconceived notions about how i will like this book, and how undeniably sad i will probably be once i do read it because it was just released and who knows when she'll crank out another book. i'm not sure that i'll like the whole reaching out to her husband in another time theme, but i am still going to read it as it's available to me from my library now. my sister is currently reading it too and i keep prodding her to tell me how she likes it, so i'm sure her answer will give me an indication of how i'll like it too. i think so far attachments is my favorite of her books though, but i just read fangirl and that one really hit home because there were so many parallels i could draw to my own life. oooh rainbow rowell, you are so great.
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